Heart Handmade - Crafts, craft ideas and arts and crafts blog

Summer Lovin'

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Wooohooo.

Oh how much I love you summer, I'll take your hot & sticky mosquito-ridden days over any cold winter night! How about a cute little romper perfect for a bright and sunny day, lightweight booties for a cool summer night... driving with the top down?... ooh oooh this headband should do the trick!

One. romper jumpsuit *vintage + inspired by a tweet exchange w/ @susyjack
Two. luv these boots
Three. Recycled Braid

I also wanted to thank everyone for their comments this week. Although I selfishly love reading them for myself, I think it's extra nice for the artists featured here to get your feedback. Right? I wish you all a happy weekend, see you on Monday!

x Marichelle

Pillows by Amy Marcella

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:43:00 +0000

I've died and gone to pillow heaven. Amy, these are soooooooo freakin awesome I think I'm going to burst. I want them all (1, 2, 3) so bad. Forget about looking at them... it hurts to just think about them AND as you can see, I've really been thinking about them a whole lot.

.... Ouch!... Ouch!

The Perfect Gift...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

With all of the products I sift through on a daily basis, you'd think that I'd have gift-giving down to an art form. Well sadly that just isn't so. It's probably because I don't physically "store" away gift ideas and I'm the type of person that if it isn't written down somewhere it ain't happening. So, I'm gonna start posting perfect gift finds here and hopefully when it's time to give someone a present - all I have to do is check back here, find some inspiration and voilà!

Let's kick it off with this perfect pick your own gift set created by the ever-so talented Susy of SusyJack*. Now who wouldn't want to receive one of these? Perfect gift for a host{ess} or a recent graduate. The packaging is sleek and stylish (no need to worry about gift-wrapping) + totally customizable - you get to choose the patterns for 1 Ringlet Jotter, 1 Demi Notebook and 1 Set of 5 Studio Clips! All for $20!! Right?!? AND everything is 100% Post Consumer Recycled! Gift giving couldn't be any easier. Thanks Susy!!

DIY: Outdoor Shower Caddy

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:24:00 +0000

Outdoor Shower Days
One of my best friends and I each have a dream of owning an outdoor shower. And of course, a house or cabin that would presumably be attached to the outdoor shower. But the shower itself is what represents sandy feet, warm days and outdoor meals. San Francisco’s foggy summer isn’t very conducive to this dream, but I'm in New England for a couple weeks and so far, I’ve encountered two al fresco showers. Needles to say, I’ve almost completely abandoned the concept of washing behind a shower curtain.

Here’s a quick project to corral all your outdoor shower supplies. I added drainage holes because I can get skeeved out by mysterious standing water in the bottom of containers. You can embellish it or leave it plain. Either way, strolling to an outdoor shower with a galvanized pail in hand is a fleeting indulgence for me, and it’s one I intend to savor.

All you need is…
Galvanized pail
Drill with metal drill bit or hammer and nail

Optional...
Acrylic paints
Paintbrush
Poster board and craft knife for making stencil
Tape

If you’re using a drill and metal drill bit, drill a few holes through the bottom of your container. Or you can just hammer a nail through the bottom to create holes. If you want to embellish your pail, you can freehand a design or make a stencil. To create this dot motif, I traced a few round containers (of differing sizes) onto squares of poster board, cut the circles out, and taped the stencil onto the pail. Paint within the cutout circles, let dry, remove the stencil, and hit the (outdoor) showers.

Visit Kelly at MAKE GROW GATHER
Photos: Kelly Wilkinson

About Kelly... I grew up in a renovated barn in Virginia, the middle of three sisters. Now I'm in San Francisco, trying to straddle the country-urban worlds. For now, this means access to the city out the front door, with veggies and bees in the back. All my life, I've loved making stuff: crafts, dinners, skirts, preserves...and grand designs for my life!

Thanks Kelly!!

