Sweets for your Sweetie

top left, A Little Box of Valentine's Day Cookies by whimsyandspice
top right, Dotted 23k Gold Mug by baileydoesntbark
bottom left, Cream & Sugar Set by PigeonToeCeramics
bottom right, 1LB Organic Roasted Brazil Fazenda Colina Coffee by HomesteadingRoasters

Really?  Well... sort of.  Why can't you have the best of both worlds?  Now you can!  We've hand selected 4 items fresh off of Etsy for the ultimate Valentine's Day gift set!  We all know that good coffee starts with the beans, so splurge on some organic coffee beans prepared in Alaska by Homesteading Roasters.  They suggest a medium-dark roast for this straightforward cup to bring out the smooth milk chocolate - fill your home with this delicious aroma!   Next, you need to get rid of that coffee stained mug - we don't care if it's your absolute favorite, there's no room for serving gourmet coffee in a crusty vessel.  We're going to upgrade the whole experience of drinking coffee by serving it in a beautiful porcelain mug by Baily Doesn't Bark.  The delicate golden details will sparkle every time you take a slow sip of hot coffee.  Oh, and don't even think about pulling out the cream container and the big clunky sugar jar.  What?  Your sugar still lives in the plastic bag it came in??  This is getting serious!


Thank goodness for the modern designs of Pigeon Toe Ceramics!  You won't be able to remember the last time you had so much fun putting cream + sugar in your coffee.  We're long time fans of their minimal designs + this condiment set is a must have for our Valentine's Day coffee gift set!  The coffee has been made, poured + cream stirred in.  What's missing?  Cookies!  Look no further than Whimsy + Spice out of Brooklyn, NY for all your sweet tooth cravings.  They've made gift giving very easy with their little box of Valentine's Day cookies, filled with little treats!       


So, there you have it.  Put together the 2 things you love the most this Valentine's Day - coffee + your sweetie! 

Five Questions: Etsy Shop Zwzzy

Etsy is a great marketplace for vintage decor + clothing, but the question we always hear is, "We don't know where to start!"  It's true - there are a lot of options on Etsy, to be precise... 1,906,729 items under 'vintage' and 354,906 items under 'clothing'.  Might we suggest a better way to shop for vintage on Etsy?  Unless of course you're feeling really, really, really bored + want to look at 354,906 items!


We're finishing off the month with our Five Question series - today's focus is on Jen + her Etsy shop Zwzzy!  In step with her tag line "get cute in vintage", you'll find a shop filled with fun finds from as far back as the 40's all the way to the 70's.  Her shop has 324 items, but you won't get bored here!  Engaging photography alone will entertain you, but you'll be sure to find something you'll be smitten with!  


1. Why did you open an Etsy shop?
I originally opened after my best friend told me about this new, cool website that sells only handmade and vintage items. We were stoked on how much freedom we could have with wording, and be able to have set prices and whatnot. I was done with the 'bay, and Etsy came around just at the right time to continue to share my love of vintage. :)


2. What do you think makes your product unique?
With vintage, I think almost everything is unique in itself. :) I'm a sucker for anything flashy, loud and fun, so I think those items tend to project a fun store. I try to photograph in similar styles, and love a good prop. :)


3.  Describe your studio/creative space.
My photography set-up is actually all in my kitchen! Our garage is in renovation, and I hope to have my backdrop permanently set-up there soon. That'll be so much nicer than dragging the kitchen table across the room!


4. What are your goals for your Etsy shop in 2012?
My biggest goal is to definitely have more time. I also work a 32-hour job, and work at a non-commercial radio station, so it's sometimes a challenge diving my time between all 3. Vintage is a huge passion, and if I'm not at work, you can bet I'm doing something related to Zwzzy - estate sale-ing, cleaning, repairing, photographing, editing, listing. Whew!


