Search results (tags) for: "germany"

Etsy Finds: Destination Unknown

2009-11-19T12:00:00-05:00

Etsy is a place where great communities of the world connect and share their love for the handmade life. It seemed only fitting to highlight romance and unions inspired by four international locations for today's Etsy Finds. Whether your nuptial will be a destination wedding or local affair, these items are sure to add festive and sophisticated flourishes to any party. Find many diverse inspirations and styles in the Weddings Category and Etsy's Weddings and Celebrations gift guides.

French Kiss

Metro Gocco Folded Art Card

By twoguitars, $4.

View Item | View Shop

Coco Twirl Wedding Dress

By bellinabridal, $725.

View Item | View Shop

Eiffel Tower Charm Necklace

By ValentineStudios, $17.50.

View Item | View Shop

Midnight Premiere Hat

By itsthelittlethingsut, $65.

View Item | View Shop

Elegant Chalk Cloth Tags

By bluepearls, $8.

View Item | View Shop

Black Ivory Ruffle Bow Purse

By mojospastyle, $50.

View Item | View Shop

French Macaroon Cookies

By lemonadestandnyc, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Flamingo Sapphire/Diamond Ring

By singleBbeautiful, $1350.

View Item | View Shop

La Fiesta

Cactus- Yarnius Crochetius

By blazingneedles, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Owls Custom Color Papel Picado

By aymujer, $23.

View Item | View Shop

Pink Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)

By gracieseggies, $7.95.

View Item | View Shop

Mantilla Veil - White or Ivory

By Rohm, $285.

View Item | View Shop

Custom Wedded Bliss Sash

By icing101, $55.

View Item | View Shop

The Rosita Wedding Invitation

By inkylivie, $6.

View Item | View Shop

Terracotta Knitted Shawl

By crochetbutterfly, $60.

View Item | View Shop

Mini Bowls In Pelmet Tapis

By jillrosenwald, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Alpine Meadows

Woodland Blue Flower Hair Wreath

By thehoneycomb, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Matterhorn Print

By ArtByMarilyn, $11.

View Item | View Shop

The Jane Eyre Dress

From TangerineFlamingo, $132.

View Item | View Shop

Paper Love Cake Topper

By LoBoheme, $100.

View Item | View Shop

Midsummer Night's Faery Ring

By nanopod, $430.

View Item | View Shop

Custom Rustic Wedding Cones

By SunshineandRavioli, $2.50.

View Item | View Shop

German Cookies (six medium jars)

By dLischka, $39.

View Item | View Shop

German Dirndl Dress

By whatkidslike, $60.

View Item | View Shop

Asian Fusion

Taisho Tomesode Kimono

By KimonoNoKokoro, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Custom Bridesmaid Clutch

By DanicaDesigns, $68.

View Item | View Shop

Red Asian Floral Large Frame Clutch

By kailochic, $48.

View Item | View Shop

Kimiko Flat

By HydraHeart, $53.

View Item | View Shop

Ume (Plum Blossom)

By AtelierKanawa, $270.

View Item | View Shop

Kit Kat

By dolittledesign, $20.

View Item | View Shop

Cricket - Emblem of Courage Notes

By BambooVillagePress, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Cherry Blossom Bouquet Charm

By cherrycreek, $20.

View Item | View Shop

We'd love to see photos showing off the vintage or handmade aspects of your wedding! Submit images of your special day to the Etsy Handmade Weddings Flickr pool today! (And even if you're not married, the Flickr pool has tons of inspiring images to make your heart swell!)

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Etsy International Posts | Handmade Weddings Series | Gifts for the World Traveler

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

Etsy International: We're Visiting Europe...Again!

2009-11-12T10:00:00-05:00

UPDATE: Just a friendly reminder!

[The following was originally published on October 31, 2009.]

Etsy International: We're visiting Europe...again! Nous retournons visiter l'Europe! Wir kommen zurück nach Europa!

English

I'm happy to announce that Matt and I will be making a quick trip to Europe this November 16-24. As you may have heard, later this fall we'll be launching localized blogs in Germany, France and the UK.

As part of this trip, we of course hope to meet with many of you. We'll be holding some informal open meetings, similar to what Maria and I did last spring, where people can come to learn more about our 2010 plans, share ideas, ask questions, offer suggestions, and enjoy some time with other Etsy members.

The basic information is below and we'll update it as specific details become available — for now just save the dates!

Berlin: Wednesday, November 18, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland (note the day is now the 18th!)

Paris: Thursday, November 19, 18:30-20:30 / Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Monday, November 23, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

Hope to see you on the road!

Français

Je suis heureuse de vous annoncer que Matt et moi allons faire un petit voyage en Europe du 16 au 24 Novembre. Comme vous en avez peut-être déjà entendu parler, nous lancerons plus tard dans l'automne des blogs locaux en Allemagne, en France et en Grande-Bretagne.

Nous espérons évidemment vous rencontrer nombreux pendant ce séjour. Nous tiendrons des rencontres ouvertes et informelles, similaires à ce que moi et Maria avons fait le printemps dernier, où les gens pourront venir en apprendre un peu plus sur nos projets de 2010, partager des idées, poser des questions, offrir des suggestions et profiter d'un moment passé en compagnie d'autres Etsiens.

Vous trouverez les informations essentielles ci-dessous et nous les mettrons à jour dès que nous disposerons de détails plus spécifiques. Pour le moment, vous pouvez noter les dates!

Berlin: Mercredi 18 Novembre, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland

Paris: Jeudi 19 Novembre, Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Lundi 23 Novembre, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

En espérant vous croiser sur notre route!

Deutsch

Ich freue mich Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass Matt und ich vom 16. November bis 24. November in Europa sein werden. Wie Sie vielleicht schon wissen, haben wir vor gegen Ende des Jahres blogs in Deutschland, Frankreich und Großbritannien zu veröffentlichen.

Als Teil dieser Reise hoffen wir natürlich viele von Ihnen zu treffen. Wir werden ein paar informelle Meetings abhalten, ähnlich denen von Maria und mir letzten Frühling. Kommen Sie einfach vorbei und erfahren Sie mehr von unseren Plänen für 2010. Es wird auch möglich sein Fragen zu stellen, Ideen mit uns zu teilen, Vorschläge zu machen oder einfach etwas Zeit mit anderen Etsianern zu verbringen. Die wichtigtsten Informationen finden Sie etwas weiter unten. Wir werden gegebenenfalls weitere Details hinzufügen, aber merken Sie sich erst einmal diese Daten.

Berlin: Mittwoch, 18. November, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland

Paris: Donnerstag, 19. November, Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Montag, 23. November, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

Man sieht sich bald!

UPDATED Friday, November 13, 12:00 p.m.

Etsy International Posts | Multi-Lingual Posts

Our Thoughts and Gratitude Go Out to Veterans

2009-11-11T10:03:00-05:00

With the backdrop of two active wars and the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, our hearts, thanks, prayers, and sadly our condolences, go out to those in the military and their families this Veterans Day.

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new holiday honored World War I veterans. After both World War II and the Korean War, Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans" and November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

This is also a time to honor those who have fought for freedom in other parts of the world. One of the most significant symbols of this is the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which occurred two days ago, on November 9.

While peace is still a distant goal for the world as a whole, we are very fortunate to have the freedom we enjoy and the protection of those who make sacrifices every day.

Homefront Team | Items From Their Shops | Homefront Team's Facebook Fan Giveaway

Military Brats Team | Items From Their Shops

Etsy Finds: A Toast to Oktoberfest

2009-10-03T09:00:00-05:00

"O'zapft is!" This is how the mayor opens the world's largest fair, Oktoberfest, every autumn in Munich. It translates in English to "It's tapped!", which means that it's time to start filling your stein with beer. On Etsy, it means it's time to celebrate all things German! For those of us not attending this year, join us in cheerful Bavarian spirit for today's Etsy Finds where you'll find lederhosen, dirndls, pretzels and beer-inspired costumes, collectibles and gifts.

Girl's Dirndl with Floral Headpiece

By LuLusPetalsTX, $80.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Alpine House Thermometer

From lunaparkfoundry, $14.99.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage German Coffee Jar

From prairieantiques, $16.50.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage German Porcelain Pitcher

From rosepetalsvintage, $49.

View Item | View Shop

Open Daily Berlin Pillow Cover

By softboiled, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Cuckoo clock screenprinted necktie

By toybreaker, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Everyday Savannah Bag

By chauwall, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Handpainted Black Forest Plate

By isobelblake, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Women or Girls Red Cape

By loverdoversclothing, $20.

View Item | View Shop

Dirndl-bag Spatzilein for Traditionals

By Rosenfee, $35.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Brass Trophy Mugs

From nocarnations, $14.

View Item | View Shop

Delft Blue Corset

By nickireid, $150.

View Item | View Shop

SALE Sweet German Figurines

From abundantcuriosities, $6.99.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Grimm's Fairy Tales Plate

From filecutter, $14.99.

View Item | View Shop

Forest Ring - Choose Your Size

By dillondesigns, $8.

View Item | View Shop

German Love And Likor Shirt

By CubistLiterature, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Beer's Best Friend Cookie

By buttermilkbakeshop, $7.

