Search results (tags) for: "housewares"

The Collectors: My Favourite Dress's Vintage Pyrex Bowls

2009-11-25T15:16:00-05:00

I just love seeing what folks are collecting. I guess I feel it tells us just a little bit about what inspires them, what they love, and what they choose to surround themselves with in their homes. Today, I'm delighted to present the next in an ongoing series here on The Storque: The Collectors. First published on my own little blog, the rikrak studio, it's 11 and a half quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they're collecting (apart from their art supplies!). Hope you'll just love this vintage kitchenware collection with the charming myfavouritedress.

Yum!

As our thoughts turn to the upcoming holidaying seasons around the world, our kitchens emerge as our handmaking studios and workshops, where we each combine tradition and creativity to handcraft scrumptious feasts and delicious delights to share with friends and loved ones!

Indeed, cooking and baking are, for me, a wonderful part of the delight of holidaying time, and I thought you might just love a peek at this particular gorgeous collection of vintage kitchenware, which would surely inspire any home chef, and host(ess) as we look forward to the season of entertaining.

Psst: And just in case you’re like me and love the idea of baking, cooking, and entertaining, but it isn’t quite your forte (let’s be honest – I’m a wonderful disaster in the kitchen!) — fear not! Help is near! How about some delectables by the pros!

Who (are you) : Claire of myfavouritedress

What (are you collecting) : pyrex

When (did you start) : This collection here is about 6 years old.

How (many do you have?) : I have around 30-40 here in Vancouver, and a whole lot more in storage at my dad's in Australia.

Where (do you find them) : I find them all at the thrift stores (or op shops) and church sales.

Where (do you keep them) : I keep them in the kitchen. They get used every day.

What (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : I have a friend who often picks me up little things at the thrift store, and one time we were sitting at the kitchen table talking when she casually reaches into her handbag and pulls out a huge butterprint bowl in perfect condition, and hands it to me — "Oh, I found this for you," and keeps on with what she was saying. Like no big deal. She's actually given me some beautiful pyrex and Fire King over the years. She is awesome.

What (piece would you like to add): Dots. I have absolutely no dots. And I love them.

Why (do you love them) : They're beautiful and functional, and they obviously last a long time.

Which (one is your favourite) and why : This tiny little blue bowl that is quite old, but I love the shade of blue and how it has worn away at the top.

What (else do you collect) : I have a pretty ridiculous collection of kitchenware and fabric, but I'd say what I really collect would be records.

Oh, how wonderful! I love how Claire USES her collection in a functional and wonderful way on a daily basis! How splendid! And I adore the ways in which she craftily combines her love of sustainable living in her home and in her own beautiful handcrafted works, too!

So let’s raise a toast: to the kitschy kitchen and all that is created in it! I think my perfect kitchen is like that ideal holiday recipe: You start with tried and true main ingredients, add a handpicked pinch of vintage, a dash of modern, and a teaspoon of eclectic to make something all your own!

Thanks so much, Claire. And be sure to visit her lovely shop and fabulous blog, Just Me and My Dad (What a brilliant idea this one is: dual photos by Claire and her dad! Love it!) and her deservedly popular and inspiring Flickr photostream!

Cheers! And happy celebrating, nicies!

What do you collect? I’d love to hear! Please post in the comments below!

The Collectors Series | Vintage Pyrex | More Collections Posts on Rikrak's Blog

Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Decoration

2009-11-17T10:07:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite holiday decor. 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!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Etsy Finds Decor: Traditional Style From the Experts at HGTV

2009-11-15T11:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor features Etsy's take on traditional homes designed by professional architects and interior designers as featured on HGTV. These beautifully designed interiors provide inspiring decorating ideas that will help you create a home that exudes a rich sense of warmth and elegance.

"'Timeless' is the watchword for traditional design, whether it's 18th century English, 19th century neoclassic or French country. Pick balanced, unfussy color palettes, tailored curtains and accessories like the Doodle Lamp, plate holder or vanity mirror below. Traditional doesn't mean stuffy — go for classic but unexpected color combos like chocolate and apple green, or keep things endlessly fresh in blue and white. Combining pieces from different eras — Louis XIV chairs with a Lucite table — gives rooms a young, exciting vibe." — HGTV

Visit HGTV's Designers' Portfolio for even more great spaces and styles to help you create the home of your dreams. The following Etsy Finds provide traditional decorating ideas that will help take your home decor to the designer level using handmade and vintage furniture and decor accents available on Etsy.

Living Rooms

Judith Balis
Interior Designer, Nest Interiors

"A dark, rich wall color can add instant warmth and drama to a very large and otherwise overwhelming space." — HGTV

Doodle Lamp

By PeggithasPieces, $125.

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Harlequin Slipper Chair

By ReclaimTheThrone, $425.

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Stained Glass Mosaic Art Mirror

By LowBridgeArtworks, $145.

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Primitive Painted Pine Farm Table

By JosephSpinaleFurn, $575.

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1937 Harvard Classics - 19 Volumes

From UncommonEye, $178.99.

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Hand Turned Bowl With Candle

By ajn9848, $30.

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Lonely Hearts Wrought Iron Scroll Art

By DIPdesigns, $36.

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Tavern Hall Table - Scratch and Dent

By ShakaStudios, $400.

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Nutmeg and Cedar Scented Candle

By JenSanCandles, $10.99.

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Candlesticks - Hand-turned Myrtle Wood

From eddieross, $90.

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Kitchens

Thomas A. Conway
Director of Design, The Rosen Group

"The original farmhouse sink was salvaged and reused in this kitchen renovation. The use of new wide plank flooring and beadboard details helps to maintain the retro style." — HGTV

Antique Cupboard 1920s Shabby Chic

From DovelySells, $125.

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Toile Tea Towel

By CottageDesigns, $12.

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Cottage Farmhouse Beadboard Shelf

By cottagehomedecor, $74.95.

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Mint Green Bunny Bowl

By aspeerstudio, $30.

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Vintage PENDANT LAMP Made NEW

By LampGoods, $69.

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Three Geese Nesting Mixing Bowls

By nosh, $45.

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12 Plate Holder and Shelf Wall Mount

By DoorCountyWoodworks, $85.

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Vintage Johnson Bros bowl and saucer

From ginchygear, $9.

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Bedrooms

Sue Adams
Sue Adams Interiors

"This bedroom has the rich feel of a cozy bed and breakfast. Who wouldn't want to sit and read here or snuggle under the feather comforter?" — HGTV

Queen Elizabeth Vintage Bedspread

From 2BoredBunnies, $65.

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vintage ticking bolster

By enhabiten, $40.

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Pale Blue and Cream Floral Pillow Cover

By Modernality, $15.

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Antique Blue and White Italian Urn

From ZenHen, $125.

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Goldi Legs Bench

By RECOVERED, $350.

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Hydrangea Soy 10 oz Jar Candle

By blisscandles, $12.95.

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Foggy Day Flowers Original Watercolor

By printmakerjenn, $25.

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Deep Blue Bowl with Sea Shell Design

By AnneMariesPottery, $32.

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Molded Rose Figurine in Blue and White

By undoneeclectic, $5.

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Blossom print (blue version) - Art print

By shirae, $20.

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Bathrooms

Lori Gilder
Interior Designer, Interior Makeovers

"This timeless master bath uses cool wall tiles and muted lighting to create a refuge from the daily hustle and bustle. Minimal furnishing and accessories keep rejuvenation the focus of the space." — HGTV

French Provincial Mini Dresser

By ShabbyChicFairytale, $129.99.

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Antiqued White Distressed Mirror

By KarliHearron, $95.

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Ornate Vanity Mirror w/ rose design

From thevintagevendor, $17.50.

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Ranunculus & Hydrangeas in Vase

By dkdesignshawaii, $65.

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Hydrangeas - 8x10 Fine Art Print

By urbandesign, $26.

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Wall Sconce

By NCKlondon, $95.

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Starfish Bowl

By HockomockPottery, $18.

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Vintage Filligree Perfume Bottle

From hotvintagemamma, $25.

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Which style should we explore in our next edition? Post your requests in the comments! For more inspirational interiors, check out HGTV's sister post to this article, Traditional Style decorating tips, or share a few tips of your own with their Rate My Space feature.

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!

Shop Live for the Holidays With Eddie Ross: November 11, 2009

2009-11-09T16:00:00-05:00

Join us for a special holiday edition of Shop Live this Wednesday, November 11 in Etsy's Virtual Labs, our interactive chat rooms. Chat about holiday entertaining with our hosts, Eddie Ross (from Bravo's Top Design, former senior style editor of Martha Stewart Living, and his own design blog, EddieRoss.com) and his partner, Jaithan Kochar. Eddie and Jaithan will join us live via webcam to give advice on sprucing up your winter soirees with all things vintage, and they will share their favorite one-of-a-kind gifts for the host or hostess. Beautiful presentation is in the details and they’ll help you find them.

When? Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET. (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 8 p.m. ET!

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs.

How to join in the fun: There are only 130 seats for this VIP shopping event, so make sure you RSVP by filling out this quick survey. Etsy will email you the day of the event with a link to our virtual chat room — if you're fast enough, that is!

Want a sneak peek? Check out some of Eddie Ross's Picks in our Gift Guides!

Share in the excitement — check out the Facebook event or join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

Loveartworks Wins the Vote for Best Thanksgiving Hosting Item

2009-11-09T10:56:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate items that would inspire us to host family and friends for the holidays. You voted and now we have a winner. Congratulations to loveartworks, whose Change bowl reminds us of the beautiful changing foliage, as well as getting my tummy a'grumbling in anticipation of feasting. loveartworks says,

"I painted this bowl while literally watching the leaves start to turn on the maple tree outside my window and contemplating change in nature, in our world and in myself and relishing the beautiful colors of autumn while I'm doing so...."

Congratulations to you, loveartworks! This item, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we'll be taking your suggestions for the best holiday decor on Etsy — garlands, wreaths, candles, ornaments, and other decorations for the home. We're getting into that wintery, Christmas and Hanukkah season. Paste a link to your favorite in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Etsy Finds Decor: Sweet and Simple Home

2009-11-08T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend’s Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the London home of Margarita Lorenzo, the designer behind Chocolate Creative. The many beautiful handmade touches featured within each room stand out against the natural simplicity of her home's interior. Marga enjoys decorating her home with renovated flea market furniture and describes her style as a simple mix of periods and styles. "I like eclectic spaces that are filled with very personal touches, like traveling finds, antiques, old loved things and of course some new pieces as well."

Working in graphic design, Marga's passion for textiles led her to discover ways to apply her graphic knowledge to textiles through printmaking. She fell in love with screenprinting and began producing a collection of bags, tea towels and pillows, which are available in her Etsy shop, chocolatecreative. Marga also runs the Chocolate Creative blog with friend, Kate Read, where they share their passion for handmade, craft, textiles, vintage and interiors.

Visit Marga on Flickr to view more photos of her sweet and simple home, and be sure to check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a touch of natural simplicity to the place you call home.

Sugar Jar with Funnel Chandelier

By surthrival, $35.

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Farm Table Upcycled Vintage Lumber

By blackberryfurniture, $1537.

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Vintage cup, saucer and plate in pink

From Luncheonettevintage, $15.

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Pair of Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlays

From kgentinetta, $375.

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Pine Chimney Country Cupboard

By JosephSpinaleFurn, $360.

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Clear Atlas jar duo

From thebluejar, $22.

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Antique Glass Finger Oil Lamp Lamp

From thefunnybunny, $19.98.

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Vintage Carved Frame w/ Gilt Overlay

From SHERMANCAT, $24.99.

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Vintage Teacup Candle

By BenefitJewelsCraft, $14.

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Crystal Decanter Matching Set

From RareEarthProducts, $32.

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1970s Mercury Glass Lamp

From UncommonEye, $298.99.

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Three Drawer Shaker Side Table

By ruppeldesign, $715.

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Cameos deer blue pillow

By chocolatecreative, $75.

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Order Small Scrolls

By rubyslounge, $375.

