Search results (tags) for: "los angeles"

Guest Curator: Shop Local With Diane Vadino

2009-11-25T14:27:00-05:00

Diane Vadino is a novelist, blogger, and printmaker. She is only 62 credits from completing an undergraduate degree in conceptual art. Her novel, Smart Girls Like Me, was printed in one language and in one country but earned an A- from Entertainment Weekly, and her author’s edition of it, with handmade covers, is available in her Etsy shop. She writes frequently about shopping around the world for magazines including Budget Travel and NYLON — in which she named Etsy as the "E" in the A to Z best things about America.

As a travel writer, I'm on the road almost constantly — I'm writing this column in a web cafe in Nepal, at the tail end of a seven-hour cross-country ride on a bus that bounced so hard the seats actually came loose. Bringing home unique, handmade pieces of art and design — and writing about them on my blog, Bunnyshop — are some of my favorite things about traveling, and I use Etsy's Shop Local feature constantly — whether to find cool designers when I'm away from home, or when I'm back in New York, hoping to buy (or write about) unique work from far away.

Bambina Vessels

I flipped when I saw these "Bambina vessels"— I love them, they're so gorgeous and delicate — by New Zealand designer Zekiah Heath (who goes by Popkraft on Etsy) at a small ceramics shop near Auckland, while doing a piece on NZ for NYLON. $26.

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Rhino Pastel Ndebele

This rhino is so adorable — the perfect souvenir from Johannesburg. By giggletree, $25.

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Taira Polka Dot necklace D

I love everything at the Homako shop, but this polka-dot necklace might be my favorite. Weirdly enough, I found her when I was looking for pieces from Japan — she's since moved to L.A., but I think they're just as good an aesthetic fit with southern California. Love them, love them. $27.

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The Royal Tenenbaums poster

There’s no shortage of amazing printed work in London, but these film posters by Claudia Varosio are some of the best I've seen. I love how she's able to distill each one down to a key image and the right colors and font. $16.90.

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Pure Noe Valley Honey - 16 oz, June 2009

I went to art school in San Francisco, so I know there's an unbelievable number of incredible makers-of-things there — including all sorts of homemade foods and drinks. I love that these honeys were made right in the middle of the city, in Noe Valley. By PollenPrincesses, $19.99.

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Small Porcelain Container

Shop Local is also an awesome way to find vintage pieces from around the world without leaving home — like this Chinese box from Singapore, now available from The Orientalist's shop. Most amazingly: free shipping to anywhere in the world! $50.

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Set of Pasta Bowls

I found these plates when I was writing about Etsy for NYLON and really wanted to include a designer from Brooklyn, my hometown. I was crazy about these hand-painted (yet dishwasher safe — always a bonus, even if I will be 100 years old before I have a dishwasher) plates from Michelle Antonisse. $65.

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Grace Backpack - Leather in Antique Brown and Brass

Ditto these pieces from Moxie and Oliver — I was looking for a designer based in the Northwest, and Seattle was the first city I searched. This is basically the most gorgeous leather bag I've ever seen — and completely handmade. $750.

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Reindeer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print

I once had to do a story on independent designers in Los Angeles and somehow came across this amazing photo of a reindeer (which I thought was a moose for basically forever). Sharon Montrose has a collection of other awesome photos of real animals — including a goat, a sheep, and a pony. Ridiculously excellent. $25.

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WaXxe in Blushing Soft Pink - Luxurious Plush Leather Hobo

I've been looking for a shop based in Thailand — it's my next stop after Nepal — and randomly it turned out that my sister, who co-writes Bunnyshop, featured ZhenUN, which just moved there, last week. My favorite is this soft pink bag with a hobo-ish shape. By zhenunleathers, $159.

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Handmade limited edition vintage 1960s fabric dress custom size

I've been working on a piece on street fashion in Stockholm, so I decided it was time to get some for myself. I love everything about this dress, which is made from 1960s vintage fabric. Plus: amazing print. Plus: adorable sleeves. Plus: pockets! By cristinapires, $150.

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Philadelphia's ill

I've been scouring Etsy for something to get my sister, who lives in Philadelphia, for Christmas. This "ill" necklace from Sharif — based on the Phillies' logo — is a definite finalist. It won't heal a heart broken in game six of the World Series, but at least it's something fun to wear come opening day in April. $20.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

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

Etsy in the Press: All About Alliteration

2009-10-05T16:00:00-05:00

I present you with a plethora of press (I heart alliteration, and I apologize in advance). In all seriousness, let's talk shop(ping). You may be familiar with Nina Garcia, former editor at ELLE Magazine and a judge on Project Runway. No slouch when it comes to style, Nina has recently written a book called The Style Strategy, in which she references Etsy as a great place to shop for handmade.

And Nina's not the only one who thinks so — some awesome Aussies at news.com.au, as well as Paige Rien, who dabbles in design for HGTV and writes for The Luxury Spot, would agree. As would the fabulous folks over at Time.com, who (as previously noted) voted Etsy as one of their Top 50 Websites of the year... for the third year running! Add to that lovely mix the makers of Marketing Magazine (that one wrote itself), who dubbed us one of the 10 hottest fashion websites. They had a particularly poignant description: "Comparing Etsy with eBay is akin to comparing Chanel's Paris flagship store with Primark's Hammersmith outpost. The latter is all about volume and price while the former is all about design, authenticity and all things beautiful."

So what are some things people are shopping for these days? Why, weddings, of course! That's according to, "The Girls in the Beauty Dept." over at Glamour's Daily Beauty Blog, who topped it with the hilarious headline, "I Found the Perfect Hairthing for My Wedding."

Weddings are a special day, when all attention is focused on two individuals (...in theory; in reality, it's all about the bride, and that's how it should be, right fellas?). And what better way to express your individuality than through custom cake toppers? The New York Times recently ran an article to that effect, which included the word "commemorabilia." There is also an accompanying slideshow that you should see. Of course, the perma-snarks over at Gawker had something to say about that. But they did manage, in their own back-handed way, to compliment the Etsians who make said toppers.

Speaking of individuals, one writer for Channel 3 in New Zealand is chronicling her wedding planning adventures on Etsy, summing it up with, "Oh dear. I think I'm hooked. Quick, someone block the website before I spend all our money!" The media moguls at Mashable had an interesting take on the topic as well, giving tips and tricks for planning a wedding using social media. Of course a crucial component (oh, I am on a roll here) of any wedding is the dress. Inhabitat offers us up as a the perfect place to procure eco-friendly wedding dresses, as well as garments for the groom's party.

Which gives me a sweet segue into our next segment, going green. Etsy can be a great place to help save the planet, in a variety of ways. The Daily Green denotes our decor selection, while the B'More Green blog section of the Baltimore Sun recommends us for back-to-school choices. Focusing on fashion, Feel Good Style has been "doing quite a bit of shopping on Etsy and have been thoroughly satisfied and quite literally, have been seen jumping up and down in glee with the results." Meanwhile, The Green Life, a part of the Sierra Club site, stated their stance on shopping for jewelry. The Sierra Club! Could it get any greener? On the seller side, E, the environmental magazine, offered up tips from Etsy sellers on greening up your shop.

In other business news, the latest issue of Entrepreneur includes a look at Etsy and features some of our favorite, um, features. Fortunately, Fast Company notes that consumers are hungry for personal connections, and finds that to be one factor for financial fitness.

Time for trends! Paste magazine seeks sloth stuff. Today Show.com chooses crafting to calm. Good Housekeeping.com gets giddy for (pet) garb. Real Simple's Simply Stated selects snappy coloring book. The Los Angeles Times spots silverware, sort of. Hope that helps. Again, apologies. Arrivederci!

For more Etsy in the Press, go here!

Quit Your Day Job: DolorisPetunia

2009-09-14T16:36:00-05:00

Courtney of DolorisPetunia has a unique version of the quit your day job story. You see, Courtney was able to successfully quit her day job in the corporate design world to sell her artistic jewelry pieces on the streets of New York before she ever heard of Etsy. After gaining a small following in the city, she and her boyfriend decided to move to Los Angeles. However, Courtney found it difficult to survive in the LA scene like she had in New York and almost gave up. If not for a chance encounter with Etsy, she might not be telling this story today. Courtney's success on Etsy has allowed her to make more contacts and accounts than she ever had before and opened up doors that might not have been possible without the success of her online presence. Keep reading to find out how Courtney uses Etsy to support herself and get a glimpse into some of her best tips for marketing effectively on Etsy.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?

Although I have been making things my entire life, I will have officially been in business for about a year this coming winter. I started making accessories for myself when I was unable to find in stores what was in my mind. When my friends saw what I was making, they started asking me to make things for them too. That then turned into their friends making requests and then their friends' friends. Finally, with the help of a good friend, I decided to quit my job and go stand out on the streets in New York City's Soho and West Village neighborhoods with a card table full of handmade accessories and a warm winter coat. I would create my items Monday through Thursday each week and sell all day on the streets Friday through Sunday. In the spring of 2009 I officially created Doloris Petunia LLC, which I named after my 8-year-old Maltese, Lolita.

After a few months, I was starting to develop a small NYC following, but my boyfriend and I decided to move to Los Angeles. After being in NYC for 13 years, I had no idea how to market myself in LA. I was just about to give up and go back into the corporate design world, but I found Etsy.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?

Etsy saved my design life and turned my hobbies into a career. I can't say that my relative success is the typical quit your day job story, because I looked at it more as a sink or swim situation. My goal was not to get a corporate job in LA. Beyond that, the economy had taken a major downturn and I didn't know the first thing about how to go about creating job opportunities for myself in LA. I then began researching online marketplaces, and I turned exclusively to Etsy to help me create a market for my brand. Within a few weeks, I had the site and the nuances more or less figured out and began to be able to support myself solely based on the sales and contacts I was making through Etsy. I have never used any sort of PR, nor do I have any connections, yet through Etsy and my own passion for design, I have been connected to a few major retail stores, hundreds of brides, and thousands of wonderful prospective clients, who like myself had a vision of what they wanted to buy, yet were unable to find it elsewhere.

