…with Jennifer Ramos, the owner and designer of the fabulous shop Made by Girl. She’s talented, creative, fun and sassy and there really isn’t anything in her shop that I’m not a fan of. I wish that I had done this post sooner, actually, because there was an amazing Romeo and Juliet painting that I wanted so badly…which, of course, sold out. Not to worry because there is so much more to be seen on her site - Vibrant and colorful cards and digital prints await. All of the cards are printed on recycled or post consumer paper. Also, Made by Girl donates a percentage of its sales to StopGlobalWarming.com.

Sitting Next To U: $2.95:

WTF?!?: $2.95:

Dare You Pack: $10.00/set of 4 (check these out for the different “dares”):

ABC Love Print: $45.00 - $125.00 (depending on print size); Kick Ass: $45.00 - $120.00 (depending on size):

New print alert! Jaime Derringer’s shop has been updated recently with a lovely new print in the chandelier series. A limited edition of 25 Salmon Birds on Crystal Chandelier pieces are available in an 8″x10″ size. I also couldn’t resist this other one…

Salmon Birds on Crystal Chandelier Print: $18.00; Yellow Circle Bird Print: $18.00:

ps - check out the 5×7 sale going on now!

Do you have friends and family that treat your personal book collection as their personal library? Do you want those books to be returned to you, the rightful owner? Why not ‘mark’ what’s yours with Diana Sudyka’s new hand screen printed book plates. Four gorgeous designs - Fox with Tea, Mr. Narwhal, Polar Bear and Raven. Each plate has a blank space on it for your signature to ensure that everyone knows who to return things to!

Hand Screen-Printed Exlibris Book Plates: $10.00/set of 12:

Super sponsor time!

Meet Paola Zakimi of Holli:

Name: Paola Zakimi

Business Name: holli

Where are you located?
I live in a small town in Argentina.

What is it that you design and create?
I am a plastic artist. I make illustrations and dolls.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
When I start to make an idea concrete it is satisfactory.

How did you come up with your business name?
My name in Etsy is bacause of a character I made, which is a sweet and daring puppy.

Where/How did this all begin?
This began some time ago, but it became concrete some months ago. Having your own business and being your boss can be satisfying and exhausting.

Who or what inspires you?
The things I live everyday, wishes and dreams are part of my drawings.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Constancy and perseverance. Make a drawing or do a little work every day. It does not matter if you dedicate one or ten hours, the important thing is to create.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
My favourite is a mobile which I got it in an Exchange about mviles. The last thing I purchased are prints from Nele-Art (DAWANDA) and vintage clothes form lovedbeforeafter (Etsy).

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
sparklehorse

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Desperate Housewives.

What was the last movie you watched?
A movie made by the magnificent Jan Svankmajer, a remake of “Alice in wonderland”, which is called “ALICE”, It`s great! I don’t know if it is easy to find it, maybe on Amazon?

What’s your favorite food?
Carbonada. It is a traditional Argentinian food.

What’s your favorite candy?
Chocolate with almonds and orange.

Coffee or Tea?
Actually “Mate”, which is a traditional drink in Argentina that is made with a herb called “yerbamate”. Always with sugar!.

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Craft supplies or Ironmonger’s.

Any pets?
Cooper, it is a border collie gorgeous and sweet.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
My place in the world is here, in my house. I am surrounded by mountains and nature. Taking care of the people I love and my plants make me happy.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
My name would be Roberta and my superpower would be teletransporting.

Any celebrity crushes?
It is not a celebrity exactly, it is a character called Totoro, from the movie “Totoro, my neighbour”.

Favorite Holiday?
Christmas, I love the presents! Giving and getting them obviously!

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
If I were a shoe I would be a leather boot for climbing mountains!

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
Secretly I wish that the calmness which surrounds me never end!

Favorite piece of clothing?
A vintage green coat, that my mother gave me as a present a lot of years ago.

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I speak English and Italian better than I write them. I would like to learn to write English and German. In some days I will start my language studies to finish them.

We’re now half way into 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the year?
I would like to establish my business, that people know my illustrations and go on with the entusiasm and happiness that making what I like gives me.

