beadifulthings: pearl hairpins

wedding belles -- white swarovski pearl gold flower hairpins

you could say i'm on a hairpin jag -- these are simpler than the haircombs of an earlier post, and look smashing on the bride above. i happen to also like them in the darker pearl, or the shell flowers for a beach wedding, along with some great jewelry below:




more at beadifulthings.etsy.com

pistachiopress: letterpress invites

custom letterpress wedding invitation sets

beautiful work, from the few samples on etsy -- priced accordingly, but true letterpress is so... hmm, what's the right word? so tactile, so textured, so delicious. the color choices and combinations are inspired. she also prints *beautiful* occasion and no-occasion cards, a few samples below. more delights from rochester at pistachiopress.etsy.com

deliasthompson: inspiring custom silver

set of three customized sterling stackable rings

deliasthompson was a featured etsy seller a while back and i was so taken by her gorgeous and unique hammered rings and bracelets. each of the three sterling rings above can be stamped with up to 37 characters of a quote, poem, or what-have-you, and they can be stacked or worn as singles.

i love that the "meaning" of these rings is somewhat hidden when worn -- they would make a powerful, beautiful gift for the bride or her sister/lady-of-honor, or even inscribed with vows as an amazing non-traditional wedding band. seems especially appropriate for women who love words -- the literate bride, if you will ;)


two-sided custom inspirational sterling bangle

the bracelets can take longer quotes and poems, up to 120 characters for *each* side -- again, such a beautiful and personal gift. one of the best things about etsy -- the ability to connect with someone who can make a completely customized work of art, just for you.

if these aren't currently offered for sale in her shop just check the "sold" items to see more photos, or send her a note. the bracelets would be great to give each member of the bridal party -- they come in a standard 2.5" size but can be made larger or smaller as needed. also, check out the one specifically for a sister, with a lovely and moving poem by the artist.

based in atlanta, delia also makes some amazing filigree jewelry -- more below, or at deliasthompson.etsy.com

more adventures of the unmarried

hello all -- apologies *again* for the long, unanticipated delay. had a jewelry sale last weekend in boston, and ran into an unexpected ex-boyfriend drama that for a time *greatly* changed my 100% amicable warm friendly feelings mentioned in an earlier post. silly men.

so i had a crazy week at work, took a little time, contemplated my options, and decided in a flash of what *may* be maturity or delusion: it's ultimately not that big a deal. it wasn't meant to be. everything happens for a reason and a purpose, no?

etsy wedding friends, all the more reason to celebrate when love *does* work out. life is complicated -- best to try and retain some grace and kindness in the face of strange events. it will sound crazy, but i wish them the best.

thanks for letting me get that off my chest -- back to the business at hand. :)

umbrellaheaven: umbrellas + parasols

the classic white umbrella

i *cannot* believe that someone knows how to actually hand-make an umbrella from scratch. yet another amazing etsy moment. i mean, i guess at some point in the past they were *all* made by hand... but really? a hand-made umbrella?? for only sixty-two dollars, including shipping from the UK?? (within the UK, it's listed for $35, which as we know these days converts to, what, five pounds? maybe less. ;)

the brothers umbrellaheaven also make parasols, satin brollies, and perhaps custom frills or trim to dress yours up. perfect for a scorching sunny june day as well!


more at umbrellaheaven.etsy.com

gurlygirl: hair combs

pearl + leaf branch bridal hair comb

a glorious statement instead of a veil -- an heirloom-quality comb hand-fashioned from sterling silver with two real pearls. new orleans–based artist monique leon crafts several different styles and can make multiples and custom sets. plus check out the mistletoe one below for the holidays -- imagine the kisses! the sun would never set on your empire of kiss.


more at gurlygirl.etsy.com

earrings! a sampler

moonrox's blast earrings in crystal quartz and shell

it's late, so here are a tiny sampling of delicious earrings i've been hoarding for just such an occasion -- each is linked to its respective store. enjoy!

invitapaperstudio: thank you cards

thank you! very much. folded set of 6 cards

seriously. thank you! these sweet cards are hand printed both inside and out, with lovely matching envelopes, and can be purchased in multiples. lots of lovely choices! more at invitapaperstudio.etsy.com

ah yes. where was i?

hello friends -- am back! after many travels. hope all of you u.s. readers enjoyed your thanksgiving holidays -- i headed straight for my sister's, now that she is respectably married, and "helped" in the kitchen. by staying out of it, that is. she made pies from scratch. mmm.

and, since she's not a reader, i can tell you all i managed to scrape up enough to get the artisan stand mixer i wanted to get them for the wedding but couldn't swing at the time. hooray! wrapped for xmas and in her guest-bedroom even now. yuppie registries, unite! here's to many more delicious thanksgivings to come.

i could tell a number of heart-warming holiday tales -- interventions, 4 a.m. mall outings, etc. -- but will skip it and head for the goods, which is why you're here. right!

my sincerest thanks for everyone's well-wishes and patience while i took time off. here's my sister in her element:

gamiworks: chiyogami coasters

branching out: chiyogami and glass coasters

here's a lovely housewarming or shower gift -- beautiful, feminine- without-being-frou-frou chiyogami paper and glass coasters, which could also double as ashtrays were your hostess so inclined.

gamiworks makes a fantastic range of equally lovely giftables:


more at gamiworks.etsy.com

with thanks

hello etsy wedding fans -- a little note to first of all thank *all* of you for reading and for supporting all the amazing indie designers and crafters on etsy --

and second, to let you know i'll be taking a bit of time off over the next week or two. my boyfriend and i have just called it off after two turbulent but great years, mostly long-distance after i had to move for my job. and while i'm certainly not down on love or angry -- we still love each other very much -- i plan on taking a break from weddings for a bit.

i started this blog by accident. partly because my sister was getting married and i couldn't believe how much bad wedding crap was in the world (!), and partly because i was so inspired by what etsy folks had to offer and saw a connection to be made -- i *love* highlighting the community and trying to spread the word --

but i have continued it, to my surprise, because i like the sense of hope and love and promise, and the thought of so many people embarking on brilliant new adventures together. joy can be addictive that way.

here's one more post for now. i'll be back.

bombalurina+enso: jewels

perfect storm earrings: kyanite and sterling

bombalurina is my first of a series of jewelry highlights, not just because she makes *gorgeous* things -- she's also a two-for-one, with complementary etsy stores divided into "more is more" and "less is more" aesthetics.

bombalurina features funky, colorful, often ornate costume jewels with sass. those pictured below are some of the more conservative pieces:



her "modernist alter ego" store enso is stripped-down simplicity, slightly more luxe, still with an eye for color:



more at bombalurina.etsy.com and enso.etsy.com