Felt is New Zealand’s Etsy – an ‘online marketplace for handmade goodies’, but really well edited.   My favourite thing is the magnetic alphabet in all it’s bright happy colours.  Go take a look and you may find something for yourself or a friend.

Alphabet NZ$69 – Tinch Design Studio

Cupcake Pin Cushion NZ$15.00 – Adornmentz

Fantail Art Block NZ$19 – Dudo Design

Crane Necklace NZ12.50 – One Trick Pony

The Thomas Sabo line of jewellery is flashy and fun.  I purchased the large four-leaf clover for my sister’s 40th birthday this year and she always gets great comments on it.  I like that you can pick any style bracelet or necklace for your pieces.

For the few who love charms, there are loads to choose from (especially flip-flops/jandels/thongs) and then there are the themed ranges.  Angela Daniel Jewellery, who have three stores in Auckland, now stock Thomas Sabo and if you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store, they are more than happy to order it in for you.  If you live in Australia, you can buy online.

This necklace really appeals to me being a Yoga Teacher, but would I wear it?….probably not much.  It would make a great gift for a Chiropractor though!  Made by using 3D data of an actual spine, it measures about 10cm long and you can choose it in either brass or silver.  You can purchase it from the Japanese site right here for NZ$440 (brass) or NZ$740 (silver) and the company ships internationally.

Oye Modern is an Australian, online jewellery shop filled with groovy, funky pieces.  There are so many I love, but if I had to choose a favourite it would be the measuring tape ‘I Heart’ necklace.  Right now, they have a competition on that finishes August 15, so go get something cool and take a picture of your beautiful self;  best bit, they ship worldwide and their pieces start at about NZ$80.

Fabric flowers always catch my eye and B.Poetic‘s over at Etsy are feminine and perfect for a special occasion. I have wanted to try making my own, but Miss 1 is taking up the ‘craft’ time at present.  These romantic flowers go from loose rose shape, to chunky ranunculus and work in hair, on tables, clothes or shoes and they range in price from US$20-$45, plus shipping.  I would love one of the belts to brighten up a winter outfit.

A while ago I showed you Polli’s tealight shades and now have fallen in love with their jewellery. I just can’t choose between all the beautiful necklaces and earrings for my sister’s Christmas gift, so perhaps will just let her choose.  Take a look here at their large and striking range of adornments and they also do cufflinks for yourself or the man in your life.

These rings are gorgeous and mod and different.  Some of my precious stone rings are my favourite pieces of jewellery and I sometimes get lovely compliments on them.  Now, I don’t own any of the above, but one day would like to.  Seventy Six Design is based here in Auckland, and you can view some of their rings online here or go and visit their store.  They can also design something just for you.

I love the thong (or ‘jandel’) necklace in the Pink Lou Lou necklace collection.  The range is a little Aussie inspired and is the creation of Skye Campbell.  You can purchase any of the pieces online and have them shipped to your door – prices start at about AUD$128.00.  These would make a great Christmas present for someone special this year.

image [Pink Lou Lou]

When I visited Manhattan, I had my map almost glued to my fingers trying to navigate.  This piece of handy jewellery would have been so helpful (and kept my hands free for shopping bags)! The New York City Metro Cuff shows you numbers, streets and subway lines in Manhattan!  You can get it at Design Hype for US$23 and they ship only in the US.  It would be a great gift for travelers.

via [NotCot.org]

Yes, I have an addiction – it is the store Anthropologie, and although we don’t have it down-under, I still swoon over the seasonal ranges online.  They do ship across Europe and North America, but sadly, down here in Oz and NZ we are forgotten once again; which is actually a good thing or I would really give the credit card a beating!  If you aren’t familiar with their store (everything from clothes and shoes to kitchen and bedroom) go take a look and fall in love with….well…..everything!

These earrings are beautiful, the colours are stunning and I can’t make up my mind which pair to get. Years ago, when my sisters were in High School I remember them making something similar but on wooden boards to hang on the wall.  Take a look at the range, starting at US$15.  Sincear Jewelry over at Etsy.

