Search results (tags) for: "animations"

Etsy Finds: Cute Explosion

2009-12-24T12:30:00-05:00

You can't throw a virtual stone without hitting something insanely cute on Etsy. From babies dressed like Al Bundy to a range of furry animals reluctantly wearing hats, the Etsy community has it a bit of an addiction to disproportionately large heads, button noses and the teeny tiny. Don't get me wrong; we do have the fine and accomplished art and craft in our marketplace, but today I'd like you to loosen your smocks, put on your crochet bunny ears and have a giggle at the very serious art of cute!

The Oliver - bodysuit and slacks

By thesandboxsociety, $36.

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Multiple Personality Bun

By hellohappy, $25.

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Happy Sloth Necklace

By marymaryhandmade, $30.

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Creative Kitty Scratching Pod

By TattooDreams, $45.

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Retro Modern Pet Bed

By likekittysville, $74.

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Doxie Gift Tags

By AfricanGrey, $8.

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ilun - miniature teddy bear

By knittingdreams, $24.

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Ruffle Your Bum - baby bloomers

By thesandboxsociety, $18.

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Needle felted Scottish Terrier

By DreamwoodArtDesigns, $75.

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Pet Costume Monster Hat

By xmoonbloom, $16.

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Sleeping Smiling Kitten - Print

By BroomhillPictures, $20.

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Crocheted Cloche Size 6-12 Months

By SparkleberryCrafts, $26.

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XXSmall Dog Sweater

By lyndaknits, $11.

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Mr. T Toddler T-Shirt

By micielomicielo, $26.

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Tommie - Plushie Tomato

By janiexy, $18.

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Eco Pet Scarf - SM

By anniessweatshop, $8.

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Hat for dogs

By lenapavia, $11.

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Pixie Cap

By baparsell, $22.

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Boston Terrier - vintage bow tie

By christineedwards, $15.

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PUGtastic fleece hoodie

By thebeachcomberstudio, $17.

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Dog Bed- camouflage

By sixddesigns, $30.

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TEDDY FLAP HAT / llama wool

By wawaheads, $40.

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Cat Hat

By Arfeiniel, $32.

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sweet little mouse duo box diorama

By jennykitty771, $20.

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Houndstooth Cashmere Dog Coat

By shopKCQ, $60.

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Cupcake Cutie Baby Mouse

By mykobocek, $50.

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Cute Fleece DRAGON Kids Hat

By PickledBeetsKidsHats, $33.

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Gold and Chocolate Booties

By funkyshapes, $27.95.

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Panda with Eco-bag

By feltmates, $50.

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rabbit tail

By hisss, $14.

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Did You Cry Little Bunny...

By micielomicielo, $21.

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Girly Classic Monster Booty Pants

By crankypantsknits, $80.

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insect applique dog T-shirt

By hodgepodgefarm, $30.

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Cuddle Bunny

By PuppyPurse, $65.

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Handknit Polar Bear Brooch

By SarahMcNeil, $22.

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Brittany

By mcdaniel, $27.50.

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MOUSE cute cashmere hat

By ElleGanT, $26.

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Mustachioed Kitten

By fancyjewels, $68.

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green tea loving mini lamb

By dolittledesign, $30.

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Congratulations On The New Arrival

By franticmeerkat, $3.50.

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Have a redonkulous cute Etsy item to share? Post in the comments below and share with the rest of us!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | More Cute Blog Posts | Trends | The Always Cute Pets Category

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All Wrapped Up! Holiday Gift Trends from Scoutie Girl Gifts

2009-11-18T16:01:00-05:00

Earlier this fall, I launched a brand new site to make handmade gift giving a little bit easier. Scoutie Girl Gifts not only allows you to find beautiful handmade gifts for everyone on your list, it allows you to create your own "gift galleries" to make gift suggestions for visitors!

What has been most interesting for me is watching the new gift trends emerge before my very eyes. Even though content comes in from all over the world, I'm seeing some very distinctive trends for this holiday season.

Animals have been hot in the indie craft world for quite some time. Instead of the usual woodland suspects, this year's holiday zoological trend has all sorts of animals roaming around! ViviDot featured a gallery of beautiful beasts in her gift gallery, Let's Go to the Zoo.

I love this romper featuring a hippo by planetpudge. $22.

More animals were featured by shellieartist in her gift gallery, Not Your Average Pet.

There's also a great baby koala necklace by shizendesigns. $23.

How about this badger cameo illustration by blackoutwell? On a side note — illustration seems to be a hot gift idea too! $18.

Soft, feminine shades of aqua, pink, violet and grey have also been very popular. Lesley from smidgebox put together a beautiful gallery inspired by aqua skies + snowflakes.

I adore these textile bead earrings from frillsandfray. They're made from a recycled t-shirt in soft green and yellow. I actually have a similar pair — love! $19.

If you miss green grass, blue skies, and beds of blooming flowers, you're in luck: bringing the outdoors in is hot this holiday season! Kimberly from createlovelaugh created a popular gift gallery called Into the Forest. It's focused on moss greens: terrariums, pots of moss, faux moss, and accessories inspired by moss.

This green rose ring by mlwdesigns reminds me of a little succulent plant. It's a great way to wear spring on your finger all year long! At only $9, it makes a great gift for a friend or coworker.

Another curator thinking about all things natural is Diana from dsbrennan. Her gift gallery, For the Naturalist, features more mossy greens and browns.

These wrist warmers would be a perfect gift for someone who doesn't let cold weather stop them from enjoying a hike! By fishermansdaughter, $24.

Another hot trend for this year's gift giving is art and illustration. Art may not be the first thought when choosing a gift, but it's perfect for newlyweds, teenagers looking to spruce up their space, or anyone who doesn't need another "thing" lying around! Art always makes a statement and can be a very personal and emotion-filled gift.

Brittni from papernstich put together this gift gallery of affordable art for everyone, including traditional art pieces, illustration, photography, and even a little sculpture fit for hanging on your wall.

I especially love this photograph by simplyhue. $18.

If you've got kids on your shopping list, handmade is the way to go! Etsy sellers take special care to exclude harmful ingredients and include only the finest of what Mother Nature has to offer.

Sara from busterandboo put together a gift gallery of natural kids' options. From wool to wood to play clay, this list is quite inspiring.

I love the aromatic play clay by MamaKs. Kids get to play, moms get to relax with the pleasant aromas of chamomile, lemongrass, and sweet orange. This clay is even gluten-free! $4.50.

I don't know how some people do it. I never have any luck at yard sales, thrift shops or estate sales. I am a downright terrible vintage shopper. However, that doesn't mean that I don't love the look of vintage! I am always pleased as punch to find great handmade, vintage-inspired goodies — and they make perfect gifts for the thrift-store challenged like me (hint, hint)!

Amy from amybsjewelry put together a tea time gallery including several vintage-inspired goodies.

I adore this custom tea party dress from sohomode. This beauty is available in several fabrics, including wool. It would be perfect for a special fête, modernized with leggings and ballet flats as shown.

Lindsey from ripegoods put together a list of gifts inspired by farm fresh living.

I especially love these hand-printed tea towels by NestaHome — a perfect gift for the holiday hostess! $19.

Buying handmade for holiday gifts has never been easier. Use a tool like the Etsy Gift Guides, your favorite blog, or Scoutie Girl Gifts to find a great jumping-off point! And don't just stick to the sellers and items you see featured. Be inspired by the trends, materials, and techniques that catch your fancy!

If you have an idea for a Scoutie Girl Gifts gallery, go to the submissions page to find out how to get yours published!

Scoutie Girl Gifts | Etsy's Gift Guides | Holiday Gift Ideas Posts

Handmade Moment Contest: We Have a Winner

2009-10-14T16:00:00-05:00

(Extended drum roll...) The winner of the Handmade Moment Video Contest is "Handmade Moments are Everywhere" by Daniel Kwan! Daniel's outstanding animation gets across the playful spirit of Etsy. Our judges and the community were all drawn to the cute characters. While the piece is fantastical, it also outlines the Etsy shopping experience. We think this video entices people and makes them want to learn more about Etsy. Congratulations to Daniel, who will be hearing from our chief bean-counter Sinohe who will be presenting Dan with a giant $3250 check (designed by our own Pete).

Daniel, in his own words: "I am a student at Emerson College studying film production, but this has the potential to change instantly as I am the inventor of the sport Gazeball-Z, a lover of children's TV programming, and an experimental seamstress. For now I spend most of my days in front of the computer animating nonsensical whatevers, but hope to one day retire and spend my days writing children's books because I refuse to live in a society where people stop telling their kids stories about magical purple crayons and bears with missing buttons."

Thanks to all who joined us in cheering the winners in our live awards ceremony in the Virtual Labs this afternoon. Here's Tara's behind-the-scenes look at the judging process from the other night:

Our three runners-up also win big today. They will be receiving giant checks for $1250 each. Give them a huge round of (virtual) applause!

2nd Place is "Robot Gets Its Wings" by Norma Toraya, a.k.a. Crankbunny. This was also the Community Favorite!

3rd Place is "Painting the Girl" by Estelle VanderHeide, a.k.a. estellelle.

Estelle, we apologize for the rude interruption from Lori "Kanye" 40, who thought that Beyonce should have won.

4th Place Mr. Squid's Handmade Moment by Hine Mizushima, a.k.a. hine.

Please take a moment of silence for the great loss to the creative community this year: Mr. Patrick Swayze. Sarah Rockstarpoli, Beug, and Matt serenaded us with a musical tribute, while Jesse and Danielle created a visual montage in his honor. We all "had the time of our lives."

They also warmed up the crowd with a live rendition of Beug's original music composed for the contest. Dee-dah-dee-da-dit-dit!

The six other finalists get $500 each. These really are all winners! They're all in this playlist below:

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered and to all of our voters. We all had our favorites! We'll be using the top videos in upcoming marketing campaigns, so stay tuned.

See more posts about the Handmade Moment Video Contest.

See more photos from the awards ceremony on our Flickr stream.

Handmade Moment Contest: Judgement Day

2009-10-08T14:25:00-05:00

Live Etsy.TV Handmade Moment Awards Ceremony

Join us Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. ET in the Virtual Labs. We'll be announcing the winner and runners-up live!

Yesterday was a day of reckoning.
Our Handmade Moment judges buckled down last night at the Etsy Labs for an intense evening of video watching. We pored over each of the ten finalists on etsy.tv. Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief of ReadyMade magazine, got the conversation flowing. (See his post about judging here.) Casey Safron from the School of Visual Arts' animation department and Animation Block Party, had an interesting take on character development.

