Wedding invitations are often reflective of the type of affair they represent. Thick, glossy paper and gaudy gold trim, not to mention extravagant calligraphy are usually indicative of a stuffy affair. If you’re planning on getting married anytime soon and don’t want to go the traditional invitiation route, perhaps you’d be interested in some of the designs from Unless Someone Like You’s Etsy shop. Run by a 27-year-old mom out of Chicago, she specializes in creating custom poster invites using an illustrated photo of the couple. It’s a memento of love that, while maybe not traditional, is certainly enduring as a work of art. If wedding posters aren’t your thing, the shop also offers other beautifully illustrated invitation options that are worth every penny.

Are you feeling down in the dumps? Perhaps you need some pleasant thoughts or the added elements of sweetness and whimsy introduced to your mundane existence. We’ve been there before, but luckily we found a place where even the saddest visage can be turned upside down. That place is the adorably quirky world of Nut and Bee, the product of the fertile mind of Kiwi artist Annette Lauder. The Auckland based illustrator has created a wide array of adorable animal and even vegetable characters that are beaming with personality. We recommend heading on over to the Nut and Bee Etsy shop to get your fix of fun imagery. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face and it’ll probably make you want to buy an awesome print or two.

As most creative personages are aware, capturing the essence of an original thought is vital to the genesis of a brilliant idea. Often times those seeking to innovate lay in bed with a computer or notepad nearby just in case that critical first thought of a genius concept comes to them just as they’re counting sheep. Marie Chantal Turgeon is certainly familiar with this practice and has thus manifested it into a somewhat brilliant idea of her own. The Montreal-based artist/blogger’s self-published book First Thoughts: On Life, Blogging and The Creative Process is a compilation of Turgeon’s sketches and spontaneous musings in their purest forms on the subjects of life, creativity, and exploration of the of the arts. The book also contains observations about how blogging can be apart of the creative process. So, if you’re looking to be harness your inspiration, we recommend taking a look at some inspiration in action by picking up a copy of Ms. Turgeon’s book at her emcee Etsy shop, along with some of her illustrations and paintings.

There aren't many more fun activities for all ages than going to the zoo (okay, maybe bowling). Unfortunately after you pay your admission it's kind of a crapshoot. Sometimes the tigers don't really feel like hanging out or the llamas are feeling especially spitty. If only there was a way to bring the magic of the zoo into your own home minus the unpleasantness of not knowing whether the monkeys will spend the day throwing their own ‘materials’ at you. Well now there is…and it's not the Discovery Channel. Portland based Photographer Elizabeth Soule has created an adorable collection of animal-themed prints with ‘The Little Zoo.’ Her photographs feature miniature plastic Zoo animals in settings that are anything but their natural habitat. Whether you end up getting the little deer next to the cupcake or the mini-elephant on a map, these creations, available at the e.soule Etsy store, bring the zoo home to you.

Robert Ryan loves paper…though we can't say for sure if he likes to read things on it, but we know he likes to take sharp objects to it in the name of art. The London based artist specializes in slicing up pieces of paper to create one-of-a-kind images that one might describe as playful, visceral and dynamic all at the same time. While Ryan's favorite material to work with is paper, he also transfers his creations to a variety of mediums, including screen prints, textiles, ceramics, or laser cutting. He's got quite the collection available of arresting work available at his misterrob Etsy shop. Our favorite is this hand-printed, hand-fired piece that asks the question, ‘Why Are You So Naughty?’ and answers ‘Because I'm So Happy.’ Does that make us naughty or happy for finding Rob Ryan's work?

Paris, France may be known as the city of lights, love, and the Louvre, but it's also a canvas for Fabienne, the creative force behind the the Labokoff Etsy Store. The Paris-based graphic designer creates her own unique visions of the land she calls home and beyond by combining her love of photography and painting into single pieces. The Labokoff principle delicately introduces subtle flourishes in the form of starfish, swirls, circles, and multi-colored drops of paint to her already arresting images. In employing this artful process she manages to convert everything from Eiffel Tower to the beach at Normandy into a visual (arc de) triumph. Did we mention these dazzling designs are extremely affordable? C’est magnifique!

As global warming brings the inevitable dawn of another ice age the likes of which the cast of The Day After Tomorrow has never seen before, it's probably a good idea to be properly layered. We don't really care what you're wearing underneath that winter coat, but we think you should be fashionable outside. That's where Jamie Geller Dutra comes into the picture. The Ithaca, New York native, who is no doubt used to frigid weather, makes quite the statement with her hand-painted, handcrafted scarves that double as unique works of art and bold fashion accessories. If you're in the market for a scarf that shows some artistic flair, we recommend stopping by Jamie's Etsy store and pick one up for yourself. While you're at it, you can snag one of several original abstract modernist paintings, just in case you're too scared to venture out into the cold.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and since your relationship dodged quite a bullet last year when you waited until the last minute so the sweet shop only had leftover Hannukah gelt, it would probably be a good idea to plan ahead this time around. First things first, you need a unique card to express the ultimate sentiment to your sweetie so she doesn't dump you like yesterday's trash. Luckily, we've got just the thing. San Francisco-based procurers of paper, cloth and home goodies,Chewing the Cud have created a set of adorable cards with witty puns for the lucky loved one who caught your eye the moment you were struck by cupid's arrow. What are you waiting for? Head over to Chewing the Cud's Etsy Shop and get your lucky love a card before it's too late…or maybe you should just consider buying your relationship a bulletproof vest.

