Search results (tags) for: "costumes"

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: December 10, 2009

2009-12-10T16:15:00-05:00

"Nothing risqué, nothing gained." — Alexander Woollcott

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has costumed spiritual messengers, animations to make your eyeballs dilate (with fashion!), minerals as art and an inspirational stone house that makes being a Flintstone an appealing prospect.

Read on!

Reed + Radar's freaky deaky animated GIFs marry fashion editorial and Paper Rad-style animation. I prefer my fashion consumption in eye-dilating doses. [Via Style Bubble]

This bulbous stone house is reminiscent of Fred Flintstone's cavernous cottage. Located in the mountains of Fafe, Portugal, this modern sculpture makes me ache to be a cave dweller! Check out this video for a view of the home's interior. (I wish I knew Portuguese!) [Via FlyLyf]

The brightly costumed wooden katsina dolls of the Hopi and Navajo tribes are a serious source of fashion inspiration: the textures, the layers, the patterns and prints! These beautiful dolls are also believed to be spiritual messengers with supernatural powers. These powerful symbols are thought to have the ability to bring the rain, punish offenders of ceremonial or social laws, and, in general, to function as messengers between the spiritual domain and mortals. These vibrant paintings by Raymond John Poseyesva revive these icons for a new century. [Via Nothing is New on Art 21]

Nature is a curious sculptress, and these minerals and gems salute the skilled hand that is time's gentle progression. But wait — these are actually not photos at all, but mind-meltingly realistic mineral paintings by the very talented Carly Waito. [Via Design*Sponge]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Guest Curator: Not Martha

2009-10-21T10:20:00-05:00

Megan Reardon studied costume design and construction in college before being distracted by making websites. After moving to San Francisco she found herself building a website about all the projects and inspirations she was obsessing over while building websites for other people. After moving to Seattle she started a small business selling handmade knitting needle cases called The Organized Knitter. These days she is a founding member of the Grassroots Business Organization and continues to keep track of all the things she hopes to find again over at Not Martha. She has several knitting patterns published in books and at Knitty.com, and once wove small baskets out of bacon in the hopes that the dazzle would disguise the fact that she isn't such a great cook.

I have always loved Halloween. My birthday is in October and as a child I thought Halloween was just for me (confession, I still sort of think that). I've picked out a few things for costumes and Halloween parties that delighted, surprised or downright frightened me.

Instant Cemetery Display

This Instant Cemetery Display will have your buffet spread covered for spook factor. By crafterella, $35.

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Little Miss Muffit Burlesque Style Corset

I am afraid of spiders and find this Little Miss Muffit costume clever and absolutely terrifying. By TheBohemianGoddess, $165.

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big 'ol ceramic monster cereal bowl

skeletaldropkick's shop is full of spooky faced dishes. I sort of want to comfort this guy. $27.50.

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Bat Wing Neck Corset

This neck corset is mesmerizing. Pin your hair up, put on a strapless dress and it's a costume. By idolatre, $50.

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Glass Bird Skull

vandycraft's hand blown glass bird skull is delicate and spooky. $80.

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Zombies Attack Pack Vinyl Wall Art Graphic-CHOOSE ANY COLOR-

They are coming for you. When I came across this vinyl wall art, I had to look away for a while to calm down. By Pillboxdesigns, $35.99.

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Small Curly Curly Duo - Octopus Tentacle Earrings

Everybody needs tentacles for their ears. These mismatched earrings are awfully creepy. By OctopusMe, $65.

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Bite Me Hand-Painted BCBGirls Patent Leather Peeptoe Platforms Size 10 Orange

These would complement a little black dress for Halloween so nicely. By electricbluebird, $48.

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Lacy Leaf leather Art Nouveau mask in black

This mask is ethereal and looks very comfortable. By TomBanwell, $39.

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Sea Nymph Pigtail set- IN STOCK

These pigtail falls are named Sea Nymph, but I hope she doesn't mind if I suggest that would work equally well as hair for a perky witch. By cleowolfus, $82.

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Jurassic Amber Soap (with insect)

This amber soap with bugs would make a great hostess gift for your friend who throws the best Halloween parties. By amandalouise, $6.

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Autopsy T-shirt in Black

The autopsy t-shirt was hand stitched by a former funeral director. Enough said, yes? By nancygamon, $29.

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Sterling Silver Spider Earrings - Along Came an Arachnid

BeadsInTheBelfry has found a sweet and creepy spot with these spider earrings. $52.

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The Incredible Visible Man

I want the Incredible Visible Man to watch over the guacamole. From bellalulu, $27.50.

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Finger Puppet (Jumbo)- Mr. Wonderful

madebymoxie's hand puppet comes with his own mustache on a stick, clearly he is ready for a costume party. $125.

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handsoap set

A group of baby hands reaching up to... clean your guests. By foliage, $18.

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undeadWe Tshirt (51 icons of re-animations)

A collection of undead horror and fantasy characters. If you end up waiting in a long line you can pass the time by trying to name them all. By chopshopstore, $23.

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Gothic Halloween Party - Printable Download PDF

If you're short on time, this collection of downloadable and printable Halloween decorations will make you look more on top of things than you are. (Nobody needs to know.) Includes bag toppers, napkin rings, cupcake wrappers, window decorations, snack bags, bottle labels, a Halloween banner and more. By paperandcake, $8.

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vintage party tray

This party tray is darling, and so useful. From leVintageMaison, $68.

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SPIDER Temporary Tattoos (Set of 5)

Buttonhead's spider temporary tattoos creep me out. I want them. $5.

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Pumpkin pie truffles

These pumpkin pie truffles would make a great hostess gift. By VintageConfections, $12.

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sexy BATS TATTOO knee-high socks LIGHT MOCHA

Appropriate for the office and perfect for Halloween. I really like all of post's tattoo socks (hope she brings back the peacock feather design, it was stunning). $13.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

Tricks, Treats, and Parties Guide | Halloween Blog Posts | Halloween Category

How-Tuesday: Headless Marie Antoinette Costume From Makezine

2009-10-20T14:00:00-05:00

Okay, people, it's crunch time. There is only one weekend left between now and Halloween, and if you've been a delinquent with purchasing your Gaga hairbows or spider wings, Makezine's got you covered. Today's How-Tuesday is a Headless Marie Antoinette Costume from Nicole Magne. I love how this ensemble is such a harmonious synthesis of sexy and undead. Once you've sculpted yourself a new blue bosom, those zombie-ninja-aliens will be clamoring to buy you your next O Positive cocktail. For more great Halloween DIY ideas, check out the Craftzine blog!

Purchase Makezine's Halloween Special Edition

If there's a holiday made for makers, it's Halloween. On this night, you can proudly wear your most bizarre creation around the neighborhood. Or invite neighbors to explore your elaborate, homemade house of horrors. To celebrate the maker spirit of Halloween, we created this special issue, a joint project from the editorial and design teams of MAKE and CRAFT.

Halloween can be as low-tech or high-tech as you want. You can make scary things in the kitchen or in front of the bathroom mirror. Use a sewing machine or tools in a machine shop. Put a monster puppet on your hand or on a pneumatic device. Turn lights on and off with simple switches or with microcontrollers. One piece of advice we've heard repeatedly: start with a single project one year, and then add another one the next year.

Remember, Halloween is the perfect occasion for out-of-the-box thinkers (especially if the box is a coffin). Halloween allows you to recycle and reuse anything, from clothing to electronics. So let your imagination run wild, and then get together with friends to bring these ideas to life. Halloween is what you make of it, or as Vincent Price once said, "It's as much fun to scare as to be scared."

By Nicole Magne

Everyone knows Halloween is a great opportunity to scare the crap out of your friends and look good doing it. My costume idea was inspired by the Marie Antoinette movie that came out a couple years ago. I found a bunch of great "headless" costumes online that used the basic technique I wanted. Being a fan of zombie flicks, I took this inspiration to the next level, aiming for gory realism.

Materials
TO SCULPT:
Sculpting clay
Plaster of Paris
Sealer and mold release agent for plaster mold (I used Universal Mold Release, and Super Seal sealer)
Urethane liquid flexible foam (I cast the costume bust with FlexFoam-iT X liquid foam)

TO CARVE:
Blue sheet foam insulation (If you'd rather carve, you can use this foam insulation from the hardware store and carve it with a hot wire)

Acrylic paints
Wooden dowels or other piping
Backpack
Fabric
Oversized dress
Long gloves
Cotton stuffing
Wire
Sewing machine

1. Sculpt the bust with clay. I decided to make the bust first, and to create the rest of the costume around it. A hunk of clay and several hours were spent sculpting a creepy, skinny torso with super-fake-looking boobs.

2. Turn the bust into foam. Next, I poured a 2-part plaster mold over the clay bust. Once the mold was removed, I coated the interior with a sealer and release agent, and poured in liquid urethane foam. Once the foam cured, I removed the plaster and was rewarded with a Nerf-like copy of the bust. (Instead of sculpting and casting, you can also carve the bust directly into plain blue sheet insulation foam.) To add a dead skin effect, use acrylic paints, because aerosols won't set.

