Shop Local this holiday season and support independent craftspeople. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint! Alona aka Rafya is the brains behind Alona Lahav Design Studio, a shop that is all about unique designs of jewelry and craft. Her pieces are made of cold clay with special textures found all around; from delicate pieces of metal to soles of shoes, everything is subject for a beautiful texture. Alona lives in Pardes-Hana, Israel, and has hand-picked some of her favorite local Etsy sellers.
I was born and grew up in Tel Aviv, which is the big city in Israel, but I was always charmed by small places with calm atmospheres. For the last 9 years I have been living with my family in Pardes-Han, which is a small town known for having a large artists’ community and for being an attractive place for spiritual people. Around my house there is an orchard, a palms plantation and a watermelon field. It’s nice to spend the afternoon with my children, walking in the orchard.
Neta, aka Netamir: “Much of the inspiration for my work and the characters of dolls that I create comes from the Florentine neighborhood (in southern Tel Aviv) where I reside. One of the neighborhood’s main characteristics is the integration between an industrial and a residential area, and the mixed population: small-industry workers, artists, carpenters, designers, punk youth, students, immigrants from a wide variety of places, etc. The interaction between the different groups of people creates, in this small place, a unique and lively atmosphere.”
Yael, aka Yoola: “What I love best in my near surrounding (I live in Yahood in the middle of Israel) is our backyard. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a real refuge from life/the world — it’s our private bubble. When the weather is nice, I knit my metals out there, and when it’s not, I sit on my favorite sofa overlooking the garden. So to make it short: its energies inspire me.”
Sharona, aka Raisinlike: “I live in Herzelia, a central city close to Tel Aviv (where all the action is, and where I also work in a high-tech company). Unlike Tel Aviv, Herzelia is a quiet city with lots of parking space, trees, and playgrounds where my Foamies play. This playground, right across the street from my home, is Nick’s favorite place in the whole wide world!”
galileesilks: “The team of Galilee Silks — the studio for handpainted silk fashion and Judaica— is located in Kibbutz Beit Haemek in Galilee. Our world is a bright and colorful one, drawing its essence from four basic components: silk — that natural fiber with the soft, smooth touch; color — the almost infinite variations of color combinations we use; Galilee — the beautiful, green surroundings in which we live and work; and Judaica — the beautiful items related to Jewish holidays, Jewish customs and traditions.”
Limor, aka Limitz: “I live in center Israel, a place close to the big city, and yet I easily find quiet places with green trees, flowers and sun. In the picture I am holding one of my tote bags children like so much (and I do too!).”
Dori, aka Dorijenn: “I grew up the U.S. but I now live here in Israel, in a small, charming community, which is situated along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a stones throw from cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, but at the same time, a world away. As you can see, the view from my home/jewelry studio is absolutely breathtaking . . . The view and sounds of the sea cause my creative tendencies to be kind of organic and earthy in nature. And the glorious Israeli sun must be what inspires me to throw in all those Swarovskis!!”
Don’t forget to let us know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region; include a screenshot of your Poster Sketched picks and a link to a pretty photo of yourself in your neighborhood. We can’t wait to hear from you!
You can find folks in your area by using Etsy’s Shop Local site feature. Find out more about how Shop Local works. Make sure to update your geo info in your public profile!
Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area
59 comments
Sign in to add your ownthevintagecloset says:
this is SOOOOOOOOOOO cool!....i LOVE how ETSY can let us into a little bit of eachothers world!...SWEET job RAFYA!!! :o)
3 years ago
dogties says:
It looks beautiful there. Amazing Items! Thanks for sharing.
3 years ago
galita says:
Rafya very nice work on promoting Israel...and the great people here.
3 years ago
beachhouseblues says:
Terrific Ideas!
3 years ago
Arctida says:
Great ideas!
3 years ago
JustFeltHungry says:
I looooove Raisinlike's creations! They remind of a funkier Fraggle Rock!
3 years ago
FluteTeacher says:
I love hearing about sellers from around the world! Thanks.
3 years ago
raisinlike says:
Weehee! This turned out so nice! Glad to see Neta is in too, she is an amazing artist! Thank you Rafya :o)
3 years ago
lillyella says:
Yay Rafya! Look at you - how fabulous!!! I so hope I get a chance to visit someday!
3 years ago
netamir says:
Wow Alona, it's looks great, thank you for including me, and thank you so much Sharona, I was so existed to read your comment.
3 years ago
christinececelia says:
Beautiful things! Very nice-
3 years ago
limitz says:
wow..so great!:-) Thanks Alona for including me, and Yoola- we are absolutly very close neighbors..hmm..we actualy live in the same city! ×œ× ×™×ומן שהיה צריך כתבה ×›×ן בשביל לדעת ×ת ×–×”...........
3 years ago
Thinkoutsidethebox says:
I really enjoy this series..there is something socool about seeing the artist behind the shop...How lucky is dorijenn? I'd love to be where she is even just for a day...her view is so inspiring..
3 years ago
dorijenn says:
This is great Alona! I always enjoy this feature in the Storque and now it's so exciting that I'm in it! I'm proud to be an artist from Israel with a shop on Etsy! I hope everyone will shop Israel for the holidays!
