Christine!!
Thanks to everybody who entered to win. We should have another contest coming up here very soon!
Have an Etsy store you would like to see featured on Live, Love, Etsy? Send me an email!
LiveLoveEtsy@gmail.com
Thanks for reading,
Kelsie
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Everybody say hello to Mod Clay!
Mod Clay first caught my eye a few blog posts ago (Cute & Cuddly Critters), when I featured their ridiculously cute elephant bud vase. I poked around their store and found tons of quirky, handmade vintage ceramic pieces. I contacted the shop owner, Laura, and she told me a little bit about how Mod Clay came to be.
Laura, her mom and her aunt started Mod Clay about a year and a half ago, but didn't really get up and running until November 2010 because the ladies didn't have much experience making pieces out of ceramic. She estimates that it took them around a year to learn the craft, and to really make pieces that they were proud of.
Having previously worked in public health, Laura is now a stay-at-home mom, who loves the fact that her work with Mod Clay allows her to spend time with her two sons. Her mom and aunt work part time, but they hope to one day have Mod Clay be a full-time effort.
The most popular Mod Clay item these days is the elephant bud vase I featured before, but when they were first starting out, Laura says that their frog sponge holder was their first best seller. It's easy to see why... the cute little amphibian not only looks great, but serves a purpose.
The frog sponge holder is one of the easier pieces to make, but there are others that Laura states are more difficult, and more time consuming. More detailed pieces, like the ceramic giraffe are more difficult, because many pieces have to be put on separately, and they have to make sure the patterns are clear.
You have a chance to get your very own Mod Clay piece, free! The ladies have generously donated a ceramic owl vase (in your choice of colors) to one lucky Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to be entered to win is go visit the Mod Clay store, and leave a comment below with your name, way to contact you (email address or Twitter name will do) and a link to your favorite item in the Mod Clay store. This contest closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, Friday August 26. Good luck!
And don't forget to follow Live, Love, Etsy on Twitter for the latest news on featured items and contests.
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| Vintage Lantern Owl ($42) |
Laura, her mom and her aunt started Mod Clay about a year and a half ago, but didn't really get up and running until November 2010 because the ladies didn't have much experience making pieces out of ceramic. She estimates that it took them around a year to learn the craft, and to really make pieces that they were proud of.
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| Baby Monkey Coin Bank ($22) |
Having previously worked in public health, Laura is now a stay-at-home mom, who loves the fact that her work with Mod Clay allows her to spend time with her two sons. Her mom and aunt work part time, but they hope to one day have Mod Clay be a full-time effort.
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| Elephant Bud Vase-Kiwi ($16.50) |
The most popular Mod Clay item these days is the elephant bud vase I featured before, but when they were first starting out, Laura says that their frog sponge holder was their first best seller. It's easy to see why... the cute little amphibian not only looks great, but serves a purpose.
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| Frog Sponge Holder ($20) |
The frog sponge holder is one of the easier pieces to make, but there are others that Laura states are more difficult, and more time consuming. More detailed pieces, like the ceramic giraffe are more difficult, because many pieces have to be put on separately, and they have to make sure the patterns are clear.
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| Vintage Ceramic Owl Vase-Flamingo ($26) |
You have a chance to get your very own Mod Clay piece, free! The ladies have generously donated a ceramic owl vase (in your choice of colors) to one lucky Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to be entered to win is go visit the Mod Clay store, and leave a comment below with your name, way to contact you (email address or Twitter name will do) and a link to your favorite item in the Mod Clay store. This contest closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, Friday August 26. Good luck!
And don't forget to follow Live, Love, Etsy on Twitter for the latest news on featured items and contests.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Meet Hibiscusdays (contest!)
Hubby and I went on an awesome adventure this weekend, exploring the Ape Caves just south of Mount Saint Helens. It was a great, impulisve little trip, but that means that this week's featured shop is up just a few days late. I'm pretty sure you are all going to forgive me, though, because we have a wonderful prize for you this week! I'm actually really jealous that I can't win it myself.
But first, get to know Jodie, the mind behind the Hibiscusdays shop on Etsy! The Hibiscusdays shop was created in July 2010 shortly after Jodie found out she was pregnant. She knew she wanted to be a stay at home mom, so she needed to find a way to work from home. After learning about Etsy, she knew how she could make her dream to stay at home with her child a reality.
