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Gift Ideas: Shop Local Virginia with backwoodsophisticate
Story by backwoodsophisticate
Published on December 12, 2008 in Spotlight 		Photo by

backwoodsophisticate

backwoodsophisticate has Virginia pride! By curating this Shop Local guide she has brought together some amazing artists and crafters from around her state. Meet the artists below and match them to their items at the bottom.

I am a farm raised, small town girl, mother of three beautiful kids, wife to a great guy and part-time church secretary.  I live in Tappahannock, Virginia and I absolutely adore small town life.  I love the fact that I can go to the pharmacy and the guy behind the counter is not only the pharmacist but the owner.  The restaurant across the street is called Lowery's and it's actually owned and managed by the Lowery family.   Our town is best known for seafood and antiques. We also have tons of "summer folk" who come out in droves when it starts warming up to take advantage of "Rivah Life." In my picture, I'm standing by the Rappahannock River, which flows right beside our town and is a source of great pride.

Growing up on a farm gave me an incredible appreciation for not only things created by hand, but things created by hands I knew.  Also, my father was very active in conservation, which was not generally the norm for a farmer.  Being a part of Etsy, both buying and selling, has been an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to recognize that our society does have the opportunity to continue the handmade traditions that our elders have taught us.  When I buy from Etsy, there is something very special about knowing that the item I am receiving in the mail was made by the person who received my order and packed my order and sometimes chatted with me through convos. In my picture above, I am wearing fingerless gloves made by lazytcrochet and a shirt made by maryink.

Living where I live, I have seen many things go directly from producer to consumer.  We have watermen pulling in crabs and oysters from the Rappahannock River, farmers growing sweet corn and veggies, cafe owners taking your order and helping cook your food.  I was afraid this connection between producer and consumer was disappearing, but with Etsy, I see it growing and making a come back.  It is a thrilling sight to see.


Meet some more sellers from Virginia:

Kristyn Bango of bonghinatura: "Walking through Old Town Alexandria."

 

 

Kelly of ModernJune.etsy.com: "Here I am, in front of my dream house where I live, work, and teach. Within four blocks of where I am standing I can visit a coffee shop, four restaurants, a pharmacy, a market, a premium beer and wine store, a yoga studio, an ice cream parlor, and a gorgeous flower and gift shop (that just happens to sell Modern June goodies). Living and working in my neighborhood is a treat — we can walk to everything and we know everyone.  An added bonus is that living in a 80 year old home inspires me to make all my retro housewares!"

 

 

Ryan & Erica of BeesKneesStudio.etsy.com: "This is me and my husband Ryan at the fabulous Fan Diner Joe's Inn (you can't much more local than Joe's here in Richmond!). Ryan, in addition to helping immensely with my BeesKneesStudio stuff, is the also other half of OtterandtheBee, which is a store for our felt crafts that we run together (though it's pretty empty now 'cause everything is going to my craft shows).

PS: I just realized we are also both sporting Etsian tees (spaghettikiss & scarletbeautiful) in this picture!  We are such dorks!  :)"



Tasha McKelvey of tashamck.etsy.com: "This is a picture of me in front of one of the studio buildings at the pottery studio where I first starting making pottery when I was just 16 years old. The studio is located in Mathews County, Virginia, and owned by Robert and Karen Podd.  Rob and Karen have been making pottery here for close to 35 years!  I still spend a day or two there a week, even though it is way out in the country and far from where I live these days.  I actually got married about 15 feet from where I am standing in this photo — it's much prettier when the garden is in bloom and the trees have leaves."

 

Morgan of MorganSilk.etsy.com and LaVogue.etsy.com: "Hanging around Richmond, VA."

 

Nina Jackson of beadsinthebelfry.etsy.com: "This is a shot of me taken at Great Falls Park. This gorgeous spot is accessible from both Virginia and Maryland. One of the cool things about living in this area is how interconnected Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC (aka the DMV!) are."

 

Vicky Lewis of appalachia.etsy.com / thebirdsandbees.etsy.com: "This picture is of me making a water garden in my back yard the year I moved back to my home town in the mountains of Virginia a few years ago."

