CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Etsy Find: Chroma Lab Fruit Stripe Dresser

casasugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

I love people who aren't afraid of color. Take, for example, Laurel's Rainbow Bright Home. Thanks to her fearlessness of color, her home shouts personality . . . the kind of style that simply can't be replicated. But, given that I like my color in small doses, I'd be more likely to fill my house with items like the Chroma Lab Fruit Stripe Dresser ($480). Its turquoise acrylic satin polyurethane topcoat is certainly bold, but its slivers of watermelon and lemon color are hidden until you open the drawers. The colors aren't always competing for attention, but you know they're there.

Etsy Find: Jean Pelle Vanity Cabinet

casasugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:15:35 -0800

My Etsy Finds normally fall under the categories of crafty things, textiles (napkins!), or artwork. But it's rare to find a furniture piece that's not just a reupholstered ottoman. So, I was surprised to come across this Jean Pelle Vanity Cabinet ($129). Quite the unique, modern piece, it's a small vanity cabinet with an extending side mirror, three interior storage cubes, an interior cork board, and door-front knobs to hang jewelry from. The cabinet is also fixed with a light bulb to illuminate while you're applying makeup or trying on jewelry. The cabinet can be attached to a wall or rested on a table. It's certainly not for a traditionalist, but for those with a contemporary home, it's a wonderfully functional piece to own.

Etsy Find: Matryoshka Doll Ornament

casasugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:27 -0800

Somehow Matryoshka dolls are still trendy after a year, but I suppose that's because they're so darn cute. I couldn't pass up the Saidie Matryoshka Doll Ornament ($9), which will bring a bit of traditional Russian kitsch to your Christmas tree this holiday. The original Matryoshka illustration was printed with a Gocco onto linen fabric, hand sewn, and stuffed. I love how the embroidered ribbon adds an additional little touch of ornamentation. If dolls aren't your thing, Saidie also sells sweet birdcage and bird on a branch ornaments.

Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts For Indie Girls

casasugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:30:19 -0800

Last year, many of you told me that you were making or buying handmade gifts. Many of you also took the handmade pledge. So, if you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone in your circle of friends, I thought I'd round up some of the best handmade gifts I've come across, using, of course, my favorite purveyor of everything DIY and handmade, Etsy.
These gifts are great choices for all of your independent-minded, design-savvy friends and family members who are looking for something as unique as they are this holiday season.

To see my handmade finds,

Etsy Find: Sharon Montrose Photographs

casasugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:38 -0800

I just came across these Animal Prints ($25) by photographer Sharon Montrose, and I'm totally smitten. The LA-based shutterbug snapped these real live animals, who mostly "live happily at a small California Zoo," perched in front of a white backdrop on hardwood floors. The details are truly amazing, and I applaud her for getting these zoo dwellers to stand so still! There's something so human about these images that I love; Montrose brings out each animal's personality with just the click of a button. Oh, and did I mention that the price is right?! What do you think?

Etsy Find: Tiny Shoe Advent Calendar

casasugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:01 -0800

In my house, we hung an advent calendar each year, made of miniature gift bags filled with candy. I think it's a fun tradition for children that fosters their excitement for Christmas — as if they weren't already bursting at the seams. Although it's obviously a religious tradition, the countdown calendars can be used for all sorts of celebrations, like birthdays or even the election! That is, if the calendar itself isn't specifically Christmas-y in theme. For example, the Great Craft Disaster Advent Calendar ($45) is composed of 24 tiny fabric slippers, although Christmas fabrics in particular weren't used. Considering that I love anything mini, I can't get enough of this calendar! Each slipper has a numbered tag on it denoting the date, or the number of days left in the countdown. What do you think?

Etsy Find: Cinderella Pumpkin Napkins

casasugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:00:49 -0800

When it comes to pumpkins, we often think of jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin carving at Halloween, but the gourd-like squash is stylish all season long. There should be nothing preventing you from decorating with pumpkins until Christmas comes along . . . then poinsettias and fir trees can have their heyday. I'm smitten with these Cinderella Pumpkin Napkins, a set of four olive-green cotton napkins each embroidered with a freshly harvested pumpkin, recalling Cinderella's Fairy Godmother's coach. Their warm-colored palette is ideal for Fall. If not these, you should pick up an alternate set because by now I hope you all adopted cloth napkins in lieu of paper!

