First, is Avishag who sells jewelry from the Negev (southern) region through her Shoogi shop. The combination of vintage, secondhand, handmade and overall personal touches in neckalces, broaches and earrings nearly had me buying my own gifts – and burning my credit card. Take this lucite rose and vontage glass bead necklace which won my top spot for presents this year (hint hint, dear family members who read this).

Industrial Designer Shlomit Ofir, from Tel Aviv, brings an organic and natural touch to earrings, necklaces, hair clips and more with her range of branch, leaf and flower-inspired pieces. This silver branch necklace was just the right blend of interesting, modern and aged.

Also from Tel Aviv is graphic designer-turned- jewelry maker Anakim who’s blend of natural materials from Israel with precious metals and stones is at once handcrafted and industrial, personal and universal. This lava bead and organic silver pendant necklace from popular seller struck an interesting chord with me, both modern and timeless, subtle and eye-catching.

There are plenty more Israeli jewelry designers on Etsy, some of which I hope to continue featuring during Chanukah, but I invite you to send me emails or comment below with some of your Gift for Her suggestions from Etsy. I’ll be posting about gifts for him, babies, and the home as the holiday festivities continue. I encourage you all this season to shop loca, support independent artists and buy something that’s personal for your loved ones. Happy Chanukah and enjoy the miracles of family, friends and lots of fried food – for the first night at least

It goes without saying that I’m a big fan of Etsy. I can spend hours looking for artwork, crafts, toys, clothes – you name it and I’ve searched for it, either to purchase to inspire. I’ve also featured several Israeli artists from Etsy on Designist Dream like Rafya by Alona Lahav and Shirae by Shira Sela. Since posting about them and others just a few months ago, the number of Israelis selling through Etsy has soared. Perhaps the above Hebrew manual on How to Sell on Etsy by Israeli crafter and artist raisinlike has helped many throw their creative mitts into the crafty ring.

Just yesterday though it seems that somewhere in the Etsy community, a link was posted to Designist Dream. I’m thrilled to be noticed and recommended by Etsy sellers, buyers and fans, but I can’t seem to find the link or post. Can anyone send me the link, please? Thanks and happy crafting whether you’re in Israel or elsewhere in the world.

In no particular order of preference (Mom):

1. I like being organized, but even straight bookshelves have a way of being so… boring. But not with one of these (red please) super cool Bookworm bookshelves by superstar Israeli and international design legend Ron Arad. Sooo cool, I’m drooling (not cool).

2. These beautiful bowls and vases by Israeli ceramicist Marcelle Klein. I love how they reflect the texture and feel of nature despite a smooth marble-like exterior and abstracted organic shape. Simple and clean yet evocative and dreamy. My favorite.

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3. Usher in the age of enlightenment with these gorgeous pendant lamps by (one of) my favorite Israeli designers Arik Levy. The ‘minishakes.mgx’ designed for materialise are similar to Levy’s Shaman pendant necklace. Both are made of epoxy and rendered in a deep amber-brown color. To me, they seem sensual and casual. Arranged in a cluster of three (like in the photo) at different heights it’s an interesting twist on a chandelier-style lighting fixture for a bedroom no?

4. I love the layering of these gorgeous gold ‘Four’ rings by Israeli jewelry designer Orit Ivshin. A modern design within a handmade aesthetic. And it’s four rings in one – practically a beautiful bargain.

5. This amazing pop-goes-digital-references-an-older-classic-work-and-is-awesome print by my friend and Israeli artist Mike Darnell. A redux of the classic and ubiquitous sheep artwork by Israeli artist Menashe Kadisman. This sheep makes me smile.

Weekly Wrap Up:

~ Up-and-coming Israeli designer Kobi Nakav recalls the verticality of trees and natural growth in his square cork hanging plant frames. An ecofriendly solution, it also puts forth the importance of bringing the outdoors in – even in the most urban of spaces. Crossposted to Green Prophet.

~ Expect the Unexpected: Israeli jewelry designers render amazing three dimensional objects from the most unlike of sources. Recycled materials and two or even one dimensional objects are transformed into beautiful objects ranging from bracelets to modern Judaica. Crossposted to Modern Tribe.

~ Israeli artist Mike Darnell revisits the Biblical era from a Digital perspective in Digital Zion. Catch the exhibition on view at the Yellow Submarine in Jerusalem through March 12th.

Links I’m Loving this Week:

~ Israeli designer extraordinaire Arik Levy’s new glass candleholder (above) for Gaia and Gino is featured in a NYTimes’ Home & Garden slide show on getting your home ready for Spring.

~ Israeli artist Pinhas Cohen Gan wins the prestigious Israel Prize for his artwork (Haaretz English)

~ Fresh Paint launches their English website heralding their first art happening – exhibition and sale – of independent and up-and-coming Israeli artists. Coming to Tel Aviv on March 6th-8th, you can bet your bottom shekel that I’ll be covering this exciting event – and it looks like it’s going to be goood.

