Featured Etsy Store: OfaLahi

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OfaLahi

Thank you for supporting hand made! Leather earrings, cards and mini journals for your pleasure. All items come from a smoke-free, pet free home.

Follow me on facebook, for your updates on products and for when I donate my first $50.00top to an artistic student in the island of Tonga :)

"OWL!" Little sister would inevitably scream. She has a pretty restricted vocabulary, but she's pretty damn good at spotting animals miles away! I love the simplicity of the card above, even if the background can make it tell where the card stops and the background begins! Luckily, the other photos on this particular listing help to identify exactly how beautiful this card, and the other listings in the shop, are.

With a feedback score of 100%, I have no idea why this store has only 22 sales! Another store with great policies, with extra options such as insurance on shipping and the chance for custom orders. 

I have many requests from people to feature their store, but I picked this one for a reason:

"Ladies and gentlemen update with the shop vision : When I hit 50 sales, I will be donating $50.00top to a primary school student in Tonga who is artistically inclined. From there I will be donating $50.00top after every 30 sales :) If you have a primary school in mind that you would like me to donate to, please let me know! :) Thanks every-one :)"

I support this cause whole-heartedly. It bugs the Hell out of me that there is no such thing as world-wide equal opportunity, and so this store really does help with that. Pop over, and show your support. Not only will you help the world a little bit, you'll get new things, and let's  face it: Everyone loves new things!

Featured Etsy Store: Pinkblossomcosmetics

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkblossomcosmetics

"Welcome! I hope you enjoy my handmade creations here. All my mineral makeup line is hand-crafted and custom blended with my own recipes.If you have any questions please send me a msg.

Like my Facebook page to stay up to date on how to win free mineral makeup and/or receive promo codes."

I love make up, especially make-up that thinks it's a galaxy full of stars. I hated make up until very recently, when my mother made a bargain with me that if she bought me new make up and I wore it, I could have the trainers I'd fallen in love with. Fair deal, when you look at it like that, I guess! I really love the uniformity of the shop, and how there is not only a gorgeous lead photo, but a secondary photo of how the colour looks on the skin. I always feel massively underwhelmed by eye shadows that promise the world and deliver none of it. 

"Pink Blossom Cosmetics minerals are multi-purpose, pigmented, and vibrant. Minerals are hand blended in small batches to give you the finest product. You can use them dry or foiled for an intense look. For best results use a primer. Why PBC’s minerals? All our mineral makeup is formulated without harmful ingredients such as bismuth oxychloride or talc which are known to cause allergy/sensitivity problems for some individuals. Also there are no fragrances, oils, dyes, or neon pigments in our mineral line. We only use FDA approved cosmetics. Minerals will not clog pores, water resistant, does not support bacteria, all natural because it’s made with minerals. A little goes a long way!"

This is all fantastic news, as make up needs to be of fantastic quality since you put it on your face (It's late, shurrup!). I would happily make a purchase after being informed of the ingredient types they use, as even though this particular shade is a gorgeous colour, I wouldn't want anything massively processed on my skin. 

With a small chunk of feedback, all positive of course, this seller knows their field very well, which is really encouraging from a buying point of view. To further ensure great customer service (which is VERY important when buying from a handmade business/seller) this seller has a filled in Policies section that most shops could take example from. Offering direct advice on everything from shipping times on average through to a reasoned exchanges policy, I'd feel perfectly comfortable using this seller myself (and just might once my own Etsy page takes off properly!)

Pop over, make yourself look gorgeous, and you never know, one day when this owner is mega-famous for their cosmetics, you can gloat you knew about them before they were cool!

Getting Ready to Trade

I am getting back into this whole blog thing, which is good as it's helping me keep track of everything!

This weekend we are trading at a Jubilee craft fair, and I am very excited. Nowhere near as nervous as I was for Leeds Steampunk Market. So far I've revamped the labels for the stall, and decided exactly what other than my steampunk stuff will be going on to the stall. Mother has kindly made me some tutu's which should be popular.

When I get ready to trade, I always make sure I do a before and after to do list, and make sure there is one in my car and one in the house/workroom. That means that I know exactly at any point what's happening and I can keep a track of what I've done and what I haven't. I've filled the book with ideas from the last market, so I do things like remember to take the sign with me and remember to pick the paste table up and remember to clean my car out afterwards and all those other jobs I hadn't even thought about last time!

