Search results (tags) for: "design"

Etsy Finds Decor: A Dairy Tale

2010-03-14T11:40:00-04:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the Bellingham, WA home of the Sayers family. Nia and Scott began renovating an old garage in 2001 and have slowly transformed the structure into their dream home. Inspired by anything that is "free, quirky or sentimental," the couple have created a gorgeous home filled with mid-century modern furniture and meaningful pieces from Nia's grandparents' past as dairy farmers.

Nia also manages to run a successful upholstery business while raising two sons. She sells her revitalized furniture at summerland and also blogs about her life and business on Summer Land Style.

View more photos of Nia and Scott's home on Flickr and check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a perfect mix of rustic and retro to the place you call home.

Plush faux taxidermy deer head

By sarahphillipsau, $200.

White Ceramic Onion Table Lamp

From LiseVintageLighting, $175.

SMALL BENCH

By EMJOCOWOODWORKING, $60.

Black Bear Skinny Dip Canvas Wall Art

By nativevermont, $65.

Mounted bunny head - with magnet

By PlanetFur, $14.

Mini Deer Plaque - white

By nice, $25.

Vintage Chenille Bedspread

From HarrietsDaughter, $69.

BIRD and BUTTERFLY LAMPSHADE

By theoldlampshed, $56.

Vintage Wallpaper Lampshade

By lovefrankieproducts, $45.

Ultra Mod Pop Art 60's Desk Chair

By MonarchRestoration, $400.

simple and modern graphic print pillow

By lubelu, $39.

Black and White Geometric

By Brezaun, $45.

Set of 3 Cow Prints 16x20 inches

By RozArt, $135.

One pair of vintage floral pillow cases

From Embersidhesgirly, $11.50.

The Spindled Bench

By craigwoodworks, $400.

Mid Century Modern Black Leather Sofa

From thevintagesupplyco, $850.

VINTAGE CURTAINS 4 PANELS

From DancingBell, $55.

Green house at night No. 6

By jeremymiranda, $125.

Large Signage Letters - OK

From redbirdvintagehome, $50.

Purity No 3 - Baby Deer

By attiladesign, $223.

Primitive Slat Bench

From Hindsvik, $40.

Fence Post clockwork

By darkwaterengineworks, $40.

1930s Floral Drop Front Dresser

From studiovintageshop, $1150.

Print on Wood, Texas State Fair

By dolangeiman, $300.

Wrought Iron Hearts Desire

By MaterialsUnlimited, $165.

Vintage 60s metal frame

From buttonsnsuch, $22.

Set of 2 Metal Barn Stars

From scrappinstars, $8.50.

Black Walnut Wood Seat Side Table

By mynoblebear, $2000.

Vintage alarm clock / gold

From bichoboi, $39.

Vintage Adult Wood Foot Form

From AntiNu, $9.

SPICE OR STORAGE RACK

By sittinginsawdust, $36.95.

Custom Inlay Cribbage Board

By barkupatree, $80.

Hanging Celestial Wind Sculpture

By chriscrooks, $49.95.

antique cow bell

From ModishVintage, $22.

Contemplating the Blue Moon

By eringopaint, $25.

Sweet Vintage Milk Pail

From tippleandsnack, $13.99.

Reclaimed wood dining table

By ReclaimedLumber, $499.

Set of four mid-century dining chairs

From andfoundfurnishings, $475.

Ceramic Owl TV Lamp

By fruitflypie, $49.99.

Natural Cotton Flour Sack Towel

By AmericaJane, $8.

Daisy the Cow-Vintage creamer

From GraceGoods, $6.

Quadruple Live Edge Shelf

By ADrauglis, $120.

Tea Light / Candle Cover

By SaltAndLight85, $12.

Prize Short Horn Cattle Illustration

From kelleystreetvintage, $17.50.

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

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links: Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Etsy Finds: Spring Ahead

2010-03-09T12:11:00-04:00

As the snow begins to melt and the days grow longer, why not utilize the extra daylight to hit up garage sales, tackle a much-needed home renovation and do a little redecorating? The following Etsy Finds highlight creative ideas to give your home a top-to-bottom makeover and celebrate the warmth and joy of the spring season. For our friends who are snuggling close to the fireplace on a cool, crisp day, check out my Get the Look: Decor series for lots more home decor suggestions to suit any season or style.

Vintage Galvanized Watering Cans

From catatonic9, $25

Spring Wooden Easter Egg Set

By ShabbyAddict, $9.25.

Chalk Pots- Spring Collection Pink

By chalknotes, $9.99.

Spring Tulips Vintage Quilt

From FineVintageLinens, $195.

spring blossom PYREX mixing bowls

From HelloVictory, $44.

Vintage Spring Time Candle Chandelier

From oldcrowfarm, $65.

welcome spring wreath

By GoodieTrueShoes, $39.99.

French Bucket of Spring Flowers

By belledenuitnyc, $200.

EARTH YELLOW wooden wall shelf

By OldNewAgain, $38.

spring time patchwork pillow

By ohxcrap, $28.

Bathroom Set-Spring Green

By DodgeStationPottery, $85.

Little Spring Green Bucket

By MyHappyHome, $15.

Is it Spring Yet Reversible Placemats

By craftsbykj, $24.

Orange Spring Print Pillow

By carlossantiago, $50.

Stained Glass Hanging Window Panel

By livingglassart, $125.

3 felt eggs and twig nest

By plytextiles, $18.

Twined Rug Peachy Cream Spring

By jcarlos, $80.

Vinyl Wall Art decal sticker Tree

By WowWall, $39.88.

Blue Bunny embroidered wall decor

By HAREandDRUM, $15.

Large Shabby Chalkboard Framed

By sweetiepiesuite, $37.50.

Blossom Humming Bird Cushion Cover

By RaineStyleHome, $32.

It's Almost Spring - Decorative Box

By onepurpledandelion, $15.

Constellation Mobile, in Spring

By thewonderlandstudio, $64.

decorative eggs with flower pattern

By HouseOfCeramics, $34.

Green Hydrangea Bloom Pillow

By dedeetsyshop, $34.

Spring Green Vintage Cups

From elizabethwrenvintage, $14.

Snails, a pair in sun dappled dream

By NomadClayworks, $10.50.

Eagle. embroidered throw pillow

By lapomme, $45.

Spring Fling Wool Crochet Cozy

By aemcdraw, $10.

green daisy tablecloth

By tuwhittuwhoo, $30.

Pretty Bow - Pillow

By OIive, $29.

VINTAGE gooseneck TABLE LAMP

From buyoldschool, $28.

Hobnail Milk Glass Oil Lamps

From SublimeHouseWarming, $25.

Burlap Table Runner - Ruffled

By SimpleLinens, $59.

antique oak spindle side table

From VintageChicFurniture, $195.

Spring - Original Antique Box Collage

By hangoutashingle, $185.

spring bug electric lantern lamp

From skyparlor, $29.

Nautical Anchor Crochet Area Rug

By ekra, $40.

Vintage Shabby Chic Green Metal Fan

From FishboneDeco, $42.

Warm Color Palette - Yarn Wreath

By KnockKnocking, $57.

robin's nest in a basket

By TheShabbyChicCottage, $17.

VINTAGE A Really Swell Table Bench

From valnorthwoods, $165.

London to Paris...Original Oil Painting

By shannspishak, $175.

A GREEN SPRING original painting

By kebirch, $25.

Robins Egg Blue Cups and Saucers

From birdie1, $14.

craspedia cluster

By floresdelsol, $90.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Etsy Finds: Undiscovered Territory

2010-03-08T11:23:00-04:00

Discovering a new-to-me shop or item is one of my favorite thrills when browsing Etsy. I'm endlessly impressed with the new shops and designs emerging throughout the site. Today's Etsy Finds contains shops that are fresh to Etsy, just waiting to be discovered. Want to keep unearthing new talent? Try shopping with Etsy's Undiscovered Pounce feature or take a stroll through this Forum thread.

