Wishing for Sales Wednesday - Smitherine Designs

I got a bit of serendipitous luck this morning. While researching my Etsy Road trip, I had found a seller named SmitherineDesigns in the Los Angeles area. As I always do prior to any feature, I convo'd requesting permission. As my response was a bit delayed, I hadn't performed the write up for my Etsy Road trip - L.A. which is great because This shop fits right in to my Wednesdays! Double Bonus! Smitherine Designs is awaiting her first sale. Stop on in and check out the fantastic jewelry in this shop. I was at first attracted to the Lemon Chalcedony Drop Necklace. I think I was on a yellow kick that night. Also, anything that uses a noun as an adjective in the Item title is an automatic click for me. (Like "That Ford Fiesta was a funky Nail Polish color."... not such a great example but that's the one that comes to mind)

I also like the Bamboo Leaf Agate Hoop Bracelet. I think what I like best about the jewelry overall is the quality of work. These pieces were very thoughtfully constructed, and each have a very individual look to them. Check out my favorite images from the shop:

See how pretty that Yellow is? Very dainty and lovely, but also substantial enough to create a very dramatic look. Yummy. Make sure to stop in and support Smitherine Designs! I am adding these pieces to my wish list right now.

Etsy ROADTRIP - Los Angeles Part 1

For my first Los Angeles Etsy seller, I would like to introduce franticmeerkat! I used to be sickly addicted to old books. I loved the pictures, the style of speaking and yes, the smell... and this shop simply reminds me of those wonderful books. The images created are not only super cool, but they are assembled with such a sense of humor that I cannot deny the giggles arising in my tummy. Franticmeerkat also has an Etsy store showcasing some of her super talented artwork so be sure to stop in there and check that out too!

There are just so many cards, magnets and prints available in The Frantic Meerkat that I could spend all day clicking each individual image and exploring franticmeerkats art. There truly is something for everyone in this shop. Check out what caught my eye from the start.

In case all of you (any of you) out there were wanting a fun and fantastic story about why I love these two images in particular, here you are: I, myself have partaken in the drunk waffles outing many a times. Of course that was in KY where Waffle House if king (2 years in Iowa without Waffle House was like being in Hell without water). I actually ate there one time and a friend offered to buy my whole dinner (after I had eaten it) if I chug the Tabasco. You know how that one ends. As for the Vespa image...well, I think that bicycles are neato and I always dreamt of someday moving to the Canary Islands and opening a Vespa rental shop. *sigh*

Go to franticmeerkats shop and buy all of her cards and magnets!

Etsy ROADTRIP - Tucson Part 3

For my final installment in Tucson, I have selected vella, proprietor of a fantastic Etsy shop that makes backpacks. These packs are created from some of the most dreamy, wonderful fabrics that I have ever seen. I am a fabric nut myself, although I am too cheap to collect it and too untalented to create things out of it. Vella's profile states that she is connected to each fabric that she uses to make her fantastic bags. (Connected in a Drawn to it, must have it, sparks fuzzy memories and thoughts sort of way, not a "the fabric told me to" sort of way)

I also must comment, before getting to the favorites, on the excellent, capturing manner of photography that is used to sell these awesome bags. The pictures of the bags could be sold as artwork in themselves. --jealous of photography skillz--

Anywho, here were my favs from vella's shop!

See what I mean? They are beautiful! Stop on in to see what fantastic piece might interest you!

Etsy ROADTRIP - Tucson Part 2

My next Tucson seller is tianyoutian, from T K Jewelry Design. I must say up front that I have profound respect for anyone that makes their own jewelry. Not like the jewelry that I make, where I go to the craft store and buy components and then put them together, but those that take METAL and then make it into JEWELRY are truly talented. tianyoutian is no exception to these talented few. Her store is chock full of crazy cool earrings, rings, brooches and bracelets... all of which I have been completely taken with.

I love anything that includes dots and stripes and a lot of these pieces have such clear patterns and shapes in them that I cant resist paying homage to them. Be sure to check out the T K Jewlery Design sale on Silver Hoop Earrings too! $9 a pair! Here are some pieces I felt to be irresistible.

What a lovely ring! Bold, but still pretty and delicate. Check out tianyoutian and the awesome things that are made and sold by T K Jewelry Design!!!

