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Story by
Vanessa
Published on May 27, 2009 in Spotlight |
Photo by |
This week’s Guest Curator is Jess Chamberlain, who writes about decorating, projects, and eco-friendly living for Sunset Magazine. Jess is dedicated to improving readers' lives through healthy choices. She appreciates thoughtfully-made (smart) products, and she can’t get enough of creative ways to reuse old furniture. Jess also writes for the Home by Sunset blog, loves discovering new shops, and can sometimes be found experimenting (with her wanna-be green thumb or her fancy-looking camera) in the Sunset test garden. She lives for a good cup of coffee and thrives on converting brown-baggers into aspiring environmentalists.
Scouring the market for unique and handmade products is one of the best parts of my job (sampling pinots with our wine editor at lunch time is another). Eco-friendly living is my favorite beat here and a key foundation of life in the West, so I was thrilled to learn of Etsy’s new Team Eco Etsy as well as the Shop Local feature. Well done!
At Sunset we like to celebrate the uniqueness of the West by blurring the lines between indoors and out, so here are some great picks for nature-inspired décor — all by artists based out here by the Pacific.
I love Etsy for gift ideas and applaud the site’s ability to transform everyday artists into design superstars.
Large Tuck Pot (second) with Airplant arrangement
If you haven’t noticed, air plants are a hot design item these days — and they’re die-hard plants for those of us who are botanically-challenged. This beautiful tuck pot by PigeonToeCeramics turns the plants into instant art. By PigeonToeCeramics, $38.
Alberta street balloons 8.5x11
I adore this image (that spurs childhood nostalgia) by Andrea of girlhula. We’re big fans of her blog, which playfully follows her photographic musings. By girlhula, $25.
Custom Vintage Silverware Garden Marker
Utility recycling at its finest: these garden markers by monkeysalwayslook were upcycled from vintage silver plated forks, knives, and spoons. (Check out my obsession with upcycling here.) By monkeysalwayslook, $8.
Mushroom shaped ceramic pottery bird house
mudpuppy’s ceramics are beautifully detailed works of art. This mushroom bird house comes complete with a ceramic bead and hemp hanger for quick hanging. By mudpuppy, $45.
Blue Artichokes Shirt, 6-12m, long sleeve
alittlelark tees make the best kiddo gifts. The unique hand-printed designs are packaged in the cutest little muslin bag (pre-wrapped!). By alittlelark, $19.
No-fail hostess gift — solo or as a trio. Joanna Mendicino’s vases come in gorgeous colors and a variety of organic/modern botanical designs too. By prettyrandomobjects, $38.
dogwood pretties-8x10 signed fine art photograph
On a recent trip to Portland I became enchanted by Dogwood trees. (Those petals fall like snow flakes.) The details in this photo by blissfulimages take me there. By blissfulimages, $25.
The Open Road Letterpress Journal
I adore vintage drawings. OldSchoolStationers takes us back with their “Camping Circa 1960s” collection.
(Inspired to hit the road with a tent? Check out Sunset’s camping guide here.) By OldSchoolStationers, $20.
Whitney Smith brings new meaning to the term "floral arrangement." These lotus nesting bowls are as wonderful assembled as table art as they are beautiful when used as entertaining pieces. By whitneysmith, $175.
Songbird Grasping and Teething toy
These charming little grasping/teething animals, made from reclaimed and FSC-certified wood (and left unfinished), make such thoughtful baby shower gifts. By littlesaplingtoys, $12.
It’s hard not to adore the “The Little Zoo” series by Elizabeth Soule. The miniatures are mesmerizing. By esoule, $25.
This “anything” holder by Paige Russell is the perfect marriage of modern and kitsch. For a splurge, I love it. By paigerussell, $125.
Patchie Plays the Fiddlehead Pillow / Cushion Cover
Beauty from scraps: UmberDove fashions her pillows from remnant fabric — each pieces carefully patch-worked together. The fiddlehead playfully brings a little foliage indoors. By UmberDove, $48.
Gold Leafed Carantion Flower Pin - Recycled Tshirt
Personally, I’m not one to wear a corsage, but my handbag isn’t against it. I love love love that these flower pins by Marang97’s are recycled from t-shirts. (Check out these pillows we made from out-dated clothing.) By Marang97, $7.50.
How cute are these?! Rae Dunn does all her trademark “type” by hand for the adorable little eggs — great for personalized party favors. Try them as place cards. By raedunn, $140.
Brown Natalie Bag with Late Blooms Print
The hand screenprinted bags by Appetite do not help curb my handbag addiction. (Check out other Sunset-favorite botanical-inspired goods here.) By appetite, $44.
I had the pleasure of observing Lynn of Satsuma Press in her printing studio last year. She’s as sweet as her bloom prints! By satsumalynn, $15.
Further resources:
Sunset
Home by Sunset
Fresh Dirt, Sunset’s garden blog
Housemartin (my favorite home-meets-garden blog)
Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.
103 comments Login to add your own!
LaveMeSoapCo
FluteTeacher
I really like that garden marker. What a great use for "useless" silverware!
IcingOnTheCupcake
Everything is so lovely, this is one of my favorite collections!
PipocaHandmade
Gorgeous picks...I especially love the mushroom-shaped bird house. Your sunny photo is perfect for today, because it is raining cats and dogs here!
