Handmade For the Holidays

Fabric handmade by Pippi Joe.  Shooting bag custom-made by Tracy Joy.

One of the great things about the holiday season is that I get to partake of one of my favorite guilty pleasures--without the usual amount of guilt.  I'm not referring to mere shopping (which I'm not really fond of).  I'm talking about shopping on Etsy.  I could probably spend every moment of my natural waking life browsing through all the amazing Etsy artists and never get bored.  For me, the appeal is not just the seemingly endless supply of beautiful handmade items or the idea of supporting the DIY ethos.  What really gets me excited is the ever-increasing number of people creating and sharing their art and handiwork.  I take this as a sign of hope for the future of humanity.

I've often marveled at the multi-faceted talent beyond photography that abounds amongst our Shutter Sisters community. Whether it's wordsmithing, or whipping up whimsy, or brewing beauty that's functional (or not), or making music, it's impossible NOT to be inspired when you're surrounded by so much creativity. I dare say that keeping such company lends itself to embarking on artistic endeavors you've never attempted before. And again, I take this as a sign of hope for the future of humanity

For today's giveaway, Tracy Joy--mom/wife/photographer/entrepreneur/bag-designer-extraordinaire--is offering up a Kristine Shooting and/or Diaper Bag in the winner's choice of color and flap design.  Tracy's bags are made with interchangeable flaps so you can change the design without changing the entire bag.  Perfect for the budget-minded accesorizer!  Be sure to comment on this post to be entered in the drawing.

Congratulations to Wayfaring Wanderer for being the winner of the Superhero Joy necklace. Sweet stuff!

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Edited to add: Please note that this giveaway is for a shooting bag (lightly padded for easy access to gear while on a shoot without a heavy bag).  Tracy Joy's fully padded camera bag is the Reese bag.

Also, Tracy is offering a discount to the Shutter Sisters community through December 31st.  Get 10% off your entire purchase by using the code SHUTTER.  With free shipping to U.S. addresses for December, it's a good deal!

Comments

[Michelle]

Ah, a beautiful camera bag...

[Melissa]

I, too, am loving this Handmade Holiday season. And I just might have drooled a bit over the bag. Maybe.

[deezee]

yes, all this talent inspires!

[Cis]

I try to make at least some of my gifts. If nothing else, each present gets at least one bar of home made soap.

[Martha]

What a fabulous alternative to the usual camera bag!

[Hei Yan]

wow I love the bag : D
hope my camera will be warm this winter

[Gina]

I just love to see other people's creative work. It is inspiring. I am hoping to make some of my gifts this year. I still have time, right?

[Kat!]

OhMyGoodness! What gorgeous and inspiring bags! I think I would be more inspired to take my camera with me on more adventures if I had one of her bags to cradle my DSLR baby in.

[Kylie]

I am trying to have a half handmade Christmas. Next year I hope it to be a whole handmade Christmas. I left it a little too late this year! Being pregnant and chasing after a toddler is my excuse! hehe
Kylie

[Shawna]

Wow, what a bag! You know what's crazy, there are so many comments on each post, but this community is close enough that I recognize almost every winner. It's so much fun to have an entire month of cheering for each other :O)

[Deanna]

Really cute bag... I love the colors!

[kosenrufu mama]

wonderful talend here in this post!!!!!!!

[Becky]

Oh... pretty pretty please! I absolutely n-e-e-d this bag! It's so... adorable, functional, girly and fun.

Becky

[Hay]

I LOVE Etsy, just wish they had a New Zealand version!

[Marcie]

So nice to find a camera bag with a little style and panache. Really wonderful!!!

[Clare]

Beautiful bag! I would love to win one!

[fafa]

I love the birds!

[Lori]

love the bag and the fabric! And yes, Etsy is a favorite place for inspiration!

[Sebrina]

I love Etsy!!! And Tracy Joy!! I was just looking at her bags the other day. Oh how I would love one!!!!

