Etsy Trends

Every once in a while etsy sends out a mass email in which they define some of the recent "trending currents" they have observed with items listed on their site.

It's always great if they decide to feature on of your pieces in their report because it's great exposure and can lead to future sales.

So I had to chuckle when I got their recent email defining the following trending currents, as I have some items that would have fit perfectly in with their exampes:

Feathers in Flight


These hand patina vintage brass feather charms fit perfectly in that category (as well as into the recent "southwest" trend, by the way!)

Secret Compartments & Literary Chic


Well this Secret Love Letter necklace would perfectly into both categories!

Animal Kingdom


Check! Lovely patina bee charms and wee floral beads. Oh - and did I mention that I'm having a 20% off sale in my etsy shop until Sunday October 31st? It's a great time to do some early Holiday shopping, or just treat yourself!

First Ever Sale on my Etsy site!

Thanks to the folks at Etsy on Sale, it's now easy to plan a store wide sale with items automatically discounted. YAY! So to celebrate, I'm having a week long sale on my etsy site. Everything listed is 20% off! To get to the site, you have to go to my etsy on sale site.

The sale start at 9am on Saturday October 23rd and ends on Sunday October 31st at 9pm.

As part of the promotion, I'm also doing a special sale for my Facebook Group fans. If you are based in Vancouver and come down to Portobello West Market on Sunday October 31st, I'll give you 20% off anything over $20.00. All you have to do is join my Facebook Group page and hit the "like" button! Then come down to the market and let me know you joined.

This would be a great time to pick up a snazzy OAK piece to wear for the holidays!

For all you broke-ass punks out there

Check out the new under $20.00 section in my etsy shop!

Etsy Visits Vancouver!

Last night was the much anticipated Etsy meetup. Three people from etsy graced us with their presence; Matt, Anda and Etsy's Chief Executive Officer, Maria.

Matt and Anda are both old school etsyians who've been around for ages - Matt since the very beginning. Maria has been brought in more recently and it was impressive to hear her past credentials with Amazon.com and other big companies. I got to chat with all three visiting "dignitaries." Anda has that funny/quirky quality to her that I am always drawn to. She's got a great laugh and some amazing tattoos. Matt is the rockstar of etsy - he's charming, has great style and used to be in the band The French Kicks. And Maria was, of course, very business-like and professional in a laid back, likable way.

Overall, Maria did most of the talking, she's a very good public speaker and addressed each and every question thrown at her. It seemed to me that the general theme to be a bit on the defensive. She was emphasizing all of the changes that have been made, upcoming changes and new features. I guess there's been a lot of complaints/concerns.

Personally, I've never had many complaints with etsy. Maybe a few, years ago when it was first starting out. But I've mostly found it easy to use, easy to navigate and ridiculously affordable to set up a functioning on-line shop. Yay etsy!

It was a pretty good turnout, about 65 people all together. It was held at the super cute Cambrian Hall, where I put on the Green Christmas market last year. It has great light and the sun was streaming in all "aaaaaahhhhhhhhh" through the windows. Kind of church-like. Yessssssss, the church of etsy.

I ran out of the cute name tags I ordered from etsy's PacoKeko

and it was great to see some old friends and meet new crafty people.
Oh, and you are wondering where I the cute top - it's by Peel Designs and I got at at Dream.

Etsy Spring Fling Sale this Saturday!

If you live in Vancouver, come on down to the cute Cambrian Hall this Saturday for the Etsy Spring Fling Sale.

Over 25 Vancouver-based independent designers & artists will be showcasing their hand made wares.

I'll have a whole bunch of sale items including one-offs, samples and older stock!

Earrings: $5- $10.00!
Necklaces & bracelets from $15.00!

Plus you can check out my new items for Spring 2009 including the Patina collection.
Saturday March 21st
Cambrian Hall; 215 E 17th (@ Main)
11am - 5pm

In the Pines

I am just not tired of this trend yet. You?
A selection of fun, wood theme items available on etsy.
Logs are the new diamonds. By Block Party Press

Botanical Collection by briguysgirls's

Silver Pine Cone and branch by chinacherie

Felt coasters by Ravenna Girls

Wood grain gift tags by Chet and Dot

Paper Birds and Dogs...

I've always admired people who work with paper. I've often been inspired to pick up bits and bobs of paper at thrift stores with the intention of creating and making a collage - or doing *something*. But it's been a long time since I've worked with paper - the jewelry takes up all my time these days (in a good way though!)

This little bird from Cotton Bird Designs was made using music sheet paper from a vintage book. Hand stitched using embroidery threads, and filled with hypo-allergenic fiber. Eyes are embroidered, and feet are hand made using wire.

And check out fellow Vancouverite Peace of Pi. How adorable are these labrador puppy note cards?

Now if you are inspired to go create some paper art yourself, you have to check out Two Angels in Paris . . . the photo below belongs to a stack of papers that been gathered from different vintage dictionnaries, travel books, foreign and domestic magazines, children's books, pamphlets, brochures, ledgers, music books, etc. The shop also features an eclectic mix of vintage ephemera. Who knew I needed 5 rusty nails?