Opal in hand-forged, 14k gold mounting from Beyond the Rockz, $875
I confess, I love Etsy. This ginormous social commerce website, which sells everything from high-end crafts to vintage collectibles, edibles, books, plants, "metaphysical" items and the simply downright weird (triangular nose magnets, anyone?) keeps me captivated for hours in the same way staring at a fireplace fire—or watching music videos in the early days of MTV—used to. Established just five years ago, it's gained enough cultural traction to spawn a hilarious satire-cum-homage, Regretsy ("Where DIY Meets WTF"): the brainchild of tireless radio/stage/voiceover star April Winchell, whose nom de plume on the site is "Helen Killer."
But I'm not just idly entertained; I'm also a satisfied customer. I've dropped a good chunk of disposable income on various handmade goodies for myself and others (including some killer fleur de sel caramels from Cali), and have garnered plenty of compliments. Sellers are based worldwide, but there are plenty of worthy Etsy artisans right in our backyard. So I figured that sharing a handful of my Connecticut favorites might be . . . well, a public service, whether their wares are truly world-class gems or simply unique tchotchkes one just has to have. A disclaimer: The items you see pictured on this site might be sold by the time you visit their shops—but you can bet, if the seller doesn't have a replacement available, he or she will offer something else just as tempting.
1. Beyond the Rockz. Working with metals from platinum to silver, Caroline and Al Krafcik of Enfield have achieved the gold standard. He's a fine jewelry designer, goldsmith and diamond setter by trade; she's a mixed media artist, and their work ranges from precious diamond engagement rings to sterling bracelets, carved 18k gold wedding bands and vintage glass necklaces. ("Cherish," a 9-by-7 millimeter peridot stone set in a ring of 18k yellow gold, $900, is pictured.) Creating renewed jewelry out of repurposed materials is a major initiative; to that end, the Krafciks are planning some in-person jewelry recycling meetups. For more information, visit their website (beyondtherockz.com).
2. Perideau Designs. Based in Cromwell, Bridgett Edwards produces softly colorful, likably whimsical yet simple personalized stationery, prints, book plates, invitations and gift tags for the kid in all of us—and custom orders are a specialty. We're partial to the elephant note cards (set of 6, $12), but we like the mod flat stationery, too (set of 8, $12.50).
3. Au Naturelle. JoAnn Ouellet, of Southeastern Connecticut, has a passion for making all-natural soaps in small batches— using 50 percent olive oil, essential oils and natural spices—as well as perfumes, lip balms, bath oils, lotions scrubs and candles. Violet is her soap of the month for May, but we're drawn to her oh-so-moisture rich, glycerin-based, vanilla coconut cream shea butter soap (pictured), $5 per bar, in part because its look is so decorously old-school.
4. The Left Bank. Those who love the City of Light will enjoy remembering Paris through the art photographs of New Haven's Karissa Van Tassel (one of our favorites, the 11-by-14 print "Love Birds," $45, is pictured). She covers other themes as well, both in vibrant color and black-and-white—"Americana," "Bon Appetit," "Girls Night Out"—applying some of her images to note cards, votive holders, magnets and glass vases as well. For further information, visit her website (karissavantassel.com).
5. WeaverBird Beads. A bead-weaver since childhood, New Milford's Gretchen Brinckerhoff specializes in limited edition and one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry, like this multistrand 18-inch seed bead necklace in shades of blue (for the record, that'd be 6,000 beads and 22 strands), $64.
6. Accent on Vintage. Waterford's Helen Rasi and her daughter, Kristen Rasi-Wilson of New London, offer collectible treasures and trinkets of all descriptions, from vintage housewares and home décor—Limoges fashion plates, Granny square afghans, Delft vases—to jewelry, clothing, books and toys. (Nota bene: To qualify as vintage on Etsy, an item must be at least 20 years old or older.) As fans of art glass, we're partial to this white Hobnail milk glass pitcher, $65, made by the once-famed-but-now defunct Fenton Art Glass Co. of Ohio (which began making carnival glass at the turn of the 20th century; Hobnail, introduced in 1939, became its top-selling line).
7. amie3. Boro glass, better known under the brand name Pyrex, is becoming a favored medium among lampwork bead makers thanks to its strength and durability—despite the fact that it is quite hard and requires a high heat to form a bead. Boro glass beads are known for their vibrant colors, as demonstrated by the work of Suffield's Brenda Scata. Think of the killer adornments you can make with her 15-bead "Glass Menagerie," (pictured, $36), then go out and do it!
8. J'adore Dolce Couture. You may not look like Holly Golightly, but you'll definitely feel like a boho glamour girl in this red and black veiled birdcage hair clip ($18), designed by Michelle Zadrozny of Shelton. Fashioned from layers of deep crimson and black feathers with a vintage black sequin and bead appliqué, it's available with either a comb or clip back. Zadrozny purchases all the materials for her hair clips from cruelty-free companies and will soon be launching a bridal line. She's also been invited to exhibit for the 2010 season of Boston's outdoor SoWa Market, devoted to art and indie design, which opens May 15.
Even in a small state like Connecticut, there's always something new to learn, see and do. Is it a roadside oddity or a beach you didn't know existed? Could it be a country inn you've heard good things about or a quiet stretch of road in foliage country. Learn about it here, or tell others about your own discoveries.
