Spring Critters - Who Do You See in the Backyard?

1. Vintage Spring Bird $21.99 by Anna Lou Vintage
2. 5 x 5 White Rabbit Art Block $29 by Red Tile Studio
3. Ceramic Blue Dragonfly Square Tray $18 by Catherine Reece
4. Hedgehog Stud Earrings $20 by Studio By The Forest
5. Pink Butterfly Pouch $32 by Mama Bleu Designs
6. Amigurumi Bumble Bees $20 by Sabahnur

Do you hear the birds chirping?  See the little white bunny coming out for some fresh air after a long winter?  Granted this year's winter, rather 'winta' as we say it here in Maine, was super mild and we only had to shovel a handful of times - can't complain - it always feels great to say goodbye to one season + transition into the other.  'Sayonara' short days, dark skies at 4pm + cold weather as we dive right into spring.   One of the first things I notice here in Maine, a real sign that spring is here, are the birds.  They're out singing, flying here + there, making new homes and I love how they're just enjoying themselves - we could learn a lot from these wise creatures!  The chickadees are the first birds I notice + it got me thinking about all the wonderful critters who visit each year come spring.


So, I went to some of my favorite Etsy shops to see what critters might pop up - who's ready to help me celebrate spring?  You don't have to be a nature lover to love these cute finds.  From crochet bumble bees to dragonfly trays, hedgehog earrings to rabbit art blocks, butterfly pouches to vintage birds - we've covering a lot of ground!  The studio here in Maine attracts a ton of dragonflies of all different shapes + colors - they're such beautiful little creatures!  What about you?  What critters do you see in your backyard come spring?

  

Grapefruit and Brown Sugar: A Winning Spring Recipe

Grapefruit:
1.  Grapefruit Mineral Blush by Naked Elements
2. Breakfast Bar Soap by Blushie
3. Vintage 1970's wrap skirt by Fab Gabs
Brown Sugar:
1. Botanica Watercolor by Francesca Lancisi
2. Arrow patterned knit pillow by Knit Frekkles
3. Khaki Stripe Infinity Scarf by Seven White Rabbits

How do you find inspiration? I used to flip through magazines, tear out my favorite rooms and products and then when I had free time I would organize them into design notebooks. I say used to because those precious magazines have almost all gone digital. So what's a design junkie to do? One word: Pinterest! ( Follow our Inspiration Boards)

 I was browsing through Pinterest and saw a recipe for broiled grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger. Pinterest is one of those sites that you can easily get lost in for hours and I love using for my personal inspiration board. In this case, I took that recipe idea and translated it into a Spring color collection of soft peachy pinks and khaki brown. This sweet and sour mix really look scrumptious together and make for a fresh Spring combination.  Find these items on our Grapefruit + Brown Sugar board. 

Get the LOOK for $44 & Under!

Top Left Handmade Sweet Pink Hanging Lamp by Filigree Creations
Top Right Cream Linen Pillow with Mustard Felt Flower by Jillian Rene Decor
Bottom Left Zen Garden Soy Candle by Luminology
Bottom Right Fine Art Floral Fruit Print by Louisest Art

Living in New England, I love experiencing all four seasons.  I'm always grateful for the transitions from one season to the next as I get to appreciate the experience that each brings.  Enter spring, my absolute favorite time of year!  I love the way the air smells, I love to close my eyes at night as I listen to the peepers, + I love watching the buds on trees + bushes come alive.  It stirs within me a feeling of newness + possibility - it's like a delicious piece of chocolate that you want to savor.  As we come out of hibernation + into the longer days of spring, it's the perfect time to think of some fresh interior decorating ideas.


Changing up your room's lighting may not be on the top of your list, but Liga of Filigree Creations makes adding a pop of lighting decor color quite easy.  Her handmade lamp shades can be purchased with or without a wiring kit to fit your needs!  Spring is not only about light colors, but lighter fabrics.  Jillian of Jillian Rene Decor offers us an elegant way to freshen up your room's decor with a handmade cream linen pillow with a floral accent.   Now your coffee table is looking bare, isn't it?  We've got you covered!  Place a lovely candle by Luminology as these soy candles are not only a pleasure to burn, but beautiful to look at.  Plus, you get the bonus of a handcrafted vessel once your candle finishes burning ~nice!  And don't forget those bare walls - nothing works as fast as popping a colorful work of art on the wall for added visual appeal.  I love the colors + shapes in Louise of LouisestArt's archival print.  Welcome the newness of spring with handmade items in a palette that will make you go ~~ah!


Now, close your eyes + let's savor together that feeling of all the good things coming our way this spring!

