Featured Item: Sushi Soap

Today I'm featuring this adorable SUSHI SOAP from Kisu Kisu (which is apparently a loose translation of "Kiss Kiss"). If you haven't already noticed, I adore bath and body products- its kind of a way to treat myself. I also happen to really like sushi- well, actually, i only like crab rolls. I'm the boring sushi lover- I don't like anything remotely crunchy in my sushi, and I don't like truly raw fish, but c'est la vie. I like this soap.

This soap is sold in many different sets, and is packaged just like sushi- which makes it a great gift. You also get to pick your scent and what type of base you want for the soap- talk about custom service! These soaps? I'm looking at them for a gift for my good friend CC, my closest friend from college. Hell, I might grab a set for my other good friend from college- Milan. Either way, my Japanese-taking friends can look forward to these and other cute Japanese-type etsy gifts.

Theme Thursday: Skulls

Featured Item: Cranky Cat in a Tree

So, I'll admit that of late I've been having some trouble picking the features. Mostly because I have about 5 things I'm waiting to feature but, well, I have to do things- I have to frame something, I need to take photos of earrings (hard to do all by yourself!), I need to knit something... You get the idea. Anyway, before I start gushing about these cute kitties, I wanna add that I just got my earrings, just two days after I bought them, and they're completely and utterly awesome. I feel like a fangirl.

So, the Cranky Cats have been on my favorites list for a long time, and I think I'm going to end up getting a few prints as Christmas presents for my aunts, who both adore cats. I'll probably get myself one while I am at it. The prints aren't everyone's style but aren't they cute? I especially like this one because of the oversized cat on the tree- how adorable. If you didn't already gather that I like things to be out of proportion, I do, and that's why this print is my absolute favorite of them all. Others that I like? 1-2-3

How cute can you get?

Featured Item: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club.. Bale?*

Item no Longer Listed

There's a lot of cute stuff on Etsy, as we all know. But Amy's Babies has a large share of this cuteness. All her dolls are adorable, and these amigurumi turtles just take the cake. I mean, they're brilliant! What could be more adorable than actual amigurumi beatles than a bunch of amigurumi TURTLES dressed as Beatles? Definitely way cool.

So, while you're at Amy's Babies, make sure to check out the rest of her stock- she has some adorable snails and other types of dolls, and she's a really great person to work with. Definitely a top etsy personality. One of my favorites? The Military Turtle. Super cute.

*a bale is a group of turtles. Geekiness shall subside now.

It's Monday Again

I don't have any fun pictures for you, so I figured I'd just blather for a bit about Etsy-related stuff and hope one of my co-bloggers comes up with someone to feature today. First off..
Awesome Etsy Sales:
Half Off on All earrings at Totemic- I snagged a pair of caged dice I've been eyeing since before I bought the coloring book.
$10 off a purchase of $60 or more at mLee original art (prints only)- I haven't featured mLee (yet *wink*) but I have bought several things from her- mostly non-art but she's got gorgeous stuff, so this is a great deal. I snagged an art card from her this morning.

other
-Remember how I wasn't quite happy with the scent of the Gudonya Baby Legs Shaving Soap? Well, they made a new scent. The jury is still out on whether it's good or not but I know for a fact that the Hibiscus floap smells good (free samples) so the Hibiscus Baby Legs Shaving Soap should be good as well.
-Remember Aoi's Art? Remember the orange Peel Good earrings? Yeah, they're mine now. They are 10x more adorable in person. I am soo amazed with the detail that goes into these minscule pieces.
-Guess who made some whipped shea butter? I did, with materials from Bramble Berry Soapmaking Supplies. Now, I'm not selling it, because it's in ziplock tupperware containers, but it came out really good and I just wanted to share my non-etsy-related excitement.

Anyhow, that's it for today but if you're looking for a fun way to check out new items go to the Etsy Time Machine 2. I compulsively check it every day and I have a lot of fun as well as find a lot of cool stuff.

ps

Etsy is in WIRED MAGAZINE, the issue that came out today. Woot.

