This week's featured buyer is Abi Carlin, creative editor at Kiki, a magazine for tween girls with style and substance. Kiki lets fashion be a lens through which girls can explore their creativity and develop a sense of self-expression. We love Kiki's message, and here are Abi's top Etsy picks for teens and tweens everywhere!

Teens and tweens are often bombarded with celebrity fashion and mass-produced clothes with little originality, but that’s where we come in! Here at Kiki, we want to help each reader develop a sense of style that reflects her own personality. We try to introduce our readers to unique, one of a kind, independent-minded designers, so that’s why we regularly turn to Etsy. Not only is Etsy the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items, it’s also a great example of entrepreneurs from around the world coming together to showcase their talent and support the talent of others. That’s a mission we can get on board with!


So without further delay, here are my top picks for tweens!

In every issue of Kiki we leave a space blank so readers can create their own “inspiration page,” but sometimes one page just isn’t enough. If that’s the case, it’s a great idea to carry around a blank notebook because you never know when a rush of creativity might strike! I like the idea of taking something old and making it new again, so I especially love the repurposed vintage pattern on Theothersister’s notebook.

We featured this resin cupcake necklace with real sprinkles (that’s right, real sprinkles) by Lunaricsales in our spring issue, and it’s been one of the most popular items yet. It’s whimsical, fun, and looks good enough to eat!

This is by far the best camera camera case I’ve ever seen. I love the juxtaposition of new vs. old technology; placing a teeny tiny digital camera in an older-automatic-looking case. Unfortunately, they’re currently all sold out, so until Hine has more, perhaps her camera brooch will hold you over.

SmarmyPants makes the most delicious looking pincushions. I love absolutely everything about this one: the frosting, the sprinkles, the whipped cream, the striped strawberry on top, even the tiny hand stitches in matching thread.

Going “green” can be somewhat intimidating, but a great way to start is carrying a reusable lunch bag. This one by parischicboutique is great because it’s simple, chic, sophisticated, and eco-friendly. Who knew a lunch bag could be so many things? Visez Vert!

The artist behind vmdesigns was inspired by her own tween daughter when creating this quirky necklace, and it definitely shows.  It’s creative, colorful, sparkly, and personalized. What more could a tween want?

These rings by soop just make me happy, and I’m sure they would do the same for any tween or teen out there. You can literally create a whole farm on your fingers.

Roselabiche creates designs with a balance between the “wow factor” and the everyday wear and tear on a garment. Her “Amelie” design definitely has the wow factor, and it’s hand sewn as well as machine washable, not to mention totally unique. It could quite possibly be the world’s best t-shirt!

No two of GuerillaEmbroidery’s hair-ties are ever alike. All are embroidered on 100% wool and finished with hand sewn details. If you love the design, but don’t have long hair, she also makes beautiful brooches. She definitely has something for everyone.

I love fabricfarrago’s thumbtacks covered in fabric, especially these sushi ones. They’re a great way to add some life to a boring bulletin board.

What’s not to love about PaisleyChainsaw’s necklace featuring a lego shark eating a Snickers bar? Not much, not much at all.

And finally, I think this vintage jacket from sunshinecitylassie’s store speaks for itself. It’s as though it was custom made for the magazine! I snatched this one up quickly, and we’re going to take turns wearing it in the office.

Hopefully one day, current Kiki readers will turn into future Etsy sellers!

If my picks left you wanting to know more about Kiki, cruise through our web site at www.kikimag.com. You can find out about our seven departments and more information on the overall concept of the magazine.

What do you think is a great item for teens and tweens? Leave it in the comments!