Check out The Examiner today

Check out The Washington Examiner today, or click the image below to see it full size. Nearly a dozen Washington- and Baltimore-area Etsians were featured in a Valentine's Day gift guide.

It was inspired in large part by this post from November.

Board No. 131 - Hanukkah's Almost Here!

I just realized that Hanukkah is super early this year! Thankfully it is right days so I still have time to do my shopping and mail cards/presents before it looks "late." Here's some festive Hanukkah items if you haven't bought them yet because, like me, you didn't look at a calendar.

Top row: Hanukkah Menorah Judaic Candleholder from celestewelch; Mod Menorah Happy Hanukkah Cards from manvsgeorge; Happy whatever you celebrate Print from guydeckerstudio
Middle row: Dreidel Girl Hanukkah Cards from ReuseFirst; Il Veliero Green Candelabrum from StilNovoDesign; Hanukkah Garland Felt Dreidels and Stars of David from hilarysarobot
Bottom row: So Much Funakka Hanukkah Card from MerciBlehBleh; Hanukkah Festival Of Lights Printable Cupcake Topper and Wrapper Set from PaperScissorsCake; Hannukah Menorah from EchoLine

Board No. 130 - Hanukkah Wish List

Since my family does a Secret Santa gift exchange (I know, I said Hanukkah above but we're a mixed family) and we're supposed to stay around $35, I am doing this for whoever my Secret Santa is (or for my mom to forward along...) with all the things I am loving right now on Etsy for under $35:

Top row: Funky Vintage White Blue Stripes Dress from lunlalunla; Beach Glass Pottery Necklace from BeachGlassGems; Pair of Decorative Toss Pillow Covers from FestiveHomeDecor; Elephant Dream Print from ybryksenkova
Middle row: Hand Painted Noodle Bowl from yevgenia; World Map Linocut Print from thebigharumph; Elephant on Sterling Silver from buysomelove; Recycled Sea Glass Necklace from ReneeLoughlin
Bottom row: Antique Brass Camera Pendant Necklace from morikaty; Orbit Necklace from DrCraze; OHIO, The Heart of It All Print from LilBurritos; Wood Grain Hand Painted Doormat from damngooddoormats


It's funny that my first several picks for this post were necklaces since I wear the same necklace almost every day. Maybe my subconscious is telling me that I need to replace it since it's missing a couple stones - and these are all nice, suitable alternatives for daily wear. Also, it seems I am feeling a little adventurous and wild with all the lovely animal prints!

Board No. 129 - Cyber Monday Holiday Edition

Here are some great holiday decor and clothing finds for sale this Cyber Monday. Have fun and go shopping!

Top row: Peppermint Candy Silkscreened Holiday Pillow from sewluckygirl; Blown Glass Ornaments from wolfartglass; Vintage Gnome Porcelain Bell from TidBitz
Middle row: Santa Hello Kitty Christmas Hat from PrettyKiddy; Frankincense Vegan Body Soap from daisycakessoap; Pixie Stocking Cap from BrairRoseCraftyThing
Bottom row: Moose Heart Bird Infant Bodysuit from thebirdandelephant; Berry Peacock Eye Peep Toe Pleated Pumps from LaPlumeEthere; Jolly Christmas Decoupaged Ornaments from retropage

Board No. 128 - Cyber Monday Jewels

Cyber Monday continues with jewelry Etsy finds that are on sale today. Buy them while you can for you or yours.

Top row: Crystal Rain Estate Style Earrings from ParisienneGirl; Three Sisters Ring Jewel from MayasCreation; Antique Baby Fawn Necklace from missmercy
Middle row: Tree and Rose Necklace from buysomelove; SOS Spyglass Necklace from soradesigns; Golden Locket Charm Bracelet from Aglimpseofreality
Bottom row: Bee Necklace from EclecticBijoux; Shiny Love Birds Earwires from CuteJewels; Gold Plated Mod Squares Necklace from mycellardoor

Board No. 127 - Cyber Monday Sales

Support Etsians in your holidays shopping (for you AND for others) with Cyber Monday buys - including those having sales today such as these. More to come in subsequent posts!

