We love Etsy. A Brooklyn based eBay-esque smorgasbord of retailers selling primarily handmade goods. One of the best parts about this extremely user intuitive site, is that it allows you to sort sellers by location, meaning you can buy from artists and vendors not too far from your hometown. We searched Connecticut and received more than 100 results. Here are some of our favorite finds:
UNDERGLASS: Underglass was started as the designer's homage to an old family saying meaning an item of sentimental value. And against its own namesake, the mixed media pieces Underglass produces are actually encased in resin and metal shards, not glass. Nevertheless, each itty bitty window box bauble displays words, insects or other imagery ready to be cherished as an "underglass" bit of your own. We vote for the somewhat creepy crawly, but utterly cool, Strength/Specimen Series Earrings, featuring two very realistic ants.
PERIDEAU DESIGNS: We're suckers for stationary. And any excuse is a good excuse for us to buy more. That's why we love Perideau Designs. Modern but extremely girlie gift tags, invites and other pretty paper goods at extremely reasonable prices make us pine for those gift giving days of December to come along so we can use them already! We feel those Baby Shower Blues and just love their cute as a button 8-by-10 Personalized Owl Print featuring one adorable avatar in the color of your choice for only $12.
THE ROASTER: Bethel's Redding Roasters even have jumped the Etsy train with The Roaster, offering their grounds and beans, one pound at a time. Additionally, for those out of their local district, they're offering 1.75 ounce minibag sampler sets with 4 to 5 flavors in each set, for around $9.
