Search results (tags) for: "travel"

Crossing Borders: Short Stories of Expats in Europe, Part 2

2008-09-08T11:24:00Z

After I finished my last collection of stories, Crossing Borders: Short Stories of Expats in Europe, I still felt there was so much more to tell. The move I made from Australia to Greece has made me curious about others who have done the same thing: How did they make the big decision? How did moving to a faraway land, living amidst another culture and learning another language affect their craft?

[photos by annarubyking]

Moving to Greece directly changed my arts practice. I thought that once I arrived in Greece my small jewelery business could be running again after three to six months, only missing one season at most. Two years later, I am finally getting things going again. I had started drawing and making cards during this period, to keep myself occupied, so today I have two artistic outlets.

[photos by StaroftheEast]

Esther and Estella, the mother and daughter team behind StaroftheEast, now live in the small city of Marmaris, Turkey. Esther left Spain for Holland at 17 to study. She became a civil engineer, but after 20 years of work she suffered a serious accident at a building site and was unable to work or even walk. She made the decision to move to Turkey with her daughter Estella, where the warm climate helped her to heal, and she and her daughter began a new career together: creating. Turkey not only influences their work, but provides some of the raw materials, like the amazing sea urchins they use in their jewelery.

[photos by DeepIndigo]

Claudia, aka DeepIndigo, is an architect and fashion designer raised in Mexico. She came to live in the Netherlands after following her Dutch husband to Europe. Life threw them some unexpected surprises, and she became the step-mom to her husband's three children after their mother suddenly passed away, and later her own son was born with Hemophilia type A and club feet.

She says, "I have to admit that my first years in Europe were not as I expected them to be, but new things were offered to me, and I grabbed them. I tried my best and grew roots in this cold, wet piece of land."

It was while her son was going through a series of operations that she began knitting, crocheting and making other little things; it started as a type of therapy, and like her son, grows little by little.

[photos by MistyAurora]

Dina, aka MistyAurora, knew since she was young that she was meant to travel. After finishing school she left Greece for England, where she met her boyfriend who brought her to Sweden. Her crafts have always traveled with her in her suitcase, through the markets of Athens to the vintage treasures of London and now the beautiful design world of Sweden.

Dina does find the language barrier tricky, but she is thankful that Swedish people all understand English. She also wishes that the Swedes could understand that tzatziki does not belong on pizza, but you can't have everything, right?

[photos by BenConservato]

Emma, aka BenConservato, is another Aussie who came to Europe with her husband, and they settled in the North of France. There have been the normal barriers — the French residency card, the language — but she has found the people of the North to be very open and friendly.

She says, "I like the people I have met and the way my work has progressed since having the time and more interaction with other artists than I did in the past. I think France has been good for my self-confidence."

IraGrant left her family, friends and a fantastic job in Indonesia to move with her New Zealander husband to London. After living there for five years, his work then led them to Nauchatel, Switzerland.

She says "I guess this beautiful place led me back to my creative side. It's hard not to be influenced by the beautiful scenery of Lake Neuchatel, Mont Blanc and The Alps, which I can see from my window everyday!"

[photos by Ingermaaike]

Inger, aka Ingermaaike, is not so much an expat, but a citizen of the world, having relocated 17 times within 4 countries. Her mother is a Norwegian who moved to Holland, her father a Dutchman who was born in Indonesia — wanderlust is certainly in her blood. She says that her latest move from Holland to Norway really feels like coming home.

She loves the great outdoors, which is beginning to vanish in Holland, so she, her husband and their three boys recently packed up their lives and made the move.

"From the moment we decided to leave till now, scarcely a year has passed. Many call us mad for leaving and not having sold our other house yet, nor having found a job. But hey, a bit of madness is sometimes needed to make your dreams come true!"

So once again, I come to the end of my little journey across Europe. Thanks to all these artists for letting me peak into their lives and learn their stories!

Further Resources:
European Street Team's Blog can be found at Europeanst.blogspot.com. Also, make sure to check out Part 1 of this series!

Gotta Travel On | Etsy World Tour

Etsy World Tour: Paper Dolls in Japan

2008-08-15T15:11:00Z

I met Chisako Higashiya, aka Japanesepaperdoll, at a Thanksgiving dinner she hosted during my first year living in Japan. As far as I know, she was the only person in the area with an oven big enough to cook a turkey—and a heart big enough to invite thirty foreign teachers into her home to celebrate a North American holiday. But this generosity should come as no surprise to the hundreds of students who have worked with her over the years. They know Chisako has spent nearly a decade teaching classes in English on how to make washi ningyo, elaborate dolls constructed entirely out of handmade Japanese paper, giving foreigners living in Japan the rare opportunity to learn this traditional Japanese craft.

[Chisako, teaching a class in her studio]

Chisako's interest in sharing Japanese culture began even before she knew how to make paper dolls, back when she was a music teacher in Seki, a small city in central Japan. She was teaching a student from the United States, a man who spent part of his lessons asking questions about Japanese culture. "I understood what it was like to see Japanese culture through a foreigner's eyes then," she says. He was interested and wanted to learn more, but classes in traditional Japanese crafts like ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and shodo (calligraphy) were expensive and typically taught entirely in Japanese. Chisako wanted to help, but at the time, music was the only subject she was qualified to teach.

[Washi ningyo on display in Chisako's studio]

That changed a few years later when she saw a handmade washi ningyo at a friend's house. "I saw the doll and I thought, 'I want to make that,'" she says. After apprenticing with an elderly paper doll teacher, Chisako passed the test to become a certified washi ningyo teacher and set up a small doll studio in the attic of her house. Remembering her conversations with the American student, she decided to teach her classes in English and charge only a nominal fee, giving interested foreigners the chance to learn a traditional Japanese craft.

[A doll I made in Chisako's class]

I had the same reaction as Chisako the first time I saw a doll made by one of her students: "I want to make that." Washi ningyo (washi is handmade Japanese paper, "ningyo" means "doll") are beautiful and a little eerie: faceless, three-dimensional dolls wearing ornate kimonos and upswept hairstyles, often fashioned after geishas, historical figures or characters from kabuki theater. Once known as anesama ningyo ("big sister dolls") because they were usually made by the eldest sister in the family, dolls of this type have been made by women in Japan for hundreds of years, but are not seen very often these days.

