From The People, For The People

Its been a bit of a busy week for me so being slightly swamped with work, but I'm back with an interesting one for you. And what a fitting way to celebrate independence on Independence Day!

If you want to pick up a few quirky pieces to define you inimitable style, where to look? TopShop with its hundreds of thousands of items? And every time you venture out at night you just hope you don't bump into someone wearing the same thing. The higher end labels like Donna Karan? She creates a hot new belt and its photographed for every single glossy womens magazine the world over....which makes it lose it's quintessential individual appeal instantly.

In our increasingly homogeneous world where everything in retail is owned by the same people (yes I mean you Sir Phillip Green) and the high street stores slowly become retail behemoths (Inditex Group - you all know Zara, Zara Home and Massimo Dutti but Pull & Bear, Stradavarius, Bershka and Oysho are huge in Europe), and the cool, individual labels are selling their souls for corporate gold (ahem, Mr Jacobs) what's a girl to do.

Etsy.

I love Etsy.

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Their HQ is in New York and their mission is "to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade."

Gotta love that. I love the fact that they champion and actively encourage the bedroom businesses (modern day cottage industries) and give people from all over the world, of all ages, races and nationalities a chance to showcase what they do.

All sellers tell you a bit about themselves, their craft and their product and I am loving the fact that when you buy, you know you're encouraging an independent designer to keep following their dream.

Here are some of my favourite pieces, but definitely make sure you take a look yourself. There are some very talented people on there.
http://www.etsy.com



These gorgeous earrings are one of my favourite shades of blue for jewellery and are available from Olive Jewelry on Etsy for $22

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12977498


This freshwater pearl and gold necklace is very Carrie Bradshaw and very wearable, wear it single or wrapped double and I wear my pearls wrapped numerous times round my wrist...versatile jewellery, its always a winner.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11010805

Chunky Prenhite Gold Kidney Earrings

Check out the collection at http://www.OliveJewelry.etsy.com

These fabulously simple earrings from AshleyJestin sell for $20 and come in 6 colours, I love them.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5510424

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5510424


These beauties are available from DesertRainJewelry take a look here...
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5921576

I'm totally loving this cute little clutch from MoxieandOliver

http://http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=33073

http://MOXIEandOLIVER.com


And look at this fabulous collection, all handmade in France from designer Madeinfr...
httphttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5964662

Those are some of my favourite picks, but make sure you take a look and share any great finds with us all!

xoxo