#Undiscovered Wednesday - 7/6

Summer is fast upon us and I'm busy with craft fair season. I wasn't going to do #Undiscovered Wednesday this month, but I've missed it so much I couldn't resist. This collection of artists is quite wonderful - they have unique, beautiful work that really captured my attention. If you haven't visited their shops yet, you're missing out.

Enjoy!


One Barefoot Gypsy

Mother nature is showing her glorious colors in full force, so why shouldn't you? And if your jewelry box is lacking in color, then this shop is a good place to visit. Deb, who also runs a vintage/antique shop in Kentucky, knows a thing or two about eclectic jewelry and vintage items and loves to celebrate nature with her one-of-a-kind pieces. To do this she works with vintage findings, lace/ribbons and an assortment of stones. The results are stunning.



Adorn yourself with lovelies fit for any Gypsy queen at One Barefoot Gypsy.



The Soap Trail

If you think natural products have to be boring, you haven't seen the wonderful soaps at this shop. The ingredients might be all natural, but the designs and colors are a far cry from dull. Based in Norway, this artist creates soap using a cold press process, essential oils and mineral pigments. The finished results sport bold patterns, swirls and stripes that are as delightful as their scents: Lemongrass, Spearmint, Peppermint and Lavendar (to name a few).


If you're looking for beautiful natural soaps that will be gentle on your skin, take a look at The Soap Trail on Etsy.



Sir Cedric's Good Heads

The Theatre has always held a dear place in my heart, so I was immediately drawn to this seller and their beautiful work. As their shop name suggests, they sell heads and very good ones at that; or "jester sticks" to be more specific (think puppets without the legs and extra moving bits). The diverse and interesting characters are plucked from Medieval and Victorian times and other periods in between. These unique pieces were created by Lynda Jasper-Vogel, an artist based in New Mexico. She has a long standing history with the theater and has worked with the Sante Fe Opera, worked in props and carpentry, which can be seen in her work. Sir Cedric's Good Heads came about during her time in California and the "jester sticks" originally graced Renaissance and Dickens Fairs, department stores and even movies. The line may have been retired, but now you have a chance to own one of these limited edition pieces.


If you love Dickens, Shakespeare and theatre, you should definitely visit Sir Cedric's Good Heads. Update: Since last week they've had three sales. Congrats!



Jate's Marvellous Marvels

If you've been following my blog, you know I'm fond of beautiful, mysterious photography - so of course I fell in love with this artist. Jate, a photographer based in Germany, finds wonderful ways to make the mundane seem surreal with soft focus, selective color and interesting angles.


Get your own print of the mysterious and beautiful at Jate's Marvellous Marvels.



The Bad Button: Bespoke Corsets

Like any fan of Neo-Victorian culture and fashion, I love corsets. So I was thrilled to find this lovely shop and their corsets. For ladies considering the investment, you won't find any "fake corsets" here - these are made with the best fabrics, boning and finishing. Alisha, the artist behind this shop, has over 17 years of experience with sewing and historical costuming - so you can be sure you're in good hands. Custom orders are her favorite, so don't hesitate to ask for something special - whether it's historically accurate or something more modern. To learn more about Alisha and her work, check out her FB Fanpage.



Consider getting your next custom corset at The Bad Button. Update: They've had a sale since last week. Huzzah!

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Follow me on twitter for next week's #undiscovered Wednesday picks. And if you're an Etsy shop that's interested in being featured, please drop me a line.

Cheers!

#Undiscovered Wednesday - 10/6

It's October folks - one of my favorite months! It's colder outside, people are planning parties and dressing up as whatever their heart desires. So to start the month off, I'll begin with a first for #Undiscovered Etsy - I've decided to include new shops with less than 10 sales so that more stores can be showcased. This is also the first time we're going to have an artist Q&A and hopefully there shall be many more.

Enjoy!


Remember December

This lovely shop belongs to Christine, an artist based in Malaysia with a mild obsession with KitKat chocolates. Her selection of postcards and notecards, created from her own original photography, are wonderfully nostalgic and and could inspire anyone to write a letter. She also sells incredibly cute (kawaii!) stationary sets. I had the pleasure of being contacted by this artist and was excited to include her in this group of new shops. She was also kind enough to answer a Q&A (posted below).



1. How did you get started with your shop?
Haha... good question. I enjoy crafting, but because I'm am not quite the artisan as many of the fantastic people here are on Etsy, the idea of becoming a seller was always more of a wishful thought. At the end of last year I printed a bunch of my photos as postcards (another thing I'd always wanted to do), and after some hesitation I decided to jump in and register as a seller :) The original plan was just to sell postcards, but I've been having a lot of fun around Etsy so I'm starting to include some other items that I feel flow along with the theme. Since I've started selling, new ideas keep rolling in, so I suppose we'll just have to see how things evolve around here.

