Etsying

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Meric

>> Reviewing Sister Wolf's post of uncomfortable yet hilarious list of words she'd like to not see in 2011, only served to remind me of my own guilty pleasures when it comes to loose n' slack language.  Suffice to say, Mrs Fink, English teacher from back in the day would give this blog a once-over and look aghast whilst quivering with silent rage (alright, I'm making that last bit up but our times together analysing Blanche DuBois' tremblings and tremors have caused some mild confusion in my head).

2011 will surely be another criminal year of wanton language perpetuated by fash-y peers.  I'll kick things off by turning website entity into a verb.  Much like eBaying and Googling are part of 21st century accepted language, adding -ing to just about anything you can think of is just far more interesting/peppy than saying "I went on eBay and got this, that and the other".  Onto 'Etsying'.  Which can either mean you're a seller and knocking out pin cushions by the dozen at home.  Or it can mean you're a prospective customer searching through Etsy tirelessly eliminating pin cushion sellers.  Or if you're me, then you're Etsying by checking Facebook and following links.

Istanbul-based Meri√ß Canatan's photograph collages popped up on Refinery 29 and further clicks lead me onto Canatan and friend Fato≈ü Erhuy's mutual love of all things feathered.  I knew that my Istanbul Fashion Week trip over the summer definitely did not lift the entire lid on what the city had to offer in terms of fashion and Canatan's own evocative work as well as his Birdy venture with Erhuy cements that. 

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It's Canatan's photography of the feathered accessories that really does much to propel these pieces made from ostrich, peacock, pheasant and patridge feathers.  There's also restraint to the pieces themselves as feathers aren't used in rash abundance but kept contained to the shoulders as epaulettes or to the shirt collar as a brooch so that people who are less inclined to looking like Big Bird can get into Birdy too.  

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After months of not checking my Facebook, I finally sifted through the bewildering list of requests and fortunately found a few leads for blog posts (still doesn't convince me to check it more often though…).  Stefania Bosio, who is based in Milan sent me a message about her jewellery line Ornamenta MTO (Made To Order) which she sells on Etsy.  A quick look at her Facebook page which made me feel like a dirty stalker (in the only way that Facebook does to me) reveals that Bosia worked at John Galliano, Moschino and Jil Sander as a knitwear designer previously.  How Bosia has turned to jewellery in the process is a mystery but looking at her designs, it looks like she has turned full attention from yarn to polished brass in origami and geometric formations.  She also emphasises on her Etsy page that by Made to Order, she really does mean everything is made by hand – as opposed to 'assembled by hand' – which means a 3/4 week wait time as well as prices that are above the Etsy norm. 

Actually, is there an Etsy norm anymore?  I'm finding more and more designers turning to it as a vehicle for ecommerce that I suppose any prices could go and that eventually, there will be less $15 pin cushions to sift through.  Who's up for more Etsying in 2011?

Ornamento

21 comments

  2. I would do more Etsying if I were better at searching there. I usually devolve into searches for “taxidermy” just to freak myself out.
    I give you full dispensation to use any and all words, because you were my FIRST internet crush (and I don’t mean girl-crush because I have banned that term and the crush was so hetero & pure) xo

  3. I do love doing a bit of etsying but for some reason I never end up committing to a purchase? I promise from this post that in 2011 I will lose that Etsy cherry and possibly my credit rating…

  4. I love the feeling Etsy designers give you, it feels so authentic. Thanks for introducing a new designer to look forward too!

  5. i’m getting a little tired of commenting on your blog, my gut reactions are always something like ‘amazing! beautiful! gorgo!’ etc. etc. but really and for true, it’s amazing, beautiful and gorgo and ya, it’s like the 57th time i’ve said it.

  6. I always mean to shop on Etsy more. Love those feathered accessories, they look great with the buttoned up shirts- and I do love a good buttoned up shirt/blouse! There’s a British version of Etsy called folksy which is almost identical…but not quite as good!!
    Happy New Year Susie!

  9. Margief: It’s quite difficult researching fashion in Istanbul – obviously I don’t read Turkish which is a hindrance. Galata is a good place to start though – lots of little boutiques and designers’ studios‚Ķ
    Sister Wolf: I’m totally STOKED and find it MAJORLY RAD that you crush me.
    Brandon: Nah… trust me, getting hooked on Etsy will decidedly NOT bankrupt you.
    The Visual Jerbil: Ello‚Ķ I read ALL comments and every ‘Gorgeous’ comment is much appreciated.
    Winnie: Will check it out!

  12. These pieces are STUNNING and I’m so happy to see more avant garde designers carve out their little place on Etsy. Raising the stakes for 2011…I like it!

  17. I can’t get enough of Etsy and what keeps me coming back is the ease of communicating with the sellers/designers and the affordability of bespoke items. You need a chain longer – done! Would love the dress but without a right arm – no problem! Inspired by art you can’t afford – turn to etsy & don’t forget to attach a pic!
    N.B why have I never thought of wearing my feather hair pieces as neck-ties….

  19. Oooh Susie B you helped rescue etsy for me… Until they fix up their search functions, then it’s regretsy and other people’s recommendations for me!

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