5.  What does a day away from the studio look like?
I'm a huge fan of going to fun places like the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, or the SF Zoo, or my favorite - Sutro Bath ruins. I'll take a relaxing day at the beach anytime! If I'm not snoring on the beach, then you'll find me at the local roller rink at disco night! :D

A Fresh Start For February With Etsy

Winter White set of four lin... giardino $40.00	Snow white crocheted heart... sabahnur $5.00	Porcelain Nesting Bowls in S... SuiteOneStudio $110.00	Nuno felted white top tshirt... Baymut $99.45
Love Letters allthingswhite $5.00	Handmade Eco Friendly White ... ecofriendlybea... $60.00	Paris Photography, Everlasti... littlebrownpen $75.00	Natural Lip Gloss in Stardus... Blushie $8.00
Handmade Maple Marshmallows whimsyandspice $6.50	White Organic Bell Earrings ... lachicadelosan... $35.00	Vintage 1950s Shoes // Whit... FabGabs $56.00	bridal headband of White lac... BeSomethingNew $45.00
Vintage Anglepoise Lamp lovintagefinds $98.00	Strainer Tie bar- sterling s... mujoyas $76.00	Vintage Metallic Dress White... zwzzy $68.00	Napkin Rings Organic Bamboo ... frenchfelt $11.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.  

As February approaches, though we still haven't yet shaken the chill of winter, we long for the freshness of spring.  Our month of February essentially means purification, being named for the ancient Roman purification festival known as Februa.  Though it is still technically winter, we long for a bit of airiness in our wardrobes and lots of fresh bright white in our decor.


We love this radiant treasury by Cindy of Yellow Bug Boutique because it celebrates this transition month of February merging the frostiness of winter with a beautiful spring freshness.  Romantic lace and hearts remind us that Valentine's day is just around the corner.  Spring brides  putting the finishing touches on wedding planning can find so many exquisite and unique touches to make their day extra special. Snowy white  decor with clean lines and a touch of drama can brighten those winter darkened areas in your home.  Let us help you usher in this new month with these refreshing suggestions!

Five Questions: Etsy Shop Kaftan Sarafan

Do you love the look of vintage home decor?  Maybe you're a weekend flea market adventurer or maybe you like to browse online.  Etsy is home to not only handmade items, but vintage as well.  Yet finding a shop with a well curated collection can be difficult if you don't know where to turn.  Search 'home decor' under 'vintage' on Etsy and you'll get 263, 558 returns + unless you're really bored, that's clearly not the way to go!


Welcome our Five Questions series where we highlight some of our favorite shops on Etsy.  We've combed through all the different choices for vintage home decor on Etsy and today we'd like to introduce you to Irina's Etsy shop Kaftan Sarafan.  You'll come to love Irina's inviting sense of style + look forward to what's new in her shop.  We especially love her eye catching recycled one-of-a-kind pillows + hope you'll find something you love as well!  Thank you Irina for sharing with us today!  

1. Why did you open an Etsy shop?
An artistic friend of mine sent me a link to Etsy around two years ago when I first began making things which met with her artistic approval. I had made my first few embroideries and recycled vintage pillow covers. So I spent quite some time reading Etsy featured seller articles (which I found very convincing and encouraging), browsing the shops, trying to get the feel of the site until one day I thought, why not, and I opened KaftanSarafan where I first listed around 10 items. It was super easy. I was amazed when my first sale took place shortly after I listed the item. I had never sold anything in my life.

Golden Bamboo, set of two pillow cushions

2. What do you think makes your product unique? 
I don’t consider anything I do particularly unique. Clearly no one is free from outside influences but one’s work may debatably be considered unique when these many many influences soaked by us throughout our life time are reworked in a manner which seems unprecedented. It’s been said many times before but remains true, it has to come from the heart to be good. I would not sell anything that I find plain, common or uninteresting. That’s why more often than not I find it difficult to part with my vintage finds! The same approach applies to my handmade items, the pillow covers, kaftans, scarves or embroideries. I collect fabrics but will only use them when I see a perfect product for the fabrics to be used in. 


 3. Describe your studio / creative space.  

I work at home and have taken over our dining room which is my studio/office space and utility room which is my storage space cum packing station.


4. What are your goals for your Etsy shop in 2012? 
As sales are picking up at KaftanSarafan I will continue my search for unique and beautiful vintage items. I also plan to develop my handmade shop where I will sell limited edition embroideries and accessories (scarves, bags, brooches), etc.