2. What inspires you?
My inspiration for photography comes from anywhere. I enjoy capturing everyday life and framing in such a way that the viewer gets a peek into what I'm thinking or feeling at that moment.
Aside from that, blogs and magazines are also a huge influence in my creative process. I think that certain elements from various sources get stored subconsciously in my brain and incubate there unnoticed until they pop out -- believe it or not -- mostly when I'm in the shower (true story).

3. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Read blogs. (Laughs) Honestly. I read a diverse range of blogs - from cooking, health, sustainability, design, business & marketing, gardening, crafting, Christian living, travel...etc.
Apart from that, you can find me experimenting in the kitchen, reading and catching up on coursework for my post-grad diploma, talking to my family (yeah, we talk a lot) and sneaking a few winks in between :)

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 15 I wanted to be a pilot. (No kidding- I wanted to travel the world and be paid well for it! *Grins*)

While you can only buy her work on Etsy, you can see more of her photography on her Flickr.



Reclaim the lost art of writing with nostalgic, beautiful postcards and stationary from Remember December.



Petal and Thorn

Previously known as The Treasured Petal Boutique, this newly named shop is your spot for bridal and formal accessories. The artist, who's awesome day job is creating wedding floral arrangements, wanted to create handmade items that will never fade - which is exactly what you'll find in her lovely shop. She is, of course, inspired by flowers and you can see it in the intricate details of her work.



Add a touch of classic style to your special day with something from Petal and Thorn on Etsy.



Meanwhileplaces

If you're looking for beautiful, functional pottery or a sense of humor - you should stop by this shop. The artist, who is an illustrator and sculptor, enjoys creating unique pieces to share with others. And if their store has peaked your interest, you can see more of their work on their portfolio site - here.


Find unique ceramic jewelry and sculptures at Meanwhileplaces.



Alissa Reid Studio

Beauty is certainly in the details at this particular shop, which sells photography and paintings created by Alissa Reid. Based in Portland, this architectural designer turned artist and photographer seeks to capture the big and large details of the world around us. She believes that "art is another way of seeing" and her photography exposes a unique glimpse, whether it's the farmlands of Australia or the contents of a drawer, that is truly enchanting.

You can learn more about the artist and her work at her blog.



Get a unique vision of the world around us with a print from Alissa Reid Studio.



M. Shallenberger

A well made bag is hard to find, unless you look at this particular shop. Created by Matt Shallenberger, a California based landscape photographer, these bags are not only durable and made with quality craftsmanship, they're also made from recycled materials. Matt first began designing when one of his camera bags failed to stand up to daily use. All of the items in his shop are made with recycled army tent canvas, sturdy stitch-work and closures so they can handle whatever you dish out.

You can learn more about Matt and his products on his blog.


Get a handcrafted, earth-friendly bag at M Shallenberger on Etsy.

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Follow me on twitter for next week's #undiscovered Wednesday picks. And if you're an Etsy shop that's interested in being featured, please drop me a line.

Cheers!

#Undiscovered Wednesday - 9/29

I can't believe it's October already! But let's enjoy September one last time with last week's recap of #Undiscovered Wednesday. Soft, warm and nature inspired - a lot of these shops remind me of the fleeting time that was summer. Fall is officially here, but let's say one last goodbye to the summer.



Fail Jewelry



Fail Jewelry. Update: They've had a sale since last week. Here's to many more!



Gracie's Garden Bazaar


Gracie's Garden Bazaar.



Natalie French


Natalie French Photography on Etsy.



Mornin' Glori Pottery


Mornin' Glori Pottery. Update: Since last #undiscovered Wed, they've had 10 sales - Congrats!



Pictsy


pictsy on Etsy.

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Follow me on twitter for next week's #undiscovered Wednesday picks. And if you're an Etsy shop that's interested in being featured, please drop me a line.

Cheers!

#Undiscovered Wednesday - 9/22

Another month has pasted and we're quickly heading towards fall. Knits are becoming more popular, colors are getting more and more fall inspired. And of course, Halloween is right around the corner. Simply put I can't wait for October to come. So here's our second to last undiscovered Wed for the month.

Enjoy!

ALIVEO

The moment I saw the pottery in this shop, I fell in love. The hand carved details, painted designs and finishes all invoke ancient elegance of Greece or Rome. For those who cannot commit to a tea set or large vase, there are fabulous mugs and smaller items. My favorite is the porcelain cup with a carved face.



Find some gorgeous pottery with your home at ALIVEO. Update: They've had a sale since last #undiscovered Wednesday. Congratulations!



