Etsom·ni·a (/etˈsämnēə/), noun, 1. a sleep disorder caused by obsessive Etsy browsing. 2. The surprising arrival of weird handmade merchandise ordered when one is only half conscious. (True story.) 3. An excuse for me to be a snarky New Yorker once per week.
Every October, I like to throw in a few Halloween-themed posts. For the first of those, I thought it was time to explore my least favorite subject of all time – spiders. (yuck) For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination for/horror of the creepy crawlies. (no) And while I can’t abide them in my immediate vicinity (eek), I recognize all the good they do and how necessary they are to the planet, so please refrain from telling me all the reasons I’m wrong. (ick) I recognize it is an irrational fear (holy shit), and I’m okay with that. (OMG)
I am really sacrificing for my ‘art’ (such as it is) this week. Do you know how thoroughly this search has clogged up my social media feeds with nighmarish images? I have to look at Facebook through slitted fingers. I might need to do a post about kittens next week to try and make it stop. (get it off me!)
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, fun Halloween! For less spidery Etsy fun, check out all my weekly Etsomnia™ posts!
Shockingly realistic (and beautiful in a horrifying way) spider plush. By the aptly-named LifelikeSpiderArtTrue story: Years ago, my roommate AS and I lived in a rental house in NJ. Our bedrooms were at the back of the house, facing the jungly back yard. A month after we moved in, a massive spider spun a huge web across the outside of my only bedroom window AND I NEVER OPENED THE WINDOW OR BLIND AGAIN. Lived there for 4 years like that. No air, no AC. Didn’t care. I assumed it was armed and waiting for me. Roommate A did the same, just in case it had a friend. This window decal puts me right back there. (shudder)This may be the first time I’ve ever said no to a cookie. Beautiful/scary cookie cutter by NotTooCookieCutterGuess what, girls? He’s single!Stunning Spiderman shoes! By FromTheSpectrumUKI’m moving to the Arctic. Don’t bother sending my stuff. I’ll get new stuff.If I don’t think about all those eyes, I think this is awesome. By SewMeUpShopSorry, kid. It was nice knowing you… Another amazing piece by LifelikeSpiderArtNeck nope.Yes, I know this miniature spider plant is cheating, but I needed a break. By MustardDandelionI would be a much better gardener if I didn’t have to worry about monsters jumping out at me. Gorgeous photo, though. By ShardsOfArcadiaFinally, a spider that doesn’t make me check my surroundings for critters!Super cute nope boots. By MidnightBriteI am gobsmacked by the artistry of this piece! (But please keep it away from me. Thanks.) By GlassDesignStudioUAYou would think this spider rat costume would be the obvious choice for this week’s Because Etsy award, but no…
I happen to love spiders and always have but I live with three arachnophobes so I understand and respect the fear (even if they do mock and trigger my clown phobia). I, therefore, actually rather like a few of these items but would never own them because of my spider-fearing folks. My oldest son would actually just never come home ever again if I had those decals on the wall just for Halloween. The rat and snake costumes had me snorting my mug of tea. I love the Spiderman shoes. Also, true story: I used to wear a silver and gemstone spider in my nose when I was in my teens.
I know you like the awful things, and it’s one of the few topics on which we strongly differ. I think we will have to agree to disagree. The nose ring gagged me a little, but I was a teen in the 80s, so who am I to judge?
It’s healthy we have some things we disagree on I think. 😀 I would absolutely never wear such a thing now, even if my nose was still pierced, but I was big into statement jewellery of all kinds in my mid-teens.
Now I am wondering where I came across that artist! I am truly baffled. Every time I run across some beautiful piece of work that resonates with me I figure you introduced me to it. (And yes, I love the webs.)
I almost didn’t make it past your first pic of the ugly/gross/horrifying spider perched on someone’s head. Ugh! And more ugh! Then I saw the cute spider plant and went awwww…I love them and have several in my home. As for the spider decals, stuffed animals, and decorations, it’s gonna be a hard no. I do sympathize with your sacrifice for your art…if my feed filled up with creepy crawlers I’d never open my laptop again. 😉
I love Halloween. I spray painted a shirt with spider stencils to wear to work last year on Halloween. It was purple metallic spray paint. Don’t worry I don’t wear purple metallic clothes the rest of the year. That is about as close to crafty as I get. Little spiders don’t bother me. Not a fan of larger ones though.
