The Modern Materialist : Etsy

All Signs Point to Awesome

Steph Auteri — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:19:00 GMT

[Photo via]

You have no idea how thrilled I am about the fact that I found this image on Flickr. I mean, the fact that there actually is a street called "Awesome" is the awesomest thing I've ever heard.

I mean, well, it's up there.

For some truly awesome signage, however, I'd like to recommend Mooza Designs:

[$30, Etsy]

These male/female bathroom signs have an acrylic base, and are topped with pretty Japanese art paper. Sure to add some personality to any apartment bathroom!

[Via decor8]

Shirt Of The Day: Talk Up Your Job

Alex Zalben — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:33:00 GMT

Is there anything more American than being inordinately proud of your job?

I guess actually anything, but I love this shirt anyway. Can someone make me a "Hot Shot Nerve Blogger" shirt ASAP? Thanks.

[$25, Etsy]

[Via Rumplo]

Keep Calm and Carry On Shopping

Steph Auteri — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:01:00 GMT

It's tough being a products blog during a recession.

You feel guilty for urging others to spend money. You wonder how you can be more of a service to your readers. You try not to desperately want everything you write about.

I think Etsy seller Jaime Beattie has struck just the right balance:

[$10, Etsy]

[Via paper n stitch]

Just About Time for May Flowers

Steph Auteri — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:29:00 GMT

[Photo via]

I have such the knack for killing any plant gifted to me within the space of a month. And it usually takes less time than that.

It probably has something to do with my three, plant-hungry kitty cats, or the bad plant karma created by my allergies to most things in nature. Mostly, though, it's probably because I totally forget to water things.

[$25, Etsy]

If I had this eye-catching mosaic watering can, I'd probably never forget.

Related: Cheap Trick: Watering Can

Shedding Light on Spray Paint

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

[Photo via HidingInABunker's Flickr]

A slightly less pointless (and legal) use of a spray paint can:

A Krylon Spray Paint Lamp by Portland-based artist Jake Rankin. Each lamp is custom made too. Pretty sweet.

[$60, Etsy]

[Via Nerd Approved]

Related: I Could Have Tagged All Night

Managing a Side Business While at the Office

Steph Auteri — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:19:00 GMT

When I'm not sitting here, doing this virtual window shopping thinig, I'm obsessing over ways to make more money as a freelancer. Which is why I read The Simple Dollar's post on 50 Side Businesses You Can Start On Your Own with much interest. According to Trent, side businesses such as these should fit in neatly with the work you're already doing.

Which makes sense. After all, while under the employ of others, I've:

written personal essays
blogged
acted as books editor for an adult site
done publicity work for a magazine
done freelance copy editing for a daily newspaper
and on and on...

If you'd like to start subtle, though, perhaps using the office tools at your disposal, may I suggest rubber band balls?

[$7,875, Etsy]

This Etsy listing cracks me up. In it, Etsy seller Archivia explains how she came to price the hyperbolically named "world's largest rubber band ball." Taking 10 years to make, using the rubber bands the mail came in, Archivia writes:

"How much is ten years of collecting and assembling worth? I have no idea. I figure about 3 minutes daily assembling this bad girl (yes it's a she---can't you tell? She likes looking at herself in the mirror), six days a week, which comes to about 313.02 days per year for a total of 3130.2 days...if I were making 50 cents a minute per each day the labor on this would equal $4,695.30. Put that up to a dollar per minute (that's more like it. Hey, we have a high cost of living here in NYC!), the total would come to $9,390.60. And that's without profit."

She's good enough to cut that final estimate, and throw in free shipping.

Head over to the original listing for the entire, entertaining story.

Related: Chain of Office Tools

Bob Ross Painting

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:41:00 GMT

I loved coming home after school and catching my triple dose of Bill Nye, Carmen Sandiego, and Bob Ross (this was before I got lured to MTV by the likes of "Speed Racer", "Beavis and Butthead", and Bush). All the "happy paintings" and "happy trees" and "happy clouds". . .this guy deserves an homage more than any other modern artist of our time:

This "Ode to Bob Ross" print perfectly depicts most of our experiences watching "The Joy of Painting". If only it came with soundclips.

[$35, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Cameras Within Cameras

Steph Auteri — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:36:00 GMT

[Photo via]

I've always loved the matryoshka concept, and have often wished I could apply it to other objects in my life. Such as:

wine bottles within wine bottles
bookshelves within bookshelves
coffee mugs within coffee makers
books within books
shirts within shirts (perhaps this is why I temporarily fell sway to faux-layering)

So it's no surprise that I've found myself smitten by cameras within cameras:

[$54, Etsy]

[$49, Etsy]

[$54, Etsy]

Each camera case in hine's shop is handstitched with a button & crocheted yarn closure. For digital cameras (when are DSLR bags going to get this cute!?), the interior dimensions are about 3 5/8" x 1 1/8" x 2 3/4".

