Are you feeling pressure to get crafty for the holidays or are you having Halloween Pinterest hangover like my friend Sus? Great news – there are some clever ways to get ahead: DIY craft kits from Darby Smart and online classes from Craftsy!
![Check out a how to video and simple DIY kits on Darby Smart](https://ericafinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/darby-smart.png)
Darby Smart delivers simple, stylish DIY kits to you at home. This new company develops handy kits for easy and impressive do-it-yourself projects (like all those things on Pinterest you keep pinning). They have also paired with Pure Wow. This month, you can get a kit to make your own block-printed tea towels. Watch the video to see how it’s done (and how Pure Wow’s turned out) and check back each week for a new DIY project. You can also see/buy past week’s projects. New customers can use the code howdydarby to get/redeem a $10 gift card. You can enter the code mywow at check out to get the tea towel kit for $24 (usually $39).
Craftsy classes give you hours of professionally designed video content to watch whenever you have time. Learn one-on-one from the world’s experts in sewing, quilting, cake decorating, and more. The classes never expire and are available whenever, and wherever, you have an internet connection. They offer free mini-classes to see if you like their format, etc. You can ask questions and get feedback in their interactive classroom from thousands of fellow students and your instructor.
Right now you can try two free classes at Craftsy:
- Learn How To Take Professional Family Portraits – FREE! – How perfect a class is this for the holiday season? Get ready to take family portraits for Christmas cards or just to have in picture frames at home.
- Learn How To Piece, Patch, Quilt – FREE! – This class is perfect for the ultimate beginner to learn the basics of quilting.
Who is game? I think I may check out some knitting refreshers on Craftsy and the DIY idea sounds fun, too!
In Chicago? You can start shopping, get treated and do good all at the same time! Henry & Belle and t+j Designs invites you and a guest to stop by a “sparkly and stylish” holiday shopping event and brunch this weekend – Saturday, November 9th between 12-3 PM at RM Champagne Salon (116 North Green Street, Chicago, IL). It’s a perfect time to treat yourself AND pick-up some great gifts for yourself or others.
A portion of the proceeds from the shopping event will benefit IMD Guest House, a Chicago-based non-profit that offfers affordable housing for patients and their families in the Illinois Medical District. They save millions of dollars for patients undergoing treatments at Rush University Medical Center, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science Center.
PS. Can’t make it? Get 20% off online at t+j Designs if you sign up for their newsletter! Cute stuff!
It has been a while since I have posted deals so here are a bunch of good ones:
- Need to get started on holiday cards?
- Hey runners, register for an event on Active.com in November and they will donate $10 to charity. Just forward your ACTIVE.com registration confirmation email to ActiveCharity@Active.com and ACTIVE will make a $10 donation to the charity, KIDS in the GAME. Give kids across the country the chance to play sports and be active, just like you. A win-win.
- Pay with Paypal and get the following deals (and more – check paypal.com for more great deals!):
- Get free shipping on purchases of $50 or more at Walmart.com from 10/21/2013 to 01/31/2014
- Save between $20 and $100 on all hotel bookings at Hotels.com from 11/04/2013 to 12/02/2013
- Get 20% off Select Small Appliances at BestBuy.com from 11/04/2013 to 12/22/2013. Use coupon code HOLIDAY20OFF
- Get 20% Off Gifts at ModCloth for 24 Hours Only! Ends Friday at 10am PT!
- Gilt City also has great deals on natural beauty products from Yes To – 50% off and much more.
- Take $5 off any order over $40 at Liz Lovely on awesome cookies until Black Friday (Nov 29, 2013) Use promo code KATYLIED and shipping is free!
- Save 20% on gift cards from Spa Week with code fall13.
- Shoebuy.com is having a friends and family sale with 30% off until 11/11.
- Save Up to 40% on birthdays! Shop the exclusive collection at 1800flowers.com. (No Promo Code necessary)
- Get
$10 off $50 at Beauty.com with this link.
Great Ready for Ski Season with $10 off your $50 + purchase using code PRAYFORSNOW at SmartWool.com! Offer valid 11/1 through 11/15!
- Get 30% off at the Gap with code GAPFRIENDS plus get $25 Gap cash for every $50 you spend (Gap bucks good 12/3 – 12/8).
- Get 25% off of your purchase of $100+ with code GOSHOP at JCREW online or in stores.
- Need an awesome holiday gift for your favorite healthy person away from NYC (hint, hint). Check out the NY for Holidays Care Pack from Vegan Cuts.
That’s all for now! I am navigating the post marathon blues and am looking forward to a quiet weekend ahead. What are you up to?
PS. Don’t forget my Get Up and Go caffeinated brownie giveaway!