Time to revamp I <3 Etsy

Hello readers - I am going to be inactive for a few days, I want to give the blog a new look, so I will be playing around with new colors, fonts and layouts.

I'm open to suggestions if you have them :)

-Andi

The Jewelry Box

If you're interested in reading a GREAT blog about jewelry, check out Judie Gumm's The Jewelry Box.

If you're a November baby, check out today's post. It's all about your birthstone, topaz and citrine. Beautiful stones with an interesting history!

Going Mad!

Mad Hatter Brooch Pin, by 35thofMay

We all go a little mad from time to time, right? We may not always have a tea party spread when this happens though. This delightful brooch by 35thofMay is not only whimsical, it is a cute little symbol of a world far from reality. A place I am sure many of us would be curious to run away to!

This brooch gets me excited for the upcoming Alice in Wonderland film by Tim Burton. If you haven't seen previews yet, check out the official trailer.

Beauty Mask Mugs!

Beauty Mask- handpainted earthenware mugs, by houseofharriet

These beauties would be perfect for that early morning cup of coffee, a pampered evening with some herbal tea, or even a drink with friends for a girls night in!

If you like those, you'll love her nurses!

All mugs and earthenware accessories found in The House of Harriet are individually handpainted in Amsterdam. She paints customized mugs with YOUR face, or someone else's.

Tooting my own horn...

I sold jewelry on Etsy ages ago and I haven't made many new pieces since I started working for an amazing jeweler, Judie Gumm, in Ester, Alaska, two years ago. I learned so much about jewelry creation and construction from Judie, she is a very inspirational artist.

I found this beautiful dyed jade bead from Bead World here in Seattle and added it to the round silver bead by Nina Designs. I think I found a good combination for a simple, everyday-wear necklace for fall!

Beautiful Treasury on Etsy

Just popped into Etsy and spent a good while admiring this beautiful treasury by OneClayBead. I've been seeing so many beautiful items in violet/purple, colors I normally don't go for. I love the simplicity of this curated treasury and the variety of purple available in each item.

Simply gorgeous!

Happy Weekend!

Bird Spinning Vinyl Limited Edition, by barkingbirdart

My husband and I saw LTJ Bukem last night and it put me in the mood to find something DJ-like for today's post. And I found it!

I really enjoy this print, it puts a smile on my face!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Color Culture - New Treasury!

It's always a little tricky getting a treasury, isn't it? I think I lucked out today, the countdown was on minutes after I got out of bed. Got the coffee brewing, and voila! This will expire on Saturday, but thought I would share it with you all!

June Tea Length Wedding Dress, by LizzieJayne

June Tea Length Wedding Dress, by LizzieJayne

My brother in law is getting married this weekend so in preparation for a big wedding celebration, I'm featuring a wedding dress!

This dress is simply adorable. My wedding dress was the same length as this one and I loved it. Long dresses are beautiful but this length is so much fun and perfect for a warm weather wedding. I love how the skirts poofs out with the lace showing at the hem.

And the bow... I love the bow! I like how it wraps about the waist like an obi and then drapes to the side resting on the skirt.

I truly love the entire look of this wedding dress in the photograph.

Irish Rose Lace, by rolanddesigns

How delicately beautiful is this Irish Rose Lace necklace, by rolanddesigns?

I love how this set is modeled with the lighting and the model's hair (makes me wish I had long hair!) The photo looks old giving the necklace a vintage feel.

I was happy to see a photo of this necklace up close because there are more lovely details to gush about; pearls and silver. I love the use of small white pearls in this design because it adds a lot of style and sophistication but it also makes the pearl a more dynamic "stone". I enjoy pearls and love seeing new ways of using them beyond the traditional single strand.

This is a custom piece so if you are interested please convo rolanddesigns!

Hide & Seek Convertible Cowl, by attiladesign

L.O.V.E. this Hide & Seek Convertible Cowl, by attiladesign.

I think apocalyptic haute couture design is so innovative and strong! I particularly like the buckle that keeps this cowl put together over the ensemble. The cowl itself looks airy yet determined to make a statement.

I lived in Finland for awhile and love how scarves and cowls are worn there. Very colorful, very big, very welcome for winter.

Kiitos, attiladesign!

weegreenspot... all sold out!

How cute!

Yesterday's featured seller, weegreenspot, is all sold out! And I am not at all surprised.

These little sheep are the only thing left at the moment. They need a home!

Can't wait to see more of her luscious green, dreamy creations.

Here's a preview if you missed it:

I want one!

Rocket pendants, by ABoxForMyTreasure

Rocket Pendants, by ABoxForMyTreasure

If there is one thing I like as much as robots, it's rockets. Especially if they have sparkly attachments like these do!

I love these charms, they are so much fun and would look great as a simple pendant on a simple chain to liven things up. A Box For My Treasure offers many vintage looking charms and jewelry to add to your own jewelry box. I was eye-ing a fabulous gold colored fan necklace but it was taken before I could share it with you!

