Etsy is debuting a limited edition fall home decor and fashion accessories line with Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, the sisters and co-owners of the crafting, cooking, parenting, and decor blog and lifestyle brand A Beautiful Mess. The collection includes products for kids, parents and decor pieces to spruce up bedrooms and nurseries.
Larson and Chapman co-designed the line in collaboration with 15 hand-picked Etsy artisans.
“I’m never really finished decorating a space. There’s always something that can be added, rearranged, or swapped out. And from my years of room makeovers, I’ve learned that investing in items that can be used in different ways is always worth it,” Chapman said, “Which is why we made sure every decor piece in this collection is versatile. From the planter to the wall hanging, we wanted each home accessory to look as showstopping in a nursery as it would in a home office.”
Available for a limited time only, the A Beautiful Mess x Etsy collection is Etsy’s most versatile line yet featuring vintage-inspired homewares, kid-approved accessories, and one-of-a-kind finds, ranging from $6.25 to $169. Known for their maximalist aesthetic and love of all things retro, the pair bring their signature style and creative vision to this collection that spans multiple product categories, with playful patterns, 70’s-inspired earthtones, and cozy textures.
“As entrepreneurs, creatives, and once Etsy sellers ourselves, we jump at every opportunity to spotlight independent artists,” said Larson, “For us, this collection was all about designing beautiful, handmade pieces that encourage shoppers to support small businesses.”
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we all cope with uncertainty in different ways. For cousins Sabrina Haechler & Jessica Bukowski, quarantine led them to channel their energy into helping others. Their new project called resilienSEED features handmade bracelets with words spelled out in Morse Code using seed beads. Profits from all the bracelets are donated to causes that align with Sabrina and Jessica’s values. Read on to find out more about resilienSEED and these charming bracelets that are handmade with love.
What are resilienSEED bracelets and who makes them? Handbeaded in Mill Valley, California, resilienSEED bracelets are simple, stylish and functional. They’re made out of waxed polyester, which makes them totally waterproof. You can adjust them to fit all wrist sizes and they can also slip easily on and off.
The cousins tell us, “We’re super fortunate to have a lot of help from our relatives, many of whom live nearby. On any given day, there’s a good chance that you’ll find our parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins helping us out with beading. So many great things have come from resilienSEED, including the bonding of our family during the pandemic.”
Where do the profits go? To date, resilienSEED has raised around $1,500. Sabrina and Jessica explain that, “originally, we were focused on raising money for COVID-19 relief. We chose to donate to the Child Mind Institute’s COVID-19 response after Emma Davidson, a family member and Psychotherapist, spoke to us about the importance of mental health, especially during these uncertain times. After a month of launching resilienSEED, we realized that we could have a greater impact in our community. Now, we stay up-to-date on current events, and we’ve expanded to raising money and awareness for social justice (Campaign Zero), LBGTQ+ suicide prevention (The Trevor Project), and tuition for children affected by cancer (The Forever 49 Foundation).”
Designs and custom orders Choose from 10 different designs with empowering words like “Strength”, “Love”, “Unite” and “Justice” spelled out in Morse Code.
The dynamic duo reveal, “We knew that we wanted each type of bracelet to represent something different, which is why we use seed beads. Each bracelet is beaded with two different colors of seed beads, which collectively spell out a word in Morse Code.”
resilienSEED also accepts custom orders for $10. We ordered a bracelet with our kids’ names spelled out in Morse Code.
According to the National Camp Association, more than 14 million campers attend overnight and day camps in the United States annually. This year, families are figuring out how to adapt time spent during the summer months. Amazon Handmade has introduced Camp Handmade to bring elements of the camp experience into homes across the country.
Families who are looking for a creative outlet are encouraged to learn from the best through the Makers Camp which is in session now through Aug. 15.
Each workshop will feature a curated list of supplies needed for each craft and virtual guests will follow step-by-step instructions to create unique crafts inspired and created by each participating Maker. Customers can view the interactive tutorials spotlighting how to make flower paintings, candles, needle felting, and crafting your own bath salts.
Participants can also tune into a panel moderated by Amazon Handmade and featuring Makers Rebeca Flott (Rebeca Flott Arts) and Sheena Tahilramani (Banter & Bliss Candle Co.), and Creator and Interior Designer Hilton Carter. This panel will explore how Rebeca, Sheena, and Hilton have successfully leveraged their passion to create their small businesses.
