Search results (tags) for: "cupcakes"

How-Tuesdays: Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes

2009-10-09T10:30:00-05:00

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We're bringing this goodie back to the top. Last year's vampire cupcakes are totally not stale — still full of sweet blood. Mwahahahah!

[Originally published October 21, 2008.]

Welcome to Etsy How-Tuesday. This week, in preparation for Halloween, we bring you Alicia and Tracy of Sweet Tooth of the Tiger who show us how to make Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes!

Here are the steps for making Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes!

Bake a batch of vanilla cupcakes. We use the no-fail recipe for vanilla cupcakes by Julie Hasson from her book "125 Best Cupcake Recipes," but you can use your own favorite vanilla cupcake recipe or a box mix works fine also.
After cupcakes are cooled, use a pointed sharp knife to carefully cut a cone out of the center of the cupcake. Be sure to tilt your knife outwards so you create a cone shape.
Take the cone out and set it aside.
Open a jar or can of cherry pie filling and puree it in a blender or food processor.
Spoon pureed cherry pie filling into the center of the cone'd cupcakes.
Take the previously cut out cones and carefully cut the top off of them, setting the pointy part aside. Use the flat top part of the cone as a cap for the pie filling hole.
The bleeding cupcakes are now ready to be frosted! Use a white frosting, preferably a seven minute frosting (recipe below), which is made by combining egg whites and sugar over a double boiler. Or you can use a buttercream or a can of prepared white frosting.
Once cupcakes are frosted, dip a toothpick in the cherry pie filling (get a generous amount on the toothpick), and stab the cupcake near the edge. Dip the toothpick in the pie filling again and dribble some filling from out of the hole to make it look like a bleeding vampire bite. Do this twice.
Viola! Bleeding vampire cupcakes. When your guests bite into these yummy cherry-vanilla sweets, they will look like they're bleeding!

SPOOKY!

Easy Seven Minute Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:
In large metal bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup water, sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Set bowl over pan of barely simmering water
and mix with handheld electric mixer at low speed. Gradually increase speed to high, beating until mixture holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.

Transfer bowl from pan to folded kitchen towel on counter and continue beating until mixture is cool and billowy, about 2 minutes more. Beat
in vanilla. (Frosting can be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.)

(P.S. For you Twilight folks, we know your fangs will be biting into these cupcakes. Check out this post!)

Watch more how-to videos on Etsy!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 20, 2009

2009-08-20T15:30:00-05:00

“I feel like a wet seed wild in the hot blind earth.” — William Faulkner

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has sumptuous cupcakes, geometric headgear in neon and woodgrain, a century's worth of National Geographic archives, and a Joan of Arc inspired editorial that encourages me to vanquish mine enemies with a sacred sword.

Read on!

These geometric headpieces are eye-catching, to be sure, but Billy Kidd's styling (that make up!) and photography really makes the concept of a wooden turban seem appealing. The clashing colors, especially the lipstick (with which I am utterly in love), complements the woodgrain and neon elements of the blocks. Check out LA'G online magazine for more intriguing features. [Via Style Bubble]

Smitten Kitchen always makes me drool. These peach cupcakes with brown sugar frosting inspire me to enter my sweltering kitchen and get down to business.

Fashion editorials that draw on historical figures and events have so much more cultural caché than models blankly staring into space. This Joan of Arc inspired spread was shot by the talented Gitte Meldgaard. [Via Blood Milk]

National Geographic is a treasure trove of photography, to be sure, but did you know that there is an actual secret archive? More than eleven million (yes, million!) images have been under lock and key in a "secret museum of photography under the streets of northwest Washington — an immense, windowless, climate-controlled archive with roots reaching back more than a century." Now the images are finally being shown to the public with the hopes that collectors and galleries may be interested in acquiring the wide range of subjects. The teasers above are enough to have me on the hook. [Via The New York Times]

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!

Handmade Weddings: It Takes a Village to Craft a Handmade Wedding

2009-05-14T16:19:00-05:00

Jimmy and I got married at our alma mater in Berkeley, California, in late January 2008. I cherish that day and the months leading up to it — not only because I got to marry my superstar sweetheart husband, but for a few other reasons as well. The first? Our wedding was an amazing and unforgettable collaboration of family and friends, which made it that much more special. Second, I really got to thinking that maybe the world of handmade could be the life — and a living — for me!

