Special Feature Friday: Flora Sense

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Another Special Feature Friday on Saturday, my Friday yesterday was so hectic that I never made it to the computer. With Christmas coming closer, the list of things to do becomes longer, but I am sure the list will be empty before Christmas eve!

We will stay on the subject of Christmas one more week, with Flora Sense. Her collection of wreaths and ornaments is perfect to get any house into the holiday spirit. The wreaths are handmade by shop owner Kaleda, using a wonderful selection of natural materials.

These ornaments are made from maple leaves, angel hair and gold colored wire. The natural colors of the leaves and the gold wire make for a beautiful combination.  They come in a set of 3.

This advent wreath in traditional colors is made with wool yarn, different ribbons and decorated with pinecones apples. There is also a small collection of Christmas ornaments to be found. It comes with 4 candle holders. 

The items in Flora Sense will make great gifts as well, and to save time and shipping costs for the buyers Kaleda offers a service where she will ship the item directly to the recipient. It is possible to have a text written on a handmade greeting card! 

Kaleda was very kind to offer the readers of this blog a discount code for her shop: MERRYCHRISTMAS10 will give you a 10% discount.  

This is the last Special Feature Friday of 2014, I would like to wish you all Happy Holidays and a wonderful start of 2015!! I hope to see you back on the 9th of January for the first Special Feature Friday of the year.

Special Feature Friday: Still Water Candles

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If you ask me, Candles are essential for the dark days of winter. As many as possible. A couple of nice candles will make a house look more cozy, and heat up the room. With the night setting in as early as it does now, they offer comfort and a sense of calmness. 

Still Water Candles is a shop with a wonderful collection of candles. Most candles come in wonderful scents to brighten up your home. 

A mason jar candle, I really like mason jars in the home as decoration. Some of the scents available for the candles are: Peppermint, Pumpkin Apple Butter, Mulberry, Pear spice and Cookie cottage.Not sure wich scent is best for you? it is possible to order a sample strip, so you can have a smell before ordering! 

Of course, there are also candles for those who prefer their candles unscented. This cinnamon candle looks good, and comes without scent. Perfect for those who are sensitive for scented candles.

Besides candles for the holiday's, Still Water Candles also offers a great assortiment for weddings, in the shape of unity candles, and candles perfect for a wedding reception. 

Janelle, the owner of Still Water Candles offers the readers of this blog a 20% discount with discount code: FALLDAYS

Special Feature Friday: Simka Sol

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Sara is the owner of Simka Sol, an Etsy shop focused on eco-conscious products with a unique style. Working as a graphic designer, Sara felt the freedom of expression in the cooperate workplace was too limited. She decided to quit her 9 to 5 job and invested in her own company. She makes her designs from the heart.

Everything down to the production process is about minimizing her carbon footprint. Misprints are used to clean the workplace, eliminating paper towels. The ink used is 100% eco friendly, not only good for the environment, but also for the user of the product. There are even plans to switch completely to solar energy in 2015!  

At Simka Sol one can find clothing, accessories, jewelry and home decoration. One thing that strikes me the most is the details of the prints. The designs give a clear picture, yet leave a lot to the imagination. 

The print on this mini dress was accomplished by removing the color from the garment, and leaving behind a creamy colored design. The fabric is soft to the touch and allows for a lot of stretch, because of this way of working. The dress has a gorgeous drop down back and is made of cotton spandex.

A lovely collection of housewares and decorations is also available at Simka Sol. This is a dish towel made of Egyption Cotton. It was hand printed in the studio at Sara's home, from an original design hand drawn by Sara.

Sara offers the readers of this blog a 10% discount with the discount code: SIMKA10

Special Feature Friday: Koelnschaetze

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To stay into the holiday spirit I would like to feature another shop with holiday items. Koelnschaetze is a shop on Etsy selling table decorations. I know for many people who love to throw dinner parties, table decoration is just as important as the meal itself, and the preparations for a party often start weeks in advance. With the holiday season it is always a good idea to start early, and put extra care in a festive table. 

Koelnschaetze is the shop to go to, not only for holiday decorations, but also for decorations for weddings. Though I must say I find the decorations in this shop suitable for many different themes.

