Well, it’s that time of the year again. Time to move forward, look ahead (n’ whip it, whip it good!) and plan for the new year. Time to stock up on 2010 calendars!

Me? I’m old school. I enjoy the act of physically writing and doodling on a yearly diary/planner as opposed to typing dates and appointments in a blackberry or some other such electronic gadget. (Yes, I’m a nerd, not a geek.) After much trial and error, I have a system in place now for a few years that works for me. New 2010 daily Moleskine? Check. New 2010 ilee letterpress desk calendar? Check.

And this year’s ilee calendar is as lovely as last year’s. (Though I have to say her 2008 edition was exceptional.) I like to have a bit of Art around my desk area and what a better, practical way to do it than with these desk calendars. Every month, I get to discover a wonderful new piece of Art.

The photo above doesn’t do justice to the actual calendar. July is printed on a special shimmery cardstock with glitter effects on the mermaid’s body. The month & dates, and the outline of the mermaid have that 3-D embossed effect that I especially love, characteristic of letterpress printing.

Check out these other equally fabulous 2010 art calendars, all from wonderfully talented and creative indie artists on Etsy.com. There’s something about each of these that I really like. My picks, my faves, so to speak. They’re great to give during the holiday season – whether for yourself, an Art enthusiast, an officemate, or that hard to shop for person that has just about everything – ‘cept for a 2010 calendar. Uh-huh!

Just a note – if the calendar link shows it’s been sold, please click the seller’s shop link to see if the item has been relisted. Enjoy!

[[ LETTERPRESS ]]

{ ilee.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress and Silkscreen Calendar . $22

Twelve monthly cards, each a unique and lovely work of art, comes in a clear jewel case stand. A portion of the sale will be donated to a non-profit corporation called “Specialized Options for Disabled Adults”.

{ paperboatstudios.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $30

Zen-like, simple elegance for the minimalist at heart, this limited edition letterpress calendar features a graceful linear design and is bound as a volume and perforated for easy tear off.

{ satsumalynn.etsy.com } . 2010 Satsuma Press Calendar . $44

Another choice for the minimalist at heart, this quietly refined calendar features random feather and botanical designs, bound loosely with a cotton ribbon and wrapped in glassine.

{ pistachiopress.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Wall Calendar . $35

Inspired by patterns found on vintage teacups and saucers, Rachael’s colorful 2010 edition is printed on 100% tree-free cotton paper using environmentally conscious studio practices.

{ brooklynbookbinder.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $29.50

Maggie Campbell’s polished and sophisticated 2010 calendar is a hanging, handbound, accordion-fold book with a letterpress printed interior and your cover choice of 10 beautiful decorative papers.

{ tarahogan.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $42

Ink + Wit’s 2010 edition was inspired by Tara Hogan’s travels to Iceland, England, France and the United States. This limited edition of 150 features seven illustrated prints that can be framed or available with options ready to hang.

{ 1canoe2.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $24

All hand-drawn and hand printed, this colorful version features a twelve month collection of quirky & bold sketches. Sorta folksy, sorta retro but you’ll be charmed, I’m sure!

{ YeeHaw.etsy.com } . Jim Flora Drummer Mini Letterpress Calendar . $13

Don’t you just love this bold n’ lively illustration? I know I do. But what’s up with his leg?! Ha-ha! No, not “Ha-ha” but “Yee-Haw!”. Yee-Haw Industries, that is. This letterpress version has a vintage feel and features a 12 month tear away calendar. Make sure to check out their other versions. They gots a-plenty! Done the ol’ fashioned way, all hand printed, one color at a time. It surely makes you appreciate and have great respect for all things handmade, don’t it?

[[ ART . DESIGN . ILLUSTRATION ]]

{ behappynow.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $27

I adore this artist’s work. She offers several types of calendars in her shop, but this one is her wall calendar version. It features 12 months of bold and whimsical portrait illustrations with space for notes on each day.

{ yaelfran.etsy.com } . 2010 Accordion Desk Calendar . $10

I have long been a fan of this artist. This accordion style desk calendar features 12 months of her delightfully whimsical illustrations. It folds up and fits in your bag to go too. Very sweet!

{ myzoetrope.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $25

This “super special, awesome” (an apt description!) calendar features 12 colorful, adorable illustrations from artist, Michelle Cavigliano’s “Friends Forever” series.

{ aaceves.etsy.com } . 2010 CD Calendar . $16

Wonderfully designed and sweetly illustrated, Ana’s desk calendar features twelve months of artwork packaged in a clear CD case. A girl and her adventures with her dog. So cute. I want that puppy! Woof!

{ tascha.etsy.com } . 2010 Mini Calendar . $14

Known for her wonderfully whimsical paintings of Frida Kahlo and cats, I am a long-time admirer of Tascha’s work. Her mini calendar features twelve different prints of her fabulous, original artwork.

