New Game!
It’s time for a brand new feature here at Regretsy:
Lately I’ve noticed that the items being sold at Anthropologie are getting more and more hackneyed. Its clear to me at least that Anthropologie is borrowing heavily from Etsy’s aesthetic, scouring their pages for all the forced whimsy they can find. Then they call up their army of 12 year-old Malaysians, and crank that phukery out all day long.
Did you ever think this would happen? Did you ever think you’d look at safety pin earrings and wonder, “Are those hand made or mass produced?” It just goes to show you what a recursive clusterfuck this all is. You buy stupid crap on Etsy, retailers notice, they make more, and now it’s in the stores, where the rest of us are forced to pay for your crimes.
Since it’s getting harder and harder to separate the Etsy shop from the sweatsy shop, we’ve put together this little game to help you sharpen your horseshit detectors. Take your best guess, and click the image for the answer.
HOLD ON: An eagle-eyed reader points out that the artist responsible for the Bookworm necklace on Anthropologie also has an Etsy store. So the last one is kind of a trick question, because the answer is Etsy *AND* Anthropologie. Which ought to make you feel great.
January 19, 2011 at 9:20 am
My success ratio here was about as good as “random guessing”… all my dead wrong answers were at the beginning and then I got the last batch correct.
January 19, 2011 at 9:21 am
I got them all wrong… I feel strangely proud.
January 19, 2011 at 9:21 am
I totally don’t get the “random crap and a plastic dinosaur”-chic thing. Unless it’s for a toddler.
January 19, 2011 at 9:22 am
I got most of these wrong. I’ve given far too much credit to Anthropologie and not enough to the every day crafters at Etsy.
January 19, 2011 at 9:22 am
Any bets as to when Anthroplologie is going to change its name to Anthroapology?
January 19, 2011 at 9:23 am
Fucking hipsters.
January 19, 2011 at 9:23 am
I quit after the Jurassic party clip. Makes me want to drink early.
For less 15 bucks, you can get an awesome Etsy DONKEY dressed like Wonder Woman and support Ady’s donkey rescue.
January 19, 2011 at 9:25 am
In the direct-comparison category, etsy wins every time – WTF?
January 19, 2011 at 9:26 am
Fuck me up the goat-ass! 15 dollars for the gay pride parade dinosaur? $30 for a doily on a chain. Psssst….Anthropologie…they sell doilies at Michael’s for about $1 and the chains for about $2. What bothers me the most though is all the kids in the Phuk Yoo sweatshop muttering under their breath that Westerners must be fucking stupid.
January 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
Is this like a goal for some Etsy crafters? To get “discovered” by a buyer at a large chain store? One hopes that the large chain store is actually giving the “designers” some money before sending their designs overseas to be mass produced.
January 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
I too got almost every one of them wrong. Hint to those who haven’t played yet: Etsy items are the ones that look better made.
January 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
I got them all wrong except the first one. Holy Lord.
Easy way to win: The ones that are halfway decent at the ETSY ones.
January 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
Got them all wrong. I’ve never heard of Anthropologie and now I’m glad this is the first I’ve heard of it.
January 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
Once i realized etsy was better quality shit i started getting the guesses correct much to my disbelief…Guess that child labor isn’t what it used to be…
January 19, 2011 at 9:31 am
I did well with the first one and got cocky, I proceeded to get most of the others wrong. I’m a bit disturbed that I thought the Etsy watch looked better than the Anthropologie one. (but not $200 better).
January 19, 2011 at 9:32 am
I got them all right. I’m not surprised, as I am a dinosaur in diamonds.
January 19, 2011 at 9:32 am
The Jurassic Party clip got me. That’s fuckery the likes of which even god has never seen.
I do feel bad the the Steampunk watch from Etsy is so attractive to me. I’m not into Steampunk but that’s damn pretty.
January 19, 2011 at 9:34 am
The Anthropologie watch looks like they dipped a bracelet in hot glue and rolled it around in a junk drawer.
January 19, 2011 at 9:36 am
Just shoot me now. I actually like the Etsy book-trio necklace.
