Photo by Haley Sierra

The first time I saw Howard, I knew he was the one. We’re both avid outdoorsmen, and we spent our first date together wake surfing, paddle boarding, and laughing beneath the aurora borealis at Lake Pend Oreille. When Howard proposed less than two years later in Valdez, Alaska, the northern lights again graced us with their presence: we were curled up in our sleeping bags watching waves of green and purple dance across the sky when he asked me to be his wife.

As soon as we returned from Alaska, Howard and I started planning. We knew that we wanted an outdoor venue, and we liked the idea of having our wedding in a tropical setting, like Hawaii or the Caribbean. But being surrounded by family and friends was equally important to us, so I proposed we have our wedding at home on the lake where we’d shared our first date. It didn’t take much convincing to get Howard on board; our next challenge was transforming the forested northern Idaho setting into our own tropical paradise.

See how Kimberly and Howard’s day turned out at Etsy Weddings!

All photographs by Haley Sierra.

Read More on Etsy Weddings

Kimberly is a full-time Etsian who makes leather handbags for her company 14xBags. She enjoys traveling with her husband Howard as much as possible, and spoiling their two beautiful golden retrievers.

Photo by Woodstick

As an everyday bike commuter and all-around cycling enthusiast, I go back and forth about my favorite part of biking. Some days, zipping through the bike lane on a congested street of car commuters, I’m grateful for the ease and convenience of pedaling to work. Other days it’s about the workout, and how riding up a really steep hill gets my heart pumping.

Today is National Bike to Work Day, and what better way to celebrate than with some new cycling gear? Whether you’re a regular bike commuter or a breezy weekend rider, show your style with this fine collection of Etsy bike gear.

Custom brass bicycle badge by InsigniaWorks

Bike helmet ear warmers by GretaHoneycutt

Teak handlebars by babekeen

Waxed canvas up-cycled messenger bag by AgBagProject

City bike grips by WalnutStudiolo

Bicycle wine rack by oopsmark

Knotty pine rear fender by SurnameCycling

Cycling cap by CraftyEwings

Dandelion leather seat by WesternCycles

Bike planters by wearableplanter

Oak bike hanger by Woodstick

Tool bag by gushleather

Tune Up Your Ride | Browse Bike Category

Aleksa Brown is an associate editor at Etsy.

This bittersweet short film by Ben Proudfoot looks at two independent (and interdependent) businesses in Los Angeles, California, struggling to stay afloat in a changing economy — Aardvark Letterpress and McManus & Morgan Paper. It’s a poignant glimpse of the passion that keeps the lights on for small businesses, and a reminder that shopping local matters more than ever.

Photo by Fox and Brie

Hello! I’m Jess Decelle, the hands and heart behind Fox & Brie. I create limited-edition bow ties, neckties, and pocket squares from vintage and deadstock fabrics that I’ve collected from all over the world. I live in Austin, Texas, with my husband Morgan and our two rescue dogs, Rila and Basil.

As a child, when asked by well-meaning adults what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered politely, “I just want to make neat things and go on lots of adventures.” It’s taken 27 years and two college degrees to realize that I just need to create useful, beautiful things for people to enjoy.

I learned how to sew from my grandmother at a young age, and my grandfather taught me self-reliance and the importance of being a gentleman. I learned from them the value of hard work and the pride that comes from a job well done.

When I am putting together a collection, I try to offer a variety of different patterns that work well together but are still interesting enough to stand out individually. I’m always on the hunt for unique prints and eye-catching color combinations that lend a modern twist to the idea of the Southern gentleman. From the first cut to the final stitch, each bow tie, necktie, and pocket square is made with my own two hands, allowing me complete control over quality and construction.

I was raised in the “waste not, want not” spirit of earlier generations, so I learned the importance of repairing and re-purposing everyday objects into something useful. My love for vintage fabrics plays on the “secret society” feeling you get when you know you’ve found something special. Each fabric is only available in a limited quantity, so I know I’m creating a product that’s truly unique and my customers know they’re buying something that they can’t find anywhere else.

When I first opened my shop, Etsy seemed like a simple and effective choice. I never expected that it would become such an asset, both in promoting my brand and connecting me with other makers. I’ve met so many talented people and am constantly inspired and amazed by their creativity.

