Etsy's Handmade Blog
Gift Ideas: Shop Local Israel with Rafya
Story by rafya
Published on December 6, 2008 in Spotlight 		Photo by

Rafya

Shop Local this holiday season and support independent craftspeople. It's a great way to reduce your carbon footprint!   Alona aka Rafya is the brains behind Alona Lahav Design Studio, a shop that is all about unique designs of jewelry and craft. Her pieces are made of cold clay with special textures found all around; from delicate pieces of metal to soles of shoes, everything is subject for a beautiful texture. Alona lives in Pardes-Hana, Israel, and has hand-picked some of her favorite local Etsy sellers.

I was born and grew up in Tel Aviv, which is the big city in Israel, but I was always charmed by small places with calm atmospheres. For the last 9 years I have been living with my family in Pardes-Han, which is a small town known for having a large artists' community and for being an attractive place for spiritual people. Around my house there is an orchard, a palms plantation and a watermelon field. It's nice to spend the afternoon with my children, walking in the orchard.


Neta, aka Netamir: "Much of the inspiration for my work and the characters of dolls that I create comes from the Florentine neighborhood (in southern Tel Aviv) where I reside. One of the neighborhood's main characteristics is the integration between an industrial and a residential area, and the mixed population: small-industry workers, artists, carpenters, designers, punk youth, students, immigrants from a wide variety of places, etc. The interaction between the different groups of people creates, in this small place, a unique and lively atmosphere."




Yael, aka Yoola: "What I love best in my near surrounding (I live in Yahood in the middle of Israel) is our backyard. It's nothing fancy, but it's a real refuge from life/the world — it's our private bubble. When the weather is nice, I knit my metals out there, and when it's not, I sit on my favorite sofa overlooking the garden. So to make it short: its energies inspire me."




Sharona, aka Raisinlike: "I live in Herzelia, a central city close to Tel Aviv (where all the action is, and where I also work in a high-tech company). Unlike Tel Aviv, Herzelia is a quiet city with lots of parking space, trees, and playgrounds where my Foamies play. This playground, right across the street from my home, is Nick's favorite place in the whole wide world!"



galileesilks: "The team of Galilee Silks — the studio for handpainted silk fashion and Judaica— is located in Kibbutz Beit Haemek in Galilee. Our world is a bright and colorful one, drawing its essence from four basic components: silk — that natural fiber with the soft, smooth touch; color — the almost infinite variations of color combinations we use; Galilee — the beautiful, green surroundings in which we live and work; and Judaica — the beautiful items related to Jewish holidays, Jewish customs and traditions."



Limor, aka Limitz: "I live in center Israel, a place close to the big city, and yet I easily find quiet places with green trees, flowers and sun. In the picture I am holding one of my tote bags children like so much (and I do too!)."



Dori, aka Dorijenn: "I grew up the U.S. but I now live here in Israel, in a small, charming community, which is situated along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. It's a stones throw from cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, but at the same time, a world away. As you can see, the view from my home/jewelry studio is absolutely breathtaking . . . The view and sounds of the sea cause my creative tendencies to be kind of organic and earthy in nature. And the glorious Israeli sun must be what inspires me to throw in all those Swarovskis!!"


Don't forget to let us know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region; include a screenshot of your Poster Sketched picks and a link to a pretty photo of yourself in your neighborhood. We can't wait to hear from you!

You can find folks in your area by using Etsy's Shop Local site feature. Find out more about how Shop Local works. Make sure to update your geo info in your public profile!

Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area 

 

Tags Beit HaKerem, Dorijenn, Florentine, Galilee, galileesilks, Herzelia, holidays, Israel, Jewish, Judiaca, Kibbutz Beit Haemek, lanitaPhoto, Limitz, Mediterranean Sea, metal knitting, naamaza, Netamir, Perdes-Hana, rafya, Raisinlike, Shop Local, shopping, silk fashion, Tel Aviv, Yahood, Yoola, Zichron Yaacov
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57 comments     Login to add your own!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. thevintagecloset

this is SOOOOOOOOOOO cool!....i LOVE how ETSY can let us into a little bit of eachothers world!...SWEET job RAFYA!!!

:o)

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. dogties

It looks beautiful there.
Amazing Items!
Thanks for sharing.

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. galita

Rafya very nice work on promoting Israel...and the great people here.

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. beachhouseblues

Terrific Ideas!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. Arctida

Great ideas!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. JustFeltHungry

I looooove Raisinlike's creations! They remind of a funkier Fraggle Rock!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. FluteTeacher

I love hearing about sellers from around the world! Thanks.

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. raisinlike

Weehee! This turned out so nice! Glad to see Neta is in too, she is an amazing artist! Thank you Rafya :o)

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. lillyella

Yay Rafya! Look at you - how fabulous!!! I so hope I get a chance to visit someday!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. netamir

Wow Alona, it's looks great, thank you for including me, and thank you so much Sharona, I was so existed to read your comment.

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. christinececelia

Beautiful things!
Very nice-

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. limitz

wow..so great!:-)
Thanks Alona for including me, and Yoola- we are absolutly very close neighbors..hmm..we actualy live in the same city! לא יאומן שהיה צריך כתבה כאן בשביל לדעת את זה...........