[Via Modish]

These Pillows Go Together Like Something and Something

Alex Zalben — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Man, it's on the tip of my tongue. They go together like... Down and feathers? No, that's not it. Well, anyway, the only thing that would make this better would be pie. Mmmm... Pie:

[diffractionfiber's Etsy Store]

[Via UniqueDaily]

Happy Hour: Maple Bacon Booze Time

Shaun Seneviratne — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:01:00 GMT

[photo via pink_fish13's Flickr]

Who doesn't love maple syrup and bacon? Okay, some of you may not pour the syrup directly onto the bacon, but I'm sure you don't mind when that syrup drips from your waffle onto the bacon!

Now you can enjoy maple and bacon when you party hardy. Just pour some of this:

[Bakon Vodka]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Into this maple goblet:

[Etsy]

[Via Liqurious]

These maple goblets are sold out, but the seller has loads of other cool wooden things in his Etsy store. Also, the Bakon Vodka is currently only available in the northwest, but you can sign up to be notified of further availability here.

Biology 101 + Knitting

Diana Vilibert — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:20:00 GMT

Maybe I wouldn't have nearly flunked out of high school bio if I had this knit dissection frog instead of the slimy and previously living ones I had to work on. But probably not.

[$62, Etsy]

Related: Knit Chain Necklace

I Believe In Ghostbusters

Steph Auteri — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:03:00 GMT

[someecards]

Things I Believe In:

Santa Claus
the power of my morning coffee
my parents' unconditional love
Ouija boards
flow

I also believe in Ghostbusters, But what do Ghostbusters believe in?

[$20, Etsy]

Apparently, not the sanctity of Christ.

Btw. Christ is on Twitter. He just hasn't tweeted in a really. long. time.

Woody Allen's Sleeper

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Neurosis (noo-roh-sis, nyoo-):

A relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment
Woody Allen.

I often wonder what it'd be like to be in Woody Allen's head. I've seen his movies and read his books, but I may never figure it out. At least I can know what it's like to be on his head with this pillow:

"The good people sleep much better at night than the bad people. Of course, the bad people enjoy the waking hours much more."

- Woody Allen

[$12, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Tell It Like It Is

Steph Auteri — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:05:00 GMT

I've had my eye on this necklace for quite some time now and, today, I finally bit the bullet. After all, I feel it's important to tell it like it is. And despite the fact that I review vibrators, occasionally attend play parties, sometimes frequent RedTube, and have a nude portrait hanging in my bedroom, I am such a prude.

If you're not, never fear. Etsy seller trashy deluxe is sure to have the right bling for you.

[$50, Etsy]

Every Nerdy Boy's Wet Dream

Shaun Seneviratne — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:47:00 GMT

I think it is every fanboy's fantasy to find a girl that DVRs "Battlestar Galactica", knows how to use torrents and private trackers, and reads comics (monthlies, not trades). Alas, this is mostly a myth. At least we can still pretend with these nerdcore postcard pin-ups! More after the jump:

All 4 postcards are available in the set!

[$6, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Related: Nerdcore Calendar 2009 [NSFW]

Put a Bike Tire Around Your Waist

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:24:00 GMT

Bikers tend to be eco-conscious and eco-conscious folks tend to ride bikes; the two just go hand in hand. A nice addition to the snobby tote bag, the bike tire belt is made from recycled tires. Though the one above is on the ugly side, there are some nicer ones after the jump:

Nice and smooth for the road (or getting your belt off as quick as possible).

The hybrid tire: perfect for the road or rough terrain (take that as you may).

[$20, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Related: Eco-friendly, Wooden Bikes

Soap for gamers

Shaun Seneviratne — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:01:00 GMT

[photo via]

One of my best friends/sophmore year roommate managed to "get" Halo 2 a few days before it came out. He proceeded to play it for two days straight without studying, sleeping, going out on Halloween, or showering. Intense. (I won't even get into the time he got Fables. . .)

Maybe if he had this soap he could've strategized his moves while in the shower:

Playstation Soap. Nevermind, my friend has X Box. Oh wells, dirty it is.

[$5, Etsy]

[Via DVICE]

Quick Tip of the Day: Be Prepared for the Next Booty Call

Steph Auteri — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:26:00 GMT

[Photo via]

While it won't make your morning-after walk of shame any less shameful...

[$40, Etsy]

...the Take Me Anywhere Suitcase Pillow will at least provide you with some modicum of comfort when you make your way to an unfamiliar bedroom.

Also good for: slumber parties, camping, vacationing, stealing away in the middle of the night...

[Via Holy Cool]

Polaroid Ring

Diana Vilibert — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:25:00 GMT

I'm pretty much in love with this. Etsy designer yellowgoat was "Inspired by beautiful Polaroid Photos I see daily on Flickr"--and the result is this unique, customizable ring.

It Would Be So Great to See You!

Steph Auteri — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:19:00 GMT

Instead of wallowing in your loneliness, why don't you get off your ass and do something about it!?

[$15, Etsy]

These letterpress invitations from breadandbuttershop include spots for you to write in all the necessary bits of info.I believe they're meant to be party invitations, but I like to think that it would be a sweet thing to send out anytime you're missing somebody.

[Via Black. White. Yellow.]

Related: Somebody's Getting Married

Infestation

Steph Auteri — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:19:00 GMT

As bizarre and grotesque as these plates I once-up-a-time posted about are, I sorta like them. I think they're clever and, in their own way, quite beautiful.

These, on the other hand:

[$47, Etsy]

Yeeaiiiichkl! I just threw up in my mouth a little. (Roaches freak me out.)

The bulk of the inventory in the rest of the shop, however, is quite lovely.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Knit Chain Necklace

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:39:00 GMT

This is freakin' badass. And it gets better:

I want this girl on Project Runway, pronto.

[Yokoo]

Related: Equations: Get Your Kniit On

That Hot Jacket I Can't Pull Off

Steph Auteri — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:44:00 GMT

Hey you guys. I totally just bought this hot jacket from Etsy seller reddoll and, for some reason, I just can't pull it off. I don't know why. It's gorgeous. It's cozy. And it's sewn with this pale pink thread, which just adds to the charm. But it's just not...me.

I am desperate for someone to rock this jacket in the way that I am unable to, which is why I've put it up for auction over on ebay. Someone! Please give it a good home!

In the meantime, check out some of the other swoon-worthy pieces in this Etsy shop:

[$75, Etsy]

[$85, Etsy]

[$95, Etsy]

[$85, Etsy]

Jessica Gonacha Gives Me the Warm Fuzzies

Steph Auteri — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:40:00 GMT

[$8, Etsy]

Her prints are bright, cheery, and oh so reassuring. More sweet nothings after the jump:

[$8, Etsy]

You can get a set with these three prints — plus a purple one that says "you are not alone" — here, for $29.

Roundup: Calling Cards

Steph Auteri — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:19:00 GMT

I've become bored with my business card, despite the fact that it perfectly matches my professional website. And with all this talk of snarky calling cards (admittedly, almost all of the talk has come from me), I've been thinking of sassing things up a little. One of the best resources for quirky cards? Is it any surprise it's Etsy?

[$20 for 50, Etsy]

[$28 for 100, Etsy]

[$4 for printable .pdf, Etsy]

[$130 for 100, Etsy]

Shadowland Lamps

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:08:00 GMT

I don't think I've ever wanted a product from Etsy as much as I want these Shadowland Lamps. Whether you have the light on or off, these lamps can stand alone as a beautiful work of art. And the further away from the wall, the bigger the projected shadow.

Here are some more awesome lamps:

The Color Purple

Spider-man!

[$95 - $125, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

OMFG: Bed Frame Worth Flipping Out Over

Steph Auteri — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:57:00 GMT

In my very first MM post ever, I gushed over a bed frame similar to the one above, as it combined two of my favorite things: reading and sleeping.

Now, I'm staring at a picture of a bed frame that doesn't incorporate book shelving at all, and I'm freaking the eff out!

[$8,600, Etsy]

Now. Try to ignore the busy-ness of the rug, the bedding, the wallpaper, etc. and just concentrate on the amazingness of this bed frame.

Seriously. Does Etsy have everything!?

[Via Ooh! Shiny!]

The Sweet and the Low: Amy Giacomelli

Steph Auteri — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:10:00 GMT

[$250, Etsy]

I've been lusting after Amy Giacomelli's paintings for months now. Her vibrant swirlies and psychedelic trees give me a sucker punch that leaves me heartsick for days on end. Unfortunately, I'm at a stage in my life where I can't afford to pay even a couple hundred dollars for what is obviously incredibly fine art.

I don't know exactly when Amy launched her second, prints-only shop, but I found it just last night and almost had a heart attack (the good kind). I will now proceed to snap up almost every print in the shop:

[$22, Etsy]

I love you Amy!

Eye Patches: Not Just for Pirates

Steph Auteri — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:05:00 GMT

I've always thought I would look mad sexy with an eye patch, but those plastic ones I got at Party City just didn't live up to my expectations. Fortunately, designer eye patches do exist.

[Designer Eyepatches]

Unfortunately, they're all hideous.

Fortunately, sites such as Etsy sell much prettier ones:

[$3, Etsy]

[Via Jezebel]

Shoot The Bad Guy + Shirt of the Day: Sweet Dreams

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:36:00 GMT

[photo via]

Because the only time we should ever be shooting anything is if we are being attacked by Darth Vader, the Terminator, a zombie, Freddy, or a Goomba. Olly Moss has done it agian.

[Via sub-studio design blog]

Speaking of Freddy, Nightmare on Elm Street is being remade. Though the movie won't be very good, here's a shirt of the day in honor of Freddy's revival:

Sweet Dreams. Eep!

[$22, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]