VivaTerra : VivaEtsy

I had so much fun blogging about getting the Sundance look by shopping on Etsy that I decided to do the same for another of my favorite companies: VivaTerra. VivaTerra's brand conjures natural materials, ecologically conscious and sustainable sources, and handcrafted artisanal work. Etsy shops are perfectly poised to replicate this look.

This set of 4 recycled wine glass tumblers is $65 (tall) or $49 (low) from VivaTerra.

YAVAglass sells these soda bottle glasses, set of 4, $24.

Bodhicitta has these wine bottle tumblers, set of four for $38.

Air plants are everywhere these days it seems. VivaTerra has an air plant garden complete with glass vase, river rocks and 4 air plants for $79.

A recycled glass terrarium with sand and 4 air plants from VivaTerra is also $79.

Kambra has this air plant sculpture, $17.

Pigeontoeceramics sells air plants like this one, and lovely ceramic pieces. This hybrid air plant is $2.50.

EnchantingGardens has this sea urchin air plant arrangement for $6.50.

Greenunderglass has this terrarium for $30.

I do love these porcelain pear shaped vases from VivaTerra, set of 3 for $69.

These pear bud vases by lisawbwalker are $28.

ToriTs handbuilt pear vases are fantastic at $11.

StudioElan (a fellow DesignStyleGuide member) makes these delightful pears - I must admit to having bought one already! $28 each.

VivaTerra's wooly night owl is $79.

Hand sewn felted wool owl (and baby) by woolcrazy, $16.

Formydarling has this recycled felted wool owl for $15.

Oscar the owl is $10, by knittingmette.

Y0omii makes these sweet little knit owls, $14 each.

This bamboo computer mouse knocks me out. $39 at VivaTerra. While I did not find any wooden mouse accessories on Etsy, I did find a number of marriages between wood and computer accessories.

MatthewRonan has this driftwood USB stick for $70. Note the woodburned USB symbol!

Ebony and mahogany wood comprise this USB stick by woodventure, $69.

Woodtec has this USB stick (literally) for $58.

tuvasdesign has this reclaimed teak USB stick for $34.99.

VivaTerra has really great stone knobs (above, set of 4 ,$75) and hooks (below, set of 3, $89).

SteppingStones has this set of stone knobs or drawer pulls for $40.

This coat rack by nativeelement has Michigan stones - $76.

Wylea has this beautiful stone knob for $12.95.

BourneDesigns has this set of 4 knobs, $40.

These papier mache birds from VivaTerra are quite charming. They're on sale - they were $49 each, they're now $39 each.

Middleburg has these white birds for $24.

I've been smitten by these birds by cottonbirddesigns for about a year now. Music paper bird (above) and crosswords paper bird (below), each $39.

This set of three concrete succulent planters is $79 at VivaTerra.

coughcoughchoke has this succulent planter with chalkboard circle for $21.

ErdeDesigns has this great windowsill planter, $28.

MyVintageAddiction has this succulent garden for $23.95.

monkeysalwayslook has succulents in a variety of charming vintage items, such as this plant in a ceramic creamer.

If, on the other hand, you have your own containers handy, you could just buy the plants and place them in your preferred vessel. TheSucculentGarden has these succulent cuttings for $2.50.

Aloe plant from SucculentsGalore, $5.50.

Chalk boards seem to be all the rage lately. Whether they're used for labeling the contents of a storage piece (as above, wall bins $89), or simply as useful wall decor perfect for keeping messages and notes to self (as below, vintage slate chalk board, $175).

This vintage frame with chalk board by mechanicalstag is $32.

Pinkpalmstudio has this chalk board flower pot, and sends it with a chalk board crate - the set is yours for $30.

Cottagerosedecor has this tool caddy with chalk board paint - storage, magnetic, and notes to self for $25!

Kelleystreetvintage has this 1890s double sided chalk board for $43.50.

bythewayside has this old school room double sided chalkboard, $5.

bouquet has this vintage children's chalk board with chalk tray, $36.

Perhaps you've noticed a few themes throughout this post. I find it interesting that so many of these threads - chalk boards, birds, easy-care plants, pears, stone and wood - are present in the photos of other items. VivaTerra's brand is well-communicated in their catalog and on their website, and happily, it's easily recreated in our homes when we support the artisans on Etsy.

