Going to the Fest with Little Ones

Hello Etsy Nola friends! I hope you have all been having a lovely spring and hopefully you got out to Jazz Fest to hear some of your favorite music (or, just eat the delicious food!). I know we had a steady flow of visitors from out of town who came to enjoy the incredible food, music and weather. Oh my gosh, it's been so nice out!

Some of our favorite friends in town for the festivities were a pair of brand spanking new parents who came with their eight week old all the way from the Bay Area to spend time with friends and family as well as hit up the Fest. I think he was the tiniest baby I ran into the whole time. He was a real trooper and his parents were amazing, well-prepared and super patient. Their little one is the inspiration for today's post - Etsy Nola has so many incredible, original goodies for babies!

The Posh Baby Shoppe has super sweet vintage baby hats for great prices. If there's one thing every Nola baby needs, it's a chic chapeau for this spring sunshine!

(Photo from The Posh Baby Shoppe)

Beaucoup Boutique specializes in hand painted and decorated canvas shoes for the little ones. Easy to put on for the toddlers, and decorated in festive, fun prints.

(Photo from Beaucoup Boutique)

I'm currently in love with these cute burlap totes from Sazerac Stitches! I know they aren't necessarily baby-related, but I think they would make an amazing diaper tote with your sweet little one's initial on the side!

(Photo from Sazerac Stitches)

I saw a few parents with toddlers and small children who had their little ones carting their own little backpacks of goodies around the festival, which I thought was brilliant. These personalized beach towels from Ingrid Elizabeth would be great for little ones to use as festival blankets (and to take to the beach or pool!). She also has adorable tutus in a variety of fun colors!

(Photo from Ingrid Elizabeth)

Lastly, no festival-goer should be without a parasol to stave sunburn and join in the second line. New Orleans Umbrella Co. has a fantastic selection of feathers and fringe to choose from!

(Photo from New Orleans Umbrella Co.)

Happy Festing y'all! We'd love to see how you use some of your Etsy Nola finds during this spring festival season! Share with us on Facebook!

Contributed by Emily Frock of Fried Green Design. When not helping out with the Etsy Nola blog, Emily can be found blogging at Fried Green Design, helping brand small businesses and designing beautiful stationery and thoughtful artwork for the lovely people of the world.

How-To Tuesdays on the Etsy Blog

Did you know Etsy has a bank of How-To Tuesday blogs full of awesome tips and tricks for making amazing things for your home, children and self? Personally, I love DIY, but I'm so busy running a graphic design business, working a day job and going to graduate school. So I prefer DIYs that take less than an afternoon of my precious weekend free time. Here are a few of my favorites from the Etsy blog:

Just for you:
Homemade Lip Balm in Upcycled Containers

Crafts with Kids:
Crafts for Parties!
Happy Camper Piñata 
Make Your Own Kite
Washi Tape Murals

(Image from Ninainvorm)

Around the House:
70's Inspired Macrame Plant Hangers
Geometric Mobiles



And just in time for easter, someone please make these adorable Easter Egg Whoopie Pies for me!

(Image from Heather Baird)

Displaying Artwork in a Rental Home

So, you splurged for Christmas or were gifted something beautiful for Hanukkah. You've set your sights on the the perfect Valentine's Day commemorative piece. However it came to be, you've recently come into possession of an incredible handmade beauty that you can't wait to display - except, you're in a rental home with restrictions on wall hangings and modifications. What's an Etsy buyer to do?

1. Removable Hooks. If you've purchased a piece on canvas, you may not need a frame at all. Canvas is light weight and a perfect candidate for hanging with removable hooks. Look into plastic hooks with foam tape backs that have a peel off tab to use when you're ready to remove your work from the wall. These hooks are available at most office supply stores, big boxes and many local pharmacies and hardware stores.

