Some T-Shirt Gift Ideas on Amazon

There are countless things you can buy on Amazon along with books and media. I've bought quite a few different food items on Amazon, from breakfast cereal to gluten-free cookies. And it's often a good place to get deals on tech and household items. One thing I haven't yet bought on Amazon is clothing, but there's no shortage of clothing available there. Amazon even has a special Amazon Fashion section.

When it comes to clothing, one of my favorite things to buy is t-shirts. A lot of indie t-shirt makers are creating and selling unique tees on Amazon. You can find a tee to fit pretty much any theme and/or artistic aesthetic. You can also find tees made for special occasions, such as this novelty baby shower tee to celebrate having twins. A lot of couples have showers where both mom and dad attend, so this tee could be fun for exactly that type of party.

The same t-shirt designer has created a couple of other fun t-shirts for women that would make one-of-a-kind gifts. If you like sweets, there's a "sugar obsessed" t-shirt with a fun typographical design. There's also a "happiness is calling" t-shirt which features a simple, upbeat message in a design that's pleasing to the eye.

Especially if you have Amazon Prime, it doesn't cost much to add gifts like these creative t-shirts to your order. With such fast shipping, your t-shirts or other fun clothing items can be at your door in no time at all.

Interior Design Ideas from Barbara's Design Solutions

If you're looking to bring some creativity into the spaces where you live and work, check out the interior design products for home, office, dorm, and more created by Barbara's Design Solutions.

Barb created her line of affordable artisan bathroom decor products with the idea that people should be able to take the guess work out of decorating their bathrooms and just focus on the paint. Her bathroom decor ideas include shower curtains, bath mats, wall art, soap and toothbrush dispensers, bathroom scales, and wall clocks.

Over time, Barb has created a line of Eco Friendly Aluminum Triptych Wall Art, with a variety of imagery and colors to suit many tastes. She has also designed monogrammed bath sets and coordinated black and white accessories for a classic, yet modern look. Her shop offers a unique and diverse collection of products.

By the way, if you like monogrammed products, Barb also makes monogrammed car floor mats upon request. In fact, she does a lot of products on request, so if you have an idea for art or accessories that you'd like to buy, just let her know, as she is glad to work with you on custom orders.

Learn more about Barb's products on YouTube, starting with the video below.

If you like her work, please subscribe to her channel and tell a friend.

Meet Reece Kenney, Creator of Present Finder

Reece Kenney is a software engineer from England and the creator of an iPhone app called Present Finder. The app helps you find the perfect gift for anyone by asking you a series of questions about your intended gift recipient. Reece operates a technology company called Cyber Shark Technology which specializes in websites, software, and logo design.

1. What gave you the idea for Present Finder?

Well, the inspiration for this app came from the fact that I'm awful at picking out gifts for people. No really, I am absolutely hopeless! Unless the recipient shares similar interests to me, you probably wouldn't be overly impressed with the gift I pick out! I would spend ages scrolling for the "gifts for him/her" pages of various websites, and 90% of the gifts I saw were either not relevant or not interesting... I wanted a list of gifts that were specific to the person I was buying for e.g. a 19 year old male student who likes sci-fi, doesn't drive, and doesn't care for sports. And so, Present Finder was born! 



2. How did you come up with the questions to help find the perfect gift?

It mostly came down to how the items were categorized. I wanted to cover as many areas as I could in as little questions as possible so that the user could get through them quickly. In order to keep the number of questions to a minimum, but still provide accurate suggestions, the algorithm has to make some assumptions based on answers given. For example, would a person who said that they dislike sports be interested in a desktop football game? It's not a sport, but it is a game based on a sport. Or would someone who said they dislike cars be interested in a remote control car toy? So I just thought of all the questions that would allow me to cover a large amount of categories. I am planning on introducing an "advanced" mode where the user will see more questions. This means the app will be able to provide even more accurate suggestions!



3. What are some examples of the gifts that the app suggests?

Oh there are tons of gifts in our database! We have everything from Bluetooth speakers, to emoji pillows, to funny novelty items. Our most popular item based on the number of clicks and favorites is actually an item called "Nothing." It is literally an empty box for people that when asked what they want for their birthday, responded with "oh, nothing."



4. What was your process like in building the app?

It was pretty tough, honestly. It actually ended up taking the best part of a year because I took a break halfway through. I started working on it during my final year of university as I had finished my class work early and had some free time. I was finding it difficult to create the algorithm and eventually put the project on hold once my next classes started. A couple of months later I revisited the project and figured out a way to get it all to work. Many months of programming later, the app was ready for release! 



5. In your own experience giving and receiving gifts, what do you think separates a great gift from a mediocre one?

If you had asked me this question when I was a child, I probably would have told you the larger the gift size the better! But now I find that it's not so much the size or price of the gift that makes a gift great, but if you can see that the person genuinely purchased it with you in mind (as opposed to just buying a generic gift for a 22 year old male, for example), that's what makes it great. Oh, unusual gifts are cool, too!

