[Image above:  Skinny laMinx tea towels-Herds in Grey, I Wish We Had IKEA]

Heather Moore designs and sells simple printed fabric available by the metre and in readymade goods, from tea towels to cushion covers,  in her Etsy shop, Skinny laMinx . I especially love her IKEA-themed tea towel, which is a wishlist/love letter to IKEA composed with line drawings, product names and prices.  Fun prints like these make chores and living greener a little more fun. Moore’s Scandinavian-style housewares suit any room in the house while her cut fabric invites all crafters to create something uniquely their own.

[Part of a set by Crafty Alien, this tiny felted hedgehog is too cute!]

As the weather gets colder and more evenings are spent cuddled up at home, I long for new knitting projects to keep me busy. One of my goals for the new year is to always have a knitting project in progress and as my knitting books begin to look stale, I turn to Etsy. Whether you’re just beginning to knit or are a seasoned pro, there are patterns to match all skill levels.

From gifts to accessories and apparel, here are are some of my favorite patterns…

This scarf by AlterKnits is a quick knit that can be worn a number of different ways.

A perfect (and reversible) slouchy hat pattern from bingeknitter.

Little John 2003 has an amazing collection of vintage knitting patterns, I love this knit skirt.

[Image above: The most appetizing turkey dinner after Thanksgiving Day]

The creator of this cute find, Just Felt Hungry, has an etsy shop full of other delicious dishes. Check it out here.

I saw some of my favorite indie crafters this year as well as some delightful new booths.

A busy crowd gathers in the Handmade Arcade’s new location, the Hunt Armory in Shadyside. 

The Handmade Arcade welcome booth, complete with T-shirts, totes, and shiny gold balloons.

The Sycamore Street Press booth, featuring beautiful letterpress prints and stationary.

Pittsburgh’s own Jason Kirker of Kirkiture who builds paper and wood lamps.

Friend or Foe little monster plush toys made from new and found materials.

This is just a small sampling of the many (85 total) great indie crafters who exhibited. I’m already anxious for next year!

Be sure to check out the following vendors who stole my heart:
Miaow
Etui
Basho Apparel
Figs & Ginger
Beth Pohlman Jewelry
My Paper Crane
My Favorite Mirror

 That raccoon, oh my goodness!

The last two featured pieces have arrived safely at my door and are ready to begin their decorative lives with me.

I love these collars from Annie’s Sweatshop; not only simple and cute, they also speak to the environmentalist in me. Featuring beds, leashes, collars, and harnesses made from sustainable materials, Annie will also recycle your dog’s old collar and give you a rebate. The above collars are my favorites but I don’t know if my puppy will prefer cute and feminine or tastefully gender-neutral. I’ll ask for her opinion when I meet her but for the time being, which do you like best?

One of my favorite things about Etsy is the availability of custom-made clothing. Too often people buy garments that don’t fit properly, this is true of both men and women. They promise to take them to a tailor and lose interest when they learn how hard it is to find a decent one. You’ve heard it before but it’s true; by investing extra money in well made pieces that actually fit, you improve your entire wardrobe and save money in the long run.

Encourage your boyfriend to value fit and quality. This jacket from A Broken Spoke is made from organic cotton and is machine washable. Provide accurate measurements and quickly (only two weeks after payment) receive a custom and stylish wardrobe staple.  Military in spirit but improved with clean lines and covered buttons, it will last long enough to warrant the investment. Should his tax return really go toward his vinyl collection, beer, or another gaming system?

A good hooded sweatshirt is a staple in a young gentleman’s wardrobe. I think variety is key in the sweatshirt world and was totally pleased to stumble upon Cloud Brings Rainbows, an Etsy shop specializing in “upcycled” hoodies. In a totally wearable color scheme, this zip-up is far from boring with overlapping diagonals and an artfully placed U.S. seal. Sure, they have lots of fantastic women’s styles but it’s so nice to find something I’d want my boyfriend to wear. Hopefully, he’ll be willing to work this greyscale showpiece into his two hoodie rotation.

I love the clean and simple style of Vreeland Design’s save the date cards. The shop’s owner uses eco-friendly paper, envelopes, adhesives, and water based inks so you can feel a little bit better about all that extra paper you’re sending out into the world. As much as I love modern clean lines, a more vintage inspired style is just as charming. I love the pink chandelier and old wallpaper feel of Enfin, La Viola’s save the date card and invitation set. When my day comes, I will have the cutest wedding possible.