Have you ever heard of Etsy? I actually do ask this question a lot because it’s an online market place I have used and loved for years. So when I was standing in what seemed like the longest queue at passport control in Charles de Gaulle a few weeks ago I can’t tell you how delighted I was to get an email from Anna to see if I would like to work with Etsy to help promote the platform in Ireland. I didn’t need to think twice about that response let me tell you!

So what is Etsy? Etsy is an online platform that lets anyone open their own virtual store. It’s mostly a mixture of handmade items, craft supplies and vintage goods from anywhere in the world. There is so much talent on there and so many talented people making a living doing what they love and creating beautiful items from bracelets to burp clothes you’ll find it all.

I was given credit to use on the site however I liked which was both incredibly generous of Etsy and incredibly exciting. Given that the purpose of the collaboration is to promote #EtsyIRL and anyone who reads this blog will know my gra for all things Irish, I stuck to buying items off just Irish based sellers. And what a selection there is as you will see from the list of things I got below. I spent ages browsing the different categories before I figured out what I wanted, there is so much choice it’s like you could lose hours just browsing.

I have been following Chupi on social media for a long time now, always drooling over her pieces which are the perfect mix of personal, quirky, unusual and beautiful. It was the first thing that I knew I was going to treat myself! I got this personalised gold necklace with the two girls initials on it and a simple pearl. So pretty! 

I wanted to get a ring too but was nervous about purchasing some of the rings as I just wasn’t sure of my size and I wanted it for my index finger or thumb so I chose this beautiful Wrap Your Laurels Around Me ring as I can adjust it to fit both fingers perfectly. Such an unusual piece.

I ordered two prints from CartaBan Cards which are so gorgeous and perfect for the girls rooms, far better than the pictures of princesses sometimes requested! These are book covers which are printed on old pages of books – you have to buy the frame separately but the prints are really excellent value at €7.38 each. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from and if you can’t find what you want you can request a custom print. 

I am always on the hunt for gold jewellery now, my wedding ring is gold so I’m taking it’s lead and sticking to gold which isn’t always the cheapest option but when you go for delicate pieces or gold plated pieces obviously you can score some great value. 

In truth I wanted about 50 of these beautiful bracelets stacked on my arm but I’ll start with one and work to treat myself. I dare you not to fall in love with absolutely everything Judith from A Box for my Treasure has to offer, it’s all so elegant.

I got these beautiful and dainty earrings from Iontach Gifts which is based in Cork. These are gold plated and such good value setting me back about €18 in total. There is a lovely selection of delicate and unusual necklaces and earrings in the Etsy shop. 

Based in Cork Darren from The Things We Left Behind creates these beautiful pieces and this screen printed wooden print is quite special to me. I used the verse of this poem on the inside of my PhD thesis and I cannot even begin to describe how perfectly the exhaustion conveyed by these words fitted after all that work! This was a custom order which was done and ready within about a day that’s how great it is to deal with the creator directly. Again really brilliant value, this cost me €27 including postage and the bubble wrap had the added bonus of keeping the girls busy for hours! 

And finally yet another Cork purchase! I’ve been using natural soaps from both ANU and Ruth’s Natural Skincare for the past couple of weeks and love how the natural soaps don’t dry out my skin. I spotted this lovely sample packet from Irish Wild Atlantic Way and couldn’t resist. The five soaps are really unusual combinations as you’ll see below in the picture and cost €5.90 for the five. 

So you’ll see I made my gift card go far! Honestly the choice on Etsy and not just from Irish sellers, from people all over the world, is just fantastic. What I really love too is that you are buying it directly from the person who creates, designs and makes the products so it’s a really personal transaction. There are also LOADS of craft suppliers on there for any crafty endeavour you may want to undertake. I bought lots of materials for making hats there back in the day and also for our wedding day I bought lots of bits and bobs to make the day a little more special. 

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