~ Industrial design headquarters Core77 announces the winners of its Greener Gadgets competition which include three Israeli designers in their ‘Notables’ winning circle: Atar Brosh, “Postmode”; Oded Shorer, “The Parasolar”; and Roni Baram, “The Handheld Vacuum Cleaner”.

~ This interview with leading British interior and home furnishings designer Tom Dixon in Metropolis magazine about his entry into the US market. Brief shoutout at the end to pioneering Israeli design superstar Ron Arad.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Etsy, I highly – no strongly recommend that you check out this amazing resource. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. From housewares to clothes and every age in between, Etsy artists offer affordable solutions to your home, gift or accessory woes. And Israeli artists are no stranger to the Etsy community. Just last week, handmade maven extraordinaire Modish featured a spotlight on the work of Israeli artist Alona Lahav in her Etsy shop named Rafya. Working from Pardes Hana, Lahav has been producing artwork that reflects her love and passion for crafts. She doesn’t sell anything that she herself doesn’t love. And the range of her work shows her passion for making your life more colorful – from your ears and neck to your home refrigerator or light fixture. I love the ‘SMILE’ set of five magents above (top) as well as the interestingly shaped ‘Limonana’ necklace below. Limonana is a summer lemonade beverage that, when done right, seemlessly blends nana mint with lemonade. As refreshing as the design of the necklace.

Alona offers to customize many items on sale to customers’ color choices and as a major bonus, the feedback on her work (and speedy shipping) is amazing. Check out Rafya on Etsy here and then head back to Modish for a reader’s shopping discount here.

About a year ago, my mom bought this great looking piece of costume jewelry. I was skeptical at first but it looked fabulous with a black cocktail dress – it was a wreath-like ‘butterfly’ necklace with leaf-shaped opalescent, clear, white, gold and pink-tinted rhinestones. Then again today, a friend at work was wearing a similar costume necklace – with darker colors of forest green, orange, copper and black – that looked just as smashing with a fitted jean blazer, white tee and black men’s-style trousers.

Turns out, my friend’s was from the same store as my mom’s, Israeli-based – and now internationally sold – jewelry brand Amaro by designer Irit Goffer Sasson. After checking out the site and their new 2007-08 collection, I’m not sure how I feel about it all. So I’m opening the discussion to you, dear readers. Is it the bombardment of spectacle that makes the pieces look way overdone? Or is it the thematic presentation – Pure, Kabbalah, Fame and Fortune, et al – that renders even the most versatile items cheesy?

Welcome to a new posting feature of DesignistDream, I’ll link to it and and leave my ranting out of it. You decide – or discuss – if you like it. See you in the comments!

All eight postings (that is a total of 32 gifts!) of the Hanukkah gift guide can be found here for your convenience.

Or alternately you can find each day listed here:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

Well, Hanukkah is almost here and I think I’ve both lost count and let life get a bit in the way, so just to finish off my 8-day gift guide extravaganza, I think I’ll take some artistic license and feature the final Day 8 ideas during the holiday. That way, those of you who are behind with your shopping have a chance to catch up.

Otherwise, back to the countdown and four more amazing gifts for you to bestow upon loved ones:
(clockwise from top left)

Don’t let your man forget anything with this super snazzy cartoon wipe board from Israeli designer misfits Monkey Business. Humor and graphics reign supreme in this “Captain Memo” design; a perfect reminder tool or organizing trick for your man’s office or play room. On a side note, I’m really impressed that Monkey Business is now available through Target. Who knew their aesthetic was so accessible that it is now being sold to mainstream America? That is, if mainstream America is a bunch of big-bosomed-female-super-hero-loving comic book fans. Oh, so now I’m starting to understand the universal appeal… or why we’re going to be ordering one of these this holiday season. Available here.

It is no secret that every woman needs a room of her own for contemplation, inspiration and rejuvenation. What you may not know though is that buying your woman a beautiful handmade print – like the one above – to help consecrate her space will make her forever grateful and deeply moved. “All things girly” by Israeli etsy artist Leiaka features a woman’s precious, girly items – lipstick, dress, pearls, heels – it’s over the top and very curly-cue feminine. But even for the most staunch Feminist this print is a sweet touch in one’s bathroom, dressing room or even entranceway. It seems like the perfect piece to match an old Hollywood mirrored vanity set like this one. You know, lounging around in my fur tipped silk robe with matching heeled slippers. Available here on etsy.

With all the toy recalls from China and backlash against plastic, let this Hanukkah season be one of more simpler presents – ones that also give back to the community, not just to your children. Pastel Toys are beautiful handmade wooden toys created in Israel through the Kishorit non-profit organization that as part of its mission, created a kibbutz-style community wherein people with learning, adaptive and functional disabilities receive specialized care that includes health care, residences, educational and enrichment activities and therapeutic programs. Their amazing toys are produced as part of a physical rehabilitation program for residents that includes woodworking, designing and painting the toys (with milk paint). I love their simple abstracted design. And the delicate colors, carefully rubbed out edges to give it that used and loved look. They feel like an old wooden toy that either could gave been or could still be handed down through generations. The “Billy Train” selected above is both a toy train with a cargo carrier and a set of blocks. The perfect gift for youngsters that carries its own message of good will toward others. Available here.

