Twenty Global Etsy Finds

One day, when we tire of this expat life, I know we will move back home.  I am not sure when or where exactly, but in the meantime I like to picture an imaginary house that will finally let us plant some roots.  It’s quite a big place (although not overly huge –  think of all that cleaning!), but it’s full of light, and lots of things inspired by the countries we have lived in, and the places we have travelled to…

If I should ever be so organised as to start a list of things to go in it, I think it would contain a selection of objects like these from the Etsy Community, based all over the Globe!: –

1. After two years spent in Scandinavia, I have a slight obsession with all things Dalahast!   This original Swedish specimen can be found in   KeepitRetro’s shop jam-packed full of lovely vintage stuff;
2. When I first went to Helsinki, I think Marimekko was the first place I found!   I love how the Tilissimo have used this Marimekko design on these Eco Friendly Coasters;
   
3. Right at the top of my imaginary house list is a Poul Henningsen Lamp – and this vintage version can be found at Old & Cold’s amazing Copenhagen Etsy Shop;
4. This sweet Decorative Paper Heart Garland made out of an unreclaimable Danish Book, is lovingly crafted by MaisyandAlice – so delicate!;
5. Something I recently discovered in Japan – Tenugui – intricately patterned fabric that can be used for pretty much anything! Choose from a massive selection in Karaku’s Tokyo shop;
6. I have just the desk this amazing Swiss Peppermint Green Hermes typewriter could sit pretty on – Gallavanting Girls has masses of vintage stuff to rummage through by the way!
7. Indian Printing Blocks from GilbertsTree. I have always found these both fascinating, and lovely to look at;
8. Next up, a couple of things from home – An iconic London Poster Print by Visual Philosophy (already coveted by a six-year-old I know!);
9. And this organic Blanket from RWScissors!  Yes it might be for a baby, but the pattern just made me include it!
10. Imagine another era – with these brilliantly coloured gelato bowls!   You can find them at Arquelogica!
11. Great for imaginative play (both inside and out), this Australian Wonder Tent in Smokey Black Hearts would win a place in the hearts of two  Small People I know, that’s for sure!
12. These magnificent creatures will always remind me of South Africa, where we were lucky enough to see them in the wild.  I think I might actually love all of Talented Apple’s stuff;
13. I would definitely find room for HouseofSeance’s beautiful Norwegian Catherine Holm Lotus Bowls in my new imaginary kitchen (I think I am going through an orange phase)!
14. Something from our current host nation – delicate handmade earrings from Madeleine Accessoires, with possibly a pair to go with everything?…
15. On to Scotland next with this wonderful hand printed Hare Cushion from Megan Ferguson Smyth.
16. Those who have been reading my blog for a while will know that I have a thing for subways and the Underground it seems.  Making a bit of a change from the norm are these Amsterdam Metro signs from the aptly named Going Underground;
17.  I love the design and colours of nearly all of these Messenger Bags from Parisian Ikabags too – plenty of pockets for new house keys!
18. Crafting inspiration from the US of A?   These Craft Starter Kits from DollyMixDesign would help keep my 8 Year Old occupied during the move!
19. I hankered after a very similar rug to this in Denmark, but this one is handmade in Nepal which Top Trumps that quite possibly?  Available from FeltNYarn in Kathmandu.
20. And of course I had to include a keepsake from Bavaria!  With Oktoberfest season not far off, it will soon be time to dig out the dirndl, and accessorise to the hilt.   I thought this Charivari from Bohemia1973 was sweet, and very typical of the trachten jewellery so popular at these huge fests!

One of the things I like the best about Etsy, is that behind its flashy website is a whole host of normal (yet incredibly creative!) people like you and I, who want to sell their wares – to the likes of you and I!    Being invited by Etsy to become part of their European Affiliate Campaign means that if you choose to buy something through one of my handpicked links, then I might earn a tiny bit of commission!  But of course you don’t need to click through these links should you wish to buy something.  Although if you do, I am going to put anything I earn towards that peppermint green Swiss typewriter.  No really!