Inspired by Dark Fairytales

I love Etsy for opening up the world. I don't think they get enough credit for allowing us all to see home-grown artists from all corners of the world. Ivanna Khotian from Odesa, Ukraine is making some magical dolls that I don't think we'd ever see if not for Etsy.  Khotian's dolls remind me of dark fairytales and mystical worlds. They're hand sculpted from clay and paper maché. Some make me laugh, some make me want to look under the bed for monsters. Her shop is called AKVARELA.

Ursula Vampire Doll

Grim Reaper

Bat Kleo

Scream

Black Angel

Hermione

My postal delivery person must wonder what I'm ordering as packages arrive from across the globe. If only he knew! Sometimes packages take a little longer to get here, but it's always well worth the wait.

Fantasy Bone Art

I'm fascinated by the bone sculptures that Gabrielle Ferrara (Stroudsburg, PA) is making. They're made from real bones she has sourced from owl pellets- yep, that's a thing. Ferrara scavenges the bones and then creates fantasy animals from them. Some are free standing sculptures and some are tiny pieces placed in pocket watches or jars. The shop is called Uniquely Morbid.

Baby Dragon

Moose Dragon

Dinosaur Pocket Watch

Tiny Dragon Pocket Watch

Tiny Unicorn Skeleton

Tiny Skeleton Sculpture

It must take lots of patience and a steady hand to create these. What must go on in Ferrara's mind to imagine each piece? We won't even discuss the scavenging for bones part of this whole thing. I'm in awe.

Cards to Keep

Hardly anyone sends personal mail other than cards these days and that's quickly ending as well. I feel the pain too of buying a $5 card knowing it will most likely be thrown in the trash in a week- maybe a day. I've been thinking about this for awhile now.  It's so nice to get a card in the mail, but even better if it's worth framing. I've actually done that with some Christmas cards. (Oddly, I get very few Halloween cards - what's up with that?!)

Blackbird Letterpress is making cards you're going to want to keep for yourself. I absolutely love sending letterpress cards. They may cost a tiny bit more, but they have a weight and feel that says "I care."  And maybe "I'll keep you."

Can't Get You Outta My Mind

Skeleton Hand Card

You Hold My Heart In Your Hands

Bat "Hang In There" 

Articulated Skeleton

Sorry I've Been Out of My Mind

Maxi-mum Thanks!

There are so many great cards in this shop I could go on and on.  Stock up on some quality cards and send some just because.

Bats, Bats, Bats!

By now you know I have a soft spot for bats. Maybe because to me they look a little like flying cats without the tail. I don't know. Flez (Berlin, Germany) has a bunch of soft, cuddly bat accessories that I have to share with you. It's obvious the shop owner loves bats as much as I do.

Bat Toy

Bat Wings Scarf (comes in many colors)

Bat Hot Water Bottle

Bat Shoulder Bag

Bat Blanket

Bat Pillows

Normally I wouldn't post about such warm, cozy items in the summer, but I woke up to 48 degree temperatures this morning! Bring on the blankets and scarfs, I say.

Blue Bayer is a Favorite

I've had Blue Bayer as a favorite selection in my Etsy lists for several years. Bayer's pieces are touched with the just the right amount of darkness to make them interesting. They're beautifully crafted and subtle enough (I think) to wear everyday. You'll find a large selection of silver and gold jewelry at Blue Bayer Design NYC.

Memento Mori Georgian Style Ring

Skeleton Hands Ring

Anatomical Heart Necklace

Bat Necklace

White Skeleton Hand Wall Hook

Bird Claw with Pearl Necklace

Bayer has a few pieces of home decor you should check out too. There is an gorgeous anatomical heart vase that would look beautiful on the mantel.

We're One Season From Halloween!

It's now officially summer and that means it's time to do an inventory of your Halloween decorations and start stocking up now. I'm not kidding here! You know that the good stuff always gets sold first and if you're not on it, well, I just can't help you then.  Oh, of course I'll help you.

Let's start by checking out the Halloween decorations from Ghoulish Pleasures. They're handmade and one of-a-kind. If you want to impress, you need some original Halloween art in your collection. Susan Dunham (Galesburg, MI) gives her pieces a vintage style.

Vampire Bat

Black Cat

Halloween Moon

Halloween Centerpiece

Halloween Witch

Halloween Boot Door Hanger

These pieces are very reasonable priced and you'll have the satisfaction of having something no one else has. Let's get moving!

Delicate Creatures of Death

Sandy Coronado (San Rafael, CA) is an artist creating beautifully delicate watercolors of cat-like creatures of the night. These scenes are often dark, but they're not angry of violent (ok, maybe some are a little violent.) They have a certain calmness, gentleness, and maybe a touch of sadness that make them endearing. I think they're actually very sweet. Her shop is Landy Pandy Art.

Cat Reaper

Ectoplasm Cats

Cerberus Cat

Count Dracucat

Mothcat

Goblin Cat

These are prints signed and numbered by the artist. They're also tiny- just 5 x 5, but I think they'd look amazing framed in a row.  I need them.

Coffin Home Decor

Every gothic interior needs at least one coffin. I have two in our house. One is a coffin beer cooler that we bring out for parties and the other is the more recent cat bed that I made from a small coffin. If you're not the craft type, Life After Death Designs is making elegant coffin furniture and accessories that will fit into even the tiniest corner. Rachel and Ronnie have recently stocked up their shop and have streamlined their construction process so that shipping is faster. The bath tray is to die for- it even comes with a phone stand!

Coffin Bath Tray

Coffin Charcuterie Board

Bat Corner Shelf

Coffin Soap Dish

Coffin Cubby Shelf

Coffin Pin Display

I love the coffin lapel pin board. There are so many awesome pins being made and this lets you have them on display. Do you have any coffins in your home?

Illustrated Clothing

Jhone Daniels has a jewelry shop called Persephone's Bijoux which I've loved. Her jewelry has the most darling illustrations and I've purchased a few things over the years. Well, I've just discovered Daniels now has a shop that puts those designs on clothing! I have to say I'm in love with the conjoined twins skirt. You'll find the clothing at Demeter's Spring.

Sacred Heart Tank

Day of the Dead Yoga Pants

Psychic Eye Cropped Top

Conjoined Twins Skirt

Pirate Dress

Sugar Skull Tank Top

You can stop squealing now. I know they're adorable. That's why I bring these things to you.