Thanks, Reece!

Meet Robert, Owner of My Matcha Tea

My Matcha Tea is Australia's premier tea shop. They sell premium grade Matcha Tea blends to customers worldwide. Matcha Tea 100% pure, organic certified, vegan friendly, stone ground green tea leaves. Learn more about the shop's offerings by visiting their catalog at www.mymatchatea.co/matcha.

Our interview is with Robert, the owner of My Matcha Tea.

1. For people who haven't tried matcha before, what are your favorite things about this type of tea?

My favorite thing about My Matcha Tea is definitely the boost of energy I get from it. Within the first seven days of drinking My Matcha Tea, I found myself more focused and engaged in what I was doing.

2. How do you choose the teas that you offer for sale in your shop?

We work closely with tea distribution farms in Japan. We look for farmers that show a real passion for the tea they grow. Our tea loving farmers are the best in the world when it comes to creating the perfect matcha tea blend.

3. What distinguishes matcha from other green teas and organic teas?

The most obvious thing that separates matcha is the look of the tea powder. It is ground into a super fine powder between granite stone, and packed fresh. The thing that gives matcha tea its bright green color is that it is grown under shade for two weeks, causing the plant to produce more antioxidants than regular green tea.

4. How did your shop first come to be, and what inspired its creation?

My Matcha Tea was created by a noticeable lack of premium matcha tea available in Australia. We wanted to make it easy and affordable for people all over the world to engage easily in this traditional Japanese art.

5. What else would you like our readers to know about My Matcha Tea?

If you've thought about trying matcha tea, now is the time. We offer a range of affordable premium tea blends with a global satisfaction guarantee.

Thanks, Robert!

Introducing Health Is Wealth Designer Note Cards

Are you looking for a unique gift item for a health-conscious friend or family member? Or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a little something to help yourself stay motivated when it comes to maintaining healthy habits? You might enjoy the Health Is Wealth collection of designer note cards from Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy.

These note cards are scented with a variety of fragrances that evoke the natural scents of fruits. They are designed to be beautiful to the eye and pleasing to the nose. The idea of the Health Is Wealth collection is to share and enjoy cards that give a reminder of healthy eating.

Personally I like to keep blank greeting cards on hand to send for many occasions--sometimes it's nice to send a card just as an everyday way to say hello. When so many of our communications are online, it's a pleasant surprise to receive a card in the mail. The idea of scented cards reminds me of how I used to make scented sachets with my mom to give to friends as little gifts.

Along with the Health Is Wealth cards, Barb also offers other scented card collections, including the Spa Day cards for when you want to send a relaxing message to a friend, the Coffee Lovers collection of coffee-themed cards for many occasions (from birthdays to thank-yous), and the Cupcake Lovers collection.

Barb is always adding new and unique items to her shop. Learn more by reading her profile on Etsy.com.

Introducing Gifts for Coffee Lovers

If you're a regular--or even an occasional!--reader of this blog, you'll know that one of my favorite things to write about is a unique Etsy shop. Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy is a cool shop that has a variety of home decor items as well as fashion and gifts, but it also has a special section of Coffee House Blend gifts that sets it apart.

Barbara brings you a variety of unique handcrafted items, including home decor products, home fragrances, unisex fashion, auto accessories, stationery, and bed and bath products--all made in America. She has put together a pretty incredible array of products, especially those related to coffee. I would say this is a great place to find a one of a kind gift for the coffee lover in your life.

What really makes an Etsy shop stand out in my mind is when someone finds an interesting niche and creates a variety of products around their theme. Well, if you like coffee and/or if you have friends who like coffee, I think you'll enjoy Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy. You can also find the Coffee House Blend items on their own website at www.coffeehouseblend.com.

Her Etsy shop has several different categories such as fashion/accessories, wedding related items, and ceramic or glass mugs and tiles. The largest category is for art for home and office, and you will find a wide selection of big and smaller pieces to hang on your wall, including removable peel and stick wall art and eco-friendly fabric art. When it comes to coffee, I especially like her coffee-related t-shirts, wall art, and jewelry (such as a cute coffee cup necklace).

You can learn more about Barbara's products by watching the video below.

By the way, Barbara also does a lot of custom items. This can range from buying an item with a monogram to buying a completely unique and customized piece of art made just for you. Check out her sites and contact her if you have an idea that you'd like to make a reality!

Meet Tina Cauthorn, Artist and Etsy Seller

Tina Cauthorn is a retired buyer from Fred Meyer, a division of Kroger. She has put her creative skills to work by having fun with buttons. Her "Button Factory" is in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Tina buys all her buttons on Etsy, on eBay, and at antique stores. So many Buttons, so little time! Check out Tina's button frames and other creations by visiting her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina.