/hanging my head in shame
May 27, 2011 at 10:17 pm
I like it too. I think it is why someone likes it. If it is to be ironic becuase you would never read a book that isn’t on a computer, no. But for book lovers, a librarian or other jobs were books and computers can co-exist (yes, I still use books somethimes) it is neat. Plus I also like the textued covers – they did do a good job rather than the last “pile” – use the word as you will.
January 19, 2011 at 9:36 am
Am I alone in wanting that cuff watch on etsy?
January 19, 2011 at 9:38 am
Archie McPhee is rolling around in his grave!
January 19, 2011 at 9:38 am
Feeling sort of old… I know, maybe I’ll wear a bib, or this dinosaur. or bambi. Maybe they will think I’m a student if I wear these books. Light reading anyone?
January 19, 2011 at 9:39 am
Regretsy-worthy items with etsy prices made by oversea Walmart salaried workers?
January 19, 2011 at 9:40 am
I got most of them right. I don’t think I’m proud…
Anyone notice the price on the anthropologie book necklace?? Holy fuck, who would pay that?!?
January 19, 2011 at 9:41 am
My eyes are rolling so hard they’re almost sprung from their sockets. None of this should really surprise me…I’ve seen “fashion” shows. This shit would look right at home on a stick-thin model strutting down a runway dressed in peacock feathers with a lampshade on her head.
January 19, 2011 at 9:41 am
This reminds me of this blog post:
http://steammeupkid.blogspot.com/2010/12/but-any-old-thing-will-do-really.html
January 19, 2011 at 9:45 am
#19 siriuslee
Nope. It’s ridiculously attractive.
I am also ordering one of the Etsy book necklaces – so &*$@ cute!
January 19, 2011 at 9:47 am
When you’re inspired by your toddler’s toys, your teenager’s friendship bracelet supplies, and your grandmother’s costume jewelry to create a brooch, and then have your personal army of youth go to work… you’re doing it wrong.
January 19, 2011 at 9:50 am
I like the watch too, but it will be a cold day in hell when I wear my napkin as a necklace!
January 19, 2011 at 9:51 am
You know what’s going to happen now, right? Someone will open an Etsy shop making knock-offs of Anthropologie products, but will make them much better and sell them for less than Anthropologie does. And the circle of whimsicle fuckery continues…
January 19, 2011 at 9:53 am
I got most of them wrong. damn.
BUT I got the 3 book necklace!! awesome!
January 19, 2011 at 9:56 am
I thought each of the Etsy items beat out the Anthrowhatever ones in terms of attractiveness and craftsmanship, if only marginally. This made me briefly proud of Etsy.
Then I considered that grown people made the Etsy stuff voluntarily, whereas the Malayasian 12-year old is making Anthrosomething stuff because he needs the job to survive. I picture the little Malay boy muttering to himself, “Westerners are messed up. When I’m a successful doctor in America, I’m not treating anyone wearing a frickin’ doily.”
January 19, 2011 at 10:01 am
Ok, so I think the steampunk cuff and the book necklace are adorable…but the Etsy ones, not the Anthropologie.
Also, I would like to echo the several previous “WTF CRAP AN’ A DINOSAUR PIN” comments.
January 19, 2011 at 10:03 am
WHICH ONE OF YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK NECKLACE I WANTED??!
Note: I will NOT being going to Anthropologie to buy their cheap knock off.
January 19, 2011 at 10:05 am
So I saw that Anthrostuff had an intimates page, and I clicked it for the lolz.
Ever so many lolz. Muy caliente, hipsters.
January 19, 2011 at 10:07 am
wow, that cuff from etsy is GORGEOUS. the one from anthropologie is HIDEOUS. fuckin’a.
i would totally buy that cuff (the first one) if i only had the money and could stand wearing stuff on my wrists. i really do love it, tho.
January 19, 2011 at 10:10 am
Being an anthropology student, you could imagine my reaction when I first entered an Anthropolgie store. (excited to depressed in 0.4 seconds) Etsy has cuter items.
P.S. I wanted the triple book necklace too.
January 19, 2011 at 10:15 am
Wow… that dinosaur glued together nest of destruction really got me.
January 19, 2011 at 10:19 am
While the world might be a better place for the reality of sweatsy shops, it is definitely a better place for the word.
January 19, 2011 at 10:32 am
I’m not keen on doily necklaces on principle, but you have to admit that the Etsy one is vastly superior.
