oktak

Frame purse - mustard flowers on linen
"Oktak was founded by Aki, a Tokyoite living in the heart of Manhattan, NYC.
Aki studied handbag design & construction at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) from 2003 to 2004, and has been making colorful bags and frame pouches since.
To learn more about oktak, please see the "featured seller" interview.
oktak's second Etsy shop for babies & kids - oktakmini has just opened!
To see photos of oktak's newest items and of New York, please visit;
If you read Japanese, here is Aki's blog in Japanese. And if you twitter, please check out;NEW! oktak on Facebook.
mini bio written by Aki via her etsy profile.

Janet Hill Studio

A Mystery Lady- Open Edition Print
"Janet Hill discovered her passion for painting as a teenager. With the support of her family and teachers, Janet earned a degree in Fine Art from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where she specialized in oil painting and graduated with honors. Following graduation, she spent several years working in fields unrelated to art. Deeply missing her creative life, she decided to take a leap of faith and paint full-time. She has never looked back.
Janet enjoys painting the beauty of women, interiors, and still-life. Her choice of subject matter ranges from a duchess satin gown to a humble bowl of cereal. She seeks out glamour and beauty in everything that surrounds her. Her work is displayed in private collections throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Some of Janet's corporate clients include Tiffany & Co., American Greetings, and Harper Collins. Her work has also been featured on Design Sponge, This Is Glamorous, The Neo-Traditionalist, and Oh Joy! Janet lives in the beautiful city of Stratford, Ontario, Canada. She paints in a small in-house studio where she lives with her husband John, and their cat and dog."
bio written by Janet via her website's "about" page
WEBSITE* ETSY * PORTFOLIO

studio logica

i too saw the reflection of the summer sky in the water
"Born in 1980 and raised in a world of latchkeys, comic books, and urban exploration, Sacramento-based artist Jeff Felker weaves those early inspirations into the visual narratives he creates today. Exploring themes reformulated from life and his formal background in literature, he creates narrative paintings that blend reality and dreamscape--the human figures within are located in conflicted worlds of emotional isolation. Using oil to juxtapose bright and muted color schemes, Jeff executes his paintings on canvas and board.
Jeff has been interested in writing and literature from a young age, which shows in the narrative qualities of his paintings, as well as his scholarly pursuits. He received an MA in English Literature from California State University, Sacramento in 2009, and currently teaches English at American River College. The themes he encounters in literature continue to permeate throughout his simultaneous pursuit and love of painting."
Bio written by Jeff Felker via his etsy profile.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my blogger followers! If you would like to be featured or know someone deserving, please contact me!
puppy photo via Attack of the Cute

Raceytay

Christmas, Pink Christmas trees
"I am a passionate photographer with a background in graphic design. I love to create. I've often said "I don't take photographs, I make photographs." The photos in my shop are among my favourites and they represent the world as I see it, as I want you to see it. I hope you like them."
mini-bio written by Raceytay via the etsy profile.
FACEBOOK * ETSY * TWITTER

Modern Material Girl

12 Days of Christmas Lap Quilt
"I have been quilting for over 15 years, and am the first to admit I may have a slight obsession! I am always dreaming of my next project, and falling in love with a new fabric line.
I am also a music teacher, wife, and mother of two terrific kids."
mini-bio written by Kerry Mero via her etsy profile.

Blueberry Hill Farm

Handknit Mittens Mohair and Wool Blend Cuff Mittens
"I have been doing something with my hands all of my life. I love making things. I guess I inherited this from my mother who was still stitching at 96. Everyone in the family has something that was "made by Mom" and I hope to continue this heritage. I am now 72 so if I follow in my mother's footsteps I still have a few years left!"
mini-bio written by Sylvie Meyer via her etsy profile.

Flying Woman Studio

Texas Longhorn Christmas Stocking, Burnt Orange and White with a "Jester-style" Cuff and Ink-Dyed Bells
"I am a self-taught sewist, quilter, embroiderer, painter, crafter, mixed media artist, and artistic explorer. I love to experiment with materials I have on hand to create new uses for them.
I have never passed by a new fabric store or art supply store without stopping. My car and my feet naturally turn toward thrift stores, antique stores, garage and estate sales, junque shoppes, etc., and naturally I just go along.
My best friends save things for me to use in my projects like tea bags, wrapping paper, maps, bottle caps, and even rusty stuff (for rust-dyed fabric).
My husband is not surprised that I take my camera to the farmers' market and that I end up bringing home more photographs of vegetables and fruits than the actual vegetables and fruits.
My studio is taking over my living space, and that seems to be working out really well for me; and it is really, REALLY well-organized -- so much so that I often can't find a thing.
Oh, and I just started roller skating again after more than 20 years off the wheels."
bio written by Katie Winter via her etsy profile.

