Etsy Gift Guides for Mom!

With the first full week of December almost behind us, we're focusing on gift guides to help people find a handmade or vintage gift that will be cherished and not re-gifted!  The clock is a tickin' away here folks and so we wanted to know what people needed help with the most, because let's face it - there's always at least one person on your list that is a head scratcher!  Here's what we did.  We posted this on our Facebook page:

Can you relate to this question?  Sometimes you know exactly what to get someone and you sing praises to them when you come across those on your list that bring a slight pout to your lips.  Well, Sarah stepped forward with this comment, 

"My Mom - because even though she loves giving gifts, she always tells me she 'only wants something I'll use a lot.'  Otherwise she offers my gifts back to me!"  

Oh dear!  We didn't want a repeat of this situation for Sarah on the 25th, so we jumped in to help out!  We contacted some of our best gift guide curators and asked them to put together one collection each with 16 thoughtfully selected Etsy items that would be a match for Sarah's mom.   Amber & I jumped in and put together a total of 8 curated gift guides!  Each one has a theme and all are presented with style - we feel confident Sarah will find the perfect gift that her mom this year!

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Now remember, we're all shop owners on Etsy and this puts us in a unique position to navigate within Etsy to find the best items for you.  Nic of KnitFrekkles put together this lovely gift guide for Sarah's mom and included a note: 

Mum's love to cook and the usually love to entertain, so I have chosen hostess gifts that are practical also.  Staying organized with your key holder, Bruce's spice rack, the herb drying rack and Vildans tote bag. Staying clean with Helen's apron...and of course gifts that have not practical use but are great to share, marshmallows and shortbread. 

'Mom is Always the Perfect Hostess' by KnitFrekkles

Herb Drying Rack Wooden Kitc... lessandmore $39.00	Set of two soup mugs handmad... redhotpottery $48.00	Cottage Key Holder l TWEET ... redtilestudio $46.00	Honey Lavender Shortbread Co... whimsyandspice $8.50
vintage 1920s cookbook with ... LuncheonetteLi... $8.00	Rustic Colander or Berry Bow... JustWork $60.00	potholders - modern lines pa... xxxRedStitcHxx... $20.00	Minimalist Nesting Bowls, th... karoArt $52.00
Test Tube Spice Rack w/ cork... TheDesignPalle... $32.00	Butterscotch Marshmallows, E... ZukrBoutique $4.00	Simply Tote Bag in Khaki - u... bayanhippo $38.00	brown stoneware bottle potte... vitrifiedstudi... $25.00
Casual, Simple Tote Bag, Buc... IndependentRei... $94.00	Bistro Half Apron - Bold Plu... ClothandINK $29.00	Nine Garden Markers With Wax... UtopiaHomeAndG... $8.50	Art for the kitchen, holiday... bomobob $30.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Another shop owner that we invited to participate in this spontaneous gift giving mission was Nichole of Etsy shop TheParisPrintShop.  Nichole is also a copywriter and I smiled when I saw her note for Sarah where she lists out some "fun justification for why it's useful for Sarah to use with her mom".  Her inner creative writer couldn't resist telling a story about each one of her selections for Sarah's mom - how cool is that?   Read below and follow along using the image below, you'll soon be smiling too:

A Cowl to stay warm. 
A pillow to rest on. 
An apron to stay clean. 
A board for cutting. 
A forest to get lost in. 
A necklace to clutch (breathless optional) 
A bouquet to brighten. 
A balm to heal.
A planter to grow things. 
A holder to hang. 
An earring set to adorn. 
A painting to inspire. 
A caramel (or three!) to satisfy. 
A cuff to stay cozy. 
A chart to help out. 

A throw to sink into.  

'Sarah's Mom ' by littlebrownpen

Cabled Cowl Infinity Loop Ci... faima $52.00	White and Yellow Flower PILL... JillianReneDec... $47.50	Kitchen Apron - Oatmeal STUDIOPATRO $68.00	Rustic Walnut Serving Tray F... grayworksdesig... $110.00
Porcelain Little Pine Forest... StudioByTheFor... $40.00	Personalized Initial Necklac... branchbound $25.00	craspedia cluster in white- ... floresdelsol $55.00	Lip Balm, Organic Eco Lip Ba... WinsomeGreen $4.25
Succulent Rock Trio Planters LandMstudio $150.00	Modern Candle Holder l Yello... redtilestudio $48.00	Faceted Cube Gold and Silver... HookAndMatter $45.00	Catherine Listens To The Omi... janethillstudi... $48.00
Fleur de Sel Caramel Club - ... TheCaramelJar $103.50	Crochet Boot Cuffs in Dark S... LumiStyle $39.00	Kitchen Conversions Art Prin... SweetFineDay $24.00	Luxurious PLUSH Texture Hone... DreamWeaverFab... $35.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

If you're looking for the perfect gift for your mom this holiday season, don't miss out on all 8 of our gift giving guides!  Each one is special and oh so unique - just like your mom!  And remember, if you have anyone on your list that you'd really love some help shopping for, drop in a comment here and we'll be there to help you be a gift giving super star this year!