3. Raise the bust. With my boyfriend Andy's help, I welded a rig to hold the bust above my head. But I suggest using wooden dowels, as they are lighter and cheaper. We used copper pipes because we already had them, and because welding is fun. Measure the dowels to start at the lower back and extend to just above the head. If it's too high, it will ruin the illusion because the arms will look too long — the key to this costume is proportion. We then put a stabilizer at the top — notice mine is slightly too low. I drilled a couple of holes in the foam, inserted the pipes, and poured in leftover foam for sturdiness. I used backpack straps to hold my rig in place. I cut everything off the backpack except for the straps and the back panel. Then I attached long, narrow pockets down the length of the backpack for the pipes to fit into. We salvaged straps with clips from the backpack and used them across the chest to pull the rig tight and vertical. Without that strapping, the whole rig would be completely unstable. I suggest adding a strap across the stomach as well.

4. Dress up Marie. My friend Temperance McDonald helped me with the sewing. I lucked out and got the main dress at the thrift store for $3. I put on the backpack and bust, and then we put the dress over it. We now knew where to cut out holes for my head and arms.

Next, we made the top skirt out of a large scrap of fabric for $15 — this created the illusion of a waist (really my neck). It's basically a cape, with a hole through the right side for my arm, which connects through to the lower half of the right sleeve. With my left arm hidden underneath the top skirt, and my right hand in plain view in a bloodied glove, I was free to use both hands whenever I needed.

The left arm was a fake — a wire skeleton wrapped in cotton batting, stuffed into a long glove sewn closed to the end of the sleeve. It was completely posable and was tacked into place once the costume was on. The shoulders and arm were stuffed with cotton to fill them out. Makeup, hair, and blood-red paint helped to finish the effect.

Although this costume may appear uncomfortable, I had excellent mobility. I could move my head, dance around, get into cars (headfirst), and have a great time. Variations on this costume could include The Corpse Bride in a wedding outfit or Lumberjack Who Cut Off His Head With a Chainsaw. Keep in mind that the shorter you are, the better this illusion will work — I'm 5'8", so the entire costume was over 6' high for me.

Looking for more gruesome glamor? Check out a copy of Makezine's Halloween Special Edition for a DIY Halloween extravaganza! Thanks to Nicole Magne and the good folks at Makezine for sharing this project with us.

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

Halloween Costumes Guide | Halloween Category

Loopyboopy Wins the Halloween Poll

2009-10-12T12:30:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite Halloween costumes and decor items. You voted and now we have a winner. (Drum roll, please...) We're excited to announce loopyboopy as the spookiest maker of the incredibly creepy Clara the Ghost of Burgundy art doll! Congratulations!

This seller, along with some of the top picks shown below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide. Thanks to everyone who participated and voted.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we are looking for autumnal decor items, intended for Halloween, Thanksgiving or general seasonal cheer. I'm hoping you'll recommend table runners, decorations to hang on your door or in your windows, primitives, festive items to create a mood at your party, etc. Post a link to your nomination in the comments! If you're a seller, please nominate only one of your items, even if you have more than one shop.

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ | More Halloween Posts

Etsy Finds: Culture Vulture

2009-10-10T10:00:00-05:00

When it comes time to assemble a Halloween-worthy costume, I worship at the altar of the visual bon mot. Zombies and sexy nurses — I can take 'em or leave 'em. The costumes that get my attention tend to be elaborate puns ("Freudian slip," anyone?) and clever pop culture references. There's something so thrilling about running into a beloved character from stage or screen on a witch and vampire-laden sidewalk (I almost had a panic attack when I bumped into a sassy Officer Dangle lookalike a few moons ago). Today's Etsy Finds were inspired by the many pop culture references ripe for reinvention. Peruse the Halloween Costumes style guide for more out of the box ideas.

Lady Gaga

If there's one musician whose wardrobe beckons imitation, it's Lady Gaga. Her over-the-top getups have revived the lost art of costumes as showmanship. Gaga is infamous for her "hair" bows, dresses composed of plush animals and three dimensional geometric outfits.

Giant Bow Head Band

By TheLibertarian, $40.

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Monster Dress all sizes

By devaniweaver, $335.

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Devil girl SPIKE SKIRT pvc gothic

By melissae, $150.

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Lavinia Feather Collar

By LoulouLovesYou, $155.

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Gaga for Gaga Hairbow

By Imagined, $14.

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Bat Wing Neck Corset

By idolatre, $50.

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LADY GAGA INSPIRED MINI GLOVES

By youneedunique, $20.

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Masquerade

By juliaemily, $50.

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Fancy Feather Eyelashes

By intrinsicimagination, $25.

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Ruffle drama mama

By crutch, $8000.

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The Disco Ball Bra

By mleiladast, $80.

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Josephine Baker

By BoringSidney, $850.

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Tim Burton Inspired

If you're looking for a font of Goth-friendly costume inspiration, look no further: Tim Burton's oeuvre will not disappoint. Be it a "bio-exorcist" with a penchant for stripes, the muted velvet of a mysterious chocolate purveyor, or his characters' signature deathly pallor, Burton's aesthetic is instantly recognizable.

Black and White Carnival Costume

By CrudeThings, $265.

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Whilamena Wonka

By dirtybirdyvintage, $100.

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The Evelyn - Victorian Top Hat

By topsyturvydesign, $229.

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Gothic Hand Painted Costume Sale

By TheBohemianGoddess, $300.

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Black, White, Gray Arm Warmers

By deSamothrace, $17.

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Royal Mask-GREAT PRICE

By EnRapturingReVisions, $180.

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Two blackbirds Perch Headband

By charmschooldesign, $44.

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Beetle - Fine silver ring

By MilicaBubanja, $50.

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Gothic Lolita Skirt and Coat XS to XL

By gloomth, $140.

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Brown Velvet/Satin Top Hat

By GypsyLadyHats, $135.

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Vintage Burtonesque Carnival Dress

From modularparallel, $459.

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Skull and BLACK LACE Hair Clip

By artisansagogo, $14.

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Michael Jackson

The King of Pop's passing left many a sequin glove to fill. Celebrate your love of all fashions M.J. with your best loafers, cropped pants and jauntily tilted fedora.

Military Inspired Jacket

From joules, $55.

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the gloved one

From chainchainchained, $12.

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vintage BLACK FELT hat

From greatestfriend, $48.

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bed and board buckle oxfords 8M

From persephonevintage, $44.99.

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vtg beaded tuxedo jacket

From evamaniadesign, $38.

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Michael Jackson Sequin Glove

By PaulaAndErika, $8.

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vtg CHAIN BLAZER studded gem

From HoldMyGoldVintage, $34.

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Polka Dot Red Bow Tie

From putonthatdress, $7.

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vtg JUMPSUIT slouchy pant

From HoldMyGoldVintage, $20.

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Black Sequined Bolero

From GingerKisses, $75.

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Vintage 80s stretch JUMPER

From vintagemarmalade, $34.

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Studded Black Leather Slip On Flats

By twostringjane, $85.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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Etsy Finds: Shop Live With ReadyMade Magazine

2009-10-07T11:00:00-05:00

Hi there! My name is Katherine Sharpe, and I'm ReadyMade's Online Editor. I hope you're as excited about tonight's Shop Live event as I am! Join me in the Virtual Labs, Etsy's online meeting space, today, October 7 at 4 p.m. ET for a live (and spooky) shopping event. I'll be showing off my favorite Halloween finery (with my co-host Daniellexo), from simple DIY costume starters to sinister decor elements sure to trick out your lair for a memorable bash. These items will magically appear in the room for your shopping pleasure. The "Add to Cart" button will be hard to resist! Remember the doors will open right at 4 p.m. ET, so get there on time because there are only 150 seats!

When? Wednesday, October 7 at 4 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 4 p.m. ET!

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

And now for a few Halloween picks to celebrate tonight's festivities...

Retro Costumes from Etsy Vintage

Midnight Ruffle Dress

From HihloStudio, $74.

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Vintage Nurses Cap

From forthebettys, $25.

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Vintage Pinup Sailor Romper

From VintageSuits, $27.

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Vintage Gong Show Costume

From VintageFunland, $44.

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Handmade Wings

Cobweb Spider Wings

By OnGossamerWings, $250.

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Leather wings

By njsisson, $130.

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Succubus Wings

By Stiletto, $149.99.

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Angilene Fairy Wings

By priddylallo, $45.

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Costume Accessories

pink brain bag

By bakingwithmedusa, $70.

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ROXIE ROSETTES shoe clips

By houseoftelsa, $67.

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Butterfly Wing wrist cuff

By LoveAtFirstBlush, $23.

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Black and White Punk Flapper WIG

By CrudeThings, $98.

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Costumes for the Ladies

CUSTOM bleached skeleton dress

By smarmyclothes, $125.

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Made to Order Pumpkin Dress

By imyourpresent, $72.

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black bubblegum dress

By devaniweaver, $185.

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Disco Zebra Onesie

By bangbangcrash, $99.

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Ghoulish Jewelry

Vampire Love

By VeraMeat, $140.

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Black Stitches Choker and Earrings

By tianarutledge, $18.

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Eye Plugs - Green Creature

By Slang, $35.

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Stirrup Skull and Bone Ring

By fetishghost, $36.

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Creepy Soaps

Nom Noms - Teeth Soap - 2pack

By soapopotamus, $6.

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Eye Soap, One Pair

By BunnyBubbles, $4.

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Fatty Human Heart Soap

By MollycoddleSoap, $5.

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Glow in the Dark Brain Soap

By WhiteFlagDesigns, $2.99.

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Spooky Party

ANTIQUE MEDICAL BOOK WREATH

By SimpleJoysPaperie, $50.

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Halloween Ornament

By valeriotedesign, $10.