Corinne Leigh, of ThreadBanger.com, is already really familiar with DIY and got right to the heart of the Etsiness of each video. The Bretts, of The Donnas and of directing fame, phoned in from California, and Olivia Wilde will be sending her picks soon since she was on a shoot (so Hollywood!). Each judge offered up their strong opinions and thoughtful insights. It was a show in and of itself!

The whole process is a bit more reminiscent of high school exams than we expected — but still a lot of fun.

After the judging we watched some of the trailers for Mark Elijah Rosenberg' Roof top Films program. We loved the one where it's a single shot of a miniature cityscape set they built from scrap cardboard and clay models.

Maria, Etsy's CEO, was there as a proctor of sorts, making sure we stayed true to the judging criteria and the Etsy brand.

Now Jesse is tallying all the results from the panel of judges and the popular vote.

May the tension mount til Wednesday!

Vote Now: Announcing Our Handmade Moment Finalists

2009-10-01T10:11:00-05:00

Visit www.Etsy.tv today and VOTE for your favorite. Voting ends October 4, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Applause, please!

We are pleased to introduce you to your Handmade Moment contest finalists! These ten videos were the best of the best, and their creators will be sharing $10,000 in prizes (plus all the glory and fame they can handle)!

Keep on reading to meet your finalists and all our contest judges...

To recap: On June 1, 2009, we invited all artists and other creative members of the Etsy community to create 15 and 30 second videos promoting Etsy and the handmade movement. And if your love of Etsy wasn't enough motivation, we threw $10,000 of prizes in as well! That's the Handmade Moment Contest.

INTRODUCING OUR 10 HANDMADE MOMENT FINALISTS

Click each video title (listed alphabetically) to view the video...

First Prize: $3,250
3 Runners Up: $1,250 each
6 Finalists: $500 each

Visit www.Etsy.tv today and VOTE for your favorite. Voting ends October 4, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Click here to discuss the 10 finalists.

HANDMADE MOMENT JUDGES

Brett Anderson is the lead singer of The Donnas, an American all-female rock band from California. They draw inspiration from The Ramones, AC/DC, and Kiss. After gathering a cult following in the punk scene since their 1993 debut, the band achieved major label commercial success in the early 2000s. Rolling Stone says, "The Donnas offer a guileless take on adolescent alienation; they traffic in kicks, not catharsis, fun rather than rage." MTV notes that the band offers "nothing more than a good old-fashioned rock & roll party." Brett was an avid Girl Scout and loves to sew and make perfume, jewelry, and friendship bracelets. Photo by Dave Burke.

Corinne Leigh is the host and executive producer of ThreadBanger.com, a landing point for people who want to create and discover their own style through alternative fashion: recycling, upcycling and refashioning with simple tools and techniques. Corinne has been an environmental activist since elementary school when she learned about the three R’s — reduce, reuse, recycle. In 2002, she started a non-profit organization that helps people in impoverished nations. Working mostly in Haiti, Corinne opened a safe haven for the children of Port-au-Prince. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her two cats and boyfriend.

Mark Elijah Rosenberg has built Rooftop Films into one of the most innovative film companies in the country—a cutting-edge outdoor film festival, a forward-thinking film production collective, and a full-service media center. Rooftop has shown over 1,400 films to more than 100,000 audience members, and has supported 60 emerging filmmakers through the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund. As a curator and filmmaker in his own right, Mark's taste and work favor low-budget, personal cinema. Mark has written and directed numerous short films, is currently at work on an astronaut narrative, and was a producer on the Emmy-award winning documentary show "IMNY." Mark was a juror at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, is the second baseman for the New York Giants amateur baseball team, and the proud father of a dog named Rizzo.

Casey Safron is the founder and curator of NYC’s premiere animation festival, Animation Block Party. The ABP festival supports all genres of film and loves handmade works with organic styles, so computers are not always key at ABP. In the past two years, Safron has produced the Webby
nominated Perfectland series for MTV, the hit cartoon, Breakfast, for the Sundance Channel and a variety cartoon series for My Damn Channel. Education is also a big part of Safron’s work, as he has overseen the prestigious School of Visual Arts Animation Department since 2001.

Brett Simon’s first feature, Assassination of a High School President, Somebody Told Me for The Killers, and Belly for Polarbear, which was made entirely with a scanner. He has also created dozens of no-budget shorts on his trusty camcorder, which have won awards and screened at festivals around the world. He likes to tinker. When he couldn’t get the right image from his video camera, he created a lens with wax paper, a magnifying glass and cardboard box. With Counterfeit Film, he transformed a photocopy machine into a mechanical flipbook. He is currently working on a film adaptation of the Duane Swierczynski novel, Severance Package. Brett also founded Present Day, a holiday celebrated on the first Sunday of every month by spending the day without cell phones and computers. starring Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. He has directed numerous music videos including the award winning

Andrew Wagner is the editor-in-chief of ReadyMade magazine. Prior to coming to ReadyMade he was the editor-in-chief of American Craft magazine. Wagner was also the executive editor and founding managing editor of Dwell magazine, where he helped push the boundaries of architecture and design journalism, garnering the publication the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) General Excellence Award in 2005. In 1997, Wagner founded LIMN, the unorthodox design and arts magazine published by the equally unorthodox furniture and design company of the same name, and served as its editor-in-chief until 2000. Wagner was also the founding editor of Dodge City Journal, a magazine dedicated to documenting life in America's under-explored cities. In addition to his work at ReadyMade, Wagner is a consulting editor at Places magazine and has been a guest lecturer at several universities.

Olivia Wilde is equally successful in film and television having starred in an array of comedic and dramatic roles. Wilde can currently be seen in Fox’s hit Emmy-nominated drama, House, opposite Hugh Laurie. Additionally, Wilde wrapped production in the futuristic thriller, Tron, in July. Most recently, Olivia was seen opposite Jack Black in the biblical-era comedy Year One. Wilde is well known for her recurring role on the critically acclaimed Fox series The O.C. Previously, Wilde co-starred opposite Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake in the film Alpha Dog. Moreover, she starred in and produced Fix, the story of documentary filmmakers who race all over California to help out a relative. The film opened at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival. Photo by Jeff Lipsky.

And Etsy's own MaryMary, Anda and Eetzee.

Visit www.Etsy.tv today and VOTE for your favorite. Voting ends October 4, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Click here to discuss the 10 finalists.

How-Tuesday: Frog Suit From Wacky Baby Knits

2009-09-29T15:00:00-05:00

Well, I'm not sure I really need to say anything once you've seen this baby in a frog suit. The cutie patootie inspires me not only to knit, but to reproduce. Since Halloween is only a month away, we picked this week's How-Tuesday according to our early childhood indoctrination program. Alison Jenkins' lovable and cuddly creations introduce your toddler to a lifetime of handmade costumes. You can download the project as a PDF here, or follow along below.

Alison's book, Wacky Baby Knits, has projects to suit any baby's style. With knitted mohawks, biker jackets, and monsters, I think I could find reasons year-round to play dress-up with the little ones. Can't get enough of the gleeful masquerade of children? Cast a vote for your favorite Etsy Halloween kids item here!

Purchase Wacky Baby Knits

One of the many joys of having babies is that you can dress them up in any way you choose. Sadly, this state of affairs is temporary: in a few short years they will have as many opinions about what they will and won't wear as you do. Try getting a three-year-old to wear a cute cow suit if he or she doesn't want to! Take full advantage of the opportunity while it lasts, using this book as your guide and inspiration.

This all-in-one outfit will keep baby snug as a bug — or amphibian — in a rug from head to toe, and the hood even has soft knitted frog eyes. Rows of knitted bobbles along the sleeves and hood add an irresistible tactile texture to the knit, but because the yarn used is very soft the bobbles won't feel lumpy against your baby's skin.

You Will Need
Pair of size 3 (3.25mm) needles
Pair of size 6 (4mm) needles
Size 3 (3.25mm) circular needle
5 (6:7) 2 oz (50g) balls light worsted knitting yarn in color A (green)
Oddment of light worsted knitting yarn in color B (white)
Oddment of light worsted knitting yarn in color C (black)
Tape measure
Stitch holders
Bodkin
17 small green buttons
Small amount of soft toy filling, approximately 1/2 oz (15g)

To Fit Sizes
0-3 months: chest 16 in (41cm)
3-6 months: chest 8 in (46cm)
6-12 months: chest 20 in (51cm)

Gauge
22 stitches and 30 rows to 4 in (10cm), mesured over stockinette stitch, using size 6 (4mm) needles

Special Abbreviation
mb — make bobble
Work to bobble position; purl into the next stitch, then knit into the same stitch. Repeat once more, then purl once. You will have made five extra stitches. Use the tip of the left-hand needle to pass the first four extra stitches over the last to form the looped bobble. Work to next bobble position, and repeat.

Back

LEGS (MAKE 2 ALIKE)
Using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A, cast on 16 (16:18) sts.
Work in k 1, p 1 rib for 1 1/4 in (3cm), ending with a rs row.
Increase row with ws facing: rib 4 (2:3), then *m 1, rib 1 st; rep from * to last 3 (2:2) sts, m 1, then rib to end. (26 [29:32] sts.)
Change to size 6 (4mm) needles, and cont in st st until work measures 8 (8 3/4:9 1/2) in [20 (22:24)cm] from cast-on edge, ending with a ws row.
Transfer sts to a stitch holder.

BODY
Join legs to form body: work across sts from one leg, then work sts held on stitch holder from the other leg.
Cont in st st on these 52 (58:64) sts until work measures 8 1/2 (9:9 1/2) in [22(23:24)cm] from the crotch join, ending with a ws row.

RAGLAN DECREASE
Bind off 3 sts at beg of next 2 (2:2) rows **, then dec 1 st at both ends of next and every alt row until there are 18 (20:22) sts, ending with a ws row.
Leave sts on a stitch holder.

Front

Work as back to **.

DIVIDE FOR FRONT OPENING
With rs facing, begin raglan shaping as follows: dec 1 st, knit 18 (21:24) sts, turn, and place the rem sts on a stitch holder. Work 1 row in st st. Cont dec 1 st at same end of next and every alt row until there are 11 (12:15) sts.
Work 1 row in st st.

NECKLINE SHAPING
With rs facing, dec 1 st, work to last 2 sts, dec 1 st. Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 3 (4:5) rows, while continuing the raglan shaping at the armhole edge. There are now 5 (4:6) sts. Dec 1 st at armhole edge only on rs rows until 2 sts rem.
Place rem 2 sts on a stitch holder:
Slip the sts for the right front from the stitch holder onto your needle, and rejoin col A.
Bind off the first 6 sts, then cont following pattern instructions to make the right front section, remembering to reverse the raglan and neckline shapings.
Place rem 2 sts on a stitch holder.

