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.

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.

For the last few days I’ve been deep in design mode, creating new designs, color palettes and products even. Crazy! And I’ll be posting the results here soon.

But as much as I’ve been designing, I’ve also been discovering new blogs to fuel my creativity. These are 5 of my new favorites places for new design ideas, cool artists and general creativity.

papercut art

scissors + paper rock!
For some of the coolest things you can do with paper, scissors + paper rock! is the place. This blog features really talented indie designers. And showcases everything from paper installation art to intricate papercuts done by hand.
http://scissorsandpaperrock.blogspot.com/

Designer DIY

Eddie Ross
Proof that great design doesn’t have to be stuffy or out of reach. Eddie Ross’ blog is full of tips for great style on a normal person’s budget, including entertaining, design, and yes, DIY.
http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/

Paper and Clothing Design

Made by Michelle Brusegaard
Not only does Michelle Brusegaard make some really beautiful handmade paper designs and clothing. She’s also writes like a real person as she shares her life, inspiration and new designs.
http://michellebrusegaard.blogspot.com/

decoupage inspiration

Mod Podge Rocks!
First off, yes it does! For those of you who have yet to discover this miracle in a bottle, Mod Podge is a non-toxic water based glue and sealer that lets you do creative decoupage with paper and fabric. And for great ideas on what you can decoupage, this site is inspiration heaven.
http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/

new indie designers

The Red Thread
A talented children’s art designer, Lisa Tilse has a knack for finding other talented, cool and unique artists. A great place to discover new independent designers.
http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/