(Acrylic on canvas from Dreamtime Studios)

2. Choose Frames Wisely. Often frames can make or break a piece. There are lots of options out there - from poster frames to ready-mades to fully custom pieces from local artisan frame-makers. Be choosey, but also be practical. That hardwood molding may sound like a great idea, but it's going to do major damage to your plaster walls or inherited wall paper. Sometimes a light weight poster or frameless frame is the way to go. These can most readily be found at craft stores and your big box of choice.

(Acrylic on canvas from Eden Gallery)

3. Working With Easels. So, you decided on a really beautiful, yet heavy frame to go with your new piece, because it perfectly enhanced your new artwork. This could be an opportunity to check out thrift and antique stores to find a vintage easel. Or get a new easel at an art supply shop and paint it - they usually come in unfinished pine. Be sure free-standing easels are out of the way of foot traffic. The nice part is, you can move your artwork from spot to spot with ease, before nailing down the final location. There are also table-top easels and frame stands, in a fold-out variety that can be purchased in different sizes to fit your piece. I recommend spending a little more for these types, as my experience is you get what you pay for. Table top easels work great for housing your piece on a book case, dresser or counter. If you aren't an easel person, check out vintage telephone tables, skinny side tables and tall, thin shelving units geared toward holding plants.

(Print from Bryan Federico)

4. Blend Your Art In. I love the idea of stashing your art in unexpected places. The piece below, from Laissez Girl shows that if you choose your art to fit your space, you can display it nearly anywhere. Tucked into a bookcase or with your DVDs. On a window sill or on top of your medicine cabinet. Pieces that are created on thicker material can stand up all on their own. 

(Acrylic on wood from Laissez Girl)

5. If You Must Poke a Hole. I've seen lots of great ideas on Pinterest lately, and in person at galleries, that use minimally invasive hanging techniques. Using binder clips hung from thumb tacks will make less of a dent in your wall than hammer and nails. Leave prints unframed and string a pretty cord from one corner of the room to another and clothespin your pieces to the line. Putting holes in the corners will be less noticeable than in the middle of a blank wall. Similarly, if your home as crown molding, it's less messy to drop a line from where the crown molding meets the wall. If you do go unframed, you'll probably need to weight the bottom corners of your artwork, because it's Louisiana, after all - your paper is going to curl!

(Vintage ad from Mad Poet Artist)

I would love to hear your suggestions for alternative methods of artwork display! Leave us some comments and ideas!

Contributed by Emily Frock of Fried Green Design. When not helping out with the Etsy Nola blog, Emily can be found blogging at Fried Green Design, helping brand small businesses and designing beautiful stationery and thoughtful artwork for the lovely people of the world.

Happy Carnival Y'all!

Hello! Welcome to 2014 and welcome back to the Etsy Nola blog! We have exciting new members this year, and our established members have been busy creating new products, updating their sites and continuing to make a name for handmade, vintage and local items from beautiful and sunny New Orleans.

We're in full-on Carnival mode here in the Crescent City and I'm excited to start us off this year with some highlights for my top five favorite Mardi Gras themed items!

1. Home Decor. For those of you who love to show of your mardi gras obsession right from the start, I wanted to share Courtney Mahler's purple, green and gold wreaths. Keep in mind, she welcomes custom orders!

2. Hair Flair. I have fallen in love with all things feathers over the last couple of years. I have spent an embarrassing amount of time attempting to craft my own hair pieces, when all I really needed to do was consult the Etsy Nola Team. Marigold Pascual could have saved me many a glue gun burn with her beautiful creations! Below is the hair band I am currently coveting:

3. Baby Wear. New moms and dads would be doing that newborn a disservice on their first mardi gras if they didn't costume that baby up! It's important to start traditions early in this town. Check out Lilly Pie Creations custom designs for your little one.

4. Masks. There's something really wonderful about a one-of-a-kind, didn't-buy-it-on-Canal-Street mask. It's a treat to bump into a custom, handmade piece that makes you think of mardi gras past. I was very excited to find Mr. Hyde's Custom Leathers on our Team and would encourage you to think about his pieces for the season. His pieces are a little dark and show off the mysterious side of carnival season.