Thanks, Paola! Here are some current pieces from her shop…

Summer Its Here Print: $24.00; Mr Plumm and Sofi Print: $24.00:

Hug Print: $24.00; Learning Print: $24.00:

The Shoe’s Tree Print: $24.00; Sofi is a Little Lady Doll: $170.00:

There are a lot of Flight of the Conchords fans out there.  I obviously learned that when trying to get my hands on tickets to their show here in San Francisco recently.  So while perusing Etsy, as I often do, I thought why not check and see if there’s any FOTC stuff listed.  Yes, there are DIYers out there that heart Bret and Jemaine.  Here’s the proof…

Flight of the Conchords Finger Puppets by AbbeyChristine: $30.00:

Flight of the Conchords Inspired Rock the Party Print by elloh: $24.00:

Flight of the Conchords Cookies by Groovy Cookies: $10.00:

FOTC Bret and Jemaine Earrings by Raychol Industries: $7.25:

Flight of the Conchords T-shirt/Towel by Sew It’s For You: $40.00/each:

Let me know if you’ve made any or seen any other fun FOTC stuff.

Art makes me happy.  I love seeing people that are so creative take a vision and put it down on paper, canvas, etc.  I like to think I’m a creative person but I know that I am a terrible artist when it comes to drawing.  This probably explains why I am constantly posting about the artwork I find while perusing the net.  So I was pretty excited when Shannon Collins shot an email my way introducing her fun little store.

Shannon’s Etsy shop, youwannatalkjive, is full of prints that reflect her obsession with old yearbooks, antique board games, vintage women’s advertising, pop culture and her love for animals.  I enjoy the spin she puts on her pieces and the way they make you smile and giggle a bit.  Here are a couple of my faves…

Steve Zissou Print: $18.00:

Guy With Glasses Print (Vintage Game Series): $40.00:

Walruses Can’t Skateboard Print: $16.00:

Hunting. I understand that there are many people and many cultures that grow up hunting. It is a sport for some, a way of life (survival, perhaps?) and cultural thing for others. Do I enjoy the idea of hunting or watching it being shown on television? Not a fan. I am an animal fan and do think that this is a much better alternative for your walls to the “trophies” that some may display.

Here are the new papier mache animals at Stray Dog Designs. All of these art pieces are handmade by artisans in Haiti.

Deer with Flowers: $290.00; Giant Crab: $480.00:

Ferdinand: $375.00; Pig: $150.00 (for white) or $180.00 (for color):

I always adore the artwork that Jaime puts up in her shop. These, however, are especially charming…

This Ain’t No Disco Print: $18.00; It’s Not Me It’s YOU Print: $18.00:

Just something adorable to get your Friday and weekend started right…

Baby, Will You Spoon Photo by Paula’s Photos, LLC: $9.00:

Johanna Anderes sent a little note my way regarding her recent update at her shop, 12fifteen.  Take a look at her beautiful springtime-inspired letterpress notecards, coasters and prints.

Fireflower Letterpress Notecards: $14.00/set of 6:

Beetle Letterpress Coasters: $12.00/set of 8; Ready for Spring Letterpress Coasters: $12.00/set of 8:

Swirly Flower Brown-Yellow Letterpress Notecards: $16.00/set of 6:

I love the new series of Original Collage Wood Panels at Cabin + Cub. Check them out:

Kids and Birds Series: $25.00/each:

Sprout Studio.  If you don’t already know Jenifer, you should.  I was fortunate enough to have met her at a craft fair in San Francisco’s Mission District in late 2007.  She is a sweet and talented gal who creates everything from jewelry, wearables, art and even fabulous glass magnets (I have a few on my fridge!).  These are the goods I’m lovin’ at her shop…

Plastic Fantastics: $24.00/each:

Mum & Orchid Bobbies: $9.00/each; Nordic Times Magnet Set: $12.00:

Mr Owly Itty Bitties: $18.00/set; Kindness Moods Large Glass Necklace: $33.00:

Sprout-About Wheel Stick: $85.00: