It’s officially Valentine’s season, and I couldn’t be more excited.  It’s been one of my favorite holidays ever since I was little.  You may see a nod to Valentine’s Day in my posts for the next few weeks, but I’ll try not to be too overbearing.  Try.

This week’s Picking Favorites looks a bit different from previous installments.  No collage images, for one.  And second, all of my picked favorites hail from Etsy.  With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, I thought it might be nice to offer some items that have gifting potential.  The items in this post don’t have to be given, though, as you can just read this as a few things that have been inspiring me lately!

I’ve broken down these ten items into three categories.  All photos were taken by the original artists, and links to all of their Etsy shops are below.

For the Homemaker

Where to begin with Cotton & Flax…  I’ve been following Erin’s Instagram feed for a while now, and find her design and aesthetic to be so beautiful.  These handmade printed napkins would make a great gift for a loved one or for a dinner party host.  (Click here to see her website, too.)

Anne and I have recently been interested in experimenting with more cocktail-making at home.  Her parents gave her two great copper mugs for Christmas this year, and they’ve settled in nicely on our bar cart (tour coming soon!).  The copper mugs above are from Etsy shop Custom Copper Mugs.  I can almost feel summer now, and yet we’ve found they are equally tasty in winter!

This walnut cutting board by Robert at Foodiebords is exquisite.  It would pair nicely with cheese knives or a pretty dish towel.  There are few greater gifts than a well-crafted cutting board, as it’s both versatile and long-lasting.

Pretty As A Print is near and dear to me.  My friend and fellow creative arts therapist Julia runs this Etsy shop, and it’s filled with wonderful art.  The print above is of the Philly skyline, and it brings me joy!

For the Leaf Lover

The ceramic pieces in Avesha Michael‘s Etsy shop are incredible!  This mini vase, with its matte cream color and brown speckled glaze, is definitely my favorite.  There is so much texture within its three-inch height!

Red Bird Ink has a lovely Etsy shop filled with letterpress paper goods and custom printed items.  These letterpress paper coasters each have a different green plant on them.  The coaster on top here is of a maidenhair fern, one of the cutest plants around town.  While this set is mix-and-match greenery, other sets can be of all one plant or design.

Speaking of plants, the Sensitive Plant is uh-mazing.  It has a genetic mutation that causes the plant to close if touched, moved, or shaken.  It also closes at night.  I saw this plant when I was in Jamaica nearly four years ago, and didn’t know what it was called or if I’d ever see it again.  Now I might just have to buy this kit from JPants4Sale.  You will NOT stop touching it!  (See it in action on YouTube.)

For the Accessorizer

These waxed canvas travel bags from Lifetime Travel Co. are delicious.  I’m not sure I could ever choose just one color.  They could be used for toiletries, jewelry, makeup, or pretty much anything else when you’re on the move.  All of the items in their Etsy shop are incredible, though — this just skims the surface!

I’m a sucker for jewelry.  Anyone who knows me well knows that.  But when it comes to earrings, I typically want something that I can wear with 99.99% of my wardrobe.  These studs from Lunai Jewelry look like they’d do just the trick.  I love that the jewelry on her Etsy shop has a simple, very functional design and feel.

Last but not least, this infinity plaid scarf from Freckle Face Monday would look good on just about anyone.  Angie and Kay’s shop is chock-full of seriously good-looking plaid scarves.  They’ve got one for practically every skin tone and hair color.  Go check them out!

And there you have it!  Do you have a favorite item from the selection above?  Are you thinking about potential Valentine’s Day gifts, either for yourself (let’s be real) or someone else?

PS) Don’t forget to enter into the Sticky9 GIVEAWAY by this Friday!!!