THATS MONA

Soft, giant and warm. That's pretty much what I thought when I found this shop. Many of THATS MONA's colorful, versatile knitwear can be used as hoods or scarves and look incredibly stylish. As for colors, they come in two-tone or single color and can be custom-ordered along with the other pre-made items in the shop.


Get ready for fall with a unique piece of knitwear from THATS MONA on Etsy.



darlingblu

If you're looking for vintage jewelry, this is the place. If you're also looking for handmade modern jewelry, you'll find it here too. This charming shop is filled with the new, old and gorgeous of the jewelry world. Created and found by this Los Angeles based artist, who is also involved with sister shops Mascarajones and Jonquil, works with sterling silver, gold and copper.



Find something old and something new at darlingblu. Since last week they've already had a sale. Congrats!



Dinosaurs Died of Boredom

Fantastic portraits of the famous and fictional are abound at this great new shop. I was particularly drawn to the multitude of colors, drippy lines and layers that can only occur with watercolor. The Toronto based artist uses their colorful works to fight against "Paleoweltschmerz", a theory about dinosaurs and their boredom induced extinction, so it doesn't happen to her. Whatever the reason, I enjoy her work and hope she continues.


Fight boredom with an awesome, colorful painting by Dinosaurs Died of Boredom. Update: Since last #undiscovered Wed, they've had a sale and been featured in Etsy Finds!



Krafty Kreationz

This lovely little shop has everything you need to make your next scrapbook project and memories look even more beautiful. From delicate, colorful butterflies to dark and beautifully designed flowers, you'll be impressed with the details. The artist, based in Saint Cloud Minnesota, has been making embellishments from fabric and paper for over 3 years and so we can definitely expect high quality work from this shop.



Beautify your next project with an embellishment from Krafty Kreationz.

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Follow me on twitter for next week's #undiscovered Wednesday picks. And if you're an Etsy shop that's interested in being featured, please drop me a line.

Cheers!

#Undiscovered Wednesday - 8/11

Dear friends, please pardon my belated post. All of the activities before and after the street fair really took it out of me. But better late than never I always say - and it's rather fitting for last Wednesday's picks to land on another Wednesday anyway.

So a recap on my favorites for 8/11:

Knitique
Whether you like it or not, Fall is right around the corner. And this year, I'll gladly embrace it - if it means wearing some of the comfy items from Knitique. This shop features cozy knits of all kinds from cowls, neck warmers, caplets and necklaces. Each item is made with a soft wool/acrylic blend and is available in a variety of colors - in case you'd like to customize. And, if you're planning early for your holiday purchases, she also gift wraps.


Prepare for the upcoming Fall/Winter weather with a lovely scarf from Knitique on Etsy. Update: They've their first sale since our last post. Congrats!


BeeTwixt
Who says blooms have to fade? Certainly not the folks at BeeTwixt, a new Etsy shop offering silk floral accessories. Leda, who is based in Portland, Oregon (always nice to find another fellow city dweller), draws inspiration from the city as she creates for the modern bride to be. She loves weddings want seeks to create something lovely that could be apart of such a tremendous occasion. You can read more about her work on her inspirations on her blog.


Know a bride looking for the perfect bloom for her modern wedding, send her to BeeTwixt. Update: They've had a sale since our last post. Here's to many more!


Lil Petite
These charming bright bits of jewelry add just the right amount sparkle to any outfit. Handcrafted by a talented Toronto artist, each piece - no matter how elaborate - is made with attention to the smallest of details. Inspired by nature, organic shapes, urban and vintage styles, there's something for everyone. And if you'd like to learn more about the shop or the artist, take a look at their new blog. I'll definitely be following.


Get your bit of sparkle at Lil Petite. Update: Since our post they've had 3 sales. Congratulations!


Summerwood Soap
Simple, beautiful soaps with a Renaissance twist is what you'll find at this shop. Created by Amy in Hempstead, Texas she combined her love of soap making with the fragrances of a bygone era. The soaps all sound wonderful, like "Sunny Honey" with it's combination of Lavender, Rosemary and Spearmint. Many of them also feature fresh, natural ingredients like goat's milk, raw honey, essential oils and cruelty free silk - a luxury you'll definitely enjoy.



Find something luxurious bath-time at Summerwood Soap on Etsy.


Colin Duncan
I love finding unique jewelry - it can be a great conversations starter and a piece from this shop is sure to get people talking. Each piece is created by Colin Duncan in his studio based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Through the power of fire and alchemical processes, he takes found materials and turns them into unique wearable art. And I'm quite fond of the finished results.


See more unique recycled metal jewelry at Colin Duncan.


I'll be posting this week's recap (8/18) on Monday - check back soon!
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Follow me on twitter for next week's #undiscovered Wednesday picks. And if you're an Etsy shop that's interested in being featured, please drop me a line.

Cheers!