The Friday Five: Browsing Around Etsy

Etsy sellers have so many cool things to offer, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s some of the neat things I’ve come across in my recent browse session.

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George Costanza mug

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Sculpture in Design – ceramic dish set

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Craftsman Stoneworks – carrara marble card holder

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Curio Press – pencils

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Natalie’s Wunderland – white evil eye bracelet

Note: Affiliate links have been used. All income generated from affiliates and sidebar ads in October will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as part of my #WhiteCabanaWearsPink fundraising efforts. Get click happy (and buy, too, if you’d like)!

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Marketplace: Celebrate Quebec design with Etsy

Etsy is currently celebrating Quebec design with The Etsy Design Awards: The Best of Quebec. Etsy artisans are so incredibly talented, and I’m happy to share some of my favourite pieces from Quebec designers.

il_570xN.737810674_t8mlfeather ring – Annie Lesperance, sterling silver, $32.28

il_570xN.626432891_3islscribble dress for babies and kids – Double Yellow Line, $60

il_570xN.754228481_d2zowhite handmade bowl – Looks Like White, $22

il_570xN.755179547_ny85handmade bead embroidered bracelet – Antonietta Presti, $125

I also think this pink birdhouse is sweet, this abracadabra patch is cute, these earrings are great for summer, and this lobster print makes me laugh.

If you’re interested in supporting Canadian designers and Etsy owners, check out the finalists and cast your votes!

Art: I’m a Ceramics Designer

Okay, so I’m not really quitting my day job to become the next Jonathan Adler, but I am currently working on a very cool project which has required me to put on my very first ceramics designer hat (eek – so exciting!). Let me explain.

This fall’s BlogPodium will feature a local organization called Sistering that offers supportive and educational programs to homeless and marginalized women, so that they can develop new skills and have more control over their lives. Inspirations Studio is a division of Sistering that develops participants’ knowledge about crafting ceramics.

This year, I have the opportunity to design a collection of ceramics in collaboration with the artists at Inspirations Studio that will be auctioned off at BlogPodium in September with all proceeds going back to Sistering. Earlier this spring, I met with Victoria at Inspirations Studio, and I shared my designs. Under her guidance and instruction, the artisans are bringing my designs to life (um, amazing!). The process thus far has been really cool and creative, and the items are coming along so darn beautifully! I’m impressed, and I’m eager to see the final products soon (it’s so hard to be patient, but I’m trying).

white-cabana-ceramics-inspirations-studio-2 white-cabana-ceramics-inspirations-studio-3 white-cabana-ceramics-inspirations-studio-1 I hope to eventually share more stories from the artisans at Inspirations Studio-4

 Inspirations Studio, photos by me

I hope to eventually share stories from the artisans at Inspirations Studio and the full production process, but for now, here’s a very small sneak peek of one of my designs (I can’t give everything away quite yet!).

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photo by Victoria

Christine Dovey of Bijou and Boheme is also busy designing items, and attendees of BlogPodium have a chance to win a chance to design pottery of their own! I encourage you to submit your design if you’re attending BlogPodium this September. Read all about it here.

Marketplace: Fleet Objects

We do love good Canadian design here at White Cabana so today I am happy to share some great pieces from Vancouver-based Fleet Objects. Designed by Zoe Garred, Fleet’s line of ceramics is simply beautiful.

I recently had the chance to have a close-up look at the Eyelet ornament. I just love simple design and this one is made by hand so what’s not to love? Perhaps you’ll think about sending one of these ornaments to friends this holiday.

photos by Jordana

Although I prefer the Eyelet hung in a bowl shape, it can also be hung with the opening on its side where you can hide a special treat. Zoe, creative as she is, also suggests stitching the holes for decoration.

Eyelet ball ornament, $28

I think Fleet Object‘s range of products would make lovely gifts so if you’ve already got holiday on the brain, then definitely have a look at what Zoe has to offer.

ribbon modular ornament, $15

Pools 1, $16shell lamp, $100