View Item | View Shop

Blue Sausage with Sashiko Stitch

By Mairuru, $9.50.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage 1960's Heidi Dress

From margaretpearl, $34.

View Item | View Shop

Set of 8 Mustache Pint Glasses

By BreadandBadger, $100.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage European Antlers

From ajpaul, $50.

View Item | View Shop

Oatmeal Stout Beer Soap

By BeautifulSoaps, $4.99.

View Item | View Shop

Personalized Stein -Customizable

By StudioElan, $36.

View Item | View Shop

Iron Deer Coin Bank/Door Stop

From highstreetmarket, $48.

View Item | View Shop

Cuckoo Clock Placemats

By girlscantell, $28.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Silver/Porcelain Coasters

From tentpitcher, $19.

View Item | View Shop

Choker with Vintage Button

By Folk, $14.

View Item | View Shop

2 Vintage 1950s Deer Beer Glasses

From dollsandmolls2, $9.99.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Grey Leather Lederhosen

From buttonsnsuch, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Felt Eye Glasses and Gadget Set

By FERUTOBags, $60.

View Item | View Shop

Horn Bottle Opener

From julieannis, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Gnome Light Blue Pint Glass

By EtchYourHeartOut, $14.

View Item | View Shop

Jam-filled German Cookies

By dLischka, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Sausage Light Switch Cover

By julietew, $5.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage German Postcard

From OldeTymeNotions, $1.50.

View Item | View Shop

German Musketeer Nutcracker

From VintageZen, $98.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Shop Local Germany | Oktoberfest Blog Posts | Gift Ideas

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

Innocent Corset Wins the Oktoberfest Vote

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

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

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

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

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

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

More Oktoberfest Posts | Shop Local Germany

Oktoberfest Memories With BurdaStyle

2009-09-23T14:18:00-05:00

Open source sewing company BurdaStyle is a longtime friend of Etsy's (and a German one at that!), and when we saw their über-cute dirndl pattern on BurdaStyle, we had to let you know about it. "Based on the historical dress of Alpine peasants, the dirndl is the traditional dress of southern Germany and Austria. In Munich, wearing a dirndl is still a normal way to dress." If you use the dirndl pattern, make sure to show BurdaStyle your interpretation of it!

To get you in the mood, we asked Munich-native Benedikta von Karaisl to share some of her memories of Oktoberfest, both in German and English.

Die online Nähplattform BurdaStyle ist ein langjähriger Freund von Etsy (und zudem noch deutsch!). Nachdem wir diese übersüßen Drindlmuster bei BurdaStyle gesehen haben, müssen wir euch davon erzählen. "Basierend auf der historischen Tracht der Alpenbauern, ist das Drindl die traditionelle Bekleidung in Süddeutschland und Österreich. In München ist es beispielsweise immer noch normal sich so zu kleiden." Falls ihr das Drindlmuster benutzt, müsst ihr eure Interpretationen davon unbedingt BurdaStyle zeigen!

Um euch in Stimmung zu bringen haben wir die aus München stammende Benedikta von Karaisl gefragt mit euch in Englisch und Deutsch einige ihrer Erinnerungen ans Oktoberfest zu teilen.

My name is Benedikta, and I run BurdaStyle.com with my partner in crime, Nora Abousteit. On BurdaStyle, you can find open source sewing patterns, lots of inspiration and sewing tips, and over 250,000 sewing obsessed ladies to mingle with. A true Bavarian, I am excited to share a bit about the two weeks in September that make my hometown of Munich, Germany world famous.

Hi, ich bin Benedikta und leite zusammen mit Nora Abousteit BurdaStyle.com in Brooklyn. Auf unserer Seite findet man alles ums Naehen herum, und mehr: Open-Source Schnittmuster, Inspiration und Naehtipps wie auch ueber 250.000 naehbegeisterter Mitglieder. Als waschechte Bayerin bin ich natuerlich sofort dabei ein bisschen was ueber das Oktoberfest zu erzaehlen, insbesondere da es das erste ist was den meisten ueber die Stadt bekannt ist.

[Oktoberfest Hearts — Photo by Mark Briola on Flickr]

Growing up in the city of Munich is as peaceful as growing up in the countryside, with its picturesque neighborhoods and friendly residents. However, all of that changes during the last two weeks of September, when Bavaria’s breweries gather for its yearly Oktoberfest, the “Wiesn." Originally celebrated in honor of Ludwig I's wedding in 1810, it is now the world's largest fair with some 6 million people in attendance.

Wer in Muenchen aufgewachsen ist, kann bestaetigen: die malerische Innenstadt mit seinen freundlich grummeligen Bayern wirkt eher wie eine laendliche Idylle als eine Grossstadt. Damit ist’s allerdings dahin in den letzten zwei Septemberwochen, in denen in der Weltstadt mit Herz die Oktoberfestmusi den Ton angeben. Erstmalig veranstaltet als Pferderennen zu Ehren des Koenig Ludwig I in 1810, ist es mit seinen ueber sechs Millionen Besuchern heute das groesste Volksfest weltweit.

[Wiesn Rides by schmollmolch on Flickr]

Besides rides and attractions, the main focus is traditional food and Bavaria’s beer. The fact that about 7 million liters of beer and 520,000 chickens are consumed illustrate Munich's festive spirit during those two weeks.

Nebst Wilder Maus und Schichtl ist natuerlich das Bier mit passenden Schmankerln die Hauptattraktion. Fakt ist, dass waehrend der Wiesn an die 520.000 Brathendl und knapp sieben Millionen Liter Bier und konsumiert werden. Das letztere liegt offensichtlich der allgemeinen Festeslaune zu Grunde.

[Inside the tent by pokpok13 on Flickr]

My high school was so close to Oktoberfest that we would hear the Bavarian Umtata band sing from morning 'til evening. Hungry tourists and traditionally clothed Bavarians streamed by on their way to the Wiesn, only to return hours later with large Bretzn and a swing in their step. Since hotels are booked to the max, campers liked to park their vans on our school parking lot. As we would be late for first period, we would spot them getting ready in front of their campers to join the Wiesn. Those school days seemed to never end until the bell finally set us free to join the madness.

[Oktobercouple by Cladia H, come back?? on Flickr]

Ich hatte das Glueck dass meine Schule so nah an der Festwiese lag, dass wir die Blasmusik den gesamten Tag bis in unsere Klassenzimmer schallen hoerten. Touristen wie Bayern geschmueckt in Dirndl und Lederhosn stroemten unter unseren Fenstern vorbei Richtung Oktoberfest nur um Stunden spaeter mit Brezn, singend oder tanzend wieder aufzutauchen. Da Hotels waehrend der Wiesn grundsaetzlich ueberbucht sind, hatten wir die Ehre hartnaeckigen Touristen mit ihren Campingwaegen auf unserem Schulparkplatz ein vorlaeufiges Zuhause bieten zu koennen. Das fuehrte hin und wieder zu dem Vergnuegen als Zuspaetkommer die Camper bei der Morgentoilette zu erwischen.
Schultage waehrend der Wiesn wirkten endlos, bis wir uns endlich unter die Festgaeste mischen und uns geniessen konnten dass es unsere Heimatstadt war, die waehrend zwei Wochen im Herbst Schauplatz des wohl ausgelassensten Festes der Erde ist.

[Enjoying the festivities by ragingwire on Flickr]

Have you experienced Oktoberfest? Are you doing anything to celebrate this September? Leave it in the comments!

More Oktoberfest Posts | More Bilingual Posts | Shop Local Germany

Vote! Which Oktoberfest Item Fills Your Stein?

2009-09-22T10:21:00-05:00

In honor of Oktoberfest, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite Bavarian, German, or beer themed items. Now it's your turn to vote!

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote. Cheers!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Etsy Finds: All Over the Map

2009-09-15T12:00:00-05:00

I am a huge nerd when it comes to maps. (Come to think of it, I'm a huge nerd in general, but especially for maps.) Growing up, whenever we went on a family road trip, my dad would sit me in the passenger seat with a map and tell me that it was my job to get us where we were going. Somehow I think he knew the way already, but I spent those trips studying the route and calling out directions — the best 6-year-old co-pilot on the East Coast. For today's Etsy Finds, I pulled out a few maps, closed my eyes and pointed, then I used Etsy's Shop Local tool to find Etsy shops all over the world.

Portland, Maine

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

By grayday, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Little Friend Monster

By bybethany, $16.

View Item | View Shop

Green Circles Textured Necklace

By Dirtgirlpottery, $14.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Wood Fired Stove Shakers

From RedEyeVintage, $26.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage 80s Black Tan Boots Size 6

From northstarvintage, $70.

View Item | View Shop

Pirate Knit Chucks

By PrettySneaky, $100.

View Item | View Shop

San Jose, Costa Rica

Soluna Tiedye Strapless Dress

By SOLUNAcr, $22.

View Item | View Shop

Deep Ring with Peridot

By ggcjewelry, $50.

View Item | View Shop

Pre-Colombian Necklace-Ships Free

By GalvezBijoux, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Learn To Count Pendant and Chain

By grocgroc, $59.40.

View Item | View Shop

True Strength is Delicate Ring

By Nataliaraya, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Poison Frog Ceramic Sculpture

By dendrobay, $75.

