Weekly BEST: All About Cats

This week, I have the pleasure of featuring All About Cats, a handmade shop from Vermont.  The owner, Linda, inherited her creative side from her mother.  You can read about their relationship here on Linda's blog.  Linda's favorite crafts are sewing and painting, and she puts her talents to good use in creating fun and imaginative toys for cats (and trinkets for their owners).  Her use of bright, bold colors and animal patterns make her items truly "pop."  Here are a few of my favorites from the All About Cats Etsy shop:

Dora The Duckling Organic Catnip Bell Cat Toy $6.00

Two Balls Organic Catnip Bell Cat Toys $6.00

Four Whimsical Fabric Cat Magnets $8.00

Four Reversable Cat Print Fabric Coasters $8.00

Linda's toys can be made without catnip if you prefer, so feel free to contact her if you would like a special order made.  Find All About Cats at these locations around the web:

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllAboutCats

Shop 2: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisAndThatInVermont

Blog: http://allaboutcatsetsy.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-About-Cats/178751288826475?v=wall


Which item from All About Cats would you give to the cat lover in your life?  Be sure to let us know in the comments!


Until next time,
Elle


I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: Sandyvern

This week I'm featuring Sandy's Handmade Soaps & Things (sandyvern on Etsy), a unique shop from Stamford, CT.  Sandy describes herself as a "self-taught crafter" and has developed skills in soap making, knitting, and jewelry making.  While I'm only featuring her soaps here, be sure to check out the link section at the bottom of the post to find some of her knitting and jewelry (the monsters are too cute to miss!).

Sandy has been making soaps for three years through both the cold and "melt and pour" processes.  Her ingredients include oils, butters, lye, goat milk, oatmeal, and honey.  Interestingly, a batch of soap can take up to six weeks to perfect.  Be sure to check out her Etsy profile here for more information about her creative process.

Here are a few of the scrumptious soaps for sale at Sandy's Handmade Soaps & Things:

Toasted Coconut Bar $5.95

Soap Popsicles $4.95

Brown Sugar Scrub Soap $4.95 

Blueberry Crunch Soap $5.95

Sandy has a variety of other offerings that I did not have room to share with you here, so be sure to check out both Sandy's Handmade Soaps & More and her other shops.  Find Sandyvern at these places around the web:

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandyvern
Shop 2: http://www.etsy.com/shop/monsterlovemadness
Shop 3: http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplysandysthings
Blog: http://theadventuresofsandyvern.blogspot.com

Don't forget to come back here and let us know in the comments which item(s) you like best!

Until next time,
Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: You Are My Sunshine

Speaking of sunshine, this week I have the privilege of featuring a shop that always brightens my day!  You Are  My Sunshine is run by Nina, a jewelry artisan and vintage treasure seeker from the "Sunshine State" (aka Florida).  The name of her shop has a touching origin, which you can read about on her profile.  While Nina does have a separate vintage shop, You Are My Sunshine has a sophisticated vintage feel of it's own.  Natural themes and bright, bold colors abound in her many accessories and statement pieces.  Here are a few pieces I'd love to own:

Recycled Vintage Bobby Pin Set $10.00

 

Classic Oval Rescued Vintage Earring Ring $7.00

 

Necklace, Like a Monet Painting $50.00

Woodland Fabric Flower Bracelet $25.00

Nina has the entrepreneurial spirit in her blood and her shops are evidence of both her skill as an artist and as a business owner.  I encourage you to sit back and enjoy flipping through the many pages of her items, as there's no telling what treasure might grab you!  Find Nina and You Are My Sunshine at these places around the web:

Shop 1: youaremysunshine.etsy.com
Shop 2: mysunshinevintage.etsy.com
Blog: ninas-day.blogspot.com
Flickr: youaremysunshine-etsy.flickr.com
Facebook: youaremysunshine.facebook.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mysunshine4etsy

So what's your favorite thing from or about You Are My Sunshine?  Let us know in the comments!

