‘More is more’

Dayna Isom Johnson, a trend expert for Etsy and judge on NBC’S Making It, is in constant pursuit of new shops and sellers with the latest designs among the site’s 2.1 million active sellers. She joined writer Jura Koncius in a recent online chat.

Q What holiday decor are you tired of seeing ?

A Minimalism! I’m all about the “more is more” mindset, and I’d love to see shoppers embrace their inner maximalist and pile on the textures, patterns and colours for their holiday decor.

Q How do you recommend vetting items bought on Etsy for quality?

A Etsy has specific policies that all sellers need to adhere to to sell their items, but shoppers should always read reviews and feedback from other buyers to help understand what to expect from the seller. Don’t hesitate to contact the seller with any questions about what you’re buying. If you need some ideas of what shops to buy from, check out our Editors’ Picks pages, which are curated lists of products hand-picked by our editorial team, the Etsy Journal, the Etsy Instagram, and keep an eye on my favourite items and shops at Etsy.com/dayna.

Q I’m looking to decorate my home for the holidays but want to make it unique. What are some trendy items that I should include?

A I recommend you go big and bold. I’m talking mixed textures and prints, and all of the colour. A few ways to do this is to get an over-the-top wreath, patterned ornaments or patchwork stockings.

Q What is trending for Christmas decor? I’ve seen those red pickup trucks with a green tree in the back and plaid dishes, or have these already peaked?

A Shoppers are loving woodsy patterns and cosy textures that reflect a retreat from the fastpaced frenzy of everyday life.

On Etsy, there has been a 17-per-cent increase in searches in cabin style and a 51-per-cent increase in searches for plaid decor in the last six months.

The biggest and boldest trend of the year is all about mixing of textures, prints and eye-catching details. So bring on the tinsel, pompoms and tassels. As for what’s making a comeback: eye-catching and luminous, stained glass is a stunning statement-making holiday decor. But we’re not talking about old-school designs: Etsy sellers are reinventing the time-honoured technique to create modern adaptations for present-day shoppers. And on Etsy, searches for stained glass have increased by 69 per cent in the last six months, telling us that this revived trend isn’t going anywhere. Q How can I make my wedding eco-friendly?

A Incorporating reusable straws, biodegradable confetti or vintage decor are just a few options to make a big impact on wedding guests, without making a big impact on the planet. Consider clear, reusable glass, seed-paper thank you cards or dried flower confetti. Q What are the latest trends in hostess gifts?

A Some of my favourites for this year are personalized cheese boards, modern barware and, if you have some time to plan, custom house portraits. If you’re more of a last-minute shopper, there are great printable options — you can download a beautiful print and frame it or add a personalized wine label to a bottle.

Q I’m planning to propose to my girlfriend but don’t know what type of ring to get her. What do you recommend?

A Some styles I’m loving are non-traditional shapes, rings that add a personalized touch — like incorporating the couple’s birthstones — and cluster stone rings. Q Hosting my first Christmas dinner at my new home and need some tips and ideas for table decorations. What do you suggest?

A To get things started, look for items you can repurpose when hosting in years to come, like well-made plates and vintage glassware that has stood the test of time. To add flair to your table, try incorporating my favourite trend of 2019, maximalism, by piling on textures, patterns and colours. I also love surprising guests with a personal touch, like custom place cards on the table.

Q I can’t figure out what to get my boyfriend for Christmas this year. Anything unique or trending that you recommend?

A Personalized items are the way to go for the person who’s hard to shop for. I recommend adding an initial or a special date to a leather wallet, wooden muddler or even clothing to surprise him with something unique. If he’s into a specific hobby, like music or cooking, try finding something that’s both personal and useful — he’ll think of you every time he looks at it.

Q Please tell me the vinyl lettering trend is on its way out — I’m over all the cutesy sayings on shirts, cups, walls, etc. What is a good alternative?

A I’m afraid that trend isn’t going anywhere, but I do think the sayings we’re seeing will start becoming more unique and less mainstream. If you’re totally over this trend, though, I would recommend going for something completely personalized — maybe adding a family name or custom initials onto what you’re buying.

Q I love Etsy, but my biggest problem is the search function. How do I narrow the choices?

A Use search filters. For example, filtering by price can surface a completely different slice of the market than a search without a filter. Location searches are also really pleasantly surprising, and it’s often where I will find a really cool undiscovered or newly opened shop in my city. To narrow down results even more, use multiple descriptive terms — for example: “green knit scarf ” will return fewer, more specific results than just “scarf.” Also think about using a minus sign (-) in front of a word to exclude that term from your search. For example: “dress -red” will exclude any dresses tagged with “red.”