View Item | View Shop

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Linen Wallet with Stripes Medley

By laurabucci, $23.

View Item | View Shop

Antique Victorian Glass Button Ring

By elseetee2, $70.

View Item | View Shop

Ruffles...fused glass pendant

By groovyglassgirl, $24.99.

View Item | View Shop

Balancing-Original Encaustic Collage

By DearDodo, $28.

View Item | View Shop

Little Jack-O-Lantern Watercolor

By DeanDymentStudios, $15.

View Item | View Shop

80s Vintage Black Net Dress

From starletvintage, $68.

View Item | View Shop

Berlin, Germany

LUP- Green and Aqua

By SNoU, $48.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Brown and Metal Purse

From Spelfenmeisje, $55.

View Item | View Shop

Yellow Elm Leaf Meander - Limited

By doubleyouEm, $36.

View Item | View Shop

Dynamic Dangles

By ChicHandmades, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Grunge Dress, Semi-Transparent

From leolucaescobar, $49.

View Item | View Shop

Edward the Edwardian, Lavender Bag

By uberfrump, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Denver, Colorado

Cranberry Sauce Leather Heels

From GingerKisses, $24.

View Item | View Shop

Candy Corn Dog Collar

By 8PawsCollars, $13.99.

View Item | View Shop

Steampunk USB Drive

By cerriousdesign, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Triforce Gold Cuff Links

By crimsonking, $19.

View Item | View Shop

Dichroic Glass Rainbow Cuff

By armstrongjewelry, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Fozzie the Bizzle-Air

By datamafia, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | More Shop Local Posts | Shop Local Feature

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

Etsy Finds Decor: Soothing Suite

2009-07-25T09:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the natural modern penthouse apartment of Etsy buyer, Ivy. She has taken on a whole new life in Germany where she has decorated her gorgeous apartment in calming shades of white, tan and gray. The light natural woods, textured wicker accents and slate gray chalkboards create a soothing feeling, while dark colors and patterns draw your eye to focal points throughout the room.

Visit Ivy on Flickr to view more photos of her modern organic home. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a bit of calm and peace to the place you call home.

modern blooms in black pillow

By pillowhappy, $75.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Pair of Modern Planters

From funkeyfinds, $14.

View Item | View Shop

Photographic Coaster set Rocks and Stones

By tansyandco, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Money Bag Pillow

By chakrapennywhistle, $60.

View Item | View Shop

scalloped mirror in natural wood

By uncommon, $48.

View Item | View Shop

Antique Wood 7up Crate Storage Box

By SweetLoveVintage, $38.

View Item | View Shop

Triple Tealight Holder - Natural

By Plyhouse, $24.

View Item | View Shop

Mystique Wallpaper Tile

By iamnotcarla, $35.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage framed chalkboard

From Shabbylull, $33.

View Item | View Shop

Handmade Maple Storage Bench

By AbleandBaker, $279.

View Item | View Shop

Wool Trivet Pair - Tree Rings

By byrdandbelle, $16.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage Model Plane, El Al

By deluxanyc, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Set of 5 - Twig Picture Holders

By kindlingshop, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Beer and Peanuts

From objetpetita, $15.

View Item | View Shop

vintage Milk Glass Vase TRIO

From aimeesarmoire, $22.50.

View Item | View Shop

Contemplation Desk Garden No. 9

By madebymavis, $22.

View Item | View Shop

old school rockaway train - pillow cover

By bungaloe, $25.

View Item | View Shop

Vanity Cabinet in White, ASSEMBLAGE Series

By jeanpelle, $175.

View Item | View Shop

vintage milk glass and moss no. 6

From floresdelsol, $28.

View Item | View Shop

Koro - Made to order

By poaplum, $110.

View Item | View Shop

Tree View no. 37

By treeviews, $600.

View Item | View Shop

White Sun Flower Lamp

By sprucehomemusthaves, $125.

View Item | View Shop

East Village pillow

By hazelandhunter, $28.

View Item | View Shop

I Wish we had IKEA tea towel

By skinnylaminx, $12.

View Item | View Shop

Walnut Wall-Mounted Stereo Speakers

By danielstrack, $300.

View Item | View Shop

Longboard BIRCH Pendant Lamp

By baldmanmod, $160.

View Item | View Shop

Stacked Plywood Nesting End Tables

By michaelflynn, $285.

View Item | View Shop

SALE / REDUCED sculpted bean pods

By lilypottery, $26.

View Item | View Shop

Natural Fir Root Side Table

By UrbanAccentHome, $169.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage little Wicker shopping basket bag

By yesstreen, $15.25.

View Item | View Shop

Hanging Candle Lantern

By wishartglass, $48.

View Item | View Shop

Panali Key Tree

By Salendro, $29.50.

View Item | View Shop

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

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

Infographics: One Seller's Visualization

2009-06-18T10:00:00-05:00

When I first heard of Etsy in 2007, through a blog written by my friend, I thought, "This is what I need! I have to join."

Around this time, I was knitting a lot of wrist warmers as gifts for my friends, and eventually everybody around me had wrist warmers, but I wanted to continue knitting. Etsy was the opportunity for me to continue knitting and start selling my wrist warmers. I saw what other sellers were offering, and started experimenting with new patterns and forms; it was a motivation for me to get better at my craft. Then winter was over, my wrist warmers didn’t sell anymore, but I wanted to continue selling on Etsy, so I started to crochet. Etsy was a huge inspiration for me to improve my knitting and crocheting.

And now, after so much knitting and crocheting, after 240 sales, I had a desire to do something else besides showing my goods on Flickr and selling them on Etsy. Thus I started with the first infographic:

I recorded all my knitting and selling activity since January 1, 2009, and incorporated it into the infographic. As you can see, the graphic shows:

1. how long I knitted every day on each piece;
2. how long each piece was posted on Etsy until it sold;
3. where the items was sent to.
Click here for larger image.

That was very interesting to make, so I made a another infographic about all my Etsy sales (pictured at the top of the article). Click here for a larger image.

The graphic shows all 240 sales, sorted by cities and noted on the world map. Originally, I had intended to include time components, but that quickly became too complicated. Maybe that will be next, as I definitely want to continue creating visualizations of my work and Etsy activities!

German version:
Als ich 2007 in dem blog einer Freundin das erste mal von etsy erfahren habe, da dachte ich: das ist es was ich brauche.
Ich habe zu der Zeit viele Pulswärmer gestrickt und meinen Freunden geschenkt.
Irgendwann hatten alle um mich herum Pulswärmer, aber ich wollte weiterstricken.
Etsy war eine tolle Gelegenheit weiterzustricken und die Pulswärmer zu verkaufen; ich sah auch was die anderen Verkäfer anbieten, und habe dann angefangen neue Patterns und Formen auszuprobieren, es war eine Motivation für mich besser zu werden. Dann war aber der Winter vorbei, meine Pulswärmer wurden nicht mehr so richtig gekauft, ich wollte aber auf etsy weitermachen, deswegen habe ich angefangen zu häkeln.
Etsy war also einen große Motivation für mich besser in meiner Strick- und Häkelarbeit zu werden.

Und jetzt, nach so viel stricken und häkeln, nach den 240 verkauften Objekten, hatte ich ein Bedürfnis etwas mehr zu machen, nicht nur Bilder auf Flickr zeigen und zu Verkauf auf etsy anbieten.

Deswegen habe ich meine erste Infografik gemacht:
Infografik
Ich habe in den drei Monaten seit den 1 Januar 09 alle Informationen rund um meine Häkelaktivität notiert.
Und im April setze ich es in eine Infografik um wo man sehen kann:
1. Wie lange ich an jedem Tag gehäkelt habe (und wie lange jedes einzelnes Objekt).
2. Wie lange jedes Objekt auf etsy stand, bis es gekauft wurde.
3. Wohin ich die Objekte gesendet habe.

Es war sehr aufregend diese Visualization zu machen, deswegen habe ich eine weitere Infografik gemacht:
Infografik
Hier sieht man alle meine 240 etsy-Verkäufe, nach Städten sortiert und auf der Weltkarte notiert.

Ursprünglich wollte ich auch die Zeitkomponente in die Infografik einbringen,
doch bei der Zahl der Objekte wäre das zu verwirrend.
Vielleicht mache ich eine Infografik nur mit den Kaufdaten.

Auf jeden Fall möchte ich mit dem Visualisieren meiner Häkel- und Etsyaktivitäten weitermachen.

Statistics Posts | Etsy International Posts

Guest Curators: Jessie and Julia of LesMads

2009-06-17T10:25:00-05:00

Today's Guest Curator is German fashion blog LesMads. Julia and Jessie are trendspotters extraordinaire, so we're quite excited to see their Etsy favorites — and read about them both in German and English! (Check out more bilingual posts here.) Here's LesMads!

We are Julia and Jessie, authors of the German fashion blog LesMads. (The English version can be seen here.) Over the past two years, we have been looking for individual and creative styles. Naturally, we really got to know Etsy, so amidst creativity and unorthodox shopping options, it's not surprising that we've given in and made one or two purchases on our own.