I was surprised by several things about Etsy: first, how quickly Etsy worked. I was also pleasantly surprised how quickly I was able to establish a base for myself within Etsy. Etsy allowed me to be able to consistently get out as much as I was putting into my online shop and my budding design studio, Doloris Petunia.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time, feel free to give us the nitty gritty business details?

No, I leapt before I looked. This could have been quite a sad story if not for Etsy.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?

I think what really helped me at first was buying Showcases as often as I could afford. This is a great way to get your products seen. You can be selling the best and neatest things on the web, but if they are not seen they will not sell.

I also think you need to update your shop as often as you can, thus getting your items in the "just listed" categories so buyers remain interested in your shop. It also goes without saying that you need to have the best possible photos of your items. I have found the key to getting selected for the Treasury, which is a great way to make the homepage, is to have beautiful and interesting photographs. I am not at the point where I can hire a professional photographer and/or model. Instead, I use my own digital camera, find the spot in my house with the best lighting, have the help of a good and very beautiful friend (who used to model and now accepts lunch as a form of payment), and try to create the best shots I can. At each photo shoot, I learn what works and what doesn't. One day I hope I will be able to leave all that stuff up to the professionals, but I am learning so much about my products and how best to feature them by being the stylist, photographer, make up artist, and designer all at the same time.

I also think it is important to really look around Etsy and support other artists and designers. I "heart" sellers who I think are doing a great job and will write sellers whose Treasuries I think are great. Why not be on the radar of people who are doing great work? Especially in the Treasury department!

Overall, I think the real key to Etsy is getting seen by as many people as possible and using the many free ways to do so. The easiest way to do this is to take time and really browse the site. Take the time to see who is doing what and interact with those sellers when their work has moved you. Nothing is better than receiving a note from someone saying that they admire what you do.

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?

I can't say I love Twitter. Maybe I just don't understand it yet.

I have really been pleased with how Etsy now links to Facebook. Beyond Etsy, I have found Facebook to be one of the best free selling tools out there. I tend to feature my full collection and past collections on Facebook (add Doloris Petunia as a friend or become a fan!). This is an easy way for friends to share you as a designer with their friends. I will advertise my Etsy success in my Facebook status and use it to let my friends and clients know when I am having trunk shows or being featured elsewhere.

Walk us through your typical workday.

I wake up and answer email requests and do all administrative stuff.
Then I either go out and shop for supplies or I start working on orders. I try to create something that I am inspired by once a day, meaning beyond filling orders.
I make sure to take some design time and experiment with a new idea each day. I use this sort of as my design recess, giving my mind a bit of a break from the pressure of making things for other people. Nine times out of ten this new creation ends up being listed in my shop, but I like to give myself the opportunity each day to remember what it is I love about what I do, which is creatively making something I would want and can't seem to find elsewhere.
I usually go to the post office at the end of the day and then come home and finish a few more orders before or after dinner.
I tend to work 7 days a week, but need to take creative breaks every 10 days or so, when I make sure not to go in my office at all. This break gives my head, eyes, and hands time to rest. I find that I do not work well when I am not excited about what I am doing, and whenever I get overwhelmed I know that a few days away from my company will be all I need to get passionate about creating again.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?

I love the "no degrees of separation" contact with my clients, meaning that I know my clients are buying something I have lovingly made with my hands for their wedding day, or a big party, or just to go to the movies. I love knowing that I am listening directly to what they want, working with them closely, and helping them have something that makes them feel more beautiful. It is an especially huge honor for me to work with brides. Helping women to create the perfect look for THEIR day is something I take very seriously.

I also love being able to make my own schedule and working in a way and on a timetable that is best for my constitution, not someone else's.

What I miss is the safety in a "day job." It can be scary to know that I have created something where if I stopped doing all that I do, it would cease to exist. I guess it is the same with anything in life, in that whatever you "put in" is what you hopefully "get out." Not having a day job makes this feel even more true and it can be scary. I think it is the difference between playing on a team and being an individual athlete, and occasionally I wish that I had someone to pass the ball to.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?

Having only two hands. I am actually in the process of looking for an intern.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?

What advice would I have given myself? Trust myself sooner. Do what I have done sooner. It's hard to believe anyone would want to buy something you have made in half the time. I wish that I would have listened to others and trusted in my ability. Without the organization of Etsy I don't think I would have had the discipline, ability to develop a reputation, or the financial means to do so.

What would I say to others? Well, oddly enough, I get emails a lot on Facebook and Etsy asking for advice about how I got started doing what I do and if they to should just trust their gut and take the leap. I guess as cliche as it is, I would say that life is too short to not do what you love. Doloris Petunia is as much of a full-time job as I have ever had; in fact, it is even more so. It is what I eat, breathe and sleep. It is my obsession and it is fun. That is what I want my life to be about: creating beautiful things that others, including myself, can enjoy. This never feels like a job: instead it is my life.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

I would love to have 10,000 hearts.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Here is a blog that just did a nice little posting on my company and my inspirations. One thing I make sure to do every day is Google my company's name (you can also set Google up to email you updates automatically). This is a great way to see who is saying what about you. It is amazing how many blogs are out there that could be writing about your work and you don't even know it. I love to contact the blogs and thank them for their support. I will also usually offer 10% off orders to their readers if they mention their blog when ordering from my Etsy page.

Thank you for your time in reading this. Please add Doloris Petunia as a Facebook friend to see my full collection, my designs that were worn on the red carpet of the Emmys, as well as the skating dress I recently designed for Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan. You can also add Doloris Petunia on Twitter — and maybe show me that it is a great promotional tool after all!

Thanks to Courtney for sharing her story. Have your own questions to ask? Come on by and chat with her Wednesday, September 16 at 5 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs.

You can see some of Courtney's beautiful work in the Related Items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

How-Tuesday: Mee Goreng Recipe from L.A.'s Farmers Market

2009-07-21T14:43:00-05:00

Visiting farmers' markets in summertime always serves as a much-needed reminder that food shopping can be enjoyable. From Brooklyn to Palo Alto, Martha's Vineyard to New Orleans, I've found these open air venues to be a never-ending source of inspiration for cooking. I love the soil still clinging to garlic bulbs, the young members of the family business counting my change, and the vendors' encouragement to try the Tatsoi, because that's what's local, fresh, and delicious.

Farmers' markets support that handmade legacy to which we all aspire: connecting the consumer to the maker, and by doing so, connecting the consumer to the product. Through my farmers' market experiences, I have developed the utmost respect for not just the growers, but the food itself. That's why it made such inherent sense to me when I picked up JoAnn Cianciulli's L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook. With recipes inspired by the stalls at this national landmark, she honors the history and community that contribute to every one of our meals. In this excerpt from JoAnn's book, learn about the story behind the Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax in Los Angeles, as well as a salivation-inducing recipe for Mee Goreng, a fried noodle dish, from Stall 122. How-Tuesday never tasted so good!

These days, all around the country, there are "farmers' markets"—and then there is L.A.'s oldest outdoor market, the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. From its quaint beginnings in 1934, with local farmers selling produce from the backs of their trucks, to its current spot in the pantheon of Los Angeles's official Historical and Cultural Landmarks, Farmers Market has proven that, indeed, some things really do get better with age. Millions of visitors each year agree.

In its early stages, Farmers Market was a cluster of farm stalls tenanted by small growers who sold directly to the consumer. The main appeal was the extra freshness of vegetables still damp from the morning soil, of fruits ripened on the tree rather than picked hard and green so that they would ship better. The farmers' wives brought in their homemade jams and jellies, and alongside the newly laid eggs and plump fresh chickens were goodies like fresh-baked cookies, homemade breads, and rich chocolate layer cakes, all straight from farm kitchens. It wasn't long before the butcher and grocer sought a place to do business alongside these farmers, who were drawing the patronage of people who knew a good thing when they nibbled it. In time, there appeared import shops and specialty-food stands of nearly every variety. And finally, as a result of an irresistible natural trend, Farmers Market became a cornucopia of restaurants.

Archival photo included in L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook

Today Farmers Market is a combination of family-owned and operated stalls featuring cuisine, groceries, produce, meats, and seafood from around the world. In a city full of wannabes, where a restaurant is considered a classic if it manages to hang around for more than a decade, the seventy-five-year-old Farmers Market is a miracle of longevity.

Archival photos included in L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook

Farmers Market is a thriving, ongoing festival of sights and sounds, flavors and smells in the center of our nation's second-largest city. Overlooking one of the busiest corners of Los Angeles, Farmers Market occupies the intersection of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue, supremely anchored in the heart of the city's shopping and dining district.

The original recipes in this cookbook reflect the personality of the Market and represent contributions from every kitchen. Far more than just a collection of weights and measures, this food lover's storybook serves as an enduring companion piece that brings to life the experience that is a trip to Farmers Market. The multigenerational shop owners offer a one-on-one experience that has largely been lost in the service industry today. You can expect to do business with a human being, with a name and a face, who has both stories to tell and your personal satisfaction at heart. In short, the merchants are the Market, the faces behind the place. This all-encompassing memoir not only pays homage to their food, but also honors their varied and intense connections to the spirit of this unique place. No matter where you're from, Farmers Market offers a taste of home, as the aromas of several hundred ingredients mingle with the sounds of chatter from several dozen nations.

Archival photo included in L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook

The sense of being welcome and comfortable is evident in the eyes and the smiles of all who visit, be they old or young, veteran or first-timer. This is why the location is so special. It's the reason people gather here. It's why the phrase, "Meet Me at Third and Fairfax" has become an indelible part of the city's lexicon. This is not only a book to cook from, to learn from, to relish; it's one that will re-create the very soul of being at Farmers Market.