1. How did you decide to focus on making and selling button frames in your Etsy shop?

I saw a button frame in an antique shop and I thought, "I can do that." I went home and found an old picture frame and started gluing buttons on it. I still have my first "creation," and when I look at it, I realize how far I have come. Once I made enough to give away frames as gifts to friends and family, I decided that I should try selling them. I initially did a few craft shows. Boy, is that hard work! Everyone at the craft events was talking about Etsy. I looked into it and figured I would give it a try! My product seems to find the right customer base on Etsy.

2. What do you especially like about working with buttons--and how do you choose the buttons to work with in your creations?

When I worked as a buyer, I did a lot of design work, and this was a great way to challenge my creative side. One of the things I did as a buyer was buy "Novelty Underwear." All those boxer shorts with hearts on them for Valentines Day? I kind of took that idea and transferred it into button frames. It's fun to think of ideas. Holidays were easy! But then, I thought "Minions." What about "Wine," "Weddings," and "Watermelons"? I love that my customers send me a request for something special, and I'm able to make it happen.

3. In searching for buttons online and offline, how do you distinguish antique buttons from more contemporary ones?

When I started binging on buttons, I bought a lot of buttons on eBay--by the POUND! I got all kinds of old, vintage buttons. Since then, I've gotten very discriminating in only picking buttons that I know will complement what I already have. I've had to add new, current buttons into my assortment. It's tough to find nice, vintage rhinestone buttons or vintage button in bright, vibrant colors.

4. You have some great reviews on Etsy! What has been your experience in selling on the Etsy platform?

I've always said that Etsy is really a fabulous community. I find almost everyone I've dealt with has been a pleasure. I use my many years in retail to set my standards for my shop. "The customer is always right," and I want to make sure its a pleasant experience. I know I love it when I get a package from Etsy and its nicely wrapped and presented. I've had a lot of the sellers I buy from become regular customers. It's a nice world.

5. What is your advice to others who want to start selling arts and crafts projects online?

I think if you want to start selling online, you need to do your research. What is out there? What is the pricing? Does it compare with what you do? I know my first frames were not as nice as they are now. I did not start selling on Etsy until I had it perfected. So, make sure you are putting your best foot forward. You won't get repeat customers if things are not well put together and presented nicely. Think about how you like to receive things. Be patient. It took me awhile to sell my first frame, but now my sales are pretty steady: steady enough for me to say I am an "artist," even if the medium is glue and buttons!

Thanks, Tina!

Meet Minda Powers-Douglas of TheCemeteryClub.com

Minda Powers-Douglas is an author and cemetery expert who founded TheCemeteryClub.com, a website dedicated to the art and history of cemeteries. Her books include Images of America: Chippiannock Cemetery, Translating Tombstones, and Cemetery Walk, and she has given workshops on topics like cemetery symbolism, proper gravestone rubbing techniques (where rubbings are allowed), ghost stories, memoir writing, creative writing, and self-publishing. She also creates unique pieces of cemetery-themed art such as her Pocket Cemeteries, and Cemetery in a Jar necklaces.

1. What first inspired you to start writing about cemeteries, and what keeps you interested in the topic?

I started writing my first cemetery book, Cemetery Walk, in 2003. I had been leading a workshop for girls for a number of years and, frankly, I was burnt out (loss of grant funding, volunteers, etc.). The workshop had been based on a short non-fiction book I wrote.

I'm the type of person who feels lost without a project or two going on. I decided that it was time to fulfill my life-long dream to write and publish a book. The topic that kept coming back to me was my interest in cemeteries. I'd been interested in them since I was a kid. They'd always fascinated me. So I dug in, so to speak, and haven't looked back. I love doing research, and there's so much to learn about them.

2. How do cemeteries connect to our appreciation of history--and of beauty?

Every gravestone contains a story. It's the story of the person buried there (or not buried there, on occasion). Of course, many of us know the stories of the famous people who have passed before us, but what about the millions and billions of others? I love discovering a long-forgotten person's story.

Aside from my site and books, I'm also a producer on a video web series we're working on called Tomb Trippin'. I'm based in Moline, Illinois, and the other producers, Dan Rosenfeld and Julie Pop, are out near L.A. Our goal with the show is to showcase little-known people with great stories that have been forgotten. We're really excited about it. My Facebook group members are also supportive and can't wait to see it. We're already working on things, and we plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign next year.

As for the idea of beauty of cemeteries, I think they are some of the most beautiful places you can visit. A number of people consider them "outdoor museums," and that is so true. In the U.S. alone, you can see gravestones that date back to the 1700s (and earlier if you look hard enough). You can walk right up to them and touch them if you want to (but please be careful!). How many indoor museums allow that without alarms going off? In old and new cemeteries you see a variety of artistic styles. Slate stone carvings in New England are often thinly chiseled yet have stood the test of time and elements. There are gorgeous marble monuments and sturdy granite ones. My favorites are from the Victorian Era and are carved with various symbols.

