Earth Day - April 22nd

Plant a tree this Earth Day! Make a new resolution to honor the Earth, maybe, involve your whole family in energy and/or water conservation. Or use natural cleaning product and grow organic vegetables in your garden.

There are so many simple things we can do. Donate items for those who need them or repurpose them for a new use. Choose reusable products and materials. Check your vehicle's emissions and make changes if necessary. Try carpooling once a week or even use a public transport when possible. Get outside more and enjoy and respect nature more. It's good for your health and will keep you inspired.

The world will become better if everyone will make some efforts.  After all, the Earth is our home and we should take care of it better!

Here is a small collection of Russian Artists team members items for sale which are eco-friendly. Visit us on Etsy to see more!

Interview with a Star, Tamara from MagazinIL

Today we'd like to introduce a wonderful shop to you where a new mom can find great crochet jewelry for herself and her baby. If you need a thoughtful gift for a baby shower, this is the place to visit. Please welcome Tamara, owner of MagazinIL on etsy. 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Tamara Martynovich. I was born and raised in Ukraine but when I was 17 years old my family moved to Israel where I live now. I'm married and have a wonderful husband and a great little son. Our french bulldog is part of our family, too :)

How long have you been creating? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

My grandmother taught me to knit and crochet when I was 7 years old. My first works were far from perfect but these little lessons gave me a start. They were imprinted in my memory and in 20 years I took my knitting needles and crochet hooks in my hands again. I just had a baby at that time and I wanted to make him a sweater. A sweater was followed by a cap and then I crochet my first nursing necklace. From that time on I can not stop making these, I just fell in love with them! When I crochet, I am relaxing.

What items do you carry in your shop?

I do all kinds of teething necklaces, toys for children's development, baby hats and booties. A teething necklace is a wonderful piece of jewelry for every mom and a great toy for a baby. The baby's hands are busy during breast feeding so he does not pull his mother's hair and at the same time the child develops fine motor skills.

 
Do you have a favorite item you have made?

It's hard to choose just one thing from all my products. Probably, my favorite necklace is the one with a large wooden button. I made it as a gift for my friend and her newborn daughter. I have made similar necklaces so many times since then and every time I am having so much fun making them.

Do you take custom orders?

Yes, I do accept custom orders and I love working with them. Almost all the products in my store are made​​ individually according to the customers needs.

Please visit  Tamara's shop to see more of her products. Every item here is made with love!

Interview with a Star, Albina from GoodWeather

Recycling is a great way to give a new life to the things people don't want anymore. Albina from GoodWeather shop on Etsy is sharing her own vision of this with us.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself

I think the ideas of recycling are in my blood. My father is good at inventing things that are practical. He made a wash stand for their garden out of 2-liter plastic soda bottles. He also made a sauna oven out of metal barrel and built a green house out of old window frames.

I use “soft” materials for my crafts such as old sweaters. I know that unwanted sweaters can have several new lives.

Some of the things you can do with sweaters is unravel them to get some yarn for your new projects and make something from it like this handbag:

Also I often felt sweaters and make lots of cool stuff out of sweater! I love to make gadgets like this smiling cat iPhone sleeve:

Since I love to make jewelry I also use felt in it!

Do you use only recycled materials to create your beautiful items?

I use both used and new materials to make my products. Things like my cup cozies or knitted iPone sleeves are made from new materials only.

Do you take custom orders?

I love custom orders! Once, I had an order for 9 owls. I made all of them look a little different and I enjoyed making them. 

What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?

I appreciate all the feedback I get from my customers, even if it is short and simple like “Thank you”. One I really like that I got for this brooch, "I love this so much! I attached it to my sweater coat and I have gotten tons of compliments on it already! Thank you so much for such fast shipping! You rock!"

Interview with a Star, Maria from russianfineart

When you visit the russianfineart shop on Etsy you will immediately be intrigued by either their paintings, wonderful embroidered pillows or a bunches of sage offered by Maria, the owner of the shop. What's behind this? We'd like to know! So we contacted Maria and she told us more about herself and her magical sage.

Please welcome, Maria from russianfineart shop.

