Stonz April 2, 2008

  After spending a week in the sunshine and warmth of Austin, it was VERY difficult to come back to the snow and hail of Oregon.  Luckily today, the sun is shining, I just got off almost two hours on my bike and I caught a waft of lilac from the tree next to my front porch.  All these signs of Spring have activated my longing for the heat and grit of the beach.    Time spent strolling along the waves, feeling the sun on my back and searching for the treasures the waves have dragged in is time well spent.  These memories gave me an instant connection to the beautiful jewelry from Stonz on etsy. 

Stonz is the brain child of  a creative mother of twins  from Cleveland.  After attending art school, she worked for years as an illustrator for a large greeting card company and eventually opened her own graphic design business from her home.  However, the pull of (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.

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!!)  

2ReVert February 27, 2008

My boys are skateboard fanatics.  There is nothing they like better than riding the rails, practicing kickflips or executing the perfect ollie.  I have learned more than I could ever want to know about the creation of the ultimate custom board.  According to them,  a custom skateboard can be a thing of beauty!

 So I was not suprised when I read about 2ReVert, a husband and wife team, that creates beautiful jewelry from old skateboards they have salvaged from the recycling heap.  The wife of this creative family works in a recycling center where she salvages the boards for these works of art.  The husband is the actual craftsman of the (more…)

DinnerTime Chimes February 24, 2008

As most of you know who read my musing on a regular basis, the weather in the Northwest has been absolutely gorgeous!  Everyone has been outside enjoying the warmth and the sunshine and willing all their Spring bulbs to burst forth.  Every little pop of color is to be savored.  With all this garden longing, I am again finding myself searching etsy for garden accessories and supplies. 

In all my searching, I was so excited when I found Dinnertime Chimes!  Look at their adorable GARDEN IN A BOX.  It features a windchime made from a recycled sherbert goblet with recycled spoons and forks dangling below.  It also has a hanging bird feeder made from a recycled tea cup and saucer and the bird seed to fill it packaged in tulle.  A pair of hot pink (more…)

Mon petite chien February 20, 2008

With a family of four very active people(two of whom are quickly growing boys), it seems that I am always headed to the local grocery store to find something to fill us up.  All this in and out of the store was creating a lot of excess recycling of shopping bags until I finally bought some reusable bags.  Unfortunately, it was not until today that I found these great reusable bag at Mon petite chien -much more fun and unique than the cheap ones I bought at Trader Joe’s.  These nonwoven tote bags come in a variety of colors and feature inspirational quotes.

  At only $10 for two, they would be a welcome addition to any busy mom’s shopping routine! 

The artist has also crafted a stylish unisex urban backpack using recycled and reused materials.  You can see the pockets and belt loops that enjoyed a former life as a pair of pants.  She has crafted this bag with many pockets, including handy ones on the shoulder strap to carry your cell phone or other important items.  This bag makes a chic diaper bag, tote or purse!

Grace Graphics February 19, 2008

Today, I was driving home from snow covered Mt. Hood in Oregon, basking in the sunlight streaming through my moonroof when my 8 year old said, “Today is reminding me of Oklahoma.”  I could not for the life of me figure out what he was talking about because the Oklahoma he knows, his grandparent’s house, is flat as can be.  He told me that he was thinking of Oklahoma because it was sunny outside.  It made me realize again how little we see the sun in the winter in the Northwest.

Currently, however, we have had a string of sunny, warm days.  Of course, the sunshine starts my longing for Spring and mucking around in the dirt of  my garden.  The thought of my yard filled with tulips, daffodils and primroses makes me smile- that is why I was so excited when I found Grace Graphics’s line of  handmade plantable paper greeting cards.  The artist at Grace Graphics uses traditional papermaking techniques to produce beautiful tree-free paper created from recycled fibers and exotic materials.  She features a whole line of greeting cards that are infused with wild flowers seeds so they can be planted by the recipent after they have been enjoyed.  Look at this cute card featuring the spunky studio dog, Milo.

She also has a unique and beautiful idea for a wedding favor.  She sells a white tin of 100 flower shaped, wildflower seeded paper favors.  Each favor has a die cut center heart and a tag which includes  instructions for planting the seeded paper. Tags may be personalized with the couple’s name and wedding date, or other short text.  Here is a favor that any bride concerned about the environment and green issues can feel good about giving.  And the guests will be reminded of the happy day everytime they look at the flowers that spring from the seeds!

Box Wood Goods February 15, 2008

Box Wood Goods is the weaving of “two long time friends,” Pam Bartley and Elena LeBel.  With the combined skills of a botanist and a designer, they envisioned a company that ”strives to create solutions that generate less full landfills, more fair trade, and tons of smiles on really, clean faces.”  Their company features linens made of sustainable materials like bamboo, flax or hemp printed with cheeky sayings.  Need a fun, stylish wedding shower gift?  Checkout the EAT, DRINK, BE MARRY bamboo cocktail napkins. 

Another unusual item I discovered at Box Wood Goods is their vintage Obi/Kimono Pillows.  The style forces in this company  rescue damaged Japanese kimono and obi and reuse them to create soothing, beautiful  pillows. The artists study each of the kimonos to determine which parts will translate into the most stunning finished product.  The pillows are then filled with a custom blend of organic grains.  They use buckwheat to provide aeration and support, and millet to soften the edges.   Each pillow is a unique creation based on the kimono or obi  from which it was derived. 
 

Cork and Cotton February 13, 2008

WOW!  I thought I had seen just about everything -cork shoes, cork floors and cork bulletin boards-but imagine my pleasure when I found these cork handbags on etsy.  I  am so thankful one of my readers gave me a tip about Cork and Cotton.  The artist uses cork fabric made of bark from the cork oak tree that is applied to a cotton backgroundand then sealed.  The cork will not peel or disintegrate.  It is soft and flexible (some have said it feels like leather) and can even go into the washing machine.  Besides being stylish, this (more…)

kinchi February 10, 2008

For some reason, I seem to be focused on the munchkins right now.  While cruising through etsy today, I was struck by these adorable dresses by kinchi.  As a mom of two little boys whose idea of “dressing up” is to put on a collared shirt, I am endless lusting for the pint sized girly fashions available today.  Who could resist this funky, bright colored dress?

The fabrics of this dress are all vintage 60’s and 70’s fabrics.  In fact, the orange fabric was the artist’s mom’s curtains before she was born.  The fabric with the small flowers was a sheet in a previous life.   I love the way she uses the center (more…)