Louisville-based Jacqui Van Ham takes vintage Mason jars and creates cool pendant light fixtures and soap dispensers with an industrial/farmhouse look. And inspired by a trip to the Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, Ky., the artist put together this fabulous bourbon-bottle chandelier that would dress up any room. “The rusted steel barrel rings, charred oak staves, bottles and signature wax all were sourced from the distillery,” says Van Ham at her VanVintageDesign store at Etsy.
June 22nd, 2012
Anyone with cats will tell you that they have a tendency to curl up in a box that’s been left on the floor or to drape themselves over a keyboard as you sit at a computer. And Etsy retailer Atomic Attic has come up with the genius idea to recycled Apple computers (above, $129), TVs and luggage to create incredibly cute cat beds.
Wooden or retro metal chair legs elevate vintage suitcases, TV and computer screens and innards are removed and beds come with a removable, slipcover and pad.
May 1st, 2012
Carrie Blaydes, a graduate of Transylvania University, is back in Kentucky after living in New York for 10 years, earning a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and co-authoring “Fashion DIY: 30 Ways to Craft Your Own Style.”
Now Blaydes is in Louisville with her husband Mike Newsome, where the couple launched Factory Handbook in April on Etsy, offering vintage clothing and accessories, (that’s Carrie in the above photo modeling a vintage 70s dress available at the store).
This spring, keep an eye out for original lighting and a lifestyle collection created by the couple. Check out an interview with Carrie at DIYLouisville.blogspot.com.
December 21st, 2011
No matter what side of the dressing-dogs-as-people debate you might find yourself — never ever, or my dog is my well-dressed fuzzy child — we can all agree that many pet togs leave much to be desired.
But there are alternatives to those formless, plastic-y pieces of dogwear that no one should call fashion.
Rover, a Toronto-based business, offers jackets, dresses and other designs for dogs large and small. There’s even a made-to-order option if you can’t find the right piece.
Tailored, handmade garments feature stylish details, and the store’s descriptions read as if they’re from the pages of Vogue.
The wool cashmere blend cabin pea coat ($75, above), for instance: “Warm and sophisticated, Rover’s classic pea coat boasts interior facing trimmed silver piping and back pleat.”
January 14th, 2011
Halloween has been much more than a kids’ holiday for years. But despite all the adults who love to party this time of year, the choice of good grown-up costumes has been pretty limited.
Welcome additions to the costume scene are the intricately carved masks of Tom Banwell Designs.
Starting with vegetable-tanned leather, the artist paints and molds his creations to fit a face. Delicate lacy designs make the masks lightweight, and the selections include styles for men and women.
A simple design can cost less than $20, and some of the heavier steampunk-style masks (one titled “Plague Doctor” includes built-in goggles and a hand-stitched beak) can be as much as $2,000. The lacelike mask pictured above is $42.
You can visit the shop at Etsy.com.
October 21st, 2010
I love this British-based jewelry site I just discovered called Hoolala (you’ll find a store on Etsy too). Romantic with an attitude, these adorable pieces include lockets with images from “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz” coupled with all kinds of charms (little clocks, a message in a capsule, teacups — anything you can imagine).
Pair a long necklace loaded with charms and one of spring’s ruffled dresses for a look that’s vintage and playful at the same time. Other items include earrings, rings and bracelets.
March 10th, 2009
If the upcoming Jan. 20 presidential inauguration has you thinking about how to mark that historical day, there are plenty of fashionable as well as undeniably odd Obama collectibles out there.
At Etsy, the online showcase for crafters, listings for Obama-related creations have ballooned in recent weeks to include everything from election-button earrings to a $39.99 carved Rhea egg portrait of the president elect. “The Rhea is the South American cousin to the Ostrich,” the online description explains, “and the egg is about 6 inches tall.”
The official Presidential Inauguration Committee offers stylish dinnerware, posters, clothing and more. Political accessories include trendy totes by designers Tory Burch ($70, above) and Diane Von Furstenberg and tees by fashion stars Narciso Rodriguez and Derek Lam, among others.
January 5th, 2009
Your server: Harriett Hendren
While I grew up in small-town Kentucky I’ve always been fascinated with the cosmopolitan world of high fashion. On the other hand, I love a bargain and the thrill of shopping for just the right piece.
I have a degree in English from the University of Kentucky, and since 2002 I’ve written a column for the Lexington Herald-Leader about shopping, beauty and fashion. During that time I’ve interviewed everyone from designers to boutique owners about trends and style. And I’m still forever searching for the next big sale.
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