I’m so excited to share with you my latest handmade purchase – my new laptop case from Toggle!

I recently purchase a Dell Mini 1012 Netbook, especially so I can keep on top of work while away from the Ruby Studio. I’m over the moon with my new laptop purchase and would fully recommend the Dell Mini 1012 to anyone looking for a portable machine. With it being a machine I intend to use on the go, I knew I wanted to get a case to protect the glossy finish from scratches and scuffs. I love supporting handmade businesses, like ourselves, and as a fan of Toggle, I knew I had to order one of their cases as soon as I got the opportunity.

I chose a lovely polka dot case, which Gemma of Toggle kindly made to order to fit my small netbook. Not only was it made to order especially, it was delivered super-fast and wrapped beautifully! I love receiving parcels like this!

The case fits perfectly and the colour of the pink polka dots on the fabric and the lining match perfectly with the pink of the laptop. I love my new case! Check out the Toggle website to get one of your own!

I’ve been needing to replace my very broken laptop for a while and have opted for a netbook…the size is very portable, and although I would really love a MacBook Pro, the Netbook will run my more specialist ‘Windows Only’ software. One of the things I am most looking forward to, when I get my new gadget, is getting a lovely handmade case for it!

My favourite shop of the moment for gadget cases has to be Toggle.UK without a doubt! I’m looking forward to making a purchase when my new computer is actually in my hands, but for now I’ll just have to enjoy browsing!

Leaf Print Netbook Sleeve from Toggle:

The Dahlia Netbook Sleeve from Dahlia Handbags on Etsy:

Bubblegum on Blue by DoryDesigns:

Netbook Sleevy by Sleevy:

With Spring just around the corner (yay!) I’m drawn to all the lovely pastel shades that are appearing in Etsy Treasuries, New Spring Products and Fashion. Here’s just a few little lovelies that I’ve collected in my Etsy Favourites. Now, lets hope the weather is inspired by these springtime goodies too!

Tea Green – Cotton Canvas Tote by nuvonova $40

Acorn Gift Tags – Pastels – Felted Acorn and Oak Leaf Git Tags by Fairyfolk $10

Lilac Flower, felt headband by lupin $14.75

lyrical by LeslieThomson $20

Cute Candy the Rabbit Faux Fur Plushie Momma Size by Zygopsyche $35

Two Bunny Rabbits mama and baby miniature ceramic sculptures by iktomi $29

Springtime Sterling Silver Stacking Rings by ThirtySixTen $65

Delicate Fluttering Butterfly Trio 3D Purple by RUBYrecycled $3.50

I’ve been browsing Etsy a lot recently, particularly for jewellery as I feel I am in drastic need of some new pretty things from Etsy. I randomly stumbled across QuercusSilver when I thought her Etsy avatar was rather funky and was very happy to discover that her shop was as bright and lovely as her profile picture. I like to share interesting things I find with my followers and friends on Twitter and as soon as I tweeted the link to Quercus Silver’s shop, I had others telling me that they also loved her shop and products too – the lovely Deepa of Lazy Giraffe who had her Wedding ring made by Quercus, and my crafty friend Abbi of Edwina.Simone who loves her Quercus resin bangles.

The resin bangles and ‘Hewn’ rings are my favourites from Su’s shop – I love the carved faceted surfaces and bright, bold colours! They make me crave jelly sweets – they do look rather edible. Definitely lots of products added to my favourites here! And, I love discovering UK sellers on Etsy – it’s great that more British designers are joining Etsy and it definitely helps the planet to shop local!

Check out Su’s shop on Etsy: QuercusSilver or her homepage.

notonthehighstreet.com is full of gorgeous and exclusive gifts – things that are precisely ‘not on the high street’ and you’re sure to find many tempting things. I am relatively new to the NOTHS experience, having only discovered them in 2009 but already added lots of lovely things to my wishlist.

Be sure to keep an eye on their website – it’s always updated with new items from small businesses like us (and including us) and the catalogues are well worth signing up for. I was thrilled to receive my first catalogue just before Christmas and it showcased the best products available on the site – many of which I looked up straight away online to find out more. The Spring 2010 Catalogue has just launched and you can request your copy via the NOTHS homepage. There’s some stunning finds for Spring with gift ideas for Easter and Mother’s Day also! I’d recommend you request your copy soonish as I’m sure the sellers featured will be inundated with orders for their gorgeous goodies!

SILVER LOVE HEART BANGLES BY LILY BELLE

DECORATIVE MEMO BOARD BY ROSE & GREY

Like most girls, I love shoes! In fact, I love boots most of all. I have the most amazing pair of mid-calf high black biker boots that have seen me through this winter, and I’m sure many more winters to come. My boyfriend refers to them as ‘Bad’ boots in homage to Michael Jackson and they’ve even received compliments from complete strangers in the street. I do love them dearly! But with Spring just around the corner (yes, the snow storm we have here in Northamptonshire may fool you!) I’ve been thinking about adding a new pair of ankle boots to my wardrobe.

