creative gift ideas | whimsical & uncommon gift ideas | catching fireflies blog

introducing poetry posies

I’ve been a little lacking in the blog world lately due to a number of reasons (including the oh-so-addictiong site, pinterest… more on that later) — but I’ve also been spending some extra time putting together my summer release of designs for a.i. paper.

These fanciful flowers are so fresh, they won’t be available at catching fireflies until August, but I couldn’t resist giving you a sneak peak.

With over seven layers of wood, paper, wire, ribbon & findings, these posies really pop with prettiness. Each flower looks lovely on it’s own, however when they are grouped in larger quantities, they really make a spectacular statement.

I’ve started by introducing ten different designs and two different color stories… berry declicious & cool cottage. This makes it easy for putting together a grouping that looks great.

And this is why they’re called poetry posies. An nice little surprise to find on the back of these beauties.

I think these flowers make a fun addition to our current mix of handmade paper goodies. How about you?

Love to see what I’ve been up to in the studio? Then sign up to receive these colorful blog posts in your email inbox!

2011 Best of Detroit Party Pics

A BIG THANK YOU to all our firefly fans who voted us Best Gift Shop for the 5th year in a row. And KUDOS to our amazing team who makes our whimsical world a wonderful place to visit every day of the week.

No doubt, we were born to boogie. Cheers to another year of making days brighter!

Click HERE for more party pics :-)

and the beer goodies go to…

Thank you for participating in our I Love Beer Giveaway. Your comments made us might thirsty. Also, thanks for spreading the news to your friends through facebook, twitter and email forwards. Word of mouth has always been our best form of advertising and we couldn’t do it without YOU!

Out of all our entries, Arlene Colwander is our winner and her favorite brew?… “Oberon is the best! Wish it was around all year.”

Don’t want to miss out on future fantastic firefly giveaways? Be sure to stay in the loop by signing up here and we’ll email our fun-filled blog posts to your inbox.

our father’s day picks

Curious what our firefly team is lovin' for father's day? Here are a few of our favs…

My dad has been in my life for 36 years so you'd think I know most everything about him… but after paging through this book I realized that there was a LOT of important stuff I never thought of asking him. I can't wait for him to share his stories with me in this book that I will surely treasure. My Dad book $11.95

It's like shouting the words to the world! What dad wouldn't be proud to receive and display this frame for all to see. handmade Best Dad Ever frame $33.50

This cookbook has become one of our favorites. Not only are the recipes delicious, but each recipes shows how to cook it in the oven, on a campfire or on a grill. The best part…..very little cleanup! A perfect gift for Fathers day or those that just enjoy cooking outside. Fix It In Foil cookbook $11.95

We're having a hard time keeping these in the store! I don't know what it is, but men love their bacon. These toothpicks are the perfect gem to curb the craving until he can get his fix. bacon toothpicks $2.95

This guitar spatula combines my dad's two great talents, playing guitar and making pancakes! I can't wait to give it to him. A cool gift for any music lover! guitar flipper spatula $12.95

My father cherishes being a grandfather, and what better to say we love you grandpa then this cute frames. I am having the kids make quote and order this for father's day. This company is awesome, you get your stuff in a week! personalized grandpa frame $44.95

All the taste without the calories. Perfect for any bacon lover. bacon floss $4.95

I love this book. My first car is the 16th crappiest ever built (Chevy Citation) and I was driving the 25th crappiest car when I met my wife (VW Fox). It's a fun read that left me with many laugh out loud moments such as "If the Chevy Vega was only a little bit rusty, it was still on the production line." Great gift for any car lover. Crap Cars book $14.95

Dads who love roadtrips will love these unusual and spooky Mighigan destinations! Weird Michigan book $19.95

I love the idea of this album. Often, tickets can get lost over the years…instead, keep them all safe in here. Love the fact that it is archivally safe too! ticket stub organizer $15.99

2011 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Whether he’s into golfing, a grill master or already buys everything he wants… we’ve got ya covered. Here are just a few of our cheeky, useful and even a few sentimental picks. Click HERE to shop our full Dad’s Day offerings.

ultimate book of card games $19.95 my dad – his words & stories book $11.95 bucky balls $29.95 50 year calendar $12.95 bacon toothpicks $2.95 thinking putty $14.95 slush mug $9.95

roadside america $29.95 bottle neck key ring $8.95 crap cars $14.95 cruisin license plate sign $42.95 fill-er up coin bank $16.95

golf mints $3.95 handmade golfer dog $110.00 golf’s best kept secrets $22.95 shoe deodorizers $4.95 golf scorecard keeper $14.95 golf ball letter opener $22.95 unputtable golf ball $3.95

bbq book $19.95 bbq sword $29.95 fire wire $9.95 propane tank gauge $3.95 personalized branding iron $21.95 fix it in foil recipe book $11.95

wine saver $3.95 whiskey rocks $34.95 wine journal $13.50 cork desk pet $36.95 personalized wine sign $44.95 jigger cube $25.95