Now Jodie's daughter, Annabelle, is seven months old, and Jodie's Etsy shop is packed full of beautiful handmade jewelry that she describes as "modern pretty."
A lot of Jodie's jewelry is inspired by nature. She lives in Hawaii, and you can definitely see the island influence in many of her pieces.
Hawaii wasn't always her home, though. Originally from Scotland, Jodie decided to travel a year after finishing her undergraduate studies at University in Scotland. She ended up in Hawaii, where she met her husband. After spending the rest of her year in Hawaii with him, she went back home to Scotland when her visa expired.
After keeping up a long distance relationship, her future hubby came to visit in Scotland, and proposed before he left. Jodie moved to Hawaii with him, where he is stationed in the Navy. How romantic!
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that prize I promised you. Jodie has very kindly offered her Birdie sterling silver lariat necklace to one lucky Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to win is leave a comment below with your name, email or Twitter (to contact the winner), and your favorite item in the Hibiscusdays store. Head over to the shop now to find your favorite and leave a comment to win!
The contest will end at 12:00 p.m. PST this Friday, so hurry my dears!
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| Filagree Rose Necklace (on sale!) |
But first, get to know Jodie, the mind behind the Hibiscusdays shop on Etsy! The Hibiscusdays shop was created in July 2010 shortly after Jodie found out she was pregnant. She knew she wanted to be a stay at home mom, so she needed to find a way to work from home. After learning about Etsy, she knew how she could make her dream to stay at home with her child a reality.
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| Monogram Bracelet, one of Jodie's favorite items, a popular choice for a bridesmaid's gift. |
Now Jodie's daughter, Annabelle, is seven months old, and Jodie's Etsy shop is packed full of beautiful handmade jewelry that she describes as "modern pretty."
A lot of Jodie's jewelry is inspired by nature. She lives in Hawaii, and you can definitely see the island influence in many of her pieces.
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| Dusky Rose Dahlia Flower and Branch Lariat |
Hawaii wasn't always her home, though. Originally from Scotland, Jodie decided to travel a year after finishing her undergraduate studies at University in Scotland. She ended up in Hawaii, where she met her husband. After spending the rest of her year in Hawaii with him, she went back home to Scotland when her visa expired.
After keeping up a long distance relationship, her future hubby came to visit in Scotland, and proposed before he left. Jodie moved to Hawaii with him, where he is stationed in the Navy. How romantic!
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| Lightweight Tree Dangle Earrings (on sale!) |
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that prize I promised you. Jodie has very kindly offered her Birdie sterling silver lariat necklace to one lucky Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to win is leave a comment below with your name, email or Twitter (to contact the winner), and your favorite item in the Hibiscusdays store. Head over to the shop now to find your favorite and leave a comment to win!
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| Enter to win this adorable Birdie sterling silver lariat from Hibiscusdays! |
The contest will end at 12:00 p.m. PST this Friday, so hurry my dears!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
And the winner is...
Thank you to everybody who participated in our first ever giveaway contest. The peacock stationary from PaperWoodVintage goes to Kerry! I will be contacting you via email to let you know how your prize will be coming to you.
We have another great contest starting this evening!
We have another great contest starting this evening!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Cute & Cuddly Critters!
Hubby and I visited the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium this weekend. There were so many adorable little creatures there, I just knew I was bound to find tons of critter-inspired creations on Etsy.
Happy to announce... I was right! Here are some of my favorite zoo animals and goodies inspired by them:
Polar Bears:
One of my main reasons for wanting to go to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was that they have polar bears! Our zoo up here in Seattle doesn't have any, and I was really excited! Sadly, when we got there, only one of the four bears was visible, and he was so hot and sleepy that he was hiding, all sprawled out on a rock where we couldn't really see him.
Polar bears are pretty cute, but they are nothing compared to this little angel, all dressed up in a polar bear-inspired hat. Look at that little face!
This hat is currently ON SALE at smallishstudio's Etsy store for just $5.
Owls:
I have always loved owls... and not just because I'm still waiting for one to bring me my Hogwarts letter. They're so majestic, graceful and beautiful.
