Pounce!

This week I'd like to give a nod to all the new etsy sellers out there. There are so many sellers who are still undeservedly undiscovered, so I've decided to highlight a few of them here by taking my favourite pick from their shop and givine you a little intro.

All these items have been in my treasury this week, although the treasuries are so short-lived that I wanted to give them a more permanent big-up here!

Firstly we take a look at the beautiful, bright landscapes of Geraldo Serrago from Milan. Visit his shop if you want to see more of his colourful acrylics, or even to brush up on your Italian!

My second pick is RennaDeluxe from Dusseldorf. Working with a mixture of paper, vintage stamps and fabric, Renna has some really original pieces. Her flower brooches are inspirational.

FelixMcGinley has created some truly impressive fine art prints. These landscapes are so dramatic and yet I find them really calm and peaceful at the same time.

Anka of FabulaDestash brings us some fabulous finds from a bag of vintage trimmings from 1970s Amsterdam. You won't find these items anywhere else!

I'm sure that Studio35 will not remain an undiscovered shop for long. These fabrics are just amazing... all items are created by the artist and her mother in Izmir, Turkey. I love the freshness of this swirly red and blue, reminiscent of the traditional Iznik tiles. Another favourite is their Hand Applique and Crochet pillow cover

What a clever idea - pdf stationery which you can print off yourself. And what a bargain! CreativeQube have some great ideas - something for every occasion - and I'm sure it won't be long before their talent is discovered!

These cute earrings from LeafyDesign are just one variation on their theme. These earrings are so unusual - I've never seen any like it. These fiery red ones are so versatile, they could be autumnal, Christmassy or hot and tropical for summer.

I have just fallen in love with this parisisal straw hat from TRAMPmillinery. It's so simple yet the classic navy blue lines give it real individuality. It is 30°C here in London today, so I really do need a hat like this.

LighthousePortraits take us on a tour of beautiful and historical lighthouses. Here we see the iconic Gay Head Light from Martha's Vineyard, depicted with acrylic on a slate tile. Bring a touch of the sea to your home!

This vase from NocturnesArt is just so unique - I've never seen anything like it and I still can't quite figure out how it was made! As a gift, or in your own home, this vase would certainly be a talking piece.

This tropical minidress from FiveTenTwenty is just adorable. I'm still so amazed that things from the 80s have come back in such a big way, but you can see why with this cute little dress. With its cinched in waist and cap sleeves, it would make the perfect holiday dress - also good for getting those legs brown.

Coffee or tea? Anek asks us. What a good question. If you get really stuck I guess you can use this print for "eeny meeny miny mo"! This stylish little print would make a nice addition to your kitchen.

That's it for my picks this week. I wish all these new sellers all the best of luck with their shops. With such fantastic items as these, I can't imagine that they will stay undiscovered for very long, and my blog post will soon be out of date!

London calling

In my treasury this week I decided to feature some colourful items from some of my favourite London sellers. I'm always disappointed that Etsy is not more well known in the UK - most of my friends look at me blankly when I tell them about it. As you can see there are some wonderful items available from uk sellers I hope these London sellers will join me in trying to share the Etsy love!

An interview with PrairieWindDesigns

This week I asked Misti from PrairieWindDesigns to tell me all about what inspires her to come up with the wonderful items on sale in her Etsy store. I've also picked out some of my favourite items to feature here on my blog.

Woodland Bloom 4/5T skirt

Please tell us a little bit about yourself...

My name is Misti and I live in Frenchtown, MT with my husband and two adorable kids, ages 6 and 3 and our golden retiever, Prairie. I absolutely love living in Montana. From the mountains to the prairies, there is so much beauty in this "Last Best Place". I love the people who live here and the values that being a Montanan teach you. The drastic changes in weather and the vastness of the land remind you how small we as human beings are.

Olivia Clutch in Fresh Spring Colors

When and why did you start creating your lovely items and selling them on Etsy?

Growing up on a farm in Southwest Kansas, I learned the value of making something with my hands. My grandmother was the master of making something out of nothing - using whatever scraps she had to make needed items.

While I didn't take to sewing as a teenager, I found comfort in sitting at my machine those lonely nights while my husband was deployed. I learned to quilt while expecting our first child, and have been hooked on creating with fabric ever since!

I'm a stay at home mom and with that comes many sewing opportunities for little ones. I want to teach my children strong values and a good work ethic, so I started selling my wares at the local farmer's market where my son would make and sell pretzel sticks. He quickly learned how much work it was to make a dollar. Once winter hit and the farmer's markets were done for the season, I put my focus on my Etsy shop. I still involve my kids every chance I get. I bought a wall map and my son helps me mark the places where my items have been shipped. It serves as a great geography lesson for him and it serves as a reminder of my success and gives me inspiration to keep creating.

Gypsy Rose Quilted Table Runner

Which of your items do you most enjoy making?

I have a variety of items in my shop, all things I have created with fabric. I have a range of items from purses and diaper bags to barnyard coloring wallets for the little ones. I have many ecofriendly and upcycled items from reusable sandwich and snack bags, reusable grocery bags and toddler dresses that I upcycle from previously loved men's shirts.

I love creating something with my hands for someone else. I enjoying thinking about that person as I am creating each piece and when it is complete, I feel like I have given a piece of myself.

Reclaimed French Toile Eco-friendly Bag

I've just bought my first sewing machine and am trying to get creative. What advice can you give someone just starting out?

My advice for someone just starting to sew is to do what you love. Pick a fabric that you just love. That's where it starts. Start with simple patterns that can be completed rather quickly so you don't burn out. Reach out to others that sew in your community. I haven't yet met a quilter that doesn't want to share what they have learned. Most will even share notions, patterns and fabric to get you started.

Many thanks to Misti for sharing her creative process! Wishing her every success with her fabulous shop. Please take the time to have a look at some of her other wonderful items for sale: PrairieWindDesigns