Etsy Tuesday: Whimsical Treasures

I came across this adorable shop through a gift guide on etsy. Her designs are super simple, but incredibly sweet. The necklaces and earrings are a perfect gift for girls of all ages. You can find more treasures here. Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: Munted Kowhai

This week's featured seller is New Zealander-turned-Portlander Munted Kowhai. Her crocheted jewelry is stunning; intricate and fragile threads are paired with chains to create feminine pieces that are perfect for any outfit. We got to ask her a few questions, here we go!

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

My inspirations come from the rare vintage buttons I find online and the intricate details of medival, victorian and edwardian costumes. I often take an aspect of the traditional detail and give it a modern spin.

Why do you like to crochet? where did you learn?

I love to crochet because I'm able to achieve high details and different tensions lends itself to different shapes. It is feminine and once you get the hang of it, it is soothingly repetitive. I learned as a child in primary school in New Zealand. It was part of a program where we rotated between cross stitch, crochet and something else I forgot!

Whats next for your shop?

I've just started on my next project which is chinese knotting! I'm making military inspired pieces using chinese knots.

Thanks, Tiff! You can find her designs here and visit her awesome blog right here.

Etsy Tuesday: Kari Herer

I cannot express how much I adore Kari Herer's photography. She captures such mundane objects as if they were precious pieces of art, all with a feminine style and chic approach. A well-known photographer around the web (you can find Design*Sponge gushing about her, among others), she does amazing portraits as well as images of flowers and food. I was able to ask Kari a few questions-here we go!

When did you start photographing?
I started photographing when my mom bought me my first Pentax in high school. It's long been broke but I still use the strap today on my canon.

What inspires you to photograph?
The challenge of finding light, composition, and personality in everything that I photograph.

From one photographer to another, what advice can you give to stand out from the rest?
Spend the money on a good lens.

Very well said! Thanks Kari!

You can pick up her prints at her etsy shop, visit her website and read her blog. I would love to put 4 small prints up in my room-I just love that atmosphere she creates. Amazing work!

Etsy Tuesday: Labyrinth Vintage

When I came across Labyrinth Vintage's felt flower necklace, I was instantly in love. Her handmade pieces incorporating vintage designs and fantastic craftsmanship are easy to adore. I love her innovative use of zippers and jewels-they take the statement necklace to a new level. I got to ask the artist a few questions about her work, here we go!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Personally, I'm interested in Arts and Fashion. Each day I will come across various pictures and books. My inspiration then has come from these. Normally I think I do have two different attitudes toward my works. Firstly, I will always try to bring something new, fashionable and fabulous with lots of details and can be viewed in various perspectives. Secondly, most of my works would also made from my great moments or feelings, like my happiness with my pets, animals, my collectibles, something funny that happened in my life and something I impressed etc.

Describe your process of creating a piece-inspiration, creation, etc.

After I have sketched my drawing, one of the important things I do is to choose the color and materials. Then after that I will do the first mould. This mould making process takes quite a long time. Some of my works took a month on this process.

Do you have a favorite jewelry designer?

I do like jewelry very much but do not have any favorite jewelry artist. I like fashion paper artist Vassilis Zidianakis.

You can find her great pieces right here.

Etsy Tuesday: Tickled Pink Knits

This week's featured seller is the hugely talented Elena from Tickled Pink Knits. A true craftsman, she hand knits each piece in her shop. Lush, buttery knit scarves and wraps are her specialty and each garment looks so cozy! I can see her pieces being a must-have for fall and winter-they are that beautiful! I was fortunate enough to have Elena answer some questions of mine, so here we go!

Why do you like knitting? (Relaxation? A challenge?)

Why do I love knitting? Let me count the ways. I love the way needles and yarn feel in my hands and to the touch. I love drifting away in thought as I knit. I love devising new designs and design details as I go along. I love being able to produce something tangible, functional, and beautiful as a result of blissful time spent with some of the most basic tools imaginable - two stick and a bit of soft string. I love knowing that what I make is worn and enjoyed by others.

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

Inspiration comes in many forms, including architectural and organic shapes and lines, non-knit clothing elements, as well as yarn itself.

Do you have a cherished knit item?

