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If you're looking to buy away from the big name chain stores this holiday season, Etsy is a treasure trove of small sellers and handmade goods. Here are some of our favorite beauty, fashion and jewelry stores from 2012. However, bear in mind that many Etsy stores sell several different kinds of goods so it's worth checking any out that might appeal. Part two of our Etsy guide will be up in a few days' time featuring even more of our favorite stores.
Nerd Alert skirts have been featured all over the internet lately but they just had to be included here too. These skirts use unique fabrics to create the ultimate geeky look, from Avengers to Zelda. You can also order custom skirts; send in almost any picture and it will then be made into a custom fabric and finally into a skirt for you, great for those of us in less popular fandoms.
GeekMom Melissa loves the beauty products from Mirasol Farm. They have a lovely Sweet Orange Calendula Cream made of coconut oil, calendula, cocoa butter, shea butter, and chamomile. The unscented Naked version is also very nice. She also loves their Lemon Chamomile lotion--wonderful scent and their lip balms make terrific stocking stuffers!
A lot of geeky clothes are only found in male sizes, but Sceene Shoes offers something just for the girls. Their hand painted bras might not be on show to everyone but just imagine the looks in the communal changing room when you reveal your Ninja Turtle bra to the other shoppers!
For Jewelry, GeekMom Sarah enjoys the items offered by Comic Salvage. Sue Smith uses old comic books to create wonderful pieces for every geek in your family. From Cufflinks, to necklaces, to paperweights, there is something for everyone whether your tastes run to Rainbow Brite or The Hulk.
Grandma Thunderpants has to be one of the most oddly titled Etsy stores and it definitely sells some unusual wares. I love the necklaces, especially the BFF designs where you can give half away to a friend or partner, there are some great pairings including Hawkeye and Black Widow, and Captain America and Iron Man for Avengers slash fans. There are also some great Christmas ornaments such as a Santa hat wearing Grumpy Cat and Flying Spaghetti Monster.
You can get someone a watch at a department store, and they all look the same. Or you can shop at ORLOGIN with GeekMom Rebecca, and get a truly original and inspired piece of art to tell time.
I've never worn fake nails but Kawaii Deco make me want to start. The detail on the designs are amazingly intricate, my favorite set are possibly the Portal icons although it's a close thing with Wall-E.
GeekMom Rebecca loves Madame Scodioli's store that sells "Hand-Made Soaps, Perfumes, Whisker Wax & Lovely Curiosities for One And All." They cater to men too which is far less common in the handmade beauty products world.
#If you're a fan of corsets then Castle Corsetry might be your thing. They sell themed corsets to aid in your cosplay along with some plainer designs and other accessories. Their themed designs come in both long line and waist cincher styles too.
If you ever wanted to geek up your housework, Haute Mess Threads offer a way to do so. Their aprons (both half and full sizes) include nerdy patterns and full on costume designs; some even include capes.
GeekMom Kelly loves Cutebricks who turn the tiniest LEGO bricks into fun and eye-catching jewelry. At Cutebrick's store you'll find shiny heart and octopus necklaces, flower rings, cufflinks, and more, all fashioned out of LEGO bricks, but the dangly cascade earrings are the real charmers.
Laser cut acrylic jewellery is becoming quite commonplace these days, but the designs at Lickety Cut really make their pieces stand out. Portals, Arc Reactors and Cutie Marks are among their designs but you can also find lesser spotted designs such as Magic The Gathering mana symbols.
There was a time when point hats and capes were just for Wizards and Elves, no longer! Thanks to Etsy sellers like Blue Moonlighting you can bring a touch of the cosplay into your everyday apparel. GeekMom Sarah uses her velvet lined cape on a weekly basis and it made the perfect Winter coat at nine months pregnant!
There's something about cute little cupcakes that seems to appeal to all of us, but mix them with geeky references and there's double the appeal. The Bird and The Bee make adorable cupcake pendants in all kinds of themes from Disney to Doctor Who but they also make other designs such as Daenerys' dragon eggs and the KeyBlade from Kingdom Hearts.
Dreamed Designed is a Victorian-inspired shop for goggles, bags, and jewellery that GeekMom Rebecca finds just gorgeous!
I just love the cute, large eyed character models at Wonderland Contraband. The figures are mostly designed as charm pendants and necklaces with a few other pieces available, and each stand around three to four centimetres high. I've been planning out the most amazing charm bracelet but I just don't know who to choose!
Want clothing that stands out in a crowd? As geeks, we already stand out, so just embrace it with fashion too says GeekMom Rebecca! Idea 2 Lifestyle is a place to stand out because you look so freakin' awesome. And read the designers' statement- too cool. "Quality, hand made, originality, creativity, uniqueness are our criterion. To be featured on Vogue and design for celebrity one day is not our goal, working out timeless stylish designs to let every woman feel romantic, beautiful, cool and elegant is our dream!"
Children
My son is well past the age of wearing onesies but if he weren't I'd love some of the designs at Linda Sumner Designs. There are geeky and more generic designs available but my favourite by far is Link from The Legend of Zelda.
Little Lady Accessory brings steampunk to the littlest ones on your gift list via mini top hats, Alice in Wonderland, rosette headbands, satin flower clips, photography props, Halloween costumes, birthday party hats, and accessories of all kinds! GeekMom Rebecca believes they're never too young to start going on the unique path of life.
Lots of little girls love dressing up in pretty dresses, but not all of them want to be pink princesses. Enter Goody Goody Tutus who make adorable tutu dresses in all style from Rapunzel to Batman. You have no idea how much I want to wear these dresses myself.