Looking for a fun hands-on activity that keeps giving? Consider making a bird feeder or two. Not only are they easy for kids to make, but it’s a low-cost project that will keep them busy. Even better, adding a bird feeder to your backyard is a great way for kids to connect with nature and develop a new hobby to fill long summer days. Break out the binoculars, future bird watchers, and consider whether a classic pine cone feeder or a recycled version made with paper and plastic is the right fit for you. We’ve got bird feeder plans for them all.
These DIY toilet paper tube bird feeders will add a bright, happy touch to any backyard. Rescue a few toilet paper tubes from the recycling bin, add crepe paper for a festive touch, and you'll be ready to make your own in no time. Fly over to Creative Jewish Mom for step-by-step instructions.
Snugglebug University dreamed up this sunflower-inspired bird feeder for a kids' art group—and we think it's a perfect DIY project for long summer days. The centerpiece for this clever design is a paper plate holder. Just add birdseed, nut butter and a few other materials, and you'll be ready to make your own eye-catching bird feeder in no time. Find out how at Snugglebug University.
The crafty chickadee over at MADE Everyday took the lead making this delicious craft. All you’ll need is a few pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, string and about five minutes. Check out the how-to here, and use the leftover peanut butter to make your hungry birds a tasty treat.
If you want to make a bird feeder with your kids but don't have the energy to put together another craft project, you can order a ready-made kit with all the supplies you'll need to make two bird feeders. Dirt and Dazzle offers ready-to-ship DIY bird feeder boxes ($15) with wooden ornaments, birdseed, craft sticks and peanut butter. Bonus: these boxes make a great gift for nature-loving kids and future Audubon Society members.
The art teacher behind Art Bar Blog came up with this easy upcycle idea for transforming an empty milk carton into a vibrant birdhouse. Utilizing the carton’s house-like shape, she added a small hole and then had her students decorate using their favorite paint colors. You’ll find a list of materials and instructions here.
Keep budding woodworkers busy with this DIY wood birdhouse kit. Available from Etsy shop DJA Woodworks ($20), these sturdy wooden kits come ready to assemble. Your kid can paint the rainbow birdhouse of her dreams, then put it outside for her feathered friends. Add a few sunflower seeds, and hungry birds will move right in.
This recycled craft by Handmade by Kelly adds a pop of color to any backyard. The bird won’t be able to resist stopping for a snack at this vibrant feeder. Choose your favorite hues of duct tape and head over to Momtastic to learn how to make your own.
Be sure to save the sticks from your favorite frozen treats this summer, because this popsicle stick bird feeder is super simple to make, and lots of fun to decorate. Head over to Create-Celebrate-Explore for instructions.
The vibrant colors of this recycled bird feeder really pop against the tree’s green leaves. Made using an empty soda bottle, and assorted hues of tissue paper, you’ll find a full list of materials and the step-by-step instructions over at Artzy Creations.
Your budding builder will love tackling this fun outdoor craft. When it comes to making your own version of this LEGO feeder, the experts over at Project FeederWatch advise adding drain holes, cleaning regularly and storing in a sheltered location. Visit their site for help identifying and feeding the birds in your neck of the woods.
These peck-worthy ornaments were created by the crafty duo behind Eighteen25. Choose your favorite cookie cutter shapes, and head over to the blog for a list of ingredients and the tutorial.
These decorative birdhouses from Sew Country Chick are cute as a button. A little paint and an assortment of buttons are all you’ll need to add a little flair to any ordinary wooden birdhouse. Fly over to Mod Podge Rocks for the how-to.
Planning to make a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice or refreshing lemonade? Then be sure to save the rinds for this colorful craft from Handmade by Kelly. These sweet bird feeders are easy to make using the rinds of your favorite citrus. Find the instructions over at Mother Nature Network.
This eco-friendly bird feeder is perfect for serving the flock of feathered friends visiting your backyard this season. Head over to The Creative Cubby to learn to make this easy, recycled craft.
The anxiety started creeping its way in a couple of weeks ago. I read a blog post about a mother that had one of those momster moments… ya know, the moments moms have occasionally when they just snap? She described it so eloquently that I couldn’t help but recall my own worst momster moments.
Now, I’m not talking about raising your voice because you’re frustrated. I’m talking about the moments when mom has a full-blown meltdown and unintentionally rips away the safest place her children have: her. These moments are ones we don’t like to recall… and recalling mine literally gave me nightmares for several nights. It wasn’t until I acknowledged that I have a true fear of being “that” mom again that the nightmares stopped.
