Shop 'Til You Drop - TODAY!

Its time to Shop 'Til you Drop! Stop by TODAY and say hello!


"Shop 'Til You Drop" Holiday Extravaganza!
Hosted by the St. Francis Youth Group
Sunday, November 28 · 10:30am - 3:00pm
St. Francis Lower Church
110 Mt. Vernon Street
Ridgefield Park, NJ


Check out the event page on Facebook to RSVP!

Green for the Holidays!

Red seems to get all the attention during this time of year, but green is just as important (I'm not talking about cash here, folks, I'm talking about the color green). This one of a kind beaded necklace would make a great holiday accessory plus, you can wear it again on St. Patrick's Day and during the spring too!



Don't forget the matching bracelet! Get 15% off when you buy both!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want it - Lemongrass & Sage Soap

Look at this pretty lemongrass and sage soap by Sweet Sally's Soaps! The only thing better than a nice hot shower after a long day is a nice hot shower with pretty handmade soaps after a long day!!



PS: Check out Sweet Sally's Soaps on Twitter and Facebook!

Get ready to Shop 'Til You Drop!

Its time to start thinking about holiday shopping. And what better place to shop than a local craft fair?!? This will be my first and only show this season, so if you want to save cash on shipping, stop by and see my items in person. I will also be debuting a new product line! Curious? Well, you'll have to stop by and see what it is!


"Shop 'Til You Drop" Holiday Extravaganza!
Hosted by the St. Francis Youth Group
Sunday, November 28 · 10:30am - 3:00pm
St. Francis Lower Church
110 Mt. Vernon Street
Ridgefield Park, NJ


Check out the event page on Facebook to RSVP!

Trim the Tree with Fish?

Looking for an adorable and unique Christmas decoration? Well, look no further! Holly the Holiday Jellyfish will look simply stunning hanging from your Christmas tree this year!



Holly is versatile though and would look great hanging from your car's rear view mirror, a door knob on your dresser or pantry, hanging out next to the mistletoe or anywhere else you need a little holiday cuteness!

Don't want a Christmas themed jellyfish? Have no fear! I can create a custom jellyfish in any color of the rainbow! Just send me a convo in Etsy and let me know what you are looking for!

I Want it - Scorpio Charm Necklace

Feast your eyes on this awesome necklace by Dolphin Moon Creations!


Scorpio Zodiac Initial Charm Dangles Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Necklace


I'll take mine with an M please!

Treasury Fun!

Its holiday shopping time! That means fun gift guide treasuries! My favorite person to shop for is my 3.5 yr old little man. Knowing what a little boy wants is very easy - but finding it among the dresses, flowers, hair bows, baby dolls and endless sea of pink can be quite challenging!

My little guy has been asking me to make him another turtle and a snake for quite some time now, so I better get hopping on it!

Of course, I will likely give it to him as soon as its done, since he loves to watch me make toys. Maybe I'll pick up a few things from my Gift Guide for Little Men treasury to save for Christmas morning!

I've also been included in two great treasuries
A gorgeous Pink & Black treasury by BBlonski Designs featuring my hot pink make-up remover pads


And a fun treasury featuring other great EtsyNJ artists by KIRWEN1004 which includes my adorable Mandy the Octopus!


Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Super Family

Is your family super? Show it off with these fun buttons from The Angry Robot!

Super Dad:


Super Mom:


Super Kid:

Octopus Giveaway Winner

It's that time! Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! I loved reading all of your comments. I selected a winner using the random number generator at Random.Org. The winner is lucky comment #19!

Congrats to Daph! Her comment: Abby the spunky rabbit needs a squishy hug!! I love all of your little animals sweeties!!!

Daph will be the proud new owner of an adorable octopus and a set of hand crocheted cotton washcloths.

Giveaway - Last Chance to Enter!

Have you entered my plush octopus giveaway? There are many ways to enter, you can get up to 13 entries! The giveaway closes at midnight tonight, so get your comments in now!!

Scarves for Special Olympics

Last year I found out about a great charity called Scarves for Special Olympics. Crafters all over the planet knit or crochet scarves and donate them to the athletes, coaches and family members that participate in the Special Olympics. Sadly, I found out too late to be able to participate. I am ready for this year!! The program has gotten so much attention and so much love that they have expanded and now there are several states participating in the program. New Jersey has requested 1,000 scarves for their participants!! I put in my pledge and already have two completed.