[Washi at a store in Mino, Japan]

The paper is what defines each doll; it can be bright and crisp or muted and soft as cotton, shimmering or rough. Chisako buys the washi for her dolls at big paper shops in Nagoya and Tokyo, but she also finds it in nearby Mino, a rural town known since the eighth century for its paper-making, a place where you can still spot people bleaching mulberry fibers by hand in the cold river. For several years, she and some students even constructed doll-adorned paper lanterns to enter in Mino's annual washi lantern festival.

[Doll lantern made by Chisako and her students]

In addition to a kimono and obi, each doll has its own special under robe, accessories and hair adornments, so Chisako spends her weekdays cutting paper to size in preparation for the weekend classes, usually for about three hours a day and sometimes up to six. Students range from absolute craft beginners to washi ningyo masters, so she offers two different dolls each month—one simple enough to be completed by a novice in a few hours, the other challenging enough to keep a pro busy for up to two days. (She keeps a guest bedroom at the ready for these dedicated students.)

Flat Maiko Doll eBook by Japanesepaperdoll.

After starting a Yahoo group to keep her students posted on class schedules, Chisako began receiving emails from crafters around the world asking for instructions for making washi ningyo. "I am in Japan, they are in Canada—I didn't know what to do!" she says. Then a friend suggested she write an instructional e-book, which she could sell along with doll-making kits. So she wrote one e-book, then another, and now has buyers throughout Asia and North America.

[Chisako at a local exhibition of her dolls]

For Chisako, who has not traveled much outside Japan, it's exhilarating to think about how many of her dolls are out in the world. Whether sent home as gifts or carried back in students' suitcases, washi ningyo made in her classroom have been globe-trotting for years. "It makes me happy to know my dolls are traveling," she says. Through the pictures and updates she receives from former students, she gets to see the world—with washi ningyo as her ambassadors.

To read more posts in the Etsy World Tour series, click here.

Etsy World Tour: Berlin with leolucaescobar

2008-08-08T10:58:00Z

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

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

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

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

This is me amid a sea of vintage.

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

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

All photos by Mariel Lohninger.

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

Keep in Touch: Etsy Finds from boygirlparty

2008-07-08T12:24:00Z

A hot, lazy summer is the perfect season to take a little time out of your day to let someone know you're thinking of them. I'm kinda old school; I love having pen pals and I love writing and receiving letters ye olde snail mail style. Getting a letter in the mail is always an unexpected treat — come on, who doesn't love mail?

Whether you're a serial letter writer like me or want to mail a care package of fun stationery to your child at summer camp (an incentive to write home and tell you all about her experience!), here are some wonderful stationery finds here on Etsy. Because writing a letter is a thoughtful and relaxing activity, picking out super cool stationery is one of the most fun aspects of participating in pen pal culture, and summer is a great time to indulge.

Write away!

Here's a stationery set by onalimb that can be personalized with a child's name and camp name, perfect for sending along on summer camp adventures to inspire your child to write home.

This super-cute "Forest Whisper" stationery by HidenSeek is perfect for kids and fun-loving adults as well. The illustration captures the quiet mystique of summer relaxation.

Pull up a blanket and a glass of iced tea to your yard or a park, do some cloud watching and get in the mood to write on these wistful sky postcards by AliciaBock.

Traveling the world? Write a note on an exotic piece of found paper (A wrapper from a piece of fruit in Europe? A subway ticket in a strange city?) and mail it in one of Bombus' colorful envelopes made from salvaged world maps.

Road tripping this summer? Pack a set of these super cool retro wagon cards by pistachiopress to keep with the theme.

Whether or not you're going to Scotland this summer, your recipient will be surprised and delighted to receive this little piece of vintage awesomeness from alpenhimmel.

These beautiful all-occasion note cards by EnfinLaVoila embody the spirit of a leisurely summer bike ride. Write on it after you've taken one and tell all about your adventure!

Lazy? Let this stationery by KitschyHippo do the hard work for you.

Really, really lazy and don't want to write mail, just want to get mail? AskTheMisses will write you a thoughtful snail mail letter with advice to help you solve your hairiest of personal dilemmas.

I hope these stationery finds help inspire some good ol' letter writing out there in Etsy land this summer. Three cheers for snail mail!

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

Gotta Travel On: PhotoAmerica's Roadtrip Across the U.S.

2008-07-03T16:00:00Z

This July 4th, whether you're grilling in Iowa or watching fireworks over Central Park, you will inevitably reflect on the nation, and of course, how the American spirit fuels the handmade lifestyle. Photographer, Mary Haggerty aka PhotoAmerica, spends her time roadtripping and then documenting the many faces of this country, from beauty queens to cowboys. Three of Mary's American Journal Photographs were selected by the curators of the Smithsonian Museums for the public art collection at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, and she was named Best Emerging Artist by The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Mary's work probes deep (really deep, her old Jeep had 222,000 miles on it!) into the heart of America.

My greatest fear is having a boring life.

There were some things in my life I didn’t want to miss. So, I decided to take a road trip to visit small towns, their fairs and festivals and meet some very interesting people along the way. I was determined to meet Miss Crustacean, The Button Man, and the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. I wanted to see the world’s largest pumpkin, the Wigwam Village, and Vollis Simpson’s windmill field. I wanted to experience the World Grits Festival, the Penguin Plunge and a 450 mile tag sale. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

[Miss Crustacean by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

With my camera and tape recorder packed and my bag full of rolls of black and white film, I went out on the road and collected these stories, real stories of the best of the American spirit from the heart of America.

I have been a photojournalist for many years, and I have met a lot of interesting people this way. While working on assignments from news editors, I thought to myself: “What do I find interesting? Who would I like to meet and tell stories about?” This is why I began my five year project of documenting small town America. I am fortunate that people have let me into their lives during my travels and I am happy to be able to tell their stories with black and white photographs. Their portraits and my book are the result of this wonderful American road trip.

Punsutawney, PA was a my first stop, a memorable town to visit on Groundhog Day. I was told many stories by the men in top hats, the members of the groundhog club. I even got to touch the famous Phil. I also met a couple who got married by the mayor of Punxsutawney in the town hall with their bridesmaids dressed in groundhog costumes.