This beautiful centerpiece is a different take on setting a table. It is a real eye-catcher and the little scene in the middle of the gate gives a wonderful feeling of Christmas. 

I am stunned by the detail in this piece, it is gorgeous! Shaped like a pine tree, one can find the most wonderful wood animals among the trees. This will work well as a centerpiece on a table or a decoration on a dressoir. I can imagine this will also work as a replacement for a Christmas tree for people with limited space or a limited budget. 

Special Feature Friday: Ivory Mint Cards

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We have moved house, and gotten quite far with putting everything at it's place, so this week there is time again for a Special Feature Friday!

It is November, and Christmas is not far away. Etsy is home to many shops with wonderful Christmas items. This week I would love to feature a shop selling Christmas cards. 

Ivory Mint Cards has a wonderful collection of postcards, not only suitable for the holidays but also cards for the whole year around. Cards can be bought as singles but also in handy packages.

This reindeer card features a cute reindeer with a red hat. It is printed on thick creamy white paper and comes with an envelope of recycled brown paper. The cards are A6 sized and blank on the inside. 

Ivory Mint Cards are printed professionally on top quality paper. The card is packaged in a clear plastic envelope to keep it tidy and shipped out in a hard back envelope to keep it flat.

Not everyone you know might like the holiday season, but maybe you still would like to send your friends or family who dislike the holidays a card. Here is your solution, the Bah Humbug card, for those not in favor of the winter holidays! 

Special Feature Friday: Betsy Bensen

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Oh Dear, because of the move and the extra hours I do at work I completely forgot it was Friday yesterday! So, as an exeption this Special Feature Friday is published on Saturday!

Betsy Betsen a shop on Etsy , selling handcrafted jewelry. Betsy works with precious metals and gemstones and pearls. All her pieces are one of a kind. Betsy has a 25 years experience as a metal-smith and jewelry maker and all the skills and insight to produce unique and strong pieces.

This is a pearl ring with a freeform freshwater pearl. Next to the pearl you can find a London blue topaz. It is hand crafted in sterling silver. There is a 18kt gold bezel around the topaz, and there are two 14kt gold balls on the sides of the pearl.

A necklace with a stone called Willow Creek Jasper, which is mined in Idaho. The design in this stone makes it a unique piece. The sterling silver and gold pendant was made by hand, and a very lustrurous pearl was added. The back of the pendant is just as pretty, it is pierced with ginkgo leaves!

Betsy offers free shipping within the USA until November 5th 2014, with discount code: AISHA

Next week my sister is staying over, and the Friday we will spend at the zoo, therefor, no Special Feature Friday this week, but be sure to come back the 15th of November. The whole month of November and December we will give extra attention to the upcoming holiday season! 

Special Feature Friday: So Many Somethings

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Because I am still surrounded by moving boxes, and the moving date is coming quite near, I will do a short Special Feature Friday this week. Short, but very sweet!

So Many Somethings is a wonderful shop run by Abby, she sells home made sweets and cookies.
Abby finds quality and delivering a good product the most important aspects of her sweets. Her sweets look gorgeous and very attractive. The marshmallows will be great on a winters evening or for the upcoming holidays. If you are like me, and you like to use your candies and chocolates as a piece of edible decoration, Abby's shop is certainly the place to go!

These wonderful cherry marshmallows are gluten free. The marshmallows you can find in So Many Somethings are not the gummy stale marshmallows you are used to, but light and fluffy cubes of confection. They are available in 3 sizes. Marshmallows are also available in other flavours. 

White chocolate lemon truffles, how beautiful do these look? They remind me of freshly rolled snowballs. They are also available in a gluten free version, and would make for a wonderful gift!

Abby offers a 20% off coupon for the items in her shop, with a minimal purchase of $20. It is valid until Christmas day 2014. 

Arles

I decided to not have a Special Feature Friday this Friday. Due to my daytime job, and because we are moving house soon, I do not get to spend as much time on my blog as I would like to, and instead of a Special Feature Friday I would like to write about a memory we made last summer.