Etsy Find: Do the Dishes Tea Towel

casasugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:30:48 -0700

Sometimes we all just need a straight talkin' to. That's especially true when the pots and pans are piling up. So beyond a bit of Palmolive and some elbow grease, perhaps the answer is the Show Pony Do the Dishes Tea Towel ($20), a fair trade organic cotton towel with the kitchen commandment spelled out in screen printed stacks of dirty plates. Perhaps you're a gal who goes for the three-packs of striped dish towels from the grocery store, so this one may not be for you. But I love me some tea towels, and have an ever-growing collection, so you can bet your bottom dollar that this Show Pony piece will show up in my kitchen.

Etsy Find: Mr. Casual and Miss Noble Placemats

casasugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:30:48 -0700

The Petek Guven Mr. Casual Placemat ($49) and Miss Noble Placemat ($49) are two cheeky characters well-trained in etiquette, who'll give your guests a good laugh before they're served the first course. Each placemat has two slits on each side which work as fork and knife holders; so unfortunately, the placemats cannot accommodate the silverware required for a seven course meal. I love how Mr. Casual sports a watch, and Miss Noble a bracelet: it adds personality! What do you think? Are they too whimsical for you, or just playful enough?

Etsy Find: Seven Deadly Sins Floral Frufru Plates

casasugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:30:36 -0700

I love repurposed plates. Some of my favorites are Sarah Cihat's rehabilitated dishware, and I loved Danny Seo's DIY take, too. GiggleSugar recently directed me to these very cool Seven Deadly Sins plates ($140 for set) from Esty seller Trixiedelicious.

To find out more about these plates, and to see some more of the artist's unexpected designs,

Etsy Find: PJ Designs Coffee Table

casasugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:30:19 -0700

Ordering furniture online from an individual seller (eBay, Craigslist, Etsy, etc.) rather than a major retailer is kind of a hassle where shipping is concerned. There aren't necessarily any guarantees, refunds, or other conveniences, and there's certainly no white glove service. But, when you come across a piece like the PJ Designs Coffee Table ($125), which oozes Hollywood Regency style in glossy white paint with a nailhead trim, how can you resist? And, at $125, the table is quite affordable, even if arranging shipping costs you an arm, a leg, and a bottle of Advil.

Etsy Find: Crocheted Metal Pomegranate

casasugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:00:41 -0700

Long thought to be a symbol of fertility, luck, and abundance, the pomegranate is also connected to the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which just ended. If you're not a fan of eating pomegranates, though, I've found one for you that, while inedible, is certainly delicious to look at. This metal pomegranate ($65) has been crocheted from orange metallic wire. I love the sculptural element of this object. It would be a great mantel piece, or, grouped in clusters, would make an impact on a warm, wood table, such as the Brasilla. It'd also love to see a few tufts of pine or some colorful Fall leaves tucked into it. This art piece, from Etsy seller Yoola, is also available in a number of other colors.
Source

Etsy Find: Cactus Picnic Napkin Set

casasugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0700

If a cactus could ever look cute, JackRabbit has devised a means to that end with the Cactus Picnic Napkin Set, a set of four 10-by-12-inch handmade napkins screen printed with a grid of perky green cacti. I can't think of a better occasion to debut these prickly succulents than a backyard barbecue — or perhaps a Park(ing) Day picnic. While the weather is still warming up here in San Francisco, temperatures are turning chilly elsewhere, so you'd better snatch these babies up fast and throw some T-bones on the grill. But if you're located in the Lone Star State or other arid environments, these linens won't ever go out of style . . . and you know that cloth napkins are always an eco-fashionable statement.

Etsy Find: Argyle Midcentury Shelving Unit

casasugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:34 -0700

I'm not much of a prepster, but I've always appreciated the graphic goodness of argyle. The diamond checkerboard pattern has a unique three-dimensional quality that's simply eye-catching. But, don't get any ideas: I won't be sporting an argyle sweater vest any time soon. I'd certainly integrate the Lunar Lounge Argyle Midcentury Shelving Unit into my apartment, though! The multifunctional storage system can store all types of media and decorative items and also serve as a room divider (great for a studio), allowing privacy without adding a visual heaviness to the space. Although it's a midcentury design, I think it still looks modern and fresh.

