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Daily Ditties should be your first stop every day to check out the newest, most chic & unquestionably fashionable indie items on the web. So don’t be a ditty, read the Daily Ditties!
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1 DECEMBER 2008
Yes, it’s been a long vacation but I am back. Here’s today’s ditties…hope everyone loves them as much as I do!
I love these simple blossom earrings…which will go with everything & anything. From Barron Design Studio, $19.00.
These gorgeous earrings are calling my name. Lovely amethyst & green quartz makes an exquisite & delicate combination. From Jewel Alchemy, $21.25.
Here’s the perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook. A set of 12 recipe cards…guaranteed to have your recipient looking for recipes to share with family. From Kiss & Tell Cards, $7.00.
22 NOVEMBER 2008
Three of the most beautiful words…in this unique photo. A lovely choice for gift giving. From Capture Cape May, $15.00.
The perfect bag for the fashionable recessionista. It will carry your stuff, it’s silk…and reversible too! From Allen Kaperak Designs, $15.00.
18 NOVEMBER 2008
I keep staring at this beautiful necklace…it’s made using vintage materials. The gold, black & turquoise is such an awesome combination. From Reborn Designs, $22.00.
What a relaxing & beautiful photograph. This is called Evening Silhouette & the buyer will receive a signed original photo. From Green Island Studios, $35.00.
Bling bling for the holiday season. This bracelet is made with a vintage flower & is so shiny that it screams for attention. Love it. From Twinkle Studio, $33.00.
13 NOVEMBER 2008
I just love this sweet print. It reminds me of something from my childhood & warm days. From Things by Bubbo-Tubbo, $12.00.
Vintage buddha charms & gold hoops. What a happy combination. From Smart Bird Jewelry, $22.00.
Another pair of fabulous earrings. The sterling silver & dark stone is beautiful. From Stephanie Gibson, $28.00.
6 NOVEMBER 2008
It’s starting to get to be that old holiday season again. Sending cards? Check out this tranquil winter scene. From Dahlia House Art Studio, $32.00 for 12 cards.
Yellow submarine earrings! You’ve gotta have a pair. From Persephone, $22.00.
Remind your loved ones that you care by sending them a sweet note. Set of 12 from Sally’s Card Shop.
3 NOVEMBER 2008
It’s a beautiful jewelry parade today…get these one of a kind pieces while you can.
What a gorgeous jewelry set. I’ve always been crazy for cameos ever since my parents bought me an old one when I was a teenager. From Designs by Tricia, $30.00.
Check out this unique necklace titled “Vibrant Africa”. From Gypsy Moon Designs, $39.00.
Beautiful…it’s silver, it’s round & goes with everything that you own. From June Designs, $16.00.
31 OCTOBER 2008
Okay…so what is Etsy and why is it so much fun?
According to Wikipedia, “Etsy is a website which provides the general public with a way to buy and sell handmade items. The site follows in the tradition of open craft fairs, giving sellers personal storefronts where they list their goods for a fee. It has been compared to “a crafty cross between Amazon and eBay” and “your grandma’s basement.”
Eh…personally, I think it’s way cooler than that. There are over 262,000 sellers on Etsy as of right now & if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind items that not everyone has, Etsy is a fun place to shop. Each seller has their own store and does their own pricing. So it’s like tons of little shops under one roof. Each shop has its own style. Some are more sophisticated & some are more country-style. And many fall in between. One of the things that I love the most is just browsing through and watching trends & checking out what’s out there.
What I would do to start out is to head on over to Etsy, http://www.etsy.com and click on the Register button in the upper right hand corner. You must be a registered member of Etsy to make purchases. Don’t worry. It won’t cost you a dime. It’s all free. You will create a user name and a password. Then you’ll enter your email address. And click on submit and you’re in. Now you’re ready to buy.
So now you’re ready to purchase. What are you looking for? Nothing? You don’t know? You want to treat yourself but don’t know what you want? Well…when you click on the Buy tab, you’ll be taken to a series of options. You might choose Local Sellers. Maybe you live in Pittsburgh or Kalamazoo and you want to check out local vendors. You can look through Categories if you know, for example, that you are looking for a bracelet. You can even search by color. Maybe you want a peach bracelet or a blue purse. You can search by items that have recently been listed. Or you can simply go to Sellers and find items from sellers as soon as they are listed.
