Elite16 February Etsy Giveaway Winner: Is it YOU?

Happy Valentine's Day!  Thank you so much to all the participants in this month's Elite16 Etsy Giveaway with Holly's super delightful Valentine's Day Spa Gift Set!  We have a lucky winner who gets to treat herself right on this day of love and pampering—congratulations to Jodi C!  You get to enjoy Little Flower Soap Co's handmade, all natural goodness with 5 individual items: a bottle of pink grapefruit Himalayan bath salts, a pink grapefruit french clay soap, a chocolate lip balm, one mescle rescue tin and one skin rescue tin!  Oh-la-la!  Which will you use first?

A big thank you to Holly for joining in the fun this month - with 919 entries, this was a huge success!  Join us right here next month on the 7th of March for our next Elite16 Etsy Giveaway goodness!

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Our February Etsy Giveaway with Little Flower Soap Co!

Our focus on Valentine's Day is always directed outward toward our partner, but what if we treated Valentine's Day as a time we celebrate ourselves?  Meaning—give yourself the gift of something super special because by golly, you deserve it!  Well, this is exactly what we're aiming to do here with this month's amazing Elite16 Etsy Giveaway.  Holly of Little Flower Soap Co is going to help you pamper and spoil yourself rotten with her Valentine's Day Spa Gift Set!  Check out the amazing items that are included—a bottle of pink grapefruit Himalayan bath salts, a pink grapefruit french clay soap, a chocolate lip balm, one muscle rescue tin and one skin rescue tin—all in a box with a red grosgrain ribbon!  Are you feeling oh-so special and relaxed already?

Our February Elite16 Etsy Giveaway runs from February 7-13 and our lucky winner will be announced on the 14th—Valentine's Day!  Remember, don't forget to spread the love because each time you do extra, we give you extra points to win!  Good Luck!

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Personalize Your Valentine's Day Gift!

1. Love Heart Hand Carved Rubber Stamp by talk to the sun
2. Heart Stamp with Initials by Happy Rainy Day
3.  Hand Carved Circle Heart Set by creatiate
4. I Love You Stamp by Perrodin Supply Co

We're moving into the final phase of Valentine's Day gift buying and we've been covering different Etsy gift ideas for about a month, starting with our Valentine's Day special issuu catalog.  I'm going to assume that you've purchased your gift and have it hidden away, tucked underneath the mattress.  So today, I'm turning my attention to personalizing your packaging with stamps.  I don't know about you, but I love stamping!  I've selected 4 rubber stamps from some of my favorite shops on Etsy to help you add that finishing touch to your gift.  You could use any of these to design your own card or create a hang tag, create your own wrapping paper or stamp away on some adhesive labels to make some super cute stickers!  (I'm picturing some round stickers...)  Oooh, this is starting to sound like a lot of fun!  This Valentine's Day, get crafty and add that extra special touch to your gift for your sweetie.

  

Let's Be Adventurers

Love and travel. What's more exciting than exploring the world with the one you love!
Whether you are backpacking in Prague, biking in Amsterdam or exploring the Outback : do it in STYLE. With the right accessories make your next trip an unforgettable adventure.

|| Adventurous Love || 
1. Settlers Sack by may.tree.ark
2. travel journal by degno di nota
3. world map from bonnbonn
4. emerald heart ring by la chica de los anillos
5. bike shelf by Chrome LTD
6. vintage letterpress type from Monki Vintage

Get into Gear - Valentine's Day Gifts!

top Vintage Letterpress Be Mine by Monki Vintage
bottom left Valentine Heart Art Bowl by Romy and Clare
bottom middle Valentine's Triangle Silk Scarf by By Cinne Worthington
bottom right Rose & Chamomile Sachet by The Living Earth Botanicals

The first day of February is officially here and that means 13 more days until Valentine's Day!  I think it's time to get those gift giving partners in gear with a little inspiration from the handmade and vintage world of Etsy!  Planning something special doesn't have to involve a strategic outline that's pages long—you can keep it simple and still achieve something very memorable.  The thing that I love about buying from Etsy is the personalized attention to detail and the connection with the artisans who run the shop.  So here are some ideas to pass along!

Vintage wooden letterpress type have such a beautiful patina and they are cool decor pieces on their own, but Kiki of Monki Vintage combines them here to spell out "Be Mine" - a neat gift idea that is sure to leave an impression (no pun intended!).  Cute!  Small bowls are something I use all the time and if you're looking for a functional gift, I thought this heart art bowl by Romy & Clare was perfect!  Functional, artful, colorful and in the shape of a heart - the symbol of love.  Red is the color of Valentine's Day, so why not wrap your sweetie in a gorgeous silk scarf by Cinne of By Cinne Worthington - luxurious!  Finally, what spells romance more than the scent of a rose?  Amanda & Ginger of The Living Earth Botanicals offer 3 rose & chamomile sachets infused with Bulgarian Rose essential oil for a gift that is filled with a "dreamy, romantic aroma".