May 27, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I think you, as many of us (inasaga at #37, Purple Peacock below for 2 examples) have hit one what is really horrid. While the Etsy things may not(or may with a couple of items here) be to our taste AND tend to be overpriced, they are still WAY better than the Anthro things. As you point out – it is a doily, not a f—ing 1/2 moon of lace. They just folded over the top of a circle to slip the cheap chain through. Sad as well as fugly.
January 19, 2011 at 10:32 am
Why is it that the crap on Etsy looks better than the crap on Anthropologie?
(and why name it Anthropologie anyway? It makes no sense…)
January 19, 2011 at 10:37 am
you’d think civilization would eventually STOP collapsing, wouldn’t you?
January 19, 2011 at 10:39 am
Me: FAIL. Game: WIN. Watch: WANT!!!
January 19, 2011 at 10:43 am
#26 – That’s the funniest blog I’ve read in a long time – Thanks. And, by the way, I guessed almost all right, except the cuff/watch things. I figured the Etsy one was a reseller, because it was so nice and the Anthro. one was awful, like Etsy. Oh well.
January 19, 2011 at 10:45 am
I agree that most of the Etsy stuff totally beat out the Anthropologie stuff. $250 for that crap-ass book necklace, are you kidding me? The Etsy one was cute, though…
January 19, 2011 at 10:45 am
I got them all right. And I too am in love with the Etsy book necklaces. I hope there will still be some in stock when I get paid Friday.
January 19, 2011 at 10:48 am
going to fire up the glue gun and shake my kids toybox and wa la Ima gonna go in business.
January 19, 2011 at 10:57 am
TRICK QUESTIONS, H.K!!! Although I nailed a few correct-a-mundo, it’s just like a remake of a bad movie
Clearly, I’m in the WRONG line of work. @#24 pplrdum
like I said… How hard can it be to fold up some felt and add a few cheap-ass beads???
No longevity in Steampuke Style, but WTF, I HAVE a Junk Dresser filled with that crap.
January 19, 2011 at 11:01 am
Even though I brought testing supplies, I failed. QUESTIONS REMAIN! The Anthroblahblah napkin necklace states “it’s for modern necklines” – does that mean do not wear if you have saggy boobs?!
The Anthropolagagme cuff watch-thingy has “silvery” buttons. Is it real silvery or artificial?
Lastly – hipster hair fuckery on Etsy is called a “fascinator”, yet on Anthromalaysweatshop it is a “party clip”. My party clip is made of metal and looks like an alligator. 420 BITCHES!!!
January 19, 2011 at 11:02 am
most i didnt even try, i am terrible at guessing… except the watches, and i had them right…
January 19, 2011 at 11:06 am
ahh etsy recursion! (only much uglier than the famous Hasselhoff recursion)
it’s like a perfect example of super-symmetry! My world is in balance again.
January 19, 2011 at 11:13 am
Oh man, that is too funny. I only guessed wrong twice but that steampunk cuff is da BOMB!I was actually surprised just how crappy the Anthropologie stuff was!
January 19, 2011 at 11:13 am
I got them all right and so now I get a prize, right? I’m thinking something along the lines of a hair clip made from a “vintage” toothbrush artistically hand-distressed with puffy glue, glitter, cat hair, and spit.
January 19, 2011 at 11:15 am
I have been looking for a parallel in Etsy to this necklace, but can’t find something nearly as ugly, as badly made, or as expensive:
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=&id=19155704&catId=SHOPSALE-JEWELRY&pushId=SHOPSALE-JEWELRY&popId=SHOPSALE&sortProperties=&navCount=640&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=072&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=E
January 19, 2011 at 11:29 am
So am I understanding correctly that one group of retards created this crap and then sold it to a second group of retards in volume sufficient to cause a third group of retards to actually mass-produce said crap for sale in fine gift shops and gas stations worldwide?
I weep for humanity.
January 19, 2011 at 11:54 am
I too got them all right by assuming the shitty/shittier item was Anthropologie. And I too like the Etsy books necklace.
January 19, 2011 at 11:56 am
I actually like the etsy watch and mini journal necklace- the Anthropologie versions look like crap! I still cannot believe the dinosaur hair clip was for sale by them. I bet the sweatshop people were all like, “Americans will buy this? Really, no joke? Wow, they must be stupid! This is some ugly shit.”