My last freelance gig as a web project manager ended in October 2007, and I spent the next three months plotting for what I came to see as the uber craft project challenge of a lifetime. Given free reign by Jimmy, I set out to DIY it all: from invites to thank you cards, bouquets to centerpieces, favors to photo booth...to wedding gown and veil!

Credit: Top Left: Jesse Leake Photography, Bottom Right: Nina Lao

Little did my then-fiance realize what this would mean for him: hours of paper punching, sticker adhering, flower assembling and other crafty tasks ahead. Soon I recruited even more unwitting victims — friends and family — to help along the way as well. No one was safe from crafty endeavors, for as I learned, it takes a village to craft a handmade wedding.

Credit: Bottom Right: Nina Lao

About 25 projects and minus ten pounds later (wedding planning is a great method for rapid weight loss), we had our very own DIY wedding! Bridesmaid Clara contributed the tastiest his-and-hers batches of homemade green tea (his) and double-chocolate (hers) cupcakes, topped with our initials.

Credit: Jesse Leake Photography

Big sister/matron-of-honor Christine and brother-in-law Don grew our delightful wheatgrass centerpieces, displayed in hand-stained wooden boxes and bringing bright happy splashes of green throughout our UC Berkeley Faculty Club venue.

Credit: Nina Lao

And the groom's family labored over intricately designed centerpieces made of orchids and bamboo. These were one of the main elements of our wedding day, chosen for their symbolism of longevity, strength and grace.

Credit: Jesse Leake Photography

Bridesmaid Jenn masterminded our slideshow, which she transformed from the traditional photo-by-photo setup and turned into a real deal stop-motion animation film!

Something that still comes up in conversation with friends is our homemade lip balm wedding favors. This was one of my favorite projects, as Jimmy and I each concocted our own recipes (mine was Hot Chocolate Mint and his was Cool Cucumber Melon) and gave each guest a packaged tube of creamy lip balm marked "Please ask about our free lifetime refills." (Make your own with this how-to!)

We couldn't do it without a photo booth, so we rigged our own setup with PVC pipes, some free software, a borrowed DSLR camera and a remote control. We loved how creative our guests got with this, and we came home with boatloads of memorable shots.

Credit: Left: Jesse Leake Photography, Right: Don McKee

Then there was the gown, which was by far the biggest and most stressful project. I sketched out a look based off an assortment of gowns from ripped-out magazine pages and online bridal sites, then found an out-of-print sewing pattern that somewhat resembled my design. I was having the hardest time fitting it on myself, so Mom came up from Los Angeles and made me a wacky replica of myself via a duct tape dressform. (Here's a how-to from the folks at Taunton publishers.) I spent an entire three months on my gown, veil and wrap, and ultimately considered it a relief and a success when nothing fell apart as I walked down the aisle or as Jimmy flung the veil from my face.

Credit: Nina Lao

Once we danced the Hustle for our first dance (which you can see a part of in this mini-commercial made by our dance instructors), we costume-changed into our traditional garb to round out the night: Jimmy in his traditional Filipino barong tagalog and me in my Taiwanese chi pao. Luckily Mom talked me out of making my own chi pao, and I found the perfect one online instead.

What are the lessons I learned from having a DIY wedding? One thing I'd say is that even if you CAN make it yourself, that doesn't mean you should! In retrospect, there were plenty of projects I probably should have outsourced or de-prioritized. I can't say I regretted any of them, but I probably could have saved myself a few moments of panic had I turned elsewhere — like all of the talented sellers on Etsy! — for them.

And two of the best pieces of advice I got? Not everything's going to turn out the way it's supposed to on your wedding day. When that happens, don't even think about it! This is just one day in a lifetime of days ahead...and no one else is going to notice anyway. Also, accept help from other people! Don't try to do everything on your own.

In the end, it was our perfect wedding. Handmade or not, we were together and surrounded by loving family and friends in a beautiful venue, and were even blessed with a bright sunny day in the heart of an otherwise rainy winter month. We couldn't have been happier. And that's our story!

Credit: Jesse Leake Photography

Further Resources:
Wedding Bee
Rebecca Thuss
Style Me Pretty
Martha Stewart Weddings
Absolutely Beautiful Things
Oh Joy!
Etsy Labs Dress Form Tutorial

Looking for more wedding content? Try these links:

Handmade Weddings | Weddings Category | Weddings Showcase | Curated Items for your Wedding

News from the Etsy Labs: 5/11 Cupcake Craft Night

2009-05-07T10:05:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce a very special edition of our weekly Craft Night. The
Etsy Labs and Cupcakes Take the Cake have joined forces to present our 3rd Annual Cupcake Craft Night!