Candystripe strapless jumpsuit

By BlackSheepFashion, $57.

Pocket Zipper Pouch

By MilkandHoneyHandbags, $28.

the crafty fox paper

By dearcolleen, $19.

Sunshine and Showers Mobile

By tealandgold, $45.

Mini Olly Fabric Baskets Set

By Ornamelle, $30.

Ballerina style flats/pumps

By lunashoesuk, $55.

Silver Hatterass Snail Shell Ring

By FavreBijoux, $125.

Aran Fisherman's Sweater

By OuterKnits, $158.

Fairy Tale, 8x8 Fine Art Photograph

By silviareitsma, $25.

Textured Stacking Rings

By ThirtySixTen, $65.

Hand knit cowl, triple thick

By goXO, $65.

Leo and Leona

By rileyconstruction, $35.

TEDDY FLAP HAT

By wawaheads, $39.

The Green Pin

By grayinc, $230.

bird woman

By AlwaysApril, $190.

The Sock Monkey

By cavanwendel, $30.

Cherry CHESS BOARD w/secret

By OliveTreeArt, $400.

Mod Cars Quilt

By BlueElephantStitch, $95.

Linen Tote Ribbon Bag

By CiCiBAGS, $24.

Polka dot Tea Pot

By ebohner, $24.

Horse Pendant Necklace

By thelightningbolts, $24.

A fresh Approach to Beauty

By GraydaysPrintShop, $18.

Wine Chiller, Handthrown Pottery

By lamplightpottery, $29.

Racy D. Rabbit

By twigtoys, $50.

ASCELLA

By mysteryandmanners, $29.

Mini Bubble lampshade

By FiligreeCreations, $31.

Lola

By MyHappyHome, $20.

Airstream Polaroid Transfer

By jalinde, $35.

sunflower bud pot - felted bowl

By cityroad, $10.

Pretty Floral Pillow

By HopscotchDandelions, $23.

Busy Bee - vintage brass locket

By botanicaltheatre, $35.

Follow Me (1) - 5x5 Fisheye Photo

By hollyedwards, $10.

Honeymoon bag tag

By CestSuperbe, $27.

L'Ingenue

By BoutiqueDeBandeaux, $25.

Memory Lane - 8x12

By birdandbloke, $25.

Gemstone Earrings

By BlueTea, $42.

Brown Bow Hat

By wattlebird, $25.

armor bolero

By ButterflyOfTelepathy, $23.

Purly the Paper Mache Cat

By woodyloo, $28.

Simple Green Clutch

By cleverbetty, $25.

Dandelion in Love Embroidery

By HouseJewels, $18.

Blush Orange Fine Art Photo Print

By DayView, $10.

Hi hedgie- felt brooch

By hanaletters, $13.

Shamrock Crochet Beanie

By aemcdraw, $35.

Gold Dandelion, 10x10x2

By susanbdennis, $65.

Bob Girls Magnet Set

By minifanfan, $12.

The Plaza Wedding Earrings

By laurastark, $120.

Jade Stout - Landscape painting

By SweetartStout, $45.

Framed Letter Art - Customized

By NellieCorrine, $35.

Leather Clutch in Mahogany

By MissasEquineDesign, $70.

Sequin Embroidered Necklace

By seragun, $75.

Case/Cozy with Embroidered Fly

By LAWBags, $29.

Crochet Light Bulb

By thelovelybee, $30.

Woodland Fairy Pearls Gemstone

By piperddesigns, $49.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Fresh Shops Posts | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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UK Edition: Interview With chrisparry

2010-03-05T08:00:00-04:00

I've long been a fan of chrisparry's craftsmanship so it's a real treat to gain insight into his techniques and daily life. I find the more avant-garde of his designs (such as his Nail Varnish Ring) deeply fascinating. What a pro — he's the kind of designer/maker I'm sure many of us would like to be when we grow up. In fact, you might even call him a Diamond Geezer (sorry).

Tell us a wee bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Chris Parry and I am a professional jewellery designer/maker living and working in Gravesend, Kent, UK. You may not have heard of Gravesend, but Pocahontas is buried about 300 yards from my shop. I specialize in making bespoke pieces of jewellery, be it a sparkly engagement ring or a subtle pair of earrings. If it can be made from platinum, gold (red, white or yellow), palladium or silver, then I can probably make it for you. I started off working from home, which progressed to a shed, then a workshop, then my first shop and I am now in a large town centre shop. This comprises a retail space for my jewellery, other lovely goodies and of course my workshop.

How did you begin your foray into the world of designing/making?

I left a very good career at the age of 30 and went to study a degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery Design. During the degree program I set up my personal website and immediately started to pick up commissions. From that day onwards I have been self-employed.

Photos from Chris Parry on Flickr

Educate us a little on silversmithing; what's the physical process like and why do you love it?
Each commission or repair is unique for me so I have to call upon an array of techniques. A simple ring commission might involve working directly in bullion, hammering and bashing. It might require hand-carving a wax model, so that the piece can be cast, or it might need more modern technology like computer aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping (RPT). Within a week I can find myself smithing, carving, computer modelling, engraving, casting, enamelling, stone setting and doing a host of other techniques. It is this vast range of skills that makes my work life so enjoyable. I think most jobs become dull and boring because every day is much like the one before. For example, repairs have ranged from a 100 year old football trophy to replacing lost stones in rings.

What is the "Ring a Day" project?
The "Ring a Day" project is a task to simply create, as quick or as slow as you like, a ring every day from any material which may or may not be practical or serve a purpose. Think of it as a kind of 3D doodling exercise. I tend to run out of time to document all of my rings online, but the Flickr group is wonderful.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by my clients — I create unique designs for each of them! Every person has their own perception of beauty, and the old saying that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is very true. I try to be very, very neutral in helping a client realize their dream item and will offer opinions on scale or proportion or structural integrity. The beauty of working in this way is that one client might want a piece inspired by Art Nouveau, the next something minimalist and so on. I have had clients turn up with pictures of buildings, cars, flowers, tattoos or just dreamy descriptions. I work with each client to create a design and tweak it as required until they are happy.

What's it like to work on bespoke, custom commissions? Do you have a favourite memory of one in particular?
It may seem cliché, but every commission is rewarding. To be able to create something that the client has been dreaming about is so thrilling. Some commissions are even more emotionally charged, especially when I am given a fingerprint, hand or footprint of someone who has recently been lost. Sometimes I have wonderful meetings with mothers and fathers who have lost a tiny one, and to be able to create a piece of jewellery which carries a very special memory — this has to be the highlight of any day.

What does an average day in the life of Chris Parry entail?

I try to keep my work life separate from my home life, so work for me starts when I arrive at my shop/workshop at 9 a.m. I have already been up for a couple of hours and done the daddy stuff. One of the highlights of my day is walking hand in hand with my daughter to school. I don't check on work emails or Etsy sales outside of my working day. It's not that I am not interested, but it is too easy to neglect your loved ones by checking the computer every thirty minutes.

Working for yourself and running your own shop/workshop has many demands. The kettle is the first thing I turn on and I try to answer emails right away. I process any sales and set a list of things to do for the day. Eva, my apprentice, arrives at 9.30 a.m. and I give her a list of tasks for the day. She is a wonderful woman: we get on so well and I could not ask for a more hardworking helper in the workshop.

Sometimes I might be mentioned on a blog or in a forum, which, whilst really nice, might create 20, 40 or 100 email enquiries. The Internet is a truly wonderful tool and in the same breath it can create a ton of traffic. I once created an Instructable, which was viewed about 90,000 times and generated a shed load of emails. I also created a free pricing spreadsheet for the Etsy community, which was downloaded about 40,000 times from my blog and again sent me lots of emails, some of which were short novels asking me for further help! Needless to say, it can be overwhelming.

