How about some lovely designs from independent couture house Aelisheva. Sanja Zivka Jovanovic and Alyse Radenovic are the creative designers producing these custom and ready-to-wear outfits. You can find Aelisheva clothing online at Funky Utopia and Joia Style Studio.

Here are some lovelies from the 2007 Collection:

Yes, it may sound like ancient times to speak of diskettes that go in your floppy drive, but just hear me out. Now, I actually know people that still use these disks. The computers I own only have a spot for CD/DVDs (go Macs!)…not that I don’t still own a couple of old disks for some reason. So, what to do with them?

Well when Nicola Harper of Acorn Studios tipped me off to her new diskette notebooks, I just knew I had to take a look. I was trying to imagine how you could take something that to some of us may seem prehistoric and turn them into something cute, something you’d actually want to carry around. Nicola has done this with recycled colorful 3.5″ floppies that she has painstakingly removed stickers from. The floppy disks now have a new life where they house a 50-page notebook. Red, orange, yellow, green…you choose the color that your floppy heart desires. Check it out:

 

{Diskette Notebooks: $6.50}

Not the kind that goes in your ‘PB & J’ sandwich, but the kind you wear! I remember having those jelly bracelets (hello, Madonna), jelly bags and even the jelly flats. Check out what Fred Flare’s got…

Ah, memories…

{Jelly Flats: $15}

Elijah and Rhonda Wyman are the creative and talented folks behind Figs and Ginger.  Together, this husband and wife team craft gorgeous jewelry.  Last year Elijah (who is now just 22-years-old) learned that he required a kidney transplant.  The amazing news is that a match has been found and he will receive a transplant on June 6, 2007 (from a wonderful friend, Jason Rozen).  Unfortunately, Elijah’s insurance coverage was quickly maxed out and he had to take a break from work, school and music due to his illness.  This couple is financially in a bind.  The Elijah Wyman Kidney Fund was set up to help with their expenses.  To learn more, please visit their site and pass on their story.  Donate if you can and send your well-wishes their way.

Let’s take a moment to get to know one of the Trunkt designers a little better.

Meet Gabreial Wyatt of Vintage Body Spa

Name: Gabreial Wyatt

TRUNKT URL: www.trunkt.org/vintagebodyspa

Business Name: Vintage Body Spa, LLC

Where are you located?
Northern Kentucky

What is it that you design and create?
Bath Body & Spa Luxuries as well as Gift & Home products

What is your favorite part of the design process?
Blending, bringing wholesome ingredients together for one common cause. To create an easy at home spa experience for our customers as well as nurture and indeulge their bodies.

How did you come up with your business name?
I love all things vintage and wanted to give Vintage Body Spa that same warm feeling that I get when I discover a great vintage find or reproduction.

Where/How did this all begin?
Inspiration to become a work at home mom came from a family member. After that there was no stopping me. I researched and researched until I was only getting about three hours of sleep each night. Then it was off to the kitchen.

Who or what inspires you?
My boys give me the inspiration and drive to create products that can truly be used at home. As a work at home mom I know what it’s like to need a little “me” time and I know that working adults in and out of the home deserve the same.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
I highly recommend that you research every law and aspect of your business. I also suggest reading the book Mommy Millionaire by Kim Lavine. It’s unlike any other tool for starting a business.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
My favorite indie trade and purchase would have to be from Hilary Whitney, a shop on Etsy. She is a fantastic scrap booking supply & paper artist. I love her work!

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
I don’t have an iPod, but I would love one! I have John Mayer in my cd player, though.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Grey’s Anatomy. Other than that anything on the Food Network.

What was the last movie you watched?
Inside Man

What’s your favorite food?
Anything Mexican, I love Salsa & home made guac.

What’s your favorite candy?
Dark chocolate

Coffee or Tea?
One cup of coffee, maybe two if I’m lucky each morning.

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
I love Anthropologie.