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Skulls Paper Garland

By paperacorn, $12.

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Anatomically Correct Candle Holders

By funkiefinds, $18.

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Costumes for Kids

T-Bone Steak Halloween Costume

By squarejane, $32.

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Rooster in the Barn Costume

By mapletree2000, $75.

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Short Dragon Tail (30 inches long)

By fancypantskidscanada, $48.

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Vegetarian Noodle Bowl Costume

By NotTheKitchenSink, $50.

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Special Subscription Deal for Etsy Members:

Looking for inspired interiors, ingenious how-to's and more instructions for everyday life? Get all this and more delivered to your doorstep for only $10 a year!

Get an entire year of ReadyMade for only $10. You can't beat that! Subscribe via this link to receive this exclusive deal.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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Etsy Finds: Sticks and Stones May...

2009-10-06T11:00:00-05:00

A shiver runs up my spine (and through my many other bones) when shopping this time of year. Skeletons and skull motifs are a crucial spooky element in Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations. Leave it to the creative genius of Etsy artisans to imagine sinister, cute, realistic and humorous takes on the iconic anatomical silhouette of the skeleton. Whatever your style may be, the finds below are sure to help you get into the season's spirit. Shop the Halloween Trends guide for more inspired skeletal creations.

Bony Baby (hat only)

By smallthreads, $28.

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Friends Forever Sterling Silver Ring

By Wickedmetalz, $68.

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Them Bones Anatomy Journal

By PrairiePeasant, $25.

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Halloween Shea Butter Soap

By sweetpetula, $5.

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SKULL AND CROSSBONES HAT

By charliemai, $17.

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Death by Cuteness

By bionicunicorn, $81.

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Fleece Fingerless Gloves for KIDS

By BoysenberryLane, $14.95.

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Skull Burp Cloth/ Changing Pads

By MyWoobyandMe, $10.

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Mr. Happy Skull Teether

By EcoAyris, $13.

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Line Drawings Skull Set

By skullhouse, $72.

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Doll House no 305 (with skeleton)

By sushipot, $78.

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Pirate Knit Chucks

By PrettySneaky, $100.

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Skeleton print hoody

By honeypoprags, $34.

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Clear Minds

By FrenchCurves, $500.

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Halloween Skeleton Skull Bucket

By TheBlackSheepStudio, $50.

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The Half Plush

By vivikas, $28.

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Mini Top Hat with skeleton hands

By GypsyLadyHats, $80.

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SKELETON bones DRESS

By melissae, $280.

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Halloween Skull Hanger

By Middleburg, $37.

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Day Of The Dead Skulls

By billiesblueboutique, $7.

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Baby Leather Skull Crossbones

By scandeez, $30.

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One of a Kind Skull Art Cushion

By DayOfTheHead, $350.

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Custom Skeleton Sock Monkey

By OutlawHeartCreations, $25.

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Tipsy Skeleton and His Martini

By niswanderceramics, $23.

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Skull Soap Goat's Milk

By soapapilla, $5.

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Skull and Crossbones

By NewFlight, $23.

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The Guardian

By naughtyandnice, $220.

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Groped by a Skeleton

By thelovelyteaspoon, $10.

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Fill-in Halloween Party Invites - 10

By JessicaZ, $15.

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Day of the Dead Necklace

By WinkArtisans, $550.

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Skull cufflinks

By katiepoterala, $25.

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Ribcage with Heart

By xlessthan3, $9.

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Large Skeleton Bat Wings

By dandelionsings, $35.

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Skull Buckle

By WATTOonline, $30.

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Sterling Silver Skull Pendant

By samantharose, $42.

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Skull Ring w Ruby Red Eyes

By GlamRockEmporium, $345.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Halloween Gift Guides | Halloween Posts | Search for Items Tagged "Skeleton"

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Keep it Weird: Zombie Jamboree

2009-10-02T15:00:00-05:00

Does the Halloween spirit possess your soul? No other holiday values the tradition of eccentricity with quite as much enthusiasm. So splatter some blood on that evening gown, bake up a feast of sinewy desserts, and embrace the undead monster you face each morning in your bathroom mirror. This edition of Keep it Weird is dedicated to zombies, everyone's favorite apocalyptic assailants. Even these stumbling corpses know that the tastiest nugget is always the gray matter. The creativity displayed here is downright mouth-watering.

Reanimate your lifeless shopping cart with Custom Zombie Portrait from ZombiePortraits, Monster Arms 3D Dress by trextshirts, and Zombie Uterus Pincushion by abitabite. Check out the Related Items below for more uncanny beauties.

More Keep it Weird Posts | Etsy Zombies | Halloween Trends Gift Guide

Shop Live with ReadyMade: October 7, 2009

2009-10-01T14:45:00-05:00

As a child, I used to debate earnestly with my friends about whether Halloween or Christmas was the better holiday. Christmas had superior presents, but Halloween was somehow, undeniably, cooler. It’s an assessment I’d still stand by. There’s just something so right about a late fall holiday that’s dedicated to death, decay, and the uncanny — not to mention acting a little mischievous.

My favorite Halloween costumes and décor pieces walk the fine line that defines Halloween: between being seriously creepy, and reveling in the playful humor of grown people dressing up like something they’re not. Inspiration for your own Halloween party or costume is everywhere; just ask yourself what terrifies you the most, and then embrace it and camp it up. Or get your blood flowing by joining me for a live, interactive shopping event in Etsy’s Virtual Labs on Wednesday, October 7. I’ll be sharing some of ReadyMade’s favorite Halloween finery, from easy DIY costume starters to elements that will make you want to trick out your lair for a memorable bash.

When? Wednesday, October 7 at 4 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 4 p.m. ET!

Who? Katherine Sharpe, ReadyMade's Online Editor will be our host — live from the Etsy Labs!

Want a sneak peek? Make sure you're signed up for our Etsy Finds mailing list to get ReadyMade's Halloween Etsy picks directly to your inbox next Wednesday, October 7.

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

P.S. See more Etsy Halloween items in these Storque articles.

P.P.S. Want to get ReadyMade Magazine delivered to your doorstep for only $10 this year? Of course you do!

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

Innocent Corset Wins the Oktoberfest Vote

2009-09-28T10:40:00-05:00

Cheers to aNGrYGiRLGear who, with her "Innocent Corset" (uh, "innocent" — really?), won the Oktoberfest vote (clinking of beers)! We asked our readers to nominate their favorite Bavarian-inspired items, and then you had the chance to vote and determine which was the beeriest of all.

I really loved a lot of the items in this vote, and I'm not even a beer drinker!

aNGrYGiRLGear, along with some of the top picks shown below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Get Involved in the Next Round
We are looking for Halloween-themed items of all types, so paste a link to your favorite or, if you're a seller, one of your own items. (Please just one item per person, even if you have multiple shops.) We can't wait to see what rolls in!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

More Oktoberfest Posts | Shop Local Germany

Etsy Finds: Sexy Halloween Style From The Frisky

2009-09-26T09:19:00-05:00

Erin Flaherty is the style editor of The Frisky, a ladysite that offers a humorous, irreverent, and above all, authentic take on pop culture, relationships, and style. She is a huge Etsy fan because, as someone who lacks mad craft skills, groovy handmade and DIY items simply blow her away.

We know it's a big old cliche that ladies use Halloween as an excuse to dress risqué. While we'll probably go out of our way to avoid this stereotype (personally, we prefer to go the "funny" route, but here's a debate on either/or), tarting it up can definitely get you some extra attention, and if that's your goal, we can help. So if you're more of a "if ya can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em" type, here are the top "sexy costumes" and the racy items you need to pull the look off. For more costume ideas, visit Etsy's Halloween Costume Shopping Guide.

Le French Maid

Ah, the grand dame of sexy outfits. This getup fulfills so many sexual fantasies that we forget what they all are.

French maid dress

By Lovesmariessa, $98.

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Sexy FLORA TATTOO thigh-high socks

By post, $18.

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Ostrich Feather Duster

By BROOMCHICK, $26.

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Rose Apron

By Hopeless, $60.

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tea for two

By whiteapple, $95.

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FRENCH MAID wedding garter

By PetereneDesign, $20.

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The Bad Kitty

There's the crazy Cat Lady, and then there's the incredibly hot Catwoman. For slaying dudes, we'd suggest going with the latter.

1950'S Pin Up Kitty

By dirtybirdyvintage, $60.

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Vintage Black Leather Gloves

From pluum, $26.99.

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Black Cat Leather Mask

By teonova, $58.

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Sex Kitten - Cat Ears

By topsyturvydesign, $119.

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Vulpes Vulpes Garter Belt with Tail

By idolatre, $75.

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Tiger Mask

By lupin, $18.

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The Bloodthirsty Vampiress

A summer of vampire madness will most certainly culminate in way more sexy vampires than Kate Gosselin lookalikes this Halloween. And we can all be grateful for that.

Detachable Bustle

By BizarreBoudoir, $55.

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FANG BANG - Stamped Necklace

By MetalTaboo, $72.

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I Would Kill For You Earrings

By tianarutledge, $18.

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Black armwarmers in corset style

By estylissimo, $18.

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Scarlet Mini Cloak

By CrystalKittyCat, $120.

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Bite Me Necklace

By TillyBloom, $26.

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The Flirty Fairy

The most demure of the sexy Halloween looks, the fairy is traditionally "cute," but show some skin and slap some glitter on top of the whole shebang and that fairy is ready to make out on the forest floor.

solstice - harvest wire crown

By whichgoose, $35.