Photograph of author JoAnn Cianciulli, by Karl Petzke

Mee Goreng Recipe:

The stall of Singapore's Banana Leaf might be small, but the flavor of the food is big and not to be missed. The cuisine of Singapore is a delicious blend of Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Malay cuisines. Family trio Diana and Isaac Gazal and their son, Michael, opened this popular eatery in 2001 after realizing the Market atmosphere was pleasantly similar to an actual Singapore hawker (outdoor food stall). The hybrid wonders of the cuisine were obscure to the owners of Farmers Market, and in true Hollywood style, the Gazals had to audition their specialties for them. They were blown away by the taste of Diana's various delicacies and impressed by her signature approach of showcasing every dish on a banana leaf. And so this cozy gem of a hideaway, with its ceiling fans overhead and its wicker chairs and printed tablecloths, began.

Soon Asians, Malaysians, Indian, and Muslim clientele were flocking to the Market for the real deal of Singaporean-style curries and noodles. Diana came to the United States when she was seventeen years old, with twenty-five dollars, a suitcase, and the ability to cook. She's been in the kitchen all her life and her commitment to the restaurant and its quality is exceptional. In her mind, the true seal of honorary approval came when the president of Singapore visited and loved the authenticity of her dishes. And it is well-deserved kudos for this mini-powerhouse of a woman who stands all of 4 feet 10 inches tall but is a ball of fire who lets nothing get in the way of her dream or her cooking. The menu's recipes were all developed by her, and the vibrant tastes can be attributed to the curry leaves grown fresh in their home garden, a must-have ingredient in many of the dishes. With Diana on the food front, Isaac in charge of the books, and charming Michael handling public relations, Singapores' Banana Leaf continues to be a happy family affair and best of all, as a team, they put the delicious cuisne of SIngapore on the map at the Market.

Mee Goreng, one of the better known dishes of Singapore, is a standard hawker-stall favorite. Goreng means "fried" and mee means "noodle"—in this case thin yellow egg noodles. Vermicelli makes a fine substitute if you can't find the real deal. At Singapore's Banana Leaf, the spicy noodles are topped with your choice of tofu, chicken, or the most requested—Indo style—a fried egg.

Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil, uncovered. Simmer until there is no resistance when a fork is inserted into the potatoes, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander. While they are still hot, carefully peel off the skins with a paring knife; use a kitchen towel to hold them. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles until just tender but still firm to the bite (al dente), about 7 minutes. Take care not to overcook. Rinse under running cool water and drain well. Set aside.

Place a wok or large skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and continue to cook and stir for 2 minutes to combine and heat through.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan and pour the eggs into the center. Scramble the eggs lightly until set, breaking them up into pieces with a spatula. Incorporate the vegetables into the eggs; season with the tumeric, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.

Add the drained noodles to the wok, stirring and tossing quickly to separate the strands. Pour in the soy sauce, tossing well to coat the noodles and keep them from sticking (drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water, if necessary). Add the bean sprouts and green onions; cook and stir until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Photograph by hhhillaryyy

Divide the noodles among 4 plates, top with a fried egg, if using, and garnish with sliced green onion and fried shallots. Serve with lime wedges.

Dying to learn more recipes from L.A.'s Farmers Market? 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. That's just perfectly delectable!

More How-Tuesday Posts | Slow Food Gift Guide | Plants and Edibles Category

Etsy Finds: Going Back to Cali

2009-07-09T12:00:00-05:00

Hello, Etsy! Sue and Danny from The Renegade Craft Fair here. The first-ever Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles, CA is coming up this weekend: July 11 + 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the top floor of the California Market Center — it’s a craft fair in the sky! Our events are always FREE to the public and we hope to see you there!

Gorgeous 360-degree views of downtown Los Angeles will provide the backdrop for the stellar work of over 200 artists and craftspeople traveling from all over the country to sell their handmade goods. Renegade Craft Fairs feature many Etsy sellers and give you the chance to see their work in person! You’ll find everything from clothing, jewelry and accessories, to plush items, bath products, housewares, stationery, concert posters, greeting cards — you name it! Today's Finds are just a sampling of what you can expect this weekend, so come on, SoCal: show us what you got!

Rainbow Beard

By imadeyouabeard, $75.

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Stack I

By meander, $18.

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Cheetah print 8x10

By berkleyillustration, $18.

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Bowtie Pocket Tee - S, M, L

By steppie, $25.

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Paper White Nightgown - 0013

By marketstoreshoppe, $80.

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Bone Votive

By sarapaloma, $40.

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Circles and Dots Ring

By SBJewelry, $50.

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White and Black feather fascinator

By taratothet, $24.

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Ml'iss - Giclee - Print

By ckuhwald, $30.

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Custom Bound to Order

By TYLERBENDER, $40.

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geomitribe

By tinywhales, $17.

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Feather Charm Necklace

By pCharming, $15.

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Mens Unisex Spiral in Silver

By loyaltyandblood, $38.

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Bears in love

By kgrandey, $75.

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Frida Calavera with Flowers Print

By MisNopalesArt, $8.

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Khepri Scarab Necklace

By NousSavons, $38.

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Big Sister Red Hair Rag Doll

By lilsprinkles, $38.

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Andrew Bird - Handprinted Poster

By nateduval, $25.

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Leopard Moth Dress

By mothlove, $186.

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Choose Two Silkscreened Votives

By maryink, $18.

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Will we see you in Los Angeles this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Craft Fair Posts

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West Coast Etsians, Let's Get Together

2009-07-02T18:00:00-05:00

It's already July, and we're heading out West! Come visit Etsy at Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles (July 11th-12th) or San Francisco (July 18th-19th). We'll have a booth at both events and will be giving away lots of Etsy goodies, promos and maybe even holding a raffle or two. If you haven't been to a Renegade Craft Fair before, they are tons of fun, and many of your favorite Etsy artists will be vending.

But we can't go all the way to California and not visit a few more cities on the West Coast while we're there! If you're in or near Seattle, Vancouver, or Portland, we're heading to your town and would love to get together. Come to an Etsy meet up! We'll be answering questions about the site, talking about the future and listening to all your ideas (and eating snacks and having fun while we do it).

Etsy West Coast Tour - Please click here to RSVP for the cities below

July 11 — Los Angeles meet up with Sara and Anda, 8pm at the Veranda Bar of the Figueroa Hotel. We'll be at Renegade Craft Fair until 7pm, and the Figueroa is a short walk away. If you're vending at the Fair, stop by afterward to unwind and chat with us!

July 13 — Seattle meet up with Maria, Matt and Anda, 6pm at Greenwood Collective

July 14 — Vancouver meet up with Maria, Matt and Anda, 7pm at the Cambrian Hall

July 16 — Portland meet up with Matt and Anda, 7pm at the Doug Fir Lounge

See you out West this July! Post in the comments if we'll see you there!

See More Posts about Etsy Meet Ups

Etsy Summer Tour 2009

2009-06-22T15:30:00-05:00

UPDATE: Another leg of the Etsy Summer 2009 Tour draws near, and we've updated the info below with some specific dates and cities. Please RSVP if you can meet up with us in Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver or Portland. Hope to see you soon!

[We originally posted the following on May 20, 2009.]

Coming soon to a town near you... Etsy

*Joyful screams of crafters and handmade connoisseurs everywhere.* Check back for more details on our summer tour in the next few weeks. Hope to hang out with you soon!

June 9th. Etsy San Francisco Meet-up with Maria, Chad, Sara, Carrington (our new Finance Admin) and Jesse (our new Admin for Business Development), San Francisco, CA. Time and location to be announced.

Etsy West Coast Tour - Please click here to RSVP for the cities below

July 11. Etsy Los Angeles Meet-up with Sara and Anda (after we all finish a long day of Renegade Craft Fair vending!) location to be announced

July 13. Seattle Meet-up with Maria, Matt and Anda, 6pm at Greenwood Collective

July 14. Vancouver Meet-up with Maria, Matt and Anda, 7pm at the Cambrian Hall

July 16. Portland Meet-up with Matt and Anda, 7pm at the Doug Fir Lounge

September 9th to September 16th. Etsy Midwest Tour (tentative)

Spring is here, and we're packing up our craft show suitcases once again for another exciting season touring around the U.S. (and maybe beyond!). We'll be hanging out at conferences, fairs and festivals, and even setting up our own meet-ups so we can chat with you this summer. Various smiling Etsy Admins will man tents, give away goodies, and listen to your Etsy stories and ideas, so if you happen to be in any of the fine cities below, please come by and introduce yourself!

May 20 - May 23. SNAG Conference, "REVOLUTION" — Philadelphia, PA

Etsy is sponsoring SNAG's (Society of North American Goldsmith) conference and a four hour Professional Development Seminar just before the annual conference. The Seminar delivers concrete information that will change the way you do business.

May 30 - May 31. Maker Faire — San Mateo, CA

The World's Largest DIY Festival. A two-day, family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, CRAFT, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology.

Renegade Craft Fairs

The Renegade Craft Fair is a unique, DIY event showcasing over 300 talented artists and crafters. The fair takes place in cities across the U.S., including Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. At RCF you’ll find all sorts of cool handmade stuff — including plush items, jewelry, posters and prints, craft kits, clothing, stationery and more. Click here to read more about the history of Renegade!

June 6th to June 7th, 2009. Renegade Craft Fair, Brooklyn, NY

July 11th to July 12th, 2009. Renegade Craft Fair, Los Angeles, CA

July 18th to July 19th, 2009. Renegade Craft Fair, San Francisco, CA

September 12th to September 13th, 2009. Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago, IL

Etsy Teams

Etsy Teams are rocking the craft show circuits, too! Check out their line up on the Teams calendar at team.etsy.com. If your Team is partaking in a summer event and you'd like it to appear on this calendar, have the Team leader email teams@etsy.com.

If you're going to be appearing at an event or shopping at one this summer, share the info in the comments below!