3. What will visitors find when they stop by your website, TheCemeteryClub.com?

When people visit my site, they'll learn about how important our cemeteries are. There's information on cemetery symbolism and other areas of research, news, an extensive links library, book reviews (for old and new books) and, of course, my shop. I sell my books through my site and have links to the ones I don't personally have in stock. Aside from my books, I sell tote bags, T-shirts and one-of-a-kind, handmade cemetery-related gifts.

4. Would you tell us a little more about some of your books about cemeteries? Which of your titles have been most popular over the years--and what are some of your most recent titles?

Cemetery Walk is a book filled with interviews with people who are connected to cemeteries in some way or whose work is inspired by them. It's also part memoir, as it has a lot of personal stuff in it. I self-published it through a small company because I wanted to do the book on my own terms (it took two years to research and write). Right after it was sent off for the first printing, I talked with an agent who told me she would have taken it! Due to my contract with the small company, I wouldn't be able to do so for a couple years. Such is life. It's okay because the experience taught me a lot.

I've also published my book Images of America: Chippiannock Cemetery through Arcadia Publishing. Chippiannock is a cemetery near me in Rock Island, Illinois. It's absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite places. We plan to feature it in Tomb Trippin'.

My most popular book is Translating Tombstones, which is a handy guide on gravestone symbolism. I originally put it together for myself, but people in my Facebook group said they wanted copies, too, so I decided I'd publish it. This time I published through Lulu.com. I have a few other books and some issues of the magazine I used to do (Epitaphs Magazine). The magazine was great but overwhelming. Aside from contributions from writers or photographers, I did the whole thing on my own. I even did the design/layout for a while. I stopped producing it in 2008, but people still tell me they miss it.

5. Who is a taphophile, and what is a Pocket Cemetery (and why might it be the perfect gift for such a person)?

A taphophile is someone with a great interest in cemeteries. A cemetery lover. It's a name a lot of us have adopted. It's like we're in a special club! Being a taphophile means you get it--that you understand how amazing cemeteries are and want to share that with others.

What is a Pocket Cemetery? I'm glad you asked! LOL... A Pocket Cemetery is a miniature cemetery that I make by hand. They can be up to 4 or 5 inches long. I hand-paint the boxes and include miniature gravestones. Each one is unique. I can make them to order or with themes. One I've done (that's still available, BTW) was inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night and other works. Inside there's a painting of his grave and his brother's. I recently sold a Day of the Dead one and one with a little skeleton hand reaching out of the grave. Taphophiles can have a macabre sense of humor while still respecting the dead.

I also make Cemeteries in a Jar. Same basic concept at the Pocket Cemeteries just in a little jar. My newest items include even smaller necklace pendants that have a cemetery in a jar. I have so much fun making them. More people need to buy them so I can keep making new ones! Otherwise I'll fill up my house with them!

You can see a number of these items on my site right now. And if someone mentions your blog, I'll give them 20% off their order of anything I have in stock! They can email me at minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com for details.

Thanks so much, Mandy!

Thanks, Minda!

Introducing the Premium SST Cocktail Shaker Set

The Premium SST Cocktail Shaker Set Bundle sold on Amazon by G&Z Online Marketing comes with a double jigger, two bottle pourers, and over 50 recipes. This 24oz martini bar kit is a nice holiday gift item made from high-quality, dishwasher-safe stainless steel and guaranteed to stay rust-free.

I talked with one of the partners who created the product, and he's offering a special coupon to readers of this blog. The coupon code for 10% off: just use the Code "BLOGSP10" (Blog Special 10%). The coupon has a limit for one usage per customer, and it can be used for multiple units in the same purchase.

1. I like that your product comes with accessories and recipes. Would you tell us a little more about everything that comes with the cocktail shaker?

Our Premium Cocktail Shaker comes with all you need to make drinks at home. First is the actual shaker: it's a three-piece shaker, with a body/cup, lid and cap. The lid has a built-in strainer to keep everything you don't need away from your drink. Also, we have a double jigger, which is a measuring cup for drinks, 1/2 oz and 1oz, and two bottle pourers to fit on the bottle to avoid dripping all over the kitchen.

With every purchase, we also give an eBook with tips, tricks, and over 50 recipes.

2. As for the shaker itself, how did you choose materials and test the product to make sure it met your specifications before having a factory produce it for you?

Well, it was not as easy as I expected. We hired three material engineers, went over many, many reviews and complaints on other products, and did deep market research for materials best for use in the kitchen, until we decided to go with stainless steel 18/8 (aka Grade 304), as it's food safe, rust-free, dishwasher safe and on top has a nice, shiny look.

3. How did your earlier work experience as a bartender influence your design of your product?

As both myself and my wife worked as bartenders, we know what we want: size, shake, grip, weight, and so it took some time to find the right partner and factory to product it according to our needs, but where there is a will, there is a way....