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Ivy Tunic Forest Nymph SALE

By TheBohemianGoddess, $375.

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Milady Faerie Wings

By Spygroove024, $30.

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Leafy Lace - Fancy False Eyelashes

By intrinsicimagination, $25.

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The Neried

By littlegreenpixie, $100.

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Green Nymph

By missynicole2005, $95.

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Sexy Halloween Miscellany

The truth is, you can make just about any costume provocative — even if you're dressed as a cookie à la Mariah Carey, which is super weird, but anyway — with slight touches such as cleavage and thigh-high boots. And sadly, yes, we're afraid this year we'll even see "slutty" Michael Jacksons. Scary, indeed.

Peggy Sue - Cheerleader Dress

From zwzzy, $45.

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superhero/ villan mask

By dullleadsinker, $30.

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Vintage 80s Red Leather Jacket

From Erstwhilestyle, $98.

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Vtg Roller Skates

From isidoraverde, $32.

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Gold Mesh and silk lace Cat Mask

By Mascherina, $95.

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DIY Girl Scout COSTUME Baby Doll Dress

By lynnsrags, $95.

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For more sexy Halloween ideas, or just info on sex or style in general, check out our ongoing coverage on The Frisky!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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

Etsy Finds: Little Shop of Handmade Horrors

2009-09-22T11:37:00-05:00

Growing up, my crafty mom always made sure that my brothers and I had costumes that won first place in every Halloween contest we entered. She was so good at giving a kid the most perfect five o'clock shadow that my grandparents didn't even recognize my little brother in his Rambo costume when he went trick or treating on their doorstep. I had so much fun playing dress up as a child, and have continued the tradition of the handmade costume into my adult years.

What will you be for Halloween this year? The Etsy Finds below are just a few examples of the amazing handmade costumes available for children. For even more clever costumes for both children and adults check out Etsy's Halloween Costumes Shopping Guide.

Handmade Costumes for Kids

Lady Bug Costume

By abbystutufactory, $65.

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Custom Made Halloween Costume

By squarejane, $45.

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Baby Jester Costume with Booties

By BasilandButtons, $55.

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This Hat Is Cute And I Ain't Lion

By ImSewCrafty, $25.

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Dorothy Wizard of Oz Dress

By RaeGun, $49.50.

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Ruby Slippers - Custom Sizes

By Cybertosh, $44.99.

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The Defender Toy Knife

By FriendlyFairies, $18.

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Custom PIRATE Girl Size Costume Set

By magicalattic, $85.

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Little Hero Power Cuffs - Lightening Bolt

By DiscoveryDenim, $10.

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1 Childrens Capes Custom Pirate Cape

By babypop, $20.

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Little Witch Hat

By herflyinghorses, $15.

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Lime and White Stripe Leg Warmers

By alexisprincesswear, $8.99.

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Red Velvet Cupcake Costume - Custom Size

By NotTheKitchenSink, $45.

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To Gnome Me is to Love Me

By Uniquery, $35.

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Bony Tot (2T shirt, pant, hat set)

By smallthreads, $136.

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Pumpkin Blossoms Stroller Costume

By mapletree2000, $75.

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Black Kitty Tutu and ears fits ages 3-6

By sweetmarguerite, $52.99.

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Chick-a-dee Tutu, Preschool Size (2-4)

By jujustutus, $35.

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Shark Fingerless Gloves for KIDS

By BoysenberryLane, $14.95.

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Sweet Pea Baby Costume

By TishaTooDesigns, $34.50.

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Royal Crown - The Belgia (SMALL)

By worldofwhimm, $28.

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Lemonade Yellow Flower Halloween Collar

By AlliumDesign, $25.

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Custom Sweetheart Fairy Set Tutu & Wings

By HannahsTutus, $42.50.

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Toddler Wings Green Butterfly

By LoopyDolls, $30.

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Little Bumble Bee Halloween Tutu Set

By paisleyandposies, $36.50.

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50's Poodle Skirt HOT PINK - BABY/TODDLER

By hiphop50sshop, $14.99.

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Rainbow Lollipop Tutu W/Free Clip

By lilyjillbowtique, $22.

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Halloween Baby Beanies

By ForStitchesSake, $36.

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Freddie the frog costume

By dottyscloset, $39.

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Sir Frogimus Hoppington Crown

By themerrycrownsociety, $17.

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Trick or Treating

Dressing up isn't the only fun part of Halloween. Giving out candy to all the neighborhood trick or treaters is also a huge part of the excitement. These candy bowls and trick or treat sacks will bring a smile from the most surly monster at your doorstep.

Skull Halloween Candy Bowl

By blackbirdfolkart, $20.

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Halloween Candy Cauldron

By MoMmAb7, $12.

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Gourd Jack-O-Lantern Candy Bowl

By PoppyGoRound, $40.

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Black Cat Bowl

By aspeerstudio, $30.

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Trick-or-Treat Bag- Halloween Plaid

By agreensleeve, $12.

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Vampire Halloween Tote

By meatbagz, $7.

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Pumpkin Patch Trick or Treat Bag

By luluandchacha, $17.45.

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Vintage inspired jack-o-lanterns LARGE

By dahlhartlane, $24.95.

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What's your Halloween item for kids? Nominate your favorite in the comments of this post!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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

Etsy Finds: Arrr! Talk Like a Pirate!

2009-09-19T09:00:00-05:00

Ahoy, m'mateys! We har at Etsy love celebratin' the international holiday o' Talk Like a Pirate Day, and ye olde finds will have you toastin' with grog in no time, gar! Gather yer crew of bilge rats o'er for a party that will transform even the lily-livered into gentlemen o' fortune. Aye, me parrot concurs. How will you be commemoratin' this fine holiday? A pence for an old man o'de sea?

Pirate-Tricorn-18th Century Hat

By topsyturvydesign, $179.

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Skull and Crossbones Soap

By karenssoaps, $6.

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Very Sweet, A Little Scary. Skull Card.

By lemondropstudio, $3.95.

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Halloween Pirate Costume-paper clay sculpture

By indigotwin, $19.

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Ship at Port pirate 8x10 photo print

By seabelly, $13.

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60s Victorian Lacey Pirate Ruffle Blouse

From EpsilonVintage, $30.

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Argh Matey,...A Pirate and his Wench

From neededthings, $25.

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Pirate Sketchbook Notebook

By bangbangyourethread, $10.

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KOOL KID LEGS--WINKING PIRATES--

By mamarunswithscissors, $8.

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Octopal - Purple Pirate Patch

By Benandi, $30.

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Nautical Pine Chest of Drawers

From FaithandFranny, $450.

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The Handsome Toy Knife

By FriendlyFairies, $16.

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Walk the plank

By schmooks, $25.

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Vintage Shoe Shine Brush Stand

From kittyBcreative, $3.59.

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Pirate ship white on gray

By Slowshirts, $25.

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Skull and Sword Pincushion

By NADELWERK, $8.99.

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Frock coat, steampunk or opera coat

By ManicManx, $335.

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skull and crossbones cabinet knobs

By Motorbike, $35.

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Pirate Princess - Cupcake Toppers

By ScrapYourStory, $0.75.

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Kinzie the Pirate Bunny

By bitofwhimsyprims, $36.

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Pirate TuTu Costume

By abbystutufactory, $85.

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Jolly Roger Buttons

By refashionista, $1.20.

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Talk Like a Pirate Magnet

By lesperancetile, $12.

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Brass Pirate's Arm Cuff

By tawdryhellburn, $375.

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Ghost ships - original oil painting on canvas

By natureandart, $300.

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Maroon Suede Pixie Boots Size 8.5/9

From violetfolklore, $36.

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Ruby Red Eye Patch

By gothfoxdesigns, $14.

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The LOUIE Skull RING in Sterling Silver, Small

By SilverBeyondOrdinary, $195.

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Black Pirate Boot-y

By MEandREEKIE, $22.

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NEW- Wipeable Pirate Shirt Bib- Specify Size

By evelynkate, $15.

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Pirate Ukulele - Hand Painted

By inexplicableconfetti, $200.

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Kiss The Gunner's Daughter Pirate Hat

By caribbeanrosepirate, $175.

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Treasure map journal with handmade paper

By WhiteDragonPaper, $15.

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Pirate bunting

By cupcakesforclara, $30.

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Pirate Sock Monkey - Bad Billy Blart

By yackyjan, $48.95.

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Skeleton PATCHes FIVE Pieces and Parts PATCH

By zJayne, $8.50.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Search for More Pirate Themed Items

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Etsy Finds: Something Wicked This Way Comes

2009-09-08T12:00:00-05:00

I am all about Halloween. When I was a kid, I made a graveyard in front of my parents' house. Names of neighborhood kids appeared on the headstones with grisly manners of death noted (shark attacks, etc.). In college I won a costume contest for my "frozen pond" ensemble. Everyone thought I was Laura Palmer, which seemed fair enough, since I loved Twin Peaks.

These days I throw a bruiser of a Halloween bash at my house in Brooklyn. I love entertaining with black tapper candles among antlers, glittery Dia de los Muertos figurines, The Specials, and a smoked ham from Benton's.

Today's Etsy Finds collection is full of fun and easy ways to entertain and dress up so there's no last minute stress. Now is the time to get your Etsy costume orders placed, start your DIY projects and call Benton's for the ham! More inspired ideas can be found in Etsy's Halloween Guides for Trick or Treating, Decor, Costumes and Spooky Trends.