Friends were over with their car, and we decided to go for a daytrip. This time we chose Arles, a city in the Provence of which I heard a lot. It is about an hour away from Marseille and makes from a nice drive on a spring day. We arrived in Arles and found an Provencal market very soon.  It is great to see the items sold by the salesmen. Olives, bread, vegetables, nougat, sausages and meat products. It was wonderful to see all these regional grown and made goods together!

Arles is an ancient city, the area was already inhabited at 800 BC. In 123 BC the Romans arrived and worked on the expansion of the city. Roman influences can still be found today in the shape of an amphitheater, built in 90 BC and a Gallo-Roman theater.

The arcades of the amphitheater against the blue sky. The theater is open for visitors and in summertime it is still used for bull fights. It has an whole history for it's own! The Gallo-Roman theatre can also be visited. Just outside of Arles there is a Roman aqueduct and mill. 

The city center breathes the air of the old Provencal streets, with the typical houses. Decorated with their beautiful doorways, practical wooden shutters and statues of Maria and other saints. Every summer traditional festivals are celebrated. Every 1st Sunday of July "les arlesiennes" will dress up in their traditional costumes and parade trough the city. 

The painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles some of the last years in his life. Some of his famous works where painted here, like "Starry Night over the Rhone", "Cafe terrace at night" and "Hospital in Arles". The latter two can still be found and viewed in the city. Above you can find a picture I took of the "Hospital in Arles", where van Gogh stayed for a while.

Arles is certainly worth a visit, and I would advise to visit in spring or Autumn. As summers can get very hot. If you don't want to miss the market it is best to go on a Saturday morning, as markets usually stop early in these parts. If you have the time it is advisable to stay a couple of day's to truly discover Arles. A train goes to Arles from Marseille. Close to Arles you can find the Camargues, a natural parc in between to arms of the Rhone. It is a river delta with wild horses and flamingo's roaming around. About this, I will write more next time!   

Special Feature Friday: NoraKaren

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Nora from NoraKaren worked as a fashion designer for many years, one day she decided to paint a peacock feather on a pair of shoes. It was an immediate success. Nora designs her shoes for the special days in life, wedding days in particular. Her shoes are all hand painted and unique, they will be the eye catchers of any outfit.

Not only paint is used to make the shoes beautiful, crystals, strass and brooches can be added as well.

These shoes are decorated with daisies. The shoes are available in 11 colors. The daisies are painted on by hand, the detail is truly stunning! 

I love these red shoes with snowflakes. I think they will make for a great pair to wear to a Christmas party, but they will also work for a winter themed wedding. The added rhinestones really make for a great finish, giving a luxurious look to the shoe. This shoe is also available in other colors.

You prefer to have a matching purse with your shoes? No problem for Nora also offers a lovely range of shoes with matching purses! 

Nora offers free shipping within the US, with this discount code: FREESHIPPINGSHOES

Special Feature Friday: Pure Designs

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Victoria Brewer is the person behind Pure Designs, her mission is to "Make the world more beautiful, without damaging the environment". Her line of jewelry and decorations are made with eco friendly materials, and recycled paper.

The technique used by Victoria is Quilling, an art that uses small strips of paper which are rolled, shaped and then glued together to form a whole. Victoria sells earrings and home decorations.  

These eco friendly earrings are made of paper, eco-friendly glue and are coated with a eco-friendly matt vernish. Because of the varnish they are waterproof to a certain extent. They are available in different beautiful colors.  

These leaves make for wonderful autumn decorations. They come in a set of 7. 

This snowflake will make for a beautiful eye catcher in your Christmas tree or wreath. The detail is stunning! It is about 5.3 cm but also available in larger sizes. It is available in several wonderful colors.

If you would like to follow Victoria's designs you can like Pure Designs Facebook page, there is also a shop website. 

Special Feature Friday Hearth and Heritage

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Hearth and Heritage is the shop to go to for wedding favors and thank you gifts. Sue is the owner of this shop, and offers a wonderful range of candles, soaps, giftbags and skin products. The items are inspired by British Heritage. Natural wax bases are used for the candles, combined with 4 scents to choose from. For the lotions the purest high quality bases available are used, and then mixed with signature scents. 