We will spend this sweet evening creating cupcake-themed crafts and snacking on cupcakes provided by Cupcakes Take the Cake. Katherine from tinycupcake will demonstrate how to make layered paper cupcake gift tags (as pictured above). We will also pull out all our supplies for sewing, drawing, printing, button making, (and more!) for you to make things to your heart's content. Let your mind run wild and create cupcake creations of any kind! Supplies are provided, though you are welcome to bring any special papers or fabrics to incorporate into your projects.

When: Monday, May 11, 5-8pm (Please note Craft Night is running from 5-8pm this week, rather than the usual 4-8pm.)

Where: Etsy Labs, 325 Gold Street, 2nd floor, Brooklyn, NY

Not in Brooklyn? Join us for a live broadcast and demo from Craft Night online in the Virtual Labs starting at 5pm EDT. Click here to see what time 5pm EDT is around the world (though we usually take some time to get settled and ready to go). If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need a few supplies: paper, pen, scissors, and fabric. Or, you may just want to come and watch, ask questions, and take notes.

Get your sweet tooth ready to feast on cupcakes and crafts! Will we see you there? Let us know in the comments below.

If you're on the prowl for some sweet cupcake tutorials on Etsy, be sure to check out the videos below...

Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes | VeganYumYum Knits with Marzipan

How-Tuesday: VeganYumYum Knits with Marzipan

2009-04-21T17:05:00-05:00

Feast your eyes on this! Lolo (aka Lauren Ulm) is the brains behind Vegan Yum Yum, a food blog with delectable designs that caught the eye of Martha Stewart herself. This week, her beautiful photo tutorials prove that sometimes it's best to let the pictures do the talking (and instructing!). She's here to instruct us how to "knit" with marzipan for a delectable treat that's as crafty to eat as it is to make. Lolo has also shown Martha Stewart how to make these delicious cupcakes. Watch the video above!

How to make a marzipan ball of "yarn" in 14 easy steps.

How to "knit" marzipan:

Thanks to Lolo for sharing this tasty tutorial with us. Head over to VeganYumYum.com for more deliciousness. More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog!

How-Tuesday: Valentine's Day Round Up

2009-02-10T16:45:00-05:00

When I was in first grade, my teacher Mrs. Cechetti would bring in hand-crocheted ornaments for each holiday. (For all twenty-five plus kids in the class!) There were black cats for Halloween, ice skates — complete with paper clip blades! — for the winter holidays, Lincoln hats for President's Day, and white bunnies with pink ears for Easter. I remember thinking, even at six years old, "Wow... That's a lot of work, she must really like us!" (This was in addition to the pure delight and admiration I felt for her magical ways with yarn.) That direct hand to heart connection still resonates, twenty-five plus years later.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time to highlight fun hands-on ways to show you care? Here's a round up of some of the sweetest treats to make and share... xox

Red Velvet Cupcakes

"Intimidated by baking, assembling, and decorating a homemade red velvet cake for Valentine’s Day? Give cupcakes a try instead!" says Nicole of Pinch My Salt. These decadent Red Velvet Cupcakes "aren’t pink, they aren’t reddish-brown, they are a dramatic RED, perfect for Valentine’s Day! And in addition to the beautiful color, these little cakes are light, tender, and downright delicious!"

Yum! Click here for the recipe and share them with someone special.

Amigurumi Love Birds

Made for each other in complementing yarns, this pair would do Mrs. Cechetti proud! Make your own set to share with your lovebird. Get the complete pattern at Lionbrand.com.

Thanks to WhipUp.net for highlighting this super-cute duo.

Tic Tac Toe Hearts

"When you think Valentines, what comes to mind? Hearts, red & pink, and crafts, right? Well I've included all three of those elements into the classic game of Tic Tac Toe.

(Oh, and chocolates are included too, which I was eating as I was crafting these red & pink hearts!)"

By Marie LeBaron, care of AlphaMom.com.

Make Your Own Valentine

Don't have a Valentine? Why not make one? That's just what Erika Kern, of myimaginaryboyfriend and craftstylish did.

