Gift Ideas with Rustic Charm

Rustic is honoring the elegance in simple materials. Rustic is also a well-loved style of the artisans of the Old World Shoppes. Here are some gift ideas that utilize earthy components with stunning results!



Iron candelabra centerpiece by Bacon Square Farm.
Embroidered Queen Anne's Lace throw pillow by Waterrose Design.



Sterling silver cuff bracelet from At Fallen Leaf Creek
Custom woodburned sign by Edge of the Wildwood



Amethyst chard sterling silver wrapped pendant by Mystic Griffin Jewelry
Stoneware speckle glaze lidded jar by Brainella's Pottery

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

In northern climes, winter is upon us. Warms the hearts (and heads and toes) of your loved ones with a special gift from the Old World Shoppes of Etsy. Here are a few ideas from our artisans:

Gorgeous jewel-toned mohair shawl by A Trunk-Full o' Fun and wrist warmers knit in the ancient technique of nalbinding by Brisingr Viking Crafts.

A sweet felted hat with flower applique from Stony Creek Handspun and sumptous handwoven lap blanket by Warped and Wonderful.



Cozy felted wool slippers by Woolies. And if you have a crafter on your list (or you're making holiday gifts yourself), any knitter would be thrilled with this hand-dyed yarn by Confections.

From our hands to your home, we have hundreds of gift ideas to make your holidays warm and bright!

Deck the Halls!

It's the time of year when boxes are pulled from attics and closets as treasured holiday ornaments once again take center stage. Some conjure memories of Christmas' past, some represent a special person or event.

If you're looking to create new traditions, a handcrafted ornament from the Old World Shoppes will add warmth to your home or make a cherished gift.

1st Row: Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage and Hermann Ornaments

2nd Row: From Nancy's Heart and Rabbit Hollow Primitives

3rd Row: Christmas Keepsakes and Norwegian Spirits by Jorde

LiberTEAS Gets Its Own Etsy Shop

Anne, the resident tea artist of the Old World Shoppes village, announces she has pulled up stakes and given her teas a shop of their own on Etsy. You can find her beautiful blends at LiberTEAS. Anne explains:

When I first signed up with Etsy (way back in 2005) I used the name of my 'zine, because I had originally intended it to be the place to purchase my 'zine (when ever I might get around to actually publishing one haha!) and only put my teas there temporarily until my website was up and running.

I hadn't intended for Eccentric Pastiche to be my tea shop. And then, once people started buying teas there, I kept them there, because I didn't wish to create confusion. I know that I'm always confused when I encounter a shop that has moved...


So, now, I've finally set up my shop for tea on Etsy... appropriately named LiberTEAS!

The Art of Pokerwork from Edge of the Wildwood

The Old World Shoppes include a fascinating array of traditional techniques. This explanation of "pokerwork" is provided by our founder, Carey of Edge of the Wildwood, and is reprinted from her Blog.

Pokerwork is "writing with fire." It's sometimes called pyrography, but usually called woodburning. A simple process of using a hot tool to scorch the wood surface that can have amazing results. With practice, one can gain incredible control of the tool.

Pokerwork allows for rough and raw appearance, or it can be delicate and precise. Special surfaces (like gourds or cork) can present some pretty tough challenges; like this rolling pin. The effect of the burning is permanent, making the finished item one that will be forever be altered.

As a woodburner, I welcome the difficult details. I seek out the intricate and tricky application of my talent. My craft requires great patience and bravery, so I must bring those traits when I burn. I've met many fascinating woodburners and woodworkers that have developed their own style, and I'm always picking their brains for more.

To see Carey's range of woodburned artwork, visit her Etsy Shop or her Artfire Studio. To see her in the workshop, view Carey's videos at http://www.youtube.com/edgeofthewildwood#p/u/8/kinByCSvr9g.

Call to the North: Benefit Dinner in Duluth

If you're lucky enough to live in the Great White North--beautiful Duluth, Minnesota, to be exact--please take note of this special event hosted by our dear Old World friend, Misses Kwitty aka Karen. It's a benefit dinner on Saturday, October 24th, for her brother. Paul and his family are struggling since his diagnosis of Melanoma. Here's a link to Karen's blog post about the event http://misseskwitty.blogspot.com/2009/10/benefit-for-brother-paul.html.

Old World Holiday Decorating and Entertaining

Days are short and fall is in the air...so we want to share the abundance of Christmas and Holiday creations of the Old World Shoppes of Etsy. October is the perfect time to buy, as our shelves are filling with new delights to get your home ready for a warm and festive holiday season. Sit back with hot tea (or a toddy) and enjoy your trip through our little village!

Start your holiday decorating off with this adorable "Bucket of Christmas" from Rabbit Hollow Primitives, including 4 dolls and 4 candy canes!

Pamela Quilts offers this stunning Angel and Stars Quilted Wall Hanging.

Here's our first round of ornaments from Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage and Hermann Ornaments.

Holiday candle from ReBop Shop and Victorian hang tags from Kibbles.

Start your Holiday baking day with Earl Grey tea by Eccentric Pastiche LiberTEAS and a retro red "I Love Lucy" apron by Lynn's Designer Aprons.

We have religious themed decor from Cedar Junction and Phil's Woodcrafts.

Perhaps some blue decor for Hanukkah or Winter celebrations? Beautiful art from Brainella's Pottery and Red Crow Arts.

Whatever your reason for lovin' the season, the Old World Shoppes of Etsy have handcrafted goods for any style or budget. Speaking of budget...this adorable crocheted bear is on sale at Cogan's Creations and looking for a new home!

Please check back for gift ideas throughout the fall!

September Craft Fairs in the Old and New Worlds

A crisp fall day is perfect for enjoying a craft fair...you can get some early holiday shopping done while purchasing handcrafted treasures directly from the artisan. In September three Old World Shoppes are participating in shows on both sides of the Atlantic (all times are local):

Saturday, September 19th 9am-5pm
Arts & Crafts Adventure
Hodges Park
Park Ridge (suburban Chicago)
Illinois, USA
ReBop Shop Soy Candles
For more info: http://rebopshop.blogspot.com/

Saturday, September 19th 10am-4pm
J.E.M Harvest & Craft Festival
Mabee Farm on 5S in Rotterdam Junction
Upstate New York, USA
Cogan's Creations
For more info: http://coganscreations.etsy.com/

Saturday-Sunday, September 26th-27th 10am-4pm
Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival Craft Fayre
Memorial Hall, Dufftown
Banffshire, Scotland
Slackstitches
http://slackstitches.etsy.com/
For more info: http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=446

Today is National Dog Day

The goal of the National Dog Day Foundation is to rescue 10,000 homeless and abused dogs a year. August 26th has been designated as a day to honor dogs for the love, companionship and service they provide to humankind.

Here's a sampling of how the Old World Shoppes honor our canine companions: Stony Creek Handspun practices the art of chiengora and will spin custom yarn for you from your dog's undercoat shed.

We also have a fine Basset Hound portrait by Phil's Woodcrafts and a beautiful pewter ornament from Hermann's Ornaments.

For Scottie dog lovers, we have a sweet gingham apron from Lynn's Designer Aprons and a handcrafted leather key fob by Ravenshold Creations.



Whether purebred or mutt, we hope you'll take a moment today to honor your own dog, or perhaps make that decision to adopt from a shelter and bring a lifetime of unconditional love into your home.