Inspire Your Inner Crafty Cupid

I once saw a greeting card that was a connect-the-dots cupcake...hand stitched right on the card. OMGz - adorbs.
It had a hand-stitched line + numbers on the front of the card and in the shape of a cupcake. I was so inspired, that I started to sew designs on greeting cards and made a whole slew of collaged valentine’s day cards that ended up being pretty darn special.

Taking that inspiration, this week’s Inspired by Handmade article comes from handmade SF Etsy Valentine’s Day gifts! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and if you’re like me, you like to give a handmade gift to your special someone or your best friends on this day. Giving a gift that is handmade is a serious treat! Admit it, you’re never disappointed by a gift that was made with love.

I figure, there’s at least a few of us that either need some good inspiration to get our handmade gift ideas brewing...or maybe you just don’t have time to make your special someone a gift this year. What could be better – than having a community of people to turn to when you’re in a Valentine’s Day bind?

Here’s some ways to get inspired for awesome Valentine’s Day gifts this year.

• Have a Card making Party! Invite some friends over and put out lots of scraps, paper, glitter, string and every nick-nack you might have tucked away in your supply closet – you’d be surprised how many people reach for that collection of old buttons you’ve been hoarding.

• Commission something from your favorite SF Etsy Team member! Collaborate with another artist to make your dream Valentine! Or treat yourself this year to a special something by your favorite local artist. What better way to say you heart someone than to ask them to help you create something for you this Valentine’s Day?

• Encourage your honey or your best friend to only shop local or through SF Etsy... Showing some love towards your local community is probably the best gift of all.

Don’t disappoint your special someone... Get inspired! Make something or buy something local and handmade!

This week, I made THREE treasuries to inspire my Valentine's Day cards this year.
Here are a items made by our team members (and a couple of their friends) that would make great gifts and could inspire you to make special handmade presents this year instead of picking up that combo-pack of Hallmark cards at your local corner store. (but, really...who here would ever do such a thing?)









For those who have already started your Heart-Day Gifts...Where did you find your Valentine’s Day inspiration this year?

-Katy

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!