Costume Ideas

Black Bird Mask

By TomBanwell, $39.

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Black and Red Devilish Horns

By tangerined, $14.

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Mini Top Hat

By GypsyLadyHats, $80.

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Giant Centipede Silk Tie

By jesswitaj, $30.

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Junior Crocheted Skull Mask

By DeweyDecimalCrafts, $30.

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Felt Mustache Disguise

By lupin, $13.

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Custom Crown

By starvisions, $16.99.

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Water Nymph Fairy Wings

By creaturesbychase, $30.

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Dark Skeleton Heels

By Crafttastrophe, $50.

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Cat and Moon Skirt

By ZoeChen, $52.

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Butterfly Headband

By byme, $55.

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Zombie Lipstick (All Natural)

By allurebyjen, $6.

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Halloween Jewelry Trends

Skull and Bone Studs

By wontonlove, $25.

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Pierced Heart Ring

By UldeYrth, $7.

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Slit Throat Choker and Earrings

By tianarutledge, $16.

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Cauldron Necklace

By charms4you, $17.

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Tiny Graveyard Ring

By TheTinyTiara, $17.

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Maple Leaf Necklace

By lulubugjewelry, $56.

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Mini Claw Earrings

By OctopusMe, $65.

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Bat Earrings (Free Shipping)

By Bijunea, $8.50.

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Wicked Witch Cork Necklace

By uncorked, $16.

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6 Fairy Dust Necklaces (Party Pack)

By FairyPrincessShoppe, $47.

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Falling Leaf Necklace

By OrdinaryMommy, $17.

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Silverwing Necklace

By wearthou, $34.

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Trick or Treating and Spooky Decor

Pumpkin Stack Decoration

By urbanpaisley, $12.

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Halloween Bucket

By smidgebox, $32.

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Tweet Yarn Wreath

By KnockKnocking, $50.

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Blood Splattered Lampshade

By horrordecor, $15.

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Untitled II

By TillyBloom, $52.

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Edgar Allen Poe Cemetery Dirt

By cedarjunction, $10.95.

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Candy Corn Soap

By sunbasilgarden, $4.50.

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Nosferatu Cup

By notengomiedo, $18.

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Autumn Ornaments

By juliepeach, $15.

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Hanging Graveyard Terrarium

By LBrandt, $32.

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Teeth Soap - FLAT RATE SHIP

By soapopotamus, $6.

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The Raven Rubber Stamp

By nikoart, $5.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Gift Guides

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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Guest Curator: Scoutie Girl

2009-09-02T16:20:00-05:00

Tara Gentile is a blogger, freelance writer, and creative business consultant. After a wonderful — but dead end — stint as a bookstore manager, Tara took time off to raise her daughter and discovered her love of writing again. Her first foray into blogging came in the form of Handmade in PA, which supports arts and crafts in Pennsylvania. In July, she took over Scoutie Girl — the blog with a penchant for the passionately handmade — from Daisy Janie. Scoutie Girl features exclusively handmade or independently designed products. The blog consists of Tara and seven contributors, who emphasize originality in design, unique materials, and "indie thinking" as well as indie style.

Confession: I have a thing for science fiction. Make that a love affair. And, while you won't find me at conventions, I have thought long and hard about what makes costume design work for the movies and TV shows I love so much.

I think the best sci-fi costume design incorporates elements of historical fashion with futuristic concepts. Renaissance, Victorian, Gothic — you can find elements of each decking our favorite space heroes and their alien counterparts.

For this post, I've boiled my favorite past-meets-future fashions down into three elements: fantastic collars, well-placed ruffles, and asymmetry.

Purple Makes you Prettier dress

I love this purple dress, and it incorporates all three elements! There's a wild, asymmetrical collar and a ruffly bustle in the back. I could see a few of the characters from the short-lived Firefly wearing this one. By sewmoe, $185.

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Oragami Dress CUSTOM MADE

This dress has more of an Asian flair — another popular motif in sci-fi fashion — but the asymmetrical bustle in the back is what really caught my eye! I love how it folds up on itself so cleanly. By AftonRiver, $115.

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Black Lace - Trientalis Latifolia ... Freeform Crochet Necklace

If you don't want to go for a full-on dress in this style, try a collar or bib necklace. You can match this bold accessory with a t-shirt in which you feel comfortable! By irregularexpressions, $108.

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framework beak earrings

Of course, metal is an important part of any sci-fi look! These earrings remind me a bit of molecular drawings. And the fact that the usual circle shape is stretched and pinched into a "beak" is the icing on the Plutonian moon cake! By alisamiller, $160.

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a small tough ruffles zipper purse in two shades of grey

Another asymmetrical ruffle! I love madebyhank — 'cause she's from Philly — and because she makes amazing little bags! $20.

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Ornately draped olive/brown cloche hat

The 1920s is a fashion era that doesn't get quite as much sci-fi love. But this great cloche could accent a number of interesting looks. I adore the wrapping action of the felt! By yellowfield7, $185.

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Birch Top

The structure of this top says space commander, but the well-placed ruffle says space vixen! By LittleHouses, $80.

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NENEEE XL space cadet dress

This one might be cheating: it actually says "space cadet" in the listing. I like how this one hearkens back to a simpler sci-fi time — ya know, before all the nuanced characters and special effects! By neneee, $68.

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Fog Collar No.3

This collar would add a big punch to a simple shirt. The smooth, solid button brings the whole piece into focus. By flutter, $34.99.

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Indian Summer

This clutch features a pod of ruffly ripped ribbon growing out of the corner. By eclu, $38.

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Koro - Made to order

This piece doesn't really fit my three criteria, but I could easily see it sitting in the corner of the captain's ready room! poaplum creates beautiful lighting fixtures out of Japanese paper. $110.

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Square Bamboo Modern Candle Holders FREE SHIPPING

And I could see these bamboo candlestick holders gracing the table of an alien ambassador's dining room. By jalexstudios, $95.

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While I'm not sure if the makers who created these fabulous items had Star Trek or space operas or telepathic aliens in mind when they designed their work, each piece here fits into my vision of science fiction perfection! I hope you enjoyed this tiny glimpse into one of my more guilty pleasures — and I hope you can find inspiration in your guilty pleasures too!

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

Geek Chic Gift Guide | Asymmetrical Clothing | Fantasy Blog Posts

Etsy Finds: Bump in the Night

2009-08-27T11:30:00-05:00

I am not a "sunshine, lollipops and rainbows" kind of girl. In fact, I tend to veer more toward piles of broken doll parts, ghost stories and reruns of Dark Shadows. If you eagerly welcome things that go bump in the night, you're in luck! We morbid souls get to indulge to our anatomical hearts' desire when Halloween rolls around. It's never too early to start thinking about a custom costume that will ensure a memorable entrance, creepy novelty toys and delicious candy. For more danse macabre, check out Etsy's Halloween Preview style guide.

Costume Ideas for the Wee Ones

Bony Tot (set)

By smallthreads, $154.

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Oh No A Monster is Eating My Baby

By glitzconcepts, $26.

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Little Gnome Costume SIZES 3T- 6X

By katesy, $55.

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unicorn hat - MEDIUM

By caseybot, $40.

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Magical Mermaid Costume

By dressups74, $25.

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CUSTOM Lab Coat

By XPoppysWickedGardenX, $70.

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Bumble Bee Layered Tutu - Newborn to 4/5

By tiarastutus, $25.

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Little Hero Cape - Red and Blue

By DiscoveryDenim, $21.

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For the Love of Halloween

Skull and Crossbones Felted Soap

By persnicketypelican, $6.

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Tiny Skulls - Set of 5

By DeweyDecimalCrafts, $30.

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Witch Cat Hat with Purple Wig

By ToScarboroughFair, $11.

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Skull fascinator hat

By binkstheminx, $50.

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Wooden Toy Axe Set

By FriendlyFairies, $50.

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Three Musketeer Dog Costume

By MattiOnline, $125.

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SKULL- Custom Steel Belt Buckle

By FreakofMetal, $28.

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White Rabbit Mask

By lupin, $20.50.

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Zombie Love Mens Horror T-shirt

By pinuppixie, $25.

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BRAINS - Glow in the Dark Soap

By WhiteFlagDesigns, $2.99.

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Masquerade and Costumery for the Grown-Ups

Black Beard

By imadeyouabeard, $40.

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Queen of Hearts Costume

By MasqueradeMercantile, $50.

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Black and Tan Paper Mache Wolf Mask

By sanssoucistudios, $325.

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Satin Full Circle Vampire Cape

By starvisions, $80.

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Sex Kitten - Cat Ears

By topsyturvydesign, $119.

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Blue Dutchess Aristocrat (custom made)

By CelestialShadow, $200.

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3' long delux raccoon tail

By Phoenixwildfire, $59.99.

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CUSTOM bleached skeleton dress

By smarmyclothes, $125.

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Set a Spooky Scene

Instant Cemetery Display

By crafterella, $35.

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Death a Skull Tombstone for Halloween

By Middleburg, $59.

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Groundbreaker

By DrunkMonk, $125.

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Bat in the Cemetery -Wool Felt Doll

By blacklilypie, $75.

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Terror-ific Tombstones Soap

By ajsweetsoap, $6.50.

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Zombies / Ninjas / Vampires / Robots / Pirates

By momerath, $34.