It's a crocheted hat my Mom made for me when I was in my teens. It was beautiful, soft, and warm, and unlike any other.

Thanks, Elena! Please visit her shop and browse her seriously stunning work! You can also read an interview on Etsy right here. Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: Scabby Robot

I spotted the great shop of Scabby Robot (isn't that a great name?) during a search for back to school items on Etsy. Jill from San Francisco is behind the brand and creates awesome bags from mixed textiles and leathers. I really love the organic, truly handmade feel that her bags show; her bags can be worn shopping in the city and slinging art supplies to school.

I was able to get a little insight into Jill's brain about her work and products, here we go!

Where do you find the materials you work with?
Whenever possible, I buy local, but I buy materials in a variety of places. I'm excited by the cast-off hides, the random scraps, and love to get my hands on vintage pieces. Irregularities in color or finish that are seen as negative for mass manufacturing, I see as gems to be highlighted in my small run pieces.

How do you go from inspiration to final product? Where have you found inspiration?
I'm most inspired by the materials I collect. Sometimes I'll start a project with a sketch, but there's nothing like having material in hand. I feel like I'm having a conversation with each piece of leather by folding and draping, clipping and sewing.

Whats coming up next for your shop?
Coming soon is the official Scabby Robot online store. I've been working on a stand alone online shop to sell my small run items. The etsy shop is great for all of my experiments, but the new shop will be crisp and uncluttered. I can't wait to finish it!

Thanks, Jill! You can shop her bags here and visit her blog here. Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: Simpli Jessi

Today's artist I can't gush enough about. Simpli Jessi creates one-of-a-kind handmade dolls for children (and adults-they're that cute!) While browsing the children's section on Etsy (a post I'm saving for friday!), I came across her unique and quirky dolls for a equally unique kid. These dolls are a great gift for a child or friend who is sure to love it for many, many years. I was so fortunate to ask her some questions about her dolls-here we go!

Where do you find inspiration to create your dolls? Are they based on real people?
-My inspiration for each doll does, in fact, come from real people! The very first doll I ever created was for a close friend of mine - who was having a birthday, and I decided to make a replica of him into a small doll. It turned out to be a hit among my friends - who in turn talked me into making more. Now, I pull inspiration from people I know or have met, strangers, funny stories I hear, and my imagination, to inspire all of dolls I create.

Describe your creative process: how do you make a doll from start to finish?
-The creative process for each doll does take some time - I like to change it up often so it stays fun, but typically it goes something like this:
1. It all begins with a sketch of the character/doll.
2. I dig through my large pile of scrap fabric to look for inspiring fabrics for the clothes - somehow this is the longest part, because I usually get distracted ;)
3. The body is hand stitched + filled
4. The doll then gets it's hairdo + cut :)
5. Clothes are handmade for the doll and the doll is dressed.
6. The doll get's it's name - from my boyfriend - and I create the funny story to go along with it. All in all, I would say it takes roughly 4+ hours for each doll from start to finish!

Describe a treasured item from childhood
I would say that the most treasured item from my childhood is my bear Fuz. When I was 3 years old, my grandfather (who always told me great stories - and liked messing with me) showed up at our house to present me with Fuz (a used bear at the time) - he told me I was to keep a very special watch over Fuz - because one day he would be needing him back. Sure enough, he would check in on him periodically to see if he was being taken care of properly. And although he never did ask for him back (ha-ha, yes I actually believed it) Fuz is still very well taken care of!

You can create a custom doll or find one you love at her shop, and be sure to check out her blog that is filled with cool pictures and new music! Great work, Jessi!

Etsy Tuesday: Byrd and Belle

Byrd and Belle is a fantastic shop run by Angie Davis that features beautifully designed cases for your electronic gadgets. Angie uses thick felt and a modern simplicity to create sleek laptop cases, ipod sleeves and little works of art. Her items are gorgeously photographed and I am pining for a felt laptop sleeve-just look at that detailing! It is great to use something handmade in this electronic world of ours, and Byrd and Belle is the perfect choice!

I was able to ask Angie some questions about her creative process:

Why did you decide to create items for laptops/electronics? Do you see a need for handmade items in the electronic world?

