I love being part of the Etsy wedding team. Usually it’s just because I’m inspired by the wonderful designs and crafts that my fellow team members create for beautiful weddings.

But recently we’ve banded together to donate our items to raise money for Haiti Relief. From now until Feb 12, this Friday, the team has donated items for sale, and not just for weddings. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. Visit the team shop: www.etsywedteam.etsy.com for more info.

Here are some of my favorite items from the Etsy Wedding Team Haiti Relief shop. Get them before they’re gone…and it’s for a great cause.

10 Modern Indian Wedding Designs from Etsy

Today Justin and I are surrounded by beautiful red and gold handmade paisley paper for these layered Indian wedding invitations we are working on for a bride.

Indian Paisley Invitation

And that has gotten me thinking about other Indian wedding design. I love the colors and patterns with Indian design.  So I went looking for more! Here are 10 modern and beautiful Etsy finds for modern Indian weddings or Indian theme celebrations.

Indian print purse

The Clutch. For a modern take on traditional Indian prints, look for a tighter, more geometric pattern with few colors. This purse with Indian print has a very modern, sleek look. {handmade by www.BrianaEdelmanDesigns.etsy.com}

Indian silk ring pillow

The Ceremony. I love wedding items that can live beyond your wedding day. And I can see this ring pillow at home on a sofa or a favorite chair as a reminder of the day you got married. {handmade by www.karenyee.etsy.com}

Gold necklace

The Jewelry. Gold jewelry is an important part of traditional Indian bridal wear.  For brides who aren’t going to don the full traditional jewelry, a necklace like this, with an intricate gold pendant can be a modern and elegant choice. {handmade by www.eluniaBride.etsy.com}

Indian lotus save the date

The Stationery. For a cohesive wedding design, announce your theme or style as early as possible…starting with the save the dates. This is actually a new layered Indian wedding suite design of ours. It’s inspired by Indian architecture and the lotus, which we’ve turned into a custom pattern.
{handmade by www.KembaCelebrations.etsy.com}

custom wedding flutes

The Toast. Again, these champagne flutes with Indian pattern are a keeper from your wedding day. Great for re-toasts on your anniversary or special holidays. {handmade by www.Laserbird.etsy.com}

Indian cake topper

The Cake Topper. For weddings blending traditional Indian and American ceremony elements, an Indian couple cake topper can bring the styles together. {handmade by www.weddingcollectibles.etsy.com}

Paisley guest book

The Guestbook. The rich deep purple of this custom bound this guestbook is stunning. A beautiful keepsake for a lush, vibrant wedding. {handmade by www.EmersonBindery.etsy.com}

Sari favor magnets

Magnet Favors. How clever. These favor magnets made from Indian patterned fabric are a beautiful way to keep Indian design alive in the home of your guests. {handmade by www.tweedylane.etsy.com}

Mehndi favor bookmarks

Bookmark Favors. For style your guests can take with them, these mehndi patterned bookmarks are cute favors.
{handmade by www.tuccipaperco.etsy.com}

handmade Indian style card

The Thank You. How beautiful are these? As thank you cards, these are almost a second favor for your guests, some of whom just might frame them. {handmade by www.withanindiantouch.etsy.com}

For more Indian design inspiration, check out these pictures.

Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of interest in our handmade diecut seashell beach wedding invitation.

Seashell and Seahorse Beach Invitation

Beach wedding planning season must be on. And so to help narrow down the many choices out there, here are 10 of my favorite handmade designs for beach weddings found on Etsy.

Beach theme save the date bookmarks

Save the Date. Not only does this save the date announce your theme early on, it’s a bookmark your guests can use again and again…maybe while relaxing on the beach with a good book. {handmade by www.SunshineandRavioli.etsy.com}

Wedding dress shrug

Dress Up the Dress. Beach wedding gowns are often light and airy. But if you want to add a little more va-voom…and still be able to walk easily on sand, this glamorous shrug could be your answer. {handmade by www.Countessa.etsy.com}

Handmade beach wedding signs

The Signage. Handmade custom signs point your guests in the right direction, in a fun personal way. {handmade by www.Funkifolkart.etsy.com}

Shell aisle decoration

The Aisle Decor. These shell balls are a beachy alternative to floral balls for the back of chairs lining the aisle. {handmade by www.magartsypartycrafts.etsy.com}

Handmade beach starfish guest book

The Guest Book. This map covered handmade guest book is a real heirloom piece, not just because of the guests’ words within. But also because of the hand bookbinding work, including coptic stitching.
{handmade by www.OliveArt.etsy.com}

Anchor wedding place cards

The Placecards. Anchors are a nautical alternative to shells and starfish for beach weddings. And these are very unique, very fun placecards. {handmade by www.TimelessPaper.etsy.com}