5. Costumes. Confession: I'm not very good at thinking up costume ideas. I love it when a piece just speaks to me and is classy, but fun and occasion-appropriate. Trapped in Time Designs have spoken to me. These are super cute and flirty dresses ready for you to take from parades to balls this season.

There are so many amazing carnival-appropriate items made by Team Etsy Nola members - be sure to check out the most up to date list of shops here, or head straight over to the group on Etsy and start shopping! Happy Carnival, y'all!

Etsy Nola fans: Enter our Giveaway!

Begins July 8th and ends 11pm central time, July 12th (Friday night)
ENTER HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Prizes

We have some amazing, local, handmade prizes from Etsy Nola shop owners! One lucky New Orleans resident will win all of these items in our giveaway, which starts here on this blog on Monday, July 8th. 

Business name: Seams Intriguing

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeamsIntriguing

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SeamsIntriguing

Item Description: Red and White Pleated Clutch- Clutch is made from upcycled polka dot tablecloth and Marc Jacobs silk-blend fabric. 

Retail Value: $24

Business name: Megan Jewel

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/meganjewel

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/meganjewelhandmade

Item Description: Hand collaged, typed & stitched greeting card. 

"I'd be lost without you"

Retail Value: $8 

Business name:  C3L Design

Etsy Shop: www.c3lDesign.etsy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/c3ldesign

Item Description: Thank you sticky notes (2 sets)- Quick, easy, and charming way to leave a thank you note for any occasion 

Retail Value: $5.50 each

Business name: Sarah Ott

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/SarahOttNewOrleans

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SarahOttCo

Website: www.SarahOtt.com

Item Description: Nola-Love Gold Plated Bangle Bracelet- 

Diameter approx. 2 5/8"

Retail Value: $26

Business name: Back Bayou Vintage LLC

Etsy Shop: www.backbayouvintage.etsy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BackBayouVintage

Item Description: Nickel Free, Upcycled Vintage Button Post Earrings

Retail Value: $15

Business name: Flambeaux Design Company

Etsy Shop: http://www.flambeaux.etsy.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/FlambeauxDesignCompany

Item Description: King cake necklace and king cake ring. Handmade polymer clay jewelry. 

Retail Value: ring-$15 necklace-$25

Business name: The Made in Mind Social

Website: http://madeinmindsocial.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MadeInMindSocial

Item Description: One year membership, valued at $40

"Made In Mind is a bi-monthly social gathering of creatives in Louisiana. Our goal is to build a community where everyone can share their passions and encourage each other to keep their creative juices flowing. Whether you are a blogger, graphic designer, artist, photographer, fashion designer, DIY lover, makeup artist etc., we want to network and get to know the people behind their work!"

Business name: Midnight Girl Designs

Etsy Shop: www.midnightgirldesigns.etsy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/midnightgirldesigns

Item Description: I love rainy days...Umbrella charm necklace, 18" chain 

& 15% Off Coupon

Retail Value: $18

Business name: Eden Gallery

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/EdenGallery

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EdenGallery

Item Description: Earring pair, bracelet, and print

Retail Value: $20

Business name: Gator Girl Art

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GatorGirlArt

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GatorGirlArt

Item Description: Skeleton Folk Art, Dead Married Couple, 8.5x11 Art Print-- Eternal Love Print and 20% Off Coupon for shop

Retail Value: $20

Business name: Trapped in Time Designs

Etsy Shop: www.trappedintimedesigns.etsy.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/trappedintimedesigns

Website:www.trappedintimedesigns.com

Item Description: 2 fabric headbands (black and white stripe & mardi gras) and 1 purple & green ruffle mardi gras collar

Retail Value: collar-$35 headbands- $8 each

Business name: Laurel M Buras Art

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/laurelmburasart

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/laurelmburasart

Item Description: Handcrafted, signed, and ready to hang. Orange, Mint, and Gold acrylic painted canvas fan with Lavender accents. Securely attached to 7" x 11" whitewashed pine tree slice.