** I haven't purchased any products from these two shops before, but I did a quick search for galvanized buckets/pails and these two seem to have decent prices + a good selection (please feel free to share your favorite source): www.bucket-outlet.com and housewares.hardwarestore.com

Shop + Tell: Erin

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

WHO: Erin of Dessert Girl
HOW OFTEN DO YOU SHOP? All the time, although I think I browse more than I shop. I’m addicted to Etsy!
SCORES... a Rosette Fascinator by Giant Dwarf
HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL? Pretty, girly, pretty girly.
WHAT MADE YOU BUY IT? I bought it in Chicago last year at the Renegade Craft Fair. I’d been wanting one for a while, but I just never got around to it. Then I saw the Giant Dwarf booth and it took me all of 30 seconds to buy one! It didn’t hurt that Sue, the designer, was wearing one and she looked super cute with it on!

Share your latest handmade/indie score!

I have a crush on...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Litter SF.

I don't usually reblog but this time I just couldn't help it. Litter SF was just featured on Daily Candy for their shoe jewelry (yep, shoe jewelry) and you know I have a thing for heels... Anyway, I was browsing around their site and fell upon these... body jewelry! Now, do I think I could actually pull any of these off?... hmmmm, most likely not. But in my make believe world, where I'm not lounging in boring PJs sitting in front of a computer most of the day, tending to my garden in the afternoons, then setting off on a wild night watching So You Think You Can Dance... I totally could and would :)

Images: Litter SF
(via Daily Candy)

Window Shopping

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone, unfortunately I've caught the crazy bug that's been going around and I'm feeling really really crappy. Postings may get a little light around here so please bare with me as I try to kick this thing to the curb as quickly as possible. In the meantime, won't you join me in a little window shopping trip... the nice folks over at romp just recently launched a brand new shop - twine. Have a look around, I promise you won't be disappointed!

1. frasadas: between 30-50 years old. crafted of hand-spun sheep's wool by traditional artisans in bolivia's central andes, these textiles can serve as either a blanket, throw or rug.

2. paper balloons: light as air, bright & fun!

3. toadstool nightlight: Made of earthenware and hand-painted in delicate, natural colours with a happy woodland scene complete with an elf, lizard, hedgehog and mole. a true classic heirloom sure to inspire delightful dreams in your home too!

I love thee more than...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I must have these jars from romanticPink. They come in pink, white and mint.

Floret

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:00 +0000

I came across Simone Kaplan's Floret line via a postcard I spotted at a local Brooklyn market - it had one of her beautiful dolls on it and immediately stole my attention.
Turns out she also makes children's clothing for both girls and boys. I just had to share some of my personal faves... top one is called Ella and is made of velvet/Liberty fabrics and the bottom dress is part of her Bebe collection and it's handsmocked, wish it came in my size!

[Looking for the Classifieds post? I've added all new giveaways and discounts under the "promos & discounts" area on the right nav below the advertising banners.]

Vintage Hues

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:19:00 +0000

1. 3 Vintage Tins by tawnillia
2. Chantal, shopper in suede and floral fabric by bagonia
3. Handmade Hello Snails Eco Friendly Greeting Card by tiaratomato (I love everything in her shop! - need to get me some of this, this and ooh wait this!)

I love thee more than...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:04:00 +0000

I know I know, who doesn't love Shanna Murray... but I'm just so in love with this print Baa Baa Pink Sheep Original Print

Tim Haugen Paper Toy Sets

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:21:00 +0000

Get out!! Downloadable PDF paper doll houses + landscaping sets + furniture sets by Tim Haugen.

You think Hillsy will think I've lost it if he comes home and sees this all on the dining room table? You folks out there with kids are SO lucky, you sorta have an excuse to buy these things for... (ahem) the kids.

Kits range from $4 - $10. Just download, print and assemble yourself! (Oh yes, it'll even keep the kiddies occupied for a couple of hours.)

Available at mahardrygoods.com

littlepapercrane

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:05:00 +0000

I'm so drawn to these pieces by littlepapercrane - each one seems to have story, a soul... like wearable poetry.

I love the combination of soft worn salvaged leather strips with found copper pieces. I'm also dying to see what else she adds to her wedding series “romance series.” (#1 is the first piece from the collection).

