I must apologize for the long hiatus.  I had to buckle down and finish graduate school.  The good news is I am officially finished!  I must say I am excited by the prospect of a full-time permanent job and a paycheque!

People often ask me why I decided to become a librarian.  I started library school because I like doing research and digging for information.  After two years of library school, I still like digging and doing research but my motivation has shifted slightly.  The thing I love most about my job is going to work and making a difference in people’s lives.  I helped this woman fix up her resume last week and she came in yesterday morning to tell me that after two long months of searching she finally got a couple of interviews!  She was so happy that she was nearly in tears.  It is nice to go home after work and feel good about what you do!  In honour of my transition from student to professional librarian here are handmade goods inspired by librarians!

Bernice by yoborobo

Hey Bernice you can be a librarian and a roller derby queen.  I have heard of at least two roller derby librarians!  Check out a real roller derby librarian:  http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/08/31/roller.derby.librarian/index.html

The Librarian by twenteventeen

Even my husband who is not a librarian likes this one!  I think anyone would look cool is this borrowing slip t-shirt.

lusty librarian earings by rhymeswithmagic

I have to support my own kind and I know this seller must be a librarian.  Like me they are excited by “Books! Literacy! Reading! Education! Intellectual Freedom!”

Although I have entered my late 20s Santa continues to bring me a stocking full of treats every year and I continue to rely on my stocking for staples like new gym socks and underwear. While the stocking mostly helps replenish the staples mentioned above, it is always great to get a few little things that you genuinely love! Hey Santa, are you looking for handmade inexpensive and unique stocking stuffers? Here are a few etsy finds you may want to keep in mind…

Mittens by dadaya
I must admit these are on the pricey side for a stocking stuffer but I could not resist! They are so adorable!  I love the embroidery details and the little bit of lace around the cuff.  They really are something unique and original.  Maybe a bit of a splurge for a stocking but still amazing!

Mittens by dadya

DRINK wine charms by basilthecat
I think these are a great idea for any adult wine lovers who are still lucky enough to get stockings.  In addition to being an excellent stocking stuffer, these would be a great treat for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party host. 

DRINK charms by basilthecat

 Cranberry Fig Whipped Sugar Scrub by freshandclean
Made in Toronto, Canada, the cranberry and fig scent is perfect for the holiday season.  They also have other great scents like cinnamon buns and a bubble gum lip balm that would fit perfectly into a stocking. 

Cranberry & Fig Whipped Foaming Sugar Scrub by Fresh & Clean

 Lotus Panties by OnTheInside
I’m not sure if anyone else feels this way but I count on getting basics like undies and stocks at this time of year.  EBN thinks this family tradition is a little strange and I don’t think he likes getting underwear from his mother-in-law.  OnTheInside has a great selection of patterns and styles for bottoms and several matching cute and comfy bras.

Lotus Panties by OnTheInside

Swimming Lime Green Studs by RadicalGlass
These little earnings are made of glass and are a brilliant green colour.  Perfect for girls of all ages! I could see my grandma and my 12 year old cousin both wearing these delightful earrings.

Swimming Lime Green Studs by RadicalGlass

Some of the people I love most are environmentally and socially conscious vegans.  Every time my grandma has them over for dinner I get a phone call asking what they can and cannot eat.  This post is dedicated to my vegans and to my grandma who is always looking for ideas to show “the vegans” how much she loves them.  Buying handmade is a great way to find gifts that will impress the environmentally and socially conscious vegans in your life.

Large Vegan Weekender by PansyMaiden
According to the artist’s website this large stylish handbag is 100% vegan, natural and sustainable.  I should mention that it is also incredibly stylish and practical.  This bag is a great alternative to the beautiful Matt & Nat bags which have become rather expensive.  Do you agree that this bag would be loved by vegans and omnivores alike? 

Large Vegan Weekender by PansyMaiden

 Vegan Three Piece Suit by MacheteNSons
This three piece suit and tie are vegan friendly and although they are a bit of a splurge, this gift would make the vegan men in my life very happy.  Once you send in your measurements the tailor will send you a rough draft of the jacket and suit pants in your size made out of cotton muslin.  After this, the tailor asks you to send them pictures of the man in question wearing the test suit.  From here, they modify it accordingly.  For more details, check out their etsy page.

Vegan Three Piece Suit by MacheteNSons

Betsy Soft Pink Mineral Love Bush by minerallove
Mineral love sells a variety awesome vegan friendly make-up.  According to their store, all ingredients found within their products are vegan certified and from cruelty-free companies.  Minerallove is also selling an eye shadow variety pack which would make an excellent gift.

Betsy Soft Pink Mineral Love Blush by minerallove

 Vegan Dishes by Vegandish
Let your vegan friends show their pride with these super cute vegan dishes.  Available in plates, bowls, mugs and serving dishes these make a really unique gift.  These dishes are handmade, come in many colours and are food and dishwasher safe.

Vegan Dishes by Vegandish

Aromatherapy Detox Gift Set by SpaGoddess
Pamper your vegan friends with this gorgeous box of vegan friendly bath products.  The recycled gift box contains Rock Star Detox Super Detoxifying Bath Salts, Organic Lavender Hand & Body Lotion and Organic Soap with Juniper Berries.

Betsy Soft Pink Mineral Love Blush by minerallove

Vegan Cookie and Chocolate Gift Basket by SweetVConfections
My favourite vegan friends love finding delicious baked goods that they can devour.  EBN and I made a chocolate peanut-butter vegan cake for his sister’s birthday and she was absolutely thrilled!  Why not get a gift basket filled with vegan chocolates and cookies?  Cookie choices for this basket include: chocolate chip, butterscotch chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, lemon poppy seed, sugar, gingerbread, fudge filled sandwich and oatmeal cream pie.  Nothing says I love you like baking!

Vegan Cookie and Chocolate Gift Basket by SweetVConfections

 

Name Stamped Pendent
Name Stamped Pendent by moppetsclosets: A sterling silver pendent personalized with the receiver’s name is an elegant and personalized gift. Great for your favorite girl! It is hard to believe you can get a personalized pendant for such a great deal.

Petite Domed Flower In Sterling Custom Stamped Name Word by moppetsclosets

handmade crochet slippers

Photos by Bomobob
Photos by bomobob: There are some great photographers selling beautiful and inexpensive prints on etsy.com. Why not select a picture in a standard size and buy an inexpensive frame? This is a personal gift that you can tailor to the tastes of the recipient and it beats buying the mass produced prints from IKEA.

Original Signed Fine Art Photographs by bomobob

Glitter Button Clutch
Glitter Button Clutch by Killer Artwear: At the top of the price range, this unique cultch looks like something you could buy at Anthropologie. Of course, you would never get a clutch from Anthropologie for such a great deal!

Glitter Button Clutch by Killer Artwear

Vintage Italian Wallpaper Notebook
Vintage Italian Wallpaper Notebook by ohsogood: As a person who is always writing things down on random pieces of paper, I like the idea of a stylish notebook to track grocery lists, phone numbers and random jot notes. A great gift for colleagues or a gift exchange.

Vintage Italian Wallpaper Salvaged Paper Notebook by ohsogood