UP ON TRENDS: Tribal and Native Inspirations by AlteredGirl

Presentation by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Trend:

Tribal and Native Inspirations

Native and tribal inspired designs and products have made a resurgence as of late in fashion, art, interior design and more. Bright, bold colors and graphic geometrics are especially popular with influences from different native cultures around the world, most notably the American Southwest and South American regions. Etsy for Animals Team members have many wonderful items that reflect this trend.

A few are featured below:

Tribal Zigzag Journal by LiteraryLuxe

This beautiful journal features a gorgeous 

tribal pattern in black, red & earth tones!

Tribal Pearl Necklace by EnvyDesignsJewelry

This lovely necklace features a tribal design &

is inspired by the popular television show 'Bones'!

Hawaiian Print Animal Blanket by BarkingDogBlanket

The Hawaiian Print on this blanket replicates 

a native pattern with geometric and repeating patterns!

Big Chief Bear Painting by ThimbleSparrow

This painting features a mischievous bear 

wearing a "borrowed" Native American feather headdress!

Nazca Lines Table Runner by FaerieGood

This lovely table runner features geometric designs 

combined with different tribal symbols!

Prairie Bison Meditation Prayer Box by brizel4TheAnimals

This charming little box features 

a native animal and vegan silk fibers woven together 

resembling a native geometric pattern!

Tagging ideas for this trend:  

tribal, 

native, 

geometric, 

pattern, 

indigenous, 

native american, 

tribe, 

aboriginal, 

mexico,

 south america.

UP ON TRENDS: Patriotic Celebrations by AlteredGirl 2

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Trend

Patriotic Celebrations 

The trend I'm exploring today is Patriotic Celebrations; there are three major patriotic holidays occurring in July. From the Etsy blog:  'Canada Day, The Fourth of July and Bastille Day are all celebrated this month. Patriotic colors, folk art, party decor, summer activities, festive outfits and firework displays are popular items coinciding with these holidays.'

1- CANADA DAY

Canada Day is on July 1st. It is a national day of Canada and federal holiday celebrating the anniversary of the 1867 British North America Act which united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as by Canadians internationally. Most communities across the country will host organized celebrations for Canada Day, usually outdoor public events such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts as well as citizenship ceremonies for new citizens.

A few Canadian themed items I found for sale by Team EFA members include:

1934 Products of Canada bookplate from ScootersShop

Cool vintage print with great illustrations!

Canadian Goose Painting by BirdsinHand

Great painting featuring a native animal of Canada!

Canadian stamp pin by TheFrogBag

Cute little mixed media pin featuring a Canadian stamp!

2- INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day, or the Fourth of July in the US is obviously on July 4! It is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Britain. Organized celebrations are similar to the ones for Canada Day as well as baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies.

Several great products are available that represent this trend from Team EFA members including:

Americana star confetti from PurpleCorner

Cute little stars in red, white and blue-

perfect for art and crafts or sprinkled over 

your holiday table for decoration!

Blue with silver stars dog collar by CanineDesign

Let your dog show off your 

American Pride with this great collar!

American stars bracelet by LuniqueUK

This great American-themed bracelet 

actually comes from the UK... 

how fitting considering our heritage and history!

3- BASTiLLE DAY

Bastille Day is  the name given in English-speaking countries to the 'French National Day', which is celebrated on July 14th. It celebrates the 1789 storming of the Bastille in France during the French Revolution which was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France as well as smaller celebrations for people of French heritage throughout the world. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of July 14th in Paris each year.

Great French themed items by Team EFA members include:

French vintage appliqued dish towel from NecktieParty

Adorable vintage towel appliqued with a French phrase!

Paris, France bookends by TwoStrayCats

Oh so chicque bookends, or 'Shelf Pillows', 

features the words Paris and France and Eiffel Tower images!

French Bliss Whipped Body Cream by Layla

Rich body cream featuring the intoxicating 

scent of a French flower market!