Until next time,
Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: Alexander's Designs

This week I'm introducing you to not one, but two talented artisans from Missouri.  Alexander's Designs is a joint venture run by a husband and wife team, Jenny and Skip.  Both have been making jewelry for several years and they each have developed rather sophisticated talents, including fused glass techniques and metalsmithing.  The end result is a collection of unique, handcrafted wearable art pieces blending glass, semi-precious stones, crystals, and precious metals.  Here are a few of my favorites from this shop:

Chessboard Sterling Silver Ring $58.50

Dichroic Ugly Glass Pendant $11.25 


Fused Glass Striped Pendant $10.80

Blue Bubbles Fused Glass Pendant $13.50

Although it should be obvious that the prices I post in my blog features are subject to change, I do want to point out that Alexander's Designs is having a sale right now.  These discounts are only good until 2/25/11, so be sure to check out the shop now to get what you want!

Find Alexander's Designs at these places around the web:

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/alexandersdesigns
Shop 2: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClassicallySimple --> Fabulous items on sale through tomorrow 2/23!
Shop 3: http://beaderydestash.etsy.com

Blog: http://alexandersdesigns.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alexanders-Designs/117051398358147

After you're done shopping, be sure to come back and tell us which items are your favorites and/or which ones you purchased!

Until next time,
Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: Too Much of a Good Thing

Long time readers of the blog may remember this shop from an earlier feature in September 2010.  Too Much of a Good Thing has really grown since then and I think you'll fall in love with the new items!  For those of you who don't know, Leyla (the artist) has a variety of crafty talents ranging from wearable art to paper crafts to amigurumi.  When I first introduced her I wanted to show off her beautiful cards, but this time I'd like to showcase some of her unique and colorful accessories for you:

 

Red Zipper Flower Brooch $9.00

Tan Neutral Zipper Flower Headband $12.50

Chocolate Brown Slouchy Beanie Hat $18.50

Sage Green Ear Flap Beanie $19.50

For more crocheted goodies, zipper flowers (how cool are those!?), and many other handmade items, make sure to mosey on over to Leyla's Etsy shop and browse around!  Find Too Much of a Good Thing at these places around the web:

Shop: TooMuchOfAGoodThing.etsy.com

Blog: leylafolsom.blogspot.com

Also if you're local to Salem, Oregon or just happen to be out that way, check out this link to find out where you can purchase Leyla's work in local shops.

What is your favorite item from Too Much of a Good Thing?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: MysticWynd

"An awareness of peace and love rose anew, 

As the spirit found truth and the Mystic Wynd blew..." 

This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to Mystic Wynd, the shop owned and operated by BESTeam leader Karen.  Karen hails from Scottsdale, Arizona and started expressing her creativity at a young age while living with her family in Chicago.  Mystic Wynd is primarily a jewelry shop, though you will find little trinkets and handmade accessories sprinkled throughout the various sections.  Although she features a very diverse range of styles, her use of categories makes it easy to find what you want.  There really is something for everyone here, the reasons for which you can find in Karen's Etsy profile.  As such, I've tried to pick items from different style categories to share with you:

Peridot Swarvoski Crystal Chandelier Drop Earrings $14.50


Rose Necklace in Champagne Blush $31.95


Green Apple Turquoise with Pearl Necklace $44.95


Magenta Pink Heart Charm Necklace $12.95

You can find Mystic Wynd at these places around the web:

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mysticwynd

Shop 2: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MWElegance

Shop 3: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCraftersCabinet

Blog: http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mysticwynd

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mysticwynd

Be sure to check out the shop and come back here after browsing to let us know which jewelry style is your favorite!

Until next time,

Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: WriteOwl

This week I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to Write Owl Designs (WriteOwl) from Portland, Oregon.  The multi-talented shop owner, Jean, got her start in journal making at the age of eight.  You can read about her source of inspiration here on her Etsy profile.  Write Owl journals are perfect for doodling in, crafting poetry, and so much more.  Jean encourages those who buy her items to use them as platforms for creating their own art.

Writing has always been therapeutic for me, but most of the journals I've had over the years have been spiral composition notebooks.  If I could go back and replace those drab, boring notebooks with handmade works of art, these are the ones I couldn't do with out:

Pink and Brown Cupcake Hardback Journal $26.00

Romantic Vintage Postcard Hardback Journal $26.00

In addition to bookmaking, Jean also has a knack for making great desk accessories to go along with the journals, namely hand-painted pottery.  Here are a couple of my favorite pieces:

Peach Lace Ceramic Pencil Cup $15.00

Set of 2 Teal and Brown Lace Coasters $10.00

Keep in mind that Write Owl Designs also offers custom orders for those who don't find the perfect item already sitting in the shop.  Find Write Owl around the web at these locations:

Twitter: twitter.com/writeowldesigns
Facebook: facebook.com/writeowldesigns
Blog: writeowldesigns.blogspot.com
Livejournal: writeowldesigns.livejournal.com 

Make sure to check out the shop and, as always, come back here and let us know what items you like best!