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Scalloped mirror in natural wood

By uncommon, $52.

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Doe Pillow

By feeldesign, $55.

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Crafty Wooden Scissors Wall Art

By Sypria, $24.

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Doily bird framed print

By traceface, $30.

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Birds At Work Embroidered Collage Pillow

By lapomme, $42.

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Vintage Chenille Bedspread

From catnapcottage, $145.

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Pico in Love Embroidered Mini

By pidgepidge, $48.

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Vintage French White Baby Dress

From Jiaccessory, $45.

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Butterfly crochet lace panel

From 5gardenias, $22.

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Sweet Bun Hanging Felt Art

By hellohappy, $25.

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Bergere Silhouette Chair pillow

By PillowPallooza, $72.

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Personalized Doily Painting (8 or 9 letters)

By Ottoman, $46.

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Vintage look earrings frame stand

By LittleWhiteDresser, $33.

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Textured Lace Bowl in Cloud glaze

By OneClayBead, $19.

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Retro Desk Light

From FoundVintageStyle, $30.

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An Apple A Day letterpress poster

By VikDesign, $25.

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Set of 3 Micro Tiles

By elementclaystudio, $200.

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Real Deer Skull - Grade X

From JenesisArt, $23.99.

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Pair of antique wood shoe molds - 1939

From ImSoVintage, $38.

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MudStuffing Original - Ceramic Thermos

By khphillips, $65.

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Pillow Cover with Vintage Lace Trim

By Tuuni, $42.

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Medium Eight Point Buck Feltidermy

By girlsavage, $170.

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Decorated Base And Cloche for Display

By shabbyvintagemom, $24.

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Migu - miniature teddy bear collectible

By knittingdreams, $21.

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Vintage Matroyshka Nesting Dolls-5

From ArgentumVintage, $15.

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Modern Design Deck Poster

By pleasebestill, $49.

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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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Choosing a Holiday Color Scheme: Jolly Traditional or Soothing Elegance?

2009-11-03T14:22:00-05:00

Vicki Dvorak from Simply Hue wants to know which color scheme gets you in to the holiday spirit.

Holidays around the globe are celebrated in many different ways and with a variety of traditions, decorating styles, and holiday colors that are unique to each country. Below I've narrowed down a couple of color scheme options you might want to consider. When choosing a color scheme for your home, whether it's for the holidays or year-round, first decide on the mood you want to create.

Do you want to have an atmosphere that feels warm and inviting or would you prefer a soothing, elegant place to come home to after the chaos of holiday shopping? Let us know which color scheme you prefer in the comments below!

Inspiration photo by Danske, window photo by ellemoss, brown silk pillow by CreativeRedesigns, cream throw by Jackubina, silver mesh door bow by CecilBobby, and driftwood candles by NaturesCabinet

Colors: Brown, Beige, Cream, Gray-Green, Silver

Have you ever thought about using brown as the basis for a color scheme in your home for the holidays? I honestly hadn't until this year when I spotted the lovely inspiration photo for the collage of items above. Drawing from the colors in this photo, I chose several items from Etsy sellers that I thought would tie together nicely and create a soothing and elegant palette. Brown is a color you see often in nature. It represents security and stability. In its lighter tones, it's elegant and calming and in its richer tones, such as chocolate brown or espresso, it's luxurious and elegant. Add gray-green and cream to this color palette through your accessories. You might even want to consider painting an accent wall with one of these neutral colors!

Inspiration photo by Hello Girlfriend, birdseed ornament by naturefavors, red and white gate pillow by NestaHome, red barn photo by AThousandMemories, and topiary by thekeepershouse

Colors: Red, Green, White, Silver, and Gold

For a home that feels festive and inviting during the holidays, decorate with red, green, white, and gold. Bring in rustic decor with nostalgic vintage pieces such as a rusty red sleigh, or a cozy plaid flannel throw blanket. If you would rather have a traditional color scheme with an elegant touch, bring in gleaming gold ornaments, sparkling strings of lights, and velvety rich-colored toss pillows. Decorating doesn't have to be expensive, either. Visit local antique shops and discount stores, search for your items on Etsy, or think about what you might have tucked away from your childhood that would work with the color scheme you've chosen and the mood you want to create.

Which color palette do you prefer?

Since Etsy is a place that draws people from all around the world, we would love to hear how you decorate for the holidays! What colors do you use and how does this come out in your family's traditions and customs?

Post in the comments below and have a wonderful and happy holiday season!

Further Resources:

Color Palette Generator (via Creature Comforts who found it via Nicole Tattersall)

ColorMatch

Benjamin Moore Virtual Fandeck

Color Marketing 2009 Color Trends

Fashion Trendsetter

Holiday Decorating Books:

Country Living Merry and Bright

Christmas With Southern Living 2009

Holidays Around the World

Note: Etsy Items selected by Vicki Dvorak from Simply Hue and arranged by Rachel Follett from Lovely Clusters

Etsy Finds Decor: Modern Cottage Renovation

2009-11-01T12:00:00-05:00

This weekend’s Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the modern minimalist cottage renovation of Juli Daoust and John Baker. Juli inherited the Toronto cottage several years ago and just last summer she and John began the laborious task of transforming the home's tired, cluttered interior into a modern open space that reflected the couple's love for mid-century modern design.

On a tight budget, Juli and John developed creative ways to use natural inexpensive materials and worked with the architectural elements that already existed within the home. What they were able to save by thinking creatively allowed them to splurge a bit on a few select pieces of designer furniture and accessories, which they purchased from a few of their favorite shops in Toronto.

For even more information and photos of the cottage transformation visit Juli and John's blog, Kitka Design Toronto, and look out for their store, MjoLK, opening this December. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a bit of a modern minimalism to the place you call home.

Large farm table on tapered legs

By lorimerantiques, $1,050.

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Hand-woven wall hanging

By dakotafire, $89.

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Swedish Branch Candle (Grenljus)

By abelcarver, $18.

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Loop leaf pendant lamp

By meganauman, $144.

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Pussywillow Teapot

By shevongantceramics, $35.

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Decorative Shelf, Recycled Wood

By andrewsreclaimed, $31.

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Vintage Mosaic Tile Trivet

From vintageaccoutrements, $14.

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Dansk Iron Spider Candle Holder

From augustvintageshop, $17.

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Lumberjack nutcracker

By mooshoopork, $50.

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Pair of Enamel Sauce Pots

From tippleandsnack, $13.99.

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Indian Rug

From banglezBeadz, $65.

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Admiral black & white television

From MyVintageLoveAffair, $120.

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Vintage magazine rack

From tuderhoff, $60.

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Safari Chair

By madshome, $275.

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Army Blanket Pillow - 20 inch square

By ouno, $70.

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Bronze and Crystal Sconces

From thepetitemarket, $210.

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Vintage Wooden Candlesticks

From JennyHopscotch, $20.

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Lila

By mbdixson, $65.

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Small Orange Circles Coffee Table

By michaelarras, $349.

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vintage turkish pillow

From cottagefarm, $32.

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Vintage Kmart Focal ZOOM Telescope

From CLUTTEREDmind, $18.50.

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Wooden sailboat with red sails

From silocurb, $62.

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Retro1960s Metal Utility Step ladder

By rerunzvintageshop, $24.

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Vintage Seaside Paint By Number

From bouquet, $24.

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Coffee cup red

By suzzieholler, $27.

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Red Dansk Fondue Pot and Stand

From bettyninjafinds, $64.

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Funky Enamel Cooking Pots

From BInspiredVintage, $18.

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Squid Linens - set of two tea towels

By SquidInkKollective, $22.

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All Natural Comfy Alpaca Rug

By zenalpaca, $72.

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Lovebird bowl

By PrinceDesignUK, $22.

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Hudson Bay Wool Blanket

From backgarage, $125.

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Green Spirit Sea Turtle

By molamama, $22.75.

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Toebiter tabi slippers womens 8-9.5

By zerkahloostrah, $33.

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Manfelts Woolen Slipper Size 10-11

By pawfelts, $38.

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WOOLEN blanket army green

From littlebyrdvintage, $36.

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Horse no.16 brown and black

By penguinandfish, $65.

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Burlap and wool combo pillow

By sydg, $22.

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Industrial Architects Drafting Lamp

From susantique, $139.

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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!

SeaPinks Wins the Vote for Your Favorite Autumn Decor

2009-10-26T10:30:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite autumn decor on Etsy. You voted, and now we've got a winner! Congratulations to SeaPinks whose Flora and Fauna Decorative Pumpkin is a superb example of the handmade touches that make a house a home.

SeaPinks, along with some of the top favorites shown below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we want your nomination for an item related to food, kitchenware, table decor and settings — anything that can be used for Thanksgiving meals and family time for the coming holiday. Post a link to an item in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just one item — even if you have multiple shops).

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

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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Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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Etsy Finds: The Space Between

2009-10-21T11:36:00-05:00

Editing has always been inherent to my meaning; as a journaler, I tend to erase before I reach the end of the clause. In art and nature, negative space suggests a graceful inverse of our experience, a non-design for every design. The technique of laser cutting creates an absence of material that evokes intricacy in both texture and light. These Etsy Finds experiment in the tangible: paper, felt, metal, wood, vinyl, leather, and plastic, but also in that alluringly elusive medium of space.

Art Deco Teardrop Earrings

By infraredstudio, $90.

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You Are The Beez Neez UNFRAMED

By julene, $65.

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Spirograph Wooden Magnets - Set of 4

By Polymath, $12.

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Laura Necklace

By clementinerex, $52.

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loop leaf ottoman

By meganauman, $750.

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Shadow Petal Bracelet

By aOlive, $30.

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Vinyl record necklace

By arohasilhouettes, $50.

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PinUp Mobile

By SaltyandSweet, $30.

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Golden Lace Leather Necklace

By eninaj, $98.

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Reflection Red Oak Coffee Table

By tloewy23, $999.

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Little Celtic Purse in Olive

By twilightandfiligree, $68.

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Chunky Folded Bangle

By muku, $40.

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Thumb War by John Hersey

By imprintsfcb, $45.

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Charming Wood 'Rounds' Necklace

By hendersondrygoods, $155.

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Waves Notebook Cover

By engrave, $60.

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Laser Cut Wood Lamp - Rain on Water

By RonMacken, $128.

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Victorian Doll House Kit

By VictorianDollhouse, $87.95.

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Spoke Bracelet

By andrea8779, $39.95.

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WING AND PRAYER Black

By MijuAndYou, $32.

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Thumbelina / Laser cut Shadow Puppet

By IsabellasArt, $20.

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Owl Family - Bamboo Mobile

By petitcollage, $68.

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Flowers Salvaged Paper Notebook

By ohsogood, $12.

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Deer Trivet in pink felt

By peppersprouts, $35.

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small gray laser head

By sfettingis, $75.

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5 Wooden Birds

From littlearty, $2.50.

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podling- silver stardust

By J2Jewelry, $32.

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Laser Cut Felt Necklace Red

By chiharusato, $20.

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Ship in a bottle bar stool

By Slowshirts, $395.

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Modern Animal Clock - Owl

By decoylab, $68.

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A feather in your cap (brooch).

By littlemiso, $14.

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world landmarks acrylic ring set

By plastique, $24.

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Leather Pleated Scarf

By MaidenArt, $591.

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Laser cut Leather clutch bag

By hannahsas, $65.

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Abstract Coral Necklace

By BeauAndStella, $36.

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PopMat Paper Placemats - Birdcage

By PubliqueShop, $20.

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ACRYLIC 7.5 inch FAUX glass DOILY

By archicraft, $8.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Facts and Fancies Blog Series | Trends | Items Tagged "Laser Cut"

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Etsy Finds Decor: In Praise of the Hunt

2009-10-11T08:00:00-05:00

This weekend’s Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the quirky, vintage filled Chicago home of Libby Alexander. Libby enjoys shopping at thrift stores and estate sales, and her eclectic home reflects her passion for a great vintage bargain. Her mix of vintage furniture and home decor spans a wide array of decades, and she describes her style as "mid-century modern with a splash of Hollywood Regency, industrial, rustic and LOLs."