Springtime: Spruce Up In Yellow

So it's officially Spring and you will soon be freshening up your home and wardrobe.  What could be more refreshing than some cheery + bright yellow added into your daily routine?  Yellow is invigorating and makes me think of sunny days and fresh flowers. Pair it with gray or white and you have a winning combination!

Get your Yellow fix:
1. Yellow Postcards of Paris by Little Brown Pen
2. Yellow and White Vintage Beaded Coin Purse by Woolbridge
3. Mustard Yellow Flower Pillow by Jillian Rene Decor
4. Vintage Porcelain Letter B from Vntage Queen
5. Silver Citrine Ring by Roots Jewelry
6. Yellow and White Pleated Bag by Bayan Hippo

Get out in the Garden: Part Two Etsy Spring Style

Yesterday was the Spring equinox or what we commonly call the official first day of Spring. When I think Spring my first thought always is gardening. I find gardening to be a very relaxing hobby.   I know not everyone likes getting dirt under their nails or pulling weeds and fertilizing, but the end results can be so rewarding.  I have personally been watching my mountain laurel on a daily basis just to check the bloom count. I know, probably a bit extreme for most of you. Fortunately though, you don't actually have to get out in the garden to enjoy it. Here are some more favorite garden picks you can enjoy inside your home, but hopefully they will get you inspired to plant something and watch it grow.


1. Cherry Blossom 10x10 art print by Amanda Rae K
2. Vintage Terra Cotta Garden Pots 5x7 art print by One December
3. Botanicial Studies, set of Six gelatin monoprints by 88 editions
4. Mini Air Plant Pods- set of Three by Sea and Asters
5. Happy Worm Ceramic Garden Marker by Karo Art

Get Out in the Garden: Etsy Spring Garden Part One

The official first day of Spring starts tomorrow. As a novice gardener I couldn't be more excited. The weather is already so warm here I have already done some planting and the red buds just finished blooming. In honor of the Spring equinox I thought I would put together some garden inspired finds from Etsy.  With so many goodies to pick from I will also be sharing part two with you on Wednesday.
So step away from the computer and go head outside and plant something!


1.  Set of Three Botanical Canisters from LoVintage Finds
2.  Ceramic Garden Chimes by Studio By the Forest
3.  Flower Screen printed Linen Napkins- set of Four by Homesteading Roasters
4.  Ceramic Herb Markers by Orly Design
5.  Gardener's Scrub Soap by Sweet Pine Soaps

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top Tweet Bowl - sm by karoArt
Bottom Left Spring Gardening 8x10 Photograph by AmandaRaeK
Bottom Right Sterling Silver Little Bubbles Earrings by La Chica de los Anillos

Green is the color of Ireland + of the coming of spring.  As we prepare to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be fun to use this celebrated color as a theme for putting together some early Mother's Day gift ideas from Etsy.  Shamrock lace scarves wouldn't go over too well for 364 days that we aren't adorning ourselves in bright green, so I went for gift ideas that mom could use every day.  Jewelry is a gift that will see a lot of mileage + not get stored at the bottom of an old sock drawer.  These gorgeous bubble earrings by Sarah of Etsy shop La Chica de los Anillos with a white patina are so precious - delicate + easy to pair with almost anything!   And no, the earrings are not green - but wait, hold onto your galloping horse!  There's more.  The adorable minty green "tweet" bird bowl made with pure white stoneware clay is the perfect vessel for mom's new earrings.  And - this item by Karo of karoArt is made by hand in non other than Dublin, Ireland!  Shiver-me-timbers!   Top off this gift giving experience with a dreamy photo of spring flowers by Amanda of AmandaRaeK - sure to bring a smile to mom's face each time she sees it. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Our Etsy Elite16 Treasury Challenge Winner IS...

RESERVED. Vintage Dough Wood... bonnbonn $36.00	Foodie Photograph - kitchen ... AmeliaKayPhoto... $14.00	Two ceramic nesting bowls or... catherinereece $28.00	AUX Jumper-Mustard Cotton Sa... hierapparel $100.00
Vintage Pastry Blender Cutte... TPBVintage $11.00	Electric Blender: Waring Kit... AuntBlanchesHo... $32.25	snug.bear breadboard snugstudio $27.00	Kitchen tools - Foley stainl... VioletQVintage $20.00
Vintage Wooden Mortar lovintagefinds $26.00	small white and pastel yello... karoArt $23.00	Jolie Môme Pearl Faux Leath... YeYe $28.00	Garlic Jewelry OOAK ceramic ... orlydesign $35.00
Grain Elevator Puzzle Jar - ... PoFu $38.00	Diamond Bear / Giclée Print JamieMilk $20.00	Pair of Trees Tea Towels in ... EloiseRenouf $30.00	Vintage Mustard Yellow Mod 7... neatvintagestu... $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Congratulations to Brooke of Etsy shop Mmim for her winning treasury collection This Is Where You Will Find Me!  Every month, we hold a challenge here on the blog where we take you Inside Etsy through our curated collections.  Using the 16 tile layout, we combine our favorite items in a mini gallery like setting where we can create a visual experience.  Our theme this month was Spring Break: Escape and we had 59 gorgeous submissions to review + choose just one winner.  You can imagine it was no easy task!  However, we narrowed it down to Brooke's baking themed entry as we loved the idea of baking as an escape!  Her title leads you to explore her collection more closely while her modern + simply stated styling really speaks to the simple pleasures of baking.  For those who love to bake, spending time in the kitchen with apron on, stove preheating, + measuring cups out is certainly a meditative escape!  Congratulations Brooke!

