Shopaholic: Heartsy

Maybe you've heard of it?  The site is kind of like a Groupon/daily deal sort of site, except all the vouchers you'll buy are for handmade products/supplies from independent shops on Etsy.  I signed up a while back when I first saw it on Sara's blog.  After several weeks of receiving their daily e-mails, I hadn't bought anything and thought maybe it was time to unsubscribe...until I saw that one of the daily deals was from the Portland Beanie Company {I'd wanted to buy her beanies before, but couldn't quite bring myself to shell out the $$}.

Photo from original Etsy listing

So, I decided that I'd use my $5 credit for signing up and splurge for a cute beanie for my little guy.  However, I ended up getting a pretty good deal {and a cute beanie for baby girl too!}.  It turned out that the cost was $20 for a $44 voucher.  If I signed up as a VIP ($7.99/mo + $10 credit) it would be $20 for a $54 credit, so I did.

Photo from original Etsy listing

Here is how the math worked:

Heartsy: $7.99 + $20 - $5 -$10 = $12.99 for $54 voucher

Beanies: $32 + $24 + $3 (shipping) = $59 - $54 = $5

Totals: $12.99 +$5 = $17.99

Not a bad deal for something I would have wanted to buy anyway.  Now, in all honestly, I will probably cancel the VIP payments before the next one is withdrawn.  There have been occasional deals for fabric, but other than a few handmade things, there isn't much I would buy.  But, I'll continue to keep my eye out for great deals.

Now, I'm not writing this to try to get anyone to sign up, but in case you're interested already and want to use me as a referral, I sure wouldn't mind, just click here {then, if you ever decide to buy something, I'll get a credit too!}.

Anyway, maybe I should do less shopping and more sewing....have a great weekend!

Shopaholic: Contented Be

photo by Contented Be

I've been spending more of my time sewing than shopping lately {in fact, I'm off to work on a quilt that has taken over...}, but, in case you're looking for a little something to brighten someone's day, I happened upon these cute little birdie brooches on Flickr, and thought they were too sweet.  The designer, Rachel, also has a cute blog where she showcases some of the lovely stuff she's made.  I thought these little birdies would be perfect for an inspiration board {or wearing, of course!}.

Well, I'm off to sew while the little boy naps...don't forget to enter the current giveaway {think spring} and consider joining the fun {pay it forward}!  Until later...

Shopaholic: Barn Star Candle Co.

{Barn Star Candle Co.}

I really love candles, but I've noticed it is difficult to find blue candles to match my living room decor with scents I like {I'm just not really a fan of linen or floral scents, personally}.  So, imagine my surprise to find a Blueberry Muffin scented soy candle that is hand poured in Maine!  It is everything I was hoping for in a candle, since soy wax burns cleaner {our landlords request that we burn soy candles!}.  The jar even has a pretty daisy cut into the lid.  It makes a cute decoration as well as a purposeful candle, now I just have to decide when I'm going to start burning it.

Shopaholic: Cinnamon Sticks

I really love stamped jewelry.  I've seen so many cute pieces on Etsy and elsewhere, I knew I just had to have one after my baby was born!  So, when Josiah asked me what I wanted for Mother's day, I knew immediately what it would be.  So, I contacted the sweet Canela of Cinnamon Sticks {who was highly recommended to me by a friend who has the Rustic Mom Necklace} and requested a special order.  This is the necklace we worked out:

{thanks Canela for letting me use your photo!}

It turned out perfect and I wear it almost every day.  I decided to ask for different charms so I can add to it if we have any more kids.  The backs are stamped with our anniversary and baby's birthday.  Now this is the kind of keepsake that makes a memorable first Mother's Day.

{love it!}

Shopaholic: Clutterbags

2 in 1 Pleated Wristlet/Clutch

I've done quite a bit of shopping on Etsy in the last few months, for both baby things and things for me, so I thought it was about time I shared some of my purchases with you. I wanted to start with something I received as a gift first. My mom bought me this adorable clutch from Clutterbags to carry my stuff in the diaper bag with. For some reason I really like orange and aqua right now {maybe because it is such a great combination and matches my Cotton Blossoms bag...}, so this orange bag was perfect. It is actually larger than I had imagined, and makes the perfect mini purse. I'm now eying a few different fabrics, they're just so lovely!