Libby has turned her passion for vintage treasure hunting into a decorating and salvage business known as Alexander Salvage. She also sells her incredible vintage finds in her Etsy shop, blogbloglog, where you can shop from categories like Granny Chic, Rustic Lodge, and Creepy Curio.

To view more photos of Libby’s vintage home, visit her on Flickr or stop by her blog, both of which are filled with ingenious ideas on how to create a new look from old pieces. You’ll also find many creative ideas on displaying and grouping your latest vintage treasures.

Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a unique and quirky hint of the past to the place you call home.

Ceramic little boy bust statue

From highstreetmarket, $36.

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Vintage Mannequin Hand

From toanlaja, $42.

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NYC Souvenir

By BROOKLYNrehab, $14.

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Vintage Mosaic Tile Trinket Dish

From RedEyeVintage, $16.

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Vintage Silvertone Radio/Record Player

From AnticAttic, $100.

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Ars Edition HUMMEL SPOONS

From outsiderartsupply, $24.95.

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Miss Maple

From ethanollie, $39.

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Vintage Distressed Wooden Crate

From epoca, $45.

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Hand Painted Russian Dolls - Circus set

By Ratdoodle, $85.

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1950's Tiny Green Suitcase

From jessjamesjake, $50.

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Owl Cookie Jar - Real McCoy

From Goofingoff, $35.

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GILT OLIVE WALNUT BOX

By marykaiserstreasures, $55.

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Marvelous Elixir Antique Bottle

From allisonbean, $12.

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Industrial Chair Oak and Angle Steel

From sevenbc, $140.

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Rustic Style Farm Bench / Table

By royaloakcottage, $125.

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Set of Four Fiberglass Armchair Shells

From athomewithhenry, $475.

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Give Thanks Banner PRE-ORDER

By brandywine, $32.

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Vintage Sofa with Side Table and Footrest

From RedEyeVintage, $4600.

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The Light of Freedom

From FineTime, $45.

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Vintage Mounted Antlers - 1959

From Schmintage, $95.

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Concrete Planter with Air Plant

By TortoiseLovesDonkey, $19.50.

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Stained Glass-Wrought Iron Lantern

By Nonnie62, $85.

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vintage vigon lamp

From skyparlor, $20.

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Vintage Typewriter Corona Standard

From livingstonandporter, $168.

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Vintage Metal Typing Table

From scrapsistersvintage, $75.

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Eames Side Shell Chair Raw Umber

From TheCottageCheese, $195.

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Vintage Industrial Metal Desk Organizer

From buppins, $29.

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1950s formica dinette kitchen table

From kitschnkaboodle, $165.

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Vintage cuckoo wall clock from Germany

From spacejam, $68.

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Miniature Globe on a Stand....It spins

From derbyhouse, $4.85.

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Glass Bell Jar display case

From Arnicae, $15.

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Vintage Marionette Parts, Head, Arms, Shoes

From NightWingVintage, $42.

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indian summer

By floresdelsol, $38.

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Vintage Pelouze Ice Cream Scale

From VintageVenatic, $15.

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Wood Block Vintage Image Covered Vase

By lavendergooms, $8.

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Tall Teak Candlesticks/ Denmark

From FoundVintageStyle, $24.

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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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Guest Curator: Kitsune Noir

2009-10-07T14:30:00-05:00

Bobby Solomon is the creator of Kitsune Noir, a culture blog that focuses on art and design but dabbles in a little bit of everything. Located in Los Angeles, Bobby works from his apartment and posts daily about the things he finds enjoyable. Recently he got rid of his car and has decided to exclusively bike and take public transportation around L.A., so he might have some kind of death wish.

Not too long ago, handmade items weren't considered a luxury, they were the only option. Okay, maybe that was before most of us can even remember, but it seems like handmade is definitely having a revival. After the plastic craze of the 60's and 70's, people are over mass-production and want something unique and well-crafted. Not that mass-production is going anywhere soon, but it's certainly nice to have some alternatives.

My list of Etsy picks, as well as my personal style, is a mixture of vintage and contemporary things. I definitely have a love for both the new and the classic, so finding items that mesh well together is the challenge. The list also journeys not only into items for the home but personal accessories as well. I hope you enjoy my choices, I had a lot of fun putting them all together.

Antique New York subway rollsign

I found this beautiful New York Subway Rollsign and fell in love immediately. I love the boldness of this and the faded white font on the deep black looks amazing. It's also double-sided, so you can pick your favorite side.  From luckylittledot, $335.

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Deerman in Profile

I already own a piece by melabo, a squirrel body with the head of a girl, and I bought my friend a six-legged lamb, so obviously I'm a big fan of her work. The piece above is called Deerman in Profile, and is the combination of two casting molds. I love how totally weird this is, but then the fact that it's made of porcelain seems to lessen the weirdness for me. She's always creating new stuff, so be sure to visit her shop regularly.  By melabo, $40.

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Nenjuu leather bag

While this isn't a vintage bag, its inspiration is definitely taken from the kind of utilitarian bags you'd find in the first and second World Wars. This bag is made of oiled bull hide and has stainless steel hardware to keep it together. It has a nice zipper on top to keep your belongings where they belong and the rain out, as well as pouches on the side and front for your phone and items you want to access easily.  By JMBCanada, $450.

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Monster Barbershop Digital Print 18 X 36

This awesome print by kickatruck is one of my favorites. In one panel he's a grumpy, shaggy beast, and the next he's a well coiffed man about town. It's not only cute and fun, but it's also huge, measuring in at 18" x 36", and for only $25 it would definitely fill a wall quite nicely.

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PROPER CRIMINALS brown leather wrapped HANDCUFF key ring ITEM 006

When I first came across this one, I thought it was some kind of kinky bracelet, but then I realized that it was a key ring and thought, "Huh, that's pretty cool." propercriminals, a very apt name, have decided to take the iconic handcuff, wrap it in brown leather that will age with time, and make a fancy little keychain out of it. It's an out-of-the-box idea that's really clever and well executed.  $31.

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Dancing. 13 x 19 print limited edition

I covered this one on my blog a couple weeks ago and still think it's an amazing piece. matteart does an incredible job of creating retro illustrations that feel so fun and lively. This one is my favorite, I love that the men are getting down with pipes in their mouths.  $60.

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A5 Print - Cat Mart

I'm a huge fan of Gemma Correll's artwork, and she shares a ton of her hysterical prints in her shop, gemmabear. Cat Mart above is one of my favorites; there's something about it that just makes me laugh so hard. Look at the face of the cat in her backpack, the look is hysterical!  $10.

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black beauty

I came across mobilosity's shop and fell in love with all the different kinds of mobiles they create. They remind me of something that Calder would make, but you know, at one tenth of the price. Black Beauty (shown above) is my favorite though. I'm really digging the sharp, black, leaf looking pieces. The fact that it's nearly 2 feet tall is also a bonus.  $69.

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Splat Kendo Bamboo Modern Wall Clock

I wish this clock were made out of real wood instead of MDF, but nonetheless it's still a beautiful clock. The bamboo has a nice depth to it, and the cut out rad starburst gives this a very classy look. They also have a ton of other clocks in this same design but in different colorways if this doesn't quite do it for you.  By pilotdesign, $49.

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Dear You, Mister Fox - Mini Print

Seeing that my blog means "black fox," it's only fitting that I throw something fox related into the mix. I found these lovely prints by blackoutwell who seems to have quite an affinity for foxes and cats, which is cool, if you ask me. Dear You, Mister Fox is my favorite of the bunch, with his hand drawn frame and the yellow flower pattern behind him, just overall wonderful.  $9.

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STATES UNITED

This is one of the most clever posters I've seen in a while, and must have really taken some ingenuity to do. beauchamping has taken all of the 50 states and mashed them together into a big heart. Originally it was going to be called Heartland, but then it was changed to States United, which seems a little better to me. The states have a sketchy feel to them that I really like, which I think is a byproduct of the xylene transfer that was used to print them. Really nice and simple. $75.

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Mozart Bust

To finish things off, I have to include this amazing Mozart bust, something that I think is silly and classic all at once. I've always wanted one of these for some reason, I bet I saw it in a movie once, but it would look great on the shelf over my desk. He was a master of his craft and hopefully he can give me some of this wisdom! From coventgardenvintage, $12.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

Artistic Endeavors series | There's No Place Like Here video series

Etsy Finds Decor: Kaleidoscopic Collaboration

2009-10-04T09:49:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the modern, colorful, art filled home of artist and Rare Device shop owner, Lisa Congdon. Located in the Mission District of San Francisco, Lisa shares her home with her partner Clay Walsh, their dog Wilfredo and two cats named Barry and Margaret.

With two different personal styles, the couple has focused on creating a modern home that harmoniously combines Lisa's colorful collections with Clay's minimalist aesthetic. Their creative compromises have led to a colorful yet calm home, filled with thoughtfully displayed vignettes and beautifully arranged exhibits of the couple's large art collection.

Lisa also runs an amazing shop on Etsy where she sells her original paintings and prints.

To view more photos of Lisa's modern home, visit her house tour over at Apartment Therapy. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a balanced mix of color and modern serenity to the place you call home.

vintage enamel pot

From ModishVintage, $29.

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ENAMELWARE Set

From sweetshorn, $46.

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Mid Century Enameled Steel Pot

From ladiesandgentlemen, $35.

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MOD Finel Enamel Teapot

From findingfabulous, $95.

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Vintage Industrial Blue Metal Wall Shelf

From susantique, $22.75.

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Tupperware Stacking Spice Jars

From theowlery, $14.

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Made-to-Order Mini Bowl Set

By FoxAndClover, $58.

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Illustrated Melamine Dinner Plate

By MILLAMELLA, $15.

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Might I have a Bird With You

By cutpurse, $20.

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Little poppy bowl

By PrinceDesignUK, $24.

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Retro Kidney Orange Chenille Loveseat

By KLUpholstery, $695.

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Mountain Dweller Rose

By lisacongdon, $350.

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KIDNEY BEAN COFFEE TABLE

By lunarloungedesign, $110.

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mid century danish modern table set

From mortonsaltgirl, $45.

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Atomic Mod Chair and Love Seat Set

By tinygirl, $250.

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Siesta cotton canvas cushion

By roddyandginger, $38.

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bird sketches PAPER PRINT field guide

By dolangeiman, $45.

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Chuck (Blue)

By ashleyg, $35.

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spirit pony

By clarebowers, $150.

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rabbit speak-original painting and drawing

By prettylittlethieves, $36.

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Driftwood Coral Wall Hook

By Libbiehome, $22.

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Small Oval Print Chair Table Candles Silhouette

By nowvintage, $25.

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Bob Horner Original Splinterface Painting

By BobHornerArt, $40.

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Original OOAK HARPY

By kinsellaart, $65.

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TILL DEATH DO US PART

From CoolVintage, $8.50.

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The Man, The Moustache & the Up Flip

From slapmefabulous, $5.99.

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9 Cabinet Photographs of Men

From 23burtonavenue, $27.

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Cabinet Card Assemblage No. 04

From PetiteMichelleLouise, $10.

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SAILBOAT PILLOWCASE

By Royalkane, $14.99.

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ETC Sign Letters Vintage Antique

From VintageEmbellishment, $39.

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Porcelain Chihuahua Head

By kgrandey, $40.

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We Are Not Two We Are One screen print

By themountainlabel, $40.

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Mushroom of Linen and Blue

By chetanddot, $11.

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Zsuzsi Vase in White

By oneblackbird, $39.

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nighttime In the City -White - Handprinted

By nateduval, $50.

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curious at heart

From FromGraytoGold, $8.

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Vintage Mustard Yellow Ceramic Partridge Figurine

From SweetLoveVintage, $16.

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blonde redhead screenprinted poster

By neversleeping, $20.

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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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Etsy Finds Decor: Haunted Mansion

2009-09-27T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the eerie haunted house at the top of the hill. You know the one: overgrown with ivy, loose shutters rattling in the wind, rumored to be owned by a crazy old woman who murdered her family with an axe, and there's always a single light burning in the window.

