Christmas Craft Show

If you happen to live in Southern California, come see me at the La Habra High School Christmas Craft Show December 13, 2008 from 8am to 3pm. I'll be there with tons of other vendors selling my Hide-a-Book covers and I would love to meet you. Support independent crafters and buy some unique gifts made with love for people on your holiday shopping list. There will be lots of other Etsy sellers there so you'll be sure to find some great stuff. Admission is free and there will be food, drink, raffles and most important...shopping!

Handmade in California

I don't know about you, but I'm looking to scale back some on my spending and with the holidays coming up I want to choose unique gifts for my friends and family. The holiday gift guide from Handmade in California is a great source for interesting gifts and your purchase will help to support independent crafters and the economy. Also, if you sign up for the quarterly update, you will receive a coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase. Gotta love coupons! The gift guide is sponsored by the California Crafters Club of Etsy.

Handmade Gifts for Book Lovers Under $10

Red Thread Books sells lovely bound books of poetry that make great gifts. Perfect for October is Edgar Allen Poe's classic, The Raven. This book is printed on heavy paper, pamphlet-bound, cased in midnight-black Japanese silk and blue patterned Italian art paper. At only $8 this handmade book is a bargain. Click here to buy.




These gorgeous handmade bookplates by Nouveau Designs add style and sophistication to any library. They are lovely vintage advertisements for Hanes women's stockings. Each bookplate is printed on an adhesive sticker with rounded corners. There are 3 different images - you get 6 of each. A great deal: 18 bookplates for $6. Click here to buy.





This beautiful metal bookmark from Giftswell was handcrafted by an artisan in the north Thailand style of Chiang Mai Province. The bookmark is less than $10 even after shipping from Thailand. Click here to buy.

Bunnies & Books

Okay, I know bunnies don't have crap to do with books but I'm so pleased with myself right now that I had to share. One of my book covers has a super adorable bunny print on gorgeous Japanese paper. I managed to grab a Treasury (sort of a mini gallery) on Etsy to display my love of bunnies along with the great bunny stuff from other sellers. They're so hard to get as many people are vying for the few spots available. Check it out!

Gifts For Booklovers, or Just Yourself!

Here's my latest awesome finds from Etsy. Perfect for your book lover friends or a little treat for yourself.

Copper Book Pendant - $45





Book Ring, you choose the cover - $4





Dictionary Necklace - $10





Book Vampire Bookmark - $6.50

Book Covers

I have some pretty new designs for my Hide-a-Book covers. For a limited time I'm also offering free shipping on all US and Canada orders. If you mention this blog when you make a purchase in the "memo to seller" section I'll send you a free gift. Check out some of the designs below and visit my online shop for many more choices.

Etsy Buy Handmade HideABook

Reading is Sexy

Declare your love of books with this hot tee from Sarah Utter that says "Reading is Sexy". Buy at BuyOlympia.com. Comes in pink, blue, green and yellow.

Cool Book Stuff on Etsy

As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of Etsy. It's a website where people can buy and sell things handmade or that are vintage. I sell my Hide-a-Book covers on Etsy and I've had the good fortune to stumble across many talented people who sell a really cool variety of stuff. Here are some items I found that you might like too...

I'm bit obsessed with birds right now and this lovely set of bird bookplates will keep your friends from forgetting to give your book back.



This super sexy romance cover might be embarrassing to be seen reading but I can guarantee you'll get admiring glances with this purse.



You can keep this bodice-ripper bookmark tucked away between the pages of your latest book for your eyes only. I won't tell...



Gotta love that 70's hair with this journal made from a recycled Harlequin novel.

Book Covers

Ever been embarrassed of a book cover or just wished you could have something pretty to dress up your books? Well, the wait is over! These are my new Hide-a-Book book covers. The decorative vinyl slip-on book covers are water resistant and can be reused again and again – the perfect stylish book-covering solution! Great for protecting paperback books and your privacy. The cover easily adjusts to fit paperback books of nearly any width. A built in ribbon bookmark ensures you won't lose your place. Click on a cover for more information and how to buy.

Etsy Buy Handmade HideABook

Vintage Harlequin Novels

Want to relive old times? Flash back to the 60's, 70's and 80's with vintage Harlequin novels from Lughnassadh Books (I know that's a mouthful huh?). They've got a huge selection of those old romance novels you read in junior high (oh wait, that was me). Can't remember the title of that book you really loved? The reader forums just might help you track it down.

Book Crafts

I like to think of myself as a crafty person but I'm really not. I don't have enough patience to stick long term with hobbies or even enough to do a project for more than a few hours. I admire people who can make neat handmade stuff though, so I read the Craftzine blog. They have a project posted today where you can make a handbag out of a recycled book. For all you crafty peeps or crafty wannabees like me take a look at this project. There's even a video tutorial.

Pulp Cover Laptop Bags

I'm totally into pulp covers recently and these laptop bags from Maddie Powers are so cute. It's hard to find stylish (and girly) laptop bags in the sea of black nylon. I guarantee people will stop and ask where you got these...

Recyled Book Cuff Bracelets

Craftzine.com has a great post today about an Etsy artist who creates cuff bracelets from old book spines. What a cool idea!

Cool Stuff on Etsy

If for some reason, you have never heard of Etsy, boy are you missing out on some good stuff! Etsy is a marketplace where you can find unique handmade crafts, arts and other random lovely things you must buy. Here are my latest Etsy finds:

Pulp Romance Cover Art Earrings

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Notebooks made with covers from old romance novels

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50's style pulp romance card case or cigarette case

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 Vintage Naughty Girls Magnet Set

Rare Bird Finds Cool Stuff for Bookworms

One of my favorite shopping blogs is Rare Bird Finds. They always have unique indie stuff that is great for gifts. Today's post is cool stuff for bookworms. Check it out.

My favorite item from the post is the book birdhouse: