Blogger Burnout - Who Knew?

Let's face it people. If you are even reading my blog, you well know that I am no blogger. In fact, I wouldn't even consider myself one. I wasn't sure where this blog was going or what I am doing, but every once in a while I get the urge to share or post about something and this is one of those times.

But I, like many others read blogs on a weekly basis. My feedly is full of blogs (more than I really have time to read). Which I think is common to a lot of us. Every now and then as my interests change I weed out the blogs I no longer pay attention to and add in blogs that I have recently discovered, but it seems as though the blog world is changing.

I slowly started to notice that certain blogs aggravate me more than inspire me, yet they are like crack and I continue to read. I also noticed blogs I was still excited to read started spacing out posts or became light on content. Others became completely corporate feeling. And some blogs just all together disappeared. Some with out notice, some with a goodbye post to readers. It happens. I was not however expecting a "goodbye for now" post from one of my favorite blogs Young House Love.  It was a sad day to read of John & Sherry's break from the blog world. You can read their post here.

What I loved about their blog was that it seemed real. I don't know these people... yet for what ever reason their posts seemed inspiring and positive. Like.. "hey I could do that" or "that's a project I can afford" and of course the occasional "why didn't I think of that". I got excited to learn when good news happened to them- like their line at Target or Shades of Light. To me, reading those posts seemed like awesome new adventures happening to normal people, not bloggers selling out.

I'm not naive. I realize they were professional bloggers and this was how they were making a living, but it still seemed genuine to me. Other blogs I read that are starting to feel fake, and I didn't get that with Young House Love. I'm not saying they are the only blog I read that seemed genuine... but you get the idea.

There are so many people out there that rely on blog content for so many reasons — a quick DIY, a recipe for dinner, a fashion post. Most people don't think about the behind the scenes. Not even sure how I stumbled onto this post which lead me to this article in the NY times about blogger burnout but I found both interesting and good reads for anyone who takes the free content bloggers provide us for granted. So I thought I would share.

I get it. The people who think blogging is easy are the same people who don't understand why handmade items cost so much. It's the time and the energy that it takes that people don't understand.

It could be where I am in life, it could be I am getting bored of the internet, it could be a lot of things but I really do hope that John & Sherry return in some shape or form. I wish them the best in taking a break and focusing on their family.

And on that note... Here are a few links I feel for one reason or another are worth showing some love.

Blogs Worth Reading:
Pugly Pixel - great resource on all things web design
Design is Yay! - blog of illustrator/designer Wita Puspita
Almost Makes Perfect - stumbled on this one recently, still getting to know it.
This Little Street - a blog about life with great tutorial links
The Alison Show - as genuine as it gets. this girl has awesome ideas.
Making It - the blog behind "these are things" an illustration studio
The Crafted Sparrow - mainly focus on easy craft projects for the home
Oh Sweet Joy - lifestyle blog with a little of everything (DIY, fashion, home etc)
And then we Saved - super helpful, easy to read blog on saving money (we all can relate)
Eat Drink Chic - lifestyle blog with focus on party and entertaining
Skunkboy Blog - lifestyle blog I somehow got totally addicted to.

Handmade worth buying:

Remixed by Jacki

Winsome Easel

The Fox in the Attic

The Citizens Collectibles

Hope Johnson Ceramics

Cotuit Bay Knitter

Sarah Waterhouse

Dotty Dictionary

Jill Makes

My very own COZYmade wreath...

So for the amount of time I have been making yarn wreaths... I have never had a full size one to call my own. Weird huh? I never really had a front door of my own in the amount of time since I began COZYmade.

For those of you who know me... know that all the pictures I take for the COZYmade shop were taken on the door of D's condo. The few that we're taken on a white door were taken at my mother's house. Of course at the time, I lived there... so technically I could say it was my door, but didn't feel like mine.

I just unpacked all of my COZYmade inventory to get ready to list into the shop, and realized I didn't have a wreath of my own. I am happy to state that I now have my very own wreath on my very own front door. Sure... our front door needs a coat of paint, but I couldn't resist putting a wreath up there in the meantime. 

I am also happy to report (in case I haven't shared yet...) that we officially have a doorbell. And it plays all sorts of fun music. Clearly we needed the one with options- yet set it to the most boring "ding dong" there was. But next time you visit me and it's your birthday... be ready for a "happy birthday" doorbell greeting!

ETSY: Holiday Shopping, Handmade Style

As most of you know, I am addicted to browsing around on Etsy. It is so inspiring to see all the beautiful handmade work out there. I often have trouble deciding what to buy. I thought I would share a few of my favorite shops with you just before the holiday shopping season kicks off!

Accessories:

photo via milloo	Milloo This shop has fantastic bags and cosmetic pouches. All hand sewn in Greece, the quality is outstanding. I already own two of these bags and can tell you they hold up fantastically. Their customer service is friendly and informative. Good luck picking just one!
photo via Remixed by Jacki	Remixed By Jacki  This shop is great for infinity scarves, scarflette (as shown to the left) as well as head scarves and other adorable accssories. Based out of New England, this shop is great for holiday presents for anyone on your list. I own many Remixed by Jacki items- there is something to go with any outfit, and the yarn scarflettes are so soft and cozy, you won't want to take it off!
photo via Foodphyte	Foodphyte  I can personally vouch for these aprons. I own one that I had ordered a few years ago for when working at craft fairs. It is literally the perfect apron. The aprons come in a variety of styles, colors and patterns. Plus, if you need to customize it to your needs, those options are available too. These are great for the kitchen, garden or craft room. Plus these aprons have been seen on Cupcake Wars!
photo via SeoulLittle	SeoulLittle  This cute little ampersand has been on my wish list for a while now. I have been admiring the shop from afar. The shop is full of tiny little treasures, you are sure to find something you love.