If you’re looking for jewelry, artwork, cosmetics, bath & body, clothing, hats, vintage items, candles, accessories,you name it, you can find it while browsing through Etsy. Sometimes you’ll see things that you’ve just gotta have. Right now. And if you are a crafty designer yourself, you’ll find plenty of shops selling stones, beads, yarn, fabric, etc.
Each shop is an individual store, so to speak. When you see an item that you want and you click on it and you’ve read all about it and you must have it or buy it for someone else, I would first make sure to read the shop’s policies. Each shop has their own policies so make sure that you read up on them before making a purchase. Most of them are self-explanatory.
Check the seller’s feedback. 99.9% of the sellers on Etsy are honest and fabulous. There are few exceptions. Make sure you read the feedback from both buyers and sellers. Yes, Etsy sellers purchase from each other too! After you make your purchase, your seller will leave you feedback and you are expected to leave feedback for them once you receive your item.
Now you’re ready to buy. Yay! What you will do is to click the green button that says Add to Cart. This will take you to the next page to confirm your added item and you’ll see an option of two buttons to click. One will say Checkout (this means that this is the only item that you are going to purchase from this seller’s shop) OR the button below says Keep Shopping. Click this button if you want to add more items from this PARTICULAR seller’s shop. Otherwise mosey yourself along and click Checkout.
At this point, you’ll enter your address (or the address that you would like your item(s) shipped to). Because you must create an account and sign in, Etsy will store your address information once you make a purchase. Don’t worry. You can always change your address on subsequent purchases.
Click Next Step and now your item(s) will show up. This is the last chance to change your order before submitting. Change your mind? Just click the remove x right next to your item. Your shipping and item price will be confirmed in this step. Keep in mind that shipping charges will vary from seller to seller. This is important to note! Very important. You’ll find that some sellers will offer free shipping and others will charge varying prices. As a general rule of thumb, if you are stateside, you’ll find that shipping costs are lower from state to state. The same goes if you are in the UK or in Canada or Spain. Shipping within your own country is likely to be less than shipping from another country.
BUT don’t let this stop you! Choose items based on what you like and not where they come from. So you pay a few dollars more. How cool is it that you can buy from all over the world? One of my favorite pairs of pants (although my husband doesn’t think they’re so sexy) came from a shop in Thailand. They’re thai fisherman’s pants and they’re awesome. Got ‘em on Etsy. If you want to know more about them, I’ll send you over there. Let me know.
But wait…do you have a Paypal account? If you do, great. If not, you can pay through Paypal using any major credit card without having an account or exposing your information to the Etsy seller. Using Paypal is free whether you have an account or not. Some of the sellers are taking what’s called RME payments but I don’t have an RME account so I have to skip over that. If anyone has any info, feel free to share it.You might see something on Paypal mentioning low fees…don’t worry. That’s only if you are a seller. For instance, I take advertising payments on Wickedly Chic through Paypal and I pay the fee. So when you purchase something on Etsy, you aren’t paying any fees and you can simply pay with a credit or debit card. On the other hand, if you want to pay strictly with a credit card and do not want to set up a paypal account, that’s not a problem.
Once you make your purchase, you can always sign in and go to Your Etsy. Once there, you log in and you can see the status on your account. Most sellers will mark that payment is received or the item has been shipped. But sometimes they forget and you can always send them a convo to ask about it. What is a convo? It’s Etsy-ese for conversation. Let’s say that you see a necklace with a blue stone. You might think…“I love that necklace but I’d like to have a pink stone.” Well…send the seller a convo and see if that’s possible. Most sellers are very accommodating and love to do what they can to please their customers. You might also send the seller a convo if you have questions about ingredients in bath items, etc.
Another reason that you might need to send a convo to a seller is regarding payment. There are some buyers who prefer to pay through a check or a money order. If this is your situation, you will need to contact that seller to make sure that will be acceptable. Some will say yes and some will say no. You’ll want to make sure and not take any chances.
You will receive a confirmation to your email account once you make a purchase. And chances are, you’ll hear from the seller too. You might not…but don’t worry. Most of the sellers are very busy making one-of-a-kind items (OOAK) just for you!
There’s an entire Etsy world out there with amazing sellers who have things that you just can’t buy anywhere. It’s easy to begin and I have to admit…very addicting.
