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Madison Etsy explorations: The Fairy Garden
on 11/04/09 at 12:00 pm | Halloween may have come and gone but that doesn't mean the little ones have to stop playing dress up. Playing princess has never been easier or more adorable than with a tutu from The Fairy Garden. With only a little tulle and a little sparkle, shop owner Heidi Duss has created an invitation to the magical world of make-believe for your child. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: A Handmade Portland
on 10/07/09 at 12:00 pm | I have a fairly large jewelry collection; consequently if I am going to expand my collection the piece needs to be unusual. Ordinary just won't do. Classic hoops are not going to excite me, neither are plain gold studs. Luckily, Etsy is ripe with unique shops and A Handmade Portland is no exception. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Kristy Sly Glass
on 09/02/09 at 12:30 pm | I adored the Murano glass wine stopper my husband and I picked up in Venice, and have kicked myself since for giving it away as a gift. Stumbling on the wine stoppers at Kristy Sly Glass was like returning to the winding Venetian alleys. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Prettifications
on 08/12/09 at 1:00 pm | Vintage pieces add a certain je ne sais quoi quality to an outfit, a character that is hard to replicate but easy to love. One may spend hours combing antique stores and flea markets for the perfect original piece, the time you spend adding more history and memories for what will soon become a treasure. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Late summer sales in lean times
on 07/29/09 at 12:00 pm | In a troubled economy, it is handy to have your eye out for a good deal. As any recessionista would say, looking fabulous for less isn't hard as long as you know where to look. And lucky for you, I've got my finger on the Etsy pulse. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: HRS Designs
on 07/15/09 at 1:00 pm | Bold jewelry choices do not necessarily mean wearing a very complex and intricate piece. Sometimes simple lines can make the biggest statement. The jewelry of HRS Designs reflects this sentiment with pieces that convey a modern simplicity, allowing the stone or bead to do much of the talking. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Annabel's Aprons
on 07/01/09 at 2:00 pm | I am not a chef; in fact I can't even say I cook. I have been known to reheat food from time to time and I make a mean cheese and crackers. That being said, I may enroll in a cooking class just to rationalize wearing one of the fabulous creations by Annabel's Aprons. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Red Otter
on 06/17/09 at 2:00 pm | To do lists are a daily part of my life. I have them scrambled on tiny post-its and scraps of paper, littering the dark corners of my tote bag. Sometimes I splurge and buy cute little notepads for my lists, although those tend to get used quickly as I almost invent lists just to use them. The notebooks at Red Otter would be no exception for me. |
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Collar my world
on 06/12/09 at 9:00 am | I don't own a dog, but the collars at Sugar Plum Collars jumped out at me. Sewn with fabric that is bright and colorful, each one is adorable. The patterns are fun and certainly not ones that you have ever seen used for a dog collar before. A Sugar Plum collar would definitely make your pup unique on the block. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Sugar Plum Collars
on 06/03/09 at 8:00 am | I don't own a dog but the collars at Sugar Plum Collars jumped out at me no less because of it. Sewn with fabric that is bright and colorful, each one is adorable. The patterns are fun and certainly not ones that you have ever seen used for a dog collar before. A Sugar Plum collar would definitely make your pup the most unique on the block. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: JSN Style
on 05/20/09 at 1:00 pm | Fresh and fun, fabrics can add an extra special touch to any project. Recognizing the importance of good fabric, Aime Meyers utilizes the charm of Amy Butler's fabrics in her eye pillows. Relaxing in style is easy with Meyers' lavender filled sachets, sold in her Etsy shop JSN Style. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: TieBeau
on 05/06/09 at 9:00 am | When I discovered Catherine Boldt's Etsy shop, TieBeau, I have to admit I was a bit envious that I had not thought of her idea myself. Boldt repurposes cast aside vintage ties into very fun and brightly colored headbands. She has taken ties past their fashion prime and reinvented them as hip hair accessories. Favoring the '50s and '60s, Boldt's headbands uniquely tell the story of a bygone era |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Aunty K's Crocheted Guyz
on 04/22/09 at 11:00 am | Recently I was shopping for a children's gift and found it hard not to be overwhelmed by the vast number of branded toys reaching out to grab my attention. I am not a Barney fan and frankly, I've never seen Dora the Explorer. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Erin Bowe Artisan Jewelry
on 04/08/09 at 1:00 pm | I took a metalsmithing jewelry class in high school. My 16-year-old self had this fantasy of discovering an inner bohemian with a raw talent for creating gorgeous pieces of jewelry that everyone would just die to wear. But like many teenage expectations, mine failed to live up to the dream I had created in my mind. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Pattern and Memory