Elephants:
Elephants are one of my favorite zoo animals! I miss going to see them at Busch Gardens back in Florida, where they would dance along to the music. One of the elephants at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was dancing (to no music) and the other one was laying on the ground, sleeping! I don't think I've ever seen an elephant laying down. It was strange, but we did get a pretty good look at the bottom of his feet.
I absolutely ADORE this little elephant bud vase! You can get one of your very own, in a variety of colors, at modclay's Etsy shop. These little guys are just $16.50. I really try not to buy everything I post about, but I may have to make an exception in this case!
Beaver:
This is actually a new development. I always used to overlook the poor beavers. A few weeks ago, though, I saw some in the wild and they were so cool! There was a beaver in the family-friendly show at the zoo. He was so smart. He cut down a "log" and then dragged it back into his "den". Clever little beaver.
How sweet is this little squirrel and beaver necklace from mylavaliere's Etsy shop? If you ask me, squirrels and beavers are seriously underused as jewelry subjects. Pick up this necklace for just $23.
What are your favorite animals to visit at the zoo?
Happy to announce... I was right! Here are some of my favorite zoo animals and goodies inspired by them:
Polar Bears:
One of my main reasons for wanting to go to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was that they have polar bears! Our zoo up here in Seattle doesn't have any, and I was really excited! Sadly, when we got there, only one of the four bears was visible, and he was so hot and sleepy that he was hiding, all sprawled out on a rock where we couldn't really see him.
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| Polar Bear Baby Beanie |
This hat is currently ON SALE at smallishstudio's Etsy store for just $5.
Owls:
I have always loved owls... and not just because I'm still waiting for one to bring me my Hogwarts letter. They're so majestic, graceful and beautiful.
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| Little Owl Antique Bronze Earrings |
These little owl earrings are awesome. I love that they dangle off of a wire, creating that long loop. They're also ON SALE right now at bluevelvetdesign's Etsy shop.
Tigers:
Who doesn't like tigers? They look like huge house cats, especially when they're lounging around in their enclosure, like the one we visited this weekend. He looked so cuddly and cozy, just like my kitties at home when they're laying in a sunbeam. Dear husband convinced me that we could NOT take him home.
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| Ultra Suede Tiger Bag |
In lieu of bringing home your very own big kitty, pick up this tote bag from gracedesign's Etsy shop. It's marked down to $58 (from $68) and there are only a few left, so get yours now!
Elephants:
Elephants are one of my favorite zoo animals! I miss going to see them at Busch Gardens back in Florida, where they would dance along to the music. One of the elephants at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was dancing (to no music) and the other one was laying on the ground, sleeping! I don't think I've ever seen an elephant laying down. It was strange, but we did get a pretty good look at the bottom of his feet.
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| Vintage Ceramic Elephant Bud Vase |
Beaver:
This is actually a new development. I always used to overlook the poor beavers. A few weeks ago, though, I saw some in the wild and they were so cool! There was a beaver in the family-friendly show at the zoo. He was so smart. He cut down a "log" and then dragged it back into his "den". Clever little beaver.
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| Woodland Necklace - Brass - Squirrel and Beaver on a Tree Branch |
What are your favorite animals to visit at the zoo?
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Allow me to introduce... PaperWoodVintage! (contest)
Kristy and her husband, who run the PaperWoodVintage store on Etsy, came up with their shop's name by simply stating the types of items you will find there... paper, wood and vintage.
Their delightful Etsy shop is filled with old things made new, creative and cute stationary, and random little odds and ends.
While her husband works full time, Kristy stays home and creates, sometimes with the help of their five children, aged 21, 13, 12, nine and three. She says that some of her favorite items in the store are repurposed vintage items. She loves "giving them new life" like "making a pair of pewter candlesticks new again by painting them apple green."
Each page on the PaperWoodStore store is full of color and life. Kristy says that she loves bright and bold colors, which is reflected by her home. "I am a bold color person," she says. "My rooms in my house are bold. We have a turquoise bathroom, an orange bathroom, a red kitchen, and so on. The world needs bold colors!"
Find items in the store in many price ranges, from sweet greeting cards for just $2, to your very own cigar box guitar, custom made by Kristy's husband.
When she's not busy being artistic, Kristy enjoys gardening, going to yard sales, searching for treasures at thrift stores, spending time with her family and being active in her church.
