Miss Modish- Mojo Maker

Writing comes naturally...

When I saw these nature series notecards from Blend Creations, I immediately got a craving to sit down and write!  (I suppose I have that craving often though, such is the motivation of this blog.)  These gorgeous cards in bold, summery colors, hand screen-printed onto recycled kraft paper, literally make me ooh and aah. 

Sold as a 6 card set with matching envelopes, these would be perfect for any occasion.   Especially that really special occasion coming up soon. <hint, hint>  I think any mama would love a card like this filled with your own words of love.  And, if you can't think of what to say, come ask me, I have lots of ooey gooey sentiments to share.

Friday is such a treat!

You have NO idea (well, perhaps you do) how excited I am that it's Friday!!  After a week of hell at work, it's finally warm outside, it's finally the weekend and I can finally relax!  (well, at the end of the day at least...)  Since Fridays are such a treat, I thought I'd bring you another treat to celebrate: these little crocheted chocolates! 
Not only are they detailed, unique and super creative, they are chocolate scented so you can use them as an underwear drawer sachel, set one on your desk to keep you motivated all day, or spread throughout your house to keep it smelling sweet and inviting.  These Peep Accessories goodies come inside a gift box wrapped with a pretty pink ribbon, just like real chocolate treats...mmmmm, chocolate...  Find 'em at Pixelgirlshop, home to these and many more amazing handmade goods.  And happy happy Friday! 

SITE OF THE WEEK: The Carrotbox

Spurred on by an allergy to metal, The Carrotbox "is a site dedicated to all those wonderful rings made of glass, lucite, resin, plastic, jade, wood, bakelite and even stone — anything, as long as it's not metal!" (so says the owner, Alice)  She was too modest to mention though, that The Carrotbox is an amazingly unique site with a HUGE selection of quality, vintage, handmade, wonderful rings for every finger and every outfit.  In fact, this site is partially what contributed to my interest in vintage lucite which I now frequently use in my own jewelry works.  Inspiration aside, I think it would be impossible to cruise through Alice's site without finding at least one (more likely twenty) rings that you'd love to have.  And, since they're not made with precious metals, the price tag may just let you buy out your every heart's desire.  Here are some of my personal faves:

These lucite ones:

 

And these glass ones: (first 2 are murano glass, 3rd one handmade by Alice herself!)

 

And these, a Japanese kimono ring, wooden ring, and handmade resin ring:

Go now, surf, peruse, explore the lovely Carrotbox.  It's updated every other Monday, so be sure to check back in, and if you see something you just adore, you better snatch it up because things sell fast!

Doh!

To save myself from too much additional stress (if that's possible) I kindly opt out of posting today.  We've just had a HUGE catastrophe at my day job that I'm responsible for "cleaning up" so to speak.  So, while I drudge along in the real world today, feel free to check out the old posts and come back tomorrow for a new site of the week! (it's a realllllly good one, I promise =)  Later gators! 
Oh how I wish I was here right now:

Oh how I love thee

I've long since idolized every necklace by Pashupatina.  Each handmade, each totally original and each made in one-of-a-kind or very limited editions.  They are all SOOOO gorgeous, I had a tough time picking just one to introduce you to, but here it is, necklace 279:

This necklace features a very rare lotus bead at it's focal point, and the rest of the beads are all vintage glass.  Perfect for spring, it's stylish, unique and I guaratee everyone will be asking you where you found such an incredible piece!  I credit Pashupatina as another of my main inspirations for getting back into the jewelry gig.  So, check it out, the site is updated frequently, and things sell out fast!  You'll be awe-inspired, I promise.

Ingenuity marks the spot!

Not only did I once have time to read for pleasure, I also had time to entertain notions of actually writing a book of my own someday!  Well, hopefully, that idea hasn't been trampled out completely, but time, time on the otherhand is in very short supply these days.  So, eventhough I don't have time to read, if I did, I'd certainly want to mark my spot with one of these beautiful bookmarks from ZN Creative Arts. 

Made with actual found objects that are cast in resin, these are gorgeous and ingenious at the same time!  So go on, open that trashy romance novel or the latest historical biography and read, read, read!  I'll live vicariously through you.

For old time's sake

I had just about the most stressful, busy day at work that I've had, well, EVER!  I came home just yearning for the good ol' days (and some beer), ya know, the playground days where the most you had to worry about was ripping a hole in the knees of your tights or staying away from that weird boyscout kid who collected all his boogers in a jar (what, you didn't have one of those guys?)  Well anyway, that's why I thought I'd take you back to those playful days with the Fortune Kooky from If'n Books + Marks. 