Thrown at Home

Here are some of the pots I've been working on at the home studio that are drying this week.

They're sitting on the brand new wedging table I built over the weekend.

Soupy Sales

I am thrilled to report that I sold the set of Spring Viola mugs that I blogged about here. Of all the mugs out there, someone chose mine! The same customer also bought a set of slate trivets with copper leaf leaves painted on them. Of course this person must have extraordinary taste.

Although the jewelry portion of my shop has been successful, I am slowly letting those items fall off of my shop without relisting them. I want to see how things go if I focus more on the housewares, which I love more. Jewelry is fun and easy, but I've never been one to wear a lot of it. I may change my mind and relist it at some point, or if I ever wind up going to craft fairs as a vendor I would have a lot of very portable inventory (somehow stone and pottery seems like a lot to haul around).

Sundancing Through Etsy

I really love Robert Redford's Sundance catalog. The clothes, the shoes, the jewelry, the home decor... something about the style embodied in the catalog really speaks to me. Not only are the items packed with personality, the scenery and photography make me want to be a part this Sundance culture - American, rustic, free from the cares of an office job and ready to sling myself up onto a horse if called to do so. [And that's the true mission of a marketing campaign, is it not?] Of course it's usually fabulously expensive, and to the extent that I am in the market for clothes/shoes/jewelry and home decor, I tend to only make purchases if the items are on super clearance. So let's look at some of their current offerings and some more affordable (though no less cool) Etsy alternatives. Above, Sundance's Millfield Pillows. Originally $125 each, now $59.99 each. This sugar bag pillow by lesliejanson is only $15. And there's this money bag, also by lesliejanson, $22. Pelicanpieces has this cool pillow made of a farm feed sack - $25.

Sundance wire wall storage, $195.

Everyeskimo's metal locker basket, $29.

Lisabretrostyle2 has these locker baskets for $30 each. This black metal basket by sweetshorn is only $20.

Sundance steel chair, $245 each (less if bought in white or red, or in multiples). DailyMemorandum's industrial metal chair is a bargain $75. I think I must have this vintage machine age drafting swivel stool by swankarama, $55.

My mom calls these motel chairs. This set of turquoise vintage metal lawn chairs by CabinetWorks is $600 for the set of 3. This red chair makes me nostalgic - at oldcrowfarm for $45. IndustryLA has this industrial desk chair that has been reupholstered with a (bonus!) a grain sack. Sundance Honeybee print originally for (take a deep breath) $1,495, reduced to (take another deep breath) $1,200. triciamckellar has this 12x12 print of an insect, plans, diagrams and buttons - $95. This 8x10 Wisconsin Honeybee on canvas is $42, by lyoungstudio.

This 4x4 original collage painting by CrowBiz is $48.

This bumblebee print is $3.80. I think the owner of monstergallery must be crazy for pricing it so low.

Sundance flash cards, from (you've got to be kidding me) $150 to $225 (depending upon number of words). I bought a set of framed flash cards for my studio that proclaim "play time."

Oscar flash card by LittleBeachDesigns is $5.

List your favorite animals with these flashcards by myvintagewhimsy, $2.25.

I'm envisioning these flashcards arranged in all kinds of different ways - "running" and "shoes" would look great in a mudroom near a pair of sneakers' place of honor. Set of 30 by maddielisee, $3. Maybe you'd prefer phonics to words - if so, try these flashcards by SalvageNation, $35 for a set of 56.

Sundance C U P letters - was $595, now $295.

VintageEmbellishment invites us to THINK, in marquee letters. $65.

Or buy individual letters like this U from tandemstudios, $20. Fishlegs has vintage marquee letters, too, like this R for $16.

Sundance Wine bottle art, set of 3, $150.

Glassgaloregal has a slumped green bottle tray for $12.

I love this slumped vanilla extract bottle by luckygirltrading, $5. This beautiful Perrier bottle from Fritos314 is only $8.50. Great color and shape. $20 for this blue wine bottle is a steal compared to Sundance's prices for slumped bottles - HeartJCreations.

Coasting into the Shop

I have another batch of slate coasters, almost ready to be listed for the shop. I'm also working on some marble and travertine trivets - in the past I've only had slate trivets. So I'm excited about expanding my horizons there.

I couldn't do it without my trusty assistants...