Top row: Auvenier XL Bag from iragranteco; Faded Blue Plaid Pencil Skirt Dress from VonlenskaVintage; Puppy Love Plus Stuffed Animal from LayneDesign
Middle row: Morpho Didius Giant Blue from REALBUTTERFLYGIFTS; Knitting Pattern Sale from NeekaKnits; Vinyl Wall Sticker Decals - Owls, Birds, Butterflies Branch Set from wallartdesign
Bottom row: Cotton Wang Chung Two Tone Infinity Scarf from boubo; Chocolate Brown Fretwork Pillow from studiodesignlab; 2011 Desk Calendar from modernarteveryday

Board No. 126 - MICA Art Market

My favorite times in the annual school cycle at MICA is when the students sell their art -- because it's fun, innovative and, best of all, cheap! One of those times is coming up soon, an annual holiday sale called Art Market. (Information here.) Anyway, if you aren't fortunate enough to be in the Baltimore area Dec. 8-11 to come to the event, here are some of the items from students/alumni available on Etsy.
Top row: Ziegfeld Girl Print from ybryksenkova; Henrieta and Ida Hand-Embroidered Doll from hilleryrebe; Radial Pillow from smalltalkstudio; Paon Necklace from PlumeInFlight
Second row: Handmade Cake Necklace from SimplyAesthetics; Delightful Foxes Card Set from smalltalkstudio; Avenir Font Soap from Soletta
Third row: Eco Felt Block Print Pin from greenstarstudio; Hot Air Balloon (and others) Birch Necklace from sonho; Thank You Woodcut Card from bowerbox; Agripinna Silhouette Necklace from Notoire
Bottom row: Coffee Cozy Wool Felt with Long Nose from greenstarstudio; Gold Key Under Mat Hand-Painted Doormat from damngooddoormats; Graphic Pillow Picto Cube from sonya1358

Here is a cell phone picture of some amazing pillows Alyssa Nassner (aka smalltalkstudio) made last year, the fabric she designed is amazing!

Board No. 125 - A Formal Thanksgiving

There's nothing more I love than hosting people for dinner or cocktails, which is probably why I love creating concepts for dinner tables. This year I am cooking for my family at my mom's house and will be limited on decor options, so this may just be my fantasy. If you like something, buy quick, though, because Thanksgiving is only a week and a half away! (Click here to see my board from last year.)
Top row: Vintage 1960s Shenango Dinerware Gravy Boat from Luncheonettevintage; Silver Plated Flower Basket from simplyobjekts; Thankful Towel from mrspurvis
Second row: Red-Birds Buttons from PipingHotPapers; Midcentury Glasses from shipshapevintage; The Original Tres Chic Silver Menu/Memo Board from HerMajestysPug
Third row: Autumn Dogwood Inspired Bunting Banner from FabricorFiction; Autumn Dried Seed Pod and Cone Wreath from BeacheryDesigns; Vintage 1960s Modern Gravy Boat from Luncheonettevintage
Bottom row: Autumn Leaves Appetizer Plates from marywibis; Decorative Balls - Delicious Woodland Citrus from GreenRoseDesigns; Beeswax Acorn Cap Floating Candles from greenbaboondesigns


And as a final thought, I wanted to share this post-Thanksgiving treasure:



This Vintage Leftovers Ball Jar with Lid is from DoNotDestroy, but there are others available with this search.

Board No. 124 - Cleaning Up the Beach

My friend Julia is stopping through town today on her way to "wintering" in South Carolina - and this post is dedicated to her, I can't wait to see her. She was inspired a couple months ago while walking along the beach in Montauk, N.Y., and has started a blog about what one person can do easily in their day-to-day life to make the world a better place. Check it out here - the photography she takes is worth a view in itself.

