Search results (tags) for: "mothers day"

Etsy Finds: For the Mother Who Creates

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:14:00 -0000

Like many of us on Etsy, I'm the daughter of an art teacher. Set this lady loose in an art supply store and watch out! I've seen her in action. The woman loves tools. She once gave a gift of an electric eraser to my fiance, who is an illustrator. At first, he looked upon it as a dubious device but then was won over by the magic of helpful tools.

As you probably know, you can now use the drop-down option in Etsy's search bar to search just for supplies. There are many useful tools which will help you out in your crafty endeavors. But what to get for the mom who has everything?

I turned to ephemera. The thrill of finding vintage supplies for my mother's collages beckoned (you can now search Etsy just for Vintage in the drop down too). And Etsy is great in the same way as a flea market or a grandmother's attic. Destash, my friends! Bring it! I found these awesome vintage RPPCs (which stands for Real Photo Postcards, I just learned) in cocostives' shop. They're perfect for a little Mother's Day gift that says, "Hey special lady, I think the art you create is pretty special." I like how they depict ladies of yesteryear — what better way to honor our mothers?

I know this doesn't have anything to do with crafting, or human woman, but it's a nice mother/child precious moment...

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Etsy Finds: A Little Vacation for Mom

Sat, 10 May 2008 18:00:00 -0000

In honor of Mother's Day (tomorrow!), I thought it'd be fun to ask my own Mom what she would pick if she could feature any item on Etsy. There's nothing my parents like more than travelling, so I wasn't really surprised when she chose this gorgeous photograph by Shutterstitch as her favorite thing on Etsy right now. It's completely her style, and she said right away how much it reminded her of a family vacation we took to France a few years ago.

Since sending my Mom on a much-deserved European mini-vacation this month is out of the question, this print would be a perfect way to let her know I'm thinking of her and I love her (even if she's terrible at reading French road maps). Now she can look at it, and think of our silly family adventures and dream of being somewhere more exciting and picturesque than central New Jersey. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

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Gift Ideas: Nouveau Mamas

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:51:00 -0000

Word to the wise: first time moms like to be acknowledged. Extra points if you coyly tell her "you couldn't help but jump the gun" and give your soon-to-be new mother a cute maternity gifty.

See other Storque Mother's Day posts.

Etsy Finds: Floating Aurora Borealis

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:54:00 -0000

The time has come to make mom feel like a star, so maybe you should light up her life with a delicately crafted paper mobile by theStarCraft. Made from hand-folded Moravian paper stars, these magical mobiles mimic interstellar bodies and celestial phenomena. These are pretty far-out creations for anyone's home, and what mom doesn't deserve the chance to peer into psudeo-space to escape the thoughts of changing your soiled diapers? For all the times she put up with you, isn't it time you put the northern lights on her ceiling?

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When You Don't Like Your Mom...

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:18:00 -0000

Mother's Day can be pretty annoying. Not to disparage all the amazing moms out there, but some of us have "challenging" relationships with Mama. Here is a collection of humorous pieces to lighten the overbearing load.

Most likely you have other cool people in your life and Mother's Day is a good time to share a laugh with them! You are not alone!

Fresh Shops: markrouttphotography

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:37:00 -0000

This Fresh Shop discovery is actually for my best friend's mother. She grew up on the Jersey Shore, and was transplanted to California many moons ago. This is a fact that I often forget unless she's visiting the East Coast, or unless she's had a glass of wine or two. Then the Joisey girl within makes an appearance. There is a part of her that will always be at the Shore. And it has decided that the best way to achieve this is through various representations of lighthouses. Many of them. In every room of her house. So when I found markrouttphotography's shop, I immediately thought of her. So, Mrs. K, this one's for you.

Can you tell us a little about the people behind markrouttphotography? Who are you and what makes you tick?
My name is Mark Routt and I am a fine art photographer and artist living and working near Washington DC. I am the creator of markrouttphotography here on Etsy. I am not however the sole force behind this endeavor. Much of that credit goes to my amazing family and friends. In particular, I wish to thank my mom (sssugarbears) and fiance (christianes) for all their support and encouragement. They are the true reasons for my success. Happy Mother’s Day to you both!

I love art! I’ve loved art since I was five years old and have wanted to become an artist ever since. I love drawing, painting, and taking pictures. I am very fortunate to be making a living creating art.

What inspires you as a creative person?
Working with and viewing the work of other creative people is my greatest source of inspiration. I love going to the art museums in Washington DC and New York City. I’m inspired by the natural world, music and movies, and by great architecture. A great source of recent inspiration are the arts and crafts I find on Etsy.

