Countdown to Christmas 2014

Can you believe that week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas has already come and gone! Â It seems when the Countdown, which is hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions, first starts that 12 weeks is a looooong time. Â But we have only three more weeks before the Countdown ends with Christmas only a couple weeks away. Â According to the ever ticking Christmas Clock, there are only 36 days, 8 hours and 55 minutes (from when I posted this piece) until Christmas shows up.

Handpainted Christmas snowman ornament created from a recycled light bulb handmade by Nancy of Wyverndesigns

If you haven't already started your shopping, the Countdown to Christmas 2014 collection is a great place to start. Â The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Blu on their BluPrint blog for 12 weeks. Â The sharing of handmade and vintage items for week 8 ended this past weekend - 71 items are in the Countdown for your perusing pleasure. Â This would be a great time make those purchases. Â Don't wait until the hectic end to buy those gifts. Â Shop early . . . shop often! Â And BUY HANDMADE!!!

Red flower polymer clay beaded watch with green faceted beads handmade by Julie of BlueMorningExpressions

Shop owners from ArtFire, Zibbet, SupaDupa, Etsy, stand alone websites and the like are welcome to share up to three gift items between Friday at noon (12:00 p.m.) and Monday morning at 12:01 a.m. Â Then a new Countdown to Christmas collection will begin again the next Friday, same time, same place. Â This will continue until the second week of December. Â The items shared need to be G-rated.

"Ebb and Flow" gold-green dichroic glass pendant with geometric textures handmade by Jo of Umeboshi

The rules for participating in the Countdown are easy: Â if you share items on the Countdown, you MUST promote the collection and EACH item on at least one social network site, preferably Pinterest and/or Wanelo where the items can be easily found and saved again. Â It's only fair to promote the artists who promote you!

Pastel kumquat butter yellow lampwork beads handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

In addition to saving each item for the Countdown collection to my Pinterest board and Wanelo collection, I decided to share my favorite item from each of the ArtFire artists who participated. Â Fabulous for backlinks (and we all want and need those!). Â Here are the rest of my picks for Week 9 in an order only known to me:Â

Handcrafted black wire and porcelain tubes business card holder handmade by Mary Beth of TheTwistedRedhead

Hand knit burnished rose and gold cowl by Cathy of CraftingMemories

Gold and blue beaded harmonica charm necklace with chain handmade by Connie of TheSingingBeader

1999 Cayman Island 24 cent sailing ship coin pendant in 14 kt gold filled bezel by Diane of dianesdangles

Black, purple and blue hand wire wrapped lampwork bead bracelet handmade by Kathy of specialtivity

Festive red and green adjustable holiday bracelet with white pearls and crystals handmade by Mary of PrettyGonzo

Han knit red and white candy canes on parade dishcloth or washcloth handmade by Sharon of hollyknittercreations

Sugilite, pink amethyst, Swarovski crystal and silver bracelet handmade by Barbara of SolanaKaiDesigns

Black Swarovski crystal and gold seed bead bangle bracelet handmade by Nancy of jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Red and green plaid dog scrunchie bandana or collar slipcover handmade by Donna of SewAmazin

Red, green and gold holiday beadwoven cuff bracelet handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

Mens' purple. blue and turquoise dichroic glass cuff links handmade by Kellie of ResetarGlassArt

Red, green and white holiday bracelet with Christmas tree charm handmade by Elaine of LittleApples

Amigurumi crochet stuffed unicorn toy, made to order, by Nina of ninascorner

The pensive bee pendant necklace, 25", with amber handmade by Eve of EvezBeadz

Christmas Santa skull earrings with magnesite and Swarovski crystals handmade by Catherine of ShadowDogDesigns

So there you have it, my picks for this week. Â All of the amazing items shared above are just a sampling of the gift ideas that can be found in the Countdown to Christmas 2014 - Week 9 collection hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions. Â To see all of the shares, please click here: Â Countdown to Christmas. Â I hope at least one . . . and possibly several . . . of these handmade items caught your eye and found their way to your shopping list. Â Shop early - shop often!

MANY, MANY thanks to Julie and Blu for hosting the Countdown to Christmas again for the third year!

If you would love to make my day and the day of the artist's featured, please leave a comment. Â And any promotion that can be done will be greatly appreciated by all. Â Thank you so much!