Owning a creative business is the most rewarding and frustrating life I could ask for, and I love every second of it! Even when it isn’t fun – when I haven’t gotten enough sleep or I begin to second-guess a decision – those are the times that keep me going. Though sometimes I forget, every day I’m making a little bit of progress, growing stronger and more confident in my abilities and myself. When it comes down to it, I get to wake up every morning and make things that I love. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

All photographs by Fox & Brie.

Featured Shop Archive

Photo by Kimberley Hasselbrink

Sometimes I’ll come up with a clever idea for a recipe and think that it’s the best thing ever. I’ll pat myself on the back for my creativity, a little enamored with the concept. Then I’ll check the Internet. Everything has already been done, of course, and it’s something that I have to make peace with. Such is the case with these grilled beets. Of course I am not the first person to consider grilling this polarizing root vegetable. Fire is the first way we cooked.

And as with all things cooked over fire, the earthy flavor of a beet is elevated. I like to temper that intense flavor when I cook with them, and the Balsamic vinegar, creamy goat cheese and peppery arugula all do a fine job of that. The smoky, charred finish on these beets takes them to the next level. Tuck them onto the side of the grill while you’re cooking something else. This is a perfect salad to kick off grilling season.

Grilled Beet Salad
8-10 baby beets
6 cups lightly packed arugula, rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 ounces fresh chevre, crumbled
Sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper

Rinse the beets and prick them lightly with a fork. Wrap each beet in foil, and place on a hot grill to roast until tender, about 15-20 minutes, covered. (Alternately, you can roast the beets in an oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the same amount of time.) Please note that due to the variability of grills, your cooking time may vary. Err on the cautious side and check sooner if your grill runs hot. Set the beets aside to cool.

While the beets are roasting, prepare the dressing. Mix the vinegar with the minced garlic. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

When the beets have cooled to the touch, remove their skins and slice them in half lengthwise. The grill should be quite hot for this final round. (Refresh the coals if needed.)

Lightly oil the cut surface of the beets and place them face down on the grill. They only need a few minutes — just enough time to give them a little smoky flavor.

In a large salad bowl, toss the arugula with the dressing. Top with the crumbled goat cheese, walnuts and beets.

All photos by Kimberley Hasselbrink.

Kimberley Hasselbrink is a food photographer and blogger based in San Francisco. She is the author of the blog The Year in Food, which is framed around a monthly seasonal food guide. Kimberley enjoys unusual produce, strong coffee, road trips and summer nights.

The National Stationery Show is right around the corner, and it has us in the mood for pretty paper goods. Check out this round up of our favorites, then tell us yours in the comments.

Photo by Fibrations Studio

Every day, our community grows in unexpected and delightful ways. For our Fresh Shops series, sellers who have been on Etsy for a handful of months or are waiting for those first few sales introduce themselves. Here’s a warm welcome to all our newbies

Hi! We are Kathy and Rob Kistner, the married artists behind Fibrations Studio. We are based in Portland, Oregon.

Our creative collaboration began in 1987.  At the time, I was designing custom cabinetry for media rooms. Kathy did the rooms’ interior design: upholstery, drapes, carpeting, etc. Two years later we married, and our collaborative exploration into mixed media fiber sculpture began. That led to creating Fibrations Studio in 1993. We traveled for a number of years, exhibiting and selling our work at juried art shows. For a time, Fibrations Studio was a brick and mortar retail business, but the traveling made the retail location problematic. Today, we work from our home studio and make our work available primarily via the Internet.

Kathy is truly the founding force behind our business. She is a mixed media and fiber artist who spins and dyes, and as an accomplished weaver she has mastered a variety of looms. I call her the Lara Croft of found objects because she is fascinated by their pursuit, and she loves incorporating them into our pieces. Her keen eye for color and texture serves us well. I contribute skills drawn from my work as a mixed media and digital artist in Mac OS. I also work in wood assemblage, which frequently gets incorporated into our finished pieces.

Kathy’s favorite way to create pieces is through what she calls “fiber jazz” —  a.k.a. creative improvisation. She collects a number of yarns, fibers, cords, small branches, colored wires, reeds, wooden dowels, beads, found objects — anything that moves her — and creates in the moment, calling on real time inspiration, adding, subtracting, creating until the work is complete. She often uses her Navajo upright loom in this approach because it is very hands-on and permits immediate manipulation and modification.