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Primitive Skeleton Gourd Treat Bucket

By TheBlackSheepStudio, $50.

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Clyde The Angry Bunny OOAK ART DOLL

By amydecaro, $60.

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RIP Tombstone Pillow

By Midnightsnack, $25.

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Realistic ceramic miner human skull

By mudpuppy, $60.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Items Tagged "Halloween" | More Halloween Posts | Halloween Preview Style Guide

Halloween Category | Search for Costumes

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Etsy Finds: Happiness is a Warm Kitten

2009-03-16T10:10:00-05:00

If there is one thing that makes me click in a heartbeat, it's a cute animal. Dog, cat, mouse, bunny — if it's cute and/or wearing an adorable piece of clothing, I'm there. (Yes, I'm all for anthropomorphizing animals. Deal!) I've put together a collection of pet clothing, accessories and treats that will make even the most staid individual utter squeals of delight. Fire up your browser and get your clicking finger ready — you're about to become a pet lover!

Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Pet Tag

By tinytokensdesigns, $12.

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Dog Harness - Medium - Eco Friendly - Green Plaid

By anniessweatshop, $38.

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WOOF Driftwood Collar/Leash Hook

By CarabellaStudio, $28.

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Cuddly cat snuggle bed - Irish Emerald Green

By Photogirl95, $40.

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Petite Pups

By sweetdogorganics, $5.95.

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Baby Blue Eyes Dog Collar

By BeanTownHandmade, $25.

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Abe Lincoln costume for dogs only

By thecavewithnoname, $20.

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

By KaysK9s, $250.

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Deep Blue Feeder

By StoneyCreekDogBowls, $115.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | More Etsy Pets Posts | Pets Category

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Mardi Gras: Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?

2009-02-24T16:15:00-05:00

August 29, 2005 was the start of another Labor Day weekend. I was heading to Connecticut to meet up with some friends. Saturday morning when we woke up, we turned on the television and saw the devastation of New Orleans from the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. We watched in silence, mouths agape, appalled as the hordes of people walked into the Superdome and the Convention Center. What was going on? How could this be happening? We tried to enjoy the rest of our weekend, but the TV stayed on as things just got worse and worse. After I returned home, I continued to watch the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, watching two hours a night of Anderson Cooper as he roamed through the Lower Ninth in his blue Prada shirts and khakis. I read all the magazines and had a pit in my stomach, not understanding how this could be happening in our country, but as the months passed and the TV coverage died down, I too, started to forget.

In February 2006, I received an email with a call for volunteers to go on a service trip to New Orleans. I once again felt that pit in my stomach: this was something I had to do. Without even asking my supervisor for the time off I quickly replied, yes, and bought my plane ticket. This was my spot; I wasn’t losing the chance to go again.

In the weeks before arriving in New Orleans I was nervous: nervous about the trip (I’d never done something like this before), nervous about the people I would be spending the next week with and nervous about what we would find once arriving.

On April 21st, I arrived at MSY airport. The plane was fairly full, but the airport was pretty quiet. I met my group and we said our polite hellos, everyone a little uneasy about this adventure we were about to take. We headed out from the airport, everyone pretty quiet, nervous to be with a group of strangers, and absorbing our surroundings. As we drove down the highway, we could see the damage: stores with blown-out windows and holes in their roofs, blue tarps littering the horizon, the markings spray painted on every house, the water lines running along every building – the bathtub ring around the city. We got off the highway and were amazed by all the abandoned cars under the overpasses. They were caked in mud, missing windows and tires. Where are we? What have we gotten ourselves into?

The first few days were interesting. There were barely any street signs. None of the fast food restaurants were open; most were missing their pole signs and had boarded up windows, and the only things that seemed to be thriving were Wal-Mart and Home Depot. We went to a gospel mass on Sunday morning at St. Peter Claver Church. I was moved to tears by the music and the love you could feel in the room. This was only the second week that St. Peter Claver had been open since Katrina, and many people were reuniting after being apart for the last nine months. After mass we spent the afternoon in the French Quarter visiting a few watering holes. Everywhere we went the bartender or the waitress asked us where we were from and thanked us for coming down. It was a great feeling, The Big Easy, I could get used to this.

Monday morning we started our first day of work on a house that had gotten about 5 feet of water, which — in comparison to other areas of the city — was not too bad. It was a rental unit where the tenants grabbed what they could fit in their cars and left, never returning after Katrina.

Opening the door to the house, the smell was overwhelming. Mushrooms were growing out of the waterlogged couch…boxes and boxes of a comic book collection covered the floor…a set of weights and work out videos were scattered about. We didn’t know what to do, where to start. This was someone’s whole life in this rotting, moldy house. Where were they? Why hadn’t they been back in the last nine months to gather their belongings? Did they make it out of the city ok?

After soaking it in for a few minutes we began unloading – grabbing what we could and hauling it out to the street. Hours passed and it seemed we had barely made a dent, plus it was so hot and humid. Our masks were sweaty, it was hard to breathe beneath them, and we had to keep changing them to protect ourselves from the mold. By the end of day one, we had that house empty and began the demo. We were a group of individuals with no construction experience, not quite sure what we were doing, but we picked up our flat bars and hammers and learned as we went.

In the evenings we got to know each other more and experienced the city. We frequented the French Quarter and often chatted with the locals. Everywhere you turned there was another character ready to tell his story, but there really weren’t many people out on the town. This wasn’t the New Orleans I had seen on the TV in the past with people crowding Bourbon Street, hanging off the balconies and throwing beads. The city was still in mourning.

My week in New Orleans moved me and I thought of it all the time when I returned to Boston. I shared my photos with my friends and told my story to everyone who would listen. I continued to read NOLA.com daily to keep up on the local news. I dreamt about when I could return to the Big Easy. As Labor Day approached and the one-year anniversary loomed, New Orleans was in the front of my thoughts. I watched the programs recounting the anniversary of the storm and Spike Lee’s documentary. New Orleans had become a part of me. A piece of me was still there and I couldn’t shake it.

As the months passed and our group from the service trip continued to stay in touch over email, we decided to plan a return trip, with nine of the twelve from the year before planning to return. I anxiously awaited for April 20th, to be on that plane headed back to the magical city of New Orleans. Stepping off the plane, I felt like I was home. Driving through the city things were looking better. There were more cars on the road, shopping plazas were full of people and there were many more signs of life. I was so happy to be back.

When my second visit was over, I knew I wasn’t done with New Orleans. I boarded the plane to return to Boston, sad to be leaving this city, not looking forward to returning to my desk job. My desire to be in NOLA was much more real now, it was something that I felt I needed to do, and just spending a week a year was not enough for me. I wanted to help these people and work on their behalf to get them back to the homes they love, to the city they love and to rebuild New Orleans for all the world to embrace and return to.

January 5, 2008 I arrived in New Orleans for what was to be a 3-month volunteering position with Catholic Charities. I ended up staying for 6 months and wish I could have stayed longer. I arrived at the start of Carnival season, which culminates with Mardi Gras. I quickly became swept up in the culture and traditions of the season, attending every parade that I could. There are over 50, sometimes up to three a night.

The parades are not about debauchery, as many assume; these parades are family events, full of elaborate costumes, huge dramatic floats, unique collectible throws (beads, doubloons, Frisbees, etc), and the hardest working high school bands and dance crews of all ages.

Mardi Gras is a true celebration of life, love and music. It is a chance for people to forget about their worries and celebrate the jovial and welcoming nature of the city of New Orleans. It's a place unlike anywhere else I have ever traveled in the world, a city so open and welcoming to all walks of life, where it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, what your occupation is, or if you are wearing the latest trendy clothes. New Orleans is about acceptance: it’s about being true to yourself and about loving life.

As I sit here in the Northeast, each day I think of New Orleans and wish I were there to celebrate Mardi Gras this year and hope to be there again one day in the near future. I pray that I will never be faced with the hardships that the city of New Orleans has faced and I know that there is hope that one house at a time, New Orleans will be rebuilt, back to its glory, stronger than it was before Katrina.

Further Resources:
http://www.nola.com
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com
http://volunteerneworleans.com
http://www.ccano.org/operation_helping_hands.htm

Mardi Gras Posts | Search for Items Tagged "Mardi Gras"

Etsy Finds: Dress to Excess, It's Fat Tuesday!

2009-02-24T10:26:00-05:00

Get out the glitter, ice the king cake and strap on your best set of beads — it's Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras festivities are an amazing sight to see. This raucous celebration of fun, frivolity and bacchanalia wouldn't be complete without handmade costume ingenuity. Even if you can't be in New Orleans or Rio, you can make the party come to you with the wide variety of Mardi Gras gaiety available right here on Etsy. Mask up, get in a parade line and start dancing!

Mardi Gras Monster Hoodie

By avantegarb, $30.

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Crocheted Children's Triple Jester Hat

By barblinoel, $28.

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Fun on a stick..... crazy butterfly mask

By livn2cre8, $27.

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Blue Hawaiian braided dreadlock Wig. by hair nurse Lana Guerra AOA

By CrudeThings, $150.

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QUEEN OF CARNIVAL Mardi gras dog dress

By MaterialMutt, $19.

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Fruity and Fabulous -- Sweet Plume Dress -- Custom Sizes 12 mo - 8 child

By sweetplume, $89.

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Mardi Gras Hat by Ann Marie Popko, Soft Orange Felt and Sequin Party Hat

By superduper, $50.