 

Jeannine Peregrine of jperegrine.etsy.com: "This is a photo of me at Bennetts Creek Park, which is located about a mile from my house in Suffolk, Virginia. When I need a breather, I love to get out to the park and walk on the pier, watch the tide ebb and flow, feel the wind in my hair, and watch the herons flit about.  Sometimes there are men and women fishing for croaker on the pier (I don’t know what croaker is, but I love talking with them while they fish) and kids running around in the park, and some days, like the day this photo was taken, I get the whole place to myself.  Even just fifteen minutes here refreshes my spirit and inspires me."

 

Jennifer Morse of sosorosey.etsy.com: "Here I am (with my daughter) at a local Virginia pumpkin patch (Cox Farms)."

 

Michelle O. of moxy.etsy.com: "In the area where I live there is a lot of beautiful scenery. We see wildlife in our backyard every day. I am an animal lover and like to create with vegan friendly items. My tea stained journals were inspired by the gorgeous rural decay found in this area. I love to add bits of vintage lace and buttons that look like family heirlooms."

 

Julie Diers  of TheBumbleBeeStudio: "Me and a can of my wheat grass!"

 

Shoppers, get your holiday gifts this season with Shop Local and meet your talented neighbors (shrink that carbon footprint too)! Find sellers belonging to local Virginia Etsy Teams.

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

 

Please let Etsy's blog know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region.

Tags backwoodsophisticate, Gift Ideas, holidays, Shop Local, shopping, VA, Virginia
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57 comments     Login to add your own!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. lalunedesigns

Yeah Virginia! I currently live in Norfolk, with so many other Navy families. Thanks for introducing us to these other Virginia Etsy sellers!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. RunAliceRun

This was so cool! I loved looking at all the artist's identities!!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. sewphisticate

some of my favorite etsians are here! sosorosey beadsinthebelfry morgansilks and, of course, backwoodssophisticate! lovely article and a beautiful collection you pulled together.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

i love virgina, close to my roots of wva and ohio ;)

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. SudsNSuch

It's great to see some other Virginians! I live in Manassas!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. IcingOnTheCupcake

Yay Virginia, my home as well... I've been to Lowery's before!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. HomemadeZen

very beautiful place!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Sinta

Beautiful scenery ^_^ I want a studio like Tasha's!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. christinececelia

SOMEBODY GET THAT WOMAN A LADER!!!
ha ha- very beautiful- love the pics
:)

Dec. 12, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. shellieartist

I love backwoodsophisticate...she is the best! wonderful article and I condsider you all my neighbors b/c I grew up in NC..we just hop on hwy 77 and it's not a bad drive!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ASecondChance

Yeah Virginia! Love the article. It's great to meet the artisans behind these beautiful pieces. I'm a VA gal myself!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. Enderby

Sending love to my home state, Virginia! xox

Dec. 12, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. kmwatkins

These articles are interesting. It is nice to put a face on familiar shops!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. wildhare

Wonderful to spotlight Virginia sellers... I've been wondering - are any other VA sellers interested in forming an etsy team? I'm in the Northern Shenandoah Valley near I-66/I-81, and a lot of my products are made from local wool and/or llama from small farms.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. LaVogue

Howdy Fellow Virginians! If you have never visited VA, you should. It has it all: ocean, beaches, mountains, forests, big cities, little towns, and you can get everywhere in a couple of hours.
(That is a funny photo of me-- I was only a couple of inches above the ground!)

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. peaseblossomstudio

Adorable! I love Virginia, I am so glad I have relatives there, so I get to visit at least once a year. Morgansilk--that pic is too funny! :-)

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. morgansilk

Whoop Whoop!! I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. TashaHussey

oh! how lovely to see all the Designers from Virginia. My Dad lives there.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. lindabutterfly

I *love* seeing the people behind the names.
A quick plug for sosrosey - I have some of her items and they are fabulous.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. jessijewels

Yeah for Virginia!!! SO great to see all these faces! Sosorosey, you're the best!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. jmichelle

Hi Birds and Bees! I am in Lynchburg...lived in Lexington for a while. Love your shop...

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. BlackStar

Great post! I love the pictures of Morgan and appalachia.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. LaVogue

Kudos to backwoodssophisticate for putting this article together. Brava!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. prettypeardesigns

What a great post. It is always so great to see the faces behind the shop names, it just makes your shops and work so much more special. Virgina is a beautiful state!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. MagpieCollections

Hello to all Virginians from another virginian :)...glad to see some well known places mentioned here..

