Modern Sentiment

The Good and Bad in All of Us

2009-01-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

I love the juxtaposition of these two rings paired together. The rough black against the pearlescent white makes a striking statement and appeals to both sides of our human nature. Titled "Rosa Luxemburg Ring Set", you can find these in one of my favorite Etsy Jewelery Shops Senay Akin Studio Jewellery. Her shop is full of modern and contemporary designs that feauture clean lines and unexpected shapes.

Caterpillar and Cork

2009-01-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

When I came across this inventive bookbinding by Firefly Bindery I was hooked! How fun and unique (and reasonably priced at only $22 for all that intricate hand work). I also loved another hand bound journal that was encased in a gorgeous ink and watercolor original painting, so make sure you head over to their shop and check it out. The store was just opened today on Etsy and I wish them many happy sales!

Caterpillar Open Spine Cork Journal

New Photgraphy Section

2008-12-28T21:48:00.000-08:00

I just added a new photography section to my Etsy shop and have posted a couple of my photos below. These were taken on my vacation to Washington state where I visited the small town of Port Townsend. It is accessible only by ferry and is known for its many victorian houses and beautiful architecture. Although I am more of a hobby photographer than a professional (as is the artist in the post below), I love how these photos turned out and I think they each capture a little piece of a bygone era.

Furniture Building

Lighthouse Charm

Painterly Photos

2008-12-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

I had to do double takes on many of the photographs in Cherie Lester's Etsy shop. They looked more like beautiful paintings than photographs and I was amazed at her ability to capture vignettes of our world in a such a unique way. Her composition and color are impeccable and her choice of subject matter is very intriguing. I have posted a few of her pieces below. Let me know what you think!

Magnolia Leaves

Lotus

Bertoia Chairs, New York City

Bringing Art to Life

2008-12-22T13:22:00.000-08:00

The talented artist behind the children's collection at KLT works (Kristin Loffer Theiss) has brought her whimsical watercolors to life in adorable little plushies. She loves to design for the modern baby and their parents. Although she has been at this since 2005, she is brand new to Etsy.

Sweeney Watercolor Print

Sweeney Buttercup Plushie

My First BNR

2008-12-19T18:14:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in my first Etsy Forum BNR (I think that stands for Buy and Replace). There's no minimum to buy in yourself, so go check out the SUPERSTAR BNR, buy a little something from my store (or one of the other fabulous stores on the list), and promote your own shop! Happy shopping!

Tailored Bag

2008-12-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

I absolutely LOVE this bag. It hails from Cleverscene, a new shop on Etsy, and was upcycled from a men's herringbone suit. What a fantastic way to repurpose an item into something even better than it originally was! The placement of all the details is perfect—even the lining has some of the original inner suit pockets. Very modern and classic. I love it!

Modern Embroidery

2008-12-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

These adorable embroidered vignettes are becoming increasingly popular and I was delighted to see such a modern approach taken by Stephanie's Stitchings shop. Her "Amoebas" series is very fun and colorful, not to mention very well made. This is a new shop on Etsy that I found through the Pounce feature. I hope she gets her first sale soon!

Cozy Chic

2008-12-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

I love letting texture and detail be the star of the overall design. All of the beautifully tailored garments in Emily Ryan's shop utilize a monochromatic palette to allow for the detail to be fully appreciated. The Twist Dress below is full of nuance and unexpected design elements, yet it looks so cozy and comfortable to throw on during the cold winter months. A great mix of chic design and every day wearability.

Another sale and more card designs!

2008-12-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

I got my third sale and I'm still having fun! I just posted some new felted card designs. This adorable little ladybug card is one of my favorites, but you can check out all of the cards here.

Sweet and Charming

2008-12-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Those are the best words to describe Whitney Smith Pottery. Her use of 1950's blues and greens is fabulous with the adorable silhouettes for her cupcake stands and bowls. The two below below are my current favorites and I hope to add one of her pieces to my collection someday soon.

Small Cupcake Stand with Scallop Bell Jar

Eight Nesting Lotus Bowls

I yearn for a green thumb

2008-12-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

I have yet to try my hand at a vegetable garden, but it's one of my goals in life. I came across a new Etsy shop called The Magic Mud that sells really cool garden stakes. Being from New Mexico, I was drawn to these pepper stakes. Maybe this spring...

Simplicity at its Best

2008-12-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

The charm and simplicity of all the pottery pieces at Paloma's Nest just makes me smile and feel good inside. She lets the natural beauty of the clay shine through by using restrained type and designs and simple shapes. I think I like her work so much because it immediately brings you back to simpler place and time in your life. A place of serenity, peace and clarity. I know that sounds like a lot for one little piece of pottery, but you can judge for yourself below.

Peace Dove Tiny Text Bowl

Dubbed as "The little dish that started it all..." the I Love You Tiny Text Bowl

Sweet as Honey Tiny Text Bowl

Have More Cake

2008-12-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

A great motto for life as well as a fun name for an Etsy store! I was "pouncing" this evening and came across some lovely hand printed greeting cards by Have More Cake Designs. The card below is titled "Vasilek Peacock" and here's the story behind the name:

"Vasilek is Russian for cornflower, whose flowers are usually intensely blue, sometimes with violet undertones. This peacock has cornflowers in its tale."

