For a fashion blogger, I'm strangely resistant towards online shopping. Despite all that clicking around on the internet, oogling at pretty things, I remain an old-school shopper, preferring to be able to touch and try on the things I wish to purchase. Other push factors include unfavourable exchange rates (less of a problem now -- the recession is good for something!), expensive shipping charges and the possibility of losing my object of lust in the great abyss of foreign postal systems.

This was before I came across handmade wonderland Etsy. I spend hours on the site, scrolling through one shop after another. As with all other online resources of covetable goodies, certain skills are needed to effectively navigate it with success. A little tip for the overwhelmed Etsy shopper: identify individuals who are as obsessive compulsive about Etsy as you are and whose tastes you trust. They are likely to provide you with good recommendations and direct you to things you'll love too. For me, these are a group of design bloggers I follow religiously, including A Cup of Jo, Black Eiffel and Unruly Things.



Nichole of Little Brown Pen
 Kate Szabone


There appears to be an inexplicable link between blogging and DIY, and so it is hardly surprising that many bloggers also sell their lovely, handmade wares on Etsy. One of my favourites is Vain and Vapid, whose independent clothing line can be found on the regularly updated Vain and Vapid Etsy store. The sweet, well-crafted collections are often sold out in record time, so act fast if you see something you like.

The talents of my fellow bloggers extend far beyond the field of fashion design. Mrs French and Jinnie, who belong to a breed of photography bloggers, sell prints of their beautiful and creative photographs on Etsy. Prior to discovering works like theirs, I have never thought that I will fork out good money for a piece of paper, but now I'm a convert!

Speaking of paper, letterpress paper goods are all the rage on Etsy, and rightly so. Nichole of Little Brown Pen operates an Etsy shop with her husband Evan, offering adorable, printable stationery. As the year draw to a close, I'm sure I'll be picking up one of their printable calendars to share with my friends and start the new year with. I bought one last year too (pictured).

Naturally, Etsy comes with one of the key perks of online shopping - access to a huge collection of international sellers with exciting items on sale. In particular, I found myself drawn to the custom-made fine jewellery by independent designers. I greatly admire the work of Blanca Monros Gomes and Kate Szabone for their refined, classic aesthetics. The best thing about small-scale productions like this is the exclusivity and relatively low price point.


Nothing Elegant



In addition to handmade items, Etsy is also a haven for vintage lovers. One of the shops I visit often is the nicely stocked Persephone Vintage. For some reason, I really like how the clothes are styled in the pictures, slung onto a clothesline and pegged. There are also a lot of sequined 80s leftovers and cute jackets to keep me happy. If you're looking for a winter coat, I find the ones here rather delectable.

I am always thrilled to come across cute odds and ends when I surf Etsy because I feel they define the general vibe of the site. You'll find plenty of these on Nothing Elegant, a Seoul-based store with a wide range of Korean stationery and paper products. I love the patterned tape stickers, which are almost too pretty to use, and the customisable rubber stamps. With most things under US$15, it is really difficult to leave the shop without any buying anything.


Local sellers on Etsy
Doing a quick search on Etsy will reveal that there are a lot of creative, crafty Singaporeans who have been busy making things with their hands. Having just celebrated its 5th anniversary, Little Odd Forest is a virtual veteran in the local indie, handmade scene. You can get up close and personal with its whimsical fabric creations at some of the flea markets and bazaars (i.e. FashBash) that dot the island on weekends if you are not much of an e-shopper.


Decorette

Most of the Singaporeans selling their wares on Etsy are accessory designers with quirky little trinkets up for grabs. Fleur Avenue and Shup(g) offer affordable, one-of-a-kind accessories that will make fabulous gifts for your girlfriends and or as a treat to yourself.

Of all the local Etsy stores I have come across, I find Decorette the most interesting. The shop sells an innovative range of wall decals, which you can use to decorate any flat surface at home. They add a different dimension to an otherwise nondescript, blank wall. As they are completely removable and hassle-free, this will not be one of those messy home improvement projects gone wrong.

It is such a joy to share my favourite Etsy haunts with you, but I think my purse is not going to get away unscathed!

xoxo
Dottie


Stephie & Dottie
Stephie & Dottie are the girls behind Fashion Nation, a high profile blog featuring their adventures in the realm of fashion and retail in Singapore. Catch a glimpse of their worlds on inSing.com every Wednesday.