!!! Do you sell things that could be Christmas Presents?

Soon to retire so i can spend more time on this....

I make items out of recycled textiles. My goal is to keep these textiles out of Landfill! I am trying to get started selling and have been successful with friends and family. I do not have a store up and running but use Instagram, Facebook,  and I have started a website. I have sold through PayPal or Zelle.  


One thing i make is rugs out of old T-shirts.  I have 20"x30" and 30"x40". All are machine washable and dryable. you can see more examples here: https://vickiis.com/2023/06/21/potholder-rugs-creating-useful-items-from-waste/

I also make picnic blankets, hats, bags, and whatever i can to use up every scrap of fabric.

reach out to me at: Vicki@vickiis.com or on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/vickiiscreating/ or https://www.facebook.com/vickiiscreating

We bought a foreclosed property next to our home. Turns out it was part of a bluestone quarry a long time ago leaving piles of blue stone rocks that we now enjoy using for all sorts of projects.  

For my birthday present last year my husband gave me a collection of bluestone rocks with holes drilled in them (yep, he gets me).  I have been dreaming up so many uses for them, pictured below is my favorite piece inspired by the work of ODAGIRI Satoshi See his work here.

I thought receiving this present from my husband was so special to me that maybe "Rocks with Holes" might become my next side hustle.  

Uses could be for bases to display photos, phone holders / chargers, air plant stands, candle holders, soap and sponge dishes, wall decor mixed with macrame, hanging rocks etc.  Holes can be drilled any size based on project.

I thought a bulk box of rocks with holes for crafters to make and sell products with +  DIY kits for individual customers to make something on their own.

What do you think?  Would items made with "rocks with holes" make a good gift idea?  What would you like to make with "rocks with holes"?

it's been a weird year or two for me, as i have been doing a lot of traveling and moving back and forth from left coast to the east....and so have started some new ventures and experimental sort of new directions creatively-- doing made to order printed on demand items.
i am maybe still at the throw everything out there and see what sticks stage with it - but its been a new creative outlet for me to put my time into creating digital art, designing all sorts of interesting things to be printed on demand, and much more designing than actual making.
i have created a line of blank art greeting cards, experimented with funky shoe designs and found some limited success - designing things like jackets and clothing, although a slow start to doing this new direction.

so alongside my long time handmade store where i sell handmade creations and also craft supplies -- https://leilahamaya.etsy.com
i started a new store and brand under the name zaluna studio-- https://zalunastudio.etsy.com

it is helpful for me, when i am travelling, to have something to sell in my ecommerce stores, that can be printed and shipped to order - to not be tied down to my inventory on either coast.
perhaps you all will enjoy the different stuff i have on offer there.
*edited to add some pictures, these are some of my favorite designs i have done earlier this year....

Lovely creations!

I do love skilled craftmanship / artistic creativity and authentic materials, and have a weak spot for "well worn" items, it seems to me that the patina of aging gives things a depth of personality.

After collecting (and hoarding...) lovely items for myself, I decided to share the joy:
I'm selling French vintage finds via my Etsy shop, you can find it here; https://treasurechesttales.etsy.com

There's also an Instagram account telling the fictional story of each item. You can find it by searching for @treasurechesttales .

I'd love to hear any feedback from fellow permies!

Bonne soirée from France!
Nina

I have a two-step hobby.

I write novels which is the first part and the second is that I learned how to bind them, so for me a lot of presents end of being written and printed books by me.

It tools some time to master, but now it’s rare that I mess up on a novel. They are homemade so I can add text inside specifically to who I am giving them so it becomes a printed just for them novel.

People love the personal touch I think