{Hit the Books!} Handmade Gifts for Back to School

Summer is winding down fast, and that means back to school shopping is in full force. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, our gift guide of must-have school accessories and teacher gifts will help you hit the books.

Professors and students will love these stylish, refillable leather journals by Ox & Pine. Personalize it with initials, graduation year, or a favorite quote.

Be sure to get a teacher thank you card by Kat French Design for those everyday super heroes.

On the professor’s desk or away at college, display cherished memories with this desk photo holder by Creteation.

Rock your school ID with a personalized leather lanyard by Ox & Pine.

When it’s time for a little R&R, relax with a DIY kit for watercolor cacti by Maya X Kiwi.

Mark your page with a personalized leather bookmark by Ox & Pine. Make it a truly special gift by adding their name, graduation year, or favorite quote.

Even during finals, remember to breathe with these gorgeous hand stamped mini cuffs by Kathleen Care Jewelry.

Teachers and parents alike deserve to unwind with these DIY watercolor kits by Maxa X Kiwi.

Handy gifts for all the super manly teachers and students in your life, Sasha’s Hand Poured.

Some teachers make a difference beyond words. Show your appreciation with a customizable teacher bangle by Expressions Bracelets.

Let's go back to school in style with these handmade finds from Dallas artists

There's more to back-to-school season than No. 2 pencils and late nights wrapping up new lesson plans. We put together a roundup of handmade gifts for students, teachers and parents gearing up for the new academic year. 

Expressions Bracelets has wearable inspiration for all you teachers and professors.

Get those college or high school beards in shape with The Immaculate Beard. 

These personalized graduation necklaces from Kathleen Care are lovely gifts for grads, moms and college students looking forward to wrapping up their studies. 

Show your kid's teacher you care with these hilarious cards from MayaXKiwi based on that Dena Blizzard video you may have seen. 

Keep it together (or at least keep your earbuds from tying themselves into a hundred knots) with one of these gorgeous cord wraps from Ox&Pine. 

Pro Tip: Those teachers deserve a relaxing bath and we know the perfect bath bombs. Scoop up some Whipped Up Wonderful for yourself while you're at it. 

Prioritize coffee before those things you need to get done while the kids are at school, with this Kat French Design notepad.

Pack all of your kid's essentials in this cute pouch from Hearts and Sharts.

Use the start of the new year to jump-start a new habit with this gratitude notebook from MadeByRori.

Maybe you would rather list your to-do's on this colorful kantha stitches notepad from tokodots.

However you start the school year, just remember, it means sweater weather is around the corner.  Right??  Get ready for fall with this mug from Fresh Out of Ink.

Etsy Dallas teams with NorthPark Center for 4th annual Crafts for Crayons event

We are hosting our 4th annual Crafts for Crayons school supply drive and craft event at NorthPark Center from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 26. Find us in the NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy's.

We have fun crafts ready for kids and adults. Just stop by with supplies and donations. "School is starting for so many kids but nearly one in three children in Dallas County cannot afford basic school supplies," Etsy Dallas member Jenny Abney Sivie said. "Crafts for Crayons is a fun afternoon of crafting that also raises supplies and donations for kids to have a better start to the school year."

All donations will go to Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold through life-changing programs and experiences that help girls navigate gender, economic and social barriers. Research shows that empowering girls and women yields benefits for entire families and communities, but many girls face gender stereotypes, narrow expectations, and negative media messages. With support from our communities, young girls can learn that they are strong and can achieve whatever they want in life. 

Not sure what to bring? Girls, Inc. is in need of school and art supplies such as paper, crayons, scissors, pencils, pens, glue, markers, and erasers, as well as sports equipment, games, books and more. Everyone is invited to come out, make some crafts and support this supply drive. Every little bit helps!

3rd Annual Crafts for Crayons

Hi readers!  Back to school time is here, and Etsy Dallas is hosting our annual school supply drive for Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas.  Bring some pencils, crayons, notebooks and meet us at NorthPark Center on August 13, 2016 from 1:00 to 5:00pm.  Our members will be teaching some fun kid friendly crafts, and spreading awareness for an important local cause.  Check out the video below.  We hope to see you there!

2nd Annual Crafts for Crayons School Supply Drive and Craft Event

Want to make a difference in a young girl's life? Join Etsy Dallas at the 2nd Annual Crafts for Crayons event on Saturday, August 1st, at the NorthPark Center. 

For a donation of school or art supplies, you can have a fun afternoon crafting away with your friends or kids. And bonus - you get to take your crafts with you when you leave!

You can find us in the NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy's from 1-5 pm - it's sure to be a blast!

All donations will benefit Girls, Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, a philanthropy whose goal is to empower girls to be come strong, smart, and bold women who positively contribute to our communities and who understand, value, and assert their rights. Girls, Inc. teaches leadership and gives girls the tools to change their situation. 

Their programming includes such activities as: 

• STEM-centric summer camps (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics); 
• After-school programs with focuses including tutoring, self defense, leadership, and health; and
• Year-round programs, including one-on-one mentoring and college tour trips.

Last year, we raised over $2,000 in addition to bags and bags of school and art supplies for the organization, and we hope to exceed that this year! Your donations help ease the burden on teachers to provide their own supplies (much of which comes out of their own pockets) and give girls the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. You will be directly affecting change in your own community!

So please come and join us for what is guaranteed to be a great afternoon of camaraderie, crafting, and community improvement - we can't wait!

For more information about Girls, Inc., you can visit girlsincdallas.org, or on any of these social media sites: Twitter // Pinterest // Tumblr // Instagram

Make this the best semester yet

Back to school means shopping for your backpack, closet and home. Here's a treasury with a little bit of something for everyone gearing up for the new semester. Click the image to go directly to the treasury.

Time to Hit the Books in Style

Popsicles, summer school, vacations and fun times - they just flew by! Now it's time to get serious and hit the books. With that in mind, here are a few fun essentials for easing back to your studies.

Whale notebook, $9, Made by Rori

Periodic Table Book Bag, $22.50, Yellow Bug Boutique

Lemon Verbena Soap, $5.50, ThePigAndThePeacock

iPad Case, $30, BUTTERdesignlab

Prepare to have a great fall semester.