BESTeam feature October54Gallery on Etsy

 Winter Trees

Beautiful, isn't it?  This is an example of the stunning photos you can see at October54Gallery on Etsy, this week's BESTeam featured shop.  Anne from Whispering Pines, NC (I bet that's a lovely place!) is responsible for these works of art, and it's no surprise to learn that her work is on display at many local venues too.

I've chosen just three of my favourites from this shop, so as to have them shown to best advantage.  Regular blog readers will be able to see the themes of nature in the ones I've picked.  Click on any of the photos or captions to go directly to the shop and see more.

 Live Oak

Anne says that art has always been a part of her life, and living all over the USA as well as time in Costa Rica, has also influenced her artist's eye.  Anne also makes block prints and writes. 


Anne's work has a strong positivity for me, so it was a pleasure to find this quote from Walt Whitman in one of her listings:

Happiness not in another place, but this place...

not for another hour, but this hour.

 The Beach, South Carolina

I love this quote too from Anne's blog:

"The afterthought is good, but forethought is better."

(Norwegian saying)

You can visit Anne's blog here:
http://october54gallery.blogspot.com/

BESTeam weekly feature: Ellesbeads

Ellesbeads really is a funky shop!  Must of this great jewelery uses eco-friendly, upcycled colorful beads which really make a statement.  Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, ellesbeads says her jewelry appeals to the young, but I think could be worn by anyone young at heart! 







I've chosen a rainbow of picks in honour of ellesbeads support of LGBT pride - ellesbeads contributes to the Queer Etsy Street Team's charity shop - 100% of sales from this shop (less etsy and Paypal fees) go to the Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

You can find out more about ellesbeads by visiting the links below.  I really recommend following this blog which has great advice on growing your online shop, as well as beautiful picks from other Etsy and Zibbet sellers.

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ellesbeads
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ellexmarie
Blog: http://ellesbeads.blogspot.com
Zibbet shop at http://zibbet.com/ellesbeads



Click here to tweet: Ellesbeads a fantastic funky Etsy shop!

BESTeam weekly feature Darling Dande Designs

This week I'm delighed to feature quite a new and exciting Etsy store Darling Dande Designs. 

Here you can get beautiful accessories and clothing for your little ones - especially toddlers - as well as beautiful fabrics by the metre and some treats for grown-up girls too.

Dandee has two of her own little treasures - Dani and  Declan and that's how the name of the shop came about!

I love this personalised blanket made of plush and satin.  You can choose the embroidery font and colour so you'll have a truly one of a kind item.

Wouldn't this be a fantastic present for someone expecting a new arrival soon?

 Dandee also makes items for adults too, and this zippered change purse is really pretty and striking!

The fabrics are great too.  I had to choose this retro turquoise blue one, of course!  Time to dust off your sewing machine and make something stunning...

What's more the Darling Dande website features the cutest home page I've ever seen!  Check it out.  The range of products there is even wider than in the Etsy store and includes bath and body products.

And how cute would baby look in this hooded bear towel?

You can find out more about this lovely shop at the Darling Dande blog.

Enjoy!

BESTeam weekly feature - Miss Pretty Perfect bags and purses

If ever a shop was appropriately named, it's this one - Miss Pretty Perfect!  Each of the handcrafted bags and purses featured are unique, one of a kind and beautifully crafted from upholstery fabrics and leathers.

La Toya, based in Charlotte, NC, did her apprenticeship working for a handbag designer who sold to major stores like Bloomingdales, and you can really see the skills in the crafting and finishing of these purses.  There's a really distinctive brand feel to them, I think, a touch of vintage boho chic but very practical and in luscious colour combinations.  And it's an exciting time as the store, established in 2007, is now branching out into womens and childrens clothing.

Here are a few of my favourites.  Click on any of the pictures to visit the store.

This messenger bag is a lovely combination of fabrics and easy on your back too - something we should all consider!  It's also available in other fabrics and combination as a custom order.  It will fit your laptop and your papers comfortably, so perfect for work.

Love this mustard and olive wrist bag - the pattern is delightful and the quilted fabric looks soft and beautiful.  It would be great for daytime with jeans and a T-shirt and equally suited to a smart evening event as well.

And here's the Indian Princess blouse, made to order from saree fabric in the colour combination of your choice, it features sequinned, beaded and embroided fabrics patchworked together.

You can find out more about MPP and keep up with new creations by following these links:
Facebook MPP: http://www.facebook.com/missprettyperfect
Blog MPP: http://www.missprettyperfect.blogspot.com
Tweet MPP: http://twitter.com/toiyah