The MacBeth Collection

I love to organize & put things in their own spot. The stylish buckets, totes & other products by The MacBeth Collection are a stylish & functional way to whip your space into tip-top shape. There's tons of patterns and colors to choose from. I especially love the paisley, polka dot & fruit patterns. You'll also find a variety of buckets that are perfect for everything from icing down drinks at your next party to organizing the kiddos toys. I know that all the creative types need the wonderful office accessories, as well. And don't miss the list of 101 things to do with all the fabulous products by The MacBeth Collection.

Smitten Kitten

Smitten Kitten has a wide range of fun & functional items ranging from stationery to accessories. The brooches & clutches are created using vintage scarves that have beautiful colors & prints. The wallpaper journals & postcards, created using vintage wallpaper, are all very unique. Check out the fabulous pocket mirrors, as well.

Gladys Hardy

If you watch the Ellen DeGeneres Show, you might have heard some of the phone calls she has made to Gladys Hardy of Austin, Texas. This entertaining Nana has some very humorous products in her online shop. For those of us who are spiritual AND drink occassionally, there's the I Love Jesus tee. And I find the happy pill box especially entertaining. Keep a look out for the Gladys Hardy cd that is soon to be released.

PataPri

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to spruce up your kitchen space this summer, check out the towels by PataPri. The bright, vibrant patterns on these silk screened towels are fabulous. My favorite is the red & blue dog print. The colorful pears are also delightful. These would make terrific housewarming presents, as well.

Etsy Trashion Street Team

Mallory wrote in to let me know about the Etsy Trashion Street Team she belongs to. This is a group of over 70 artists from around the world who specialize in turning trash into treasure. They fabricate art, jewelry, fashion & objects for the home from used, thrown-out & found elements. Talk about a fabulous display of environmentalism and innovation!
On Friday, July 27th, they will be hosting a trunk show at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn NYC. (325 Gold Street, Brooklyn NYC. A/C/F to Jay St * B/M/Q/R to Dekalb) Drop by to purchase wares, watch trashion-themed films, enjoy make-your-own trashion activities & refreshments. The trunk show is free and open to all ages, plus the first 25 people through the door will receive a FREE trashion team gift bag. Attendees are requested to RSVP via email at rsvp@etsy.com.
Also, Etsy Labs is now hosting a monthly trunk show on the last Friday of the month featuring different street teams. It continues to be very exciting to watch Etsy grow on a daily basis!

Fluffs Stuffs

Fluffs Stuffs has lots of cute kitsch items that will surely liven up your wardrobe. The Hello Sailor charm bracelet is the perfect nautical nod for summer. And who wouldn't want a fun ring with a smiling cup of morning java? Have a look at all the kitschy brooches, earrings, & other accessories Fluffs Stuffs has created.

Tee and Toast

Don't you just love fun tshirts? I sure do & Tee and Toast has lots of great ones to choose from. McMullet is an especially sexy tee you could sport. And who doesn't want to tell the world I Love Mushrooms? My love for gnomes could be strengthened even more with one of these Wee Gnome tees. There's also a section of tees that are 100% Irish & a funky section of vintage tees. And the kiddos are not left out either. Have a look at all the awesome products Tee and Toast has to offer.

Tamar's Shop

Tamar's background as a fashion & interior stylist is evident when reading her blog & poking around her Etsy shop. Her two lines, Nest Pretty Things & VeryFairy, are full of unique home decor & accessories. The tote bags are big & bright making them perfect for all your running around this summer. Tamar also offers handstamped cards, such as the Little Red Barn set. Other items I adore include the pink whimsical mirror, the fabric flower pins, and baby sun hats. What a stylish way to protect your wee one from the sun this summer!

Bling!

Jewelry is a great way to spice up your laid back summer wardrobe. The pendants by Orange Peel Enamel are very edgy & cool. The Midwest windmill would be a nice shout out to my West Texas roots! If you're into a more vintage look, check out the awesome pieces by The Hand of Fatima. The asymmetric collection is full of unique pieces that will make you stand out from the crowd. The jewelry by Charcoal Designs has a bit more of an 80s feel to it. The I Love Sewing earrings would be the perfect gift for any crafter. For the eco-concious starlets, check out the wares at Tomate d'épingles. The hand wrapped rings are fabulous & the incorporate several vintage items. And if you're looking for something a bit more earthly, the beautiful designs by Elizabeth Scott will thrill you. I adore silver & the botanical designs are beautiful.

Socks Fifth Avenue

As a self-professed monkey freak, I was thrilled to come across Socks Fifth Avenue. This new Etsy shop features a wide array of sock monkey items. The monkey coin purse is unlike anything I've seen before - and that's a good thing! You'll also find cool greeting cards, tees, and pins. Check back with this shop often, as I have a feeling there will be many more fabulous products to come.

