April 30, 2009
Bees’netta, Take 2.
For the second time this week, may I present to you more fabulousness by the lovely Suzie…
Rustic Quoter’s Case. Tolkien.: $15.00:
Rustic Quoter’s Case. Einstein.: $17.00:
Archive for April, 2009
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April 29, 2009
Take Note.
Linda & Harriett has just expanded their notepad collection to include four new designs. Each notepad is made up of 100 pages and measures 5.5″ by 8.5″. Oh, and in case you need a little gift for someone special {hint: Mother’s Day is just around the corner}, they can also personalize notepads.
1. Mermaid
2. Zig Zag in Key Lime Green
3. Zig Zag in Berry
4. Lace
notepads are $12/each
April 28, 2009
Bees’netta.
Bags. Can you ever really have too many? I try to keep things minimal and simple in my life. Um, the correct answer is no. No, you can never have too many bags. Right, girls (and boys)? Well when I saw Bees’netta on the front page of Etsy a little while back, I fell in love. Based out of Chicago, Suzie‘s designs are drawn from what she would look for in a bag: “roomy, minimal, but with a touch of funk.” Boy, does she sew up a pretty great collection. In fact, I had a very difficult time selecting my favorites to feature here because, well, I favorite them all!
The Field Guide: $154.00:
The Day Labourer: $129.00:
The Courier In Spring: $97.00:
The Midway: $142.00:
The Get-A-Way Bag: $172.00:
There are smaller bags, too, I just happen to find these larger ones to be amazing. And I love her photos. Anyway, now that I’ve shown you the bulk of her shop, go on over and check out the rest.
April 28, 2009
The Sweetie Pie Press.
This shop is full of fun surprises. Zines, buttons, secrets. Yes, secrets…
Secret Message Envelope – It’s Okay: $3.00:
Secret Message Envelope – We All Have Our Secrets: $3.00:
Secret Message Envelope – It’s Okay (landscape): $3.00:
My secret? I wish that someone would think of me and send me these awesome envelopes. The real secret is that I’ll probably end up sending them to myself. Oh, it’s okay.
April 27, 2009
Candystore Collective.
Visiting Candystore Collective always brings a smile to my face. Anytime I’m in the Mission District I make it a point to stop in and see what’s new. If you haven’t been there in a while or if you’re not in San Francisco, here’s a peek of a few of my favorites…
Kayle Jumper by Corey Lynn Calter: $218.00:
Pocket-Front Shirt by Noble Youth: $158.00:
Sad Songs Make Me Happy by The Quiet Life: $30.00:
Tory Dress by Corey Lynn Calter: $220.00:
Starbird Dress by Noble Youth: $168.00:
April 24, 2009
Friday Favorites.
Woohoo! My Friday Favorites feature is back. After taking a couple of weeks away from it due to a hectic schedule, I’m so glad to have one for you. Hope you had fun and productive weeks. Have a Happy, Happy Friday!
{I’ve missed you, Friday Faves}
1. Hewn Resin Bangle by Quercus Silver: $25.00
2. Time to Read Tunic by Thimble and Acorn: $46.00
3. Bright Yellow with Mint and Aqua Pleats Pouch by ziazia: $15.00
4. Vine Tendril Hairband by KUSS: $45.00
5. Lion Tamer Silkscreen by animalsleep: $35.00
6. Garden Life Mini Bowls by Fox & Clover: $58.00
April 24, 2009
Get To Know: Rebecca Jackson of elpy [Handcrafted]
Sponsor time! Let’s meet another crafty gal and see what’s behind her business.
Meet Rebecca Jackson of elpy [Handcrafted]:
Name: Rebecca Jackson
Business Name: elpy [Handcrafted]
Where are you located?
Connecticut
What do you design and create?
Macrame jewelry, woodburned magnets and coasters, and small handbags.
How did you come up with your business name?
My parents called me ‘LP’ (little person) before I was born. So ‘elpy‘ is the phonetic of those letters.
Incidentally, I am short.
Where/how did this all begin?
I’ve been a crafty entrepreneur since I was 7. I made and sold woven potholders to family and friends. My grandmother in NYC sold them to her friends too.
I learned new techniques and found Etsy by chance in 2006. It’s grown and changed from there. Can’t wait to see where it takes me.
Who or what inspires you?
My mom. She’s very talented in a more fine art way. I’m trying to get her on Etsy. Shapes, colors and words inspire me. I like to incorporate them as much as I can in my work.
What’s your favorite part of the creative process?
I love the moment when a piece goes from concept and raw materials to near completion, you can really see it and it’s tangible.
What’s your favorite indie purchase or trade?
I have a particular fondness (um, I’ve been reading Dickens) for all the things I’ve bought or traded on Etsy and elsewhere… it’s pretty hard to pick a favorite. So I’ll go with most recent- a postcard version of a poster from http://dazeychic.etsy.com
What advice would you give to other indie artists who are just starting out?