4. What do you like about Amazon as a platform for selling your product?

I like that customers are coming to buy, and they have a very big variety to choose from. They can feel safe when purchasing as Amazon and we as sellers provide an excellent return policy and 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I appreciate the great customer service and amazingly fast delivery that our customers receive as we use Fulfillment by Amazon. I myself have been a loyal Amazon Customer for over eight years.

5. What has been the response from customers so far?

Customers love the product. We get many emails which tell us, "Thanks, this is an amazing product, best shaker ever." Even though we knew we'd come up with a good product, the love we get from the customers is more than we could ever have expected. I do believe when you make quality products and back them with value for the money and great customer service, customers get a good deal and appreciate it.

Introducing GreevilGoods for Custom Blankets and More

GreevilGoods is a company that sells unique products online, many of which would make great holiday gifts. One of their specialties is customized fleece blankets. The blankets feature a wide variety of designs from pop culture, including icons from movies, music, and video games.

I bet that GreevilGoods sells a lot of their Frozen-themed blankets! I know my four-year-old would love one. The blankets come in different sizes: small (40" by 50"), medium (50" by 60"), and large (58" by 80"). They are made with anti-pilling polar fleece fabric and are machine washable. They have a full color printing process, too.

Many of the designs are based on vivid photos of artists, featuring everyone from Marilyn Manson to Bruno Mars. Others are more animation/drawing based designs. There really is something for everyone. Many of the designs are meant to appeal to adults, including a design with a marijuana leaf.

In addition to the blankets, GreevilGoods features other products such as messenger bags and backpacks. These also have full color printing and a lot of different designs. Some examples of designs include Adventure Time, Adam Levine, and Bob Marley.

I think the site will be expanding into more home products and gift items such as shower curtains and iPhone covers. This is a newer site, but it is growing every day, and it's worth a visit to check out their offerings!

Meet Yiely of Coidak, Retailer of LED Lighting

Yiely is the sales manager of the Coidak Team. Coidak sells a variety of LED products, including light bulbs and clocks. Find their products on Amazon by clicking here.

1. What first captured your interest in LED products?

My first job was working in a big LED factory. That was the first time I knew about LED lights.

2. What are some of the benefits of LED lights over older forms of lighting?

LED lights are very interesting. This type of lighting is more convenient, and as you well know, LED lights save energy than traditional lights.

My favorite LED lights are smart lights: you wouldn't have imagined before that you could control your LED bulb via remote controller. I think LED lights like this make people's lives happier. Even using a very simple LED stage light, you can have a party with your family or friends easily. And with wireless motion sensor lights, under-cabinet lights, LED PAR stage lights, and so on, some fantastic LED lights will appear everywhere in your life.

Coidak's brand slogan is that we create intelligent and green life for you. We hope every customer can enjoy life with Coidak LED lights.

3. How do LED lights work such that they allow for different colors of light from the same bulb?

RGB LED lights are very popular. There are RGB LED beads in this type of light, so it can achieve different colors of light from one bulb.

4. What has your experience been like selling your products on Amazon?

I have five years experience on selling products on Amazon. I also was selling products on eBay for 2 years before. Choosing Amazon FBA is very convenient for us, and our customers can receive items in 1-3 business days while Amazon deals with the most of the customer service.

With Amazon handling fulfillment and customer service, our main time is spent on developing new LED lights, controlling product quality, and packaging and sending products to the Amazon warehouse. All of our products are tested before being sent to Amazon's warehouse.

We'd like to design more smart LED lights, so we will do more questionnaires and then work with developing ideas in response to customers' feedback and design more intelligent LED lights. We'll cooperate with the LED factory we partner with so that we can control the product quality and also control that all of our products have the best prices for our customers. Factory to customer would be cool!

5. So far, which of your products have been most popular with consumers?

Coidak remote controller RGB bulb and Coidak LED Motion Sensor Spotlight are the most popular. I also recommend our new Coidak wake up light. To see more products details please check our Amazon Coidak store.

Thanks, Yiely!

Introducing a Holiday Gift Guide for Feng Shui Art Gifts

It's already time to start thinking about the holiday season and cool Christmas gifts. If you don't have any ideas for gifts yet, don't worry because there are helpful holiday gift guides to get you thinking. One example is The Best Holiday Gift Guide For 2015-2016: Feng Shui Art Gifts.

Created by Explosionluck.com, this guide includes some unique ideas for Feng Shui gifts. Based on the principles of Feng Shui art, these gifts include Feng Shui paintings and jewelry. Not only are there a variety of beautiful gift items, but they are also designed with the intention to help create prosperity and abundance.

Popular gifts include Tibetan Buddhist tapestries and moving sand art pictures. There is a really nice array of pictures with different subjects such as mountains, water, and wildlife. Really there is something for everyone who wants a painting that inspires rest and meditative thought.