Scary or not, I really love the history and memories an old house holds. My favorite home I've lived in was built in the late 1800s. During the renovating process I uncovered the home's many layers and hidden mementos left by previous occupants. I saved every photograph, newspaper and magazine clipping, each layer of wallpaper, forgotten letters, a pinch of soot, and even the teeth from a beloved pet found in a box in the basement, which were all later framed and displayed in the heart of the home.

Every old house is haunted by the memories of its past. Whether the previous occupants choose to show themselves or not, traces of life are not easily wiped away. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will help you create the spookiest Halloween haunt or simply celebrate the history of your home.

rip

By multer, $44.

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Cupid Chairs (pair)

By sprucehome, $1250.

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Poe's Raven

By Middleburg, $67.

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Vintage Metal Bird Cage

From ArtfulVintage, $16.

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Vintage Map Collection Lumiere Set

By finchstudios, $54.95.

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Antique Relish Dish Chime

From teatimewindchimes, $55.

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vintage porcelain doll heads

From EmilyLynch, $50.

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Brass Bows Wall Sconce Candle Sticks

From yougofirst, $28.

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Ghost House

by Robert Frost

...I dwell with a strangely aching heart
In that vanished abode there far apart
On that disused and forgotten road
That has no dust-bath now for the toad.
Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;...

By smacshop, $22.

Black Raven - tiny tray candle holder

By OneClayBead, $11.

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Skeleton Krew no.0023 Weeping Elora

By redheart13, $40.

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Vintage 5-Light Brass Candelabra

From vintagehomerecycled, $37.95.

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Cobweb - 9 inch Plate

By mepottery, $38.

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Antique Solid Mahogany Wall Mirror

From designermadness, $75.

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Flock of Crows Wall Decals

By WilsonGraphics, $30.

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Silence

by Edgar Allan Poe

There are some qualities — some incorporate things,
That have a double life, which thus is made
A type of that twin entity which springs
From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.
There is a two-fold Silence — sea and shore —
Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,
Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces,
Some human memories and tearful lore,
Render him terrorless: his name's "No More."
He is the corporate Silence: dread him not!...

By jackandcatcurio, $18.

Antique Kilim Handwoven Wool Rug

From WoodlanderHouse, $195.

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Antique Box Camera

From CaptainCat, $45.

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Antique Cast Iron Ceiling Fixture

From annslights, $125.

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Framed Victorian Lady In Bustle Dress

From victoriantreasures, $35.

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Nice vintage set of books 1935

From ArtandBookShop, $6.

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RAKU RAVEN BOOK ENDS

By KawarthaWildsPottery, $125.

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Vintage Glass Ink Bottle, Waterman's Ink

From BlueCaravan, $10.

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1930s Faux Bois Royal Typewriter

From PoeticHome, $250.

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The Ghost of a Flower

Anonymous

"You're what?" asked the common or garden spook
Of a stranger at midnight's hour.
And the shade replied with a graceful glide,
"Why, I'm the ghost of a flower."

"The ghost of a flower?" said the old-time spook;
"That's a brand-new one on me;
I never supposed a flower had a ghost,
Though I've seen the shade of a tree."

By IronBedPhotograph, $19.99.

Framed Set of Pressed Plants

From greatfindz, $150.

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Antique Framed Photograph of Woman

From JillRuth, $19.

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Cremation Paperweight

By SpiritSongs, $50.

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Red and White Vintage Boudoir Lamps

From TheVintageRobin, $78.99.

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Old Mirroscope Projector

From vintagehomerecycled, $79.95.

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Vintage Italian Frame.....

From AmeeliaBedelia, $26.

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Because I could not stop for Death

by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility – ...

By JCRitchie, $40.

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Vintage glass door knobs

From daisy2878, $20.

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Room for Rent

From tippleandsnack, $17.99.

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Figural Human Hand Bookends

From Neatcurios, $45.

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Albrecht Durer 1508 Owl Print - Framed

From TrixieKnowsVintage, $24.

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Antique telephone circa 1930

From LuLusVintageandSuppl, $75.

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Vintage Working Electric School Bell

From bellalulu, $32.50.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Halloween Gift Guides | Halloween Posts | Search for Items Tagged "Haunted House"

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Guest Curator: Katy Elliott

2009-09-23T17:00:00-05:00

Katy Elliott is a blogger, freelance writer, and home renovator. In her previous life, Katy was a web editor at some of our favorite defunct magazines like House & Garden and Domino. Recently, she left New York to renovate a 257-year-old house in Marblehead, Massachusetts. She documents the highs and lows of the renovation on her blog including sources and daily inspiration.

I love living in New England and by the ocean. My house is so old that it existed even before the constitution was signed. Crazy, right? The house is a little odd; we don't have any hallways, just rooms that lead into other rooms. We are slowly renovating the three story home, project by project.

Buying your first house is a pretty big deal. We saved for a couple of years to come up with the money for a down payment. Every dime we have goes into the house: it's our money pit, but we love it. The first year has been spent just getting the house cleaned up and structurally sound. This fall, we're installing our first bathroom. I don't mind the slow pace of the renovation. We spend a lot of time thinking about smart solutions and trying to renovate as little as possible. I want the home's character to last for another 200 years.

Finding art and objects for the house can be difficult because the rooms are so small and we have funny little niches everywhere. What I've discovered touring other older homes is that these "odd spots" are great nooks for art and objects. Etsy has a wonderful selection of affordable art and objects that fit the style of my home and budget. I spend hours late at night after a long day of stripping wallpaper imagining prints and maps framed on my walls. Below are my picks to fit a historic New England home. The finds feel a bit rustic but classic. I borrow my inspiration from old English cottages and striking Swedish interiors. Enjoy!

Mackenzie Salmon fly etching

An etching by chartwellprint would be perfect for hanging in a small nook. The gray tones and sweeping lines are gracious and timeless. Check out their series of canoe etchings too! Such a good deal, I would buy a few and create a gallery. $14.

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Army Blanket Pillow - 20 inch square, feather-filled

I'm a bit of a pillow freak. ouno's pillows have a great vintage quality infused with a bit of masculinity. They're made from reclaimed wool army blankets and stuffed with feathers. $70.

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Reading the Stars

I'm a huge fan of MiniatureRhino's constellation cross stitches. A great modern design that revives the art of handicrafts. I would love a group for my bedroom. $28.

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Service Path, Original Small Landscape Painting on Panel

I pick up old canvas board paintings at vintage shops and auctions all over New England. I layer them on bookshelves and inside cabinets. Paintbox's landscapes on masonite have all the qualities I look for. Great color, depth, and rhythm. Works are available in a number of sizes. $60.

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White oak urn

Footed urn planters are a classic shape for the garden. A white oak version is a twist on the traditional. These are great for indoors or out. I'm imagining a display of ferns flowing over the sides. By Bowlfly, $140.

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The Duke of Fluke. Vintage brass whale.

Move over owls; whales are the new cool kid in town. A vintage brass version feels so perfectly New England. Rest him between books or use as a paperweight. From Kultur, $9.50.

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when irish eyes are smiling. damask linen pillowslip.

Candy striped pillow cases created from reclaimed Irish textiles are irresistible. Layer your bed with vintage linens for an eclectic mix. oldyarns carries a number of beautiful vintage examples making it quite difficult to choose just one. $35.

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Milk Glass Hobnail Vase

I've collected hobnail milk glass since I was a kid. A simple little vase filled with fresh flowers is super sweet. Collect different shapes and sizes and group them together. I love them on window sills or bathroom sinks. From jwhite2, $13.

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Coral 2

Infusing abstract art into a historic home makes the space feel modern and young. Pen and ink drawings by Stacey Rees are a personal favorite. Simple organic lines and shapes would mix well on a large gallery wall. By wallnut, $50.

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Camp Lantern/Flashlight

Incorporate interesting objects into your space. An old camp lantern from OldMothersCupboard recalls nights at summer camp. The large light on the front made me fall in love with the piece. $15.

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printed and patterned napkin set - no. 5

Gray and white table linens feel so Swedish to me. The colors are dressy but not froufy. Here's a set of four linen napkins printed with an original design by elisabethbentz. The variation with the check stole my heart. $30.

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Finlandia English tea cup and saucer set of four

Blue and white china is classic. Collect a couple of different patterns and mix them together at your next dinner party. A sweet tea cup and saucer set from inpatria would be a great addition to my collection. $15.

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1880 COMMON MARJORUM - ORIGINAL HAND COLOURED ART ENGRAVING

The first art I collected was antique botanical prints. Small delicate drawings colored with soft pastels are sweet grouped together. This beautiful hand engraved version caught my eye. slinkymalinkicat carries a number of prints including birds and fish. $19.95.

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vintage apothecary jar with lace

When I'm at the beach, I pick up a lot of rocks, shells, and pieces of seaweed. I display them on my window sills and inside glasses allowing the morning light to trickle through. A vintage apothecary jar would be beautiful full of beach finds or a growing garden. From ofmatter, $10.

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Hudson Bay 4 Point Wool Striped Blanket 70 x 90

I have a thing for stripes. I've coveted the Hudson Bay Wool Blanket since age 10. The blankets last generations and never go out of style. Grab up this highly sought after design. From vintagebutterfly94, $125.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

Get the Look: Decor Series | Rustic Redux Gift Guide | Etchings on Etsy

Etsy Finds Decor: Modern Inspiration from the Experts at HGTV

2009-09-20T09:19:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor features Etsy's take on modern homes designed by professional architects and interior designers as featured on HGTV. These inspiring spaces show how investing in a few pieces of modern handcrafted furniture allows the architectural details of your home to stand out. Pair these special pieces with your choice of colorful artwork and decorative elements to create your own distinct mood and setting.

"Our increasingly complex and stressful lives make us crave simplicity. Modern style, with its clean lines and neutral palette, takes us back to the basics. But this isn't a carbon copy of mid-century modern. Today's modern is softened with rustic or natural elements like the stacked nesting tables, fossil lamp and French oak stool below." — HGTV

Visit HGTV's Designers' Portfolio for even more great spaces and styles to help you create the home of your dreams. The following Etsy Finds provide basic decorating ideas that will give your home a modern minimalist aesthetic using handmade and vintage furniture and decor accents available on Etsy.

Living Room

Andreas Charalambous, AIA
Principal Architect, FORMA Design, Inc.

"Traditional go-to colors for modern spaces: white and black. Get the updated version of this look by using a neutral, natural palette: soft gray, muted khaki or creamy oatmeal. It creates a clean yet simple look, which is the keystone of modern style." — HGTV

U - White and Green Chair / Bench

By poaplum, $400.

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Small Mini Sprout Vase

By whitneysmith, $68.

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60s Pair Black & White Pottery Lamps

From fabulousmess, $350.

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Black and White Circle Pillow Cover

By Modernality, $26.

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Stacked Plywood Nesting End Tables

By michaelflynn, $285.

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Photographic Stone Coaster Set

By tansyandco, $35.

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Set of 3 Micro Tiles

By elementclaystudio, $200.

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old school rockaway train - pillow cover

By bungaloe, $25.

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White Wall Wedge 8 x 8

By OmniArtDisplay, $32.

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Modern White Baby Head Vase / Planter

By mudpuppy, $30.

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Felted Pebble Coaster Set

By delica, $24.

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Group Of Miniature Porcelain Doves

By SweetLoveVintage, $18.

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Kitchen

Alia Meyer
Interior Designer, Jessica Hall Associates

Bright blues set against a gorgeous marble counter with dramatic lighting would be any cook's dream come true.

"The pendants in this kitchen use the beauty of semi-precious quartz to add glitter and create a division from the kitchen into the bold yellow dining room." — HGTV

Pair Shower Shade Pendants

By kamlampcompany, $200.

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Looped Wire Basket Vintage Tabletop

From BrightWallVintage, $11.

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Blue Pyrex Divided Dish w/ Lid & Cradle

From kittyBcreative, $14.99.

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3 Vintage Glass Storage Jars w. Blue lids

From MODERA, $34.

