Big Sister Designs Blog - Tempting Tuesday

Tempting Tuesday: In the Garden

nospam@example.com (Maria K) — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:22:29 -0500

Hello again! Why do I always feel like I should start out with that? Weird! Anyway, I have been finding lots of great things on Etsy lately. Now they have 'suggested shops' for me based on my favorites. These are all sorts of new shops I've never seen before full of fantastic things. Even though it is STILL raining in Seattle I am dreaming of sun and working in the garden so this week I have some garden themed faves for you.

I love this "dirt soap" by Aunt Nancy's Soap! It almost makes me want to have a boy since my daughters would definitely not be into this. She also makes a confetti soap and I am thinking of buying that. Aly loves to wash her toys in the sink which apparently takes a lot of soap. I can hope that a bar soap would get used slower than liquid soap right?

I found these by Peg and Awl on the front page of Etsy last night. They are so beautiful but I'm not totally sure what I would use them for. I think they would make pretty planter boxes and for some reason I love that they are nesting. It could be fun to use them to bring my harvest in from the garden with but I think they should be on display. They are too pretty to just be workhorses. What would you do with them?

This print came up when I searched for "garden." Redbean Design has so many great prints in their shop! I think this one would make an awesome Mei Tai if it were printed on fabric. I think most of their prints would make really fun fabric actually.

Tempting Tuesday: Necklaces

nospam@example.com (Maria K) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:31:35 -0500

With Mother's Day coming up I wanted to show a few of my favorite necklaces I have seen on Etsy.

Shop Something Blue has some beautiful pieces.Â She often uses semi-precious stones and her jewelry is simple and classic.Â I love this necklace which could be stamped with your and your spouses initials or I would stamp it with my daughters initials.Â I like this necklace over other mother's day necklaces with one disc or shape for each child because I feel like one shape would always be covered up by the other.Â This necklace has both initials on the same piece so neither is covered.

Isn't this pretty?Â (Remember sparkly things always catch my eye).Â AnotherÂ simple necklace, this one a little more bright and eye-catching though.Â I found Classic Keepsakes through Twitter and always have to see her new listings.Â She has some really pretty earrings that are just a bit too big for me...but I still love to drool over.Â

I heard that clear jewelry is going to be "in."Â I admit that I am not a very "in" person, especially after having 2 kids but I thought maybe I could get a piece or two and at least make an effort with this one.Â My EtsyÂ search for "clear glass necklace" found this one by Apple Champagne, a new shop on Etsy.Â They always have free shipping and orders placedÂ before April 30th for more than $10 get $5 off with the promo code listed in their shop announcement.

What have you found lately?

Tempting Tuesday: Oh Baby!

nospam@example.com (Maria K) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:09:15 -0500

Some favorite Etsy baby finds this week!

Aren't these Hand Dyed Bodysuits by Kim's Crafty Apple adorable?Â I really love the 3rd one in on the white hanger.Â These would make such a fun shower gift I think.Â Bright and fun and practical too.

These hair clippies by Maple Sugar Lane are the first ones I've seen with buttons added.Â I don't know what it is but I think buttons are the cutest little 'extra' thing to add to pretty much anything.Â On top of that her prices are great!Â These twoÂ hair clippies, including USÂ shipping, are only $4.25.Â Just over $2.00 apiece?Â I'm in!Â

I was excited to see some healthy felt food listed by Time to Play.Â My girls got her bunny and chick peeps and some easter egg cookies in their Easter baskets from my mom.Â They are all so cute and quite realistic looking.Â Of course, I would prefer they play with fruit instead of cookies.Â I hope she makes some more fruit for her shop, and maybe some veggies too!Â

What have you found lately?

Tempting Tuesday: a wreath, a basket, and a journal

nospam@example.com (Maria K) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:51:57 -0500

Here are this weeks faves...

I've been wanting a wreath made from lavender to hang on my front door for a while now.Â Every year I think I will go to the Lavender festival and buy myself one.Â (I don't know if they actually sell what I am picturing in my head there or not).Â And every year I end up not going because it is too far away, or I'm already busy, or something comes up.Â I've searched for Lavender wreaths on Etsy and didn't find what I want there either.Â This oregano wreath from NHWoodsCreations is pretty close to what I have pictured in my head.Â It just says "summer" to me.Â I bet it smells wonderful too.Â

I don't remember how I found these baskets by YellowViolet, just that it was love at first sight.Â They come in several different sizes and colors for just the right spot in your home.Â I found a tutorial to make something similiar to these online and wow!Â They look like a lot of work.Â I love how she writes "All my baskets are made from my heart with love and good wishes sewn into them."Â Sweet!

I have a confession.Â I am a book lover.Â I love books.Â Especially old books.Â I love the smell of old books in the libraries at the University of Washington where I went to school.Â I love the feel of the dry pages on myÂ hands.Â IÂ just love them!Â And even though I don't keep a journal I think these journals by Beach ChickenÂ are the coolest things ever!Â I would love to have one to keep track of all my ideas for my shop.Â And one for my gardening notes, and one for my to-do lists, and one for...Â

What did you find this week?Â

Tempting Tuesday: tote, sea glass, and lampwork beads

nospam@example.com (Maria K) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:23:27 -0500

Here are my Tempting Tuesday finds for this week...

Love this oilcloth tote by Shargatz!Â Actually she has several very cute ones, picking my favorite was harder than I thought it was going to be.Â I like the oranges against the bright pink background.Â Â Cheery and bright is just what I am looking for this spring.Â I love a great tote bag!Â Reuseable bags are a must for everyoneÂ living eco-friendly lifestyles and being made from oilcloth, this one is so easy to clean.Â

ThisÂ is a beautiful sea glass necklace by Beach Glass Memories.Â Her shop is full of sea glass jewelry.Â Â This piece is mountedÂ with a sterling silver filigree which is lovely and different from other sea glass necklaces I have seen on Etsy.Â I love looking for sea glass when visiting my grandparents and keep what I find in a votive candle holder in my beachyÂ bathroom.Â

I am totally in love with lampwork beads lately.Â I think a bowl full of them on display would be absolutely delightful!Â There are lots of them for sale on Etsy at all pricesÂ soÂ when I saw Bits n' Beads by Gilliauna post these earringsÂ on Facebook I had to see them.Â Sadly, my husband does not like dangly earrings and so I will leave them for you to buy instead.Â

What are your favorite Etsy finds this week?Â Feel free to leave a link to your blog posts showing what your favorites are.Â I'd love to see!