One of my favorite late night activities of late is curling up under the covers, nothing save the glow of my laptop lighting my face as I lurk into all the deep dark corners of etsy. Etsy is total chick porn. My fetish is throwing together an adjective and a random thing I like such as “adorable zombie,” “melancholy fish,” or “lovely keys.” I could spend all night perusing the shops that answer my whimsical queries!
I’ve noticed on my nocturnal quests for interesting jewelry that many people are reincarnating classic toys from my childhood into all kinds of funky wearables. Always on the lookout for candy-colored accessories, I’ve fallen in love with this necklace made of Lite Brite pegs at Illustrious’ shop.
Lite Brite Necklace
To indulge my nostalgia while still maintaining the illusion of sophistication, I’d pick up a pair of these gorgeous Lite Brite pegs entwined in silver and ready to adorn my earlobes from Ruetabega’s shop.
Oooooh...Ahhhhh
I was never into cars as a kid, but who can deny that micro machines were effing adorable? I was squeeing when I discovered a micro machines bracelet. If StrawberryAnarchy made these with the tiny fighter planes, I would probably geek out of my mind.
Love the look of knuckle tattoos, but not the idea of permanence? Express yourself with rings made out of Scrabble tiles. These are great because they’re super simple to make yourself with supplies from your local arts and craft or bead shops. You can try thrift stores and yard sales for the letter tiles. Mix and match all the 4-letter words you like!
I even found geektacular gems for dorky dudes and I think it’s absolutely brilliant that someone thought to make cufflinks out of LEGO guys, Monopoly pieces and 20-sided dice. The LEGO Darth Vader Helmets almost make me want a job that requires I wear a suit daily. Almost. If they were velociraptor heads, I’d wear a suit to the pool.
Luke, I am your cufflink!
Of course, the biggest toy to trend inspiration couldn’t be anyone other than Ms. Barbie Doll herself! (I know, shocking!). Sure, you can find Barbie’s lost walk-of-shame stilettos cast in resin on designer Yasmin Bochi’s site and they’re beautiful, but quite common around Etsy.
Designers and artists really like to take inspiration from Barbie and her friends. Tarina Tarantino’s line of Barbie jewelry looks like she pulled the pieces straight from Barbie’s tiny wardrobe. The collection ranges from chunky fun cameo pendants and lockets to the delicious big girl version of the pearl drop earrings worn by the Tarina Tarantino Barbie Doll!
Barbie Heart Locket Necklace and Double Pearl Drop Earrings
I never could get into Barbies. I was, of course, the child whose early “creative efforts” included dismembering, reassembling, trimming, amputating and probably swallowing small parts of my sister’s ridiculously extensive Barbie collection. Which is probably why I am so entranced by Margaux Lange’s artsy, if not somewhat creepy, designs.
Clockwise from top left: Pinwheel Vintage Shoe Pendants, Silver Shoes Bracelet (!!!), Giggles Bracelet, In Threes Brooch, Alice's Cloud Necklace
Her pieces are so imaginative and intriguing. Many are like something out of a Tim Burton film. I am dying to wear the Silver Shoes Bracelet just for the conversations it could start. And who knew Barbie’s boobs, which were so controversial when she was first invented (and remain so fascinating to young girls) made such perfect and lovely hearts? It’s amazing how Lange transforms the most criticized plastic body in the world into something everyone can admire.
Twitter: treslola
Haha thats such a great way to describe etsy, ‘chick porn’.