Search results (tags) for: "flowers"

How-Tuesday: Rose Petal Tee From Appliqué Your Way

2009-11-03T16:07:00-05:00

Picking through the scrap bins at fabric stores is my cherished scavenging adventure for texture and pattern. In every nook of my craft storage, strips of vibrant textiles bloom forth. When I find projects made for these sweet trims, I'm not only reinventing a T-shirt or a tote bag, I'm also creating something completely new out of my neglected bouquet of materials. Kayte Terry, who has shared many a resourceful embellishing how-to on The Storque, has come out with a new book, Appliqué Your Way. These projects will inspire you to root your way through not just your own pile of discarded cloth, but your neighbor's as well.

Purchase Appliqué Your Way from Amazon or an independent bookseller.

I came to appliqué through my love of fabric and patterns. I adore the contrast of rich velvet on linen or a sweet Liberty print mixed with tweed. My heart goes all aflutter when I score a stack of feed-sack fabrics on eBay or unearth a set of vintage Marimekko curtains at a flea market. Doing appliqué is a way for me to highlight these special fabrics in my work and to play with textures and colors.

The beauty of appliqué is that you can use small amounts of gorgeous fabric to make a statement. It's a great way to use scraps from your other sewing projects or to put old clothing or linens to new use. You can transform everyday clothing and household items into one-of-a-kind works of art with the addition of some simple appliqué. There's really nothing more satisfying than answering the question "Where did you get that?" with "I made it myself!"

While I love the comfort of a T-shirt, sometimes a basic tee just won't cut it. Romantic rose blooms and leaves, also made from T-shirts, gracefully trail down the neckline of this tee. A monochromatic palette makes this tee super sophisticated. Hit up your local thrift store for extra-large men's tees (they give you more fabric to work with) in different shades of one color.

Materials
Boatneck T-shirt
3 T-shirts in assorted shades complementary to the boatneck tee
Quilting ruler
Self-healing cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Pencil
Card stock
Tailor's chalk
Fabric scissors
Sewing machine and thread in complementary colors
Needle and thread in colors to match T-shirts
Straight pins

Make the Flowers and Leaves

1. Use a quilting ruler and work on a cutting mat using a rotary cutter to cut from the assorted T-shirts the following strips of fabric:
One 6" x 24"/15cm x 60cm
Five 3" x 14"/8cm x 36cm
Three 2" x 9"/5cm x 23cm
Note: You may have to sew a couple of strips together to get a 24"/60cm strip.

2. Trace about a dozen leaves onto the assorted T-shirts. Cut with fabric scissors. Mark simple leaf veins on the leaves with tailor's chalk.

3. Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch and sew veins on the leaves, backstitching at the beginning and end.

4. To make the flowers,
a. Thread a needle with a thread color that matches the T-shirt strip. Knot the thread end and set aside.
b. Fold a T-shirt strip in half lengthwise. Holding each end of the strip with your hands, with the folded edge at the top, fold the upper left corner down so that the raw side edge of the strip meets the bottom edge of the strip, forming a 45-degree angle. (See figure 1.)

c. Start rolling the first few inches of the left side of the strip to make the center of the rose. (See figure 2.) Sew through the bottom edges of the flower center to secure.

d. Fold the strip at a 45-degree angle next to the flower center and roll flower center onto the fold. (See figure 3.) Sew bottom edge to secure. Repeat folding the strip, rolling the flower onto fold, and stitching to secure, until there's no fabric left.

e. Tuck the final end of strip under the flower and sew to secure.
f. Repeat all the steps to form flowers from each T-shirt strip.

Assemble the T-Shirt

1. Lay the boatneck T-shirt out on a flat, clean surface. With the T-shirt facing you, pin the largest rose just slightly left of the center of the shirt. Pin two leaves below the rose. With a needle and thread, hand-stitch to the shirt to secure. Remove the pins.
2. Cluster four roses to the left of the large rose and accent with leaves as desired. Pin, hand-stitch to secure, and remove the pins.
3. Pin clusters of leaves trailing up the neckline of the T-shirt to cover the rest of the left side of the neckline. Hand-stitch to secure, then remove the pins.
4. Cluster four roses to the right of the T-shirt in a different formation than the one on the left and accent with leaves as desired. Pin, hand-stitch to secure, and remove the pins.
5. Pin clusters of leaves trailing up the neckline of the T-shirt to cover the rest of the right side of the neckline. Hand-stitch to secure, and then remove the pins.

Thanks to Kayte Terry and the good folks at Chronicle Books for sharing this project with us. For more modern embellishments, check out Appliqué Your Way.

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

Etsy Finds Decor: The Comforts of Home

2009-10-25T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend’s Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the warm and inviting home of Tamar and Ronen. Four years ago, the couple, their three teenage sons and dog moved away from a life in the city and into a beautiful home in Shelburne, Vermont. Tamar's decorating style incorporates her family's artwork, bright patterned textiles, thoughtfully displayed family mementos, along with collections of vintage treasures and repurposed thrifted furniture. The many different textures and patterns throughout the home create a stimulating yet homey feel.

Tamar told me, "Our home is very laid back. The walls are white washed to highlight our ever growing art collection (many pieces from Etsy) but most of the pieces are from my family; my mother and sister are both painters. We use lots of textiles and our style is very eclectic, from modern country to funky and colorful. Nothing really matches, but that's how we love it."

Tamar works as an interior designer and runs NestDecorating, an inspiring blog focused on home decor, style and family life. She also has a successful Etsy shop, tamar, where she sells beautiful jewelry, accessories and home decor.

Visit Tamar on Flickr to view more photos of her charming home. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas to add a bit of color, pattern and texture to the place you call home.

Sweet Little Fabric Plant - Green Apple

By janejoss, $28.

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Buttercream Icing Buffet Server

By gypsyfishstudio, $695.

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Provincial Rooster and Roses Creamer

From GeneralWhimsy2, $15.

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Alice Is Looking For Her Dottie dress

By DanaKomjaty, $18.

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Roses Mosaic Tray

By butterflymosaics2, $52.

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Vintage Pitcher Coffee Pot

From Retro2GoGo, $22.

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Vintage Cake Plate

From RickRackVintage, $15.

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Succulent in Vintage Milk Glass Dish

By monkeysalwayslook, $28.

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set of 3 engraved stones

By sjengraving, $36.

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Pretty Plaid Decorative Pumpkin

By SeaPinks, $12.

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Ebony Suzani Footstool

By MaterialRecovery, $108.

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70's Inspired Fun Flower Pillow Cover

By 1000chairs, $25.

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Double Mandala Vintage Floral Suzani

From bazaarbayar, $250.

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Original Flowers Painting 18 X 18

By karenfieldsgallery, $89.

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Vintage Shabby Chic Sea Shell Lamp

From ZenHen, $45.

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Triple Blossom - Large Square Vase

By krystalspeck, $88.

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aggie... crocheted floor throw

By EmmaLamb, $450.