Sometimes our process is more deliberate. When we have a vision for a specific piece, we’ll create rough sketches and collaborate, modifying the sketches until we are on the same page. I develop a 3D CAD drawing, which we work together to refine. Next, I create 3D drawings of sub-components that Kathy uses to create the “soft elements” on one of her looms. These finished elements then go to final assembly. Any found object embellishment happens there. Finally, I create the mounting substructure for the piece. When we work on commissioned pieces for clients, we use this process and include the client in every creative meeting along the way so we can bring their vision to life.

Kathy and I continue to expand our vision of the direction for Fibrations Studio. We are endlessly inspired by each other and the nature of fibers.

All photos courtesy of Fibrations Studio.

More Fresh Shops

Photo by InesAmdPhotography

Do you ever daydream about having a beautiful, airy photography studio? A top-of-the line DSLR? A stylist on hand and a room full of gorgeous models to show off your items?

Well, guess what? Etsy is filled with creative sellers using out-of-the-box thinking to organize inspiring photo shoots with small budgets and limited resources. It’s easier and less expensive than you might think.

Australian Etsy seller Alice Nightingale decided to overhaul her item shots a few years ago and says that the results transformed the look of her shop, dramatically increased sales, and attracted instant attention from blogs and magazines. “I found that focusing on clearer, eye-catching photos each season made it easier for customers to be sure what they were buying online,” she says. “Images that look great in treasuries also boost your chances of word-of-mouth publicity and might just lead to a front-page feature.”

Feeling inspired? Read on for tips and tricks for organizing your very own professional-quality photo shoot. If you’d rather collaborate and share resources with other Etsy sellers, consider organizing a group photo shoot with a local Etsy Team.

Recruit a Talented Photographer

Sometimes it’s best to invest in outsourcing tasks in order to save time and get the best results. Photography is one instance where this can really pay off. Sound expensive? It doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips for finding a free or inexpensive photographer:

• Conduct a mental scan of your friends and family. Do you know anyone who would be willing to help you by lending his or her awesome photography skills?

• Research local schools and colleges that offer photography courses and workshops. Student photographers are often willing to work for free, just for the experience. It can be a win-win situation.

• Check out websites like Model Mayhem or Craigslist. These kinds of sites [AS1] are often packed with students looking to build their portfolios and who may be willing to work for experience only.

• Are you a member of an Etsy Team? Perhaps there are some photographers among your fellow team members. You could barter for an exchange of goods or services from your shop in return for their photography skills.

Find the Face of Your Brand

A professional or aspiring model wearing your items can often catch the eyes of shoppers and lead to higher views, favorites, and sales. Here are some ideas for booking a model or two to help bring your items to life:

• Models and hair/make-up artists who are new to the business are generally eager to get some experience and add to their portfolio. Again, websites like Model Mayhem will make this search super easy.

• Consider friends and family. Invite everyone to a fun picnic in the park or a party at your house and host your photo shoot on the side, calling friends over one at a time to have a few shots snapped.

• Check out local modeling and beauty schools for students seeking experience.

AliceNightingale highlights a familiar face in each of her shop’s Featured Items spotlights.

Scout a Location

You don’t need to hire a professional photographic studio or rent lighting equipment to get professional results. Here are a few low-cost options to consider:

• Local parks, beaches, and public gardens

• Community halls and sporting clubs

• Your own house or apartment

• Check out Airbnb. You might be able to find a cool apartment or house in your area for a reasonable price

• Maybe your grandma has a beautiful place with original retro furniture? Do you know someone who lives on a farm? Think outside the square.

Define Your Style

Do you have a friend who’s a stylist or who has amazing taste? Or do you have a local college nearby where you might be able to find a stylist in training? If you have a good eye yourself, spend some time collecting inspirational photos from magazines or style sties to develop your ideas.

Make a collage from these pictures to create a mood board or use Pinterest to gather your ideas. Make sure that all your style decisions for the shoot reflect the aesthetic you defined in your mood board.

Via Alice Nightingale

We don’t actually know what library this photo shoot took place in, but we think it’s a clever location.