5. What does a day away from the studio look like?
There isn’t a day when I am away from the studio completely, only if I am out of the country. I spend weekends with my little family, my husband and my daughter. We either relax at home or make trips to places we like in Dublin and vicinity, the parks, forests, the beach, the farmer’s markets.

Five Questions: Etsy Shop French Felt

Etsy is an international community - with sellers + buyers from all over the world.  International shop owners bring a flair to their offering that is uniquely rooted in their culture.   Elena of Etsy shop FrenchFelt  is located in Normandy, France - one immediately feels the romance of France upon entering her Etsy shop.  With our 5 questions, we're uncovering a small portion of not only Elena's life there, but we also get a gentle fragrance of France.  We hope you enjoy our first international feature in our Five Questions series!


1. Why did you open an Etsy shop?
My actual job is seasonal – I work many hours during the high season as guide of the bay of Mont Saint Michel and in the low season I get to focus my time on something special :) So, a few years ago all my friends were already happy owners of my creations. One day a friend of mine told me that she had just opened a shop on Etsy and started to sell.  So I told to myself – why not? I can try too!


2. What do you think makes your product unique?
I like making things that are one of a kind, as I consider that handmade piece must be unique and contain a part of yourself.  It's so amazing when people receive your creation at the other side of the world and this makes them a little bit more happy:)

Nuno Felted White Lace Scarf

3. Describe your studio/creative space.
I don't have a particular studio for everything as my occupations are rather various. Some pieces of my jewelry I make in my small and full of light atelier at mansard of my house. For felting I go down to the basement as I need a lot of space. I like to take photos outdoors on the terrace in my garden. I love the natural lighting and the sun here in Normandy - it is so delicate and makes the pictures so smooth.  I now understand how Claude Monet drew from nature as is, without any flatter! :)


4. What are your goals for your Etsy shop in 2012?
I don't know yet at the present moment.  One thing I know for sure - Etsy is a real drug and we cannot give it over easily :) I think I will try to diversify my collections a little bit more to satisfy more tastes.


5. What does a day away from the studio look like?
It depends on the weather and the season. We like to take walks with my small family at the beach or on the cliffs of the seashore. Sometimes we take a long journey to discover the country. France is so very different – every region has it's own charm and speciality. There is always something to find and admire! And I'm also flea-market addict as there you can find a lot of old and beautiful things with a soul and a story behind them.

Etsy Treasuries Are Fun, But so is Winning!

vintage 1950's edwardian... Thrush $125.00	One of a Kind Watercolor Por... StudioByTheFor... $20.00	Valentines Day, Paris photog... EyePoetryPhoto... $30.00	Rich Dark Brown Cowl in Silk... KnitFrekkles $68.00
MOCHA: mail holder letter o... PIGandFiSH $62.00	vintage 20s velvet cloche & ... breadandbutter... $136.00	Chocolate Orange Cardamom sh... whimsyandspice $8.50	Vintage 1950s Shoes // The ... FabGabs $52.00
Be Mine Papercut Valentine -... AshleyPahl $10.00	garnet triangle ring, sterli... lolide $78.00	Vintage L'Aiglon Dress W... zwzzy $52.00	Cinnamon Orange Chamomile So... prunellasoap $7.00
Chocolate Body Polish . All ... BabylonSoapCo $10.00	When all the snow has melted... theaterclouds $18.00	sterling silver necklace vin... goseek $64.00	Customizable Vintage Wool Li... kaftansarafan $55.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

In addition to highlighting the best that Etsy has to offer, we also like to have fun doing it!  Etsy has a great built in system for showcasing your favorite items in a mini gallery setting, like this one above.  This Etsy "treasury" (as they're called in Etsy-lingo) collection by Jess of sweetpinesoaps is titled be my classy valentine + it's a winner!   We have a monthly activity here on the blog where we invite our Etsy friends to join us in a treasury challenge game.  Because remember, we like to have fun + let's face it - games are fun!  We choose a theme + on a set date, all collections get submitted + we then choose a winner.  Why is it like a game?  Well, the winner gets featured in the top row during the next challenge making it not just any ol' game, but a fun game!  (okay, true...games are by nature fun...)  Oh, and by the way... it's also a great time to stop by for some Inside Etsy shopping tips!  Why?  Because we're all shop owners on Etsy + spend A LOT of time there - so our hand selected treasury collections feature some of the best that Etsy has to offer.  If you love Etsy, you can see why hanging out with us is ... go on... fun! 