Many of the gifts are especially good for people who are looking for find items that help create a relaxing environment. If your family and friends are interested in yoga and Buddhist philosophy, this gift guide is a great place to start browsing for creative, artistic gifts.

Introducing Teasenz, Seller of Chinese Tea and Tea Ware

As a tea drinker myself, I've noticed that we as tea drinkers know what we like. We often develop very particular tastes when it comes to tea. Whether you are already a connoisseur of Chinese teas or if you want to try authentic Chinese tea for the first time, you will likely find something to capture your interest at www.teasenz.com.

Teasenz is a China-based company that ships tea all over the world, both as a retailer and wholesaler. What distinguishes their tea is that they only sell loose leaf tea (no tea bags), and they only sell pure tea (no blends). They guarantee that all of their teas are authentic and shipped direct from China. They also have a great shipping rate of $5 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the world for packages weighing less than 4.4 pounds.

Teasenz only sells Chinese tea, not teas from other countries. You can find lots of different varieties of Chinese teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and herbal tea. The herbal teas include goji berry tea, rose flower tea, honeysuckle tea, and many other pure teas. The descriptions on the website explain the different health benefits of the herbal teas. Personally, I'm tempted to try some of the different green teas to see which I like best.

I was glad to hear about Teasenz, and they would also be a good site to check out for gift ideas for friends who like tea. Their tea ware collection includes infusers, strainers, tea pots, and much more.

Meet Brooke Clifton, Founder of Illuminate Quotes

Brooke Clifton is currently studying web design and wanted to practice her online skills and thought what better way than starting her own e-commerce site. Through Illuminate Quotes, she works with an amazing hand-letterer to produce inspirational quotes that look great in a home office or can be a unique gift. In researching the market, she found that there were a lot of quotes available for sale, but none that would look great in a home, so she decided to design her own range. Keep up with Brooke and Illuminate Quotes on Instagram, and on her website, http://www.illuminatequotes.com.

1. What gave you the concept for your shop, Illuminate?

They say even the most successful people need a little inspiration to keep them on track, driving them towards their goals. Illuminate aims to provide that beautifully designed spark to inspire others to live life in a more purposeful way.

Experimenting with hand-lettering techniques, I fell in love not only with the simplicity and stunning design, but also with the way that no two letters are the same, which gives it that unique touch.

In furnishing my home after renovating it, I found a real gap in the market for this type of design. Starting Illuminate allowed me to create meaningful pieces to reflect my space and inspire me every day!

2. When I saw the name of your shop, a couple of meanings of the name came to mind--one being the illuminating nature of the quotes, and the other being hand-drawn illuminated manuscripts of olden days. What does the name of your shop mean to you?

To illuminate means to "light up," which captures the essence of the brand, that is, lighting up and inspiring individuals to be more creative, successful, and happy! I love that it also reflects a bit of history and can mean different things to different people.

3. How do you choose the quotes to feature?

I'm constantly blown away by those who achieve great success in their work, especially in creative businesses. My current collection has been created with the entrepreneur or successful go-getter in mind, aiming to motivate them to do their best work and not give up.

4. Do you have plans to expand to other products in addition to prints?

Absolutely! I am working on a collection of greeting cards at the moment. I am also developing the next collection of prints which will be in the same black and white simple style, with the subject of the quotes being something that is both playful and inspiring! Stay tuned!

5. Based on your experience so far, what's your advice for others with an interest in starting their own online store?

Get started as soon as possible, and experiment with different ideas until something feels right! Get to know your target audience inside and out, and look for gaps in the market that you can fill.

Starting an online store requires a good knowledge of web design that focuses on the customer experience as well as SEO and a targeted marketing strategy to drive traffic to your site. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, trust your gut, deliver an outstanding product or service, and you can't go wrong!

Thanks, Brooke!

Introducing TheSavingsMart on Amazon

When people think of Amazon, sometimes they just lump everything on the site together and forget that there are a lot of uniquely individual storefronts on the site. For me as an Amazon shopper, I like when I find a particular storefront that carries products that I like, and I tend to return again and again.

If you want to check out an interesting storefront on Amazon, check out TheSavingsMart. A self-described one-stop shop, TheSavingsMart carries familiar brand names at discounted prices.

When I browsed the shop, I found great products for kids from brands like Disney and Fisher Price. For example, there are Frozen figures and backpacks. If you need gifts for a child's birthday or other occasion, you'll find lots of inspiration here--plus ideas for party supplies, too.

Another brand carried by TheSavingsMart is the MEDca brand. MEDca has an extensive range of useful products, from health to household to toys. They have a lot of hard to find gadgets, like shoe stretchers and hearing amplifiers. My favorite of their toys is their supermarket playset which comes will all sorts of fun stuff for kids to pretend that they're shopping, cooking, and more.

If you haven't browsed TheSavingsMart storefront on Amazon before, give it a look and see the latest products for kids as well as adults.