Wir sind Julia und Jessie, die Autoren des deutschen Fashionblogs LesMads.de. In den letzten zwei Jahren haben wir immer nach individuellen und kreativen Stilen Ausschau gehalten und in den vergangenen Monaten haben wir die Shopping-Plattform Etsy erst richtig kennengelernt und unter die Lupe genommen, so dass wir vor lauter Kreativität und außergewöhnlichen Einkaufsmöglichkeiten dem ein oder anderen Kauf verfallen sind.

Up and coming, independent designers and artists sell their work here and therefore guarantee shoppers unique pieces, beyond mass produced goods. The precise hand tailoring (except for the vintage stores) and the elaborate designs have their price, of course. One should be happy to pay for the individuality. The fact that you are promoting independent designers is the added value you get with every purchase. We've compiled an overview of our favorite Etsy items for you!

Gerade unabhängige, kleine Designer und Künstler verkaufen ihre Werke bei Etsy und garantieren dem Käufer Einzelstücke jenseits von Massenware. Die genaue Arbeit von Hand (mit Ausnahme der Vintagestores) sowie die aufwendigen Designs haben natürlich ihren Preis, der guten Gewissens hingenommen werden sollte: Individualität und die Unterstützung unabhängiger, junger Designer sind mit dem Kauf gesichert. Wir haben einen kleinen Überblick unserer Etsy-Favoriten zusammengestellt!

Rodarte inspired knit stocking fishnet thigh highs black

Rodarte fever is all over the place, and we luckily found handmade fishnet tights from MisoPervy to get the look.

Das Rodarte-Fieber ist unaufhaltsam und glücklicherweise haben wir die handgemachten Fischnetz-Strumpfhosen von MisoPervy aus Kalifornien entdeckt. By MisoPervy, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Nude Leather Shoulder Dress/Tunic-S/M

Misha from Sweden writes a blog where she presents her self-stitched creations. The feedback she received from her posts was always so encouraging that now the same readers can buy her asymmetrical blazers, draped tunics and (our favorite) leather dresses in her Etsy shop, mishamarket.

Misha aus Schweden schreibt das Blog Dusty Dress, auf dem sie stets ihre selbst-genähten Kreationen präsentierte. Da das Feedback so gut war, können wir als Leser nun ihre asymmetrischen Blazer, drapierten Tuniken oder (unser Favorit) ihre Lederkleider bei Etsy kaufen. By mishamarket, $65.

View Item | View Shop

ORGANIC V necklace in Grey

We love neck adornments in the form of long, elaborately draped chains, frills and chain scarves. giia from Milan makes these pieces, priced between 50 and 100 Euros. We love the organic V necklace!

Mehr Verzierungen für den Hals in Form von langen, kunstreich drapierten Ketten, Rüschen oder Rundungen: Giia aus Mailand entwirft individuelle Stücke auf einer Presiskala zwischen 50 und 100 Euro. We lieben die 'organic V Necklace'! By giia, $55.

View Item | View Shop

The Cage Skirt - Custom Order, any size, any colour

Angie from Norwegian Wood is a trendsetter and has already made Queen Michelle and Susie Bubble happy with garments from her Etsy store. The cage skirt is legendary!

Angie von Norwegian Wood ist ein Trendsetter und hat schon Queen Michelle und Susie Bubble mit ihren Kleidern aus ihrem Etsy-Store glücklich gemacht. Der 'cage skirt' ist legendär! By iheartnorwegianwood, $110.

View Item | View Shop

14k Diamond Cocktail Ring

Needless to say, this ring is every woman's dream: "This large emerald is surrounded by 15 round, genuine brilliant cut diamonds." The fact that this vintage item had its big showdown in the 80s makes it even more sparkling to me. Last task to do: find a glorious big spender who is interested in decorating my left hand without planning a wedding.

Ohne Frage handelt es sich hier um den Traum einer jeden Frau: "Der Smaragd ist von 15 runden, einzigartig geschliffenen Diamanten umrundet". Die Tatsache, dass der Ring seinen Showdown in den 80ern hatte, macht ihn noch fast attraktiver. Dann steht jetzt nur noch die Suche nach dem grosszuegigen Spender an der nicht gleich die Hochzeit planen will. By BackThennishVintage, $695.

View Item | View Shop

Fancy That dress

It doesn't take much for us to "fancy that dress." This romantic version of the Little Black Dress is no bargain, but it can be made exclusively according the buyer's measurements. Bows, ruffles, rhinestones: what more can a girl ask for?

Für uns gar kein Problem, dem Leitspruch zu folgen: Fancy that dress. Die romantische Version des kleinen Schwarzen ist zwar kein Schnäppchen, wird aber individuell auf die Maße der Käuferin zugeschneidert. Schleifen, Rüschen, Strass - da bleiben keine Wünsche offen. By sarahseven, $189.

View Item | View Shop

FRENCH LOVE AND L'ALCOOL (white) (womens medium)

Our passion for white shirts with black print has found a new source of satisfaction. The text on this shirt says, "Moi, je veux te dire que je ne te quitterai jamais. Et puis, si tu es triste, je pourrais toujours te donner un peu d'alcool pour te rechauffer le couer. xo." This seems to mean something like, "I'll be there for you always. And I'll get you drunk when you're sad."

Unsere neue LIebe für weiße, große T-Shirts mit schwarzem Print haben eine neue Anlaufstelle gefunden. Der Text hier sagt: "Moi, je veux te dire que je ne te quitterai jamais. Et puis, si tu es triste, je pourrais toujours te donner un peu d'alcool pour te rechauffer le couer. xo" was soviel heißt wie "Ich bin immer für dich da und wenn du traurig bist, gebe ich dir einen Schnaps." By CubistLiterature, $24.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage German Childs Lederhosen Folk Shorts. Brown, Green and Grey

There are few items that are as characteristic as Lederhosen in representing German tradition. These short pants will not only make a woman look special for Oktoberfest in the fall, but they'll also create a fun asset to plain white shirts and your favorite shoes. Add red knee high socks and you're best in show!

Kaum ein Kleidungsstueck ist charakteritischer fuer deutsche Tradition als die Lederhose. Nicht nur zum Oktoberfest im Herbst machen die Shorts jeden Look einzigartig, es streut auch eine Prise Leichtigkeit auf jedes Outfit zu weissem T-Shirt und Lieblingsschuhen. Dann noch rote, knie-hohe Struempfe dazu und der Streetstyle-Fotograf kann die Kamera zuecken! From domestikate, $26.

View Item | View Shop

Butterfly Garden

Lately we have focused more than ever on necklaces. If black was the dominator in color and mood for winter, we can definitely go for a color explosion around our necks come summer. This virtual butterfly garden will brighten up any rainy day or grumpy morning.

In der letzten Zeit haben wir uns beim Schmuck-Hunting verstaerkt auf Ketten konzentriert. Wenn Schwarz im Winter den Ton angegeben hat, ist es nun langsam soweit, die Farbexplosion um unsere Nacken passieren zu lassen. Zwischen Kopf und Schultern ist genug Platz fuer den Schmetterling-Garten, der uns jeden Regenschauer und schlechte Laune vergessen lassen. By itspamdemonium, $125.

View Item | View Shop

Three Golds Necklace

We just can't help it: there are so many talented accessories designers on Etsy! We just had to order a shiny brown necklace, crocheted of golden yarn with a special volume, from alasdelsur.

Wir können es nicht sein lassen, es gibt zu viele talentierte Accessoire-Designer bei Etsy, daher nun noch ein weiterer: Aus New York haben wir eine braune, glänzende Kette bestellt, die aus goldenem Garn gehäkelt wurde und die traditionelle Technik mit Modernem verbindet. Von Alas del Sur. By alasdelsur, $30.

View Item | View Shop

Half /Half T-shirt in black jersey and lace

Black Market Baby is Canada based and really into black mesh tops, bondage leggings and exclusive jewelery. Her Half /Half T-shirt in black jersey and lace is pretty new to the collection. Forget the classic t-shirt: this is what you need!

Black Market Baby kommt aus Kanada und steht auf schwarz, bauchfreie Tops, Bondage Leggings oder exklusiven Schmuck. Das "halb Jersey, halb Spitze T-Shirt" wurde ganz frisch zur Kollektion hinzugefügt und könnte nicht besser sein - vergesst das klassische T-Shirt! By blackmarketbaby, $35.

View Item | View Shop

We hope you enjoyed this bilingual post! Check out LesMads' in German and English for more fashion wisdom!

Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.

More Fashion Posts | Summer Fashion Gift Guide | Trends

Etsy Finds: Global Market

2009-04-30T12:22:00-05:00

Take a virtual stroll through a far away artisan market by using Etsy's Shop Local tool. I like to check out what artists are up to in Paris, Amsterdam, Montreal, Sydney, Japan, London, and other international cities. Today I'll share with you some of the new international artists I found via Shop Local. Help me welcome them by checking out their incredible work!

Poppa Butterfly Ring

Beautifully inspired by the artist's grandfather's butterfly collection. By London's poppetandpinch, $265.

View Item | View Shop

ZIRMA

Made in my favorite city, Montreal (where Etsy admin will be headed soon!). By tarudesign, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Linen Table Napkin Ith / Eat

"Ith" translates to "eat" in Gaelic. I could totally ith some colcannon right now! By Ireland's placed, $10.

