Favorite Finds

Etsy Style

Happy Monday!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. We attended the annual barn costume party next door on Saturday night, but I'll save that recap for Halloween. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by one an all.

Today I'm sharing some of my favorite etsy finds. I hope you're heard of etsy at this point, but if you haven't here's the short and sweet of it. It is an online marketplace for handmade items, vintage and supplies to make really cool handmade things.  There are some really wonderful makers on etsy, and I'm constantly finding things I love thanks for my fellow shop owners.

Take a look.

sources:
The PaperBird Society: Tote bag   Garden & Sea: Infinity scarf   
catspawpottery: trinket dish     sarahlawsmade: whale pillows

sources:

blue raspberry designs: Vincent Van Gogh 

lovintagefinds: ottoman    cosmictwist: necklace

There is much awesomeness happening on etsy.   Lots of talented people.  There is something for every taste and every budget and that's just the bonus.

In other news, I ran off and shipped two of my archival prints this morning. More are available in my etsy shop.

grow love via bates mercantile co.

 Louis Louis via Bates Mercantile Co.

Florida and Virgina, here they come.

 

It looks to be a a busy week here between the prints shipping out, the branding work I'm in the midst of for my client in L.A., design work for a client in Colorado, and new branding working I'm just beginning for a client in Ontario.  My desk is full and I like it that way.

It's all good.  

In case you missed it on Friday, I shared a free printable note card. Print, cut, fold, write a note and mail it.  Spread some happiness. 

One more thing, if you have a moment, check out the lovely handmade holiday guide Bev at Linkouture put together.  Let me just say, Bev is three weeks away from giving birth to her first child and the woman shows no signs of letting up. She is still actively promoting other crafters and artists, including those who were featured on her blog over the past year (which luckily includes me).  I love her go-get-'em style. Show her some love check out the guide she worked so hard to pull together and check out some awesome gift ideas for the coming holiday season  & gift giving.

 

Have a good one and I'll see you on the flip side.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

Favorite Finds

Etsy Style

I wish I could say there was a theme to my Favorite Finds this week, but I can't. Well, other than the fact that I really like them.  There is a little bit of everything in the mix......photography, vintage, jewelry, decor.

Here's a little showcase of just some of the wonderful shops and items you'll find from my fellow etsy shop owners.

From left to right.....

First row:

flower photography via of trees and hues

hand dyed vintage fabrics via enhabiten

Second row:

Vintage bottle via 2dehandsjes

Fjord pillow via loud waterfall photo

Third row:

sweet citron green tea via artful tea

faceted white/blue necklace via that old blue house 2

Fourth row:

vintage backpack via Past Perfect Continues

fine bone china bowl via made by manos

I love these posts because it gives me a chance to shine a light on the independent artists and shop owners who call etsy home.  I hope you'll show them some love and have a look around.

I know I sound like a broken record, but it's another great day here.  It was a little iffy yesterday, but turned out nice. Today, hot and humid right out of the starting gate.

Is anyone else feeling like they need to eek all they can out of the rest of August? I do and I will.

This picture one of my champagne ladies took on her vacation to Bar Harbor, Maine this week makes me want to escape.....right to this beach.

This was really yesterday's post, but I had an unexpected visit from my friend Peg. So, we sat and chatted and solved the world's problems. Didn't you see us on the news last night? We're up for the Nobel prize.

Enjoy the day. It's all you've got.

Ciao for now,

One Thing I Love About Etsy

Little Things..........continued

No matter what I've bought on etsy, there is always a personal touch added.

In the last couple of weeks, I've experienced the etsy personal touch phenomenom a few times and it always makes me smile.

Masako of SockSockWorld went out of her way to change the eyes on the arglye platypus I wanted to give to my two year old Grand Niece. She customized the eyes to make it safe for a two year old and and still shipped out to me very quickly. To top it off, she was concered with whether I would like it. Are you kidding? How could I not love this platypus (shown off here by sister Di)?

Too cute!

Last week, I treated myself to two things and was pleasantly surpised when they arrived.

First, I just loved these little hello note cards from KiwiTiniCreations.

A happy hello, right?

Well, when they arrived, shop owner Kathy had written a nice little thank you note and ..........................

.....included a couple of little gift tags as a bonus! Sweet.

Then, one of our prints was featured in a treasury alongside these totally mod earrings. They were screaming me (ok, a mix of me and Gram Gram, but I can totally rock them) so I nabbed them immediately from Revvie.

Revvie's shop owner Rebecca also wrote me a thank you note and included a bag of tea that I can't wait to try.

Honestly, where else do you shop and a thank you note from the shop owner? And receive something extra on top of it?

It's just one of the 'little things' that makes etsy special, and I love it. None of my purchases were 'huge' by any stretch of the imagination, but each shop owner made me feel like my purchase was special and that they appreciate my business.

That goes a long way in my book.

I know, I usually feature shops from the current shop link up on Monday following the party, but I just had to share how these shop owners brightened my day. Gotta Have It Shop and Blog Link Up picks tomorrow!

Happy Monday. Make it a great day.

Favorite Finds

via ILaBoom

Oh, The Glories of Etsy

I could get lost on etsy like I can in a good bookstore. There's just so much to discover. Here's some things that have made their way into my etsy favorites and I think you'll see why.

How cute is this shadowbox from ILaBoom?

via ILaBoom

What? You think it could be a little cuter? OK, maybe you're right. Turn on the light! 