I started making the sleeves for laptops and gadgets because they are interesting problems to tackle. They need to be highly functional and are required to be built with very close attention to specifications of the gadgets they hold. That type of work suits me. We are a fairly tech savvy household with an appreciation for all things Apple so it was inevitable that I would focus on Macbooks, iphones and ipods.

What is your inspiration/design aesthetic?

My background is in architecture and people tell me it shows in my work. I like to design using simple and functional details and fairly uncomplicated materials. In the case of the sleeves, they end up feeling very modern which is well-suited for the gadgetry they hold.

Whats your next project for the shop?

Laptop bags that have handles and shoulder straps and a new series of handbags. I've spent a lot of time this summer working on prototypes and they should be up in the shop in mid-August. Fall will also bring a new series of modern Christmas ornaments which was how Byrd & Belle got started.

Thank you, Angie!

You can purchase her items here and visit her other shop that features old maps made into coasters right here. Great work!

Etsy Tuesday: Jean Pelle

It is safe to say that I am in love with Jean Pelle's wooden candlestick holders and glass chandeliers and jewelry. Her clean, crisp lines and fresh take on home decor have caught my eye as well as others around the blogosphere. A new line of excruciatingly delicate glass orbs strung together to make a necklace is an entirely new concept for jewelry I have seen, and that glass ball chandelier is to die for! Her gold leafed candlesticks and jewelry can be found in her etsy shop (which is having a sale til July 15th!) as well as her personal website.

I was fortunate enough to have a few questions answered by Jean herself regarding her creativity and inspiration.

What inspires you to create?
Generally, I find inspiration in a wide range of sources – art, film, architecture, fashion and nature. At the moment, I am inspired by the objects I encounter everyday in places that I frequent, such as the hardware store or specialty supply shops. They are usually common and inexpensive materials, but they have appealing qualities such as color, shape or texture. I enjoy combining these findings, in an interesting way, into a new object. 

What is a typical day of work like for you?
I usually leave in the early mornings for my studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn. There, I split my time between filling orders, working in the wood shop, running errands/ordering supplies, and developing and testing out new products and ideas. If I have some spare time, I’ll work on a small painting or two. That is a real treat.

Why do you use Etsy to sell your work?
Etsy has an incredibly strong online presence with an active participant community. It’s allowed for my work to be seen by a much wider audience, plus I enjoy the direct exchange between maker and buyer. I'm also able to list unusual items that I normally would not approach retailers with.

Thanks, Jean!

Etsy Tuesday: Domestikate

Today's Etsy seller is Domestikate, purveyor of fine vintage goods! She collects treasures of all sorts (she even has a vintage clothing shop, Sophistikate). I love finding vintage items, they are always filled with history and years of wear and tear. You can find her household items here and her clothing here. Great finds!

Etsy Tuesday: reiter8

reiter8 (reiterate) is Katherine Rasmussen who creates bags, wallets and pillows out of old sails. I love her clean design aesthetic and how cool and summery her bags are! The bold numbers would look awesome with any casual outfit. What a great way to remake something practical into something fun! This week definitely has a nautical theme, look out for friday's post about nautical goodies! You can purchase reiter8's products here and visit her website here.

Etsy Tuesday: YAVAglass

YAVAglass creates super awesome upcycled (or is it recycled?) glasses made from soda and beer bottles. I love that you can turn bottles with cool vintage labels, like the Boylan's sodas, and create a beautiful set of glasses you can use in your house! YAVAglass creates their glasses from all sorts of bottles and even coasters! This would be a perfect gift for Father's Day (with his favorite microbrew bottles perhaps?) or a wedding present to an eco-chic couple. You can purchase their products here-happy tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: One Stone New York

One Stone New York creates gorgeous pieces of jewelry using faceted gems, gold and silver. I've recently become obsessed with watching Jewelry Television at my mom's apartment (is that totally a grandma thing or what?) and seeing faceted gemstones sell for so little is quite exciting. I found OSNY through Etsy and fell in love with Shane's crisp, modern take on jewelry. I especially love the way the artist uses a stone's shape to create an organic style. I got to ask OSNY a few questions, so here we go!

What is your trademark style for jewelry making?

