Evaseva March 31, 2008

 As most of you know, I just returned from an Austin visit with my little sister.  I got to meet my new nephew (who is sooo cute) and see my other nephew and niece (also both very cute).   It seemed very ironic that while I was there I would discover Evaseva, a unique creator of fun and funky children’s clothes. 

After spending a week with my four year old niece, it became apparent that she is perfect for Eva’s monster t-shirt.  We frequently heard her issuing commands to  my ten year old little boy.  He happily followed orders because his biggest desire is to have a little sister.  As the artist behind this t-shirt says, “This lovely heart can also be a real monster too! Especially when she wants something.”  This about sums up (more…)

You Can Find Recycled Art Everywhere March 26, 2008

 Early this morning when I was making my way bleary eyed through the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, I was pleasantly surprised to see an exhibit featuring five Austin artists “show their creativity and resourcefulness in the new exhibit Lost and Found.   The artists utilize found objects in their art to create unique assemblages that offer a broad range of theme and style.”

When we arrived in Austin last week, my guitar playing son and I had been struck by a shiny bright guitar that artist Ronnie Weeks had adorned with die, trumpet keys and a  small carburetor at the top.  It was very cool!  Today, I noticed all the other artist’s work.  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures I can share but it was a pleasant surprise to see Texan artists making such beautiful creations from found objects.

Luxedeluxe March 24, 2008

 With all the hustle and bustle of trying to get our house ready to go on the market, I feel like I am in need of some serious me time focused on deep breathing and relaxation- (Either that or a stiff drink.  I guess, the deep breathing would probably be better for me in the long run!)  Unfortunately, the stress of this transition is making it hard to slow down and relax.  When I saw this beautiful, delicate Om necklace from Luxedeluxe, it seemed like the perfect discreet reminder to take a chill pill.   I love the tiny pearl accent to the silver Om charm. 

If the Om necklace proves to be not enough of a (more…)

Bunnies Galore March 22, 2008

   My oldest son got a pet bunny about a month ago.  He is sooo cute!  His oh so orginal name is Hooper.  Our family is very focused on the care and feeding of this little bundle of fur. With all this bunny love going on in our house and Easter being tomorrow, I decided to see what the amazing etsy artists are offering for Easter.

Checkout this print from the New York artist of Butterscotchlane created from vintage wallpapers.  I love the bright colors!

This handmade card printed on recycled paper by the artist at Mary Richmond Design looks   suspiciously like our little Hopper.  The talented creator of  these prints has a long history of making one of a kind ceramic tiles, greeting cards, woodblocks, illustrations and various other nature (more…)

Stepping Stones- Again March 20, 2008

I couldn’t resist- I saw this beautiful pendant from Stepping Stones, one of my favorite etsy stores, and I had to feature it! The artist, Tracy Prince, calls this a Modern Day Abacus.  I love the combination of the grey stone with the sea glass beads- very unique!  I also love her silver hoop earrings that feature a combination of hand forged sterling silver hoops with side drilled blackish sea stones- sooo pretty!  As I said, when I saw the Abacus pendant in France’s own Tortillagirl’s Handpicked item list, I knew I had to feature Stepping Stones again!  (While on etsy, you should checkout Tortillagirl’s fabulous handmade fashions!!)  

Ruby Pearl March 18, 2008

The boys and I are off to Austin tomorrow to see one of my little sisters.  She had her third child a few months ago and I cannot wait to meet him!  We lived in Austin for a few years when we were kids and I went to grad school there so I have a soft place in my heart for this city and anything associated with it.  (Salt Lick anyone?) 

When I saw Ruby Pearl on etsy, I knew she was the perfect Austin artist.  I can see all the Texas beauties wearing her one of a kind dresses as they stroll down 6th Street listening to the music of South-by-Southwest.  Her unique creations feature ”her eye for color and putting together bits and pieces of this and that to make a beautiful object.”  Many of her dresses use vintage lace, flowers and scarves from days past to create a modern, wearable piece of art.  What a (more…)

Bumbleberry Bakery- Organic Goodness March 17, 2008

My crazy  little sister decided to give up chocolate for Lent.  I am always amazed at people who can forgo chocolate for that long.  - Me- not a chance!  I need my daily dose of sugary, sweet caffeine.  Last time I talked to my sister, she was lamenting having choosen this Lenten sacrafice.  (In fact, she confessed she had ”cheated” at her friend’s house over the weekend when her friend offered freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)  She seemed like she was wavering in her conviction to stick with this promise.  That’s why when I saw these yummy looking organic chocolate chunk cookies from Bumbleberry Bakery,  I thought maybe I should send her a dozen.  I mean if she is going to cheat, she might as well do it with some amazing tasting organic goodness.

Bumbleberry Baking, a Massachusetts company, is commited to making good food by hand using only the finest organic ingredients, without additives or preservatives.  In their etsy shop, they currently offer four different types of muffins and five different types of cookies but are planning to introduce new baked goods for Spring in the month of March.  Check them out at etsy to see what all the hype is about.  

The Windsong March 14, 2008

As the mom of two active, sweaty little boys there are some major funky smells going on in my house and laundry basket.  Sometimes when I go into the boy’s bathroom, the smell of their socks in the dirty clothes hamper is overwhelming.  I am always looking for ways to get their clothes clean and  hide the smells that seem to waft from their socks.  In the past, I have resorted to using fabric softeners but I have always worried about the chemicals that are in them.  The Windsong offers an all natural alternative to fight stinky boy smell.  Their organic anti-static laundry spray comes with an essential oil spray that you spritz on a free pillow and then toss into your dryer with your clean laundry.  Your laundry has less static and comes out smelling of the scent of your choice.  Good-bye (more…)

MissKarina’s New Orleans Fashions March 13, 2008

I could not resist featuring the work of this New Orleans artist when I found her on etsy.  My childhood is filled with memories of strolling down the streets of the French Quarter, blowing powdered sugar from beignets on my sisters and lounging around the swamps waiting for an unsuspecting  fish to take my bait.  Both of my parents grew up in New Orleans and in fact, my grandfather still lives there- (Well, he will again soon- assuming the contractor ever finishes his house that was destroyed in Katrina.)

For those of you that have never attended Mardi Gras, one of its great traditions is for the krewe on the floats at the parades to throw Mardi bras or even Mardi panties.  (In my last trip to Mardi Gras, I caught only one pair of Mardi panties and no Mardi Bras.)  Mardi Bras can be hard to come by, so to insure that I can add one to my collection I might have to buy it.  I loved this Mardi Bra by MissKarina!  It seems like a creative use of some of the thousands of beads that are thrown from floats in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  If you are looking for a bra with a more universal theme, MissKarina has Mardi Bras in all colors of the rainbow.  I can see some parade goer wearing this Saint Patrick’s Day bra at one of the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day Parades (more…)

CyclonaDesigns March 12, 2008

When I discovered CyclonaDesigns on etsy, I had an incredibly difficult time deciding which pieces to feature.  I come from a family that is crazy about biking.  I am blessed because even my 66 year old mother-in-law is a bike fanatic (Eventhough she recently gave up racing mountain bikes and teaching clinics for women about riding, she still rides long, hard rides multiple times a week.)  I was instantly drawn to the pieces crafted from recycled bike parts that the artist at CyclonaDesigns has created. (more…)