Handmade gifts

I don't know if you feel the same, but I feel really sad to see how many small stores and shops are closing because of the global  recession and the preassure of  bigger malls and mass shopping centers. This year I have tried to buy my Christmas presents in this small shops and/or  from these wonderful artisans that you can find in the blogosphere.

Here's some proof of that. Let me show you what I have been buying from or swaping with other artisans:

Do you remember the swap with Cosinas de Petri?  Aren't these cute?

brooch and ring by Cosinas de Petri

brooch and ring by Cosinas de Petri

You can find many beautiful costume jewelry in her blog.

This year I have also discovered the blog Martukys,whose owner, Marta creates wonderful and original designs in many diferent formats (felt, cameos, jewelry...) She puts so much care and love in it that you have to fall in love with her creations. I already have the hippie Martuky and a Tinker Bellom

Brooch, ring and cameo by Martukys

Hippie Martuky... so cute!

Precisely, it was Marta's blog which led me to know another wonderful blog, Desde la Nube dejarse Caer.
Virgina is the owner and she makes very cute and easy to wear bracelets. I loved the designs and, why not say it, her prices. Don't tell me that it's not much better to buy these unique handmade designs, always one of a kind, than to buy mass made bracelets in a super store.  

Bracelets by Desde la Nube Dejarse Caer

Elephant bracelet... love it!

 I have ordered more than once to Kawaii and Cute . It's a geeky paradise. Dolls, keychains, earrings, hats... all handmade and all customize to what you asked from them. No matter the challenge, they always surpass your expectations! I'm so happy with my orders... I recommend you take a look to their facebook page to see an up to date account of the wonderful things they do:
https://www.facebook.com/Kawaii.And.Cute

My collection

Kratos from God of War for my brother

Tuxedo Mask  and Sailor Moon, almost the emblem of this blog

Nana from Peter Pan, my all time weak spot

She's so detailed, she's perfect.

John McClaine for my boyfriend... Yippie Kay Yei....

Lina y Gourry, from Slayers, one of my favorite anime series

Chii looks like my cat, Maggie :)

Here's a preview of my swap with Marisa, the owner of the blog Razas de Noche. I will dedicate a proper post later on , but meanwhile, here's a preview:

And the same goes for the swap I made with Tatiana from Con Estas Manicas. 

Here's a preview of what I got:

And these are just some examples. As you can see, there's a lot of talent in the blogosphere. I invite you to take a look and support the talent of so many skilled crafty people out there. And please, bear in mind that a crafter normally puts dedication, love and time in what their doing, not only the material elements. The result normally is something unique, one of a kind and exclusive, no other would be exactly the same even if made by the same crafter. And that dedication, time and exclusiveness has a price. If we accept that somepurse or pair of shoes cost a fortune because they are from a famous label or firm, even if we know they are probably made in an industrial unit in China or India... why do we consider expensive something handmade?   

Please, consider giving handmade Christmas presents this year