Etsy Finds Decor: Alpine Kitsch

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

This weekend's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the German chalet of Hannah Kopacz from Made With Love By Hannah (who actually lives in the heart of downtown Los Angeles). Hannah has created an incredible fantasy land filled with gnomes, mushrooms, cuckoo clocks and vintage figurines that are an accumulation of over twenty years of knick knack and tchotchke collecting. She even made her studio (which is a shed in her backyard) look like a huge cuckoo clock!

Visit Etsy's There's No Place Like Here flickr pool to view more photos of Hannah's magical chalet, and check out the Etsy Finds below for some creative decorating ideas on how you can add some lighthearted enchantment to the place you call home. As an added bonus, be sure to check out Hannah's house tour from Etsy's video series, There's No Place Like Here. Click on the image below to watch the movie.

Home is made of...

You don't have to live in a cozy chalet to appreciate the messages spelled out in this series of prints by Melanie Linder. By spreadthelove, $17.

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Order Small Scrolls - Handmade Wilderness Project

If you love the rustic look of taxidermy but are a bit of an animal activist, this beautifully papered, resin deer head is 100% animal friendly. By rubyslounge, $345.

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Tiny Nightlight Dutch Holland Wooden Shoe Clog Lamp

This wooden clog lamp is the perfect night light to keep you and your gnome friends safe from tripping over a mushroom on a dark, moonless night. From shihtzuwest, $28.

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Little Red Agaric Mushroom - Hand Sewn Limited Edition Creation

Every nook and corner of Hannah's home is overflowing with every species of fungi imaginable. This handsewn specimen captures every detail of what makes mushrooms so irresistible. By LittleSparrowNest, $34.50.

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Kissing Boy and Girl Salt and Pepper Shakers

I am pretty sure that Hannah's huge collection of ceramic figurines would win any tchotchke challenge. This set of kissing salt and pepper shakers (typically called "kissing cousins") would make any meal taste sweet. From kissavintagedesign, $20.

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Large Primitive Keepsake Shelf - Custom Colors Available

If you collect as many trinkets and tchotchkes as Hannah, these handmade keepsake shelves are a great way to display your collections. By Sawdusty, $28.

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SALE- Vintage Wooden Swiss Chalet Music Box

This vintage Swiss Chalet music box would look perfect on a night table or bedroom dresser. From thebuttercup, $16.

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Sweet Little Wooden Shoes Made in Holland

This set of handpainted clogs would add a bit of dimension hanging on the wall in your living room, kitchen or hallway. Coat the inside with a little waterproofing spray and add your favorite plant for a unique wall hung planter. By AuntiePrincess, $10.

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Dutch Print Wrap Pinafore Apron Maxi Dress with Patch Pockets

I would imagine living in a beautiful chalet would make one want to dress the part. This amazing vintage Dutch print apron dress will turn any homeowner into an instant top chef. From shopgoodgrace, $85.

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Wonderful Folksy Seasons Cup with Plate - Spring

Serve your guests tea and tiny sweets on this colorful set of folksy dishware. From shopworthy, $8.

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Unique Vintage Lithograph of Dayalets Photo Illustration 1950

I love Hannah's collection of anthropomorphic vegetables displayed throughout her kitchen.
This is one of a set of 12 vintage lithographs of human portraits made with food, known as Dayalets. They were produced to inform people of the importance of a balanced diet. From robynruth, $12.99.

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little mutt vintage 60's 70's BIG EYED white puppy dog velvet painting

Hannah has an incredible hall of vintage velvet paintings. This gem is in great condition and is the perfect start to a collection of your own. From RockyMountainRetro, $35.

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The Smallest Cuckoo

Cuckoo clocks are everywhere throughout Hannah's home. I would love to hear the sweet little chirp of the bird who lives inside this miniature working version. From johnnyvintage, $38.50.

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Did you watch the amazing video showing off Hannah's space? Make sure to check out the guided tour! For more on Hannah's projects, tchotchkes and gettin' shack wacky, check out her blog and Flickr stream.

Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our new 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.

Cozy at Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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There's No Place Like Here: Made with Love by Hannah

2009-04-22T15:24:00-05:00

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

(music by Lineland, Barry London, animation by JuliaPott)

What's it like to live in a fantastical German chalet in the heart of downtown Los Angeles? Hannah Kopacz of Made With Love By Hannah has customized her colorful abode with twenty years' worth of knick knack and ric rac treasure hunting. Take a tour of her packed home, overflowing with vintage and handmade gnomes, figurines, mushrooms and veggie people.

For more on Hannah's projects, tchotchkes and gettin' shack wacky, check out her blog and Flickr stream. She even made her studio (which is a shed in her backyard) look like a huge cuckoo clock!

Open your door to Etsy's There's No Place Like Here series! If you have a beautiful space (studio, home, or boutique — not craft spaces), let us know. Add photos of your space or suggest photos to us through our new flickr pool. You never know, you might need to bust out the welcome wagon for the Etsy video crew!

Watch other Etsy videos | Decorating Posts | Get the Look series

Mother-Daughter-Grandmother Shops: Crocheting the Generation Gap (en Español)

2009-04-17T10:30:00-05:00

“To be, or not to be,” Shakespeare's Hamlet asked. How about “Two Knit or Knot to Knit?” This is the question for granddaughter Eve Neuhart and her grandmother Martha Villa, who started a shop called TwoKnit. They were introduced to Etsy by Roxana Villa (IlluminatedPerfume and RoxanaVilla), Martha’s daughter and Eve’s mother.

TwoKnit is a new member of the Etsy in Spanish Team and invited lolos and family member Estudio Mullen to translate this post into Spanish.

El nombre TwoKnit representa a las dos tejedoras dueñas de la tienda. El nombre está inspirado en la cita de Shakespeare “Ser o No Ser”, que fue transformada en “Tejer o No Tejer”. Martha Villa y su nieta Eve Neuhart conocieron Etsy gracias a Roxana Villa (IlluminatedPerfume.etsy.com & RoxanaVilla.etsy.com). Roxana es la hija de Martha y la madre de Eve.

Martha began knitting at an early age in Argentina, as seen in the above photo with her cousins on the beach. In 1962 she began knitting professionally in an attempt to bring income to the household. This soon resulted in a TV appearance and a fashion show with her designs in 1964. At the time she had a shop with twelve knitters creating her designs and two sales reps. After moving to the states, Martha took a position at a small boutique in Beverly Hills called "Andrea’s" on little Santa Monica and Camden. This is where she created the crochet hats for Ali MacGraw (Love Story) and taught Natalie Wood to crochet when she was expecting her first baby. Martha’s other celebrity clients have included Lois Clark (James Garner's wife), Shirley Fonda and Charo.

Martha comenzó a tejer con sus primos en las playas de Argentina cuando era una niña. En 1962, tratando de aumentar los ingresos para su hogar, empezó a tejer profesionalmente, y en 1964 presentó sus diseños en un espectáculo de moda en televisión. En esa época, era dueña de una tienda que tenía dos vendedoras y doce tejedoras creando sus diseños. Después de mudarse a los Estados Unidos, Martha trabajó en una pequeña boutique de Beverly Hills llamada Andrea, ubicada en Little Santa Monica y Camden. Allí creó los sombreros de ganchillo para Ali MacGraw (Love Story) y le enseñó a tejer con ganchillo a Natalie Wood cuando ésta esperaba su primer bebé. Otros clientes célebres incluyeron a Lois Clark (la esposa de James Garner), Shirley Fonda y Charo.

Eve, sixteen years of age, has been blessed by a bounty of creativity in her family. Some of Eve’s favorite activities include acting, filmmaking, writing, drawing, painting, photography, quantum physics, Shakespeare Summer camp, and of course knitting. The first knitted item that Eve created was a pocket gnome. From there she moved onto to animals (lamb, lion and a bear) and socks. While Eve was in eighth and ninth grade, she and her best friend had a booth at their school's winter fair where they sold their knitted hats and scarves. Shortly after Roxana opened her Illuminated Perfume shop here on Etsy, Martha and Eve decided to open TwoKnit, featuring both their wares. Martha specializes in both knitting and crochet. Eve currently focuses on knitted hats and scarves and models many of the items for their shop.

Eve, de dieciséis años, ha sido bendecida con toda la creatividad de su familia. Algunas de las actividades favoritas de Eve incluyen la actuación, filmación, escritura, dibujo, pintura, fotografía, física cuántica, Campamento de Verano de Shakespeare y por supuesto el tejido. Lo primero que tejió Eve fue un duende de bolsillo. Luego tejió animales (corderos, leones y osos) y calcetines. Cuando Eve estaba en octavo y noveno grado, en la feria de invierno de su escuela, ella y su mejor amiga tuvieron un puesto donde vendieron sus sombreros tejidos y sus bufandas. El año pasado Eve y Martha crearon su primer proyecto colaborativo; un abrigo tejido, inspirado por un objeto que descubrieron en Fred Segals de Santa Mónica, una tienda muy de moda. Martha y Eve diseñaron juntas el abrigo y tejieron diferentes piezas. Al final Martha armó el conjunto.

Al poco tiempo que Roxana abrió su tienda Illuminated Perfume (www.illuminatedperfume.etsy.com) en Etsy, Martha y Eve decidieron abrir TwoKnit para mostrar sus creaciones. Martha se especializa en tejido y ganchillo. Eve se dedica actualmente a los sombreros y bufandas tejidas y es la encargada de modelar muchos de los productos de su tienda.

Little Roxana!

Martha’s passion for crochet and knitting was rekindled when Roxana asked her to make some pouches for her natural/botanical perfumes. In the realm of niche perfumery, many of the artists utilize similar bottles. As a way to differentiate her products from other niche perfumers Roxana decided to recruit her mother’s extraordinary talent for the task. The heirloom pouches are in keeping with the spirit of the exquisite handmade artifact. Roxana and Martha spent much time together researching yarns and other embellishments for the pouches.