Sleeve (make 2 alike)

Using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A, cast on 26 (29:31) sts.
Work in k 1, p 1 rib for 1 1/4 in (3cm) ending with a rs row.

INCREASE ROW WITH WS FACING
First size: rib 3, then *m 1, rib 3; rep from * to last 2 sts, inc 1 st, then rib to end. (34 sts.)
Second and third sizes: rib (3:4), *inc 1 st, rib 3; rep from * to last (2:3) sts, inc 1 st, rib to end.
There are now 34 (38:40) sts. Change to size 6 (4mm) needles and begin patt as follows:
Cont in st st for 4 rows.
Next row (bobble row): with rs facing, work 4 (6:7) sts *mb, work 4 sts; rep from * to last 0 (2:3) sts, k0 (2:3).
Work 5 rows, then work bobble row, keeping bobbles in same position vertically.
Cont in patt.
Inc 1 st at both ends of 2nd (2nd:2nd) row, then at both ends of every foll 6th (10th:10th) row until you have 40 (44:48) sts. Work 5 (7:9) rows.

RAGLAN DECREASE
Bind off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st at both ends of next and every alt row until 6 sts remain.
Leave rem 6 sts on stitch holder.

Hood

With rs facing, using size 6 (4mm) needles and col A, pick up and knit 10 (12:14) sts up right front neck, k across sts on front and first sleeve stitch holders, across back neck work *k 1, m 1; rep from * to last st, k 1, k across sts on second sleeve and front stitch holders, then pick up and k10 (12:14) sts down left front neck. (71 [79:87] sts.)
Purl 1 row.
Cont in st st until hood measures 7 (7 1/2:8) in [18(19:20)cm], ending with a ws row, then bind off 22 (26:30) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
With rs facing, cont on rem sts and patt as follows:
Cont in st st for 4 rows.
Next row: with rs facing, work 3 (3:4) sts *mb, work 4 sts; rep from * to last 4 (4:4) sts, mb, work to end.
Work 5 rows, then work bobble row, keeping bobbles in same position vertically.
Cont in patt for a further 4 1/4 (5 1/4:6) in [11 (13:15)cm], ending with a ws row.
Bind off all sts, and fasten off securely.
Using a bodkin and col A, join hood seams.

Button band and buttonhole band for front opening and hood

Using a size 3 (3.25mm) circular needle, pick up and knit 17 (19:19) sts along right front opening to neck, then 42 (46:50) sts along right side of hood to seam, 27 (27:27) sts across hood center front to other seam, 42 (46:50) sts down left side of hood, and 17 (19:19) sts along left front opening.
Work in k 1, p 1 rib for 3 rows.
Buttonhole row: Rib 3 sts, *ym, k2tog, rib 4; rep from * another 2 times, then rib to end.
Rib for 3 more rows, then bind off all sts in rib, and fasten off securely.

Button band and buttonhold band for leg opening

BUTTON BAND
With rs facing, using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A, pick up and knit 45 (51:57) sts evenly along inside leg edge of back to crotch, beg at the ankle rib of the left leg then pick up and knit 46 (52:58) sts from crotch to the edge of the right ankle rib. Work in k 1, p 1 rib for 7 rows, then bind off all sts in rib and fasten off securely.

BUTTONHOLE BAND
With rs facing, using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A, pick up and knit 45 (51:57) sts evenly along inside leg edge of front to crotch, beg at the ankle rib of the right leg, then pick up and knit 46 (52:58) sts from crotch down to the edge of the left ankle rib. Work in rib for 3 rows.
Buttonhole row: Rib 4, *ym, k2tog, rib 5 (6:7); 3 more rows, then bind off all sts in rib, and fasten off securely.

Eyes and eyelids (make 2 of each)

Using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A for eyelids (col B for eyes), cast on 18 (24:30) sts. Purl 1 row, then cont in st st for 6 (10:12) rows.
Next row: *k 1, k2tog; rep from * to end. Break off yarn, then draw it through the rem sts, pull together tightly, and fasten off securely.

Nostrils (make 2)

Using size 3 (3.25mm) needles and col A, cast on 15 (18:21) sts.
Purl 1 row, then cont in st st for 6 (8:10) rows.
Next row: *k 1, k2tog; rep from * to end. Break off yarn, then draw it through rem sts, pull together tightly, and fasten off securely.

Sewing together

Join raglan, sleeve and side seams. Weave in all loose ends neatly on the reverse.
Overlap the bands and sew the lower edges to the bound-off edge at the center front opening.
Sew buttons onto lower left front side of button band to correspond with buttonholes.

SEWING TOGETHER EYES AND EYELIDS
Join eye seam, and stuff each with a small amount of toy filling. Sew the cast-on edges to the hood at the end of the seam near the crown. Take an eyelid, and wrap it around the back part of the eye, so that the cast-on edge forms the lid around the eye. Sew the other edge to the hood around the base of the eye.

SEWING TOGETHER NOSTRILS
The cast-on edge represents the opening of each nostril; sew the other edge to the hood close to the seams at the front.
Weave in all loose ends neatly on the reverse. Finally, use a small amount of yarn in col C to make large stitches at the front of each eyeball to represent pupils.

Looking for more knitted baby costumes? Check out a copy of Wacky Baby Knits for the cutest inspiration you'll ever need. Thanks to Alison Jenkins and the good folks at Perigee for sharing this project with us.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Etsy Finds: Foray Into Fall

2009-09-23T12:33:00-05:00

You probably know by now that Etsy marches to the beat of a different drum, which is what makes it such a unique place to shop. We'd say that Etsy sellers are best described as setting their own trends rather than following them. Today's Etsy Finds offer a sneak peek into the most fun and fashion forward trends on Etsy this September. To start: Awesome animals, bright and fresh autumn colors, Polaroids and gadget cozies, and vampire-mania. We also have a hot list of fall fashion trends: Neon, big bows, vintage Vera Neumann scarves, rocker studs, zipper jewelry, eco-friendly separates and library chic.

Cute Animals

Bears, hedgehogs, narwhals, owls, octopi, and lions, oh my!

Grizzly Bear T-Shirt

By andsometimesY, $20.

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Brown Hedgehog vinyl wall decal

By greywolfgraphics, $7.

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Narwhal Tote

By Heathered, $13.

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Egyptian Owl Hieroglyph Pillow

By BlueTerracotta, $40.

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Socktopus the Sock Monkey Octopus

By blackbirdfashion, $25.

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RABID FOX Bunny Love ring

By Fleathers, $175.

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Autumn Colors

Crisp, fresh and bright!

The Autumn Bumbler Bag

By Beesnetta, $78.

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Wall Hanging Cuckoo Clock

By decoylab, $28.

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Vintage Enamel Candleholders

From lookonmytreasures, $22.

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Vintage Plaid Crop Jacket

From dreamsneverend, $35.

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Carrere Cardi

By keepandshare, $265.

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Tuscany - Green Quartz Earrings

By serendipity2wenty2, $28.

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Polaroids and Gadget Cozies

Keep the legacy alive!

Vintage Polaroid Camera

From MotherMidnight, $17.50.

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Padded iPhone, iPod Touch Sleeve

By thameowdesigns, $20.

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Earlaces (wired earphones cozy)

By chozin, $15.

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SX-70 Camera T-Shirt

By filmmonsters, $28.

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four (Polaroid)

By WalkingToJericho, $30.

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iphone/itouch Woodgrain Sleeve

By tchan87, $12.

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Vampires

Inspired by Twilight, True Blood, Buffy and the Halloween season.

Bella Jojoba Oil Perfume Roll On (1/3 oz)

By CozyMoments, $6.

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Vampire Bite Mug

By MaidOfClay, $32.

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Vampire Bite Necklace

By juelladesigns, $34.

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Love Bite Necklace

By GiraffeNeckKnits, $10.

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Little Vampire Mary Jane Shoes

By emandsprout, $24.

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I Love Vampire Boys T-Shirt

By Royalkane, $24.99.

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Fall Fashion

Neon accents, big bows, Vera scarves, studded, zippers, eco-love and back to school cool.

Felted/Shibori Dyed Wool/Silk Wrap

By cherdak, $88.

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Pink Chocolate Bow Purse

By Junebug18, $10.

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Vintage Black Dress with Bow

From VeraVague, $60.

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Vintage Vera Neumann Scarf

From VintageinBohemia, $18.

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Tank Dress w/ Studded Neckline

By threaditAgain, $39.99.

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Studded Ankle Boots - Custom Sizes

By twostringjane, $45.

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Braided Zipper Necklace

By HurricaneBoutique, $25.

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Double Crossed Zipper Bracelet

By HauteConfections, $30.

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Feather Dress (Bamboo)

By fantazya, $45.

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Upcycled Sweater Leg Warmers

By MountainGirlClothing, $20.

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Tartan Short Sleeve Top

By larimeloom, $75.

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Vintage Buddy Holly Black Frames

From AUBIEJEANVINTAGE, $52.99.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Etsy Snout Off: Pug vs. Chihuahua

2009-09-23T10:45:00-05:00

Today I present the first ever Etsy Snout Off.* Who will win the furry battle for most precious? Will the smoosh-faced, chubby pug contender take the lead? Or perhaps the crown will go to the dainty, bug-eyed chihuahua?

Stand back, as this is about to get ugly extremely adorable! Cast your vote for Etsy's Next Dog Model in the comments below! Who will it be: pug or chihuahua?

*Who remembers the Dog vs. Cat Duel from last year?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PET HAT

By ilickyou, $8.

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daisy rib dog T

By hodgepodgefarm, $30.

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Snuggly Pug Alien Hat

By jessicalynneart, $15.

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Chihuahua Sweater in Orange

By naidascrochet, $13.

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grey small dog fall sweater

By nataliewyatt, $25.

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Bad to the Bone Necklace

By PoochieCouture, $10.

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Pug Shrug - multi color

By thebeachcomberstudio, $30.

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Top Tie Bags - Chihuahua Carry All

By jumapili, $25.

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Pimp Pug 2 piece outfit custom sizes

By DownUnderDogDesigns, $35.

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Dinosaur T-shirt - Pattern

By minoupitou, $5.

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Custom Dress Shirt and Tie Set

By Pugpossessed, $30.

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Sparkly Dog Hair Bow

By ProperPuppy, $3.25.

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Cross Bones Boys Shirt

By thecrabbybull, $8.

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Crocheted Pumpkin Beanie

By BlancasCrafts, $10.

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retro purple polka dot dog vest

By thedogcoatlady, $12.