View Item | View Shop

The Walk - Collaged Brooch

Love these 3-D collage brooches by the UK's zoeest, $35.

View Item | View Shop

VIOLETTE embellished French women tee shirt

This hand-embellished tee would be great for mom! By French artist lamarquisedesanges, $32.

View Item | View Shop

Village Keepers - original painting, acrylic on canvas free shipping

Original painting by Croatia's moonthroughfog, $55.

View Item | View Shop

Blue Soft Shawl/Cowl With Buttons

Unique knit goods, straight from Stockholm! By aCatsNest, $35.

View Item | View Shop

Burning Volcano - Sterling Silver Ring

Two Parisian jewelers recently set up shop, and all I can say is, "Ooh la la!" By JiaStyle, $98.

View Item | View Shop

Andalucia, South of Spain Tapestry

Take a closer look at this textile artists from Madrid. By meryet, $160.

View Item | View Shop

bela bijoux. real preserved phalaenopsis orchid hair pin

A real orchid sealed in resin by Germany's florzinha, $39.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More Etsy International Posts | Shop Local | More Fresh Shops with Pounce | More New Talent

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

Highlights from Etsy's 2009 European Visit

2009-04-14T09:10:00-05:00

Maria (Etsy's Chief Executive Officer) and I (Liz, Etsy Admin for Internationalization) just got back from Europe! We had the great pleasure to meet with Etsy sellers, buyers and friends in Munich, Berlin, Paris and London between March 29 and April 4, 2009.

From left to right: Fée à Bastille, TortillaGirl, MonAmiVie, LaCometaLab, Muka, Malam (Photo by Maria aka pesmou)

We also had the chance to meet with marketing and PR specialists, bloggers, and the founders of other leading ecommerce companies in different industries. All of these folks helped provide a much clearer picture of not only the differences and similarities of the individual markets, but also the challenges and opportunities for Etsy as we continue to grow internationally.

Still being new to Etsy (I started working here in January, 2009), it was great to meet and hear in person the passion that you all have for your work and for the Etsy community. And what an incredibly global community it is! As Diana (LaCometaLab) so eloquently put it in her blog post about the Paris event: "As soon as the gathering started we realized what truly an international community we are: The range of nationalities was quite impressive... There were people from the U.S., Switzerland, Argentina, Norway or Spain, and some of them had come from different locations in France to be just there." We counted at least a dozen nationalities beyond the ones that were local to the cities we visited, and we heard story after story of the valued relationships formed through Etsy — the word "addicted" was used more than once to describe the relationship many people have to the community.

In each meeting Maria and I shared a bit of the nearly 4-year history of Etsy and gave some background as to how we got to where we are today. But we tried to spend most of our time listening to all of you! In addition to feedback about desired features and functionality, we were also given great suggestions about popular local blogs (LesMads, for example) and magazines (such as LandLust) to check out. We were educated that people love to blog (and write books!) in France, that Germans strongly prefer bank transfer as a form of payment, and that sellers in the UK are really clamoring to list their prices in British pounds. Though we can't promise when that last request will be met, we can say that making USD more clear on the site really is coming soon, and that in addition to "Europe" as a shipping option we also plan to include an "EU Only" choice based on your feedback from this trip.

Some more of Maria's photos from the trip. Top: Anasousa (Paris), ArianeLulu (Paris), RoseRedRose (Berlin)

Bottom: GetEurofied (Denmark via London) with me; SnapDragonBeads & MyAphrodite (London)

As you might have guessed from that bottom photo on the right, I also had the pleasure of attending "Handm@de Cambridge" on Saturday April 4, 2009. Hand@de Cambridge was put on by several Etsy members, including the ladies above, as well as LazyGiraffe, MomentsByMartha, and TwinklySpangle. There's a great blog post recapping the event. Six hundred people turned out to buy fantastic handmade items.

LushandLovely with ArtyAllSorts

Maria and I want to say thanks again to everyone who came out to see us — often traveling to do so — as we really appreciated that you took the time out of your busy lives to help educate us on both your market and individual needs.

As mentioned in the original post about our trip, the next stop is Canada! This time I'll be traveling with a couple other members of the Etsy team (likely from the Product and Engineering Teams) and we're targeting the first weekend (Friday-Saturday) in May. Details will follow in a separate post. In the meantime, if you'd like more information you can click here to add your name to the Canada mailing list. If you've already done so from our earlier post, no need to do it again as we have your name on file.

A bientot!

Liz aka Muka

Etsy International | Shop Local Europe

Etsy International: We're Visiting Europe!

2009-03-26T11:38:00-05:00

As you may recall from Maria's most recent Talking Shop post, Etsy is planning a trip Europe! Maria and I hope to meet with many sellers, buyers and friends of Etsy. Think of this as an "open meeting" where you can share ideas, ask questions, offer suggestions, and enjoy some time with Etsians.

We've finalized the logistics as listed below. Please note that all times are local.

Sunday, March 29 MUNICH 17:00 - 20:00* Cafe Haidhausen

Tuesday, March 31 BERLIN 17:00 - 20:00 Cafe BilderBuch

Wednesday, April 1 PARIS 17:00 - 19:30** Petula Cafe

Friday, April 3 LONDON 17:00 - 20:00 at Cockpit Arts (Holborn)

*Note: Start time is now 17:00 so they could accommodate us.

**Note: Slight time change. Petula is opening early especially for us - thanks monamivie for helping arrange this!

We would also like to announce that we're planning a trip to Canada later this spring. We will post details about that trip at a later date.

Look for trip highlights here on the Etsy blog when we return!

Hope to see you on the road!

Cheers,

Liz aka muka (Etsy admin for International)

PS Thanks also to stephanielevy, aladine and joheckett for helping us arrange our locations in Munich, Berlin and London!

Shop Local Posts | Etsy International Posts

Celebrate Carnival around the World with Pearlswirl

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ballons

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

patchwork faery dress

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

All Year's Carnival

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

Mardi Gras King Cake (limited edition) Blended Creme Soap

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

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

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

Fasching in Coburg - 8x8 Print

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

Maschera

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

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

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

Carnivalesque Gift Guide | Search for Masks | Etsy World Tours

Gift Ideas: Shop Local Germany with Pearlswirl

2008-12-08T11:44:00-05:00

Pearlswirl is an Etsian based in Stuttgart, Germany. She was kind enough to show us her charming city, and has handpicked some other fabulous German-based Etsians for your viewing pleasure! Shop Local this holiday season and support independent craftspeople while reducing your carbon footprint!

I have always moved around and always loved it! One of my favorite things in the world is exploring cities and seeing what they have to offer. That's why I love love love Stuttgart, Germany, and the surrounding area. It's an old and beautiful city with lots of charming and inspirational little shops.

One of my favorite stores is Perlenreich, a tiny little bead shop that mixes vintage furnishings with bright, colorful little beads to give that happy creative feeling. It's located on the idyllic old marketplace of Leonberg, the little town right outside Stuttgart where I live.

Stuttgart also has the best flea market in the entire world! (No, that’s not biased. It’s fact!) I love to go on Saturday mornings and explore the mix of everything from bead vendors to antique furniture and old postcards, via a little bit of vintage junk and some good old Bratwurst kiosks.

In my jewelry, I try to capture the feelings I get from exploring places like this. It's so inspirational: how could I not? I just love that mix of cozy vintage and crazy, unique flea market finds.

Right now in Stuttgart, vendors are beginning to set up for our annual traditional Christmas market. It’s held all over the main pedestrian street and squares downtown, and we get everything from candle-makers to traditional cuckoo-clocks to old-time wooden dolls. And again, let’s not forget that Bratwurst kiosk. It’s a pretty regular sighting.

I love to spend time downtown this time of year (taking pictures for this article gave me an excuse!), being right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, people watching, and just absorbing the good spirits that seem to be floating around in the air. If that’s not creative inspiration, I don’t know what is.

There are definitely lots of other talented sellers who take advantage of the inspirational surrounding that is Germany. Here, I want to highlight some of Deutschland's best.

Carlee, aka carleescosmiccandies is a glass bead maker from Stuttgart. She's part Czech and part Italian, so, as she puts it, she unites the two historic nations of glass bead-making. Her creations are colorful and gorgeous (they do make me want to eat them)!

Dindi is the shop of self-representing jewelry artist and designer Erna, who lives in Aachen. She takes old charms, beads, and other pieces and breathes new life into them with her gorgeous jewelry creations. The concept of “wabi-sabi” is her main inspiration.

Renate aka Stregata is another talented jewelry designer from just outside Munich. Renate draws inspiration from the natural world around her to create beautiful, earthy jewelry you would expect to see on a fairy! All her pictures look so in tune with nature that I can actually imagine dewdrops on them.

SiebenMorgen is a gorgeous shop for all sorts of papercrafts and prints, also based in Stuttgart. The designer, Tinee, uses a linocut and designs and makes all the adorable rubber stamps she uses in her crafts. Skill!

Seasprayblue is a really unique shop full of adorable, digitally-colored drawings. Katrin is located in Dresden. Her designs were once described in a blog as "art filled with thought & meaning and wrapped up with laughter." This perfectly sums up the feeling of her drawings.