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Oh, but wait!  There's more.

We want to highlight some other collections which really make shopping on Etsy such a joy!  If you're looking for a gift, would you rather page through 22,456 returns on your search inquiry or spend some time browsing beautifully curated Etsy treasury collections?  By building a treasury off a theme, we provide the basic structure + love seeing how our members take flight with this small piece of information.  

For some, a spring break escape was about traveling.  But where would you go?  How about if you just Put a pin in the map and went along for the ride!  We really loved the idea behind this treasury collection by Helen of Etsy shop Cloth and Ink where the destination is a beach somewhere that requires some traveling.  The journey + the destination are both explored, leaving one feeling inspired to pack ones bags, put a pin the map and GO!  Love this energizing collection Helen!

'Put a pin in the map' by ClothandINK

Vintage Seashell and Coral d... vntagequeen $28.00	Vintage retro emerald green ... AnnaLouVintage $86.99	Camper Sign Weekend Beach Ge... SlippinSouther... $49.00	Large ceramic blue dragonfly... catherinereece $44.00
Paper Airplane Pill Box Mmim $4.50	Vintage camera pillow case -... ClassicByNatur... $36.00	Cotton Tote Bag with Lace Ha... ecofriendlybea... $26.00	Vacation Journal, Travel Jou... makingthishome $17.00
Leather Boarding Pass/Passpo... hahalley $31.99	Necklace - Airplane Teal Pat... runwildhorses $18.00	A tiny rustic ceramic beach... orlydesign $14.00	On the Shore - Girl Version ... Mmim $12.00
Welcome To The Lake Vintage ... SignsofVintage $35.00	Glittering Metallic Nude Cha... PinkDollBoutiq... $67.00	Turkish Bath and Beach Towel... TheAnatolian $24.00	PERSONALIZED All Leather Lug... leathermadenic... $17.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Traveling is certainly exciting for spring break, but sometimes you just need a little R & R.  Shall we call it a Sleepy Break?  How cute is that!  For those of you feeling like you need some time to rest, or rather sleep, over spring break - you'll connect with this collection by Francesca of Francesca Lancisi.  Francesca takes us on a serene journey by using a limited color palette and showing us the many pillow options for our grand break of sleep!  Who's feeling sleepy now?  We love this invitation to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, + reconnect with oneself through the simple act of rest.  Wonderful theme + styling Francesca!    

'Sleepy Break' by FrancescaLancisi

Large ceramic blue dragonfly... catherinereece $24.00	TWEET BOWL, large and deep, ... karoArt $32.00	French quote pillow cover - ... petitbonheur $35.00	Handmade Eco Friendly Extra ... ecofriendlybea... $70.00
Organic Cotton Contemporary ... cornflowerblue... $50.00	A set of tiny rustic ceramic... orlydesign $37.00	Ocean Life White Seashell Ph... AmeliaKayPhoto... $8.00	Printed Organic Hemp Pillow ... ClothandINK $41.00
Choose Your Color Elephant F... ekofabrik $40.00	French Knots Color Progressi... sometimesiswir... $75.00	Country Cupboard Picture Fra... Mmim $16.00	16" DECORATIVE PILLOW C... JillianReneDec... $36.00
Where mermaids live Sea Find... LouisestArt $65.00	Mountain Brooch Recycled Woo... JumpUp $6.50	Sea beach stones composition... zaiazoom $24.00	Emerald silk velvet round pi... originalboutiq... $34.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Ok, so you're not going away + maybe you'd feel too guilty to sleep away your spring break, even though you know you could use the sleep!  It's really the perfect time for getting your gardening tools out + doing some digging in the dirt.  If you've ever gardened, you know from experience that there is something so satisfying about working in the garden + it's the best feeling ever to be out working in the spring.  That's why we love this collection by Jillian of Etsy shop Jillian Rene Decor as she reminds us of how refreshing working in the garden can be!  Bright greens + citrus yellows create a mood that invites us to step out + put our Green thumb in the garden to work!  Feeling ready to garden Jillian! 