Images: littlepapercrane

Mark & Jenna

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:10:00 +0000

>> Who: Mark & Jenna
Wife & Husband team, Whimsy & Spice Brooklyn Confectioners

1. I was valedictorian and spelling bee champ of my middle school.

2. Also in middle school, I was a practice hand model for my aunt who was learning how to be a nail technician. I used to have to walk around with long, fake, brightly painted acrylic nails. It was embarrassing.

3. I've been dying my hair myself since I was 16 years old. That's a lot of hair dye - Manic Panic, Henna, L'Oreal, Revlon, whatever is on sale at Target.

4. I cut the whole family's hair, Mark and the girls. Sometimes I will cut my own hair as well. I don't like getting professional haircuts so I only get it cut once, maybe twice a year.

5. I've been to a Judas Priest concert.

1. What would you say are the three most important things that you do to support Mark in his culinary endeavors?

Jenna:

1. I try to give Mark honest, constructive criticism on his cooking, but also stay out of his way to do his thing. I know I can be overly opinionated on food (among other things) so I just try to tell him what I think without acting like a Top Chef judge (which is what I'd probably like to do) .

2. Since Mark does all the cooking and food shopping, I clean the house and manage our finances. I think Mark mentioned on his half of the interview that I was obsessive about a clean house. He was probably trying to word it diplomatically because I'm a total weirdo neat freak, but since I work from home, I have to have the space clean. Clutter is very distracting, especially when you make your living as a minimalist designer.

3. When he's not watching the kids, I watch the kids so that he can go to the kitchen to bake. We tag team on the babysitting.

2. Living with someone who works long and irregular hours can be tough... from missed dinners to not being able to do simple things like relaxing and watching your favorite shows together as often as you'd like... How do you stop the craziness from impacting your relationship?

Jenna: It used to be harder! And it used to suck! Mark worked a lot of long hours when he was a restaurant chef, but even worse, he worked every weekend and all the major holidays, so I kind of feel like we've hit the jackpot in terms of figuring out how to work our respective businesses, but be around the kids as much as we are. Even though our days are hectic, we try and make sure to have family time at least 1 (or partially 1) day on the weekend.

3. What was the strangest thing you've done to support Mark in what he does?

Jenna: Try weird concoctions like avocado cheesecake and white truffle ice cream (the fungus, not the chocolate).

4. What is the easiest and hardest thing about being Mark's other half?

Jenna: The easiest AND hardest thing about being married to Mark is his mellow, easy going personality. It's pretty great to be around someone who is as drama-free and even-keeled as Mark, but sometimes it's infuriating when he can't understand why I get so pissed off at something, especially if it's something that should piss off the both of us, but I'm the only one getting pissed off.

5. What's your all-time favorite Whimsy & Spice product?

Jenna: Ack, I get asked this all the time and I can't answer it, so I'm just gonna say Mark's ice creams and sorbets are my favorite. Not a Whimsy & Spice product yet, but maybe one day.

6. Supporting somebody in their passion can be both exciting, exhausting and time consuming? How do you squeeze everything in (work life and home life)?

Jenna: By working till 2am (that is 6 kid-free hours!!) and sleeping 5 hours a night.

1. I have never eaten a fast food hamburger.

2. I have probably cracked close to 300,000 eggs in my life.

3. I can't stand needles, even fake ones on TV.

4. I don't know how to tie a necktie.

5. My goal in life is to retire in Hawaii.

1. What would you say are the three most important things that you do to support Jenna in her creative endeavors?

Mark:

1. Jenna's usually very busy so I do all of the cooking and food shopping for the house. If I see that she's been working for hours without eating I'll bring her a snack or make her an espresso.

2. I've been known to give her some technical support with her computer in the past, though these days it's usually limited to clearing paper jams and untangling cables, not because she can't do that stuff herself, but because she hates doing that kind of stuff.

3. The last and most important thing is looking after our two kids. There are many times when I'm out working and Jenna is home watching the kids even though she also has work to do, so when I'm around I do my best to give Jenna time so that she can focus on her work or keep the kids from screaming while she's on a conference call.

2. Living with someone who works long and irregular hours can be tough... from missed dinners to not being able to do simple things like relaxing and watching your favorite shows together as often as you'd like... How do you stop the craziness from impacting your relationship?

