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It's late in the day to post, but I thought I'd stop by and say hello! 
Here's a simple and sweet card from Sugar Lily to spread the greetings to one and all. If you're feeling like dropping a little line to a friend, check out Sugar Lily for a nice hello, and find many other retro style cards and great stationery. Alright, goodbye now.
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...with this Paige set from Sparkle and Shine Design. 
Includes a matching necklace and pair of earrings that will shine and sparkle in the sun, just like their business name promises. They are made with milky orange colored shells and accented with fire polished pink beads. They're the perfect colors to accent your lacey white tops this summer. And, might I mention again how hot shells are in accessories this season? So cool off by the seashore (perhaps in Mendocino! ah, sweet memories) this summer with this pretty shell jewelry set.
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Want to add a little spring to your step? Or, more accurately, your lapel? Or bag? Oh, you get the idea, I have buttons! Cute buttons from make-out goods! Handmade from vintage textiles from the 50's and 60's, these pins will add a spot of color to personalize any drab wardrobe. You can buy 'em at Copacetique, and be sure to check out the make-out goods site for other info and more goodies.
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Hey all, there's a new kid in blogtown called Make It written by the oh so sweet Shannon. It's in its fledgling phase but is sure to become another daily read for us craftin' folk. It's targeted towards crafters who need advice on turning their passion into a business, or those already established in the indie world who'd like to learn a little more, especially about one another. Besides it's glowing review of Modish (and me), it also features an interview with an indie business owner (what will hopefully become a staple on the site), a "make it" business tip and tons of advice from taking good pictures to finding the right canopy to use for a craft fair. So, take a look at Make It and see what it takes to make it in the world of indie business!
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No, the title of this post doesn't mean anything, but it rhymes. Why am I so giddy that I feel I must rhyme, you ask? Well, because this clutch is so dang cute! From 2 Fresh Petunias comes the Polka Mocca clutch. I'm really diggin' the color combo with the deep chocolate brown and baby blue polka-dots combined with the bright red and pale yellow flowers. It gives a funky twist to a sophisticated style.
So stop and smell the 2 Fresh Petunias site where you'll find this cute clutch plus totes, handbags, belts and more fabric goodness!
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This is it! Last but not least, here are the final nine winners of the Fred Flare Next Big Thing contest. I'm noticing a definite bright colored, kitchy creative, witty, fun sort of trend throughout all of the winners this year. Congrats to everyone who won! And super duper props to everyone who entered (I didn't have the guts, or the $5 at the time, perhaps next year...) As always, here's a few of my favorites from this latest crop by Pony Beaver, A Fine Mess and Seam Ripper:
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I'm back from a much needed few days off, yay for breaks! (It was more so a break from my day job, I actually kinda missed this bloggerville nerdy stuff.) So, on to the finds! In honor of my camping adventure and all the cool coastal trees that I oohed and aahed over this past weekend, I'm happy to bring you some great new jewelry from Giant Jewels.
These retro yet contemporary looking necklaces feature handcarved acrylic tree shapes with an etched copper trunk and hang on copper chain. Very cool indeed, I nearly gasped (well, actually, I did gasp) when I saw them on day-lab. How does the saying go? A tree a day keeps the fashion police away? Well, it should.
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By the time you read this, I should be in Mendocino, eating delicious vegan food, drinking North Coast beer and listening to the waves crash. Have a good Memorial Day weekend. I'll be back in action on Tuesday! =)
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It's Thursday, and what does that mean? The next 9 winners of the Fred Flare Next Big Thing have been announced. Here are a few of my favorites from Ferdinand Home, Krooked Stitches and Cursive:
Shop the Next Big Thing and check out the rest of the winners!
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Long since a fan of Jill Bliss (I've even featured an item from her before) my upcoming journey to the ocean this weekend (hurray! getaway!) made me think of her work, filled with jellyfish and undersea creatures. So, I started looking around the blissen site in search of the undersea scences I'd remembered, and also discovered art and goods featuring forest critters, beautiful plants and more! I love them all! I couldn't decide what to feature, and loved everything so much, I decided to make blissen this week's site of the week. Here are some of my favorite items from the site, all of which are handmade and illustrated by miss Jill herself.
Here's that undersea style I was craving in the form of a cute t-shirt:
Some adorable forest friends wallets made from re-used sheets:
And some gorgeous note cards featuring native herbs:
There's also orignal artwork, totebags, jewelry and lots more to see at blissen so go explore! I promise, it'll put a smile on your face.
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Maybe I like these because I'm obsessed with cats and these wooly booly little feet are so adorable I'm freakin out! Maybe I like these because I used to take ballet when I was 3 1/2 years old and rocked it. Maybe I like these because I have a lot of coupons in my kitchen that need to be hung on the fridge so they'll be at eye level and I'll acutally use them. Whatever the reason, I really like these magnets, and, lucky for you, I'm getting better at sharing everyday. 
Find them at Presents & Law along with bookmarks, calendars, tote bags and other cute stuff. (ooo, I did 2 "housewares" posts in one day, is that allowed??)
