Forgive me...

I need to write a sincere apology to my blog.  Despite starting it a few weeks (months?) ago, I have not been good at updating regularly at all.  Well, Life on Etsy, I'm at a transitional stage of my life right now.  I'm changing jobs and moving to another state.  Things are a little hectic right now.  I swear I'll get back on track once things have settled down.  I mean, within the past 2 week I've ordered 4 things from Etsy and at least 2 other things from other websites, so it's not like I'm lacking in things to review.  Sorry little bloggie, I'll get back to you as soon as I can!!

Coordinates: Wedding: Bride

I decided to do a new series entitled "Coordinates".. very straightforward naming, as you'll see.  Today's entry of Coordinates is for the Wedding.  There are so many things for a wedding that can be found on Etsy, whether it be a dress for your bridesmaids, cake topper, save-the-dates, or centerpieces.  You could basically buy your entire wedding off of Etsy, aside from the venue and your guests!  Today, let's take a look at an option for the bride....

 

1: Bridal Nosegay bouquet by parsi - This bouquet, with flowers made of cold porcelain and pearl strands, is a stunner.  Just don't throw it over your shoulder...

2: Designer Inspired Gown 02 by weddingdressfantasy - Personally I like shorter wedding dresses, but I love the bottom of this one. 

3: Corsage Victorian Style Rhinestone & Swarovski Pearl choker by luxedeluxe - This choker is a somewhat heavy look, but I think that's what a strapless sweetheart neckline needs to balance it out.

4: Champagne Flower Feather Fascinator Bridal with Separate Veil by satanica - The veil of this lovely fascinator can be removed for after the ceremony.  This would look fabulous with an up-do.

5: Wedding shoes, Satin Embellished by Parisxox - These shoes are a bit simpler than some other "wedding shoes" you could purchase, but I don't think the focus of your attention should be on the shoes!!

Favorite! The Scarlet French Tulle Bow by alexandragrecco

The Scarlet French Tulle Bow by alexandragrecco

How beautiful is this??  Such a lovely picture!  This tulle bow looks like it would be amazing paired with a 50's or 60's style cocktail dress, something with a full skirt.  I guess that's mostly because the styling appears very 60's (because of the bangs, maybe?).  Actually, now that I think about it, it's rather lolita-ish!  It's shown in light yellow here, but is apparently available in other colors... and is attached on a comb.  To be honest, there isn't a lot of description on there.  Anyway, gorgeous.

So why won't I be buying it?  Ehhhh $50 is a bit steep for a big tulle bow.  Right?  Anyway, I'm still a novice at wearing fascinators.  Alexandragrecco does both accessories and clothing in a very romantic, girlish, lovely style, and they are worth checking out if you like such things!

well, not in action, but so you can see the comb...

Mini User Guide: Purchasing

Have you never bought something off of Etsy because you're not sure what the process will be?   Here is a little walk through of what happens when you "Check Out."  Remember, you need to create an account with Etsy first!  You do not need a Paypal account, but at the minimum you will need a credit card.

The other day I happened to find a beautiful clutch that I just had to have.  Just FYI, I already received it, so I will review it pretty soon probably. ;)  But anyway, having found it, I clicked "Add to Cart":

In doing so, I was taken to a page that showed the item was in my cart.  Now, at this point, you can "Keep Shopping" or "Check Out".  Keep in mind that "you buy from one shop at a time", as it says right on the page.  So if you're going to keep shopping, you ought to keep to the same shop.  You can put items in your cart from other shops as well, however you will have to go through the check out/payment process for each shop.  So, right now, let's click "Check out with Paypal".  Sometimes sellers have other methods of payment, such as check or money order.  If this is the case.. well, I've never encountered that before!  You probably have to initiate a conversation with the seller, which I guess we'll go into in another posting.

So clicking "Check out with Paypal" brings you to Paypal's website, which clearly shows the cost of the item, shipping cost, and how the item will show up on your credit card statement. One thing I found was that this item's seller lives in Chicago, which is in the same state I live in!  So an additional state sales tax was added.  As I said earlier, you don't need a Paypal account in order to pay with Paypal; there is a link below the sign-in boxes which shows that you can pay with a credit card as a "Paypal Guest".  Personally, I don't like that Etsy makes you pay first before actually submitting your order now (it used to be different).  This is mainly because if you get caught by a scammer, you've already paid them!  But, if you catch it in time, Paypal or your credit card should be able to help you get your money back.

So at this point, we've paid through Paypal.  It will then take you back to your Etsy order.  You can add a note to the seller if you like, for instance if you need gift wrapping (if they offer it, that is), if you'd like to make some customizations, or just a thank you.  You're so close to being done!!  Just click "Submit Order."

