Haiti Relief: Compassion and Generosity on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Moved by the horrendous disaster in Haiti earlier this week, Etsy artists have joined in the effort to raise funds for relief. The first two showcased items are being donated from my own stores, and many independent sellers are doing likewise. Other sellers are participating in group efforts such as HeartsforHaiti. There are beautiful creations in all categories and at all price ranges to be found on Etsy's search pages, using the search term "Haiti" or "Haiti relief." We can all participate with our purchases and our donations. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $6.50 to $45.00
From to left to bottom right, today's Etsy artists include: Piacere, Katsarayarns, mizumizu, botanicalbird, sweetbriars, myadobecottage, littlebirdcreations, amyjoavnet

Resolutions: Yoga on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Namaste! Resolutions at this time of year often include getting into better physical shape. For me, that means yoga, which addresses body, mind and spirit. Today's selections of unique creations found on Etsy reflect all three of these elements. The wearables that caught my eye can go beyond the studio and out in public, which is essential to me since I sometimes run errands after doing yoga. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $13.00 to $68.00. From top left to bottom right, today's featured artisans include: be2beImage, Kayayogawear, corinnaluyken, DeGala, ModernEraDesign, earthsoul, keytome, NomadicRoots

Huge Scale: Enormity on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
Scale is about the size of things in relation to other things. In design, we primarily strive for balance, combining large, medium and small elements in pleasing proportions. But some rules are meant to be broken, right? Sometimes there is a place for bold, outsized proportions that draw attention, make a big statement and introduce a dose of panache and humor. Today I looked for Etsy artists who aren't afraid of big scale and pulled it off beautifully with these eight creations. Click on the pictures to see these listings and more from these artisans. Prices range from $24.00 to $499.99. From top left to bottom right, today's featured Etsy artists include: QuilJewelry, TianaCHE, calexandra, WinchesterPottery, pipertree, chicallure, drobart, couvert
~~HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY, AND ALL THE BEST IN 2010!~~

Make It Yourself: DIY Tutorials by Etsy Artists

Handpicked on Etsy
Panic Mode is now in full gear. Christmas is five days away. The streets are clogged with bewildered, wandering drivers and stores are mobbed with cranky shoppers. If, like me, you're feeling a bit like Scrooge right now, take a breath and check out Etsy's search pages for tutorials for gifts you can make yourself or give as gifts to your crafty friends and family. Under almost every category you will find instructions for all manner of homemade stuff -- recipes for soaps or delectible edibles, jewelry, accessories and wearables for all ages, collectibles, toys and treasures. Showcased today are but a few tutorials you can download and print with ease. Click on the pictures to see more from today's featured sellers. Prices range from $3.00 to $13.99.

From top left to bottom right, today's Etsy artisans include: heidiandfinn, RomeoandMae, LeahSutton, jennylovesbenny, thegemreaper, chullozoo, monkeysbug, spoonfulofchocolate

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

Druzy Jewelry: Dazzling Discoveries on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Druzy is a clear quartz encrustation that develops on the surface of fissures within a host stone, taking on the stone's color and imparting a fascinating shimmering frosted effect. The familiar geode is an example of the gorgeous crystalline druzy phenomenon found on miniature cave-like formations encased in stone. Today I searched on Etsy for druzy, and found these beautiful examples of jewelry created by talented Etsy designers. These pieces represent some of the best values on Etsy, given the inspired designs and captivating allure of the featured material, making these awesome considerations for upcoming holiday gifts. Prices range from $37.00 to $80.00

From top left to bottom right, today's Etsy artists include: CreativeCurves, nomadshop, BeijoFlor, MidwestAlchemy, Juliez7Jewelz, shimmerjewels, TheSilverLakeStudio, BeijoFlor