Wonderland Retreat

Wonderland Retreat was started in early April to help alleviate the medical bills of crafter extraordinaire Alison Gordon. The good news is that Alison is on the mend & is now working full time. The bad news is that there is another creative soul who is in need. Elijah Wyman is an artist, crafts person, musician who recently underwent a kidney transplant. Lots of incredible crafters have donated wares & all of the proceeds from this shop will benefit Elijah and his recovery expenses. There's everything from pin cushions to jewelry. There's also several wonderful cross stitch kits by Subversive Cross Stitch. Check out all the fabulous goods & spend a little cash to help out a peer in need.

Serene

Serene has great apparel that will spice up your summer wardrobe. The sexy back on this retro floral dress will surely turn some heads, while the bow waist babydoll dress will make you stand out at the office. I love the empire waist retro boho dress, as well as the babydoll kimono boho sundress. And for the cool younger girls, there's the skull camo mini skirt. Check out all the fabulous pieces Serene has to offer.

Art Attack

With my recent move, decorating has been at the forefront of my mind. When looking for unique & affordable artwork, Etsy is a wonderful place to shop. Art by Christel is currently having a 50% off moving sale. I love this artist's handpainted wooden photo frames, especially cherry fizz. And the retro tropical cocktail piece is perfect for summer. Wolfie and the Sneak is another great Etsy shop featuring animal pieces, such as the purple polka dotted giraffe. This artist even sales patterned paper perfect for gift wrapping, crafting & much more. What's really outstanding are the works of art featuring more intricate patterns. Cabin + Cub creates super cool wood-burned pieces. I am dying to get my hands on one of the squirrel & acorn woodburned pencil cases. And the art panels are very unique pieces that would spice up any space.

Pillow Pillow Pillow

I think it's pretty apparent by now that I am a dog fanatic. That being said, it should come as no surprise to anyone that I adore the fabulous pillows at Pillow Pillow Pillow. My favorite, of course, is Chacha the Chihuahua. Elliot is also a strong contender for favorite with his little nubby Terrier tail. There's also a fabulous Pug pillow by the name of Marty & a terrific Dachshund named Ruby. And so the cat lovers aren't left out, have a look at Sofie & Wolfie. You can purchase these terrific designs at a variety of online retailers, including Elsewares which I've featured before.

Vintage Recreations

Vintage Recreations is a new Etsy shop that features one of a kind and limited edition jewelry & accesories made from vintage jewelry & other vintage items. The rhinestone bobby pins will add a touch of glamour to your life. And the vintage gold floral plate will class up any party. I have to admit, though, that the vintage goodie bags are what really caught my eye. I would love to have a bag full of ephemera to use in scrapbooking & other crafts. Find out more about Vintage Recreations on Renee's blog.

Ephemera Design

Ephemera Design has lots of fabulous stationery designs to offer, as well as custom design work. You can personalize a variety of designs, such as the Imagine design. I love the stitched look of the border. There's many blank stationery designs to choose from, too. I would love to send someone a note on stationery declaring "a little bird told me." Adorable! Ephemera also does lots of custom design work, including corporate identity work. You can also have wedding invitations & baby announcements printed. Have a look at all the terrific work Ephemera Design has to offer, including the extras section.

Good Kismet

Good Kismet is currently having a moving sale that I read about on this crafter's blog. I adore the elephant & bird friend handpainted mirror, as well as the Melancholy Moon. However, perhaps the most interesting item in this shop is the trinket box. This would be such a neat way to present a gift to someone special. And don't miss the adorable cupcake boxes. Check back regularly for new additions to this shop.

Go Monkey Designs

I was delighted to read the description for the wristlet tote purse by Go Monkey Designs. Seeing the word "fantasticness" just made my day! Who wouldn't want a product with such a description? Other fantastic items include the lovely needle & hook grab & go case, handmade stitch markers, and the fun polka dot hobo bag. Have a look at all the fantasticness Go Monkey has to offer.

Please vote!

A scrapbooking friend of mine's son needs your votes. He and a classmate, both seniors, were nominated for their high school's homecoming court last fall. In hopes of winning a college scholarship, they worked together to create their prom wear out of duct tape. The nationwide contest is sponsored by Duck brand duct tape. Their creative works have made it into the top 10 finalists & online voting is now open through June 29th. Their entry, number 3899, needs your votes. If chosen, each of them along with their high school will receive $3,000. There's also scholarships awarded to second & third place. You have to register & answer a few questions about duct tape to vote, but it is a very quick & painless process. These kids really put a lot of effort into this contest & deserve to win a prize. Thanks so much!