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wallflower pillow

By MintDesign, $15.

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Vintage inspired valentine afghan/throw

From mboetto, $55.

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yellow house archival print

By swallowfield, $18.

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Set of Two vintage looking pillowcases

By lizardous, $9.50.

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Vintage Double Wedding Ring Quilt

From LaBrocanterie, $75.

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Barnwood Earring FRAME

By ParadiseHillDesigns, $30.

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Memories of Spring Treasure Box

By sisterbutterfly, $42.

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Pair of Wooden Mannequin Hands

From grafix, $38.

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mirror mirror on the wall

From sweetcottagedreams, $15.

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Vintage Chippy Spice Drawer Set

From ShabbyNChic, $32.

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Daher English bowl and container

From coventgardenvintage, $14.

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PEONY, 11x14, oil, CA Schiff

By CarolSchiffStudio, $189.

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Vintage Daher Floral Tin Hinged Box

From BlissfullyRandom, $7.

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Shabby Wall Decor Picture Shelf

By davidm9637, $36.95.

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Baby Deer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print

By SharonMontrose, $25.

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Wire-handled flower basket

By kiefferceramics, $130.

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Shabby Chic Antique side table

From artistforever, $75.

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Vintage Atlas Alarm Clock

From thevintagemoderngirl, $16.50.

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Paradise Limited Edition Print

By betsywalton, $35.

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Pair of white wall sconces with roses

By gingerschoice, $96.

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Jessamine.......large pillow cover

By lostintheforest, $30.

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Vintage Rose Chintz Sugar & Creamer

From SerenityMosaics, $30.

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Beautiful Vintage Handpainted Vase

From Frippelous, $21.

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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.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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Etsy Finds: Retro Cabin Renovation

2009-08-30T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the retro renovation of Tina Spangler's Upstate New York cabin. Five years ago, Tina decided to swap her hectic New York City life for a quieter, more remote location. When she found an abandoned 1950s cabin in a once-thriving vacation destination called Luxton Lake, she knew she was home.

The cozy cabin is decorated with salvaged finds from the town's past as well as objects that have significance to Tina's early childhood and family memories. Her home is filled with items that represent almost every decade from the 1920s through the 60s and 70s. She believes there are no rules when it comes to combining objects from different eras and that the only thing that matters when it comes to decorating is that you surround yourself with objects you truly love.

Watch Etsy's There's No Place Like Here video to get a complete tour of Tina's retro renovation, and learn more about Tina's inspiration and the history of Luxton Lake. These Etsy Finds will add a bit of that retro cabin charm to the place you call home.

Welcome to the Lake House

By GoJumpInTheLake, $35.

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Ladderback Chair w/ Potato Sack Cushion

From postroadvintage, $73.

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Handpainted Sunflowers Countertop Cabinet

By azuredandelion, $28.

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little red bud wall vase

By eikcam, $19.

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Chapati Dinner Yellow

By atelierBB, $22.50.

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Original Oil Painting- POPPIES

By kwentzell, $195.

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Miss Unbelievably Angry 1956 - 9x12

By BeesAndTrees, $22.

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Vintage Rustic Shelf with milk glass jars

By jollytimeone, $29.99.

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Old Farmhouse Kitchen Mixing Bowl

From prairieantiques, $6.50.

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FireKing Jadite tea cup and saucer

From MilkGlassVintage, $22.50.

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Primitive Slat Door Cupboard

By ozarkprim, $69.99.

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Kitschy Kitchen Cafe Curtains PAIR

By fussygussy, $38.

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Spode Floorcloth

By GracewoodDesign, $450.

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1940-50s Green Moss Table Lamp

From bellajohnson, $50.

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Hepplewhite Shaker Style Hall Table

By blackberryfurniture, $195.

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Crocheted Granny Square Crazy Quilt

By TwoSeasideBabes, $150.

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Vintage Pyrex Friendship Mixing Bowls

From sassboxclassics, $65.

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Juicy Lemon Drop Kitchen Towels

By krispybanana, $15.50.

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There's Alchemy to Her Evergreens print

By amandaatkins, $18.

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1960s Colorful Bird Trivet. Named Lloyd.

From SweetLoveVintage, $22.

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Hardwood Cheese Tray with server

From freshvintagedesign, $20.

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Shabby Painted 1930s China Cabinet

By royaloakcottage, $450.

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Coke bottle set circa 1900

From iheartnorway, $50.50.

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Vintage 32 Bottle Sturdy Built Coke Crate

From jwhite2, $39.

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Custom curtains from vintage fabrics

By LuxtonLake, $40.

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Turquoise Wall Vase

By LynnCardwellPottery, $15.

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Elegant French Inspired Lamps

From reginasstudio, $50.

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Magnetic Mason Jars (set of 6)

By GneissSpice, $36.

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Wire Rack File Holder Organizer

From birdie1, $22.

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occasional/side table

By clemanddee, $60.

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Vintage Phinney-Walker Travel Alarm Clock

From ScootersShop, $20.

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Pair of Vintage Refrigerator Bottles

From tentpitcher, $19.

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Fire King Azurite Charm Cup and Saucer

From jaditekate, $15.

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Danish Modern Cafe Curtains

By missretromodern, $30.

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Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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There's No Place Like Here: Retro Renovation at Luxton Lake with Tina Spangler

2009-07-29T18:30:00-05:00

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All Etsy videos are creative commons free so please embed them on your blog! Help spread the word!

(music by Melodium, animation by JuliaPott)

Tina Spangler, a.k.a LuxtonLake, uprooted herself from her hectic New York City lifestyle for the woods of Upstate New York five years ago. She found her home in a forgotten community of Narrowsburg, NY, called Luxton Lake. Once a thriving vacation destination for African-American New Yorkers, the area was mostly abandoned in the 1970s when the dam was removed and the lake was drained. Tina found a dilapidated 1950s cabin in foreclosure and with very little funds, decided to take the leap and fix it up.

With an eye for decor from the 1930s and '40s, Tina loves to salvage old objects and give them new life. From her 1920s linoleum rug to her 1940s barkcloth curtains, this stylish abode has an air of practicality. Tina values the history of her possessions. Whether it's the dishes her mother dumpster dived, the old medicine bottles she found in the yard of the schoolhouse in which she grew up, or the remnants from the Luxton Lake Clubhouse, each object has a story to tell.

This vintage linoleum rug from LuxtonLake is a rare find. I love the old-fashioned feel and the fact that older linoleum was made with all-natural materials such as pine sap and lindseed oil (unlike what we know as linoleum today, which is really just vinyl).

Tina is the local Luxton Lake historian of sorts. While researching for her short documentary Lucky Lake, she found many bits and pieces of the community's past. From old signage on the Luxton Lake Clubhouse to forgotten relics from long abandoned houses, Tina has gathered a compelling narrative of New York's yesteryears.

Tina collects Fire King Jadite's beautiful colors and sturdy design, though it was "made probably a little too popular by Martha Stewart," Tina says. The green is most popular, but Tina's great-grandparents collected the blue colored glasses.