It’s been about a year since I’ve been a momster. And I can’t help but reflect. I remember last year’s Mother’s Day clearly. I was sitting outside at my parent’s house, swinging with my almost 2-year-old, watching my other daughters run and play happily. I was basking in the glow of thoughtful presents and handmade cards. They had recently forgiven me for my worst momster moment yet—the one that made me realize something wasn’t right. The one that led me down a path of healing and dealing with the depression I didn’t know I had. The one that left my babies crying, staring at me with wide fearful eyes. The same eyes in my nightmares. My sweet girls ran carefree, and I could almost see my mistakes trailing out behind them as they let them go.
Then they would run over to me with a picked flower and for the 100th time wish me a happy Mother’s Day. I was humbled and in awe of my daughters that day. I had never felt less worthy of their love and gifts and forgiveness. Yet, they gave them anyway. I didn’t know how to let my mistakes go but, I vowed that day that I would never be a momster again. That I would do whatever it took to become the mom they thought I was.
As this Mother’s Day approached, I had a fresh wave of anxiety. For years I’ve secretly hated Mother’s Day. Over time I’ve held high expectations that turned to high hopes and then into dread. Mother’s day seemed to be a giant highlighter for all of my motherly flaws. It was easier to pretend Mother’s Day didn’t include me. I instead tried to focus on the women in my life. Not the fact that my family forgot it was Mother’s Day. Not the spit up on my dress 5 minutes before church. Not the lost shoes. Not the kids fighting. Not the me that somehow can’t manage it all gracefully for one blessed day a year. Nope. I’m out. Not my day.
But then something happened. As we approached Mother’s Day, my anxiety altered and dissipated—I was busy helping my oldest daughter deal with some intense emotions and hurtful situations. She turned to me. I am her safe place. And in that safe place we were brave and strong and gentle. She fell apart and was rebuilt. She was seen. She was heard. And she walked away knowing that she is worthy and lovable. That she is capable of more than she thought. I could almost see the fear and hurt trailing out behind her. And I could feel the fear and hurt I’ve carried from being a momster trailing out behind me.
So I vowed to make this year’s Mother’s Day different. Not because of our perfect plans or presents but because this year I knew what’s up. I know that I am a good mother. Not a perfect mother. A good mother. The one my daughters need. The one that is capable of more than she thought. It won’t be a perfect day, but it will be a good one because my gift to myself is the best one I could receive—a long string of fully forgiven mistakes, fear, highlighters and hurts trailing out behind me.
Amy is a creator and believes everyone else is too. She strives to be artistic in all areas of life but writing is her passion and her family is her masterpiece. She uses her blog to address the joys and struggles of motherhood and is currently writing her first novel.
Candy Pop Snickers is made with real Snickers candy bar pieces and drizzled to perfection with Snickers caramel and nuts and is just $5.98 for a 20 oz bag. This flavor is a Sam’s Club exclusive!
Sweet Chaos’ Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter flavor popcorn is the perfect snack when you are craving something sweet and salty. The handmade kettle corn is made with cane sugar and sea salt and then covered with cake batter flavored drizzle and sprinkles. The popcorn comes in a 10 pack box (1.5oz per bag) and is just $9.98, making it less than $1.00 a bag. This party-sized 10-bag box is exclusive to Sam’s Club!
These exclusive snacking combos will only be around for a limited time, so be sure to grab them soon!
Show the mother in your life how much you care, and support her favorite local business at the same time! This Mother’s Day, take your pick from our carefully-selected list of offerings from the best of Portland’s talented artists, makers, coffee roasters, and chocolate makers. Read on to learn more!
Flowers are the ultimate Mother’s Day gift, and this small Sellwood shop is offering curbside pickup and delivery on their carefully-crafted arrangements. Browse the online shop for bunches of roses and tulips, and add on a box of French macarons or Moonstruck chocolate for the ultimate gift. $55 and up.