OH! One of my favorite features on Etsy is that all of your information is stored in your Etsy. That means that years from now, you can see the actual listing for each item that you have purchased even if that particular seller has closed shop. Sometimes we buy things and then forget where we purchased from. This isn’t a concern with Etsy. ALSO, let’s say that you are just browsing but don’t want to make any purchases. But you see a store that you like. Go to the bottom right of the seller’s shop where you will see Page Tools. You’ll see that you can click to Add Seller to Favorites. That way, next time you go to Etsy, you have your shop already stored without having to grab a pen. You can even add an individual item to your favorites but beware…next time you come back…it might be gone!
The following are some recent Wickedly Chic articles featuring Etsy sellers. If you want to poke around before taking the Etsy plunge (and I know it can be daunting), you might browse through some of these Wickedly Chic favorites. Because they’re wonderful.
Prim Pantry & Jamie Noel
Liebling Designs
Jenny Karlsson Design
AquaBeet
Deb’s Design & 4th Avenue Soap Co
The Venerable Bead
Happy Shopping!
28 OCTOBER 2008
I just love the look of this cozy bracelet with a vintage ship charm. From LaNinja, $29.00.
This print is amazing…in the simplicity & of course…I think the woman looks like a version of Laura Petrie. From Mrs Eliot Books, $27.00. Limited edition.
It seems like I’m often drawn to anything with a filigree design…and these earrings are no exception. From MStevensonDesigns, $27.00.
27 OCTOBER 2008
It’s almost Halloween & this photo is so appropriate for the season. You can choose your size, 4×6 ($5.00), 5×7 ($7.50) or 8×10 ($12.00). From Barker’s Picturesque Pictorials.
Here’s a brightly colored pendant to cheer you up even on the most gloomy days. The pendant is from Japan…vintage 1950’s. From F1nneran Jewelry, $36.00.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this clock…made from the door of a vintage refrigerator. Could it have belonged to June Cleaver…or Lucy Ricardo? I.Love.This.So.Much. From IMOTIME, $37.00.
Truly perfect for every day wear…take a look at this sterling silver stack of rings. You could wear them one at a time or stacked up or one on each finger…or just stare at their perfection in your jewelry box. From Julia Catherine Jewelry, $28.00.
21 OCTOBER 2008
Perfect for gift giving, check out classical CD’s with music by composer Matthew H. Fields. His web page will give you snippets of excellent music and instructions for ordering through Amazon for quick delivery.
Way more cool than the original fanny packs (remember those?), you’ll never want to be without a Hipshack. Carry all of your essentials in style. From May.tree.ark, $29.00.
I’m loving the beautiful colors in this unique bracelet from TR Creations. Carnelian & freshwater pearls go together perfectly. $34.00.
16 OCTOBER 2008
Today is the day to treat yourself! Toss out the election woes & grab a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. Best of all, you could buy all three of these pieces for under $100.00!
Check out these beautiful dangle earrings. I’ve always been fond of green jade & pairing it with copper beads is so beautiful. From Mizumizu Design, $28.00.
Green again! These beads are malachite & the necklace is gorgeous. Make it yours from Silver Dot Jewelry Designs, $30.50.
Here’s a necklace to love forever. You could easily wear it with almost everything that you own and never be tired of it. From simplejenni’s shop, $28.00.
15 OCTOBER 2008
Yes! It’s finally fall….& here’s the perfect necklace to celebrate. And it’s made of recycled materials. From East Coast Kitsch, $12.00.
This lovely pair of earrings are meant to be for a bridal party…but the more I look at them…they’d really be perfect for any occasion or for every day wear. Swarovski pearls & sterling silver. From JMG Jewelry Design, $28.00.
Here’s a vintage 1970’s purse that will brighten up your day…and your life. Love it! From Our Lady of the Underpas, $10.00.
I love this necklace! We have a tandem bicycle at my house…I let my husband do most of the work though. Doesn’t it figure? This gem is made of sturdy but lightweight acrylic. From Paraphernalia, $25.00.
11 OCTOBER 2008
Stock up on healthy bath products at Bathgrrrl! Soaps. Choose from Rosemary & Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Igloo Bricks or La Boheme. All soaps at Bathgrrrl! Soaps are made with vegetarian ingredients.
