…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 designs from Nantaka Joy’s Summer 2008 Nature Story Collection (LOVE the patterns)…

Agate and Stones Notebooks: $13.50/ea.:

Tara Scheuerman of Cracked Designs creates fun greeting cards and custom wedding invitations. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this small business has been cooking up clever and sassy cards for almost two years now. Recently, they were nominated as a ‘Rising Star’ finalist in the International Greeting Cards Awards (aka the ‘Louie Awards’). Everything in the shop makes me smile and giggle a bit, which is always a plus! Check out Cracked Designs for an assortment of unique cards for whatever message you need to send…Oh, and to see all the great greetings that come inside.

Ode to Mustache: $3.50; Typewriter Thanks: $3.50:

Au Naturel: $3.50; Ass: $3.50:

A Very Yeti Birthday: $3.50; I Wheelie Like You: $3.50:

justJENN Designs is extending an offer of $1 shipping on any order.  That’s right!  How could you pass up a deal such as this one.  Check out her shop now for the latest…

‘Nerd Love’ Card Pack: $4.00/set of 6; Curse-ive Flat Cards G-Rated Version: $8.00/set of 8:

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 adore these precious letterpress cards for babies and children by Sweetbeets. Lisa Zuraw started this company after the birth of her first child a few years ago. She was in search of a unique birth announcement and couldn’t quite find the right one. Drawing on her observations of her children at play along with the memories of her own childhood, her greeting cards were born. Images that capture the magic of being young are found at Sweetbeets.

Puddle Jumping Fun: $5.50; Birthday Girl Holding Balloons: $5.50:

Birthday Boy Superhero: $5.50; Five Marbles: $5.50:

A few weeks ago Karen Bullard contacted me about her company, Karen Cole Paper. I was so delighted when I received a bunch of samples in my mailbox of note cards and invitations that I knew I had to feature her shop.

While staying at home with her children, Karen started Karen Cole Paper in 2004 with just 20 designs after feeling the need to express her artistic side. Her paper products can now be found in stores nationwide.

Yellow Piece Folded Card (2): $12.00/set of 10:

All of the images are hand-drawn, original colored pencil illustrations and are professionally printed onto the highest quality paper. I actually thought that the cards I received were drawn individually - that’s how nice the print job is! There’s a variety of designs for any occasion you have from weddings to birth announcements and everyday cards and imprintables. The designs are fresh and fun and give a little bit of style to your events.

Palm Tree: $13.00/set of 10:

Baby Boy Folded Card: $12.00/set of 10:

Check out Karen Cole Paper now and see the different options for your paper-lovin’ needs. Hey, you can even personalize your items!

Alright, last one for anyone who celebrates today (Happy Day To You all, by the way!)…

Yes, No, Maybe Ring at Fred Flare: $9.00:

Purple Heart Top at Spiderlily Clothing: $65.00:

Love Is - Mini Valentine Cards at Story by Mia: $5.00/set of 5:

Caged Heart Necklace at Birka Scandinavian Jewelry: $119.00:

I Think I’m In Love Wood Paper Print by Rosie Music: $20.00:

Limited Edition Ume Perfume + Bonbons at mi SPA: $39.50:

It’s almost here…next Thursday, all! Here are a few more fun things you can get your sweetie or maybe for yourself.

Love Buckle by Fosterweld: $25.00:

I Really Really Do Print by Hide n Seek: $9.50:

My Heart Bleeps For You Mixed Media Robot Figurine by Always Amy: $11.00:

Giant Heart Babydoll Tshirt by Deadworry: $22.00:

Strawberry Shortcake Bag by Paco & Lupe: $85.00 (Canadian dollar):

The Parts of My Heart Card by Armato Design: $4.00:

What can I say other than I adore these cards…

Letterpress Set of 5 Bittersweet Cards by Paper Stories: $20.00:

Come on. You know you think these things but just can’t say them. They really are quite beautiful, aren’t they. Good gift, I think. The best part - the close-ups…