PaperWoodVintage has very generously donated a set of their Peacock Feather Stationary and a few other goodies to one special Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to be entered to win is visit PaperWoodVintage on Etsy, and leave a comment below with your name, e-mail address or Twitter name, and favorite item from their shop.
Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, August 5 to be entered to win. Check back Saturday, August 6 to find out who the winner is!
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| Cute Owl Stationary Set, ($5) |
While her husband works full time, Kristy stays home and creates, sometimes with the help of their five children, aged 21, 13, 12, nine and three. She says that some of her favorite items in the store are repurposed vintage items. She loves "giving them new life" like "making a pair of pewter candlesticks new again by painting them apple green."
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| Vintage Pewter Candlesticks Apple Green, ($19.50) |
Find items in the store in many price ranges, from sweet greeting cards for just $2, to your very own cigar box guitar, custom made by Kristy's husband.
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| Custom Cigar Box Guitar |
PaperWoodVintage has very generously donated a set of their Peacock Feather Stationary and a few other goodies to one special Live, Love, Etsy reader. All you have to do to be entered to win is visit PaperWoodVintage on Etsy, and leave a comment below with your name, e-mail address or Twitter name, and favorite item from their shop.
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| Peacock Feather Stationary. |
Friday, July 29, 2011
Summer Picnic - Etsy Style!
There are only 55 more days of summer (not that I'm counting or anything). Get out there and enjoy the sunshine before Fall sneaks up on you and it's too late!
One of my favorite activities on a warm summer day is heading out to the park for a picnic. Before you go, though, check out these fun picnic-inspired Etsy finds:
Reusable Sandwich Baggie by ciliciahomeandhearth
Adorable, reusable (good for Mother Earth) and only $6.50!
For when sitting on an old sheet just won't do. This adorable blanket (along with several other patterns in KazamCreations's store) will add a little color to your picnic.
Vintage Summer Picnic Tote by edababe
One of my favorite activities on a warm summer day is heading out to the park for a picnic. Before you go, though, check out these fun picnic-inspired Etsy finds:
Reusable Sandwich Baggie by ciliciahomeandhearth
Adorable, reusable (good for Mother Earth) and only $6.50!
Lemon Meringue Quilted Picnic Blanket by KazamCreations
For when sitting on an old sheet just won't do. This adorable blanket (along with several other patterns in KazamCreations's store) will add a little color to your picnic.
Vintage Summer Picnic Tote by edababe
I love the idea of a vintage-y picnic basket, but they can be so awkward and hard to carry. Trade in your old basket for a roomy summer-print tote. When you're not picnicking, use it to carry your gym clothes, school books, just about anything. Bonus!
First Featured Item!!!
In honor of the ABSOLUTE MADNESS surrounding the release of the final Harry Potter movie (I've seen it twice already ::nerd::), for our very first featured item, I bring to you, Harry Potter Themed Refrigerator Magnets, from the shop of TheDContinuium.
Imagine yourself staring at the outside of your refrigerator instead of gazing endlessly inside trying to decide what to eat. Take turns (with your spouse, roommate, mom?) making silly sentences in your kitchen.
Harry Potter not your taste? Maybe the Star Trek: The Original Series, The Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars themed refrigerator magnets are more your speed.
At just $12 a set, it's easy (and cheap) to partake in some nerdy fun!
\Imagine yourself staring at the outside of your refrigerator instead of gazing endlessly inside trying to decide what to eat. Take turns (with your spouse, roommate, mom?) making silly sentences in your kitchen.
Harry Potter not your taste? Maybe the Star Trek: The Original Series, The Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars themed refrigerator magnets are more your speed.
At just $12 a set, it's easy (and cheap) to partake in some nerdy fun!
Welcome to Live, Love, Etsy!
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| This is me! |
Much to my dear husband's discontent, I often lament that I could spend all of my free time (not to mention my money) on Etsy. I can literally spend hours browsing through all of the adorable, creative and downright amazing creations that people have made.
Now, whenever I find something wonderful, I will share it with you all on Live, Love, Esty!
Each week, I will feature a new Etsy shop and introduce you to the mind behind the art. In between, check back to peek at some of my favorite Etsy finds!
Check back soon!
Love,
Kelsie
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