For about a year now I’ve been doing a lot of purchasing from shops on Etsy, for myself or gifts – it’s a great spot (and highly addictive!) If you’re unaware, Etsy.com is a online marketplace. People from all over create shops on Etsy to sell their handmade (or vintage) goods. Paintings, jewelry, furniture, crafts, etc – you name it, you can probably find it on Etsy.

So while buying handmade is awesome, buying handmade AND local is even better.

From time to time, I’m going to share a few Etsy local finds. I invite you to do a Shop Local search on Etsy the next time you are in need of a gift for someone special.

(Also, just to note, I am in no way affiliated with Etsy – I just love the site!)

Here’s a few from San Jose, Los Gatos, and Palo Alto!

San Jose:

zbella.etsy.com: Nature-Inspired Metal Artisan Jewelry
I was really in awe of this pendant. Zbella notes, “I made this pretty little pendant by impressing the pattern of a real leaf onto copper sheet, giving it a deep red/black patina with my torch, and cutting it out to the shape of the leaf.”

Los Gatos:

BionicBenz.etsy.com: Belt Buckles
Gorgeous! Antiqued copper surrounds an assortment of lovely images. He also takes custom image orders.

Palo Alto:

JYEittreim.etsy.com: Fine Art Prints by Jillian Eittreim
Jillian, a BFA student at San Jose State University creates lovely, intricate pieces of art. My favorite, the example used, is titled Three Queens (in Sanguine ink).