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Sunshowers - Weeping Cherry

By BellStudios, $45.

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16x20 Barnwood Frame (choose color)

By 2DogsWoodWorking, $19.

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Hazel Atlas Blue Glass Dish

From CrankHeartPony, $9.

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Large Dansk Blue Dutch Oven

From annwares, $65.

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Bedroom

Daniel Bodenmiller
Bodenmiller & Associate

Modern elements combined with natural woods and colorful artisan pillows create a relaxing retreat away from the stresses of daily life.

Wall Art Vinyl Decal Sticker Headboard

By artwallproject, $28.

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Low Top

By tenebras, $525.

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Steel Panel Bed

By deliafurniture, $600.

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Fossils of Old

By awanderingsoul, $125.

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Natural edged walnut and white oak table

By sjswoodworking, $365.

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Ikat Pillow

By NolaFeather, $60.

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Modern Stacked Chrome Ball Lamps

From fabulousmess, $400.

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Original abstract 30 x 30 on canvas

By brianelston, $195.

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Pasiley Indian Silk Brocade Pillow Cover

From clee27, $15.

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Indian Sari Pillow--Diamond

By tweedylane, $37.

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Bathrooom

Christopher J. Grubb
Principal, Arch-Interiors Design Group, Inc.

The cool blue tiles and pebble vanity top give this bathroom a clean, relaxing look.

"An aquatic feel is created using dual colors of blue tiles on the floor and walls. A cantilevered vanity topped with pebbles in resin rises up the wall and contains a semi-recessed sink on top. Sleek vertical lighting on each side of the mirror was used for soft indirect lighting." — HGTV

Eco Friendly Concrete Vessel Sink

By fiddlehead11, $350.

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RECYCLED solid French white oak stool

By StilNovoDesign, $120.

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Black Raspberry Vanilla Goat Milk Soap

By Soapcupboard, $4.

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Blue and Gray and a Yellow Line Plate

By impurevessels, $35.

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love - 2 Translucent porcelain cup

By stepanka, $56.

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Vessel Sink in Celadon Green Glaze

By MudworksPottery, $200.

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Which style should we explore in our next edition? Post your requests in the comments!

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

Browse More Etsy Items Tagged "Sleek" & "Modern"

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How-Tuesday: Headboard From Wallpaper Projects (Giveaway too!)

2009-09-15T16:44:00-05:00

My favorite part of visiting historical homes is hands down, the wallpaper. Ornate, textural, colorful, geometric, gilded, florid — these are the kinds of patterns that transform a space into a realm. For this week's How-Tuesday, we're sharing a project from Wallpaper Projects, as well as general instructions for installing wallpaper yourself. In Derek and Lauren's book, innovating with this inspiring material to produce brooches, lampshades, medicine cabinets, and room dividers brings instant design to any element in your home. The Headboard how-to below is an easy way to customize your bedroom with the option to change it up every few years. And since even Marimekko has jumped on the wallpaper bandwagon, it's time to take paste into our own hands.

Do you use wallpaper in unusual ways? Comment on this post and you'll be eligible to win a free copy of the book, or pick one up for yourself here.

Why Wallpaper?
It's beautiful. Yes, this is certainly true. If you've spent any time browsing home decor books or magazines, or clicked around on any design blog worth its salt, you've undoubtedly noticed all the gorgeous contemporary and traditional wallpapers making their way back into the mainstream of interior design. Artists and designers of all stripes are not only rediscovering wallpaper, they're reinventing it. Aided by remarkable innovations in digital printing, design, and distribution, many manufacturers are exploding traditional expectations of what wallpaper can be, offering consumers all sorts of new and exciting options — from types of paper and ink to alternative eco-friendly materials to affordable custom designs.

It's versatile. Sure, paint is great, but it's got nothing on wallpaper. Even with 101 different shades of white to choose from, painting a room can only get you so far. Wallpaper, on the other hand, can (and will) completely transform a space. Depending on what pattern, motif, or colorway you choose, applying wallpaper to even just a single accent wall can make a room feel tall, wide, small, big, bright, dark, fun, serious, quiet, loud, funky, classic...whatever look or mood you're going for, there is a perfect paper out there for you.

It's easy and fun. Forget all your preconceived notions about wallpaper. It isn't messy, or hard to install. It's not some sort of interior design tattoo that you'll be stuck with forever. The papers and adhesives on the market today have made the whole process much safer and more forgiving, and the results more durable yet even easier to remove. If you make a good game plan and use the right tools, we bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy wallpapering actually is.

It's great on and off the wall. Every wallpaper project is different, but one thing they all have in common is leftover scraps. With a bit of crafty ingenuity you can turn what would normally be inevitable waste into a unique opportunity to beautifully accent different areas in your home, create personalized stationery and accessories, revamp tired pieces of furniture, create frame-worthy works of art, make one-of-a-kind gifts...the options are endless. We've included more than 50 fun projects in this book to get your creative juices flowing.

Headboard

Since we've never found a headboard we were in love with, we spend an inordinate amount of time in the morning fluffing up our pillows to conceal as much of it as possible. Crafting one out of wallpaper opens up all kinds of possibilities: Not only can you play with colors and patterns, but you can cut out shapes as ornate or simple as you'd like.

Materials
Large piece of scrap paper for template
Wallpaper

Tools
Measuring tape
Pencil
Scissors
Blue painter's tape (optional)
Wallpaper paste
Brush or paint roller
Plastic float
Sponge

1. Measure the width of your bed and decide how tall you want the headboard.
Standard Bed Widths

Single: 39"
Double/Full: 54"
Queen: 60"
King: 76-78"
California King: 72"

2. To create a template, photocopy or trace our Headboard template or draw your own template design on scrap paper. To ensure symmetry, make the template for one half of the headboard and flip it over so that it mirrors itself when tracing out your design. You can download a PDF of the Headboard template here.

3. Cut out the template from the scrap paper with scissors, and trace the design onto your wallpaper of choice. If your design is wider than two sheets of wallpaper, you may need to align and piece three sheets together. We suggest lining up the seams and temporarily taping them into one piece with blue painter's tape before tracing and cutting out your design.

4. Cut out your wallpaper headboard, and apply the paper to your wall as you would normal sheets of wallpaper. See general instructions for applying wallpaper below.

Applying Paper to Your Walls

Two sets of hands are better than one when it comes to handling long expanses of wet paper, so it's a good idea to invite over a friendly helper.

Pasting
First, read the instructions that came with your paper. Different manufacturers may recommend different methods for installation. Prepasted papers, for example, just require a quick soak in water. But in general, the following instructions pertain to most situations. Cover your table with a plastic drop cloth and have all your tools within easy reach. Then, start pasting.

1. Lay your wallpaper strips on top of one another, pattern-side down, with the first piece on top of the pile. (When you spread the paste over the edges of the top piece, it'll go directly onto the back of the next piece, which means less mess and no wasted paste.)

2. Pour a nice, big glob of paste into a paint tray.

3. Use either a wallpaper brush or a paint roller to apply an even layer of paste to the entire back of the paper, working from the center out to the sides. It's especially important to make sure you get the edges, which will prevent your seams from showing. Because nobody wants their seams showing, right?

Booking
Once you have full paste coverage on your strip, it's time to book it. "Booking" your paper involves laying pasted sides together — which seems quite counterintuitive but ends up saving you space and ensuring better adhesion of your wallpaper. This process will allow the paste to activate and be properly absorbed by the paper. Rest assured, it will pull apart just fine.

1. With your first strip pasted-side up, grab one end and bring it toward the center of the strip, creating a very loose fold. Without creasing the paper, place the end down so the pasted sides are together.

2. Bring the other end toward the center and place it so that the cut lines are butting — thereby essentially folding your strip into thirds.

3. Now you can fold the strip onto itself a few times (no creases!) and set it aside while you paste up the next one. You can leave booked pieces in a plastic bag for up to half an hour without any problems. We generally paste and book 4 to 5 pieces at a time.

Hanging It Up
This is it. The moment of truth — applying the pasted paper to your wall. This is also when you discover wallpapering is much easier than you imagined it would be. The paper is totally manageable, the paste surprisingly forgiving... Congratulations, you are minutes away from enjoying a magically transformed room.

1. Use a level and a pencil to lightly mark a plumb (perfectly vertical) line on your wall where you want to put up the first piece of wallpaper.

2. Unfold the top half of your first pasted-and-booked strip and, beginning at the top of the wall, line its edge up with your plumb line.

3. As you line up the edge, press the paper against the wall and begin smoothing it down with your smoothing brush.

4. Once you reach the middle of the wall, unfold the bottom half of the paper and continue lining up the edge with the plumb line, smoothing as you go. You may notice a few small air bubbles, but don't panic — those will disappear as the paper dries. If there are a number of large air bubbles that are making you nervous, gently pull the paper away from the wall and smooth it down again.

5. With the paper in place, nice and straight, smooth the entire strip down with your brush, working from the center outwards.

6. Repeat the same smoothing process with your plastic float. This will spread the underlying paste evenly out toward the edge of the paper and press your seams flush to the wall.

7. Grab your second pasted strip and repeat steps 2 through 6. But instead of lining up the edge with the plumb line, you're now matching the pattern of the wallpaper.

8. Once you've got a few pieces up, gently wipe down the paper with a damp sponge, especially at the seams, to remove any paste that may have made its way out onto the front.

9. Continue pasting up your strips until you reach the end of the wall.

10. Place your 4" broad knife at the top of the wall where it intersects with the ceiling or molding. Carefully slide the blade of your utility knife along the edge of the broad knife to create a clean, straight cut. Continue cutting in this manner until you've reached the end of the strip. Snap yourself off a fresh blade and move onto the next strip.

11. Repeat the same cutting process along the bottom edge of the paper where it intersects with the floor or molding.

Do you use wallpaper in unusual ways? Comment on this post and you'll be eligible to win a free copy of the book, or pick one up for yourself here. Thanks to Derek Fagerstrom, Lauren Smith, and the good folks at Chronicle Books for sharing this project with us.

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

Etsy Finds: Room for the Whole Family

2009-09-13T09:00:00-05:00

While many children have recently headed back to school, there are plenty of families who are settling into another productive year of homeschooling. This week's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the Filer-Dougal family, who have created a home that doubles as an inspiring educational space for their two children. From reading nooks to nature cabinets, the Filer-Dougal home is filled with everything needed to stimulate a child's active imagination. Though the atmosphere is decidedly child-friendly, there is a sophisticated balance of modern design and antique treasures that any grown-up would be happy to call home.

Between homeschooling two children and taking care of a pug, two parakeets, nine fish and 10,000 snails, mother Courtney also manages to find time to create a beautiful line of jewelry, which she sells on Etsy under the name Eva666. Her home studio is a relaxing, well organized retreat where she can briefly escape the often chaotic life that comes with raising two children (who sometimes sell their handmade goodies at LennonAndRose).

Visit the Filer-Dougal family on Flickr to view more photos of their educational and creative household, and be sure to check out the Etsy Finds below for decorating ideas that will add a playful touch of kid-friendly imagination to the place you call home.

Family Living

Create Your Own Succulent Garden

By MyVintageAddiction, $23.95.

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Mid Century Style Bokz Sofa Bench

By lunarloungedesign, $400.

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Jellyfish - Medium

By mudpuppy, $35.

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the brontosaurus

By dinosaurcabinets, $250.

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Potted plant with ornaments - Watercolor

By LindaCaterpillar, $22.

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Vintage Stackable Coffee Cups

From lovethatvintage, $14.

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Large Birch Tree Forest Archival Print

By lisacongdon, $40.

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white lathe forest tile

By iamhome, $19.

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Home Studio

Crafty Bird Second Edition print

By Geninne, $25.

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dual iphone/ipod docking station

By woodtec, $119.

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Wooden Chest

By NatJGold, $345.

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Heavy duty bench pin & block combo

By Romazone, $16.75.

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little black metal rack

From silocurb, $17.50.

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Stack It Up...Wood Canister Set

From ethanollie, $39.

