Item: Etsy Craft Party
Seller: Etsy
Hi, everyone!

First of all, I wanted to share this year’s Etsy craft party details with all of you in case you missed it. This year’s theme is Craft for Community.

“How can you use your creative powers to make your hometown even better? We encourage you to share your craft know-how with your community by organizing or joining a Craft Party,” the Etsy site reads.

What a great way to get involved with your community and push handmade to those you see each day!

Second, I want to chat with you all about the direction of EtsyItemOfTheDay.com.

Life has been super busy in 2013 and I have been struggling to keep up with posting on the site each day. Now, by “super busy“, I mean “good busy.”

I have had many times in my life where “busy” meant scared, overwhelmed, and lacking the things I need – proper sleep, good nutrition, and time to enjoy hobbies.

However, right now, “being busy” has a whole new meaning. I’m energized about the future and really excited about what I’m working on right now. June 10, 2010, was my last day at my office job and I ventured out to be part of a tech startup. In July 2012, we received funding from a phenomenal group of investors.

Since then, our team has travelled to Austin, TX for South by Southwest, I’ve been on the TEDx stage, the company hit $1M in ticket sales, I’ve spoken at a conference in Seattle, and I’ve had my photo taken with a live llama at a pajama party on New Year’s Eve!

Needless to say, things have been nuts.

..And… I’ve been finding it more and more difficult to blog on EtsyItemOfTheDay.com.

So, I may jump back in every so often, but blogging daily is probably not going to be an option for me right now. But, rest assured, I’m off having the time of my life!

- Jackie

Item: Light Bulb Vases
Seller: SASQUATCHsCREATIONS

One of my favorite things about browsing Etsy.com is finding all the pretty things on the site that people come up with. Ya’ll know what I mean, right? There are so many downright pretty things on the site… and this is definitely one of those!

How cool are these hanging vases made from recycled light bulbs?

“Custom vases made from old burnt out light bulbs,” the seller writes in the item description. “Comes with 4 ft chain and screw hooks for mounting. Specify if longer chain is needed. Each set of 3Light Bulb Vases is $32.00 Just fill with water and put in your favorite cut flowers.”

You can purchase this item on Etsy.com for $32.00. Just click the shop link (SASQUATCHsCREATIONS) at the top of this feature to check them out.

- Jackie

Item: SUP Decal Sticker
Seller: GoodMommyLtd

I tried out stand up paddle boarding for the first time last weekend and loved it!

If you haven’t heard of this fun outdoor water activity, here’s some info on it:

Stand up paddle surfing (SUP), stand up paddle boarding, or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he’e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and has reemerged as a way for surfers to paddle longer distances.

The popularity of the modern sport of SUP’ing has its origin in the Hawaiian Islands. In the early 1960s, the beach boys of Waikiki would stand on their long boards, and paddle to the distant outside reef break using outrigger paddles. In spite of its surfing origin the sport is gaining in popularity even in more protected coastal waters and lakes. The sport benefits athletes with a strong “core” workout.

One reason for the rise in popularity of stand up paddleboarding is that, unlike surfing, paddleboarding is very easy to learn. Within one hour you can become very comfortable in the water and on your board.

I rented my board for a mere one hour and was a pro by the end of the rental period!

I found this cool SUP decal on Etsy.com and wanted to share it with all of you.

Have you tried stand up paddle boarding?  What did you think of it?

- Jackie

Item: Plush Elephant Pillow
Seller: LauraFrisk

I have seriously fallen in love with these darling pillows selling on Etsy.com!

My favorite is this plush elephant pillow that’s selling for $16.50.  Here are a few others that I really liked too:

I heard about this awesome Etsy shop from the front page of Etsy.com.  I’m always intrigued by who made it to a feature on the home page of the site, and I was especially interested when I read a bit about this seller.

“My name is Laura Frisk and I currently live near the mountains by Salt Lake City, Utah,” the interview read. “I’m a creator by nature and love anything that is hands-on, especially painting, printmaking and sculpting. I put most of my time and energy into making woodblock printed pillows inspired by animals, nature and my childhood.“

Here are some cool photos from the interview:

The entire interview was great (read it here), but here’s my favorite thing Laura shared:

“I make art with a child’s heart and an adult’s mind. I always make things that make me happy,” she said. “I try to keep my drawings ageless, so they bring color and playfulness to a room without being overwhelming. I love that my pillows have been put in nurseries, dorm rooms, living rooms and office buildings by people of all ages. The same pillow printed in a different color can have a completely different personality, which is why I let my customers pick out any ink and fabric color they like. I love that this lets them be creative in their selections – it always makes me smile to hear they had fun with their order.“

Loving this darling shop. Be sure to check it out!

- Jackie