Etsy Find: Ottoman Empire

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Etsy seller Spruce Home, a design studio based in Austin, TX, has upholstered this ornate, wooden-based ottoman in Amy Butler's Nigella Primrose fabric, giving it a vibrant, modern update. The Ottoman Empire ($425) stands 14 inches high with a 30-inch diameter, the perfect size to use as a round coffee table, or set with a tray or some shelter books on top. Not only do I adore the aqua and cool green fabric used, but it looks like it'd be super comfortable used as a stool, foot rest, or even a dog bed! If this ottoman isn't for you, Spruce has a handful of other beautifully upholstered pieces available in their shop. Need a cane back chair? A striped sofa? A set of modular Herman Miller chairs? See what else they've got in store when you

Etsy Find: Felt Flower Button Bouquets

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:00:16 -0700

If the fleeting beauty of a fresh floral bouquet isn't what you had in mind for your wedding or other celebration, you're in luck. Etsy seller Princess Lasertron makes custom bouquets from hand-stitched felt and vintage buttons that will last well beyond your ceremony, and perhaps your five-year anniversary. But you needn't be tying the knot to take one home. The one-of-a-kind floral arrangements look just as good set in a glass vase on your dining room table, as they do with your Vera Wang. Prices run from $60 to $250.

Etsy Find: Wish You Were Here

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Since Summer definitely isn't endless, capture its essence with this limited edition print by artist Danna Ray. When you have Wish You Were Here ($25) on your kitchen wall, you'll get a reminder of sunshine and lake dreams, even if snow is madly falling outside your window.

This archival print is produced with high-quality pigment-based inks on heavyweight paper, and is seven inches square, allowing room for matting and framing in a standard size frame. It would be a great addition to any room in the house, from nursery to bathroom.

Etsy Find: Hand-Printed Pillow Cover

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:30:27 -0700

One simple way to perk up your endless Summer is by bringing color into your home. But that needn't mean repainting your walls, or letting your kids go wild with finger paint. A vibrant accessory here or there will surely suffice. And I'm a staunch proponent of happy, colorful homes, so I say there's no reason you should have to tone down come Fall. If your home is in need of a little pick-me-up, consider the Kalla Hand-Printed Pillow Cover ($30). This cute, natural fiber pillow cover has a modern, geometric green leaf pattern that'll keep things lively before and after the leaves turn. Not ga-ga for green? The cover is also available in orange, pink, and blue.

Etsy Find: ELO Vinyl Record Clock

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0700

I came across yet another furnishing for your man's hipster dude haven and couldn't resist sharing. No true hipster dude would willingly ruin a valuable record like ELO's Time, but if it were unusable, he might hang it on the wall as a clock. The Electric Light Orchestra Vinyl Record Clock ($25) gives new life to some good tunes too scratched to enjoy, with a handsome set of white clock hands. I particularly like how the clock hands mimic the yellow and pink spotlights on the record label (and I've always had a soft spot for ELO). What do you think? Would you give this clock the time of day or is it just not your style?

Etsy Find: Belt Buckle Frame

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Since I recently suggested you repurpose your belt buckles as frames, when I came across a belt buckle for sale used in the same way, I couldn't help but share! The Domestikate Custom Belt Buckle ($26) was originally used to hold polished rock and gemstone pieces, and it has a D-ring on its back side, so it can actually be used as a buckle or just as a decorative frame. I love its 1970s Western theme, and think it just begs for a black-and-white cowboy image inside. The seller will print your photo to size and set it in the frame with a plastic protection sheet in front. Pretty neat, huh?

Etsy Find: Open Tulip Serving Platter

casasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:30:59 -0700

Considering that it's August, the tulips in your garden have likely already come and gone. But that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy them! The Gleena Shop Open Tulip Serving Platter ($55) is just the thing to keep Spring eternal (you know how I love endless seasons). The asymmetrical platter is slip-cast porcelain, embellished with a delicate open tulip decal, and glazed on the inside only. It's food and dishwasher safe, but personally I'd just love to use it as wall décor. Ah! Botanicals get me every time.