La pasión de Martha por el ganchillo y el tejido se reavivó cuando Roxana le pidió hacer algunas bolsitas para colocar sus perfumes botánicos/naturales. En el campo de la perfumería exclusiva muchos de los artistas utilizan este tipo de presentaciones. Para diferenciar sus productos de los otros perfumes, Roxana decidió utilizar el extraordinario talento de su madre. Estas bolsitas exclusivas mantienen el espíritu de los exquisitos objetos hechos a mano. Roxana y Martha pasan mucho tiempo juntas investigando estambres y otros adornos para los envases.

Since Roxana had color coded each perfume, this system was applied to the pouches and soon all the packaging pieces came together. Lyra, the very feminine floral perfume, has a dusty rose colored pouch for both manifestations as a liquid and solid perfume. Martha also painstakingly embellishes the boxes which house the perfumes by creating silk pillows and lining the interiors with ribbon. Working on this project together strengthened the bond between Roxana and Martha. Thus, when Roxana opened her Etsy shop, Martha and Eve soon followed suit. Greg Spalenka (spalenka and spalenkaart), Roxana’s husband, contributes the illustrations that illuminate each of her perfumes.

Roxana codificó cada perfume en base a colores y éste sistema fue el que aplicaron a las bolsitas, consolidando así todo el sistema de empaque. Lyra, perfume floral muy femenino, tiene una bolsita en tono rosado opaco para el perfume líquido así como para el sólido. Martha también embellece minuciosamente las cajas que contienen los perfumes, creando almohadillas de seda y forrando el interior con cintos. Trabajando juntas en este proyecto, Roxana y Martha fortalecieron la relación entre ambas. Así, cuando Roxana abrió su tienda en Etsy, Martha y Eve decidieron hacer lo mismo. El esposo de Roxana, Greg Spalenka (spalenka.etsy.com y spalenkaart.etsy.com) colabora con las ilustraciones que iluminan cada uno de sus perfumes.

Martha tends to knit and crochet outside in a chair next to her swimming pool in the California sunshine. Roxana and Eve work on their projects in their Santa Monica Mountain home, which serves as a large studio space. Eve also knits in the car to and from school, at school and while watching her favorite films.

Martha teje y hace ganchillo sentada en una silla junto a su piscina, bajo el sol de California. Roxana y Eve trabajan en sus proyectos en su casa en la montaña en Santa Mónica, que les sirve como un amplio estudio. Eve también teje en el auto yendo y viniendo de la escuela, en la escuela y mientras mira sus películas favoritas.

SALE-Blessings Grande Art Pendant Necklace-was 135

Roxana was introduced to Etsy by an article that appeared in the LA Times. Shortly thereafter, Lori Patton opened her shop featuring art jewelry including imagery by Roxana and Greg.

Roxana conoció Etsy gracias a un artículo que apareció en el LA Times. Después de eso, Lori Patton de HeartworksbyLori.etsy.com abrió su tienda exhibiendo joyería de arte que incluía imágenes realizadas por Roxana y Greg. By heartworksbylori, $75.

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Darling Clementine Capelet

When Martha first saw the work of Dennice of fringe, she remarked “Finally, someone who is pricing handmade knitwear appropriately!” Eve and Roxana are extremely found of all Dennice’s creations. This one has a beautiful, vintage quality. Besides LOST, Eve and Roxana’s other favorite TV show is called Fringe.

Cuando Martha vió el trabajo realizado por Dennice de Fringe, dijo: “¡Por fin alguien está cobrando de manera adecuada las prendas de punto!” Eve y Roxana son admiradoras de las creaciones de Dennice. Ésta tiene una bella calidad vintage. Aparte de LOST, el otro program favorito de Eve y Roxana es Fringe. By fringe, $112.

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Deer Portrait Letterpress Flat Card

In the eighties when Roxana lived in Brooklyn and worked as a freelance illustrator, she had a studio space on Perry Street in Greenwich Village for her Vandercook flatbed letterpress. We chose this letterpress image because Eve adores foxes.

En los ochentas, cuando Roxana vivía en Brooklyn y trabajaba como ilustradora independiente, tenía espacio en un estudio en Perry Street en Greenwich Village para su impresora de mesa Vandercook. Elegimos esta impresión de letterpress porque Eve adora los zorros. By letterpress, $3.25.

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Squirrel Chubbikin

Eve and Roxana live up in the Santa Monica Mountains where they are often visited by a variety of creatures, including coyotes, raccoons, tree and ground squirrels, lizards, skunks, families of quail, songbirds, bees, hawks, owls and unfortunately gophers. These squirrel Chubbikins are so sweet, aren’t they?! Our local tree squirrels live up in our native oaks, where they act like Oak Tree fairies planting acorns.

Eve y Roxana viven en las montañas de Santa Mónica donde suelen recibir visitas de muchas criaturas como por ejemplo coyotes, mapaches, ardillas, lagartijas, zorrinos, familias de codornices, pájaros, abejas, halcones, búhos y, desgraciadamente, topos. Estas ardillas Chubbikins son preciosas, ¡¿no?! Nuestras ardillas arbóreas locales viven en nuestros robles nativos, donde actúan como duendes plantando bellotas. By erinaellis, $18.

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Q Botanical Perfume

The first pouch Martha created for Roxana was for the natural/botanical perfume called Q, for Quercus agrifolia, California's native Oak Trees. Roxana gives a percentage of the proceeds from each bottle of Q sold to the California Oak Foundation.

La primera bolsa que Martha creo para Roxana fue para un perfume botánico natural llamado Q, por Quercus agrifolia, nuestro roble nativo. Roxana dona a la Fundación California Oak un porcentaje de los ingresos provenientes de cada botella de Q. By IlluminatedPerfume, $150.

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Paris Rooftop 2- Original Signed Fine Art Photograph

While Martha worked at Andrea’s in Beverly Hills she would occasionally travel to Paris to look at the latest fashion designs. Sometimes Roxana would tag along with Martha on these trips. This photograph of Paris is reminiscent of those fun mother-daughter excursions and also looks a bit like Buenos Aires.

Mientras Martha trabajaba en Andrea, en Beverly Hills, ella solía viajar a París para mirar los últimos diseños de la moda. Esta foto de París rememora esas divertidas excursiones de madre e hija y además tiene un parecido con la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. By AliciaBock, $35.

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VINTAGE BRASS LARGE ART DECO ANGEL PENDANT

These pendants by myshangrila make Eve and Roxana swoon. We are looking forward having some custom necklaces created by an Etsy artisan utilizing these gorgeous, brass pendants. They look a bit like some of the muses in Greg’s paintings.

Estos pendientes de MyShangriLa hacen delirar a Eve y Roxana. Esperamos poder contar con que algunos artesanos de Etsy nos hagan unos collares a pedido, utilizando estos maravillosos pendientes de bronce. Se parecen un poco a las musas que aparecen en las pinturas de Greg. By myshangrila, $10.

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TwoKnit is a new member of the Etsy in Spanish and Illuminated Perfume is a very proud member of the Green & Clean Guild - EGCG!

Links of Interest:
Highland Hall Waldorf School
Sniffapalooza Magazine Interview with Roxana

California Oak Foundation

Let us know in the comments about other mother-daughter (or son) shops!

More Mother-Daughter (and Granddaughter!) Stories | Mother's Day Showcase

Check Out Our Gift Guides for Mother's Day Presents

Guest Curators: Sarah Rara and Luke Fischbeck of Lucky Dragons

2009-03-02T17:36:00-05:00

Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara (aka birdsofpreyLA) are Los Angeles-based artists working collaboratively in sound and performance as Lucky Dragons, drawing and design as Sumi Ink Club, and an open field of other ideas as Glaciers of Nice.

Our aesthetic plays with ways of connecting high and low technology as a means towards fostering creative social equality — as well as the mystical power of everyday people, places, and things.

Plain Triple Leather Sandals

Sarah: This beautiful pair of handmade leather sandals is an amazing reminder that handmade items are best when they go beyond decoration and ornamentation and comprise the simple things we use everyday, thereby truly replacing factory made goods. I love the idea of walking around Elysian Park in Los Angeles wearing these handmade shoes — true fantasy summer. By sandali, $40.

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Cocobolo Magic Wand, Pagan, Wicca

Luke: Magic wands! The level of attention to specific qualities associated with the material is unparalleled. "This wood tends to lead toward adventure." By gildedquill, $38.

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Bargello Trip Around the World

Sarah: As someone who is frequently on the road, I love to come home to my own bed, piled with an array of colorful handmade quilts. The visual allusions to DNA, pixelation, and outer space imagery that come together in this quilt are truly mind-blowing. What could be better than curling up to read under this techno-color quilt aptly named "Trip Around the World"? I am deeply envious of anyone with a quilt like this. By Quiltsbybarb, $350.

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Barnes-Lewis Atmospheric Disturbance Detector.Mod 7 accessory for S.T. Amp

Luke: Homemade meteorological sensor, for entertainment purposes only. By SoreThroatGuitarAmps, $26.95.

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Hickory Bark Wood Bowl 180

Sarah: The best thing about this bowl is that it involves the story of a wood-turner helping out his neighbor by clearing out wood from a sick and dying hickory tree. I appreciate handmade things crafted from the materials around us that recycle instead of depleting resources, such as this bowl created from a local neighborly exchange. Wonderful! By Hendywood, $40.

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Cold Gold 10 Foot Basic Contact Microphone

Luke: We use contact microphones all the time for recording and building simple instruments. They're inexpensive and great for amplifying everything from the floorboards to vocal cords... These glittery gold ones are perfect! By ColdGold, $32.

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God Can Spiritual Prayer Box AA tool

Sarah: Write down something you have no control over and put it in the God Can, and then you don't have to worry about it anymore. According to the description, it is "the essence of our faith and our relationship with God," but I think it also speaks volumes about our relationship with objects: what we expect from them and what we project onto them, and the powers we attribute to them, especially if they are handmade. By gammyssmidgeons, $11.95.

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2 Pounds Crispy Fake Fried Vegan Chicken Vegetarian Eco Friendly Food Spicy Hot Blend

Luke: Vegan fried chicken! i'm a little scared about buying food over the internet but this looks delicious. By pitseel, $20.