Eva and I then set about our daily tasks and we serve customers in the shop. Clients come in to ask about this and that or to bring in repairs. I don't have a typical day, as each is so unique. The kettle is never cold. I close the shop up when the town centre closes at about 5.30 p.m. and after a short trip home it is back to being a daddy and hubby again.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Anything my kids have made. My great-great-grandfather made a beautiful chess table, probably circa 1900.

Do you have any advice for artists starting out in their career?
I have three hot tips for any artist in any field:

Pricing.
Pricing.
Pricing.

You need to learn the reality of pricing to earn a living. A self-employed artisan cannot rely on their craft alone. They need to understand the complexity of running a business equally well.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I have a saying that I try to live by. It can be applied for both my personal life and my work life: "Is what I am doing now getting me any closer to my objectives?" It reminds me not to waste time on trivia.

Thanks to Chris for taking part! You can see some of his beautiful work below.

Interview Posts | The UK Edition | More Jewelry Posts | Shop Jewelry

Etsy Finds Decor: Earthbound

2010-02-28T10:00:00-04:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the peaceful Waterloo, Ontario home of Emily, the creative ceramicist and mastermind behind nestingemily. With an earthy color palette inspired by nature, Emily's home is a beautiful combination of old and modern, clean lines and organic shapes. The contrast of natural elements like wood, wool, clay and textiles is a striking mix with her mid-century modern furniture and rustic styling.

Emily feels at peace surrounded by earthy colors and materials and describes her home as "a love letter to nature." Being raised by creative parents — her mother was a weaver and graphic designer while dad worked as a typesetter — Emily came to associate tools of their trades with home. She also draws influence from blogs, magazines, vintage pieces, Flickr and Etsy artists, and Scandinavian and Japanese design.

View more photos of Emily's home on Flickr or stop by her Etsy shop at nestingemily. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a serene touch of nature to the place you call home.

Kuba Glam Pillow

By AccentuateToday, $29.95.

Stoneware Vase - Kuba Textile

By geolewter, $125.

Teak money box Early 20th Century

From mlifland, $400.

Purple Ikat Print Pillow

By carlossantiago, $50.

Thoughtful Wander.

By michellemoode, $27.

Walk in the Woods

By YellowViolet, $20.

Giant IO Moth throw pillow

By utilitarianfranchise, $30.

Small Bottles

By BECKYWEBSTER, $60.

AUTUMN DRIVE

By watercolorstudio, $100.

Baby Birds in a Nest

By BossysFeltworks, $20.

Vintage Uzbek Suzani Tapestry

From rayela, $140.

Still Life Oil Painting Little Gems

By illenye, $250.

Things I found wandering in the woods

By NHWoodscreations, $24.50.

Pinched Clay Mini Pot with Sage Leaves

By potsandpens, $36.

Winter's Harvest

By NeedlesandPensShop, $88.

Mountain Without Air Oil Painting

By HellsSewingCircle, $142.

3 Leg Natural Wood Cocktail Table

By UrbanAccentHome, $799.

Banksia Dried Flower Vase

By BlackHillsOrigins, $45.

Cloud Factory

By PearsonMaron, $25.

Driftwood mobile III

By greekislandart, $40.

Canary Cylinder Vase

By oneblackbird, $165.

gold 2

By racheltrobertson, $150.

Small Sage Geode Bowl

By blueroompottery, $36.

porcelain bud vase

By stepanka, $42.

Garland -- the Spring is almost here

By MadeMary, $22.

Wools Felt Balls Rug - Carpet

By krita, $200.

Wooden Test Tube Rack

By lAmourette, $28.

Vintage Teak Bowl with Seashells

From SeasonalVignettes, $22.

shot glass set of 2 - beech leaf (olive)

By krystalspeck, $36.

White Porcelain Deer Pendant

By poodlebreath, $42.

Bird Nest on Mossy Green Pillow

By WhiteThistleBridal, $40.

small chair

By burnedfurniture, $2000.

Primitive Fired Pod Pot

By lizcrainceramics, $25.

Deep Box Mirror, 15 Inch Square

By traubdesign, $165.

Danish Modern Frem Rojle Dining Table

From HausProud, $300.

Short chubby shino stoneware mug

By ralphnuara, $22.50.

Birdhouse Rustic Handmade Nest

By bearpawrustics, $29.95.

weathered gray wood shelf with pegs

By OldTimeWoodWorks, $40.

Hand felted wool pom pom flower trio

By berryisland, $15.

Nest on Oak Branch wall plaque

By concentric, $20.

Ghost Leaf Teapot and Cups

By patspottery, $120.

Vintage Teak Salad Set

From amyquerin, $49.99.

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links: Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Postcard From Europe #2

2010-02-26T11:10:00-04:00

February 26, 2010
Berlin, Germany

Dear Friends,

Etsy Labs Berlin, Etsy's first international office, is well on its way to becoming a dream in vintage and handmade. Our goal is to create an inspiring and efficient work environment showcasing only vintage and handmade products from around the world. No newly mass-produced goods will ever sully our hallowed halls. So, take that, Ikea!

Inside Sawadee Design, one of the artist's workshops we visited in Berlin

Over the last couple of weeks we have accumulated lists of products from Etsy, met table-makers and painters, visited vintage stores and flea markets, and shared our concept with creative folks here in Berlin. We are currently working with Berlin-based artist, Luis Negron, to build out our raw, industrial space into a multifunctional exhibition, gallery, workshop and community center.

One of Luis' earlier projects

While work proceeds, we have been making progress on furnishing the office.

A fine table from Katja of Buchholz Berlin

Some of our favorite pieces so far are from a local maker/vintage curator named Corinne. She has an incredible talent for finding and then restoring or altering vintage furniture and lighting fixtures. She also builds her own, all in a dark and treasure-laden storefront studio in Prenzlauerberg.

This atmospheric light fixture, built by her out of steel and plastic, uses parts from an old supermarket display.

The industrial chairs with the floating seats were restored treasures from the 1950s. On one of them, a pillow from cosedolci greets us each day.

Another favorite from Corrine is the large wooden table pictured below. She built it originally to serve as her kitchen counter space, but we bought it from her, leaving an empty spot in her home, but filling a giant one in our hearts. Atop it sits a Kaiser-Leuchten desk lamp from the 1930s, and beside it, two vintage Eames chairs.

The giant map of Europe, a planning tool for our crusade, was found at the Flea Market in Mauerpark in Prenzlauerberg, a must-see when in Berlin.

We drink lots of water mit gas here in Germany, and we do so in handmade glasses from YAVAglass. Converted from old soda bottles, they are a recycled treasure.

A local potter made us mugs, containers for tea and coffee, and bowls for eating our nutty and twiggy musli.

We are just at the beginning of our journey, and we invite you to join us over the next couple of months as we document the making of an Etsy office. You are all invited to join us when we have our official opening on April 1, 2010, but until then we just hope that our vintage silverware arrives soon from Etsy. We're dying to stop eating with our fingers.

All the best from Etsy Labs Berlin,

Benedikta and Matt

About Postcards from Europe:
Berlin-based Etsy Admin, Matt and Benedikta send postcards back to the Etsy offices in Brooklyn updating us all on Etsy's European operations. We never know from where they will be sent, what they'll say, or how they'll say it (video, song, photos, interpretive dance).

UK Style: A Bit of Fluff

2010-02-22T08:00:00-04:00

I’m all for a little stylish frivolity, especially at this time of year when, let’s face it, we all need a bit of cheer to get us through the bitterly cold and grey days.