 I was born in the city of Saint Petersburg, the Venice of the North, where I was surrounded by the environment rich in art and culture. I was connected to theatre since both of my parents were actors. I performed as an actress on stage and as an acrobat in circus from early on. I always enjoyed theatre, museums and my cultural life.

When I grew up my life took an unexpected turn. I left my native Russia and moved to the other side of the world, to Vancouver, British Columbia, where I now live with my son.

I was alone in the new city where I began to learn new things. This new city was nothing like the place where I came from, but yet I found beauty in it. For the first time I saw mountains and beautiful forest landscapes. I started to connect more and more with nature, learning about different animals and plants. I learned about native people whose culture I found so fascinating.

I traveled to small towns in British Columbia where I met true native people. These people were very open, simple and had kind hearts, even though many of them were very poor. They needed to work very hard just to get their food, and yet their souls were pure, free from conceitedness and greediness. Their spirits shined with warmth and kindness.

I learned many things from them as well as began to understand and connect with nature more. I realized that nature gives us everything we need: sun gives us energy; rain cools the soil down and gives it water; plants give us food, heal and treat us. It is a true magic. There are many plants that heal people, their minds or making their weak hearts strong. 

 The most magic plant of all is sage which also means wisdom. There are various types of species of sage (salvia) which grow all over the world and used for many different purposes.

It comes from mint family, same with lavender, basil and other herbs. The scent is not the same as lavender or mint, but in the way it is similar. Russian or Ukrainian sage looks completely different from the sage which grows in North America. It looks more like lavender and has blue flowers. It is also used for different purposes, mostly in medicine. Greek sage also looks and even smells different. It has small leaves which are in oval shape and reminds me more of olive leaves. I believe that Greeks mostly use their sage in cooking.

I pick my sage in British Columbia in one valley reserved by native people. It is truly a magic place and I like to call it a paradise. It is used in medicine to salve soars and as tea to treat colds or coughs. Now because of its aromatic smell, it is used as a home fragrance, usually placed in a clothing drawer or a closet. Native American people also call this plant “cancer-weed” and use it in medicine to treat cancer. Now their main purpose is to tie it in bundles and burn the smudge sticks to clean one’s spirit and get rid of negative energy.

I believe that geographic location is one of the factors which are important to know about the plant, the atmosphere and the care surround it is another.

Maria from russianfineart

Natural homemade facial mask tips

Our team member Alesia, who runs Arctida shop on Etsy, likes to make skin care products on her own. We asked her to share some tips about facial masks.

Nourishing and Moisturizing mask with Avocado, Honey and Yogurt
This face mask is moisturizing, nourishing, smoothing and full of vitamins and minerals. It is perfect for dry and mature skin.

1 Avocado
1 tbs Honey
1 tbs Lemon juice
1 tbs Yogurt

Combine avocado, honey, lemon juice and yogurt in a blender. Let the mixture stand in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Apply mask on your face and neck and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or just wipe off with a damp wash cloth.



Gentle peeling mask with Tomatoes
Tomatoes is a wonderful source of fruit acids (AHA = Alpha-hydroxy Acid). Fruit acids loosen the “glue” between dead skin cells and the cells fall away (aka peeling effect), leaving your face very smooth and soft.
1-2 Tomatoes
10 ml (2 tsp) Honey
4 g Cosmetic corn starch or 1 g Xanthan gum ***

*** if you don’t have cosmetic corn starch (or just do not want to use it), add as much cornmeal, oatmeal or any binder of your choice, as needed to produce a paste.
Combine tomatoes, honey and cosmetic starch/cornmeal/oatmeal in a blender. Apply formed paste to face and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.






Cleansing fruit mask
Great homemade mask that helps you clean your face skin from the dead cells and blackheads
50 g Pineapple
50 g Muskmelon (any melon for that matter, except for watermelon will do fine)
100 ml Water
8 g Cosmetic corn starch***

*** if you don’t have cosmetic corn starch (or just do not want to use it), add as much cornmeal, oatmeal or any binder of your choice, as needed to produce a paste.

Combine pineapple, melon, water and cosmetic starch/cornmeal/oatmeal in a blender. Apply formed paste to face and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Enjoy your homemade skincare products!