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Chanticleer Mask

By artisanmaskers, $25.

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Glamarita TIE ME UP TIE ME DOWN Scientifically Recommended Ballgown in Red and Black Size Small

By glamarita, $175.

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Some of these items were voted upon in our Carnivalesque Poll. See the winners here. Get your vote on in this week's round and help us find best bets for Bath and Beauty items!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | New Orleans Posts | Party and Celebration Posts

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Celebrate Carnival around the World with Pearlswirl

2009-02-23T15:30:00-05:00

For hundreds of years, Catholics around the world have celebrated the days before Ash Wednesday with bright, colorful outfits, delicious, sweet treats, music and festivals. These joyous celebrations were intended to mentally prepare Catholics for the forty days of fasting and solemn behavior known as Lent that followed and led up to Easter.

Today, in Catholic countries around the world, many of these celebrations have turned into fabulous carnivals, parades, and festivals that attract tourists from all ends of the globe. Some of the best-known celebrations take place in New Orleans, Venice, Mainz, and Rio de Janeiro.

Last week, I had the incredible chance to go to Venice at the height of Carnevale season with friends. The experience was mind-boggling. Down every little alley we turned, we saw costumes and masks more fantastic than the last. The spirit of celebration was everywhere, and it was such a feel-good experience!

Many of the costumes we saw were handmade, and it was incredible to see people from all over the world come and participate in something as gorgeous and atmospheric as Carnevale di Venezia. I’ve included some of my photos to convey just how beautiful the costumes are, and just how much attention there is to detail.

In many cities in France, and in the formerly French territory of New Orleans, Mardi Gras celebrations include street parades with fantastic shows of gorgeous costumes, bands playing in the streets, and some seriously delicious fried food like beignets, crepes, and king cakes.

Anonymity and secrecy are key in celebrating during Carnevale di Venezia. In this beautiful and mysterious city, it’s all about creating a sense of adventure and thrill by staying disguised and revealing yourself at the opportune moment!

This is a journey of discovery into some of these fascinating places, their traditions, and as always, the fantastic Etsy items they’ve inspired:

ballons

Get into the celebratory mood with this fantastic vintage-style fine art digital photo and painting print. Those balloons just make me happy! By labokoff, $26.

patchwork faery dress

While each country or city has its own traditions, all of the celebrations have beautiful, elaborate, often handmade costumes in common. This delectable creation is beautifully crafted and whimsical enough to be a street parade costume with character! By larimeloom, $2000.

All Year's Carnival

This fantastic necklace and earring set perfectly conveys the “anything goes” attitude of beautiful street festivals and parades in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Feathers, tinsel, masks! It sparkles and it’s fun! What’s not to love about a carefree attitude like this?! By staroftheeast, $75.

Mardi Gras King Cake (limited edition) Blended Creme Soap

Here is a perfectly delicious example of one-such Mardi Gras treat! These King Cake Soaps look and smell just like the real cakes that Alex, the maker, knows and loves. And I’m glad they’re just soaps anyways because if they were real, they’d look too delicious to eat! By SoapalayaSoaps, $8.50.

Smile...It's Mardi Gras Day - Signed Fine Art Photograph

This fine art photography print from DarrylGlade perfectly captures the essence of celebration and happiness that Mardi Gras brings to everyone! Just look at those bright, vivid colors! In Darryl’s shop you will find other idyllic Louisiana scenes and gorgeous images of the South. By DarrylGlade, $20.

Fasching in Coburg - 8x8 Print

Fasching is the German name for the celebration. In many large cities, including Cologne and Mainz, children have the week off school and get all dressed up in clown, witch, or princess costumes and whimsical wigs to walk through the streets. This fine art painting print by artichokey depicts this tradition with charm and light-heartedness. By artichokey, $27.

Maschera

This stunning fine art photography print by YHPhotos keeps a hint of excitement and mystique around all year long. The strikingly vivid color combination is sure to catch attention. It was snapped in a Venice mask-maker’s window, and, as Yash puts it, it’s a challenge to anybody brave enough to wear it! By YHPhotos, $20.

Happy Mardi Gras, Fasching, Carnevale… Oh, happy day!

Thanks to pearlswirl for the amazing picks, and for sharing her beautiful Venice photographs with us! Take a peek at her blog here.

Carnivalesque Gift Guide | Search for Masks | Etsy World Tours

I Do Believe It's Fun Time: The Carnivalesque Votes Are In!

2009-02-23T11:41:00-05:00

And the winner is...silviemargot! Congrats for being the community favorite (and congrats on selling that beauty of a dress too!). We featured the next 21 community favorites below and you can see all the results here; look for them in the Gift Guides too.

Vote in this week's poll! Superb spa items await!

More Voting posts

Celebrations and Glamour Showcase: On Sale Thursday, February 12, 2009 12 PM EST

2009-02-09T13:25:00-05:00

The red carpet is about to be rolled out and it's a celebratory time of year. Whether you're going to an Oscar party or celebrating Mardi Gras, now is the time of year to get dressed in your finest and most festive attire. Hosting a party? The Celebrations and Glamour Showcase could be a great place to pick up some festive items for your party space and get inspired.

We encourage sellers to add festive decor and attire items that set a celebratory theme. Some ideas that come to mind are carnival, tropical and Venetian-inspired items, items for creating atmosphere at your party, as well as glamorous gowns, sparkly accessories and Mardi Gras masks and costumes.

Celebrations and Glamour Showcase goes on sale Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12PM EST (Not in this timezone? Click here for a world clock).
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, February 16, 2009 12am EST until Sunday, February 22, 2009, 11:59pm EST.
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 future Showcases we will be offering:

Redefine Your Style Showcase: On sale February 19, 2009; the Showcase will be live from February 23, 2009 through March 1, 2009.
- Think all things to rejuvenate your inner and outer self, such as bath and beauty products, candles, accessories and clothing.
Artwork for Every Room Showcase: On sale February 26, 2009; the Showcase will be live from March 2, 2009 through March 8, 2009.
- This Showcase is back by popular demand. Think all artwork that will liven up a home or office.
Spring Showers Showcase: On sale March 5, 2009; the Showcase will be live from March 9, 2009 through March 15, 2009.
- Think all things bridal shower and baby shower this spring.

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.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T18:25:00-05:00

Hey, if you're wearing a great handmade or vintage Halloween costume, post it to our Etsy in Action flickr group. You can check out the latest from the group pool right here in the Events section of the Etsy blog.

See more Halloween blog posts.

Steampunk Halloween Ideas, from Etsy & Instructables.com

2008-10-28T17:00:00-05:00

Etsy is partnering with Instructables.com for the DIY Halloween Costume Contest, and we've both noticed the Steampunk trend. Members of Instructables are offering up some mind-blowing costume ideas — feats of DIY engineering, really — and Etsy sellers are making some creative items that would suit these costumes and theme parties. Here are 5 picks for Halloween-related projects, along with some related items from Etsy. And hey, remember to enter the contest — entries due November 9th, 2008!

Steampunk chicken-walker mech by Bug

For the Star Wars fan/steampunk in all of us.

Some items you might need:

A white blouse by adarie

Vintage black boots from ZucchiniFlourVintage

Raygun — Steampunk Defense by aintMichael

If you like this project, you will definitely love buildersstudio's sweet raeguns. He makes them in both tiny pendant size and full prop size. There's quite an array of choices.

Haunted Ouija Board by askJacob

Spooky! TwinPondsFarm offers an original Spirit board in case you need one.

Low Cost Jacob's Ladder Made From A Salvaged Oil Transformer by bloomautomatic

Another marvelous, ingenious prop for a killer Halloween party. If you're not confident about your playing with electricity skills, you should check out sksullivan667's shop, offering lamps with that raw metal, gear-clad look, perfect for a mad scientist's laboratory.

Realistic Steampunk Airship Goggles by greensteam

There are some very cool Steampunk goggle options on Etsy too, such as these by NEVERWAS.

If you want to learn more about the fashion sense behind Steampunk, check out this slideshow on the New York Magazine site. It features photos from a recent fashion show organized by Etsian Kathy Malone aka fofolle. We blogged about the event here.

Steampunk & Twilight Gift Guide | Posts about Steampunk | Costume Contest Info

A Very Steampunk Halloween

2008-10-23T19:24:00-05:00

Steampunk style is hot this season. We've seen the Trend grow on Etsy, ever since we first noticed it. People gotta have their gears, brass, and leather, and Etsy artists, jewelers, designers are happy to oblige. (In fact, we just launched a Steampunk Gift Guide for all you fanatics!) If you dip into Alchemy, Etsy's site feature that enables buyers to request custom items, custom Steampunk Halloween costumes are all the rage. Indeed, Steampunks are a creative breed, yearning for a yesteryear overflowing with homespun engineers, tinkering up fantastical inventions.

Kathy Malone aka fofolle of the Brooklyn Indie Market will be hosting a Steampunk themed day on October 25th, 2008 here in Brooklyn, NY. She said the idea was sparked from seeing Steampunk items flourish on Etsy. The event, sponsored by Brooklyn Based and Bust, promises to be steamy (in that anachronistic way), with lots of handmade creativity. Fashion show, tarot card readings, music and cordials — sounds good to me!

Search for handmade "steampunk" items

See Storque posts by Kathy

Get Halloween costume ideas

Read all "Steampunk" Etsy blog posts

Give a shout-out in the comments if you love steampunk!