I don't know about you, but my best childhood friend and I used to obsess over these things!  We'd make a new one almost everyday, each filled with inane nonsense that we totally believed because "it had been written."  I'm just so thankful for Deb, the owner of If'n Books, for bringing these back into style in such a creative way.  They come in different "genres" from romance to the office.  So get together with your girlfriends and some wine, and give each other advice the old fashion way.  Now, if only I could find one of those fortune telling palm fish things...

Gotta protect your goods!

As someone who suffered all too much at the fateful demise of her once loved ipod, I'm here to ask you all to please treat your ipods well, cover them aptly with covers like this adorable one from RandL, and for God's sake, buy the Applecare protection plan.  Believe me, just buy it.  Anyway, so as not to delve into my own ipod loss depression (a hardware malfunction?  how could it just up and malfunction?! no i don't have Applecare. there's nothing you can do!? NOTHING?!?!) ahem...um, let's focus on the utter cuteness of this ipod nano case, made by one of Seattle's finest, Chika Eustace. 

It has a clear cover on one side for easy click wheel access, and a hole at the bottom corner to feed a USB cable and earphones!  Find this particular one at Copacetique, and check out Chicka's site for a list of all the great stores that carry her other RandL goodies.  And please, learn from my technology mistakes so you don't have to suffer the look of that little sad ipod icon frowning, oh, the horror...

I see the light!

Thank goodness for crafty men like Graham Bergh, who are forward thinking enough to take dirty, grease stained, overused bike parts that would otherwise be thrown away, and turn them into something useful and wonderful for our homes.  Without them we wouldn't have bike chain bottle openers and picture frames, end tables made from bike rims, or these tea light holders made from freewheels and cogs (or, for the bike term laymen, greasy things that make the bike, uh, go.)  Perfect for a summer barbeque, these candle holders will light your way in style, plus you'll be able to brag to all your guests about how cool you are for finding such a creative, unique item (ahem.)  You can find these and many more amazing recycled bike part goodies at Resource Revival, and help support these Oregon boys who are helping to support our Earth. 

Beer on the Brain

I don't know about you, but I've had a hard day, I wish it was Friday already and I just really, really wanna go home and drink some beer.  Perhaps my craving led me down the path to this wonderful discovery: d-licious jewelry. 

These bracelets are handcrafted from beer and soda cans (genius!), the contents of which designer Dana Roth and friends wholeheartedly glugged down themselves.  The aluminum cans are secured to sterling silver bands and protected with a cap on each end.  From Guiness to Pabst to Dr. Pepper, I'm sure you'll find something to suit your taste.  See, drinking beer, good!  Recycling empty beer cans, even better!  You can purchase these bracelets on elsewares and check out Dana's site to see more retail locations where they're available. 

Drink up!

As we celebrate the Earth and try to find ways to sustain it and help it recover, we should also cherish what it has already given us- that's why I had to introduce you to herb + ginger's Peach-icot tea.  Made with real pieces of peaches, apricots, apple, elderberries, hibiscus flowers and more, you can literally drink up the fruit of the Earth!  Stop by herb + ginger to find this tea and many other delectable flavors.  Cheers!

SITE OF THE WEEK: Adore Vintage

As I've learned from my boyfriend, avid record collector and thrift store addict, one of the easiest and best ways to "recycle" is to go vintage.  His vintage is more $3.00 pants and 5 records for a $1 Salvation Army style, but we're talkin' my sort of vintage here.  That's why I've chosen Adore Vintage as site of the week, to stay in the vein of recycling, and show you just how stylish it can be. 

From ruffled tops and flouncy dresses:

To tweed hats and stylish pumps:

And of course a little vintage style shine to top it all off:

Not only can you find all these great items at Adore, but you can peruse the pictures of celeb and model styles that these vintage ensembles were inspired by, and even discuss all your fave fashion topics in their forum.  So, if you adore vintage as much as I do, stop on by the site and save these poor fashions from a life in the landfill (or, in someone else's closet.)

Why I need a garden

I tried to grow lettuce and herbs last year but, Nevada clay mixed with too much shade does not the ample garden make.  I think I may try some container gardening this year though, because I just have to have an excuse to buy one of these guys! 

These adorable garden guests, a ladybug and a turtle, were handmade from vintage WWII helmets!  Artists Fred Conlon says "it is very satisfying to transform something once used in war into a peaceful garden decoration."  Yet another uncommon find from one of my all-time favorite shops, Uncommon Goods!

Talk about recycling!