Mygurumi is a lovely little shop of crocheted dolls and animals, based in Rostock. Diana, the designer, says the best part of having her shop is hearing customers' positive responses to her creatures, and hearing how much their kids love to "brush the creatures' teeth, even if they have no mouth."

Svenja is the designer behind Lilukids; gorgeous pillows, quilts, and room furnishings for kids. She lives in Munich. Her designs started out as her personal quest to find cute and original furnishings for her own baby's nursery; then she decided she might be able to do the same thing for others!

Paperama, formerly kasaa is an amazing shop for journals, folders, labels, and general papergoods. The designer, Kathrin, is a full time jobber by day and a crafter by night (like so many of us!). She is a paper collector, and says her bookbinding craft gives her an excuse to buy all the pretty patterned paper she wants!

Fraeuleinherz is an adorable little shop for all sorts of fabric pouches, cosmetics bags and pencil cases. Tatiana, the designer, lives in Prenzlauer Berg, a very creative and artistic district in Berlin. Her bags, although designed for cosmetics, would make perfect gift bags; you could stuff all the goodies you want inside.

Karin aka eddyandedwina lives in Pforzheim, Germany. This old city is famous in Germany as the city of jewelers, and has many jewelry workshops, museums, and schools related to metal-smithing and other forms of jewelry-making. Karin pierces her own silver and her pieces are absolutely gorgeous.

You can find folks in your area by using Etsy's Shop Local site feature. Find out more about how Shop Local works. Make sure to update your geo info in your public profile!

Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area | Pearlswirl Blog

Featured Buyer: Holly Becker of decor8

2008-10-22T12:33:00-05:00

This week's Featured Buyer is Holly Becker, the editor and founder of the inspirational design and decorating blog decor8, drawing 20,000 worldwide readers daily. She has been blogging non stop since January 2006 and we’re particularly fond of her weekly column on decor8 called Etsy Take Five Tuesdays. She also authors a popular Etsy slideshow series for Domino magazine online, authors a monthly design column in the Boston Globe, and is a contributing editor at RealSimple.com. With 160 purchases made on Etsy, Holly demonstrates her support of independent designers by promoting their work and shopping from them. Today she’ll share some of her favorite Etsy artists and show some of their work in her own home.

Oh Etsy: What you do to me! I started buying handmade on Etsy in February 2006 — my first purchase was a cosmetic bag from SeaBreezeStudio based in England. I remember when it arrived how excited and impressed I was with the quality. I also recall the responsive and friendly seller who made a great impression on me immediately. After such a positive first time transaction, I felt inspired to shop Etsy again and purchased from Simply Photo.

To date I’ve made 160 purchases and I’ve not had a single issue with any of them. I’ve shopped from sellers as far away as Singapore and items always arrive on time and exceed my expectations. Some sellers even include sweet little notes and extras, like stickers or candy. The whole personal touch thing is super addictive, as you’ll never see big box stores include personal notes expressing their gratitude for your support. It’s one of the reasons shopping handmade is so special and worthwhile. There are beating hearts behind the products, real people creating items that give them joy and they spread that happiness to others, giving us a chance to own a piece of their special worlds.

When my purchases arrive I feel positively giddy! I give so many of my purchases to friends as gifts. They always ooo and ahhh over everything; the response is so positive that I shy away from giving big box gift cards (I once gave only gift cards) and shop Etsy when I’m looking for the perfect present. It’s far more personal and you have a chance to show your friend that you really put some thought into the gift. At one time I only shopped big box for everything. Now it’s my last stop. I feel proud that I’ve changed the way I purchase and as a result I‘m contributing to the success of small business not only in America but worldwide.

I thought that you may like to see a few of my favorite art prints and original paintings that I’ve purchased from Etsy ‘at work’, living in my home. My husband and I primarily reside in New Hampshire, but we just took on a second residence in Germany, where we live five months each year. I’m in Germany as I write this, and over the past eight weeks I had to take an empty apartment and create a home from scratch. Throughout the process my big white walls kept screaming for love, and since I’m not at the point yet to decide on wall color or pattern, I went ahead and placed some of my beloved prints from artists who sell on Etsy in my living room to make the room feel more like home.

[Work above is, from left: SamanthaHahn, JenniferDavis, Caitlin Shearer of Pepperminte, LabPartners, Kareem Rizk, Bubbo, and Ez Pudewa of WrenandChickadee.]

This is my art wall. Nearly everything is from Etsy, with the exception of the vintage gold swallows and the limited edition JenniferDavis print of a Mississippi riverboat. I installed these pieces to look as though they were flying upwards, away with the birds. I like to hang artwork in a fun, non traditional way.

Also, all of the prints can be removed and swapped out with others of equal size so I can rotate my collection without adding new holes to the wall. Huge perk!

I pulled this small city apartment (under 60 square meters) together on a limited budget, which is why you’ll spot some IKEA pieces. The trick when buying from stores like IKEA is to fill in the ‘blanks’ with things acquired from indie sellers and flea markets. This brings in your personality and a sense of history. I still have lots to do in this space and a coffee table to buy, but placing Etsy art around has helped to make me feel at home.

[Artwork on this shelf includes: Pepperminte, JenniferDavis, Bubbo, CreativeThursday, AliciaBock, and a brooch by Toast. I cannot recall where the darling bunny is from, as it was a gift, so if anyone reading knows, please comment below so others can find the seller who made it.]

The best part about having a picture ledge above the sofa (don’t worry, no one can hit the ledge if seated) is that it is my rotating art gallery. I can put whatever up on the ledge that inspires me at the moment, so it‘s fun to play around with and I do not have to mess up the walls.

This is my small, very naked dining room. I still plan to install a pendant light over the table, paint and upholster the chairs, and etc. but this is what it looks like today. In my cabinet is where I keep lots of handmade and flea market finds along with books and fabric. Lots of these things came from Etsy and were given to me by friends.

One of my favorite treasures inside of this cabinet is the original painting from Brooklyn artist CaitlinKeegan (top right).

This is my home in New Hampshire and a peek into my living room, where I also have an art wall. Not all of this work is from Etsy, and some are original paintings, but I’ll highlight those that are: MyFolkLover, mcaplan, JenniferDavis, ashleyg, MicheleMaule, even the little soft mushroom is an Etsy find from littlebirds, along with the vintage dish via bluebellbazaar, and the ceramic deer is vintage from pinkshowercurtain.

This is what you’ll find around my bedroom in New Hampshire. The photograph is from AliciaBock, and the plant and pot are also from Etsy (yup!) via GreenwareDesign.

This is what was on my dresser last time I checked. An original painting from CreativeThursday, along with a lion she made out of clay, and jewelry by JadeScott.

Further Resources:
In addition to Etsy, I am continuously inspired by the blogs on my visual blogroll.

Thanks, Holly! Your space is quite inspiring (and Etsy filled!) For more of Holly's great taste, check out her blog at decor8blog.com. Looking to do more shopping? Check out our decorating posts and Featured Buyer series.

Etsy World Tour: Germany Celebrates National Day of Reunification

2008-10-03T17:30:00-05:00

National Day of Reunification is a holiday in Germany celebrated on October 3rd which commemorates the anniversary of German reunification in 1990.

For 41 years our country was divided into to Federal Republic of Germany in the West and the German Democratic Republic in the East, separating friends and families for almost half a century. My grandma, having just gotten married, had to part with her parents and sister who had decided to move to the West before border control became tighter.

And it did become tight. My earliest childhood memories include standing in a long line with my grandma, waiting (and hoping) for her to be granted a visa to see her parents again. Sadly, she only ever got permission to leave for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. I was still a child at that time and had never met my great grandparents. All I knew was they sent us care packages for birthdays and Christmas, filled with goodies we could never get in the GDR. And sadly a lot of these goodies were mysteriously gone before they reached us.

While I do not remember the day the Wall came down on November 9th, 1989, I do fondly remember our first train ride into the West of Germany. My whole family, without a visa and without any fear. My first time to meet a part of my family I had never met before.

Shop Local: Sellers Based in Germany | Etsy World Tour Series

Oktoberfest

2008-09-23T14:00:00-05:00

Get yer beer holsters out, my friends! Oktoberfest celebrations happen all over the world, but the original Bavarian festival, which runs from late September to early October, draws 6 million people to Munich, according to Wikipedia. That's a whole lot of beer.

Bavaria has a certain aesthetic — rustic and colorful — that I love. Plus, Munich is home to my favorite museum in the whole world: the Museum of Hunting and Fishing.

München also claims to be the birthplace of wolpertingers — the Black Forest ancestral home of the jackalope.

Fantastical taxidermy and beer? What more could you want?...Well probably a lot of things. You can find some great items by using Shop Local to locate sellers located in Munich.

Etsy World Tour: Berlin with leolucaescobar

2008-08-08T10:58:00-05:00

This is not an expat story, although I am one. Secretly, I despise expats. They remind me of defectors who've run into the depths of a jungle, never to return or to be seen again. I am more akin to a sailor dropping her anchor down whenever the coast seems fruitful and the water clear. And so I find myself in Berlin, a city budding with young artists, fresh markets, and abundant vintage opportunities.

