regency valentine.

Remember last year when I featured Shanna and Betsy’s sweet Lace and Foxes valentine? Well, they’re doing it again this year. Yup. Let me introduce The Regency Valentine with Swallows…

This year’s valentine was inspired by Jane Austen…with a modern twist, of course! Each note will be handwritten and hand-painted and elaborately folded in the regency style of Austen’s time. It is then sealed with a black and white striped washi tape and wax seal. So pretty. So romantic. Hooray for Hello Handmade!

These will only be offered through February 5th, so get your orders in now so they can arrive in time for Valentine’s Day.

ps – 10% of each sale will be donated to the American Red Cross Relief for Haiti.

$14.00

wood you?

Shauna and Stephen are definitely one of the most creative couples around. And back in stock in the shop…

wood you be mine. set of 3: $25.00 {also available individually}
faux bois log. white: $20.00

Get To Know: Rym Jarbouai of bagatelles&co.

Hooray! It’s time to get to know another fun sponsor. Enjoy!

Meet Rym Jarbouai of bagatelles&co:

Name: Rym Jarbouai

Business Name: bagatelles&co

Where are you located?
London, UK

What is it that you design and create?
Colourful accessories made from brocade silk and Liberty fabrics.

Where/How did this all begin?
I have always been making things, and after sudying Textile and Fashion design in Paris, I moved to London to work as a freelance designer/tailor. bagatelles&co started last summer when I was desperately looking for a nice evening bag for a wedding I was attending. I couldn’t find anything beautiful yet affordable so I ended up making my own…! I haven’t stopped making bags since then!

Who or what inspires you?
Lots of different things! Randomly: fashion and movies from the 20′s, photography, packaging design, blooms and flowers, walking around in the city, people in the street, cute cakes…

What is your favorite part of the design process?
Looking for new fabrics, whether on internet or directly in shops or thrift stores… Designing new styles, inventing a new story… And of course, the best is when I get returning customers who tell me how happy they are with their special item. :)

Crafty folks know that accumulating new tools and supplies is something that comes along with the territory. What are your favorite tools and supplies?
Pins, scissors, tape measure, chalk, a mannequin and very important, a good iron… The simple gear of a Tailor:)

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
I’m still quite new in the game but here what I’ve learnt so far: don’t be afraid to try new things and to get out from your comfort zone. Be perseverant and believe in yourself. Things do not happen overnight, so be preapared to work very hard.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
An adorable little flower brooch made from felt by my little sister. I’m still wearing it!

What’s on your iPod/music player right now? What’s on your “Crafting Music Playlist”?
Nouvelle Vague: it’s a cool band covering punk and new wave classics in a bossa nova mood.

What’s your favorite food?
I can’t say no to good fresh bread with a piece of dark chocolate.

Coffee or Tea?
Tea!

What store could you wander around in and be happy?
Liberty, Anthropologie, Etro and Hermes, ah and also the Victoria&Albert Museum shop in London.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Venice during Carnival: simply amazing ( a bit too cold though!)

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
Occasionaly, I do some freelance design and pattern cutting work.

Do you speak any other languages?  If not, would you like to learn one?
French is my mother tongue and I’m curently learning Italian (as my boyfriend is Italian).

It’s a brand new year! What are your plans and/or goals (business/personal) for 2010?
Keep doing what I love and grow bagatelles&co.

Thanks so much, Rym! Can’t wait to see what new things will pop up at bagatelles&co! Oh, and Nouvelle Vague is on my iPod, too! Here are a few items you can find at her shop…

Bold Peacock Gigi Small Purse: $42.00; Multicolored Floral – Liberty Print Medium Clutch with Chain: $95.00

Azulejos Lili Medium Clutch: $72.00; Little Flowers Small Gigi Purse: $27.00

Marigold Ambrosia – Silk Tie & Leather Large Clutch with Chain; Amber Floral – Jacquard Medium Lili Clutch: $82.00

Mixed Plate readers get free shipping through the end of January! Simply enter “Mixed Plate” in the comments box at checkout.

want to advertise on Mixed Plate? Of course you do! Shoot me an email at liana@mixedplateblog.com to get started.

love candy.

Quick! There’s a limited number of Made by Girl’s Love Candy Prints available at the shop. Oh, and Jennifer has also put them on sale!

my only sunshine.

This makes me happy on such rainy days like today. Reminds me of when I was a kid and my grandpa would sing this to me. If he were still around, maybe we’d sing it together…

You Are My Sunshine by The Wheatfield: $22.00

see more of Katie Daisy’s work here.

fig.

If only you knew how often I check Suzie’s shop to see what new bag she’s whipped up. The latest addition to BEES’NETTA is The Day Labourer in Fig…

Thing is, I also still adore this bag in its Courier Blue and Rosemary versions…

So many bags, so little time.

bags are $185.00

friday favorites.

Hello! This is the first Friday Favorites post that I’m doing for 2010 {it’s been a while}. Where 2009 went, I’ll never know. I hope that your week went well and that you’re {slowly} getting back in the groove of working after the holidays. Have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm. And have a Happy, Happy Aloha Friday!

1. Beige Ruffled Crochet Bib Necklace by A Common Thread: $45.00
2. Crimson Heart Hair Fascinator by Pomp & Ceremony: $90.00
3. Egg Sprouts…Porcelain Grow Your Own Wheatgrass Kit by Revisions Design Studio: $24.95
4. Pretty Blooms Clutch Purse in Dark Gray and Sweet Pink by karuski: $29.00
5. Liam Little Red Fox by Sleepy King: $24.00
6. Date Night Tuxedo Dress by MinxShop: $130.00

ban.do for haiti.

You can still get your shop on at ban.do where 25% of all sales through midnight tonight {Friday, January 22} will be donated to the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

anytime valentines.

Valentine’s Day isn’t for all of us. I am someone who believes in telling people how you feel about them all the time. The nice feelings and stuff, that is. So how perfect that Emily has created these vintage-inspired pack of Anytime Valentines {$12.00/set of 18}…

valentype.

Check out these Red Valentype Blocks by House Industries {$50.00/ea.}…

You choose the letter or symbol. These are all handmade in the USA of solid maple wood and is ready to hang. Available only through V-day {February 14, 2010}.

also available in silver.

pssst.

I just wanted to let you know that I think…

You Are Fantastic by Laura George: $20.00

feisty elle for haiti.

The amazing Leslie of Feisty Elle has shared with me that she’ll be donating $15 for each item purchased now through January 31 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. You’ll have seen her stuff pop up here numerous times on Mixed Plate because I love her work and she’s a great gal. Thanks, Leslie!