Honeycomb Color Story

Updated November 2025.
Originally published November 2020.

Lately, I can’t seem to ignore this charming yellow hue that’s a bit more orangey than mustard and more opaque than just plain honey. I’m calling it “honeycomb.”

You can find this sweet shade on artisan goods, as well as things you can make, wear, or eat.

1. Honeycomb with fresh nectar reflecting the tree canopy. Photo by Max Westby, a beekeeper and honey producer in Burgundy, France. (CCL)

2. Dreamweaver lampshade made-to-order by Pop + Scott, $715. / Similar DIY project: rope-wrapped hanging lamp.

3. Caminito picnic blanket, rolled up and ready to go, with leather carrying straps, $92. (Shown unfolded in the top/featured image.) / More picnic supplies
Continue reading “Honeycomb Color Story”

October 30, 2025November 5, 2025

All the Holiday Markets in Southern Arizona….

Made in Tucson Market booths set up along a blocked-off street

…that I could find!

After scouring the internet, soliciting suggestions, and searching down information spotted on banners and little roadside signs, I found around 100 upcoming pop-ups across a large swath of Arizona south of Picacho Peak.

Some are traditional holiday season markets and others are part of larger events or part of events that just happen to occur in November or December. Most of them are free. Many not only fundraise for the participating artists and crafters, but for other causes, community groups, schools, or organizations.

Where I could, I’ve included a few more details about what types of things you can find at the market and what other activities may be happening there. I tried to only include markets with handmade items for sale, but that’s not always clear.

Continue reading “All the Holiday Markets in Southern Arizona….”

September 26, 2025April 30, 2026

Halloween Costumes for Dogs and Other Picky Pets!

One of the best things about Halloween is seeing ridiculously cute pet costumes!

grumpy dog wearing a flower collar — Via PetiteChicPooch reviewer

For those dogs who aren’t big fans of dressing up, here are 10+ ideas for costumes that should go on with minimal fuss and be comfortable for them to wear. You can find them all on Etsy! (I may earn affiliate commission from links in this post.)

Corgi puppy wearing prince costume and looking very sincere. — Via MIYOPET reviewer

There’s something here for even the most costume-adverse canine! Some will even work for cats. For those of you with multiple pets, I’ve included some “pack ideas” of group costumes for the whole crew.

chihuahuas wearing silly crab costumes — Via LilbruBoutique

Don’t have a pet? Check out Etsy’s Halloween guide to find costumes for adults and kids too!
Continue reading “Halloween Costumes for Dogs and Other Picky Pets!”

September 4, 2025February 18, 2026

Making a List: Your Favorite Holiday Markets

Christmas tree with Old Pima County Courthouse in the background

holiday market with string lights and gold balloon decorations — Mercado Cenzontle in Tucson.

Holiday Season Market Completist

I’m working on making a long list of the all the occasional / pop-up markets happening during the holiday season in Southern Arizona!

I’ve seen lists of top holiday markets in Tucson to shop, but there are so many more that don’t get mentioned. So I want to search out as many as Southern Arizona markets as possible, so you can peruse all your options in one list!

Continue reading “Making a List: Your Favorite Holiday Markets”

July 24, 2025

What it’s all about

Recently I revised the About Travelcraft Journal page. Here are some slightly rambley thoughts that expand on what I ended up putting there…

This is about exploring the world around you with an open heart. Continuing to be curious and taking the risk of trying new things. Finding the beauty and uniqueness – appreciating the particular quirks – of wherever you happen to be.

It’s about uplifting independent shops and eateries, art, makers and micro-businesses.

Even if the result is not to your taste, you can take notice of the time, effort, thought, and expertise someone puts in. You can admire the process, the craft of it. And tell a friend.

Supporting what is individual, handmade, human, unusual, and often imperfect is to resist de-personalization. To push back against forces pressuring conformity and throwing away anyone who doesn’t fit the mold. The ones that stand to profit from treating people as commodities.

Above all, it’s about striving to practice kindness to our neighbors worldwide, to nature, to ourselves.

It’s about practicing humanity.