Being Christmas, everyone is shopping for that perfect gift. Normally (in previous years) I had all my shopping done by August. I was in the habit of purchasing things I saw throughout the year, and was done long before the holiday rush began. Now with two children, a business and a blog, who has time to leisurely shop and think of gifts way before they are needed? Like everyone else, I am scrambling for the ideal present weeks before the big day.

With that in mind, allow me to present to you a bit of power shopping… online.

Looking for something cute, comfy and Made with Love? These great products top the list.

Little Lids are whimsical fleece hats made with creative cuteness and fantastic flare. With crocodiles, monkeys, cars and elephants, your child is sure to find an appliqué fitting their unique personality. The flapper style with three dimensional flowers is my favorite, in pink of course, but it doesn’t stop there, cherries, birds, swirls and puppies round out great designs that are warm, cozy and personally made with love by Katie Segel.

Picadilla Daisy makes hair bows extraordinaire. What I like is the distinctive shapes like butterflies, bugs, and even Minnie Mouse created in ribbon-like-sculptures. Creator, Marcy Reimer offers an array of cute-as-a-button-korckers, along with traditional bows and clippies using darling patterns and colors. No matter what the outfit, she’s got hair accessories to match.

Zachary Dickory Dock has the cutest baby clothing with a bit of baby bling. To celebrate the month your baby was born, Tammy the designer has decked out comfy onezies and baby toques with sparkling little rhinestones. Who wouldn’t love Miss December (or any of the other months) dazzling their baby’s attire. They are perfect for the holidays or a gift marking baby’s special month. My daughter wore hers in honor of her birthday, little Miss October.

Tiggle Wiggle founder Jillian Reinson has come up with some neat and nifty products I have to admire. Her Bare Bums diaper cloths is designed to remove the moisture from baby’s bum before you reapply a fresh diaper. Tot Smock is a practical child’s apron made from recycled flag material. Cuddle Buddies is a plush stroller blanket designed with a Velcro™ closure that goes around baby’s waist, preventing it from falling on the ground and getting ran over by big stroller wheels.

Standing on my Soapbox,

JB

In a world of techno gadgets and super sleek electronics, there are still artisans committed to their craft and selling their wears. Amongst all the gleam of high-tech, or the contemporary-chic of mass produced, you will find that unique, one-of-a-kind items still exist. Although many of us are conditioned to visiting a big department store for our gifts and personal items, a huge market of beautiful, hand made, specialty items can easily be found if, you just decide to look.

With Christmas less than two months away, it won’t be long before the craft shows begin and the cornucopia of handmade and home made items fill our minds. There is nothing like the wonderful treasures made with personal love and attention. It is easy to appreciate the craftsmanship, every minute detail that goes into each individual item. Walk the isle of any craft fair and you will be delighted to see old tires made into rocking horses, bottle caps as chess pieces, stuffed animals from recycled clothes and jewelry from flattened machine parts. Artists have a unique ability to create something amazing from the very simple, and make something simple, look extraordinarily grand.

Unfortunately, many people find handmade to be poorly made. Anyone can buy a sewing machine and call themselves a designer and how hard is it to glue two beads together and claim it to be jewelry? Since art is in the eye of the beholder, a toilet seat made into a dart board or T-shirt with a picture of a cockroach on it can be deemed by some as superb and avant-garde. Aside from the obscure and ridiculous, many handmade items often do not seem to last or endure the hardships they were intended for.

When handmade is well made, it usually comes from a craftsperson. Someone who has studied, trained and honed their craft over time. The difference in product is awe-inspiring. The colors will be grand, the proportions correct, the style will be ahead of its time, and the usefulness will be ingenious and smart. They won’t be a copy-cat of a trend you saw in a supermarket magazine, or have a similar look to something you have seen a dozen times before. These labors of love will be just that: time consuming and close to their hearts.

If you are thinking of buying something unique this holiday, consider a hand made creation. Many artists are considering the environment and making goods from recyclable or reusable materials. Others are taking one thing and making it into something completely different, eliminating waste and consumption. What is nice about handmade is that often the care and attention that goes into each item, giving it a longevity that mass produced or factory-made can not. Having a one-of-a-kind, or something no one else has, adds immeasurable value to an item. Everybody appreciates when you make the effort and choose the perfect piece that creates a connection which plasticized, packaged goods just don’t have.

With all of this in mind, Soapbox Mama proudly launches…

There are so many great things that don’t fit into the mass market stereotype of commercial products. Every day we are amazed at the handmade, specialty items artisans are creating and designing. We would like to take the time to spotlight some of those designs that often are a little different, a bit special, incredibly unique or made with love.

Many of the products you will find in this section are one of a kind, have the look and feel of handmade and often made from materials which once served another purpose. All are made with the care and attention from the creators and all seem to carry with them the distinction of made with love.

We hope you enjoy these products as they truly are one-of-a-kind.

To launch this fantastic addition, we present to you, Little Diddle Boutique. They have the most darling array of jewelry for babes and toddlers. Made from such materials as fresh water pearls, sterling silver and Swarovski crystals, these are one-of-a-kind treasures that every girl and mom will adore.

With precious names to go with each unique design, how could you pick just one?  Creator Amber Best says, Children’s jewelry became a passion of hers after having her first little princess. She found that she loved dressing her daughters in beautiful “Jewels” such as crystals and pearls. What she didn’t find was affordable quality children’s jewelry. This is how Little Diddle Boutique materialized. With two little girls of her own, she enjoys dreaming up new ideas and ways to dress and accessorize them by creating unique designs. That’s why high quality, hand-made children’s jewelry and Little Diddle Boutique go hand in hand.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB