Category: Handmade Gifts

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Handmade gift of the day: Recipe Ring

A good, tried-and-tested recipe is worth its weight in gold.

What better gift could you give to your friends and family than a selection of your favourite recipes?



Why we love it:

  • You can personalize the recipes for your recipient – savoury, sweet, snacks, pasta, curries. In fact, you could compile a different theme for each birthday/gift occasion.
  • You could laminate each card to ensure it lasts
  • It’s small and doesn’t take up much space in your recipe cupboard/kitchen draw. In fact, your recipient could even hang the recipes from a hook in their kitchen.
  • You can gift the recipes with a colour-matched utensil – spatula, tongs, wooden spoon – the brighter the better!
  • It’s easy to replicate – once you have the recipes typed (or scanned) you can print out multiple copies for different recipients and colour-match utensil and card to suit recipient.
  • You can be as creative as you like. Recipes in this picture have been typed up, but you can add images, play with text, etc. The world is your oyster (depending on how much time you have).
  • Why limit yourself to recipes? You could compile a ring with quotes, jokes, tips, anything that will make your recipient smile!

Check out some of our favourite recipes for inspiration, as well as more handmade gifts here…

What signature recipes would you include in this recipe ring collection?
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

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Five gifts to help you think: Top business and office gifts

Mr Gift office gift ideas
Autumn is now upon us and summer holidays are a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean we can’t indulge ourselves (or others) with some nice things for our desk and office.

Why give an office gift?

1. They’re practical – even if your recipient doesn’t work in an office all the time, these gifts are useful at home too.
2. They will brighten your recipient’s day and hopefully make the ‘daily grind’ a little bit more fun.
3. They help keep you organised and motivated – who wouldn’t want to play with numbers on the Hubpad Calculator???
4. They’re versatile – these are great gifts for men and women of any age.
5. They’re easy on the wallet – all of these gifts are under $70.
 

We’re also offering FREE DELIVERY on all orders from now until midnight Monday 9/3/15.  

Use Coupon Code OFFICE in the Coupon Code field when you place your order.  

This offer can’t be used in conjunction with other offers, or redeemed for cash. But please feel free to share with family and friends:)

Here are five of our favourite office/business gifts to give you a bit of inspiration…
Hubpad Calculator
1. Hubpad USB Calculator and Mousepad $29.95
This mousepad-and-calculator in-one means you’ll always have a calculator at your fingertips when you need one. A stylish and practical gift for the person with everything.
 
Troika A5 Leather Notebook
2. Troika A5 Leather Notebook $69.95
This high-quality leather/PU compendium has the following features:

  • Notebook
  • Money Clip (which can be engraved)
  • Five inserts for business cards
  • Elastic band closure

View the Troika range here…
Troika Black Carbon Pen
3. Troika Black Carbon Pen $59.95
An impeccably presented pen that has a subtle carbon fibre pattern and high-gloss finish. A beautiful, timeless gift for clients or colleagues.

View more pens here…
Cyber Clean High-Tech Cleaning Compound
4. Cyber Clean High-Tech Cleaning Compound $7.95
When was the last time you cleaned your computer keyboard, or your phone? This cleaning compound is a safe, effective (and fun) way of cleaning your devices…
 
Troika Magic Card Case
5. Troika Magic Card Case $36.95
I have to confess, it took me a long time to work out how this “magic” card case works. It’s fun to use, a great ice-breaker at business events, and keeps your cash and cards safe. If you’re looking for a unique business card holder, this is the one!

Check out our other Troika business card holders here…
 
SHOP OFFICE GIFTS
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Handmade gift of the week: Button Clock

While we’re on the button theme, here is a gorgeous clock that uses a mixed assortment of buttons and an embroidery hoop to create this unique clock.

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/themasonbee?ref=l2-shopheader-name

 
 
Why we love it:
 
  • You can completely personalize this clock to suit the recipient depending on:
– What buttons and base fabric you use – bright colours for children, tonal feminine colours for a female, or dark/primary colours for a man.
– Style of clock hands/mechanism
– Colour of embroidery hoop (they are usually made from wood, so could be painted any colour you like).
 
  • If you’re not crafty you could purchase a custom-made one from Mason Bee on Etsy.
 
Who would you make this clock for?
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…
 

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Seven Ways to Use Buttons on Gift Cards and Tags

Do you have a Button Jar? If so, how many of the buttons in that jar can you identify?

Chances are the garment that spare button/s came from is long gone, but you can’t bare to throw any out…just in case.

Here are some ideas of how to reuse old buttons, especially the decorative ones that are too nice to hide away in a jar!