Featured Item: Tooled Letter Cat Journal

So, I was hanging out in the red room once again, as I am wont to do.. and some new people came in! Before I go into detail, let me just say that my favorite thing is when new people with awesome shops come into The Red Room. I do a lot of my shopping straight from the red room, so I adore when new people come in. Back to business though- last night this husband and wife team came in last night- and boy is their stuff ever awesome! I picked the cat journal because I love cats- but there's a lot more at Hot Dog 'n' Bun.

I know leather is not for everyone but this stuff is just lovely, and there's more than just leather binder journals. Seriously. Check them out- they deserve it.

Saturday Site Spotlight: Wickedly Chic

So, due to some of the ever-popular forum drama over at Etsy, I was introduced to a totally awesome website- Wickedly Chic. Wickedly Chic has a similar goal as we do- to review products and let consumers know what kind of awesome, cool stuff there is out there. Kim, who I have been hanging out with in the Red Room, is ultra cool, and runs the site along with Liz, whom I actually met in chat last night. Both of them are extra nice gals, and they do a great job getting indie crafters to the forefront.

Wickedly Chic runs contests and publishes great articles on indie designers, with the current article being Your Summer 2006 Survival Kit, which reviews some great summer finds, including some Whipped Clean from my favorite bath and body Etsyian- Gudonya. Wickedly Chic is also offering free advertising on their "Rolodex" until September, and has very reasonable advertising rates- the site is quickly growing and it's a great resource for indie designers and those of us who love to buy from them.

In other news:
Not really self promotion persay, but some of us bloggers have signed up for The Sampler (namely me and Pocket) for August, and I'll be doing some bracelets in the October "Think Pink" (breast cancer awareness) Little Black Box. Both sampler sites are great ways to have fun and get cool samples from indie designers, so definitely check them out!

Featured Item: Starry Night Pendant

Today, I'm bringing you something from my favorites. This pendant has been on my favorites at Etsy for quite some time, and someday I'll probably get around to buying it. The problem I have with this pendant is while it is gorgeous... SO ARE all the other pendants. The artist, Samantha Kocsis, has a store FULL of lovely handpainted, handsculpted pendants that are wire wrapped and absolutely gorgeous. Many of the pendants are tarot inspired or inspired by paintings (like the starry night pendant above), and they are all simply gorgeous.

When I finally do decide which pendant to buy, you can be sure I'll be back here with an action shot- but until then, I'll just have to drool.

Theme Thursday: Rainbows

You may not be aware of this yet, but I dearly love rainbows. Rainbow themed front pages on Etsy are due to incessant begging on my part, so how could I NOT do a rainbow theme here?

Featured Seller: Aoi's Art Miniatures

Item No Longer Listed

Today I'm featuring someone I've never had the honor of purchasing from, but who has probably the most yummy looking polymer clay charms and jewelry in the world. Aoi's Art is home to the most adorable miniature food charms that I have ever seen. Just look at that fruit tart up there. Doesn't it look delectable? Nothing looked as good in real life, and I don't think anything ever will, but that little fruit tart can give you just a little bit of calorie-free perfection.

I attribute my love of miniatures to my dearly departed mother (tangent: I'm actually obsessed with things that are tiny, and things that are regular size but have oversize details. I have a friend with a hoodie that has a HUGE oversized zipper on it and I covet that thing like I covet Aoi's orange peel earrings), but I'm not the only one in love with Aoi's stuff. And who wouldn't be? Check out these Orange Slice & Chocolate Cake Earrings. Or these Fruit Cake earrings. That's not your normal fruit cake! That's fruit cake that I would eat. The fourth of july is coming up.. why not try these Blueberry and strawberry cake earrings.