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I have a habit of collecting coasters, especially the kind with beer logos emblazoned on them. I find it comforting to see just how many types of beer from around the world I've had the pleasure of consuming (as is also evidenced by my hordes of beer caps that have not yet found their way to a craft project.) Anyway, as I was browsing around Buy Olympia, a great site that sells goods from many independent designers, my addiction instantly drew me towards this coaster from Sesame Letterpress. Mmm, tasty...(as my cat would say)
It features a letterpressed goldfish in, get this, waterproof ink! (Don't question the physics, just trust.) Made from a husband and wife pair out of Brookyln, these coasters would make the perfect, comfy home for (dare I mention it yet again) a cold beer, or whatever whets your whistle. Not diggin' the goldfish? There's also a buck, birdie, lily, poodle, a salsa dancer and other designs to choose from. What are you waiting for? Shop!
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With these cute little matchbook notes, you can have a place to jot down your thoughts. 
Tuck a little love note into your boy's pocket, give a quick thank you to a friend, slip a "hello honey" into your kiddo's lunch box. It's the thought that counts, and on these oh so cute "Vintage Asia" designs, those thoughts will make an even better impression! Find these and other designs at the Paper Princess, a very pretty site featuring even prettier paper goods.
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So, the next round of winners for Fredflare's Next Big Thing contest were announced today! All the goodies are wonderful, of course, but here are a few things that stood out to me from the likes of Birdhead Design, Camp Apparel and Snapcrafty:
Check back here on Thursday when the next nine winners will be announced!
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Handmade by the sultry Yana, formerly from Moscow, now living and working in New York, this Supayana shirt is funky, sexy and very unique. This budding designer puts touches and details in her work that rival some of the most talented and well known designers (perhaps that explains the bid price it's currently at on e-bay, wow!) 
You have to love the flutter sleeves, the scalloped neckline and especially, the belt! The belt is so great! Check out this particular shirt for sale now on e-bay, or take a gander at her other e-bay auctions, all amazing, all one-of-a-kind, and all goin' fast!
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I've noticed I'm on an earring kick lately- sorry for the seeming redundancy, but these are anything but (redundant, that is). These earrings, from Our Translation, are just so pretty and summery I could not pass them up! Made from a variety of vintage glass, pearls and semi-precious stones, these handmade gems will shimmer in the sun or on the dance floor, if that's more your speed. I was turned onto Our Translation by a blog called Closet Therapy (a fashionista's paradise that brings you daily fashion rants and awesome finds.) They specialize in vintage and one-of-a-kind creations, and have gorgeous necklaces and bracelets as well as more great earrings. Need an excuse to buy a present for yourself? You can maybe work-in Memorial Day somehow, eh?
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Someone giving you grief? Mom nagging again about how you should wear this shirt instead of that one? Boyfriend being an unbelievable doofus? Well, tell 'em how you feel about 'em with this chicken butt card! 
Sweeter than a donkey's butt card would be, and too cute to pass up, this is screen-printed by the hands of hubby and wife duo, Young & WithIt. Check out their etsy shop for other quirky card designs (including one with a praying mantis, which I also love.) And next time someone says "Guess what?" what's your answer gonna be? Chicken Butt!
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Scotland may not be nortorious for its art, but it appears to me that they are busting out at the seams. Papa Stour proves it by showcasing some of the greatest that the Scottish art and craft scene has to offer, and lemme tell you, they're giving us yanks a run for our money. There's many incredible artists on there, but Hannah Louise Lamb is who first caught my eye with these silver wallpaper pattern earrings. 
Unique and so gorgeous, these earrings set my heart a flutter. Inspired by Victorian design, they're very feminine and would be worth the trip across the ocean to own. Take a look at Hannah's other goodies, and rest assured, you'll see more Papa Stour items on here in the future. Now, to look up my Scott relavtives, where's that family tree...
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Hip, indie boutique Fredflare has just announed the first of the winners for their Next Big Thing contest! They include goodies from the likes of Cornyness, Plughole & Mogo as seen below. Check out the site to see all the offerings from the first nine winners. There will be more winners announced soon and, of course, I'll be bringing them straight to ya =). 
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Well, one thing I can say about designer Breigh Stanfield is that she has damn good timing. (I awoke this morning, not knowing what site I wanted to feature this week, and lo and behold, the little letter in my inbox from Breigh made up my mind quickly.) Another thing about Breigh, she sho' is talented. Take a look at her baby, debris design, and you'll see why I had to make it this week's site of the week.
The main attraction (and what the whole debris idea stemmed from) is her handmade i-pod cases. Find one to fit any size i-pod, and keep it comfy cozy in an inner vinyl sleeve. They all come in fun, funky patterns, in either "flip-n-fold" or "slip-n-snuggle" designs. The best part, you can design your own! You pick your pod, pick your patterns, and one will be created just for you. 
Also check out the accessories, like jewelry and handbags:
Aaannnnnd, there's even hand-dyed tees for men and women:
So, stop on by debris, a treasure trove of creativity and design!
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