Enter the pom pom (a.k.a. pom pon), a funny little ball of fluff we can all remember making at nursery school. Show me something more outrageously fun and, dare I say it, unexpectedly sophisticated to liven up my winter wardrobe in a jiffy and I’ll eat my ear warmers.

February has a habit of dragging its heels and I can’t think of a better way to put smiles on the faces of my fellow Londoners than donning a colourful fur ball or two.

Photo by sunchineupton on Flickr

Art student and blogger, Milla, goes the folk route with an amazing oversized scarf. Capturing this look is about the colour combinations, which can work in both bright and muted tones.

Pom Pom looped Scarf

By knitwit, $29.

Giant Dirty Flamingo Necklace

By AAliciaAccessories, $175.

the pom pom lariat.

By missindie, $25.

Teal Hooded Poncho with Pom Pom

By LoveandKnit, $109.

Photos via Marie Claire

All in the best possible taste — Givenchy shows us how bubble-shapes are done in their Spring/Summer 2010 Couture Collection. If I happened to have a ball to go to (see what I did there?) then either of these looks would be adequate. Absolutely stunning designs with a hint of surrealism, which is just how I like my high-end fashion.

Feathered Jellyfish Ensemble

By TheMoonShop, $2069.

Couture Circle Bubble Skirt

By supastarclothing1, $54.50.

Black Satin Bubble Dress

By decadentdesignz, $145.

Beating Heart Evening Gown

By devaniweaver, $295.

Photo via Alicia on Flickr

Speaking of surreal, how delicious is this scene from Alicia (who also happens to be one half of the Etsy shop duo sirenaconjersey)? It's like something out of a Pedro Almodóvar film, I keep waiting for these two to have a furious argument, hug and then start a restaurant business together.

Franny and Zooey... 3 poms

By PomLove, $18.

Party Pom Garland - 3 yards

By PartyPoms, $40.

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Kit

By BlossomLane09, $20.

Sweetheart POM Candy Flower Kit

By ThePaperWhale, $4.85.

Photo via Duckie Brown

Duckie Brown introduced the oversized male pom pom hat for Winter 09/10. Absolutely phenomenal. Nuff said.

Green Mohawk Hat

By LeafLee, $30.

Massive Pom Pom Hat in Dark Grey

By YesJess, $44.

The Two Tone Pom Pom Hat

By ItsSweets, $40.

Wild Man Bearded Hat

By BreannaGunderson, $20.

Photo via Style Bubble

UK funstress, Susie Bubble, never fails to bring playfulness to our computer screens, which is why we love her so. Just delightful here in a neon Topshop jumper. As she admits in her blog post, this is one weighty style statement, but it's well worth the effort in the cheer stakes.

POMPOM VINTAGE CARDIGAN

From loverosevintage, $28.

Suzette's Collar

By CircusDolls4ever, $43.

POMPOM Ballet Shoes

By KirstyMcKenzie, $177.

Bubble Sweater

By inspirebynancy, $75.

Photos via Chris Benz

Chris Benz's 2010 Collection carries us into spring. I'm loving the use of colour here. Is it just me or is this a bit Kelis circa '99?

ostrich vest.

From vjones1, $65.

Carolina Faux Fur Couture Dress

By cuddlebunny, $115.

men's Harf Vostok

By TheOriginalHarf, $95.

Wild Things Are Hat -SALE

By Hiporufalo, $30.

Photo by sharkseason on Flickr

I must be kidding, right? Well excuse me, but this photo from Visual Artist and MFA Fibres student, Suzen Green, was too fun to pass up. Why merely accessorise with pom poms and fluffy things when you can embody them?

NEW - 'Midnight Fusion' Hair Fall Hat

By capturedimagination, $85.

Gigantic Auburn Bouffant Birds Nest

By CrudeThings, $400.

Jeans hat with yarn hair for kids

By lachiffonniere, $19.

COUTURE POMPOM HAT

By couvert, $75.

Style Posts | The UK Edition

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: February 18, 2010

2010-02-18T15:20:00-04:00

"One principle that is an ecological upsetter / Is that if anything is good, then more of it is better, / And this misunderstanding sets us very, very wrong / For no relation in the world is linear for long." — Kenneth Boulding

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has geometric knits, dark nature illustrations, patterns for fall and the art of the finale.

Cheerio!

Dang! Swank Dollar's patterned knits are the stuff of Cosby sweater dreams. Put on a sweaterall, call me Denise and let's shimmy through a crowd of similarly woolen friends. (Also, this isn't the last you'll hear about Annie Lee Larson: she's pretty amazing. Have you heard of the New Land of Milk and Honey?) [Via For Me, For You]

At first glance these watercolor illustrations look like typical Museum of Natural History fare, nobly cataloging the various species of the Earth in their natural habitats à la colonial-era illustrators from the 19th century. However, artist Walton Ford's contemporary take on the subject toes a more antagonistic line. A closer look reveals dark themes typically only attributed to human weakness: bird-eat-bird competition for food, subjugation, suicide and all manner of the Seven Deadly Sins, curiously entitled "Bestiarium." Very interesting. [Via Trends in Details and BibliOdyssey]

New York Fashion Week has shown that prints for fall will be an explosion of cosmic radiance, tiny smatterings of color and deep florals. I approve. Read more on Lena Corwin's blog.

The art of the finale has been lost on the modern age, and that's a shame. Maybe I'm a fan of the obvious, but I think the impact of a film is just so much more potent whence I see the confident assertion of "The End" before the slow credit crawl (or I just like old movies — either/or). This collection of "fin" film stills fascinates me: the typefaces, the images chosen to end a director's artistic expression, and the stylized ideas of finality. [Via Design is Mine]

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: emmas designblogg

2010-02-17T14:30:00-04:00

Emma Fexeus is a professional design blogger and WAHM of three living in Stockholm, Sweden. She started emmas designblogg while working as an assistant decorator at an interiors magazine in 2005. The blog functions as a source for decorating inspiration and showcases the works of talented stylists and photographers.The few products that are blogged are almost exclusively organic and/or handmade. Emma believes this is the way to go to influence people to live in a more sustainable way.

I have really fallen for the nature-inspired decorating trend that's so big right now. The organic details mimic the shapes and textures found in nature and encourage bringing real tree and stone pieces into your home in a simple way. It reminds me of the forest, even on days when I stay inside.

Collect sticks, rocks, moss, acorns, chestnuts and leaves on a leisurely walk or find the faux variety here on Etsy. Mixing real plants, sticks and stones with fake ones makes your display much more appealing.

[Wild Twigs Natural Wreath by HollyFerencze, 24k Gold Acorn Necklace by GurKimel, The Leaf Post-It by lemontree77, Tiny Pinecone Candles by peaceblossomcandles, Custom Leaf Silhouette by jennyleefowler]

Soft wood and even softer stones: that sounds weird, right? Well, with woodgrain patterned fabrics and felted wool rocks, anything is possible!

[One Little Stump by littleseedlings, Felted Pebble Wish Stones - Set of Three by delica, Tree Stump Floor Pillow by bebemoon, Felt Pebbles by kneek]

I love fresh cut flowers, but I'm not a big fan of the fake variety (dusty plastic roses displayed in cheap restaurants come to mind) or flower prints. Dried flowers are almost worse because they are, in fact, dead, and who wants dead things around them? I don't. The problem is, death comes quickly to the flowers I buy. These fresh but long-lasting alternatives will endure for years without any risk of wilting!

[Magnolia Bug No. 6667 by kariherer, Habotai Blossom Cushion by emmajanedesigns]

Birch bark can be used in so many ways: as a pattern, in jewelry, candle sticks, lamp shades, vases...the possibilities are endless. It lends a Scandinavian vibe to your home and looks great matched with a sheepskin rug and blonde wood.