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Doodlebuggy Pet Carrier 7-13 lbs

By doodlebugduds, $45.

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Pug or Small Dog Handmade dress

By Pugpossessed, $15.95.

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T Shirt With Tie Dye Sleeves

By BeanTownHandmade, $25.

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TENNESSEE SPIRIT harness

By PickledTinkBoutique, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Rock and Roll Dog Harness

By tamstarrcouture, $30.

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Who gets your vote: the chubby pugs or the dainty chihuahuas? Leave it in the comments!

Etsy Pets Series | Pets Gift Guide | Browse the Pets Category

Trends: People Pets With the Latest in Fall Pet Fashion

2009-09-07T20:00:00-05:00

Fresh off Pet Fashion Week in New York City, People Magazine’s new website, People Pets, brings you the top five trends to keep your furry BFFs purrfectly in style this season. Editor Amy Jamieson and her team give four paws up to faux-fur trim, bedazzled accessories and bold patterns. Check out this season’s bark-worthy looks right here on Etsy!

Trend 1: Faux-Fur Trimmed Coats
Just because your pet has a built-in coat, doesn't mean he can't wear another! Faux-fur details will keep your pooch warm — and looking red-carpet chic — for those long walks. AcmeCouture's coat, pictured above, brings an air of elegance, while her design below, That 70s Pup, has a kitschy twist.

Trend 2: Pet-People Separates
Is your pet a mini-me version of you? Embrace it! Matching pets-people separates are a fun — but still, thankfully, subtle — way to show your mutual love and devotion.

EcoDog Collar and Owner Cuff Set with Tribal Tooled Leather, by greenbelts, $45.

Trend 3: Bedazzled Accessories
Nothing says "star" like a little bling, dahling. So make Mr. Fluffykins or Princess Puffytail feel like one with jeweled accents.

The Gold Collection pet ID tag with Lady Pink, by makeyourdogsmile, $20.

Trend 4: Clothes With Prints
Is your pup the Blair Waldorf of the dog park? Get that Gossip Girl look — from argyle and plaid to super-preppy prints — with bold patterns that'll make the other pooches envious.

Floral Tweed Harness by SophiesThreads, $26.

Trend 5: Decorative Pet Beds
Does your dog or cat hog the bed — your bed? Maybe it's time to take back the night and get them one of their own — one that's as comfy, cool and inviting as yours, only smaller!

Retro Modern Pet Bed in Light Rust by likekittysville, $69.

Looking for more pet style trends, cute photos and amazing animal stories? Check out People Pets to see celebrities and their pets, watch hilarious videos, meet adorable cats and dogs, and share your own photos!

Photos of Mischa Barton and Blake Lively
© Humberto Carreno/Startraks

More Trends Blog Posts | Etsy Pets Series on Etsy's Blog

Pets Gift Guide | Browse the Pets Category

Etsy Finds: Into the Wild with Paste Magazine

2009-09-02T11:42:00-05:00

Join us in the Virtual Labs, Etsy's online meeting space, today, September 2 at 5 p.m. ET for a live (and wild) shopping event with Paste Magazine. Rachael Maddux, Paste Magazine's Assistant Editor, will be hunting for Etsy's best animal-themed Etsy items, which will magically appear in the room for your shopping pleasure. The "Add to Cart" button will be hard to resist! Remember to get there early because there are only 150 seats!

When? Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.)

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs. Remember, the Virtual Labs only holds 150 people — so make sure to come early to get a seat. All you'll need to attend is an Etsy account — register here!

And now for a sneak peek of the furry and feathered finds to come...

Feather Your Nest

ittle bird, little plate

By Ninainvorm, $21.

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Elk Chalkboard

By OhClementine, $30.

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Olive the Sea - Sea Gull Pillow Pair

By OIive, $65.

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Our Girl Pearl Octopus Chandelier

By lanternfly, $749.

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Golden Lion- wool animal

By littleloveblue, $48.

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Custom Pillow of Your Pets Portrait

By mybonnie, $52.

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Vintage brass lobster dish

From highstreetmarket, $28.

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ready 2 go

By fieldguided, $25.

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Art in the Wild

Steadfast - 8 x 8 signed photograph

By jenniferdennispotter, $25.

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Baby Deer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print

By SharonMontrose, $25.

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Glass Beta Fish

By JohnMooneyGlass, $340.

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Resting Deer

By Lemmikkiapina, $80.

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Allen's Hummingbird

By AllieGreene, $175.

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The Jiggy Little Piggy Piglet

By SteviT, $345.

View Item | View Shop

Knitting in Biology 101

By CraftyHedgehog, $95.

View Item | View Shop

Alpaca Goatikins

By Ukie, $12.

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Bring Out the Animal in Him

Whales

By crewbalthazar, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Return to the City Organic T-Shirt

By mfmapparel, $22.

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Nevermore Zipper Hoodie

By binarywinter, $45.

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Panther Earth-Friendly Zip Hoody

By partybots, $51.99.

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Deer Belt Buckle with Belt

By kfarrell, $25.

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The nightbound belt buckle

By flightpathdesigns, $37.

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Animal Cameo Cuff Links

By TillyBloom, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Shark Cufflinks, Sterling Silver

By dedalo, $60.

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Fierce and Feral

Blue ZEBRA PIANO t-shirt

By boygirlparty, $20.

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Hand-Painted Saint Rabbit T-Shirt

By cpinson, $55.

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Cutie Hootie Hoops

By celula, $50.

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Macaron dog headband

By Zabelou, $14.50.

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Red Panda Longbottom

By bobbin4apples, $50.

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Rabidfox Rosy Octopus ring

By Fleathers, $225.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage SAFARI MINI SKIRT one size

From paramountvintage, $32.

View Item | View Shop

Sweatshirt Squirrel

By Retrokinder, $95.

View Item | View Shop

Rachael predicts the sloth will be the next big animal trend on Etsy. We want to know what you think. Vote here for the most "Etsy" animal. Racheal will reveal the winner during Shop Live!

Share in the excitement — join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More of Paste Magazine's Picks in Our Gift Guides | More Animal Finds

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Handmade Moment Contest: The Final Days Countdown

2009-08-26T14:00:00-05:00

This is it. Are you gonna be a winner? A champ? Do you have what it takes? There's just a few days to go in our Handmade Moment video contest. Get your submissions in now or you'll miss your chance!

There are 136 contest submissions as of last night. Not a bad number! I'm proud of each and every one of you who took the time and effort to make something rad. I have a feeling that number is going to jump in the next few days. Winning the office pool right now (with a prediction of 135 entries) is Christine. But Michelle and Mike are about to step into the lead with predictions of 140 and 160, respectively. Comment below with what prize you think I should give the winner of the pool. I'm thinking a slab of organic nitrate-free bacon, but I'll take your suggestions instead. Just remember, bacon is yummy (if you aren't a vegetarian).

Lastly, if you think you will be selected for the next round of the contest and want to get a jump on filling out the release forms, please click here. You'll only have a week to submit the release forms once we notify the finalists, so I'm sharing this link to make your lives easier.

That's it for today's update. Remember, the contest's final days are upon us. Come join the fun at www.etsy.tv. The next time you'll hear from me i'll be announcing the winners.

Join the Etsy Handmade Moment video contest today!

See all the posts about this contest.

Shop Live with Paste Magazine: September 2, 2009

2009-08-26T10:31:00-05:00

Although "animal" bands like Modest Mouse, Grizzly Bear and Deerhunter have stampeded the music world in recent years, creative folks' fixation on our furry friends is really nothing new — humans have been artistically rendering animals since the dawn of time. But while our ancestors were limited to clay paint and cave walls, their modern counterparts have infinite means at their disposal. The pages of Etsy are crawling with beautiful, funny and oftentimes kinda creepy animals in accessories, home decor, art and more. Join me for a live, interactive shopping event in Etsy's online meeting space, the Virtual Labs, for a look at some of Paste Magazine's favorites (and click here for a playlist of some of our favorite animal bands).

When? Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.)

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs. Remember the Virtual Labs only holds 150 people — so make sure you get a seat early. All you'll need to attend is an Etsy account — register here!

Who? Rachael Maddux will be our hostess with the mostess! She is the Assistant Editor at Paste Magazine, where she writes mostly about music and has developed a special knack for sneaking in as many opportunities to browse Etsy for "work purposes" as possible.

Rachael predicts the sloth will be the next big animal trend on Etsy. We want to know what you think. Vote here for the most "Etsy" animal. Racheal will reveal the winner during Shop Live!

Want a sneak peek? Make sure you're signed up for our Etsy Finds mailing list to get Paste Magazine's top animal-inspired Etsy items directly to your inbox next Wednesday, September 2.

Share in the excitement — join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

P.S. See more cute Etsy creatures in these Storque articles.

How-Tuesday: Felt Rug from Dorm Decor

2009-08-25T15:50:00-05:00

College living is an extreme in decorating challenges: limited space, limited funds, and limited time. In my years of undergraduate life, I tried wall tapestries, fabric flowers, ceramic tchotchkes, vintage hat mannequins, tie dye, crocheted afghans, mason jars, and more collaging than I care to remember. In an effort to compensate for the cheap generic furniture and beer-stained carpet, I saturated my dorm rooms with a technicolor blur of clutter.

I wish I had found Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith's book, Dorm Decor, back when I was still enrolled, because I was in desperate need of some creative focus. This week's How-Tuesday project is for all of those crafty co-eds settling into their drafty, fluorescent-lit dorm rooms. There is hope! This Felt Rug requires no sewing skills and seems like the perfect project for orientation bonding.

Purchase Dorm Decor

Excited to move into your new room? It could be so many things: A cozy nest. Party central! Cinderblock city. (OK, sorry, dorm living isn't always that dire.) No matter how you imagine your room, the point is, it's yours! How you decorate it and make it your perfect place for the next nine months is entirely up to you.

We like to think of a small, undecorated space as an opportunity to get creative and dream up ways to make it better. We've learned from studying interior design and working at craft and fashion magazines that going from blank box to comfy nest can happen quickly — and on a budget — when you want it to.

Photo of authors Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith by Evan Sklar.

In the end, it's all about putting your own personal style on your surroundings. Think about it: Why would you buy run-of-the-mill linens from the same place you buy your soap and tampons?! It can be much more satisfying to sew something, custom-made, that no one else will have. Create (and think!) for yourself with projects that say free-thinker, not following-the-pack. Gather the girls (and crafty boys, we know you're out there) and take a creative leap — this is your chance to stand out from the cookie-cutter crowd. And come May, when it's time to pack up your things, you can take these tricks with you to next year's sanctuary.

