Item: Barn Doors with Tracks
Seller: DancingGrains

When I was looking at condos to buy in 2009, I came across a unit that I fell in love with because of doors on tracks leading to the bedroom.

I love, love, love this look.

I was stoked to see these barn doors listed on Etsy.com by seller DancingGrains.  Here’s a bit about these awesome, eco-conscious doors:

“These are a full set of two barn doors with metal barn door tracks,” this Etsy seller writes in the item description. “Old, reclaimed wood is framed in an industrial-style raw steel frame and mounted on an overhead rolling track system. They divide two rooms while making a brilliant statement! The weight of the doors makes for a very sturdy, smooth glide back and forth. I do all of the woodwork and welding in my shop in Colorado. All of the wood is salvaged from old buildings and construction demolition nearby.”

Here is another great example of this look (found here):

What do you guys think of this trend?

- Jackie

Item: Patchwork Card Holder
Seller:  megexpressions

Check out these card holders from Etsy seller Meghan Corbin!

Meghan’s Etsy shop is full of great accessories – from wallets and zipper pouches to totes and these darling card holders.

I met Meghan via my Etsy Item of the Day shop submission page.  Her colorful work immediately caught my eye!

“The mantra behind my purse aesthetic is ‘sweet is always in style’~ and many of the designs incorporate a lot of ruffles and pleats and bows,” Meghan told me in her submission.  ”In 2000, I made my first quilt and immediately fell in love with textile design; most of my purses also have a patchwork look about them.”

“I love blending repurposed colorful fabric and jeans, and creating purses and accessories that serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. And I put a tremendous amount of effort into creating durable, quality sewn products,” she explained. “All of the purses and accessories that I make have been durably hand sewn from upcycled clothing with careful attention to detail with tweens, little girls, and busy, fun-loving women in mind. All the materials that I use when sewing have been pre-washed and the final purses and accessories are machine washable.”

Meghan told me that when she’s not crafting for her shop, lately she has been jogging a lot.  ”I plan to run a marathon this summer,” she said.  Wow, good luck Meghan!

When I asked Meghan where she likes to shop on Etsy.com, she said that she really frequents a lot of shops.

“One that sticks out is TheLittleRedDoor. I love how small and cute her items are, and how the different items in her shop go together, like collectibles,” she told me.

If you like these cute eco-friendly wallets, be sure to visit Meghan’s entire shop to check out all her other listings.  Just click her shop name (megexpressions) at the top of this feature.

You can also visit Meghan at her blog and on Twitter @MegExpressions.

- Jackie

Item: Organic Burp Cloths
Seller: StorkandMe

Meet Etsy seller Holly Jorgensen, the crafter behind a great children’s shop called StorkAndMe.  I met Holly via my Etsy Item of the Day shop submission page and had a really hard time pinpointing my favorite item. There are so many fab handmade items for babies and kids!

“I am a stay at home mom to two busy boys, ages 2 and 8 months,” Holly said. “I love to sew and buy organically grown as much as possible. I have combined these two passions into my shop! I like to exercise with Stroller Strides, hike, camp, play with my boys, read, cook, and garden.”

I asked Holly where she likes to shop on Etsy.com and she told me about ACupofSparkle.

“My friend Melike, and her shop A Cup of Sparkle is the shop I frequent most. I love her work because each item she makes is a custom order for a mom and her kids. You have to check out her jewelry!” Holly says.

Here’s Holly’s advice to fellow Etsy sellers:

“Make what you love and the buyers will follow!” she says.

Loving this shop too? Visit Holly on Facebook here.  You can also check out all of her Etsy listings by clicking her shop name (StorkAndMe) at the top of this feature.

- Jackie

Item: Lavender Scented Gift Set
Seller: ClearEssential

Meet Etsy seller Sylvia Parker, the force behind ClearEssential.  ClearEssential has tons of great natural and botanical skin care products, including bath salts, moisturizers, lotions and scrubs, acne and anti aging remedies.  All of Sylvia’s products are made with essential oils and the power of herbs, plants and trees to help you look your best.

I met Sylvia via my Etsy Item of the Day shop submission page.  When I visited her shop, I was immediately drawn to this lavender scented gift set, which is listed for $35.00.  I think gift sets are a great way to try out new beauty products to see if they are a good fit.  This set includes:

• 2oz Relax Massage Balm Honey & Lavender scented with Shea & Cocoa Butter
• 4oz Serenity Epsom Bath Salt Soak infused with Lavender essential oil
• 4oz Shine Body Lotion with Honey,Milk and Lavender scented
• 2oz Glow Sugar Body Scrub delightful with just a hint of Lavender
• 4oz Natural Shower Gel Sulfate free with nourishing Shea Butter

“I am a mom of 2 and have made creams and lotions and medications for 15+ years now as I used to be a compounding pharmacy technician,” Sylvia told me. “While working at the pharmacy, I made incredible medications for very sick people but also wondered, if there is not a more natural approach to it. I started my research and passion for herbal remedies. I feel there needs to be a good balance and that aromatherapy/herbal remedies have a valid place in medicine.I pondered with the idea of making natural skin care products for quiet a while and finally made the jump.”

“I love what I am doing, I love it to be green and be environmentally responsible,” she continued. “Why would you want to put artificial chemicals on your skin if there is a natural alternative out there that works just as well if not better?”

When she’s not working on new products for her shop, Sylvia stays busy.

“I really like to work out…and eat. I want to keep my body in the best shape possible,” she told me. “I love Bikram yoga and “Willpower and Grace,” a pilates like cardio/leg workout. I enjoy the time I have with my kids and going on bike rides and I am always on a hunt for new dinner recipes.”

Sylvia’s advice to those selling on Etsy is to love what you are doing and believe in yourself. “I saw a lot of people doubting themselves,” she said. “Then have a plan or a list of what you want to do. Have a vision and keep working on it. Learn as much as you can about tags and how to optimize your store and network, network, network. You won’t believe what opportunities may knock on your door.”

Be sure to visit Sylvia on Facebook here!

- Jackie