Don't Buy - DIY!

My friend and studio neighbor, Angela Gleason, is having an event at her studio, The Jewelry Toolery, on Black Friday called Don't Buy - DYI. Anyone is invited to sign up and visit her studio that day (during your designated sign-up time) and make jewelry that you can then give as gifts or donate to be sold. All proceeds of the event go to charity. Win, win, win.

Buttons by the clever Pioneer Press

I've always been a big proponent of making holiday gifts and shopping local from independent shopkeepers and makers.

The last couple of years I had workshops in my studio for this exact purpose. A number of years ago I had heard about Plaid Friday that promotes shopping local and independent on Black Friday instead of visiting super stores. So, I called my Black Friday workshops Paisley Friday. We made cards, small books and other giftable items.

Plaid Friday started in Oakland, CA, but they encourage anyone to participate

I'm not able to have a Paisley Friday this year but you can still play along by visiting Angela's studio or by making something on your own.

If you are not in the Santa Cruz, California area you can still play along with me and my fellow instructors on Creativebug.

Make a gift-able photo album or scan and bind your kid's drawings into a book - great gift!

Creativebug is currently offering a free two-week trial to all of the workshops on their site so you can play along from wherever you are...in the world!

If you are in the Santa Cruz area then contact Angela at the Jewelry Toolery to sign up for Don't buy - DYI. Or, follow this link to play along with me and the other amazing Creativebug instructors (click on the Try Premium Free button on the homepage).

The Six-Pocket Keepsake book makes a great holiday card with pockets for stashing photos and notes.

A Creativebug subscription also makes a great gift!

I'd love to hear about what you make - please share...

p.s.

I just found out that Creativebug has released a number of free holiday themed workshops:

 

Wrap your handmade gift with handpainted wrapping paper with my friend Courtney

 
Go check it out.