If there is one thing I cannot ignore, it is the siren song of Etsy calling my name, especially this time of year. I love this site! It is a collection of shops by artists and craftsfolk and you can find SO many great things, both handmade and vintage. Cute stuff! And what is great is that you buying directly from the artists, so you can feel good about supporting their work directly.
I have a few ideas for possible future creative pursuits of my own that might involve an Etsy shop, things I am percoloating at this point. Maybe when I have a BIT more time on my hands (a year? Two years? Three?). In the meantime, I wanted to point out two of my favorite artists. Who also happen to be friends, here in Seattle!
The first is Leah, from Spiderfelt. Leah makes amazing things out of wool, through felting. She also taught me to knit (although I think I have forgotten in all at this point)! Last year her felt pebbles were featured in the New York Times Holiday Gift Guide! Wow! I am ogling her feltilocks for Emma, if only I can convince her to wear something in her hair....
The other is my friend Jessi Taylor. Her jewelry is funky and gorgeous and delightful and I wish I had more of it! I have one of her mangles and want another. If I had more cash sitting around I would totally have her replace Lonnie's lost wedding ring (no, the one he lost was not from her, thank goodness! That would have been even more tragic!).
When you are surfing around on Etsy, you can select things as "favorites", both specific items and sellers. I often use this as a bookmark to keep track of sellers I really like. Below is a list of the things I love (this is only the first page, click here for the full list!). I promise I am not suggesting this as a gift list for me (though of course I'd love any of these things, ha ha!) -- I just wanted to share in case you are needing a gift idea for someone on your list! Now, go browse around and start your own list!