When I visited Twinsburg, Ohio on a weekend in August, I was seeing double. It was Twins Days, the annual gathering for thousands of twins. I was lucky to see a twins parade and twins' talent contest. I talked to a lot of twins and found they have a very special bond. I was sad by the end of the weekend that I didn’t have a twin.

I spent a calm afternoon with Vollis Simpson, a windmill artist, in his workshop and in his field of tall whirly gigs in Lucama, NC waiting for the wind. He told me “people come by here when it’s not windy and they ask me to turn them on.” Then a storm blew in, and the wind picked up and everything started spinning and turning!

I met six charming women who were competing in a pageant for the title of Mrs. Hell Hole at the Hell Hole swamp festival. This festival in Jamestown, SC is where they celebrate their moonshine making heritage.

I met another crowned queen, Miss Crustacean, on her parade float at the Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, MD. I spent the afternoon here watching the blue crab races.

While I stood freezing wrapped in a coat and hat, I witnessed hundreds of people running into the cold ocean on New Year’s Day at Mackerel Cove in Jamestown, RI. They call it the Penguin Plunge.

[Penguin Plunge by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I met a ten-year-old boy whose pride was growing a 900 pound pumpkin which he was showing off at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off in Goffstown, NH.

I saw many parades, including the Baby Parade with its tiny participants, a 93 year old tradition in Ocean City, NJ.

I spent a day with Dalton Stevens, The Button Man, and he showed me his hearse he’s covered in 600,000 buttons. We talked about his insomnia, the late nights he spends in his garage with buttons and glue, and the buttoned coffin he keeps in the back of his hearse.

[The Button Man by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I stayed in the Wigwam Village Motel in Cave City, KY, a real piece of Americana from road trips past. I have also been to visit Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ where I climbed a staircase in her back leg up to a large room where you can look out her eyeball and see the Atlantic Ocean.

The road has a lot of great stories to tell. Oh yes, there are still many things I want to do!

It’s summertime, so get off the highway, ramble away from the city, drive to the places marked in small letters on your Rand McNally, and see what you can find.

Mary has received grants for this project from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and the Durham Arts Council. You, too, can be a patron of the arts, by helping to sponsor Mary's next road trip, and preserve the American culture found in small towns across the nation.

Gotta Travel On: A Dog's Life in Greece

2008-06-30T12:49:00Z

In the coming weeks, the Storque will be posting content about pets and animals. aegeansea offered the story of her Greek pooch DeeDee as a transition from the Gotta Travel On series to the Etsy Pets series. She included some of her surrealist pet collages too. Enjoy!

Born in a Greek village in the south of Greece, my dog DeeDee was gifted to me, and I moved her to northern Greece, where I now live. She now calls Panorama, near Thessaloniki, her winter home. She summers in Gerakini, our beach home located on the beautiful coastline of the Aegean Sea. DeeDee quickly adjusted to the northern lifestyle and became fluent in both Greek and English. Without a doubt, since she is a Griffon, I’m sure that her skills in French would be more than adequate, given a little exposure to it.

Living in a bi-cultural family, she is surrounded by English, my native language, and Greek, the language of her home-country and of my husband and sons. Like many bi-cultural offspring, she has the opportunity to live and travel in two countries, and the advantages of both. Recently, DeeDee had a great adventure visiting Texas. She had a blast hanging out with the cowboys and horses (got a little dusty!), sampling spicy bbq (licked her paws!) and, of course, doing country western dancing! Her new red kickers (boots) were the envy of every gal on the dance floor. The day we spent in Canton, Texas, the largest open-air trade and craft fair in the world, was a highlight. More handcrafts and artwork than one could ever hope for, in one location. We had our share of lemonade and sausage links that day.

Home in Greece, DeeDee is happy to be back in the "cradle" of civilization, and the "spring from which creativity sprung." Since ancient times until today, Greeks have continued to create some of the world's most beautiful pottery, paintings, jewelry, woven fabrics, needlework, architecture, and the list goes on. Creativity knows no borders or language barriers. Any world traveler knows hand-crafted artworks are as important as history, scenery and cuisine. Even without a common language, we can understand the wonders of a culture through its distinctive ethnic creations.

When you visit Greece, a world filled with antiquities, art, farmlands, mountains and Aegean Blue seas and sky, take every opportunity to see as much as you can. Visit the markets, the villages and the gift boutiques, where DeeDee promises you will find the greatest of Greek Treasures, the handcrafted works and arts of this richly creative land. You never know where you'll bump into DeeDee. She's known to frequent the little shops with homemade marmalades and sweets. Each is a work of art. Or, maybe you’ll see her on the beach.
.

Don’t forget your sunscreen and sun glasses. You’ll need them in sunny Greece. In the evening when it cools down, be sure to take a stroll and you’ll find the perfect handcrafted souvenir to remind you always of this beautiful country. The nights in Greece are indescribable! Stop by at one of the tavernas (local restaurants) and enjoy a delicious Greek salad with grilled fish or meat and a glass of your favorite wine, ouzo or lemonade.

As for me, aegeansea, I was born in the USA, near the Gulf Coast of Texas. I have always loved the sand, surf and sun. After marrying my Greek husband, we moved to the Aegean Coast of Greece. It wasn't long before I realized my new homeland was a natural delight for my spirit. Watching my energetic doggy run along the shoreline, I chased her and picked up as many seashells as I could along the way. I could say DeeDee inspired me to begin my Aegean Sea coastal creations that opened the door for my Etsy shop. She is my greatest encourager and sits beside me as I design and create. Coastal shell chimes are her favorites, but we’re both excited about the doggy scrapbooks and collages. The possibilities abound when surrounded by such a wealth of inspiration.

Yassas (so long), until we meet somewhere in Greece.

Gotta Travel On | Etsy World Tour |Etsy Pets | Special Pets Showcase

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

2008-06-29T12:46:00Z

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

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

Post in the comments below!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Find Your Way

2008-06-29T00:26:00Z

Summer is the perfect time for three of my favorite activities: traveling, camping and hiking. Whether your strolling through the forest, climbing a steep rock, blasting your favorite music while navigating a country road or finding the perfect spot to build a campfire, you need to know where you're going. The most essential tool on such a journey is a compass.

This beautiful compass — titled, most appropriately, "A walk in the woods" from MermaidTreasures -- doubles as a necklace, so it'll always be in reach should you find yourself in need of directional advice.