[Birch Bark Ring in 14K White Gold by esdesigns, Porcelain Birch Bark Cup by bobedafarm, Birch Bark Necklace by woofbark ]

Of course, there is more to nature than wood, plants and stones. Don't forget the things in the sky, like rain drops, snowflakes and clouds! They make excellent patterns for fabrics, vinyl wall decals and wallpaper. They are also great for beautiful, peaceful mobiles, cushions and softies.

[Wolli Snow Mountain Toy Box by BabiesBreath, Blue Woolen Cloud Pillow by myfavouritedress]

And don't even get me started on animals and animal prints! Yes, those things can be used in stylish ways, but I think I'll have to save them for another Storque post...

Until then: thanks, Emma! For more of her modern design aesthetic, visit emmas designblogg.

More Scandinavian Posts | More Guest Curator Posts | Modern Decor Posts

Etsy at the Design Triennial: Why Design Now?

2010-02-16T10:33:00-04:00

Good news, friends! Etsy has been invited to be part of the National Design Triennial at the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. The theme for this exhibition is "Why Design Now?" and, in part, explores the impact of community and sustainability on the designed world.

A few examples of Etsy items will be there on display: congratulations to necklush and Toolgrrl! We will also have a computer kiosk in the interactive section of the exhibit so that visitors can explore Etsy.com.

I sometimes think of Etsy itself as a massive gallery — a collection of handmade and vintage artifacts. But what also excites me about being part of the Triennial is that Etsy will also be stepping forward as a group of creative people across the world. We're collaborating with folks at the museum to plan crafting events and talks to go along with the Triennial. We're also taking part in an ongoing discussion about our role in the world as creative people and how we can use that creativity to make an impact.

Get Involved
Some of the designers and organizations involved in the exhibit have been invited to share a three minute recording that visitors will access via an iTouch. Our recording will explain what Etsy is and talk a bit about what design means to us. I really think Etsy is all about you — collectors, crafters and artists, and people who care deeply about design — so I want to hear from you, the Etsy community. I hope to quote some of your responses when I do the recording. (Shout-outs!)

So, tell the world: "Why design now? Why is design important today?" Post in the comments below.

Craftivism Posts | More Posts Tagged "Museum"

Etsy Finds Decor: Repurposed Retreat

2010-02-07T11:00:00-04:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by Sandra Soss's Chicago home and studio. Staying true to her self-proclaimed bricolage lifestyle, Sandra’s home is a compelling amalgamation of collections, artwork, thrift shop treasures, found objects and donated furnishings that are constantly rearranged and repurposed.

Sandra also runs two successful Etsy shops, bricolagelife and daisychainvintage. When her hands aren’t full of “glue, threads, camera or onions” she blogs about her various art projects, home life, cooking and decorating at Bricolagelife.

View more photos of Sandra’s home on Flickr. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas to transform your home into a cozy retreat filled with meaningful collections and objects.

Treasures - signed reproduction print

By KatHannah, $21.

Vintage Rand McNally World Globe

From impulseART, $26.

Vintage 1940s Folding Oak Wood Chairs

From sevenbc, $120.

The Emperor Seat, gorgeous stool

By StilNovoDesign, $185.

pair of green metal boxes

From ImSoVintage, $19.

cards for Grandma

By tushtush, $50.

instant collection - ceramic bowl set

From thewildplum, $12.

Vintage Nesting Hen Covered Dish

From DowntownGirlVintage, $15.

Snowdrops

By reyaveltman, $55.

Pine Tree Key Rack

By yellowcanoe, $38.

Oscar Wilde Prayer Candles Set

By DeadMenTellingTales, $30.

Porcelain Pods

By DTerryDesigns, $22.

Orange Chair House

By CornflowerPress, $48.

Vintage Equestrian Horse Pilliow

By amye123, $16.

Saint Tammy Prayer Candle in White

By sweetheartville, $20.

Teensy Vintage Banner Trio

By monkeypuzzle, $20.

Mosaic Table

From DecktoutHome, $219.

Vintage Kitschy Souvenir Pillow

From thebackwardglance, $14.

Chernushka

By Mystectvo, $2400.

Conifer Plate

By mernim, $40.

Cottage style Paper Mache Boxes

By thebrokenhouse, $21.98.

Vintage map handmade Lamp shade

By theoldlampshed, $56.

Cork Bulletin Board - Wood Frame

By LaffyDaffy, $23.

Western Meadowlark.. a pretty print

By candacejean, $12.

Fern and Gloria Original Watercolor

By vivstrauss, $170.

General Electric Oscillating Table Fan

From vintageonthemake, $50.

I Heart HOPE - Obama Poster Print

By WilliamDohman, $14.

Custom Map Tray - Large

By CarolinaCottage, $40.

Green Cheese Tray/ Desk Accessory

From thevintageholicfrog, $18.

Sea Green Gooseneck Desk Lamp

From funretro, $7

Inside Out Collection - Happily Ever After

By RomanekDesign, $20.

An Irish Toast to Your Coffin Poster

By VictorianLowbrow, $13.95.

Marimekko Mini Unikko Pillow Cover

By ModDiva, $27.95.

Set of Books Proust Locke & Maugham

From tigerluxe, $43.

Floating Fern Farm - Original painting

By unitedthread, $25.

Plant an Idea

By elsita, $25.

Mini Goals Chalkboard - Today I Will

By MaryKateMcDevitt, $33.

Recycled Map Treasure-Cigar Box

By HocusFocus, $18.

Painted Turquoise Plate Shelf

From pattispolkadots, $28.

Strawberry Pitcher

From autumnalways, $16.

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links: Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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

Etsy Love Stories: Filzfelt

2010-02-04T15:45:00-04:00

We're getting into the spirit of hand holding, salted chocolate truffles and declarations of undying affection with another round of Etsy love stories. Today's dynamic couple are besties, business buds and felt-loving ladies Kelly Smith and Traci Roloff of FilzFelt. Here's their friendship's origin story.

FilzFelt was founded by felt-loving designers, Kelly Smith and Traci Roloff. "FilzFelt" is a combination of the German (filz) and English words for felt. (Since we’re Americans importing German felt, it seemed like the right fit!) This female-run business prides itself on simplicity in design, beautiful photography, good packaging and jaw-dropping great customer service. Here's Kelly.

Kelly: I was working at a Boston architecture firm in 2005 when I became enamored with felt. I had seen some felt bowls and boxes at the Milan Furniture Fair a few years before, and when I came across a German company that sold high-quality felt I immediately ordered some samples. My coworkers actually gave me $50 to $70 each to sew laptop cases and bags for them, without knowing how they would turn out. Before long I had outfitted most of the office (and their friends and families) and even hired a friend to help me sew. I cut down to working part time in architecture and focused on building up my new company, Etcetera Media, eventually selling laptop bags, totes and housewares at local markets and wholesale to retailers and museum stores. It was tough selling wool felt at the summer markets so my husband and I taught ourselves how to screenprint on T-shirts.

We sold a lot of our little felt cases and T-shirts through Etsy and in the summer 2007 we got a T-shirt order from troloff. I had oversold the T-shirt at a market and didn't have the size printed for the design she ordered, so there were a few Convos and emails between us. I saw her Etsy profile —"I like objects that are thoughtful, modern, uncomplicated, inherently beautiful, a little odd, sustainable, artistic, humorous, thought-provoking, and functional "— that linked to her blog and I totally felt a connection. We had very similar tastes, were both from architecture backgrounds, were not quite working full time, etc. We eventually met up for coffee/tea and our friendship began.

Fast forward a year and we were signing papers for our business partnership.

During that time, my German felt supplier had asked if I'd like to distribute their felt in the U.S. I turned them down twice before they offered a deal (including an exclusivity agreement) that actually made financial sense as a business model. It involved having a partner. Since Traci was a felt-lover as well and seemed to be in the right place in her life, I decided to ask her first. She said yes. FilzFelt was born.