Retail Value: $48

Business name: Fried Green Designs

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/friedgreendesign

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/friedgreendesign

Item Description: 3 blank Thank You cards with envelopes, 4x6"

Retail Value: $3.95 each

Business name: Jossells

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/Jossells

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Jossells

Item Description: Navy blue & gunmetal earrings and bracelet

Retail Value: $15

Business name: Lillypearll

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/lillypearll

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lillypearll

Item Description: Soft Golden Pond Infinity Scarf- Recycled double knit infinity scarf in shades of morning gold, meadow green, and gray sky

Retail Value: $16

Business name: J&Flo

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JandFlo

Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Flo-Jewelry-Co/195267433824029?fref=ts

Item Description: A pair of coral earrings and quartz hair pins

Business name: Hidden Treasures

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/NOLAshiddentreasures

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HiddenTreasures504

Item Description: Pair of steamboat earrings

Business name: Melanie Douthit

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelanieDouthit

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDouthitArtStudio

Item Description: Art print 

Business name: Christina's Handmade Originals

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/christinashandmade

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/christinashandmadeoriginals

Item Description: Black and Gold Filigree Chandelier Earrings 

Retail Value: $12

Business name:Beauty by Paris Collection

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautybyParis

Item Description: Set of Dog Bows

Retail Value: $6 each - $24 total

July Giveaway!

We are going to have an exciting giveaway contest starting on Monday, July 8th!

THE PRIZE: 

A box filled with handmade goodies from Team Etsy Nola shop owners. Includes a variety of items such as: jewelry, art prints, accessories, and more!  

THE RULES:

The winner must be a resident of New Orleans, LA
or its immediate surrounding areas. 

One of the goals of Team Etsy Nola is to encourage more relationships between local shop owners and customers. This giveaway is aimed at helping build those relationships by connecting Etsy Nola's fans with some of our fabulous locally-based shops and products! 

Latest Etsy Nola Find: Photo Print by Sugarberry Photography

 

8x10 Print- New Orleans Steel Sign 

$25 by Sugarberry Photography 

"New Orleans Steel Co inc. sign that is from the 40s or 50s (no exact date that I could find). The metallic paper shows the colors beautifully!

I print this photo on Metallic Endura paper. It's the best way to show off the colors, and it adds a depth that makes it look three-dimensional. It has a standard archival value of 100 years in 

home display.

This photo comes with a white mat to fit an 11x14 frame. It will be shipped USPS. It comes backed and wrapped in a clear bag for extra protection."

Valentine Treasury by RainbeauxCraft

See all her picks here and visit her own shop here!

Two Valentine's Treasuries

A Vintage Valentine from New Orleans by Eden Gallery 

and

Etsy Nola Knows Valentines..... by bessiee

Soap by Sweet Olive Soap Works

"Whatever NOLA wants, NOLA gets... Etsy NOLA, that is!"

New Etsy Nola treasury by LillyPearll!
Click here to see the whole treasury.

February Treasury Challenge!

I thought for the month of February we could have a Treasury Challenge to get our team and team members a little more notoriety. Make a new treasury here.

So here are the guidelines:
You have the entire month of February (Feb. 1st - Feb. 29th) to participate.
Just pick any cohesive color or theme you like! (Mardi Gras and Valentines Day are both in February feel free to use them for your theme if you like.)
Don't include your own shop in your treasury.
Don't use any shop more than once in your treasury.
Use all Etsy Nola team members in your treasury.
Remember to tag your treasury "etsyteam" and "etsynola."
Put the link to the treasury on the discussion post so other team members can click and comment!
We will highlight the treasuries here on the blog and Facebook page, with a link to your shop or blog/website!