Dec. 12, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. timesandchimes

Wonderful people! I am so HAPPY I got to see SoSoRosey's picture! She is one of my very favorite sellers! Huzzah!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. PoshDots

WTG!!!!! This is awesome! It is so nice to put a face with a name. Virginia Rocks!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. dinosaurtoes

Hi fellow Virginians! I'm in Lynchburg, and it's nice to see some places I know!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. BluCille

Stafford and Fairfax! Pretty close to Tappahannock.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. TheCottageCheese

I love ModernJune's store!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. LazyTcrochet

Great article! Wonderful selections and great pictures of you and fellow Etsians! I'll have to make more gloves now. Thanks Mel!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. nfall2rt

Yay for Virginia! I lived there for the majority of my life. Recently made the grand leap across the border to MD.

Dec. 12, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. sygnetcreations

What a great article. I love seeing all your beautiful faces. Virginia is where my brother lives! (Soso and daughter) ~ Nice to see you both =)

Dec. 12, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. pinkshowercurtain

Virginia looks beautiful!
It was cool to put faces with the sellers. Great stuff!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. DolphinMoonCreations

Great article with so many talented Virginians!
I am a transplant and have live here for 18 years and absolutely love it!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. sweetshorn

Yay! I miss NoVA!!!

Dec. 12, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. anda

Yay!! That's my mom! Appalachia. I didn't even know she'd be in this article. :) :) :)

Virginia rules. This post makes me so, so happy.

Dec. 13, 2008 at 12:39 a.m. lovarevolutionary

Horray! VA!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. AutumnLeavesJewelry

Yayyy Virginia!!! I recognize a couple of folks! Go Great Falls!
Go Joes Inn in Richmond! Yeah Alexandria! (love the Torpedo Factory and The Art League!) Yeah Virginia artists!!! :-)

Dec. 13, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. appalachia

BlackStar, as you can see, I do work hard in my garden!!:)
jmichelle, hi back at ya!!
Amanda....love you...
Virginia sure knows how to grow 'em!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. J2Jewelry

Rock on Richmond...

Dec. 13, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. 4gibsongirl

I am a Virginia girl . . . recently transplanted to Indiana. This really takes me home!! Thanks

Dec. 13, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. thecraftykitten

Hurray for Virginia!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. raisinlike

Back! And Birds! You all look so beautiful!!!

*waving*

Dec. 13, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. moxy

So nice to match faces with names! Looking forward to meeting Jeannine... we live in the same town!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. barefootbeadz

Yeah VA Etsiers!!! I am in Harrisonburg, just opened my shop a couple of months ago and still working on it. Va is full of talented artists and crafters and it is so easy to seek inspiration from our beautiful scenery. Keep up the good work.

Dec. 13, 2008 at 5 p.m. twiddlestix

Wonderful sellers in VA! Congrats on the great article backwoods!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. jodieflowers

Lots of great talent in Virginia! Love all the shops in here! way to go!

Dec. 13, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. LucysLocket

Virginian born and bred! Lucy from Newport News (before that, Blacksburg, Giles County, Roanoke, Salem, Natural Bridge, and Emporia....)

Dec. 14, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. mloartwear

Nice of you to present the Virginia Etsyans! Etsycrest team member here. I am not really from here (VA), French native but enjoy Virginia and its people.

Dec. 14, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. jenmenkhaus

so nice to see familiar faces!!! congrats Virginia!

Dec. 14, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. beeskneesstudio

Whoohoo! Look at my big ugly mug! ;)

Hi JMichelle & Dinosaurtoes! I grew up in Lynchburg!

Dec. 14, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. rivercitybeads

Hello all and yes Virginia does have a lot of talented artist.
I have done my last show for the year. I have free shipping in my shop.

Check out my new items just listed.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Happy Holidays.

Dec. 15, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. Oliba

Yay Va....Our shop just moved there as well and we love it. Virginian's are so crafty and we are lucky to have such a great community!

Dec. 17, 2008 at 3:02 a.m. happycarolsphotos

I realy love sweetpeashappy Items.

Dec. 22, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. badcatjewelry

I miss Virginia! We just moved from there this summer and I want to go *back*! Yay for Bunny being featured:)

Dec. 22, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. TheBumbleBeeStudio

this looks GREAT....thanks so much for adding me!! i LOVE my home in the woods here in virginia with all the trees and wildlife in our YARD....so wonderful !! congrats and HI to all my fellow VA etsians .... HUGS !!! bunnie (julie)

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