We're taking the large mannequin and one of the large, costume outfits to essentially get us some attention! I'll be equipped with jewellery kits and prices for lessons, mainly. I am trying to get 3 or 4 more people to take lessons, as I do love teaching people to sew since I love it so much. It makes me very, very happy!

I'll no doubt review it and take a load of photos whilst I'm trading etc, so you'll all get to see how I get on!

Featured Etsy Store: RRAUW

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rrrauw

"Handmade products made from leftover and recycled material. From papergoods and stationery to accessories. I also sell graphic design and illustrated products."

Now, I love maps, and other recycled paper products of interest. Almost everything I've bought on Etsy is either a card for someone I love or jewellery! 

This shop really does have a good range of bits and pieces from necklaces to envelopes, and it's fantastic to see such a diverse list of products all running on the same theme of recycled and upcycled things.

Considering they currently only have one sale under their belt, and as far as i am aware this is the first time they have had an Etsy store, they have a very direct set of policies. Not in a shouty, mean, bad way like some shops, but in an informative and useful way which really encourages me to recommend them. Shopping without knowing where you and the seller stand can be a painful experience, so I love seeing well-filled-out policy pages.

Their policies reflect their general earth-friendly ethics and they are written in a lovely, chatty tone which really do add to the experience of making a purchase from them. The owner is well-spoken and a pleasure to hear from, which is ALWAYS a bonus.

Not got any idea what to get your friend for their birthday? Try this shop.

Featured Etsy Seller: MadeByDozy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByDozy

"All of the items are designed and hand made by me from polymer clay. Within the contents of the shop I have tried to incorporate both sides of my personality, the light and the dark.

The light side is the one that loves to feed the birds, sit in the garden and just listen to nature or rummage through the seaweed strewn tide-line on the beach for hidden treasures, embracing the inner hippie chic. 

The dark is my attraction to the world of fantasy, whether it be a great vampire story, the hypnotising qualities found in the curves of a skull or immersing myself in gaming, a good film or series, the dark side definitely indulges my quirkiness."

Couldn't have summed it up much better than the store has in it's opening header! With a small number of very lovely items, this store just screams adorable. I love the bracelet in the photograph above, and how it's beads are all different and all so gorgeous. I have a bit of a penchant for purple at the moment.
The store it's self has no policies so far, but I think it's more or less along the lines of most other Etsy stores, and the feedback the store has been left is nothing less than glowing which is always a beautiful sign.
After being an Etsy member since December 2011, this store and seller is definitely one to watch and one to shop with! I'd be quick about it if you like that bracelet though, before it finds it's way to my house.

Featured Etsy Store: YankeeDimess

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YankeeDimess

"Custom wedding hair accessories, bridal hair clips, hair bows, baby headbands, hair clips, fascinators, flowers for hair. I welcome and encourage custom orders!! All handmade by me :) "

Picked this young lady from the Team for being featured, and partly because I miss my hair being crazy colours too. I used to hate fascinators and the like, what with having short hair, but I've recently regained a love for them. What can I say, I just like looking fancy!

Custom orders are taken on all items, so you can change stuff up (I love it when shops offer altered versions of their stuff.) and hidden in the policies of the shop, the owner has a lovely little detail about not needing Paypal to purchase from her. The returns policy is also really good, which impresses me because often new sellers forget that they need to consider things like that. 

With only 3 sales so far, this store is well worth a look!

Featured Etsy Shop: Welsh Dragon Ware

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WelshDragonWare

"Beautiful glass tile pendants, key rings and easy-on-your-wallet earrings in stock!"

On a bit of a jewellery theme today, I have no idea why. Stumbled upon this store after they followed me on Twitter (I love snooping about on those who follow me!) and I'm really glad I did. I love elegant jewellery, especially ones involving stones.
I chose to feature the pair in the photo above as they are really pretty, I love the contrast between the pointy pieces of stone and the smooth curves of the beads.
They accept many forms of payment which is refreshing as many new stores seem to religiously only accept PayPal. If you check out their feedback, they are known for their quality and speedy shipping, which is ace since no-one enjoys waiting for things they've bought online. Happily, custom orders are available. It is also interesting to note that they can use your own personal art work to create custom and one off designs, all they need is the details and consent of the original artist! How cool is that!
The seller is a Welsh university student, studying English, and often uses pages and books in their work which is a very difficult thing to do well, and they pull it off wonderfully. They also have a range of other talents, including photography and horse-riding, so they are definitely not your average one-trick-pony! (no? no laughs at all? fine, I'll stop it.)