Ichabods

Ichabods is a wonderful resource for consumers looking for unique & edgy designs. This company originally had a storefront in New Orleans, but was forced to close due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. You will find cool apparel for men & women, as well as children, amongst other items. For the Rent and La Boheme fans, there's tees and messenger bags feautring the phrase La Vie Boheme. I also love the pirate ship and wishbone designs. Take a look at all the cool products Ichabods has to offer.

Kayann Works

Kayann Works features lovely artwork & gifts by Heather LeMay. All of the pieces in her Etsy shop are limited edition works. I regularly dog sit a Cairn Terrier & I know the Pirate piece would thrill her owner. The domino pendants feature Japanese characters such as the BW Kitten & Sushi. There's also bunnies & ferrets to choose from. To see more of Heather's work visit her website.

Wexford Girl

You will find lots of terrific artwork in the Wexford Girl shop on Etsy. Several of the pieces utilize paint chips as elements within the artwork, such as the piece titled Rose. I really like Deep Cowslip which marries illustration with found elements such as clippings from a book. Of course, one of the most exciting works is the Mexican wrestler in Just Go. For a behind-the-scenes look at this artists process & other ventures, have a look at her blog.

Simply Done Gifts

Have you seen Simply Done Gifts? This site has so many exciting gift items it's unbelievable. There's everything from jewelry & bags to personalized items. The sweet baby girl and boy bloomers sets are precious. The heavy duty children's aprons are perfect for any small cook or crafter you know. The erasable tiles & boards are unique housewarming gift ideas I haven't come across in any other shops. I could go on & on listing all the neat items on this shop...or you could browse on. It will take you some time to take in everything & make your shopping list.

Notepolish Paperie

There are so many fabulous products at Notepolish Paperie, I don't know where to start!? If the man in your life is always forgetting to purchase appropriate cards, maybe he'll get the hint when you pass a set of Guy Cards his way. For the bride who is looking for unique girly gifts for her bridesmaids, have a look at all the options here. I love the denim pocket initial notecards. Talk about great packaging! And how cute are the bridesmaid thank you cards designed by Tori Higa? Being a big scrapbooker I love the pet memory books for new pet owners. Don't miss the sale section either.

Bliss By Heather

Heather S. has a great Etsy shop called Bliss By Heather. Being a talented crafter & seamstress, Heather has created many awesome products. I love all of the handbags, including this sling bag. The best part is that you can design your own by choosing the fabric you want & the style of the bag. The reversible headbands will also keep you looking stylish this summer. My favorite item in Heather's shop are the trendy tampon carrying cases. I would like to have one of the adorable checkbook covers, as well. Check all of Heather's fabulous creations today!

Mutha Crafter

Yesterday I discovered Mutha Crafter through The Broken Plate blog. The tagline I'm So Crafty I Make People is beyond hilarious. Equally cheeky is My mom is so craftyn she made ME! which comes emblazoned on a onsie for any crafty mama's child. Check back often for added designs that are sure to please.

Claudine Hellmuth

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Claudine Hellmuth's Poppets. Claudine recently opened an Etsy shop making shopping for her artwork that much easier. These whimsical & unique pieces of art would brighten up anyone's space. The Vespa Girl piece would look lovely in my new residence. And a recent edition to Claudine's works are the 3D metal pieces. If you would like to purchase a customize piece for yourself or someone special, contact Claudine to arrange the transaction. She does lovely work that we'd all be so lucky to own.

Harajuku

Harajuku is an Etsy shop created by JoEllen Stooks that features her line of handmade swimwear. This is something I was surprised to learn about, as I would never think to look for swimwear on Etsy. However, once you see JoEllen's designs I think you will be excited to discover this gem. The swimsuit designs, such as the one shoulder Cabana stripe bikini, are very unique. I love the print & the form of the tapestry print halter bikini. And being a big fan of Andy Warhol's pop artwork, I love the pop art bikini. The emerald green shirred front bikini reminds me of something screen sirens wore in the 40s. Beautiful! I believe the pirate skulls bandeau bikini will be a big hit, as well. Have a look at JoEllen's website, too, which features more swimwear for men & women. You can also purchase her designs through the Stars & Infinite Darkness site.

Summer Sales

Got a couple of summer sales to share with ya'll. First up is Bonnin Designs. They are having a major inventory clearance right now where everything is 50% off. This shop also offers free ground shipping to the USA.

Next we have Anna Bella Stationery who is offering 20% off any invitation in their Occasion collection until August 30, 2007. Type in coupon code SUMMER20 [case sensitive] to apply your discount at checkout! Also, you can use the coupon repeatedly throughout the summer.

Tartlette

Tartlette has fabulous children's clothing & accessories that are a very unique. The Anne Bonny
Rick Rac Pirate Party Dress (pictured here) is too cute for words. These designs are edgy, but still adorable for your wee one. Notice that there's also matching headbands for the mamas to wear. Tartlette also has stroller blanks available in various retro style prints.