Seriously. Go. Fall in love. And then buy everything. So it stops tempting me ;)

Featured Item: Technographic Coloring Book

This great coloring book from Totemic was even nicer than I could have imagined. John Wik, the creator of the coloring book, known as Totemic on etsy, is truly amazing. I am flabbergasted by his lovely pendants and caged dice earrings, and his art is just awesome. Something you need to know about me- I adore coloring. I adore coloring books- but I want something grown up! I don't want to go buy one of those silly winnie the pooh coloring books at the dollar store! I want something that's fun to color and that doesn't make me feel like a 5 year old. Up till now, I've been relying on coloring books from Dover Publishing to fill my deep desire for coloring books. When I saw Technographic, I couldn't resist. Of course, the price tag was a bit daunting for poor old me, so I put it on my favorites and waited until I had the money- then i snatched it up.

It arrived, and I attacked it with my father-in-law's colored pencils:



I'm loving it. This coloring book is simply amazing- the designs are all abstract, but very carefully made, and they are printed on super high-quality cardstock, then spiral bound for a wonderful coloring experience. The service I got from John was phenomenal, and he sent me 4 artist trading cards with his "cloud" series on them. Sure, he has high-ticket items in his shop- but I can guarantee that everything in there is worth it. I certainly know that my coloring experience has been worth MORE than the money I paid for the coloring book, and if you like to color as much as I do, you'll feel the same way.

PS: The coloring book was a limited edition, and he's only got a few copies left, so better snatch them up before they are gone.

Featured Seller: creo ingero

Ingero is a jack of all trades. She's an unbelievable artist, a maker of unique jewelry, and designs beautiful bags. However, she has one item above all that I personally love and adore: her amazing lip balm.


I am trying not to eat the yumminess...

Ingero's lip balms ("99% all-natural", no petroleum byproducts or unpronounceable words here) come in both regular and vegan varieties--the vegan being made with candellila wax rather than beeswax. I've tried both, and I think I prefer the vegan variety. It costs a bit more, but the texture is smoother and I think the flavor comes through a bit better.

But what are the flavors, you ask? Oh man. My personal favorites are her crazy tea combinations, including georgia ginger green tea, which I have described as my new favorite flavor of anything--peachy and spicy and yum. For something a little less exotic, there's everything from basic peppermint to summerberry, and if you're still not satisfied, create your own set of flavors for a bit of savings!

So hop on over to ingero's shop and grab some lip balm. Because not doing so is just silly.

Hello!

I'm Megan, otherwise known as Pocket or pcockey. I'm 24 and I live just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, where I read a lot, unexpectedly breed fish, attend the University of Cincinnati as an English/history major, drive the world's ugliest car, and craft. I describe myself as an ADD crafter--I knit, make incense, make paper, work with polymer clay, and whatever else happens to catch my fancy at the moment. I run a slightly spooky Etsy shop at pcockey.etsy.com.

Featured Item: NEST I (heart) Etsy Baby Booties by Shannon

So, I was hanging out in the Etsy Chat red room again, and Shannon posted a link to the booties she had made for the New England Street Team (NEST) shop. Well, how could I resist featuring these?

I don't have a lot to say about them, except that I want to see them in an adult size. I can totally see them based off the Fiber Trends Clog Pattern for adults. I might even have to make myself a pair- if Shannon doesn't beat me to it. So, got a baby that would be perfect to introduce the world to your love of etsy? Know someone who's having a kid? These booties are the best baby shower present I've seen in ages. The best part? You'll be supporting NEST with your purchase!

Smell it: Auntie Di's De-Lites Breakaway Soy wax melts

OK, I just got these soy wax melts yesterday and I am already completely in love. I had gotten a vanilla grapefruit candle a while back from Unique Dsign, and so I requested some of Di's wax tarts when I got my wax burner- which is really supposed to be used for candles in jars, but I have a trusty altoids sours tin i melt things in. Anyway, back to what I was saying.. I got my order from Auntie Di's Delites yesterday, so I immediately started melting them. I ordered three things of tarts and I am thoroughly impressed. Unique Dsign's candle was more grapefruit, but these are more vanilla- so I like them both.