January 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Here’s my take on the items.
Bambi Versus Godzilla: Bambi is $10 and looks like crap. Mass-produced dino crap is $15. Bambi wins.
(unlike he did in this bout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpBkc2jK-6w)
Black Lace versus White Lace: Again, Etsy is cheaper, but it has little adornments and I like black lace on a woman any way I can get it. Etsy wins again.
Steampunk Watch versus Junk Drawer Watch: Etsy is fucking expensive, but that’s what you get when you compare art to a turd. The price sucks, but a turd is a turd. Etsy wins.
Book Bangles versus Book-Kabob: Both are made from leather. Animals died for this, so let’s get this right. Etsy books look like aged tomes. Cost unknown, but nothing with that seller is over $40. The book-kabob is priced to hurt. At first I didn’t know they were books. I thought it was a slice of doberge cake. For $248, I want books that look like books. This one goes to Etsy as well.
Do I really need to count the wins?
May 27, 2011 at 10:41 pm
I LOVE “book-kabob.”
January 19, 2011 at 12:02 pm
You guys have given me a great idea: sweatsy.com – a reseller’s online marketplace!
Too late! – HK
January 19, 2011 at 12:03 pm
That dinosaur pin is so ridiculous I want to thoat punch the Anthropologie buyer. How about you Anthro-pologize to my sensibilities, you expensive hipster craphole?
Wow, I can’t believe a cruddy chain store got me that mad.
January 19, 2011 at 12:04 pm
1889 “The Decay of Lying” Oscar Wilde
‘Life imitates Art…
2011 “The Laying of Decay”
‘We make Shit, let’s call it ART’
Hmmmmm. Pray tell? Retail America has a knee-jerk reaction to an Etsy-affect on their Bottom-line?
January 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Re the book necklace: am I the only one who saw that and thought “it’s the Talman from ‘Enemy Mine’!”
yep..
U thought so.
I AM the only one…
January 19, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Oh Jumping Jesus… the mini books are Leather? Humble anthropologies!
On magnify-er it’s plain to see, these little masterpieces are hand-bound MINIATURES with re-purposed (keyword) leather. Justified exorbitant price right there…
Somebodies parents are dancing on the graves of their bank accounts… guess that Masters Degree in Art paid off after-all?
January 19, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Poo on whoever of you bought out all the awesome book necklaces in the Etsy store!
And I too am in love with the Etsy watch!
January 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Well, now I know how to play…the shittier looking item belongs to Anthropologie!
January 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Darn you, #31 VeronikaK! *I* wanted that necklace!
I agree with a few of the commenters- we get so caught up in looking for the crap that we forget that a LOT of Etsy crafters are capable of some pretty neat off-beat stuff. That steampunk watch & the book necklace were nicely done. The doily necklace that the Etsy-er did was much nicer than the Anthropologie one, as well. It’s not my style, but at least they took the time to cut the lace into a pleasing shape and attach small beads.
January 19, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Who would’ve thought? The Anthropologie watch doesn’t even keep time (read on the product reviews)… ohhh it’s part of the decoration… I understand now…
January 19, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I have been lurking here forever but was finally inspired to join and comment. (I actually buy a lot of my clothes at Anthropologie, and discovered Regretsy before I discovered Etsy.) I got all of the answers wrong though! I guess it turns out that handmade is better quality than factory made. I also wanted to tell all of you that wanted the Etsy book necklaces that the seller will make more – I just sent him a message and he is working on one right now for me.
January 19, 2011 at 1:08 pm
THE ANTHROPOLOGIE WATCH DOESN’T FUCKING KEEP TIME???!?!?!?!
Stranger: “Excuse me, what time is it?”
You: “Don’t know. Sorry.”
Stranger: “But you have a watch right there.”
You: “No. That’s just decoration.”
Stranger: “You don’t have to be a prick about it. That’s a watch. I just want to know what time it is, asshole.”
You: “Really. It’s just a decoration. Look for yourself.”
Stranger: “You bought a fucking watch that doesn’t tell time? You’re not a prick. You’re a fucking idiot.”
