I feel like there are so many great shops on Etsy right now that to simply mention 5 is not enough today. I’m going for 10 if that’s okay with you (just for today!). Plus it’s a short work week, I’m taking Thursday and Friday off so I can give you a little extra since you’ll have to go without for a few days… Ah, it’s okay though! Logging off of the internet for a bit is super beneficial — I think we all should ’step away from the web’ for at least one day now and then. I’m stepping away Thursday, Friday, and all day Saturday and maybe even Sunday because I haven’t done that in a very long while and I feel like there is this need to do so. I’ve been feeling super inspired lately but like many of you, have lacked follow through so I plan to jump on some of my projects while I’m not blogging… I am very excited to take a brief pause you know? Can you relate to this need to step back for a few days and unleash your creativity? No Facebook, no email, nothing… I can’t wait. But I’ll have to wait… because it’s time for Etsy Take Five Tuesday! I’ve promised you 10 shops today so how ’bout I stop talking and let you start looking and clicking around. Ready? Go!

1. Lost Teeth - The art of Seattle based Natalia Czajkiewicz features slightly edgy illustrations of worldly girls on the go. I love the strong lines and colors. ::website::

2. Sound Revolution - This body of work by an Australian graphic designer and illustrator is inspired by the conflicting and harmonious relationships that the urban environment has with the natural world. I find this an interesting theme and enjoy seeing some of the stags here and there. Stags are everywhere lately, especially in stores in Germany. Is it the same in America at the moment? Stags as a motif?

3. Ice Cream Social - This is the candy shop for those with a paper goods craving. You’ll really swoon for these beautiful lick-your-fingers designs. ::Ice Cream Social Blog::

4. New Fashioned Whispers - I found this shop over at Melissa Loves today, and the moment I saw the snowflake earrings that Melissa featured I purchased them because they are delightful for winter and very Anthropologie without the often high price tag. This shop has gorgeous jewelry with an old fashioned twist, so girly, some art decor pieces, and they are affordable — especially if you compare them with what you find at some of our favorite retail chain stores. Eek! Thanks for the tip, Melissa! (she always finds the sweetest things.)

5. Naoko’s Stoop - “Aw…” That’s the first word that came out of my mouth the second I opened the page of this darling little etsy shop. Naoka was born in Tokyo (hence this gorgeous style she has) and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Great work, especially her pieces on wood.

6. Track and Field Designs - This is one of my favorite little crafty shops and I’m constantly doing an online drive by to see if Sasha has listed anything new. Well this time I scored because I found a few newish things that I like, sweet to add in gift packs for friends or to give to your nieces (or okay, yourself).

7. Fiery Eyed - Oh Jenifer Altman, what you do to me! She is such a beam of light, wow. Her work always impresses me, with every new photo I’m amazed. More Jenifer here on her ::website:: or her blog ::Nectar and Light::

8. Shup(G) - Lydia Wong loves a good charm necklace, she makes so many creative ones too! Lydia is offering a 10% discount until December 15, 2008 on purchases totaling $50 and above. She will amend the invoice once she receives notification of your purchase. Charmed, I’m sure!

9. Nancy Tobin - Nancy’s paintings are wild, imaginative, magical… and so colorful! I can envision one of  prints in a very modern white space or even an artsy colorful apartment against painted walls in bold jewel tones like midnight blue or purple. Her work can fit into so many different decors. Nancy has been an artist for many years, her illustrations have appeared in magazines and children’s books, she has designed toys for Hasbro and graphic design for Herman Miller. Quite a lady! More of Nancy here::Nancy Tobin Blog:: or ::website::

10. Finest Imaginary - Super fun laser cut acrylic necklaces, can you resist this tea necklace? I thought not. So cute with a dress like this one…

How was that round up? What did you like best? Any new to you?

(images from shops linked above)

When I planned this post over the weekend, I intended for the topic to be solely about home bars from the 1920s through the 40s. And then I realized that this post would be published today- the day after the election. So I suppose I could say that these images might serve as some inspiration for those of you who are celebrating today.