I love how high street shops are taking inspiration from vintage style – distressed leather, laces and straps on what I’ve come to realise from browsing Etsy are also known as “granny boots”. I dream of soft leather, light brown ankle boots to wear with faded denim and ditsy floral prints. Or, after looking through my Etsy Vintage finds, I may have to dig out my trusty old Doc Martens. Living in a Northamptonshire, a county world-renowned for it’s shoes (don’t believe me?) we’re lucky enough to be the UK home of DMs – a fashion ‘claim to fame’ for us locals, with our very own factory shop with discounted Docs and all shoes having been made here until 2001…after getting inspired in the Etsy Vintage department looking at boots, I may have to go shopping

vintage black EQUESTRIAN heeled leather ankle boots from NodtoModvintage $34

80s Neo-Victorian Brown Leather Ankle Boots, size 6M from Victorian2ValleyGirl $35

size 7 eggshell leather side zip pull on ankle height beatle boots. 80s Lord and Taylor pixie rocker booties. from lisazain $38

VINTAGE 80s Super Red Leather Lace Up Flat ANKLE GRANNY BOOTS. Size 6 1/2 M from TimeBombVintage

VINTAGE HUNT CLUB BROWN LEATHER SHOE BOOT SIZE 8M from KMalinka $42

Vintage The Original Doc/Dr. Martens Beige and Black Funky Floral Print Punk Boots. 8 Eye Lace Up. Made in England. US size 7/UK size 5. from leftylouvintage $125

I love words! Letters! Text! There’s lots of lovely goodies on Etsy that litterally shout out at you and you’re sure to make a statement with these treasures from Etsy’s virtual shelves. I am a huge lover of letterpress and sweetharvey’s shop is full of gorgeous paper products (check out the sweetharvey robot cards too!). And, have a look at my lovely Twitter friend, SomethingWonderfulUK’s shop on Etsy and now on notonthehighstreet.com – her prints are so much fun!

LULLABY original handmade linoprint, BLACK ink on SHEET MUSIC by SomethingWonderfulUK $10

Hello – 5PK Gift Tags by sweetharvey $5

Love Heart Ring in Glittering White Polymer Clay by CreaShines $15

Oh Happy Day Bicycle Note Cards by DawnCorrespondence $14.50

organic messenger hip bag / recycle love by SewnNatural $46

PEACE – Hand Stamped Accent Pillow – Vintage Inspired by NestaHome $24

Maybe Necklace – all sterling silver by PianoBenchDesigns $32

WHATEVER YOU ARE, BE A GOOD ONE by palomasnest $22

I was watching TV the other day, one of those house programmes that neither me or my mum can get enough of, and there was the most amazing little house full of shabby chic decor – pastel colours, distressed wood, twigs, hearts, tin containers, floral fabrics, pre-war furniture and vintage signs. It was AMAZING. Inspired by shabby chic, here’s a few of my favourites discovered while browsing Etsy:

PARIS vintage inspired shabby cottage chippy sign by SignsByDiane $42.95

Shabby Vintage End Table by paintedcottages $110

Angels Tears. A necklace of peace and praye by NewFashionedWhispers $32

shabby by CalviRee $62

BALLET Pale Pink Silk Dupioni Magnolia Flower Comb by ThreadRare $34

vintage tray by sadieolive $16

I am a complete geek and have been eagerly awaiting the new Bioshock 2 game which was released last week. For those of you who don’t know what it’s about, it’s a game set in the underwater city of Rapture, a place free of religion and government, but fallen after a civil war.  It really doesn’t have much to do with my usual postings about Etsy and handmade goodies – apart from the face that the city of Rapture is an Art Deco styled city, and that is partly what draws me into this game.

While running around this virtual city, you are bombarded with Art Deco buildings, furniture and music. The soundtrack is an amazing collection of songs inspired by the era in which the game is set, sucking you into the belief that you are really in an beautiful Art Deco city (ignoring the crazy zombie-like inhabitants, of course).

So, with the game making me wish I was living in the Roaring Twenties, I went on a search around Etsy for vintage finds and Art Deco-inspired pieces. There are a couple of Art Deco houses in my town, so if I ever get my hands on one, I’m sure I’ll be scouring Etsy for authentic treasures to fill it!

Vintage Art Deco Beacon II Camera with Flash Unit

1938 Western Electric model 302 Art Deco Rare and Beautifully Restored

Vintage Brass Art Deco Calendar

vintage 1930s BLACK LEATHER ART DECO low heels pumps 9

Art Deco Vase – White

Vintage black purse with gold chain

Art Deco Compact Case

Industrial Grey Task Lamp

I love being a seller on Not On The High Street, and I’ll gladly admit that joining is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made – but, I also love browsing the gorgeous wares as a buyer. The NOTHS sale is currently active and is full of lots of lovely goodies at reduced prices. From here at Ruby Wren Designs, our complete set of 3D Butterflies (previously exclusive to Etsy) is listed at 20% off.

Some of my favourite items included in the NOTHS sale are:

The simple and gorgeous:

SMALL SPIRAEA LEAF EARRINGS

BY SILVER LEAVES

(10% off, now £26.10)

And from one of my favourite sellers on that I came across originally on Etsy:

PERSONALISED SILVER DOG TAG

BY ALL THOSE THREES

(15% off, now £27.20)

These pillows are gorgeous and I love the photos used by Jonny’s Sister:

LUXURY LOVE LETTER CUSHION

BY JONNY’S SISTER

(15% off, now £55.25)

And while we’re on the subject of birds, I love these sweet little mugs – such a simple design but lovely:

LOVE BIRDS MUG BLUE

BY SHOWLER AND SHOWLER

(5% off, now £8.08)