Etsy ROADTRIP - Tucson Part 1

I passed through Tucson, and had the pleasure of staying the night there. My Boyfriend had never seen a cactus before so it was pretty hilarious watching his reaction to the landscapes. He kept asking me all through Texas when we would see a cactus, making this funny one arm up and one arm down body movement, scrunching his face up. (He told me that they all looked angry, like they were ready to throw down) As promised, right when we hit Tucson, we hit Cacti! He was NOT disappointed.

So here are some of the finds that I have from Tucson!

My first feature is Feralgirl. Her shop, Feral Empire has some of the coolest hand-stitched bags I have come across. I am attracted to Green and Red leather bags with a fearful intensity so that might explain a little of my love for this shop. Feral Empire also makes some nifty T-Shirts that you should be sure to check out. I would invite anyone looking for a new bag, wallet or tote to visit Feral Empire and support quality, long lasting products that you will be sure to love more and more the longer you own it!

Check out my favorites... (I was mentally planning outfits for the green purse while writing this up. I guess that makes me a match the clothes to the purse kind of girl, rather than a find the right purse for the clothes type of girl)

Check out what feralgirl has to say about her items straight from her Etsy profile: "My love and passion is for making high quality, durable goods. I am so sick of all the mass produced crap that just ends up in a bin at a thrift store. My products get better with age- whether it is a tee shirt that becomes a soft favorite or a handbag that ages to a perfect patina.I want my products to live a full and happy life!!I believe in using leather because, as we all know, if people are going to continue to EAT the cow..there will always be leather.And I think it is only wise not to let such a useful by-product go to waste." Here-Here! Enjoy Feral Empire!

Etsy ROADTRIP - El Paso Part 2

For my second installment in my Etsy ROADTRIP El Paso, I am featuring a store that carries vintage clothing. I, too, am a fan of things past, and was drawn to some of the color and patterns that are displayed proudly in penelopewolf's shop, O'Wolfe!.

O'Wolfe! sells all items vintage, including but not limited to "40's Pin Up, 50's Glam, 60's Go Go, 70's Hippie chic to over the top electro 80's". With such a wide range of eras, you might think that it would be hard to keep a cohesive look and flow to the shop, but penelopewolf pulls it off with ease. Penelopewolf has been collecting vintage for the past 6 years, and has, in her past life, sold on Ebay but has commented on her love for Etsy over previous online ventures. Penelopewolf is inspired by extremely unique patterns but also has an eye for detail and is drawn to intricate details like interesting and one of a kind buttons.

Here are some of my Favs from O'Wolfe!

I just LOVE that skirt! It is a prime example of that striking pattern that the seller is talking about. Also, those boots are too perfect. I am extremely tempted by them myself...and they are MY size so maybe I should add them to my wishlist ;)

Penelopewolf commented on her love for Vintage: "I'm currently committed to buying a small but well chosen inventory of vintage that I see as being interesting, rare, unusual and unique. I like my customers to feel like they have a one of a kind dress even if someday they do come across an identical piece, at least they didn't wait a decade to do so. Also, I personally love vintage because the quality of construction and fabrics is unparalleled when it comes to modern pieces. I can buy a 100% silk dress for less than $10 if it's vintage as opposed to paying ten times that price as a department store. Vintage is just clearly a better value these days and I can't resist knowing that I might just have a piece no one else has!" And I share her sentiments exactly! Stop on in and give her shop a whirl.

Etsy ROADTRIP - El Paso

I passed through El Paso on Saturday. Lovely city. I forgot how much I miss the presence of the mountains in sight. I was born in AZ, and was used to the Superstitions always beeing in my horizon. Anyway, in keeping with my plan, I have a feature for El Paso. This one is dear to me, as I am familiar with the inspiration for the product due to traveling with my baby English Bulldog, Rambo.

BrownFido specializes in making realistic, but fake Dog Poo. (and rather convincingly, I might add) It comes in a few different shapes, sizes and quantities. BrownFido was also the brains behind the many piles of poo from the movie Marley & Me, which is very super cool. My personal favorite is the Dog Poop business card holder. I would have loved one of those at my last job. Here are a few pictures of BrownFido's handy craft!

As you can see, it is very convincing. I am going to keep track of this seller to make sure that when I am back in the nasty, corporate working world, I am prepared with the business card holder! Make sure that you stop by and check it out.