happy birthday to you...

Well, it's got to be somebody's birthday, right?
So my sweet cyber friend, Shauna, was brainstorming for me on how to spruce up the shop and she threw out a couple ideas that seemed pretty darn smart. So, I took her advice and did a little experimenting. What'cha think? Now why I thought it would be a good idea to hand-paint each of the THIRTEEN letters on an 8 foot banner is beyond me but this thing is heirloom quality (and that's a good thing cause my kids may be grown by the time I find three more days to make another). Stay tuned for the matching cupcake toppers. They're cute enough to eat. But you probably shouldn't.
Cheers.

peace, love & Etsy

In celebration of EtsyDay and the fact that it's finally Friday night, we'd like to share some of our most relaxing Etsy finds. Wishing you a most wonderful, peaceful weekend. And now, my friends, I sleep...

freshly cut mint bath salts by jadedmind...


blush persimmon coconut rose soap by the dirty housewife...


green tea kit by purpose design...


indian herbal sandal wood hand-dipped incense by meditation...


namaste kokeshi thank you print by mirabel...

happy, happy, joy, joy...

Here are just a few of the fun things that made my smile today.
All via Etsy.

happy bird - little journal by maxeenland...


safari quest decorative mobile by gifts define...


sweater owl made from recycled sweaters by friends of socktopus...


by order of the management set of 4 prints by john w golden...


banana split dessert by bug bites play food...


reclaimed wool sweater brooch by the june bride...

giveaway!

No, not mine, silly. HERS. Just visit Lemon Drop Studio's blog before Tuesday, April 28th and read THIS POST. Do what she says and you can win the fabulous note card set pictured above. Trust me. Just do it. But wait, why am I sharing this with you when I want to win it myself? Guess I'm just thoughtful like that. Plus I really dig Shauna and Lemon Drop Studio. Now go...

flower power

It's Earth Day...have you planted your garden yet?
Some fabulous handmade floral finds courtesy of Etsy...

romantic girl posie pin by littlepinkposies...


large dotted flowers by byrdiegraphics...


reusable, recycled coffee cup holder by frank and me...


my first wallet by frank and me...


vintage plum chrysanthemum bobby pins by cutieis4u...


sugar daisies stationary by bluesugarpress...

etsy love

I had a really crummy day. As my migraine began to back down a bit I crawled into bed and had a good cry. A really good cry. That helped. A little. But then I logged into Etsy and did what I do best. I shopped. And I smiled. Thanks to these pretty little things and oh, so many more...

n.39 by thefarforest...


hand painted appliqued posy pillow by tracybdesigns...


summer blooms clutch by lemontreestudio...


aqua-licious cake stand by vesselsandwares...


personalized children's silhouette by lemondropstudio...


lovely you by dazeychic...

mamamade

As we approach Earth Day I thought it only fitting to feature a little shop that's doing big things for our environment. Meet Mama Made & her absolutely fabulous reusable snack and sandwich bags.

Our schools in Northern California are "no waste" schools meaning that what goes to school and doesn't get eaten comes back home. We aim for zero waste in our lunch boxes and we do our best to practice the same thoughtfulness outside of school. These bags will be the perfect addition to our current assortment of eco-friendly bags & containers.

The outside of Mama Made's bags come in assorted, colorful cotton prints. The inside of the bag is lined with a waterproof polyurethane laminated knit. The bags fasten with a 1/2" x 6" hook and loop tape closure. The small size bags (shown here) retail for $6.00 and the larger sandwich bag is only $7.00. And here's the kicker...if you buy three bags she'll discount each bag 20% off. Gotta love a volume discount on something you can use lots of!

Mama Made has been involved with Etsy for two years now & is a member of EtsyKids. One thing to note, however. If you go looking for the darling prints shown above you might be out of luck...cause I'm going shopping as soon as I hit "publish post". Race you!

zozo bug

No I'm not partial to this shop just because their name is so adorable and very close to ours. Well...maybe just a little bit. Actually, I've been strolling through the zozo bug baby shop for the last half an hour because the product is right down Zuzu's bohemian alley, the photography is thoughtful & the models are charming. So there. My favorite is the twirl skirt shown in the first photograph. I love the simple patchwork style and the way the photographer captured the fabric in action. Lovely. Absolutely lovely.

star house

She is an artist, a teacher, a mom, a Capricorn, a self-professed dork & the creative mind behind Star House. Her Etsy shop was just featured on Poppy Talk Handmade and rightfully so. Star House offers over 30 hand-crafted wooden toy sets but I have to say that my favorite item for sale is the "fancy needle felted bun-bun" shown in the first image above. They make me smile. So does this shop.

From the artist's profile...
"I believe that each of us at our core is pure light, like a star. I see these bodies as just houses for that light, hence the name Star House. May we all glow, grow, and shine."

paloma's nest

Looking for a wedding gift, mother's day gift or just need something to brighten your day? Click HERE...immediately. Paloma's Nest is nothing short of fabulous. Caroline Colom Vasquez crafts everything by hand from her home studio in Austin, Texas "with care, pride, and passion" and it shows. I was sold on this piece above for my bathroom even before I read the inspiration...

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intellingent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

the clever kitty

I'm thrilled to announce that I'm finally a member of the EtsyKids team headed up by this talented artist, Shannon. Her Etsy shop, The Clever Kitty, is full of felty goodness including the products pictured above. She has little lovelies for the hair, neck, fingers & toes for both you and your little one. And even if you're not in the market to buy go ahead and give her link a click. It's such a bright and cheerful place that I can almost guarantee you a good time!


Visit EtsyKids

fairy princess party

What fairy princess party would be complete without a ribbon wand for each of the princesses? This is my first attempt at a simple wand that could be purchased in bulk for party favors within a smaller budget. The dowels were hand painted and sealed rather than ribbon wrapped and there are no fancy flowers or ribbons but I think they turned out amazing. As did the three little princesses that product tested their own at this morning's egg hunt. The beauty is that, in more masculine colors these will be suitable for a little prince too. Please hold tight for a preview...

confessions of a soap junkie

How many things come to mind when you hear the name The Dirty Housewife? Don't answer that. Well the Dirty Housewife in this post caught my eye with images like the one above from her Etsy shop. I first saw her on Lemon Drop Studio's blog last week & since then have spent many moments shuffling through three pages of soapy goodness over and over and over again. I do confess, I haven't bought anything yet because, quite simply, I just cannot decide. I want it all! Here are a few other fabulous images straight from her shop. But don't say I didn't warn you. They are addicting...

sleep tight zuzu girl

Our little miss Zuzu has not been doing such an outstanding job sleeping these days so today after school she will be surprised with this sweet & simple dream catcher that I made while she was away. Hopefully it will inspire her to surprise us with many a restful night in the near future...

guess how much I love you?

I know you've read the book but do you recite this line to your child nearly every day like I do? And... do you own the necklace? I bet not! But now you can thanks to Kristen's Custom Creations on Etsy. She has over 100 fabulous items currently for sale in her shop and, as the name implies, she can do custom just about anything. Checkout Kristen's blog too and make sure you hang around long enough to read the sweet post about zuzu girl handmade.

irony, size 2T

Available at peek... aren't you curious. Totally cute but can you imagine putting this on your 2 year old? The irony. I suppose I could tell her it said *princess* and she'd never know the difference...