Addicted to Etsy

A few days ago, after my beloved television had been shipped off to our new house, I tweeted (twittered?) about what one does when they are drinking wine and don’t have basic cable to keep them company. My response showed what a large divide there is between men and women when it comes to Internet-based entertainment.

I found myself drunk shopping on Etsy.

Oh, Etsy. My somewhat newly found love. I say “somewhat” because as early as February of this year I was ordering strange, unique items from Etsy (like this crocheted heart for Trent’s Valentine’s Day gift), but I hadn’t really discovered what is possible for a site that gives people the world over a chance to buy unique, handmade and vintage pieces, even if they live in Middle-of-nowhere, Kansas instead of Brooklyn or San Francisco.

What, do you ask, are these items that are forcing me to click the buy button? What could make me spend, spend, spend, when I just bought a house and my husband bought another business and the economy’s in the crapper? Well…

First up is the Design Fruit shop. Design Fruit is where I get all of my Photoshop brushes and Illustrator vectors that I use in my random invites and thank you cards. They just opened an Etsy shop where they are selling wall decals that make my heart go pitter-patter. They add so much to a boring wall, and with our house decorating budget in the negative digits, the price is much more managable than a painting or other piece of art.

This one is going in Trent and I’s yellow bedroom.

I ordered this one for Lucy’s room. I’m either going to put it over her doorway or on a windowsill.

This will squarely solidify my dork status, but I love this shop by Lanie Beth. She sells funky merchandise and focuses a large portion of her work on the Twilight series. Yes, that Twilight series. My friend Mara and I have been discussing getting t-shirts to wear to the film premiere of Twilight this November, and when I saw this, my finger moved to the buy button quicker than that pointer thing on a Ouiji Board. Mara is a little pissed, as she really wanted to make puffy paint shirts, but I couldn’t resist.

Look, glitter!!!

It’s been known for a while that I love me some Mighty Goods, so I was thrilled when they opened an Etsy shop to sell vintage items found at thrift stores on the west coast. I’m particularly fond of this jar, which I would love to leave on my nightstand to hold all of my random crap that seems to collect there. So far, I’ve been able to resist that buy button, but I wouldn’t count on that lasting.

Snoozer Loser is a shop based out of NYC (of course) and I love all of their beautiful clothes. My fashion sense has finally started to become a bit more than tops from the Gap outlet, and I’ve been finding myself more interested in special pieces with vintage flair (yes, I just said flair). I also love how she names each item. Meet my crush, The Olivia top.

You can’t have her, she’s mine!

We can’t leave the rest of the family out of the fun! I’ve found tons of great dresses for Lu on Esty (along with some lovely handmade toys), but these ones take the cake. Technically I found them via Dooce, who posted about them here, but I’ve fallen deep in love with the shop Tuff as Snails. From their t-shirts to their skull dresses, I can’t get enough. I’m planning putting off the purchases until Christmas or Lu’s birthday, but I’m having trouble staying away.

Lately, Trent’s been very in to wearing a tie to work. And I have to admit, that boy looks damn sexy in a good tie. The shop Me and Matilda is a great place to get handmade, unique ties that don’t have the feel of the last minute gift you found at Dillards. I’m a particular fan of this tangerine one, as Trent can wear orange like nobody’s business.

And let’s keep this orange theme running, shall we. I guess I’ve shown why I painted my kitchen orange, huh? I’m sort of a fan. Poor Molly Moo, who gets left out of most everything these days, deserves a fun treat as well. Her current collar has begun to smell a bit like a sewer on a hot day, so I’m thinking of getting her a new one. Maybe one to match Trent’s tie, like this one from 8 Paws Collars.

For some reason this pattern reminds me of Thanksgiving….

So if you’re looking to buy me anything (I dunno, a housewarming gift, perhaps…not that I’m implying anything), check Etsy first. There you’ll find some real gems, and will probably max out your credit card. In fact, you may want to ask someone to hide your wallet before you log on. Lest you end up like me, with too many wall decals and no lunch money.