I look for unique gemstones that have unusual & interesting colors, markings & cuts. These qualities add character and individuality to each and every piece I make.
I see my trademark style on Etsy as quality metalwork, showcasing beautiful stones in subtle and elegant settings.
Why do you sell on Etsy?

I really enjoy meeting people from all over the world. Etsy is an inspiring place that motivates me to create more & share more.

Where does your inspiration for your designs come from?

Lots of my designs come organically from the material I have in front of me. I am a collector and I draw my inspiration from the objects I surround myself with.



You can purchase One Stone New York's fantastic pieces here, and visit the blog right here. Thank you and great work!

Etsy Tuesday: Anne Kiel

Todays post is from uber-talented Anne Kiel. Her jewelry is simple yet stunning, using gemstones, gold and silver, often with organic shapes. I was fortunate enough to ask her a couple questions about her work!

When did you want to create jewelry and how did it happen?

I started creating beaded jewelry as a hobby about 5 years ago. It's really therapeutic and I still love to bead pieces in my spare time. A few years back I got a job with a jewelry designer who inspired me to take a metalsmithing class. I took a class on how to use an acetylene torch and then picked everything else up on my own through books and experimentation:)

Why do you use etsy to sell your designs?
Etsy is awesome! I sell via Etsy because it's the largest independent designer marketplace on the web and yet it has a small, welcoming, community feel.



If you could design your dream piece of jewelry, what would it be? or, do you have a favorite in your shop right now?

I do frequently meditate about designs and then try to recreate them. I did that with the lotus related items on my site...I guess, I would love to work with unexpected materials and create something eco-fabulous :)

You can find her gorgeous designs here and visit her website here. Happy tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: Cicada Studio

This week's post is from textile maven Michelle at Cicada Studio. She designs beautifully fresh textiles that center around organics and modern shape. I have a cloth calendar from Cicada up on my wall and enjoy looking at it every day. Couldn't you see those bright bold patterns on a upholstered rattan chair? So pretty. She just recently began a project called Cloud9 fabrics, which creates fabrics from organic cotton, look out for fabrics from Cloud9 soon. Beautiful and eco-chic! You can visit her website here and shop her Etsy store here. Great work, Michelle!

(click photo to enlarge. photos via Cicada Studio).


P.S I also made a Treasury over at Etsy last night...check it out!

Etsy Tuesday: Scarlet Beautiful

Today's etsy seller is a super talented photographer from Washington State. Scarlet Beautiful's shop is filled with amazing photos using the "Through the Viewfinder" technique that allows her photos to become grainy, aged and perfect. I would love to have these framed and sitting on my windowsill, such a joy to look at! You can find her photos here and her other etsy shop right here. Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Tuesday: Ink + Wit

This week's featured seller is the super talented Tara Hogan from Ink+Wit. She creates really modern letterpressed goods that are super simple and clean. I love her limited edition prints (and they go fast! they are always sold out at her site, drats!). She recently came out with new wedding stationery (that pink is sooo cute). You can buy her goodies on etsy right here and visit her website here.


Also, I'm now on TWITTER. Why? Who knows, its fun. Follow me!

Etsy Tuesday: Ika Bags

I just found Ika Bags when I was browsing another etsy user's treasury and I was surprised at how perfect they are for spring and summer! Feyza is a textile designer and uses scandinavian (gotta love it!) fabrics in her bags. She lives in Paris where she creates super cute things! Love those bags for a sunny day out on the town! You can find all her cool bags here and at her other store, MadameHoux, right here

Etsy Tuesday: Lara Lewis

Lara Lewis is a super talented jewelry maker on Etsy. Her style is estate jewelry decadence and pure vintage girliness. I love the deep rich jewel tones she uses and her photographs of her items are always flawless! You can buy her jewels here and peruse her blog right here. Great work!

(click photo to enlarge)

Etsy Tuesday: Miniature Rhino

Today's post is one I'm eager to share with you. I just happened upon Miniature Rhino while browsing through Etsy's Treasury section (which is one of my guilty pleasures-people make great collections!). Miniature Rhino is a curator of tiny curiosities and little treasures. I love the custom embroidered initials and constellations. I'm quite taken with their little collections of tiny objects-its so Borrowers meets attic finds. You can take a peek into the world of Miniature Rhino here, and find their Etsy goodies right here.