Gifting Success!

Those of you who have come in and looked at the Lauri Toys Mosaic sets may have heard me say that I gave one to my cousin Gus for his 5th birthday. Well, here's a picture of Gus with one of his completed projects. He looks so proud. . .

We're going to Iowa (if we can get out of here--the basement has been "leaking" a bit) today and will be back to be open on Wednesday from 12-5 for all your host/hostess gift needs for the big New Years Eve parties you're going to. If the weather gets bad, you might want to call the store before venturing out. 708-484-7899.

HUGE thanks to all of you who helped make December our best month ever! I will be posting the raffle winners on New Years Day--good luck to all who entered!

Holiday Schedule

The store will be open regular business hours (Tuesday-Friday 11-7, Saturday 12-5). I would be happy to stay open later/come in on Sunday or Monday if anybody wants me to--please call the store 708-484-7899 to make arrangements. My cell # is 773-213-9494, if I'm not at the store. I live nearby and it's not a big deal to come over to Fly Right to let you shop at your convenience.

I'll be closed on Christmas Day, December 25th. I'll be open the 26th and 27th--then I'm going to close for a few days. I'll post exact dates once they're confirmed.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Christmakwanzikkah!

Giving Etsy a Run for their Money

For those of you who don't know, Etsy is a website with fabulous handmade things for sale. It's like a giant, time-sucking craft fair with all kinds of handcrafted goodies. I used to sell my candles and soaps on there, and many of my artists sell their wares there too. Think of Fly Right as Etsy without paying the shipping and handling!
Handmade in Chicago, Zoe's bows are great for little girls with little hair. They stay in really well, thanks to a super grip clip.

Atomic Mama bibs were handmade here in Berwyn and feature a terrycloth backing and an industrial-strength snap that's easy for parents, but hard for kids to undo.

These earrings from (wired) are handmade in Chicago out of old Effen Vodka labels (they're spongey rubbery). Below is some of their jewelry made from surplus and recycled industrial materials--the red is magnet wire. How attractive!

You should also check out (wired)'s stuff made from vintage electronic resistors--hard to photograph, but easy to love!

These are some hand-crocheted hanging vases made from old glass cigar tubes. A lady named Barbara here in town makes these, and I think they're just adorable! Great for a couple of stems of flowers, or for rooting plants.

Kraptacular Krafts candles made from vintage glassware--these are a few of the holiday ones I have left. Lightly scented with fig or pine, they're great for hostess or Christmas gifts or a little something for yourself. . .

Locally handmade Olive Owl soaps and lip balms make great stocking stuffers!

Handknit Christmas ornaments from local resident Jennifer Dale--bells or wreaths in a variety of colors. These are great tied on top of packages as a little something extra!

Also from Jennifer are these wonderful fingerless mitts--they're so cute and practical. I hate wearing gloves or mittens, but these will keep you warm while still allowing you to find your keys in your pocket. There are also a few beautiful scarves that she made. Mitts come in wool or non-wool options. I've had a lot of people say they would wear these indoors--great for the chilly office or while reading in bed.

Thanks to everyone who braved the nasty weather last Saturday for the Festival of Lights--cold and rainy, but it looked like people were having fun.

Gifts for people who cook (and who doesn't cook?!)

If you cook, you've got dishes to wash. Mrs. Meyer's makes both traditional dish soap, and dishwasher soap. Both are natural, hard working, and they smell great (kinda like me!).

After you wash the dishes, you need to dry them. I have two different sets of Christmas-themed dish towels: four towels folded neatly into a cute fabric bag. Display them or use them--they'll put a festive spin on your kitchen decor. These are a great host/hostess gift for those holiday parties you'll be attending.

I have both holiday and all-season dip chillers now. Just put ice in the bottom part, and your dip stays cool throughout the whole party (or movie, or whatever). Both come in 1 and 2 cup sizes. I just got in a fresh order of dip mix--a great stocking stuffer for anybody--even those who don't cook (you need to stir, and that's about it).

The handmade cutting boards and wine holders are a perfect gift for that special cook in your life. Handcrafted in Berwyn by a Berwyn artist, Nevin Peters. We also have the perfect conditioner for them--Howard Naturals' Butcher Block Conditioner. It's unscented (unlike their other fabulous woodcare products), all natural, and very moisturizing to keep your cutting boards from drying out (as comes with washing). Resting atop these boards is some Chef's hand cream from Sunfeather Natural Soaps.

Gifts for the traveler in your life

Sometimes you need prints to show off your fun vacation--a 4x6" photo album with vintage camera look to it is just the thing!

These 100% recycled plastic totes and shoulder bags pack flat, but hold a lot on your way home! Both will easily fit in the carry-on box at the airport.

These accordion file folios are perfect for holding coupons, tickets, receipts, etc. and they have a notepad and a loop for your pen.

Got a black suitcase? So does everybody else, it seems. These TyVek luggage tags are just the ticket to set yours apart from the sea of others! They're cute, clever, and funny and are made of virtually indestructable material that is not only recycled, but also recyclable! There are 10 of them per package, so even your carry-on can have one.

More toys than you can shake a stick at!

We have a variety of cute Christmas/Winter themed toys for kids, including an adorable Advent calendar that you can use year after year. It's like the sticker play scenes, only you add a new sticker to the North Pole scene every day until Dec. 24th, then you add Santa in his sleigh. I remember how excited I used to get when it was time to do the next thing on the Advent Calendar, but unlike the paper ones, this one can be used over again every year. The "stickers" are actually like Colorforms, repositionable vinyl figures of sledders, skaters, snowmen, etc.

Check out this City Ramp racing Set! It's one of those things you can do over and over again and never get bored watching those little cars zooming down the ramps!

This has been on backorder (along with the cookies and grill set) for months! The Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Parlor set with magnetic scoops of ice cream and cones. They have one you can play with down at Over the Rainbow, so if your kids would like to take if for a test drive, see Tom.

The Slice and Bake Cookie Set from Melissa and Doug is brand new, and it looks fun. Slice 'em, bake 'em, and top 'em--just don't eat 'em. Even comes with a cute spatula and oven mitt. The grill set allows you to make kabobs and even comes with wooden barbeque tongs. The box looks like a grill, so you can pretend it's a little kiddie hibachi! The veggies and steak-like things are velcro-able, so you get to slice them apart with the included wooden knife. Just don't use real fire, and you're set!

We're gearing up for the Deck the Depot Festival of Lights on December 13th. Santa's coming, and some real reindeer too (you can pet them and everything!). Strolling carolers, and a fun contest sponsored by all of us merchants (you should see the prizes we've put together!). The contest is a punch card--just visit all the participating stores, get your card punched, and then fill out your information and drop it in the raffle box--we have 2 prize baskets with gift certificates, books, wine, Christmas decorations and more for the lucky winners. You have to have all your punches, though, or we'll recycle your entry like last week's newspaper. You have to be 21, also.