Want to learn more? Want to join in on the fun? Check out their website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter

It's November!

November is here and the fall season is in full swing. November is my favorite month, the fact that my birthday is in November probably has a little to do with that! This necklace fits the feel of the month perfectly with its coffee and caramel colored beads paired with gorgeous glass topaz!



As a special deal for all of my blog readers, get free shipping on this necklace now through the end of November, just by putting "Happy November" in the notes to seller at checkout. I will refund the shipping cost via PayPal!

Wordless Wednesday

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!

I Want It - Sky Blue Eco Headband

Ever since I cut my hair and had the brilliant idea of getting long side bangs, I've learned that I don't like my hair poking me in the eyes and falling in my face while I am working. What's the best way to avoid that? Headbands!! Check out this super cute and eco-friendly headband by Jaydemia:


If you like what you see in Jaydemia's shop, don't forget to check out her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter!

Wordless Wednesday

Plush Octopus Giveaway - Closed!

The giveaway has ended! Thanks to everyone who entered!

I've been debating doing a blog giveaway for the longest time, but couldn't decide what the prize would be. I love making plush animals and the animal that is the most fun to make is an octopus - they are cute and friendly and they have 8 legs! What could be more fun?!?

Anyway, this giveaway is for one blue plush octopus hand crocheted by me using 100% acrylic yarn and stuffed is hypoallergenic polyester filling. This little guy measures 4 inches tall with 4 inch long tentacles. His eyes and face are hand sewn making him absolutely adorable and safe for children of every age. I will also include a hand crocheted 100% cotton washcloth, dish cloth and pair of face scrubbers in surprise colors!



How can you win this fabulous prize? Simple! The first step is to visit my Etsy shop and come back here and leave a comment telling me which item is your favorite. (this step is mandatory)

Here are some optional things you can do for extra entries, each one gets you one entry and you must leave a separate comment for each one.

1) Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect
2) Heart my Etsy shop
3) Heart any item in my Etsy shop and include which item you've hearted in the comment
4) Follow me on Twitter
5) Like my Facebook page
6) Tweet about the giveaway and post a link to the tweet in the comment. (can be done daily)
Plush octopus #giveaway by @madebymelissa, get up to 13 entries! http://bit.ly/9W4GSJ, ends 11/7
7) Post a link to the giveaway on Facebook and tag my Facebook page.
8) Write about the giveaway in your blog, include a link to the blog post in your comment.

For an extra FIVE entries, make a purchase from my Etsy shop between now and midnight on November 7. Come back here and tell everyone what you bought! (note, you must leave 5 separate comments)

Contest ends on midnight, Monday, November 7. Please be sure that you include a way for me to contact you if you've won (email, Etsy shop, Twitter, etc). The winner will have 48 hours to reply and send me their mailing address. I will ship to anywhere in the world!

Just a note, comments need to be approved before they post publicly on the blog, I will be checking in daily to read and approve comments, just because you don't see it publish, it doesn't mean that it didn't go through!

Good luck!!

I want it - Golden Citrine Fine Silver Earrings

I love New Hope Beading! I have a custom mother's peapod necklace and gorgeous freshwater pearl earrings from her shop. Now I'd love to add these Golden Citrine Fine Silver Earrings to my jewelry box!


After you check out the New Hope Beading's Etsy shop, hop on over to the Facebook fan page, and let her know that Made By Melissa sent you!

Fabulous Friday Follow!

This is my first time joining the Fabulous Friday Follow hosted by Nimbler Grove, its a great way to meet new bloggers and get some new followers on your blog!



Just follow the first blogs 1-3! (Your Hosts) Then hop to any other blog(s) you wish!!

Grab the "Fabulous Friday Follow" button and link it to a post about this hop. Make sure to leave us all a comment if your a new follower so we can be sure to follow you back. We also love getting those "just because" comments too!!


The only thing we ask is that you link up ONLY your blog (once) no giveaways, twitter or FB links please. You're more than welcome to link your blog hop, if you have one!!

Halloween Fun

It's almost time for Halloween! This is the first year that my little guy "gets" it, so he picked out his own costume this year! My little man will be Batman, the main question is - will he actually wear the mask/hood? Time will tell...



There is still time to order some fun Halloween accessories from my shop, I have cute pendants and an adorable Halloween star baby blanket.