Via Oh Joy!

Beastieland may sound like an amusement park dedicated to three forty-something white rappers from New York City, but it actually has nothing to do about fighting for your right to party. Beastieland is a comic world, created by Pittsburgh based illustrator Jan Descartes, where Beasties live in perfect disharmony with their irresponsible animal friends who just plain don't give a hoot, creating general havoc and hilarity around the town. What kind of havoc you ask? Only you know for sure, because it's your sick mind that's behind the story. Beastieland's story arc is determined by readers who send in suggestions; making for a truly interactive and gleefully outrageous comic experience. If your urge to control plot doesn't stop at the comic you can set up your own Beastieland at home by purchasing your own stuffed versions of the characters at their Etsy Store.

At this point, you've undoubtedly been able to find some novel ways to blow through a few Benjamins…and if you're still toting around that bulky, receipt-filled meatball of a wallet proving your extensive fiscal irresponsibility, we suggest ditching it in favor of something super sweet. What did we have in mind? How about a wallet from Tinymeat's's artist series, available from their Etsy store? The Portland based design company's astonishing line of cash and credit keepers are made of super shiny and durable thick vinyl and are covered in kickass works from various artists from all over the world, even former EtsyFound subject, Ashley Goldberg gets in the act. Seriously, If you could have a wallet with a bear fighting a robot on it, wouldn't you?

Tim Chumley’s alternatively soft and unambiguous photography is making us wish we were the gardening type. However, by accentuating the delicacy, transparency and individual beauty of fruits and flowers, Chumley allows up to keep our paws out of the mud and back on the hammer (that we’ll use to hang his incredibly reasonable 6×9 prints on our bedroom/bathroom/kitchen wall). The three pictures shown above are from one of Tim’s three series of lulling prints available on etsy and at his online print shop. Browse them all here.

If you’re looking to infuse a little bit of vintage into your art collection, look no further than Raydel Photography; the simple, elegant and whimsical mixed media prints from the Florida-based self-taught photographer are not only incredibly affordable, but totally not that Target print you bought and are attempting to pass off as something you found in a thrift shop somewhere, whose whereabouts you’ve conveniently forgotten. Which, in our opinion, is always a good thing.

There’s something about bearded men, and I should know…I have a beard…and I’m a man. St. Louis-based Artist Ashley Goldberg must share this sentiment because she certainly seems fascinated with them enough to make them the subject of many of her darling designs…If you’re into collecting prints of dudes with face fuzz, we’d suggest heading to her Etsy Shop to purchase one or possibly more of these adorable images. Even if Chin bristles aren’t your thing there’s a plethora of precious pictures that Ms. Goldberg has churned out for your visual enjoyment and monetary patronage, all of which possess a certain simplicity and childlike innocence making for an admirable addition to anyone’s art collection.

Via design*sponge

Are you having trouble telling that certain someone how you really feel? We know where you’re coming from. Sometimes a text message is too impersonal and we’re not really good at talking on the phone either. If passive aggression, or I guess aggressive aggression is your thing, you can delicately hint at your feelings with a gift… the gift of words. And nothing says, I think you’re a jerkfaced-douchelord like throwing a beanbag with the words “jerkface” or “douchelord” right at the face of the person, whom you feel is best characterized by said word. Yes, the maybeyoushoulddie shop at Etsy has thought of all of the clever combinations of insults from “bitchass” to “whoremouth” totalling 16 in all, and embroidered them on these special Mean Bags allowing you to dole out hurtful phrases with pinpoint accuracy, while at the same time softening the blow with pillowy tenderness. So now I guess the only question is: does the victim of your wrath charge you with physical or verbal assault? (They’re presently sold out, but here’s hoping someone with nimble fingers is fixing that.)

I don’t spend nearly enough time looking around Etsy. Whenever I do stop by to peruse, I find amazing, almost one-of-a-kind buys. I just forget to look. But that will change shortly. Yesterday someone directed me to Etsy’s color site, a fantastic color-based interaction that allows you to shop all of Etsy’s stock by…color.

The site is addictingly fun to interact with; as you scroll over the colors, they pop up, leaving a ripple-like trail of color behind your mouse pointer. Click on a color, and it grabs everything Etsy that matches. When you’re done, toss those items off the page and keep on browsing. This page is sure to make for hours of wasted time at work — but then again, what site doesn’t? — and is sure to be a point of reference for future EtsyFound posts right here.