I highly recommend these tarts! They smell sooo strongly and they are SOOO nice. Pure Bliss. Also, there is a line of soy candles, and some really fun ones called "Flaming Wicks" with such flavors as monkey farts, Huge Melons, and Mary Jane. Best thing about these tarts? They are going to last FOREVER, and apparently soy wax also burns cleaner as a candle than normal parrafin- and that's always good.

Seriously, go buy something. I know I'm in love, and it's going to be all I can do not to buy the whole store- so go buy the whole store before I can get there ;)

Featured Website: CraftRevolution.com

The goal of CraftRevolution.com is to restore “the awareness and appreciation of crafts in today's world by promoting them, and the talented people who create them, as high-value, desirable alternatives to the offerings of big-box stores.” Created by a group of women who met online and asked “What if,” CraftRevolution.com has been featured extensively in articles both online and in print, and has been popular since its launch in March 2005.

CR features articles, resources, and a community for indie designers and shoppers. There are informative articles for crafters trying to run their own business such as “Setting Up Your Booth,” about pleasing displays at craft shows, and “VAs, Your Secret Weapon,” promoting Virtual Assistants to do your busywork so you have more time to create. A directory of business resources turns up other useful websites, including suppliers, web designers, and craft show resources.

CR isn’t just for crafters, though. There is also an extensive directory of online shops, suppliers, and forums, for the indie shoppers out there, and tips on safely shopping online.

CraftRevolution.com has a wealth of information for crafters and shoppers alike. If you, too, have been wondering “What if,” take some time to read their articles and browse their resources and indie friendly shop listings.

note from bronnie: Welcome Lola and make sure you all check this site out- its one of the best resources I've found online.

Introducing: Lola

Hi everyone! A little introduction to me, before I jump in and start writing for this site:

I’m Lola, I’m 23, and I live outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with my husband and our two cats.

I’ve been drawing and crafting as far back as I can remember, but also as far back as I can remember, I’ve been enthralled by computers and technology. So it was a natural progression that I ended up going to school for graphic and web design. I now work for a large company creating web sites and databases.

At night and on the weekends, I do my crafty things, which mostly revolve around my sewing machine. Most of my creations come about because I want something for myself. It started when I made a fleece scarf for myself, and ended up making them for all my friends, family, and co-workers. You can find these, and other items I tested on myself first, like small zip pouches and MP3 player cases, in my shop on Etsy. Check it out at lolageek.etsy.com.

Featured Item: Boulder Opal Apatite Necklace

Today, instead of bringing you something I've bought- because I have big plans for all that- I'm going to bring you the current object of my etsy favorites affections. This Necklace by CrysallisCreations has been on my list of things I really want but just can't afford ever since its maker first set foot in the Etsy Red Room Chat. (want a tip? Come to the chat rooms- a lot of people go there to 'shop')

So, what do I like about the necklace? Well, it's the pendant- the boulder opal. Debbie, the owner of Crysallis Creations, hand picked the opal at a rock show, and she explains in her listing how it just happened to match with some lampwork beads she had. Put it all together and you get the gorgeous necklace before you. Why do I want it? because I can just see myself wearing it with my hair down, long and curly, a pretty low-cut white peasant blouse, and a pair of jeans. Any woman would look hot like that. It's very boho, I think, and I like that.

Take some time to check out the rest of Debbie's Store. She has some gorgeous pieces, and she's a pleasure to work with, and a simply darling friend. she has both expensive and inexpensive items, but all of them are incredibly high quality, so you really are getting what you pay for.

Theme Thursday: Yarn

In the spirit of me, a knitter, the very first Theme Thursday is composed of, yes, yarn! Click on the thumbnail to go to the listing. Today's featured yarns were picked by Auntie Di's De-lites. Be sure to check out her store and buy a few candles- they're really fun.