Rose & Neroli is a bodylotion made with natural ingredients. The lotion is high in cocoa butter and vitamin E to nourish the skin. It is a absorbent moisturiser that is taken up by the skin immediately.

They come in a easy pump dispenser to minimize spilling and messiness. A body wash and a natural wax candle are also available in the same line of scents. 

These personalised scented candles will be perfect as wedding favours. They will make sure that people will remember your wedding day for a long time to come. They are made of soy wax, pure cotton wicks and essential oils for scents. The scent you can select yourself, with 3 choices available: Bluebell, Jasmine and Gardenia. They are wrapped in cellophane and the color of the ribbon can be coordinated with the color theme of your wedding. 

AUTHUMN20 will give you a 20% discount until the 6th of October 2014

Special Feature Friday: Louise De Masi

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Louise is a painter who lives on the mid north coast of New South Wales in Australia. She is the shop owner of Louise De Masi, a wonderful shop filled with paintings of animals. Louise is very lucky to live on a big property surrounded by state forest. Everyday she gets visitors from the forest, mostly birds like; Kookaburras, Kingfishers, Rainbow Lorikeets and Bower Birds. But also wallabies and kangaroos love to visit Louise's garden.

This is a print of an original acrylic painting from Louise's hand. It is a zebra printed on beautiful archival Fine Art paper. Even though it is a print, it looks a lot like the original painting. It will be sealed in an acid free plastic envelope and shipped out in a rigid cardboard mailer, all to ensure the print will arrive safely to any home around the world. 

I am a big fan of these two swallows, the colors used in this painting are beautiful, just as the details! This is a print of Louise's original work!

Besides the prints available in the shop, it is also possible to have custom work made. This is especially interesting if you would want to have a portrait of your pet. It is also possible to buy original paintings. There is a special section for this in Louise's shop.

Special Feature Friday: built on branches

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Searching for items to decorate the house for the upcoming autumn and winter season I ran into Built on Branches. Erin is the owner of this shop and creates woodland animals with wool and felt.The sculptural animals are made using the needle felting technique, and her brooches and ornaments are hand sewn and embroidered from pieces of felt.Next to this Erin also creates greeting cards and customized gift bags.

Several years ago Erin discovered the wonders of needle felting in a small supply store in Vermont. She decided to buy the supplies and learn how to needle felt. The moment the green eyes where sewn to her first animal it came alive, and this always remained her favorite part of the process!


The items made by Erin are very lifelike, yet the little details give them a personality and make them unique!

This wonderful grey rabbit is hand crafted, his hind legs are reinforced with cotton cord. He is grey and ivory with a dusty pink nose, and his body is made 100% wool. His bow tie makes him a real handsome gentlemen! He comes packed in a paper box tied with ribbon, ready to be a gift, either for a loved one or for yourself.

A collection of felted acorns will make wonderful decorations for your house. A set includes 6 acorns. They can be placed in a bowl, put on a shelf or on your table. I also think they will look wonderful in any autumn or winter inspired wreath. They come in a reusable cotton muslin drawstring bag. These acorns are available in 31 colors, so they can fit into any house!

Erin is happy to help out if a different quantity or color is required.

Erin was very kind to donate a discount code. For any order above 20 dollars you will get 5 dollars off with this code: HAPPYFALL14

This code is valid until December 31 2014.

Special Feature Friday: Peg and Awl

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Peg and Awl is a truly unique shop on Etsy.  Entering it for the first time gave me feelings of freedom and happiness. The items in this shop seem to have been made with a lot of thought and care. Peg and awl is run by Margaux Kent and her husband Walter, with behind them a team of specialized craftsmen and women.

Most of the materials used are organic, and many of them were once forgotten items saved from markets and houses, who have been given a second life. Even though there is a team behind this shop, all the items are unified in style. Margaux, Walter and their team do not only make the items beautiful, but also durable and fit for heavy duty.

This tree-swing brought me back to my youth, as I remembered the swing we had, it was attached to our barn and lots of hours were spent swinging on it. This large swing was made of pine wood. For years this piece of pine functioned as a floor joist for a 19th century house. The rope is 3/4 Manila with a 694 pound tension limit. The rope is looped through the seat and secured with a fisherman's knot. It comes with instructions on how to attach the swing to a tree or a pole. 