Likhomanova Jewellery

Black silver Ruby Ring LAPIDE
"From Barcelona I create contemporary jewellery.
Treating with sterling silver, gold, copper, brass, oxidation, a variety of textures, precious and semi-precious stones, my work covers numerous aspects of jewellery making: from sober wedding rings, earrings and pendants, to one-of-a-kind pieces as well as necklaces, bracelets and brooches.
From the bold and contemporary to the delicate and romantic, Likhomanova jewellery has something to suit every occasion and any look."
mini-bio written by likhomanova via the etsy shop announcement.

call IT courtney

Vintage-retro tinsel ornament/face wreath
"I'm all about the thrill of the hunt. I canvas thrift stores, estate sales, and even those sketchy antique stores that no girl in her right mind would walk into alone. I'm looking for that one awesome thing that is irrevocably unique. I think the pc term for what I make is vintage altered art assemblage. But let me break it down...I find cool old stuff and make it into cool new stuff.
While some of my pieces might bare a striking family resemblance, because they're vintage by nature, they're truly one of a kind. What I find determines what I make, so it's hard to pin point what's next in the repertoire. You can sometimes call IT kitschy, sometimes call IT shabby, sometimes call IT retro, but you can always call IT courtney."
bio written by Courtney via her etsy profile
BLOG * ETSY

Love Art Works

Pottery Coffee Mug - Follow Your BLISS
"Hello Lover of ALL Things Handmade and Joy-Full!! My name is Kristin Love and I am a Clay Artist, Painter and Designer residing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I live, play and work here with a respectful commitment to all things Beautiful in the Natural World {great and small}, and a deep Reverence for the Wondrous Gifts of the Universe. I absolutely ♥LOVE♥ what I do, and it would not be possible without people like you supporting me by buying my Handmade Pottery and Art....THANK YOU!
As the daughter of a Marine, I spent my childhood moving quite a bit, but my *LOVE* of Art landed me in Boston at the Massachusetts College of Art where I majored in Illustration and Photography. Over the past 25 years I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and over a dozen foreign countries capturing the diverse traditions of arts and images through my photos, sketches, and journals to use as inspiration in my own designs. I consider my work a celebration of the Eclectic, Colorful, and Passionate World we all live in, and a Joyful Salutation to the Artist in all of us."
bio written by Kristin via her etsy profile

tree1

tree1, a photo by skippingstonesjewelry on Flickr.

OhMa felt

Felt evergreen trees...
"OhMa felt was born from the desire to create for my daughter the exceptional hand crafted toys that I remember from my Grandmother's home. We custom dye our wool felt, create our own designs, and gently bring them to life.
Know a wonderful shop where OhMa might fit? Please contact us with the information. We are currently interviewing shops worldwide, and would appreciate your referral."
mini-bio written by Sorcha via the etsy profile.

betsy grace

Christmas Napkins in RED Linen Set of 6 Merry Christmas Typography
"Hello there! I am a stay~at~home~mom of six great kids. What a crazy, wonderful life! Some up, some down. But, no matter what, my family is the most important thing in my life.
I've been sewing since I was a little girl. My Grandpa got me a sewing machine of my own when I was 10 and I have been hooked ever since. Wow, was that really 28 years ago?? More recently my husband bought me an embroidery machine. This machine has really opened up a whole new world for me.
One day I asked myself what I could do to earn a little money and stay busy. I found etsy through a friend and was excited! I never thought there would ever be an outlet for making money doing what I enjoy. Sewing! So, why embroidered linens? With my family of six kids there is no way I can put linen on my table! I guess this is my way of trying to make someone else's table beautiful. Just to work with the fabric and package it up pretty makes me feel happy. Someday I can use beautiful linens on my own table but for now I will be content with all of the tables in the world that are made beautiful because of my handiwork!
My oldest daughter has started helping me with my work. She trims threads, makes labels, and presses the edges of the linens prior to my hemming them. We are having fun working together and I love being able to teach her something about what I love to do. ♥"
bio written by Missy via the etsy profile
FACEBOOK * ETSY

