Handmade Holidays 2013 - Page 2

[rere]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

I wanted to do vanilla last year, but getting it shipped to NZ is a pain and one guy wouldn't get back to me about bulk beans... so I sort of forgot about it. Also, most of my friends and family don't cook. I could give some to my parents (who wouldn't really get it, but my little sisters would bake with it), and some to my parents-in-law... oh, I guess SIL would like some. And maybe two other friends... OK, maybe it is worth doing!

Mostly I want to hoard it for myself though. So, anyone know the best place to get cheap good beans that ship internationally? Here in my city you can only buy them two at a time, for about $9 a pop. It's ridiculous.

Too bad my husband isn't going back to New Zealand this year.I'd get him to throw some in the mail in NewZealand.

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99 

I use vodka, too. I've had some with beans in it for *years* and it. is. awesome. !! Seriously dump some beans in a bottle now and you'll have amazing vanilla by Christmas 2013. It's not a super cheap gift, but will be well loved.

But if you're able to split it up amongst a bunch of recipients,it's not too bad.

Originally Posted by tbone_kneegrabber 

I always use vodka, usually Sky brand and it's great!  I always joke that for the first month it is just vanilla vodka and you can just drink it and the second month it is useless and then the third month it is finally extract!

Ha!

Originally Posted by 34me 

Oooh, maybe I will make one of each!

yeah,now I want to taste test.
Edited by rere - 1/9/13 at 5:35pm

[tbone_kneegrabber]

I order my vanilla beans from eBay. About a pound of beans for $25us.

[Smokering]

OkiMom: Yeah, I've tried Amazon, but none of the shops I saw shipped to NZ. Which Amazon doesn't like to tell you until you're halfway through the transaction, because good grief how does that site keep going with its awful functionality and hideous design? Surely they can afford a redo?! Don't get me started...

I've never tried eBay. It scares me. I should give it a go though.

[triana1326]

Originally Posted by tbone_kneegrabber 

I order my vanilla beans from eBay. About a pound of beans for $25us.

How many beans does that usually equal out to?

[Smokering]

I did some more sleuthing and found a place that sells them fairly cheaply. Actually I found a place that sold them even more cheaply, but a half-pound of beans was $24 and the shipping was $91! So, yeah, no. The new place packs them in a flat box and it costs about $16... much more civilised. :p Unfortunately my PayPal account is, like, $6 short, so I'll have to wait until next month. 

triana1326: The site I found (Amadeus Vanilla) said the number of beans per pound varies depending whether you buy regular, long or super-long beans (obviously), but the "regular/long" ones were listed at "approximately 110+ beans per pound", and the "super-long" ones as "approximately 90+ beans per pound". That's enough for a whole heckload of vanilla extract!

[triana1326]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

I did some more sleuthing and found a place that sells them fairly cheaply. Actually I found a place that sold them even more cheaply, but a half-pound of beans was $24 and the shipping was $91! So, yeah, no. The new place packs them in a flat box and it costs about $16... much more civilised. :p Unfortunately my PayPal account is, like, $6 short, so I'll have to wait until next month. 

triana1326: The site I found (Amadeus Vanilla) said the number of beans per pound varies depending whether you buy regular, long or super-long beans (obviously), but the "regular/long" ones were listed at "approximately 110+ beans per pound", and the "super-long" ones as "approximately 90+ beans per pound". That's enough for a whole heckload of vanilla extract!

Smokering - how much was the price and can you give me the website link (PM if you need to)? For some reason nothing comes up when I google Amadeus Vanilla...silly google.

[Smokering]

That's odd! Here's the link: Amadeus Vanilla Beans. I plan to buy half a pound of the extract-quality beans (ie. uneven lengths, not as moist and "pretty" as the gourmet beans, but apparently very good for extracting). They're $29.99 for the half-pound, plus $16 shipping - to New Zealand, that is, I imagine it'd be cheaper in the USA!

I don't know if it's the cheapest option for you... I found plenty of sites that sold bulk vanilla, but not many that shipped internationally. Still, given that it costs NZ$10 for a packet of TWO vanilla beans here, the Amadeus price doesn't seem too shabby!

[triana1326]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

That's odd! Here's the link: Amadeus Vanilla Beans. I plan to buy half a pound of the extract-quality beans (ie. uneven lengths, not as moist and "pretty" as the gourmet beans, but apparently very good for extracting). They're $29.99 for the half-pound, plus $16 shipping - to New Zealand, that is, I imagine it'd be cheaper in the USA!

I don't know if it's the cheapest option for you... I found plenty of sites that sold bulk vanilla, but not many that shipped internationally. Still, given that it costs NZ$10 for a packet of TWO vanilla beans here, the Amadeus price doesn't seem too shabby!

Thank you!!!! I'll check it out later tonight.

[frugalmama]

Joining in here too, as I can already tell this is going to need to be a homemade holidays this year. We celebrate both Eid and Christmas, and Eid falls in August this year so I need to get busy. 

I only have to make gifts for dd, but I may make a few things to do as giveaways on my youtube channel.

[imjustamommy]

I am starting on Christmas gifts as well :) I am hoping for a fully homemade Christmas this year.

[kitchensqueen]

Count me in again, Haven't done anything as yet, and I don't have any solid plans laid out, but I will. Soonish, since the first quarter of the year is gone already. Sigh. Where does the time go?

[rere]

Originally Posted by kitchensqueen 

, since the first quarter of the year is gone already. Sigh. Where does the time go?

Ahhhhh!

[zebra15]

made 2 baby blankets for babies so far this year.... no plans for anything else.. im suffering from severe yarn withdrawls...

[Kim Allen]

Ugh I need to start now.... Lol