LOL at the vaguely fake Christmas tree inspired with garden globe head. I have these items at home. Maybe I can transform them into a uniquely horrifying yard decoration. Maybe that would help me save money on candy?
My OBT 
October 3, 2019 at 8:27 am
Never know what will come out in an artist way. Nope to most of this but ….what ever.
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October 3, 2019 at 8:49 am
But I still have great respect for the artistry!
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October 3, 2019 at 1:28 pm
I happen to love spiders and always have but I live with three arachnophobes so I understand and respect the fear (even if they do mock and trigger my clown phobia). I, therefore, actually rather like a few of these items but would never own them because of my spider-fearing folks. My oldest son would actually just never come home ever again if I had those decals on the wall just for Halloween. The rat and snake costumes had me snorting my mug of tea. I love the Spiderman shoes. Also, true story: I used to wear a silver and gemstone spider in my nose when I was in my teens.
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 3, 2019 at 3:50 pm
I know you like the awful things, and it’s one of the few topics on which we strongly differ. I think we will have to agree to disagree. The nose ring gagged me a little, but I was a teen in the 80s, so who am I to judge?
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2019 at 6:40 pm
It’s healthy we have some things we disagree on I think. 😀 I would absolutely never wear such a thing now, even if my nose was still pierced, but I was big into statement jewellery of all kinds in my mid-teens.
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October 3, 2019 at 10:28 pm
I’ll bet you were adorable.
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October 3, 2019 at 10:43 pm
My Dad’s best ever compliment about my teenage style when going out for an evening was that I looked like Oscar Wilde. 😂
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October 4, 2019 at 6:16 am
Hahahaha I can see that!
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October 3, 2019 at 5:06 pm
Holy shit indeed.
Alison
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October 3, 2019 at 10:28 pm
This one pained me.
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October 3, 2019 at 10:02 pm
Wait, didn’t you recently post about the glorious spider webs by this artist? I would have guessed that you loved the creatures! Maybe you said otherwise and I didn’t catch it. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/arts/design/tomas-saraceno-palais-de-tokyo.html
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October 3, 2019 at 10:30 pm
That was NOT me. LOL
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October 5, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Now I am wondering where I came across that artist! I am truly baffled. Every time I run across some beautiful piece of work that resonates with me I figure you introduced me to it. (And yes, I love the webs.)
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October 5, 2019 at 10:04 pm
That’s high praise!
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October 4, 2019 at 8:34 am
That was quite an article you linked. Summoning spiders with tuning forks?? That’s a hell to the no!
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October 4, 2019 at 8:45 am
I want to read the article on how to repel them with a kazoo (or something).
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October 4, 2019 at 1:18 am
I’m with Laura: a fan of spiders and protector of them when I see them in my house. Live and let live, see I. But to each her own . . .
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October 4, 2019 at 6:17 am
I don’t bother them outside, but they are not allowed in. I won’t sleep!
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October 4, 2019 at 8:29 am
I almost didn’t make it past your first pic of the ugly/gross/horrifying spider perched on someone’s head. Ugh! And more ugh! Then I saw the cute spider plant and went awwww…I love them and have several in my home. As for the spider decals, stuffed animals, and decorations, it’s gonna be a hard no. I do sympathize with your sacrifice for your art…if my feed filled up with creepy crawlers I’d never open my laptop again. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2019 at 8:45 am
I sprayed it. It’s better now.
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October 4, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I love Halloween. I spray painted a shirt with spider stencils to wear to work last year on Halloween. It was purple metallic spray paint. Don’t worry I don’t wear purple metallic clothes the rest of the year. That is about as close to crafty as I get. Little spiders don’t bother me. Not a fan of larger ones though.
LOL at the vaguely fake Christmas tree inspired with garden globe head. I have these items at home. Maybe I can transform them into a uniquely horrifying yard decoration. Maybe that would help me save money on candy?
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2019 at 1:51 pm
I like it! Bad decoration as a trick-or-treater repellent!
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