Mark: I believe our situation is very unique. We both work long hours, but we spend most of that time at home. In that sense it's good, seeing as how other couples can go for days without seeing much of each other. It's not often that we actually get a lot of free time together, however, but when we do, we try to relax and enjoy a movie and a glass of wine or something. It's not always possible, but I would suggest taking just a few minutes each day to just sit and do nothing.

3. Your apartment doubles as Jenna's design studio, you live in the city, so I'm assuming that space is a luxury. Could you give us a sense of what it's like living with an art director/designer + full time mom? Please describe what typically happens once you come home from a day of baking [apartment door opens]...

Mark: Our apartment is a pretty good size for a NYC apartment, but we do have quite a lot of business-related stuff, so we try to keep it well-organized which is important when you work from home. Jenna will probably be the first to admit that she can be obsessive about keeping things organized (which may be one of the reasons why she is such a great designer), and by living with her for so long I think some of that has rubbed off on me. When I come home from a day of work I usually get dinner going right away. After dinner I get the kids cleaned up and ready for bed. They are almost always sleeping by 8:30.

4. What was the strangest thing you've done to support Jena in what she does?

Mark: This may not qualify as "strange", but it was definitely above and beyond what I normally do. Many years ago, not long after our first daughter was born, Jenna needed to ship some papers overnight at the last minute. I volunteered to run them down to FedEx, but it was almost closing time so I hopped on my skateboard and rode down to the nearest office. They told me to go to a different office since they had no more scheduled pickups that day. So I skated over there and was instructed to go to yet another office, this one much farther away in Brooklyn. So I skated home, hopped in the car and drove. After a good 30 minutes of waiting in line I finally had the package shipped, overnight from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I could have taken the subway and delivered it faster myself.

5. What is the easiest and hardest thing about being Jenna's other half?

The easiest thing is having a wife who is so creative and has such a good eye for pretty much everything. Her style and taste define our household from the decor, to the furniture, to the kid's clothes. She can be quite the perfectionist, so I would say that the most difficult thing for me is to try to live up to those standards. It seriously took me a couple months to remember how to correctly fold the bath towels so they would fit into our shelves just the right way.

6. Please choose one of your personal favorite projects that Jenna has been involved in.

Mark: I've enjoyed all of her projects, but I would have to pick her work on coleccioncisneros.org as my favorite, if for no other reason than it is the one that I am most familiar with (I did some of the sound design for the project). This was the first major project she worked on and I was amazed by how beautiful it was, the originality and variety of the content. It's not surprising that it won many awards.

Thanks Jenna and Mark!!

Jason Sposa

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:58:00 +0000

I'm lucky enough to own one of Jason's sweet Underneath My Tree drawings (it makes me smile every time I look at it) and couldn't pass up the chance to feature him on the site. I'm not sure what I love more, the drawings or the titles that he gives each one.

6 random things about Jason >>

1. i break for thrift stores.
2. i should invest stock in HANES for my endless collection of black pocket tees.
3. i obsess over vintage Casio keyboards.
4. i named my cat Mr. Gymnastics; however, he only answers to Buddy.
5. i crave Thai food (currently: red curry with coconut milk or pad thai).
6. i love the TV show Ghost Hunters

1) Imagine that you're in an elevator and an old friend from your past just walked in - you have about ~15 seconds to answer ..."Jason? Is that you? how are you man?? Yep I'm married with 2 kids! What are you doing these days? Where do you work?"

Hey pal, I actually live in Hoboken, NJ - you know, just across the Hudson. I'm an Audio Engineer in Times Square. It's cool - nice, respectable blue collar job, where you never take work home + you get home early to play around. Yea, I am married, too. My wife + I have a daughter, Olivia Bee, she just turned 13 months. I am actually on my way to pick my daughter up from daycare, so let me grab your number. It was great seeing you! ( I am slowly learning the perks of having a child; ie, constant excuses to get out of awkward situations.)

2) Do you work with music playing in the background? If so, do you have a playlist that you'd like to share.