Any pets?
Yes, a psycho kitty.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
I’d love to visit Venice, Italy.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
My superhero name would be Faith. I’d have the superpower to teach people that there is such thing as having faith. I’d also have the superpower to save lives, fix hunger, create peace in Iraq, find a cure for cancer and many more, but for now, I’ll continue to have faith in God.

Any celebrity crushes?
McDreamy is okay, but no one really.

Favorite holiday?
I love Christmas

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
A Flip Flop

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
I’d love to be a Food Network Chef.

Favorite piece of clothing?
My flip flops

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I took French in high school, that would be so elegant to learn, but it’s hard! I’d also love to learn Spanish.

We’re almost half way through the year! Any exciting plans for the rest of the year?

Vintage Body Spa is getting ready to go through some exciting changes. They are all too secretive to tell right now, but they will be HUGE! Let’s just say we are growing leaps and bounds. New products Bath, Body, Spa, Home and other indie designed luxuries.

Thank you very much, Gabreial! Be sure to visit Vintage Body Spa’s shop at Trunkt for her fabulous spa goodies!

Wake Up Sugar Scrub; Bath Pocket; Suga Lips Sheer Lip Balm (original):

Butter Beans Moisturizing Bath Fizzies; WHEREVER Body Cream; Butter Bar Moisture Therapy:

{Wake Up Sugar Scrub: $22.00; Bath Pocket: $8.00; Suga Lips Sheer Lip Balm: $5.00}

{Butter Beans Moisturizing Bath Fizzies: $14.00; WHEREVER Body Cream: $11.00; Butter Bar Moisture Therapy: $9.00}

before Purple Pink and Orange says goodbye. Take a moment to check out the amazing markdowns and bid Amy farewell (not for good, though - remember to visit her blog). The last day to shop this boutique of handmade goodies is Monday, May 28. Don’t miss out…

Yellow Running Buck Pin by Luster Bunny; Lime Green Striped Large Zippered Clutch by Becky Oh!; Unicorn Large Necklace by Handmade Julz:

Rain Rain and Cat Stationery by Mau Studio; Quail Block Print Towel by Artgoodies; Take Out Key Ring by Dreams & Jewelry:

{Yellow Running Buck Pin: $5.10; Lime Green Striped Large Zippered Clutch: $32.50; Unicorn Large Necklace: $26.25}

{Rain Rain and Cat Stationery:$4.88 for 6 pcs of note paper, 3 envelopes, 4 stickers; Quail Block Print Towel: $9.72; Take Out Key Ring: $7.80}

Oh, the beauty that my eyes have seen. Paraphernalia is a little shop I found one night while cruising around Etsy. Designs that are “beauteous and wholesome accroutements” for both the ladies and the fellahs will leave you in awe when you see these handmade necklaces. Everything is inspired by vintage illustrations as well as 19th century magicians and all the unusual aspects of beauty.

The lovely necklaces at Paraphernalia are handmade by Ms. Vanda in her studio based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Her pieces are created with vintage illustrations, printed and cut plastic and silver-plated chains. You’ll be pleased to know that these beautiful pieces of art are very affordable. So go on and adorn yourself in the loveliness that is Paraphernalia! I am loving it…

Silhouette Bicycle Riding Oval Necklace; Anatomica Red Heart Necklace; Fauna Bird Nest Necklace:

{Silhouette Bicycle Riding Oval Necklace: $15.00; Anatomica Red Heart Necklace: $19.00; Fauna Bird Nest Necklace: $20.00}

Anatomica Skull Necklace; Fauna Blue Spotted Bird Necklace; Anatomica Labyrinth Necklace:

{Anatomica Skull Necklace: $18.00; Fauna Blue Spotted Bird Necklace: $21.00; Anatomica Labyrinth Necklace: $15.00;}

ps - I held out on posting this feature until the Paraphernalia returned from a little vacation…getting MARRIED!!! Congratulations!