Starfish place card holders

The Placeholders. Real makes an impact. So as much as you can include real shells, starfish, anchors, etc. to your wedding decor, the more you immerse your guests in your theme. {handmade by www.seasidedesigns.etsy.com}

Handmade shell cake cutting set

The Cake Cutting. The cake cutting is often the signature event of the wedding (after the “I dos” of course!). Beach it up with elegant shell covered cake servers that become a memento of your special day.
{handmade by www.Beadz2Pleaz.etsy.com}

Fish glass sculpture

The Centerpiece. Wow. Forget ice-sculpture, this glass fish inspired centerpiece is elegant eye-candy you can keep. And can I say it again…wow! {handmade by www.ConfectionsInGlass.etsy.com}

Starfish favor tags

The Takeaway. Clean, friendly design makes these favor tags appropriate for a variety of beach weddings, from casual to elegant. {handmade by www.maidavale.etsy.com}

For more ideas for beach theme weddings and parties see this three-part celebrations guide on Polynesian-style beach designs.

Inspiration is a wonderful thing. And thanks to smart friends and new designers, I’m getting oodles of it lately.

So even though Justin and I started out designing invitations, we’ve been branching out into clothes, stationery, and now home and office decor. (And no, my head hasn’t exploded quite yet, but it might soon) One thing I’ve relearned along the away is that I love painting boxes!

Here are some of our new handmade designs, soon-to-be-seen in our www.CoolHot.etsy.com shop (and here on www.KembaCelebrations.com of course!)

handpainted jewelry box

handpainted wood trinket box

I’ll say it again: I love painting boxes. So putting our patterns on these wooden boxes was a no-brainer. Each one is painted and decorated by hand by me, and I love every second of it. Check out the beautiful necklace in the top photo. It was handmade by my mother-in-law.  And it’s one of my favorite things!

handmade Japanese journal

handmade journals with world prints

In our home, I’m surrounded by papers. Every once in a while, I like to think of new things to do with them. The latest result was these journals. Read the story behind the Italian paper used in the handmade journal here.

Polish inspired paper cut stationery

handmade Korean inspired holiday card

Holiday cards and Stationery in 3D: Justin and I picked up a digital die-cutter a couple of years ago. Who could say no to cutting out your own designs on paper…we couldn’t. And yes it collected dust for a while, but no longer.

By the way, to make room for all these new creations, we are in the process of moving all our wedding and soon-to-be-created social invitations and baby shower designs to a new Etsy shop: www.KembaCelebrations.etsy.com. And the CoolHot shop will be for our handmade office and home decor, stationery and holiday designs.

When people think Scandinavian design, sleek modern furniture often comes to mind. But I’ve recently fallen for the shapes and colors in traditional Scandinavian folk art.

Whether it’s a dala horse, bird or tulip, the clean lines and simple shapes are so iconic that they remain fresh even today. And some of the handmade artists at Etsy have translated these traditional shapes into modern designs.

handmade Scandinavian style jewelry

Red and light blue is still a fresh, modern color combo.
Jewelry by www.margrietje.etsy.com

bird tags

Scandinavian birds and horses are popular for holiday decoration. These bird tags are made from wood instead of paper. By www.makalewakan.etsy.com

paper dala horses

An updated version of the dala horse, made up of paper instead of wood.
By www.ponypretties.etsy.com

Japanese folk fabric bag

This purse is actually made from Japanese fabric, featuring Scandinavian designs. By www.blackkawaii.etsy.com

Scandinavian style pillow

Traditional shape updated for the modern home.
By www.roddyandginger.etsy.com

Ok so this is a totally random Etsy Find.

It’s not related to cultural weddings, international design…maybe a jungle or lodge theme. But I love these. Taking cardboard and turning them into 3D animals is just cool in my book.

These are from Cardboard Safari at Etsy. Now, if you have to have these and need an excuse, the small rhinos would make unique table decoration. No one would forget your celebration.

Carboard Rhino: Unique Theme Reception Decor?

Cardboard Bison - Seriously!

I’m introducing Etsy Find Fridays with these handmade hairpieces perfect for garden weddings or outdoor weddings.

Garden weddings are so versatile. You can dress them up or dress them down, hold them in the glorious light of a sunny afternoon or at night by the wispy glow of candlelight and fireflies. And because garden weddings can be casual or luxe and anything in between, so can your bridal look.

Go Stunning: Luxe Garden Wedding Hairpiece

Feather bridal hairpiece

This piece is handmade with goose feathers and silk flower. Perfect for a night garden wedding with a luxe feeling.

Go Sweet: Casual Garden Bridal Hairpiece

Butterfly and floral headband

This floral headband with feather butterfly is just so delightful. Great for the casual bride or a backyard intimate wedding, or for your bridesmaids.