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Children's Playroom or Bedroom

Zooguu Monster Pillow Cover with Pillow

By Zooguu, $42.

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organic two cars and two bridge/tunnels

By littlesaplingtoys, $30.

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Zippy Scooter padded step stool

By babybloomers, $50.

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Doorway Puppet Theater - Mocha Floral

By CountingBunnies, $39.

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Orchard Fruit Felt Play Food

By bugbitesplayfood, $32.

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Planet Earth Large Vinyl Wall Decal

By WilsonGraphics, $30.

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Carries Kitchenette with Pull Out

By imaginethatwoodshop, $165.50.

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CROCHET LADYBUG RUG

By peanutbutterdynamite, $45.

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birdie chandelier

By meggancolleen, $84.99.

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Vintage Bordens Milk Crate New York

From solsticehome, $36.

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Homeschooling

Time will pass, but will you--school clock

From MaryandGrace, $30.

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Vintage Light Up Illuminated Globe

From VonlenskaVintage, $75.

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Learn How to Spell 62 Stuffed Felt Letters

By MiChiMa, $60.

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Sweet Orange scented play clay 4 oz. tub

By MamaKs, $4.

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Creepy Recycled Crayon Monster Fingers

By buppins, $7.

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Grow Your Own Wheatgrass Kit Set of 6

By Revisions, $24.95.

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Vintage Abacus Counting Toy

From bouquet, $22.

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Wooden Map Puzzle States & Capitals

By puzzlepeople, $40.

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Make Your Own Terrarium Kit

By ShaneLilyRain, $16.

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Bright Yellow Apsco Pencil Sharpener

From 26olivestreet, $18.

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Vintage Student Microscope

From ladiesandgentlemen, $40.

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Build Your Own Tinysaur

By kfarrell, $7.

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Vintage German biology wall chart

From luckylittledot, $350.

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Vintage Wooden Crate Box Organizer

From bluebell, $18.

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Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

Homeschooling Posts on Etsy's Blog

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Etsy Finds: Kind of Blue

2009-09-09T11:11:00-05:00

After an oppressively hot summer, I'm thirsty for something to take my blues away. Despite what Miles Davis might have you believe, the sumptuous sapphire never leaves me melancholy. This rich and translucent stone brings to mind relaxing by a glassy pool in a cool forest glade. Today's sapphire-inspired Etsy Finds are sure to whet your whistle. For more of September's refreshing birthstone, indulge in the calming blues of Etsy's Shades of Sapphire Gift Guide.

Shades of Blue Ring Set

By kateszabone, $365.

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ruffles scarf - Sapphire blue

By nitca, $35.

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Sapphire Necklace

By Feltik, $13.

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Scheherazade atmosphere lampshade

By Yoola, $180.

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Navy and White Beret (Sailor, 1940s)

By doingitherself, $34.

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R I N G with sapphire

By quenchmetalworks, $295.

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Hand Blown Highballs (Sapphire)

By hudsonbeachglass, $36.

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Sapphire diamond ring 14k white gold

By EidelPrecious, $1000.

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Pochette in Sapphire Blue

By morelle, $92.

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bloom 8x8 print

By evesimone, $25.

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Lady Buxton Jewelry Box

From happydayvintage, $34.

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Twilight Necklace

By JillPopowichDesigns, $52.

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Blue Pineapple Quilt Block Pillow Cover

By warmnfuzzies, $48.

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Circles on Blue, original painting

By sunburnedgypsy, $60.

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KAGEone Lantern

By softboiled, $150.

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Silk necklace BLUES

By sleeks, $35.

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Blue Sapphire Studs

By LisasLovlies, $34.

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This is Faux Real / size Medium

By replicca, $45.

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ARC buckle with belt, classic belt buckle

By fosterweld, $29.95.

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Vintage Ring with Sapphire BLUE Stone

From hitchhikingbutterfly, $10.

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Cloud Skirt - Made to Measure

By Ureshii, $52.

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Pearl Drop Ear w-Stone (Blue Sapphire)

By LaineBenthalldesigns, $33.

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Sapphire Blue Wasabi Bowl

By wildcardpottery, $12.

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Ear Flap Headband - Sapphire

By jecka, $18.

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Glass Beta Fish

By JohnMooneyGlass, $340.

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Pebble Stack-Recycled Silver

By singleBbeautiful, $188.

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sweet anticipation print

By helendardik, $25.

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4T - Preteen Buckle Beanie - Sapphire

By TwoSeasideBabes, $33.

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Vintage Blue Dahlia Dress

From SmallEarthVintage, $56.

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Peacock Headpiece

By ohmplayground, $40.

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Blue Sinking Fairy Tale Pendant

By poodlebreath, $52.

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Illustrated Melamine Dinner Plates

By MILLAMELLA, $15.

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Laptop Sleeve in Sapphire

By urartist, $39.

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PEACOCK oversize embroidered brooch

By HAREandDRUM, $28.

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Blue Eye Ring (OOAK)

By evihan, $65.

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Marseille Necklace

By WishByFelicity, $22.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Shades of Sapphire Gift Guide | Trends | Shop by Color | More Birthstone Posts

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How-Tuesday: Pillow With Rosette Clusters From Felt Furnishings

2009-09-08T15:30:00-05:00

I haven't crafted with felt since I was little, but since picking up a copy of Anne Kyrrö Quinn's book, Felt Furnishings, I have a whole new universe of respect for the material. Anne was encouraged to revisit felt by her tutor in her final year studying Textile Design at London Metropolitan University, and she hasn't looked back since. The techniques she explores in this vibrant craft book truly transform felt into modern, eye-catching home accents.

For this week's How-Tuesday project, we're sharing her pillow with rosette clusters. The gathered felt creates a feast of color for the eye; don't the pictures just make you want to reach out and caress the nestled folds? This project comes from Anne's chapter on gathering and ruching, but her felt techniques cover the gamut, from pleating to applique. Each page of this book leaves me awestruck.

Purchase Felt Furnishings

Sometimes an idea for a new design will come to me when I'm playing around with a piece of felt in my hand. I often find that, when I'm twisting and manipulating the cloth, it starts to suggest interesting forms and shapes that could be used as decorative sculptural surface treatments.

To capture these forms, I have used the traditional techniques of gathering and ruching to create highly textural surface structures from felt and felted wool fabric. Some of these techniques are perhaps more often associated with floral-patterned chintz and lavishly deployed in extravagant soft furnishings; however, when using natural felt or heavy woolen cloth, these same techniques can create a totally different look that is modern, sculptural, and organic. To help to update these techniques even more, I have carefully balanced the flat and raised surface areas within my designs to create a distinct contrast between the textured, frilled, or ruched cloth and the areas of smooth, single-colored felt or wool fabric.

When choosing the colors to use for your gathered and ruched projects, bear in mind that tonal shades will enhance the play of light and shadow, while a contrasting color could be used for the gathered areas to further emphasize the effect of the textured detail against the flat background. Patterned fabric could also be used for the gathered detail, which would create an interesting effect, as the pattern would distort and make the colors merge.

Inspired, in part, by my diving vacations on coral reefs in the South China Sea, this design has a vital, dynamic quality, as the three-dimensional effect plays tricks with the eyes. The wonderful texture and depth of color have been created by folding small circles of bright orange cloth (either felt or felted wool) and packing them very tightly together on the base fabric in order to create a structure that seems alive, and screams out to be stroked.

Materials and Tools

Feather pillow insert, 10 x 18" (25 x 45cm)
For the pillow cover: 23 1/2 x 19" (57 x 47cm) orange felt or felted woven-wool fabric
For the folded rosettes: 20 x 18" (50 x 45cm) orange felt or felted woven-wool fabric
Matching zipper, 18" (45cm) long — optional
Matching sewing thread
Basic sewing kit
Sewing machine

1. If you wish to make a pillow back with a zipper, cut out three pieces of felt for the pillow cover — one piece measuring 11 x 19" (27 x 47cm) for the front and two pieces measuring 6 x 19" (14.5 x 47cm) and 6 1/2 x 19" (15.5 x 47cm) for the back. If you wish to make a sewn-in pillow back, cut the back panel to the same measurements as the front. To make the rosettes, cut out 60 felt circles with a 3" (7cm) diameter.

2. Pinch each felt circle in the middle, and fold the sides in to form a rosette. Hand-stitch the base of each folded rosette to hold it together.

3. Starting at one end of the front pillow panel, hand-stitch the rosettes onto the fabric, stitching neatly and securely through the base of each one.

4. Continue adding rosettes, positioning them very close together to form a dense, wide row of rosettes through the center of the pillow panel. Make sure that the row of rosettes is straight and that there is the same amount of undecorated base fabric on either side of the row.

5. Make up the pillow back and join the front and back following one of the two options below. Insert the pillow form into the finished cover.

Sewn-In Pillow Back

This is a really easy and quick way to apply a pillow backing, and it requires only a small amount of hand-sewing. The back panel of the pillow is cut in one piece, to the same size as the front panel. The front and back panels are pinned together, with right sides facing, then machine-sewn along three sides using a 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance. Once the cover has been turned right side out and the pillow form inserted, the seam is turned in along the fourth side and closed with invisible stitching. The drawback to this method is that, once sewn in, the pillow cover cannot be easily removed for washing, and would require picking out the seam and resewing.

1. Cut a piece of fabric for the back of the pillow cover to the same size as the front panel, including the same 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance (or as specified). Place the two panels with right sides together, and pin along the seam allowance on three sides, leaving the fourth side open.

2. Using matching thread and a small to medium sized straight stitch, machine-sew along the three sides to join the front and back panels together, removing the pins as you sew. Cut off the corners on the diagonal, being careful not to cut through the stitching — this will produce neater corners on the finished pillow.

3. Turn the pillow cover right side out and insert the pillow form. To close the fourth side of the cover, fold the 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance to the inside and pin the edges together.

4. Stitch the two sides together, keeping the stitches as invisible as possible. To do this, work from right to left if you are right-handed and from left to right (as shown) if you are left-handed. Knot the end of the thread, and bring the needle and thread out through one folded edge. Slip the needle through the fold of the opposite edge for about 1/4" (5mm); bring the needle out and draw the thread through. Continue to slip the needle and thread through the opposing folded edges.

Pillow Back With Zipper

Although sewing in a zipper requires a degree of technical skill, this is still not a complicated way to make up the back of a pillow cover, and it is the method that I would recommend using, as it does mean that the cover can be easily removed for cleaning. The back panel of the pillow cover is cut in two pieces, which are joined together in the middle by the zipper, running horizontally. You will need a metal or nylon closed-end zipper in a color that matches your pillow cover. The zipper should be the same length as the pillow form.

1. Cut two pieces of fabric for the back cover. Both should be the same width as the front cover (adding a 1/2" [1cm] side-seam allowance, or as specified); one should be 1 1/2" (3cm) longer than half the length of the front cover, and the other should be 1" (2cm) longer, giving a 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance along the top and bottom edges, and a 1" (2cm) and 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance along the inner zip edges respectively. With the fabric wrong side up, fold in 1" (2cm) along the inner edge of the larger back piece, and press.

2. With the zipper wrong side up, pin one side of the zipper tape along the cut edge of the fold, with 1/2" (1cm) clear at each end for the side seams. Open the zipper. Using the zipper foot, machine-sew the tape in place along the folded edge.

3. Pin the other side of the zipper tape along the inner edge of the other back piece, with the fabric right side up. Machine-sew in place.

4. Fold the edge over to form a neat fold aligning with the zipper's teeth. Machine-sew in place.

5. With the zipper half open, pin the front and back covers with right sides together. Using a 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance, machine-sew around the edges. Cut the corners (shown in step 2 opposite); turn right side out, and insert the pillow form.

Looking for more luscious felt projects for your home? Check out Felt Furnishings for stimulating inspiration. Thanks to Anna Kyyrö Quinn and the good folks at Potter Craft Publishing for sharing this project with us.

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

The Pleasure is All Plaid: Warmfuzzies Wins the Vote

2009-09-07T11:30:00-05:00

We had a hunch Etsy designers and artists were reinventing plaid, so we asked our readers to nominate their favorite plaid items, and then we put the vote to you.