'Green thumb in the garden...' by JillianReneDecor

Daffodil Photography - sprin... CarolynCochran... $30.00	Tuileries Garden, Paris, Ref... littlebrownpen $75.00	butterfly spring clutch whim... mamableudesign... $32.00	Praying mantis ceramic coffe... catherinereece $22.00
Inner Spring . Peace . Fine ... LouisestArt $30.00	Lavender Orange Soap // Lave... sweetpinesoaps $5.50	Apple Cozy in Lime Green, Sp... natalya1905 $17.50	Secret Life of my Garden, oo... 88editions $38.00
TEA TOWEL Screenprinted Natu... sweetharvey $12.00	Organic Cilantro Coriander H... cubits $3.50	Nursery grow sign made from ... OhDierLiving $42.00	HAPPY WORM, ceramic garden m... karoArt $7.00
Custom Vintage Silverware Ga... BeachHouseLivi... $28.00	Happy Gardening French Home ... magalerie $25.00	Mini Burlap Bag with Basil VintageJunkySt... $6.00	Mason jar gift labels - lemo... mudandtwig $16.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

So, we got wondering about how Jenn of Etsy shop Palimpsestic was going to make us smile this challenge - how would she interpret the theme Spring Break: Escape?  Jenn consistently produces some of the most engaging collections + we love seeing the challenge theme through her eyes.  We think you'll love how her sense of humor comes through with her curating skills.  This first collection is again, so clever!  As a play on words, she put together this collection titled Spring Break(ables).  Are you laughing, giggling, or at least smiling because this is so entertaining!  Bravo Jenn!  But keep scrolling...  We end this post with one more collection by Jenn where she asks us all a question!

     

'Spring Break(ables)' by palimpsestic

Vintage Deer - Cement Garden... ethanollie $55.00	Blue feather ceramic tray / ... catherinereece $20.00	Doily Lace Ikebana Vase . gr... KensGardenPott... $30.00	Vintage Terra Cotta Garden P... OneDecember $12.50
Vintage Glass Cloche / Bell ... vntagequeen $22.00	Permanent Valentine - Garden... LaPellaPottery $16.00	uk seller: Giant pear shaped... prilbot $60.00	vintage glass jelly mold cottagefarm $18.00
3 garden markers, green HAPP... karoArt $19.00	Bulbosa and Echinops Terrari... seaandasters $25.00	Ceramic Mushroom Garden Bell StudioByTheFor... $25.00	Antique Hendryx Birdcage lovintagefinds $255.00
Vintage Handmade Studio Pott... 5gardenias $32.00	A Simple Bird BROOKLYNrehab $24.00	Three hand-built earthenware... HouseOfCeramic... $99.00	Glass Fairy Lights - blue g... redbrickglass $40.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Our goal for these challenges is to share with a larger audience our knowledge of what's fresh Inside Etsy.  As Etsy shop owners ourselves, we know how to navigate the sometimes crowded waters of Etsy.  Our members are skilled at the art of Etsy treasury curating and we love putting together shopping guides to make shopping on Etsy easy!  But listen, we also like to have FUN!  That's why the winner from each challenge gets included in the top row during the next challenge - a prize for being the winner.  FUN is also why we look forward to Jenn's submissions + why we're going to end with this collection here.   We'll see you next month!  But first...Jenn - are you really going to Disney???  Sounds amazing - have an awesome trip!

'Guess Where We're Going for Spring Break?!' by palimpsestic

Mandarin and Satsuma 8 x 12 ... honeyandjampho... $25.00	Beach Carnival Travel Photog... AmeliaKayPhoto... $100.00	Two ceramic nesting bowls or... catherinereece $28.00	Princess Castle Chalk Board Lunule $50.00
1950s dress - vintage 1950&#... Thrush $128.00	FLORIDA wood wall art key ho... OldNewAgain $42.00	Mandarin orange cocktail rim... dellcovespices $4.25	Day at the Carnival - Colorf... OneDecember $15.00
Camera Blue Vintage Retro I... redtilestudio $36.00	Vintage Carousel Sweetheart ... LottieDaBaby $48.00	Mouse - Handmade Black Fri... TIMOHANDMADE $50.00	Diaper Bag / Euphoria in Dar... bayanhippo $44.00
Majestic Castle - fine art p... GoldenSection $15.00	modern baby BLANKET Marimekk... SewnNatural $62.00	Hand Embroidered Text, Let&#... merriweatherco... $30.00	Vintage 1950s Styled FLORIDA... YolkiVintage $26.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.