{ modernarteveryday.etsy.com } . Modern Art Everyday 2010 Desk Calendar . $18

Modern Art Everyday’s colorful, contemporary 2010 desk calendar features twelve individual giclee prints of MAE’s original artwork and comes in a clear jewel case that converts into a stand.

{ storybymia.etsy.com } . 2010 Animal Wall Calendar . $22

Bold colorblock animals graze this simple, modern version. One animal for each month, twelve months total. Perfect for a nursery or kid’s room, or just somebody that likes animals. I especially like the rounded corners.

{ valerydesignwrks.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $30

This limited edition, french and english calendar features a different wonderful illustration for every month. This artist’s impressive 2009 calendar was the recipient of several Art and Design awards.

{ JessicaDoyle.etsy.com } . 2010 Art Calendar . $26

This wonderfully designed, fourteen page, twelve month calendar features Jessica’s beautiful illustrations, one for each month. The calender can later be trimmed for matting and framed as lovely pieces of art.

{ joojoo.etsy.com } . 2010 Giclee Calendar . $30

This charming card calendar features twelve different pen illustrations, one for each month of the year.

[[ PHOTOGRAPHY ]]

{ dhunting.etsy.com } . 2010 Photo Calendar . $18

These gorgeous black and white photographs shot by photographer, Dana Hunting, in Florence and Venice, Italy, are awe-inspiring. They certainly evoke feelings of wanderlust and makes me wish I was there! Hard to choose but I’d say I’m most drawn to March, July & December. Lovely!

{ irenesuchocki.etsy.com } . Eye Poetry – 2010 Calendar . $20

Aptly named, this calendar is one of several offered by this artist. It features twelve hauntingly beautiful and poetic images for each month.

{ bomobob.etsy.com } . A Year at the Fair – 2010 Fine Art Calendar . $20

Whoa, this photographer’s work blows me away. These gorgeous, awesome images have a distressed look and a vintage feel to them. It certainly looks like a carnival fair of yesteryear. Beautiful work! A different lovely image for each month. Make sure to check out their other equally fab calendars!

[[ PLANNERS ]]

{ dozi.etsy.com } . 2010 Pocket Planner . $11.50

This stylish, modern monthly planner is saddle stitched and features an original cover design.

{ Nicopapergoods.etsy.com } . 2010 Weekly Planner . $22

This cute pocket sized weekly planner is spiral bound featuring a bookcloth cover, silkscreened illustration and embossed year. It includes both U.S. and Canadian holidays.

“…because every dog deserves a happy ending.“

Shortly after I reopened my shop this February, I received an Etsy conversation from Renee, a member of the fundraising committee for an animal organization I was unfamiliar with. After some research through various charity guides and visiting the organization’s website, I was quite impressed with what I saw.

Based in San Francisco, Muttville.org is a wonderful organization dedicated to “changing how the way world thinks and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster and hospice.”

I have a special affinity for older dogs so I immediately connected with this organization’s mission and made four necklaces for their “Moolah For Mutts” 2009 fundraiser this coming June.

Click the links above to find out more about this great organization and how to help them.

The photos above show the pieces I made especially for Muttville. Special thanks to glass artist, Marcy Lamberson, for donating the shaggy dog bead, and especially to glass artist, Janet Crosby, for her continued support and generosity. The black silver-core paw print bead shown above was a present from her.

The photos below show my packaging process. Enjoy!

Giving Wisely. Whenever you’re contacted by a nonprofit organization you’re unfamiliar with and asked to make a donation, it’s always a good idea to verify their legitimacy and find out more about them before you give. Here are some of the websites I regularly use to check out any charity organization:

GuideStar
U.S. National BBB
Charity Navigator
American Institute of Philanthropy

Lastly, the donation docs page has been updated with my most recent donation made from 1st quarter sales from my Etsy shop – a check to the National Canine Cancer Foundation in memory of sweet Spencer.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time – take care & stay well.

New goodies have been added to my Etsy shop. The whimsical, one-of-a-kind dog bone bracelet above is oh so fun and sure to bring a smile to your face. It’s chock full of special beads by favorite Lampwork artist, Dawn White. Don’t you just love her work? I adore them!

I also listed a new item in my Etsy shop — anti-tarnish Sterling Silver Jewelry Pouches.

These anti-tarnish pouches have a few extras that other Etsy shops who sell a similar product don’t offer. They’re padded for extra protection which makes them great for travel. And they’re lined with Pacific Silvercloth, the premier tarnish protection fabric. It’ll protect your silver jewelry and keep it shiny and tarnish free until the fabric literally disintegrates. Now that’s a loooong time!

Check ‘em out! Just click the photos to view each item.