Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
The Coolest Things to Buy From 14 Different Countries on Etsy
  • Subscribe
  • World's Best
  • A-List
  • Trip Ideas
  • News
  • Hotels + Resorts
  • Cruises
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Trip Ideas
    • Spring Vacations
    • Summer Vacations
    • Fall Vacations
    • Winter Vacations
    • National Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Destination Weddings
    • Honeymoon Destinations
    • Beach Vacations
    • City Vacations
    • Country Vacations
    • Family Vacations
  • Destinations
  • Travel Tips and Intel
    • Best Travel Apps
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Gadgets
    • Luggage + Packing Tips
    • Offbeat News
    • Points + Miles
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Agents
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
  • World's Best Awards 2018
  • A-List 2018
  • Hotels and Resorts
    • All Inclusive Resorts
    • Beach Hotels
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Hotels
    • Mountain + Ski Resorts
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Spa Resorts
    • Vacation Rentals
    • Hotel Openings
    • Hotel Reviews
  • Book a Trip
  • T+L Travel Guide App
  • Gift Guides
  • Holiday Travel
    • 4th of July Travel
    • Labor Day Weekend
    • Thanksgiving Travel
    • Christmas Travel
  • Travel Video
  • Food + Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Wine + Vineyards
    • Beer + Breweries
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Food Fairs
    • Celebrity Chefs
  • Style
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Shoes
    • Shopping
    • Travel Accessories
    • Travel Bags
  • Weekend Getaways
    • Getaways from Chicago
    • Getaways from Dallas
    • Getaways from Houston
    • Getaways from Los Angeles
    • Getaways from NYC
    • Getaways from San Francisco
    • Getaways from Seattle
  • Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • All Inclusive Cruises
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • Family Friendly Cruises
    • River Cruises
  • Top Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Casinos
    • Colleges + Universities
    • Festivals
    • Landmarks + Monuments
    • Museums + Galleries
    • Parks + Gardens
    • Theater + Dance
    • Zoos + Aquariums
  • Check-In
  1. T+L
  2. Style
  3. Shopping
  4. The Coolest Things to Buy From 14 Different Countries on Etsy

The Coolest Things to Buy From 14 Different Countries on Etsy

Courtesy of Etsy

Sculptural jewelry from Spain, vintage rattan from Germany, and more international trends to shop this summer.

More
Richelle Szypulski
June 04, 2018
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

I have to confess: when I sit down to plan a trip, I'm often not looking for the latest It hotels or the must-try restaurants. Those will come later, after I've spent a few solid Sunday-afternoon hours researching the local boutiques and vintage shops. They can be really emblematic of the spirit of a place — not just in the wares themselves, but in the opportunity to chat with the artists, designers, and curators behind them.

Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson and I have this desire to fill our homes (and closets) with handicrafts from around the world in common. And Etsy's latest trend guide, put together by Johnson, is a treasure trove of just that.

Related: The Best Travel-Inspired Products on Etsy

"The wonderful thing about Etsy is that you're working with and buying from a real person," Johnson said. Often, this gives you the opportunity to potentially personalize and customize, but it's also able to bring that human connection element we seek out in our travels into an online transaction.

And we're definitely not alone. In the past year, Johnson has found that Etsy searches for “international” are on the rise, with searches for “international jewelry” up almost 100 percent year-over-year. So for the retailer's summer trend guide, she pulled together data that highlights the biggest rising shopping trends in 14 countries, spanning every continent.

On the world tour, expect to find easy-yet-chic summer garments, fun home décor, and plenty of where-did-you-get-that-worthy statement jewelry. 

1 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Israel: Contemporary Leatherwork

Israeli sellers like Katz & Birds and Ladybirdesign are bringing leather — both real and vegan — to the next level right now. You'll find shoes and accessories with statement silhouettes, bold hues, and personality in spades.

To buy: (bag) etsy.com, $230; (shoes) etsy.com, $289

Advertisement
2 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Australia: Sustainable Fashion

In Australia, the past year has seen a 20 percent rise in searches related to sustainability as shoppers are making more of an effort to buy goods that are made in an earth-conscious way. Sellers like Brisbane-based Kirralee & Co. and Adelaide-based Days of August are crafting artful accessories out of recycled and reclaimed materials — from wood to stainless steel — and using business practices like carbon-neutral and solar-powered production and biodegradable packaging.

To buy: (earrings) etsy.com, $29; (hair comb) etsy.com, $98

3 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Lithuania: Modern Linens

Lithuania has a rich history in linen production, one that dates back thousands of years, but the styles and silhouettes trending with Etsy sellers are very much of the now. OffOn, which is run by a Lithuanian family of four, has fashioned the summer staple fabric into boxy separates and androgynous jumpsuits while LinenSpace brings the ease of linen into the home with minimalist blankets, tablecloths, and pillow covers. 

To buy: (jumpsuit) etsy.com, $145; (blanket) etsy.com, $85

Advertisement
4 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Spain: Sculptural Jewelry

As the home of greats like Gaudi and Picasso, Spain is no stranger to modernist art and architecture. Today, the country's jewelers, like Barcelona-based Philo K. Studio and Sew a Song, are incorporating those clean lines, simple geometrics, and muted color palettes, and Etsy shoppers are loving it — searches for "Spanish jewelry" on the site are up by 30 percent. 

To buy: (necklace) etsy.com, $75; (earrings) etsy.com, $39

Advertisement
5 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Canada: Innovative Woodwork

Canada has the highest number of trees per capita in the world, so it's no surprise that the country is known for its incredible woodworking, Johnson said. As searches for "woodwork" are on the rise, Canadian sellers like Les Substituables and Keephouse Studio are reimagining the roles wood can play in the furniture, décor, and accessory categories."