Stay Organized

On the day of the shoot, you will likely be juggling a lot of balls, and it’s important to ensure that everyone knows exactly where they need to be and when. Creating a call sheet will help you keep everything and everyone on track. Here’s an example of a simple call sheet:

8 a.m.: Make-up artist to arrive on location for final briefing.
8:15 a.m.: Model 1 to arrive. Start make-up.
8:30 a.m.: Photographer to arrive for final briefing.
9 a.m.: Photographer shoots Model 1 with Products 1–3; Model 2 arrives. Start make-up.
9:45 a.m.: Photographer shoots Model 2 with Products 4–6.
10:15 a.m.: Break
10.45 a.m.: Photographer shoots Model 1 with products 7–10.
11:30 a.m.: Photographer shoots Model 2 with products 11–14.
12:15 p.m.: Lunch. Models finish.
1 p.m.: Photographer shoots stock shots of all products.
3 p.m.: Shoot concludes.

If you have time, ask your photographer to take some shots of you so that you can update your About Page. Etsy shoppers love to see the face behind the products they’re buying.

Organizing a photo shoot will take planning, time, and preparation, but it can be incredibly creatively satisfying and it can also be one of the most important steps you can take to really take your business to the next level.

Are you considering organizing a photo shoot or updating your shop photography? Share your photography tips in comments.

Seller Handbook Best-Of Archives | Top Tips for Smartphone Photography

Photo by BullCityPhotographer

Drew Tyndell and Rhiannon Leifheit Tyndell are the husband and wife team behind The Southerly, a travel blog/photo-filled love letter to the Southern U.S.A. Southerly favorites include historic sites, offbeat roadside attractions, natural parks, and all of those hole-in-the-wall, meat and three style restaurants you can only find in the South. When they’re not traveling, Drew and Rhiannon live in Atlanta, Georgia, where he paints and she fashion blogs at Liebemarlene. Here, Rhiannon fills us in on what she’d pack in her suitcase if she were revisiting some of her favorite Southerly destinations.

For me, planning a trip is just about as fun as the trip itself. I guess I’m kind of uptight about it. Spur of the moment vacations make me nervous; I like to have a good month of preparation for any trip, with plenty of time for researching destinations, finding the best spots to visit and the stories behind them. For a few weeks I’m glued to Trip Advisor and Weather.com, checking out reviews and monthly temperature averages, simultaneously planning out where I’m going to go and what I’m going to wear. Planning out trips in advance also means more time for online shopping for vacation essentials: books and music that give a good sense of the place, toiletries, (somewhat) sensible shoes, and cotton dresses and skirts that can be easily thrown into a suitcase.

[1. Chalcedony Totem Cuff by LaurelHill;  2. Vintage Bob Dylan Nashville Skyline LP from bigbangzero;  3. Caramel Star Leather Sandals by SANDALI;  4. Indigo Shibori Dyed Cocoon Dress by bloomingleopold;  5. Vintage Olympus Trip 35 Camera from pukpuk;  6. Loretta Lips Vegan Lip Balm from musiccitysuds.]

We love Nashville so much that we want to move there one day, but until then we’re content to visit as much as we can. Right now it’s probably the most exciting city in the South: more things are happening  there than anywhere else we’ve covered on The Southerly. We love (fantasy) shopping at Imogene + Willie, drinking coffee at Barista Parlor, and going on elusive hunts for local celebrities. But my favorite thing about Nashville is its old country charm. For the full Nashville experience, be sure to eat at the Loveless Cafe and to take at least one walk down Broadway to see the old haunts and dives of country superstars of days gone by.

[1. Jarvis Hand Knit Fisherman Toque by goodnightdayknits; 2. Gray Woven Sisal Purse from boxofhollyhocks; 3. Handwoven Merino Wool Blanket by NordtFamilyFarm; 4. Camper's Soap by RootsSoapCo; 5. Vintage Fisherman's Sweater from miscellanystore; 6. The Foxfire Book from ItsAllTreasure.]

The Appalachians cover a large part of the Southeast and include the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m not too picky; I’d take a cabin weekend anywhere in the Appalachians. Southern summers (and springs and falls) get hot, but it’s always a little bit cooler up in the mountains. Living in Atlanta, we go to the north Georgia mountains the most, usually just to rent a cabin and get away from the city.

But there’s even more to see in North Carolina and Tennessee. I love Asheville’s hippie vibe and its history — F. Scott Fitzgerald used to stay in the still-grand Grove Park Inn, and the Biltmore doesn’t really need any explanation. Tennessee’s Pigeon Forge is touristy and campy, but I can’t help but love it, especially for its close proximity to the breathtaking Cades Cove.