This teacup from jaditekate is just one of the many wonderful pieces you can find from a variety of vintage jadite sellers on Etsy.

Tina grew up in an old schoolhouse in rural Wisconsin. As a child she would find evidence of the history of the place by the names carved into the bricks and old bottles she would dig up in the yard. Tina likes the things in her house to have a history that she can tell as well as a practical use. She utilizes her collection of old bottles as vases for the flowers she grows in her Narrowsburg garden.

This vintage glass bottle from opendoorstudio would make a lovely vase for your fresh-cut flowers.

Right after college, Tina moved into an apartment in Boston fully furnished with 1940s and '50s decor left there by the previous elderly tenant. She has been adding to the collection ever since. One of the original treasures she found was an old figurine lamp that she still uses.

This porcelain figurine lamp from castleofcharm reminds me of the pretty lamp in Tina's little cabin. It doesn't take much to add a lot of color and style to your end table or bureau.

Tina discovered a wonderful collection of 1940s portrait paintings by Joseph Unger while living in New York. From what she could glean, these works were from a painting class that Unger attended and the subjects were various figure models. This lovely portrait by emberatia makes me think of Tina's fantastic collection.

What Etsy items would you add to your retro cabin? Leave a link in the comments!

Items Tagged "Cabin" on Etsy | Lucky Lake Film

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

More There's No Place Like Here Posts

Etsy Finds Decor: Community Gardens

2009-07-05T10:50:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the wonderful spirit behind community gardens. Even though I live in the big city, I am lucky to have access to many public gardens in my neighborhood that allow me to get my hands dirty. These little patches of green offer a peaceful setting in the middle of an environment composed of tar, pavement and skyscrapers.

Getting involved in a community garden in your area is a great way to meet your neighbors, help beautify your streets, and it is also an effective method to promote earth-friendly awareness. I’ve used the photos from Brooklyn’s Backyard Garden, a community garden located in the Columbia St. Waterfront District neighborhood as my inspiration for the following Etsy Finds.

Visit the Community Garden flickr pool to view even more photos of neighborhood gardening projects from around the world and be sure to check out the following Etsy Finds for a bit of inspiration to start your own community garden or to add a bit of character to your own backyard garden.

Gardening Tools

Watering can

By pankhurstpottery, $65.

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Garden Dibble

By WoodElements, $18.

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Blue and White Metal Tool Box

From hogeathog, $30.

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bright botanical garden/craft apron

By SewMerry, $18.

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Vintage Garden Hand Tool Set

From postroadvintage, $15.

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oak shed pegs - hang garden tools

By FuturePrimGarden, $9.

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Pots & Planters

Vintage Metal Container

From tentpitcher, $19.

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Borden Wooden Cheese Box

From ProperPactVintage, $10.

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Set of 2 handpainted ceramic pots

By MonkeyJunkieGoods, $14.

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Set of 3 Medium Chalkboard Pots

By moxiesisters, $35.

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Illustrated Fish Minnowbucket

From HelloVictory, $28.

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Prince Albert I

By changedminer, $110.

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Signs & Markers

Weeds Silverware Garden Marker

By monkeysalwayslook, $12.

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Herb Garden Markers

By JustWork, $12.

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Plant Markers for the Garden

By dbabcock, $24.

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Herb Garden Plant Markers

By NinaGibsonDesigns, $28.

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Herb markers and mushroom set

By kylieparry, $18.

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Clay Garden Markers Set of Four

By mudandfiber, $20.

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Lawn Ornaments & Decor

siamese mouse

By mudstuff, $39.

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Coffee Gnome

By FrankJWalker, $50.

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Metal Swirl Scroll Fence

By metalgardenart, $19.50.

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Garden Owl Statue

By claylady42, $39.

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Ceramic Snail Lawn Ornament

By fruitflypie, $26.

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Gnome / Fairy door with lion knock

By NothinButWood, $35.

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Garden Peace Sign Sculpture

By bluemetal, $95.

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Garden Flower Finial Handblown Glass

By alisglassdesigns, $68.

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Garden Wildlife

Cheepie Birdfeeder -Strawflower

By joepapendick, $115.

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Three Trees Bird Feeder

By gypsypottery, $35.

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Hand Made Pottery Toad House

By AnneMariesPottery, $24.95.

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Primitive Birdhouse

By birdhouseaccents, $45.

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Repurposed Teacup Bird Bath/Feeder

By ohthepollybilities, $22.

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white pottery bird house

By lilypottery, $25.

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Check out other Get the Look - Home Decor Editions.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these outdoor inspired Gift Guides:

Gardening and Horticulture | The Summer Soiree | Alfresco

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How-Tuesday: Elegant Parchment Flowers with Jeffrey Rudell

2009-06-23T16:13:00-05:00

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

This week's How-Tuesday comes from Jeffrey Rudell, a paper artist, inventor, and engineer who has an eye for simple, beautiful projects and a knack for sharing his marvelous creations. This project makes a remarkably simple and beautiful flower that can be used to make a bouquet, a boutonniere, a brooch, or just about any flowery thing that starts with the letter B.

Materials Needed:

White vellum or parchment — the exact vellum shown is white ink on white vellum, made by US Silkscreen, available from New York Central Art Supply
pH Neutral Glue
Scissors or Xacto knife
Straight edge
18" of pre-cut, straight lengths of floral wire
Floral tape

Elegant Parchment Flowers:

Step One:

Begin with a 3" disc of paper, parchment, or vellum. You can use a 3" hole punch, a compass, or trace the rim of a cup.

Fold the circle in half, into quarters, and finally into eighths, until you have a little triangle.

Once folded, use scissors to round out the the top.

Step Two:

Remove one and one-half petals as indicated and glue flap A to the underside of petal B. This gives the blossom a bit of realistic dimension.

Step Three:

Crimp the edges of each petal — as indicated by the dotted lines — between your thumb and forefinger.

Step Four:

For the stem, begin with a straight, 10" to 15" length of floral wire. Use needle nose pliers to curl a 1/4" loop in one end of the wire.

Cover the wire loop with a small length of floral tape to create the pistil of the flower.

Gently thread a wire stem through the center of each completed paper blossom until the pistil is seated snugly within the hollow of the flower.

Take another small length of tape and wrap the top of the stem just under the blossom to keep it in place.

Step Five:

Wrap the remaining portion of the stem with an equaling length of floral tape. Pinch the tape at the top under the blossom and while holding the tape taut with one hand, slowly rotating the stem between the thumb and forefinger until the stem is covered.

Step Six:

Lather, Rinse, Repeat, for as many of these gorgeous flowers as you need, and then arrange them as you see fit. Maybe just a few for a boutonniere or for a gift bouquet for a special someone you are hoping to woo. Make a whole bunch for a full bouquet for your wedding or to brighten up any room any day!