Now the votes are in! Congratulations to warmnfuzzies whose bright "Mad About Plaid" pillow cover is looking sharp. Her quilting gives this pillow such texture, and the colorful plaid brings a nice modern touch. It's a pillow for any season.

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

Nominate Items for Next Week's Round
Our theme next week will be "autumn equinox." We are looking for anything woodland, mystical, pagan — think Mother Earth, fairies, gnomes. You can paste a link to one of your items or a favorite item you've had your eye on in the comments below.

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Etsy Finds Decor: Kid-Friendly Vintage

2009-09-06T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the mid-century modern Framingham, MA home of Kim Ludy. When touring Kim's home, it is evident that she has a great eye for finding the most wonderful vintage treasures. Her home is peaceful and uncluttered with just the right amount of vintage accents that still allow her to maintain her minimalist aesthetic.

Kim runs an amazing vintage shop on Etsy known as Trampoline which can be viewed at EthanOllie.etsy.com. Her username combines the names of her adorable six-year-old son, Ethan, and her 13-year-old yorkie, Ollie. Ethan may only be 6, but he is a huge help when it comes to making decorating decisions and running their vintage shop.

Visit Kim on Flickr to view more photos of her vintage inspired home. Check out the Etsy Finds below for creative decorating ideas that will add a playful touch of kid-friendly modern to the place you call home.

Vintage Inspired Furniture and Accents

Seabreeze Vintage Fan

By RetroReality, $42.

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60s Fleur De Lis Modern Wall Unit

From SparkleMeVintage, $250.

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1950s Revere Eye Matic Camera

By SweetLoveVintage, $48.

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Crochet flowers - Gomphrena

By suili, $22.

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Mid Century Modern 3 Drawer Dresser

From fabulousmess, $425.

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Small Catkins Lamp

By Hannahnunn, $85.

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Botanical Stitch Placemats - Set of 4

By Kainkain, $22.

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Vintage Antique Bottles

From ransomedtreasure, $10.

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Vintage deer antlers on wooden plaque

By highstreetmarket, $42.

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Nice vintage paper vase

From toffie, $8.

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Mid Century Modern Paper Plate Holders

From avantgarage, $11.

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Air Plant Mini Chair Arrangement

By EnchantingGardens, $12.

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SAFETY side table, trendy side tables

By fosterweld, $250.

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Freehand Custom Silhouette Portrait

By jennyleefowler, $30.

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Shh Coasters, Industrial Felt

By studiowonjun, $20.

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Silver Plated Wire Basquet

From allisonbean, $18.

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Child's Bedroom or Playroom

large mid century 12 inch globe

From ImSoVintage, $55.

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Set of 3 Junior Deluxe Editions Tales

From tigerluxe, $36.

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Vintage Aluminum Metal Letter T

From SquareFormat, $18.

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Vintage orange-red desk lamp

From luckylittledot, $50.

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1960s Educational Chart visual aid

From ScottieinaCanoe, $30.

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vintage toy merry go round

From beenie2847, $11.

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Set of 3 Framed Retro Clown Prints

From TheBakersDaughterToo, $30.

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candy corn halloween pennants

By pamwares, $30.

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70s Owl Lamp

From vintagetakeout, $26.

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Mid Century Institutional Child's Chair

From lisabretrostyle2, $32.

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View 500 Vintage Slide Projector

From collectorsville, $79.95.

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Distressed Metal All In One Furniture Unit

From oldcrowfarm, $152.

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Vintage framed Cape Cod map

From highstreetmarket, $28.

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Custom Moss Hanging Wreath Initial

By SimpleSweetDesign, $35.

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Vintage Owl Night Light Lamp

From jwhite2, $24.

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Custom Silhouette Portrait Painting

By LePetitEnfants, $55.

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Antique Clown Ten Pins

From elizabethwrenvintage, $125.

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Mid Century Modern Wood Table

By darlingoctopus, $100.

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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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Etsy Finds: Into the Wild with Paste Magazine

2009-09-02T11:42:00-05:00

Join us in the Virtual Labs, Etsy's online meeting space, today, September 2 at 5 p.m. ET for a live (and wild) shopping event with Paste Magazine. Rachael Maddux, Paste Magazine's Assistant Editor, will be hunting for Etsy's best animal-themed Etsy items, which will magically appear in the room for your shopping pleasure. The "Add to Cart" button will be hard to resist! Remember to get there early because there are only 150 seats!

When? Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.)

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

And now for a sneak peek of the furry and feathered finds to come...

Feather Your Nest

ittle bird, little plate

By Ninainvorm, $21.

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Elk Chalkboard

By OhClementine, $30.

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Olive the Sea - Sea Gull Pillow Pair

By OIive, $65.

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Our Girl Pearl Octopus Chandelier

By lanternfly, $749.

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Golden Lion- wool animal

By littleloveblue, $48.

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Custom Pillow of Your Pets Portrait

By mybonnie, $52.

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Vintage brass lobster dish

From highstreetmarket, $28.

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ready 2 go

By fieldguided, $25.

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Art in the Wild

Steadfast - 8 x 8 signed photograph

By jenniferdennispotter, $25.

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Baby Deer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print

By SharonMontrose, $25.

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Glass Beta Fish

By JohnMooneyGlass, $340.

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Resting Deer

By Lemmikkiapina, $80.

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Allen's Hummingbird

By AllieGreene, $175.

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The Jiggy Little Piggy Piglet

By SteviT, $345.

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Knitting in Biology 101

By CraftyHedgehog, $95.

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Alpaca Goatikins

By Ukie, $12.

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Bring Out the Animal in Him

Whales

By crewbalthazar, $30.

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Return to the City Organic T-Shirt

By mfmapparel, $22.

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Nevermore Zipper Hoodie

By binarywinter, $45.

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Panther Earth-Friendly Zip Hoody

By partybots, $51.99.

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Deer Belt Buckle with Belt

By kfarrell, $25.

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The nightbound belt buckle

By flightpathdesigns, $37.

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Animal Cameo Cuff Links

By TillyBloom, $15.

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Shark Cufflinks, Sterling Silver

By dedalo, $60.

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Fierce and Feral

Blue ZEBRA PIANO t-shirt

By boygirlparty, $20.

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Hand-Painted Saint Rabbit T-Shirt

By cpinson, $55.

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Cutie Hootie Hoops

By celula, $50.

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Macaron dog headband

By Zabelou, $14.50.

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Red Panda Longbottom

By bobbin4apples, $50.

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Rabidfox Rosy Octopus ring

By Fleathers, $225.

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Vintage SAFARI MINI SKIRT one size

From paramountvintage, $32.

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Sweatshirt Squirrel

By Retrokinder, $95.

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Rachael predicts the sloth will be the next big animal trend on Etsy. We want to know what you think. Vote here for the most "Etsy" animal. Racheal will reveal the winner during Shop Live!

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

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More of Paste Magazine's Picks in Our Gift Guides | More Animal Finds

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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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Craft with Etsy at the MAD Museum with Aaron McIntosh

2009-08-27T13:23:00-05:00

UPDATE: It's the last DIY Thursday tonight! Will we see you there or in the Virtual Labs?

[The following was originally posted on August 20, 2009.]

Why stay in and sew all by your lonesome? Craft Night at the Etsy Labs on Gold Street may be on hold until September 14 when we move to our new office, but fear not — many crafty opportunities abound! Etsy has joined forces with the Museum of Arts and Design to present a weekly series of hands-on workshops we're calling DIY Thursdays. Drop in between 6-8 p.m. each Thursday in August for some down and dirty, do-it-yourself fun in the museum's studios. The workshops are free with pay-what-you-wish admission to the museum. Click here for directions.

Not a New Yorker? Don't fret, you can still join in on the fun online by joining us at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday in the Virtual Labs for a live demo of the project. (Click here to see what time 5:30 p.m. ET is in your hometown.)

Join us as the series concludes on Thursday, August 27 with a workshop led by artist
Aaron McIntosh. Aaron will be demonstrating how to make cool coasters using paper quilting techniques. Using a variety of papers, participants will piece a small block pattern and make it into a waterproof coaster with vinyl casing. Materials will be provided.

Aaron McIntosh comes from a quilting background and his current practice includes quiltmaking, sculpture, cut paper and drawing. He uses materials’ embedded meanings to explore issues of identity, gender and sexuality in wide-ranging works. He received a BFA in Fibers from the Appalachian Center for Craft and is finishing an MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University. His work has been shown across the United States, in Hawaii and South Korea. In 2006, McIntosh was a recipient of a Windgate Undergraduate Fellowship, administered by the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design.

The Passing (2006) by Aaron McIntosh

Upcoming Events with Etsy:

9/14: Grand Opening of Craft Night at Etsy Labs' new space in DUMBO, Brooklyn (Details to come!)

Stay tuned for details on future Craft Nights at our new space in lovely DUMBO.

A snapshot from last week's DIY Thursday at the Museum of Arts and Design.

Will we see you Thursday, ready to sew? Let us know in the comments below.

Etsy Finds: Color My World

2009-08-26T11:30:00-05:00

As someone who spent most of junior high school with pink hair, I tend to respond with emotional gusto to color. An orange petticoat is my solution to stress; I take comfort in the vivid veins of tie dye. Shopping on Etsy is always a feast for the eyes, but particularly when one ventures along color-coded routes. Have you tried the Shop by Color feature? Browse Etsy items as you would smear dollops of paint on a palette. The Etsy Finds below revel in the vibrancy of the spectrum.

Coral

Topo in Red - set of 4 Art Cards

By Crafterall, $12.

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Last Three Petals Pollen Necklace

By juliepollen, $40.

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Ear Flap Headband

By jecka, $18.

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Plumeria Shea Butter Soap- 5 pack

By shashasfavorites, $12.

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Pink Candy Lamp

By chromalab, $215.

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Romantic Ruffle Cascade Swirl Halter

By prizysebastian, $65.

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Natural Plush Bunny Toy

By PalominoMorgan, $26.

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Asymetrical Silk Stripe Cushion

By plumcushion, $95.

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Cerulean

Nicole Dress - Bamboo

By Ureshii, $110.

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Set of 5 Blue Birds

By redhotpottery, $28.

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Glowing Flying Saucer for your finger

By dearLola, $43.

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IN MY MIND

By GabriellaFiabane, $1000.

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SALE - The Pocket Clutch

By humade, $44.75.

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Blue Woven Vase (NEW)

By tannerglass, $85.

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Swirl Hand Dyed Fabric

By stitchindye, $14.

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vintage ELECTRIC BLUE leather heels 7.5

From allencompanyinc, $26.

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Chartreuse

Fox Hunt Lidded Box

By NomadClayworks, $38.

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green quilted jacket

By madelinewood, $25.

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zip - starburst pleat

By yorktownroad, $28.

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Geometric Circle Mirror

By peppersprouts, $40.

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Russel Wright Modern Bowls

From thebuttercup, $32.

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pod necklace . . . . enameled

By enamored, $48.

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The Incognito chunky knit cowl

By Happiknits, $62.

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Handmade Porcelain Bobby Pins

By ginpins, $11.

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Violet

oo6 Hair Comb

By apezoppa, $24.

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Hana embroidery mini quilt

By Mairuru, $23.

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The EVELYN Foldover messenger

By FEve, $90.

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organic One-piece (size 6-12 months)

By littlehende, $19.

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Purple Makes you Prettier dress

By sewmoe, $185.

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Mug

By michelleantonisse, $30.

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Felted Geode Pincushion

By FeltInspired, $19.

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Violet Pumps

By soleilduautomne, $35.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Shop by Color | Items Tagged "Cerulean" | Color Blog Posts

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How-Tuesday: Felt Rug from Dorm Decor

2009-08-25T15:50:00-05:00

College living is an extreme in decorating challenges: limited space, limited funds, and limited time. In my years of undergraduate life, I tried wall tapestries, fabric flowers, ceramic tchotchkes, vintage hat mannequins, tie dye, crocheted afghans, mason jars, and more collaging than I care to remember. In an effort to compensate for the cheap generic furniture and beer-stained carpet, I saturated my dorm rooms with a technicolor blur of clutter.