[1.The Hemingway Reader from ThisCharmingManCave; 2. The 'Hannah' Maxi Dress by FrancesBakerShop; 3. Vintage Bandeau Bikini from Cobys; 4. After Sun Spray by TheGreenAlchemist; 5. Clear Tortoise Sunglasses from saltwatergypsy; 6. Sisal Woven Market Bag from wildrabbitvintage.]

Disclosure: we didn’t even spend a whole day in Key West. We went there on a cruise ship excursion, spending maybe six hours walking around town and sightseeing. Six hours isn’t nearly enough time in Key West. There’s too much to do and see, as well as too many hours that ought to be spent lazing away on a beach, with a book in one hand and a tropical drink in the other. We didn’t go to a beach, but we did make time to tour the Hemingway Home, where the writer lived and wrote some of his most famous novels. We also had to make a stop at Blue Heaven for some of their famous Key Lime pie. Key Lime pie in Key West is a given.

[1. Vanilla Oversized Sunglasses from saltwatergypsy; 2. Natural Vegan Pink Grapefruit Travel Soap by HerbivoreBotanicals; 3. Double Shake Hand Braided Necklace by youngfrankk; 4. Floral Skirt by leahgoren; 5. 3 Civil War Battlefield Books from Sassydoggs; 6. Vintage Korkease Platform Sandals from jamesrowlandshop.]

Charleston is one of the South’s best-preserved cities. It’s a large city with a slow pace and plenty of old-world charm, complete with cobblestones, 17th century homes, and Spanish moss-draped squares. It has history (the Civil War began across the harbor at Fort Sumter), culture (its rich Gullah culture inspired the Gershwin/Heyward musical Porgy and Bess) and some pretty amazing restaurants.  Whenever we’re asked about our favorite Southern destinations, Charleston is usually at the top of our list, and for good reason.

Photo by Raceytay

We’re Jen and Jane, a mother and daughter (now grandmother and mother) based in Ottawa, Canada, who share a shop, SewnNatural. We make modern, eco-friendly handcrafted products for children and their parents.

I work out of a studio in my 100-year-old home, and tend to corral my kiddos into helping me with the shop. My mother Jane has her own home studio across the city from us. I fit my work in around homeschooling and chasing my toddler, while Jane works full time for the shop. We recently started collaborating with Stephanie, a local fiber artist who helps with photography and makes some awesome wool toys and custom sculpted pet portraits.

SewnNatural started in 2008 because I was having trouble finding modern organic gear for my (then) baby daughter. Our collection grew slowly as my mother and I began making things for our family and put them in the shop.  Every day, we draw on our collective experiences in quilting, fashion design, sewing and embroidery, environmental activism, teaching, and parenthood to make one-of-a-kind handmade goods. We design everything ourselves and often use all four of our hands in making things. We sew, quilt, needle felt, and embroider using only natural fibers, and certified organic or upcycled vintage fabrics.

For our buyers, conscious consumerism means spending money on one well-designed dress – or picnic blanket or baby mobile – instead of five. It means buying less but buying better, choosing something that you absolutely love and you know will last. It means choosing sweatshop-free goods that are infused with the love and positivity of the person who made them. For us as makers, conscious consumerism means focusing on sustainable design so there is little waste and our goods are durable and not too trendy. It means consciously choosing materials that leave the smallest footprint on the Earth, like water-based dyes, organic fabrics, and long-forgotten vintage pieces that need a new life. These commitments are very important to us as both buyers and as artisans, and we know they are meaningful to our customers.

For us, Etsy is an amazing and supportive creative hub. The best part is the artisans and the collaborative ideas that come about when people help each other out. We just launched a collaborative mini collection of organic pillows that features the photography of local Ottawa artist (and friend) Raceytay. Thanks to Etsy, local and global can happily coexist.

We sell handmade to people all over the world, and it all starts in our little “village” of family and friends right here in Ottawa. Our incredible customers make it all worthwhile – they not only feed us new ideas and help us tweak products, but also offer support and gratitude. Our baby bedding clients asked us to make non-toxic toddler nap mats and now they are one of our biggest sellers. It’s a delightful thing to be able to earn income from working with your hands and your family while doing things you love.

All photographs by SewnNatural.

Featured Shop Archive