I recently set my awesome 14 year old niece up with an Etsy account; I figured it would be a good way to buy her birthday and Christmas presents she’d like, while encouraging her to support independent artists and designers (while nurturing her sense of individual style and fashion). And look out! It seems the girl is a mini-Miss Mischief, bringing attention to designers I could have only wished to have found myself!
One of my favorite designers she found is French designer Mathieu Missiaen’s shop THE RAGE, based out of Toronto. Missiaen takes vintage shoes (customized by your choice of size, heel height and color) and creates beautiful street-art and graffiti 
inspired works on the shoes. He designs them with oil-based paints and then varnishes them to ensure long-lasting design.
My niece is fond of the design Pick Me! (pink, featured on top), while good old Aunty Mischief much prefers Off the Air (pink, featured on bottom).
Another great designer my niece picked out is bag-maker Tinkerbelle; Tinkerbelle’s bags are brightly colored, vibrantly patterned, and pleasantly sized for younger bodies. Her favorite pic was this red flowers shoulder bag made with Marimekko fabric. The design is great for a young lady who may need to carry around house keys, a lip gloss or two, and maybe a couple of notebooks.
While my niece may be hard-pressed to find her aunt buying her heels before her 16th birthday (the year I promised her a pair), I love to see that she’s inheriting my sense of style. 
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
she’s got GREAT taste! bravo!
you know what might be super awesome? have your stylish niece give you suggestions for cool stuff (from etsy, etc.) periodically, and post it in your blog! like a little column. it might further encourage the fashion bug in her!
love those shoes!
hugs!
Tricia– I think that’s a fantastic idea! I easily post her information on my personal blog (Dramatis Personae); giving her a little column space over there would be no probelm, especially if there isn’t a lot of interest in doing it periodically on here.
Ohhh Great shoes! Nice finds, as always.
J’adore those shoes!!!
the is a really good idea, i looove french designers!
♥♥♥