Introducing...

2008-12-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

I just posted a new section for cards on my Etsy site, Modern Sentiment. I've been working on these needle felted cards and think they turned out beautifully. Let me know what you think!

First Sale!

2008-11-30T23:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited, I got my first sale on Etsy! I sold the pink felted clutch below.

Cyber Monday Modern Gift Guide - Part 2

2008-11-30T22:39:00.000-08:00

Here's some more fabulously modern finds and great deals for Cyber Monday...

The ethereal quality of this print makes it look more like a dreamscape than a photograph. Titled "Blue Beach Days II" by Green Island Studio, you can pick up this print (and many others) for $5 off on Cyber Monday.

I've never seen comic characters like this before! Spiderman looks so good on the modern background. What a great way to add some fun as well as good design to a little boy's room. Plus everything in Natasha Design's shop is 50% off for Cyber Monday. What a great deal!

This gorgeously modern and original necklace by Sara Westermark isn't exactly cheap ($98), but it is on sale along with some other beautiful pieces in her Etsy shop just for Cyber Monday.

I'm loving gray lately and this neck wrap by Boutique Pink Design is as fabulous as its name "Glitterati." It looks very soft and chic! All crocheted items in the shop are 20% off PLUS free shipping.

Cyber Monday Modern Gift Guide

2008-11-29T14:23:00.000-08:00

I'm a die hard bargain shopper, so I'm putting together this little Cyber Monday Modern Gift Guide so you can find some great deals on your holiday shopping at Etsy. HAPPY SURFING!!

I'm going to start off the list with this beautiful hand felted merino wool scarf from my own shop, Modern Sentiment. All of my scarves are 25% off through Cyber Monday, plus free shipping in the US and Canada. This ombre style scarf in purple and teal is the best deal at only $21.

Printables are a fantastic idea and a very cost effective gift. You can print this "Ornate Apples Stationery" over and over again for gift-giving or for yourself. This design is by Blue Tricycle and they are having a 50% off sale through cyber monday. You can have gifts for all the friends, neighbors and teachers in your life for only $2 (plus the cost of your own paper).

These adorable "Woodland Songbirds Earrings" are marked 20% off (now $24.50), plus you'll get an additional 30% your entire order at The Sparrow's Nest. And if that wasn't good enough, they're offering free shipping in the domestic US. They have a fun assortment of jewelry and photo frames to choose from.

I love the mixture of rough and modern in this beautiful woodblock print titled "PODS" by Dwell in Style. It is a limited edition run of only 5 and is signed by the artist for only $17.50. All hand pulled limited edition fine art prints are 30% off for Cyber Monday and $5 off any textiles.

Simply Slippers

2008-11-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

I just stumbled upon these lovely crocheted slippers by Toukoushima. Their simplicity makes them so sweet and I love the natural colors. They are made from Bamboo so they are eco-friendly as well. You can pick up a pair for only $15.

Pottery that Pops!

2008-11-26T09:58:00.000-08:00

I love handmade pottery and Kim Westad has a beautiful collection on Etsy that I just adore! The sweet pea bowl above is one of my favorites. Her style is so simple and modern with the perfect amount of detailing and bright pops of color that make her work stand out. In her profile she says that each piece is very much about the process and that she hopes every piece will enhance the surrounding of its new owner.

I love to Pounce

2008-11-25T23:41:00.000-08:00

Pounce is my favorite Etsy tool and I want to help out my fellow newbie Etsians by featuring items and shops that are undiscovered (i.e. haven't had their first sale).

The letterpressed thank you card below is by Mirabel Press and I love the vintage flourishes and font mixed with the modern dots. Beautifully done! Plus letterpress is my favorite form of printing because of the rich texture created from the inks and the impression on the paper. In their profile, they say that the name "Mirabel" means uncommon beauty and I completely agree!

Who doesn't love lime jello?

2008-11-25T23:11:00.000-08:00

This fabulously fun lime jelly button comes in four flavors. Magic Jelly is such a unique shop with a vintage flair and I love all of their handmade illustrations. This illustration below titled "Iris No. 1" is one of my favorites.

Welcome to the Modern Sentiment Blog!

2008-11-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

I recently opened my own Etsy store, Modern Sentiment, to show off and sell my handmade creations. I'm having so much fun with it and it has been so fulfilling! I'm currently working in the art of felting with soft merino wool. My most popular scarf to date is pictured above.

My day job is as a graphic designer and I have my own freelance studio, Studio Y Design. I have a deep passion for all areas of design and love to mix the old and the new together to create a look and style all my own. I am happily married to a wonderfully supportive husband and have two young children who keep me hopping!

My purpose for this blog (besides self-promotion) is to feed my other passion—SHOPPING! There is so much amazing talent on Etsy and I plan to feature my favorite finds that share my modern esthetic. I will also be updating you on my own artistic endeavors and the stories behind them.

This should be a fun ride, so sit back and enjoy!