And wouldn't Abbie be an adorable Halloween surprise for the little ones (like my son) who don't eat candy?!?


Have a happy and safe Halloween!
~Melissa~

Wordless Wednesday

Handmade Shower Favors

One of my best friends is getting married this weekend! YAY!! Her shower was a couple of weeks ago and she asked me to be in charge of the favors. I happily accepted the task and tried to think of something that would be unique and useful. I browsed through the shops of some of my EtsyNJ friends and came across this listing by Dragon's Den. Amanda is awesome to work with and her list of scents is amazing. I knew I needed the soaps to be orange, I just needed to select a scent that matched the color, I finally settled on a scent called summer kisses and ordered 60 soaps plus layered votive candles for game prizes.

Now, my friend asked me to make something for the favors, so what could I made that goes with handmade soaps? Hrm... I know, washcloths!! It took 4 one pound cones of white cotton yarn and about 2 months of nonstop crocheting, but I did it! 60 washcloths, all hand crocheted by yours truly! I have a photo somewhere of the piles of all 60 washcloths, just in case you were curious what that many washcloths looks like. I'll look for it and post it later on.

Here is the photo of the finished product arranged on a table at the shower


And a closeup shot:

(Photos courtesy of Scott Evans Photography)

The favors were a big hit! People were commenting on how they couldn't believe that they were 100% handmade and how they were so pretty and useful. Two thumbs up for Dragon's Den and Made By Melissa!!

NCIS Quote

It's been a while since I posted anything here, and I feel guilty that I've neglected my poor blog. I used to be so attentive to it. Anyway, a snippet of a quote from an NCIS episode somehow wandered into my brain and I felt the need to look it up to get the correct quote (misquoting is one of my pet peeves).

Tony: We don't believe in coincidences around here, Ziva.
Gibbs: However, we do believe in bad luck.
Head Case, Season 3, Episode 15
Thanks to TV.com

And if you are a fellow NCIS fan, follow my list of NCIS Twitter people!

It's a Boy Treasury!

My baby safe plush turtle was included in this super cute EtsyKids treasury made by The Little Love Bug!



Check it out!

RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: When I'm a Parent, I'll Never...

Too funny, a must read!!
RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: When I'm a Parent, I'll Never...

EtsyBABY Giveaway - Two Zany Zebras

Check out the awesome giveaway hosted at the EtsyBABY team blog - you can win an ADORABLE onesie or t-shirt from Two Zany Zebras!!

http://etsybaby.blogspot.com/2010/07/two-zany-zebras-monster-giveaway.html

Good luck!!

Happy Birthday!!

I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to my first born, my baby girl, my puppy Mae! Mae is now four years old! It's hard to believe that we've had her for four years. We got her when she was just 8 weeks old and 8 pounds, now she is 4 years old and 45 pounds!



Here are some Mae approved Etsy items!

Orange Polka Dotted Dog Collar by BigDoggyBling



Puppy Birthday Party Invitations by BBDesigns


Birthday Greetings (dog-themed -- Have a wagnificent day) by PetScribbles



Fleece Tug Dog Toy With Ball-PROCEEDS DONATED TO GREAT DANE RESCUE by RescueMeTugz


Happy Shopping!!
~Melissa~

New Treasury - Purely Perfectly Peach

My lacy peach baby blanket has been featured in a gorgeous treasury by PatJNJ on Etsy, please check it out and leave a comment!

Suburban Snapshots: Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party*

I know its supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, but I had to share this instead:
Suburban Snapshots: Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party*

Wordless Wednesday

Gifts for You Treasury

I made a brand new treasury filled with great items from the EtsyNJ team that remind me of a special someone. Please check it out!

New Dishcloths!

Need to spruce up your kitchen? Tired of that stinky, grimy sponge? Want something that is durable and colorful? Check out my 100% cotton reusable dishcloths!



They measure 4.5 inches wide and 3 inches tall - about the size as your typical kitchen sponge.



These are machine washable and will last forever! Get that stinky sponge out of your kitchen and stop throwing money away.



Don't see a set that matches your kitchen? Convo me in Etsy and I'll make you a custom set!