Etsy Find: A Gnome For Your Home

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:21 -0700

Wall stickers may be waning in popularity, but I still have a soft spot for any stickers made in particularly fresh designs. This Gnomes and Mushrooms Decal ($16) is one of the cutest things I've seen in a long time.
I have a keen affection for gnomes as it is, but when they're reinterpreted in solid black, they take on a surprisingly modern air. This easy-to-apply vinyl sticker is also available in many other colors. Where would you give these gnomes a home? Bathroom? Living room? Bedroom closet?

Etsy Find: Massey and Rogers Lampshades

casasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:15:34 -0700

Etsy is an abyss of handmade items, selling hundreds of wonderful things from all over the world (as evidenced here). But I must admit, there's a lot of detritus to siphon through. So, when I came across Massey and Rogers lampshades, it was a breath of fresh air. Designed by two textile designers, Barbara Massey and Helen Rogers, the shades are hand screen-printed with charming fabrics inspired by vintage buttons, garden birds, and urban landscapes in a well-curated palette. Suitable for pendants or lamps, these lampshades will add a touch of vintage charm to your home, and maybe a bit of bird love. Prices range from $110 to $150.

Etsy Find: High Tea Spoon Cabinet

casasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:45 -0700

I've written about many common types of storage and even some that have stumped you. But, never a spoon cabinet. Only the Aussies (OK, and maybe the Brits) would designate an entire cabinet on the wall just for their spoons. I'll overlook this absurdity given my interest in the Tim Neve High Tea Spoon Cabinet ($45). The silverware storage unit received a modern update with a bold graphic illustration print used as a backing and a finish of glossy black paint, making it scrumptiously delightful. So, for those of you who have a vintage spoon collection, you can rest assured that you won't look one bit Granny for it — (even though you kind of are).

Etsy Find: Magnetic Blackboard Coasters

casasugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:00:10 -0700

Talk about multitasking. When you're not resting your Long Island on one of these magnetic blackboard coasters ($15 for a set of four), you can keep them on your fridge, and even jot your grocery notes down on them. This is a great solution for keeping your coffee table tidy, and I think the black circles add a fun design element to your fridge as well. The coasters are covered with UV-coated vinyl that can be drawn on with regular chalk and then wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Etsy Find: Ice Cream Lollies Tea Towel

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:22 -0700

I'm far from an Adam Sandler groupie, but there are a few of his movie scenes that always get me. One of these is in Mr. Deeds, when his character tries to sell an ice cream glove to investors — such a dumb idea but I still kind of understand the need for one. Since the fictional product was never produced, we'll have to make do by wiping down our sticky fingers with the MrPS Ice Cream Lollies Tea Towel ($16). The 100 percent cotton tea towel is hand-printed in retro turquoise with hand-drawn and photographic images of ice cream cones and popsicles, images synonymous with Summer Style. Sorry, fudgsicles not included.

Etsy Find: Mecedora Low Rocking Chair

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:30:08 -0700

I never think to look for furniture on Etsy, so I was delighted to come across this awesome chair in my search for an Etsy Find. The Mecedora Low Rocking Chair ($875) is handmade from 1,000 feet of woven cotton rope and a stainless steel frame. It may not have plush cushions but looks pretty darn relaxing (and fun!) to me; it sits low to the floor and has a wide stance so you can rock very far back without tipping over. I like how the rope has a natural tone to it; anything bright might overpower the random pattern of the seat and backrest weaving. What do you think? I'm sure many of you will pass on this one, but for those of you with perhaps a midcentury-modern home or a minimalist loft, it could work wonders.

Etsy Find: "Black Dots" Print

casasugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:00:01 -0700

I'm seeing spots, and I'm loving it. Marie M Vlasic's Black Dots ($40) print is a somewhat disorienting play on perspective and light, but in the most pleasurable way possible. Perhaps taking a cue from New York Fashion Week, Vlasic's polka dots may be trendy, but they also have universal, lasting appeal. This high quality artwork is printed on heavy Fuji Film Crystal Archive paper, and Giclee prints are also available.

Etsy Find: Chalkboard Placemat

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:00:29 -0700

Although the Bushel and Peck Baby Chalkboard Placemat ($9) is described as "a great item to bring to a restaurant to keep your child occupied while you wait for your food," I don't think it needs to be reserved for children. Doodling never goes out of style. And, it might even come in handy for taking notes during lunch conferences, or you could sketch silverware on there for a trompe l'œil effect. If you like the look of it, and the fact that it rolls up, but don't think you'd ever use the chalkboard side, you can DIY an oilcloth placemat instead. What do you think?

