Geometric planters from Art Stvdio Brooklyn

Yellow ceramic tripod planter

I love succulents, colorful planters and geometry, so I was immediately drawn to these Southwest-inspired planters made by fellow RISD graduate Erica Peterson.

Stud Love, Vol. 1

Black Quartz Stud Earrings, $16 from dinosaurtoes
Mini Simple Sterling Silver Stud Earrings, $8 from VirginiaWynne

Yesterday I wore my biggest earrings and suffered for it. Though I love my large, leaf-shaped earrings, they are very uncomfortable on a windy day. Sometimes you just need a good pair of studs to keep things short and simple.

Here are five of my favorite post earrings from Etsy. I think this will have to be a series of posts, because I have a lot of trouble narrowing down my favorites.


World Map Stud Earrings, $20 from bloomyjewelry


Diamond Shaped Beaded Stud Earrings, $45 from saracramer


Minimalist Triangle Stud Earrings, $12 from GoldandSilverLining

All photos are copyright their respective shops.

Animal Earrings by Faz Jewelry

Grey and white striped cat earrings

These aren't for everyone, but I think they're so funny and cute I thought I should share. Faz Jewelry on Etsy makes jewelry by encasing photographs in resin.

Sleeping cat earrings

Most of the earrings offered are cats, but there are also a few dogs and even a chinchilla! The artist has been working with resin for 3 years and has been creating these double-sided resin pieces for over a year, so she knows what she's doing.

Brown Pomeranian earrings

These are the perfect gift for the cat lady animal lover in your life! See the entire collection in Faz Jewelry's Etsy shop.

Cute grey & white cat earrings

Etsy Love: Imaginary Animal

These cutesy hair accessories from Imaginary Animal are taking me back to my youth, when I was obsessed with hair bows. Thankfully, these hair bows are dainty, unlike the bownormous things born of the 80s.

Etsy Love: Up In The Air Somewhere

Today I'm digging these decorative ceramic pieces by Up In The Air Somewhere on Etsy. With clean lines, pastel palettes and a splash of gilding, they are like a breath of fresh air.



Up In The Air Somewhere is based out of Chicago, each piece hand crafted by Susan Dwyer.

From her Etsy bio:

"I'm creating a line of housewares inspired by the beautiful forms found in industrial architecture. Water towers, warehouses, factories, and silos are abundant in Chicago and endlessly fascinating to me. Although I work in different mediums (paper mache, ceramic, fiber, etc.), my work has always been primarily focused on volume and form rather than ornamentation and surface. The simplicity and utility of the industrial landscape is a constant influence on my work."

For more about Susan, visit her blog or her sculptural website.



All images © Susan Dwyer

The Shiny World of Leah Giberson

Desert Camper 2

Leah Giberson's work has always fascinated me. Her distinct style is as memorable as her subject matter of vintage houses, caravans and objects. In her work, mundane suburban objects are painted in harsh light, with their surroundings pared down until they appear otherworldly.

Bug Under Glass by Kevin Clarke

My years of working at the RISD Nature Lab made a huge impression on me. I am drawn to natural history museums, and I've got a small collection of animal skulls at home as well as a growing mineral collection. In my dream house there is a room of built in curio cabinets to house my collection.

Of course, contrary to many pieces of historical taxidermy, I would prefer my collection to be naturally harvested. Enter Bug Under Glass, or B.U.G. (I see what you did there.)

Sale this weekend at Harbinger Co.

Harbinger Co. out of San Francisco has long been one of my favorite Etsy shops, ever since I first spotted their laser cut bamboo jewelry.  Their bold, graphic style belies a light, delicate material that doesn't weigh down the earlobes.  Within a week of buying a pair of earrings for myself, my friend Hillary sent me a pair in the mail.  What can I say?  She knows what I like.

The shop has since expanded its range to silver & gold jewelry as well as prints and laser cut boxes.  Lots of well crafted products, all made in the USA!

Occupy Etsy

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming holidays.  Sam and I don't know where we'll be yet, only that we'll be somewhere in the South Island of New Zealand, celebrating our first Christmas in the height of summer.  It will be a frugal year for us, and our first Christmas away from our families. 

Obviously Christmas is not just about presents, but if you're in the giving mood, I recommend buying from local or independent artists and craftspeople.  Not only does the recipient get a nice gift, but it's a perfect way to give back to small businesses and neighbors at the same time.

I haven't been on Etsy much in the past few months, mainly because I don't want to be tempted, but I went there today and saw a few things that caught my attention.  First, these vintage ornaments from Hindsvik in Canada.  They remind me of a few ornaments we have from my dad's childhood: fragile, glass and brightly colored like candy.  I love those ornaments and I would love to have some more like them one day.

A word about walls

I have been packing a lot in the last few days, including my wall hangings: framed drawings, photographs and prints.  It's made me realize what a difference wall decor makes!  Without it, our apartment looks naked, less like a home and more like a dwelling without a personality.



If you want to give your home a bit more personality, try adding something to the walls!  Here are my tips for finding something to spice up your living space:

Treasured: Take Me Away

I created a new treasury on Etsy and I thought I should share it here!

You can see my older treasuries here.