I love dad mug $14.95 picture pen $7.95 best dad ever frame $33.50 thumb wrestling arena $7.95 conversation cards $8.95 what daddies do best book $14.95

whoopee cushion $1.95 squirt gun $8.95 fork it over $6.95 rubber band shooter $12.50 bizarro glasses $3.95 exploding golf ball $3.95

handmade guitar dog $155 mix stix $12.95 guitar spatula $12.95 tattoo bandages $5.95 memory magnet $10.00

beer hammer $11.95 desk pet $21.95 recycled beer bottle glass $8.95 bottle neck beer key chain $8.95 xl beer glass $13.95 beer lovers cookbook $14.99

personalized grandpa frame $44.95 ny times crossword puzzles $13.95 cinnamon toothpicks $2.95 grand old game of baseball $29.95 I love grandpa mug $14.95 conversation cards $8.95 what grandpas do best book $14.95

Do you like seeking out thoughtful gifts that bring bright smiles? We’re happy to share some of our clever ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you’ll be the best gift giver around!

Hour Detroit – Best Gift Shop 2011

We're so honored! This is the 5th consecutive year we've won for Best Gift Shop and our new sister store, Yellow Door Art Market also won.

We couldn't live up to these fantastic titles without wonderful customers like you. I think we need to issue all of you a BEST OF plaque for being such wonderful firefly fans! Many, Many Thanks!

And thank you Hour Detroit for including us in your first rate publication.

wishing you BIG dreams Emily!

Thank you for participating in our Dream BIG Giveaway. Your comments were funny, heart-warming & inspiring. Thanks for sharing! Also, thanks for spreading the news to your friends through facebook, twitter and email forwards. Word of mouth has always been our best form of advertising and we couldn’t do it without YOU!

Out of all our entries, Emily is our winner and she what she wanted to be be changed yearly.” I wanted to publish books, be a meteorologist, and write articles about ice skating.”

Don’t want to miss out on future fantastic firefly giveaways? Be sure to stay in the loop by signing up here and we’ll email our fun-filled blog posts to your inbox.

2011 Teacher Appreciation Gift Guide

Yippee! Your kids made it through another year of school. Need to thank a few sweet souls that made their year spectacular? Whether you need to celebrate a team of people or just a few, we got lots of lovely options in all price ranges to suit your gift giving needs.

shower burst $3.95 ladybug push pins $5.95 floral chill pills $5.95 tiny heart pin $2.95 flower paper clips $4.95 handmade bracelet $5.95 cupcake sticky notes $5.95

hand carved heart from Haiti $6.95 flip notes $7.95 cupcake flour sack towel $8.95 everlasting glass nail file $9.95 glow-in-the-dark plant stake $9.95 head tingler $7.95 best teacher ever memory magnet $10.00

cupcake note cards $12.00 foot soak $12.95 purse hanger $14.95 dash-smidgen-pinch measuring spoons $14.95 bubbling bath salts $14.95 milkhouse candles $12.95

handmade cute clip frame $19.50 4 pack shower burst $15.95 beaded salad server set $24.95 snail tape dispenser $16.50 pewter cuff bracelet $15.95 buddha bowl $21.95

personalized wire word $30.00 little wisdom quote box $33.50 personalized teacher frame $44.95 personalized bud vase sign $29.95 personalized teacher sign $44.95

dream BIG giveaway

Graduation sesaon is upon us which is a good reminder to continue to dream BIG and these are a few goodies that help do just that… cloud mood light, ‘places you will go’ memory magnet, handmade dream wire word, ‘shine your light’ candle ($68.90 value)

So how can you get these goodies for free?

There are 3 ways to enter – you can do 1,2 or all 3 to better your chances.

1. Comment at the bottom of this post and tell us: What do you remember wanting to be when you grew up?

2. Spread the word about our giveaway on your Facebook page by clicking the Share on Facebook link below then comment on this blog post saying that you did.*

3. Tweet this link: http://bit.ly/Dream-BIG-Giveaway

-then comment on this blog post saying that you did.*

* just let your friends & followers know if they happen to win, you get some of the goodies too :-)

We’ll draw the lucky firefly fan name on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 and post it on the blog.

Have fun, good luck and thanks for playing!

Don’t want to miss out on future fantastic firefly giveaways? Be sure to stay in the loop by signing up here and we’ll email our fun-filled blog posts to your inbox!

2011 Graduation Gift Guide

Tis the season to kick up your heels and throw square hats in the air. If open house invites are arriving in your mailbox, consider giving something a bit more memorable than just a check. Whether your graduate is Europe bound, leaving close friends behind or is ready to change the world… we got ya covered.

handmade inspire wire word $22.00 custom graduation frame $44.95 ‘follow your dreams’ ransom quote $55.50 ‘shine your light’ candle $17.95 custom quote sign $44.95 one book $16.50