How do you like Etsy so far?
I really like Etsy — ok, I love it! My family would say I’m addicted to it. I love its creative and functional design. I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that goes into it. I like the community it’s creating and the quality of artists it attracts. I discover new talent everyday. Thanks to Nache at creativeroute for turning me onto Etsy.

Curious about other Fresh Shops on Etsy? Check out the series!

Etsy Finds: "Mom's Day" To Day

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:29:00 -0000

So, this is my first time giving a Mother's Day gift to Anda, my lovely wife and the mother of our amazing super most radical daughter Sidonie. What, oh what to give her that could ever show my eternal love and admiration, as well as appeal to her love of drawing?! I found craigatkinson a ways back while perusing the healthy variety of books and zines on Etsy, and immediately loved it. He has a classic sense for composition and a scratchy line, a combo that I can't resist. And, even though it's different than Anda's style of illustration (featured all over Etsy!), I know she'd appreciate it, too. So, if your baby mama (or your mom!) is an artist, book and zine collector — or just likes rad artwork — keep this artist/ publisher from across the pond in your brain.

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Mothers Galore

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:40:00 -0000

Together, Marianne and her daughter Adrianne run Bellebeads (also known as Family Flame Artisan Beads). Carole Brender of brenderart is mother to Marianne and grandmother to Adrianne — three generations on Etsy! Carole says that she heard about Etsy through her daughter and granddaughter. "My daughter has been helping me learn to list items, and even participate in forums, etc. If I have a question, both my daughter and grandaughter are there to help." It's a true family affair!

Do you have a job or do you Etsy full-time or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
Adrianne says: I do lampwork beads and jewelry design part time and am a full time mother / housekeeper. In September I will be returning to school part time to further my talents and knowledge in photography and glass as an art and career.

Marianne says: I am a full-time housewife and glass artist.

Carole says: I am a full time artist (screenprints, watercolor, drawing, sublimation) and piano teacher.

[Five generation portrait 2008. Left to right back row: Marianne, Carole, Carole's mom. Front: Adrianne, daughter Audry, niece Lexi]

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
Adrianne says: My mother, grandmother, and great grandmothers have influenced me my whole life. Growing up I was always taught the importance of individuality and putting my best into everything I do. I was and still am a daydreamer. I think that is the creative gene in me from them. My mother pretty much taught me everything I know in beadwork and jewelry design, and eventually got me into lampworking. I seem to always follow in my mom's footsteps. My grandparents took me to Europe when I was 14. In Venice, Italy, we watched the glass blowers, and learned about how the different colors were made. Little did I know that experience would have a huge impact on what I am doing today.

Marianne says: My mother, Carole Brender, has always been my inspiration. She has been a professional artist most of my life. I helped her at art shows, and we were members of a local cooperative gallery for many years.

Carole says: My mother, grandmother, and I took china painting classes together. Mother was always creating something, and still is at 95!

Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son creative duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!

Featured Buyer: Rob's Mom, aka Carol Kalin Abedon

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:17:00 -0000

This week we have a very special Featured Buyer, just in time for Mother's Day: Carol Kalin Abedon, otherwise known as Rob's mother. Before Rokali founded Etsy and made it what it is today, he was but a kid with dreams, nurtured by his parents. Here's Carol.

Hi, my name is Carol Kalin Abedon and I am connected to Etsy by birth. Rob Kalin, aka Rokali, is my firstborn and founder of Etsy. This article is dedicated to my mom, Pauline Sonenshine, a proud Etsy seller herself (Sunshinejewelery) and the person who taught me what good taste is. This is also written as a joyful "thank you" to my three children, who have a passion for doing things differently from their progenitors. It is especially written for all the people who love Etsy and want to know more about my eldest son.

Before I show you my favorite items on Etsy, I am going to take advantage of this forum to tell you a bit about Rob and his life before Etsy.

As I reminisce and review the myriad of moments I have stored in my memory of life as a sister, daughter, and mother, I recall many anecdotes that Rob might not appreciate seeing in the Storque. For example, he would probably not want me to reveal to you that his favorite color used to be pink and all he wanted for his 4th birthday were lengths of pink ribbon in every possible hue, or how he would clasp the corners of the blue satin Batman cape I made him and jump off the jungle gym to see if he could fly (his little brother in close pursuit with his very own hand-made, red satin, Robin cape).