Etsy Find: Summer Patchwork Quilt

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:00:26 -0700

For me, there's nothing as romantic as a Summer evening picnic laid out on a handmade patchwork quilt. This quilt ($225), named "Poetry in the Summer," from Etsy seller Littlerosequilts, will fit the bill nicely. The name comes from the fact that most of the squares in the quilt are April Cornell's "Poetry" from Moda fabric line, with a few other types added for variety. For added romance, the quilt has ruffled edges and French binding, and at just over four feet square, there's just enough room to fit you and your potential (or actual) sweetheart and your picnic dinner. As far as I'm concerned, that cozy dimension is perfect for inviting some summertime smooching. What could be more romantic than that?

Etsy Find: Reproduction Milk Bottles

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:00:04 -0700

I'm a sucker for vintage glassware and pottery, so these reproduction milk bottles ($30) are right up my alley, having been hand-cast from antique half-pint glass milk bottles. They remind me a bit of Jonathan Adler's Druggist Collection, with their smooth white surfaces and cheeky printing.

These reproduction milk bottles are from Etsy seller Alyssaettinger, and were modeled after bottles from Concord Dairy. They stand at a diminutive four inches tall, perfect for displaying summer blooms. You can also pop them in the dishwasher, which is always a plus.

Etsy Find: Marimekko Throw Pillow

casasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:14 -0700

We all know that Marimekko is too darn hot right now. It's made appearances in the Sex and the City movie (in Carrie's apartment), at H&M stores worldwide, and in major retail catalogs such as CB2. I'm personally loving the color and pattern on this Marimekko Red on Red Pillow ($19), from Etsy seller WhiffletreeFarm. Made from Samovarri, a pattern designed for Marimekko in 1970 by Maija Isola, it's 100 percent cotton and made in Finland. It would make a dramatic splash when displayed on white sofas. Where would you use them?

Etsy Find: Made-to-Order Fabric Shower Curtain

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:00:08 -0700

If you're not happy with the shower curtain patterns available in your local stores or over the Internet then you can turn to Etsy seller Mintagehome, who'll send you a made-to order-fabric shower curtain in just two to three weeks. For your own Shower Me Pretty ($125), just select from the fabric in Mintagehome's store and she'll whip it up on her sewing machine for you. While the standard curtain size is 72 inches square, custom sizes are also available. I'm personally in love with the fabric shown, but it looks like Mintagehome also has many other Amy Butler fabric choices as well.

Etsy Find: The Idea Chair

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:00:42 -0700

Apparently, my love for home furnishings runs so deep that I even hang it on my walls. I also have a friend who has successfully mounted legs from a bentwood chair in her living room as a sculptural piece, and I have to say, it looks great.

It should come as no surprise then that I'm enthusiastic about Jess Gonacha's silkscreen print, The Idea Chair ($15). Its combination of yellows and blues, a wallpaper-like background, and delicate India ink lines are wonderfully rendered. Oh, and then there's that chair.
Jess explains the piece this way: "There was a chair in my house in college that I used to sit in to do all my drawing and homework and relaxing. It was mustard colored velvety, and i so loved it. This piece reminds me of that chair." This piece is printed on archival white matte paper, measures in at 7.5 inches by 9.5 inches, and is based on an original painting. Definitely check out more of Jess's work on her website.

Etsy Find: Mix Tape Kitchen Towel

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:07 -0700

If, like me, you have fond teen memories of the beloved mix tape, then you might find yourself breathing a nostalgic sigh at the sight of this Mix Tape Kitchen Towel ($9.50). Each 100 perent cotton flower sack kitchen towel is silk screened with a print of a large mix tape in blue ink. Since each one is screened by hand, yours will be unique, just like that mix tape from 1992 that your first high school boyfriend passed to you in the hall between Algebra I and AP Biology.