...And that's about it for now!  You will receive two e-mails; a notification of payment from Paypal, and a confirmation of your order from Etsy containing both your invoice details and a message from the seller.  They've got your order in now, so the next step is... waiting!  Your seller might send along a postal tracking number, or a conversation through Etsy saying that they've shipped your item.  They might not, too. :/

The very final part of an Etsy transaction is leaving feedback.  There will be a feedback page in your Etsy account reminding you of which items still need feedback left.  If you are leaving feedback for more than one item, use the batch feedback tool.  Make sure you do NOT leave feedback until you have received your item (or not), tried it out, and made a proper assessment of it.  I have seen feedback left saying "when will I receive my item?" which is like... come on, what?  Contact the seller through an Etsy conversation or an e-mail if you're still waiting!  Once you've left feedback, unless it's neutral or negative, you can't take it back or edit it.  So make sure you are satisfied with your transaction (or not; you can leave a Negative with a valid explanation behind it).  Feedback is really useful for other buyers, so it's good to note important things, such as "speedy shipping", "responded quickly", or "received item damaged!!".  Of course, if there's anything wrong, don't be too hasty... contact the seller and see if the situation can be resolved.

Hopefully this part of the guide was helpful, and you can take the first step to buying an item from Etsy!!

Mini User Guide: What is Etsy?

Have you heard of Etsy, but have no idea what it is?  ...How did you find this blog??  Ohh I see, you are probably my friend on Twitter ;)

In any case, I thought I'd better start up a little User's Guide to Etsy for the uninitiated.  This will be done in small installments.  First thing's first: What is Etsy?

Etsy is a collective of independently owned shops, populated with handmade and/or vintage items.  Sellers on Etsy span all over the globe, as do Buyers.  Naturally, you don't have to sell things to be able to buy on the site, and vice versa.  Although these shops are located on Etsy.com, when you buy from a shop, you are dealing directly with the Seller, not with Etsy.  Etsy just helps facilitate the sale through the convenience of a standardized website.  Payment methods are usually through Paypal, for which you do not have to actually sign up to use a credit card through.

The items that can be found on the site range all over the place.  You can buy a dozen cupcakes, a wool coat from the 50's, a sweater knitted specifically to your measurements, an artist's print, a pillow cover, anything!!  I mean, anything hand made or vintage.  You can search, or you can browse using nifty tools such as "Pounce", which allows you to view random items other buyers recently purchased or stores that have not had any sales, or "Colors", which allows you to pick a color and it will provide different merchandise matching that color!

Above all, Etsy is a way for small, independent sellers of handmade or vintage goods to reach customers.  The people at the site really try to create a community, mostly between sellers I think, but of course the goal is for both Sellers and Buyers to feel a part of the site.  So make a profile!!  You need to sign up to purchase or sell things.  I honestly don't know the process for creating a store, but with your profile, you can add/save favorite items and stores, keep track of what you have bought, and leave and receive feedback for past purchases.

Please be aware that scammers DO exist on Etsy; I have been the victim of one in the past!!  These people may resell items claiming they are handmade, or they might take your money and never send the item.  A good idea is to check the seller's feedback for any negative comments, and for the amount of feedback they have (I know this sucks for new shops, but after I got scammed I make it a rule).  If a shop doesn't have a lot of feedback, try Googling them too; sellers on Etsy often have their own store website, or sell through other venues such as eBay.  Another interesting source is Regretsy, which mostly posts ridiculous items people sell on Etsy, but also posts known resellers or scammers, which can be rather enlightening.

Hopefully this is enough for you to get started, if you haven't already.  And if it isn't, I will be posting more information in the future!

bunnybuttapothecary: Complexion Zen Clarifying Facial Cream

Complexion Zen Clarifying Facial Cream by Bunny Butt Apothecary

 Today's item is something I simply cannot live without anymore.  Because this is a moisturizer, background skin information is definitely necessary in order for you to decide if you want to try it.  I'm very self conscious about my skin, because I'm very prone to breakouts.  For the longest time my routine has been drugstore: I don't care much what face wash I use, Neutrogena alcohol-free toner, Clearasil maximum strength acne spot treatment (the key!!), and Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer for sensitive skin.  My skin is oily, and I say it's sensitive but I guess I'm not too sure.  So, I'm always on the lookout for new products to try out, Etsy or otherwise (fyi, a regiment of only Lush products gave me the worst breakout month ever, Bath & Body Works' Wexler face wash felt the best but was too expensive, and DHC's acne pack started out strong but quickly went downhill).

The contents of a new pot.. filled to the brim!

 My routine really hasn't changed much.  Whenever I stray and those little red bumps appear, I go right back to what I know works.  In fact, when I first purchased Bunny Butt Apothecary's Complexion Zen cream, I broke out within a day or two BUT I later figured out that this was because I thought this cream could double as a spot treatment and a moisturizer.  No no no, still need the Clearasil.  A month after my initial rejection, I gave the Complexion Zen another shot (WITH Clearasil.. the hunt for an alternative to that still continues) and I am sooooo glad that I did.

