Announcement! Project Indie

EtsyLounge is moving to Project Indie. Please visit the new site, bookmark and follow. 

New content to come, with the same mission of showcasing handmade, and providing my fellow artisans ongoing opportunities to promote and boost their search engine rankings.

Dreaming of Summer on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy by Artkitech

This morning I awoke to pleasant news from Artkitech saying I was included in her treasury. Flattered and very taken with her color palette, I decided to post her picks in this showcase of warm, sun-kissed creations that most definitely evoke the summer feeling of Artkitech's theme. She wrote this: "Al fresco dining, a glass of chilled prosecco, summer breezes drifting through wheat fields, refreshing scents of herbs and blossoms -- fleeting dreamy images in eager anticipation of summertime for those of us who dwell in the northerly hemisphere." 'Nuff said - she tells the story with this beautifully curated showcase of unique Etsy creations. Click on the pictures to go directly to these listing. Prices range from $4.50 to $495.00.

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artisans include: TwoSecrets, Piacere, fullmoonmilk, yorktownroad, trendyknitting, ottobone, iheartfink, sammi84, moderneradesign, yystudio, charmdesign

The Handmade Pledge: Ethics & a Buyer's Viewpoint

Handpicked on Etsy by Plumberry

Indie versus mass produced: The issue has been much debated on the Etsy forums, and I'm among the many who would love to see the Etsy administration re-affirm its core value by either banning mass-market goods that are unaltered by the artisan, or by creating a separate category for factory-made, just as they've done for vintage. What inspired me today was a convo from a buyer who's been a fan of my shops, and who got so frustrated when she was shopping on Etsy the other day that she stopped searching and created a treasury to show her support of true indie design, showcasing the items featured here today. Then, she went to the forums and posted about what it means to a buyer to be able to trust in Etsy's "handmade pledge." Here's that thread: Buyer Beef

Debates aside, I was very flattered to be included in Plumberry's treasury, among these other talented Etsy sellers. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $10.00 to $500.00

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artists include: jingjingdesign, Ellita, TwoSecrets, pompompurses, triciahoke, arianemariane, fuzzystuff, babinka1981, ModernEraDesign, daintythings, blackberrypatch, KatsaraYarns

Inspired Pants: Indie Design on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Volume is something my eye is craving now that skinny leggings are everywhere. Today I sought pants by indie Etsy designers that feature fabric other than black lycra, and a shape other than pencil-thin. A little ease and a little flow, please! And how about pants that fit! Why spend good money for ill-fitting pants that look and feel awkward, when it is so easy and no more expensive to order custom made from an indie designer? Given the time and frustration involved in shopping RTW (ready-to-wear) and the lack of individuality in the mass market, I see no reason to spend my time in a crowded mall pawing through racks of overpriced or quality-compromised fashion. Browsing Etsy's search pages, I found graceful palazzo pants and some fun & original party pants. Sit down, come as you are, grab your coffee or tea and come on a shopping spree with me on Etsy! Click on the photos to go directly to these listings. Prices range from $60.00 to $128.00

From top left to bottom right, today's featured designers include: yystudio, martinlopez, ModernEraDesign, DancingTreeCreations, littlmisscrow, whoknowswear, Mishoga, idolatre

Hemp to Go: Indie Weekend Fashion on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
Pack light with indie apparel handmade with comfy hemp fiber, accented with a pair of great enamel earrings, all found on Etsy today. This six piece collection of casual pieces is perfect for a summer weekend getaway. You won't be mistaken for a mass market "label victim" wearing these unique pieces. Clothes, made to your dimensions, that fit your body combined with unique accessories reflect your personal style in a way that sets you apart from suburban mall, "off the rack" trendiness. Save gas money and time by shopping from your computer on Etsy! Click on the pictures to go directly to these indie designer's listings. Prices range from $24.00 to $98.00.
From top left to bottom right, today's designers include: loudertand words, BlessedLotus, louderthanwords, fairophelia, tekaandzoe, punkytoedesigns

Cotton Couture on Etsy: Indie Design and Craftivism

Handpicked on Etsy

Cotton fashions from indie designers on Etsy and the issue of Craftivism are my subjects today.

These Etsy fashion designers use cotton knit fabric in creating beautifully crafted, comfortable clothing with style and imagination, and attractively priced from $34.00 to $90.00. Some of these pieces feature recycled knit fabric, a wonderful way to re-purpose discarded apparel and embrace the green ethic.....which brings me to another green issue: "Craftivism as activism."

In America and first world countries, Craftivism is a gentle form of consumer rebellion against the dictates and practices of corporate culture. In third world countries, it is a way of raising people and communities above poverty as they learn to create for and sell in the global marketplace. (Debate in the Etsy forums over Craftivism's political agenda have swirled around this issue, and are well-summarized at this blog Crafting a Green World.)

Does buying and selling directly from the maker challenge the corporate culture? If so, to some that means social evolution, while to others it implies a more threatening revolution, triggering fear and political debate. We're all familiar with rebellious or political messages on hand screened tshirts, which is certainly one obvious form of overtly political craftivism. A more subtle form of activism may occur as fashionistas combine their sense of style with their conscience, embracing recycled vintage apparel or eco-friendly fabrics. Those of us who dress to express our individuality may rebel against the trends and "must haves" dictated by industry titans, by buying one-of-a-kind or made-to-order garments from independent designers.

The bottom line for me is we should all be able to make our lifetsyle and ethical choices without being ridiculed with political labels by those who fear evolutionary change. What's your opinion?

From top left to bottom right, today's Indie Designers are: milocreativestudios, milocreativestudios, LaBronz, ModernEraDesign, iheratfink, joclothing, alterecoclothing, birdapparel, fofolle, CrowsCloth