"Etsy" - A place to buy or sell home made products

There are many people who love the home made products. Some say that homemade gift is a special one, because it is made with care and personal touch. Many make products to sell online or offline. I also search the net for home made products as those products are different and due to a love for uncommon and crafty stuff I prefer to buy those items online.

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell items that are handmade, as well as vintage goods and crafting supplies.

Their mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Since their launch in June, 2005, over 100,000 sellers from around the world have opened up Etsy shops.

The catagories of home made products you can sell or buy from the site are:
Accessories, Art, Bags and Purses, Bath and Beauty, Books and Zines, Candles, Ceramics and Pottery, Children, Clothing, Crochet, Dolls and Miniatures, Everything Else, Furniture, Geekery, Glass, Holidays, Housewares, Jewelry, Knitting, Music, Needlecraft, Paper Goods, Patterns, Pets, Plants and Edibles, Quilts, Supplies, Toys, Vintage, Weddings, Woodworking.

To know more about the site: 'Help guide'

Registration is free, 'Sign up'

"What the craft" - A place for sewing and crafts lovers

"Sewing" comes into the do-it-yourself catagory, and it is one of my favourite hobbies which I am enjoying from an early age. Sewing any cloth or piece of craft is like creating something. Sewing yourself also gives you a satisfaction of saving money which you have to spend for tailoring or ready made garments. Sewing is one of the favourite hobby of many women who love to spend time with this creative activity.

"What the craft" is a site for sewing and craft lovers who like "Do-it-yourself" projects. You can find many step by step Free tutorials and craft resources at the site. What the craft is from Alexis who is self taught seamstress and crafter.

You can learn sewing basics and many handy tips+ guides from the site. Few titles are:
bleaching
painting
stencilling
screenprinting
fabric markers and pastels
Measuring, fitting, patternmaking
Seam allowances
Back stitching

- Tutorials and guide page

- The forum has 1479 members and you can share your tips with other members.
- The blog from the writer is also a place to search for updated posts

Prepare your 'Checklist' before you plan for your travel

It is very important that you plan ahead for your travel and make a list of all the stuff which you might need at the time of travel, reaching at the destination and coming back to home. You would notice that even a very minor but important thing could create a problem for you, for example "toothbrush". I usually forget my toothbrush while visiting our relatives (staying for two or more days) and because I use specific brand of toothbrush, I have to buy other brand if I don't get the same at the nearest store.

I was very happy to find the site "Don't Forget Your Toothbrush" as it plays a role like a personal assisstant who helps you to plan ahead with the checklist before vacation or travel. And the service offered from the site is absolutely FREE. It helps you to check

- Things to do before you go
- What to pack

And it is emailed to your inbox.

How it works?

You need to sign up first and then log in. Click on the tabs for your type of holiday such as:
Beach Holiday
Winter Sports
Foreign Driving Holiday
Camping or Caravan Holiday
Cruising

and you will get pages of reminders. At "Planning List" there are catagories like as 'In advance', '2 weeks before' and more and you have to check the appropriate boxes.

Then 'Click' onto the "Packing Lists" and you will get pages of packing list suggestions and reminders. Tick the boxes you want to print and there is a link button for useful websites to help you.

They will send you reminder e-mails at preset "peace of mind" intervals so you won't forget the really vital "things to do" such as:

getting those jabs in good time
pre-ordering any special medication
getting the dog booked in at the kennels
cancelling the papers in good time

You will get an email :
As soon as you've created your list
2 weeks before your holiday
1 week before your holiday
48 hours before your holiday (plus packing list


- U.S site 'Checklist'

Register with DFYT

"The Family Travel Files" - Ideas for travel with family

Travel with family is a fun trip, but you need to learn and search a lot before planning for your family vacations. There are many destinations which are suitable only for singles or couples and you need special arrangements or preparation if you want to plan a trip with your family.

The Family Travel Files offers family vacation ideas, travel articles, family vacation advice, news, deals, specials and family vacation packages.

They focus on those leisure destinations that provide exceptional family vacation opportunities.

