People. Friends. Strangers. I have something to tell you: I am suffering from a very serious case of procrastination, possibly the most serious case I’ve ever had. And it comes at the worst possible time in my life. What I need to do is fairly straightforward from here on in: I need to sit and write. No going and making some tea and indulging in a slice of apple cake on the side. No checking your blogs and seeing what you are up to. No replying to emails that have nothing to do with the job at hand. And certainly, certainly no browsing through etsy to enhance my favourites list…
gorgeous antique frame and lotus plates from etsy boutique finding fabulous.
But I did. And then the procrastination got worse – I decided to compile a post of some of my favourite etsy shops du jour. Why why why do I do this to myself – not only have I spent a number of precious moments away from my work and deadline, I am tempted by every single item in these stores. In fact, I have purposely not included some items that I actually completely adore in the hope that you won’t see them and I can buy them myself. Even though I am the last person in the world who needs any more little stylish things on my props shelves.
I won’t drag this on any longer. Here are my absolute favourite etsy shops du jour. Make sure you browse through each one as I have no doubt you will find something wonderful.
1. antique goodies galore in sadie olive, I have my eye on something in particular and I am hoping with all my heart I can 1. resist it altogether or 2. someone else buy it for me or 3. just press the ‘add to cart’ button and be done with it.
2. Love, adore, am smitten with etcetera etcetera… vintage seller finding fabulous. From the 1950’s English flashcards, to the hand carved clogs, to the wooden spools to the vintage woven picnic basket and so on! What a great place to find some Christmas presents.
3. Nature Design – beautiful wooden things like chopping boards, interesting cups and spoons, and my favourite – simple wooden blocks. I like them natural but I also thought these would make a great gift if you hand painted them.
4. High Street Market in Philly is awesome – so many great finds. I recently bought a vintage globe from them and it arrived just the other day. I adore it, and it sits proudly on my desk. There are loads of old globes here in Europe but this one really caught my eye. I actually bought it for one reason, see if you can guess:
Can you see it? Yes, it’s Tibet. I bought this globe because it still has Tibet on it, the way it should be. And isn’t the colouring just perfect? I’ll take a photo of it in situ soon so you can see it on my desk.
Okay that’s it, I really really need to get some work done now. Hmm but wait…
…smores with homemade maple marshmallows, anyone?
It was as if I was reading about me. The internet & work do not mix. I feel this huge earthly tug towards blogging & my work get’s shoved further & further away. Not good. Be strong & I will gain encouragement from you! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful Etsy sights. More lovelies to look at..oh joy!
October 28th, 2009 | #
I see Tibet which is very dear to my heart and I see Mongolia the birthplace of my daughter. Two places of immense emotional attachment for me.
October 28th, 2009 | #
Thanks for introducing me to Nature Design’s shop – I am smitten!
October 28th, 2009 | #
Your procrastination is going to cost me money!!!! such lovely items, it at these times such as these when i view such a collection from different sources, i think about my store front and how lovely it would have all looked!
October 28th, 2009 | #
Oh I just found your blog while I should be working heavily. Your post made me laugh so much !!!!! And I shall not have a look on etsy… Pfiou. hard times.
thank you. lovely blog.
😉
October 28th, 2009 | #
I’m pretty sure this is the best Etsy favorites post ever. Beautiful.
October 28th, 2009 | #
So many beautiful things…
October 28th, 2009 | #
Ohhh, these are all such good choices! I’ve been wanting to dedicate a single day to browsing Etsy for so long now, I’ve been saving vendors in favorites folders when suggested (like this post). Have to do some Holiday shopping!
October 28th, 2009 | #
LOVE those nature designs wooden spoons and vessels. Thosereally appeal to me aesthetically. I’ve been on a giant, time-sucking etsy discovery kick lately myself…I think since opening my own Etsy shop and delving more deeply into it, I’ve come to the realization of just how MUCH really yummy stuff is on there. It’s dangerous.
October 28th, 2009 | #
pia, you MUST do another holiday gift guide this year! pretty please? xx josephine
October 28th, 2009 | #
thanks for introducing these new-to-me vintage stores on etsy! They have such great treasures!
October 28th, 2009 | #
Okay, maybe it’s not what you should be doing, but I’m glad you did it. What great finds! I’m so drawn to that image of the rolling pins… So beauiful in their use.
October 29th, 2009 | #
Oh no. No no no no. Don’t show me this.
MUST NOT look as super yummy etsy shops… must control myself. M u s t stop checking blogs. nothing getting done, deadline looming… mu s t stop. Noooo. Noo… no. oh crap. okay okay. I’ll follow the links.
But I want you to know that this is all your fault!!
October 29th, 2009 | #
It feels so great to have others that are procrastinating close by…almost like it’s the right thing to be doing! I feel your pain, but at the same time am in love with all that is etsy and can never, ever get enough…so thank you for adding a little more to my favorite sellers and feeding my addiction as well…now back to work for both of us! xo
October 29th, 2009 | #
Dear Pia,
See how many of us are irresistibly drifting to blogland instead of sticking to the work agenda of the day? Could there be some kind of safety in numbers for the swelling ranks of blog and etsy addicts? No, no but the thrills you can get from your chair are amazing and…hey, stimulating, for our working selves too, aren’t they? At least your work is directly related to all the splendor. But, even if I’m currently writing about public transportation, a subject very far removed from the beautiful and the hand made, I like to think it helps inject a little creativity there.
But I’ve got it BAD. I even checked out all your faves and tried to guess which was the secret object that had captured your fancy!! I hope you will tell us some day so I’ll know if I have guessed correctly!
So thank you for all your delightful “wanderings”, and as we say en français, courage!!!
October 29th, 2009 | #
Pia,
I can so relate to your problem with procrastination. It is the curse of the creative mind. Have you tried setting the timer for 15 minutes and telling yourself that you will do 15 minutes of imperfect work? It works for me sometimes when I am doing everything but what Im supposed to be doing. Also, if there are books where you live on the Psych of procrastination, that can sometimes help.
Just some thoughts, as I am struggling with the same issues as you are.
Have a lovely day,
Susan
October 29th, 2009 | #
thanks guys!! your comments have been awesome, and as much as I hate to hear you are going through the same thing (it’s so dreadful!), I feel a bit better to know I’m not alone in my procrastination.
xx
October 29th, 2009 | #
welcome to the procrastination club! i guess we need it to keep our sanity when concentrating to what we were supposed to do.
i love your etsy finds – the stuff from nature designs looks like traditional things that are made here in norway (the shop owner doesn’t say where he lives though)
good luck with your work – have a lovely weekend!
ps. hmmmm, apple pie sounds like just the right thing before i go to work…
October 30th, 2009 | #
Oh, I loved this post..! I can identify – except I don’t even know if it’s procrastination, no? It’s so alluring – all these wonderfully talented people out there, creating beautiful things and putting words together in the most wonderful ways… Wanting to soak that in could not possibly be…procrastination – could it? I think I struggle a little with the inability to edit and limit my time – so I guess, in that sense, we may be talking about the same thing… Sigh.
I love, as always, your collection of photographs and your writing…
-maria
October 30th, 2009 | #