January 19, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I just crawled over the Anthropologie listings again. All of them state they are made in the USA! (so much for the Malaysian sweat shop kids.)
I guess the question is now this: Why are the buyers at Anthropologie so lame that they can’t find the good stuff on Etsy?
May 27, 2011 at 10:45 pm
If they paid for decnent items they could only mark it up 50-100%, not 300-400%.
January 19, 2011 at 1:15 pm
8 years ago I wrote off Anthropolgie as over-priced shabby-chic State Street bullshit when I saw they charge about $75 for ‘distressed’( aka-ripped) cotton clothing that doesn’t fit anyone. I thought I was just being a working-class pragmatist who was subconsciously ashamed of not being a size 2. Thank you, Regretsy, for validating my first impression: Anthropolgie = Bullshit.
January 19, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@52-
look this up… http://www.etsy.com/listing/19561648/hemp-roots-from-nepal-necklace?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=hemp+necklace&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmadeup
This is the only way I can share with you all, as I’m woefully unskilled with computers. I hope you enjoy all of the phukery I’ve brought you…
January 19, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@68–Thank you!
January 19, 2011 at 1:37 pm
I bought the deer necklace. Next time I go through the clearance section of the local craft store I can bring it for inspiration.
January 19, 2011 at 2:01 pm
wow wow… this is fucked up!
January 19, 2011 at 2:16 pm
“Repurposed leather” = you cut up a coat that could have provided warmth to somebody who actually needed it.
Anthropologie has been doing the fake-handmade/fake-vintage thing for a few years now. For awhile it was sweaters that came pre-motheaten.
January 19, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I convoed the Etsy seller for the little book necklace and he agreed to make me a smaller one with only 2 books. So I’d say feel free to convo him and get your own necklace as well.
January 19, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Oh ho ho ho ho, no it is not just Anthopologie! Last fall every forever21 , Charolette R, etc,line was a rip off of Bonzie,and other etsians right down to each ruched shrug.
They did it terribly though. They take a T shirt and slap some swirly tattered fabric and schlocky beads and VIOLA! I call the whole poorly rendered attempts of etsy jocking “GOOBER-GLOBER”.
AS in this would be a really cute dress but they put too much googer glober on it.
They really owe these etsy people an anthro-apology !
January 19, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@#77 – I convoed him as well, he will be posting more for sale in a couple of days!
January 19, 2011 at 2:56 pm
By the way, Richard Hayne, the owner of Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Free People, is a super conservative homophobe, who donates large sums to various members of the Republican party. So basically, all the liberal hipsters who shop at those stores are supporting the very people who they hate. Yay!
January 19, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I quit playing when I got the dinosaur wrong. I became highly enraged that the chances of me seeing that horrific piece of shit on more than one unfortunate etsy buyer threw me over the edge. That is some serious phuckery. That’s the kind of shit that goes straight to the outlet for “up to 70% off” for my grandma to buy me.
January 19, 2011 at 3:10 pm
#72 pip: Gaaaaag. That necklace looks like some dirty hippie cut off their dreds for weed money and the seller strung it together to make a “necklace”. I can practically see the lice jumping off of it.
January 19, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I love how the Etsy stuff is “nicer” than the Anthropologie.
As in, I would sooner buy the former.
January 19, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I suddenly feel a pressing need to explain my name – I’m an anthropologY grad student. Actually, this entire discussion would make great fodder for an anti-capitalism diatribe. But those are so 1997.
January 19, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I got about 50/50, but what was more disturbing, is that most of the etsy stuff looked better than anthropologie’s products. Sad.
January 19, 2011 at 4:20 pm
You got me pretty good! Especially on the doily necklaces…..
January 19, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I epically failed on every single photo.
What does this say about me as a person?
May 27, 2011 at 10:49 pm
That you expect stores to sell decent quality merchandise? Foolish Mortal!
January 19, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Now I’m REALLY looking forward to sweatsy.com having content!!! GO HK!
January 19, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Missed every one and I feel good about it.
January 19, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Sheesh, you have to get here early to get the good book necklaces, I see.
May 27, 2011 at 10:54 pm
If you are not a convo person don’t forget to keeping chekcing back. I just got my goth rag doll from AthomewithPJ a couple of days ago. I’d been checking regularly & by luck got there very shortly after she posted new stock (still some cute, non-black dress dolls there interested people).