Holiday Prep List 101 | A Style Guide Challenge

(from left to right, top to bottom)
stay awesome notepad, kiss lock purse, knit ascot cowl
holiday gift tag, modern side table, colorblock pillow
geometric wall shelf, melamine serving tray, air plant container

The holidays are upon us and that means lots of shopping ahead.  Hopefully we can help you have a stress free shopping experience.  Over the next few days we will be creating style guides or shopping guides of our favorite gift ideas on Etsy.  We know shopping can be overwhelming and especially online shopping since there is so much to choose from!  With our savvy curators creating Holiday 101 Gift Guides, we hope to help you find those specials gifts for everyone on your list. So grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and start adding to your shopping cart!

Celebrating the Fourth of July | Etsy in Red, White and Blue

As I get older, the Fourth of July has changed, or maybe I have just grown up.  When I was a kid the 4th was all about picking out fireworks at the pop-up stands just outside the city limits. It just wasn't the same if you didn't have some sparklers and black snakes and of course something that made a little noise.  The idea of it being the birthday of your country really doesn't resonate when you are a child that just wants to cool off in the pool.  Now as I am older, I have a better understanding of the 4th and I am proud of the old Red, White and Blue. Happy 236th Birthday America!

My Red, White and Blue picks:
1. three amigurumi hearts | Sabahnur
2. vintage scarf | Thrush
3. summer clutch | mama bleu designs
4. flag- wall mount vases | Pig & Fish
5. independence day picture frame | Mmim
6. nautical brights linen collection | giardino
7. rabbit in stars papercut card | mimimi cards
8. beach bag | bayan hippo

My Modern + Bright Valentine

It's the first day of February and that means only two weeks left before Valentine's day. Don't fret! We will be showcasing some great gift ideas all from Etsy.  Today's focus is all about MODERN. Think simple + colorful + graphic and FUN!

1. A modern and bright pillow to freshen up your sofa from Retro Menagerie $36
2. Add a bit of whimsy to any room with this Fancy Chandelier by Uncommon $59
3. Emerald Green + Agate Necklace- you can't go wrong with jewelry from is was and will be $33
4. A girl always needs a clutch and this blue leather one by Milloo makes us swoon $78
5. Send a note to all you love. We love this set of 6 flat notecards by Sparrow Nest Script $15
6. Ceramic love birds. Enough said! by Suite One Studio $ 25
7. J'adore! Parisian graffiti heart card. Ooh la la. from Little Brown Pen $4
8. Airplant + plant pod with a little heart. From Sea and Asters $12.50
9. Abstract + colorful art. Yes you can! By LouisestArt $24.00

Happy shopping and Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO
Amber

And the Winner From Our Etsy Elite 16 Challenge Is...

Vintage Sequin Party Dress -... zwzzy $75.00	Midnight Black Triangle Druz... DecoFox $95.00	Holiday Decor, Paris Christm... littlebrownpen $75.00	Comedy/Tragedy Writer Dice -... Palimpsestic $7.00
Hand Painted Necklace, Origi... TuckooandMooCo... $30.00	25% OFF SALE Black and White... ellemoss $22.50	Vintage 1940s Fringed Dress ... FabGabs $284.00	limited edition hand pulled ... elSage $92.00
1940's suede peeptoe pin... Thrush $218.00	Smartie, pillbox, cocktail h... TRAMPmillinery $85.00	Vintage Wooden Chairs (set o... lovintagefinds $98.00	Velveteen Pinup Dress - Litt... nbdg $38.00
Vintage black and cream radi... AnnaLouVintage $39.99	1950s Cocktail Dress / Black... aiseirigh $288.00	Black Lace Elegant Tear Drop... lunarbelle $18.50	Upcycled Boho Top Black Gray... BrokenGhostCou... $55.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Let's give a big round of applause to Chelsea of SevenWhiteRabbits for her winning treasury collection Even Nice Girls need a Little Black Dress!  Our theme for last week's challenge was "Forget the Naughty, Who's Been Nice" and it centered around holiday gift guides.  Flow in a treasury collection is key and Chelsea has just got this one to sing!  A great balance between dark and light, but wait...did you catch her play on words?  We just love how she incorporated the theme of the challenge so creatively into her own title and then curated a stunning collection around it.  A real crowd pleaser Chelsea - Congratulations!

Our Etsy Style Guide Challenges have really grown into a fun team event - a place where Etsy shop owners can share their favorite items together in a curated group.  Nichole of littlebrownpen was the winner from our November challenge - which means one of her items got included in the top row of this challenge.  Did you see the variety of items people used from her shop?  As the winner of our December challenge, an item from Chelsea's Etsy shop SevenWhiteRabbits will be featured in the top row during our next challenge come January 2012.   But more than a challenge, these events are a great opportunity for people who love Etsy to come and get a quick glance at what's new + fresh.  We have the inside edge on Etsy, so you can come here knowing you'll find a creative selection to choose from.   

