AFTERMATH - Bkk Rajprasong area - 21.05.2010

These incredible photos were posted by nminbkk! I haven't been in to town yet to see the actual damage. Even though these photos are very explicit, I still cannot imagine the destruction that has occurred. It is so sad and heartbreaking.

Peace for Thailand

Mystic Wynd

Mystic Wynd’s shop has a wide collection of eclectic jewelry that appeals to everyone! There is a distinctive necklace, earrings, or bracelet for the career woman as well as the stay at home mom. Her styles range from simple or bold, classic or trendy, elegant or glitzy – you are sure to find that special piece to suit your taste or needs. Her jewelry includes natural stones, crystals, vintage metals, and a variety of unique materials.

Karen has been crafting since her childhood days in Chicago, but designing and creating jewelry is her latest passion. She now resides in Arizona.

Stop by Mystic Wind – there is a unique piece of jewelry waiting for you!

 

You can also find  Mystic Wynd at

Blog at http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com/
Twitter at http://twitter.com/mysticwynd
Facebook  at http://www.facebook.com/MysticWynd

  

Terror in Thailand

These amazing photos are from LIFE. Although it may seem like the entire city is a war zone, it is actually confined to a small area which happens to be the location of the central shopping district and five star hotels. We live north of the city - life is as normal as usual for us. It is so sad to see this happen in Thailand - which has been our home for nine years. It is a great country with wonderful people!

Swing Station Studio

Swing Station Studio at Esty has an amazing collection of hand-sewn box purses and zippered pouches. Heather recently returned from a show and will be listing some new designs very soon. In the meantime, stop by and take a peek at her shop.  Her items are made with such cute, colorful pre-washed fabrics. These purses make great gifts!

           

You can be a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swingstationstudio or check out her new blog at http://swingstationstudio.blogspot.com/

New BESTeam Featured Shop - Owls Some Gifts

Owl Some Gifts has temporary put her shop on vacation mode as she deals with the flooding in her area of Tennessee.  If you are an owl lover, this is a shop you do not want to miss. She creates owl inspired gifts such as  jewelry, pillows, key chains, art work and photo albums.  If you love owls or know someone who does, you are sure to find the perfect gift. Visit her shop to submit a request to be notified when she reopens. 

Meanwhile - take a look at some of her adorable items!

            

This Says It All!

BESTteam Featured Shop - Fish Princess Designs

Fish Princess Designs  is a fly-fishing, jewelry designing, accountant with two grown children.  As you browse her shop, you will feel her inspiration from nature and the great outdoors in her designs!  Her jewelry appeals to all women which makes her pieces a great gift for Mom or that special woman in your life.  And you may just have to add a little something for yourself to your order.  Her lovely necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are created with a variety of natural materials – fossils, freshwater pearls, crystals,  semi-precious gemstones, and copper.

 

Etsy's Feature Shop - Lightkeeping

Lightkeeping – All Things Beautiful

You have to stop by Lightkeeping at Etsy to view Anastasija's absolutely gorgeous lampwork jewelry! Her work is fabulous. She has a great eye for combining textures and colors. I love every piece in her shop! Anastasija hails from Ireland and lovingly makes each piece; taking great care to all details and paying attention to color, proportion, symmetry – and most importantly – beauty! Her fondness for color, simplicity, and harmony are evident in each bracelet, necklace and pair of earrings. Most of her pieces are lampwork but she often incorporates Swarovski crystals, precious and semi-precious gemstones, and pearls. Wearing her jewelry will brighten your day and put a smile on your face.

Etsy's Feature Shop - Paradise Purls

Paradise Purls @ Etsy is full of beautiful hand knitted and handcrafted accessories.  There is a wide array of hand knitted hats and scarves  as well as some lovely beaded earrings.  Her colorful hats are perfect for children and babies. These soft, fluffy scarves will keep you warm and cozy on those chilly winter days.