Visit the Plants and Edibles & Weddings Categories

Hand-picked Items for Your Big Day

How-Tuesday: Seedling Kit Favors from Project Wedding

2009-06-16T13:30:00-05:00

Sow the seeds of love at your wedding! I'm happy to present this week's How-Tuesday project: Project Wedding's Seedling Kit Favors.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and Project Wedding proves the rule. As founders Joe and Margaret planned their own wedding and met with vendors, they often found that reality didn’t match up with advertisements and websites. They needed help — the real scoop on vendors from the brides who knew first-hand. Thus, in 2007 Project Wedding was born, a resource for money-saving advice and do-it-yourself projects, real weddings and photos for inspiration to fit any budget, and of course the vendor reviews that started it all.

This article on a seedling favor has been popular with Project Wedding readers because it touches on several areas that have become important to brides around the country. It’s imaginative. It’s green. It’s also do-it-yourself and priced so that it doesn’t needlessly weigh on your budget.

Seedling Kit Favors

Step One: Fill a miniature paper bag (8) with a soil pellet (5) and a sprinkling of seeds (7). Embellish as desired — here we used antique seam binding (4), a miniature tag (9) and embroidery floss (10). Simpler alternative: seal bag with a sticker or label.

Step Two: Print a monogram, logo or thank-you message on a sheet of heavy card stock (11). The card stock should be long enough to wrap around the kraft paper box (1). Create a matchbox-style lid by folding the cardstock around the box. Use a bone folder to make creases sharp and professional, and glue ends together using a glue stick. Simpler alternative: use a box with attached lid and apply a decorative label or stamp.

Step Three: Line box with sheet moss (2) and place miniature terracotta pot (6) and seed/soil packet inside. Print care and planting instructions on a sheet of vellum (3) and trim so it fits snugly within the box; replace lid.

Notes on Supplies (you can find some of these on Etsy):
1. Kraft box
2. Moss
3. Vellum
4. Antique seam binding, found at a flea market
5. Soil pellets, seasonally found at Target, but search online retailers for larger quantities
6. 1" Diameter Terracotta Pot
7. Forget-Me-Not seeds
8. Paper sacks
9. Miniature tags
10. Embroidery floss
11. Cover weight card stock

Visit the Plants and Edibles & Weddings Categories

Hand-picked Items for Your Big Day

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Paper Puppets With Crankbunny

2009-06-04T14:30:00-05:00

Why revel in your crafty ambitions alone? Come make paper puppets with us — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Join us for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8 p.m. ET at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York and in the Virtual Labs. Drop by our space in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. to craft with us. Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, meet new friends, and hang out.

On Monday, June 8, the magnificent Norma Toraya of crankbunny, as well as author of the book Paper Puppet Palooza, will let us in on the secrets of the paper finger puppet trade. She will lead us through the ins and outs of bringing dapper unicycle-riding finger puppet Jacques Le Koolmaine to life. We will have copies of the puppet template printed out at the Etsy Labs. If you are joining us in the Virtual Labs, be sure to download a template here.

Just can't wait till Monday to learn how to make these puppets? Check out this week's How-Tuesday post for a sneak preview of the process.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need to gather a few supplies:

Scissors
Cutting knife
Glue
8 mini brads
1 plastic drinking straw
1/8 inch (3 mm) hole punch
3x3 inch (7.6 cm) piece of chipboard or cardboard (approximate in size)
Template printed onto very thick paper/card stock

Upcoming Craft Nights & Events at Etsy Labs:

6/7: Church of Craft meeting at the Etsy Labs (2-6 p.m.)

6/15: Summer crochet with Kim Kotary

6/22: Make lip balm with the Etsy Labs

6/29: Open Craft Night

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!

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

Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Fabric Flowers with Loveaboveall

2009-05-28T14:00:00-05:00

Why revel in your crafty ambitions alone? Come make things together — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Join us for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the
Virtual Labs or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8 p.m. ET at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York and in the Virtual Labs. Drop in anytime between 4-8 p.m. to craft with us. Craft Night is a time to make things, learn new skills, meet new friends, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, June 1 we'll be making fabric flowers with the lovely La Sha of loveaboveall. She will show us how to melt, curl, and stitch our way to fabulous floral creations that can be used to adorn and embellish hair accessories, clothing, key chains, or anything else you can dream up. All supplies will be provided, though if you have any synthetic fabric that you'd like to try, feel free to bring that along.

Not in Brooklyn? Join us online for a live broadcast and demo from Craft Night in the Virtual Labs starting at 5 p.m. ET. Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET 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:

Synthetic fabric (wide ribbon works well, also)
A pencil
Scissors
A candle
A lighter
Needle and thread
A bowl of water
Beads or buttons

Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Upcoming Craft Nights:

6/8: Paper puppets with Norma of crankbunny

6/15: Summer crochet with Kim Kotary

6/22: Lip balm making with EtsyLabs

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

Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

A Flower by Any Other Seller Would Not Be as Sweet

2009-05-25T12:30:00-05:00

When we asked our readers to vote on their favorite May flowers on Etsy, the blooms started popping up everywhere. But none are as beautiful as Handknitted Spring Daffodils by niftyknits. Congratulations on winning the vote!

Thanks to everyone who voted. The top picks will be featured in the Gift Guides, and additionally, you'll find more runners up in the related items below.

Want to get involved in next week's round? Post links to your nominations in the comments below. We're looking for the best wedding cake toppers on Etsy.

More Voting Posts

Which May Flowers Bloom the Brightest? Vote!

2009-05-19T10:16:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite flower items in the comments of this post — and boy, did you ever! There were over 140 comments. We could not include all of the nominations, but you can see some of the overflow in the related items below. Amazing blossoms blooming everywhere!

Now it's time to hear from our voters. We want to know which flower item you love the most.

Next Monday we'll announce the winner. The top picks will be featured in the Gift Guides and here on the Etsy blog, so show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

See Previous Voting Posts

P.S. Get involved in next week's round and nominate items that would make excellent Father's Day gifts. Post item links in the comments below.

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

Trends: Like a Blossom

2009-05-13T10:00:00-05:00

Nothing gives off that fresh, spring-y vibe like cold morning dew, a romantic bouquet of daisies, and the sweet scent of cherry blossoms. Keep the feeling alive with floral print clothing and accessories. The floral trend is back (and better than ever!) as a nostalgic grunge-meets-femme throwback for ladies in the know. (They also bring to mind another Blossom you may know — that of the crucial 1990s trend diva.) Whether you're mixing your roses with combat boots or heels, this collection of florals is sure to get you in the mood for a garden party or two.

RACY LACY KNICKER SET

By kelseygenna, $26.

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Vintage floral BOHO indie roses JUMPER

From renouveauclothing, $42.

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Vintage 70s mock western prairie top

From aNewLifeForYou, $24.

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Vintage VERSAILLES GARDEN Mini Dress / Romper

From DearGoldenVintage, $32.

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Fantasy 45' Slip Dress SALE

By rubypearl, $82.