Anyway, here are some beautiful pieces all made from upcycled trash.

Top row: Large Wine Cork Serving Tray from 4EyesAndEars; Design Lamp Made of Household Trash from PouBelleDesign; Plastic Bottle Flower Necklace from RadicalRecycks
Middle row: Recycled Pepsi Bow Headband from RootsofBayer; Upcycled Statement BroochRecycled Vinyl Billboard Shoulder Tote from seen1
Bottom row: Sea Glass Cobalt Blue Necklace from aquablueseaglass; Bike Tube Ruffle Bag from ReclaimedWreckage; Sea Star for Your Hair from dreamsbythesea from jillmccp

Board No. 123 - Back to Work

It's been forever since I have worked on this blog, and have likely lost most of my followers, but I really felt I was spread too thin with a new job, school and life to do it for the past year. Well, the job is no longer new and I am a month away from graduating -- and all I can think about lately is how much I miss cruising around Etsy! I've gotten glimpses here and there since a lot of MICA students are on the site and the College is partnering with Etsy for our newest degree program - an MPS in The Business of Art and Design, written about here on Storque - but I missed it and this blog.

Anyway, enough said. Here is a roundup of items posted on Etsy around 3:30 - when I had a few minutes of free time at work - as a way of reintroducing me and my tastes to the blog world. These are eclectic choices but really reflect me and my style. I will start doing themed boards again (hopefully quite regularly), and it will be interesting to see how my tastes have changed in the past year.

Top row: Horse of a Different Color Notecards from tamaragarvey; Jolly Asymmetric Necklace With Charms from StudioRona; Modern Sterling Silver Oval Ring from LuttrellStudio; Hummingbird Limited Edition Watercolor Print from MaiAutumn
Middle row: Metal Crystal Stud Camera Pendant Necklace from Mattieleas; White Pearl and Turquoise Earrings from Mixstone09; Retro Moustache Tote Bag from PaisleyMagic; Hand Sculpted Nuzzling Love Birds Cake Topper from CountrySquirrelsRUS
Bottom row: Hand Knit Cable Beret Hat from pixiebell; P Is for Planet Print from FinnyAndZook; Cheetah Print from berkleyillustration; Nuetral Black, White Handwoven Cotton Rug from texturesgallery

So, what did that say about me? I like animal artwork? How about: I like vintage items with a humorous flair.

News Alert

This isn't a board post, but for all you Etsians, this is a very important post. There are many, many amazing changes to come on the Etsy site and much of it is detailed here. Check it out and let me know what you think! Life's been too busy to keep up with this site, and my Etsy shop at that, so I am very sorry.

Board No. 122 - A White Christmas

Continuing on with my home decor posts, I am removing all color and showcasing a white Christmas - one of my favorite options for the holiday season (with a little silver and gold, of course).

Top row: Swan Lake Silver Cone Ornament from amadalebel; Whirl Ornament from kimwestad; Winter White Paper Bauble Set from TanyaMac
Middle row: Vintage Bead White Angel Ornament from variation; Icy Snowball Ornaments from botanicaltheatre; Handmade 'Fancy Cane' Glass Ornament from Cloudcapglass
Bottom row: Winter Day Wreath from Stylishstems; Glass Candle Holders, Engraved With 'Floating Flakes' from daydreemdesigns; Ivory Cream Christmas Stocking in Felt from rikrak

Board No. 121 - Shifting the Color Wheel

Sometimes green, red and gold are just too, um, boisterous for the message you're trying to get across. If I was decorating a home for the holidays, I really love non-traditional colors like peach and powder blue, just a slight shift on the color wheel and toned down to about 10%.
Top row: Reindeer Bells Gift Tags from PaperUlixis; Peach and Powder Blue Yarn Wreath from KnockKnocking; Vintage Mercury Bulbs from AMradio
Middle row: Hand Blown Glass Ornament from inthelightglassworks; An Odd Encounter Christmas Encounter from thelittlefox; Pom Pom Set from orangekisses
Bottom row: Cottage Holiday Hugs Little Deer Ornament from pinkbuttercreme; Twistar Origami Kusudama Ornament from magiccarpetbag; Salt and Pepper Christmas Trees from dbabcock