We opened our Etsy shop and our webstore in September 2008 and we are growing, growing, growing. We did an incredible 150K in sales in our first year and 2010 finds us exhibiting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, launching a custom and collaboration side and pitching a book about...felt! We love seeing what people make with our felt and continue to update/upgrade the way we run our business. Throughout it all, we've had a simple mission of spreading the love of felt to like-minded designers. Go sheep!

Traci: In the spring of 2007, I was working in an architecture career that I absolutely hated and had decided to quit my job (of only 5 months — I guess I hit rock bottom). I had the idea of opening a modern design shop in Boston and in the interim I started writing a design blog to have a creative outlet. I had shopped on Etsy and cruised it regularly for material for my blog. I'm also somewhat of a printed tee fanatic and one day found a company called Etcetera Media. I had recently traveled to the UK and loved one of their tees that featured a building in Glasgow.

At that time, I was talking to anyone and everyone who owned their own business, trying to get inspiration and encouragement. Kelly responded to a "Hey, I live in Boston too!" message from me and we made a date to meet for coffee. I was impressed that Kelly had gone out on her own and ran her own business while staying true to being creative. We totally hit it off and I began joining her at meetings of a local women's design group in Boston. During this time, I worked part time in architecture and at a couple local design stores, which convinced me to abandon my plans to open a brick and mortar retail store!

I had kind of reconciled myself to the idea of staying in architecture (what else could I do?) when Kelly asked about going into business together. Though we hadn't known each other very long and had never worked together (two things that scared the daylights out of me), I loved the material and was excited at the idea of something totally new and unexpected. I've always been drawn to color and inherent beauty in materials (I worked as an architectural conservator for, like, two minutes in 2000) and the sustainability and natural content of the felt appealed to me big time! I've always enjoyed working with friends and have discovered that my left brain works well with Kelly's right brain! Plus, we both are always up for late afternoon breaks at a nearby bakery (coffee for me, chai tea for her). It's been a year and a half of a lot of learning, a lot of "I don't know what the hell I'm doing," a lot of surprises and (thankfully) a lot of success.

We're excited to expand our business to the point of supporting two people and I've learned that work can be satisfying, even fun at times, and that it doesn't have to feel like work!

Thanks to Kelly and Traci for sharing their story.
You can see more FilzFelt offerings below.

More Valentine's Day Posts | Etsy Love Stories

Etsy Finds Decor: Lofty Aspirations

2010-01-31T09:00:00-04:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the colorful home studio of Oakland, California interior consultant, artist, and Yahoo design specialist Dee Adams. Her 2200 square foot loft is filled with genius organizational ideas, such as her enviable collection of vintage lunch boxes. While they add a sense of playful nostalgia to the open space, each box also serves as a way to file away business paperwork and receipts. Dee also has an extensive collection of vintage glassware and pottery that are organized in chromatic groupings. These thoughtful vignettes create cheerful focal points throughout the studio that complement her own abstract works in progress.

Dee also runs deedee9:14, an amazing blog focused on mid-century modern, vintage and contemporary products. She also sells her prints, posters and paper goods here on Etsy as deedee914.

View more photos of Dee's modern home on Flickr or visit her home studio tour and interview over at Herman Miller's new blog, Lifework. Check out the Etsy Finds below for decorating and organizing ideas that will add a balanced mix of color and modern serenity to your home, studio or office.

Plyboo Desk

By ELEMENT, $610.

The Green Office Chair

From mendetc, $425.

Vintage Orange Ledu Task Lamp

From vintageonthemake, $70.

Bright Red Plastic File Tray/Two Tier

From FoundVintageStyle, $42.

Perpetual Calender/Counting Machine

From avantgarage, $28.

Vamboo desktop clock and calendar

By decoylab, $68.

Burlap Drum Shade Pendant

By kamlampcompany, $350.

Mid Centruy Bokz Sofa Bench

By lunarloungedesign, $400.

Vintage alarm clock from Germany

From spacejam, $38.

Abstract Painting Yellow and Black

By deedee914, $35.

Geometric Pillow

By ouno, $75.

60s Mid Century Modern Shag Rug

From fabulousmess, $295.

Abacus Chick vintage toy babe

By Artsy, $92.

Felted Wool Nesting Bowls

By papaververt, $140.

walnut table lamp

By misschang, $190.

Eco Modern Pillow Cover - Speed Racer

By boopalinabebe, $26.

Big Kid Size Smoking Green Robot

By Vandroid, $75.

Robot

By toutoudemavie, $60.

Handmade Robot Sculpture

By gabelanza, $200.

Robot Bobblehead Clock Green

By Rockdorf, $45.

Spotlight

From TopsyDesign, $995.

CONTRADICTION abstract painting

By brianelston, $75.

Constellation Mobile in Spectrum

By thewonderlandstudio, $64.

Recycled T-Shirt Rug in Charcoal Grey

By talkingsquid, $58.

Four Square - Original Modern Painting

By PaintTheory, $125.

Cedar Easel

By AlongTheWatersEdge, $269.

Wilco - TX - Hand-printed Gigposter

By nateduval, $25.

Driftwood and Geometric Mobile

By YrHomeObjects, $95.

Vintage figural porcelain glove mold

By luckylittledot, $36.

Retroforms - Original Painting

By StudioZen, $74.

Artist Display Easel

By susie51, $50.

Waves- original painting on canvas

By BrittniWood, $650.

Vintage Orange and White Egg Cups

From obscurio, $12.

Mod Orange Ceramic Bud Vase

From babylonsisters, $18.

Vintage Atomic Orange Lamp

From thesundaytimesmarket, $34.

Fire King Fired on Vitrock Deco Vase

From VintageChevelle, $18.

Blue Vase

From Thevintagebaglady, $9.

Ceramic light blue Mikasa creamer

From ModishVintage, $14.

Blue Vase by Texas Potter Gus Gikas

From susantique, $39.

Double Handled Vase

From BackThennishVintage, $24.

1968 Land of the Giants Lunchbox

From thegreenruby, $75.

Vintage Knight Rider Lunchbox

From SFMissionFinds, $12.

Vintage Disco lunchbox

From TeaPotHollow, $30.

Vintage 1968 Secret Agent Lunchbox

By GRACEFULPAST, $25.

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links: Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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

Guest Curator: Mid-Century Boho With Ellie Snow of Mint

2010-01-27T15:15:00-04:00

Ellie Snow is a graphic designer and the editor and founder of Mint, a daily design blog that focuses on art, weddings, graphic design, and products for the home. Like many bloggers, Ellie began Mint as a way to sort and save her favorite artists, designers, and online shops, but it quickly grew into a community of like-minded readers. After sharing her own wedding invitations, Ellie began receiving requests from other brides for custom invitation design, and her shop Hello Tenfold was born. It seemed like fate, since some of Ellie's earliest memories are creating birthday cards and other stationery for various friends and family members. Today she splits her time between blogging, freelance design projects, and Hello Tenfold.

Maybe it's because I'm a freelancing newbie (three months and counting!) and struggling with the inordinate amount of time I now spend in the house, but lately I've been itching for a little home makeover. For house inspiration and unique, handmade and vintage items, there is no better place to turn than Etsy. My dream house has crisp white walls and is a mix of mid-century modern aesthetic with bohemian touches and lots of art. Here are a few favorites!

[Handmade Walnut Side Table by blackelm, Block Printed Fabric Storage Bags by jezzeprints, Mid-Century Chairs from wrightathomevintage and Hand-Printed Fabric by Carly Schwerdt of umbrellaprints (for quick and easy DIY placemats or napkins!)]