I still feel like I’m starting out in many ways. Advice, hmm. Google the name you’re thinking of using before setting up anything, even it’s your real name…just to see what’s out there, what’s already used. It seems basic but I wish someone had told me that.
Slumps are an unspoken fact of creative life…at least with me and a lot of artists I’ve talked to. Take those times to create something for yourself, try a new technique with no intention of selling or showing anyone the results, just enjoy the process. You may surprise yourself.
What TV shows are you currently hooked on?
Chuck. I love Chuck. Zachary Levi is adorable. And Masterpiece Theater. We’re watching Little Dorrit, now. (incidentally, that is NOT the Dickens book I’m reading)
What’s your favorite food?
Fried rice…I could eat it everyday. And bagels. I’m a carb freak.
What’s your favorite candy?
Sour Patch Kids…nummy!
Coffee or tea?
Tea…herb tea. Chamomile Mint, FTW!
What store could you wander around in and be happy?
Any store w/ books. I love books.
Any pets?
One uber-mellow, very affectionate cat named Taffy.
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
I went to Montreal for an overnight trip with my cousin. I loved it. It felt both old world and modern. And it’s very clean. I want to go back for a longer stay.
Do you have a day job in addition to you crafty business? What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
At the moment, I’m temping. Currently my assignment involves processing tax payments. Shhh!
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I studied Spanish in high school but I don’t speak it well. I’d like to learn French, too.
What are your plans (business/personal) for ’09?
I would like to go back to school in the fall.
Thanks, Rebecca! Okay, you get my vote for Chuck, too! Be sure to visit elpy [Handcrafted] now. All wristlets are currently 20% off. Mixed Plate readers also get free shipping {check for code below}.
Westie Wristlet in Cranberry: $16.80; Acute Macrame Earrings – Orange: $16.00:
Woodburned Coasters Set of 4 – Puzzle: $40.00; Helix Necklace – White: $26.00:
Magnets – Sugar and Snap: $8.00; Westie Wristlet in Mint: $16.80:
In addition to the 20% off all wristlets, Rebecca is offering Mixed Plate readers free shipping on any purchase. Enter code “mixedplate” in the notes to seller box at checkout.
April 23, 2009
Would You Like Cream With That?
It is quite interesting that as I’m typing this post I am pretty tired. I am thinking of having a coffee when I get in to work today. It’s also interesting that the last post here had a little something to do with coffee. Huh. I’m noticing a trend. All for good reason, though. This new print by Lucas and Hayley of the Keep Calm Gallery in the UK is adorable. They told me the inspiration for this design came from a song written by Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown for the Broadway musical “Hold Everything!”
There are two versions of the print available. One uses black ink on heavy, textured Somerset printmaking paper, and another uses white ink on recycled brown kraft paper. Both have been screen printed by hand and measure 14 by 22 inches.
My Coffee – Black: £22.00:
My Coffee – Kraft: £22.00:
April 22, 2009
Coffee or Tea?
What do you prefer? Sometimes it just depends on the time of day. The mood you’re in. What you need to accomplish. Have a look at these hand-embroidered reusable cup cozies by Debbie of 60 bugs. I have something similar and just carry it with me when I know I’ll be heading to the local coffee shop. It’s a great alternative to the paper/cardboard ones they hand out. Just think of how many times per week you get your fix and you’ll soon realize how much waste you’ll be preventing. Oh, and these are oh-so-cute!
Coffee Love Tattoo Sleeve; Tea Love Tattoo Sleeve: $12.00/ea:
ps - 60 bugs is having an earth week sale! All cup cozies are on currently 20% off. Sale ends April 26, 2009.
April 22, 2009
Recycle This.
Today is Earth Day. This doesn’t mean that today is the only day you should do right by mother earth. Kathy, for example, creates jewelry from recycled materials that she comes across in her everyday life or things that are donated to her. Artwork by KD is currently offering free shipping in honor of Earth Day. Here are a couple of my favorites…
Recycled Orange Juice Bottle Bracelet: $11.00:
Large Eco Flower Ring with Elastic Band: $6.00:
Triple Recycled Plastic Hoop Earrings: $30.00:
April 21, 2009
Two Wheels.
It is yet another lovely day. It is currently 73.5° and is forecast to get up to 79°. If you can get out and enjoy it, please take advantage of it (I’ll live vicariously through you as I work). Oh yeah, it’s a great day for a ride…
Lomo Bicycle Fine Art Photography 27: $25.00:
Lomo Bicycle Fine Art Photography 09: $25.00:
Lomo Bicycle Fine Art Photography 02: $25.00:
all prints by DripStick out of Brooklyn, New York.
aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