Four memorable gifts - which one will you choose?  Need more ideas?  See my whole collection here!

3 Weeks Until Valentine's Day - Need Help?

1. Mini Ceramic Hearts Bowl by Ross Lab
2. Ceramic Heart Earrings by Karo Art
3. 100% Natural Herbal Bath Bombs by Growing Up Herbal
4. Ombre Hearts Art Block by Red Tile Studio
5. Organic Red Heart Love Ring by La Chica de los Anillos

I sometimes wonder where the graphic for a heart came from.  It's certainly not based on the organ in our bodies; no, that would not be as attractive as this beautifully symmetrical, fluid shape.  Hearts are the universal symbol of love and a perfect way to show someone how much you care anytime of year, but especially during Valentine's Day.  This romantic celebration of love is just 3 weeks away—the sweet spot for getting your Etsy orders placed!  Don't wait until the last minute as some items are made to order and some will ship from overseas, so plan ahead this year and surprise even yourself at how organized you are!  (That was on your new year's resolution list, right?)  I've highlighted 5 handmade heart shaped Etsy gifts and you can see my whole collection of 16 right here.  Nothing says "I Love You" like a heart!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas!

1. Kissing Porcelain Hedgehogs by Studio by the Forest
2. Be Still My Beating Heart Coin Purse by oktak
3. Modern iPhone 5 Case by Red Tile Studio
4. Lavender Bath Salts by Little Flower Soap Co.

Valentine's Day is just 5 weeks from today and trust me, it's really a lot easier to plan ahead than to wait until the last minute.  Planning may not be your forte and that's why we're here to help!  So, listen up - we're about to turn you into a Valentine's Day gift giving genius!  I've put together a collection of 16 finds just for you, click here to see the entire list.  Above, I've highlighted 4 items that would make any girl smile.  

What says "I love you" more than 2 adorable kissing hedgehogs?  These small porcelain critters are handmade by Anna of Studio by the Forest and have just the sweetest details - adorable!  They're small, precious and make such a charming little pair.  Next, the coin purse in shades of pink with a cute heart with embroidered touches is appropriately titled, "Be Still My Beating Heart"!  You've heard the Japanese word "kawaii" before, right?  Well - all items in Aki's shop oktak would be categorized as just that - cute!!  Now, it's probably safe to say that most people who own an iPhone are not shy to profess they're unwavering love and devotion to the device.   Hopefully not so much that they love their iPhone more than they love you, but don't worry - that's highly unlikely!  Still, stay one up on that flirtatious device by giving the gift of a super cool and hip iPhone case by Amber of Red Tile Studio.  Think of it as insurance - then each time they look at their iPhone, the first thing they'll see is the thoughtful case you bought for them and remember you.  Finally, a gift that everyone can relate to - relaxing!  Holly of Little Flower Soap Co has blended her lavender bath salts with key ingredients to help your loved one slip into the tub and let go of all tension, anxiety and worry.  Ahhhh~~~  Soak up all the goodness that's here on Etsy so that this year, you're ready to celebrate Valentine's Day in style!

To make gift giving even easier, I've put together a little issuu.com catalog!  

Enjoy & be sure to share!

She's My Valentine!

Top Left, Knit Scarf in Oyster Pink Stripes by Knit Frekkles
Bottom Left, Iced Cherry & Mystic Quartz Earrings by Lunar Belle
Right, Sexy Black Lace & Plum Flower Headband by Be Something New

Delicate, soft + feminine - treat your Valentine right!  We visited 3 of our favorite Etsy shops + hand selected items that would make any girl feel special.  Is it fair to say that pink is one of 'THE' colors for Valentine's Day?  Well, Valentine's Day or not - this lovely shade of pink in Knit Frekkles hand knit scarf is hard to resist!  Surprise her with a scarf that feels so cozy + comfy wrapped around her neck, she won't want to take it off.  Jewelry is always a great route to take when looking for a Valentine's Day gift, but make sure it's special.  Our pick today comes from Lunar Belle - the sparkle, gold, + dangle all add to making these pair an "I Love You" hit!  Finally, don't overlook the feminine charm of hair accessories.  Be Something New makes it easy to fall in love with the many styles + looks one can create with a touch of floral style and a splash of color.  She'll find you very hip for finding some lovely gifts this Valentine's Day!

Happy Shopping!

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! 

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!

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.