We're talking way-over-the-top cute now.

via ILaBoom

Moving right along from cute to totally awesome. Who knew I'd ever think a towel ring would ever be totally awesome, but the 80s valley girl in sure thinks it is. OMG. I want it. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

via TheLandLockedSailor

I was voted most talkative in highschool so I can relate to this little card.  So did my friend Ralph. Yup, we're quite a pair.  That said, sometimes I'm not in a 'phone' mood, but sometimes I talk for so long on the phone my ear actually hurts so this card from Pounouheartsyou  makes me chuckle.

via Pounouheartsyou

Pretty, pretty top from ASeasonInIndia. I'm a sucker for cabbage roses.

via ASeasonInIndia

I have a lot of tea cups. OK, more than a lot. I have a collection of tea cups but I don't think any are buttercream yellow like this one from SwirlingOrange11.

via SwirlingOrange11

What can I say? I am on the 'hanger' bandwagon. Gar can attest, this happens to me. Oh man, does it ever. Thanks to mybeardedpigeon  for letting me know exactly what it is.



via mybeardedpigeon

What about you? Have you finding lots of great stuff on etsy and elsewhere? Share a link in your comment below....I love finding new shops and blogs.

Have a great Wednesday.

Over and out,

Things I Found At The Party

via shellyka

Over The Moon and The Rainbow

That's the way I'm feeling about our current shop link up. The response has been fantastic.  I mean, we are covering all of the bases here people- from New Hampshire to Israel, South Carolina to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, good 'ol Hannibal, Missouri and back. Shop owners and bloggers from all over the world have linked up.

Very cool.

Here's some of the things I found at the party:

Gorgeous smokey quartz necklace, with a pop of fun color to set it off.

via GemsByWendyB

A customized, printable wall calendar (delivered to your email for you to print off), with a picture of someone you love. Sweet.

via missbellaexpressions

A lovable handmade monster. I can relate. I've had hair days like this too.



via loopysheep

I admit it. I used to try to get my hair to look like that. I was a punk rock kind of chick 'back in the day'. I owned stock in Aqua Net and Final Net hairspray. Not really, but I should have.

Oh happy day. Colorful flowers. How could you not smile looking at this happy, handcrafted wall art everyday?

via buligaia

A rainbow of flowers.

Speaking of rainbows, how about one to display your 'kid art'. I happen to LOVE kid art.



via shellyka

What a fun way to show it all off!

Oh.......you want to show yourself off? How about a little black lace number? No, not that kind.  This kind.

via ohnostalgia

This would look so elegant against the decolletage of a lovely lady.  I just had to say decolletage. I mean, how often do you get the chance and I love that word.

Thanks for playing along with 'What I Found At The Party'.  What did you find that caught your eye?

I'll soon be featuring some of the blogs I've found via our blog link up, so keep your eyes peeled (what on earth does that saying really mean?).

Sunrise Meadows

It's supposed to be on the 'warmer' side today. Somewhere near 40 or better, which for this time of year is quite nice.  Gar had just left for work when I looked out the door and saw this. Of course, I had to grab the camera and walk over to the field for some shots.

'Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day'.....(more on that later).

The clouds were big and puffy and kept rolling along looking peachy pink.

What a vista. Boy are we lucky.

Did you catch the moon setting in the last two?

The way the light was hitting things like this tree....... 

.....and this seagull was so pretty.

No matter what way you looked, to the West, the East, or up above, it was one heck of a sky.

I hope your day is as bright and beautiful. 

Freeform Friday

Back to the 'beautiful morning'. Let's just talk about Hugh Jackman for a minute. Is there anything the man can't do? He's on my 'list' for shear talent alone, never mind that he's a rather handsome man. Gar and I both love this performance of Oklahoma. They knock the entire play knock right out of the park.  I wish PBS would play the entire thing again. For now, this will have to do. Side note...........this should remind sister Di of something........it's what her music box played when we were little.

And if that wasn't enough for you, here's a rounding chorus of Oklahoma to get you going.Go ahead, sing along. I know you want to.

Ciao for now. Make it a good one.

About me, follow and recap.

Fall Shop Spotlight & Giveaway

Hi guys.  I'm very excited to be in the 'spotlight' today over at Life By The Book and would like to thank Kristen for the feature. The spotlight features a 'little more about me' and a Giveaway of a Bates Mercantile Co. printable of your choice, so check it out right here if you want to be entered to win.  While you're at it, stop by Kristen's etsy shop ByTheBook Paper and see the neat stuff she makes, like these:

I think I'm being followed

A lovely collection of things from Mercantile Muse followers. So awesome.

1.the cutest clothespin bag ever by hopeandjoyhome 

2. shabby chic key pennant/banner by madistreasures  3. shades of blue bracelet by meljoycreations 

4. triptict painting by paintbrushedboutique  5. vintage jar opener by touchevintage  6. vintage trunk by harrismarkshome  7. summer in parris tote bag by notwithoutannette  8. gold chain necklace by retrorevivalboutique  9.  pillow case dress by timeandagainshop 10. cork magnets by lizziejoedesigns 

11. hello tags by susanwilliamsdesigns

Sunday Recap

This is pretty much what my Sunday looked like.

Simple because it really needs to be done, I spent what was a pretty nice day in the basement.  It's one big ugly mess.  I didn't get very far. Because, as I mentioned, it's one big mess.  It's a work in progress, but at least the big basement clean up/out is underway. I'll post more pictures when the progress I've made is more apparent than it is right now.

Finally saw the neighbors at the end of the day. It was a quiet weekend in the neighborhood. We all ended up in Tom and Joan's driveway watching the sun go down. When I got back across the street I grabbed the camera.......

Sunset Meadows

......and captured these.

This sunset went on and on and on. 

This morning, there sun was making the dew on the grass sparkle.

I loved the way it highlighted each little droplet of dew.

I hope that you have a fantastic beginning to the week. Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are.

Ta ta for now.....