I wish I had found Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith's book, Dorm Decor, back when I was still enrolled, because I was in desperate need of some creative focus. This week's How-Tuesday project is for all of those crafty co-eds settling into their drafty, fluorescent-lit dorm rooms. There is hope! This Felt Rug requires no sewing skills and seems like the perfect project for orientation bonding.

Purchase Dorm Decor

Excited to move into your new room? It could be so many things: A cozy nest. Party central! Cinderblock city. (OK, sorry, dorm living isn't always that dire.) No matter how you imagine your room, the point is, it's yours! How you decorate it and make it your perfect place for the next nine months is entirely up to you.

We like to think of a small, undecorated space as an opportunity to get creative and dream up ways to make it better. We've learned from studying interior design and working at craft and fashion magazines that going from blank box to comfy nest can happen quickly — and on a budget — when you want it to.

Photo of authors Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith by Evan Sklar.

In the end, it's all about putting your own personal style on your surroundings. Think about it: Why would you buy run-of-the-mill linens from the same place you buy your soap and tampons?! It can be much more satisfying to sew something, custom-made, that no one else will have. Create (and think!) for yourself with projects that say free-thinker, not following-the-pack. Gather the girls (and crafty boys, we know you're out there) and take a creative leap — this is your chance to stand out from the cookie-cutter crowd. And come May, when it's time to pack up your things, you can take these tricks with you to next year's sanctuary.

Cut-It-Out Felt Rug

Non-fraying felt makes this project a cinch, and the zebra motif will have your hallmates demanding where you found it. It's so simple you can adjust the technique to make a rug in just about any size or style, including a welcome mat (or good-bye mat behind the door).

You'll need:
Zebra rug template (download here)
2 yards (72" wide) gray felt
2 yards (72" wide) orange felt
4 yards (72" wide) cream felt
6' x 2' piece of 2" grid pattern paper
Carbon paper and tracing wheel
Pencil
Scissors
Fabric Glue

Make the pattern.
1. Using the zebra rug template (download here), draw the zebra rug pattern onto the 2" grid pattern paper. Draw a 2" border around the edges and cut out the template around the outer edges.

Cut out the pieces.
2. Fold the gray felt in half lengthwise and lay it on the floor. Lay the template on the felt with the template's straight edge even with the fold in the fabric. Following the instructions on the carbon paper, trace the design onto the felt with the tracing wheel.

3. Remove the template and carbon paper. Pin the layers of felt together and cut out the design.

4. Repeat for the orange felt.

Assemble the rug.
5. Lay the cream felt out flat on the floor. Unfold the gray felt piece and lay it flat on top of the cream felt. Pin in place.

6. Cut the cream layer to the same size as the outer edge of the gray felt. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let the glue dry.

7. Place the rug over the cream felt again and cut out another layer. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let dry.

8. Flip the rug over and place the orange piece in place, matching the raw edges. Pin the layers in place and glue them together.

Looking for more crafty ways to transform your dorm room? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.

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

Etsy Finds Decor: On the Set of Grey Gardens

2009-08-23T10:00:00-05:00

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the set of HBO's rendition of the 1976 cult classic Grey Gardens, staring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. CasaSugar did an interview with the film's set designer, Kalina Ivanov, about the inspiration and techniques she used in order to create a home that aged in a natural and graceful way while capturing the integrity of the Beale's eccentric story.

If you are unfamiliar with the original documentary, it captures the isolated lives of two reclusive former socialites and relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who lived in Grey Gardens, a decaying mansion in East Hampton, New York. The documentary provides a touching look into the home of Big Edie and Little Edie Beale and their day-to-day experiences living within the slow breakdown of a fabulous legacy.

For more photos of the Grey Garden's set, visit the CasaSugar interview with Kalina Ivanov. The following Etsy Finds includes a few subtle ways to create a home that shares the story of its past and emphasizes the beauty of decay.

Art Deco 1950s Telephone by North Electric

From NostalgicMeditations, $94.

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Set of Two 20x20 & One 16x20 Pillow Covers

By marygamelin, $85.

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Antique Falls of Yellowstone Park Print

From Neatcurios, $35.

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Vintage Decca Portable Record Player

By allunique, $139.95.

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Hanging Wire Birdcage with Faux Bird

From deluxanyc, $60.

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Take a Stand.....Iron Lyre Musical Stand

From susantique, $28.

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ooh bubbles - seltzer bottle

From everyeskimo, $54.

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Vintage Oval Mirrored Vanity Tray

From polkadotHOME, $26.50.

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JFK and Jackie O plate

From AtomicHotdish, $6.50.

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Vintage American Stars and Stripes Frame

From bellalulu, $22.50.

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48 Star American Flag - Old Glory

From goodlookin, $60.

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Art Deco Era French & German Dictionaries

From incoldstorage, $10.

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Brass Candelabra Wall Sconce

From memconverts, $70.

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Vintage Photo Frame

From PortugueseVintage, $13.

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General Electric Tube AM Radio

From retroology, $25.

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Mid Century Scotty Dog Bookend

From fishlegs, $17.

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Vintage candy tin, Art Deco child with birds

From foursquarevintage, $20.

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Grey Gardens, Reproduction Asian Side Table

From thevintagelaundry, $175.

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Vintage Brownie Six-20 Junior

From jwhite2, $37.

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1920s Fox Terrier Novelty Bookends

From sumpnsassyoldstuff, $45.

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vintage bird cage 'Liberty Lantern'

From Atelier688, $220.

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Vintage Luxe Life Tufted Twin Headboard

From nosh, $175.

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Seashell Art Block - A Little Seaside For You

By Colliebox, $12.

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Chic So Chic

From johnnyvintage, $45.

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Antique Two over Two Dresser and Mirror

From onlinechic, $225.

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Vintage Child's Bamboo Chair

From bellalulu, $32.50.

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Vintage chair with down seat and stiched fabric

From FabulousPieces, $399.

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pair of vintage wooden architectural element

From simplyobjekts, $30.

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Vintage Art Deco Perfume Bottles

From VintageSurplus, $18.

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Art Deco Alarm Clock

From VinegarAndPopVintage, $18.

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Rustic Mason Jar Wall Vase Organizer

From postroadvintage, $30.

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architectural coat rack

From fleamarkettrixie, $40.

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Ocean Side

From WeThinkWeCan, $25.

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Vintage Thunderbird Playing Card Deck

From marygracethomas, $10.

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Old Pink Column Lamps Cottage Chic

From DovelySells, $60.

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Antiqued White Crochet Rosette Garland

By Antebelle, $18.

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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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Retired but Still Bold: Basketmaker John Toft

2009-08-21T13:00:00-05:00

In celebration of today being National Senior Citizens Day, retired Etsian John Toft shares his story of finding basket-making as a young boy and returning to it in his golden years. For John, basket-making has developed into a much-needed meditative outlet when life's everyday stresses wear him down.

A few years before I retired from teaching high school in the remote gold-mining town of Red Lake in N.W. Ontario, I remarked to my wife, Anne, that I should do more than golf and garden when I retire.

I recalled to Anne my early crafting experience, growing up in a beautiful English village called Cheddleton. There, at around the age of nine, the “top class” was introduced to basket-making in the arts and crafts course. Traditionally this class was one not taken seriously by the pupils. However, my twin brother, Frank, and I had other ideas. We took to basket-making as another sports competition. “I will show him how much better at this I am,” I said to myself as he likewise vowed to do better than I. So avidly did we compete, that basketry supplies at the school dwindled to almost zero.

Anne patiently listened to this story as if for the first time. But that Christmas, a book on basket-making appeared beneath the Christmas tree. So my basket-making odyssey began. By the time I retired from teaching, I had found a supplier of basket-making materials (Kilby’s of Toronto, Ontario) and had given friends, relatives and passing strangers what I now recognize as somewhat crudely made baskets. But I was hooked.

At that time, I had been the Chair of Harmony Centre for Community Living in Red Lake for many years. This agency serves all people with developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Our adult son, Adrian, a person with autism, was a fully fledged member of that Community Living Centre from the age of sixteen.

We decided to move to Ottawa with Adrian so he would be near his siblings. They could then supervise his life in that community when we were no longer living. Surely, we thought, we could find Adrian similar facilities in “The Nation’s Capital.”

We moved to Ottawa in October 2001. We soon discovered that Ottawa did not have the facilities and programs our son needed. He had to live with us in our basement — this after eight years of supported independent living in his own apartment through the Community Living Centre. It was then that basket-making for me came into its own as a therapeutic occupation.

From 2001, Anne and I battled to get Adrian the facilities and services he had had in Red Lake. We became founding directors of the Families Matters Co-operative Inc., an organization for and about people with developmental disabilities. I made presentations to the Federal House of Commons Finance Committee, the Ontario Legislature’s Finance Committee, and the City of Ottawa. I was the primary author of a position paper called “Dare to Care” that detailed what services should be mandated to all people with developmental disabilities, nationally and provincially. And I registered my basket-making business as John Toft Basketry.

It was this business that kept me fairly sane. My basket-making skills by then were getting better and better. And people were saying fine things about them and even buying them. I enjoy talking to people about my work. I enjoy demonstrating my work, and I enjoy the relaxation that comes as I sit and make another basket. I have to concentrate when I work. My mind cannot focus on the worries of the world when I am weaving. The cares and tribulations about Adrian vanish when I sit down and get on task.

Lobbying, protesting, letter writing, sending emails to politicians of all levels and parties became my life. And the stresses soon began to tell on my health.

By 2008, Adrian was settled in with a wonderful agency, Tamir. He lives in a group home operated by that agency and takes part in their day programs. Families Matter had become a viable organization, receiving funding for three years to engage a paid Executive Director. It was time for both Anne and me to move on and leave the stresses to others. And it became the time when, for me, basket-making became a larger part of my life.

I was making enough money from my basket sales to cover supplies costs and exhibition entry fees, and then I heard about Etsy. “Why don’t you sell your baskets on this world-wide virtual sales system?” suggested Catherine Gutsche, a.k.a gutsche, a local artist and Etsian I often saw at various shows in the Ottawa area. I took up her challenge. Little did I know what a steep learning curve I was to face in working to become a successful Etsian.

I still remember when a computer appeared on my office desk at Red Lake District High School. "You will use this computer to change students' timetables, enter marks, keep track of credits earned, send marks to colleges and universities and register new students.” I gulped and then said, “OK.”

For Etsy, the challenges were different, but the learning curve just as steep. How do I create a banner? What is an avatar, and how do I get it to the right size? For these two problems, and others, the cry was “Anne!!!!!” Anne was a computer programmer from the days of punched cards, but she had kept up and developed her skills and abilities in the intervening years. She formatted my avatar and banner. But I still had to learn about photographs, pricing, descriptions, and tagging.

I soon began developing my blog as a promotional device for my Etsy shop and my baskets. On my blog, I share a great deal about basket-making, and a wide variety of other topics that take my fancy. It also includes occasional posts about our current joys and successes, as well as our trials and tribulations with Adrian as he reaches his 40th birthday this November. The basket-making, the blogging, and Etsy Chat Rooms help me through the day-to-day stresses. When I retired I never thought I would become a chat room addict!

I am a member of the Etsy for Autism Team and I find solace in sharing with members some aspects of our life. I donate 10% of my sales revenue from Etsy to the Geneva Centre for Autism, Toronto. This world-famous research institution for autism is the institution that taught Anne, Adrian and I, his teachers, and the staff at Harmony Centre how to cope with the devastation that autism brings. The donation is one small step I can take to say thanks.

Retirement’s challenges have been many and varied so far. What new challenges will come for us, Adrian, and Etsy? Who can tell? But basket-making will continue to help me survive these challenges as it has done in the past.

Looking for more This Handmade Life posts? Check them out here.

More Posts about Autism or Retirement.

Browse Items from the Etsy for Autism Team.