Happy trails!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Hungry Squirrel Messenger Bag

2008-06-28T10:40:00Z

Are you going nuts trying to find a cool new bag to travel with this summer? Don't despair: try hoarding your vacation essentials into this awesome messenger bag by boygirlparty. Yes, this furry forest creature might appear out of place on the sandy beaches of Barcelona or the icy plateaus of Greenland (people vacation there, right?). But who cares when you know you'll have everything you need, while maintaining an air of eccentricity.

I wouldn't leave the bag just lying around, however; a renegade squirrel might mistake the printed rodent for a potential mate, and any nutty-esque treats you brought with you could vanish before you know it. (It's a little-known fact that squirrels are lightning fast with no remorse.) Happy vacationing!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

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

Etsy World Tour: Macrame Gringa

2008-06-27T11:46:00Z

I was walking up the stairs when it came to me: "If you want to improve your macrame skills, learn from the artists who inspired you." It seemed obvious, except for one minor detail: I live in Northern Minnesota, and the artists who inspired me live in Mexico.

"Well, why not?" I asked myself. Six months later, sitting next to Alejandra Scipioni on the beach, working on macrame and looking out at the Pacific Ocean, I smile and said, "Why not, indeed."

One year earlier, during a trip to Sayulita, Mexico, I discovered Cavandoli Macrame. I was mesmerized by the macrame that I saw on the tables of the weekend street vendors. When I returned home, I started my research to find out how I could learn to do the same.

I managed to find out that the art form is called Cavandoli Macrame or Micro Macrame, which uses intricate knotting techniques to make geometric designs. I bought the few books I could find and taught myself basic knots and techniques. I was (and still am!) amazed to see string and knots become patterns. Macrame has changed the way I see every color, pattern and design in my life.

It wasn't too long before other people were noticing and desiring pieces that I had made for myself. That was the beginning of Soul Candy Jewelry.

However, after 6 months of unsuccessful attempts to incorporate stones and irregularly shaped objects into my pieces, I decided that I needed a mentor. I didn't want to go to a workshop to learn a project and have my work look like the teacher's. I wanted to capture the spirit of the work I fell in love with and incorporate that into my own creations, and I wanted to know how the heck they captured those stones using knot tension.

I knew that the Minnesota Region 2 Arts Council and The McKnight Foundation offered mentorship grants to independent and emerging artists. I contacted Walter Fehrmann, a macrame artist in San Pancho, and he agreed to be my mentor. I applied and received the grant. You should have heard the celebration at my house when I found out that I was going to be paid to work with the artists who inspired me — in Mexico!

Last February (good time to go to Mexico if you live in Minnesota), I spent two weeks in Sayulita and San Pancho. Walter and I worked together in the mornings at the Artista Collectivo, where he taught me to use a jeweler's saw to carve my own pendants from coconut shell.

He introduced me to Alejandra Sciopini, who taught me her super secret unique technique that uses knotting to wrap stones.

I searched the market places and beaches for other macrame artists who were open to spending a few hours, or in some cases, days, teaching me their patterns and innovative techniques. Sergio, Pablo, Natalia, Angel and Carlos were all incredible artists with whom my path crossed. They called me their 'Macrame Gringa.' I learned more than I ever dreamed I would. I can still hear the Spanish words for patterns while I'm working. Sometimes I can smell the ocean while I knot. It was a magical experience to have these mentors and friends whisper their secrets in my ears.

Having an open heart and sharing ideas with other artists inspired my work and improved my skill level with this unique and intricate art form. I could not have learned this in the United States. I plan to improve my Spanish and go to Peru, where, I hear, the macrame is out of this world. See you in Peru?

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Stay Cute and Comfy While in Transit

2008-06-27T10:20:00Z

One of the key tactics to ensure a smooth trip for me (and those traveling with me) is how comfortable I am. That pretty much means everything I'm wearing needs to be loose or stretchy and made of some sort of plain knit fabric. The trouble is, that dressing in your jammies for a flight or long road trip is a big sacrifice in the style department. That's when a cute and super comfy number like elfland's the writer who writes dress comes to the rescue! Not only will it save you from having a discomfort panic attack and grouch fest (Come on ladies, you know exactly what I'm talking about — mine is referred to as "grumpilumpigous," and you don't want to meet her), but will ensure you stay stylish, cute, and fresh in one fail-proof swoop.

Check out the rest of e lfland's comfy and cute clothing line for your next airplane ride.

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Vintage Souvenirs

2008-06-27T09:45:00Z

Traveling is always exciting. What an opportunity to take in new experiences, meet quirky people, and take amazing photos! However, sometimes you need a little something commemorate your trip (and give to grandma when you get home!). These vintage souvenirs can immortalize any adventure, be it past, present or future. Even if a vacation isn't in your schedule, a little locational kitsch is always welcome!

New Mexico Souvenir Plate - Homer Laughlin

What a great mid century plate! New Mexico never looked so good. At sophiemorris, $14.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage Florida Souvenir

This ashtray is so ornate! Love the sail boats, the alligator, the flowers, the cursive text... Let's face it: this thing is perfect. Found at tiffanyrenfrow, $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Set of 4 Vintage Greek Painted Coasters

These painted coasters with bring a bit of Hellenic charm to any coffee table. From historicallyvintage, $10.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage Frosted Souvenir Glasses

"Remember the time we went to Wyoming and Grandma rode that bucking bronco?" With these glasses, you'll always remember. Seen in SavvyHarper, $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Souvenir Toothpick Holder from Germany

Keep your toothpicks orderly and in style with this German pipe. At customeyes, $8.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage 1913 Cape Cod Canal Photo Booklet

This photo book is a real find! Learn more about the construction of Cape Cod Canal and marvel at the history of architecture. At elizabethwrenvintage, $45.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

San Francisco Napkin Holder

Does San Francisco make you swoon? Relive your love of the city with this very handy napkin holder. At rekindle, $13.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Mini Toaster Salt and Pepper Shaker Set. Arizona Roadrunner

Too cute! Just adorable to the Nth degree. At domestikate, $8.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Corrida de Toros vintage souvenir black and white photographies

Take an historic visit to Spain with this fabulous bullfighting photo series. At petitbrocante, $6.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

UPDATE on Showcase: One More Week of Travel, Then Pets

2008-06-26T15:34:00Z

Sellers,

UPDATE: The frontpage Pets Showcase is now on sale at the Showcase Gateway. You get a free Pets Category Showcase with your spot. The original June 19 post has details below:

We are excited to announce a special Pets Showcase. This will be on sale on Thursday June 26 at 10am. Items in the Pets Category will be eligible, as well as other animal-inspired work. This special will be accompanied by our ongoing Etsy Pets series in the Storque. Sellers who purchase the special Pets Frontpage Showcase will get a simultaneous Pets Category Showcase for free. Our treat!