Here is a list of albums that are continuously playing when I draw:

The Motifs, AWAY

Pants Yell!, ALLISON STATTON

Beulah, WHEN YOUR HEARTSTRINGS BREAK

Slushco, WHEN I MET THE BOSA NOVA

Pedro The Lion, IT'S HARD TO FIND A FRIEND

American Analog Set , KNOW BY HEART

lullatone, COMPUTER RECITAL

AND the ENTIRE WeePop Records catalogue

3) I can't live without... my beautiful wife + daughter [cheesy, but truthful].

4) What was it that made you want to start creating? Did something specific trigger it?

I've been drawing since I was able to hold a pencil + thus became my high school newspaper's cartoonist. I took a break for a long time, during college to pursue my music 'career', + picked it back up when I moved up to NYC in 2003 (living it out of my wife's - then girlfriend - cousin's house with no room for musical instruments + the iPhone wasn't around yet! From there the illustrations began cluttering our apartment and four years later I opened an Etsy shop.

Attending indie craft shows in 2007 really triggered my desire to see if people would be interested in putting my art in their home. Doing shows like the Renegade Craft Fair and Crafty Bastards in D.C. has really made me happy + amazed at the responses I have received so far. I love being able to see + share input/reactions with new fans + old friends.

I have never had any formal training - illustrations was actually my way of concentrating through boring class lectures; oddly enough, I absorbed more from those classes when I 'zoned out' this way.

5) Artists, designers, bloggers who often work from home alone (all day long) develop some pretty unique and quirky habits. Can you share one of yours?

Hmm. Unfortunately, my illustrations don't pay the bills (which is okay since I like doing them + it's just a plus to be able to share them at a reasonable rate. I don't like to think of adding extra money to my work for the hours spent 'working' on it); however, I am fortunate enough to do a great majority of my art while on the job so I like to think I live a fairly normal life - nothing too constricting on the social aspect.

Ummm, let's see, my wife says I never close the kitchen cabinets...if that says anything! Oh, + I always have to pick up pens (Sakura Pigma Micron pens are of choice) cause I am always losing them or afraid I am running out - despite the fact one can find them everywhere in my house, my clothes, my bag, random cabinets, Bee's stroller pockets...

6) How do you come up with your illustrations? Can you walk us through your creative process?

The growth + development of an illustration is very similar to writing a song. Sometimes I sit down + have a very clear vision of what I want to draw + other times I have a title stuck in my head + the image/message just pours out of me. I am constantly jotting little ideas in my phone if I am not near a pad of paper. "Snow globe" is at the top of the list right now if you were curious.

Prior to the arrival of my daughter I had the time to sit down in front of a blank canvas on Photoshop + let my imagination run its course; nowadays, I may draw on a Rhodia pad (+ scan/colour at night when the ladies are asleep) or on watercolour paper (colour in manually with Prismacolor pencils for an original).

In any instance, I never leave an unfinished drawing just sitting on my desktop or watercolour paper. I usually draw, scan + color all in the same day (before the feeling disappears).

7) I know that you also write music, can you tell us a little bit more about that.

Yea, I love writing little indie pop tunes (when I get the chance). Albums thus far have contained analog synthesizers, acoustic guitars, + cozy vocals. Currently, I am working on an album using iPhone music applications + a Boss Micro BR - a little recorder which has been super handy since I can bring it "on-the-go" (ie, to work since home life with the little one can get a little hectic). Oh, + I am crossing my fingers my wife buys me a Kaossilator for Father's Day! Ha!

All of my music can be found on www.jasonsposa.bandcamp.com I also have a MySpace page of my college band LOVE APPLE located at www.myspace.com/loveapple

Thanks Jason!!

Links: www.underneathmytree.com, underneathmytree.etsy.com, www.jasonsposa.bandcamp.com, www.myspace.com/loveapple

Hayley Carmo

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:53:00 +0000

I met Hayley Carmo at Renegade last month, drawn to the pretty mixture of award ribbons, printed textiles and illustrations all layed out in her booth. I went home and immediately went on her site to check out what else she's done - pretty much everything! I don't think there's anything Hayley can't do. Check out her site and see for yourself! She's also just opened up an Etsy shop - Kindly where she sells her ribbons and printed textiles.

