4 brilliant Etsy finds that I plumbed from the depths

After a year of wedding planning, Etsy is my homepage, I have a PhD in Etsy-- here are the treasures that I present you.

My wedding next week will be powered by Etsy, a lot of coconut iced coffee, and a dream. If I needed something, anything, for the wedding— and readers, I NEEDED A LOT OF THINGS— Etsy was the first tab I opened.

As I plumbed the depths for the last year in anticipation of throwing a really big party, I discovered some hidden gems. This is a bit of a mish mash— some things and independent makers who I worked with to create something for my wedding, some that I just found in the planning process that made me think of you.

Here’s hoping a few of these discoveries are good fodder for your next home decor refresh, best friend/MIL birthday gift, you name it!

1. Far and away one of the most special discoveries was the mirror I had made for our Iranian wedding ceremony, or Sofreh Aghd. The couple sits on a low bench in front of a Sofreh, basically a low table, spread with different items that symbolize different warm wishes for their future together— they look together into a mirror to visualize that future! My mom steered me towards a mirror I’d be glad to have in our home for years to come, which lead me to Tatjana and her Italian clay mirrors. I am so in love with them that it was actually really hard to pick just one. I would definitely get a few of her smaller ones in the future! She was a dream to work with and kept me updated through every step of the production process.

   

2. I have wanted a pricy Dragon Diffusion bag for as long as I can remember. You know the type— a woven summery tote that I could throw anything and everything into, one that could go from errands to dinner or a day in the city and fit the bill seamlessly. I had considered the Madewell woven tote for a long time (specifically the blue, which is harder to get your hands on these days), but just always held myself back for some reason. When I discovered this FUN, peppy, lime colored take on the Dragon Diffusion Nantucket Tote, I was delighted— the price is right, it’s not the same exact bag everyone else has, and the color is so bright and specific that it kind of will go with everything. Even if the green is not your color, the maker has lots of colors, and she does great work— quite quickly, and here in the US!

   

3. My girl Hallie upcycles beautiful lace trimmed textiles and fabrics, and she made me some awesome signage for different parts of the wedding. I’m planning on reusing it as general art for our home, and I think this would be a really fun or cute project to commission if you are moving into a new home or moving with a partner for the first time. I also found these stunning café curtains that I had no use for but would JUMP at the chance to buy if I had a home for them! Someone with a darling house with little windows, please do this!

   

4. This is the maker who did the very cool chain-stitched embroidered silk eye masks for Lena Dunham’s Famesick press tour/PR. At the final hour, I did, in fact, commission one for myself— a fantastic alternative to some of the tacky, generic ones that are emblazoned “BRIDE!”— I know I’ll love it for a long time to come. If you can get your shit together in time, this is a fantastic gift idea, I think! Just make sure you’ve got 3 ish weeks of lead time.

I am ALL EARS if you have favorite Etsy sellers you’re willing to share instead of gatekeep. One woman’s treasure is… another woman’s treasure.