December December...

Mercury Glass Bottle by satisfind.etsy.com

Hi everyone,

Can you get your head around it being mid December already? Well I hope you're all enjoying the buzz of this merry season - gathering favourite family recipes to bake, choosing what to wear for the parties, enjoying buying lots of wonderful handmade goodies for presents.... in our house it's actually not so much like this at all, not in this heat in the southern hemisphere!

I'd like to share with you some lovely Christmas and Holidays' items and images to give a feast for the eyes to get you in the mood where ever you are in the world right now... thanks to all the Etsy artists and designers for the following :-)


Land of Winter Wonder Original painting by JanelleTompkins.etsy.com


Tropical Santa Claus Pink Flamingo Dish by wiseimpressions.etsy.com


Satin Baby Doll Carnie Cream and Gold DRESS and CUFFS, crude designs by Lana Guerra aoa at CrudeThings.etsy.com

... and finally for now..


Sterling Sea Glass and Pearls Bracelet by BeachGlassMemories.etsy.com

Hope you enjoyed looking at these fine seasonal pieces,
love from around the world from the Fashion Design and Lifestyle Team X

Weekend Deal

The Fashion, Design and Lifestyle Team (a.k.a FDLTeam) Today (Nov 14-Nov 16) are starting a great and fun promotion: Buy one and get a gift for free!! That means that every Purchase comes with a extra goody!!! How nice! So go to Etsy and look for the tag "FDLDEAL"
You'll find great deal and amazing sellers...Have fun and Enjoy shopping.

Jewel Tones

Hi,

Our apologies for the big pause in our posts here at FDL - it's been a pretty busy few months for many of us but now it's time to get back into the swing of posting regularly to this blog and keep it interesting with our new inspirations, ideas and thoughts so please check back often!

Jewel colours are our hot topic this week... no easy task in choosing some great pieces to share with you at Etsy but the stunning stained glass panel above made by livingglassart, in a cool shade of sapphire will be a good start! The image speaks volumes... all that texture and vibrancy. This next image is of a print in juicy emerald shades...

...created by stilettoheights. So decadent.

The richness in these handmade glass bead bells of transparent topaz with their dark blue rims is soooo dreamy, almost like toffee! Artisticly made by NadinArtGlass

Last but not least, this beautiful ruby red mosaic ring, made by CrookedMoonMosaics is delightful too.



I have certainly found a few favourites on this search for jewel toned items... I feel an FDL team challenge coming on.... ;-)

See you again real soon

x

May Happenings

At long last, the team happenings for May! Another very busy month for this amazing team!

Delightworthyn's fantastic hats were featured in the latest issue of Altered Couture magazine. Check out her feature as well as her other creations in her Etsy shop! We are also waiting to hear more about that mysterious marriage proposal ...

Right along side her in the same Altered Couture magazine is another team member, Rebeccasartcloset. Be sure to check out her feature and amazing shop, too!

One of our resident artists had a smashing month! Kristen Stein of Kristensteinfineart found out her art will be in an upcoming movie, "The Roommate". We are so happy to know that the world will get to see Kristen's amazing art!

She was also featured in ThisMomCanShop and MyShoppingConnection, as well as being written up in Philly's City Paper. Congrats to Kristen for all this great publicity!

Alchemistart was featured on the North Georgia Team Blog in an article about Father's Day.


NoraKaren was featured on Mirkwoodcottage, landed in the the Etsy Travel Guide, and had some interesting visits from a nocturnal black cat.

Furiousdreams had an open studio feature on GlassAddictions, as well as a feature on IMadeThat.

Happiknits was featured on ScoutieGirl, as well as the front page of Etsy.

In addition, she and Hollyillustration did a fabulous collaboration this month, combining fashion illustration and the matching capelet creation. Check out both of these talented artists!

Nuvonova was in the Etsy Storque feature on Handmade Weddings. We also want to wish her great luck in her new job for a design house in London.

Capitolagirl was featured in Etsy Finds: Schools Out, Start Shopping.

Eikumpel was on the front page of Etsy.

We also spotted Atelierdesoyun on the front page of Etsy.

Allthingspretty has some big changes as she is moving from New Zealand to Australia. Best of luck!!! And congrats on your Front Page feature, too!

Love2sew made a fabulous video for the team. Check it out here!

On a final note, we are looking forward to hearing more from Peter and Jenn, of Octopedalarts, about their recent trip to Greece and any new inspiration for their creations.

Be sure to click on the links to all of these fabulous shops and features!

Till next month ...

Beth
Thirdfloor

Reflections

So here it is...

the reason I have been so incommunicado lately.

But I am finished and need to return Reflections to Hudson, NY, where he will adorn the streets this summer in all his mirrored mosaic glory!

Paper Dolls May edition-The Reveal

Paper Dolls May 2009:

The Reveal

It's time to reveal what readers picked for this month's virtual fashion game--where readers and FDL Team Members help to coordinate an outfit based on an inspiration piece. This month's shop round up started off with a stunning Versailles silk coat from Suite.

Versailles Silk coat

(from Suite)

A lovely outfit has been fabulously completed with these suggestions from FDL blog readers and FDL Team Members...