Cut-It-Out Felt Rug

Non-fraying felt makes this project a cinch, and the zebra motif will have your hallmates demanding where you found it. It's so simple you can adjust the technique to make a rug in just about any size or style, including a welcome mat (or good-bye mat behind the door).

You'll need:
Zebra rug template (download here)
2 yards (72" wide) gray felt
2 yards (72" wide) orange felt
4 yards (72" wide) cream felt
6' x 2' piece of 2" grid pattern paper
Carbon paper and tracing wheel
Pencil
Scissors
Fabric Glue

Make the pattern.
1. Using the zebra rug template (download here), draw the zebra rug pattern onto the 2" grid pattern paper. Draw a 2" border around the edges and cut out the template around the outer edges.

Cut out the pieces.
2. Fold the gray felt in half lengthwise and lay it on the floor. Lay the template on the felt with the template's straight edge even with the fold in the fabric. Following the instructions on the carbon paper, trace the design onto the felt with the tracing wheel.

3. Remove the template and carbon paper. Pin the layers of felt together and cut out the design.

4. Repeat for the orange felt.

Assemble the rug.
5. Lay the cream felt out flat on the floor. Unfold the gray felt piece and lay it flat on top of the cream felt. Pin in place.

6. Cut the cream layer to the same size as the outer edge of the gray felt. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let the glue dry.

7. Place the rug over the cream felt again and cut out another layer. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let dry.

8. Flip the rug over and place the orange piece in place, matching the raw edges. Pin the layers in place and glue them together.

Looking for more crafty ways to transform your dorm room? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

More than Fur Deep: Annie's Sweatshop Wins the Pets Fall Fashion Vote

2009-08-24T10:00:00-05:00

Did these puppy-dog eyes win your vote? anniessweatshop is the winner of our Fall Fashion for Pets poll! Last week we asked our readers to nominate their favorite pet fashion items, and then we put it to you to vote. Now the votes are in and anniessweatshop's pooches are all dolled up and ready for their victory lap!

anniessweatshop will be featured, along with some of the top picks, in the Members' Choice Gift Guide. Thank you to everyone who voted — we know it was a super tough choice. (The cuteness competition was cut-throat!)

Want to get involved in the next round of voting? We're looking for nominations for anything plaid. Paste a link to your nomination in the comments below. It can be a favorite or one of your own items, if you're a seller.

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Pets Category | Etsy Pets Series

Handmade Moment August 19 Update: Another Judge, 10 Days To Go, and Adios Gold Street

2009-08-19T13:30:00-05:00

Updated August 19: We've added a new judge, Mark Elijah Rosenberg from Rooftop Films, so scroll down and check him out.

We have less than two weeks to go until the Etsy video contest ends. Later today we will be posting the release forms on Etsy.tv. Please get your submissions in!

These are bittersweet days here at 325 Gold Street in Brooklyn: We are moving offices this Friday. No, I won't miss the lack of air-conditioning, the deathtrap they call Flatbush Avenue, or the temperamental elevator. But I will miss my office-mates Matt, Anda, and Neelam. Anda may not appreciate the irony of me typing my Etsy About Us questionnaire while working at a handmade company, but she's awesome (as are her fellow soccer-loving husband and endlessly cute daughter), so I let it slide. Meanwhile Neelam brings in cupcakes like every other day (chocolate in the house!), and now I will have to keep a keen eye and ear for her arrival each morning at the new digs. Phooey!

We're hosting a goodbye party in our little room today after work, and we expect all 60 something Admin to make an appearance. We'll have the video submissions playing and a box of wine flowing. Woot! Raise a glass at home (as if you needed an excuse).

Greetings from the offices of www.etsy.tv!

On June 1, 2009, we invited all artists and other creative members of the Etsy community to create :15 and :30 (second) videos promoting Etsy and the handmade movement. And if your love of Etsy isn't enough, we threw $10,000 of prizes in as well! We call it the Handmade Moment Contest.

We have over 80 entries so far, and they keep pouring in. Remember, we are accepting submissions through August 31, 2009 (be sure to read the FAQ and Rules). The Handmade Moment contest will have 10 finalists who will get slices of the $10,000 pie, from whom we'll pick the winners, and whose winning submissions will be used in our marketing efforts!

Today we are pleased to announce some of the Handmade Moment judges (they rock) who will participate in selecting a winner this October. We love making new friends, so check 'em out (in not-so-creative alphabetical order below) and click the links to see their work!

Brett Simon’s first feature, Assassination of a High School President starring Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. He has directed numerous music videos including the award winning Somebody Told Me for The Killers, and Belly for Polarbear, which was made entirely with a scanner. He has also created dozens of no-budget shorts on his trusty camcorder, which have won awards and screened at festivals around the world. He likes to tinker. When he couldn’t get the right image from his video camera, he created a lens with wax paper, a magnifying glass and cardboard box. With Counterfeit Film, he transformed a photocopy machine into a mechanical flipbook. He is currently working on a film adaptation of the Duane Swierczynski novel, Severance Package. Brett also founded Present Day, a holiday celebrated on the first Sunday of every month by spending the day without cell phones and computers.

There is still time to get your submissions in! Visit www.etsy.tv today for more details.

Vote! Which Pet Fashions Give the Furballs Flair?

2009-08-18T10:13:00-05:00

There's nothing like a well-dressed pooch trotting his 'tocks down the way or a puss in boots sashaying through the apartment. Last week, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite fall fashion items for pets. Now it's your turn to vote!

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guides and here on the Etsy blog. So fashionable pets, get your humans to spread the word!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Get More Cuteness from the Etsy Pets Series

Keep it Weird: Animal Instinct

2009-08-14T14:00:00-05:00

In our second installment of the series, Keep it Weird, we're focusing on the creatures that crawl forth from Etsians' limitless imaginations. The craft ecosystem is rich with species of dog costumes, critter sculptures, and cephalopod accessories. These fine specimens of nonconformity inspire me to get in touch with my animalistic urges. Sometimes furry, periodically frightening, always unique — these breeds give Mother Nature a run for her money!

Rediscover the animal kingdom with Dog Butt Floss by fanimals, Pig Pillow Fight Linocut Print by YonderPrints, Peanut Hamster Art by valerieinlove, or Feather Mohawk Skullcap by houseofhissy. Check out the Related Items below for more quirky creations.

What unconventional Etsy items keep you weird? Leave a link in the comments!

Pets Gift Guide | Geekery Category | Items Tagged "Creature"

Process: Beach Glass Jewelry with Wildpen

2009-08-13T18:00:00-05:00

Friend Etsy on Youtube & Blip.tv | Subscribe to Etsy's iTunes Podcast | MP4 Verson

Like all our videos, feel free to re-post and embed the video on your blog!

(music by Eric Beug, animation by JuliaPott)

I have met a few cockatoos in my day, but on this day, in early June, I met Sunny and FlaxMan, two Umbrella Cockatoos who help run wildpen, an Etsy shop where they sell handmade (er... beak- and talon-made) gifts. Unfortunately, Hope, a Moluccan Cockatoo was out during the shoot, but she's the third of three cockatoos that make up wildpen.

Sunny likes green sea glass. With her expert vision, and ability to see a 4th color channel, she can spot tiny pieces of glass darting about in the surf from a ways down the beach.

FlaxMan is mostly into a rock and roll lifestyle, but he takes breaks to work on wildpen. It helps to have a little Ani Difranco, Howling Wolf or PJ Harvey on the stereo to jumpstart his creative genius.

Hope is really into the mud masks. She loves mixing and testing personal batches on her feet. Since she couldn't be in the video, we'll indulge in one of her favorites:

Reviving Dead Sea Mud Mask Therapy

By wildpen, $11.95.

View Item | View Shop

Okay, so there is a fair share of (2) human hands involved, but if you buy from this shop, you can bet that a couple of rare birds had something to do with it.

I say rare, but Kate Haley, the birds' human assistant, informed me during the shoot that thousands of domestic parrots or varieties thereof find themselves without homes each year. Sunny, FlaxMan and Hope were all fortunate enough to by rescued by Kate and her husband who brought the birds into their home — a home that allows them to freely express themselves artistically. At the time this video was shot, the birds were donating a percentage of their earnings to charity and spending the rest on personal pleasures. Since the shooting of this video, Kate, Sunny, FlaxMan, and Hope have decided to donate 100% of the proceeds from wildpen to the shopper's choice of one of two bird sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers, to help ensure that more birds like those of wildpen have a safe and fulfilling life.

I suspect that some lucky shopper will walk (or flap) away with the collectible piece that Sunny found and FlaxMan chose for a wrap in this Process Video Feature:

Flaxman's Pendant from the Etsy Video

By wildpen, $22.

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Check out some of the other treasures that wildpen has to offer.

Copper, quartz bead and seaglass pendant

By wildpen, $20.

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Sea Glass and Garnet Pendant

By wildpen, $17.

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Precise flow of copper

By wildpen, $18.

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Citrine and Sea Glass Pendant in Copper

By wildpen, $20.

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Some enthused cockatoos!

Umbrella Cockatoo A Scrabble Tile Pendant

By thegildedlily, $6.95.

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Cockatoo

By wistfulfancy, $25.

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ACEO Cockatoo Painting Watercolor

By carlascreatures, $12.

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Elegant Lady Watercolor PRINT

By ellenmorrowarts, $5.

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Even if you don't live near the water, you can still gaze into the mist of the foggy, rust-covered, mossy piers, like the one just outside of wildpen's beachfront studio.

Foggy Pier

By schugirl, $20.

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Foggy Morning Pier 8x10 photo print

By kwmagnets, $10.

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The Three Stalwarts

By tnoble8238, $4.

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What Lies Beyond the Fog

By WestCoastEchoes, $2.95.

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If you're looking for something a little more tangible, but still can't make it to the beach, there are plenty of shops on Etsy where you can find raw beach glass. Sunny likes the green. It's hard to determine FlaxMan's favorite; he's a wild card with an ever-changing artistic temperament.

Sea Beach Glass Flawless RARE Cobalt Blue

From westcoastseaglass, $26.

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Pure Natural Sea Glass Victorian Antique Glass

From TidelineDesigns, $18.

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SALE Genuine Sea Glass Pieces

From SeaSideSupply, $15.

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GLASS BEACH, CA, ROOT BEER Beachglass

From artbycandice, $9.

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Check out our other videos from the Process Series and see how things get done around here!

