Fiber Sculpture: Needlefelt Critters on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy
Miniature critters found on Etsy's search pages today range from sweetly whimsical to poignantly realistic portraits of beloved pets. These artists represent some of the uncommon talent available in Etsy stores, some of which is undiscovered and deserving of more attention. Click on the photos for a closer look at these remarkable creations, ranging in price from $20.00 to $200.00.
From top left to bottom right, today's featured artists include: Gerry, twolefthands, fibreheart, VirginiaMopFair, BarbaraPageKnits, sendsunshine, arrowroot, LoveableTreasured

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

Mulligatawny Soup: Bon Appetit with Etsy foodies and artisans

Handpicked on Etsy

My favorite meal-in-a-bowl is mulligatawny soup, the hearty 18th Century British concoction created by Indian cooks who served in English colonial homes. Below is my favorite, truly scrumptious recipe -- get out your your shopping list, special spices, tureen, bowls and ladle, all found today on Etsy's search pages in prices ranging from $3.00 to $150.00.

From top left to bottom right, today's featured sellers include: purposedesign, StarAniseRecipes. willowspiceco, TwoStrandsSoapWorks, waverleykitchens, sweetpaperart, craftsbykate, earthfired, AliceLasky, jblairpottery

East Indian Mulligatawny Soup

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs skinless chicken thighs (preferably bone-in)

Flour and cooking oil

4 tsp. Curry Powder (hot or mild, depending on your taste)

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 quart chicken stock

1 cup each chopped carrots, celery, turnip, parsnip, tart apple

2 cups diced onion

3 or 4 cloves minced garlic

2 cups (or 1 can) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

Finish with:

2-3 tsp. grated lemon zest

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped cilantro or Italian Parsely

Optional: Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions: Dredge chicken in flour. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. oil over medium heat. Add chicken and all the spices to the skillet and cook 5-7 minutes, turning the chicken to brown it. Transfer these ingredients to a slow cooker or heavy soup pot. Deglaze the skillet with one cup of the stock, and transfer that the the pot. Add the fresh vegetables, apple, garlic, beans and remianing stock to the pot, and mix gently to combine. Place a piece of foil lightly atop the ingredients, then cover the pot tightly. If using your slow cooker, cook on low for 5-6 hours. On the stove, cook on lowest flame for 3 - 4 hours.

At serving time, add some salt and pepper to taste if needed, and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice and cilantro or parsely. NOTE: If you prefer a vegan version, add more garbanzo beans and veggies in place of the chicken

Vintage Fans: Retro Style on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

Whirring motor twirling whirling blades....something in a vintage fan brings out my inner poet, for better or worse. My silliness aside, vintage fans caught my fancy today and turn my thoughts to warm summer days. These delightful small appliances inspired the artistry of two photographers and eight talented vintage sellers, who used skillful eyes and their camera to tell a story. Old fans like these not only send cooling breezes about your space, but they inject nostalgic ambiance into a room, charm the eye, and create a lovely rhythmic white noise and pleasant commotion. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings, and find out which of these fans are pictorial art and which are working electrical collectibles. Prices range from $20.00 to $149.00.
From to left to bottom right, today's featured Etsy sellers include: rescueme, thesundaytimesmarket, AliciaBock, sydg, oldcrowfarm, lucysnowephotography, happydayvintage, bohemianvintage1, OhHelloVintage, grynbergs

St. Paddy's Day: Wear Green from Etsy!

Handpicked on Etsy

Saint Patrick's Day is March 17th, a festival originally associated with the color blue. In the 17th Century, the shamrock, which was supposedly employed by Saint Patrick as a teaching tool to explain the Holy Trinity, was adopted as the symbol of the holiday, and shamrock-green became the iconic color. What began in the middle ages as a religious holiday honouring St. Paddy, evolved into a day of feast and gradually became a day of revelry, parades, beer drinking and, throughout the Irish diaspora, a salute to Celtic roots and culture. In modern day America, our custom is to wear the touch of green or suffer the penalty of getting pinched. Inspired by the "wearing of the green" tradition, today I searched on Etsy for adornments in this hue, and found these accessories in a variety of media that would be wonderful additions to a wardrobe and will always come in handy for Saint Patrick's Day. Click on the pictures to go directly to these Etsy listings. Prices range from $12.00 to $228.00

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artisans include: twoknit, gurlygirl, KnotOriginal, JurgitaMi, Bijouxdart, cocon, amityjoy, galit

Synesthesia & Musical Inspiration on Etsy

Handpicked on Etsy

If you hear a sound and concomitantly sense a color, you have a rare condition known as synesthesia. An example might be the musical note middle C provoking you to envision the color red. Such perceptions are involuntary physical responses to auditory stimuli versus examples of conscious response to sensory input. For whatever reason, the word synesthesia popped into my mind today and led me to wonder what I'd find searching it on Etsy. While I only came upon one artist who has the unusual phsysical syndrome, I found others who were intellectually inspired by a specific piece of music and applied their response in their creations. Working in various media, today's featured artists tell a musical story in these pieces. Click on the pictures to go directly to each listing and discover which piece of music inspired these creations! Prices range from $11.11 to $430.00.

From top left to bottom right, today's featured artists include: wschweizer, bjwcreative, AncaNY, debrasoriginals, wifflestudios, InvisibleFountain, Rodiegear, 3crows, klaart, debrasoriginals