My Lavender Kingdom

I'd like to invite you to my Lavender Kingdom today. It is called "La bottega della lavanda " or a "Lavender shop".

By the way, this bicycle by the entrance works just fine!

Everything here (including me) is either lavender colored or has lavender fragrance. Even our cash register is purple! According to psychologists, lavender color works to relax you. It calms your down and even improves your vision!

The beneficial effects of lavender were known a long time ago, even to the ancient Romans. Now you can find blooming lavender in almost every Italian garden or on balconies or patios. It is a beautiful plant that is loved by many and it also works as a mosquito repellent.

Do you know that 1 drop of lavender oil will ease the discomfort of mosquito bite? Not many people know this natural remedy, but now you do.

If you will get a chance, try to see the glorious lavender fields of the Friuli region in Italy. Once you see it you will almost instantly fall in love with this simple purple flower!

Lavender will help calm down your nerves and will help you think clearly. You can also use it in the kitchen as a food supplement or you can drink it as a tea.

Oh, beautiful lavender, here it is:

I have everything right here in my Lavender Kingdom: cosmetics, perfumes, air fresheners, lovely sachets, bath products, candles and also house decor items and ceramics.

Lavender sachets placed in the closet will absorb odor and also will disinfect the air. It is said that if you will place a lavender-based natural air freshener in your bedroom or place a lavender sachet right on your pillow during day, you will never have a bad dream. You will wake up refreshed and full of energy!

I hope you enjoyed your short trip to my Lavender Kingdom. If you are ever in Italy please stop by!

Story by Katrin Katrinshine

Translated by Tanya AGardenCottage

Interview with a Star - Sasha and Veronika (Herbolution)

Today, at this beautiful Earth Day we are appreciating all the gifts Nature brought to us and we are happy to introduce you to our teammates who cares so much about environment that they made it their lifestyle. Please meet Sasha and Veronica at Herbolution!

Please tell us a bit about yourself
We are Sasha and Veronika, a couple of Ukrainian origin – owners of Herbolution that is located in Tennessee. From name of our shop you could guess that our products are made from herbs and natural ingredients :) We do our best to provide the purest and most beneficial power of herbs to our customers through our skin care, aromatherapy and household accessories. We are proud to make all products from scratch and input a lot of love and care in every item, even tiny samples :) And we care about environment as much as about our customers. All our products are made with conscious attitude to Earth and care about condition of our soils. Our products are made of 100% natural ingredients and organic or wildcrafted when possible. All formulas are carefully created to experience full potential of Nature's power of herbs and our packaging is designed to give pleasure of feeling proud to support eco-conscious business.

What brought you to this kind of business?

Love of herbs and Nature was seeded in our hearts from early childhood and was growing and maturing ever since. The desire to express our creativity through body care products and everyday household items was just a matter of time. So we couldn't hold that passion inside and Herbolution is what burst out from that need :)

Why did you start selling at ETSY?
Etsy is all about passionate creation and self-expression - exact place for our needs :) We started actively selling on Etsy about year and a half ago and immediately fit in to handmade community. We like the demand for customizations and individual approach to every product and Etsy all about that :) Etsy customers value our hand made products and are generous on descriptive and detailed feedbacks full of sweet words and happy experiences.

What tools do you use to promote your work?
Our passion and sincere efforts do most of the promotion for us, thus we have many return customers, but we also use Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, our website and Etsy's promotional tools like treasuries, showcases, teams, etc, as well as arrange giveaways, promotions, reviews and samples.

Where else can we find your products other than ETSY?
We also sell products on our website at www.herbolution.com, ArtFire, eCrater and few other marketplaces.

Do you make сustom items?
We love customizations! This emphasizes our personal approach and gives us advantage as handmade company over mass produced corporations. Personal attention is the key in our business.

Where do you get your Inspiration from?
Our love of Herbs, sincere care for Planet, our love to each other and desire to create things that both Earth and people can really benefit from and enjoy – are our inspirations and never-ending sources of ideas. Everyday life shows us needs and wants of different people and we are challenged to provide eco-friendly and herbal solutions to ones :)

What are your goals for your shop?