[Porcelain Lace Wall Hanging by forestclearing (made by dipping hand-crocheted lace into porcelain), Beaded and Embroidered Afghan Textile Patch from rayela (I picked up something similar during my travels, and think these look beautiful mounted and framed), Beautiful Shade by resurface (made with a pattern generated from a photo of a street intersection), and Hangers with Hand-Knit Covers by strikk, because your closet should be pretty, too!]

[Handmade Ceramic Nesting Bowls by whitneysmith, Yellow Vintage Wallpaper Lamp Shade by drawflowers, Peticula Tea Towel by munaluna and Black Flower Letterpress Coasters by luckybeepress]

Thanks for having me! Find me at Mint.

More Guest Curators | There's No Place Like Here: Videos | More Decor Posts

Australia Day With Morphologica

2010-01-25T17:18:00-04:00

Nicky W. is a Sydney-based designer/scientific researcher who creates laser-cut jewelry inspired by neuroscience. Her Morphologica line reflects the morphology of different elements encountered during scientific research, from intricate cells important for learning and memory, to the curving structure of the brain itself. Morphologica runs the Australian Etsy Blog and is a mentor for Australian sellers through the Sellers Assisting Sellers Team.

During a recent visit to an overseas laboratory, I was asked whether a kangaroo was a type of bear. As well as testing my ability to suppress a completely inappropriate fit of giggling (which would not have done a great deal for the "serious scientist" look I was going for), this made me think that perhaps we need to work a little on our international image. For this Australia Day post, I therefore thought I’d move away from the traditional cute furry icons and present a collection that reflects our more sophisticated side, with an emphasis on fresh design.

I love the range of sleek modern designs created by Sydney-based jewelers Kristina and Bruno. Their collection features some amazing pieces that are beautiful in their simplicity, such as the Lock Me Up Ring above. By whitemetal, $220. Note: All prices listed are USD.

Donmoti is another very talented Sydney artist who creates jewelry intended to redefine our perceptions of objects. Many of these creations capture figures in motion and are truly fascinating — the collection has an almost museum-like quality that's perfect for people-watching without being spotted! $49.

Hyphen bags, created from upcycled seat belts, are another example of clever Australian design. They have the added benefit of being eco-friendly! I would never have thought that seat belts could be so aesthetically appealing, but this bag is definitely on my wish list. By interrobang, $26.

Even your eggs can be stylish with these cool felt egg covers by 0049Design, $15.

Sisters Gabrielle and Dominique, based in Melbourne, manage to combine a sense of old world glamor with practicality and comfort in their gorgeous lingerie and sleepwear designs. This beautiful baby-doll top is made from organic bamboo jersey. By Hopeless, $40.

Treat yourself to a little bit of luxury with this delicious charcoal complexion soap. Erin is always coming up with yummy new creations, and her soaps look and smell incredible (almost good enough to eat!). By innerearthsoaps, $6.

Another opportunity to indulge in the luxurious: this beautiful necklace features fuchsia Swarovski crystals and dusky pink Swarovski pearls. Created by the lovely jewelry artist angelene, $145. (And she offers free international shipping, too!)

This pocket dress, designed and sewn in Melbourne, manages to cleverly combine style and comfort. Perfect for work or play! By lyptis, $59.

I love these quirky Fable pencils, wrapped in pages from a vintage French novel. I think people reach a whole new level of sophistication when even their pencils are cool! By missisaau, $15.35.

There are lots of other great Australian sellers and many are active on one or more Teams. Here are some resources to find them:

Australian Teams on Etsy
Shop Local: Browse Australian shops by searching "Australia" or any city in Australia, for example: "Melbourne"
Australian Down Under Street Team (DUST) Gift Guide and DUST Team Blog
Australian Etsy Seller Directory (Morphologica's blog)
BrisStyle Team Blog
Made on the Left Team Blog
EtsyVoguettes Team Blog
ATEAM

Shop Local Australia | More Australian-related posts | Shop Local series

Etsy Finds: Geometric Tendencies

2010-01-19T11:18:00-04:00

One topic I can get a little geeky over is organized irregularity, be it in fashion, decor, or other elements of everyday life. I know, I know, it seems a bit of a paradox, but there's just something engaging in the geometry of perfect lines and patterns that ring a little off-kilter. The Etsy Finds below possess a model sum of geometric variety.

this title had to go no. 7 of 25

By voideville, $25.

Vintage NOS 1980s Glasses

From kokorokoko, $68.

Green Diamonds Journal

By disconsolator, $13.

Original Painting-City Shippers 1

By benben, $300.

Vintage Thermos

From tigerluxe, $25.

Amor Notecard

By essimar, $8.

Curvaceous Oval Ottoman

By ljindustries, $275.

Set of four small dishes

By HouseOfCeramics, $36.

Mathematical Instrument Set

From Hindsvik, $15.

Totally Rad Statement Necklace

By strawberrypeople, $35.

Purple Egg - Ring

By Fordos, $95.

Square Natural-Black

By LMaffair, $45.

Stacked Rectangle Necklace

By LauraLombardiJewelry, $70.

Table topper and wall hanging

By artycho, $100.

The Robot Side Tie Vest

From TheWayUmakeMeFeel, $19.50.

Vintage Brass Safety Razor

From VintageStarrBeads, $22.

Misshapes on sterling silver chain

By thebeside, $360.

The Milano Tote

By maricfinegoods, $65.

NENEEE moon pants

By neneee, $68.

Geometric Distressed Side Chair

By summerland, $75.

Crush - ring

By melaniefavreau, $75.

That 70s Jumpsuit

From greatgrandmaagnes, $40.

Midnight Chevron Halter Suit

From VESTIGEvintage, $29.

Antique glass lamp

By yesstreen, $125.

Lighthouse Ring

By dollybirddesign, $125.

Productive, Original Painting

By jonathanedelhuber, $375.

Baby/Meditation Cashmere Quilt

By SunMoonLake, $200.

Rainy Day Pillow

By CarsonConverse, $82.

chartreuse geometric neckerchief

By kthurm, $79.

Silk Scrappy Circles No. 3

By CarolinaPatchworks, $515.

FANCY PANTS

By POUTfits, $110.

vintage PONCHO

From thepearlpoodle, $89.

vintage Super Cute Knit dress

By mimevintage, $129.

vintage handcrafted necklace

By Modern412, $120.

Necklace with Geometric Pendant

From VerseauVintage, $24.

Yellow Checkers on 7/8 sleeve crew

By jessalinb, $26.

ORIGINAL framed drawing

By charmaineolivia, $65.

0.30 (just a minute close your eyes)

By goodmorningmidnight, $195.

Twist and Shout

By time2cre8, $175.

ANY COLOR Geometric Mini Skirt

By cippcipp, $98.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: January 14, 2010

2010-01-14T15:29:00-04:00

"Ugliness is in a way superior to beauty because it lasts." — Serge Gainsbourg

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has undulating stereoviews of geishas and sumos, sword swallowers and La Strada-inspired sad clowns, driftwood sculptures fit for Poseidon's palace and an imperfect collection of slightly-mussed whiteness.

Tally ho!

These wiggling animated GIFs are composed of Meiji-era Japan photographs by elusive artist T. Enami. Composed in the late 19th and early 20th century, these meticulously hand-colored stereoviews (a pair of nearly identical images that appear three-dimensional) provide a rare, informal glimpse into the customs and fashions of a time long past. (It seems crazy to think that this technology was the great granddaddy of seeing Avatar in 3D. Am I right?) [Via Pink Tentacle and Tara, a.k.a. weirdwolf]

I think my design fuses just exploded in a wash of electricity. Bleu Nature's slow-design inspired line is a modern mash-up of driftwood detritus and various shades of baby blue. Contemporary caveman is my aesthetic lust du jour. [Via Design Milk]

Are these photos or just a technicolor dream? The vivid unreality that is Paolo Ventura's photography and illustrations seem a surreal mixture of Michel Gondry, Marcel Dzama and Fellini. Sword swallowing, face paint and avian-human combos have never been more appealing. [Via Me Melodia]

The welcoming embrace of a slightly tussled set of white bed linens is the kind of North Star that draws me home each day. The folks behind 365 Blanc are similarly obsessed with all things blanc, be it cloudy brains, wet sheets, stark skies or the mouth-watering qualities of clinically cut mozzarella, set to a bumping hip hop soundtrack. Let the calming qualities of #ffffff set you awash in an ocean of neutrals. [Via 2 or 3 Things I Know]

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!