I think I discovered this jewellery flicking through InStyle Australia.  Kerry has been designing jewellery for six years and has a store in Sydney plus she is in boutiques across Australia.  Inspired by spending her time in Asia and Greece her pieces are eclectic and refreshing.  To browse the website you need a password, but just a quick email and you get an email right back so you can see her great collection of rings, necklaces and earrings.

DaWanda is the european version of Etsy and it’s just as good.  These goodies above are some of the beautiful creations from Ceeb Wassermann, who is a jeweler based in Australia.  And just like any online shop, you just add to the cart and pay via paypal.  My favourite is the bird necklace – take a look at her store right here.

I spied these over at Modish and had to show you.   The husband and wife team find pieces of glass and make them into beautiful jewellery.  Who knew you could find glass so perfectly formed, smooth and in such lovely soft-hues.  So take a look at Shoreline Sea Glass on Etsy and you will fall head-over-heels for something pretty at a really good price.

images [Shorline Sea Glass]

These two items I had to share with you today as I love my ‘charm’ necklace and have an obsession about pretty teatowels.   When we lived in Houston, it was a monthly ritual to pop into Urban Outfitters and go through each area, noting down in my phone ‘what I wanted’ and ‘what I must come back for’. They don’t ship way down here so now it’s an occasional browse online without a list.  US$24.00 for the Nesting Doll Charm Necklace (with a little doll inside) and US$8.00 for the Birdie Tea Towel.

Who knows how you end up on any website?  There must be a mathematical equation that puts curiousity squared and time over 100 together and presto,  you find treasure.  I have unearthed a site showcasing Australian Jewellery Design House, Riley Burnett. The designers, Jennie Riley and Jason Burnett, make their home in the NSW coastal town of Lennox Head (just down the road from me, it so happens) and along with raising two boys have created a signature style in the handcrafted jewellery market.  You can purchase her jewellery worldwide, click here for the list of stockists or go to her online shop.  I am quite enchanted with the weighty pendants and the bright bangles.  Oh, and the metallic jingly bracelets. Well – most everything, actually! 

images [Riley Burnett Shop]

post by Kathryn

These pieces are so fun and original, they will have people talking every time you wear yours.  The necklaces and earrings are made from 24K gold and silver, they are folded in the same tradition as paper origami, but these last forever.  Take a walk over to Origami Bijou for a look through their great selection, some even include pearls, and maybe you will find something just different enough to wear for the coming season.

images [Origami Bijou]

On my adventures this month through Etsy I have a collection of everything Babushka. I am not sure why I love them….most likely because these grandmas are always lovely colours. There are so many pretty and unique things, I hope it inspires the DIY in you, or at least a look through, and perhaps a purchase from one of the Etsy shops. In order from left to right:

CellPhone Pouch – Fambee $15

Babushka Art Doll Thurid – Ravenhill $21

Teal Sketch Pad – Finke $8

Little Olive Girl – tsktsk $12

Cute Clutch Pouch – SmileRecipe $15

Folded Notecard Set – zpaperie $4

Babushka Lino Print Cusion Cover – missdijones $49

Scandinavian Art Doll Lille Fugl – Ravenhill $34

Vintage Bead Necklace – junebugz $22

Russion Nesting Dolls Vinyl Wall Decal – kiskastyledecor $18

Matryoshka Dress – littledaisydesigns $33

Russion Dolls Linen Fabric Tote – handemadewithjoy $48

Matryoshka Doll Hair Bobby Pins – creamrose $5.50

Nesting Doll Bookmark – superminx $8.50

Thought you might like to see what the games medals look like, if you’re not going to get up close to see one.  This is taken from the Beijing olympic website: The Beijing Olympic Games Medals designed with inspiration coming from ‘bi’, China’s ancient jade piece inscribed with a dragon pattern.  The medals, made of gold and jade, symbolize nobility and virtue and are the embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honor….

For my birthday last year my hubby surprised me with this piece from the Karen Walker jewellery collection. There are still a few pieces I covet, and if I’m walking past the jewellery store, drop in just to see if they are still there, or if they’ve got a new home.  I have received so many nice comments about how cool my necklace is - it just seems to make people smile.  So if you are in the market for something a bit edgy, groovy and shiny, then take a look here and here.