I’m so excited that Jessica contacted me about her personalized dinnerware company, Jessica Rust Designs. Launched in 1993 to develop and market small-batch specialty ceramic products, this shop has now evolved to bring customers more than the original bath fixtures and decorative objects it began with. Since the birth of her son in 2001, Jessica has created the Rabbit Toes line as a contemporary personalized giftware option for new parents and young children.

Everything on the website can be personalized with the exception of the Blossom Line. All of the dinnerware is a porcelain body and is dishwasher safe (yeah!). Since I’m a dog gal, I am loving the launch of the Dog and Cat mug sets. They are sold in sets of 4 and can be personalized as well.

Visit Jessica’s shop to see the Rabbit Toes line of dinnerware. Also, you may want to keep an eye out because this summer they will be expanding their line to include letterpress stationery and table linens.

Umbrella Girl Plate; My Mutt Set; Birch Tree Plate:

{Umbrella Girl Plate: $20.00 each or $75.00 for 4; My Mutt Set: $45.00 for 4; Birch Tree Plate: $55.00}

ps - Jessica is having a giveaway right now. Check out the new Dog and Cat Collection to vote for your favorite pet that you’d like to see on your coffee cups. You just may win your very own set!

I have a number of blogs and sites that I like to frequent. One in particular would be Inside A Black Apple, Emily Martin’s daily journal of what’s happening in the world of her shop. I am so in love with Emily, her blog and her artwork that I’m concerned. I just may be a little, dare I say it, obsessed. I know I’ve used the word before and I’m quite sure I will again. I know I’ve blogged about The Black Apple before and am VERY sure I will again. I want everything I see at her shop and already own a couple things (soon to be more than just a couple).

Anyway, check out some of favorite new goodies at her shop.

The Cupcake Peddlers Print; Hi There Postcard Pack; Fox in the Snow Print:

A Lightning Bug Summer Screenprint; Cinnamon and Nutmeg Friends Tea Towel:

 

{The Cupcake Peddlers Print: $13.00; Hi There Postcard Pack: $15.00 for 10 w/envelopes; Fox in the Snow Print: $13.00}

{A Lightning Bug Summer Screenprint: $20.00; Cinnamon and Nutmeg Tea Towel: $20.00}

~ Both the screenprint and tea towel are limited editions ~

to Reiter8. The last time I featured this shop was when I got my first bag from Brooklyn, New York that Katherine Rasmussen made. I was so excited and intrigued by these ol’ sailboat sail bags (which are quite sturdy, by the way). Now I’m thrilled that there are pillows at Reiter8! You can select your pillow graphic as well. Applied numbers and stars are available in blue, green or red.

For more info on the new pillows, tote bags, “shorties” and ‘coming soon’ “middies” visit Reiter8:

{Pillows: $48.00 each/2 for $85.00 + $5.00 shipping}

{Free UPS Ground Shipping on all bags}

It’s almost summer and you’ve promised your friends and family you’d write them. Why not send your snail mail on these lovely letterpressed cards by Papered Together. Krista’s most recent designs are as wonderful as ever. She’s often creating new graphics so check her shop often.

Mushrooms Notecard; Blue Bird Greeting; Summer Strawberry Notecard:

{Mushrooms Notecard: $4.00; Blue Bird Greeting: $4.00; Summer Strawberry Notecards, set of 8: $12.00}

With these great Fake Diamond Rings designed by Danielle Maveal. I’ve seen them around for some time and finally had to feature them here. These rings can be handmade to your specific ring size. Made of sterling silver by etching into two sterling silver plates that sandwhich a layer of colorful acrylic, these ‘diamonds’ will surely make you the envy of your friends.

But, hey, Danielle makes so much more than just these fabulous rings. Check out a couple of my favorites:

Squirrel Necklace; Little Fish Ring; Snail Earrings:

{Fake Diamond Ring: $95.00}

{Squirrel Necklace: $28.00; Little Fish Ring: $54.00; Snail Earrings: $24.00}