Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday Finds Home Trends Treasury

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “home trends” and we picked the treasury curated by Alicja Suska from GopherShop. The treasury is called “Home Trends” and is full of unique items.
 Alicja makes felt bags, cases and accessories for home.

Here is one of her beautiful and practical designs:





 Here is Alicja's "home trends" treasury. Check it out below, and visit the artists shops for more great creations.





I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Geometric design trends” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time…

Monday, February 23, 2015

Artist Showcase - Ning's Silk World

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  This week the spotlight is on Lisa of Ning's Silk World.  Lisa's lovely items include cellphone sleeves, hair accessories, pillows, and handbags. Lisa designs her own crochet patterns, handbags, pillows. She collects vintage images and prints them onto pretreated 100% cotton fabric. I recently purchased a cell phone sleeve so I can attest to the quality.  Here is the one I ordered.  I love it! 


Here are some of Lisa's other items:

 
 
 
 
I hope you enjoyed this week's artist showcase.  Next week we'll select another artist to showcase.  If you would like to be considered, just drop Zoica or me a note via Etsy convo.
 
Thanks for stopping by...
 
Until next time,
 
 

Friday, February 20, 2015

Let's Get Organized!

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds!
 This week I could not resist and made a treasury with all the pieces that I would love to get so my home office would look neat, tidy and trendy. I gave it a suggestive tittle “Let’s organized” and now I am sharing it with you. Comment and let me know your favorite.



Treasury:  I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “ Home trends” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Monday, February 16, 2015

Color Trend - Turquoise

Turquoise is a mixture of blue and green.  There are many variations to the color including spa blue, aqua, turquoise, and teal.

Turquoise has been a popular color in interior design for several years now.  Depending on the shade you choose, turquoise can add warmth to a space.  Turquoise can be used to create a spa like atmosphere in your home.  Adding turquoise even in small amounts can do wonders for your mood and outlook.  It's one of those colors that can be added to just about any color scheme, especially neutrals and turquoise can be used in any room from bathrooms to kitchens.  There are even blogs dedicated to the color!  Check out these stunning turquoise spaces and items.

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I hope you enjoyed my tribute to turquoise. 
 
Thanks for stopping by...
 
Until  next time,
 


 
 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Spring Summer 2015 Top Fashion Trends

  My last trend report for 2015 was for jewelry designs. Today  I will talk about a few key fashion trends for 2015 spring summer fashion. This year the popular items are: safari jacket, Baja inspired prints, drawstring waistlines, baggy bermudas and the spring anorak. The jumpsuit is still popular in soft fabric, and the denim is coming out in light colors, called "powder wash denim".

   Here are some of my picks for the key designs: This spring summer season Culottes are a fresh alternative to skirts…They are styled with slouchy layers or a slim-fit top. They can be done in crisp wovens , denim and leather. Here are a few examples:
                                                                    Debenhams

Karen Millen
This is my short version of it, which can be worn as shorts as well. You can find it in my shop here:

The full circle skirt is inspired by the 1950’s fashion. Coming in various lengths depending on the market, could be a great item for any woman’s closet.
                                                                   House of Fraser


Marks & Spencer


The classic shirt dress has new details, and we can find it with a dropped waist or relaxed fit. The defined waist is still in.

                                                                    Joe Fresh


Marks & Spencer


Tommy Hilfiger


J Crew


Matching separates are in, a look that is young and fresh, especially when it involves simple, boxy and cropped tops with coordinating shorts, skirts or cropped trousers.
                                                                          Oasis



                                                                          Primark

I will close with the jumpsuit, because if its resiliency through years of trends, and show you a couple designs, one of them being the romper version by Old Navy.
Tommy Hilfiger


Old Navy

I hope my presentation will inspire you to refresh your wardrobe and go out and shop, or make something confident that you are right on the mark.
Until next time,


Friday, February 6, 2015

Friday Finds Hand Printed Linens and a Sneak Peek into Spring!

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week I selected a treasury that gives us a sneak peek into the spring. The treasury has a telling name “Lemon Fresh” and is filled with pastel colors. It was carefully curated by a talented Etsy artist who designs, sews, and prints on linen and paper. Her name is Pat and shop is called “Giardino” and she offers hand printed linens, home décor and paper goods.
 Here is one of her beautiful creations:










I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “ Fresh Coat” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Monday, February 2, 2015

Artist Showcase - Things That Sing

Welcome to this week's Artist Showcase. This week our artist is Melissa from Things That Sing. Melissa's shop is full of beautiful housewares & accessories designed to inspire, complement and uplift.

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I grew up in Toronto and studied film for a year at university before moving to London (my birthplace) to gain experience in publishing design. I went freelance after a few years and moved out of London while expanding my client base and enjoying a great work/life balance. In 2011, I was ready to start focusing some more on one of my abiding passions - applying designs to practical objects in the home - in between my freelance work. I launched my online shop with limited edition giclée prints, cotton tote bags and vinyl wall decals to make a start!


How did you get your start?

The home decor products launched in summer 2014. It was the perfect time for me to move forward with my original plan for Things That Sing and I was thrilled to find a quality print on demand manufacturer enabling me to offer a choice of colors and custom options on a sale by sale basis. I have since been putting more time into this, as it quickly started taking over my freelance work!
 
Where do you get your inspiration?

Native and pre-20th century art, native cultures and wisdom. Various eras of furniture design. Inspiring folk throughout history - their quotes and quips and the things people say. Things that make me smile and chuckle. Nature and the wonders of our universe.
 

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

A new launch of fine bone china tableware with a bespoke potter in Staffordshire, UK. Not long after posting up my DH Lawrence 'beard play' (Harebrain Litpick / Hashtag Classics) mugs, I was contacted by DH Lawrence Heritage and most recently the Nottingham Tourism Centre showing interest in stocking the cheeky mugs!
 
What challenges do you face selling online?

So far, it's just been about making sure the policies and listings are as clear as possible to be sure the customers are informed and happy. I really enjoy the interaction with my customers, as well as the inspirations they bring with custom requests and I've learned a lot from the different questions buyers have. On the whole it's been pretty smooth and I appreciate opportunities to fine tune things along the way.
 

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

To stay playful and light with regular breaks, so you remain receptive to the flow of ideas that often hit you at the oddest times - for me, it's often on long, rambling walks! And to remember that there is always more than one way or path when it comes to molding your vision into a enjoyable business. There is so much inspiration on Etsy with the different approaches that folk have, but always stay true to what works best for you.
 
 
Thank you Melissa for sharing your story and some of your lovely items with us.  Next week we'll showcase another Etsy artist.  If you would like to be considered, just send Zoica or me a note via Etsy convo.
 
Thanks for stopping by...
 
Until next time,