December 4

Etsy + NASA = Super Awesome

Etsy has partnered up with NASA for a new handmade contest that is pretty spectacular! Crafters who have created an original design celebrating space are in the second rounds of voting (through this Monday, December 6th) and the prizes for winners are amazing.

From Etsy:

NASA and Etsy invited Etsy members to celebrate artistic exploration and commemorate the end of the NASA Space Shuttle Program with a creative challenge: Share an original handmade item or work of art inspired by the NASA Space Shuttle Program and space exploration at large.

Prizes include a trip to an upcoming launch as NASA’s VIP guest, Etsy shopping sprees, and cool merchandise from NASA and Etsy. The winning artwork might even be flown on the Space Shuttle!

You can see all the entries and vote for your favorites over here. My favorite is my friend (and friend of geekcrafts) Rachel Hobson‘s High Texture Embroidery of the Moon piece, in the 2D Original category – it’s intricate and amazing. If you’re interested in her process, she’s also made a video about the embroidery work and her passion for space (including her stint at Space Camp as a 12-year-old!), and written a blog entry about it all too.

Be sure to vote for your favorite of all 149 entries by December 6th – any registered Etsy member can cast votes in all three categories of the contest!