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Dark Desert Sage Soap

Luke: Handmade objects with a connection to a specific place or time are especially powerful. Desert plants are especially fragrant. This desert soap wins twice! By AuntNancysSoap, $5.50.

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Medium Wool Christmas Socks - Timber with Brick and Olive

Sarah: I love these socks. They are made in San Francisco using an old turn-of-the-century knitting machine. I feel relieved just looking at these socks — a better way of life. By SFMichael, $25.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.

Art Category | More Art Related Posts

Artistic Endeavors series | Artwork for Every Room Showcase | Art Gift Guides

Apartment Therapy's Collections as Inspiration: Wendi's Pioneer Modern

2009-02-17T13:43:00-05:00

Apartment Therapy's Gregory Han is like a life coach for your home! He walks you through this house tour from Wendi Weger and he whispers brilliant decorating advice in you ear.

Collecting is easy, it's the organizing and displaying which often confounds even the best of collectors. But as illustrated by the "nature indoors" menagerie of Wendi Weger's Silver Lake home, displaying a collection doesn't necessarily mean just sticking your beloved collections on shelves. Maximizing a collection's impact is not only about having the right items to display, but also "how" and "where" they're given the spotlight to add to the spirit of your home.

When displaying a collection keep in mind that larger pieces often do best alone with enough space to breathe. Whether it's a deer head on the wall or a beloved piece enshrined within a glass display, giving your larger collectibles the role of a focal point can center an interior space. Think of larger collectibles as the grand fountain in the front garden of a home.

Smaller items in multiples especially work well when grouped together in various sizes and finishes, offering opportunities to convert normally ignored sections of the home into newfound gallery spaces. Wendi's stairway landing gallery beautifully illustrates this idea, offering something to see whether you're going up or down.

Got something you think is especially worth highlighting? Put it under glass! A bell jar makes almost anything seem that much more valuable and delicate, even if it's a thrift store find.
When displaying a collection, consider how and where you and others will be seated and standing within the space. Displaying a collection is partially a game of catching a person's eye; take note of the view from specific points in the room to help determine where to display your collectibles, and whether to organize them vertically or horizontally. Or even better, try finding opportunities to display portions of your collection with an element of surprise, positioning certain items to only be viewable from a specific viewing angle or position. Let curiosity lead the way. Whether guests are looking up or down, offering a new perspective introduces a fun element of discovery into experiencing a collection. It also maximizes space, especially if using ceilings and walls, and can "fill in the gaps" when used strategically. In Anne and Jacob's house tour, we see a corner nook with glove molds anchoring an anatomical chart which leads up to a fun and surprising clock. Check out their house tour for more artfully displayed collections.

What if you have too much to display and too little room to display it all? Take a page from the ultimate collection organizers and do what museums do: rotate your exhibit. By displaying less at one time, you're often offering more. And by occasionally trading out items from your shelves, display cases, walls and other areas throughout the home, you'll be able to refresh your home's decor regularly without buying a single thing. Well, except for the fact you're probably continually adding to your collection, but that's something we can't help you with.

Finally, displaying a collection should be an opportunity to communicate the life you live within the space you call home, all without making it a dominating feature. The best collections are ones that feel naturally a part of the space itself...an extension of your own spirit with the collections highlighting specific interest (or obsessions) in your life. Check out Bigboy Cheng's vinyl toy collection in this house tour, for example.

With just a little planning, your collectibles can be showcased across your whole home instead of delegated to a corner shelf. Yes, even your Precious Moments collection.

If you're feeling inspired (and maybe a little bit competitive), enter to win Apartment Therapy's Do It Now challenge! You could win a sweet Etsy shopping spree!

Get the Look - Decor | There's No Place Like Here | Home Interiors Gift Guide

Handmade Confessional: Jonathan R.

2009-01-30T17:00:00-05:00

We met Jonathan R. at Felt Club in Los Angeles. Jonathan buys handmade because he likes the direct connection to the artists' creative experience.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 36,000 people have signed. Some say "handmade is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Confessional: Jenine Bressner

2009-01-16T17:00:00-05:00

We met Jenine Bressner aka Jenine at Felt Club in LA. Jenine believes that making handmade items contributes to a more sustainable way of living.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 35,000 people have signed. Some say "handmade is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Confessional: Adriana Osborn

2009-01-09T18:00:00-05:00

We met Adriana Osborn aka InvitaPaperStudio at Felt Club in LA. She makes beautiful stationary and loves buying handmade as well. She enjoys the uniqueness of handmade products, and you might want to check out her Valentine's cards (nudge, nudge).

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 34,600 people have signed. Some say "handmade is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Confessional: Madison Brunoebleir

2008-12-26T12:30:00-05:00

We met Madison Brunoebleir at Felt Club in LA. She made her first handmade shirt at Felt Club's Swap-O-Rama-Rama and was very excited about the results!

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last holiday season, over 33,000 people have signed. Some say "hand-made is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response on Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Etsy In The Press: Ho Ho Ho-liday Press

2008-12-19T13:24:00-05:00

Tis the season to shop on Etsy! And we're not the only ones who think so. Check out this veritable blizzard of stories, starting with this doozy from Good Morning America Weekend. Smart shopping, indeed. My favorite part of that one (aside from the correct pronunciation and spelling of E-T-S-Y-dot-com) is the "Sneaky Santa" graphic. Check it out! Also on the tube, KOMO (ABC) in Seattle and KSL (NBC) in Salt Lake City chimed in too.

Online, this sentiment has been echoed by The Today Show.com, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, She Knows, Madison Decider, World Changing, Single Minded Women, and on New University. And let's not forget print. Great shopping tips and stories can be found in the pages of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Boston Globe, The Orange County Register, the Courier Post of New Jersey, the Willamette Weekly, and the Grand Junction Sentinel. Break out your snow shovels.

For those of you who like to make things, there were several articles describing the joys of selling on Etsy coupled with some heartwarming seller stories, from the likes of The Los Angeles Times, Deseret News, ECommerce Guide, and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

And this icing on this ice storm, The Martha Stewart Show has been kind as well, featuring Etsy sellers Caroline Stender, aka papertreats, Katie Steuernagle aka matsutake, and Ashley Steele aka hiccupdecor. Great job ladies!

In summary, the flurry of press should make this a very happy holiday season for shoppers and sellers alike. See you in '09!

For more Etsy in the Press, go here!

Handmade Confessional: Michelle Vess aka soulmom

2008-12-19T12:00:00-05:00

We met Michelle Vess aka soulmom at Felt Club in LA. Michelle and her three kids all make crafts! Why do they support indie artists and crafters? Individuality and the effort put into handmade items.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 33,000 people have signed.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. If you're in the Brooklyn area, come down to the Etsy Labs' Craft Night on Monday, December 22, 2008, 4-8pm. Email Etsy videographer at tara@etsy.com if you're interested. We'd need you to come early, so as not to interrupt the crafting activities!

Or click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Confessional: Kyla Simeno

2008-12-17T16:00:00-05:00

We met Kyla Simeno aka ChickWithBrains at Felt Club in LA. She and her mom Michelle Vess aka soulmom love to make crafts. Kyla makes beaded jewelry because it's fun! She supports artists and crafters because appreciates the thought and effort put into handmade items.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 33,000 people have signed. Have you taken the Buy Handmade Pledge?

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Portraits: Sunny Rising Leather

2008-12-12T22:00:00-05:00

YouTube | MP4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

(music by Allison Sattinger)

Allison Sattinger, aka Sunny Rising Leather, has had the nickname "Sunny" ever since she was a kid. When you watch this video, you'll quickly know why: Allison just glows with warmth and goodness. She learned to tool leather in 2004, and her first pair of cuffs read "Let me be (L) that light (R)"..."Let me be that light".

Allison still strives to be that light with everything she does, from crafting her beautiful leather goods, to singing with her angelic voice, to silversmithing jewelry, to being an inspiration for artisans wishing to quit their day jobs. Allison takes the old tradition of leather tooling and makes it her own with her signature koi fish necklaces and her custom made leather bags.

Watch our other Handmade Video Portraits and subscribe to our Youtube Channel!

Handmade Confessional: Wendy Jung

2008-12-11T13:30:00-05:00

We met Wendy Jung at Felt Club in LA. She's the singinglibrarian on Etsy!

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 32,000 people have signed. Some say "hand-made is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Confessional: Becca Cohen

2008-12-07T13:00:00-05:00

We met Becca Cohen at Felt Club in LA. She loves shopping handmade because she can get cool plus size clothes!

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 30,000 people have signed. Some say "hand-made is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It's about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Handmade Portraits: Woodmouse

2008-12-05T13:18:00-05:00

YouTube | MP4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

(music by Lineland, Jukeboxer)

Toymaker Amber Dusick aka woodmouse has her wood shop in her garage in downtown Los Angeles. After the birth of her son, this one time farm girl from Wisconsin became nostalgic for the toys from her past: simple, natural toys that would inspire creativity and imaginative play, made from materials that wouldn't stick around in a landfill for thousands of years.

After years of silversmithing, throwing pottery and drawing with pen and ink, Amber finally found her medium in wood. Using sustainably harvested woods, non toxic paints and beeswax along with her wood burning tool, Amber was able to transfer the look and feel of her previous pen and ink drawings to wooden toys.

See more posts about the CPSIA issue!

Woodmouse, founder of the Natural Kids Team, is an ardent advocate of sustainable toys. The materials used are all natural and her toys are 100% compostable. Her imagery is reminiscent of of a child's crayon drawing come to life in wood.

Amber, like other Etsy toy makers and sellers of children's items, is fearful that as a sole proprietor she will not be able to afford the stricter regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); the cost of testing and certification is likely beyond her means. She told Etsy, “I'd be more than happy to have each of my toys tested, if it wasn't so cost prohibitive. It is the COST involved in testing that will shut us down, it isn't that anyone refuses to have their work tested." The CPSC recently proposed a 1 year delay of required testing and certification, in part because of artisans were able to get their voices heard. But this means we need to use the coming year to write to our Congresspeople. Click here to see the latest on the CPSIA & find out what you can do to prevent artisans from being put out of business.