If flowers aren’t her thing, treat Mom to an assortment of 10 bars of Woodblock Chocolate! The floral packaging is as beautiful as the bars are delicious. $40
Does the mother in your life have a green thumb? Treat her to this gift box from With Love from PDX, which includes a smock available in two colors, three packages of seeds, and a garden journal from a local printing press. Or take your pick from a variety of other box sets featuring Portland-made items. Note that products only ship on Fridays, so plan ahead! $75
The Unrepentant Rose soap from fave local soap-maker Camamu is just about the prettiest soap you can buy. Take it up a notch by adding Jasmine Vetiver and Chocolicious soaps in a lovely gift box. As affordable as they are gentle, Camamu soaps are safe for the whole family. Stock up and bring your order to $40, and Camamu will pay it forward by giving you a free bar of soap to share with someone in need. Free domestic shipping. $22
A ¾ sleeve wrap dress is almost universally flattering, and this locally-made version is divine, in a soft modal knit. Altar prides itself on high-quality handmade apparel and also stocks a mean apothecary. Check out the Apothecary Discovery Box, $100, for another great Mother’s Day option. Place your order by May 2 to receive it in time for Mother’s Day. Free shipping! $120
Give mom a symbol of classic beauty with this lightweight necklace, featuring a bronze satellite orbiting a sterling sliver moon. Pair it with matching earrings, or browse the catalog for something else you think the mama in your life will love. Beloved local artist Allie B.’s jewelry combines classic elegance with modern lines, and proves that statement pieces don’t have to be intimidating. $45
As part of their #makeitbrighter campaign, Bridge Nine Candle Co. will donate $5 from every Resilience candle order to the COVID-19 relief efforts of the Oregon Food Bank. With notes of fresh cut grass, teak wood, ferns and tuberose, this candle’s uplifting fragrance and bright flame will remind moms of their own resilience. Or check out some of the amazing gift sets they’ve put together for Mother’s Day, each 25% off. Free shipping for orders over $75. To get your items in time for Mother’s Day, place your order by May 5. You can even include a note at checkout and Bridge Nine will tuck a handwritten note in with your gift! $22
Help the mother in your life get ready for warm weather with this pretty (and pretty local) dress. The Phoebe dress is the store’s most popular style. Support Union Rose, a woman-owned apparel shop featuring apparel handmade by Portland artisans. With standard and plus sizes, free shipping, and 20% off orders over $100, you really can’t go wrong. $144.
Got an outdoorsy mama? Brighten her morning with a beautiful handmade mug in a cheerful palette. Wolf Ceramics is continuing to donate 10% of every purchase to different organizations supporting those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. These handmade mugs are ready to ship, and available for pickup at the studio. For shipping, orders are packaged every Thursday and shipped on Fridays, so plan ahead to have your mug in hand for Mother’s Day. $56
Caffeine is a mom’s best friend, and Heart Coffee roasts some of the most delicious beans in Portland. Sign Mom up for a weekly, biweekly, or monthly shipment of locally-roasted coffee. Yum! $16-$37
Photo of Apothecary Discovery Box courtesy of Altar
Other ideas
Visit Portland Made for a host of other ideas to help you bring Mom some joy while contributing to the survival of our amazing local artists and retailers. Consider a gift certificate to your favorite shops. Check Float for a comprehensive list of local businesses in need of support, with direct links to GoFundMe and gift card order pages. The promise of a future sauna session at Loyly, or a haircut at Vacation Club might be just the thing to perk her up and show her you care.
With shorter days on the horizon, there’s one foolproof way to keep the fun going after dark: flashlight games. Turn any old night at home into a memorable evening with these twists on old classics. Psst! We threw in a few new inventions, too. Read on to light up your night.
In-the-Dark Treasure Hunt
iStock
They’ve got the treasure hunt down pat. Now throw them for a loop with one staged in the dark. Simple items like pirate’s booty (gold coins) or even figurines will do the trick. For older kiddos, consider making a list of the items being hunted. Be sure to have enough flashlights for everyone involved; it’s a lot more fun when each participant has their own beam.
Flashlight Tag
istock
Hiding in the dark and being spotted by beams of light can be fairly thrilling—just be sure to clear the way for kiddos running around in the dark. You'll need either an outdoor space that isn't well lit or an empty-ish basement or gym. Get all the rules for variations over at wikihow.
Create your very own universe at home with DIY constellations. The crafty masters at Handmade Charlotte dabble in the dark and offer an easy tutorial with materials you’ve probably got in the crafts box already, including black paper, scissors and a pencil.
Take shadow-making fun to a whole new level with puppet theater. With a cardboard box, foam figures and a flashlight an entire fairy tale adventure comes to life. Valerie, of Inner Child Fun, explains the easy steps in creating this awesome activity.
Morse Code Messages
Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels
Morse code is kinda like the original form of texting (SOS, anyone?) so kids will get a kick out of learning how to flash-chat with buddies. Create little messages and get familiar with the flashlight for easy code clicking. Daddy Mark of My Kids Adventures provides a full Morse Code Alphabet and even offers up other tutorials (like using your iPhone as the light.) Get all the info here.