Elizabeth is a self-taught knitter and beader who creates her items with a passion for attention to detail and style.  She has a great eye for color combinations and patterns in her knitted items as well as in her jewelry.

Here are some of my favorites:

     

      

For new listings and news about sales:
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/paradisepurls
Blog - http://www.paradisepurls.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/paradisepurls

Red Shirts!

The red shirts are still protesting! Since they have been camped out since the weekend, the shopping malls and some of the five star hotels in central Bangkok have been shut down resulting in the loss of millions of Baht.  Despite all the hoopla downtown, it really has had little impact on our daily lives out in the 'burbs. We are still working and going about our normal routines. Some of our friends who live in town have had to leave work early. One friend said she didn't sleep all weekend as the noise never stopped. It is amazing the red shirts have continued to last this long as it is hotter than hell - temperatures range from the high 90's F to over 100 F! Life is never dull in Thailand!   (Photos are from the Bangkok Post)

Cherry Blossom Time

The National Cherry Blossom Festival began on March 27 and will last for a two week period until April 11. This event celebrates springtime in Washington, DC.  The trees were a gift to the US from Japan in 1912 to symbolize the enduring friendship between the two countries.  This a little collection of handcrafted cherry blossom items from the shops of Etsy in honor of this festival.

 

Click the pic to visit the shop.

Nevita's Boutique-a-holic at Etsy

This week’s featured Etsy shop is HANDKNIT AND GOBELIN BOUTIQUE-A-HOLIC, a shop full of gorgeous handknits by Nevita of Sofia, Europe.  Nevita learned to knit, crochet, sew, and create gobelin tapestry at a young age whenever she visited her grandmother during the school holidays. Over the years she continued exploring these handicrafts, but realized that knitting and gobelin tapestry were the ones that gave her the most pleasure and satisfaction. Her creations symbolize how beautiful and precious life is.

Her scarves are so lovely – her spring collection is featured on her front page, but be sure to look at the winter collection (which is on sale)! There are a variety of rich colors and textures in many fashionable styles. There is also a section with adorable hand knitted baby wear.

Having an Etsy shop allows Nevita to spend time with her beautiful baby girl and to create beautiful pieces of clothing and art.
    

Here's where else you can find Nevita:
www.boutiqueaholic.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/handknitbynevita
https://twitter.com/handknitbynev
http://www.youtube.com/handknitbynevita

The Clever Crafter

The Clever Crafter of Etsy has a fabulous shop featuring handcrafted jewelry made with a variety of unique materials.  Check out the button bracelets and guitar pick earrings! Very CLEVER!  Wearing these awesome jewelry pieces, will make you stand out in the crowd!  This clever crafter is always finding new ideas which keeps her shop fresh and exciting.

You are going to want to stop by the Clever Crafter’s blog to read three special weekly features! On Monday an Esty artist and shop is introduced. Tuesday’s Top 10 is theme oriented and includes 10 different Etsy shops - love this!  On Friday Lily, her very talented cat selects 7 different items from 7 Etsy shops that features cats.

 

Empress Jade Vintage

Empress Jade Vintage - Pin-up Glam to Cool Kitsch!

Empress Jade’s etsy shop features vintage woman’s fashion from the 40's through the 80's. Check out the Bombshell 50s, Mad Men 60s, Rich Hippie & Disco 70s, 80s New Wave. There are cute, indie, fashionable vintage party and day dresses, tops, skirts and more. You ‘ll also find glamorous vintage lingerie with a ton of slips, nightgowns and peignoir sets. Classic to indie fashion.

All the clothing is authentic vintage and there are almost never more than one of the same item. Often pieces are one of a kind, so once they are sold they are gone forever!

Empress Jade has such a unique collection of vintage clothing. You ‘ll find vintage separates, accessories, as well jewelry! If you love vintage, this shop is a must see!

Visit her blog http://empressjadevintage.blogspot.com/ which features vintage and indie fashion from the gorgeous to the downright weird.