Gift Guide: Eco Friendly Gifts

I've rounded up some gift ideas that are as Earth-friendly as they are lovely.  Some of these are already on my gifting list (and some of these I might just end up gifting to myself!).  

1. Handmade leather pouch. Lined with recycled plastic bottle material. A percentage of proceeds is donated to protect California beaches and sea life.

2. Bar ring with diamond accent. Made with recycled sterling silver and adorned with post consumer diamonds- this ring elevates the meaning of recycled.

3. Oakland shipping crane gift tags. A lovely souvenir of a visit to Oakland that the recipient can share. Printed with vegetable inks on recycled chipboard.

4. KeepCup cork reusable cup. I own this cup. I adore this cup. I will be gifting this cup to others. Glass with cork band and recyclable polypropylene lid.

5. Cork coasters. Simple, elegant, functional, earth-friendly. Cork is perfect for coasters, and these minimalist coasters are pretty perfect themselves.

6. Linen bath sheet. Eco-friendly AND luxurious? That's a winning combo. Who wouldn't want a large, soft, enveloping linen towel after a shower? I would. It's going on my own list.

Gift Guide: Gifts for the Home

1. THE WEEKENDER RECYCLED COTTON BLANKET

by Loop Collection - $74

2. CHEVRON GOLD DRINK STIRRERS

by Charming Bliss Design - $21

3. GREEN PINT MASON JAR SOAP DISPENSER

by Tickled Pink - $25

4. YARDSTASH II OUTDOOR STORAGE

by Elevate Woodworks - $130

5. DOTS CLOTH NAPKIN 2-PACK

by Boutique Textiles - $28

6. SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE SQUARE CANVAS THROW PILLOW

by note•ify - $48

7. USE EVERY PART - PORK BUTCHERY DIAGRAM POSTER 

by Drywell Art - $30

8. CITRUS GIFT SET 

by Etta + Billie - $50

9. TRIANGLES TABLE RUNNER

by Shapes & Colors - $56

10. TINY GOLD BOTTOM DISH 

by Up in the Air Somewhere - $28

 

Odds + Ends

As a small business owner who designs and sells products - gifts mainly - the holidays are always a good time to try and maximize profit and efficiency, while trying to maintain sanity. Here are a few articles I have been reading.

Kiffanie Stahle, of the artist's J.D., wrote an article explaining the legalese of the Terms of Service for Handmade at Amazon. I recently launched my shop (in an effort to get more retail sales), and I was a bit worried like everyone else about exactly what I was agreeing to, thanks Kiffanie for breaking it down!

If you are still a little weary of Handmade at Amazon, or even Etsy for that matter, Arianne Foulks, from Aeolidia, wrote an article on becoming independent from these sites.

Profit vs. Cash Flow and how the two relate. This article gives an interesting perspective on why cash flow matters more than profit.

And, of course because it is our 'busy season', and most of us work from home, here's a good article on achieving balance when you never actually leave your 'office'.

Happy Selling!