Handmade Spotlight: UNAshop

I confess, I'm a sucker for a fabulous bag. I especially love rich colors and strong embellishments, so featuring UNAshop for my first Handmade Spotlight was almost a no-brainer. I seriously covet several of their bags, but I think the 'Flor' is my favorite, striking a good balance between tough and sweet, with its bold ruffles and bright color.

Of course, if you want trendy with a touch of hippie whimsy, then their 'Janis' bag is made for you. Designed in a gorgeous buttery leather and dripping with fringe, it's both roomy and fierce; the perfect thing for a no-nonsense city girl to toss over her shoulder while grabbing a latte.

Finally, although a bit more demure, their 'Ramona' bag is no less chic. I prefer the version in sleek black with silver hardware. Best of all, it can double as a laptop case, making you the most stylish worker in the conference room, or a diaper bag, meaning you are one fierce mommy. The sheer versatility of 'Ramona' means you'll get a lot of mileage out of this bag.

Each of UNAshop's bags are beautifully handmade and many come with included extras like laptop sleeves, mini-bags for cellphones and key rings. Even better, shipping is free through the end of November. If you're looking for a great gift for the fashionable woman in your life, UNAshop is the place to start.

Inaugural Post

Welcome to the inaugural post for Follow the White Rabbit, a blog spotlighting the best in handmade goods today. I suppose, being that this is everyone's first time here, you might have a few questions about this blog. Fortunately, I've got a few answers.

1. Who are you anyway?
Glad you asked! I'm Joie, and I'm one of the co-owners of Wonderland Station on Etsy. We offer a variety of fun, handmade home goods like pillow cases, soaps and wine racks. Occasionally, you may see me mention Wonderland Station on this blog, but mostly that's not the main reason we're here.

2. So why are you here?
I'm here because, after participating in Etsy for a couple of years, I realized that there were a ton of amazing handmade products for sale out there, some of which were so well-hidden, they weren't getting the love they deserved. I started this blog to highlight products and shops that have particularly impressed me, and will hopefully impress you too. You're here, I assume, because you love handmade items and want some suggestions for the best places to shop online. Fortunately, I think I can help with that.

3. How does this blog work?
Every week I'll make at least one post spotlighting a particular shop or creator, featuring examples of their work. If you like what you see, feel free to show your love by commenting below or by visiting their store to see what else they have to offer. Pretty simple, huh?

4. How do you choose who is featured on this blog?
Honestly, I normally take a look around Etsy and find what appeals to me. Shops that I've purchased from previously, as well as those who are on my favorites list, are likely to get first mention, but I'll also feature shops whose products I feel are both well-made and unique, based upon what I see. As Etsy has mentioned time and time again, how you display your work is important for getting your shop noticed, and there's no exception in this case.

5. Can I suggest a shop to be featured?
Absolutely! It's completely possible that I've missed something fabulous that you think deserves a attention. Feel free to email me with any suggestions and I'll take what you have to say into consideration. Please realize that I'm only one person, however, and it's not possible for me to feature every shop suggestion I get. Also, I reserve the right not to spotlight something if it doesn't really appeal to me. Taste may be subjective, but it's my taste that determines what is represented here.

I think those are the basics, and I'll be posting my very first spotlight later this afternoon in honor of all the Black Friday sales. Personally, I think the busiest shopping day of the year is a great time to debut a blog highlighting the very best in in handmade goods.

--Joie