Oh the markets: never before have I seen such a multitude of markets. There are fancy ones with cherry picked vintage items and organic fare, antiquities markets with funky retro lights and turn of the century goods, and rummage galore bric-à-bracs one must spend hours to rifle through. Me, I relish in the challenge of the shabby ones, the ones with raggedy cardboard boxes stuffed to the brim with precious doodads. Perhaps I'm more than a sailor, but instead a pirate — with a knack for treasures.

Kreuzberg is a colorful and diverse district in Berlin where an international crowd merges with Turkish and German locals. Every Tuesday is market day along the southern side of the Maybachufer canal, an excellent fresh market with organic vegetables, fish, meat, turkish spreads, olives, raw cheese — just about anything the heart (or stomach) desires. It takes a good hour to navigate through the narrow and crowded passages. Turkish vendors shout loudly as you walk through, and people cluster tightly where there are deals to be made like it's Wall Street. It's exciting and one of the things I look forward to every week.

The rest of the week I'm busy working on my Etsy shop, leolucaescobar, the store where I put all the cool things I find. On Saturday, the real work begins, as the bigger clothing markets are on the weekends and I spend hours visiting the different ones in the city.

This is me amid a sea of vintage.

It's a hard job, bartering in German. I sometimes get my numbers mixed up. I work my way through, choosing items that catch my eye and charm me. I try not so much to follow trends but to find items that fit well, look comfortable and that contain a certain quirkiness. By the time I'm done, I'm usually up to my head in bags of clothes and heavy shoes. Sometimes I get really anxious beforehand; I can't help but imagine other people taking away a piece of clothing that I might never get to see. But when I get home and rummage through my bags I'm in wonderment at the treasures I find.

So you see, how could I not love Berlin? It satisfies my two biggest needs: good food and good vintage. I feel really fortunate to be able to live somewhere where I can buy fresh food within walking distance and have so many options for when I need to go vintage diving. I've set my anchor down for now. Just don't call me an expat.

All photos by Mariel Lohninger.

For more interesting places, check out the other posts in our Etsy World Tour series. Also check out leolucaescobar's German and vintage picks below!

Gotta Travel On: Who is Going to the European Cup?

2008-06-29T12:46:00-05:00

European sports fans unite! The 2008 European Cup is this Sunday, and the Spaniards and Germans face off to see who will be the reigning champions of European football — what Americans like to call soccer.

Are any of you readers going to attend the match? Or is it the ol' telly for you? Who do you wager will win — Spain or Germany?

Post in the comments below!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Christmas in Germany

2007-12-23T23:28:00-05:00

This is a first – since the beginning of December, every shop is blinking and literally throwing ornaments and chocolate Santa’s at me…and I am actually done with my shopping, thanks to Etsy.

This means I have time to tell you more about how we celebrate Christmas and the month of December in Germany – and teach you some German along the way.

Adventskalender
For me, Weihnachtszeit (Christmas time) really starts on December 1st, when I get to open the first door of my chocolate Adventskalender (advent calendar). It counts down the days until Christmas Eve, and is meant to shorten the wait for kids.

Adventskranz
Sometimes, Weihnachtszeit might also start with the first Advent, which is officially the start of the liturgical year, and falls on the Sunday between November 27 and December 3.

On that Sunday, we light the first of four candles on our advent wreath, with an additional candle lit on each Sunday leading up to Christmas. This candle does not just burn on Sunday, but throughout the week as well. In Germany there is an ongoing discussion on whether or not you are allowed to light different candles so that they burn down more evenly, or really stick to one candle.

Nikolaus
On December 6th, Germans celebrate Nikolaus. Remember that Storque article on the Dutch Sinterklaas? Where kids set out their shoes for Santa to fill with goodies? Germans also appreciate his special meaning to children, though it doesn’t replace Christmas.

On December 5th, all children will get out their cleaning equipment and start polishing those shoes. Hopefully, they will polish both from one pair, though many kids have been caught with one polished and one dirty shoe on December 6th – probably because you only put one single shoe in front of your door.

If you were good, you will find candy, chocolate and small presents in those shoes the next morning; if not, a birch rod will be all you will get. May I just brag that I (of course) never found a birch rod in my shoes?

Christmas is in the air
What I love most about Germany is our Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets). Every town has at least one marketplace with booths selling Glühwein (mulled wine), gebrannte mandeln (tanned almonds), lebkuchen (gingerbread), mutzen (fritters), and anything concerning ornaments, decorations and even gift ideas.

Hamburg’s downtown area actually has four different ones, and I will usually meet up with friends there throughout December.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
You thought “Christmas” actually meant December 25th? Not in Germany! Our main celebration actually takes place on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve).

On that evening, I go to church with my mother – hopefully plowing through some snow on the way. Afterwards, my family sits down to our traditional, quick-and-easy Christmas dinner: Würstchen mit Kartoffelsalat (sausages with potato salad). Then we open our presents underneath the tree – in my case, everyone will be getting handmade goodies this year, true to my Buy Handmade pledge.

The first and second days of Christmas are the days when we have opulent meals: goose with red cabbage, turkey or trout are traditional Christmas dishes.

Want to know more? Check out some of these links!
German Christmas recipes

Hamburg sightseeing movie

Hamburg webcam, Rathausmarkt

Gift Ideas: Shop Local Germany

2007-12-07T04:38:00-05:00

thymbyldesigns offered up this piece about indie design and handmade goods in Germany to supplement the related items.

Germany is diverse — we do have Weissbier and gingerbread hearts, Oktoberfest and the Heidelberg Castle. We are known as Waldorf Dolls country. We have Lederhosen and Dirndl in the South, the Hamburg fish market and a stormy coast in the North, Fasching in the West and Erzgebirge woodworkings in the East. That's what we're known for around the world. But in between, we have a lot of indie talents, known and unknown, and it's time we started to highlight a few of them.

The microbrands scene in Germany has evolved over the recent years and indie designers are gaining popularity; people are tired of buying off-the-peg stuff, and they are tired of consumerism overkill. Instead, they're looking into buying handmade more than ever, not only because it is a welcome means to dress and live individually and uniquely, but also because people have begun to remember the advantage and value of handcrafted pieces (as opposed to mass-produced goods with a comparatively short shelf-life).

Call it nostalgia; a "remember those days"-like sting to your heart, or maybe simply the awareness that good things always come back. And they are welcome; you'll find an increasing number of small indie design shops popping up all over Germany's cities. It's often more than one designer sharing a shop and the appending studio space; not only does it instantly build an interesting shop inventory, but it also helps keeping costs like shop rent and electricity low for each participant.

But there is more than that. While many people think about the usual "Kunsthandwerkermarkt" (artisanal crafts market, which is usually a rather conservative matter in Germany) when they hear about indie design, it's especially not our parents' generation who now cater the market with handmade, indie goods, but us, who are in our 20's to 30's, and even younger. We often don't do it just for the fun of it, but either because it is our trade that we now turn into a living off the beaten path, or because we have made it our philosophy that handmade goods make our daily lives better. Or often — both of the above.

People who grew up in the 70's very likely grew up with the German Sesame Street. Do you remember the song at the end?

"Malen, pinseln, streichen, schmieren -
rauf und runter, kreuz und quer
Mal was Neues ausprobieren -
Selbermachen ist nicht schwer

Wollt ihr wirklich was erleben?
Hockt nicht immer nur im Haus!
Wozu habt ihr Kopf und Hände?
Denkt euch selber mal was aus!

(...)"

(Painting, brushing, coating, smearing,
up and down, left and right,
Have a go and try something new,
it's not hard to make things yourself!

So you want to see something really great?
Don't be a couch potatoe, leave the house!
What do you have head and hands for?
Come up with stuff yourselves!)

I think these years did influence us; away from tv and media overkill, we would switch off tv at reasonable times and see to come up with things on our own. We would experiment with materials and spend hours cutting, gluing and trying, thus challenging our creative synapses.

Finding Handmade Goods at Holiday Markets

So, what's the "handmade goods" scene like here in Germany? Let's go for a brief overview.

Many indie shops organize holiday showrooms. You can usually find out by stopping by their stores or websites, and sometimes they advertise in local city newspapers. Most of these events are scheduled for November and the first half of December, before the holiday rush sets off.

There are also some portals covering dates and events in the "Kunsthandwerk" scene (artisanal crafts, and generally a more conservative). Some sites to bookmark are these: Kunsthandwerkernetz Kunsthandwekermarkt Kunsthandwerkerportal Handgemacht ("handmade"), for example, is organizing markets for handmade goods and indie design in the north of Germany, and Mittelalter-Zeiten is a portal where you can retrieve schedules and dates for medieval-themed reenactment markets.

Church communities and Synagogues often organize local bazaars before the holidays; congregation members often offer handmade goodies whose proceeds is in turn are donated to charity. Christmas markets are usually another way to find some handmade goodness. Weihnachtsmarkt Deutschland lists an overview of locations and schedules. If you'd like to go for some Christmas market goodness in a real impressive setting, maybe you'll find time to visit one of the "Burgweihnacht" markets — Christmas markets happening at one of the many beautiful castles in Germany.

While we're at it, you may like to check the list for romantic Christmas markets. These are known especially for their romantic ambience.

If you are in Berlin these days, and you're not into Christmas markets, then why not stop by the Chanukkah market at the Juedisches Museum for some typical Jewish treats and goods?

