Etsy-ing

My new favorite pastime at night is to browse Etsy for unique and different handcrafted items. If you have not visited this site yet, you really must do so. I am just amazed at the creativeness of so many people, and their willingness to share it (for a fee!) with the world. I have found that the prices are usually very reasonable for the time and effort that was put into creating the items. My favorites list grows nightly as I peruse the stores and their merchandise. So far I have only purchased twice...my first purchase was from a Chilean woman in the northern city of Antofagasta (where my youngest sister and her family are going to be missionaries) who creates handstamped items and had just opened her store the day I found it--I figured "what's the likelihood of that happening" and decided to be her first customer! I'm still waiting for my cards to arrive from Chile, but when they do, I will post a picture of them. My second purchase was of two vintage black and white postcards with photos of little girls on them...they were just too cute to pass up. I want to frame them and hang them in my workspace downstairs for inspiration. While they are not uniquely homemade items, I have found many vintage things on Etsy that people use in altered, creative ways. So when you have some extra time on your hands and you want to be inspired, check out Etsy and all it has to offer...and if you find any favorite stores, pass along the information! (BTW, I'm not being paid for this commercial!)