"I must admit I'm not a big Valentine's Day fan. You see, I've never actually had a Valentine, but I suspect that even if I had, I wouldn't care for it. It seems to me that Valentine's Day only exists to make people in relationships feel as though they must spend spend spend to prove their love and to make the single out there feel as though they were the loneliest sots in all the world. Still, I am a romantic, and though Valentine-less, I still hope for love. This Valentine's Day I've decided why wait for Mr. Right when I can just make my own! Wanna make your own, too?"

Get the full instructions here.

Do you remember your first-- or your favorite-- handmade Valentine? Tell us about it in the comments below.

More How-Tuesday Projects | Season of Love Posts

Etsy Finds: Sweeten Up Your Romance...

2009-02-03T08:00:00-05:00

Do you have your eye on a special someone? Are you looking for a clever way to let the love of your life know that you just can't get him or her off your mind? Express your true feelings with a sweet little handmade surprise. Get your crush's attention and playfully let 'em know how much you care.

Be Mine Ring

By pamelasusan, $25.

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Ceramic Chocolate Cupcake Cookie Jar Container With Cherry On top

By fruitflypie, $49.99.

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Annie's Conversation Heart Soap

By anniepoo, $10.

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Valentine Cake

By socharmed, $42.

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Chocolate Covered Oreos

By ASugarAffair, $15.

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Set Of Two Fake Cupcake Teddy Bear Decor Ornaments

By FrostedFakes, $18.

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Gumdrop Boy Loves Gumdrop Girl Oval Earrings Apple Noggin

By applenoggin, $15.

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Amigurumi Dessert Jewelry - Pink Berry Cake Ring RG-8-2706

By ennadesign, $22.

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Sweet Heart for your sweetheart... let her know how sweet she is with this giant resin heart shaped necklace full of candy by isewcute

By isewcute, $25.

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my heart is full of candies

By EQart, $140.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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You Be the Judge: Sweet Trademarks

2008-12-30T11:30:00-05:00

Most of us may associate the word “trademark” with certain products (like the logo on a sneaker, the design on can of cola, or a symbol handbag) and these trademarks help identify the creator of the product. In this “You Be the Judge,” we investigate the trademark of a delicious sugary cupcake decoration.

Sprinkles Cupcakes is a cupcake bakery with roots in California. Although the author of this article has not had the opportunity to sample the delicacy, Hollywood seems to adore the cupcakes. According to Sprinkles, in October 2004, the company started using their “nested circle design” to indicate the flavor of the mini-cake. Sprinkles registered the design for trademark protection in April 2007.

Famous Cupcakes is also a cupcake bakery (and again, unfortunately the author cannot attest for the quality of these cupcakes). According to the website, the owner of Famous Cupcakes began selling her sweets door-to-door over 20 years ago at the age of seven.

In a federal lawsuit filed in August, Sprinkles alleges that Famous incorporated the "nested circle design" on Famous’ packaging, store decor, and website.

Although you may need a taste test to fully judge this case, in the case of the cupcake circles, You Be the Judge. Click here to see Famous' graphics on their website and Sprinkles' here.

What's your take on the controversy? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Creepy Cute Crochet: Fuzzy Alien How-To

2008-07-14T15:34:00-05:00

For our Handmade Kids Series, Christen Haden aka NeedleNoodles, master of "creepy cute" amigurumi, shares the Fuzzy Alien project for you to do with your kids (or with your friends!) and answers our questions on behalf of her ninjas, robots, and zombies. Her book, Creepy Cute Crochet is available through Quirk Books.

UPDATE from Lacey at Quirk Books:

"Since Quirk loves Etsy so much they're giving everyone 25% off Creepy Cute Crochet, and all the books at quirkbooks.com just use promotional code ETSY when you check out!"

Click to download the Fuzzy Alien How-To PDF:

Here's Christen with the inside scoop on her relationship to those fuzzy and crochety creatures:

Can you tell us a bit about your book and how you got the book deal?
Creepy Cute Crochet is a collection of toy patterns for characters that are, perhaps, not always well represented in the world of crochet. A place for crocheted zombies, amazons and ninjas to get their chance in the spotlight, if you will.

The book deal came about a year after I started selling patterns on Etsy. The folks at Quirk books had seen some of my earlier patterns and contacted me about doing a book of patterns in a similar vein.

What is an amigurumi? How did you first hear about them?
Well, if we want to be purists, amigurumi are crocheted toys made of single crochet stitches worked in spiral, usually with a sort of Japanese aesthetic. However, since the word "amigurumi" is just Japanese for knitted/crocheted stuffed toy, lots of people are a bit more inclusive about what counts as "amigurumi."