About how much I use at a time.. my fingers look gross...

The cream is pretty thick and comes in pots of 2 ounces, which should tide you over for about a month.  You don't need much but it's okay if you use a lot (I scoop out more than I should, probably).  I apply it over my spot treatment in the morning and usually at night (sometimes I get lazy at night though..).  For such thick stuff, it absorbs very easily into skin and dries rather matte, not greasy at all.  I've been using it for 3 months and my skin is wonderfully smooth and soft, especially my cheeks!  Of course I still get the occasional pimple, but not to any extent where I worry.  So it works, and the price isn't too bad at all at $10 a pot.

In action! Exhibit A: as it goes on...

I really don't have any complaints about the product or the seller.  When I first got the cream I thought the scent of cloves was a little too strong, but after using it daily for 3 months, I don't even notice it (and I had to rack my brain to remember if it was indeed this product that had the clove-y smell).  Shipping can take up to a week or two, I guess depending on when you order the item, but Bunny Butt does send tracking through Paypal.  Also, it needs to be said -- Bunny Butt Apothecary, CUTEST name ever, everyone loves bunny butts!!  Their business cards and product labels are also seriously cute and funny.

In action! Exhibit B: completely absorbed.. note it's not shiny :)

In short, this Complexion Zen Clarifying Cream from Bunny Butt Apothecary is now a valued addition to my facial regimen.  As with all Etsy products and sellers, look through the feedback for more reviews and you'll see that this item's are all positive.  If you're looking for a handmade alternative to your current moisturizer, it's definitely worth a go!

Warning: contains tea tree and lavender!! <3

Favorite! mogutakahashi: Tiny Houses Post Card Set

Tiny Houses Post Card Set by mogutakahashi

LOOK at how cute these are!!  These are all one side of a postcard.  The recipient can cut it out after receiving it and form a tiny house.  Adooooooorable!!  I think they're fun and perfect for younger (or even older?) postcard recipients.  It would be a great idea to line up what you write on the back of your postcard with the house so that after it's cut out, your sentiments remain intact.  I only wish you could decorate your own house.  Blank template, maybe??  Either way, this is a super cute product from mogutakahashi, who makes other items like bags, cards, stickers etc. with cute childlike drawings on them.

So why won't I be purchasing this?  Ugh, I'm so bad at sending postcards, whether I'm at home or on vacation.  The last time I sent a postcard to someone I got dumped.  I am so not a postcard person anymore.

In action and tooooo cute!!

TheFancyLamb: Vintage Book Journal

, the

Vintage Book Journal by The Fancy Lamb

Ever since I was in elementary school, I've kept a journal.  Okay, it fell off a little bit in junior high and high school, but, er, ever since I've been in college, I've kept a journal.  It's an invaluable way to store memories, both important and not-so-important-until-you've-already-forgotten-them.  Before I found Etsy I'd always gotten Moleskine journals, but I decided to support handmade and search for the perfect journal.  I've found a fantastic option with The Fancy Lamb's amazing vintage book journals.

a page from, I guess, A Real Book About the Weather!

Robin from The Fancy Lamb uses the covers from old books and turns them into blank page journals, with a dash of the original book.  Pages from the original book are also thrown in.. only a few, so they don't take up space, they just make things more interesting!

this is a boring picture but it serves as a functional display

You can get the pages lined or unlined (it'll either say in the listing or you can choose a custom listing... and I'm just guessing, but you could probably ask her to change the inside of an already completed journal too).
The book is spiral bound so it opens up flat.  I wish there were more pages to write in (it comes with approximately 70 sheets), but you do have the option to refill the pages (although I wouldn't want to...).

shot of the binding and width

After I purchased the book, Robin sent me a convo to let me know when it would be shipped out.  Everything was friendly and personalized and speedy.  All around, I just love the fun style of having a journal made out of an old book!  There are a ton of different titles you can choose from, and all the links peppered about this post go to a different one.  I think a good one to give as a gift would be "The Grizzly King"...