Until next time,
Elle


I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly Treasures: The BEST Spring Collection

I don't know if you're following the national weather stories, but this has been an unusually snowy and (in my opinion) dreary winter.  Sometimes it's encouraging to look forward to warmer seasons and relief from slippery black ice and high heating bills.  One of my fellow Etsy sellers and BESTeam members has decided to beat the cold with a brightly colored team treasury in the spirit of springtime:

The item of mine pulled for this treasury is my Yellow Beaded Chunky Adjustable Ring:

Be sure to check out the curator's shop, Your Daily Jewels, and all of the wonderful BESTeam shops represented here!

Also, if you made or were included in a spring or summer-themed treasury, be sure to post the link in the comments!

Until next time,
Elle

Weekly BEST: 41park

This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to a talented artisan from Natick, MA (near Boston).  Liza, a wife and mother with formal training in fine art and art education, is the creative soul behind 41park.  While she has professional experience as a painter and potter, Liza's 41park Etsy shop focuses on my favorite medium: handmade jewelry.  In addition to beautiful gemstones and metals, her jewelry often features eco-friendly components such as recycled silver and vintage glass.  Here are a few of my favorite items from 41park:

Spiral Bracelet $45.00

Lil' Girls Nest $37.00

Mini Half Spiral Ring $40.00

 Boston Garden Ginkgo $92.00

Each of her pieces has a story to tell, so I encourage you to visit the shop and read the descriptions!  Find 41park at these places around the web:

Shop: etsy.com/shop/41park
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/41park/278664667185
Blog: 41park.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/41park
e-Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/kZFH

Don't forget to come back here and leave a comment about your favorite item and/or the 41park shop!

Until next time,
Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: Fluttering Flowers

 

As a special treat this week, I'm doing a bonus Weekly BEST feature on a shop in Oklahoma that is just too cute not to share with you!  Fluttering Flowers is a fantastically whimsical place full of bright color and youthful imagination.  Deborah, the artist behind Fluttering Flowers, was introduced to her craft at a young age and has a true talent for shaping plain blocks of clay into something quite magical.  Here are a few of my favorites from her large selection of handcrafted pieces:

4 Little Big Eared Bunnies $4.00

Fruit Pendant $6.00

7 Small Trees $3.00

Mushrooms and Noodle Plant Sticks $12.00

Deborah's shop has well over 100 listings for you to browse through, so I encourage you to take some time to discover more of her work.  You can find Fluttering Flowers at these locations around the web:

Shop: etsy.com/shop/FlutteringFlowers

Blog: polymerplaytime.blogspot.com

Twitter: twitter.com/PicassosTears

Be sure to leave a comment and let us know which Fluttering Flowers creation is your favorite!

Until next time,

Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.

Weekly BEST: PaulaPi

This week I'm featuring Paula Pi, a bohemian spirit, photographer, and artist extraordinaire from Miami, FL.  Her work can be described as rustic and unconventional and ranges in medium from leather to wood to stone.  As a reflective, thoughtful person, Paula encourages those who shop with her to explore themselves and to think of art as a means of self expression.  I've picked out a few of the pieces from her shop to share with you.  These compel me because they reflect some aspect of my true self:

Modern Silver and Amethyst Earrings $14.00

Eco Chic Pressed Flower Wood Pendant $21.00

Illusion Wood Pendant $10.00

Rustic Red Carnelian Pendant $12.00

Find Paula Pi at these places around the web:

Shop: etsy.com/shop/paulapi

Blog: think-soap.blogspot.com

Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001649696769

Be sure to follow her blog, check out her shop, and let us know here in the comments which items you love the most!

Until next time,

Elle

I'm a part of an Etsy team called Boosting Etsy Shops Team or BEST. The purpose of the group is to provide promotion for each team member through our existing social networking accounts. Each week I'll be doing a blog feature about a different team member.