4TheSparrowsNest
The nature theme on these finds is truly perfect!! I enjoyed viewing this selection. :o)
treasurehuntvintage
LOVE this article. I am a big fan of upcycling and repurposing--I use old silverplate to make windchimes, bird feeders and clocks!
cozycottagecreations
Love these picks! Especially the ceramic cottage vase - so cute!
That70sShoppe
yaelfran
orchardfarmsoap
adoreneko
3squares
blueberrydeluxe
ItsAnewDay
Wonderful article! Approval that we are on the right track in our eco upgrades. The Nesting Bowls were awesome and the photo of dogwood really caught my eye. All picks were very enjoyable
EJPcreations
phyllisb78
Really great pics, lovely style. Would be proud to own any of these items!
moonspiritstudios
dolcechic
edithandlulu
I'm a big fan of Andrea's (girlhula) photos.
The lotus nesting bowls by whitneysmith are gorgeous.
Nice collection!
thestapeliacompany
I love all of these products, and Old School Stationers is a personal fave. I love that 60s camping series.
Mymothersgarden
Great picks! I just love anything inspired by nature! Off to visit the "Home by Sunset" blog.
bijougirldesigns
missindie
allthingswhite
TipsyTimeMachine
Wonderful nature picks. I especially love the Natalie bag and sweet Cottage vases. Deer, moose, camping - motifs to remind us of the great outdoors.
Now I'm craving the smell of peonies, darn it, can't wait for my flowers to bloom.
FashionTouch
elfandsparrow
I am botanically-challenged! The uck pot by PigeonToeCeramics is my favorite!
uncharted
HarrietsHaven
I love all the wonderful pillows and prints! Everything here is fun!
SimpleJoysPaperie
Such a great collection! I just found out about Sunset mag a few days ago when I was told a pic of one of my paper wreaths was in it! From what I've seen online, it's a wonderful publication.
CutieDynamite
amandaatkins
recycledwares
cupcakeperfumery
blissfulimages
Yay!!! thank you so, so much for posting my photograph...an honor to be amongst such lovely company...xo t
baconsquarefarm
thingsbuilt
Nice picks. I've loved Sunset Magazine ever since I was a kid. Thank you.
Furiousdreams
Beautiful finds, please visit my own shop for colorful, original....and reasonably priced paintings.
lovelygifts
SimpleTraditions
amyhatch
TheCottageCheese
Wow, I love all of the picks (especially esoule's photgraph and everything by OldSchoolStationers). Thanks for introducing me to two fantastic blogs as well. Sunset rocks!
cutiepiecompany
PenelopeAndAnastasia
mudpuppy
So wonderful! I LOVE the upcycled spoon! Thank you for choosing my birdhouse!
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Sunset is a fantastic magazine and all I have left now that Domino has gone...Please support it if you live in the west!
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
~M
foxmountain
beautifulbridget
Morado
Wonderful collection! I WANT a pot of gold so I can go crazy shopping Etsy stuff :o)
odiliafu
cravejewelrydesign
YonderPrints
onecreativegirl
love the blissfulimages print!!! thank you for putting together such a great medley
soule
elizandaxel
Sweet! I love Sunset Magazine! Fantastic picks, I think I may need a few of those upcycled spoons for my herb garden. ;)
apronstring
pogoshop
Oooo! I love these. I see all my favorite stuff...woodsy, retro, upcycled, and beautiful photos. Love the tuck pot with airplants and the rosemary spoon.
blithegardens
Love all the upcycled containers. The photos are really simple and beautiful too.
zeropumpkin
TreeHuggerStudio
ToxicInk
kahliya
Lovely collection of eco-friendly items!very inspiring and encouraging.
cottonbirddesigns
SparrowsNest1
littlepinkpebble
steinschmuckdesign
evihan
SweetPeaFabrications
Great selection! Love the mushroom birdhouse- it would look great in my water garden...
mythunderstood
lovely collection
esoule's reindeer photograph is itself mesmerizing!
littleloveblue
prettydreamer
Radness
mollyphoenix
SundraSandrusi
mossyrockpottery
animalartista
slgdesigns
So many things I already love, and so many new pretties to enjoy!
voleurdebijoux
friedasophie
1AEON
mybirch
hongkongwillie
Marang97
Such a great selection of nature inspired, eco friendly picks! Thank you so much for including my flower pin! I am a loyal subscriber to Sunset magazine and this is such an honor. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
SugarMohawk
babook
feeling nice like i could smelled the air from picture .it`s fresh ...haha
crafitti
PigeonToeCeramics
Honored to be a part of this. Air plants really are the greatest things ever, truly.
TianaCHE
villageofone
StrungAlong
Mattamorphis
THe home flower pots are fabulous. I have a thing for white vases. So classic.
MelroseFields
TheNightjar
UmberDove
Oh man, oh man! Jess, you have fabulous taste if I say so myself - and seriously, Sunset mag has always been such a great treasure of the West. Thanks you SO much for including my pillow among such fine company!
Sudstress
beachhouseblues
LoveForEarth
Great selection!! I want the silverware herb marker! How clever is that
adamiart
BirdAndMoonStudio
Ketzelphotography
Amazing selection! Love the photography chosen...quite current!
ShaunasSoyBlends
I love these eco-friendly picks. ( That's why I LOVE making soy candles! So nice to see so many earth friendly finds!
Hende
Great finds! and I'm glad to see a couple of etsy friends in the line-up--Lynn from Satsuma and Traci from Blissfulimages. Congrats to everyone. Very inspired.
bydesign4u
flowerhead
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