Some tagging ideas for items 

fitting this trend include: 

patriotic, 

holiday, 

independence, 

national, 

nation, 

celebration, 

heritage 

and of course, the name 

of the country represented: 

Canada or Canadian; 

France or French; 

US, USA, United States, 

America or American. 

UP ON TRENDS: In the Garden by AlteredGirl

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Trend - In The Garden

Gardening and garden themes for merchandise are HUGE right now due to the emergence of spring and the official gardening season in many places right now! April, May and June are prime time for starting vegetable, herb, and flower gardens not to mention planting trees and several farm crops. I've decided again this week to focus on just one trend because Etsy For Animals members have so many wonderful items for sale that fit in with this trend. Below are just a few of them.

Monet-Inspired Garden Bridge Painting by TeresasArt

This beautiful painting depicts a wonderful garden scene!

Dragonfly Garden Stone by TheRusticHome

This lovely garden stone featuring a dragonfly 

design looks almost too good to keep outdoors!

Garden Party Earrings by TheBeadedHound

These cute earrings would be perfect for 

a garden party or any other spring event!

Czech Glass Garden Heart buttons from BrizelSupplies

These bright buttons remind me of a 

warm spring day in the garden!

Pink Flower Painting Original Art Card by SharonFosterArt

The pink flowers almost pop off the 

paper of this beautiful little work of art!

Olbrich Gardens Memory Bench Greeting Card by ArtByMarilyn

This is just one of many beautiful 

garden-inspired items by ArtByMarilyn!

Tagging Ideas for Garden items: 

green, grow, nature, plant, botanical, 

cultivate, ornamental, fertile

UP ON TRENDS: Mother's Day & Mermaids by AlteredGirl

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Logo designed by Eva of CocoNme

Trend #1-Mother's Day

Mother's Day is celebrated in the US and many other countries this coming Sunday, May 13th. Many, many countries have some sort of holiday honoring mothers sometime during the year. Mother's Day is a chance to honor mothers and celebrate motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. 


The modern holiday was officially recognized in the US in 1914. Ironically, Anna Jarvis, the original founder of the holiday ended up becoming a major opponent of it due to the commercialization she believed it had become to be associated with. Nevertheless, the holiday persists and has become one of the biggest holidays for sales of flowers and greeting cards. 


Etsy sellers, including Team EFA members, do their part to lessen the commercial focus of the holiday by providing great vintage and handmade items that are perfect for Mother's Day. Have a look at a few of them below:

Embroidered Mom Golf Towel by Never Felt Better

Mom can hit the course in style 

with this cute little golf towel!

Proud Mom Bunny Rabbit Family Fine Art Print by Ruffings

This cute print features an adorable 

bunny mother and babies!

Embroidered Cosmetic Bag for Mom by Never Felt Better

A personalized bag that every mother could use!

Tagging ideas for Mother's Day:  

parent, mom, mommy, mother, 

holiday, motherhood, maternal, 

'mother and child', celebration

Trend #2-Mermaids

Mermaids have been showing up more and more lately in popular culture and design trends. Movies such as 'Splash', 'Aquamarine' and 'The Little Mermaid' have contributed greatly to this trend. According to some anthropologists, the idea of mermaids was one example of the emergent understanding of the ancients that human beings are both one and different than the animals, which relates well to the Team EFA focus! 


Here are some great mermaid themed items by Team EFA members:

Mermaid Necklace by LonesomeRoadStudio2

This amazing necklace features a beautiful 

mermaid and aquamarine blue beads!

Mermaid Kisses - Whipped Body Soap and Shaving Cream by Layla

Feel like a mermaid when you pamper yourself 

with this ocean-inspired body soap!

Plush Cat Mermaid - MerMew Pillow by CatCalls

This cute variation on the traditional mermaid is perfect 

for cat lovers, children and adults alike!