All kidding aside, have you ever thought about putting a bar like one of these in your home? It would certainly be a far cry from the drinks tray or table that most of us have. Back during Prohibition, some of the design magazines gave tips for designing home bars. Since you couldn't imbibe in public, you had to drink your bathtub gin at home (far safer than hanging out at a gin joint). And it couldn't just be any old bar. It had to be rather swell. The kind of place that would elevate your hooch into something far more refined.

While most of us don't have the luxury of space to create a home bar, it's fun to imagine what it would be like to have a room devoted entirely to recreational fun- or vice, depending on how you look at it!


Elsie de Wolfe designed this bar for her Beverly Hills home After All. That black and white tented ceiling is pretty fabulous, but I would think that it might cause a little dizziness after one too many Singapore Slings.


This bar was designed by the old design firm Thedlow. Rather gutsy to render the doors as giant playing cards.


This was a serious little bar for the hardcore home barkeep. But how great is that floor?

Image at top: This bar decorated by Frances Elkins is seriously cool. And those bar stools have to be the all-time best bar stools ever designed. Period.

I had an extra half hour after work last Friday before heading off to my Book Group, so I stopped in one of my favorite shops in Sacramento, Fringe. Owned and operated by the very stylish Laurie Newman-Wells, this shop is full of unique, beautiful and one of a kind finds. AND, I live very close, so I can drive by almost everyday and peek in the window. Sigh. Lucky me!

As soon as I walked in the door I spotted this wonderful grouping put together by Laurie: an Elk bronze (very politically current!), original painting and wooden hand model on top of an stainless steel apothecary chest. From the get go, you can see that Laurie has such a great eye.

The front window display has a French Leather club chair holding a gilt chandelier sitting in front of a fantastic quadruple head industrial lamp. Notice a couple of pieces from a full set of vintage crocodile luggage! And I have got to find out what the metal basket piece used to be. Perhaps perfect for a table base!

This twig table would be so wonderful as a desk, sofa back table or console. And the tortoise shell is actually a lamp. Fringe also has a great selection of gift items: candles, books...

I think I could take home everything in this window display: The end table made from a metal box, glazed elephant garden stool, the trumeau mirror with old glass, and I love that basket!

This chair was fantastic. It is metal with a brass finish and a black leather cushion. Sigh. I can imagine at a dressing table, or a very chic office chair. The desk is vintage stainless steel .

Another collection of unique finds: Vintage locker drawers, wire basket and globe, painting. Love the vintage gold basket purse.

This marble topped table was beautiful, but what really caught my eye here were the unframed portraits: his and hers. Perfect for anyone collecting portraiture.

These two are quite a pair. I haven't seen a camel like this before and it would be a perfect accent on a large entry table.

Loved this bar cart. Can you see the bottle caddy near the handle? Clever!

Nice collection or transfer ware.

Laurie has a lot of things that can be used inside and out. I love this table which could be the centerpiece in a kitchen with it's butcher block top.

More gift ideas to pamper yourself!

There is a quite a collection of vintage jewelry, and I really like the table under the case! Again it has that sort of industrial chic with the wood top.

Seeing this pair of entry lions with the Bergere chair and large garden urn made me think of something Michael Taylor might have done. Fabulous!

Laurie also has a back patio full of outdoor treasures like this faux bois planter.

So if you are ever in Sacramento, this is a MUST SEE!

The Fringe Website is still under construction, but will be up and running SOON, so keep checking back: http://www.fringe21.com/. In the meantime, if you see something you can't live without, you can contact Fringe at: 916-706-0216 or laurie@fringe21.com

Some of you may have heard of X21 owned by John Conaty, which began in Sacramento near the corner of X and 21st Streets (hence the name). It is well known for it's retro industrial chic style. Fringe is now in it's place and the owners of both shops are quite good buddies. X21 has since moved to San Francisco morphing into Sultana on 1st dibs. If you are ever in Fringe, don't hesitate to ask Laurie about items you may be interested in from X21. She has the inside scoop!