I think that I first started seeing amigurumi critters popping up online early in 2006. I remember having a lot of, "Hey, I could make that ...but, I'd totally make it a ____ instead!" moments.

What was the first amigurumi you made? Any tips for beginner crocheters?
Albino chibi squid. It's still one of the very few amigurumi projects that I've kept for myself.

As for advice for beginner crocheters, uh... fake it till you make it?

Your first few projects might be little bit shaky — particularly if you start out with difficult projects. Just stick with it, look up techniques frequently, and assume that you *will* figure it out eventually.

How did you get the idea for the book?
My characters borrow a little from gamer culture, and a little from internet memes, and a lot from stuff that I just think is cool. Basically, it all boils down to, "What do I think that people would enjoy making that isn't already well covered by someone else?"

Do you have any anecdotes about kids using your book?
One of the most exciting things about the book is the number of emails that I've recieved about kids learning to crochet in order to make their own creepy cute toys. I think that crocheted toys appeal to young crafters in a way that doilies and sweaters maybe don't, and they can provide a really nice opportunity for grown-up crafters to find enthusiastic students among their younger friends and relatives.

What is it about creepy cuteness that you like?
A little bit of dissonance can add punch to so many things. Adding just a suggestion of danger to otherwise totally cute and non-threatening designs makes people sit up and take a closer look, I think.

Crocheting patterns (and not just the finished items) seem to be selling well. Can you account for why this particular medium/technique/type of object works so well in this way?
It seems to be the accepted wisdom that patterns and craft supplies in general sell well on Etsy because most Etsians are crafters anyway, but I think that Etsy patterns also do well because they offer something a little bit more unusual (and convenient!) than the average mainstream brick-and-mortar craft store.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Creepy Cute Crochet is meant to be customized!

There are lots of places to share your own variations on the Creepy Cute projects:

The Creepy Cute Crochet Flickr Group
The Creepy Cute Crochet Craftster Crochetalong
Ravelry

Stay tuned for more projects and cuteness from the Handmade Kids series.

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

News from the Etsy Labs: Cupcake Craft Night

2008-07-11T14:35:00-05:00

UPDATE: We have an exciting addition to this Monday's Cupcake Craft Night. Jill and Katherine of tinycupcakes will be leading a very special project: how to make a cupcake ornament! We look forward to seeing everyone at Craft Night this Monday for a sweet evening of cupcakes and crafting.

This article was originally published July 5, 2008.
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This week we are pleased to announce a very special edition of Monday Craft Night. The Etsy Labs and Cupcakes Take the Cake join forces to bring you an evening of cupcake-themed crafting. We will spend this sweet evening making cupcake-inspired crafts — which seem to be quite popular with shoppers on Etsy. We will demonstrate Gocco printing, buttonmaking, and sewing. You will learn how to print postcards, make pinback buttons, and simple plushie cupcakes. Or, let your mind run wild and create cupcake creations of any kind! Supplies are provided, though you are welcome to bring any special papers or fabrics to incorporate into your projects.

When: Monday July 14, 6-8pm

Where: Etsy Labs, 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY

Not in Brooklyn? Join us for a live broadcast and demos in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need to bring paper, pen, scissors, and fabric. Or, you may just want to come and watch, ask questions, and take notes.

Get your sweet tooth ready to feast on cupcakes and crafts!

Craft Night occurs every Monday at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out. Each craft night is also broadcast live in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

Will we see you at Cupcake Craft Night? Post in the comments below!

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

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Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Handmade Portraits: Betty Turbo

2008-06-20T12:49:00-05:00

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

(music by Matt Hopper)

East Nashville artist Agnes Barton-Sabo aka Betty Turbo is all about cupcakes and moustaches! Agnes grew up in Alaska with an artistic family. Mom was an incredible seamstress who made matching outfits for Agnes and her dolls. Dad was an art history professor fascinated with animal spirits and great grandma was an interior designer in the 30's. Agnes took inspiration from her family and went on to college for photography.

After school she moved to East Nashville for a letterpress job at Hatch Show Print shop. Letterpress became a way for Agnes to combine her interests in photography, vintage advertising, beards and cupcakes!

Check out our other Handmade Portraits and Vanessa's post on Hatch Show Print Shop. Here's a link to other letterpress items on Etsy and sellers in Nashville.