Rob was a fine side-armed pitcher in middle school and played a wicked game of tennis (still does). Did you know that in middle school, Rob could play a smooth, jazzy version of "Tequila" on the alto sax? I wonder how Rob would feel about me divulging the details of his nightly habit of carefully placing his high top sneakers facing opposite directions in front of his bedroom door, ostensibly to keep out the "evil spirits." Maybe Rob would think it was okay to tell you about the time he and a friend got into trouble with "the powers that be" while attempting to scale the famous CITGO sign in Kenmore Square, just to check out the neon workings up close and personal. On second thought, I'd better leave that one out.

It might be better to describe how I had to actually show my (shockingly honest) young son how to steal a cookie from the kitchen cabinet by dragging a chair over and climbing onto the counter…a further lesson was necessary to teach him to hide the purloined sweet as he walked by his parents. It is also amusing to remember the time that Rob decided to run away from home: he packed his entire baseball card collection in his suitcase, resulting in absolutely no room for clothes and a bag too heavy for him to carry further than the end of the driveway.

Since he definitely would not want me to tell you all those stories, I will recount the following anecdote which I am sure Rob does not remember, but of which he would approve. It was a dismal, dreary, rainy weekend in May, and all three siblings were stuck inside at home. All that could be heard throughout the house was bickering, teasing, whining, crying, and arguing. I became so annoyed and frustrated by my inability to get them to stop that I finally sent all three kids to temporary solitary confinement. Rob retreated to his woodshop, and Stefan and Laura to their respective quarters. Each child was forcefully told they could only show their face again once all conflicts had been peaceably resolved. I totally ignored their protests of "But Mo-o-om, how can we fix it if we can't see or even talk to each other??"

Once all their doors were closed, and it was finally quiet, I retreated to my room to read. Half an hour later, I began to hear the sound of doors gently opening and closing and the shuffling of papers. Eventually, Rob, Laura, and Stefan appeared at my door, lined up behind the oldest (Rob), who handed me three carefully written pages, personal manifestos, gifts of incredible value. I saved their words with other treasured memorabilia and will end this Mother's Day article with Rob's own words from a Mother's Day 15 years ago.

Now on to the real point of this article: to share some of my experiences on Etsy and specifically the things which I would love to receive for Mother's Day. Some of these things I have already been given as presents, and I use/wear them proudly.

[String Theory by bbusbyarts]

I have used quilts as a focal point in the rooms of my house, both as a bedcover and on walls. I love this quilt because of its detailed and subtle use of color to show movement, and I think purple is my favorite color.

[Stained Glass Silk Scarf by kjmSILKS]

The vibrant colors in this silk scarf remind me of the stained glass windows my daughter has made.

[Oceana End Table by paulus]

This would be absolutely perfect to complete a sitting area in my new home.

[The Cute Bag - Jungle Bird by thislittlebird]

I have to admit that I love this bag because I have seen my daughter's Etsy choices, and her good taste has rubbed off on me.

[Wild Bergamot - Stained Glass Sculpture by FeralGlass]

I would love to plant this along with the daffodils in my new garden!

[Walk This Way Wall Graphic by ellynelly]

This would spice up any room. I'd follow these guys anywhere.

[Horizontal Peapod Necklace by sudlow]

This necklace would make a great accessory to go with the peapod earrings that I already have. (Hint, hint!)

[Grey and Rainbow Shawl by TJTDesign]

I love to add to my famous collection of shawls, and this would certainly be unique among them.

[Kristen by johnclark - this particular piece was purchased, but other custom pieces are available!]

An amazingly personal, intriguing gift. I happen to know that this young woman is beautiful both in this representation and face-to-face. I also love this interesting form of art — I like the merger of image and words and being able to recognize which novels many of these pages came from.

[Silver Leaf Three by zippandesigns]

Absolutely stunning — imaginative flight of earrings. So sophisticated.

[Mobile Lustron by frithmobiles]

Mobiles bring motion and color to my house, reflecting light and breezes.

So this is where I am right now. More favorites will be found each day as I explore the ever-expanding inventory of listings. It brings me great "nachus" to be a part of Etsy, Rob's "baby." Happy Mother's Day!

Mother-Daughter Shops: CaptureCapeMay

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:24:00 -0000

Mothers and their daughters and/or sons can often be creative forces to reckon with: keeping it all in the family and playing off of each other's deep understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes frought, sometimes breezy, these duos bring something special to the handmade experience. CaptureCapeMay is one such team...

If you're a mom, tell us how many kids you have. Do you have a job, do you Etsy full-time, or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
My mom and I run CaptureCapeMay together. I am her only child. Right at this very moment, I am 10 weeks pregnant with my first baby! My mom works full-time for the county and I am a full-time Social Worker serving the elderly community. I am not sure what I will do after I have the baby, I would like to continue working full-time but you never know. We both are "do-it-all" kind of people.