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Floral Box Dress

By Marysavel, $58.

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Floral Collection Leggings - Mini Floral

By iheartnorwegianwood, $49.

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Floral Empire Line Dress (CHRU0904)

By chrystalshop, $65.

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PRAIRIE SKIRT - xs/s

By 1918vintage, $55.

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Black floral print tunic dress

By vivatveritas7, $43.

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Vintage Pink Floral Hippie Peasant Boho TUNIC Top

From PonyGirlVintage, $42.

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More Fashion Posts | Search for More Floral Items | Trends | Clothing Category | Vintage Category

Etsy Finds: Beyond the Bloom

2009-03-31T10:22:00-05:00

My mother always asks for fresh flowers for Mother's Day. Since giving flowers year after year can get a little boring, I've learned to spice it up by giving the lasting gift of vases, jars and pitchers that contain a beautiful bouquet. Each of the finds below would make a creative and multifunctional (not to mention environmentally friendly!) spin on the traditional vase. Give the gift that keeps on giving after the flowers have come and gone.

You are My Sunshine Bud Vase in Crackle

By AmyJaneClayAddict, $40.

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Vintage silver tea pot

From highstreetmarket, $42.

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SALE- Large Crater Vase

By sarapaloma, $50.

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Blue Lace Doily Vase

By kensgardenpottery, $25.

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Pollock Vase Mint

By Popkraft, $60.

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Set of Mini Red and Orange Cream Pitchers

From HelloVictory, $16.

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Recycled Beer Bottle Vase. Hand Cut Wavy Top.

By MintyFreshFusions, $15.

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sparkly purple and grey knitted vase with upcycled glass interior

By thefuzzymonkey, $15.

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Vintage Quick Seal Jar

From cassielynne, $10.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gardening and Horticulture Gifts | Mother's Day Gifts | Search for Vases | Gift Ideas

Ceramics and Pottery | Plants and Edibles

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

Etsy Finds: Love My Way

2009-03-26T10:33:00-05:00

Meeting someone that shares your affinity for Werner Herzog, makes you scrambled eggs, and loves you in spite of your funny quirks (doll collecting!) is a treasure worth holding onto. Make your wedding as special as your relationship with handmade details from Etsy.

Lovely and modern bridal hair piece

By myrakim, $65.

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diamond seed 2pt. stacking ring

By blancamonrosgomez, $115.

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White as Snow Dress

By sarahseven, $455.

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wedding cupcake toppers - FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING

By goosegrease, $40.

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Organza Flower Neckribbon/Headband

By modernromancepdx, $22.

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cosmia

By whichgoose, $25.

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Gilded Rose Earrings

By laralewis, $14.

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Love Birds (cut out card)

By pocketstudio, $5.

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charcoal roses

By allencompanyinc, $105.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Handmade Weddings Series | Guest Curators | Trends | Weddings Category

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How-Tuesday: Zakka Pincushion Tutorial

2009-03-10T16:34:00-05:00

Download the complete project instructions here, or follow along below, courtesy of Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey and Chika Mori.

Pretty wrist pincushions are the perfect accessory for sewing—the pins are always where you need them. This one looks like a flower corsage that you might have worn to your high school prom. To change the size of the band, measure your wrist and add 1" plus an additional 1/2" for seam allowances; this becomes your strap measurement. All the other measurements and directions remain the same.

Flower Corsage Pincushion

Materials

Scrap of linen, 6" x 8 1/2"
Scrap of eyelet cotton, 4" square
Scrap of printed cotton, 4 1/2" square
Scrap of tan wool felt, 1 1/2" diameter circle
Plastic from gallon milk container, cut to 1 3/8" diameter circle (for pincushion liner)
All-purpose thread to match fabrics
1" length of 5/8"-wide Velcro Fiberfill
Flower pattern (shown below)

Preparing the Fabric

Cut using pattern
Cotton: 1 large flower
Eyelet cotton: 1 small flower

Cut freehand
Linen: 1 circle, 1 1/2" in diameter
1 rectangle, 2 1/2" x 8 1/4"
Wool felt: 1 circle, 1 1/2" in diameter
Plastic: 1 circle, 1 3/8" in diameter

Seam allowance: 1/4"

Zakka Fact:
With so many people crafting and sewing, making a pincushion is a way to demonstrate a personal style
with a practical object. Tons of made-in-Japan pincushions were imported to the United States in the
1940s – 1960s, including the ever-popular tomato.

Making the Pincushion

1. Make Flower
Edge-stitch around the petals of both flowers, to deter fraying. (Drawing A)

Layer the flower pieces, right side up, from the bottom up as follows: large flower, small flower, and linen circle. (Drawing B). Adjust the two flowers so that their petals are "staggered" (Drawing C), center the linen circle three times, sewing through all three layers. Set the flower aside.

2. Make Strap
Fold the linen rectangle in half lengthwise and press it. Then turn under the rectangle's three sides with raw edges in place. Edge-stitch around all four sides.

Stitch the Velcro's loop side on one end of the strap and its hook side on the underside of the strap's other end (Drawing D).

3. Put it All Together
Stack and pin the layers from the bottom up as follows: wool felt circle, plastic circle, strap, and flower (Drawing D). Blanket-stitch the wool felt to the flower, leaving a 1" opening.

Stuff the circle with fiberfill, placing it between the plastic and strap. Hand-sew the opening closed.

Note: The fabric flowers' edges tend to fray: if you want a more finished look, use felt or Ultrasuede.

Thanks to Therese Laskey, Chika Mori and the folks at Stewart, Tabori & Chang for sharing this project. Check out zakkahome.com for more information about the book.

More project downloads are available here! Check out all the How-Tuesday content!

Etsy Finds Vintage: One to Grow On

2009-03-07T10:15:00-05:00

I am totally obsessed with plants: the way they look, smell and grow makes me sublimely happy (especially in the case of succulents and cacti). I love seeing new plants sprouting up in the spring, and I try to keep that feeling alive throughout the year. Though I don't have a backyard, I keep my miniature garden thriving in vintage planters on my windowsills and throughout my apartment. This collection of gardening paraphernalia should get your green thumb humming!

Vintage Davey Crocket Planter Showing Fess Parker from the 1950s Disney Movie

From sweetrice, $24.

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Vintage frog mushroom garden stake

From foursquarevintage, $10.

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Vintage Head Vase With Hand Raised TOTALLY UNIQUE Unlike ANY I Have Seen

From retrovertigo, $35.

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vintage garden tool bucket

From owleyesvintage, $32.

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better homes vintage garden binder book.

From lovesmenot, $16.

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Mushroom Garden Ornament

From BlendedSplendid, $4.50.

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vintage sixties mid century studio pottery

From palominomodern, $28.

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Vintage Small Ceramic Log Planter

From thebluebutton, $8.

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50s BAMBOO and CHARTREUSE Pottery Vintage Planter

From fabulousmess, $35.