That's it! Happy treasury making!
~Deanna

4x6 Promotional Card

Hi everyone! You can use this card to print and hand out at any art markets and events you participate in. Let's spread the word! (for larger version, click here and drag to desktop or save to your computer)

Team Holiday Coupon Code!

Etsy Nola is excited to announce a team coupon code for the holidays! Use code ETSYNOLA at checkout with any of the participating stores below. For help on how to use the code, see the article from Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/help/article/350

• CAKE FACE SOAPING (all natural handmade soaps and products) is offering 23% off your total order through Wednesday, December. 28th.

• HURRICANE POTTERY  is offering 10% off your total order, plus 15% off for returning customers, through January 6th. 

• MIDNIGHT GIRL DESIGNS (handmade, recycled jewelry) is offering free domestic through Friday, December 9th.  

• PAPERS BY KRISTIN (hand-crafted paper goods) is offering 15% off your total order through Wednesday, December 21st. 

• RAINBEAUX CRAFT (hand-painted jewelry) is offering 10% off your total order through December 31st.

Etsy Nola Find: Handpainted Earrings by joypompeo

Green Mandala Earrings

  $40 from joypompeo

"Original mandalas in gradating shades of green painted free-hand with acrylic onto 1" brass discs and protected with a domed shiny resin coating. Sterling silver round earwires mimic the curve of the mandalas. Entire earring length is approximately 2"."

Etsy Nola Find of the Week

Tree Seasons Knot Print 

$25 by Knotscribe

"A beautiful representation of the changes of seasons in a Celtic knot. The original was hand dawn and painted with gouache on Bristol paper, a variation of a snowflake knot. A perfect stand alone knot for framing in any house. The Original is not for sale, but the knot turned out to be so pretty it had to be shared. I am offering 20 prints of this work, which will be numbered and signed by me on the back as not to detract from the piece."

Etsy Nola Find of the Week

Lace Mod Dress in Cream or Black 

$120 from Altarclothing

""Numa"
Fabric lace dress in a 60's mod style. This short, sleeveless dress has two layers, a soft cotton lace over a sheer lining. Both layers are sheer, so a slip underneath is recommended. The back eyelet opening attaches at the nape of the neck with a small pearl button and loop.
It would be perfect with bloomers underneath on a warm day or leggings to keep away a cold breeze!"

Etsy Nola Find of the Week

Golden Girl- Gold Leather Beaded Wrap Bracelet

$52 from NOLAbead

"~Golden Girl~
The Golden girl is a triple wrap gold leather bracelet, embellished with 4mm metallic pale gold Czech fire-polished glass beads. The Golden girl also has a round gold closure and a small fleur de lis charm. This bracelet is 25.5-27.5 inches long and is adjustable for most wrist sizes. If you know your wrist size please let me know so that I can be sure it fits properly."

Etsy Nola Find of the Week

Leather Belt Buckle - Fleur de Lis - Available in a Variety of Colors
$28 by BucklesBienvenue

"Who Dat?!?
Show your pride for New Orleans, France, or just the symbol with this handmade leather belt buckle. It features a hand stamped Fleur de Lis, and it is dyed in Java Brown. This leather belt buckle has been finished with a semi-glossy protective coating to resist water damage.

- Measures 3" x 2" (7.6cm x 5.1cm)
- Will fit any snap belt 1" to 1.5" wide.
- Will come shipped in a handmade pouch with store tag"

Etsy Nola Find of the Week

Louisiana Pelican Necklace 

$60 by JennAndJill

"Whether you were born here, live here or your heart will always reside on the bayou, the Pelican pendant lets you express your admiration for the Louisiana State Bird.

Every pendant is individually handcrafted of precious metal clay (PMC), the result .999 silver. 

PMC is made up of microscopic particles of silver in an organic binder. Once the clay is formed and dried it is fired; the binder burns away and the result is fine silver."