Three Etsy Things : Dog Art

Etsy is a great place to buy prints big and small. There's a whole world of amazingly talented artists and illustrators with Easy shops, just waiting for you to fall in love with their style. Plus they often offer a heap of options - from large originals to A4 prints to art cards - so you can normally find the right sized print to fit both your wall space and your budget. 

Right now I'm sitting next to a pile of prints that I've been meaning to get framed for months, and I'm wondering where on earth I'll find the wall space to hang them, so yeah, I'm on a print buying ban. But I can still look, right? 

1. Dogs Dogs Dogs A4 print | Surfing Sloth (Art by Luka Va) 

2. Plant Dogs risograph prints (set of two) | Sarah McNeil 

3. Dogs in a Floral Doodle Garden giclee print | Studio Legohead

Three Etsy Things : Soup Bowls

As much as I love the long sunny days of summer (and living in the sparkling harbour city of Sydney how could I not?), I do get a bit excited when the nights cool and the light softens. I adore autumn. Partly because of the gorgeously coloured leaves and that misty, filtered sunshine. And partly because it means a chance to wear boots and scarves and jackets, long socks and big wooly knits. And partly because cooking in the cooler months is so much fun! Throw everything in a big pot, simmer for a few hours, serve with comforting carb of your choice - yum! 

Summer did take a long time to say goodbye this year, but autumn has now arrived with a bang (see #sydneystorm...). We've wholeheartedly embraced the cold and rainy turn with two stews and a mince pie under our culinary belts already. 

Next on the kitchen hit list? Soup! I'm thinking a creamy leek and potato, and then something a little mistrone-ish, with loads of veg. Maybe later I'll tackle the mother-in-law's two day oxtail soup recipe. And what better way to celebrate soup season than with these gorgeous bowls? 

1. Monopoli Porcellana vintage floral soup bowls | Verified Vintage 

2. Handmade nesting bowls | Urban Cartel 

3. 1970s Japanese floral bowls | Retro and Roses

Three Etsy Things : Baskets

There's a lot of Etsy angst going around right now (see here, for example). People are talking about how this once idyllic haven for artists and crafters seems to have become a mega site full of cheap mass produced crap. They're talking about whether it's still 'the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace'. Sadly, much of this angst is well-founded. Etsy has changed, and sometimes it does feel like it's more mass made than hand made.

But Etsy is still my number one go to place for ace things of awesome, because amongst all the resellers and faux crafters and copycatters there are a heap of really great artists and crafters selling really great things. 

So I'm reviving Three Etsy Things, to help celebrate all those sellers who keep the original Etsy dream alive (with a little vintage on the side too because...well, vintage!). 

In this edition - baskets. Colourful, cute and just waiting to help your organise all your bits and bobs. I'm lucky enough to have one of Raspberry Rainbow's rope sewn bowls and I love it!

1. Southwestern wicker basket | moon fossil 

2. Rope sewn bowls covered in fabric | Raspberry Rainbow 

3. Swedish beaded baskets | Hejsan Goods

Jorpins Vintage on Etsy

Now that the renovation is finished (or as finished as these things ever are), and we're pretty well settled back in Australia, I've been turning my mind and my time to some new projects. One of which is Jorpins Vintage - my new store on Etsy where I sell retro goodness. 

Channelling my love of all things mid-century I'm focussing on the 1950s through to the 1970s. Each piece is selected for its good looks and excellent condition. I won't list anything with chips or cracks. I have a rigorous quality control team on board (ie. me).

Currently I'm selling kitchen and dining ware, plus a vase or two, but I will also be listing some amazing vintage frocks in the coming months. The number of items in stock right now is slowly growing, so make sure you add Jorpins Vintage to your favourites!