Introducing Ateaz Organic Coffee & Tea

Over the last few years, I've shifted more and more into organic foods, and beverages are no exception. If you likewise are a fan of organic coffee and tea, check out a company called Ateaz. Based in New York, Ateaz operates an online boutique selling artisan organic coffee and tea blends.

Ateaz offers a variety of blends and flavors of tea. Browsing the site, I'd say there's something for every taste. For example, there are lots of loose teas, from black tea to chai tea to dessert tea to detox tea. You can order the loose teas in sample zip pouches that give you enough tea to make five to seven cups and try the tea before ordering in larger amounts. And the site also has lots of tea accessories for sale, such as infusers and teapots.

As for organic coffee, you can find all manner of roasts, from light to dark. And there are decaf as well as caffeinated blends. When I visited the site, the featured coffee was an Organic Ethiopian Yergacheffee (Medium Dark Roast); this coffee was described on the site as peppery and zesty. You can get more of an idea about each roast by reading the individual descriptions on the site, as well as customer reviews that have been posted.

Another great fact about Ateaz is that they offer free shipping on any order, anywhere in the United States. Learn more at www.aateaz.com. It's definitely an affordable place to check out some organic beverages, and you may find a new favorite or two.

Introducing Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe on Etsy

Do you ever feel like browsing through shelves of old books but can't find the time to venture to a neighborhood bookshop? Or maybe you don't live near a brick-and-mortar shop that sells rare and secondhand books. Or maybe it's three in the morning, and the shops are closed... In short, if you're a fan of reading and/or collecting print books, check out Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe on Etsy.

The cool thing about this particular Etsy shop is that it's run by booksellers who run a physical bookstore that they opened in Alabama in 2012. So really, this is the closest you can get to browsing a mom & pop bookshop from your computer. The shop owners source books from estate sales, thrift shops, flea markets, library sales, and more. They have a huge inventory, and what's listed on Etsy only represents a small part of what they have available; in fact, they encourage customers to contact them if you have a particular book you're looking for.

When you browse the Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe's Etsy storefront, you can browse books by categories such as children's books, law books, photography books, and books by Pearl S. Buck. But the bulk of their books are difficult to categorize as they are unique and vintage items. Most of the shop's listings are very brief: it's clear to me that the customer base is people who are looking for specific titles/authors, or people who will find familiar titles/authors while browsing the shop and feel inspired to buy. Who wouldn't be inspired to buy a book you loved in the past, or maybe a book that reminds you of a beloved person or place from your past?

One last thing: the prices are quite reasonable, many around the $5 mark. You can explore an old book for what it would cost to buy a couple of lattes. I got the distinct feeling that Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe is both a carefully run business and a labor of love from people who know and deeply respect the book culture of yesterday and today.

Introducing Mosaically: Make Your Own Photo Mosaics

Have you ever seen those cool images that are made from photo mosaics? I've seen them on magazine covers, and I've seen them turned into jigsaw puzzles, but these are just a couple of examples. How would you like to make your own photo mosaic to use on your Facebook page or to have made into a one of a kind print?

If you love photo mosaics, check out Mosaically, a website that lets you create your own photo mosaics with ease! You don't need any design or editing skills to use the tools on the site. All you do is upload pictures from your computer and/or let Mosaically access your Facebook photos, and these images are used to create the mosaic. You also need to choose one picture of yours that you want to be the "big picture" that your other photos create through the mosaic.

Mosaically offers other fun and useful features, too. For example, you can collaborate with other people where you all upload images together that can be used to create a mosaic. This could be great for a team project at work, etc. You can also take an existing photo mosaic and remix it.

You can use the tools on Mosaically to create, share, collaborate, and remix for free. There are some features of the site that have a price attached to them, such as buying a premium luster print or buying a print-ready download.

I think this is a fun site that is definitely worth exploring if you want to make unique images for print or for the web, for work or just for fun gifts.

Meet Anakiz, Artist, Craftsperson, and Etsy Seller

With her two friends Zeynep and Meltem, Anakiz runs the Etsy shop Nakkashe. They make and sell a variety of crochet jewelry and accessories for ladies. The Etsy shop allows them to make money while doing what they love. Anakiz and her friends live in Turkey.

1. How did you decide to start an Etsy shop?

Four or five years ago, I resigned from my day job. It was very stressful, and I was working late hours. Then we moved to another city where my husband's family live (Mersin). Being alone in a new city pushed me to do something. In the past, I had always earned my own money, and just being a housewife did not make me happy. I took sewing and needle lace classes and developed my crocheting skills. Then I started to design and make crocheted jewelry. While searching the internet to find out "handmade" bazaars, I found Etsy and opened a shop, with limited items at first.