Frohe Feiertage!
Happy Holidays!

Editorial note:

Keep your BuyHandmade Pledge and support local artists! See all of the Storque Shop Local pieces.

We want to do a series of Shop Local via Etsy posts, so give the Storque@etsy.com a shout and show us who your favorite 18-21 local Etsy sellers are. We can't wait to see what the Etsy Universe has to offer! You could consider your city or state or country local. That's up to your interpretion.

P.S. Don't send us tons of attachments with photos please. But do send us a screenshot of your Poster Sketch and 18 to 21 item numbers separated by commas. Yay!

P.P.S. Hey sellers! Fill in your geographical location so it's easier to find you! Here's how with the Geolocator.

The Story of Quilts

2007-12-04T11:45:00-05:00

As a history buff, my initial attraction to the craft of quilting was its history. Quilts have a rich past that has embedded itself into American history. As I learned more about it, the more I realized how deeply quilts have also embedded themselves into our personal histories as well.

For women in America, quilting began at least as early as 1750 as an opportunity for them to channel their creativity. Quilting was considered an important skill for women. Young girls were given quilting projects to help teach them to sew, such as creating small quilts for their dolls. The American Girl's Book from 1831 recommended quilt making for girls, noting that "little girls often find amusement in making patchwork quilts for the beds of their dolls."

Quilting is a unique craft that can allow many people to work on a quilt at the same time, and many women found companionship in quilting with friends and relatives. These social Quilting Bees were opportunities for women to discuss everything from recipes, to child-rearing, to politics.

The quilts themselves became significant symbols. Quilters in the 19th century regularly created quilts as political statements, using them as raffle prizes to support various causes such as abolition, temperance and during the Civil War. Quilts were one way that women of the 19th century were given a voice in their contemporary world.

And, of course, quilts became precious family heirlooms. Quilts were traditionally made and used to mark life's most significant experiences. Baby quilts were given to new mothers and larger quilts were given to couples when they were married, often with symbolic block patterns like a Lover's Knot or Double Wedding Ring.

Even in death, quilts sometimes played a significant role. During a difficult journey moving westward, death was common. But scarce wood or lack of time, often prevented trail travelers from making coffins. On these occasion, the dead were often buried wrapped in a family quilt. Those leaving the dead behind were comforted knowing that their loved one had something symbolizing the family's love in their lonely grave.

When a family relocated to a new home, friends and family members would often make a quilt as a parting gift. These friendship or album quilts, made by a group for a departing friend, were especially popular during the 1840s when there was a great surge of population moving to the western United States. The recipient of these quilts could leave with a symbolic, tangible reminder of the loved ones left behind...loved ones they probably never saw again. Margaret Seebold of Pennsylvania said, "Quilts make you think a little of the person who made it or whose dresses were in there. Maybe you don't think of them any other time except when you see that quilt."

Today, quilts play many of these same rolls in our lives. Many quilts are given at the birth of a child, as a wedding gift, and even as parting gifts. Quilts can even tie us to our dead. In preparation for this article, I asked my fellow Etsians to tell me about the quilts they have made and own. I was rewarded with some wonderful stories about how quilts continue to play a significant role in our personal and family histories.

[Heather of babyannequilts, creating a sock monkey baby quilt for her new nephew. Photo by Karl Harwood.]

Quilts connect us to other people. Jeanettejed tells how a quilt she owns connects her very intimately with family she never met: "I have a quilt that my mother just gave me a few months ago. It was made by my great-grandmother, my mother's grandmother. I feel so comforted knowing a woman who never knew I would exist put so much work into this quilt — and she did not even have the honor of knowing my mother, her granddaughter well. It just feels like love."

Quilts can also become symbolic for our own life. Jmcocoadesigns has a quilt that has carried her through most of her life's experiences: "My great grandmother, Granny, made my very first quilt as a baby gift. It has gone everywhere with me. Girl Scout camps, summer vacations, sleepovers, and even my honeymoon. (I know, I might just be a little over attatched to my baby blanket!) My blanket holds every memory possible! I am sure it holds plenty for my family as well! It has been through my whole life with me and will continue to go through life with me. What story does [my] quilt tell? My life!"

Remember, you don't have to make a quilt to be involved with quilting history...You just have to use a quilt. The memories and personal significance will come with time and use. And soon, your quilt will have its own story!

Please add YOUR quilt stories to the comments below or share it on the the forum thread!

Sources
The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950
Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting Yesterday & Today

Additional resources
The National Quilting Association
Lost Quilt Come Home: Dedicated to displaying lost and stolen quilts and to providing information on protecting quilts.

Also, check out this quilt contest from Greenjeans, one of the Storque's former Featured Buyers.

Sock Monkeys: their History and their Revival

2007-10-08T09:30:00-05:00

Gila von Meissner of Hamburg, Germany goes by strumpfkunst on Etsy.

Everyone knows what a sock monkey is. You probably played with one yourself as a child. But did you know that a sock monkey actually made an appearance at the Academy Awards? And that one of them even starred in Batman Returns?

Stuffed toys are a rather recent invention. The first manufacturer to concentrate on soft toys was the German company Steiff, which was founded in 1880 and invented the teddy bear in 1902.

When the European trend reached the United States in the 1920’s, mothers started making their own stuffed toys from socks. Nowadays, when people think of sock monkeys, they automatically think of so-called Original Rockford Red Heel® socks — gray work socks with a distinguished red and white heel.

("The Original Rockford Red Heel® sock monkey" Courtesy of Fox River® Mills)

These socks were originally made by the Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford, Illinois (hence the name) since 1890, and patented in 1915. When the company decided to include sock monkey instructions with every pair of the Red Heel® socks in the 1950’s, the true marketing magic began.

The pattern was published in a craft magazine in 1955, and in 1958, the first book dedicated to sock monkeys was published. By then, elephant instructions were published as well, and sock monkeys became an important part of every American childhood.

As with every trend, it slowly died down, only to be resurrected again in the 1990’s, when the baby boomers shared their own childhood memories and started making sock monkeys again.

By 1992, Fox River® Mills, Osage, Iowa, had bought the Nelson Knitting Mills. They continued with the tradition of including sock monkey and elephant instructions with their products. In the same year, the first children’s book featuring sock animals was published (Tiger’s New Friends, by Ann Jacobs Mooney).

Were you wondering about the Academy Awards and Batman Returns? David Letterman featured a sock monkey during his Academy Awards appearance, promoting the movie Cabin Boy — where he was playing a street vendor selling — you guessed it — sock monkeys. In Batman Returns, Catwoman gives into evil by throwing hers away.

I believe that with Etsy’s growing popularity, we are in for another revival. You can currently find more than 250 sock monkeys on Etsy, along with hundreds of items using sock monkey fabrics, art, and prints. Sock monkeys are adorable, no matter in which form they appear — so have a look around!

Further Resources:
Wikipedia sock monkey entry
Fox River® Mills
free Sock Monkey Pattern and Lenny Taylor's Sok Monkey site

Etsy Finds: Mandragora doll with glow-in-the-dark eyes

2007-09-28T05:12:00-05:00

Today's Etsy Find comes from Nuitblanche, aka Caroline Gaedechens of Hamburg, Germany. I have been following her on Etsy since she joined, and really think you all might enjoy her work too. I first became enchanted with her after seeing her glow-in-the-dark monster magnets, or glühmonster as they are called in her native tongue. I especially love this vampire werewolf with game show host hair.

From there I moved on to her work on paper, and really came to appreciate her artistic sensibilities. I find no fault with anybody who draws bears with the snake-like, eyeball emanations.

That said, you can only imagine my pleasure when she added these plush mandrake dolls.

My wife and I have three little Godchildren, and they will all be getting one of these badboys come X-mas. Whether it is magnets, prints or dolls, I hope you all take a look at Nuitblanche's work. To me is just has a vibe that is original, yet possesses echoes of traditional Inuit art and more modern creators like Marcel Dzama and Henry Darger (two of my favorites.)

Burdastyle: Neighborly Sewing Patterns

2007-09-06T07:00:00-05:00

BurdaStyle is a new company on a mission to share sewing patterns freely and openly, spreading the word about do-it-yourself style. We like to think of our website as a virtual sewing circle, an open-source hub of ideas, expertise, and amazing patterns you can download and sew at home. We're offering our ideas, expertise and downloadable patterns to the BurdaStyle community, and we hope that you'll contribute, too.

In the beginning, Burdastyle was simply to sublet Etsy's office space. In the end, we found out how to share ideas with creative neighbors. We gained valuable expertise on so many levels during the building and launch of our website at the Etsy Labs: craft skills, website design, Fresh Direct delicacies. (Thanks for the great cheese, Rob!) However, even more important for us as a young start up was witnessing the challenges and returns of building a company and seeing it grow.

Every day there was something and someone new. Being part of a bustling hub full of excitement and ideas has contributed so much to BurdaStyle, our open source sewing community. Thank you, Etsy -- and congratulation on a great new venture: The Storque - a great platform and a chance for us to give back a little.

Here, we will share with you how to change the dress pattern Celestina, available on our website. You can download it for free here. To find more ideas and people that like to sew and make things, join us at BurdaStyle.

See you soon!
Nora