To buy: (plant blocks) etsy.com, $64 each; (tray) etsy.com, $50

Advertisement
6 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Netherlands: High-concept Lighting

In the past year, Etsy searches for "statement lighting" have gone up 38 percent and "minimalist lighting" is up by 42 percent. Luckily for Dutch décor designers like Nellianna in The Hague and Arp Design in Haarlem, both trends align seamlessly with their fun-but-functional design aesthetics. 

To buy: (pendant lamp) etsy.com, $173; (table lamp) etsy.com, $168

Advertisement
7 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Japan: Understated Ceramics

According to Johnson, Japan is all about ceramics right now. On Etsy's blog, she's spoken before about a trend called wabi-sabi, an ancient Japanese philosophy that's all about embracing imperfections. Local sellers like Kei Kawachi and Hitoshi Morimoto are creating quietly beautiful pottery that's intentionally imperfect. Flaws and all, the fact that a piece is handmade by a person is what you love and celebrate about it.

To buy: (coffee drip kit) etsy.com, $176; (vase) etsy.com, $100

Advertisement
8 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Germany: Vintage Rattan

The '70s are having a serious interiors moment right now, which may explain why Johnson has seen searches for "rattan" rise 90 percent globally with 30 percent specific to Germany. Vintage collectors like A Bohemian's Attic in Berlin and Krohnografie in Hamburg have done the hard work of the flea market hunt for you, curating the best rattan furniture, planters, and more.

To buy: (lamp) etsy.com, $58; (mirror) etsy.com, $84

Advertisement
9 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Kenya: Beaded Jewelry

As shoppers crave more and more authenticity in their products, it's no surprise that searches for "international jewelry" on a person-to-person platform like Etsy are up almost 100 percent in the past year. Kenyan creatives like Janes Beads Ke and NaHERI are giving new context to ancient African beading techniques with gorgeous necklaces, earrings, and even sandals.

To buy: (necklace) etsy.com, $20; (bracelets) etsy.com, $3 each

Advertisement
10 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

France: Natural Beauty

We can always count on the French to stay ahead of the beauty curve, so while search terms like "natural beauty" and "organic beauty" are up 17 percent worldwide just in the past year, Provence has been making natural, artisanal soaps since the 14th century. At shops like My Happy Soaps and Les Simples de Charlotte, it's simply not enough for the products to be organic, they'll also make the prettiest additions to your bathroom shelf.

To buy: (soap) etsy.com, $10; (facial steam) etsy.com, $14

Advertisement
11 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

India: Block-printed Textiles

Pattern lovers, rejoice: On Etsy, searches for "Indian fabric" and "block print" are up 16 percent and 11 percent, respectively. This traditional printing technique which uses hand-carved wooden blocks to "stamp" patterns onto the textile is still used by Indian sellers like Kharakapas and The Kaithari Project who are working to keep it — and many other heritage-based skills — alive.

To buy: (dress) etsy.com, $103; (stole) etsy.com, $40

Advertisement
12 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

United Kingdom: Letterpress Art

The centuries-old letterpress technique is having a bit of a resurgence right now and especially so in the U.K., where Etsy shops like the London-based Alpha Press and Sheffield-based Ella Osborne are crafting simple but stand-out prints.

To buy: (ampersands) etsy.com, $9; (figs) etsy.com, $17

Advertisement
13 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Italy: Opulent Statement Accessories

Italians are anything but shy when it comes to style — just think of the utter vibrancy that comes to mind when you picture some of the country's biggest fashion houses (ahem, Dolce & Gabbana). There's no shortage of these over-the-top styles from Italian sellers like Heluna Art and Mayré Accessori, where you'll find eye-catching patterned scarves and decorative soutache jewelry.

To buy: (scarf) etsy.com, $23; (earrings) etsy.com, $28

Advertisement
14 of 14 Courtesy of Etsy

Uruguay: Merino Wool Weaving

In Uruguay, sheep outnumber people nearly two to one, so it's the perfect country to turn to when you're in the market for a cozy wool blanket or pillow. When merino wool saw a 43 percent uptick in Etsy searches, artisans like Texturable Decor and Quiroga Quiroga were more than prepared to meet the demand. 

To buy: (cushion cover) etsy.com, $170; (blanket) etsy.com, $266

You May Like

Read More

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Receive exclusive travel deals, insider tips, inspiration, breaking news updates, and more.
Sign up

Subscribe & Save

Subscribe today for just $1 an issue!
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Receive exclusive travel deals, insider tips, inspiration, breaking news updates, and more.
Sign up
Travel + Leisure
TRAVEL
  • Travel Guides
  • Hotels + Resorts
  • Travel News
  • Travel Tips
  • Travel Videos
  • Flight Deals
TRAVEL + LEISURE
  • T+L Travel Guide App
  • World's Best Awards
  • Best Travel Agents
  • Romantic Travel
  • Cruises
  • Weekend Getaways
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Tech
  • Attractions
  • Check-In
CONTACT
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Give a Gift
  • Reprints
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Sitemap
  • Ad Choices
COMPANY
  • Careers
  • Meredith Corporate Site
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Rights
© 2018 Meredith Corporation Travel & Leisure Group. All rights reserved. TravelandLeisure.com is part of the Travel & Leisure Group. Travel + Leisure is a trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel & Leisure Group, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. | EU Data Subject Requests
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.