So what was our theme for our challenge last week?  In honor of Valentine's Day, we went with Be Mine.  It's always a treat to see how each Etsy shop owner interprets the theme + we really loved this 'classy' collection by Jess.  Using both her title theme + color to tie her collection together, we could not resist her fresh styling mixing warm chocolate tones + clean modern lines.  A lovely blend of contemporary + vintage picks for that very lucky lady on your list.  Well done Jess and a big congratulations!

***

Now - because we're such big fans of all things fun, we can't just stop with one!  There were a total of  47 collections submitted - each one thoughtfully curated.  Below we'd like to highlight some of our other favorites!  


Jill is the shop owner of BeSomethingNew, a wonderful destination for handmade hair accessories.  And she's got the beat down for all things feminine!  She brings to her treasury curating skills years of helping women feel 'new' and fresh through her product line - Jill understands what women desire!  Her Etsy treasury submission below radiates the soft beauty of pink, cream + white tones - wow, don't you love that 14K Morganite Engagement Ring?? Who knows what surprises Valentine's Day holds!  Thank you Jill for sharing your Valentine picks with us! 

'Be mine' by BeSomethingNew

Lavender Hand Dyed Footless ... DaughterShop $40.00	14K Morganite Engagement Rin... RareEarth $1976.00	Silk Liberty Print 'Suga... LoveBabyGrand $56.00	Rustic Cables Cowl - Misty M... KnitFrekkles $56.00
Screenprinted Tree Blouse //... AsBoldAsLions $24.00	A set of tiny rustic ceramic... orlydesign $37.00	Vintage 1930s Silk Dress - S... zwzzy $250.00	Fenêtre Blanche, Paris - Pa... littlebrownpen $30.00
Winter White set of four lin... giardino $40.00	Loose Crop Top French Quote.... neenacreates $23.00	Redux Vintage 1950's Ste... reduxvintage $88.00	mug coffee tea ceramic cup c... JDWolfePottery $20.00
We're all mad here ring ... LunarraStar $19.50	Old Rose Shabby French Ruffl... CamillaCotton $21.00	Simple White-8"x8"... diemdesign $22.00	White Leatherette Kawaii Cut... TheBowMakers $8.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Think of this as an inside tour of Etsy - as you'll see from this collection below, Valentine's Day doesn't always mean pink!  Kelly is the artist behind Etsy shop 88editions where she prints + makes collages using her own paper - unique, right?  Her creativity doesn't stop there - we love her creative title Valentine for your Woodland Goddess!  All 16 of her picks echo the warmth of nature + work to tell a story that is as much about Valentine's Day as it is about the 'woodland goddess'!  From home decor to jewelry, Kelly has put together a diverse group of picks - making shopping on Etsy - as we like to say - EASY!  Superb job Kelly - we really enjoyed this one!  

'Valentine for your Woodland Goddess' by 88editions

Reveal - An earthy porcelain... peifferStudios $29.00	Air Plant Pod - Black & Whit... seaandasters $12.50	Fairisle Folk Art Cowl - Tun... KnitFrekkles $60.00	Valentines Day Gift LOVE Nat... OneDecember $16.00
Moss Terrarium Woodland Mush... RenataandJonat... $125.00	Art photography print - Nest... Melasha $15.00	vintage butterfly brooch Thrush $18.00	Woodland Goddess Hat celapiu $65.00
Inspirational Love Shell Pho... eternalimages $10.00	Gray Feather 5x5 art block o... redtilestudio $28.00	Desk Top Terrarium Kit, Natu... StudioByTheFor... $20.00	the letter L Initial bronze ... tundradear $38.00
Wishbone Warmers, hand knitt... InnerWild $39.00	Reindeer crossing the Tundra... TheLeveretsNes... $65.00	Leather and Pearl Bracelet: ... byjodi $95.00	Pheasant feather necklace - ... Minxshop $17.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