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. Thinkoutsidethebox

I really enjoy this series..there is something socool about seeing the artist behind the shop...How lucky is dorijenn? I'd love to be where she is even just for a day...her view is so inspiring..

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. dorijenn

This is great Alona! I always enjoy this feature in the Storque and now it's so exciting that I'm in it! I'm proud to be an artist from Israel with a shop on Etsy! I hope everyone will shop Israel for the holidays!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. athaclena

I've been wondering whether there will be an Israeli Shop Local anytime...
I happy to see this, it's just a pity so few can fit in - there are so many more that deserve this.
Well done for everyone featured :-)

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. behappynow

wow!!! great post Rafia!!! thank you for doing that great job and for including me!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. silverdotjewelry

I just loved this article! Wonderful. I love reading about artist from around the world - especially Israel. I'm off to check things out now! Thanks!!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. twolefthands

Great article Rafya, your country is beautiful and so many talented people!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. orchidee

Wonderful article!! Great to see my friends from Galilee Silks!!...and all of you!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. yifatiii

Great selection!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. Sigaliot

Wow!!!!!
Thank you for including me in your treasury for the second time!
And thank you for promoting our wonderful country in such a great article!
Kisses XOXO
Sagit ♥

Dec. 6, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. rafya

wow.. thanks everybody. I must say many thanks to Alison from Etsy admin , and to the amazing artists who cooperation. there are many more talented artists from Israel I wish they could be in this article too, but not enough room...
So take a little tour in those Israeli shops, Enjoy !

Dec. 6, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ASecondChance

The colors are vibrant! What a great spotlight. I love how Etsy helps us discover all these amazing artisans!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. Lambert

Thanks Rafya for making us discover all those creative Israeli artists!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. galileesilks

Great article Rafya. Thanks for including Galilee Silks studio! We feel honored to be with so many talented artists from our country!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. TickledPinkKnits

What a great feature! Nice to see & read about everyone :)

Dec. 6, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. ageratum

Very nice shop and great to get to know a shop owner too! :) Donna

Dec. 6, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. ThePeachTree

Wow, excellent article, Rafya!!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. jodieflowers

So nice to put a face to the maker of the Etsy Sales Fairy. :) ♥

Dec. 6, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. trishafern

Everything is so beautiful! It's great to get a glimpse of a world that the media portrays as so different than ours, but we are really so alike.

Dec. 6, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. SmadarsTreasure

So much fun seeing other Israeli sellers (like me) in one place! Great article, I enjoyed learning some more about this talented group!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. backwoodsophisticate

Another fabulous shop local article! I am so happy to see Raisin here, her store is awesome!!!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. mksupplies

How lovely are the lampshades featured by Yoola! Such amazing artist's featured!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. LoucheLab

It's so cool to see all the faces of the wonderful Israeli Etsians! Way to go girls! you are doing great!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. aisle3studio

The Hebrew tiles are beautiful! I visited Israel when I was a teenager and loved it!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. raisinlike

LOL thanks guys :o)

Dec. 7, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. oritdotandolls

Thanks Rafia for fearuting us all and for featuring my little fairies.
Nice to see you ladies
Israel is so small-we can have an etsy members meeting.

Dec. 7, 2008 at 2:03 a.m. PhotoVita

Wow, i was so surprised to see article about Israeli artists on the front page! Excellent job! Thank You for including my photograph!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 3:10 a.m. Yoola

Thanks Alona:) great to see out tiny country here :)

Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. absolutefelt

What a wonderful article about Israel, I enjoyed meeting the artists and viewing where they are inspired, thank you.

Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. yaelfran

amazing... nice to meet you all !!!!!!!!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. theaxx

ze madhim! ;)

Dec. 7, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

gorgeous!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. thymbyldesigns

כל הכבוד! שמחתי מאוד לראותכם!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. Alljazzedupboutique

How wonderful that you share your life with us. It looks so beautiful there.

Dec. 7, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. galit

It is so nice to see your paces for the first time!!! loved it!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. babeta

Such gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing.
Pam

Dec. 7, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. Xenotees

Excellent article Alona! Sooooo much talent from Israel all over this place!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. JunkyardGypsy

oooh, I'm so excited to read this article - great job Rafya! Raisinlike is one of my all-time favorite Etsians!

Dec. 7, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. BluCille

The necklace is very nice. Check out some of mine. I have jewelry, beads, and a do-it-yourself holiday decor item. Free shipping with the purchase of any two or more items everyday until December 21st!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 5:44 a.m. yalipaz

Wonderful article Alona!!! Now people can learn about the great artists we have here in Israel! and as we say in Hebrew: Kol hakavod!!!!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ixela

Great article, stunning creations, wonderful artists... love them all!!!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. Morphologie

Wonderful, Alona! So pleased to know more about both you and your fellow Israeli picks! Great creative work and minds represented here. :~)

Dec. 9, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. Inbaliya

good article! nice to see you all!

Dec. 9, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. DiklaFellner

Alona-That's a great article.
I love your work and that of the other Israeli artists you've chosen.
Great job !

Dec. 9, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. pinkshowercurtain

thanks for featuring the wonderful artists of Israel. looks beautiful there, especially along the Mediterranean Sea. wonderful pics! :)

Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:09 a.m. yonatdascalu

Very nice article, good luck.

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