More specifically, it's really nice to know some fellow crafters. Etsy was supposed to be this wonderful boon to the crafting world, connecting DIY-ers and crafty people to each other and a populace waiting to purchase their handmade wares. However, it seems to have devolved into a combination of 'artists' selling absolute crap and threatening to disappear up their own assholes with pretension, Chinese re-sellers hawking mass produced crap, people having what basically amounts to a garage sale under the auspices of 'vintage', and a handful of awesome people selling really cool stuff (or maybe I read Regretsy too much). But through the blogging community, I've been about to suss out some of the awesomeness and meet people making and selling beautiful things around the world.
I'm still enjoying my amazing stitch markers constructed by Steph of Stephcuddles. Every time the cup comes around at the end of a round I'm delighted at the little details (and crave a cup of tea).
And I just got a new toy...Susie at Useless Beauty posted a lovely tote bag she had constructed, maybe a month ago? I can't remember if it was a specific blog post or I just noticed its picture off to the side, but I marked it as a 'favorite' and assumed that someone else would snatch it up. In the midst of my flu fugue I was trolling the internet late at night and saw that it was still (strangely) available and decided I had to have it.
I don't think my photo does it justice--high quality fabric, invisible stitching, and what an eye for color! If I'd attempted a mash-up like this it would have looked like someone barfed Skittles the day after Halloween. That's why you leave it to the professionals.
I'm almost afraid to use it because it's so pretty...for the time being it's just being used as decor on the back of a chair.
The bag is so pretty! And the stitch marker is very cute :) I also read Regretsy and I do agree about Etsy, but there are some really talented people out there, it's just not always so easy to find them.
ReplyDeleteOk, those stitch markers are great! I don't troll Etsy enough (I'm glad to report); if I go there, it's usually to check out a Raveler's shop - so I basically avoid the schlock and resellers. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL barfing Skittles ....what a turn of phrase LOL. Now go buy my soap ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love the colours on that bag. It's good to have talented internet friends!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see the work of someone you admire and being able to buy it. I love the gorgeous yarn I've bought from indie dyers and I recently bought a great sock project bag from Nic's Knots. It is connects you in a tangible way to people you haven't met but really quite like.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased some things on etsy over the years, but it is getting harder and harder to find the treasures from among the clutter. I love Steph's stitchmarkers. Mine get used quite a bit and always are attention getters at knit night.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing those stitch markers for awhile. I should just suck it up and buy myself some.
ReplyDeleteOh AC, you are so lovely to me :) thank you do much for the compliments!x
ReplyDeleteMy rainbow bag! I'm so glad you like it! This has completely made my day.
ReplyDelete{Wanders off, thrilled.}
I agree about Etsy - which is why I broke off and have been creating my own independent store front. I don't feel under pressure to obsess over it, defend my choices, or wade through some of the junk that is being peddled there. I also don't have to feel like I'm competing with the shops that are seriously under-pricing their beautiful work just to make a sale. I agree that there's some wonderful shops there, but it's a shame overall that it went downhill so fast.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE the cup of tea stitch-marker.