( coin purses )

These are from Misala Handmade. Really, a cute coin purse is one of the great simple pleasures of life. Every time you pull it out to retrieve a coin, you get a little happy feeling.

( Vintage Animals )

How cute are these? I just had to share. The little figures cost $30 a piece at Austria Brass on Etsy. I just discovered them because I am looking for different animal shapes to inspire a new children's book I am working on with my aunt (a Noah's Ark story aimed at toddlers).

+ Etsy Treasuries +

I've had items from my shop included in almost 60 treasuries now. Woohoo! (But still no front page. Sigh.) I thought I'd share the most recent, "Sunny to Partly Cloudy", because it's my favorite so far.

== Transportation Alphabet ==

For once I'm posting something boyish for those of you who are sick of all the baby girl stuff! Here's an adorable new print from Petit Collage. A great deal at $40 for an 18X24" print.

< Quit Your Day Job >

It is truly my dream to someday have The Paper Nut grow into a "real" business. Right now I'm like Pinocchio in his wooden puppet phase. I don't have a day job to quit, but I want my little Indie line to pull a real income and become something that has a solid presence in the design world. For now, I'm raising preschoolers and trying to get half of our unfinished house finished. Anyway, these "Quit Your Day Job" articles on Etsy are fantastic. I found this one from Kin Ship Press really inspiring because she talks about how she didn't have to qualify for a loan or credit card to get started or have a ton of income saved (she was living from paycheck to paycheck). That was very soothing to hear, because I've often whined that the only reason some people make it is because they are married to Andy Spade, have a lucrative background and/or are founded on an amazing previous career. Check out all the "Quit Your Day Job" articles in the Etsy Seller's Handbook.

June Craft Mini Print Calendar

I just saw this adorable calendar on June Craft (via PaperCrave). Great gift idea, for sure! This is my favorite so far for next year. Some year I will do a calendar, but I want to have time to do it right. 18-month-olds are so occupying.

< Aunt Bucky >

One of my all-time favorite Etsy shops has been Aunt Bucky. I've never purchased anything from it, but I really want one of these little dresses. And they're on sale for a mere $60 reduced from $100. Pretty unbeatable cuteness.

xxx foxy xxx

Adorable hand screen printed fox pillow from Robin & Mould.

* Hsinping Pan *

I know I've seen her art around, but I really discovered Hsinping Pan's art when I saw this adorable Boy & Elephant art on the cover of Babybug magazine (below, image from Magic Murals where you can buy it as decal or wallpaper). Art available on her Etsy shop. Alphabet is also a wall decal, available at Polkadot Peacock.

cutest. clock. ever.

I really do think I have to have this clock. Isn't it the most perfect thing ever? From Decoylab.

( recipe cards )

This is such a cute idea, and these are so cute: letterpress recipe cards by Suzy Ultman. What a fantastic way to turn a shared treat into a real gift!

// skinny laminx //

Really cute stuff from Cape Town. Proof that something doesn't have to be complex to be amazing.

* i heart *

I am so inspired by Helen Dardik. Especially since she is the mother of three little girls and describes her as having very little time. I've posted about her before. Now I'm ready to buy one of her works. Which one...?

< peanut butter dynamite >

Searching Google Images for "owl pillow" brought this little beauty of a shop up (and a lot of other cute stuff...I recommend it). Only $45 for these pillows. A real steal, if ya ask me. Of course, you'd have to order more than one. How could you live with yourself if you didn't?

.. two ems ..

Just found a new shop on Etsy that I really love. Two Ems. MM. That's how you can spell "Two Ems." A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. That's how you spell adorable.

cute hoot.

Look what Etsy just found for us all: cute white chocolate owl suckers! I don't like suckers. But I love chocolate. And owls. Awesome little party favors from Suckers by Steph.

- Pretty -

I loves this card. Wouldn't any gal just LOVE to get one of these? It would make my day! Set of 5 for $15. By Amy Marcella.

< Inaluxe >

I'm getting really into this whole giclée thing, so I'm extra excited when I discover the grear and affordable art that this makes available. Look at these great pieces (only $35 each) from Inaluxe, an Australia-based shop. Keep in mind these are not printed on canvas; they just look like they are. I'm going to be presenting an extensive line of art on my Etsy shop that is giclée printed on actual canvas. If you are interested in having any of my work printed on canvas, just let me know!

.: love these stockings :.

From Rikrak.

< Mibo >

I ordered a couple of these print-it-yourself PDF projects from Mibo Studio last year (along with a print-it-yourself calendar, an idea I'm hoping to use this year in my Etsy shop...stay tuned). You buy the PDF, download it, and then can print out as many of these little guys as you want! Mind you, it's not as easy as clipping coupons (you probably want to use and X-acto knife). These could make VERY cute place card holders for table settings for a shower or holiday meal.