8 OCTOBER 2008
I love memory bracelets. They’re easy to put on. And I think the coral theme in this bracelet is beautiful. From Jacaranda Designs, $28.00.
Great combination in this necklace. A cheerful vintage flower coupled with smoky beads. From Sunny 67, $29.00.
I was completely taken in by the vintage NYC railroad uniform button in this bracelet. Who couldn’t love it? From The Madison Gallery, $55.00.
3 OCTOBER 2008
If you enjoy vintage buttons, you’re likely to be charmed by this pendant from Callooh Callay. Wonderful fall colors. $23.00.
How about a gorgeous new pair of earrings? This pair is handcut from brass. From Painted Metal, $45.00.
Tea lovers…make yourself a cup of Mango Lassi tea. This hand-blended product (along with lots of other flavors) can be found at Tea Noir, $10.00 for 4 ounces.
30 SEPTEMBER 2008
I’ve been necklace obsessed lately…& I’ve found a few that are perfect for fall.
A lovely walnut heart with a copper chain would be the perfect accompaniment to any outfit. From Deer Jane, $14.00.
Shades of purple are totally in this fall. The combination of plum & gold along with a flower with a freshwater pearl is just so chic. From Wiyomu, $25.00.
Finally, we have a vintage blue & white necklace with a silver chain. Very classic style. From The Wonderful Store, $20.00.
25 SEPTEMBER 2008
Treat yourself to a gorgeous pendant. Made with sterling silver & seraphenite, the artist guarantees that you’ll feel like you have a guardian angel with you while you’re wearing it. Can’t we all use one? From Philip Crow Creations, $85.00.
24 SEPTEMBER 2008
I can’t believe it’s been a whole week since I’ve posted any new ditties. I was away for an extended weekend.
It’s a jewelry parade today…look what I found!
Beautiful is all I can say. Take a look at the gorgeous color of these earrings. Chalcedony & sterling silver. From bluebird designs, $36.00.
The sterling silver pendant pictured here has such a lovely earthy look to it…I could certainly see wearing this every day. From Copper Frog Studio, $34.00.
Made from polymer clay, this is an awesome pendant. Comes on a leather cord with a lobster clasp. From RG Creations, $22.00.
17 SEPTEMBER 2008
Way too cute. Do you love Halloween? My neighborhood is really into it. And quite honestly, this plaque is adorable….I could easily go for this. From Jenny’s Bake Shop, $39.00.
Choose from a beautiful array of colors with this crescent moon sun catcher. From M. Skip Vasquez, $14.00.
I love copper jewelry & I love it with the unique vintage bead…beautiful color. From Jacqleen Bleu, $25.00.
16 SEPTEMBER 2008
Here’s a lovely little bag to carry around…I’m always crazy for a new bag. Love the asian inspired print. From Jolie Designs, $20.00.
I said “ooooh” when I saw this lovely bracelet. It’s called Pear Cider…love the copper ovals. From Musette, $21.00.
This print is just so sweet. It’s also a nice daily reminder to love, love, love. From Love Lives Here, $24.00.
Did you have this tricycle? I did. And my daughters did. I couldn’t believe it when I saw this adorable print. From Pure Innovation, $15.00.
11 SEPTEMBER 2008
So…if you’re considering buying yourself a gift, I’d encourage you to purchase from this shop. Alyson’s Cure is a group of artists who have gotten together to sell their wares to benefit a special little girl named Alyson. Alyson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is undergoing treatment at Denver Children’s Hospital. All proceeds will go toward her medical bills. Go ahead…get yourself a treat.
I just love the beautiful blue in this heart shaped necklace…and it’s created from vintage pieces. From All Wrapped Up, $15.00.
These earrings are so gorgeous! Check out the lovely sea glass within the silver cages. From Sea Find Designs, $28.50.
10 SEPTEMBER 2008
For just $15.00, you can add a beautiful sparkle to your fall wardrobe. The Swarovski crystals with silver in this necklace are just so charming. From lishlash.
Yes, Halloween is just around the corner. Celebrate with a pumpkin print for your home. From Modern Classics: Kids, $20.00.
Pillows are a great way to brighten up your home. You can order this cheery one as a cover only ($16.00) or the cover with the pillow ($22.00). From So Bright Designs.
9 SEPTEMBER 2008
Now I know that Wickedly Chic readers are using re-usable bags as often as possible. You can have even more fun shopping with this on your arm. From Andy Eats Only Candy, $15.00.