They are definitely worth a look, even just to oggle more of their gorgeous earrings!

Other New Stores: Ashley Ann Jewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AshleyAnnJewelry

"Eco-Friendly Hemp bracelets, necklaces, and anklets here! 
All jewelry is handmade by the shop owners - Ashley and Holly (Ann). We specialize in hemp jewelry and hope you will take the time to look around. If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a message and we will get back to you promptly. As of now, we are not taking special requests as we settle in, but we will update you when we are ready to take them."

I found this lovely shop through the forums, on a request for people to shout up if they have a new shop. I love ecofriendly shops and products, it's why I do my small range of tote bags on my own Etsy Site. It's quite rare to see a jewellery shop that is concerned with how friendly it is the environment, but this shop really is great when it comes to that. The prices are fantastic too. Some sellers think they can just tack on the terms eco-friendly as and when they feel like it, but these gals seem really committed to it.
They offer a range of bracelets, anklets and key chains, so a good mix of stuff but it's a really easy to follow and succinct shop to look at and a pleasure to browse. Within their policies, they state that they are happy to replace items if you are unhappy with, which is fantastic as returns can be a tricky subject.


So there you go, one new up-and-coming shop to check out. I think these little items would be perfect as gifts as they are so easy to just slip into a little bag, and hand over.  

Hop! Hop! Hop!

Remember the Ava's Apparel rabbit, Crust? Well, sadly, she passed away on Thursday. However, she has been followed by a gorgeous little boy bunny, who looks like a reincarnated version of Freddie Mercury. Not kidding, he even has a moustache. In light of this new arrival and the soft pitter-patter of bunny feet on our floorboards, I thought another featured Etsy post would be in order with the theme of bunny love!

Easter Bunny Pendant

So this is just the single most adorable thing. I don't particularly like animal themed jewellery but this pendant is so sweet, I like the little heart to the left. It reminds me of when Crust used to sit on her back legs and look all annoyed because we weren't fussing her!

Printed Bunny Bag

 I absolutely love handbags. I have so many, and the majority of them were purchased because they were either cute or stylish, and this bunny bag is both! Look at it's cute little nose! I love bags that look like things, and this bag has adorable ears just like Freddie the new bunny!

Blue Bun Plush

Just, oh, it's so... <3 (I did a little squeal when I first saw it, and I don't know how to spell a word in a pitch only dolphins can hear!)

Bunny Earrings

This is exactly how Freddie's ears go. God bless his little half-lop genetics! I love these earrings with their lazy ear (that's it's technical name, honest!) and may have to be treating myself to a pair over summer!

And Lastly:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonsCreations?ref=seller_info

An entire shop of knitted bunnies. I did have one set I liked, accidentally buggered up the web address so clicked the whole shop, and realised that almost *ALL* these items are squee-worthy! 

So that's it, my round up of some of my favourite bunny themed items, now I am going to have a snuggle. Freddie can't complain, I'm bigger than he is! :P

Phew, and relax!

Well, it's been a while hasn't it?
Sewing really is getting in the way of things and I love it! started a brand new Etsy store in the middle of April, so thought I'd use my first post back on the blog to feature some of the lovely wares I've found on my travels! (this might become a weekly instalment, who knows!)

Pinkie Pie Hat

Made by a friend of mine, this pinkie pie hat is adorable. I have a white wolfkin hat and Little Sister will soon have a panda one, after she stole mine and wouldn't give it back!

Portal Poster

During my absence I've been thinking a lot about Portal, even including some Portal bits in the new Etsy store. This print is lovely to look at, and not quite as brash and in your face as many of the other typography prints that you can find online. It, unlike the cake, is not a lie.

Large Owl Bag

Little sister ADORES owls, and shouted at this bag when she was sat next to me, looking at me all wide-eyed and stuff, so it has to be worth a mention. I love that has an adjustable strap and is lined, since lined bags make everything easier. I like that it has a range of owls on it, not just the same 2 owls over and over and over.

Panda Wall Art

Let's face it, how could you not love this, it's such a cute panda!