Featured Etsy Team: EtsyKids

2008-10-22T11:23:00-05:00

The EtsyKids Team is one of Etsy's largest Teams, with about 500 members! We are thrilled with their ability to stay organized, support each other and hold fun events and promotions. For instance, The EtsyKids Team is having a BOGO (Buy One Get One) sale, which will be Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th, 2008. With over 175 EtsyKids shops participating, there's sure to be tons of great deals! For a list of all participating shops, see the EtsyKids blog. Each participating shop will have its own BOGO offer, so be sure to check individual shop announcements for the details. Check it out!

[EtsyKids with their kids, L to R: thecleverkitty, bfbeads, chalkydoodles]

With Halloween just a few days away, we thought we'd show you some of the great costumes and accessories the Team members have created.

Spooky the Sock Dog

doodlebugfinery has a great selection of handmade kid's products like sock dogs, felt food, blankets, bibs, burp cloths, onesies and tees! This sock dog would be a great gift for the little one this Halloween!

View item | View Shop | More kid's toys by the EtsyKids Team

Pirate Girl Tunic and Black Bloomers

RaeGun's Pirate costume is too cute! She also has a french fry costume! Her bloomers are so sweet.

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Sweet Owl Hat

pinkalligator's crochet hats (and models) are scrumptious! Check out the Pig, Brown Cow, and Elephant!

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

Pumpkin Pillowcase Dress

Check out this little pumpkin eating a banana by seworiginal! Jennifer, the artist behind this shop, wants to let you know how much she enjoys being a part of EtsyKids: "So many great original items that you would never find elsewhere! Also this group of artists are so inspirational to other artists and mommies and children as well. We are all so different..but we help each other and even collaborate on ideas."

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Baby Skeleton Costume

smallthreads skeleton baby costume is amazing! These appliquéd bones could turn the chubbiest tyke into a bony little skeleton.

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Kitty Cat Baby Costume

My favorite part about shopping the EtsyKids Team tag, is getting to see all these adorable munchkins. Look at this little number by mytreasuredheirlooms. What a fur ball!

View item | View Shop | More kid's costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Glow in the Dark Halloween Dress

This glow in the dark dress by sarahbearoriginals would make part of a great (and safe) witch costume. Quite a steal for only $22.99! Aimee (the artist behind this shop) loves being a part of this Team; "I had to take an early maternity leave and they were super sweet to let me hang on as a member until I was able to get back on my feet. I feel that the Team is there not just to support our businesses but also to support each other on a personal level. I'm just excited to be a part of this talented group!!!"

View item | View Shop | More kid's costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Felted High Top Baby Shoes

These awesome little booties were made by the leader of the EtsyKids Team, thecleverkitty. Shannon writes, "The glue that holds our team together is that our members all love to create things for children. Many of us have children (or grandchildren) of our own, so we love to share pictures, tell stories, and give and receive advice from one another."

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

Glow in the Dark Viking Hat

How smart is this? rsislandcrafts used glow in the dark yarn for the horns on this viking hat! Now you can easily keep an eye on your little viking while he or she goes door to door on Halloween night!

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

[EtsyKids' sewing away L to R: RaeGun, Odannysgirl and smallthreads]

Thanks, EtsyKids Team, for banning together to make our kids cuter! Want to learn more about the EtsyKids Team? Be sure to check out their blog or this Storque article! Want to see a full interview with this Team? Sign up for the Teams Mailing List here.

Open Studio Tour: Master Mask-maker CrimsonSpark

2008-10-17T12:29:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I knocked on the studio door of CrimsonSpark.

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
Hello, my name is Bertem Rene. I partake in the old world craft of leather mask making and create hand sculpted leather masks, suitable for many a gala or whatever suits your taste.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
The minute I sat down and started making masks and noticed that time had flown by and I enjoyed every minute of it! So then I had to act on this euphoria so I could indulge when I wanted with no interruptions.

When and how have you set up your studio?
The studio was set up a little over a year ago, and I must say there's no definite way of how I have it set up; it's a mish-mash of everything entertaining in there.

How big is your studio?
My studio is an extra bedroom in my home so, I guess, it's standard room size, which is perfect for what I do.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
Hands down it has to be my horn hammer. It's my most favorite and least used tool I have. I made this tool myself, but I rarely use it for leather work, my hands do most of that duty. This is the classic leather mask making tool, but for me I mostly use the tip of it to scratch my head. But none the less, every mask maker has to have one just for general purpose.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
For some strange reason, if I'm working in my studio, the studio itself seems to distract me from what I'm doing and before I know it I'm playing the slot machines, or reading a book, or even shredding paper that doesn't even need to be shredded (don't we all just love to shred paper?). Maybe it's just me not having focus and I'm just blaming the room, but nonetheless, I think the studio made me do it.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I don't spend nearly enough time in there as I should, but on a good day I can burn about 10 hours, give or take a distraction or two.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
I currently do not share my studio with anyone, but my wife looks at it differently. For some reason I keep seeing things that weren't there the last time I was there, like a knick knack here and there. Slowly but surely she's taking up my space with nonessential mask making studio material, if there is such a thing? But to answer the second part of the question, I don't mind her company at all.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
Hmmmmm. I'm thinking of a dorm fridge but that would be too easy on me, or would it??

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
I would say playroom/retreat, just for the simple fact that I'm always goofing around in there playing with this and that. As for the retreat part, sometimes I use it just to get away from things and re-calibrate the re-calibrators in my head, and that's a good thing.

Oh yeah, and I make my masks in there too.

And last but not least, how often do you clean it?
I hardly clean it very much. Everything seems to fall into place; I mean, I do have to take the trash out, and that's only because I leave food items in there. My wife tells me to put a fairy door in there and they will clean it for me..........hmmmm, imagine that.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Remember people.......It's all about your persona. Thanks again for stopping by my studio!

Thank you, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Costume Ideas

2008-10-14T15:02:00-05:00

Are you having a hard time figuring out what to be for Halloween? You could always go with Buttonhead's tattoo idea above! (Speaking of temporary tattoos, click here to see a selection.)

Check out these items from Etsy sellers. You can collaborate with a talented Etsy artist if you're not up for making your own costume this year.

RunzwithScissors reconstructs vinage slips and dresses, and she will do a custom costume for you.
This purple number is perfect for a ghoulish zombie prom queen! Or a Dirty Dancing zombie, for that matter. Heck, you can be pretty much any kind of zombie, as was pointed out in this post.

callidora made this beautiful shimmery, rust-colored fr ock as a custom order. The occasion? No, not a swanky dinner party or evening at the opera, but a Halloween party, my friends! Who was the masquerader supposed to be? Zuul aka the Gatekeeper — Sigourney Weaver's character in Ghostbusters. Ah, such a classic film.

Halloween is really just an excuse to buy this art dress by Toolgrrl from her "Dream Anatomy" series. This amazing dress truly is an exquisite piece of wearable art. Check out her Scapular dress, made from vintage slips.

Find out more about the Halloween Costume Contest with Instructables!

Etsy Finds: Un-Dead Can Dance

2008-10-14T09:00:00-05:00

Being a Halloween baby, All Hallows Eve has always been my favorite holiday. What a perfect opportunity to masquerade as the living dead: Why dress as a sexy nurse when you can be a zombie nurse?!

Going as a zombie "fill in the blank" is the easiest costume to transform into a new outfit for the rest of the year. I've been many variations of zombie: bride, ballerina, cowgirl, mod Martian, farm girl, biker chick, geisha, golfer, and on and on. All you need is a great theme outfit, white make-up, black eyeliner and fake blood! I make my own fake blood from honey and red food coloring. Darken those eyes, make a fake wound if you like, or just have the faux blood dripping from your nose and mouth, and voilà! You're the living dead. Trick or treat...

[Weirdwolf in previous zombie incarnations!]

[Weirdwolf's pal Lisa Corson as a zombie waitress]

[Mermaidclaire as Zombelie]

Lace Up Tutu Dress

For your zombie ballerina costume, a lovely delicate handmade tutu. By ouma, $198.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Ballerina Bamboo Dress medium -free US shipping

This empire waist dress would make for a lovely zombie ballerina...or zombie wood nymph (see Michelle's Etsy Find for fairy ideas)! By Makool, $64.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Flesh Necklace

Stitched and painted leather necklace which gives the appearance of repaired beheading. From mirrorsformooses, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

VTG handmade gingham print ROCKABILLY dress

Red gingham makes for the perfect zombie cowgirl. From honeybeevintage, $48.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Bullet Hole, Gunshot Effect Prosthetics

There needs to be way more gory handmade latex prosthetics on Etsy. By handpickednecklaces, $6.95.

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NOS 60's Vintage Space Age Silver Metallic Mod Mini Dress Pat Sandler

This mod Martian dress only needs antennae and a raygun to be ready for space travel. From AvantGarb, $150.

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purple veil Victorian style hat

This Victorian style hat will make for a great Sweeney Todd costume. By SistersOfTheMoon, $55.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

DEAD FLESH Mineral Eyeshadow by Coffin Color - makeup for your rock and roll lifestyle

Don't forget the perfect shade of "dead flesh" eyeshadow to complete your look! By coffincolor, $5.00.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage 70s White Textured Nurse Dress size Large

Everyone loves a sexy zombie nurse! Don't forget to take vital signs. From OurLadyoftheUnderpas, $25.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more Halloween Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Halloween Gift Guide | Halloween Category | Vintage Halloween | Halloween Storque Posts

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