The Pets frontpage Showcase goes on sale Thursday, June 26th at 10:00 am EDT.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
It goes live on Monday, June 30th at 12 am (midnight) EDT and will run until 11:59 PM EDT on July 13.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24 hour spot in the Pets Showcase, which is linked to from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage and links from the Storque pets-related series.
The same item will be featured for free in the Pets Category Showcase on the same day.
Sellers determine which item to be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Shop. Read more about this process here.

We said one week only in our first announcement, but we've decided to extend the frontpage Travel Showcase another week, until end of day on Sunday, June 29. The pilot week is going well, so we want to continue the special. These spots are on sale now through the Showcase Gateway.

We ask that sellers choose travel-related items such as:

Travel accessories: Bags, passport holders, wallets, etc.
Vacation fashion: Clothing and accessories ideal for a getaway in all climates. (Safari hat, sunglasses, etc.)
Travel-related items: Maps, vintage road signs, compasses, travel games, travel-sized toiletries, journals.
Travel-inspired items: Think airplanes, road trips, landmarks, trains, beaches, etc.

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.

Give us a shout in the comments below if you think you have the cutest pet in the world! We want links to your flickr pictures. And check out our Etsy Pets series!

The Sustainable Sounds of Cheese

2008-06-26T12:00:00Z

Every summer, for over fifty years, Himalayan goji berries and truffled ham have come to the Javits Center in New York for a sympoisum of self-proclaimed "Fancy Food." In response to this elitist celebration of onion confit and Caribbean Reef sea salt, Sasha Davies of Cheese by Hand and Tom Mylan of Marlow & Sons are staging a revolt across the river, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Their revolution, the Unfancy Food Show, held at the East River Bar, will focus on the local, the simple, and the delicious. Attendees include Wheelhouse Pickles and Bronx Bee Honey. Instead of industry executives or frilly jars of marmalade, the Unfancy Food Show will continue to close the gap between producer and consumer. Farmer and urban hipster will sit at the bar side by side, in an effort to rekindle that unharnassed passion for eating.

Reconnecting with food is an experience appreciated all year long, and Sasha Davies inspires the average city dweller to walk out of the concrete, skirt suit, cubicle into the life of pastures. With her husband, Michael Claypool, Sasha has embarked on a journey across the nation, weaving a narrative of the handmade gourmet. Her website, Cheese by Hand, shares the stories of devoted cheesemakers throughout the United States. You can even hear the dairy tales for yourself, on the Cheese by Hand podcast, which you can subscribe to through iTunes.

Sasha graciously answered some creamy questions for us.

How many pounds did you gain on your tour of cheese?
I probably gained 7 pounds on our trip. Basically I grew some new additions to my bottom, you know?

How can people find out about the cheesemakers in their area?
People can find out about cheeses in their area in a couple ways. They can visit their local farmers' market to see if any dairy farms are there selling cheese. There are also a number of Cheesemaker Guilds throughout the US (California, Southern, New York, Vermont to name a few). Google is a great option as are books and blogs covering American cheesemakers. Here are some of the most comprehensive: Pacific Northwest Cheese Project's Tami Parr is currently working on a book about cheeses from this region too. She is the bomb! Then there is a book out called the Atlas of American Artisan Cheese by Jeff Roberts that gives quite a comprehensive listing of producers around the country.

Were there any "sounds of cheese" that you really loved from doing the audio podcast?
It's a toss up between listening to sheep communicate with one another (mama to baby), and the sound of a metal whisk rhythmically grazing the side of the cheese vat as Caitlin Hunter (Appleton Creamery) made cheese while we interviewed her.

What's your favorite type of cheese ever?
That's like asking a mother to name her favorite child. The cheese I'm craving the most right now is a stinky one called Grayson made by Helen Feete of Meadow Creek Dairy in Virginia. Her husband, Rick, takes care of their herd of Jerseys and the cows spend as much time as possible on grass. Jersey milk has a higher fat content than that of most other breeds and it has a lovely yellow color to boot. Grayson is modeled after an Italian cheese, Taleggio, shaped in squares and washed throughout its 2-3 months of aging with a brine solution that gives the outside a pinkish orange hue. So basically this cheese has the colors of a peach. Great creamy texture and just enough pungency to make it interesting without overpowering the wonderful milky and buttery flavors there.

Yum.

In addition to the Unfancy Food Show, also check out the New Amsterdam Market this weekend at the South Street Seaport. The New Market building will once again be bustling with fresh and sustainable produce, meat, and bread, hearkening back to the Seaport's roots. At the end of the summer, travel out West for the Slow Food Nation market in San Francisco, where you can not only meet farmers and eat more cheese, but also explore a 21st Century vision of self-sufficiency in the Civic Center's urban garden, continuing the legacy of Victory Gardens from half a century ago. And of course, don't forget about your fellow Etsians, such as motleymutton, who's working hard to keep that farmer work ethic alive.

The Slow Food movement reminds us of the love behind the food, the craft behind the product. So savor some Constant Bliss cheese from Jasper Hill Farm, and show your affection for the farmer, the environment, and your stomach.

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Slumberland with Sleep Masks

2008-06-26T10:20:00Z

My dad has been known to wear a surgical mask on airplanes. Why? Because he doesn't want to catch a bug while winging his way to vacation. While I think this may be a bit much, I do like the idea of wearing a sleep mask while on a long flight. Why waste precious vacation time sleeping? Get ahead of the game while in transit!

But still, something strikes me as funny about these blinders, which are being handed out for free by the airlines less and less. (What's next — charging for sleep masks?) That's why I think lovelyart's sleeping mask with the fake eyelashes is so great. It acknowledges the absurdity of sleeping in a totally cramped and public space. Maybe she should also make surgical masks with custom smiles, grimmaces, or yawns (hint, hint)?