7 random things about Hayley >>

1) You're in an elevator and an old friend from your past just walked in - you have about ~15 seconds to answer ..."Hayley?? Oh wow is that you? You look great! Yep I'm married with 2 kids! What are you doing these days? Where do you work?":

I work for Anthropologie in Philadelphia. My fiancé Jeff and I are going to be married in January. I finally just opened up my Etsy shop and have been delving into hand printed textiles.

2) What was it that made you want to start creating? Did something specific trigger it?

I don’t think there is one single thing that I could say started me creating. It’s something that has just always been a part of my life. Asking why you create or make is kind of like asking, why do you get hungry and then eat? It’s something that you can’t really help or go without. I know there have been points of inspiration that spur me on. Things like, being exposed to the arts from a young age, and love for art and history kind of propel you along the way but its pretty impossible for me to find its point of origin.

Playlist >>

3) Artists, designers, bloggers who often work from home alone (all day long) develop some pretty unique and quirky habits. Can you share one of yours?

I'd like to think that I have pretty normal, sort of boring, working habits. Maybe I’m just not aware of anything too unusual. I do always keep a big box under my desk for all of the little scraps I don’t use, and drawings that don’t make the cut. I save everything. Who knows, it might be just the scrap I need in a future project. The most important thing is, I have to have a clean, semi-organized workspace. I just can’t function any other way.

Workspace >>

Here’s a picture of the desk in my work area. Above on the shelf you can see the makings of what hopefully, one day will one day be a fabulous toy ice cream collection. I also adore my little rabbit vase on the desk.

4) How do you come up with your drawings & paintings? Can you walk us through your creative process?

Mentally, I start my next drawing while I’m still working on the last. The act of working gets my mind tumbling over new possible images. It’s kind of like a little chain that builds on itself. I don’t really do much sketching or preliminary work. I just start. A lot of the works I do on paper have to do with Synesthesia. To make a long story short, this is when your brain crosses sensory inputs, kind of jumbles things up. For example, thoughts have taste, sounds and words have colors. Often, I’m working with the goal of translating those synesthetic experiences and sensations two dimensionally. I think the constant in all of my work is the idea of presenting reality, and then the undoing it, the loosening up of line and color.

Inspiration Board >>

credits: Clyfford Still, Lisa Congdon, Deborah Bowness, Liberty Fabrics

By the way, the true meaning of 1987 and 1988 is meaning B!

*** See you guys on Monday! I'm taking a mini break starting.... now! ****

Meet...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

>> I have a degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute (2003). I learned the basics of abstract form development and spatial relationships through three dimensionally sketching. I applied these exercises to fabric and it evolved over time.

>> I am still in the process of trying to do what I love. I say this because I still I have to freelance as a product designer. Until I can do this full time then I haven't reached that goal.

>> Every design is just as important as the next, sometimes the failures and the quiet pieces turn out more sophisticated than the pieces I originally thought were amazing... In terms of media success... the monster skin rug.

>> I got into sculpting back in college. For the love of creation.

>> I describe my work as frequent , obsessive, slow, intuitive.

>> Abstract two and three dimensionally sketching and material selection. The process. Are the most important elements of my design.

>> I want people to feel what I feel when I make these things. The simplest answer love and joy.

>> When I find myself in a rut, I turn things upside down. I go outside, I cook a grand meal, I write some music.

>> I was pretty sure I would never grow up, but with that said... I wanted to be a paleontologist.... an adventurer.

Link: www.longoland.com

I Spy... More Cloth

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:30:00 +0000

How cool is this??? A color coded index of fabrics available on etsy!! Danielle of gold school sent over this link yesterday and I just couldn't stop clicking. The site was created and maintained by Catherine of morecloth.com.

Don't forget to check out this week's The Other Half below!

Gregory Green

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:02:00 +0000

>> Who: Gregory Green
Wife: Ismoyo Green, Ismoyo's Playground

>> When I met Ismoyo... We met in 2000 in a bar in beautiful Amsterdam.

i love god and music / allergic to 'clicks' / love cultures / am shy by nature / believe innocence is maybe the most beautiful thing in the world

1. What would you say are the three most important things that you do to support Issey in her creative endeavors?

1. I make/buy her coffee: either hazelnut, vanilla or dunkin donuts ice coffee, an essential part in keeping her creative juices flowing.