Wordless Wednesday

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

Much thanks to Foxy G for including me in her blog with all of these great red, white & blue items!
Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

Handmade Shop of the Week: Serendipity

CHeck out the handmade shop of the week at Tracey Knits! You could win an awesome skein of hand dyed yarn!
Handmade Shop of the Week: Serendipity

Wordless Wednesday

Lacy Pastels Baby Blanket
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

Team Tuesday - Geek Love

Its Team Tuesday!! With the NCIS and NCIS:LA season finales on tonight, I started thinking of some of my favorite NCIS quotes. Most of them come from Tony Dinozzo, how many times has he said the word GEEK in the series? McGeek! Enough with the geek speak! Well, Tony, this pin from The Angry Robot may not exactly be for you, so pass it on to McGee or Abby!



Check out the rest of the Team Tuesday blog hop!!

Team Tuesday - Pomgegranate Vanilla Soap!!

It's really no secret that I LOVE handmade bath and body products, its also fairly obvious that the EtsyNJ street team is loaded with great B&B artists. So, let me show you a delicious (although not edible) creation from sublimedragonfly!

Pomegranate Vanilla Soap - just look at those layers!


Once you are done drooling over this delicious soap, check out the other entries in this week's Team Tuesday! If you'd like to join in on the fun, just choose your favorite EtsyNJ seller or item and write about them! It's that easy! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Blue Ice Glass Beaded Necklace
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

EtsyBloggers May 10 Blog Carnival

Welcome to the May 10th, 2010 edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival!

1) Mother's Day is May 9 - tell us how you will be spending the holiday -
with your mother? As a mother? Or share a special memory about your mother
or grandmother

2) What is your favorite material to work with and why? i.e. glass beads,
wool yarn, acrylic paint, organic fabric... Show pictures of completed projects
using this material

veryverdant presents Birthdays and Reflections posted at Very Verdant.

Julie presents Etsybloggers April Blog Carnival posted at Welcome To My World.

Kathleen presents I remember.... Thursday's Thoughts posted at tapestry316, saying, "Hope I got this right...k"

J o e y & A l e e t h e a presents The Girl I Used To Be posted at J o e y & A l e e t h e a, saying, "Happy Mother's Day!! oxox"

Sarah Wagner-Ranes presents Birthday's and Astrology posted at Sweet Sally's Soaps News.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: The Life of a Scorpio posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.

theashgrove presents Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival: Birthdays posted at Notes from the Ash Grove.

gilliauna presents Spring Celebrations You Can Wear - A Rare Post by Leal posted at The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

Linda Pruitt presents Memorable Birthdays?? posted at Pruitt Handcrafts.

Tenuki Handcrafts presents Hey Baby, What's Your Sign? posted at Musings of a Crafty Wench, saying, "this is for the 4/23 blog carnival, but I haven't been able to choose that date. if it can get posted correctly, that'd be awesome! Thanks!"

Anitra Cameron presents A MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY posted at Coffee Pot People, saying, "I'm late submitting, but was early posting. Waah!"

Elizabeth presents My Crafty Mama posted at Thoughts from an Evil Overlord.

Edi presents Blog Carnival-Mother's Day posted at Memories for Life Scrapbooks.

Erika presents A Time with Grandma posted at NICO* Designs.

TiLTcreations presents Etsyblogger Carnival - Mother's Day posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

Patti presents M.........other's Day Camping posted at peacoxcreations.

Betty Mathers presents Mother’s Day, Thank You for passing on the skills and talents posted at The ReFORMatory.

A Keeper's Jackpot presents Glass posted at A Keeper's Jackpot.

Tammy presents Favorite Material - Yarn posted at tamdoll's workspace.

Kathleen presents Funtry Friday - Country Mamas posted at tapestry316, saying, "This one is for Mother's Day - about my grandmother =)"

I Want It - Chocomint Soap

I love the combination of chocolate and mint and I also love handmade soaps, so, it's a pretty safe bet that I will love this Chocomint Soap by Spotted Cow Soaps!

"Cool and refreshing peppermint drowning in a pool of chocolate is exactly what this soap is all about."

Now that sounds fabulous!!!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Wordless Wednesday

Jaded Love - Black Heart Washcloths
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

Wordless Wednesday

Team Tuesday - A Card for Mom

Mother's Day is right around the corner (ummm, literally), get crackin' and order a card for your mom!!

Glittery Flowers Card for Mom by AJK Artistry:


Happy Mom Day by AlatheaPapergoods


Mother's Day greeting card -- From the dog by PetScribbles


After you pick out a card for mom, check out the rest of the Team Tuesday blog posts!