You might also like this seaglass post & the Etsy Pets series

Browse Items from the Etsy For Animals Team

Etsy's Handmade Moment Contest Ends in Just Three Weeks

2009-08-11T13:45:00-05:00

I share an office with Matt (a.k.a. M-Cat, but only on mornings he calls me J-Dog). He's helping me be rad. You see, I was a dork. That's not hard to say -— all the cool ones these days started as dorks. But back in the day I could tell you all about the BBS I ran on my Apple IIe (and eventually Mac SE, Mac IIsi, and PowerMac 6100) or about all the light and sound systems at my school's theaters.

It's not like I was in the A/V club. I wish I was, because then I could make a video for Etsy's video contest (well, technically I couldn't because of my affiliation with Etsy, but let's not sidetrack the story here, kids). But I did learn to write well enough to get you to read to the second paragraph of a blog post promoting our rocking Handmade Moment Contest. You know, the one with $10,000 in prizes where you create videos promoting Etsy and the handmade movement, and we take the winning entry and use it in our marketing campaign.

You have heard of it, right?

99. Woot: 100! More Woot: 101, 102, 103....

So what's new this week? Since announcing our judges, we've seen a flurry of new activity. We now have over 100 contest submissions! New entries have been flying in, and each morning we all wake up excited to see what our creative community has made. You gotta check 'em out: we've got animation, claymation, stop motion, live action and more. Each and every submission is a creative expression of what handmade means.

Got mad skills? You have until August 31, 2009 to submit your video to the Handmade Moment Contest and be eligible for a prize. Feeling shy? Well, tell a friend! The more the merrier, so read the FAQ and submit your handmade video today.

There is still time to get your submissions in! Visit www.etsy.tv today for more details.

Guest Curator: CityDog Magazine

2009-07-22T14:17:00-05:00

This week's Guest Curator is Brandie Ahlgren, founder and editor of Seattle's CityDog Magazine. Brandie is constantly on the lookout for interesting pet products to share with discerning CityDog readers. She particularly loves custom handmade items that are not only unique to each dog's character, but also reflects the creativity of the artist who makes them.

Brandie resides in Seattle with the two loves of her life, Scout (a boxer) and Ziggy (a schnoodle), and can often be found hanging out at the dog park, hosting a fundraiser for animals, or scouring the West Coast in search of dog-friendly places to sit, stay, and play to showcase in the pages of CityDog Magazine. Launched in 2005, CityDog covers the canine scene, bringing the joys of life with our four-legged friends to dog lovers throughout the West.

I discovered Etsy a couple of years ago while searching for custom handmade dog products to feature in CityDog. Ever since, I’ve found Etsy to be a terrific resource, with a seemingly endless number of talented artisans who have an obvious passion for dogs. Thanks to Etsy, we’ve been able to share numerous unique and often one-of-a-kind products with our readers.

Mimi Green Hand Embroiderd 'Hunter' Dog Collar, Your Pup's Name

These personalized, hand-embroidered collars are not only pretty, but I also love the fact that although they are velvet, they can be machine washed after a hard day at the dog park. They’re also available in a variety of sizes and colors. By shopmimigreen, $34.95.

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Doggie Wash and Splash Fun Pack...by COOKIE MOON (Strawberry Shortbread Cookie)

The Doggie Wash and Splash set from cookiemoon comes with dog shampoo (conveniently packaged in both regular and travel-size) and a doggie spray for days in between baths. They’re natural, organic and deliciously fragrant with scents like Lemon Drop Cookie and Strawberry Shortcake Cookie. $20.95.

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gus - fused glass dog pendant

I love custom, wearable dog art. These fused-glass pendants by thirtydash9 are beautiful and absolutely unique. Simply email a picture of your pooch and thirtydash9 takes care of the rest. $18.

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Lucky Fiona Custom Dog Collar... The Mod Dot Sequel

Luckyfiona’s preppy, colorful collars are fun and fresh. They’re also very sturdy and can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine, which is a major plus for those extra dirty dogs. $16.99.

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Birthday Blue Print Dog Tie

Okay, maybe dogs don’t need ties, but it’s a nice accessory for fur-fancy occasions. Terrier Tie Company fashions ties for male, female and “professional” dogs. They’re the perfect touch for when the casual “collar and tag” just won’t doo (er, do). By dogties, $8.

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Handstamped Custom Round Pet ID Tag for Dogs and Cats or Pendant - Solid Copper

anandi’s custom dog tags, made from nickel silver and hand-stamped, are fun, functional and compassionate; for each tag sold, $1 is donated to the Humane Society. $15.

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Dog Park Tennis Ball Pendant

When you can’t be at the dog park, take the dog park with you. LegionCreative’s playful pendants are made from original designs printed on waterproof paper, hand-cut, then mounted on glass. $15.

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EcoDog Collar - Size L - Pink and Brown Leather Cut Flowers on Rustic Pierced Band

greenbelts’ recycled belt collars are not only hip, but also eco-friendly. They come with decorative add-ons such as buttons, bottle caps and scrap leather, most of which is recycled as well. $45.

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Commission a REALISTIC Needle Felted Likeness of your Dog or Cat - Custom Order Sculpture

I love anything custom, especially when it features one of my dogs. These hand-felted, amazingly lifelike felted sculptures are some of my favorites. Her creations are a must-see-to-believe. By KaysK9s, $250.

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Customized Leash Hook...for your puppy dogs - 3 hook - PINK with LIME andTURQ bones

These leash hooks are more than just functional; they’re a work of art. Made from recycled wood and sold with one hook ($22) or three ($27), they jazz up any dog-loving home. By Reincarnations, $27.

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Summer of 42 - Adjustable Dog Collar

With several styles and prints to choose from at BigDoggyBling, you’re sure to find a collar and leash set to suit your dog’s unique personality. My favorites are Summer of ’42 and More Than Words. 20% of all sales are donated to HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. $20.

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Shampoochie All Natural Anti- Flea Bar Soap for Dogs- Handmade

For a chemical-free way to repel mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, I prefer ShamPoochie Soap for Dogs. Handmade by bubblyseahorsesoap, it’s vegan, all-natural and fits in the palm of your hand for easy scrubbing. $3.49.

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Tattoo DOG bowl LUCKY ceramic handpainted horseshoe roses FOOD SAFE

Tattoos are in, and so are the custom collars and bowls designed and hand-painted by Anna Graham. Featuring her custom tattoo flash art, they’re a less painful way to still look hip. By Anagramfineart, $58.99.

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B is for Boxer

My favorite key chain from popdogpress is of course, “b is for boxer,” but there are plenty of other breeds to choose from for your non-boxer buddy. Others celebrate your dog’s favorite activities such as “d is for dock diver” or “f is for flyball”. At $5 each, their affordability makes them even cuter. $5.

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Looking for past Guest Curator posts? Check out our archive.

Pets Gift Guide | Etsy Pets Series | Personalized Gifts Guide

There's No Place Like Here: Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab at the Rhode Island School of Design

2009-07-15T19:20:00-05:00

Friend Etsy on Youtube or Blip.tv | Subscribe to Etsy's iTunes Podcast | MP4

(music by Boolar, The Give, animation by JuliaPott)

Walking into RISD's Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab is an awe-inspiring experience. From the images that I had seen online, I was somewhat prepared for what to expect when I went to shoot this video, but like many that enter the Nature Lab for the first time, I did not anticipate being able to open the cupboards myself, and pull out anything I wanted to look at. The visceral experience of touching a lobster claw that is larger than your own arm is truly a profound thing.

Click on the image above for more of my photos from the shoot.

A Brief History of the Nature Lab

In 1922, Edna W. Lawrence began a long career teaching at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she eventually founded the Nature Lab in 1937. After graduating in the class of 1920, Ms. Lawrence had traveled the world and drew people in their natural surroundings from the West Indies to the Mediterranean. Edna returned to RISD as a drawing instructor and the Nature Lab grew organically in the room where Edna taught students to draw from specimens of the natural world. The Nature Lab flourished with the help of her personal additions to the collection as well as the contributions of the student body, faculty, and staff that amassed during her almost forty years of teaching in that room. Since then it has grown to fill the better part of the Waterman Building, which was RISD's first schoolhouse building.

Upon Edna's retirement in 1974, RISD found it appropriate to hire successors — in the form of curators — of the Nature Lab. Ms. Lawrence's position, after a string of marine biologists, is now held by Karen Idoine, an Agricultural Entomologist. Karen, who thinks of herself as a general naturalist above all else, has held the post for 15 years, and she estimates that, while the official number hovers around 85,000, there are probably over 100,000 specimens in the Nature Lab. Karen is aided by two assistants, Abigail Karp and Rachel Atlas, as well as a host of student aids who keep the Nature Lab ship shape.

All in all, There's *really* No Place Like Here, so, should you find yourself in Providence, Rhode Island, keep in mind that the Nature Lab accepts weekday visitors by appointment.

While you may not have time to collect over 85,000 specimens, or have room for 10 full size skeletons, much less a mounted moose head, you can still enjoy the antiquated aesthetic that hybridizes biology and art. Check out some of these items to give your space that Nature Lab feel. Similar to the taxonomy of the Nature Lab, I've organized the items here into the 5 Kingdoms of Life as described by Robert Whittaker, for your scientific pleasure.

The Kingdom Anamalia

Personally, my favorite line from the video is when Karen exclaims, "...so that people understand that insects are animals, and that spiders are not insects, just that sort of thing." Yup, we're animals, people, and so are the red wiggler worms that wiggle around in the dirt all day. Our DNA structure is only marginally different, which is why we are said to belong to the same Kingdom.

1906 Mammoth And Deer Skeletons

From SurrenderDorothy, $14.89.

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Unmatched Octopus Tentacle Earrings

By OctopusMe, $75.

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Victorian SCARAB Beetle

By nouveaumotley, $50.

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Bugs and Beetles

By piddix, $3.

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Tiny Real SNAKE BONES

By LondonsGate, $29.

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Wise Owl

By dsbrennan, $30.

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Handmade bracelet with insects

By bayly, $45.

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Realistic ceramic miner human skull

By mudpuppy, $60.

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ray's 66, beaver utah

By tomfowlks, $25.

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Queen Magdalene Taxidermy

By lovedtodeath, $495.

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I have been fascinated by the concept of Wunderkammers, or Cabinets of Wonder, since I was in college. Popularized during the Renaissance, Wunderkammers were dedicated to the collection of things found in nature and often, things *not* actually found in nature. Cabinets of Wonder were really more museums than cabinets, and were in part inspired simultaneously by the popularization of the surviving works of the Ancient Greeks, the expansion of the mercantile industry and the ruling class gift exchange, and finally the fruits brought to bear in the colonization of the New World and the many wonders found therein.