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What's your garden like? We'd love to see! Post a link to a photo in the comments!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Vintage Housewares | Vintage Items Tagged "Garden" | More Gardening Posts
Plants and Edibles Category

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BurdaStyle How-To: Make Your Love Bloom Forever

2009-02-04T17:19:00-05:00

Our friends over at BurdaStyle (the online community for open-source sewing patterns) recently put up an absolutely charming (and easy) how-to. Learn how to make beautiful and simple ribbon or fabric flowers! Make a bunch and have lovely flowers that bloom on and on! As always, all projects and patterns on the site are copyright free, so you can sell what you make from them. This is a perfect project for Valentine's Day or a wedding in need of some handmade touches.

For full instructions with helpful photos, visit the How-to on BurdaStyle!

All you need for materials is...
Ribbon or fabric strips, embroidery needle, thread. Optional: wire and floral tape.

So easy! Sooo cute!

Handmade Weddings | Season of Love | Gift Guides | How-Tuesday Projects

Etsy Finds: The Flower of Love

2009-01-20T08:41:00-05:00

Tis the season of love, and many spell l-o-v-e in the language of fresh flowers. If you're thinking of giving flowers this season, think about giving them in a vase that will carry your story of love long beyond the flowers' lifetime. Each of the finds below would beautifully accompany any arrangement and be sure to make an impression. Looking for more options? Browse all of the vases Etsy has to offer to find your special one.

Three finger vases

By catherinereece, $38.

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Porcelain Pods

By DTerryDesigns, $20.

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You Complete Me Sweetheart Vase

By Misspottery, $24.

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Vintage Pink Bubble Pearl Vase Shaker Jar

From shopambrosia, $7.

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small bunny vase

By prettyrandomobjects, $48.

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Porcelain Purple Vase

By NewMoonStudio, $28.

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our secret bottle set

By annaspots, $39.

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Lime Green Lace Wall Vase

By LynnCardwellPottery, $15.

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Heart Bud Vase- Pink Handblown Glass

By tannerglass, $60.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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

Open Studio Tour: DancingCircle

2008-12-10T16:00:00-05:00

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

The holiday season has started and one of my favorite things about this time of year is decorating the house. For this reason, this month I visited work space of Sherry aka dancingcircle in Portland, Oregon.

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Sherry Kirkpatrick. I'm a stay at home mother of four children ranging in age from 8-17. About 5 years ago I started creating wreaths and arrangements as a form of therapy when my kids were younger and always underfoot. Our gorgeous Pacific Northwest practically begs to be showcased in various floral arrangements, so I started out by just playing around with things from my yard or nearby fields. I now have a number of regular sources from nearby farms who provide me with world famous hydrangea, lavender, roses, leaves and more. It's fitting I live in Portland Oregon, the beautiful "city of roses."

When did you decide that you needed a studio and how did you set it up?
I worked in my dining room for a few years before I realized I had to move to a larger space where I didn't have to share with furniture and family members. My craft is fairly messy, so I'm more comfortable creating in a space in the garage where I can close the door when I'm done and not have to sweep every single day. I just sort of started moving things downstairs and organizing as I went along. I use up a fairly small portion of our large garage. Still, it's actually been an excellent motivator for decluttering the garage, since those shelves that previously held junk are now my floral center and thus valuable real estate.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
My work space hasn't really cost me anything other than a small increase in my energy bill — the weather is cooling off and I've started using a small space heater.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
That's a hard question to answer — I couldn't go on without my glue gun or my pick machine so I'll have to give them both equal representation.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
One little secret I have in my work area is this: Since I'm close to our family's chest freezer, I've started storing a bag of cocktail ice in there and if I'm working late I might fill a glass with ice and ...

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
Lately I've been spending more and more time in my work space — I'd say 5-8 hours a day, sometimes more. I not only create there, but I've designed a simple ship center as well.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
I share my work space with my husband, Dan, who has the patience of a saint with my craft. He takes up most of the rest of the garage space with his collection of wood working tools — he's an awesome craftsperson and produces my peace sign templates. Thank you, Danny, for letting me share your space!

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I'm working on improved lighting and I'd like to get a chair that's a bit more comfy. Since my teenage kids keep stealing back their boombox, I guess I better install a little bookshelf stereo system.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
Since I'm working at the bottom most area of our home, I sometimes think of my work area as my "cave".

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Now, that's a good question. A primary reason I moved my operation into our garage is because it's so messy! Realistically I power clean about once a week — by then I'm surrounded by leaves, stems, cast off blossoms, stray tools, and whatnot. I always feel better when everything's tidy again — but as soon as I see a nice clear spot I fill it up again with projects and ideas. I'm a pretty messy crafter.

Anything else you'd like to add?
The fact that I actually have a work area — I certainly wouldn't call it a studio just yet — has legitimized my business in many ways. A permanent space I can call my own is comforting and motivating. I truly enjoy the hours I spend working — even if it's in a garage right now. Luckily, I can open the door and enjoy my beautiful Portland Oregon neighborhood if I begin to feel like the "cave" is too dark. Just seeing the fabulous trees and sky reminds me of why I love what I do.

Thank you, until next studio snooping, ciao!

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

The Everlasting Garden: Easy Tips for Drying Flowers

2008-09-12T11:21:00-05:00

Leaves are already turning red and gold, reminding us fall is quickly approaching. This year, why not save some of your garden's splendor to liven up those dark winter months?

Beautiful and natural dried flowers are a lovely and inexpensive alternative to fresh bouquets: Lavender and roses especially give off a natural perfume and last a surprisingly long time. Dried flowers also make wonderful gift toppers for your holiday packages. If you don't garden, visit your local farmer's market or even a pretty nearby field for a bounty of beautiful fresh flowers and grasses. Try these three easy techniques to dry a variety of common garden flowers and then have fun with easy arrangement ideas to display your treasures.

Firstly, remember to harvest flowers when they're at their peak. Plants past their prime do not make good candidates for drying or preserving and could rot or infect the rest of your supply. Harvest flowers in the early morning or a cool evening when they're nice and perky and haven't been tired out by the sun.

Technique 1: Air Drying
This is the simplest method and produces lovely bouquets suitable for arrangements. Simply gather cut flowers, strip most of the bottom foliage, and bind small to medium sized bunches together with a rubber band. The band will contract as the flowers begin to dry and shrink. Hang upside down in a well ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Be sure to leave room between drying bunches for air to freely circulate. You can hang the flowers from wire coat hangers, clothes lines, ropes: just about anything will work. The drying process will take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on humidity levels in your region. When flowers are completely dry you should store them flat, wrapped in tissue paper in cardboard boxes or ventilated plastic storage containers. Expect flowers to shrink by 50% or more and to fade and darken in color. It's fun to see the lovely vintage hues you can create by drying lighter colors. Choose a dark, fairly cool location for long term storage. The best flowers for this method include: roses, larkspur, strawflowers, grasses, herbs, lavender, tansy and yarrow.

