etsy love: RedaretheRoses

jeez louise, am i dreadfully behind on my etsy love posts! gawd, i am so BAD. i should be flogged! :P
anyway, w/o any further ado...

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this go 'round, it's all about RedaretheRoses!
i was tipped off to the bright and happy wonderfulness that is RedaretheRoses by fellow fashion blogista, smagglestyle (she sent me an comment about RedaretheRoses's work, telling me it looked like it was right up my alley...and boy, was she ever right!).
according to the RedaretheRoses etsy shop profile page, all this riotously colorful accessory goodness is the brainchild of a gal from dallas, texas named shawna, who says she's been a crafter since childhood.

i am convinced that this clearly talented shawna is truly a woman after my own heart as far as her color philosophy is concerned. proof positive of such is this smart quote from shawna herself:
"I love bright colors so my accessories are not for the faint of heart! I like trying out new color combinations and I truly feel that you can make any color combo work, it just needs to be done the right way."
damn right, sister! i feel like i could have written that quote myself! any color really does go with any color. BELIEVE!

the power of shawna's work is in her simple though inspired use of one primary material: plastic. in each piece, lacy and feminine retro/vintage pressed plastic shapes and flowers in each piece are layered and collaged together just so...but let's face it, it's the punchy juxtaposition of colors in each ring, necklace, or hair comb that really makes shawna's work truly genius.
so yes, considering those color combos, perhaps many of shawna's baubles aren't for the 'faint of heart'...and that's just fine!
i have to say though, after perusing her vast catalog over at her aforementioned etsy shop, the sheer diversity of shawna's shown color combos might just kindly prove that point wrong. i'd argue that there's something for everyone, no matter what shades and tints they favor...or at least anyone who wants to take a chance and at least wear a fun and funky little frippery in their hair or hand. one of these beauties might be just the ticket to energize a more subdued look. take a look, take a chance! you never know...

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want more? check out RedaretheRoses
viva etsy!

etsy love: DrikaB

it's been a while. i know! so sorry.
better late that never, i always say!
so, here's the latest installment of etsy love!

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this time around, it's all about DrikaB!
i discovered DrikaB via a very recent post on the exceedingly tasteful and lovely design blog creature comforts. thanks to the etsy profile page found on DrikaB's etsy shop, i learned that the maker of these beautious bags is a brazilian transplant who resides in the san francisco bay area. hey, right near me!

DrikaB states that "her primary goal is to keep making things that are practical and fun", and her line of handmade bags are certainly true to that self-motivated directive. 'colorful', whimsical, and 'designed decidedly different' are descriptives that i'd deign to assign her work. i love her modern sensibility in the use of materials and the pattern-play she employs, and even the decision to use a heavy burlap-like strapping seems genius to me...it ups the texture stakes, and provides an almost utilitarian feel to the bags that contrasts nicely with the graphic fabrics found in her work in abundance. perfecto, people!

DrikaB bags not only look super sturdy (seemingly sewn PERFECTLY, people, no dubious 'deconstructionist' look or excuse in evidence here!), they also appear to be nice and roomy. i saw one tote measuring a generous 16" by 18", for example, allowing the lucky owner of such a bag to pack it with a day's needs with utmost ease. the insides of her bags (the totes at least) are complete with pockets for whatever one likes...pads? pens? wallets? you decide.

and DrikaB is prolific! examples of her past designs can be found on her etsy sold items page. what lucky folks those current DrikaB bag owners are! just like a creature comforts...i'm almost about to cave and snap one of these stunners up myself! think one of those totes might make a good baby bag?? (haha!)

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want more? check out DrikaB viva etsy!

etsy love: stylebook vintage

i have a short and sweet/quick and dirty (whichever you favor) BONUS etsy love for this week! enjoy!

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this BONUS etsy love is all about stylebook vintage! stylebook is a ye olde online pal o' mine...and she just started up a little etsy shop, in the effort to offload some SUPER choice vintage pieces she's collected over the years, as she's moving long-distance in the not too far off future. i promised i'd spread the word about her shop and her need to get these sold, so...here goes!

her eye is impeccable...leaning heavily toward the sweetly girlish and adorable. i imagine eating cupcakes and having a picnic on a sunny day in really, any of these frocks and smocks. everything is just so smile inducing and irresistible, with a refreshing dash of irony (just like their previous owner!). and those colors! *faints*

some particularly fine picks from stylebook vintage's offerings, to whet your appetite:

(confession: i'd totally snag this last one if i wasn't going to get huge soon! arg! so, someone awesome, please! get it, and wear it well!)

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want more? visit stylebook vintage viva la etsy!