Oh, and you can also check out the interview with Featured Seller BibBon, who makes lovely sleep masks too.

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

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

Gotta Travel On: Wanna-be-Globetrotter Dreams of Getting Lost

2008-06-25T17:31:00Z

For this collection, I was inspired by the trips to cities I want to visit and the feeling of feet sore from walking. I'm yearning for the excitement of getting lost and being a tourist a little off the beaten path. For me, souvenirs, snapshots and postcards are a way of conjuring up those feelings. I used to collect postcards, especially vintage ones or strange ones, but never figured out a great way to display them. (Any ideas?)

I know there are a lot of cyclists on Etsy, and while I admire the noble and zippy bike, I'm a self-proclaimed walker. I do declare that there is no better way to get to know a city than on foot!

p.s.
For you bikers out there, seize the day and buy a helmet!

What's your favorite city in the world to explore on foot? Post in the comments below!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Compartmentalize

2008-06-25T09:51:00Z

I was reading Alison's Etsy Find on DrikaB's zipper pouches, and despite how much I adore that shop, all I could think was that I'd need at least eleven of those cute purses to keep all the random stuff I travel with sorted and separated and organized. This Find is for those who must keep their makeup with their makeup and their passport with their documents and their pens with other pens and their iPod in its own little isolated suite. Organization to me = everything in its own little carrying case. Read on, especially if you have a holiday planned!

Tissue Pouch with Extra Pocket

You might as well prepare for that bug you're gonna catch on the airplane with a travel tissue case. This would be great for on-the-go freshening up, too. By JaGee, $6.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Flower Passport Case

Hand-stitched and one-of-a-kind felt passport cover. By SquirrelsNest, $18.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

iPod Touch Custom Case -Granny's Red Rocker- New Summer Print

Keep that iPod safe and sound. By GurleysGoods. $17.99.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

3 in 1 Organizer Hand Bag (Blue)

I love this. Perfect for organizing your stuff on a business trip or weekend jaunt. Thelaughinghouse's whole shop is full of cute and functional bags, covers and cases. $14.99. (That is a steal, y'all!)

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Hand Tooled Leather Passport Cover with Compass Rose

This would be a great gift for the professional who always thought they'd grow up to be a cowboy or a pirate, not a marketing solutions specialist at the Hyatt in Atlanta for a weekend conference. By BeasBargains, $60.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Curling Iron / Straightening Iron Cover for Travel (Insulated)

All those times I've tossed my just-used flat iron into a suitcase and prayed it didn't scorch a hole through my unmentionables, I could have been using this genius little case. By nstitches4u, 14.95.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

NEW COLOR - Olive Vinyl IPOD/PHONE Case

For your iPod nano. Attach your keys to this thing! By tenthstreet, $5.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Folding Camera Case (checkered)

Little padded camera case; simple design and very stylish. By apt32, $18.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Mini Sticky Note Cover

Take your sticky notes everywhere. Throw 'em into your purse, always be ready to, um, jot. By robogirl116, $18.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy World Tour: Canada with the Trans-Canada Team (Part Two)

2008-06-24T11:49:00Z

In the first part of this tour of Canada, we started in the East and visited Nova Scotia, Ontario, Toronto and Saskatchewan. On July 1, Canadians celebrate the day their country came together to become a nation. In this post, the Trans-Canada Etsy team is excited to celebrate and introduce you to some of its Team members and the art, food and culture of their regions. Dust off your atlas and follow along on a virtual road trip across Canada.

Moving onto the prairies, we find ourselves in the neighbourhood of Pinkfire Designs, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan is known as “The Land of the Living Skies” due to the vastness of the sky that stretches above and its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The Great Sand Hills of Saskatchewan, which encompass 1900 square kilometres of the southwest region of the province, are home to unique wildlife and hauntingly beautiful scenery.

Topping the list of favourite regional foods in this province is Saskatoon Berry Pie. Saskatoon berries are much like blueberries, but smaller, sweeter and much tastier. The crafting community is very supportive in Swift Current. The South West Region of the province is rich in history, and vintage findings for jewelry designs are a treasured find. Pinkfire Designs came across Etsy by accident — she was looking for a way to sell her jewelry to make some extra money so she could stay home with her daughters. She found the Trans-Canada Etsy Team while browsing through the forums.

[Photo by OrangeStarfishDesigns]

Just to the west of Saskatchewan, we find the province of Alberta and Orange Starfish Designs. Orange Starfish is in Beaumont, a bedroom community just outside of Edmonton. It is a wonderful family oriented town with both French and English speakers. This small town has experienced an incredible growth spurt along with much of the rest of Alberta. The church at the centre of town is the first visible landmark as you drive in from any direction.

Locally raised Elk meat is the most unique local food delicacy in the area. It is incredibly tasty and healthy, commonly eaten in steak form, but you can enjoy it in many of the same recipes that call for beef. Small towns like Beaumont do not have the customer base to support work at higher price points, so local fairs can be frustrating, but there are a couple shows each year. Luckily, Edmonton is close and has a number of fabulous art and craft venues. The Alberta Craft Council is a great resource.

[Photo by Kootsac]

Our last two stops land us on the west coast of Canada, in British Columbia. Revelstoke is home to Torrid Craft Affair. In the summer, Revelstoke has rivers and lakes one can enjoy during the beautifully warm season. It is an old city, but in the last 10 years there has been a complete revitalization of this town taking place, culminating in the grand opening of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, an amazing world class ski destination. Thus it lends itself to an active lifestyle and is rich in both arts and culture. Revelstoke provides inspiration for artists and crafters all around. Supplies can be difficult to come by locally, so internet shopping is an important venue for things of that nature. The town is young, hip and happening, and that definitely has an influence on the type of arts and crafts being produced in the area.

Kootsac is located in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia on Slocan Lake. On the other side of this incredible pristine lake is the Valhalla Mountain wilderness park. It's amazing and comforting thing to be able to look across this massive lake and see just wilderness — a great source of inspiration and a constant reminder of what we'll lose if we do not work together to preserve our environment. The Kootenay region has a very active arts community. There is a great appreciation for the arts here and people are very conscious of buying handmade. Almost every home you enter has the work of local artists on their walls and local pottery in their kitchens. Kootsac runs a very vibrant little market here in the summer where she also sells her textile art, clothing and t-shirts. The Trans-Canada Team was the first team Kootsac joined when she started on Etsy. It was natural for her to seek out a smaller group from within the larger Etsy community.