This is an extra large weekend bag. It was made with waxed canvas and finished with antique leather and a vintage metal zipper. It was build to endure! 

This ring with the image of a wood sorrel, or as others know it, the shamrock can be bought in 4 different metals: sterling silver, oxidized silver, bronze or gold. It is available in sizes 5 through 8.

Besides swings, bags and rings there are many other wonderful discoveries to find in Peg and Awl, and going over for a look trough the shop is certainly worth the effort.

Walter has kindly made a 10% discount code for the readers of this blog: LEAVESFALL

There is also a website, for those who would like to learn more. And if you want to stay up to date about this shop, I suggest you add them on Facebook or Twitter.

Special Feature Friday: Cruel Candy

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Avgi is the owner of Cruel Candy, an Etsy shop filled with handmade clothing and accessories.
The unique but fashionable style of  the clothes made by Avgi makes this shop a lot of fun to browse trough.
Avgi works with wonderful fabrics all with wonderful prints. We can find items in retro style, with cupcake print or with flowers. All in all the clothing produced by Avgi make for a wonderful fashionable addition to any closet.

This cute mini dress comes in 4 colors, white, black, red and emerald green. It reminds me of a 70s mini dress. It is made of a medium weight cotton garbadine. 

This wonderful skirt with a flower print is a real classic item. It is made of a medium weight toile with a lovely French print of flowers and people. This model is available in many wonderful prints, like cupcakes, checkered, and retro prints. This model is timeless and assures of a fashionable classy look.

Avgi was so kind to give the readers of this blog a 10% discount with this code: ISHJESBITS10

Special Feature Friday: Minouc Brocante

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I have a thing for vintage and antique's. Everything old has a story, and even though I often do not know that story, I find it fascinating to wonder where an piece has been in it's former lives. 

Minouc Brocante is a shop that sells wonderful vintage items. The shop is run by mother Nienke and daughter Minouc. Many of their family holiday's where spend in France, where they came about the most wonderful treasuries at antique markets and in secondhand shops. 

In Minouc Brocante we can find a great diversity of products. Wonderful tea sets, postcards, tablecloths, candleholders and handmade fabric buttons. The way the items are presented makes them very attractive, and in the photo's it is easy to see their charm and detail.

This wonderful tea cup trio was made between 1966 and 1969. It was made in Germany and marks '100 jahre Bareuther Waldsassen, Bavaria' . The fine gold decoration and the teal give this trio a fresh look. There is a beautiful collection of trio sets to be found in Minouc Brocante, from very elaborate designs to the more fine ones.

These apothecary jars make a great decoration for any kitchen. Besides being a decoration, they can be useful  for storing. More kitchenware is available in Minouc Brocante, including old copper ware.

For anyone in to sewing or quilting I would really suggest to have a look at their collection of fabrics. These vintage french fabrics are difficult to find in any shop but would make for great quilts or bed spreads. 

You can also visit Nienke and Minouc's other shop Minouc where you can find lovely hand made accessories.

Minouc Brocante offers a 10% discount to the readers of this blog with this coupon code: BLOGSPECIAL 

This discount code is valid until the end of September 2014.

Special Feature Friday: Ali Brown Photography

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It has been 2 weeks since the last special feature Friday. I have been on a 10 day holiday to the Netherlands, to see family, but also because of my sister marriage. It was a wonderful day, even the rain did not matter. Both bride and groom where looking amazing, and the cake was delicious!

But now, back in France, and back to work again! I will keep it short this week, but there is a lovely shop I would like to share.

Ali Brown Photography is an Etsy shop I found today. Alison is a photographer and always spend a lot of time looking for the perfect props. Eventually she decided to try and make her own props. With her knowledge of sewing she created a bonnet, and immediately she loved designing her own items!

In Alison's shop you can find adorable head pieces for your little one, but also beautiful vintage inspired accessories for adults. These items are not only usable for photo-shoots, but they will also be great to wear to a party or evening out.

This fine floral headband is handmade by Alison. Because it is handmade it will be slightly different every time. This insures you own an unique item! There are many other headbands available in Alison's shop, and you can order matching tutu's to go with the headbands.