on 03/25/09 at 1:00 pm | When I was young, a visit to my grandparents' house often-meant time spent visiting in the kitchen. Whether it was helping my grandmother prep for dinner or making malts with my grandfather, it's a time I associate with youth and family and one particular pattern. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Ole Rattlesnake
on 03/11/09 at 12:00 pm | Mustaches are hot. Now these are three words I never imagined myself saying, but it is no less true. If you haven't noticed the mustache trend, keep your eye out and I guarantee you will suddenly see them everywhere. Not on upper lips mind you, but rather in a quirky new design aesthetic growing in the Internet art and craft market. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Madison Craft Studio
on 02/25/09 at 11:30 am | Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? It's a difficult question to answer when perusing the pocket mirrors of Madison Craft. Each mirror is unique with bright, graphic images to make even the reapplication of lipstick a fun endeavor. Each one makes me smile, making me want not just one, but several. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Shopping locally for Valentine's Day
on 02/11/09 at 8:00 am | Valentine's Day is approaching quickly and last minute shopping can be a major pain. It is hard to make a gift look thoughtful when it screams, "I'm from the Walgreens that just happened to be on the way to your house." |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Art Kitten
on 02/04/09 at 10:30 am | Sweet and thoughtful are sentiments that I hope I convey in my Valentine's gifts and in turn, hope to receive in mine. It doesn't need to cost a lot in order for me to love a present. For me, it really is the thought that counts. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Artsy Fartsy
on 01/28/09 at 11:30 am | Expressing your feelings on a Valentine can cause some anxiety. The decision to go cheeky or sappy can prove difficult especially in the early stages of a relationship. Now I won't presume to tell you which type of Valentine is best, this isn't a relationship column after all. But I can let you in on an Etsy shop that carries both. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Bare Tree Apparel
on 01/21/09 at 11:00 am | Valentine's Day shopping for men can be a bit more difficult than it is for the ladies. There is no quintessential gift equivalent to jewelry for the boys. At the same time, this leaves a great deal of choices at your disposal. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: BigiB Designs
on 01/14/09 at 10:00 am | Valentine's Day is exactly one month from today, the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to give the special woman in your life. Jewelry is certainly a staple for the upcoming holiday. Small boxes trimmed with ribbon are the most likely to be seen on many restaurant tables come February 14, but that doesn't mean your gift can't be unique. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Tyler Poncho and Everyday Monsters
on 01/07/09 at 11:00 am | The holidays have passed, the parties are over and if you are like me, a slight sadness has set in as the remaining winter months loom ahead. It is definitely time for a pick-me-up. The fanciful creatures of Tyler Poncho and Everyday Monsters are just the answer to lighten the spirit and bring out your inner child. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Wild Plum Mosaics
on 12/17/08 at 11:30 am | My husband and I took a trip to Italy a couple summers ago. Our stop in Venice was a highlight, stepping across bridges and winding our way through the maze-like city, and finding something new at every turn. Glimpses of everyday Venetian life grew the further we winded away from the train station. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Out of the Box Bead Designs
on 12/10/08 at 10:30 am | Holiday parties have begun to fill my calendar and with each RSVP, I find myself searching for the perfect piece of jewelry to highlight my party wear. What better way to be merry than with a sparkly bauble? |
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Madison Etsy explorations: 622 press
on 12/03/08 at 12:00 pm | The holiday season has arrived, and with it packages and cards will soon begin to alight your doorstep from family and friends. Certainly it is hard to match the happiness that comes from opening your mailbox to find a holiday card from someone dear. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Little Diva Shop
on 11/25/08 at 2:00 pm | The season's first snow blanketed Madison early Monday morning, firmly leaving autumn behind and reminding us that it is time to bundle up. Choices in winter accessories are definitely plentiful in Wisconsin, but the run-of-the-mill stocking cap can be a bit boring. Jennifer Samuels' Little Diva Shop can help you fight the winter blues and perk up any snowy day. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Whimsy House
on 11/19/08 at 12:00 pm | Recycled and vintage pieces have found a home at the Whimsy House. Aptly named, Molly Bernier's online store carries a wide array of jewelry that embraces your lighthearted side. |
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Madison Etsy explorations: Pravina Studio
on 11/12/08 at 11:30 am | I definitely have a fondness for bags. My husband teases me that I carry not only one bag, but that I have bags inside of bags. Those with a bag fetish like me will love Pravina Studio. |
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Spend green locally at holiday markets and art fairs in Madison
on 11/06/08 at 12:00 pm | Looking for the perfect gift during the holiday season for the loved ones in your life can be stressful. If you are like me and have given Uncle Fred one too many sweaters, it may be time to go in search of a more unique gift. |
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