2. How do you choose the designs, yarns, and fabrics to make for your shop?

Crocheting is an art in my culture, and there are many supplies made specially for this. I buy lots of "oya crochet" threads in almost every color, and I buy any fabric I like if it is suitable to make a scarf or neck scarf. Regarding designs, I'm inspired by cultural motifs and nature (especially flowers).

3. What is your process when it comes to working collaboratively with your friends to create items for your shop?

I was alone when I started my Etsy shop. Then Zeynep , my best friend, joined me. Finally Meltem joined the team and we are now three crochet-loving ladies. Sometimes we all together make a design and choose the colors, materials, etc. Other times we do our own pieces. We are a nice team and good friends.

4. What have been some of your best-selling items so far, and how do you hope to grow your shop in the future?

Thread crochet necklaces are our best seller. We hope to open a small brick and mortar shop and take wholesale orders from different countries.

5. Is your work influenced by traditional Turkish arts and crafts?

Absolutely yes! Thread crochet and needle (sewing needle) crochet and scarves are very famous in our country. And our moms taught us crocheting at very early ages.

Thanks, Anakiz!

Meet Mori and Sivan of Baby Steps Book

Mori and Sivan are a brother/sister team who created a business called Baby Steps Book. They create handmade baby books that reflect the diversity of today's families. Sivan is a graphic designer, and Mori is a product designer. Their books are inclusive, creative, and personalized.

1. When did Baby Steps Book first get started, and what inspired you to create this online business?

Baby Steps Book started when the creator, Sivan, needed a baby shower gift for an expecting friend. The friend was a single mom. Sivan wanted to get a baby memory book as a gift, but found that all the books refer to "Parents" and "Mom and Dad,"--and the friend was not interested in having any involvement from the paternal father in the baby's life. She wasn't happy with what was out there. The products she found were outdated in style or too expensive, and very importantly, didn't fit the family type appropriate for her friend. So she decided to create her own book, and called it Baby Steps Book! And this is how it all started.

In a small apartment in Los Angeles, California, Sivan, being a graphic designer by trade and an avid scrapbook crafter, decided to create a unique book for the friend. She removed all mentioning of the paternal father from the book and put an emphasis on the single mom. The mom LOVED the result. Sivan decided that she wanted to try and sell the books and see if other single parent families would be interested. After a few months of working on the content of the book, she contacted her brother, Mori, who is a product designer by trade, and they worked together in creating the binding for the book. Selecting strong and durable materials, 100% cotton fabrics, non bleached paper and other non toxic products, they crafted the first few books and started selling them online and Baby Steps Book was born.

After a while, Mori realized that they could also support a very important issue that they both care about, which is marriage equality and human rights. Sivan and Mori then started crafting and designing books for ALL families: single parent, LGBT (same sex), adopting, and surrogate parents, for example. They felt that this is an important issue to support, and they worked with those communities to evolve the content and cater to that niche that was not being served fairly, they thought. They once said, "We hope to help and support many families that don't fit the 'standard mold,' to find a way to share their dreams, experiences, and love with their friends and family. Our goal is to have a memory book for every family type out there in the world! Not just the ones that some think is the 'standard' family. Family is about loving each other and investing that love. There is no 'standard' when it comes to loving. This comes from our belief that EVERY person that is able and wants to bring a new life to this world should have the opportunity to do so. We are just trying to make it more pleasant and inclusive."

2. Would you tell us more about the handmade aspects of your books?

Every book is made by hand. Every binding is a handcrafted, unique book. Every fabric cover is cut by hand and has two caring hands making it from A to Z. It has recyclable, cardboard based front and back covers that are wrapped with 100% cotton fabrics with different patterns to suit the customers' requests. Every book has the baby's name on the front cover, custom-printed per each customer's request. There are many optional pages you can add to the book, based on your needs: there are pages to add information about the sister, brother of the baby, the pets of the house, the donor if there is one, and many more that create a unique and very personal book for each individual family. If you are interested in a page design that doesn't exist, you can request that they design one JUST for you. Very personal service.

3. What's some of the feedback you've received from your customers so far?

Our customers love the fact that they can create a unique, original, and inclusive book. Many customers love the fact that you can change the names of the parents from Mom/Dad to Mum, Dada, Papi, Mama, and so on. We create every family member page per order. Our Australian and British parents LOVE that feature :)!

4. How do you come up with the different designs for your books?

Between Sivan and Mori, there is so much design experience that we have a lot more ideas in our heads than we can actually execute. We also have different tastes so it serves us greatly. Sivan is into the "cute and cuddly," and Mori has more of a Bauhaus, contemporary taste. Together we make a great and diverse team.

5. Do you have plans to expand to other items in addition to baby books in the future?

We are also creating, based on the same materials, baby shower books, that are great to record the moments before the birth and the great support of friends and family. We plan to continue and create great content for new families. If there is a need, we will discuss how we can help and create a solution for it. We constantly create new designs and new content. It is evolving as fast as the evolution of our society and family structures.

Thanks, Mori and Sivan!