The Kootenays are well known for garlic. It grows very well here and local people use an abundance of it their food. There is nothing better than a big green salad from the garden, baked Brie, fresh baked baguette from the market and roasted garlic. The Hills Garlic Festival is the biggest local event of the year and people come from far and wide to enjoy this unique Kootenay culture festival where garlic, great music and artisans from the region are celebrated.

Big thanks to the Trans-Canada Etsy team for sharing a local perspective. Have a happy Canada Day on July 1!

The Trans-Canada Etsy Team currently has a Team shop, purchases made go to fund joint marketing efforts, and they have a Team blog, where you can read additional profiles of some of the Team members, find out about special events, sales and Team news. To find items created by members of the Team, search the tag ‘team Canada’ on Etsy.

Etsy Finds: Sheep Wagon

2008-06-24T10:00:00Z

Here it is: my dream home! Who needs a mountain man to build me a log cabin in Washington State when I can buy this incredible traditional early 1900's Sheep Wagon by rusticstore. Artist Jim Howard works with galleries across the country selling his original rustic art designs. Jim started creating rustic pieces in the late 70’s when there were “just a few of us making rustic furniture in the Adirondacks of New York State."

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy World Tour: Canada with the Trans-Canada Team (Part One)

2008-06-23T11:17:00Z

The Trans-Canada Etsy Team was created out of a need for Canadian artisans to stay in contact, share resources, and develop group marketing opportunities. Team members benefit from having a solid sense of identity, as well as from having their different regional perspectives. On July 1, Canadians celebrate the day their country came together to become a nation. The Trans-Canada Etsy Team is excited to celebrate and introduce you to some of its Team members and regions. Dust off your atlas and follow along from East to West on a virtual road trip across Canada.

Beginning in the eastern most region of Canada, we find Enthral Designs, in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. This area is famous for its pastoral agricultural land and its proximity to the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. The province of Nova Scotia is one of juxtapositions; civilized and kind towns clash with the soaring and wild cliffs of the ocean side; the calm of the valley contradicts the fickle nature of the coast. Annapolis Valley is home to a number of apple producers, and has become a local food attraction. Sea food is also locally available and a short drive to Digby will reward you with the best scallops you have ever tasted.

It seems that there are more artists and crafters crammed into this province than anywhere else in Canada. There are a number of local artist communities, and they will always point you in the right direction for supplies or advice. Craft shows are numerous and held throughout the year. A friend introduced Enthral Designs to Etsy a little less than two years ago, and she has been a member ever since. Once a member of Etsy, the Canadian crowd reached out to her and she joined The Trans-Canada Etsy Team.

[Photo by Ocbaby]

Travelling down to central Canada and Ontario, we find seller Ocbaby in Huntsville, which is part of a beautiful area called Muskoka. Muskoka is famous for its beauty, and filled with gorgeous lakes and forests. The perfect area for campers and nature enthusiasts, Muskoka is know as "cottage country" and is the summer home to a wide variety of people from all over the world. Huntsville has a strong artistic community. The main street features a bronze statue dedicated to artist and Canadian Icon Tom Thompson. Ontario is populated with many beautiful forests and maple syrup is a fabulous product from the area.

Ocbaby began her internet commerce adventure with her own website, and found Etsy by accident while browsing Modish. She found the Trans-Canada Team through the Etsy forums and was thrilled with the idea of a supportive group of Canadians working together to promote Etsy and each other. As she lives in a more rural area, there are very few fabric stores and none that carry fun fabric that she loves to use in her work. She enjoys hunting down sources on the internet and finding new bold prints and colours for her next creations.

[Photo by Minouette]

Just a little farther southwest, we find Toronto, home to Etsy sellers Minouette and Designed by RJ. Toronto is incredibly multicultural, with many little corners of the city that make you feel like you're stepping into a different country. This diversity has been depicted in the many community murals painted in the area, like the one above. Roncesvalles has long been home to a Polish community, as reflected in the restaurants, churches, bakeries and delis. More recently, it has become home to an influx of new Canadians from Somalia, who were attracted to the north area of the city. The southeast has a Portuguese neighborhood and to the east is a Korean neighborhood.

[Photo by Designed by RJ]

Being an artist or crafter in Toronto has many advantages. Inspiration can be found at museums, like the Royal Ontario Museum, art galleries and many cultural influences. There are great opportunities for art and crafting courses and a large community of artists in general, which encourages many shows throughout the year.

Keep your eyes on the Storque for Part 2 of this cultural, edible and handmade tour through Canada here in the Storque! Check the Teams pages for more information on Etsy Teams, like the Trans-Canada Team.

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: A Place for Everything

2008-06-23T10:21:00Z

When I'm traveling, I usually have a lot of things to keep track of. If it's not my tickets, passport, or I.D., it's all those little things that fly around in my enormous bag: gum for the plane, lipgloss, my iPod, etc. That's when a small zippered pouch can do wonders for your organizational skills. This bright and brilliant little number by DrikaB is the perfect little place to keep all my make up and keepsakes safe and sound during my turbulent journey.

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Vacation Duel: White Nights

2008-06-22T09:30:00Z

Today TeenAngster and I are posing a question to you, dear readers: which vacation would you rather go on? Your choices are the spontaneous road trip, with divey motels and stops in every small town, or White Nights, a soothing Northern European getaway during the Summer Solstice. You decide in the Vacation Duel!

What do I want to do on summer vacation? Stay in one place, in a Russian dacha or Norwegian woodland cottage. I want to get to know the cows down the road, happen upon some ruins at a crumbling mansion, and sip tea from antique, gilded glasses. The day will be spent writing letters by hand and teaching the children ballet (oh, did I mention I'm a ballerina in this fantasy vacation?). My family and I will mellow out while the daylight spreads thin into the wee hours. When it's finally dark, we'll play with sparklers. Before we know it, the dawn light will come through the delicate lace curtains, and into the dewy and peaceful meadow we'll tiptoe, picking fresh and tiny wild strawberries for our breakfast.

