Fun gifts from Etsy Rain
Etsy Rain is a collection of Western Washington area artists and crafters who own online Etsy shops where they sell their creations. I joined awhile back thinking that eventually I’ll have enough time to sign up and sell some of the things I make. That hasn’t happened yet, but I was excited to attend their craft show yesterday in downtown Seattle.
Of course, what most interested me were items that were recycled, upcycled and repurposed. Happily there were quite a few “green” artisans, however I was disappointed that a woman who made the most delicious-sounding lollipops wasn’t into organic. Maybe next year!
Here are some of my favorites. All have websites from which you can purchase in time for the holidays if you hurry!
I’m a total sucker for wooden animals, especially when they’re made from pieces of wood that normally would be thrown away. So I had to grab this dinosaur by Todd Waffner. It is so smooth, I may not give it to our new grandgirl, its intended recipient, because frankly, I find running my hand over its smooth back extremely calming. Todd makes gorgeous modern furniture and build boats as well as saving scraps of wood and turning them into fanciful toys.
If I owned a dog or cat or willing rabbit, no doubt I would have bought one of these amusing collars or leashes for him or her. They’re “accessories with a conscience” (love that) from Greenbelts. Items are handmade using recycled belts and, as owner Shannon Ritscher says, “various doohickeys.” Each one is unique and will make your pooch or kitty (or bunny), stand out in the crowd!
Down! Down! All you chocolate lovers. As beautiful as these bon bons look they are not to eat. They’re to plant! I’d glimpsed these or similar ones in a magazine and thought, “Oh, that’s clever!” But seeing them in person made me smile. They look good enough to gift on your favorite chocoholic—at least if you’re the joking kind. I’m sending a box from Moulton to my avid gardening friend. Just hope she believes the “For planting, not snacking” sticker!
In recent years my decorating style has moved from country French to modern, but these darling tiered stands from Bunnys Baked Goods, caught my eye. As owner Kate says, she’s got “something sweet for any bunny,” and with the right plates you could have a mid-century as well as modern vibe, I’m sure. In the meantime, if you crave country, you might want to check these out.
I thought the designs on these organic cotton t-shirts (as well as hemp and organic cotton tote bags), from Uzura were just beautiful! (Of course I do have a thing for birds and nature). Uzura is the Japanese word for “quail.” The name comes from the pet button quails the artist keeps as pets. Don’t you just love knowing facts like this about people you buy from? Take that Target!
And finally, the award for Lynn’s Best in Show goes to Hasenpfeffer. These wonderful dolls are made by Daniela with clothing knit by her mom. (But I was not influenced at all by the fact this is a mother-daughter duo like us.) I’m mad for every detail, but my favorite part is their felt hair. So clever and beautifully done.
From their Etsy shop comes this description of how sustainability plays into the creation of these dolls which are made to be played with, but which could become part of any collection.
“Our sense of ecology inspired us; for years we pondered what we could do with the beautiful materials assembled as ugly old outfits in the last-chance bins at thrift stores. By making dolls from them, we figured we could save these precious artifacts of a now-long-gone American textile industry from their inevitable fate in the bowels of a landfill.
Modernism’s simplicity and clarity of form direct our creations’ shapes. Our semi-interlocking patterns result in more than a friendly looking doll; those original shapes also minimize waste material, thereby allowing us to make the most of already limited resources.
Demand requires us to incorporate prime materials in our dolls but we’ve still found ways to honor our original objectives. By patronizing vendors who deal in closeouts, dead stock, and remnants we’re assured a vast array of colors, textures, and patterns. But nothing we could buy could rival the richness that Daniela’s mom, Ursula, makes. She scours Swiss thrifts for remnant yarn from which she kits outfits so luxurious that people beg for full-size versions…or to be shrunk to fit.”
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.