This purse is made from an actual tire!  Yes, another landfill clogging, non-degradable, pollution ridden problem averted by absolute creativity.  Check out the "re-finding" section at Junk in Our Trunk to find this purse among others, as well as tire wallets and watches!  How do people think of these things??

Jot down your thoughts...

...on this great new notebook from Acorn Studios!  Handmade from now obsolete 3.5" floppy disks, (my, we've come a long way) each notebook has 50 pages for your thoughts and comes with a free pen made from recycled material.  At only $6.95 a pop, you can buy a few to keep one at your office, in your car, your desk at home, you just never know when inspiration (or errand lists) will hit! 

Check out sweet Nicola's site for these and other awesome recycled items.  Plus, if you spend over $25, you'll get some great keyboard magnets for free!  See how fun shopping "green" can be? 

A good yarn

Did you know that even cotton can be recycled?  Well, in a manner of speaking at least.  Jen, of DivaTribe can explain things much better: "reclaimed cotton fiber from the clothing and textile industries [is] cotton [that was] taken from the cutting room floor and spun into an 8-ply yarn. [So basically,] perfectly good, brand new fibers that would have otherwise gone to the landfill are transformed into a [wonderful] yarn."  And, Jen has definitely put that yarn to good use with this hand crocheted poncho:

Available in three sizes and many different colors, this reclaimed drape can add some color to your wardrobe and allow you some Earth Day bragging rights.  Plus, Diva Tribe Boutique is a member of 1% for the Planet, an awesome coalition that Yvon Chouinard (the big wig at my day job, Patagonia) started, that puts 1% of the money you spend back into protecting the environment. 

So, comon' everybody- hop on the socially conscious, environmentally friendly bandwagon, it's fun!  Woo!

Not just for groceries anymore

Yes!  This is what I'm talking about!!  I'm always so excited to find people that have taken ordinary "trash" and turned it into something absolutely wonderful!  Take these handbags by Cara Taylor for instance:

Each one is hand woven from plastic grocery bags!  You know, those things that clog up your cupboard until you get so many stashed in there that you're afraid to even open the door due to potential avalanche?  Anyone?  Well, anyway, these are by far one of the most creative and intelligent re-uses of "trash" that I've ever seen!  Each handbag is entirely unique making them one-of-a-kind wonders.   Check out Cara's site for more bags in all different styles and colors.  There's even a special section for the kiddos.

See what I mean?  You really can support the earth in style =).

Stop to smell the tin, mmmmm....

In honor of Earth Day approaching (it's official start is 4/22) we'll be integrating recycled and earth-friendly handmade goods among our picks for the rest of the week.  (To see all the picks in one place, check out the "earth friendly" category on the right.)  We will show you how stylish recycled can be in hopes that you might integrate more sustainable goods into your wardrobe and home.  To start things off, I offer you this welcoming bouquet:

Handmade in Canada from recycled tin, each flower will last a lifetime!  Hand one out to loved ones to spread earth day cheer, or keep them in a bouquet to delight your desk or even your garden!  Check out Uncommon goods to find these and more amazing recycled goodies to cherish.  And keep checking in with us for more Earth Day finds!

I wish I could...

go outside!  I mean, I can physically, but do I want to?  That's a different story.  It snowed here ALL day long yesterday (Easter Sunday mind you, full on spring we're talkin' here) and I awoke to ice covered cherry blossoms and snowy streets.  I want to go outside, I need to go outside, but com'on, work with me here weather!  Anyway, the get outdoors sentiment today is fueled by these awesome buttons from Crowded Teeth.

Simple yet clever, these buttons hearken a wish for everyone to turn off the tube, step away from the computer (as is my case) and just go outside!  In fact, depsite the snow, I think I'm gonna go for a little walk before the sun goes down.  Oh dear spring, won't you ever come??

Cooking made hot again!

Eventhough my feminist leanings stray me away from the image of the Cold War era mommy all dolled up, make-up on, hair freshly styled, smile from ear to ear while she's slaving away over the family dinner, I can't help but admire the time and effort those women put into their style, even while doing regular household chores.  These oven mitts from Deadly Squire hearken back to those days style-wise, but leave the oppressive servitude feel behind. (wow, I'm pretty fiesty for a Monday morning!)  Available in many, equally fabulous patterns, these mitts will just beg you to bake some cookies with their modern and feminine appeal.  

The best thing about joint husband and wife venture, Deadly Squire is, you can outfit your entire dining room and kitchen with matching placemats, napkins, chair cushions and so much more!  Plus, their site is just gorgeous, and with a new online buying option, you can more easily whittle your money away, which I highly suggest you do.