Rated by interior design gurus at apartment therapy as one of the top 10 accessible storage systems for your home, this innovative cubic storage unit from renown Israeli furniture designer Doron Lachish is a generous gift that will solve all – or most – of your storage woes. The Cubitec plastic colored units can be custom linked to fit your exact space. Multiple units can also be joined together to fill out any blank or odd wall space you can’t figure out how to maximize. And recent additions to the Cubitec system include deeper shelves, invisible joinery, and optional doors and back panels. As a bonus, you can choose from a range of colors including translucent white – which lets you build up wall space without closing the rest of your room in. A neat trick not possible with the heavier, wooden or MDF storage options. Available here through NY-based design authority, DWR.

Only three days left until Hanukkah begins, so check out these four incredible gift ideas before shipping time runs out:

(Clockwise, from top left)

Do not doubt that your man will love this amazing chain link wine bottle holder by multi-talented Israeli designer Shahar Peleg. It’s great a great gift for him for so many reasons. First, it’s metal. Second, it’s a big chain that you have allowed him to display in public. Third, it defies gravity (men love that). And finally, and perhaps most important, it’s magic (big boys love that too). Peleg revisits everyday objects with a fresh perspective that combines optical illusions, new takes on material and sometimes even low-tech reinvention. This Hanukkah, inspire your man to make some art out of his hardware or pick up a new magic trick. In our house, we levitate. No joke. Available here.

These hand knitted blue metallic hoop earrings will have your woman sashaying down the street with joy dangling from her ears. Israeli jewelry designer Karin Dery mixes knitting techniques, with thin woven metals and the traditional hoop earring for a dramatic but fun look that will go perfectly with everything from dark blue jeans to a camel colored trench coat. Understated, elegant, funky and different. My kind of accessory. Available here.

Who knew that the internationally renown children and baby toy brand, Tiny Love, was made and designed in Israel? I didn’t. Nor did I know that the whole Gymini baby developmental play mat was their 1992 break out invention. “The careful design and high quality of the toys have won their products numerous awards and honors worldwide: ‘Gymini’ – the original ‘Tiny Love’ activity gym, has sold more than 4 million units – and was even displayed at Pompidou Center in Paris.” Wow. Imagine your child playing with artwork from the Pompidou Center. Now that’s more than Baby Einstein inspiring. It’s more like Baby Duchamp. Above, the new Activitot Tropic Isle developmental play mat. Available here.

You may think it impossible to decorate your home with ideas and beauty but that’s exactly what Israeli designer Tal Gur has done with his Zer 1 or bouquet (for or of) 1. This beautifully handcrafted aqua colored polyethylene vase is suitable for one flower, leaf, dried branch, stalk – well, you get the picture. Gur is one of Israel’s leading designers using the rotational molding technique – one that lends an individual and unique finish to each piece he creates. Which is amazing but also ironically, considering that Gur now lives on a kibbutz. The challenges of which – the ideology of sameness, shared property and collective identity – seem to express themselves in his artwork. I wonder if that’s even allowed… Gur’s 2000 journey to the Far East inspired many of his more recent works, which explains the pared down simplicity but wholeness of the vase. After all, even with one flower or branch or whatever, the vase still fulfills its purpose no? Ohm. Available here.

Six days left until Hanukkah and four incredible ideas for your gift giving pleasure:
(clockwise, from top left)

Does your man always seem to be forgetting something at home? Or worse, locking himself out of the house on a frequent to regular basis? If so, then Israeli designers Monkey Business have the solution you need: the door organizer or ‘doorganizer’. No more disappearing keys, evasive earphones, or suddenly-invisible checkbooks. No more horsing around with this bright red fabric door accessory. So simple, yet so genius. Available here.

Israeli jewelry designer Hadas Shaham knows how the modern, urban and young woman in your life wants to accessorize. Drawing upon geometric and urban inspirations, Shaham’s 2007 collection features cubes and circles, of mixed substances such as silver and cement, interspersed in geometric harmony with more precious metals. The handcrafted Traffic III bracelet above weaves cement and silver blocks on silicon thread on multiple strands, fastened together at the clasp. Somehow it reminds me of a NY city street. It has its own rhythm and – despite the simple materials – beauty in its rawness. Available here.

Hey, Mom’s of the world, searching for gorgeous children’s clothes that are neither too childish, brash or overdone? Then look no further than Israeli baby and children’s clothing company Shilav. With a bright and cheery range of children’s clothes that any adult would be thrilled to have, Shilav seems to understand the fine line between cute and cheesy. The tomato red Ninja Zen top featured above is a nice addition to any young boy’s wardrobe – especially if you want to support his growing ninja fascination without buying him a pair of ninchucks or allowing him to wear his karate uniform all the time like he insists. Available here.

Why pimp your home when you can pimp your ride! Autographic decals by Israeli designer Ilan Dei with Blik bring an abstract customized look to your car not yet seen at West Coast Customs. Eight bright orange geometric ‘leaves’ splash across your car as if you’ve just carted around in the world’s only graphic design tree forest. Super cool. Available here.