[shiny]

SO inspired to definitely take out the camera and catch the world in motion : )

[Jami]

Etsy is a wonderful place for cool handmade stuff, and I would love to win that bag for my sister for Christmas.

[Kate at LIttle House Monday]

Wow. generosity (an talent) abounds. and a new diaper bag would come in very useful about now.....

[Busymomma66]

Ahhh to have something so beautiful as well as functional--that would be a gift. I'm in.

[kristen]

i rarely win, but i covet these bags so i too, would love my name to be in the drawing. thank you shutter sisters, for being so generous this holiday with giveaways! xo

[Jennifer]

Etsy is such an addiction!
Love that bag.

[HSY]

I'm trying to make homemade gifts this year, too! Etsy can be addicting!

[betrank]

I love ebay. I got my Tamrac bag there for 1/3 of the cost of a brand new one when someone was selling off their gear. I've also purchased curriculum for my guys since I homeschool. Tracy Joy's bags are absolutely wonderful!! I've already passed her website along to my nephew's wife and her friends because I know she'll love it. I'm in love with the Boho Orchid fabric!! Pink, floral and it fits my other blogging persona Bohemian Hippie. I haven't been this excited about something since I found ToeGoz custom flip flops.

[brittany]

in the last few months, i have definitely become etsy obsessed. it can be to addicting, but it is also inspiring. i have discovered a love for hand-making my own gifts.

[Julie]

I love these bags. I spent quite a while browsing and drooling over her bags this morning. Can't afford one right now but WOW I'd love to have one when I can. Yours is very pretty. Thanks for sharing. I'll just hope that maybe I win!
Julie
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew

[Amy S]

All of the talent on Etsy (and here of course!) is so inspiring! Love Tracy's bags....

[Francine]

With a baby on the way it will be hard to decide what to use this bag for! :)

[lora]

So cute! And thanks for the fun links to all those inspiring handmade works. I'll be diving in today to check them all out. We could use some more fresh ideas. tis the season to tend to those creative inclinations. =)

Here have been a few of our own so far:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/sets/72157610624338462/

[renee @ FIMBY]

a bag. oh la la. I love bags, handmade even better.

[Nikki Widner]

This bag is a knockout.

[jill scripps]

I am trying to use what I already have for gifts...i even made our stockings this year out of fabric I already had!

that bag of yours is so awesome!

and i agree...i'm etsy obsessed right now too!

xx

[Jeannette]

I love Etsy too! Aah to have a camera bag that actually fits my camera......I can dream!

[hil]

I love to see other peoples handiwork. It's inspiring.

[Jamie-o-e-e]

I love Etsy, and these bags!

[Leah]

It's gorgeous! I've only heard one complaint about Tracy Joy which is that they were a bit low on padding? I haven't seen one myself, but I am still tempted to get one - the padding might be low for someone else but fine for my uses... I love the patterns!

Speaking of handmade (and perhaps someone on Shutter Sisters will want to make a new post about this?) - have you guys seen the new legislation that is going to ruin the handmade toy market? I'm so worried about it. :( http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home

[Stephanie Fox]

I love etsy also. The bag by Tracy Joy is going on my wish list.

[Andie]

Super cute bag!

[LaShawn]

Love Tracy Joy's stuff!!!!

[Danny Douglas]

Very nice looking bag design.

[Michelle Adams]

Love her bags! Thanks for the chance...

[Christie]

What a great post, I couldn't agree more. Etsy is fascinating as are all the magical finds!

[Jen]

I am a huge fan of Etsy. What a great camera bag - it would make a nice partner for my camera. Thanks!

[Heather]

Oh, how I love Etsy. I've ordered 75% of my Christmas gifts from there this year.
These bags are awesome!!!

[Heather P]

Sweeeeeeet! I want one!

[carey]

i too love etsy! land i ove that bag!

[Vanessa]

I just discovered Etsy and absolutely love it!