Board No. 120 - Don't Take it so Seriously

With all the stress that comes from buying presents, dealing with crazy in-laws and cleaning, cooking, wrapping, sometimes you just need to let it all go. Here's a few seasonal laughs for you:

Top row: Folk Art Creche from Phillustrations; Orna-meat from zaennabanana; Useful Soap Coal From Santa from sunbasilgarden
Middle row: Yule Shoot Your Eye Out Cross Stitch from youheartus; Bah Humbug Cat Card from LizzyClara; Ornament Hand-printed Letterpress Card from rollandtumblepress
Bottom row: Naughty or Nice Recycled Felt Pillow from alexandraferguson; Christmas Tree Mini Soaps on a Rope from SherisSoapOpera; Upcycled Crayons for Christmas from bluefoxcrafts

Board No. 119 - Christmas Tradition

This week marks the famed Rockefeller tree lighting as well as many others around the world, and that doesn't discount the thousands and thousands of people who light their homes in holiday spirit. Even though I'm Jewish, I just love all the holiday decorations this time of year, especially lights people put in trees. (Just like the abstract print at right by Etsy artist TRMACKSTUDIO.) Living in the city for nearly five years now (Fun fact: I actually moved into the District on Christmas Day), I miss a lot of the outdoor decorations you expect to see in the suburbs -- renters and condo owners just don't celebrate in the same over-the-top, blow-the-electric-bill way.

Anyway, here's my way of decorating my home away from home, my blog page. I am doing a pretty extensive series of themed holiday decor -- mostly Christmas, but will include other seasonal festivities as well. The first: traditional...

Top row: Peach Nutcracker Constable from KnockKnocking; Candy Cane Stripe Stocking from elizabethburritt; Shimmering Snow Covered Pine Cone Ornaments from BBsForBabies
Middle row: Top Hat Snowman from lindasilverthorne; Christmas Lights Ornament Set from merritthyde; Ornament Wreath from wreaths4allseasons
Bottom row: Jingle All the Way Ornament from palomasnest; Swirls and Flowers Ornament from ornamentsbydeb; Gingerbread Man Felt Christmas Ornament from OhByJingo

Board No. 118 - Black Friday Sales

Happy day after Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your meals were delicious and the leftovers today just as good. Since it's Black Friday and I'm sure everyone was in line at Kohl's at 4 a.m. ... just kidding, who does that?!?! I actually had a couple sales in my Etsy shop today, so maybe Black Friday and Cyber Monday are converging? Anyway, I thought I do a post on fun holiday gifts from Etsy stores doing Black Friday and weekend sales*. I'm going to do a ton more gift guides coming up, but here's some completely random highlights to start:

Top row: Chunky Taupe Cowl from crazyjaneknits; Custom Calligraphy Mug from winemakerssister; Monet's Garden Necklace from JenniferCasady
Middle row: Tiger Lily Moccasin Teal from darlingtonia; Butterfly Vintage Silk Swarovski Rhinestones Bib Necklace from kirevi8; Vintage Holiday Plaid Suitcase from GetReadySetGO
Bottom row: Needle Felted Gourds from cozycottagecreations; Embellished Bag - Frill from showpony; Joy Earrings from AliciaWalsh

* Be weary because a lot of people are using the tag "EtsyHolidaySale" and the items are NOT actually a sale price.

Board No. 117 - For All the Artists

Ever since my full-time job turned from design into looking for a new job, I've been off and on with this site, but since I landed a new job (I start tomorrow!), I think I'll be a bit more attentive to my readers! Since my new job is in the marketing department at MICA, Maryland Institute College of Art, I thought I take this opportunity to do a "Pounce Undiscovered" of new Etsy artists — just like the beautiful rendition of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center painting by KymBenYaakov, at right.

