How do?

While browsing through one of my favorite decorating blogs, Design*Sponge, I came across a post about Berkley Illustration and fell in love. These awesome illustrations of animals in portrait-style poses and superhero-inspired situations would look great hanging up in a home office or library. Pick one up at his Etsy shop for $7.00.

Etsy Round Up --- Calendars

Ah ... there's no better way to begin a New Year at your office than by unwrapping a new calendar and starting off on Day 1 (or 2 or 3, depending on when you went back to work and/or remembered to bring in your new calendar, like myself). And nothing says New Year like these calendars from Etsy --- get 'em while there's still time!


I love this hand-drawn calendar from Laundrypop, specifically the hand-writted Months and dates. It's very playful. $12.00





The calendar that looks like a calendar but reads like a post card --- the 2008 happify calendar! This set of 12 note cards can be posted on your cube wall or sent out with a note to friends. Vomit enducing idea! Send your significant other a note card every month with the reasons why you love him or her...I can feel the chunks rising already. $12.00 at Happify.



Of course, if you are tired of running out to purchase a calendar every year, you could always pick up this perpetual wooden block calendar from Queenvanna Creations. There are three month blocks and two date blocks, plus the wooden base.

Good on Paper's at it again!

I'm loving the new "goods" that Good on Paper e-mailed over. The wall calendar is perfect for the new year - the designs are really fresh, which makes a great way to start each month. The new notecards are also flawless, the petals note card is really beautiful, and I think I just picked out my new holiday cards. Head on over to her site today!

Etsy Highlights

Okay, I know this whole subject is kind of tired out, but I just wanted to highlight some great Etsy shops that caught my eye this morning. . .and besides, Esty really is one of the best sites around to get one-of-a-kind gifts in one-stop shopping, so why shouldn't I give a shout out every now and then?

Pearl & Marmalade

This stationary is totally my style. The designers behind this shop really have an eye for detail and each card is like it's own piece of art. Personal favorites are the "I'm Sorry" card, the "Peek-a-boo Gnome" noteset (gnomes rock!), and the "Foxy Salutations" card (all pictured above).

something's hiding in here

Nothing's cooler than a crazy mustache - and these gals know it. If you've ever been envious of someone else's stache - they might be able to help you out. Oh, and they also have other cool stuff too.

I always wondered what I'd look like with antlers...

If you are just too lazy to dress up for Halloween, these mirrors from the Design Can might put you in the holiday spirit. Perfect for the friend who thinks it'd be cool to be a pirate. (What?! I'm the only one who knows someone like that?) Also just a fun mirror to give in general. The mirrors (don't worry, pirate isn't the only style) are available at Unica Home for $48.00 (found via Apartment Therapy).

Charming

Design*Sponge posted a link to Bethan Lloyd Worthington's creations. Her one-of-a-kind works are equally as impressive as her name (or is that just my transference of an early high school obsession with Oscar Wilde?). Commission one of these charming bracelets for £20-£25.

Oh you Jezebel!

Did I mention my obsession lately with silhouettes? Or did I just mention it out loud to myself? Thought so...

These lovely letterpress cards from Jezebel are perfect for any occasion, and, in my case, would make good refrigerator/mantle art (where all good cards go). (starting at $3.50, found via Domino Mag's blog.)

Jezebel also has an awesome etsy store with t-shirts, etc.

Going Mobile

Alexander Calder is one of my favorite sculptor/artists. My friend D doesn't get it, but I mean, c'mon, the guy INVENTED the mobile! Anyway, I think mobiles make great gifts, and with inspiration from Print & Pattern's post, here are some mobile favorites.



Hanging Peacocks at Mirror Mirrior (via Print & Pattern). Gift one for a cool new light pull or gift three and hang together (£8.00).



"Sheep" by Flensted, available at Konrads ($25.00). Help a sleepy neighbor visualize better.


"Monkey Tree" by Flensted, available at Konrads ($29.00). For an updated nursery.






"Rift" mobile, available at Adrift Mobiles ($248.00). Something about this mobile is very calming.

Stunning Skylines

Just spotted these paper skylines from Etsy seller Kolya over at More Ways to Waste Time. They are absolutely stunning, limited edition pieces.

Amazingly, each piece is carved with a scalpel and the artist never marks the work with a pen or pencil!

Prices range from $30-$60.

Carved for Cutting

These cutting boards available at Elsewares from Olze and Wilkens would make great housewarming gifts. The designs are lasered into the wood following the grain, creating a cool scene. Cutting boards are an essential kitchen item that everyone needs, but can never seem to remember to purchase. Pick one up for $38.00.

I SEE

While making my daily blogging rounds, I found these prints from Keep Calm over at Poppytalk. I am in love!

What a perfect gift for an urbanite. The prints sell for £15.00 plus shipping. If you want have the print framed in one of these fabulous frames, you can expect to pay £58.00. Get one while they last --- they're limited editions!

Card, artwork, or both?

Etsy's artists never cease to amaze me. Check out these pop-up art cards from Crankbunny. They are truly beautiful---enough to keep displayed on your mantle or refrigerator long after the holiday/birthday has passed. (Found thanks to Modish.)

Welcome Home

Is it just me, or does everyone seem to be buying and/or selling houses lately (myself included)? When I saw this over at How about orange (one of my favorite blogs) I instantly thought, "Housewarming gift!" This Welcome Sign comes from Spell with Flickr, an online tool where you can type in a word and receive a regeneration of the letters spelled out using photos from Flickr. Pretty cool, huh?

Just print out your word of choice (maybe even trying out different languages, like Benvenuto, Italian for "Welcome") on photo-quality paper, frame it, wrap it with a snazzy ribbom or bow, and voila! I think I might try it out this weekend. If I do, I'll be sure to post the results.



This would also work as a gift to someone using their name (as suggested via nested). I can think of a few new, hip mommies and teens who would really enjoy their own Photo-Letter Name Sign.