January 19, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I am made of fail–missed every one. I’ve walked past the Anthro downtown and never bothered to go in. Now I know to just keep walking (esp after that bit of info about the owner).And I’ve been wondering what real anthropologists would make of a shop with that name (although I’m imagining Margaret Mead writing about hipsters).
And not to be too much of a geek, but that Anthro doily is not Cluny lace, like they’re calling it. It’s not even crocheted Cluny. It’s regular thread crochet.
January 19, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Thanks very much #18 BillsBayou and #21 eringobrales;
I now have a mental picture of the hot glue drenched remains of Archie McPhee rolling around getting covered in glitter and lace!
And thanks to everyone here! All of you have me in steampunk, vintage stitches every day
January 19, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Wow, I did well! I guess there’s a plus side to most of my friends treating the Anthropologie catalog like porn after all.
. . .then again, considering that I don’t win anything but bragging rights, it actually still just sucks.
January 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm
I got them all right. I’m not sure what this says about me, except maybe I’m at the point in my life where I can tell the difference between hand-made high-priced shit and made-in-Taiwan by orphaned children then sold at outrageous prices by high-end retail company shit.
I did almost screw up with the watches, because I initially thought the second one looked too much like it had been slapped together out of whatever was lying around to be Anthropologie. What scares me is that the Etsy watch is actually more attractive, and I wouldn’t mind owning it (if it weren’t so damn expensive).
January 19, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Holy shit that book necklace is over $200 bucks.
I do kind of fancy the watches though. Not worth the prices though.
January 20, 2011 at 12:57 am
You’ve got it wrong. They RAID the junk drawers of the 12 year old Malaysian’s house, and then force them glue all the shit together. Voila!
January 20, 2011 at 8:16 am
I will say, now that I know what kind of person owns Anthropologie, my days of shopping their sales are over.
January 20, 2011 at 8:25 am
Ummm. Is it just me or does that jewel dino look like a good time? For real.
January 20, 2011 at 8:44 am
Here’s the even more messed up thing… Though it’s all eye-roll worthy bleepery, the handmade Etsy bleepery is a lot better-looking as far as quality than the mass-produced bleepery.
January 20, 2011 at 9:28 am
Yay I got all but one right, I am proud? Nope not sure if proud is the word but I played the game and almost won lol. Can’t believe that dinosaur was Anthropologie, I just guessed it because it seemed the least likely answer. I did like the watch from Etsy much better than Anthropologie though, it’s still big and cumbersome but better.
January 20, 2011 at 3:23 pm
One of history’s mysteries are solved. The dinosaurs went extinct so they would never have to see that piece of crap necklace!
January 20, 2011 at 3:29 pm
notice the anthropologie book necklace is $248. $248. $248. That shit makes me want to vomit. The fact that SOMEONE out there thought that piece of utter crap is worth $248. and the fact that some bitchy blond hipster who throws her dad’s credit card is going to actually buy that shit. oh god. stop me from ranting. this just reminds me how fucked the world is.
January 20, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Fie to whoever bought the Etsy book necklace.
I was so ready to make my first Etsy purchase.
January 20, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I would totally buy the dino pin if I was 4 years old and it was a cool dinosaur like triceratops or tyrannosaurus rex with realistic detail and if it had a pink or purple bow on it. I might have to go craft a good one.
January 20, 2011 at 9:17 pm
I’m not sure what it says about me that I got all but one right (the black crocheted thing on a chain — the background faked me out, it was *exactly* like the Anthropologie background in the doilie on a chain). Does this mean that I have a really fine, discriminating eye for crap? Or does it mean I’ve wasted too much time looking at Etsy shit and wondering how sellers get away with it?
January 21, 2011 at 10:49 am
I got all of them right, except for the book necklaces. Don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed.
And I thought Anthro was supposed to be the grown up, classy version of UO?
May 27, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Have never been in an UO – (not a fan of malls when discount & outlet stores exist) and, if it is less than what we’ve seen here, I’ll stick to Good Will.
January 21, 2011 at 11:17 am
I also was sad that the book trio necklace got purchased but I contacted the seller and he custom made one for me that I just now purchased! He seems like a really nice guy and I’m sure he’d make more for anyone else who’d like one.