The vintage beads in these earrings look just like candy…looking perfect with the oxidized silver. From Jeweled Monkey, $11.00.
I just adore wrap bracelets…this beauty would go with any outfit. From Little Bug Jewelry, $19.00.
5 SEPTEMBER 2008
The perfect tote for all of your shopping & errands…& at a great price. I love the happy print with cherries. From Fatts MaGee, $19.99.
Oh…the color of these earrings is amazing. Coral tear drop Swarovski crystals with a cluster of pink fresh water pearls and coral crystals. From Luli Designs, $26.00.
Another bag to adore. This is a vintage inspired purse made with new & reclaimed materials. The outside is a perfect fall/winter chocolate brown wool & the inside is lined. From Mi Piace Kate, $65.00.
This is the day for bags! I love wristlets…they’re so practical for when you’re out and about & just need to carry the essentials. Love the colors in this one. From Sunnypond, $20.00.
Well…if we were talking about myself, I’d say that most days require cookies. I think we have cookies in my house…but they’re all hidden. Every home needs this print. From The Dreamy Giraffe, $18.00.
4 SEPTEMBER 2008
Here’s a plug for one of my favorite hand soaps, Eucalyptus Mint Magic Liquid Soap. This gentle soap is made with eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender & mint oils (all naturally antibiotic). You’ll love it. Trust me. From Kettlepot Soap, $6.00.
I’ve always loved cameos ever since my mom bought me a beautiful old pink one back when I was a kid. If you love cameos & are looking for a one of a kind piece, this beautiful bracelet is for you. From Conscientia’s Cameos, $35.00.
You’re a star and you know it. Show the world with this sterling silver star necklace from Ticklebean, $30.00.
2 SEPTEMBER 2008
The colors in this bracelet just remind me of fall…yet it’s perfect for year round wear too. From It’s All About Me! Jewelry, $10.00.
What a happy necklace! I love the red heart with the darling silver bells in the middle. From Hyperart, $9.50.
Claire is looking so spiffy today…she’s wearing a headband from Seabands which we featured last month. You can see that article here. Meanwhile, I’ve found another spot for adorable headbands. Check this one out from Bargain Headbands, $4.49.
Another beautiful color combination. The blue & white is just lovely. Earrings from Justine’s Original Designs, $15.50.
26 AUGUST 2008
I love this maple pendant…it reminds me of happy school days with the flower & the colors. From Fashion Refined, $11.00.
Your bathroom needs sprucing up with this darling fish-y soap dish from Simply Daisy. Of course, you can use it for storing anything…it’s that cute. $12.00.
Your best friend will love this retro inspired greeting card from Vintage Vice. On the other hand, you might just want to keep it around your work space because it’s such a fun card. $3.50.
22 AUGUST 2008
Well…we’ve had family friend Cassidy (age 9 going on 33) visiting us for the last few days and the three-eyed woman on this tee reminded me of her. Find it at 1AEON, $30.00.
Did you grow up with an avocado-colored kitchen in the 70�?Ts? I did. I can even remember my mother painting the cabinets in avocado. If you miss that color or have a longing for it, why not invest in this awesome clock? From Bode 22, $29.99.
I love this tee shirt. Claire has been on a chandelier kick lately and not only does this shirt have a cool chandelier…the color is great too! From ellembee, $27.00.
How about a pretty new set of tea towels to go with that new clock? These might be just the ticket. From Irene Design, set of 3 for $12.00.
21 AUGUST 2008
The designer says these earrings go with everything & I’d have to agree. Aren’t they great? From Cate Holst Design, $18.00.
This print is based on an old photograph. Because I adore old photos, I was immediately drawn to it. Actually, I have a lot of old photos…some of them are my family & some I have just found. I pretend like I’m related to all of them. Who really knows? From Julie Beck, $15.00.
The colors in this pendant are fabulous & would definitely make a statement with anything you wear. From Paula Hall’s Stress Art, $22.00.
17 AUGUST 2008
I just loved this 5×7 print with a great message from Cindy Tomczyk Art, $12.00.
I’m forever losing something & this knitted bag from Northwoods Felt is a nice solution. Will hold sunglasses, checkbook or whatever you need to have in your purse that you don’t want to flop around. $20.00.
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