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I think life would be so much easier if everyone just carried around confetti in case there is a need for spontaneous celebration. 

"What?  It's your Birthday?  Well, Happy Birthday to you!!" (throws confetti up in the air)

"What?  You got a promotion?  Well, congratulations to you!!" (throws confetti up in the air)

"What?  You're having a bad day?  This will cheer you up!!" (throws confetti up in the air)

"It's our anniversary?  I mean.. Of course it is!!" (throws confetti up in the air)

Dude... the possibilities are endless.
That's why I created this necklace... 

The Emergency Confetti in a Bottle Necklace.  Because you never know when you'll need to celebrate.  Okay, normally you do know... but occasionally... once in a while... it sneaks up on you.  Just go with me on this...

Now, if I could figure out how to have a fresh cupcake conveniently located in my purse at all times, I'm pretty sure I could rule the world....

For more quirkiness, check out my shop.  www.creativityismessy.etsy.com

 
I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions.  I usually set some hefty goal and fail within the first couple of weeks, so I try not to even think about it most years.  However, I have but one simple "resolution" this year...

This year is going to be the YEAR OF HANDMADE!! (echoes: made... made... made...)

I, Messy in the Head, do solemnly swear to give the gift of handmade items for at least 80% of the gifts I give this year.  Whether it be a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or National Taco Day, I plan on either making the gifts with my own two hands or purchasing the gifts from a fellow craftsman.  This is my pledge.

Now... with 4 family birthdays and a special anniversary happening this month alone, I am already off to a rocky start.  I have purchase 2 gifts from "commercial retail" establishments already.  They creeped up on me and I panicked.  However, I plan on making it up.  I already have an idea for a gift to make for my sweets on our "anniversary", and  I have been scanning Etsy and Pinterest all day saving/pinning items to consider for birthdays later this year. 

Now, don't mistake me for one of those people who are against big box stores and mass produced items.  Hello!  My name is Messy and (this is hard to admit) I love stores like Target and World Market and Old Navy (actually it's not that hard to admit).  However, I always try to encourage myself to give handmade and DIY items because to me they show that you want to give the gift of originality... the gift of something different.  To me it says, "You are a one-of-a-kind person, and I wanted to give you a one-of-a-kind gift".   I love the feeling I get when someone opens a gift from me and says "Oh my gawd... this is so awesome!  Did you make it?"  It's music to my ears.

And as long as I plan accordingly, I know I can make it to my goal of 80% handmade!

Who's with me?!?


For a great, super-easy DIY gift idea, check out my Instagram magnet tutorial here:
http://mymessyhead.weebly.com/2/post/2013/10/easy-instagram-magnets-repost.html

For some awesome, one-of-a-kind gift ideas, check out my shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/creativityismessy


 
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Every once in a while, I come across something (or someone) so awesome that I feel the need to tell everyone I know about what I have found.  Today is one of those days!!  (You're welcome!)

Christmas is just around the corner!  Do you still need to send out Christmas cards?  Do you want to find a way to spice up the packaging for your otherwise boring gift cards?  Do you want to be the talk of the neighborhood with amazingly packaged sweet treats for the whole block?  If any of these apply to you, you NEED to check out Claudine Hellmuth on Etsy.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/claudinehellmuth

Claudine isn't new to Etsy by any means, but apparently I've been living under a rock or something and just recently found her unique little shop.  I'm totally in love with her adorable illustrations.  And the most awesome part of her shop?  Everything is an instant download.  So you just purchase, print and... BAM!  Gift done! Crack a beer!  (Okay, sometimes there is assembly required... but you know what I mean...)

Although I already purchased goodie "treat bags" for the neighbors and our Christmas cards are already sent, I am seriously considering purchasing some of her adorable gift card holders.  How cute would these be filled with iTunes cards for all the hard-to-shop-for teenagers in my life?!?

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/129130733/cassette-tapes-gift-card-holders-party
 
If you are anything like me, the idea of going out in the cold at the butt-crack of dawn, while standing in endless lines and playing "bumper carts" with a store full of hostile, inconsiderate shoppers sounds less than appealing.  It doesn't matter if it is Black Friday or just a random Tuesday during the holiday season... I hate shopping during this time of year. 