We are currently 88% plastic free and our goal is to become 100% free of any kind of plastic. We also plan to introduce some of our products to more retail stores and spas. But the main goal is to shift the thinking of common consumer to value and give priority to Earth-friendly products, and also to restore the trust in amazing powers of herbs.

How did you come up with your shops name?
We LOVE herbs! We wanted the name to reflect both herbal passion in creation of our products and some new, revolutionary solution with herbal products – fresh, 100% natural and eco-friendly ways to engage herbs in our everyday life. That’s how we came up with Herb+solution+revolution= Herbolution.

Do you both create your products or does one do another aspect of the business?
We try to be both fully involved in every step of Herbolution growth whether it's increasing our products assortment or transitioning to renewable energy. But still, Veronika is mostly responsible for formulation, development and testing of products and Sasha is focused on technical part, labels design, vision and eco-friendly solutions implementation.

What would you suggest to new Etsy sellers to promote their shops?
Be confident in what you make, don't cheat and be honest with you customers as with yourself. Give customer service as good as you never received yourself. And remember to treat your customers with generous sales and discounts, like the following one: for celebration of Earth Day we offer 25% OFF EVERY ORDER until Apr 24 (use code "love4earth"). Be sure that you support earth-friendly business while shopping for natural and delightful organic products.

Sasha and Veronika

Organic sugar coffee and cinnamon body scrab

It is always a great idea to pamper your body, especially when you are using organic ingredients and can create some really great product right at your own kitchen. Veronica and Sasha from Herbolution are sharing their organic body scrub recipe with us today.

It is not hard to create such luxurious spa product as body scrub at home as you might think. All you need for the basic recipe is few things that usually can be found in almost any kitchen: oil, sugar or salt and some sort of fragrance, flavor or essential oil. Such scrub will not only diligently exfoliate removing dead skin cells but also will moisturize your skin which is especially good for people with very dry skin. Homemade scrubs are great for people with sensitive skin too as they don't contain any harsh ingredients usually found in commercial products.

Today we will demonstrate how to make Sugar Coffee & Cinnamon body scrub. To make it earth-friendly we recommend to use organic, Fair trade and 100% natural ingredients that are not only better and safe for your skin but also support ethical and chemical-free agriculture businesses.

Why sugar? Sugar contains glycolic acid, a component that keeps skin healthy. It moisturizes, conditions it and protects from the harmful effects of toxins. If you use a brown sugar scrub on a regular basis, it will help to improve your skin's ability to retain its natural moisture balance.

You need:

Oil, ¼ cup (we use organic Apricot Kernel Oil. It is very light, absorbent and moisturizing for your skin. You can substitute it with almond, soybean, sunflower or olive oil of your choice).

Sugar, 1 cup (we use organic Brown Sugar. If you would like more powerful exfoliation you can use sea salt).

Coffee, ½ cup (we use organic Coffee. You can also reuse any leftover from you

r fresh brewed morning cup of coffee too, but since it will contain water it should be used

immediately, within day or two).

Cinnamon, ½ table spoon

Cocoa powder (optional), 1 table spoon (we use pure raw organic cocoa powder but you can add also one of those yummy dry drinking cocoa mixes, like the one from Hershey's).

Cinnamon essential oil, ¼ tea spoon

Vitamin E, 6-8 drops.
Also you will need measuring cups, spoon, spatula or spoon for mixing, bowl and container to transfer the finished product.

Measure and mix all dry ingredients first in a bowl using the spatula or clean hands (to touch and feel the consistency and to add some love to the scrub). Make sure there are no any combs left. Add base oil and essential oil. Mix thoroughly.

That's it. Fast, easy and aromatic as your morning coffee :) Transfer the scrub to your container. Since this recipe is 100% natural and does not contain any chemical preservatives, we strongly recommend to avoid any water contact with the full jar, otherwise the life of the scrub will shorten considerably. You don't want it to happen, right? :) So the best way to avoid this is - before going to shower/bath scoop out a portion that will be used right away, this way the full jar will stay fresh and safe.

Give your skin a good pamper each time you bathe or shower. It will look amazingly soft, supple and glowing!