The vintage inspired headbands will make great accessories for a themed party, Halloween or a festive evening. Of course they can also be used as a prop for a photo shoot! 

Special Feature Friday: Silver Spoon Creations

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I always figured there where a small number of  things one could do with a spoon, scooping being the most important of those things. But, recently I found out that spoons are actually way more versatile! 

Silver Spoon Creations is an shop that sells jewelry made from spoons. Mostly bracelets, to be precise. 

At first you might not realize that they are spoons, but the more you look at them the more you see the spoon it was in a previous life. The spoons used for these bracelets are mostly the vintage type that are beautifully decorated. Silver Spoon Creations is run by the wonderful couple Tim and Veralyn. Together they work for this shop, Tim being responsible for making the items, and Veralyn being responsible for making sure the listings are online and handling the orders. 

This bracelet was created out of 2 vintage spoons from a company called Rogers, the spoons themselves where probably made around 1948. Today they make this beautiful bracelet! It is possible to personalize a bracelet by having initials or names engraved in them. This will be great as a gift, or as a memory. It is possible to order multiple bracelets from Silver Spoon Creations to give to your bridesmaids. 

Besides bracelets you can also find necklaces and key chains in Tim and Veralyn's shop. These items will be great to wear as a set! Just in case you can't get enough of spoon jewelry, I suggest you visit California Spoon Rings. This is a shop run by Tim and Veralyn's son, and his wife. 

Tim and Veralyn have been very kind to offer a discount to the readers of this blog: BLOG15

It is only valid for Silver Spoon Creations and gives a 15% discount. 

Special Feature Friday: China Teaware

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China Tea Ware is an shop based in Shanghai run by a family who has been in the tea business for generations. Mike is now the owner of his family's shop, and his mission is to brink China tea wares to the lovers of tea in the world. Different tea sets are used for different types of tea, this helps do draw out the best flavour of the tea. Because of the long history of tea ware makers and tea dealers in his family, Mike knows the ins and outs of tea drinking. It is the place to go to, for anyone who likes their tea time to be extra special. 

This is a Xi Shi teapot with a capacity of 190 ML. It is a piece of Nixing pottery of Qinzhou from the Fuangxi Province. It is one of the most famous types of pottery in China. Nixing pottery is well known for its unique functions. It can withstand strong acids and is non toxic. Furthermore, the clay maintains the taste and color of tea for days, the tea can be kept in the pot and will not spoil. The tea scent will linger in the pot long after it has been used. 

This is a pet monk made of golden yellow clay. His high is 10 cm. Tea pets are traditionally used in the Chinese tea ceremony. A tea pet will accompany you on every tea drinking adventure.

Special Feature Friday: Venus Velvet

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Venus Velvet is a jewelry shop on Etsy, it is run by Carolyn. Carolyn is from a family of artists and is delighted by any form of art. She gets great satisfaction from creating versatile jewelry. Carolyn took up jewelry making during her studies on the Ontario College of art. She loves working with precious metals and different colour variations. Her work is influenced by her Baltic background and the strong connections Latvians have with nature and craft. Each piece of jewelry is made by hand, in her green powered studio. When possible the tries to use ethically sourced and recycled materials. Respect for the planet and its inhabitants is a important aspect in the Carolyn's life, and  this can be found back in her jewelry. 

This is a modern geometric necklace created from brushed brass triangles. It's simplicity really stands out! It comes on a 18" sterling silver chain. The triangles are black and gold coloured, but it is also possible to get the item in full gold colour. 

These cute little earrings are shaped in two little raindrops. The second raindrop is made from a slightly thinner wire which makes it free hanging. This allowes for the second drop to swing around as you move, making them very playful. They are available in solid 10K or 14K gold, sterling silver or 14k gold filled.

Carolyn offers a discount for the readers of this blog, It is a 15% discount, valid for every purchase over $30. It is valid until the 31st of August 2014: SummerHeat15

If you would like to see more of Carolyn's work, you can visit her website, or if you would like to stay updated you may want to follow her on Twitter.

