If you’ve followed me for a long time you’ll know how much I used to love Etsy. Back when there wasn’t a whole load of regretsy (sadly now defunct). If I’m honest, I haven’t bought anything since last April but that’s not to say my cart doesn’t have 99 items sitting and waiting for me to purchase them! Oh and my wedding was filled with Etsy touches, from the Gocco machine I bought to print our invitations to the pins I gave my bridesmaids as one of their presents, if I could find it on Etsy it was mine! If only now could be a time of many presents with pretty stamps!
So Etsy, with it’s love for small shops and love of all the stuff means it is definitely my cup of tea. Obviously not everyone is lovely but I’ve never dealt with anyone who wasn’t happy to help me in any way even after all my inane questions. (Usually, sorry I’m from the other side of the Pond related!).
It’s just a case of knowing how to look for what you want. You can trawl through everything and anything. Whilst it is helpful to be specific, in case you fancy a ceramic unicorn planter,* it does help to be less restrictive with searches and thinking about how the colonies might phrase something. *No I wasn’t actually looking for it but I saw it and “needed” it!

Hence top tip #2, if you want something that’s one of a kind and perfect, buy it! An amazing antique grey velvet cape I watched for ages to come down in price, which it did, but I got cold feet because it was still rather expensive got snapped up, my heart cried a teeny bit.
Anyhoo, I was invited to Etsy UK’s first little toe dip into the wedding fun last week. Obviously, I’d forgotten to charge my camera so I hope a little A Beautiful Mess instagram magic will keep you entertained!

Yes please I want this amazing besequinned gown from Willowmoone, sorry other vendors, this stole the show. Epic dress. Please one of my lovely readers could you wear this on your wedding day? If not it may have to be me and it won’t look half as lovely.
Thank goodness there was a little for the chaps too. I’m not sure if these are quite to Bean’s taste but I think they are rather snazzy!

These are from Mukshy.

An amazing cut out from comeuppance who also make pretty jewels!

And I adored this hoop of joy from Squibbly Bups I made something very similar but infinitely less pretty for my bridesmaids. (It’s so nice to see the little things you’ve made for people in their home years after!)

Hello hat I want muchly. Also from Willowe Moone. Yeah, you’re pretty much going to want to buy everything from that shop! I know I do!
All in all, I am loving the UK deliciousness. There was a multitude of stationery too but I think that can wait for another day!
So do try and have some Etsy fun. I promise it’s worth it, although Bean may not agree from a fiscal point of view!
Oh and now you can get local shop updates by email. It sure takes out the worry of asking for postage from far away lands!
Do you have a secret favourite etsy shop. Mine would have to be the not so secret Paloma’s Nest.