Monday, October 1, 2018

Uncommon Goods: A Review and Giveaway!

Over the summer, I went into a little shop with my mother-in-law and could have perused for hours.  The shop was full of little odds and ends from jewelry to household items, apparel, children's toys, to magnets and games and knickknacks galore.  There were so many beautifully crafted handmade items, and I kept thinking about this little shop, wishing there was a way for me to shop all of it's goodies online.  One day out of the blue, I got an email from Tom at UncommonGoods, and I realized this was it!  This was an online collection of handmade items you would find at your local shop or craft fair...all in one place.  I chose a few items to review, and honestly y'all (can a northerner say y'all?) it was hard.  It took me a couple of weeks to choose because I wanted everything!!! I decided to focus on things to make entertaining more fun - and here's what I chose...



The first is the Shibori Bread Dipping Platter.  Isn't this gorgeous?  I just fell in love with the colors and design, and knew we would use it often, even though we're not big bread eaters.  This item is made to order by the artist, so I'm sure each piece is a little unique.


Next up is the classy Chip and Dip Serving Bowl Duo.  This will get a ton of use in our house.  It's deceivingly small looking, but the bowl fits a whole bag of chips and a small jar of dip or salsa.


I was really excited about these City Map Glasses.  They have the city streets and neighborhoods and coordinates etched into the glass.  There are over 20 cities to choose from, and they are dishwasher safe.  I'm ready to start a little collection based on the cities we've lived in or visited.  I picked Boston and Washington DC to remind us from where we came.


From the UncommonGoods website, a little back story:

In 1999, Dave Bolotsky visited a Smithsonian Museum craft show in Washington D.C. and was captivated by the variety of unique handmade goods and the talented people behind them. He saw there was a significant public demand for beautiful design. At the same time, he realized that the artists working to make those pieces were often traveling great distances in order to sell their wares at the show. Inspired by his experience, Dave had a vision to create something that had never existed before—an online marketplace to connect makers and their creations with individuals looking for truly special goods, regardless of the physical distance between the maker and the shopper. Dave turned this idea into UncommonGoods. He continued traveling to craft fairs and trade shows, meeting artists and finding stand-out merchandise, while running the business out of his home on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Before long, the company had outgrown Dave's apartment, and moved through three successively larger offices in downtown Manhattan, eventually settling in our current location in Brooklyn, NY.




I have no regrets about the items I chose (love them all!), but I'm already looking at the next ones on my list.  I love this cute candy dish, a gift for a powerful woman in your life, my father-in-law could use these rocksfun puzzles for kids, and their ever-changing sale items (yippee!).

How about a $25 gift certificate for one of you?

Fun, right?

Just leave a comment telling me your favorite "entertaining recipe".  You know, the one you bring to the family parties because everybody just has to have it.  Make sure to include your email so you can receive the gift certificate :)

A lucky winner will be chosen by the end of Thursday, October 4, and the winner will be announced on Friday, October 5th.  Good luck!

20 comments:

  1. Okay, this one is super boring but for family parties or other places where there will be a ton of kids inhaling the snacks in seconds, I've started making a simple bean dip. Layer one box of softened cream cheese, one can of refried beans, top with shredded cheddar. Warm in the microwave or oven until melted and serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks. It's super easy and cheap and always gone quickly! You have my email :)

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  2. I make this dip all the time- https://damndelicious.net/2013/11/04/beef-queso-dip

    Everyone loves it, and it's easy! I often use spicy italian sausage instead of ground beef if it's an 'adult' gathering without too many picky kids : )

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway! What a cool site.

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  3. My favorite party recipe is a veggie platter with homemade healthy ranch dip, homemade hummus dip and homemade chive dip! I have never won anything in my life but I wanted to comment. After seeing your Instagram post yesterday with the city glasses I started following uncommon goods on insta and wow; Cool stuff! From Annie in your favorite European country(where you met your hubby!) Austria
    annieduerlinger@gmail.com

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  4. We love to make BLT Dip! It's so easy and delicious. Uncommongoods has so many cool things!

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  5. I make a big crock pot of baked beans that im always asked to bring,,i make from scratch

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  6. My favorite thing to bring to work to share is a homemade cheese braid. Or cinnamon rolls. We're a carb family not a dip family!

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    1. Email is marymcdermott1187@gmail.com

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  7. This jalapeno popper dip is always a hit!!
    http://beth-amomslife.blogspot.com/2008/04/works-for-me-wednesday-jalapeno-popper.html?m=1

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  8. 7 layer taco dip for the win

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  9. My most requested (and easiest ever) party recipe/recipes are Easy Pepperoni Dip. One 8 oz. cream cheese (room temp), 1 can Campell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, & 35-40 slices pepperoni (chopped). Mix all together. Bake or microwave until hot.

    Also, Easy Artichoke Dip: One can Cento Artichoke Hearts (drained, chopped/mashed), 1 cup mayo, 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Mix all together. Bake or microwave until hot.

    Third on my list would be this: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/marinated-olive-cheese-ring/

    Thanks for the chance to win! Love this Uncommongoods site! Never heard of it before!
    Sending you an e-mail with my e-mail.
    ~Sue M.

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  10. Meatballs! Fill up the slow cooker, 1 bottle or BBQ sauce and half a jar of grape jelly. So easy, so good.

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  11. If I don't bring my grandmother's spinach dip, people are mad!

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  12. Everyone in my family is obsessed with Strawberry Pretzel Salad. My husband can polish off an entire pan in a day or two...and he's not a big sweets person. We like this version: https://ourbestbites.com/creamy-strawberry-jello-pie/

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  13. Amy in OregonOctober 02, 2018

    Our fave thing is not cheesy artichoke dip!!! But chips and salsa are excellent stand by especially with my homemade salsa!!

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  14. We always bring my great aunt’s coffee cake- everyone gets mad if we don’t! (Not your traditional party food, I know, but I’m sure everyone has weirder family traditions!)

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  15. Bean salsa, drain and rinse 1 can each navy, black, pinto beans & white hominey. Add 1 chopped green pepper & half onion chopped. Boil 1 cup sugar, apple cider vinegar & veg oil. Let cool then pour over bean mixture. Refridge at least 3 hrs. Serve w tortilla chip scoops. Delicious & feeds a crowd. Bring the recipe, someone always wants it asap ��

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  16. Taco dip is always a winner!

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  17. The spinach dip on the back of the Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix package with wheat crackers always disappears around our place. (These items are gorgeous!)

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  18. Buffalo Chicken Dip with tortilla chips! You can never go wrong and ifyif make it a little spicy, you might have some to bring home later ;)

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  19. Queso (in the crock pot) and tortilla chips is my standby. If we're trying to do "healthy" then veggie tray with dip. Or a variety of cheeses and crackers. None of these are super exciting, but they get the job done!

    happymomonline(at)gmail(dot)com

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