Special Feature Friday: Eve's Little Earthlings

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Eve is the owner of Eve's Little Earthlings on Etsy. In Eves shop we can find the most adorable little friends for young and old! Eve makes all the plushies she sells by hand. With 10 years of experience in daycare Eve was able to create items that stimulate imaginative play. Her items also encourage the use of motor skills. Eve's plushies are gender neutral and make for great gifts that will be cherished!  On top of these the items are made of eco friendly and often recycled materials. 

This adorable armadillo is made of re-purposed sweater wool, it is stuffed with wool fleece. He is very strong and sturdy, and is therefore able to withstand a lot of imaginative play! He can be washed in cold water and will last for years. 

These sweet woolly sheep stand by themselves, they are made of soft white wool and details are added in embroidery floss. Eve offers a lovely selection of farm animals, and sets of multiple types of animals are available in her shop as well. 

Special Feature Friday: Rachel Nadler Ceramics

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The ceramic shop of Rachel is the place to go for unique lightning designs for your home. All the lamps are handmade, and this makes that Rachel has possibilities to change a design to your wishes. 

Rachel works from a small studio in her home. From time to time she collaborates with architects and designers. Her goal is to offer product that are functional and decorative. Rachel works mainly with stone and porcelain. Porcelain is translucent, and creates a warm effect when the light penetrates the thin walls of the lamp. Rachel often leaves her designs unglazed, so the item keeps its rough character and the natural beauty of the clay and porcelain remain. 

Besides lamps, one can also find vases, bowls and dishes in Rachel Nadler Ceramics. 

Why have one lamp as a centerpiece in your living room? This is a collection of 7 egg shaped lamps. The curving of the porcelain creates a special effect. The shades hang at various highs, creating a playful centerpiece for any room. The translucent porcelain creates a beautiful effect, when the lights are on.

This is a handmade wall light, it is made of white stoneware. Rachel uses a technique she calls "knitting" to create the holes in the clay. Some of the holes are filled up with colored porcelain, allowing for a soft colored light to shine trough.  

At this moment Rachel has a sale in her shop, so it is definitely a good time go and check out her items! 

Special Feature Friday: Eye Poetry Photography

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Irene opened her Etsy shop in 2007. She has been photographing for a long time, but it did not become a obsession until 2005. The success of her Etsy shop, Eye Poetry Photography, meant that she could quit her day job, and become a full time photographer. Something most photographers dream of! 

Irene combines "her love of travel and nature with a dreamlike aesthetic to create visual poems that evoke a sense of magic, delight, nostalgia and romance". Cities like Paris, New York, Venice and London who have been photographed over and over are photographed in unique ways trough her camera's lenses. 

I remember a school trip to Paris, we entered the Galeries Lafayette, and everyone spread out shopping. All I could do was stare at this huge glass dome, above an impressive open space with balconies at the sides. The craftsmanship and detail that went into the making of this building made me fall in love with it, more than anything else for sale in the shop. I only had to see this picture to know this was the glass dome I looked at all these years ago. Irene has captured this dome in such a way, that my memories, that where put far away, came back right away.

The focus on this picture is the bench, but the pillars of the bridge in the background are so well known, that everyone knows right away where this picture was shot. The soft light gives a feeling of romance and rest, even though it was shot in a busy urban environment.  This is what makes Irene's work so interesting. 

These are the horses of the Camargue, a beautiful nature area in the South of France, near Arles. This picture proves that Irene is not only a great urban photographer, but also knows her ways around nature. These horses look like they could come running out of the screen at any moment. The colors and composition would make this photograph a great addition to any minimalist designed home.

Irene's work has been featured by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,  The Nate Berkus Show, Apartment Therapy, Daily Candy, Decor8 and Domino Magazine. Her work has been exibithet at the San Diego Natural History Museum, The Sundance Film Festival and Galerie Sakura in Paris. 

I can say that this blog was difficult to write, there where so many amazing pictures to choose from! Please go directly to her shop, to see all the other wonderful work Irene has done. All the pictures in Eye Poetry Photograpy are shot by Irene herself, every single one is a work of art! 

Irene kindly offers the readers of this blog a 15% discount on her items with this discount code: ISHJE15