Technique 2: Drying Flowers with Silica Gel
If you want a more accurate rendition of your prize flowers you might want to experiment with silica gel. A sandy-like substance, it's a preserving medium appropriate for sturdier plants such as roses, zinnias and some dahlias: Fragile blooms with thin petals probably won't survive this method. You can find silica gel at any larger craft store that carries floral products. The trick is to prepare a large container with enough granules to completely bury your flower. After a few days — up to week in some cases — you should gently remove the bloom and carefully dust off any powdery residue to reveal a lovely dried flower. Like the air dry method above, colors will tend to change with this technique as well — count on at least a few shades darker than the original hue. Also, silica may be "recycled" and used over and over. The best flowers for this method include: roses, zinnias, dahlias, daisies and peonies.

Technique 3: From Fresh to Dried in a Vase
Some flowers are great candidates for the simplest drying method of all. Hydrangea is a great example for this method. Harvest fully developed hydrangea heads in late summer or early fall — you'll know they're ready when they feel papery to the touch. Arrange the stalks in a vase with water and simply let the water evaporate. In most cases, your flowers will remain upright and look perky even though they're starting to dry. After a few weeks you can work with them or simply leave as a beautiful decoration. The best choices for this method include baby's breath, pearly everlasting, bachelor's button, and hydrangea.

Keep these simple tips in mind to prolong the life of your dried flowers. Make sure to display away from direct sunlight and high humidity — both elements will fade and/or break down flowers quickly. Of course, always display your arrangement well away from any flame source. Most dried flowers are best suited for indoor use — wind and sun can ruin a pretty display quickly.

Here are a few more tips for different flower arrangements!

To make a simple swag: Lay out your favorite dried grasses and flowers vertically. Working in roughly a diamond shape, begin to gather them until you have a pleasing amount. Use raffia or ribbon to tie them off. Display and enjoy.

To make a simple gift topper: Create tiny bouquets of sturdy botanicals. Gather a few sticks and/or cones. Wrap gift and glue flower "arrangement" to top.

To create an easy arrangement: Allow hydrangea, baby's breath and or grasses to dry naturally in a vase.

Get busy with your garden and see what path nature takes!

Looking for more natural How-Tos? Check out How-To Make Natural Dye with the Etsy Labs!

Etsy Finds: VieModerne

2008-09-07T08:17:00-05:00

After watching one of this season's Project Runway contestants flaunt amazing fascinators, headbands and other fantastic hair accessories week after week, I decided I needed to get in on the action. I did some searching for the perfect fascinator on Etsy, and I found so many beautiful options that it actually took me a couple weeks to finally buy one.

After much deliberation, I finally purchased a fascinator from VieModerne. It arrived earlier this week and I haven't taken it off since. Check out this sweet headband that's also listed in her shop — who doesn't love black and white polka dots, with a dash of red?

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Etsy Finds: The Columbine

2008-06-02T10:38:00-05:00

I asked Etsy glass artist Pamela Angus to choose today's Etsy Finds because I had been stalking her beautifully curated Treasuries and knew she had a great eye. Visit her Etsy shop, read all about her life in France in her blog, or just check out her wonderful Finds below! —Anda

One of my favourite flowers, the columbine, has been in bloom for the past week or so here. Under the dappled shade of the trees, the dusky pink and mauve flowers are delicate, old-fashioned and outrageously pretty and feminine. With their beauty and the colour of the woodland still in my mind, I’ve picked a bunch of gorgeous things.

Verity Hope Wrap Dress Sewing Kit

I discovered this gorgeous dress a few weeks ago. It comes pre-cut and ready to sew — impress your friends with “Thanks, I made it myself.” By malphi, $70.

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Dianthus ... Freeform Crochet Necklace

I love crochet necklaces, but this has to be one of my faves — romantic and very wearable. By Irregularexpressions, $71.

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Sage Blossoms - Flower Earrings

These little earrings are so exquisitely detailed and feminine. By Old World Romance shop, $25.

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Alice at the Tea Party. Three-way messenger bag

Practical, versatile and, with the beautiful Arthur Rackham inspirated illustration, just a little more girly than your average messenger bag. By Baba Studio, $64.

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Vintage Butterfly Ring

This little cabochon ring is such an exquisite color and full of detail. By angl, $7.50.

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Peach Silk Slip

This slip dress just oozes vintage Hollywood glamour! By Rubypearl, $225.

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Dainty Pretty Pairs - Original Polaroid Image Transfer in 8x10 Archival Mat

I love the image of these vintage gloves in a thrift store window. By TiffanyTeske, $35.

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TUTU Pink Chocolatem/view_listing.p

This is so cute it’ll turn any little monster into a sweet pea! By KennedyGraceboutique, $25.

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Mauve Flowers Eye Pillow

This lavender-filled eye pillow is perfect for when you want to put your feet up and dream of the garden. By Justmaybe, $13.

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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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Etsy Finds: Hay Fevers

2008-05-07T09:47:00-05:00

Ever since last Sunday when we hit up two parks in one day and then I took a two-hour bike ride around central Brooklyn, I've been a snotty, sneezy, wheezing hot mess. My sources tell me that 98% of everyone we know is suffering right along with me, but as I am now afraid to leave the house I can't fully confirm this. I'm just going to look at the spring flowers from the comfort and allergen-free safety of my desktop computer instead.

Breeze - Original ACEO

It's really fun sometimes to "find" the old guard of Etsy. Marissa (see, if I know their first names, then they are certifiably old guard) has been printmaking on our site since the art category had just a dozen items listed. And she's still making new work all the time — have you visited her shop lately? By mlee, $12.

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Rhinestoned Flower Hairclip

Here's one way to wear flowers in your hair and not get felled by pollen. tiffanyrenfrow, $10.

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Travel Tea Bag Holder Pouch Carrier Trifold Wallet - Floral Print

Hot tea is a great way to relieve the stuffiness of hay fever. Keep some on hand with this floral pouch by fabricandstuff, $10.

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Bee Mixed Metal Necklace

"For springtime frolics"....even indoors. AxelsCastle, $12.

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Vintage Find: 1960's Vines, Trees, Shrubs, Evergreens and Lawn Care Book

Just looking at this image makes my eyes water. By JoyandWhimsy, $5.

Did you know searching for ONLY handmade items, vintage, or supplies on Etsy just got easier? Our new search is divided so you can look for what you want without a lot of what you don't want showing up. See this Storque article for the details...or you could just go shopping using search right now!

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Dots and Buds Handbag

Bright flowers and flying seeds and cheerful colors. You can still enjoy spring. By sewgracious, $36.

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Mod Brown Floral Child's Apron

This print makes weeds and wildflowers look so adorably benign. By saralynnmo , $18.

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Brown n Orange Aloha Print Messenger bag / with lots pockets

Lots of pockets — for your Benadryl, tissues, tea (see above), and whatever else gives you relief. By cottonpurr, $78.

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Pink Flowers Small Fabric Thunktacks - Qty. 8

Allergen-free little thumbtacks. By fabricfarrago, $5.50.

