Origami Inspirations on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
We're all crazy busy right now with the holidays, so I took just a quick moment to share some remarkable paper creations that caught my eye on Etsy's search pages. Origami (folded paper) and kirigami (cut paper) are traditional Japanese arts, and these techniques inspired today's featured artists. Click on the pictures to go directly to these artists shops. Prices range from $3.95 to $24.00.
From left to right, today's featured Etsy artisans include: kissadesign, Bricabraca, Rigamarole, popupcardmaking, theStarcraft, alyoisiusspyker

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

Rain Is Beautiful on Esty

Handpicked on Etsy

I love rain. Raised in the sunny southern California climate, as a child I adored the few weather days that punctuated the blandness, cleansed the air and brought lush green to the world for a few days thereafter. The soft kind of rain with a high cloud ceiling appeals to me the most, while the monsoon kind of rain going on right now in Seattle is not exactly what I want everyday. Northwest skies "raining elephants" motivated me this morning to see if any Etsy artists let rain inspire them. The 8 varied creations I found range from literal to abstract references to rain, each appealing to me for its quality of craftmanship and successful rendition of the theme. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $15.00 to $250.00.

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artists include: Egokitten, xovika, itesbeautiful, littlehendesigns, meilors, FloatingEarthCeramic, allaShark, juneshin

Fanciful Fiber on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Whimsy meets technical excellence in these delightful creations that share the common component of fiber. Fiber is the generic component of all natural textiles and paper. The proportion of fiber in these pieces ranges from 100% to a smaller percentage in some of the mixed-media pieces. These artists achieve the unexpected with techniques including felting, weaving, papier mache, decoupage, sewing and beading. Prices range from $12.00 to $110.00. To explore further, click on the pictures to go straight to the individual artist's listing.

From to right to bottom left, the Etsy artists include: Blackbirddesignhouse, upintheairsomewhere, cricketapollo, MnMTreasures, ingermaaike, NancyLaRose, FrucciDesign, benihanaB, Blackbirddesignhouse, lunasheart, handmedowndesigns