Therefor, I am starting a movement.  While we already have "Cyber Monday", I'd like to see us take it to the next level.  That's right!  I'm starting the "Be Like Messy" holiday challenge!!  I challenge all of you to spend just one day this holiday season shopping on-line while relaxing around the house in your underwear, drinking your coffee... or whiskey... or whiskey and coffee, all while in the safe, warm, quiet environment of your own home. 

If you would like to start your challenge this weekend, I have just the place for you!  Etsy sellers has some killer deals every year that start on Black Friday and run through Cyber Monday.  My shop included.  Not only can you take the challenge and shop in your skivvies this weekend, but you can find some awesome, unique, hand-made gifts for your loved ones there too!  Win-win!!

Go to www.etsy.com to search for awesome deals on unique items

If you are interested in checking out my shop, go to
www.creativityismessy.etsy.com
Everything in the shop is 15% off now until end of the day Monday, December 2nd.

Take the challenge today!
 
I want you to win this adorable Lego Gingerbread-Man Necklace... because that's just how awesome I am.  Here's how:

1. Like Creativity is Messy on Facebook (if you don't already), and share this Post.  www.facebook.com/creativityismessy

2. Follow me on Instagram @CREATIVITYISMESSY, re-post this pic of the gingerbread man necklace (originally posted Monday morning 10/28), and tag with #gingerbreadgiveaway when you share!

Do both and get two entries into the drawing!
I will randomly choose a winner on Friday morning.

(In my best deep, sexy voice...) Let Gingy be your gingerbread man... bow-chicka-bow-wow...
 
"Hey.  My name is Messy.  I'm in my 30's... and I play with Legos."
Everyone all together now,
"Hi Messy."

I have always had a fascination with Legos.  As a kid, Legos were little, colorful, assorted blocks of wonderment that assisted me in creating a land of miniature families, houses and non-aero-dynamic cars.  Legos were a catalyst for my imagination, where little yellow men and little yellow women lived in perfect harmony... until my naked Barbie Godzilla with the bad haircut ransacked their villages, destroying their homes and vehicles, leaving a trail of horrific, broken Lego-Man dreams behind her.  Bwah-ha-ha-ha.... 

Oh.  Shit.  Sorry.  Got sidetracked....

Anywhoo...
As an adult, Legos are suppose to be viewed as little building blocks of expensive, messy, foot penetrating hell-on-earth that are marketed to our children with such a force, that the only way for us to have a little moment of peace and quiet is to shell out $120 for a 1000 piece set that will never be constructed to its original design, but inevitably will just end up being a huge tower of assorted colorful blocks reaching up the your kid's ceiling.  

But the funny thing is, I don't feel that way.  Yes, that's right... I still play with Legos.


Now, I don’t play with Legos like I use to as a child.  I don’t spend a better portion of a day building an actually working commuter train with public transportation station, so that I can demolish all my hard work in one, quick swoop by some unattainable female body form with a bone to pick with her hair dresser. 

No.  I build it.  Display it.  And don’t you dare touch it or so help me….

I have also been using my business as an excuse to buy and play with Legos.  I have purchased several Lego Mini-Figures in the past few months and they are now available for your “wearing” pleasure.   
 
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These are my Lego Chicken Man Earrings.  The Man in the Chicken Suit Mini-figure was what originally inspired me to create Lego jewelry.  How can a man in a chicken suit not overwhelm one with inspiration?!?
You can see these in my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/165623845/chicken-man-earrings-man-in-a-chicken

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Another unhealthy obsession of mine is Wonder Woman.  After all, she is a female superhero and an Amazon.  I too feel like a superhero at times, and I am almost 6' tall... so yeah...  I'm not saying I'm Wonder Woman, but I'm just saying that no one has ever seen Wonder Woman and myself in the same room together....
https://www.etsy.com/listing/164363613/wonder-woman-earrings

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Cute is Yoda.  Purchase you must.  Do.  There is no maybe.

When these earrings you buy, good you will look, hmmm?

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/164255728/yoda-earrings

To see more of my excuses to buy Legos, or any of my other creations, head over to my Etsy Shop.  www.creativityismessy.etsy.com