As you can see, there are just so many different choices when it comes to shopping on Etsy.  And for Valentine's Day, you want something special - something that really communicates how you feel.  You want to find that special something, but you also don't want to spend all day searching for it!  You could search Etsy with the keyword 'Valentine's Day', but remember what we said earlier about fun?  We just don't think searching through the 168,786 search results is that fun - sorry Etsy!  But this is pretty fun, don't you think?  You won't find our selection of picks in any search + we make it pretty easy to find the cool gifts right here for you!

Valentine's Day is not doubt about love, romance, hearts + we can't deny it - pink!  How can you resist the peachy pink palette below?  Anna is the Etsy shop owner of StudioByTheForest where she offers a world of whimsical creatures + botanically themed ceramics art.  In tune with nature + animals, one can sense her meditative stillness in her treasury collection.  Like a fox walking through the forest, her theme Love Comes Softly captures the essence of a natural balance within one's heart where love flourishes.  Such a wonderful feeling you've curated here Anna!

'Love Comes Softly' by ALDDesigns

PURE: wall mount flower vas... PIGandFiSH $75.00	Screenprinted Tree Blouse //... AsBoldAsLions $24.00	Fine Knit Scarf in Oyster Pi... KnitFrekkles $85.00	Jane Austen Love Letter Hand... newnanc $4.00
Valentines Day Letterpress N... sweetharvey $9.00	Handmade Caramel Marshmallo... whimsyandspice $6.50	Big Soft Pink crocheted hear... sabahnur $8.00	Vintage Pink Slip Nightgown ... zwzzy $36.00
Cottage Chic Shabby Chic Hom... Maddenphotogra... $15.00	T17 White Bud Ring lachicadelosan... $66.00	flower hair clip set 'ju... whichgoose $25.00	White Cotton Lingerie- '... LoveBabyGrand $24.00
Personalized Ribbon 4 yards ... TheLonelyHeart $10.00	French Pink Clay Soap - Pink... HerbivoreBotan... $6.50	Lets Fly Away LilyMoon $18.00	Glass Earrings Mystic Rainbo... PoleStar $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Now - ending with a treasury collection by Jenn of Etsy shop palimpsestic is almost becoming a ritual here.  Jenn is of course one of our former winners + she consistently entertains us with the most creative collections + themes!   She is the Etsy shop owner of Palimpsestic where one can find "bookish art for literary people".  When we imagine Jenn sitting down and curating a treasury, we can't help but hear little giggles.  She must have a blast because her collections are so clever + entertaining!  All of her submissions could have been highlighted, but this one below in particular made us smile + giggle!  Because if it wasn't the 'girl' from the library, it was the 'boy' from the library, right?  Well - maybe this year with Jenn's Etsy picks, you'll have the courage to actually speak to them + do you dare ... give them a gift!!    

'That Girl From the Library' by palimpsestic

Suzette - 5x7 Print heatherfuture $12.00	personalized circa 1900 skel... goseek $26.00	Soft Wool Fairisle and Moss ... KnitFrekkles $65.00	Book Photograph - "Tome... ellemoss $15.00
Mini notebook - key chain wi... Baymut $15.00	Red Cable Knit Wrist Warmers Woolbridge $25.00	Blue enamel book love poem n... artofvolition $42.00	Mini book hairpin, red anticovalore $8.00
Handmade Hardcover Journal N... bonnbonn $22.00	Love your librarian mens tee AlisonRose $20.00	the smoothness of her bare s... ReboundDesigns $10.00	Porcelain Heart, Valentines ... MrsPetersonPot... $12.00
vintage eye glasses turtle s... klinker $146.00	Legs in the book. Cowboy bo... MyBookmark $25.00	Nice Kindle Touch Case - Lea... moxieandoliver $75.00	I think Im in love - Chocola... rosiemusic $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.