I am mourning the end of summer, especially the warm rays of the sun, picnics, and the smell of the ocean. However, it's always sunny when I get a package from Home of the Sampler in the mail. Hurray!
What is the Sampler? It's a cool way for indie designers, artisans, record labels, and makers of crafty things to get samples of their goods into the hands of the public. If you're a crafter, you can contribute to a pool of handmade items that's distributed to people who pay to get a box o' samples. Not the crafty type? No worries! You can buy a Sampler box for yourself or give one as a gift! It's perfect gift for those friends that have everything.
Home of the Sampler recently added Sampler Select, which is a collection of exclusive items custom-ordered from Sampler contributors. The next batch of curated Sampler boxes will focus on sleep! What a cool way to get your Zzzz's and awesome handmade goodness shipped right to your door!
Here are some of the great finds inside this month's Sampler box:
Manic Trout has contributed a beautiful necklace called "Freak Like Me." I adore charms and have collected many over the years. I think this charm necklace is sweet, despite it's raunchy name. The charms included are a lie detector, a horse shoe, a four leaf clover, a key and a heart. Bada bling!
I love getting a crafty, yet practical gift! Jeanne's Craft Boutique accomplished that with this cute, compact mirror that shows my smile on one side and reminds me to "enjoy quilting" on the other side of the mirror. It's too cute! I have never tried quilting before and now, I think I'll give it a try! Quilted coasters anyone? I plan to carry this mirror in my pouch from Art School Dropout, mentioned in last month's review of the monthly Sampler.
At the bottom of my Sampler box, I saw the most exquisite card! It's called the Good Husband Card Collection by Carmi. And while I think I have the best husband, someone else obviously has a good one too! A lot of craftsmanship went into making this card, there's stitching, appliques, and a lovely quote: "I'd rather have roses on my table, than diamonds on my neck!" This is such a unique card.
Do you want your baby to stand out at the next playdate? Then pick up one of the offbeat infant t-shirts made by DishyDuds.com. I received a baby t-shirt with a googley face, much like the googley faces I make at children to get them to laugh. This t-shirt is soft, plush and perfect for moms who prefer not to dress their child up like Winnie the Pooh.
A yellow envelope tied in a red raffia ribbon caught my eye had an amazing quote by Picasso stamped on it, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Inside the envelope was a beautiful necklace made of cultured freshwater pearl with Swarovski crystals. You can score one at Gotbeads.com.