Shopaholic: Avie Designs

Boxed Stationery

I love stationery {and honestly, most other paper products too}.  I wish I was still as avid of a letter writer as I've been in the past {sadly, e-mail and cell phones have made instant contact so convenient!}.  Regardless of the frequency of my letter writing, I always keep a nice stash of stationery on hand, and try to send off beautiful notes, when I do happen to send them.  I think I've spent hours browsing stationery on Etsy, and came across Avie Designs early on {but finally got around to placing an order not that long ago}.

Avie's designs are unique and have a clean and fresh quality to them {and the paper she prints on is great quality too}.  I also appreciate the fact that her stationery sets are printed on recycled paper as well, so I am reusing paper.  In addition to stationery, you can find bookplates, calling cards, website cards, and invitations and announcements too.

Now, I just have to bring myself to actually using them, and not just admiring the lovely stash I've accumulated.  {I think Josiah cringes every time I go into a paper store, little does he know I have one at my fingertips every day.}

P.S. There is still time to place an order from Avie Designs and get it by Christmas, if you don't know what to get that paper lover on your list.

Shopaholic: Rasberry Baby

Modern Flirt Skirt

I haven't ever really bought clothes from Etsy, there's just something about buying clothes you can't try on, especially since they are non-returnable {since they're handmade for you!}.  I usually wear skirts all summer, but somehow, this year, I was down to one, so I decided to be brave and order one from Etsy.  After some searching I decided on the skirt pictured above for it's simple style, neutral colors, and positive feedback.  I simply sent Tiffany my measurements with my order and my skirt arrived a few weeks later and fit perfectly.  While the skirt weather is ending rapidly, this is one shop I'll be back to next year {unless I can't resist a corduroy skirt before then}.

Wearing my skirt at the Statue of Liberty

{this is the only photo I have of me in it!}

Shopaholic: Paloma's Nest

CUSTOM dove tiny text bowl

 If you're looking for a little treasure that is elegantly simple, Paloma's Nest just might be the shop for you.  The tiny text bowls are perfect for celebrations and come in a variety of sayings {or customize your own!} for weddings, babies, and even fishing, there is a little something special for everyone.  Not only are these pieces lovely, but the packaging, shipping, and care Caroline puts into each order is fabulous.  Our custom dove tiny text bowl says "family" and is a family treasure.

 

HOME tiny text bowl with milagro house

CELEBRATE set of 6 tiny text tiles

Shopaholic: Oktak

Eyeglass Case

Tired of lugging around the heavy hard case that came with my sunglasses, and tired of cramming them into my purse and risking scratching, I finally splurged on a soft {stylish} case.  I chose a lovely one from Oktak made with Joel Dewberry's new Deer Valley line of fabric in a lovely aqua.  It is well made and has a little cushion to protect my glasses.  Not in the market for an eyeglass case?  Fortunately, Oktak has everything from little pouches to purses and totes, all in a variety of beautiful fabrics.  Right now, Oktak is on vacation, but offering a discount too, making it even more worth the wait!

eyeglass case - sea green tiles $30

2 compartment pouch - gold dots $35

frame purse - green bubbles on white $70

Shopaholic: Tied Up Memories

Gift Tags

Have you ever bought something just because it was cute, even though you didn't have a need or purpose for it {but you're sure you'll find one eventually}?  I know I have, and these gift tags from Tied Up Memories are one of my recent too cute purchases. They would make excellent decorations to a gift {what they're intended for}, but would also be cute in a scrapbook, hanging on a cork board, or even for labeling drawers.  With a variety of {cottage} styles, it's difficult to pick just one {especially considering the prices}.  So stop by and take a peak, you might find something that is too cute to pass up too!

From the Garden 

Vintage Paper Blooms

Shopaholic: Lillyella

Lillyella is a well known jewelry designer on Etsy.  Her jewelry is simple, elegant, and completely wearable any day.  Nicole's blog is also worth following, as it is full of how-to's, recipes, and giveaways.  Nicole is also having a Christmas in July sale, with promotions for her followers on Twitter and Facebook.  Here are a couple of Nicole's photos {doesn't she take fabulous photos too?} of some of the jewelry we've purchased for ourselves and others:

Shopaholic: Mixmasha

Jade Cluster- button brooch

We happened upon Mixmasha's shop while reading the Lillyella blog and couldn't resist these beautiful creations!  Buttons and brooches, what a perfect combination. Not only is the concept beautiful, but the workmanship is too.  Carefully constructed and simple, elegant packing, would make these lovely brooches a perfect gift for you or someone else.  Take a peek, maybe heart, or make a purchase from this lovely Australian!