January 21, 2011 at 12:19 pm
OMG. I can’t believe that the Anthropologie “bookworm” necklace is $248.
WTF???
May 27, 2011 at 11:00 pm
WHAT!!! Did not see that. Guess my mind was trying to blot out the fugly and couldn’t process. Someone at Anthro should be taken out & shot (or perhaps forced to wear some of that crap in public at all times as a warning to the public of what kind of person s/he is – sort of a modern day leper’s bell).
January 21, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
January 22, 2011 at 12:35 am
As an antipodean I’d never been to the Anthropologie website – thanks HK – made me realise I’m selling my stuff way too cheap…
January 22, 2011 at 9:23 am
Both Etsy products whomp butt over the Anthropologie, particularly the watch one.
Anthropologie makes a business of taking perfectly good whimsicle fuckery and ruining it. Ruiners.
May 27, 2011 at 11:01 pm
No, Defilers and Dream Rapers, for real
January 22, 2011 at 2:03 pm
The knock-off I’m referring to is the one you show with three books, by JanDaJewelry. The original artist, who first started making miniature book necklaces, and now sells them at Anthro in addition to Etsy, is TheBlackSpotsBooks, aka Margaux Kent.
January 22, 2011 at 2:20 pm
PLEASE Rebound Designs–Like she was the only person in this world to come up with a miniature book necklace….
I bought one from JanDaJewelry–ABSOLUTLY GORGEOUS!!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanDaJewelry
January 22, 2011 at 8:56 pm
I think I’m the only one with love for that damn deer necklace. I know it looks like something that was made from objects from a gumball machine. But still, it was cheap and silly in its twee earnestness, and now it’s gone. Dash it all.
I’m still incredulous over that damn dinosaur piece. And it’s meant to be a hair clip as well? Why in the hell would anyone put that on their head? Terrible. People be trippin’.
All in all, this confirms my belief that Anthropologie are purveyors of over-priced shit, either knocking off or directly farming talent from Etsy. Although if the dinosaur piece is any sort of example of the “talent” they’re getting from Etsy, I’d rather go on Etsy and find better items of better quality and better style, AND everyone with a trust fund or access to their parents’ credit cards won’t have the same damn thing.
January 24, 2011 at 9:20 am
I know this article was made in jest,but as a Malaysian I am insulted by your assumption that Malaysia practices forced child labor.
How many pennies are they paying you a day to troll? – HK
January 27, 2011 at 2:20 pm
i dont even care, i like the deer necklace!
January 28, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Actually Anthropologie buys some of their stuff from sellers on Etsy. I know this because I had a customer buy some of my felt for her jewelry and she was sending to Anthro to sell in the stores. Same stuff in her shop but marked up huge at Anthro.
January 29, 2011 at 1:33 pm
I’m sorry,it wasn’t my intention to troll. I admit that my comment was a knee-jerk reaction to what you posted in the above post.
I am just uncomfortable with the fact that by stating that Malaysia practices child labor, even as a joke, I feel that you are creating a negative image of my country.
May 27, 2011 at 10:03 pm
It was hardly Helen Killer’s idea. It’s a well-known fact.
February 1, 2011 at 4:27 pm
I love this gal but come on this is just awful!!!
http://www.lovemaegan.com/2011/02/reader-request-maeg-it-yourself.html
February 1, 2011 at 7:25 pm
That bambi necklace was absofreakinlutely adorable. I was sad to see it had sold. Curse you, I-forget-who-said-they-bought-it.
And the book necklaces are definitely cool (not the Anthro one though… I’d never even heard of this store until this segment – shows how long it’s been since I was last across the border). I don’t know that I’d pay even what JanDa is asking for them though, but that’s the Scot in me coming out. Maybe if it was at Ten Thousand Villages.
February 14, 2011 at 9:07 pm
God, Anthropologie. I have only shopped there once and it was because I had a gift certificate, but I came out with a $35 pair of underwear and a $16 candle. If there was ever a store who could take a child’s arts & crafts project and turn it into a $500 item, it is them.
May 27, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Same here. I had a $50 gift card. It was good for exactly one hat. I loved their clothes, but Lordy, so overpriced.