Yesterday I went a bit crazy and made a lot of treasuries on Etsy. I love making these curated lists of Etsy items because it leads me to discover new shops! This is how I discovered Drywell. Quirky and darkly humorous is how I would describe Drywell’s illustrations. Many of her items are playful butchery diagrams which are the ones I love the most, breaking down such unexpected things as hot dogs, pizzas and ice cream cones! I think what makes this illustrator extra special is that she manages to make all of her work witty, pretty and playful.

I encourage you to learn more about Drywell:

Etsy Shop

Twitter

Flickr

Blog

See a sample of Drywell’s work, here:

The Tastiest Pig Part, $10.

Hot Dog Mystery, $10

How Can I Show my Love to you, $10.

One of my main weaknesses (as my boyfriend can attest to ) is for handbags! I’m always on the hunt for beautiful purses. Why the obsession? Perhaps it’s because no matter what your weight is, you don’t have to worry about if your purse will fit you. OR maybe it’s how a lovely purse can add some much needed pazazz to any outfit! No matter what it is, when I find an amazing bag shop, I covet it like a treasure! This brings me to fellow Artisans Gallery Team member: Ira Grant.

Ira lives in Neuchatel, Switzerland with her daughter and husband, formally a telecommunication engineeer, Ira confesses she has a thirst for knowledge in many different disciplines. Her joy for life and learning is expressed in her lovely bag lines through original design, colours and variety in shapes and use. I find myself at her shop often, browsing through all her new listings and imagining her life in a beautifully picturesque Switzerland!

I encourage you to read more about Ira on her profile page on Etsy: here

See her main Etsy Shop or her eco friendly shop

Find out more about her in this storque article about shopping local in Switzerland: here

read her blog.

See a selection of her work/listings here:

Le Cabas, $99.50

Camille Rose Hip Pouch, $28

Aleina Leather Bag, $156

I’m one day late with my Seller Saturday, you will have to forgive me!

Jess James Jake‘s shop is a treasure trove of beautiful vintage items. The moment I first discovered her shop, I knew that I had found a favorite. Any of you who have been vintage shopping, know that it takes a certain talent to be able to suss out which vintage pieces are gems, and which should be left on the rack. Well, Jess definitely has this talent. She stocks her store and blog chalk full of gorgeous items which can inspire a retro comeback in anybody’s wardrobe.

Even if vintage is not your thing (how could it not be) it is worth a peek in her shop to see her listings’ photographs. Each photograph tells a story about the piece featured in it, they seem to capture the essence that Jess sees in each piece.

I encourage you to read more about Jess James Jake at her blog: Jess

See her main Etsy Shop

See a selection of her work/listings here:

1940's Black Birdcage Veil, $32

Gray and Red Metal Manual Typewriter, $168

Teal Blue Accordion Pleated Dress, $58

It’s Saturday! YAY! Those of you in the USA it is also Memorial day weekend (happy holiday!) and it’s time again for Seller Saturday. Almost every Saturday I introduce you to an Etsy shop and the creator behind it who inspires me and my work. This week I am featuring Doll maker extraordinaire Mimi Kirchner. Mimi, is part of my Etsy team Artisans Gallery Team (check us out for many great handmade artists) and I admire her edgy and original take on dolls.

Mimi takes the idea of dolls to the next level. What I mean to say is that Mimi’s dolls are not relegated to only the playthings of little girls. These dolls have a maturity, refinement and enchantment that bring doll making to an art. Please don’t take this to mean that the dolls are too precious to play with, on the other hand, they are also enchanting and whimsical, and their intrigue is remarkably easily perceived by any person, no matter their age or aesthetic persuasion, so to speak.

encourage you to read more about Mimi and her creations.

See her blog: Mimi Kirchner

See her main Etsy Shop

See a selection of her work here:

Red Stripes Tattooed Lady doll, $225

Tattooed Man Circus Doll, $250

Tattoo Man Photo Magnet - Facial Hair, $7.50

Marie!

First of all, I’d like to apologize for this weeks lack of posts. I am just trying to sort through and catch up on orders and general business work. This week, it’s back to regular interesting posts! Starting with this week’s Featured Seller, Tortilla Girl!!!

Spring is in full swing here in Montreal, and that means one main thing in my life: I have the desire to shop for new clothing! I love that summer offers us the opportunity to dress a bit more colourfully and whimsically. This hankering for airy and elegant new apparel brought me, quite naturally, to my co-teammate Tortilla Girl‘s Shop. One look in her shop and you can picture yourself in any of her beautiful outfits having a summer lunch on a Terrace or out for a walk in the park with your dog.

Becky is the one woman show (in her own words) behind Tortilla Girl, she runs her beautiful business out of Lyon, France where she gathers all of her materials from eco-friendly and local sources. Looking at her work you can see her attention to detail and quality. You have the sense that no matter what you choose from her delightful store will make you look like a sophisticated European lady.

I encourage you to read more about Tortilla Girl, and the lovely creator behind the designs: becky.

See her blog: Tortilla Girl

See her main Etsy Shop

See a selection of her work here:

Tuileries Sleeveless Linen Dress, Indigo, $120

Marie Linen Bubble Tunic, $135

Soft French Lace Bag, $65

Nanouke has a special place in my heart because she is one of my earliest friends from Etsy. The girl behind Nanouke, Ana Veríssimo, exudes happiness and positivity through every aspect of her online presence. Take for example her profile bio on Etsy, you can just picture this adorable Portuguese girl laughing as she tells you how much she loves knitting with wire and making beautiful jewelry for her lovely customers. One look in her Etsy Store and you can see how magical her creations are, and how much joy she must get from making them!

I encourage you to read more about Nanouke, and the lovely creator behind the designs: ana.

See her blog: Nanouke

See her main Etsy Shop

See a selection of her work here:

Giver Her Your Heart Brooch, $20

Starry Pink Ring, $18

Purplish Pink Circle Earrings, $14

Marie!

What I love about graphic design is its accessibility. No matter how rich or poor, graphic design brings art to the masses. Not everyone can afford an expensive painting, but everyone can afford a greeting card! To own a design that brings you joy, is an integral way to underline the importance of art in our society. This week’s featured seller is graphic design shop Earmark. I chose them because they are doing their part, in a fabulous way, to allow everyone to own a piece of beautiful design! One look in their main store on Etsy, and the charm of their work will overwhelm you. The essence of their work is plain to see:  a combination of  joy, whimsy, color and playfulness.

I encourage you to read more about Earmark, and the two lovely creators behind the designs: Bridgette and Mike.

See Their blog: Earmark

See their main Etsy Shop

See a selection of their work here:

Oh Happy Day Pencils (pack of 6), $6

Steed Love, $4

Welcome Baby Party Banner, $13

Jessica Torrant is the go-to girl for expressive and unapologetic painting. I was introduced to her beautiful works via the Artisans Gallery Team, of which we are both members. My favorite part about Jessica is her insistence of the importance of the physicality of painting. Art for Jessica is not just the final product but also act of making the final product. Each of her paintings convey the emotion she puts into them so energetically during the process of creation. She calls her paintings “mazes of the mind” and I find that so intriguing.

See her blog (where she posts videos of her painting): Jessica Torrant

See her Etsy Shop

See her art, here:

LUST FOR LIFE, $100

ORANGE SUN, $129

NEW BEGINNINGS, $85.

COLD FRONT, $100

Marie!