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
There are no genetics involved as I am adopted. I have no way of knowing genetically what was passed to me. I am able to specifically pinpoint the basic principles of both art and science that I learned as a child due to activities with my mom. Together we enjoyed making candles, creating "rainbow ice" with salt and food coloring, mixing our own play-dough, using glue to curl shoe laces, making underwater volcanoes in a cylinder bowl and forming sentences with flash cards we made ourselves. I was always very much nurtured in the most scientific arts and the most creative sciences and had a lot of fun.

Is there anything particularly difficult or great about working with your Mother?
Unfortunately, I am not in Cape May full-time like my mom is. I moved to Pennsylvania (about 1.5 hours from Cape May) when I got married almost two years ago.

I still go down on weekends and in the summer. The great thing about working with my mom is, she is a very good photographer and I can leave custom orders safely in her hands.

[The duo will write something about your mom in the sand and capture it for you. Perfect for mom's who are hard to shop for!]
She (and my dad, too) also funded getting the really nice cameras for the business. I run the Etsy store, the website and all forms of online communication and marketing. I'm more internet savvy than she is and enjoy computers, so it works out well. There isn't really anything difficult, we work well together.

Next year will be Amanda's first Mother's Day. She says she's looking forward to "anything in DesignsbyAutumn's or Savor's Etsy stores." Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!

Etsy Finds: Moms Love Plants!

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:15:00 -0000

One of the traits I hope to inherit from my mother, since I missed out on the "cooking" gene, is her green thumb. I've tried my hand at growing vegetables, in which I mostly utilized a plant-and-pray technique; somehow I had some luck with the tomatoes. But my mom, Flo, sure does know how to keep the foliage happy. Some of the plants at my parent's house are older than I am!

Even with so many great things on Etsy, I still have a hard time shopping for Mommy. But practicality is always something I look for. Something like a beautiful hand thrown planter is a perfect Mother's Day; it's simple, useful and elegant. So here's to all you mommies who like to get your paws dirty!

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Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team

Mother's Day: Special Notes for Special Ladies!

Mon, 05 May 2008 03:51:00 -0000

Dear Etsy Shoppers,

When I was a kid, my mother preferred an endearing, crayon-scrawled handmade Mother's Day card from her darling daughter. But now that I'm older, it isn't quite as cute to send one of my (still crayon-scrawled) drawings to mum. Below you'll find some nice handmade cards, fit for the picking, by talented artists. You can find all sorts here.

Sellers, post a link to your shop in the comments if you have Mother's Day cards listed!

Gifts for Mum

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:59:00 -0000

We all love our dear moms. They gave us life, they're comforting and cuddly, they pick you up when you're stranded in the rain, make hot cocoa when you're cold and they always answer the phone to listen to life's latest trials and tribulations. (Or at least, that's my mom. Hi, Mom!)

Whether you're a mom yourself or merely call one whenever you have a minute, this collection of mom-friendly items is just in time for Mother's Day. Reach out and let your momma know you care! She deserves it.

If you have a Mother's Day story you'd like to share, pitch it to the Storque! We are looking for great mother/daughter (or son!) shops to feature, too!

Mother's Day Showcase on Sale this Thursday, March 27

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:01:00 -0000

Dear Sellers:

The weather is finally starting to get warmer and Mothers Day is just around the corner!

The Mothers Day Showcase will be going on sale this Thursday, March 27th at 12:00pm EST. This Showcase will be linked by way of a special themed banner on the homepage of Etsy.

We hope that sellers choose items that they would give their own mom, a friend's mom, your wife or maybe a new mom. Some ideas may include jewelry (of course), accessories, ceramic items, bath and beauty items or anything that she loves but may hesitate to buy herself. Maternity wear is a nice idea for expecting moms. It is a great place for sellers to give buyers gift ideas for the very special women in their lives.

It goes on sale Thursday, March 27th at 12:00 pm EST.

Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
It goes live on Tuesday, April 1st at 12 am (midnight) EST and will run until the May 11th (Mother's Day).
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24 hour spot in the Mother's Day Showcase, which is linked to from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
You now administer which items you want to be fed into your Showcase slot through the tool in Your Shop. Read more about this process here.

What is this showcase thing? For a general introduction to Showcase, read Matt's Storque article 13.5 Questions about the Showcase, and for deeper thoughts on figuring out if Showcase is right for you, see Beth's Showcase Deconstructed article.