Vote in the comments for which vacation you'd rather take! And check out TeenAngster's Road Trip post to see the raucous vacation on the move!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Vacation Duel: Road Trip!

2008-06-22T09:27:00Z

Today Vanessa and I are posing a question to you, dear readers: which vacation would you rather go on? Your choices are the spontaneous road trip, with divey motels and stops in every small town, or White Nights, a soothing European getaway during the Summer Solstice. You decide in the Vacation Duel!

My idea of the perfect summer vacation is a cross country road trip. Getting in your beat up car and hitting the highway is one of life's small pleasures. Adventure awaits as you stay in seedy motels complete with velvet paintings and stained curtains, drink in local watering holes and eat in roadside cafes while soaking up the regional color. Get to know your country and soak in its character! Drive through the desert, climb a mountain, eat a cherry pie and relive all your favorite movie moments! Road trips are the true summer experience!

Vote in the comments for which vacation you'd rather take! And check out Vanessa's White Nights post to see the mellow, private side of the coin!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy Finds: Map It Out

2008-06-22T09:20:00Z

Nothing says "I'm going there" or "I've been there" like a map, and not much else inspires all the good memories of trips gone by like vintage maps. Thanks to AnneHolman, you can wear some of those fond memories with today's Etsy Find!

These pendants encase little pieces of vintage maps to put your location of choice on display. Not content with merely showing off her favorite cities, AnneHolman puts her collection of atlases at your disposal to find that perfect destination! (No word on if she's got Istanbul, but not Constantinople.) If you're looking for a gift for someone who likes to travel. but want to be able to retain a personal touch, give these Custom Antique Map Pendants a look!

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

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

The Great Outdoors

2008-06-20T16:11:00Z

When summertime rolls around, it's truly the season to depart from city and suburban spaces to reunite with nature. Camping and all of its traditions produce the kind of memories that you don't soon forget. Relive your camping experiences all year round with this collection of campfire, marshmallow and log items. Can't you smell the woodsmoke?

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Crossing Borders: Short Stories of Expats in Europe

2008-06-20T10:39:00Z

I find myself a long way from home. An Australian girl, I followed a boy all the way to Greece two years ago, and have been happily living here ever since. Not long after joining Etsy, I decided I wanted to be part of an Etsy Team and found my way to the European Street Team. I kind of figured that I would be a bit of an anomaly there, not a true European, an outsider that they would let tag along like an annoying little sister, but I soon discovered (after being warmly welcomed) that quite a number of the team members were also expats, a collection of nationalities from all over the world. I was really interested in their stories: how they ended up living in a foreign country, how were they doing with the language barrier, if they missed home, had their new location affected their craft?

[A little book about Monday menu, and creator Heli exploring an antique store in Istanbul.]

HeliS married a Turkish man, and two years ago moved from Finland to Istanbul. So far she loves her new adventure in a place where summers are real summers, not just warm winters. There are of course occasional frustrations, which happily became her inspirations.

She says, “I started to draw a cartoon about my daily happenings. For example, when I was at the supermarket, I didn’t understand any Turkish and I would try to guess what there was inside a can or bottle. I just had to buy it and taste. A great way to get to know new foods!”

When she starts to feel homesick, a visit to IKEA, with its selection of Scandinavian foods, is cheaper than a plane ticket home!


[Etsy seller Lapomme walking through Arles, a city in the Bouches-du-Rhone.]

Apol aka Lapomme was born and raised in the Philippines. Tired of the 9-5 life in a big city, she and her French husband decided on a change. They left the tropics for a tiny village in the south west of France. At first the slow pace of life was a big shock, with the shops closing at lunchtime and everything dead on a Sunday.

She adds, “And beware the very chatty checkout girl at the supermarket. She will ask about the health of every family member of each customer so the queue moves at a snail's pace, and the most surprising thing is that the people in line don't seem to mind!”

But it was this gentle pace of life that led her back to sewing, which she had abandoned for many years. Now she can happily spend an entire afternoon embroidering dolls. There’s nowhere else to go anyway!

[Pamela working in her studio in Isere, France.]

Pamela Angus aka PamelaAngus and her husband came to France on holidays from the UK, and four years ago decided never to leave.

“France is such a visual feast, from the grand and romantic architecture of the cities and chateaus in the valleys to the weathered rural barns and woodstacks that undulate across the hills like an Andy Goldsworthy installation!”

How could that not influence your work? She still struggles with the language barrier, and misses being able to make small talk with the locals, and, of course, fish ‘n’ chips.

[Etsy seller Lunaticart working in her studio, and a glimpse of the island where she lives in France.]

Lunaticart is another seller who followed her husband, this time all the way from Mexico, to an island in France. Living in France has allowed her to find her own jewelry style, as she finds living in Mexico one can easily be influenced by the older styles. She does miss the tacos from home!

[Devi working at her torch, and modelling a piece of her jewellery.]

Devi aka Glasfaden came to Germany at age 19 for her studies. She came from Indonesia, and spoke basic German, but upon arrival did an intensive 4 month language course. It was at this language school that she first experienced glassmaking.

She says, “Living in Germany has taught me to be strong, to live my life, and to be myself, as I really am. I think my work shows it all!”

[Heather of babyannequilts in Germany.]

Heather aka babyannequilts moved with her husband to Germany from the US for work, and now they live in a village on the Rhine. Her inspirations come from the small, cult-like German quilting community and from the European lifestyle and environment.

[The work of ZsBCreations.]

Zsuzsi aka ZsBCreations met her Dutch husband in her homeland, Hungary, and followed him back to a beautiful village in the Netherlands.

“Becoming a mother and living in a peaceful environment made me go back to my artistic inheritance, which I kind of repressed during my hectic urban life back in Hungary.”

Not to mention the influences of the great Dutch masters!

And there are so many other artists as well, with this mix of artistic and cultural influences. Esther and Estella from StaroftheEast came to Turkey via Spain and the Netherlands. Ingermaaike now in the Netherlands, but one of the true wanderers, ContrasBrasil, IraGrant, Chichiboulie, Letitiah, TheHouseOfMouse, Benconservato. So many more stories, and this is only Europe!

Further Resources:
European Street Team's Blog can be found at Europeanst.blogspot.com.

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour