Well, it’s that time of the year again. Time to move forward, look ahead (n’ whip it, whip it good!) and plan for the new year. Time to stock up on 2010 calendars!

Me? I’m old school. I enjoy the act of physically writing and doodling on a yearly diary/planner as opposed to typing dates and appointments in a blackberry or some other such electronic gadget. (Yes, I’m a nerd, not a geek.) After much trial and error, I have a system in place now for a few years that works for me. New 2010 daily Moleskine? Check. New 2010 ilee letterpress desk calendar? Check.

And this year’s ilee calendar is as lovely as last year’s. (Though I have to say her 2008 edition was exceptional.) I like to have a bit of Art around my desk area and what a better, practical way to do it than with these desk calendars. Every month, I get to discover a wonderful new piece of Art.

The photo above doesn’t do justice to the actual calendar. July is printed on a special shimmery cardstock with glitter effects on the mermaid’s body. The month & dates, and the outline of the mermaid have that 3-D embossed effect that I especially love, characteristic of letterpress printing.

Check out these other equally fabulous 2010 art calendars, all from wonderfully talented and creative indie artists on Etsy.com. There’s something about each of these that I really like. My picks, my faves, so to speak. They’re great to give during the holiday season – whether for yourself, an Art enthusiast, an officemate, or that hard to shop for person that has just about everything – ‘cept for a 2010 calendar. Uh-huh!

Just a note – if the calendar link shows it’s been sold, please click the seller’s shop link to see if the item has been relisted. Enjoy!

[[ LETTERPRESS ]]

{ ilee.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress and Silkscreen Calendar . $22

Twelve monthly cards, each a unique and lovely work of art, comes in a clear jewel case stand. A portion of the sale will be donated to a non-profit corporation called “Specialized Options for Disabled Adults”.

{ paperboatstudios.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $30

Zen-like, simple elegance for the minimalist at heart, this limited edition letterpress calendar features a graceful linear design and is bound as a volume and perforated for easy tear off.

{ satsumalynn.etsy.com } . 2010 Satsuma Press Calendar . $44

Another choice for the minimalist at heart, this quietly refined calendar features random feather and botanical designs, bound loosely with a cotton ribbon and wrapped in glassine.

{ pistachiopress.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Wall Calendar . $35

Inspired by patterns found on vintage teacups and saucers, Rachael’s colorful 2010 edition is printed on 100% tree-free cotton paper using environmentally conscious studio practices.

{ brooklynbookbinder.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $29.50

Maggie Campbell’s polished and sophisticated 2010 calendar is a hanging, handbound, accordion-fold book with a letterpress printed interior and your cover choice of 10 beautiful decorative papers.

{ tarahogan.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $42

Ink + Wit’s 2010 edition was inspired by Tara Hogan’s travels to Iceland, England, France and the United States. This limited edition of 150 features seven illustrated prints that can be framed or available with options ready to hang.

{ 1canoe2.etsy.com } . 2010 Letterpress Calendar . $24

All hand-drawn and hand printed, this colorful version features a twelve month collection of quirky & bold sketches. Sorta folksy, sorta retro but you’ll be charmed, I’m sure!

{ YeeHaw.etsy.com } . Jim Flora Drummer Mini Letterpress Calendar . $13

Don’t you just love this bold n’ lively illustration? I know I do. But what’s up with his leg?! Ha-ha! No, not “Ha-ha” but “Yee-Haw!”. Yee-Haw Industries, that is. This letterpress version has a vintage feel and features a 12 month tear away calendar. Make sure to check out their other versions. They gots a-plenty! Done the ol’ fashioned way, all hand printed, one color at a time. It surely makes you appreciate and have great respect for all things handmade, don’t it?

[[ ART . DESIGN . ILLUSTRATION ]]

{ behappynow.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $27

I adore this artist’s work. She offers several types of calendars in her shop, but this one is her wall calendar version. It features 12 months of bold and whimsical portrait illustrations with space for notes on each day.

{ yaelfran.etsy.com } . 2010 Accordion Desk Calendar . $10

I have long been a fan of this artist. This accordion style desk calendar features 12 months of her delightfully whimsical illustrations. It folds up and fits in your bag to go too. Very sweet!

{ myzoetrope.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $25

This “super special, awesome” (an apt description!) calendar features 12 colorful, adorable illustrations from artist, Michelle Cavigliano’s “Friends Forever” series.

{ aaceves.etsy.com } . 2010 CD Calendar . $16

Wonderfully designed and sweetly illustrated, Ana’s desk calendar features twelve months of artwork packaged in a clear CD case. A girl and her adventures with her dog. So cute. I want that puppy! Woof!

{ tascha.etsy.com } . 2010 Mini Calendar . $14

Known for her wonderfully whimsical paintings of Frida Kahlo and cats, I am a long-time admirer of Tascha’s work. Her mini calendar features twelve different prints of her fabulous, original artwork.

{ modernarteveryday.etsy.com } . Modern Art Everyday 2010 Desk Calendar . $18

Modern Art Everyday’s colorful, contemporary 2010 desk calendar features twelve individual giclee prints of MAE’s original artwork and comes in a clear jewel case that converts into a stand.

{ storybymia.etsy.com } . 2010 Animal Wall Calendar . $22

Bold colorblock animals graze this simple, modern version. One animal for each month, twelve months total. Perfect for a nursery or kid’s room, or just somebody that likes animals. I especially like the rounded corners.

{ valerydesignwrks.etsy.com } . 2010 Wall Calendar . $30

This limited edition, french and english calendar features a different wonderful illustration for every month. This artist’s impressive 2009 calendar was the recipient of several Art and Design awards.

{ JessicaDoyle.etsy.com } . 2010 Art Calendar . $26

This wonderfully designed, fourteen page, twelve month calendar features Jessica’s beautiful illustrations, one for each month. The calender can later be trimmed for matting and framed as lovely pieces of art.

{ joojoo.etsy.com } . 2010 Giclee Calendar . $30

This charming card calendar features twelve different pen illustrations, one for each month of the year.

[[ PHOTOGRAPHY ]]

{ dhunting.etsy.com } . 2010 Photo Calendar . $18

These gorgeous black and white photographs shot by photographer, Dana Hunting, in Florence and Venice, Italy, are awe-inspiring. They certainly evoke feelings of wanderlust and makes me wish I was there! Hard to choose but I’d say I’m most drawn to March, July & December. Lovely!

{ irenesuchocki.etsy.com } . Eye Poetry – 2010 Calendar . $20

Aptly named, this calendar is one of several offered by this artist. It features twelve hauntingly beautiful and poetic images for each month.

{ bomobob.etsy.com } . A Year at the Fair – 2010 Fine Art Calendar . $20

Whoa, this photographer’s work blows me away. These gorgeous, awesome images have a distressed look and a vintage feel to them. It certainly looks like a carnival fair of yesteryear. Beautiful work! A different lovely image for each month. Make sure to check out their other equally fab calendars!

[[ PLANNERS ]]

{ dozi.etsy.com } . 2010 Pocket Planner . $11.50

This stylish, modern monthly planner is saddle stitched and features an original cover design.

{ Nicopapergoods.etsy.com } . 2010 Weekly Planner . $22

This cute pocket sized weekly planner is spiral bound featuring a bookcloth cover, silkscreened illustration and embossed year. It includes both U.S. and Canadian holidays.

I really like these new Toyota Prius TV ads. They’re inspired by Nature, powered by people – 200 extras made to look like a multitude through the magic of computer special effects – fantastic costumes, and a lot of extremely creative people behind the scenes. Watch the videos, then click here to find out how they did it.

Enjoy! Hope you find them as uplifting as I did.

I have been enamored and obsessed with this Cole & Son wallpaper called “Woods”. I covet it. It’s quite stunning in a bedroom. Very peaceful, very serene, fits comfortably in a modern urban setting as well as a traditional one, and has that perfect touch of whimsy depending on how you style the rest of the room.

Lately, I’ve noticed that I’ve been attracted to all things “woodsy” so I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite finds at Etsy.com.

Some of these get sold pretty fast so if one of the items is no longer available, make sure to click on the seller’s shop link to see if the item has been relisted.

Enjoy!

Birch Trees in Winter . single stone studios . {singlestonestudios.etsy.com} . $145
Forest 101 . art wall project . {artwallproject.etsy.com} . $73
If you want to create a similar look but don’t want to spend $200 a roll of the Cole and Sons wallpaper, check out these more economical alternatives of vinyl wall decals.

Black Bird on Branch Cup and Saucer . bailey doesn’t bark . {baileydoesntbark.etsy.com}
One of my favorite sellers on Etsy, I love the simplicity of artist, Re Jin Lee’s drawings. Handpainted or applied on a variety of white housewares with clean, modern shapes that are bound to be classics. Her Re Jin series are handpainted, signed, one of a kind or limited editions.

2009 TTV Desk Calendar . ebony paws . {ebonypaws.etsy.com} . $20
Each month features a nature inspired black and white photograph, a perfect, practical holiday gift for the budget minded.

Birch Screen Printed Wool Log Pillow . my imaginary boyfriend . {myimaginaryboyfriend.etsy.com} . $45
I absolutely love this log pillow. The wool felt used has been designed, screenprinted, and hand sewn by Erika Kern.

Small Faux Bois Vessel . kg + ab . {kgrandey.etsy.com} . $25
Food, dishwasher, microwave and oven safe, this porcelain vase or cup has been designed and handmade by artist, Katherine Grandey.

Six Needle Felted Wool Acorns . truLuxe . {truLuxe.etsy.com} . $12
A single mom and cancer survivor, truLuxe offers a colorful assortment of needle felted acorns in her shop. 100% genuine nature made caps, these would look lovely in a shallow vessel.

Would You Love Me Ring . block party press . {blockpartypress.etsy.com} . $18
I love this design – a simple concept executed well. Plus, I enjoy a good pun. Made out of polymer clay, this original design is available as a ring, a pendant or cuff links and comes in a variety of colors.

Twig Pendant . ehme glass . {ehmeglass.etsy.com} . $56
Canadian glass artist, Amy Johnson, offers an exceptional collection of unique glass jewelry in her Etsy shop. They’re truly works of Art! I especially like these twig pendants available in a variety of color combinations.

On Top of the Apple Tree . LORiOLA . {loriola.etsy.com} . $55
Two words: too cute. Heh, I loved this manga inspired Lampwork glass pendant so much I bought it for myself! Sorry, this one is sold but if you click on her shop link, she may have relisted another one. If not – just send her a convo! I’m sure she’ll be happy to make one for you.

Also, check out this other one she recently made. The adorable kitty was inspired by my own Etsy shop banner. Awww, look at dat cute wittle puddytat! Me want.

Bobble Branch Necklace . Ollies Woolies . {ollieswoolies.etsy.com} . $29
Swedish based artist, Catherine Svensson, offers a fabulous collection of crocheted handmade jewelry made of 100% wool. The wool is really soft and can be worn on bare skin without itching. Make sure to check out all her beautiful creations, but I particularly liked this charcoal and white version.

Fawn in the Forest Necklace . Figs & Ginger . {figsandginger.etsy.com} . $70
So sweet. The husband and wife team of Figs & Ginger offer an adorable line of eco-friendly jewelry inspired by forests.

Silver Birch Silk Lined Clutch Bag . Red Ruby Rose . {redrubyrose.etsy.com} . $75
Red Ruby Rose is another one of my favorite Etsy sellers. This UK based seller is an artist, designer, and rock star! She offers a beautiful line of handmade clutches that you must check out. (Really gorgeous!) This particular one is a silver birch print lined with pale green silk.