FamilyTravelFiles.com was established in 1998 and one of the reliable source of information from many years.

Why is a website dedicated to family travel important?
Adults with kids living at home do not have time to spend searching for family vacation ideas. While large travel booking sites provide dozens of travel “deals,” few are really for families and those that are provide limited information about the vacation experience.

What they say about themselves?

'Our pages showcase family vacation ideas 24/7 and 365. We do not book tickets or make reservations. Instead our business model maximizes vertical linking providing the best experience for our readers and the maximum results for our travel partners.

We research, travel, and interview, with the intent of improving the online planning experience for families. The information is showcased several ways. Our homepage is an electronic magazine with new and interesting vacation ideas for families. Our vacation directory is loaded with members which are part of the family travel niche. They offer family vacations and family vacation packages that are truly for families.'

"Travel Ideas For Women" - A place to get travel ideas for women

The concept that women cannot travel alone has become a fantasy. New age women have learned to enjoy their lives with or without partners. Travel is one of the recreation activities, they can now afford and manage themselves. There are many site around the net which offer tips, ideas and advice for travelers and women traveler as well.

Travel Ideas for Women is created with the female traveler in mind.

Travel Ideas for Women is an online resource for many useful ideas and tips when women travel alone or with other women. It provides common sense information that every woman needs to know before crossing the county line or the world.

You can find travel safety tips, tips on what to wear, advice on what to pack, travel secrets and travel safely. Searching online for a travel guide is made easy with Travel Ideas for Women.

In 'Travel Safety' section they suggest:

'For drivers, you should start your trip by checking the air pressure levels in your tires and your spare (even in a rental). Also make sure that you have the proper equipment to change a spare if needed. If you have roadside assistance, make sure all of your information can be found easily.

Whether you drive, ride, or fly, you should arrive at your destination in daylight. This will ensure you can find where you are going, and be able to enter all buildings safely. Be careful talking on the phone when you are walking to or from your car. This distraction can make you a prime target for theft or abduction.

Always make sure your keys are in your hand. If your purse is snatched with your keys in it, you can't get in your car or home. When you are on vacation, only bring a small handbag that you can keep close to your body.

Only carry a minimal amount of valuables with you on a trip. It is not necessary to bring all of your jewelry, electronics, etc. If you do have valuables, store them in the hotel safe that is provided.'

'Travel Questions and Answers' - Get Tips and Ideas about travelling

Travelling is a kind of recreation which everybody needs to refresh the mind and soul. The first step towards travel planning is probably your budget and then the place to choose. Usually you get advice, tips or ideas about travel from friends, or people around you who have previous experience. We also search the net for information and it is the easiest way to get useful information about the places we plan to visit or travel. There are many sites which help you in this regard and "Travel Q&A" is one of those links.

Travel Questions and Answers is a blog from 'The New York Times' and answers your questions about 'travel'. You can submit your questions about where to go, and where to stay, get ideas for new trips, and share your tips with others.

There are many useful posts, where you can find the information you are probably looking for your next travel. Like in the post ' How to Make Phone Calls When Traveling in Europe', the guidance and links offered in the post are very practical and handy.

In another post 'Options for a Woman Traveling Alone' a women questions: "I want to take a trip by myself, but I have no idea where to go! I would like it to be outside the United States, relatively safe (I’m a 24-year-old female) and with enough to explore but with options for places to go and relax. I understand there are some risks in traveling alone, but it’s an experience I would like to have while still young"
The answer of this inquiry can satisfied many other women already having same situation or questions. Moreover there useful tips at comments section. 'New York Times' is a very popular and well read newspaper, their blogs get good number of readers. So the information you would get about 'travel' is fresh, valuable and reliable.