1. I Love U card
Beautiful use of various red and pink buttons glued on a stripy heart shape.

http://taysrocha.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/button-art-mais-inspiracoes-com-botoes.html



2. Multi-coloured button gift tag
A lovely way of using a mix of different coloured/sized buttons. You could use seasonal colours (red and green for Christmas) or tonal colours that suit the recipient.

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/evajeanie/product/vintage-button-christmas-gift-tags
 
 
3. Button flowers
These gorgeous little button flowers could be applied to a card or gift tag in a number of different ways. The newsprint flower base works well with any coloured button, and you could use tonal or contrasting coloured thread to add other colours to your theme.
 

 
 
4. Button monogram
This button monogram would make a beautiful baby gift – as a card or as a framed piece of wall art. This is a gift to treasure forever!
 
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/letterperfectdesigns?ref=l2-shopheader-name
 
5. Button gingerbread man
These sweet little gift tags would be great for children’s gifts, or on a child’s party invitation
 
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/MoonlightStamper?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav
 
 
6. Button balloons card
It’s fun to think of objects that buttons could be turned into on a card…
 
http://indulgy.com/post/mEpvwgCOJ1/kids-crafts-buttons#/do/page/1
Image from www.indulgy.com
 
 
7. Button cupcake gift tag
A very sweet idea for a gift tag anyone would be delighted to receive – and keep forever! Masculine blue, red, grey, or green colours could be used to make this gift tag for a man.
 
 
 
 
What’s the most memorable card or gift tag you’ve ever received?
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

 


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Handmade gift of the week: 40 Reasons Why I Love You Notebook

One of the nicest gifts to receive from someone is a compliment. It’s very easy to focus on what we don’t like about ourselves, so a gift like this is a massive self-esteem boost.

Who wouldn’t love to receive a gift like this?

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/quotesandnotes?ref=l2-shop-header-avatar
 
40 Reasons Why I Love You notebook from Etsy store, quotesandnotes


Why we love it:

  • This is a gift that everyone would love. Young, old, male, female – this is a rare gift that transcends gender and culture.
  • It’s personal – there would be no two books the same as each one would be unique to its recipient.
  • It shows you care – a certain level of effort and thought is required on the gift-giver’s part, making this gift extremely precious.
This is the ultimate personalized gift to suit anyone


Things to write in this book:

  • Focus on personality, as opposed to appearance. Comments like you have ‘gorgeous blue eyes’,’a beautiful smile’ or ‘a cute butt’ are flattering. However, compliments on the things we can control have lasting impact and don’t fade with age. For example: loyalty, a great laugh, patience, a kind heart, etc.
  • Think about the types of things you’d like to be complimented on. Chances are your recipient would like to be complimented on similar traits (that are applicable to them, of course).
  • You could get other people to contribute to the book (such as family, friends or work colleagues), making it a great group gift that everyone feels they have contributed to.
The simplicity of this book makes it look even more bespoke and genuine


Who would you give this book to? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

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Handmade gift of the week: Wooden coat hangers

If your wardrobe full of old mishapen wire and broken plastic hangers, you’ll love this simple gift idea from Driven By Decor. In fact, who wouldn’t love to receive these coat hangers as a gift? Coat hangers can be so plain and uninspiring, which is such a shame when we spend good money on clothing. As soon as I saw this gift idea I felt inspired and started to think how I could embellish them for different family members and friends. 

Black satin ribbon with black lettering is a smart choice and would be perfect for a man


Why we love it:

  • This is an inexpensive gift idea that is quick and easy to create
  • You can personalise the lettering to suit your recipient – meaningful quotes, funny sayings, special birthday and anniversary dates, names, favourite books, types of clothes i.e. coat, favourite frock, etc. – the options are endless! 
  • These are a great gift for men, women and children of any age
  • You don’t have to be ‘crafty’ to make these and get an amazing result
  • Upgrading your coat hangers will force you to have a clear-out and reorganise your wardrobe. 

Above images from www.drivenbydecor.com



How to get the look:

  • Shop around to find your wooden hangers. Look for good quality hangers that are made from a nice wood with a smooth finish. 
  • Raid your ribbon stash (if you have one) to find interesting ribbons, lace and other embellishments to tie around the hook. Otherwise check out your local haberdashery store or $2 shop to find some interesting ribbon. Gingham ribbon, for example, would be a cute choice with broad appeal. 
  • You could even glue interesting things like buttons, shells, foam shapes, etc onto them – visit a craft shop for inspiration. 
  • Find rub-on letters to personalise. Bright stickers with matching ribbon would be fun for kids. The kids could choose them and even stick them on themselves. 
Gingham ribbon is a fun choice for men, women and children and is available in an array of colours


This idea is from www.drivenbydecor.com, which is packed with Kris’ beautiful design ideas and DIY projects. 

What sort of coat hangers do you have in your wardrobe?