I'd Like to Buy A Vowel

One of my favorite new obsessions on the web is www.Etsy.com . It is a haven for artsy-craftsy folk who make just the neatest things. From handbags to baby items to jewelry, if it can be crafted you will find it here. Why should I include this in Thrifty Shopping, you ask? Because so many of these items are very inexpensive (we're talking less than $10 here), and make fabulous unique gifts. I have very little time to get all Martha Stewart and make things for all my precious friends and family, but I love a gift that is original and personal, and I can use Paypal like a pro! For example, my sister is an avid Scrabble player, and she is getting married this month. As a fun wedding gift, I found these scrabble tile necklaces, buy two get one free! Add a silver chain (also available from this seller) and she can swap out the tiles for 2 different necklaces.
Etsy has all kinds of fun and interesting ways to search for things too. If you're partial to a certain color, you can search for items that match your favorite hue. You can shop sellers who are having a birthday that day. Sellers in a specific country or state. The possibilites are endless. With this being said, make sure you have set aside some time to surf the site, because it's so easy to wander and lose an hour or two just looking. Have fun and happy shopping!