In the Christmas Spirit Yet?

I'm getting there, but I'm dreading the usual frantic rush in stores. Here are some online sources for unusual finds:

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Of course the museum has lots of beautiful work created by women artists, but I couldn't resist showing you the page-a-day gallery calendar of shoes--with a purple one on the cover!
From the website:
"Enjoy an entire year of glamorous stilettos, superstar Wellingtons, antique slippers, and tomorrow's opera pumps. This gallery calendar is the perfect gift for any shoe-lover!"
As a former shoe-aholic (45 pairs or more at one point in my life), I can relate, but that's a story for another time!

Aid to Artisans

ATA has been featured in Oprah, Town and Country and Traditional Home magazines. Visit the website to learn about the program and shop, knowing your purchase will assist women around the world.

"Through ATA and its Trade Network, artisan groups around the world have become self-sustaining. Because ATA's goal is to link the artisans to markets, we provide assistance in all stages of that process, including product development and design, business development, market entry, and working with clients."

Bambootique

Working directly with artisan cooperatives, Bambootique presents fair trade products from Indonesia, Honduras, Guatemala, Thailand, Nepal and Cambodia.

"Besides a steady income, these artisan cooperatives provide women with a sense of pride and self-worth, a safe place to work, job training, opportunities to express their cultural heritage through the products they create, and in some cases additional social support such as scholarships for their children to attend school."

This handmade paper journal is crafted from handmade mulberry paper by villagers in northern Thailand.

I'll have more finds in another post...go out and be merry today.