Momma Told Me: Blog Pop! Sweet & Savory Handmade Trinkets $65 Credit Giveaway~ 11/30

*** I received handmade samples from Sweet and Savory Trinkets for the purpose of this feature. All photos contained below are property of Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

Momma Told Me: Enjoy the small things.

I don't recall ever having dreams of grandeur, seeing my name in lights, or owning a safe full of gold deep enough to swim in (thanks Scrooge McDuck). I do, however, recall being raised with an appreciation for life's smaller thrills; the somewhat overlooked simplicities of the day to day. Having realized the short time card we're each allowed at a young age, I suppose I thought it best, for me, to enjoy that which I had. While others in my class were writing essays about traveling to Mars, or selling platinum albums, I secretly dreamed of a house with a white picket fence and Labrador. When I finished school, and my friends chased dreams with credit cards and crazy schemes, I happily clipped coupons, baked cupcakes, and did as I pleased.

As an adult, not quite the brain surgeon, lawyer, or successful businesswoman my parents may have hoped for- I make a point to find small thrills every day, none the less. See, I believe the key to being happy is living your dreams on smaller scale. If you someday strike it rich in the state lottery and Fabio rides up on a white horse to carry you into the sunset, great! But, until then, look closely at what's surrounding you in the present. Does your snoring husband always leve the toilet seat up and leave laundry in random places such as the kitchen? Or do you have a careless man who would be lost without you, and brings a little extra challenge to your day? Call me a glass half full kinda gal, but I prefer to keep my molehills at ankle height and my clouds at '9'.

This outlook, and my slightly compulsive attention to detail, has led to quite the miniature obsession over the past year. I've always been a fan of handmade, and food, so why not handmade food? And if it can be pulled off on a 1/15th scale, well that's just more space for me to collect! And I know I'm not the only one with this secret admiration for tiny, fake, but oh so beautiful, food. It seems like hundreds of shops pop up on Etsy every day, all showcasing minis, all trying to cash in on the craze, and most doing surprisingly well. But as, what I know consider myself, an discerning purveyor of itty bitty clay food, there's a set of standards I look for. We've all seen the rainbow lollipops and cheeseburgers a millions times. If I want to admire tutorial pieces I'll pick up a book at the local craft store.

I can be brutally picky when shopping for minis, and even more discerning when buying them as charms for gifts. I want something unique, complex, reasonably priced, and well made. I wish I could afford $35 for a scale turkey, but I just can't. This usually means an Etsy treasury of hopes and dreams, and budgeting my 'collection' to one addition month. This is why I am completely beside myself to share with you one of my new all time handmade favorites, featured on Zibbet. Right up there with the timeless PriscillaDawn, is Sweet & Savory Trinkets by Heather Wells. You've been sufficiently warned- one trip, and you're through the rabbit hole. Not only are the creative miniatures full of heart and detail, but they're priced afford-ably. And if you just don't see something you had in mind, Heather is happy, no, tickled, to make you a custom piece at similar pricing!

A mother with 2 children at home, and a lifetime of crocheting experience, Heather enjoys dabbling in a little bit of everything. Only recently has she discovered a passion, and talent, for crafting miniature food. As an artist, and crafter, I have come to see she enjoys the thrill of creating and encountering new challenges. This is wonderful news for her customers, because no request is ever too hard, or too complex, and she won't try to overprice a request simply because it's 'different'. I wish all handmade dealers held to this practice, because, let's face it- if it's handmade, it had to be made special anyway (how much harder is it to make a new one to the customer's needs?). Heather's passion also translates to an enthusiasm for perfection that creates wonderfully unique pieces that are never identical, and hold their own character.

I was ecstatic to receive a bundle in the mail from Sweet & Savory to review here on Momma Told Me! I was sent several of the newest holiday charms (peppermint candy, gingerbread man, and peppermint bark), plus complimentary bracelet (to start me off). Any girl would just adore to receive these minis for the upcoming holiday season, especially since these tempting treats are calorie free! My Charm Set arrived in a jewelry box with clear display window, and special invitation to explore Heather's brand new Zibbet store. The complimentary starter bracelet featured a silver toned link style perfect for attaching any arrangement of charms, and the heart shaped lobster clasp is precious!

Now, the charms are almost dangerously realistic- I think I burned some calories just drooling over them and thinking about the upcoming season of gluttony ahead. Each one was painstakingly detailed, especially the caramel ribbon ice cream that looked as though it has just been plopped on a tiny cone from a miniature scoop. I must've had the largest smile on my face admiring these puppies and showing them off, I absolutely adore them and how they swing playfully from the bracelet.

I've been a constant fan, and customer, of Sweet & Savory Trinkets for the past several years, and hope all my wonderful readers will be too. What's better than indulging, calorie free, and contributing to a mommy business? If you love what you see here, be sure to stop by the shop and pick up something for yourself, or family, or friends- then head over to Heather's blog where you can suggest new creations and preview upcoming additions to the new Zibbet shop. Also be sure to check out her gorgeous new charm bracelets, the perfect handmade gift for that kawaii lover on your list!

What Daughter Says: I'm all about the 'little things' at the Sweet and Savory Zibbet shop!