Feel free to surf Herbolution Etsy store for different body polishes as ideas and inspiration or get one for yourself today!

Landscaping with Alpine Strawberries Alexandria

Have you ever thought about getting rid of your front lawn and creating an edible landscape? You're probably familiar with this plant already, but have never thought about using it as a ground cover. Edible landscaping is one of the best things you can do for the environment.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Alpine Strawberries Alexandria Fact Sheet:

• can be grown from seeds ( just follow instruction what seller provides)
• it is very hardy
• don’t produce runners, you can use them as edging plants
• shade tolerant
• transplants easily

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

I love the multi-tasking capability of edible ornamentals! Alpine strawberries provide tasty garden snacks for both me, birds and all kind of animals what trespassing my property.

Their emerald green foliage and white flowers make an attractive, tidy edging along side walkway and you may also use them as "shoes & socks" plants to hide the less attractive bases of lilies and phlox. Especially if your space is limited, you'll appreciate plants that do triple duty by providing pretty leaves, beautiful bloom, adorable berries to admire and the source of inspiration.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

And don’t forget about medicinal properties of leaves and berries!

Story by Lyudmila (Woolsolution)
Collages by Irina (IrinaPhotography)

Wonderful things wednesday - Valentine gifts

Valentines Day is the most romantic holiday of the year. It's time to think red roses, chocolates, jewelry, cards and cute little gifts to show your affection to your loved ones!

There is so many choices! You can get your gifts at the store near by but here on Etsy you will find a selection of items which are unique and pretty often are one of a kind! There is still time for delivery so do your shopping in your pajamas from home and check for the Valentine's tagged items in your search box on Etsy!

A little hint: for the cutest selection of romantic gifts for your sweetie select ALL ITEMS in your search box and then type: rusteam

We are sure you will find your perfect gift there!

Here is just a little preview today :

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Have fun shopping!

Story by Tanya Socksandmittens
Collages by Katrin KarisaGraphic

Subtlety on the Etsy Front Page!

Our team's azure treasury Subtlety created by our teammate BlueberryCream was featured on the Etsy Front Page! Misty morning colors and amazingly beautiful items hand crafted by our talented teammates made a great Etsy Front Page! Congrats Nastya from BlueberryCream and the featured!

The following unique and beautiful Etsy artists were featured in this treasury:
Yevgenia, LAccentNou, Jezek, HappyfrogfromAlaska, Beautyspot, Lightkeeping, Galafilc, Herbolution, Cushyadornments, Kpersonboutique, Justlena, KarisaGraphic

Wonderful things wednesday - HOME SWEET HOME

Busy day at work, children activities, shopping, cooking and cleaning – aahh, take a deep breath! We are stressed and tired and at the end of a crazy day we all love to unwind at home, the place where all our troubles melt away and we feel happy and secure.
People say that your home is an extension of yourself. This is the place where we are spending most of our time, so make it cozy and to your liking!
Here are 12 fun ideas for laid-back living, from Russian Etsy Team





1. Pillow case by Lanadearg
2. Organic Lavender and Cotton Sachet by Herbolution
3. Vintage provence magnets clothespins by LAccentNou
4. Macrame palant holder by LostFashions








1. Ceramic oil vinegar bottle - Sea Lavender by Yevgenia
2. TEAL Patchwork Quilted Pillow Cover by Katrinshine
3. Mary jane slipper socks by Socksandmittens
4. Carpet felted - Buffalo by JuliaFelt







1. Green apples quilted pot holders by Nstrelkova
2. Lightbox with original hand drawing - flowersalala by CCYDstudio
3. Butterflies Hand Painted Silk Pillowcase by SilkMagic
4. Framed Embroidery on Wool - Parrot tulips
by FineEmbroidery

Please, support RosemaryManufacture and Herbolution by Voting on Etsy!

Great news! Two of our members have made to Etsy Voter this week! Please, choose one and vote for it!

From Herbolution: Organic Computer Peppermint wrist support set

From RosemaryManufacture: Swarovski Pearl CLASSY Earrings Sterling Silver

 
To vote you should be a member on Etsy - if not, it takes just 3 minutes to register! :)
Thank you so much! :)

Please VOTE HERE