^{Posted by: BuckeyeChristy}

OK, so even though I insisted that everyone has the ability to be crafty, some will still insist that their natural talents can in no way be shaped into a gift for someone. In that case, I recommend buying a one-of-a-kind handmade gift. Now is the time of year for the thousands of craft fairs being held in every school gymnasium and county fairgrounds across the country, where it's hard to not find something for everyone on your list.

However, I'll confess that I generally don't like to spend my weekends in crowded aisles, pushing my way past the country home collectibles to get to the stuff I'm interested in. And so I'll share with you one of my favorite mega-sites to visit for handmade goods: Etsy.com. Etsy is like one giant craft fair online, featuring thousands of artists and crafters who simply want to make interesting items and sell them to you. You'll find everything from the professional jewelry maker trying to spread the word about his designs to the mom who sews dresses to make a little extra money for the family. Anyone with handmade goods can set up a shop on Etsy. It's like your town's craft fair, only on a global scale.

Browsing through Etsy is a lot of fun, and can easily eat up a large part of a day. You can search by category, by location, or even by color. Let me point out a few of my favorites for you:

• She Rides The Lion - This shop features beautiful prints by artist Sonia Romero. Her ABC prints would be beautiful in a baby's room. I only wish I had a child who had a name that began with G, because her Giraffe print is my favorite.
• Anne Holman Jewelry Design - One of the most interesting jewelry ideas I've seen yet - she takes antique maps (including custom orders!) and will place a piece of that map in a lovely pendant for you. Get a custom one made of your birthtown, the city where you met your spouse, or any location that interests you.
• Lowleepop - For the baby who is destined for stardom, or for parents who prefer to avoid mainstream fashion, a Rockstar onesie with skirt is the perfect gift.
• Babai Alainn - Adorable crochet hats for babies and toddlers. The hats with the brims are absolutely the cutest.
• Butterfly Design Hand Crafts - If you prefer your baby hats knit instead of crochet, then look here. (Be sure to look for the bunny ears hat - I think Mira may be getting one of those for Christmas!)
• Ana Paula Rimoli - More crochet, but this time, it's gorgeous soft toys for baby. You can be sure these toys are lead-free!
• Lil B Designs - Home of the Dine-n-Doodle chalkcloth placemats. One side is laminated cotton, and the other is chalkcloth, which functions like a chalkboard and cleans up easily. They can be used at home or pulled out at a restaurant to distract impatient children.

This is just a small sampling of some of the amazing handmade gifts available from Etsy. Give it a look and check off some of your shopping list. And if you find a fun store, please let me know - I'm always looking for new crafters on Etsy!

More Holiday Gift Ideas in the Yule Blog:
Young and school-age kids:
Baby Gifts: T-shirts, Onesies, Bows & Other Clothing for the Top Half
Baby Gifts: Socks, Pants & Other Clothing for the Bottom Half
Dear Santa -- Love, 1-Year-Old Baby Boy
Dear Santa -- Love, 4-Year-Old Boy
Lead-Free Toys for Toddlers
Mama's Predictions for the Hot Toys for Christmas 2007
DVD Stocking Stuffers
Tweens and teens:
TV Shows All the Time: The Zune
Gifts for Too-Cool Tweens and Teenagers
More Christmas 2007 Gift Ideas for Teens and Tweens
Adults:
Budget Fashionista's Best Gifts for Women Under $30
Last-Minute Gifts for Everyone (Aunts, Cousins, Mail Carriers)
This Mom's Favorite Buys of the Year
Dear Santa -- Love, Mommy
Dear Santa -- Love, Daddy
Mom and Dad's Gift to Each Other: Redecorating the Bedroom
Mom's Culinary Wish List
Specialty gifts:
Gifts for Foodies Under $25
Where to Buy Handmade Gifts
Homemade Holiday Gifts
Where to Find Unique, Innovative Gifts
Hanukkah Gift Ideas for All Ages