Tagging ideas for mermaid products: 

sea, ocean, mythology, mythical, 

legendary, creature

UP ON TRENDS: Natural History by AlteredGirl

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Logo designed by Eva of CocoNme

Trend: Natural History

I have decided this week to focus on one trend because it is such a large trend that encompasses and overlaps with so many others.

Though you may be unfamiliar with the term, I can almost guarantee that you have observed the 'natural history' style trend as it has grown in popularity over the last few years. As a theme in art and decorating it has become very popular and mixes well with other popular themes as of late including nature, animals, vintage and environmental themes.

Natural history is the scientific research of plants and animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study of any category of natural objects or organisms.

Think birdwatchers, long hikes in the forest, and careful categorizing of natural specimens. Some common elements in natural history: woodland forest themes and animals, birds, owls, squirrels, hedgehogs, chipmunks, bunnies, butterflies, feathers, nests, eggs, acorns, leaves, trees, branches, woodgrain, and natural colors.

Some items from Team EFA members that represent this theme well are below:

Spotted Owl Painting by BirdsinHand

BirdsinHand has many lovely items that fit this trend, 

including this great painting of an owl!

Spring Bird Needle Felted Nest and Baby by QueenBe

This mixed media piece includes many elements of the

trend including feathers, eggs & a realistic looking bird's nest!

Eucalyptus Leaves painting by OcelotEyes

This beautiful painting brings to mind 

a leaf collection neatly cataloged!

Silver Cicada Wing Earrings by KathartesJewelry

The cicada wing charms and the 'antiqued' feel of 

these earrings make them perfect to represent this trend!

Red Squirrel Ring by ADelicateWorld

The cute little squirrel on this ring 

looks like he just scurried out of the forest!

Spotted Fawn Painting by AshleyDietrich

Another gorgeous painting of a beautiful woodland animal!

Tagging ideas for these items: 

the most overlooked tag for these items is simply 'natural history',

also nature, natural, woodland and woods.

UP ON TRENDS: Earth Day & Prom by AlteredGirl

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Logo designed by Eva of CocoNme

Trend #1: Earth Day

Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd !

This day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Each year events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet's natural environment. These events are designed to encourage environmentally aware behaviors, such as recycling, using energy efficiently, and reducing or reusing disposable items.

Many people believe the goals of this day become more and more important each year as climate change becomes a greater concern. There are many issues this day addresses including: water, air and soil pollution, overflowing landfills and global warming.

Team EFA members have many items that fit this theme well. Here are a few of them:

Recycled Circuit Board Clock by DebbyAremDesigns

This shop is chock full of fun and funky

recycled circuit board products!

Upcycled Soda Can Butterfly Embellishments by UpcycledStuff

These little butterflies are so unique and pretty,

but also very eco-friendly!

Earth Day Inspired

Upcycled Bottle Cap Magnets by BeansThings

With the re-use of the bottle caps and

the Earth Day theme, these magnets

represent the trend perfectly!

Some suggestions for tagging earth day items:

eco, eco-friendly, ecology, earth, planet, green,

recycled, upcycled, environment, nature, and mother earth.

Trend #2-Prom

With the arrival of the spring season many teenagers in the United States and Canada start planning for the formal dance held near the end of the school year called prom. Other countries have similar traditions. In Britain, Australia and Ireland they may call their gathering a 'Formal', 'Grad', or 'Debs' (short for debutante). In any case, young women will be looking for dresses and accessories to wear on the special night.

Team EFA members have some great items that would be perfect for prom:

Custom Colors Crocheted

Iris Rose Choker by NevadaWoodsJewelry

This choker can be ordered in various colors

to match a prom dress!

Purplicious Vintage Formal Clutch

or Handbag with Strap from Anything70s

This little clutch is elegant enough to fit

in perfectly at a prom and hold the "emergency" items

you don't want to leave at home!

Pretty Rhinestone Hair Pin by EllaQuaint

This hair pin will add a little sparkle

to a young lady's special night!

Some tagging ideas for prom items:

formal, dance, debutante, black-tie, and promenade.