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Now - talk about creative!  We had a total of 73 submissions with so many wonderful collections to choose from.  It's never an easy job to choose just one, so we always like to highlight our favorite picks.  First, let's begin with this collection by Kelly of 88editions titled For moi, I've been good, I swear ;)  Her title certainly put a smile on our face, but we also really enjoyed her use of the warm earth tones to pull her collection together.  We know you've been good Kelly and we'll be sure to pass the word on to Santa!

Screen Printed V Neck // Anc... AsBoldAsLions $17.00	Verdigris Clock, Paris - Fre... littlebrownpen $30.00	Stoneware Dove Facing Right AndersenStudio $48.00	Square Inch Art - Green Og S... Palimpsestic $6.00
15% off sale feminine croche... annerstreet $28.90	Green Yarrow Air Plant Terra... seaandasters $25.00	HOLIDAY SALE 3 ACEOs Print -... zime $8.00	Worthy Bag in Olive Green wi... bayanhippo $42.00
Market Bag Woolbridge $24.00	Modern Minimalist Stoneware ... StudioByTheFor... $45.00	Recycled Glass Linden Leaf a... westernartglas... $100.00	Rustic Banquet Table - Outdo... grayworksdesig... $3000.00
lichen necklace asymmetrical... museglass $64.00	burlap purple wedding clutch... mamableudesign... $45.00	Industrial Vintage Asian Tex... ThePolkadotMag... $42.00	Triplet Leaves magnets rafya $13.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

One of the most enjoyable parts of this challenge is to see how different people interpret the challenge theme.  We both participate in the challenge as well and so we're going through the process of thinking on different ways to put together a treasury.  The variety of choices and arrangements is really inspiring!  Kathy of lovintagefinds put together a clean + modern collection with a soothing palette in greens and blues.  And the title is perfection!  Forgive the Naughty and Surprise the Nice - beautifully done Kathy!

Upcycled book box seat SomethingOrOth... $300.00	Two Planet Terrariums: Two ... TinyTerrains $58.00	Bicyclette sur La Rue Montor... littlebrownpen $75.00	Black Rose Red Metal Barbed ... merritthyde $16.00
ceramic BRACELET,cornflower ... karoArt $34.50	Holidays sale - Menorah - O... orlydesign $69.00	Teal crocheted hearts(set of... sabahnur $16.00	15% off sale delicate lace c... annerstreet $33.57
Naughty Or Nice Pill Box Mmim $4.50	LADY in BATH PILLOW / handma... KasiaUrbanRybs... $65.00	Landscape Pattern, necklace ... oddstitch $45.00	Pup-Pup Brooch pannikin $36.00
Teal Blue Vintage Turkish Ru... oldnewhouse $285.00	Ocean Breeze Bag - Smocked H... StarBags $228.00	Gd Fun Wool felted slippers OSmanufacture $96.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

And our final top pick is from Jenn of Palimpsestic who submitted a collection with a most clever title,  Nice Legs!  Jenn clearly has a great sense of humor and often entertains us with her treasury themes.  Creative?  Oh, absolutely.   And it's not just any ol' grouping of legs, but 'nice' legs - a wonderful remix of our challenge theme!  You're smiling - if not laughing, right?  Because legs are not limited to only us human beings, but animals and wait a minute...legs on a chair as well!  We just could not resist this one Jenn!!   

Gwagged Annwn Knee Highs Soc... undertheroot $38.00	vintage frog brooch Thrush $22.00	People Watching, Paris - 8x1... littlebrownpen $30.00	Cream Wool Dotted Knitted Le... OurSunshine $63.99
Earthy MUDSLIDE Tight Stocki... ColorfulTherap... $18.00	Happy Little Sloth, Hand Pai... TuckooandMooCo... $16.00	Chocolate Brown Baby Leg War... PoshPipsqueak $14.95	Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo ... zwzzy $85.00
MilkMaid Stool Rustic Salvag... grayworksdesig... $450.00	Vintage 1960s Hawaiian Dress... FabGabs $62.00	Vintage souvenir - brown lea... AnnaLouVintage $29.99	Vintage 1960s Siberian Fur l... CaptainCat $95.00
Outlander Boot Cuffs / Leg W... LitKnits $26.00	Antarctic photography - hand... LaloveBenedict $24.00	Hand knit socks - dark purpl... Varm $34.00	Long Walk, large sewn print tastesorangey $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

We hope you enjoyed this month's challenge as much as we did!  Due to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, our next challenge will be in January of 2012.  Hard to believe it's already 2012!  We'd like to thank all who participated and wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season!!

Amber (of redtilestudio) + Nanako (of PIGandFiSH)