Etsy Finds: Pincushions

2008-05-26T09:04:00-05:00

Today's Find is dedicated to that ever-so-necessary (at least for tailors and seamstresses) of objects, the humble pincushion. When searching for a good pincushion, like most everything else on Etsy, your options run the gamut from sweet and simple to the hallucinogenically anthropomorphic. Read on to discover some of my favorites:

Tape Owl no 2

How could you even stick pins in this little fella? By strawberriesandcream, $8.50.

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Black King Mushroom Pincushion

This gocco-printed cushion is a smorgasbord of sweet Japanese fabric and ribbon, too. Cutesypoo, $12.

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Cupcake Pincushions

Classic wool cupcake pincushion. By englishcottage, $15.

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Hydrangea Pincushion

The colors, the detail, the teeny felt flowers...it's completely lovely. By TheDailyPincushion, $28.

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pale cream twin chairs - pincushion

As a fellow applique artist, I have to give ups to this outstanding chair motif. By rabbitsmoon, $15.

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CUSTOM Large Multicolor pincushion

I have wanted a pincushion from verybigjen for ages. My current favorite is this large (5" wide) customizable one for $24.

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Vintage chenille cupcake pin cushion lavender filled pincushion...Emilys Crazy Cakes...Baby blue

Shabby chic in the form of a cushion made from recycled vintage bedspreads. By crazycakes, $15.

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Vintage Japan Duckie Pincushion with Vintage Fabrics and Buttons Too

Um, there was no way on earth I was passing this one by. I have no idea why you'd need a salt shaker attached to your pincushion, unless you plan on doing tequila shots while you sew. (Which sounds amazing.) Kudos to BluebirdMountain for making today's most cute-yet-functional piece. $18.50.

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Milly Owl

Kawaii, just kawaii. By SugarElf, $35.

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Faux Commercial with scarypretty

2008-05-22T18:07:00-05:00

Hollie Dzama aka scarypretty collaborated on this wonderful faux commercial with her friend Myles Langlois.

Angel Sweet Sweet Cupcake

Amazing.

Forum Decorum: Keepin' It Relevant and Useful

2008-01-10T12:42:00-05:00

We're lucky in the Etsy community to have so many knowledgeable, helpful people with so much information and so many ideas to offer, with thousands of members coming to the Forums every day to contribute! Even so, it can be pretty staggering to see the post count on any given forum topic shoot upwards within a short span of time. What makes that happen? Sometimes the topics are hot-button ones that can attract a tremendous number of opinions and a lot of discussion very quickly. What else? The other most likely possibility is that the thread has been derailed – our topic of this week's Forum Decorum!

It's totally natural for discussion on any topic to have tangents that split from the main topic. They're usually either pretty informative and important in their own right or, shoot, they're just a lot of fun – kind of like a cupcake break in the middle of an intense, important meeting. Tangential discussions and cupcake breaks alike both deserve their own share of attention (and if you're having a cupcake break sometime soon, please let us know; we'll be right over!), but usually that attention is best given in its own space and time. Similarly, it's usually easier for newcomers to any given thread to get information about the topic if there isn't much off-topic posting in the thread.

One of the best ways to handle tangential discussions is to acknowledge, "Hey! This topic needs some attention too! Let me start a new thread on that topic and then link to it in a post here, so that the off-topic discussion can continue in its own thread." This keeps most good discussions both organized and easier for readers to digest. You can do the same kind of thing with a running gag that gets its start inside a serious thread. We're not trying to tell you not to have fun in serious threads, just don't let the cupcake break take over the meeting that you know is important to someone!

As a footnote, another way to avoid off-topic posting is to resist the urge to post just a little something to "bookmark" the thread. All of the major browsers have easy-to-access features to mark webpages that you want to come back to, or you can use a web-based bookmark system (like del.icio.us) if you swtich computers often. This way, you can keep your topics you've posted in page limited to threads in which you've joined the discussion, instead of having to wade through threads you just wanted to read.

Discuss this article on the Forums, in this companion thread: Keepin' it relevant and useful.

In the Forum Decorum series, Lauren (stellaloella) and RobWhite of the Community team explain some of the finer points of cultural etiquette in Etsy's community spaces. When something is an official site rule, we'll be sure to link you up to the DOs and DON'Ts or Terms of Use. Simply consider these as tips for avoiding a forum faux pas.