Top row: Beautiful Betty Print from InspiredByShe; Pumpkin Trio Original Oil from fineartgallery; Leaf Swirl from JeansViews
Middle row: Tumultuous Sky Photograph from DonAshcraftImagery; Sailboats at Dusk Oil on Canvas from mikejonespaintings; Struggle Solar Plate Etching from suzyschultz
Bottom row: Champlain Abstract Nature Photo from ekovisions; Tree Frog on Peanut Butter Leaf Plant Photograph from jewelbugs; You Again Print from MakaiosFotos

Board No. 116 - Bacon Infused

Last night I went to the Oval Room (near the White House) for drinks with some friends and to visit the amazing sommelier there, Brent Kroll. Definitely try the white pinot and the cab franc, but the odd highlight of the evening was a special cocktail Brent created infused with bacon - it tasted just like breakfast, with maple syrup and a smokey bacon follow. So that has inspired this post:


Top row: Cheesy Bacon Popcorn from FlutterbyPopcorn; Vegan Bacon Chocolate Bar from chocoagogo; The Fad - Peanut Butter and Bacon Peanut Brittle Cookie from FattyCakesNY
Second row: Bacon Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cookies from sweetnsavorys; Bacon and Eggs Apron from snappyshop; Bacon Soap from sweetsoaps
Third row: BLT Sandwich Necklace from peachblock; Wool Bacon Scarf from bernicesutherland; Extra Large Raw Bacon Magnets from DesignDude
Bottom row: Maple Bacon Votive Candles from kittredgecandles; Bacon Love Archival Print from mgenomgeno; Bacon, Sun-Dried Tomato and Garlic Bagels from eeka13

Board No. 115 - Welcoming New Etsians

Since the beginning, I have tried to make it a mission of this blog to feature new Etsy artists and vendors who haven't had any sales - but who have some amazing items for sale. Well, I am returning to the tradition:

Top row: Five Bowl Nesting Set from elizabethcohenpotter; Calcedonia Vessel 1 from stephenjacklyn; Rich Necklace from neosta
Second row: Ocean Floor Pearl Coral Gold Pendant from sunsouljewelry; Grandmother's Pearl Necklace from GloryJewelryDesigns; Spring Circle from Mar980
Third row: Turquoise and Silver Necklace from psgem2; Tree Pillow Cover from FleaFair; Duchess Satin and Cotton Velvet Slim Skirt Dress from MaretEiland
Bottom row: Black Strapless Cocktail Dress from glossvegas; Salvaged Sea Necklace from paradigmsshift; HalfMoon HandBag / Handcrafted Leather from EspontaneaBCN

Board No. 114 - Blue Dogs

I have been rereading "Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck, something I do every few years around this time of the year - the book takes place over a three month period from just after Labor Day to winter, and captures all seasons in Steinbeck's trip across the country. It's one of my all-time favorite books and I take away something completely different from it each time I read it, depending on where I am in my life. Well, I am doing this post to honor one of the main characters, someone who set the spirit of the ride: Charley, Steinbeck's aging French blue poodle.

Top row: Plaid Like Dad - Blue Plaid Dog Leash from BigDoggyBling; Eco Dog Coat from anniessweatshop; Custom Collar - Blue Argyle from FidosFashionCollars
Middle row: Heavy Duty Copper Washer Tag from PoochyCouture; Doggie Tug Rope from kavali8; Anti-Flea Flea Bag Heart in Blue Plaid from Fionahayes
Bottom row: Personalized Rope and Ball Dog Toy from mollymagic; Grandpa's Favorite Golf Pants Collar or Leash from TheModDog; Upcycled Umbrella Dog Rain Coat from RecyclingZychal

Even though I was looking for blue-colored dog supplies, I came across this mail/letter holder and had to share it with you. I just think it's fantastic and looks pretty similar to Charley himself!