The Nature Lab is very much reminiscent of such a place, but with the twist that even though all the objects are coveted, they are exclusively available for artistic inspiration and interpretation. The Nature Lab also contains some specimens that bend the rules of nature a little bit: for example, a lizard with bat wings and a raccoon with a zipper pouch for a stomach. However, this is all but a part of the imagination inspired by the Nature Lab and just as much an element as the fruit flies and the cockroaches.

The look and feel of the Wunderkammer is alive and well here on Etsy too, in fact there is even a Cabinet of Curiosities street team dedicated solely to the preservation of all things curiouser and curiouser.

The Kingdom Plantæ

Successor to Aristotle, Theophrastus ought to be personally thanked for his surviving works Enquiry into Plants and On the Causes of Plants, which are in part responsible for some of the grand traditions of observing, recording, preserving, and using as medicine, the plants found in our natural world. There are many specimens of plants throughout Etsy, so you could think of it as an Herbarium in the Cloud.

botanical

By swallowfield, $18.

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From the Dream Book Nr. 6

By DearDodo, $15.

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Roots Photo Blank Greeting Card

By Fitzgeraldpowers, $2.50.

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Raven Under The Lucky Tree

By doodlebirdie, $16.

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Colorful cactuses and birds print

By joojoo, $20.

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Drop Leaf Ceramic Necklace in Green

By surly, $18.

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Curl

By eyeful, $30.

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Life Forms Spring (11x14 print)

By madebykim, $20.

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Ulisse Aldrovandi was an Italian naturalist with a special interest in philosophy and logic. In 1595, Aldrovandi said this of his collection:

"Today in my microcosm, you can see more than 18,000 different things, among which 7,000 in fifteen volumes, dried and pasted, 3,000 of which I had painted as if alive ('al vivo'). The rest — animals terrestrial, aerial and aquatic, and other subterranean things such as earths, petrified sap, stones, marbles, rocks, and metals — amount to as many pieces again. I have had paintings made of a further 5,000 natural objects — such as plants, various sorts of animals and stones — some of which have been made into wood cuts. These can be seen in fourteen cupboards, which I call the Pinacotheca. I also have sixty-six armoires, divided into 4,500 pigeonholes, fruits, gums, and other very beautiful things from the Indies, marked with their names, so that they can be found." (Quoted in Merchants and Marvels, a collection of essays edited by Pamela H. Smith and Paula Findlen)

Is Aldrovandi suggesting here that the artistic renditions of specimens are as important as the actual objects themselves? Is art as a formal study of biology and the natural world in fact just as vital to the total catalog of things as nature itself?

The Kingdom Fungi

Mysterious, sometimes adorable, sometimes disgusting, the fungus is among us. Some say their spores can travel through space and transcend time, while others say they are delicious on pizza. While we typically think of fungus as mushrooms, when we see a mushroom or cluster of mushrooms, the actual vegetative heart of the fungus is often a network of mycelium that can span for miles underground. Fungus is an important part of the life-cycle of plants. For example, the mycelium feeds on the nitrogen found in the lignin in solid woods helping the fiber, which would otherwise resist the breakdown, decompose back into soil (with the help of some bugs and worms from the Animal Kingdom I suppose.)

Baby and Momma Mushrooms

By LittleSparrowNest, $65.

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Set of 3 Sculptured Mushrooms

By thebrickkiln, $15.

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Amanita Verna

By sushipot, $15.

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Brown Russala Mushroom

By MarthaLand, $5.

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Mushroom Family

By beadstyle, $15.

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Wild Mushrooms Moss Terrarium

By Greenbriar, $42.

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Fungus Forest

By tabidesigns, $15.

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Vintage Magic Mushroom Coffee Mug

By SofaCityVintage, $5.

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The Kingdom Protista

Think of Protista as many kinds of seaweed. Seaweed is often confused with plants; however, much of it has a different type of cellular structure. Some seaweeds are only one cell thick, while others have a colonial structure, and others still are multicellular. (That does not mean that they have two cell phones!) My favorite phylum from this kingdom are called Zoomastigophora, namely because it has the word zoom in it, but some people call them Zooflagellates, a name I tend to find a little degrading.

Seaweed Bouquet

By AlgaNet, $10.

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Seaweed/Coral British Illustration

By petitepaperie, $2.95.

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Unicellular Textile

By bizarregalah, $25.

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Plocamium cartilagineum

By delesseria, $45.

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Seaweed No.1 8x8

By johnwgolden, $20.

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Nucleus

By bbusbyarts, $1500.

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Interstice bracelet (white or black)

By nervoussystem, $75.

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ORGANIC V necklace in Grey

By giia, $55.

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The Kingdom Monera

I blame the soap and hygiene advertisements (not you, Etsy Soapers) for giving bacteria a bad reputation. Some say that there are so many normal "good" bacteria that exist in our intestines that they make up a majority of the cells in our entire body. Bacteria can be both good and bad; it can make you sick, or it can make dinner for members of the Protista Kingdom. (Heck, it can even make dinner for us, the animals!) People have been using bacteria to help preserve food products for centuries, just ask my old pal Louis Pasteur.

ultimate silver matrix ball bracelet

By discomedusa, $450.

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Colony - Original Oil Painting

By OrbisOrbis, $120.

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Haze - Original mini painting

By organicadia, $18.

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The red and green pod collection

By JennSki, $78.

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Science Bacteria - Upcycled Magnets

By PigseyArt, $7.50.

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Protozoans 1 - Original Card

By animalgam, $25.

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Bacteria

By AlloverArt, $14.

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Lovesick ACEO Original Collage

By dadadreams, $6.

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Do you have a special place to suggest for Etsy's There's No Place Like Here series? Tell us in the comments below. You can also add photos of your beautiful space (studio, home, or boutique) or suggest photos to us through our There's No Place Like Here flickr pool.

Watch other Etsy Videos | Visit our Natural History Gift Guide

See More: There's No Place Like Here Videos

Camera Obscura: Jan Svankmajer's Alice in Wonderland

2009-07-08T19:00:00-05:00

“Alice thought to herself, ‘Now you will see a film made for children. Perhaps. But I nearly forgot: you must close your eyes. Otherwise, you won’t see anything.’” — Jan Svankmajer’s Alice

When I was in college in Arizona, a friend of a friend had a screening of some films he had rented through the mail from Facets. Many years before that I had seen A Clockwork Orange (1971), Pink Floyd The Wall (1982), and other films that opened my eyes to the power of cinema. But it wasn't until this screening in a small apartment in Flagstaff that I understood cinema as an art form. That evening, we watched the classic film, Mystery of Picasso (1956), and a contemporary work by Jan Svankmajer called Alice (1988).

Svankmajer's surreal retelling of the Alice in Wonderland story was like nothing I had seen before. Part stop motion animation, part live action, this fantastical film was a dark alchemy of poetic beauty and sorcerer's brew.

Art doll by dollings, $55.

What I love most about the work of Svankmajer — and that of his proteges, The Brothers Quay — is the use of ephemera and curiosities to animate their tales. Antiquated-looking toys, doll parts, skeleton keys, bones, and taxidermy infuse these surreal visions with an other worldly darkness that I personally find uncanny and riveting.

I am constantly on the lookout for unusual pieces that are dark and mysterious. Etsy's Cabinet of Curiosities Team has an amazing array of shops that feature curios of the past. Whether it be old porcelain dolls or Victorian taxidermy, you can find everything you need for your own fantastical stop motion animation.

Odds and Ends Skeleton Key Trio by missemilygene, $45.

Old Sarah by Bella's Atelier, $2,000.

What are the best Alice in Wonderland inspired items you've seen on Etsy? Leave a link in the comments below.

Browse Items Tagged "100 Years Old" on Etsy | Alice DVD from First Run Features

Check out Etsy's Cabinet of Curiosities Team

Handmade Moment Video Contest: Pushing 50

2009-07-06T17:00:00-05:00

As of today, there are almost 50 submissions to the Handmade Moment contest! Make sure to rate your favorites and embed your top pick on your blog. Every little bit helps!

The items below are from some of the contestants. Multi-talented folks, aren't they?

What is the Handmade Moment contest? It's the video contest Etsy is running this summer. We want to see your 15 or 30 second video spots that spread the Etsy love and show the world what we're all about. Check out the announcement for the rules, deadlines and how to get involved. Oh, and the prize? A total of $10,000 will be given to top runners, with the premier winner getting $3,250. Cha-ching!

There's No Place Like Here: Forestbound & The Snail and The Cyclops

2009-07-02T16:50:00-05:00

Friend Etsy on Youtube or Blip.tv | Subscribe to Etsy's iTunes Podcast | MP4

(music by Luc, animation by JuliaPott)

Three years ago, Alice Saunders, a.k.a. Forestbound, and Francesca Zmetra, a.k.a. Thirteen Eighty-Five, (who's also responsible for the delightful blog, The Snail and The Cyclops) became roommates in an old house in Jamaica Plain, MA. They didn't know each other at the time but because of their similar styles, they bonded instantly and became close as friends and creative colleagues. Alice's aesthetic tends toward old military Americana with a collection of canvas bags, found bones, birch bark, vintage lace and postcards. Francesca's taste is more feminine, influenced by wartime beauty parlors and apothecaries. These friends share a studio space and each have their own bedroom along with four other roommates in this old Victorian in an artsy neighborhood of Boston. Both Alice and Francesca keep up with modern technology though their Internet businesses, blog, and Flickr sites, but their work and decor are nostalgic for things past: ephemera, vintage wares and trinkets with character.

Watch other Etsy videos | Decorating Posts | Get the Look Series

Search Etsy for "1940's" | Browse Etsy's Vintage Category

Etsy Finds: Everybody Wants to Save the World

2009-07-02T12:00:00-05:00

Shopping with the planet in mind can make a big impact on the well-being of our environment and health. Today's eco-conscious Etsy Finds highlight the four responsible steps that we as consumers can take to preserve the beauty of our planet. For more eco-friendly suggestions, be sure to check out Etsy's Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide.

Reuse

Eliminate unnecessary waste from our landfills with reusable products.

Lemon Drop Organic Linen Lunch Bag

By countrylifenaturals, $20.50.

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balsam hemp/soy dragonflies wrap

By persimmonandpine, $27.50.

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Snack Bag and Sandwich Set

By JulieMeyer, $12.

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you pick 3 - Bold Collection

By raggedyowl, $10.

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Reusable Vegetable Bags in Blue

By wonderthunder, $20.

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Eco friendly dryer sachets

By ReFabulous, $8.

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MONKEY Reusable Coffee Sleeve

By MonkeyTravelClub, $15.

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Green Way Wool Soaker, size XL

By GreenWayBabywear, $42.