Play this game, and they’ll be working on their reading skills, too. Find the biggest, most empty wall in your house and sprinkle the space with word cards. There are several variations of play, including having Mom call out a word and finding it, or flashing light on a word and reading it. Be sure to use painters tape to stick up the words, otherwise, you’ll lose some paint in the process! Head over to Kiwi Crate for more ideas.
Turn a dance party into major flashlight fun with shadow dancing. Shine a light against a wall, put on a groovy playlist and get moving! It’s fun to watch shadows boogie or even try to make different shapes. Gabrielle Blair breaks down one of her favorite before-bed activities over at Design Mom.
You don’t need a sandy beach, broomstick or even the classic Limbo song to re-create this game. It’s a classic camp activity that’s perfect for a sleepover. Just flash the beam of light on the wall and have everyone wiggle their way under it. The only real question is: How low can you go? Get the details over at Ultimate Camp Resource.
Do they really know what’s in that room? Try out I Spy in the dark for a chance to spot familiar toys and gadgets. Toni Tui, mama in charge over at Wifely Steps, loves to play this game before bed but we’re betting this would be a blast at any time of night.
Do you find yourself googling what a VSCO girl is or do your teenagers cringe when you don’t use “Yeet” correctly in a sentence? Then we have the resource for you. This past Christmas, 16-year-old, L.E. Acuff, daughter of author and speaker Jon Acuff, gifted her dad a handmade guide to all things social media.
“It is the most amazing thing ever,” Jon Acuff wrote in an Instagram post about the gift. “She spent weeks making this and each page is funnier than the last.”
While Jon Acuff received the guide a few months ago, he only recently shared his epic gift on Instagram. He wrote, “The table of contents includes phrases I should know, memes I should know and even a special note about TikTok.” She thought of everything, even including an “About the Author” page.
L.E. Acuff created the guide to help her dad out with today’s popular slang and memes. She said that she wanted to make him a gift that was both useful as well as funny. She said, “Also, I felt like he needed to be educated on the current memes.”
One of the memes L.E. Acuff highlighted is the “Woman Yelling at a Cat” which features a screen capture of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast members Taylor Armstrong and Kyle Richards followed by a picture of a confused-looking cat sitting behind a dinner plate. This meme took off last June and still remains popular.
If you need a refresher on the World Record Egg, JoJo Siwa or Peppa Pig, L.E. Acuff has you covered. Next to each topic, there is a detailed explanation.
L.E. Acuff tried to encompass memes that she felt were important and popular but also funny, such as the Area 51 memes. She liked that she could find so many high quality variations.
As for Jon Acuff, one of his favorite memes is the video of the “Calm Down” lady simply because she has crazy eyes!
February and Valentine’s Day are usually synonymous with gifts of love and affection––and lots of candy. If you want to share the love this year, but without all the sugar, then keep reading. We’ve rounded up some of the sweetest and heartfelt gifts Etsy has to offer. These handmade notions are made with love and are perfect for your little loves this Valentines.
Watercolor Heart Print
Kiwi n Berries
Valentine's Day may be the perfect day to give this gift, but it will look sweet the entire year long. The instant download features nine watercolor hearts that can be customized in different colors and printed in various sizes.
With options in pink, gray and red, this adorable love checkerboard sweatshirt is perfect for any kiddo. The handmade and made-to-order top is made with a blend of cotton and fleece and will keep your little love nice and toasty through the month of love.
Dress up your sweetie this year with adorable hair accessories! These rose gold snap clips from Ryan and Wren are the perfect festive addition to your little's hairstyle, and we won't tell anyone if mama wants to wear one, too!
Get them here. $12.95 per jar which contains approx. 18 mini hearts
Heart Mobile
Florcy Designs
Baby's first Valentine's Day has never been dreamier. This handmade felt mobile is made with 15 colorful hearts and 10 Nepalese wool balls and hangs from a satin-wound wooden hoop. Sweet dreams!
Perfect for on the go or the coffee table, this Valentine's Day-inspired game will become a family fave. Handmade from maple hardwood, this sweet game comes with 12 pieces in a cozy burlap bag.
Who misses those days of getting snail mail? We do! So we're re-introduce this "vintage method" of giving love to your kids who only ever seen e-cards. For home or at school, this bright red cotton chair backer is a great way to get your kids sitting still in their seats.
Now that conversation candy hearts are no more, you can continue the tradition in a new way––with crayons! These handmade crayons are works of art in their own right, with the famed sayings you know and love from the OG heart-shaped sweet.