Etsy Find: Sara Paloma Large Bone Vase

casasugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:15:24 -0700

If you're shopping for a timeless wedding gift for a modern couple, the Sara Paloma Large Bone Vase ($150) might be just the thing. Its stacked teacup-like construction and stained brown carved edges give it a very feminine and organic appeal, while its matte white coloring guarantees it'll fit into any home. If this one's not for you, Bay Area artist Sara Paloma has a large selection of gorgeous handmade pottery including votive holders, vases, bottles, bowls, and sculptural pieces. Though certainly not something you'll find on a registry list, Paloma's stoneware pieces are sure to impress.

Etsy Find: Visez Vert Market Bag

casasugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:45:09 -0700

Although I thought that I had enough reusable bags, it's true that I don't have any market bags hand painted with French messages — and what could be more eco chic than French market bags? The Visez Vert Market Bag ($18) asks you to "aim green," and is illustrated with the Eiffel Tower and scrolls.

This generously-sized bag (14 inches tall) is excellent for small grocery loads or for trips to the drugstore for medicine cabinet essentials. And if you get it stained, no worries — the art is permanent, so you can wash it as much as is necessary.

Etsy Find: Plants For the Perpetually Plant-Challenged

casasugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:00:27 -0700

If you're the type of gal who destroys even those hard-to-kill houseplants, consider trading in your dying snake plants for the Outside In wall graphic ($30). Made from cut vinyl with a matte surface finish, this graphic can be easily applied to walls, windows, mirrors, and other smooth, clean surfaces. The graphic is self-adhesive and easily removable. Just choose your color and design, and you're well on the way to prettying your pad with plants guaranteed not to keel over due to your gardening neglect.

Etsy Find: Dessert Please Cake Plate

casasugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:39 -0700

You may not know this but Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods, also sells vintage items. When they first introduced vintage, I whined a little, saddened that it would no longer be 100 percent handmade. But, when I come across vintage items like this Dessert Please Cake Plate ($65), everything is okay in the world. You'll be hard pressed to find anything like this milk-glass beauty elsewhere, and if you do find a mass-produced version, retailers like Anthropologie will charge you upwards of $150 for it. I'd normally say that the combination of the rose garland, butterflies perched on top, raised polka dots, and teardrop doily plate are a bit too much, but this cake plate has a sort of Victorian, old-world charm that beguiles me.

Etsy Find: Rae Dunn Little Bee Dish

casasugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:15:43 -0700

Reeled into a great local sale a few weekends ago, I treated myself to a pair of small Rae Dunn dishes that read "EAT" and a larger one with a chartreuse border, perfect for serving up cheese and crackers for a party of two. They've since become a favorite possession of mine. So, I was ecstatic to come across Rae Dunn's pottery in Etsy. This Rae Dunn Little Bee Dish ($25) is also fit for a bit of Brillat-Savarin and apricot compote, but would dole out a bar of lavender soap in the bathroom equally well. If bees aren't your thing, perhaps a little chicken, pig, or crown dish or her "Home Sweet Home" plaque would be more your speed — they're all solid, handmade, and one of a kind.

Love It or Hate It? Tattoo-Inspired Tea Towels

casasugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:15:12 -0700

Do you love this True Love Embroidered Tea Towel ($19)? Or is it a little too tattoo-tough-looking for you?

Love It or Hate It? Tattoo-Inspired Tea Towels

Love It

Hate it

Undecided

Etsy Find: Floral Floor Cloth

casasugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:00:42 -0700

If you're looking to make one small change that will make an instant difference, how about laying down this exquisitely painted Simplicity on Canvas Floor Cloth ($110)? Handpainted with an abstract flower, its cornflower blue color will bring a little Spring cheer to your front door. The floor cloth measures 2 by 3 feet, and has a non-slip backing. Its surface has been treated so you can wipe it down easily with a damp cloth. In case you love the pattern but aren't feeling the floor cloth, this design is also available as a pillow.

Etsy Find: Turquoise and Grey Felted Wool Bowl

casasugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:05:26 -0700

Whether you use it to stash keys or as a clever cozy for a four-inch planter, this Turquoise and Grey Felted Wool Bowl ($34) will add a splash of craft and color to your home. Hand crocheted with wool in charcoal grey with a bright turquoise base and band, this bowl is wet felted, dried around a mold to create its shape, and then steam blocked. Seller Papaververt recommends wrapping the plant's base in a plastic bag before setting it in the felted bowl, to assure that the planter won't leak onto the wool. I can think of a million other uses for this bowl, from holding cotton swabs in the bathroom to a cute catchall for my bobbins in my sewing corner. How would you use it?