You know, I love everything that Ms. Nicole Balch does. Her paper goods and other lovelies at Pink Loves Brown, the way she transforms her space on Making It Lovely (I’ve already told her in the past that I’ll have to hire her to help me decorate when I have a house of my own!) and her brilliant design skills via Smart and Lovely. So I thought I’d share her newest bookplates that she made…

Book Club Blame Bookplates; Retro Curves Bookplates: all bookplates are $6.50/set of 6 or $18.00/set of 24:

Yes, one of the most fun things that I have been able to do since moving to San Francisco was attend the Bazaar Bizarre. I got to meet so many cool people and designers that have been featured right here on Mixed Plate. The event was quite different than ones that we have in Hawaii so I was pretty excited. My excitement actually turned into more of a feeling of being overwhelmed. Everything at the show was amazing and I wanted to be able to take it all in. I really wished that I had enough money to buy something from each table. Ah, if only…

A sure highlight of the Bazaar Bizarre was meeting Leslie of Feisty Elle. She was one of the first vendors that I saw when entering the event building so I immediately introduced myself. If you don’t already know Leslie, she is super cool and sweet and we were talking story for a while. Her felted brooches and hair accessories are so beautiful. I happen to have a brooch and a bobby pin that are quite lovely, thank you. Oh, and her badges have been featured not only on Mixed Plate and other blogs but in a book called I Love Badges.

My current favorite item at her shop is the Fiery Red Brooch ($40.00):

The next booth that I stopped at happened to be right next to Leslie’s. Kate Durkin creates both charming artwork and bags. I visited her booth several times throughout the day and was probably driving her nuts. I really wanted to buy a couple of things (for me, of course) but had to restrain myself since I was to be saving money for gifts. I felt bad until she told me that she is the same way when deciding whether on not to buy something.

Here’s my favorite item in her shop (one that I kept lurking around). Forest Handbag (it’s sold already, sigh):

Another fun person that I got to meet with was Elijah of Figs and Ginger. Rhonda wasn’t able to make it to the show in San Francisco so I was sad that I didn’t get to meet her as well. The husband and wife team create adorable jewelry inspired by forests and the birds and fawn that live there.

I purchased a pair of these sweeties. Forest Fawn Studs (Sterling, they also come blackened) ($20.00):

In the same area was the Rock Scissor Paper booth. Talk about a colorful table! It was great and I got me some holiday cards.

Peaceful Tree Boxed Holiday Cards ($14.00):

As you know, I’ve been a bit cold and doing a little post here and there about what I can wear to keep warm. Well, I was on a mission at Bazaar Bizarre to get gloves of some sort. I met Rachel of SugarSugarRayRay. She had the cutest slugs/handwarmers made out of fleece with stars, lightning bolts and teeth stitched on the fronts. I couldn’t decide at first because I figured go the Harry Potter route with the lightning bolts but chose the star ones. They are oh-so-soft!

I got the Olive Green Slugs with Red Star ($35.00):

Next on my list of awesome people I met, Jaime Zollars. Yes, I got to meet her and picked up a couple of postcards and a print of her art. Of course, it was another one of those where I stood and stared in awe of her work and had to choose what I wanted to get. I wanted one of each but had to keep myself under control (again) so…

I purchased the Red Bird Battalion Print ($60.00):

And I got these in postcard form - Pink Elephant Procession:

Labyrinth:

I got a couple of cool stickers from an artist/graphic designer, sketchup pro, photgrapher, illustrator, you-name-it named Rick Pickett. Check out all of the work that he does on his site. I tried to take pictures of the stickers I got and my camera was acting up. Trust me, though, they are super cute. I got a blue sumo guy for the hubby, an orange girl for me and a “middleschool” sticker just for kicks!

I was also lucky enough to meet Jennifer of Starving Artist Bazaar (check out her jewelry and artwork), Jenny and Cielo of Twinkle (lovely handmade jewelry), Rebecca of BananaSaurus Rex and saw tons of other shops that I visit often online or have featured here. Fun. Fun. Fun! Anywho, I suggest that you try to hit one of the Bazaar Bizarre shows if they are ever in your town because it is so worth it! Can’t wait for the next event!