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Trends: Flowers in Her Hair

2008-04-09T12:57:00-05:00

My new spring fashion obsession — flowers for my hair. Check these looks from the runways — those flowers are from our very own SamanthaSultana!

photos courtesy of SamanthaSultana

Try one large flower, or a bunch of flowers together to create a bouquet (the ones from handmadepretties would be amazing). If spring hasn't quite arrived where you are and you are tired of cold weather, this will remind you that it's on it's way...

Happy spring, lovelies!

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Handmade Weddings: Eco-friendly Flower Ideas with Maria Finn

2008-04-07T14:51:00-05:00

We invited Maria Finn aka citydirt to share some insights into incorporating plants and flowers into your Handmade Weddings. Maria has written about nature for the New York Times and Audobon, and has also published travel books and taught writing to college students. In addition to being an award-winning author, Maria runs a hands-on, eco-friendly gardening company called Prospect & Refuge, and blogs about the experience at CityDirt.net.

Nobody wants to think of herself as a Bridezilla, but all the details can be daunting — especially if you’re someone who considers her or himself eco-sensitive. Are your wedding flowers filled with pesticides that are polluting the rivers and exploiting workers in Colombia? Does rice thrown for good luck really explode in the stomachs of songbirds? Ahhh, the horror of unintended consequences. Etsy has asked me to make these details a little easier. And since you’re here, reading this, I’m assuming you like things creative and a little funky, so let’s make this wedding planning fun.

Carry an elegant bouquet of white calla lilies wrapped in your grandmother’s handkerchief, or mix together chartreuse and romantic sunset roses, both available from Organic Bouquet. (Remember, you’ll need a few days to let them open, so timing is everything here. And there aren't really any organic fillers, so just go outside and pick some ornamental grass or ivy vines and bind them all together with floral tape and then cover that with ribbon.) To find other Fair Trade flowers vendors click transfairusa.org/content/flowers/index.php.

Centerpieces at the reception don’t even need to be flowers. If you’re Buddhists, you can find statues and incense burners; for bird lovers, place botanicraft's bird houses on the table and scatter dried flowers or petals around them.

Terrariums are glass containers filled with tropical or desert eco-systems, and tres chic these days. Here's a good size: vintage Crushed Fruit Jar.

You can create a natural look by adding pieces of driftwood, shells, or pebbles, or you can add a kitschy bride and groom figurine and mulch with turquoise marbles or red lentils if you’d like. These can really keep a conversation flowing at the in-law table. Go to my blog for a guide to making a terrarium—and what to avoid.

You can also use live plants that can be given away to guests or can be replanted in your yard. Small bonsai trees make elegant centerpieces and will live for years — decades even. Scour your local China Town for ones already in ceramic dishes. Add a few of gamiworks's Japanese Candle Votives for a touch of color.

Also, OrganicBouquet.com sells California grapevine bonsai’s — so post nuptials, the Newlyweds can start their own vineyard.

If you must have cut flowers — and often we must — go seasonal or go native. WhatsInBloom sells a planning kit to help you know which flowers are available the month of your wedding. For natives, check out the Local Harvest Site to find wildflower venues near you and support growers of native wildflowers. Native plants are heartier, use less water, require fewer pesticides, and they provide food and shelter for our birds, bees, and butterflies. Although, I must admit, I love lavender.

It’s not a native to my Brooklyn area, but lavender is certainly hard to resist. In the Middle Ages, lavender was considered “the herb of love” and lavender bouquets were given to newly-married couples to bring good luck; as well, sprinkling dried lavender flowers in the home was said to bring peacefulness. So plant some live lavender in reclaimed redwood flowerpots from barwood.

For larger bouquets, mix miniature cascading red roses with lavender. Later, turn these into planted pots on your front porch or replant them into window boxes.

As for what to toss at the bride and groom, I’ve got you covered. At my Etsy store here, I sell native wildflower seeds in hand stamped small envelopes. By tossing these, you’re doing all sorts of great stuff for the environment, and seeds are symbolic; there’s something, well, fertile, so to speak.

For more eco-friendly and DIY wedding tips, see Portovert's post, ecochicwedding's post, Craftmagazine's DIY post, plus many others.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: Handmade Bouquets

2008-03-17T11:49:00-05:00

I just found these mysterious and amazing fabric roses from therussians' Etsy shop! She describes them best as:

"A love that lasts forever. Handmade Fabric and Ribbon Roses. All one of a kind. Wound on real branches and vine. Lush, exquisite gothic pieces for a vase in a secret room or a gift that will last one-hundred lifetimes. "

Today is a day where I am completely digging the melancholy style of her bouquets and the fact they are made with real branches. These would be perfect for a wedding bouquet or even wedding favors to give to all the guests that attended. This stormy blue bouquet pretty much takes care of the entire "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" saying. Read more about the Handmade Wedding Series in the Storque!

xoxo,

Mary

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Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Spring Showcase On Sale This Thursday!

2008-02-19T15:25:00-05:00

Dear Sellers:

It may seem cold as the Dickens outside, but it is time to start getting your Spring products out to buyers!

The Spring Showcase will be going on sale this Thursday, February 21st at 12:00pm EST . This Showcase will be linked by way of a special themed banner on the homepage of Etsy.

While we hope that sellers choose items that involve pastels, Easter, eggs, chicks, robins, deer, bunnies, nests, grass, flowers, spring fashion or anything else "springy," you are welcome to post anything that you feel would be appropriate for the springtime.

It goes on sale Thursday, February 21st at 12:00pm EST.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
It goes live the following day Friday, February 22nd at 12 a.m. (midnight) EST and will run until the 31st of March.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24 hour spot in the Spring Showcase, which is linked to from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
You now administer which items you want to be fed into your Showcase slot through the tool in Your Shop. Read more about this process here.

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

Etsy Finds: Beautiful Vessels

2008-02-18T10:54:00-05:00

I attended a class on growing seedlings the other night at the library near my house, and it got me so excited about planting a garden this year. The best part of any garden, of course, is enjoying all the blooms. What better way to enjoy beautiful blossoms than in a handmade vessel? I immediately began searching all the different vases on Etsy, and found an amazing selection of results, including wall vases, pottery, vintage glass, handmade pitchers and sleek modern containers.

The red wall vase from LynnCardwellPottery (above) caught my eye right away in my search for beautiful vases to hold flowers. LynnCardwellPottery is a member of the Etsy Mud Team. She has been on selling Etsy for just over a year and is already approaching 300 sales!

This stunning pitcher by TwistedRiverClay would look lovely with some tulips.

A lovely set of vintage milk glass vases from UncommonEye would look stunning on my kitchen windowsill.

KimWestad's sleek pebble vase would make an amazing centerpiece.

Let's just hope spring arrives soon, so I can start decorating my house with flowers from my own yard instead of the florist!

Have you found an amazing vase on Etsy you don't mind sharing with everyone else? Post a link in the comments!