 

Ireland-button brooch $12

Port Wine Cluster- button brooch $14

Shopaholic: My Southern Lace

My Southern Lace

I have a love of pins and brooches.  My sister pinned a beaded flower on my jean jacket once, and I've worn a pin on my jackets and blazers ever since.  Last fall I found a great green tweed blazer, but it needed something unique.  I was browsing Etsy when I stumbled upon My Southern Lace's shop and this unique pin:

It is one of my favorite posessions.  I get lots of compliments on it because it really is so unique.  Neither I nor anyone else has seen anything quite like it.  Although you may not find a pin just like this one, Cherylynn has some other great vintage jewelry in her shop like these:

 

Vintage Floral Enamel Pin $10 

2 pc Vintage Blue Floral Rhinestone 12k Pin set $15

Shopaholic: Sweet Paperie

unique custom designer address rubber stamps & labels

A good friend of mine purchased one of these address stamps when she moved into her new house, and was so impressed that I had to get one too!  Sweet Paperie is full of unique, custom rubber stamps (the stamp itself is actually rubber, not polymer like some other custom stamps that are available) in a variety of styles.  There is sure to be something for nearly every taste.  And, the best part is, you can use it hundreds of times for the initial purchase price (not counting the ink), instead of repeatedly buying new stick on labels.  So, take a moment to check out all their cute designs.

Limited Edition Collaboration - Poppies Address Rubber Stamp - 905

 Custom Address Rubber Stamp - 1216

NEW DESIGN Custom Address Rubber Stamp- 2101

Shopaholic: Gabriel's Aunt

Essential Oil Scented Tea Lights Pack of 10 Hugs & Kisses

When looking for candles, soy are an excellent choice, they burn longer and cleaner than wax, and are available in a wide variety of scents.  These tea lights from Gabriel's Aunt are a great purchase, each one burns for six hours, compared to the hour or two a wax tea light usually burns.  And the scent was amazing too!

Shopaholic: Special Edition

This week for our Shopaholic column, I thought I'd share my recent purchases, which I picked up Monday from the post office.  I'd also like to mention that everything came very sweetly packaged, with tissue, ribbons, the whole nine yards.  However, I was in the middle of running errands and didn't think to snap any photos before ripping into it!  So, here are a few of my new favorite things:

Sophie Isobel Designs:  Custom brooches out of my Hartfield fabric

I spotted Sophie Isobel Designs on another blog a while ago, and have been eyeing her cute brooches ever since.  When I finished my first Jane bag, I thought the brooches would make a cute addition, and Sophie agreed to do a custom order for me.  They turned out just perfect!

 

Sweetness Jewelry: Vinyard Bracelet and Plum Earrings 

As I mentioned in the Behind the Scenes interview with Kelly of Sweetness Jewelry, I actually won a piece of jewelry from her shop, and I picked the lovely Vinyard Bracelet and then asked Kelly if she had any earrings to go with it.  She listed the Plum Earrings for me later, and they're perfect.  I was able to wear both for the first time yesterday with my deep purple sweater (yes, it is still sweater weather here), and they were the perfect compliments.  I will get a lot of wear out of these lovely pieces.

 

Ragnazidar: Custom Cashier Journal

I have been drawing up some ideas for quilts I'd like to make, but having a terrible time making them accurate on the graph paper I had.  Not to mention, carrying around a large pad of graph paper wasn't really working out for me.  After doing a little searching on Etsy, I still couldn't find what I was looking for, so I made an alchemy request.  Randi of Ragnazidar contacted me and said she thought she could make what I was looking for.  After a few convos she created these two lovely journals with the 8 x 8 grid paper I was hoping for, I've already started putting them to use!

Shopaholic: Mark Poulin Enamel Jewelry

When I searched for "raccoons" on Etsy, for a raccoon loving sister, I found Bandit. Not only did my sister love it, everyone else compliments her on it, and it does not go unnoticed. Mark Poulin Enamel Jewelry is also full of other cute little finds, like Rubber Ducky Your the One.... and Leaf Sketch Earrings, which are sure to bring a smile.