No action shot.. check out that tornado!!

hanatsukuri: Valentine Flower kanzashi

Valentine Flower kanzashi by Bright Wish Studios/hanatsukuri

I have a penchant for flower kanzashi --hair decorations originating from Japan.  I'm very happy that there are several sellers on Etsy creating beautiful kanzashi of all different styles.  I've only found one that claims to have studied under a traditional artisan, but the beauty of crafting is discovering your own technique to make your own creations.

view of the hanging petals and the clip

When I saw the listing for this rose clip, I thought it was beautiful and I would make it my first kanzashi purchased off of Etsy.  However, the original listing was for a blue rose, and I wanted something a little lighter against my dark hair.  Mei of Bright Wish Studios (under the seller name hanatsukuri) is very open to customization and was wonderful to talk with.  She was just as excited as I was too!!  We exchanged several convos and I was able to customize my clip with pink poly-satin and white "dew drops" (faux crystals) mounted on an alligator clip.  Even though this was a custom order, Mei was able to finish it in roughly two days and ship it out quickly as well.

close-up of the main rose

Despite the fast turnaround, the construction of this piece is super nice.  There are a few edges showing, but they aren't very noticeable.  Unfortunately, when the kanzashi arrived there was a "dew drop" missing from the main rose... whether this is due to the glue or the packaging, I'm not sure, but it really doesn't detract from the prettiness of this piece.

in action!

 The length is especially perfect against long hair.  Basically, I love it!  I plan to debut it when I go see The Book of Mormon in New York XD  If you happen to purchase a kanzashi from Mei, I don’t think you will be disappointed!

Favorite! Plaid Off the Shoulder Dress by imyourpresent

Plaid Off the Shoulder Dress by imyourpresent
image (c) imyourpresent

I thought I should do something to showcase items on Etsy that I love, but will probably never actually buy.  For the unfamiliar (what!?), when you bookmark an item on Etsy, you <3 add the item to your favorites list.  So, Favorite this!

Cute!!  I love big bows, which imyourpresent does a lot of.  I think it's got just the right amount of sophistication thrown in there too to make this a great party dress, while still also looking very casual and comfy.  The plaid looks fab and the contrasting black bow and upper trim are a good choice.  The long sleeves also balance out the off-the-shoulder look.  I think it's a fantastic little dress.  So why won't I buy it?  I'm not comfortable with strapless or off-the-shoulder looks.  Way too worried about it slipping off.  I do have a few dresses from imyourpresent and they have a track record of being comfy, but not too fitted, which I think is a big part of pulling off strapless.

For now, it's just a favorite!

missbrache: Leopard Boyshort Maillot -- custom sized

The Leopard Boyshort Maillot by missbrache

 This was one of my first purchases, back in 2008.  There are flaws to be sure, but I loved it then, and I still love it now even though this swimsuit hasn't gotten much use lately.  This swimsuit is made to look like a maillot (one-piece), but in actuality it is two pieces; halter top and boyshorts.  The top extends further down your hips to give the illusion that it is all one piece.  It is made to your specific measurements.  How cute is this suit??  I love the retro style, and since it's custom made, you know (hope?) it's going to fit like a glove.

I'm pretty flat-chested, so I purchased additional padded cups.  The cups that were inserted are a little too enhancing, so I feel rather self conscious about my chest looking fake when I wear it.  In the listing, missbrache says she'll choose the size of padded cups that will best match your measurements (so she must've thought I really needed it!).  I'm glad I purchased them though, because they really help give me (the illusion of..) an hourglass figure.  Currently there is no listing for additional cups in the store, but you have to purchase them along with your swimsuit because they cost extra (or maybe shoot a convo for a private listing).

A shot of the inner lining

The construction of the suit is very nice, and the material feels great against your skin.  Obviously the outside is leopard print, but the inside of the shorts and the bust area is lined in white on black polka dots, which is a cute touch.  I estimate I've worn and washed the suit at least 10 times, and it shows no sign of fading (not that I'd expect a swimsuit to?).

puckering...

There are some flaws to note.  The suit is tight, which looks great, but it is tight.  It's a pain to get off.  There's also a weird seam in the crotch that puckers, doing its best to create a camel toe.  Troubling, to be sure.  However, it's not particularly noticeable when taking in the whole shebang, so I forgive it.

In action!

Overall it's a fabulous little swimsuit with a few issues.  I've bought a few things from Miss Brache over the past couple of years.  Communication has always been a very minor issue.  I enjoy pleasantries in my convos; I think because she's so busy sewing up awesome clothes, Diana's always short and to the point.  Turnaround is usually estimated at 3-4 weeks, but it could go as long as 5.  She is popular!  Diana has a ton of cool designs, mostly dresses and swimsuits (although her selection of swimsuits seems to have dwindled), so it's a fun store to check out.

Mission Statement

What is this blog for? 

First off, I am in no way affiliated with Etsy.  I spend at least an hour a day on Etsy, and I buy quite a lot off of it too.  I have found some amazing, unique, wonderful things, and some crap as well.  I've had fabulous, mediocre, and horrible consumer experiences dealing with it.  These are what I plan to share!!

What you can expect are posts about clothes (I love buying dresses), bath/beauty products, vintage items, and more.  I buy for myself, and I also buy for others (lots of great gifts to be found!).  Probably from looking at what I've purchased, you'll be able to get a good idea of my style and sensibilities.

From time to time I do expect to review other things that I've bought from other websites.  The primary source will be Etsy, though.