Yes, I know it’s Friday, and I normally do a Friday Favorites post, BUT many of you already have Christmas on your minds. Plus, Black Friday is next week and the shopping madness will officially begin.
I’m hoping to direct some of you away from spending your dollars at big corporations and (hopefully) encourage you to buy locally or from small merchants. The encouragement will be done gently, of course, in the form of ‘Etsy Finds’ posts in the coming weeks.
To start off with, here are some of the Etsy shops I found that sell just wonderful handmade items.
Angela Kay Designs makes the most clever iPad, Kindle, and e-reader holders that resemble old-fashioned clutches. They come in a wide range of sizes, patterns, and colors.
Ashley Perceival creates whimsical illustrations of bears, cats, sloths, birds, foxes and other animals. My favorites are his owls. (I think this one is my favorite.) Can you imagine these in a child’s room? By the way, he’s currently running a special promotion: three prints for the price of two!
Vicky over at Blue Tang Designs makes pretty baskets, wall-hangings like this heart, and other products using recycled paper. And they’re so affordable, too!
Cindy at Catnap Cottage is one incredibly talented seamstress. She makes these fabulous Christmas stockings using vintage seed sacks. She also sells pillows, kitchen linens, afghans, duvet covers … and well, you name it, and she could probably make it for you. Plus, she also sells vintage treasures.
Teresa over at Bear Creek Design & Felting makes the most adorable felted creations I’ve ever seen. She also sells the kits — one of her most popular items is her bunny kit.
Paul at Another Chance Shop does exactly that: he repurposes chicken feeders, buckets, tubs, graters and other found objects into incredibly unique lighting fixtures.
Doville at the House of Baltic Linen makes incredibly scrumptious bed, bath, kitchen and baby linens. I’m showing just one of her pretty creations. Please head on over to her shop and take a look at what she has to offer.
Adorable, aren’t they. These plump love birds are marketed as wedding cake toppers, but they could easily be displayed anywhere, anytime. I just love them. Amanda at Sweet Reverie sells them in a wide range of fabric choices. She also sells whimsical jewelry, frames, Christmas trees, and more. Please stroll by there and see if one of her creations strikes your fancy.
Illustrators just amaze me. I don’t really know why that is … maybe because I can’t draw worth a hoot? I spent more time than I probably should have looking at Tracey’s creations at Chasing the Crayon. Her level of detail is amazing. Oh, and the fish? He’s performing! Singing a tune. How funny is that?
Why is it that when I say “I love you like biscuits and gravy”, I hear the voice of Forrest Gump? Oh well, must be me. No, but seriously, if you’re in search of pretty, farmhouse style linens for that special someone, check out the wide variety of products that Sweet Magnolias Farm has to offer. Sara sells gift bags, pillows, table runners, placemats and a whole lot more at prices you’re sure to be able to afford.
I think industrial goes so well with vintage, and I love little industrial touches throughout my home. One great way to achieve that is through lighting. If you agree, you’ll really like Ind Lights’ fixtures. I may have to buy this one to hang above our master bathroom shower.
If your husband, boyfriend, brother or father has always wanted an old car like a 1953 Chevrolet, an old Ford pickup, or a Ford Mustang, how about giving him a wrecked one? Seriously, I don’t know a single man who wouldn’t love to receive one of Classic Wrecks‘ vehicles. As its name suggests, the miniature replicas are wrecks, beaters or junkers. How clever is that? They’re so well done, and I think they’re hilarious! Heck, I’d love to discover one in my stocking!
Kim .. Thanks so much for the Feature and Shout out. Shopping season is definitely kicking in with everyone ..and it would be amazing to see people support handmade and small business as you mentioned.
You have some amazing Favorite Picks from Etsy … I have a few new favorites myself !
Thanks Again .. and
Happy Thanksgiving .
Sara
I hope so, too. The vast majority of corporations will survive no matter what. I’d really like to see some dollars come your way.
What gorgeous finds – I am always amazed at the talent found on etsy! Love all your choices and thanks for featuring our stockings – One of our stockings is also featured in the current issue of Flea Market Style Magazine! 🙂 Thanks so much for including us with all this fabulousness!
Wow! I did not know that! Impressive! Congratulations! You deserve it.
Thank you for posting this. It is high art to me. I love it and I love your blog.
Your comment warms my heart, Alice. Thank you.
These are great! I especially love the lighting fixtures. Oh, and the linens, and…I feel an Etsy binge coming on.
And I also want to say that your dogtrot is divine. We used to go to 5th Street Cafe in Cushing and they had a photo of an old dogtrot that I just loved. It was the inspiration behind the house plans I keep drawing in my head!
Martha,
I know! It’s been very dangerous doing these Etsy posts because I always find something I want, and spending money on myself is the last thing I need to do during Christmas shopping season! I’ll have to by that cafĂ© in Cushing — assuming it’s still open? — and see that old photo.
Kim
Those are fabulous finds! It’s so hard to head over to Etsy to look for just a few minutes 🙂
That’s so true, Sherri!
Thank you so much for including me in this wonderful collection of Etsy Finds! I Love the idea of recycling, upcycling and reusing…it’s so amazing to see items transformed into something beautiful and functional that might otherwise be thrown out. And you have taken this idea to a whole new level with your home renovations – just stunning!!!