Patti Haskins

Patti Haskins is another fabulous crafter from the Dallas area. I am loving Patti's adorable crochet dog softies. The cats are also fabulous. For the extreme cat lovers out there (and I know you are out there!) Patti has designed these cool crochet purses incorporating her cat illustration. Also, check out the desktop pillows. Very unique!

Note: Sorry for the brief interruption this week. I've been moving. You all feel sorry for me now, right!

Bright And Bold

Bright And Bold is full of cool gift items. You'll find things like a red lips chair, or how about a Medusa ceiling light? There's lots of cool decor for your walls, as well as tabletop accessories. I love the wine cork placecard holders! Other adorable items include the pear gift set, the cupcake kitchen timer, and the summertime shaker set to name just a few. Take some time to look at all the unique & cool items Bright And Bold has in store.

Designing Diva

Randi-Sue is a fellow North Texan who has quite a knack for designing handcrafted jewelry. Her shop Designing Diva is full of beautiful pieces. I love the Formal Grey earrings, as well as the pink Days of Summer pair. All of the necklaces are so unique & funky. There's also a formal collection for events such as weddings, proms, etc. And something that I think is very unique to this designer is her Inspiration collection. Such beautiful pieces! Have a look at all of Randi-Sue's terrific creations.
ETA: Randi-Sue has generously set up a discount code for Funky Finds readers. Receive 15% off by entering coupon code Bag15.

Hammocks & High Tea

Karen Young's beautiful stationery is influenced by her South American background. Her shop, Hammocks & High Tea, showcases her strong artistic capabilities. Her cards, which are screen printed on 60% post consumer recycled paper using non toxic ink, are unlike any I've seen before. The hammock card would be perfect to send to anyone this summer. And I love the rhino & giraffe illustrations. You'll also find a card Karen created to raise funds for Nest, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries.

Darling

Darling has lots of charming goods ranging from stationery to tees. Thanks for your support is a humorous card perfect for any of your girlfriends. The little hooter is also adorable. And I know that the majority of my readers could proudly wear a tee stating Craft or Die.

TylerDog Cards & Gifts

TylerDog Cards & Gifts sells lots of fabulous items featuring entertaining animal photographs. I love the pug photo on the Devil In Me card, as well as the Dachshund cheerleader. There's also lovely pet sympathy cards for when a loved one is lost. Have a look at all the items TylerDog has to offer pet lovers.

Made In Lowell

Upon first look at Made In Lowell, I thought of summer & happiness. Don't the bright, fun colors used in all the creations say that to you? The Cherry Twig card would make a beautiful framed image. The psychedelic egg ornament is very intriguing, especially after reading how this piece was crafted. I also like the jewelry which incorporates clay pieces as well as felted elements. And this pair of blue & red earrings are just plain adorable! Check out all the unique items Made In Lowell has to offer.

Serendipity

Serendipity is a great Etsy shop full of the most adorable jewelry holders I've found. The pink swirls & stripes holder is so cute & looks very easy to use. I desperately need one of the necklace holders, too. The pink ballerina earring holder would be a perfect gift for any little girly girl. Check out all the fabulous holders Serendipity has to offer.

Wanart

Wanart is a cool shop featuring designs by founder Joyce Wan. Being Chinese American, Joyce often had a difficult time finding fun, culturally appropriate greeting cards for friends and family. You will love the baby gear to go featuring the animals of the Chinese zodiac. I love the packaging! There's coordinating tote bags, too. Also available are cards for many occassions, as well as the adorable Jellybeanz™ characters.

Southern Sassy Pants

Southern Sassy Pants is a wonderful resource for unique gifts. Each fabulous item is custom made & handcrafted with care. There's adorable pillows for newborn girls and boys, as well as great fringe-trimmed pillows that can be custom embroidered per your request. I especially love the cute star shaped pillows. I know several friends that would love to receive one of the hot pink zebra pillows. I know I would love one for myself! You'll also find the cutest handmade children's apparel, such as the ladybug jumper. Have a look at all the fabulous customizeable designs by Southern Sassy Pants today.

K Style

The very talented Karen of K-Style recently opened an Etsy shop featuring her fabulous lampwork beads & jewelry. She makes each bead using murano glass from Italy & finishes them with a silver lining to precisely fit the beads. I love all the beautiful colors Karen uses in each set of earrings. Take a look at all the gorgeous pieces she has created.

The Pet Set

I think it's pretty clear by now that I am a pet lover, namely a dog lover. So you can understand why I adore the stationery by The Pet Set. The essence of this company is to give dogs and their humans a graceful and stylish manner in which to correspond. I think they have achieved that & much more with their wide array of products. There's everything from Valentine's Day cards to adorable puppy announcements. The ensemble sets would make the perfect gift for any dog lover that you know...or for yourself!