Share these charms with yourself, friends, or anyone who enjoys icons of science fiction!

Sunday Series: That Sunday Feeling, by Cattoo

That Sunday Feeling, by Cattoo

Happy Sunday! I am starting a new series called the 'Sunday Series', where I will feature an item that depicts this wonderfully lazy day of the week.

I am excited to feature this lovely print by Cattoo, especially since am enjoying the beginning of my Sunday while my cat is peacefully napping in the next room.

I totally agree with the artist, we all deserve a lazy day! I love the colors she uses in this print, they are very calming and fresh. The perfect combination to represent that Sunday feeling.

I always wonder what cats are dreaming of when they sleep. Mine makes funny squeaking noises when she sleeps...I like to think she is dreaming of new outdoor adventures. Or food.

What do you think, fellow cat/animal lovers?

The Coffee Shop tshirt, by mfmapparel

The Coffee Shop tshirt, by mfmapparel

It's t-shirt time! And coffee time (always, for me).

Minty Fresh Monster Apparel has a wonderful variety of fun, colorful and thoughtful designs. I happen to like this one the best, even though they are all pretty awesome.

When I first looked at this design I started saying "beep boop! beep boop!" in my head... I guess this is how I imagine robot-speak.

Verne Ring, by mariagotijoyas

Verne Ring, by mariagotijoyas

Isn't this ring fabulous?

The blue-green labradorite is gorgeous, adding rustic beauty to the piece. The pearls add a very delicate touch, but I love how strong the ring looks with the metal frame opposite of the white. I love the look of oxidized silver!

I lived in Alaska for awhile and this design reminds me of Yupik native masks, they have a very similar look and when I look at the stone I can almost see a face!

Check out the matching earrings that go with this amazing ring!

I don't think I would ever take my eyes off of this ring when worn!

Gone... again!

This time we are going back east for a few days and driving across the country back to Seattle!

I'll be back (for good) to blog about you wonderful Etsians and will start working on featuring a lot of you Seattle Etsians!

In the meantime, here is a picture of some styles I wish would come back. Especially the green dress that Joan is wearing. I love Mad Men!

Going to the chapel...

... and I'm, gonna get married!

The blog will be down for awhile! Kevin and I are getting married this Saturday and then we are moving!

I will be back with more wonderful items to share with you as soon as I can!

:)

Blossom Tree, by VieiraGirl

Blossom Tree, by VieiraGirl

Upon viewing this beautiful pink print a wonderful childhood memory came rushing back into my head. And for this, I am grateful to have found this seller and her prints.

When I look at this print I feel fuzzy, and I mean that in the most positive way! Not only does it look texturally "fuzzy", but it brings back a "fuzzy" memory of my family and I sitting under cherry blossom trees in Japan, welcoming spring. I can't remember specific details of this event, but I can feel the memory. If I close my eyes I can put myself back in time, sitting on a blanket, eating sweet treats and being slightly blinded by the warm sun seeping its way through the pink blossom petals, just as VieiraGirl depicted in her print.

I always love how certain smells, sounds and even images can rush a memory to the present. It is fascinating what the mind can store and surprise you with years later.

Not only do I love how senses act as a time machine, but I also love how art can evoke a distant emotion. Art is amazingly powerful and everyone can relate to certain pieces differently. Even though the creation is the product of an artist, the connection that someone feels is a personal relationship to the piece and one's own memory. In that way I think art as communication is one of the most powerful forms of expression.

VieiraGirl depicts the wonders of color in nature through her prints. I love how she focuses on one thing, like a tree, a blossom, poppy petals. They make these natural wonders stand out and allow you to bask in their color. Not only do I enjoy looking at the prints in her shop but I enjoyed the journey she led me back to.

Thank you, VieiraGirl!

She Dreamed of Being a Mermaid, by JenniferMorrisBeads

She Dreamed of Being a Mermaid, by JenniferMorrisBeads

If well done, a picture can clearly show the beauty of a handmade item (check). A written description, or in the case of JenniferMorrisBeads, a poem, can reflect the muse and story the creator shares through her craft.

When I first look at these beautiful earrings, the color is the first thing that strikes me. Turquoise and light blues always catch my attention. But while the design itself is stunning and perfect in its execution, the poem that accompanies this piece fills the clay with "magic", just as Jennifer says. It brings the piece to life. I am going to share the poem with you here:

she caught a glimpse
out of the corner of her eye
a beautiful tail
fanning reflecting
watery glow
splashing
diving
deep
deep
down
under the blue waves
dancing with seahorses
just below

-JenniferMorrisBeads

You can see the tail of the mermaid and the splashes she makes from her dive. You can see the depth of the ocean from the dark navy blue clay and how the light colors are the players in this story. These earrings tell a story, and a what an imaginative story for such a small delicacy to wear on your ears.

I always enjoy seeing what new pieces, and new stories, JenniferMorrisBeads has in her shop.

She is the queen of clay jewelry creations!