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Get Down with Upcycling

Purchasing items that have been upcycled or repurposed is another easy way to eliminate waste. Look for products that have been created using otherwise disposable materials that are now useful (and desirable!).

Pogo - Gemma

By pogoshop, $33.

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Mason Jar Wall Vase Organizer

By postroadvintage, $35.

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JUGGLER JANE vintage carnival babe

By Artsy, $124.

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Art work 'old barn and recycled wood'

By Chalecco, $55.

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Hoop Dreams

By wonderwear, $52.

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Layered Vintage Zipper Jar

By AmaliaVersaci, $45.

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Vroom - Eco fashion for your little tyke

By allthenumbers, $56.

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Custom NECKTIE Cocktail Dress

By glamarita, $175.

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Animal Alternatives

You don't have to sacrifice style in order to be eco and animal friendly. The following finds are but a few examples of the wide variety of stylish animal alternatives on Etsy.

Faux brown leather paper bag journal

By suebleiweiss, $65.

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Monarch Burgundy Wine Hobo

By CrystalynKae, $165.

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Fake Won't Kill - Fox Fur Tee

By designerplayground, $12.

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Sigmund the Rabbit Faux Fur Plushie

By Zygopsyche, $33.

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Furry Kitty Ear Bonnet Hat

By Ladykonnyaku, $50.

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The Wanderer handbag - faux leather

By galitik, $59.

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Black Faux leather Belt Cinch

By MissMabe, $20.

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bird brooch green crown

By squirrellicious, $20.

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Spread the Word

The easiest way to guarantee a beautiful tomorrow is by helping to spread awareness about the environment. Making those around you recognize what you are doing to help contribute to the cause is an important step toward saving our planet.

badge 'buy ethical' yellow plaid

By heidiandseek, $4.

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GO GREEN Shabby Cottage Sign

By thebackporchshoppe, $34.95.

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Love to Recycle Organic Cotton Tee

By rctees, $20.

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Save Our Planet Tile Saying

By RememberMeEmily, $14.

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Walk Lightly On The Earth Necklace

By lisahopkins, $47.

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Sterling Silver World Guitar Pick

By AndrosCreations, $60.

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save some for me baby and kids tee

By circlesandsquares, $20.

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Live green modern cross stitch

By wallwork, $40.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas | Earth Tones Series | Search for More Eco-Friendly Items

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Pets Showcase: On Sale Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET

2009-06-23T15:07:00-05:00

We are excited to announce a special Pets Showcase. This will have all things handmade and vintage for that special animal in your life, such as collars, clothing, feeding bowls, toys and beds.

Items in the Pets Category will be eligible, as well as other animal-inspired work, such as pet portraits, paintings and jewelry that features animals. We encourage sellers to add items that could would make unique gifts for any pampered member of the family or a general pet lover.

The Pets Showcase goes on sale Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, June 22, 2009 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, June 28, 2009, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be highlighting:

Summer Entertaining: On sale Thursday, June 25, 2009; the Showcase will be live June 29, 2009 through July 5, 2009.
- Think garden parties, barbecue, pool parties and all the items to make a summer event special.
Travel: On sale Thursday, July 2, 2009; the Showcase will be live July 6, 2009 through July 12, 2009.
- Think all things for traveling, such as bags, passport holders, sunglasses, safari hats, maps, travel games, travel-sized toiletries and journals.

What is this Showcase thing? For a general introduction to Showcase, read Matt's Storque article 13.5 Questions about the Showcase, and for deeper thoughts on figuring out if Showcase is right for you, see Beth's Showcase Deconstructed article.

Handmade Portraits: Birdhouseaccents

2009-06-17T16:11:00-05:00

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

(music by Two Dark Birds, animation by JuliaPott)

It took Fred Jakubiec from Birdhouseaccents 25 years before he made building birdhouses his full-time job. It was well worth the wait. After 13 years as Area Supervisor at various fast food establishments, a stint at a steel mill and years of driving for Fed Ex, Fred decided working for other people just wasn't fun anymore.

He and his partner Lynn Patrick regularly took trips to Amish country to go thrifting and flea market shopping. During one visit, Fred discovered primitive style woodworking, and it was then that knew he found his calling. Building birdhouses and decorating them with special recycled accents was the perfect niche for this one time woodworking tinkerer turned birdhouse entrepreneur.

Watch more of our Handmade Video Portraits. Know a seller with a great story? Tell us about them in the comments!

Visit the Woodworking Category | Find "Primitives" on Etsy | More Birdhouses on Etsy

Etsy Finds Vintage: A Beautiful Collection

2009-06-13T11:14:00-05:00

From an early age, I've always maintained a well-dusted area of little things that bring me happiness. What started with trolls and geodes morphed into dresses from the 1940s, vintage puppets, deer figurines, and more recently, bell jars, antique portrait paintings and quilts. The thrill of the chase has always spurred on my rabid collecting habit, and working at Etsy has only increased the voracity of my vintage addiction.

There's a saying that once you have two of anything, you've started a collection. Today's Vintage Finds are dedicated to collectors, be they past, present or future. Maybe you should start a new display area with velvet paintings of UFOs, vintage toy guns, or lost and forgotten photographs. (All results of my informal collection survey on Twitter!) I'd love to hear what your collection is, so make sure to leave it in the comments. For more collecting inspiration, check out the Organized Collection flickr pool.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

These classic housewares are utilitarian, humorous, and fairly easy to come by: in other words, a great collection to start!

Vintage Celery S&P Shakers

From onevintagelife, $14.

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Shakespeares Vintage trio

From PolkaDotSandals, $26.

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Folksy Owl Salt and Pepper Shakers

From vindeelyndee, $8.

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nerdy bookworm salt and pepper shakers

From krankyk, $8.

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Modern Rosewood Salt and Pepper Mushrooms

From ellacinders, $29.

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Vintage Salt and Pepper Couple

From desertnana, $35.

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Antique Hats

I love old fashion, and antique hats make such a beautiful display. Here are some ideas to start your own accessories menagerie.

Doris Day Hat

From AmeliasRetroVogue, $45.

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vintage STRAW hat with green ribbon

From allthishappiness, $15.

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1940's Navy Blue Veiled Headpiece

By jessjamesjake, $50.

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Vintage Red Sculptural Pillbox Hat

From calloohcallay, $47.

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40's ASIAN NEEDLEPOINT HAT

From BackThennishVintage, $36.

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Bird of a Different Feather

From WearingHistory, $9.99.

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Typewriters

Get nostalgic with old technology (and maybe type a letter or two).

IBM Selectric Typewriter

From kellyhillis, $175.

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Chocolate Brown Manual Typewriter

From jessjamesjake, $72.

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Beautiful Vintage Olympia Typewriter

From foxtreemiscellany, $79.

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Vintage Royal Typewriter

From AntiNu, $65.

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Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter

From ToodleLoot, $249.

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Vintage Cutlass Typewriter

From vintology, $64.

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Cult Housewares

Be it Pyrex bowls, Cathrineholm cookware or Dansk serving dishes, beautiful housewares look good on the shelf and the table.

Vintage Belgium Descoware Cast Iron Pot

From jenfurmishel, $45.

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Blue Dansk Enamel Pot

From bettyninjafinds, $55.

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Primary Pyrex Nesting Bowls

From findingfabulous, $70.

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Cathrine Holm blue lotus frying pan

From beggarsandchoosers, $49.99.

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Cathrineholm Yellow Lotus Dish

By 13bees, $58.

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Turquoise Dansk Kobenstyle Paella Pan

From tippleandsnack, $64.99.

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Vintage Cameras

Are you a camera nut? Show off your fascination for film with the photographic equipment of yore.

Brownie Burp Party

From objetpetita, $18.

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Vintage Fujita 8mm Movie Camera 1961

From MrFilthyRotten, $31.99.

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Vintage Polaroid Swinger Camera

From VintageEyeCandy, $20.

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Vintage Folding Camera

From domestikate, $42.

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Vintage Pentax Spotmatic 35mm Camera

From NickelCityGirls, $150.

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Shur Shot Antique Camera

From belovedbaglady, $28.

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Ceramic Animal Figurines

Who doesn't love a good tchotchke? Show off your love for cuteness with a decorative animal or two.

Skitty

From objetpetita, $14.

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Vintage Ceramic Boxers

From DecoDeli, $22.

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Handpainted vintage butter dish

From pointb, $10.

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Adorable little doggie planter

From homesweetvintage, $12.

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Puppy dog vintage eyeglass holder

From OliveVintage, $12.

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VINTAGE GERMAN GLAZED SHI-TZU

From OddznEndz, $6.

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What do you collect? Let us know in the comments, and post links to photos if you've got 'em!

Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our new video series, There's No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this flickr pool.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More Posts on Collecting | There's No Place Like Here Flickr Pool | Vintage: What's Old is New

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A Handmade Moment: Watch the First Nine Submissions

2009-06-12T16:00:00-05:00

There's nothing like watching some videos on a Friday afternoon. And there's nothing like a little friendly competition!

We are starting to publish Handmade Moment contest submissions to Etsy.tv. Just click to www.etsy.tv and check 'em out.

Great work, peaceofpi, bluedogrose, Mayware, twigstudionc, yaelfran and UntilItEnds. Way to go gettin' em in early! You're in a good position to get lots and lots of views.

Camera Obscura: Lotte Reiniger

2009-06-10T15:40:00-05:00

Camera Obscura is our new blog series spotlighting filmic wonders from the blogosphere. Look forward to personal favorites of stop motion animations, optical ephemera and forgotten film treasures.

"I believe in the truth of fairy-tales more than I believe in the truth in the newspaper."
— Lotte Reiniger

This week enchanted silhouettes frame the screen with handmade paper puppets from filmmaker Lotte Reiniger. Reiniger transformed the ancient art of shadow-plays by adapting it to cinema and, in the process, made a lasting mark in the history of animated films.

For some 60 years Reiniger hand cut all of her paper silhouette forms herself with precision and acuity. She held scissors still in her right hand while manipulating the paper at lightning speed with her left hand. Reiniger modestly noted once that, "Even with primitive materials, one can work small wonders."

Lotte Reiniger's wonderfully crafted works remind me of a Czech shadow puppet show I once saw at a Bread & Puppet festival, as well as the brilliant black cut-paper silhouettes of artist Kara Walker. Who is your favorite animator? Tell us in the comments below.

[Animation found via Hello Stranger]

Browse Toys Tagged "Shadow Puppet" on Etsy | Lotte Reiniger boxset from BFI

Find out about Crankbunny's Shadow Puppets

Do you make movies? Submit yours to our Handmade Moment contest.