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!