Handmade Video Portraits | More on the Natural Kids Team

Handmade Kids Series | Baby Gift Guide | Children's Gift Guide

Etsy in Action: A Blizzard of Handmade Events

2008-12-04T12:47:00-05:00

Is the chilly weather making you want to hibernate this weekend? Beat away the wintertime blues by putting on your favorite mittens and braving the cold weather to check out a crafty event near you. And hey, if you're in LA, you have no excuse!

If you will be attending an event this weekend (whether to shop or to sell), post in the comments with the event's name, date, time and place!

Manhattan, New York

New York Magazine Shop Best Bets, December 6, 11am – 7pm
An all-ages shopping event with 40+ exhibitors featuring great deals on clothing, accessories, beauty and health products, books, toys, home décor and more. Click here for details. Join Etsy admin Matt & Christina and shop from local area Etsy sellers.

Handmade Cavalcade, December 6, 10am- 5pm
The {New New} Etsy Team takes over the Knitting Factory in NYC with over 30 locally-grown purveyors of handcrafted goods, raffles, music and more! Etsy admin Julie & Vanessa will be on hand with swag and free DIY, make-and-take gift tags. For details, go here.

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn Friends School Winter Wonderland Fair, December 6, 10am – 5pm
"While the main event features 45 local artisans selling unique holiday gifts, the Fair offers locally produced food, carnival games, a book fair, and all-day entertainment for children and families. Best of all, proceeds benefit the Horizons at Brooklyn Friends School academic enrichment program for children at PS 307 and PS 287 in Fort Greene, Brooklyn." Click here for details.

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, December 7, Noon - 7pm

"3rd Ward & Brooklyn Based invite you to make an event out of holiday shopping at the Handmade Holiday Craft Fair. Browse the handmade goods & treats of over 50 local artisans, craft mavens & culinary masters including everything from LED Hula hoops & dog costumes, to custom cut clothes & jewelry, furniture & vintage ware from Brooklyn Kitchen, cookies & chocolates, wrapping paper, pillows & body soaps, custom electronics and Cut Brooklyn knives." Click here for more details.

Handmade Music Night, December 11, 7-10pm

This semi-regular favorite is back by popular demand with a new lineup and location with lots more space! Hosted by 3rd Ward, the event will feature performances and a show-and-tell exhibition of contributors' latest sonic experimentations. Brought to you by Etsy, Make Magazine, Create Digital Music. Can't make it to Brooklyn? Join us as we broadcast the evening's activities in the Virtual Labs.

Etsy Labs wants to hear your handmade confessional! Stop by the Etsy Labs on Friday after 2pm, bring in something you've made or something handmade that you've bought, and tell us why it's so great. Email Tara for details. If you're not in the NY area, don't fret! Make your own video, upload it to Flickr or YouTube and send us the link. Etsy Labs: 325 Gold St, 3rd fl, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Los Angeles, California

GOOD December Local World's Fair, December 6 & 7, 12pm – 5pm
"GOOD magazine presents an alternative to the fast and anonymous shopping we've come to expect in the holiday season. Shop, eat and make local! Ongoing DIY workshops throughout the weekend. Plus special guest Evan Kleiman of KCRW’s Good Food." For details, visit their site. Say hello to Etsy admin Adam while you're there.

BUST Craftacular, December 6, 11:00am – 6pm
"Come get jiggy with jingle bells and party with BUST as you browse through the best in handmade gifts, from handbags and accessories to jewelry and cards, make your own giftwrap at an all-day 'Craftnight,' and get loose with Djs C. Brown (Small Town Talk) and Audrey Napoleon." More info here.

Chicago, Illinois

DEPART-ment December Show, December 6 & 7, 11am – 5pm
Organized by type of item, DEPART-ment's show is more like a craft store than a craft fair, with one central check out and a volunteer team of makers to answer questions and help things flow. At AV-aerie 2000 W. Fulton (at Damen), suite 310 (3rd floor). Check out the details here.

Seattle, Washington

Urban Craft Uprising, December 6 & 7, 11am – 5pm
"The Uprising is truly a unique showcase for rising indie craft stars, and a venue for holiday shoppers to marvel over one-of-a-kind, avant-garde creations, and at no charge to the public." Seattle Center Exhibition Hall; go here for details.

London, England, UK

BUST Craftacular, December 6, 12:00pm – midnight
"Shop, dance and be Merry! BUST magazine brings you an all-day, all-night shopping and music extravaganza featuring the nation's hottest DIY talent. Down some drinks as you learn to craft and listen to DJs while you browse the handmade wares, from jewellery and clothing to home décor and cards." Details here.

Everywhere!

Can't bear to kick off your warm fuzzy bunny slippers? No worries! Stay home and Shop Live with expert shoppers in the Virtual Labs.

Let us know what's happening in your area by sharing in the comments below. Even better... show us the events you visit and the people you meet, by sharing your photos in the Etsy in Action flickr photo pool.

Handmade Confessional: Maiko Mitchem

2008-12-03T13:00:00-05:00

We met Maiko Mitchem aka flurrsprite at Felt Club in LA. Nothing says holidays like bunny pirates!

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 32,000 people have signed.

Get involved in our video series of videos: share your Handmade Confessional with us. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

What Does Handmade Mean to You, Los Angeles?

2008-11-16T16:30:00-05:00

What does handmade mean to you, Los Angeles artists and crafters, and you who buy from indie sellers?

At LA Felt Club on November 16th, 2008, from 2pm-6pm (Pacific Time), Tara (Etsy admin weirdwolf and video shooter) wants to meet you and tape very short (15 second) individual videos. Please bring something handmade you've bought or made and tell us why you buy/wear/sell/gift handmade. There will be a sign up sheet and each shoot will only take a few minutes. So pop by and help us spread the word about the handmade movement!

[LA screenrpint by miriamdema]

These videos will be used on Etsy's blog and BuyHandmade.org as part of the Handmade Consortium, among other places.

Not in LA or can't make it to Felt Club? Here's the perfect excuse to try making your own quick video! Here are some suggestions and here are our Getting Started in Video How-tos.

Comment below if we'll see you there!

Shop Local Los Angeles | Take the BuyHandmade.org Pledge

Featured Buyer: Lisa Butterworth of BUST Magazine

2008-10-29T12:52:00-05:00

This week’s Featured Buyer is Lisa Butterworth, associate editor of BUST magazine, which has been spreading the good word of craft for years. Every issue features DIY projects galore and handmade products to score, with indie businesses and Etsy sellers taking center stage. BUST’s Holiday Craftacular is one of the biggest handmade fairs of the year, and this season it’s going global with events in London and L.A. in addition to the ever-poppin’ N.Y.C. edition. 2008’s Craftacular is just around the corner and they’re accepting submissions now for vendors in all three cities. Go to BUST.com to find out more!

Ever since my grandma taught me how to crochet when I was little, I’ve been hooked on handmade. (But what I’ve learned from my crafting endeavors is that other people do it way better, and I should just stick to writing.) Luckily, my job at BUST lets me write about crafting, choose DIY tutorials, and spend hours poring over products on blogs, web sites, and, of course, Etsy to find the very best in the world of craft. Not to mention I get to shop my heart out every year at Bust’s Holiday Craftacular and meet all the awesome people who make the goodies I love so much.

Last year we nearly blew the top off New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion, there was so much handmade awesomeness going on (even the crafty queen of quirk, Amy Sedaris had a table). Since the Craftacular offers a representation of all kinds of handmade, I’ve tried to pick a similar sampling. Here are items from some of my all-time favorite Craftacular vendors and crafters we’ve featured in the pages of BUST.

I love these cards from BowandArrow. I buy a pack every year just to have them on hand. (And the gal working the letterpress is just as sweet as her designs.)

Whether cheeky or bold, a Brookadelphia necklace makes a statement. This one is especially timely, no?

Lois Aronow aka misslo's handthrown porcelain just kills me. It’s so pretty I want to eat it up, let alone what’s being served!

Every hall should be decked with one of MyImaginaryBoyfriend’s Jolly Roger ornaments.

Fascinators are all the rage, and this lovely yellow hairpiece by GiantDwarf is one of the most original I’ve seen. Hello cocktail party!

I got a pair of these simple (and ridiculously affordable!) earrings last year from amyetsy, and they’re in my ears more often than not cause they go with every outfit.

I’ve had my eye on Supayana designer Yana Gorbulsky since BUST featured the sewing superstar way back in 2006. That said, I wish this dress was part of my wardrobe.

If BUST held a Craftacular in New Zealand, TrixieDelicious would no doubt sell her wares there. We featured her Ramones plate in the mag last year, but I’m totally lusting for this 7 deadly sins coffee/tea set. I love the smell of gluttony in the morning.

I love the retro-rificness of TrixieandRadar’s Help Me Rhonda Decoupaged clock. What time is it? Time for a blow-out!

These letterpressed notecards from tarahogan are almost too cute to write on.

This handmade cutie from LittleFlowerDesigns is just my cuppa tea.

sproutonline's Orbit Ring is outta this world. I want one of these gorgeous babies for every finger!

Don't forget! 2008’s Craftacular is just around the corner and they’re accepting submissions now for vendors in New York, Los Angeles and London. Go to BUST.com to find out more!

For more shopping ideas, our Featured Buyer series is quite impressive! Do some digging, my friend!

Quit Your Day Job: chocolateandsteel

2008-10-13T12:12:00-05:00

After returning to work 4 months after maternity leave, Christine of chocolateandsteel knew it just wasn't for her anymore. She had a passion for working with her hands, and really missed her new son while back at her day job; so she made a plan. She took two weeks vacation from work and in that two weeks tested how her Etsy sales would be effected when she put all that extra time into her jewelry business. She ended up making more money in that two weeks than she did regularly at her day job; and that was when she knew she was ready to take the plunge. Keep reading to find out how Christine can live off of her Etsy sales while raising a child with her husband and to learn more about her, please take a look at the video she made for her handmade story.