Art, Photography or Prints:

photo via Dirty Bandits	Dirty Bandits I absolutely love the "calendar of silly holidays" - but this shop is full of so much more. With a focus on typography and silly design, there is something in this shop that is sure to grab your attention. Plus- they have adorable wooden signs that are a great accessory to any christmas tree (or anywhere else that suits your fancy.)
photo via Stamp and Note Photo	Stamp and Note Photo A Massachusetts based photographer that offers photo cards, prints and magnets. Her photography is crisp, refreshing and a delight to the eye. The prints would make a great addition to any home. Don't know where you'd hang one? Maybe the photo cards are for you. All cards come with a forever stamp, so its ready to send to whom ever you wish! These make great holiday cards for everyone.
photo via 1canoe2	1canoe2  I first saw these guys at the National Stationery show this year. Their booth looked amazing. The shop is full of letterpress goodness as well as simple elegant illustrations. It's full of great gift ideas from cards and recipe cards, to calendars and art prints. I have a hard time deciding which is my favorite! Although I am pretty sure that one of their recipe cards will end up on my wedding registry eventually!
photo via PhotographyDream	Photography Dream  This shop is based out of Paris. Its "Small Trades" series (example to the left) are my favorite. They would be perfect as a grouping together or just one by itself in a studio space. The shop offers more than just prints and even custom sizes if you wish.
photo via The Art of Michelle	The Art of Michelle  Let me start by saying... this girl has some major talent. I admire when someone can accomplish the amount of detail that she can, and with watercolors at that! What I love about this shop is the custom house prints. She takes custom orders, but there is a waiting list. You may not make it in time for this holiday season.

Home Decor & More:

photo via dahlhaus	dahlhaus This shop is often found on treasuries on the front page and I find myself clicking through, every time. I think its the beautiful simplicity that draws me in. Perfect for anywhere in your home.
photo via Citizens Collectibles	Citizens Collectibles  I first laid eyes on these cute little guys when a "citizen" that looked like D landed in my feed. (check it out... here). How cute are these guys? Thrown them on a couch or a shelf or anywhere in your home. They are customizable to make them look like your family!
photo via Room for Emptiness	Room for Emptiness  Simple black and white is offset by the amount of detail in these pieces. Hand painted plates cups and more would make a great addition to anyones china cabinet.
photo via Butterscotch Beestings	Butterscotch & Beestings  I love the randomness of this shop! Circus inspired housewares that are sure to make you smile. For people that know me, I have a slight obsession with pillows (you can never have too many) and this is what brought me to this shop. To my surprise- they had much more than just pillow. Go take a look!

So thats what I have for you thus far. I have been working on a Christmas list like this, hopefully will post soon. Do you have some favorite Etsy shops that you would love to share? Post a comment with your favorites (or your own shop). I would love to check them out!

FOXY: Etsy Front Page

Naturally- as part of my morning routine.... I log onto Etsy. To my surprise, I was delighted to see the front page be a fox theme this morning! Look at all the super cute stuff!

Via Etsy

See something you like? Links to the items shown above below. I am particularly loving the Fox tote bag and the fox book ends (both in the top row). Enjoy!

Top Row:
Fox Bookends, Fox Dress Up Hat, Fox Toy Softie, Fox Tote Bag

Middle Row:
Fox Print, Fox Pendant Necklace, Fox Brooch, Fox Card

Bottom Row:
Fox Tail, Fox Top, Fox Scarf, Fox Illustration

Not Show:
Fox Ring (LOVE THIS!), Forest Animal Brooch, Crochet Fox Pillow, Hand Painted Wood Fox

To see the complete treasury by Papiki titled "foxes, foxes, foxes!" - click here.

FOXY: Happy Halloween! Felt Fox Mask

Happy Halloween! This year is the first year in over 13 years I actually get to relax and celebrate halloween... Why you ask? Well when you work for a party store who's business is at it's craziest during the Halloween season... for the most part I was just exhausted from working extra hours and tired of looking at costumes! This year however, since the company has been sold, there is a little bit of down time in the office to celebrate.

Since I have foxes on the brain... and I have been seeing so many cute handmade felt masks on Etsy (examples here, here, here and here), and the fact that I have piles of felt in every corner and workspace right now... I decided it only made sense to try and make myself a mask.

Once I made my fox on the computer... I broke it down into shapes and printed it out. Then traced it onto the felt, cut and glued! For the ears, I cut triangles out of the left over felt and glued them to a skinny headband. Simple as that. Besides drawing the fox on the computer, the project took less than an hour.

Want to make one?
Of course you do! I did the hard part for you and created the fox pieces. You can make yours out of felt like I did, or simply use the printed pieces to make a paper mask. Once everything is cut and glued, you can add an elastic to the back for wearing, or add a stick on one side for a photo-prop style mask.

With Ears can be downloaded here

Without Ears can be downloaded here

COZYmade: Us Weekly Feature!

I know I have mentioned before that I was unsure in what direction I wanted my COZYmade shop to go, but I am excited to share the following news. My new felt bobby pins have been featured in Us Weekly! Head over to the shop and grab yours today. They will make excellent little gifts for the holidays.

I have a few more inquiries about these bobby pins and I will share when I have more info- but for now, share in my excitement!

COZYmade

Hello from the world wide web! This will be post 1, just to get it out of the way.

So don't get to excited, this post is slightly low on rich content. I will introduce you to my current Etsy shop COZYmade. Here are a few fun wreaths for the upcoming fall/winter months.

I am still in the process of figuring out what exactly I want COZYmade to be, but in the meantime, I am having fun learning and creating. Enjoy!