"Hobby Ride" - A guide to various hobbies

Hobby ride is a hobby site, offering useful information about variety of hobbies. Banner of the site says, 'Complete guide to hobbies, scrap booking,jewelry making and more', and as it shows that the site is not very old, we hope to see more useful stuff there.
The topics covered are:

- Best Scrapbooking Layouts
- Digital Scrapbooking Software
- Helpful Drawing Tips
- Face Painting Designs
- Jewelry and CollectiblesJewelry Making Techniques
- Making Bead Jewelry
- Antique Jewelry Collection
- Doll Collection Strategies
- Stitching & KnittingEffective Knitting Instructions
- Knitting vs. Crocheting
- Cross Stitching Patterns
- Custom Embroidery Designs
- Types of Quilting
- Learn About Gardening
- Candle Making Steps
- Top Woodworking Plans
- Pottery Making Techniques
- About Origami Models
- Learning Graffiti Styles

So for hobbyists there is a lot to learn and get ideas about various hobbies.
The definition of 'hobby'described at the site is:

'What Is A Hobby?
Webster defines a hobby as "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation." In other words, a hobby is something someone does outside of his or her profession in order to relax and to relieve stress. A hobby is usually something the person enjoys doing very much.

People choose to pursue hobbies for many different reasons. One reason is for relaxation. Today's work-world puts a large amount of stress on the average person. A hobby provides a needed escape from the stress of modern life. Others may pursue a hobby where the end result is creating something in order to gain a sense of accomplishment. The act of producing something that is of value - either intrinsic or person - generates a sense of success and pride. The bottom line is that people pursue a hobby for their own personal enjoyment. Many people, however, do enjoy their jobs, so what sets a hobby apart from a profession?'

You can subscribe to their newsletter to get updates of 'hobbies'by submitting your email at the site.

Have Fun While Saving Money at - "Thrifty Fun"

"Thrifty Fun" have a slogan 'Have fun while saving money' and while saving money you are in touch with like minded people. The site also offers a lots of hobby ideas, projects and tips. Browsing the site is itself fun as there are many ideas and tips to save money as well.

Their goal:

"Our goal at ThriftyFun.com is to provide valuable information to help people save money, save time and solve problems. ThriftyFun and its predecessors have been online since 1997. ThriftyFun has grown from modest beginnings to become a vibrant online community. Today, ThriftyFun.com is an interactive Web site where you can post questions and contribute answers to others who are trying to have fun while saving money."

* In 'Craft Project' I found many interesting crafts ideas and you can search for these relating topics:

- Baby Items
- Bath & Beauty
- Beadwork
- Candlemaking
- Centerpieces
- Christmas
- Clothing
- Crafts for Kids
- Crochet
- Decoupage
- Doll making
- Easter
- Floral
- Framing
- Furniture
- Garden & Yard
- Gifts
- Halloween
- Home Decor
- Jewelry
- Knitting
- Needlepoint
- Painting
- Paper
- Party
- Pottery
- Quilting
- Recycled
- Rugs
- Sewing
- Soapmaking
- Thanksgiving
- Toys
- Valentine's Day
- Wedding
- Wood Burning

I really enjoyed browsing the "Craft Tips" section becasue there is a lot of hobby stuff. The list is long so better if you check the link yourself and remember to check the left side bar links. Each link takes you to more article links.

Subscribing to their newsletter is a good idea to keep in touch with tips and ideas about saving money and fun craft or hobby stuff.

FREE Newsletters offered by the site!

- Tip of the Day: A new thrifty tip sent out every day, 7 days a week.

- ThriftyFun Crafts: A weekly crafts newsletter full of tips, ideas and requests. A must read for frugal crafters!

- ThriftyFun Recipes: The ThriftyFun Recipes is published weekdays, Monday through Friday. We feature between 5 and 10 recipes submitted by our readers as well as recipe requests.

- Daily Thrifty Tips: The Daily Thrifty Tips is published weekdays, Monday through Friday. We publish tips, photos, craft ideas and requests that have been submitted by our readers.

- Saving Money On Newsletter: The Saving Money On... Newsletter is published weekly. Every week we pick a new topic and look for ways to save money!

- Happy Garden Newsletter: Weekly gardening newsletter is full of gardening advice and growing guides as well as gardening requests from readers.

To subscribe to their newsletters click at this link