Timo Handmade

Christmas tartan Beaded Lady Doll Wearing tartan plaid red Green dress, Beads , Buttons & socks - handmade cloth doll
"My collection of fabric scraps and knick knacks took shape by itself
A small case of multicolored threads I once inherited
A well-loved shirt, wrong sized, I couldn’t pass on for its magnificent texture
A jar of buttons, no relation to one another whatsoever
A handkerchief with grandpa's initials
An embroidered pillow cover, hole included
A romantic dress once found in a second hand shop abroad...
The desire to sew these together, to make something new, was born of the materials themselves.
TIMO is a small design line, all hand-made.
sewn with an eye for detail and a touch for fabric.
Being hand-made, each and every item is one of a kind.
TIMO is part of the EcoDesign trend, standing up for the right consumption and the right manufacturing, alongside
recycling, minimization of manufacturing waste and simplification of processes.
The objects' design is current and classic, but the methods of manufacture are traditional.
The materials are mostly recycled, or scraps of designers' fabrics.
Scraps of fabric piled up in the studio are used later either as stuffing or as material for other products.
TIMO is a collection, a game and a source of livelihood, all taking place in Timor's own home."
bio written by Timor via the etsy profile
ETSY * FACEBOOK * WEBSITE

amber alexander

Scottie Archival Print
"I live in Vermont in a very beautiful, but moody climate. Half of the year is pastoral and like a dream. The other half can be trying. The season changes are charming and interesting, but winter could stand to let up a little earlier than she does.
I have always been artistic, and as a child, drew page after page of girls with different outfits on, and animals in clothes(inspired by Beatrix Potter of course). But it took me years and years to know myself well enough to pick up a paintbrush and let my imagination flow through the paint.
Watercolors really grew on me and I loved the way the flow of ideas from my head and heart flowed directly onto the paper. Watercolors are interesting in that you have to become friends with the water, work WITH it, corral it into doing what you want it to do on the paper.
I recently had a children's book published with my illustrations. It was published by a Vermont Publisher, Radiant Hen, http://www.radianthen.com.
The book is entitled "Ninny Nu's Organic Farm" and all of the characters are animals. It tells a story about how bigger is not always necessarily better. :)
I am so thankful for a venue like Etsy. Every day, I am inspired and amazed by the creative minds I see at work here.
When I am not painting, packing orders or curating treasuries on Etsy (the closest I'll ever get to being a museum curator), I am entertaining and playing with my two nutty poodles, Olin and Izzy, and my sometimes nutty husband, John :) I like running, gardening, art, food, wine, and funny people:)
I hope you enjoy my work. I try to convey my love of animals and maybe inspire others to love them as I do :) "
bio written by Amber via her etsy profile
ETSY * FACEBOOK * BLOG

The Shopkeeper's House [Explored]

The Shopkeeper's House [Explored], a photo by Tim_in_Ohio on Flickr.

The shopkeeper worked through the night while his wife and children slept one floor below. Obligation forecast, quarterly allotment, cash flow, debts, revenues … obligation forecast, quarterly allotment, cash flow, debts, revenues over and over until it became painfully clear … the numbers did not lie … he was broke. He could hear the birds rustling in the trees outside his window. The inevitable was near. At sunrise, the Banker and the Sheriff would knock on his door one last time, tell him he had five minutes to collect his personal possessions and vacate the premises.

Dig For Victory

Sky Blue and Salmon Pink Striped Milkmaid Dress
"'Dig For Victory!' is an independent fashion label which specialises in making limited edition and one-off dresses and jackets from the fabrics of the past. Curtains, tablecloths, bedspreads, remnants - all are plucked from their respite in the charity shop and brought back to life as quirky and unique garments for women and girls who still love to play dress-up."
mini-bio written by digforvictory via the dawanda shop announcement.

Christmas Angel :)

Christmas Angel :), a photo by meg price on Flickr.

angel dog designs

Wool Felted Acorn Ornaments - Set of 12 in White
"As a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design...I am a 30-something artist with my hands in a little bit of everything. I like to try new things and get restless when I do the same thing for too long.
I was a set decorator on the Martha Stewart Show for the past 7 1/2 years. I am a recent graduate with a Master of Art in Art Education. I continue to freelance as a stylist and artist while pursuing full time teaching opportunities."
bio written by Tamara via the etsy profile
BLOG * FACEBOOK * ETSY

Cynthia Treen Studio

Wool Duckling
"Cynthia Treen is a Rhode Island based designer and textile artist.
Her work with Dosa, Martha Stewart Living and the PBS program “Cultivating Life”
have been featured in both magazines and on television. She currently splits her time between private commissions and product design work.
Her book “Last Minute Fabric Gifts” was published in 2006"
bio written by CynthiaTreenStudio via her etsy profile