Etsy in the Press: The Best of the Rest (of '09)

2010-01-07T14:17:00-04:00

Hello Etsy, and adios 2009! I want to share the best of the year-end (October - December) press that Etsy garnered in 2009 — which was quite a bit, so we're going with a list this time around, arranged in handy categories for your reading pleasure. I hope that you all felt the love, and here's looking forward to a great 2010!

Etsy is an Awesome Shopping Destination

Shine, Eco Fashion World, LXTV 1st Look, Parenting, The Today Show, InStyle, The Today Show, New Times SLO, eMarketer.com, Parents, Daily Mail, Tonic, The Daily Green, The Today Show, E Magazine, Nashville News, LXTV New York, Fab Sugar, Magnet, Los Angeles Times, Inhabitat, and New York Weddings.

*Etsy items were also featured offline, in several magazines' holiday gift guides including Lucky, Wine Enthusiast, Country Living, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and Food + Wine.

Seller Love

People, Paste, GLAMOUR Beauty, The Knoxville News Sentinel, People Pets, Regina Lewis, Good Housekeeping, CBS 2 News Chicago, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Juxtapoz, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, Los Angeles Times, KERA, Sacramento News 10, Publisher's Weekly, epicurious, Planet Green, News on 6, The New York Times, Des Moines Register, Woman's Day, Tampa Tribune, Vogue Knitting, The Luxury Spot, CBC Radio, and Boho.

Trends n' Things

The New York Times, People Style Watch (check out their Tweet Ticker), The Wall Street Journal, Interior Design, The Today Show, The Sunday Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Serious Business

Reader's Digest, The Globe and Mail, Compete, USA Today, Telegraph, The Silicon Alley Insider,The New York Times, KYFR News, Web Nation, The New York Times, and Forbes.

Miscellaneous Fun!

The New York Times, The Silicon Alley Insider, Cute Overload, Perez Hilton, and The L Magazine.

For more Etsy in the Press, go here!

Have you (and your Etsy shop!) been in the press lately? Let us know in the comments!

Etsy Video 2009: Year in Review

2009-12-31T15:12:00-04:00

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

As 2009 comes to a close, we here at the blog are taking time to reflect on an exciting year in video for Etsy. We met and collaborated with many incredibly talented Etsy artists and had a chance to delve deeper into who they are and what they make. We launched a new video series about home decor and collections called There's No Place Like Here. We look forward to 2010 as a year to explore more amazing spaces, discover new narratives and show how makers do what they do.

We compiled a playlist from our Handmade Portraits, Process and There's No Place Like Here video series to highlight some of the Etsy sellers who have worked with us over the past year. See our free iTunes podcast for all of our videos.

There's No Place Like Here
Artists and designers invite Etsy into their homes to reveal their collections, creations, and uniquely customized living spaces. Find out what captures these tastemakers' imaginations, where they unearth their treasures, and how they have fine-tuned their aesthetics. There's No Place Like Here! Take a peek at Made With Love By Hannah's German chalet, overflowing with vintage kitsch, in downtown Los Angeles. Design duo Something's Hiding In Here give us a tour of their renovated Philadelphia loft full of woodland vintage and an indoor porch swing. Tour the Santa Cruz grounds of Niki Silva's communal living paradise La Selva.

Handmade Portraits
What makes the creative mind tick? Discover the story behind the maker in this mini-documentary series. Handmade Portraits introduces viewers to the creative universe that is Etsy's community. Canadian artist Sarah Faber of Black-Eyed Suzie creates delicate, Gothic art dolls that evoke Victorian times. It took woodworker Fred Jakubiec from Birdhouseaccents 25 years before he made building birdhouses his full-time job. It was well worth the wait.

Process
Get into the creative flow with Etsy's Process series. These illuminating videos provide an intimate glimpse into the relationship between artist and material. Witness the techniques behind the design lifecycle. It's a truly transfixing experience to observe Kim Westad throw one of her signature Sweet Pea bowls on the wheel in her tranquil studio. BeyondthePicketFence is not just a soap maker; she's her own research and development lab — one might go as far as to call her a bathmatician.

[Clockwise from top: Recycled Cotton Tote Bag by forestbound, Maximum Fringe Necklace by iheartnorwegianwood, Vintage Paint-by-Number USA by somethingshidinghere, Ivory Tulle and Pearl Bridal Shrug by Holly Stalder, Girl with Band-Aids by mimikirchner, White Sea Glass Pendant by wildpen, Naked Twirly Vase by Kim Wested, Primitive Birdhouse by birdhouseaccents, Little Bunny Felted Mary Janes by prettylittle]

Thanks for a great year! Post your favorite Etsy video in the comments.

Watch more videos!

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

2009-12-10T16:15:00-04:00

"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!

Handmade Portraits: Enhabiten

2009-12-09T13:07:00-04:00

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

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

(Music by Eric Beug, animation by JuliaPott)

Liane Tyrell, a.k.a. enhabiten, is interested in handmade marks. Whether they're in paintings, drawings or the stitches she makes on her unique housewares, the patterns and textures of a surface entice her. Liane specializes in pillows using vintage fabrics but has been known to make other domestic wares such as table runners, soft sculptures and embroidered wall hangings. Her rustic pillows are functional, but they also serve as tactile works of art.

Liane makes a point to surround herself with objects beautiful in their age and simplicity, from the furnishings in her fixer-up farmhouse to the fabric she uses for her creations. She believes that old things are imbued with a history and a presence that you cannot discount. Although she started enhabiten using new fabric for her goods, she quickly made the switch to vintage. When not using repurposed vintage fabrics, Liane picks environmentally-friendly materials such as organic cotton, buckwheat hulls and kapok.

Her love of simple things and vintage handmade elements makes each of her one-of-a-kind pieces personal and meaningful. From worn-with-love quilt scraps to delicate embroidery, each enhabiten piece is saturated with a history and thoughtful attention to detail that recall an austere time in the not-so-distant past.

Watch More Handmade Video Portraits

Take a look at Design*Sponge's Sneak Peek of Liane's rustic New Hampshire farmhouse!

Etsy Finds Decor: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

2009-12-06T08:28:00-04:00

In this weekend's Get the Look: Decor, I matched Etsy items with gorgeous photos from professional architects and interior designers as featured on HGTV. Get ready to spruce up your holiday home decor with these tips from our friends at HGTV.

The holidays are often about extravagance, but when decorating your home, keep it simple. In each room, have one decorated focal point, whether it's the fireplace in the living room, a table in the entryway or a beautiful wreath hanging on the footboard of your bed. Every inch of the room doesn't have to be visually overloaded.

A simple way to give your holiday decorations a professionally decorated look is to stick to two or three colors. Decide on a palette before you shop to make the selection process quick and easy.

Christmas Cocoa and White Chocolate Living Room

Use neutral accents to create a delicate holiday display. Rate My Spacer jennih gets her chocolate-brown living room ready for the holidays with subtle, elegant touches. Small lighted trees and cream-colored stockings highlight the mantel, while gold ornaments placed strategically around the room add extra sparkle.

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Etsy Video 2009: Year in Review

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

Handmade Portraits: Enhabiten

Etsy Finds Decor: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

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