3 years ago
athaclena says:
I've been wondering whether there will be an Israeli Shop Local anytime... I happy to see this, it's just a pity so few can fit in - there are so many more that deserve this. Well done for everyone featured :-)
3 years ago
behappynow says:
wow!!! great post Rafia!!! thank you for doing that great job and for including me!
3 years ago
silverdotjewelry says:
I just loved this article! Wonderful. I love reading about artist from around the world - especially Israel. I'm off to check things out now! Thanks!!
3 years ago
twolefthands says:
Great article Rafya, your country is beautiful and so many talented people!
3 years ago
orchidee says:
Wonderful article!! Great to see my friends from Galilee Silks!!...and all of you!
3 years ago
yifatiii says:
Great selection!
3 years ago
Sigaliot says:
Wow!!!!! Thank you for including me in your treasury for the second time! And thank you for promoting our wonderful country in such a great article! Kisses XOXO Sagit ♥
3 years ago
rafya says:
wow.. thanks everybody. I must say many thanks to Alison from Etsy admin , and to the amazing artists who cooperation. there are many more talented artists from Israel I wish they could be in this article too, but not enough room... So take a little tour in those Israeli shops, Enjoy !
3 years ago
ASecondChance says:
The colors are vibrant! What a great spotlight. I love how Etsy helps us discover all these amazing artisans!
3 years ago
Lambert says:
Thanks Rafya for making us discover all those creative Israeli artists!
3 years ago
galileesilks says:
Great article Rafya. Thanks for including Galilee Silks studio! We feel honored to be with so many talented artists from our country!
3 years ago
TickledPinkKnits says:
What a great feature! Nice to see & read about everyone :)
3 years ago
ageratum says:
Very nice shop and great to get to know a shop owner too! :) Donna
3 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
Wow, excellent article, Rafya!!
3 years ago
jodieflowers says:
So nice to put a face to the maker of the Etsy Sales Fairy. :) ♥
3 years ago
trishafern says:
Everything is so beautiful! It's great to get a glimpse of a world that the media portrays as so different than ours, but we are really so alike.
3 years ago
SmadarsTreasure says:
So much fun seeing other Israeli sellers (like me) in one place! Great article, I enjoyed learning some more about this talented group!
3 years ago
backwoodsophisticate says:
Another fabulous shop local article! I am so happy to see Raisin here, her store is awesome!!!
3 years ago
mksupplies says:
How lovely are the lampshades featured by Yoola! Such amazing artist's featured!
3 years ago
LoucheLab says:
It's so cool to see all the faces of the wonderful Israeli Etsians! Way to go girls! you are doing great!
3 years ago
aisle3studio says:
The Hebrew tiles are beautiful! I visited Israel when I was a teenager and loved it!
3 years ago
raisinlike says:
LOL thanks guys :o)
3 years ago
oritdotandolls says:
Thanks Rafia for fearuting us all and for featuring my little fairies. Nice to see you ladies Israel is so small-we can have an etsy members meeting.
3 years ago
PhotoVita says:
Wow, i was so surprised to see article about Israeli artists on the front page! Excellent job! Thank You for including my photograph!
3 years ago
Yoola says:
Thanks Alona:) great to see out tiny country here :)
3 years ago
absolutefelt says:
What a wonderful article about Israel, I enjoyed meeting the artists and viewing where they are inspired, thank you.
3 years ago
yaelfran says:
amazing... nice to meet you all !!!!!!!!
3 years ago
theaxx says:
ze madhim! ;)
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
gorgeous!
3 years ago
thymbyldesigns says:
כל הכבוד! שמחתי מ×וד לר×ותכ×!
3 years ago
Alljazzedupboutique says:
How wonderful that you share your life with us. It looks so beautiful there.
3 years ago
galit says:
It is so nice to see your paces for the first time!!! loved it!
3 years ago
babeta says:
Such gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing. Pam
3 years ago
Xenotees says:
Excellent article Alona! Sooooo much talent from Israel all over this place!
3 years ago
JunkyardGypsy says:
oooh, I'm so excited to read this article - great job Rafya! Raisinlike is one of my all-time favorite Etsians!
3 years ago
BluCille says:
The necklace is very nice. Check out some of mine. I have jewelry, beads, and a do-it-yourself holiday decor item. Free shipping with the purchase of any two or more items everyday until December 21st!
3 years ago
yalipaz says:
Wonderful article Alona!!! Now people can learn about the great artists we have here in Israel! and as we say in Hebrew: Kol hakavod!!!!
3 years ago
ixela says:
Great article, stunning creations, wonderful artists... love them all!!!
3 years ago
Morphologie says:
Wonderful, Alona! So pleased to know more about both you and your fellow Israeli picks! Great creative work and minds represented here. :~)
3 years ago
Inbaliya says:
good article! nice to see you all!
3 years ago
DiklaFellner says:
Alona-That's a great article. I love your work and that of the other Israeli artists you've chosen. Great job !
3 years ago
pinkshowercurtain says:
thanks for featuring the wonderful artists of Israel. looks beautiful there, especially along the Mediterranean Sea. wonderful pics! :)
3 years ago
yonatdascalu says:
Very nice article, good luck.
3 years ago
IrinaArtSmi says:
Stunning color combinations!!. I´d have a very hard time if I had to choose one of them!
2 years ago
filofashion says:
Great article, congrast !!!
1 year ago