Valentine's Day Part 2: Unisex Gifts to Share with Dudes from Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Affordable pleasures that work for either gender are today's theme. Valentine's Day is about friendship, romance, shared love and admiration. What could be more fun than to share a cool handcrafted treasure with your honey? All of today's showcased pieces are surprisingly affordable, so you needn't break the bank to indulge in something unique for your special valentine. Using their chosen materials in clever ways to optimize both budget and artistry, these designers achieve a modern, organic aesthetic in these pieces. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $9.99 to $45.00.

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artisans include: makethisyourown, BlackDaisyDesigns, paintedmetal, TheBishopNine, mofei, sewluytionsbyamo, TheBishopNine, thebeadedlily

Gift of Time: 2010 Calendars on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
Precious time. We Etsy artists know its elusive nature. It cannot be captured for our own use, or to wrap up in a ribboned box for gifting. It is a thing too easy to waste or throw away. Who doesn't resent a thief of time: Traffic jams, sitting in a waiting room, standing in a slow moving line. The abstract promise of a future deed, or a little trip to the countryside on the first spring Saturday would be a lovely gift idea for those who love our company and can never get enough of it. For those who crave time for themselves, planning ahead helps us manage it, and an inspiring tool such as one of these uniquely lovely calendars created by Etsy artists may be just the thing. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $9.99 to $49.00.
From left to right, today's featured artists include: littlebrownpen, jerseymaids, JavaJaneDesigns, labokoff, MyHandBoundBooks, immortalongings

Boot Fetish: Footwear on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Boot season is offically in gear, and my quick search today on Etsy yielded these unique, creative boot options. Treat your feet to handmade cozy sweater boots, enhance a plain pair boots or winterize (bootify?) your strappy sandals with splendid creations like these from Etsy. A fashion lesson from the women of Paris is to buy just a few, great fitting, good quality basics for your wardrobe, and accessorize with scarves, belts, jewelry, shoes and boots to change your look. I've always thought of boots and shoes as accessories in themselves, but today's virtual stroll through the Etsy marketplace inspires me to accessorize footwear that I already own, thereby saving some money and having some fun. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $24.50 to $125.00.

Today's featured artisans include, from top left to bottom right: lainedesign, Avistudio, onerobinroad, Fabulize, CapriciousAdornments, BeautifulPurpose, leathermadenice, Calynette

Red Ochre: Color Scheming on Etsy

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Ochre is a term for brown pigments derived from clays containing mineral oxides. Primitive mankind first used these earthy colors that modern day artists know as Yellow Ochre and Red Ochre. They range from yellow and golden browns, through the spectrum of rich honey browns and deep red-browns. Today I searched for the rich-honey version for this showcase of wonderful creations by Etsy artists.
I regard ochre as a most versatile and useful color for both wearable and home accessories: It adds sophistication and brings every color scheme back to earth. It is an especially timely color for the autumnal season, reminding us of nature's richness as we retreat indoors. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $6.50 to $175.00
From top left to bottom right, today's featured artisans include: makye77, cyrusthepotter, Sigmosaics,AwakenJournaling, ParadisePotpourri, maiziedesigns, livingferal, picapicadesign, vividcolors, geobubstudios

Assymetry: Balanced Imbalance on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
Asymmetry is a left-right imbalance of elements, line, shape, form, pattern, hue or volume that is found throughout nature. Depending on the object, to the human eye it can seem to be a violation of a perceived rule, or a captivating disparity that is organic, free of constraint and dynamic. In art, asymmetry can be as minimal as a wavy line or as bold as a sculpture that defies gravity. Throughout my own career in the design industry, I've been fascinated by clients who exhibit mild to extreme discomfort with asymmetry, while others are delighted by it. Different personality characteristics aside, I believe balance is the key to its visual appeal for most people, and today's selections are among a few wonderfully irregular creations by Etsy artists that represent balanced imbalance. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $18.00 to $295.00.
From top left to bottom right, today's artisans include: PelleikoDesigns, MGMart, EightSeasons, charmedmsure, AtelierSetsu, madmeringue, museglass, ModernEraDesign

Leather: Uncommon Creations on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Uncommon leather creations by Etsy artisans is today's subject. Chosen for good design and skillful execution, these standout accessories illustrate excellence of workmanship and materials that render these creations worthy of recognition as some of Etsy's best. As usual, I've included some artists who have remained obscure, either new and undiscovered or simply lost in the crowded search pages. Prices from $15.00 to $205.00 Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings.

From top left to bottom right, today's Etsy artisans include: laurenshari13, spirocreations, leatherbymike, Unearthed, MythicalDesigns, tagodesign, HotPinkandSequins, kraistina, jonquiljuice