When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
I had far flung dreams of quitting my day job before even hearing about Etsy. Once I found Etsy and saw the success of many other sellers then I had goals of quitting my day job. It actually seemed plausible.

How long were you selling on Etsy before taking the plunge into selling full time?
I was on maternity leave when I discovered Etsy. I originally started selling on Etsy just to help make a few bucks while on leave. 4 months after having my son I went back to work full time. I was so miserable. I was sleep deprived and missed my son which seemed to magnify the real problem – I was completely unfulfilled in my job. My husband encouraged me to put more time and energy into my jewelry and less into my job. So after 6 months of being on Etsy selling a little here and a little there I took a huge risk – I took 2 weeks off from my job. It was an experiment to see what would happen if I put all of that time I was working at my regular job into making and selling jewelry. In those 2 weeks I made more on Etsy than I did at my regular job. Once those 2 weeks ended I notified my employer that I would not be coming back. Woohoo! It was so exciting and even more scary.

What was the deciding factor resulting in your pursuing Etsy as your full time job?
At the core of my decision was my lack of fulfillment. I really enjoy working with my hands and being creative. While my full time job started off like that, over time as the company grew and my position became more refined it lost all of the things I loved about it.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
Not really. I kinda flew by the seat of my pants. I obviously had to research all of the necessary licenses that I needed. Turns out you need both a state and city tax permit. Who knew! Some things I have just learned the hard way. Google has been my best friend. I’m sure there are more effective ways to set up a business though.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business and what's you're best marketing tip?
The single most effective way has been craft shows. The best one was Renegade San Francisco. I got a lot of press and publicity from doing such a great show, not to mention all of the wonderful people I met there. I still have orders flowing in from the Bay area. I hope to do more big shows like that and I’d love to travel to Chicago and Brooklyn as well.

I am an avid blog reader. I read so many design blogs, just because I love to. Then I visit the bloggers they listed on their blog rolls. Then I visit those people’s blog rolls and so on and so forth. I could spend all day reading blogs if I had the time. Blogs have been effective for me because I participate. I comment on people’s blogs and I send in submissions. I just love making stuff so I have gotten blog mentions for anything from interior design (my apartment was featured on Design*Sponge) to crafty projects. Not everything has been jewelry related. But I have a feeling most people are nosy like me. I always check out people’s shops or sites regardless of what they are featured for.

My best marketing tip is that when people ask what you do – TELL THEM! I no longer say, “I’m a stay at home mom”. I say, “I’m a jewelry artist. Here’s my card. I work with fine silver… oh, this is one of the pieces that I made.” {show new acquaintance necklace that I am wearing}

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion or something that's just not working for your shop?
I hate to say it but blog advertising has not really worked, which sucks because I spent money on it!

Would you walk us through what a typical workday might entail being your own boss?

I wake up when my son wakes up – usually at 7:30 with him yelling from his room “mommmmmmmmmy wake uuuuuuup!” (I’m not a morning person.)
We eat breakfast together and then he watches Mickey Mouse and I check my emails, quickly read some blogs, relist items that sold overnight (thanks Australia – you always make my mornings nice).
My son and I then walk the dogs and he rides his bike. We come back in and while he eats a snack I print out my orders for the day.
We are off to do fun and wonderful outdoorsy things. This is when inspiration usually strikes that’s why there are so many nature themes in my work.
When he naps in the afternoon. I get cracking. First I package any orders that need to be shipped and drop them in our postal box before 4pm. Then I get started on new pieces. The afternoon is also the perfect time to photograph new pieces. The light is perfect around 3pm.
This schedule has been increasingly difficult because my son is not napping every day now. But next week he starts preschool in the afternoons and I will get 3 1/2 hours 4 days a week to work. I can’t wait!
Back to family stuff until I put my son to bed at night around 8:30. Then I work again from 9 to midnight.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job and is there anything you miss?
I love the feeling I get every single time a piece sells. I’m still in awe that someone is willing to pay money for something that I created. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I really miss the steady income and benefits from my old job. Creating a budget was incredibly easier when I knew how much money was coming in every month.

If you could go back in time before you took the plunge, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?
I don’t believe in regrets at all. So this isn’t a regret but I realize that it would have been a lot easier to take this plunge before having a baby. Our expenses increased a lot after having a child so that really adds to the stress. But I probably would not have been as motivated to take the plunge and the risk if I didn’t have the desire to be home for my son. As far as business advice, I would instruct myself to conserve earlier. Luckily my plunge to self-employment has coincided with the desire to live a simpler existence. It would have been nice had I done that a little earlier and not spent so much money on unnecessary things. Living a simple existence in Los Angeles is not an easy thing to do. I am surrounded by people with expensive homes, clothing, cars and strollers (you would not believe some of these strollers – I saw a stroller that was a vespa). But something about pursuing my art has brought me back to my roots. I enjoy gardening and cooking and shopping at the local farmer’s markets. I have to give a shout out to my favorite blog here. Wolfie and the Sneak!

What advice would you give someone else thinking about taking the plunge to sell full time on Etsy?
1. You have to believe in your work
2. Sell at craft shows. Even if they end up not being the most profitable the contacts that you make will be priceless. (Craft Show & Events How-Tos)
3. Work on your photography constantly. Even if it takes 3 hours to get one good picture. Online the only thing you’ve got is your picture. (Photography How-Tos)
4. Provide excellent customer service. Even if your feelings are hurt by someone’s comments always remain professional, friendly and generous. Really generous! (Service Tips for Sellers Series)
5. Do everything you can to create a strong online presence. Post on blogs, have a blog, participate in groups (Flickr, Etsy forums, Etsy teams, trade groups, local events).
6. And now for my soapbox speech:
I think it’s really important to acknowledge that even though we are selling primarily online and it’s seems anonymous, it’s not. We are all people with something great in common – a creative passion and a desire to follow our dreams. I’m shocked sometimes at the communication I see in the forums between people. When I meet people in real life that sell on Etsy there is an instant camaraderie because we know we share a goal. That attitude should be there in all of our communication. It will only serve your business well.

How's it going so far, are you supporting yourself?
It’s going really well. My husband is a freelance writer so sometimes having two freelance incomes can become terrifying. Sometimes it’s great though. We piggyback on each other when one has a good month and one has a challenging month. And then sometimes we freak out together because we are both completely broke (August has been tough!). I am certainly “supporting” myself but I am still working towards stability. We are more “hand to mouth” than we’ve ever been before but my wonderful friends always remind me how far I’ve come in one year. I am managing to hold on but looking forward to increasing my business at the same rate or greater within the next year. Putting it into perspective, by leaving my corporate job I have traded one stress for another – emptiness and unfulfillment for lack of stability. But I realize that if I continue to pursue my business with the passion that I have, that lack of stability will decrease. While had I stayed in my corporate job that unfulfillment would have only gotten worse.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
I’ve got so many exciting things in the works right now. One of which I can’t reveal just yet and it’s killing me. I did a collaboration with Boygirlparty that turned out so great! I will be working on a couple more collaborations with some of my most favorite Etsy artists. I also hope to release a collection of rings in October (I’ve been saying this since May, so fingers crossed). While I do have specific sales goals for my Etsy business, I try not to focus on that too much. I think it will service my business better to focus on keeping my shop fresh and exciting with new pieces and great art.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I really appreciate all of the support I have received from Etsy, Etsy sellers, and Etsy buyers. I really am one of those cases that can say, “Etsy changed my life”. Thanks!

Thanks to Christine for sharing their story and business with us! Check out the related items below to see some of their items. You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events October 2- 8, 2008

2008-10-02T15:48:00-05:00

Fall events are in full swing, with holiday planning just around the corner... are you ready? Whether you're a shopper or a seller, here are the latest happenings you should know about.

Delray Beach, Florida

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Stitch Rock is an annual indie craft fair and bazaar bringing back old school crafting techniques with new school flare! Full of handmade crafts and unique products like D.I.Y fashion, funky home decor items, natural bath and body goodies, vintage finds, hot rod paintings, pin up photography, and much more! Skip the mall, shop indie!

Door prizes, music, food and drinks.
Free swag bags for the first 100 people!
D.I.Y Fashion show at 3pm
Special feature: Live painting by local Miami artist, LEB

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
October 4-5, 2008

Puces POP, along with over one hundred artists and craftspeople, invites you to SHOP HANDMADE! There will be art collectives, jewelers, fashion designers, screen printers, indie record labels, cake makers, toy creators, puppeteers, fanzine editors, soap makers, stationary designers, knitters, bookmakers, home accessory designers, and the list goes on and on...

Washington DC
September 8th to October 25th

The Luce Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) wants to play with you. They have launched an alternate reality game called Ghosts of a Chance and are calling on the general public to participate.

They want you to fall in love with the museum and its collections, a place that holds the best they have to offer, the excessive desires of our civilization. From September 8th to October 25th, the objects you create will be displayed for all to see. In effect, you will be secularly canonized. So join in, at the Museum, at the live events, online or in person.

Calls for Vendors

Sunnyside, New York: October 11, 2008

Sunnyside Gardens Park's 2nd Annual Arts & Crafts Fair.

Set to coincide with both the Pumpkin Patch Festival and Oktoberfest, this year's fair is sure to be a blast.

They welcome everyone to come celebrate the fall, harvest some pumpkins, drink some beer, and check out lots of great local crafts! Space is still available for crafters. Download the vendor contract for more information.

Los Angeles, California: December 13-14, 200

Unique Los Angeles: Want a place to hawk your goods and reach thousands of shoppers in just one weekend? Join the best thing to happen to Los Angeles since the fall of botox. Visit the website for details.

Space available for over 225 vendors.

Let us know what's happening in your area by sharing in the comments below. Want to report on an event you're organizing? Email us!