Etsy Find: A Real Turn-On Coatrack

casasugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:00:48 -0700

I've been hoping to DIY one of these for a while, but haven't found the time. I suppose I could drop some cash on this Faucet Coatrack $30 instead, from Etsy seller Rustics Reborn. Constructed out of weathered barn wood and antiqued water faucets, this would look especially adorable as a towel rack in a bathroom.
Have you ever tried to construct a similar coatrack?

Etsy Find: Decorative Adhesive Labels

casasugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:41 -0700

For those of you who don't find organizing traditionally fun, I bring you Remake Decorative Adhesive Labels ($5 for 16). Filing away your utility bills? Organizing your pantry? Slap these beauties onto your file folders or flour, sugar, coffee, or even makeup jars, and getting your house into shipshape might actually be fun, or at the very least, chic. This set has an aqua, chartreuse, turquoise, and periwinkle color palette, but other colors are available if you're not looking for a cool palette. What do you think? Do you dig them? I think I might have to go on a Spring cleaning binge, just to make use of these purdy things . . .

Etsy Find: Hip Wedding Favors

casasugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:14 -0700

Since I'm trying to decide what type of wedding favors to have at my wedding this Summer, I had to tell all those other brides out there about these adorable Origami Wedding Favors ($25 for the first 25). Not only will they give your wedding guests something to do while making awkward small talk with your distant relatives, it'll also give them a pop quiz on your dating history. These cute little wedding favors hearken back to the days of playing "Fortune Teller" (also known as "Cootie Catcher" in some circles) on the bus ride home from grade school, only these Fortune Tellers are personalized with questions about you and your future husband.

The favors are made from 24-lb. ivory parchment paper, and are available in a variety of paper and ink colors. Are you as delighted by these favors as I am? For all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.

Etsy Find: Lavender Relaxation Eye Pillow

casasugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:30:33 -0700

If the botanical patterns of this Lavender Relaxation Eye Pillow ($9) weren't enough to have you reaching for your wallet, let me tell you that it's filled with flaxseed and lavender buds to send you into deep relaxation mode. It's the perfect way to soothe the tired eyes of blushing brides who are stressed from all the wedding planning they've been doing, or just those lovely hard-working single gals! Whoever wears it will look super-cute as they're snoozing away; it's available in a variety of patterns, including Amy Butler fabrics, if you're a fan of hers. But, watch out soon-to-be weds, don't sleep through your ceremony!

Etsy Find: Plantable Card Set

casasugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:28 -0700

Perhaps taking a note from the Blooming Wrapping Paper I wrote about, the Recycled Ideas Plantable Card Set ($10) is a set of pastel cards embedded with seeds that you can plant to grow your choice of flowers. The cards themselves are simple and blank, so you can personalize them with your own message, and of course, they come with germination instructions. Since they're handmade, they have the wonderful irregularities and texture that only handmade paper has. In the spirit of Good to Grow month, I say you send one off to a friend, and plant one yourself, and you'll soon both be growing your own hollyhocks, snapdragons, or marigolds. Take that, Hallmark!

The Card Shop: Screenprinted Bird Thank You Card

casasugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:30:53 -0700

Next time you need to say merci beaucoup, let the birds do the legwork. These Screenprinted Bird Thank You Cards ($3.50) from Etsy seller Sarahparrott825 come in an exquisite robin's egg blue and are blank inside so you can personalize your message. Each card is accompanied by a brown 100% recycled envelope and packed in a celo bag.

Etsy Find: Garden Organizer

casasugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:15:10 -0700

Considering that it's Good to Grow month and all, I figured I should hook you up with the best looking gardening gear around. That's where the Milk Pail Garden Organizer ($27) comes in. Constructed of six pockets in cotton and canvas floral and polka-dot fabrics, it not only serves as convenient place to store your garden tools, it's also chic and cheerful. It can be strapped to your waist or around your garden pail, if you have one. If polka dots aren't your thing, it's available in a variety of color options. I don't know about you, but the sight of this just makes me want to do some down and dirty (and adorable) gardening. What do you think?