Petite Emmanuelle ring

(La petitepuce jewelry)

Tea dress

(Sohomode)

Etienne Aigner vintage pumps

(jessjamesjake)

Pinks Earrings

(Urbanlegend)

Misha headband

(Lovemely)

The Keeper

(Opulent Oddities)

Vintage Suitcase

(Norakaren)

Buttercream headband

(chicallure)

and because I am all about color... Chiffon scarf

(Amysfunkyfibers)

Thanks to everyone who participated and the Lovely creators of all of thes beautiful items. Take a moment to visit their Etsy shops!

Paper Dolls: Time To Play (May Edition)

Paper Dolls (May Edition):Do You Play Paper Dolls? Welcome to May. It's time for another round of Paper Dolls here on Etsy's Fashion Design & Lifestyle Team Blog. This month's virtual fashion game (where you help us coordinate an outfit based on an inspiration), starts off with this Super Funky coat from Suite. She was inspired by Marie Antoinette! I am so honored that Jennifer from Suite is joining us this month on paper dolls. Jennifer was on season 5 of Project Runway! Us ladies here are all huge PR fans! Thank you Jennifer!

Versailles silk coat

from Suite

(www.suite.etsy.com)

Now... its your turn readers. Put on your most fabulous fashionista and help coordinate a memorable outfit based on the inspiration piece.

Do You Want to Play Paper Dolls?If so, here's how the Paper Dolls game works:

1. Check out this week's inspiration piece.

2. Browse ANY shop on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com) and hunt for coordinates to complete the fashionable look, using the Versailles Silk coat from Suite. You may look for boot/shoes, jewelry, accessories, bags, and any other items any Etsy shop (including your own).

3. Once you've found some items that match, come back here and leave a comment with an item listing link.

We will be selecting the items you list in the Comments below and revealing a complete outfit in two weeks-- so be sure to come back to the FDL Team Blog then for the outfit reveal.

This post was written for the FDL team by Becca from www.happiknits.etsy.com

April Team Happenings!

Here we are again, approaching the end of April. So many things have happened in the team this month!Amysfunkyfibers' scarves were included in a 'Spring in to Spring' fashion show held in Indianapolis. Amy's fibers do indeed look funky!CelesteCraft submitted her first patterns ever for publication at e-patternscentral.com, remember her name! Her Etsy shop also passed the 300 sales mark, congratulations!Mylittleaura has added two more collections to her Etsy shop - Organic and Upcycled, my favourite is the Upcycled Angora Sweater! ... Her new collections are a lovely follow up from Earth Day a couple of weeks ago.

Kristensteinfineart has been a real busy bee! Her painting 'Welcome Spring' was included in one of the top 5 decorating trends for Spring 2009 on ImageKind and was chosen to represent Nature. It's perfect! She also signed on with two Philadelphia galleries to show her artwork (Square Peg Artery near Rittenhouse Square and the Mew Gallery on 9th in the Italian Market District.) and she still has a few pieces at Moderne Life Interiors in Jenkintown, PA. Make sure you check her out if you're local! But I haven't finished there yet, she was invited to show her work in a gallery in Canal Fulton, Ohio and received an invitation to show her work at the Picasso Restaurant in Media, PA, for their 2nd Saturday Art Stroll which will be on display throughout May! AllThingsPretty reached the 100 sales milestone, congratulations!Eikumpel released a new line of pins called 'Kumpel Dolls' that you can take anywhere you like, they're adorable!

She also has a stall at a Flea market being held at the Bristol Folk House in the UK on the 9th May.Norakaren opened a new shop on Etsy called HerenciaVintage .. good luck with it!Capitolagirl broke the 150 sales mark and got a small press mention in her local paper, The Santa Cruz Sentinel.And lastly, thirdfloor is officially the original Superwoman (sorry, FDL team joke! - will share eventually!)

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day from the Fashion, Design and Lifestyle team. We had a special challenge to create something Earth friendly. As a global team we may live in different places, have different customs, speak different languages. But together we have a common thread. A likeness. We all have the same home. Her name is Earth and she is beautiful. She needs care just like anything else. It is our responsibility to care for our home. To band together and nuture and love her. This wonderful global team has created some stunning items that are eco-friendly, though provoking, inspirational, and artisitic. So today, even if it's only for 5 minutes, stop what you are doing and look around you. Breathe in the air, glance at the trees, marvel all that is living around you. Be thankful for your home, treat her kindly. This lush painting is by Furiousdreams, proving that she does indeed dream in color!

First up we have a lovely market bag from Thirdfloor designs. This is perfect for trips to the grocery. Just say no to those plastic bags.

This stunning vest from Allthingspretty, so bohemian! I love it very in fashion, and what a great use for all those old school doilies!

This lovely eco and organic bag from Atelierdesoyun. I am in love with this! Perfect for toting whatever with you.

All the girls were raving over this awesome redo of a t-shirt from Lovetosew. Very cool! Release your inner wild child!

These shoes from Norakaren are to die for! Have those leftover dyeables from that wedding? Convo Nora, she'll turn them into something worth keeping! Lovely!

This piece of art from Kristensteinfineart sums up Earth day in a lovely way. Beautiful work Kristen!

Wedding season upon us and Nuvonova has some awesome bridesmaid, shower gift ideas. Lovely Clara!

Cuffs are very fashionable and Mylittleaura has created a pretty and feminine wrist decoration!

I (Happiknits)made this little Earth Friendly flower brooch from a recycled denim skirt, vintage lace and buttons and some fabric scraps.

This awesome necklace from Daintycrochetbyaly Lovely work Aly! What a great use of camo!

To find more earth friendly challenges pieces search fdlearth on Etsy.