2. Let her buy whatever she needs and wants, even though its not up to me to do so (she is so much better with money than i am), but she asks me for some reason, so i say cool, get it..

3. hugs hugs hugs

2. Living with someone who works long and irregular hours can be tough... from missed dinners to not being able to do simple things like relaxing and watching your favorite shows together as often as you'd like... How do you stop the craziness from impacting your relationship?

You don't stop the craziness. Creative craziness in my opinion is one key part of the game and keeping in mind mutual respect for each other's passions and the space it needs, is another.

3. Your house/apartment doubles as Issey's workshop. Could you give us a sense of what it's like living with a maker/crafter/designer (what does she call herself?)? Please describe what typically happens once you come home from work [apartment door opens]...

I walk in and there she is in the middle of the room with all types of papers and crafty things around her. When she's working on a book there are usually pictures of cutesies on the wall and a head full of stories about the wonderful world of craft fairs and crafty friends and cute things on the web that she wants me to know about.. that's how i know about you

4. What was the strangest thing you've done to support Issey in what she does?

Bring her to the U.S. :)

5. What is the easiest and hardest thing about being Issey's other half?

Easiest: To hold her and tell her everything's gonna be alright. Cause i have all the faith in the world she will. If you know her sincerity and professional way of doing business you would too, i guess you already do.. considering this interview
Hardest: Her stubbornness. Even though that is not necessarily a bad thing, i think it's a big part of what makes her so successful

6. What's your favorite Ismoyo product or project that she's been involved in?

All of em..really i have no favorites..everything she creates has that quality that i love in her.

Thanks Gregory!!

Heart Handmade is made possible by...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Charming painter turned letterpress printer + Art school dropout turned tattoo artist bond over a love of music, quirky collections and dusty junk shops. One, big, drafty house, three rescue dogs, and a chance meeting with a true old time printer... Roll & Tumble Press is born.

Visit Roll & Tumble Press for awesome prints, posters and cards!

{Thank you for your support!}

Behind the Art

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:10:00 +0000

I'll be interviewing Haley Carmo later on this week so I thought it would be fun to introduce one of her works today and play a little game.

As a kid, one of my favorite games to play was to watch strangers and make up little stories about them - making up my own dialogue to their conversations... I think it's safe to assume that when we look at art, we all make up our own meanings but often wonder what the artist had in mind or what he/she meant by that bold stroke or that faint dot. So I asked Haley for the real meaning behind 1987 and 1988, two of the meanings above are made up (I made one of them up). Can you guess which one is the true meaning behind the art? A, B or C? or better yet, share and make up a meaning of your own!! The true meaning will be revealed on her interview!

Classifieds: News & Events

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

>> News & Events

The Trans Canada Etsy Team is having a virtual road trip and we are giving away two amazing prizes worth over $500! The promotion runs from June 20th to July 1st. Visit our blog for more details.

>> Discounts & Promos

enchantedbeading.etsy.com: 20% off purchases through July 31, 2009. Enter code HR0731420 in NTS*.

prishajewels.etsy.com: 20% off through June 31st. Enter code "HH01" in NTS*. Please note that the discount does not apply to shipping only the jewelry item.

* WSL (while supplies last), NTS (notes to seller)

Have an announcement you'd like to share with other readers? Please read our rules and requirements first!

Shop + Tell: Marilyn

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Who: Marilyn of Pulp Sushi
How often do you indie-shop?
A couple of times a month. I always try to buy handmade gifts for others and I only purchase handmade soaps for myself.
Scores... A lovely silkscreen dress made by Karin from Better Than Jam
How does it make you feel?
Cute, sophisticated, stylish, comfortable, happy
What made you buy it?
I was selling at a market and my booth was next to Better Than Jam. I was looking at the dress all day. I just loved the colors and the pattern. It is not often I can find handmade clothes that flatter my curves so when I tried it on, I knew I had to take it home with me.

Share your latest score!

I love thee more than...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

and this, this and this. Oh Donna Wilson, I want it all.

Heart Handmade is made possible by...

marichelledb@gmail.com (Marichelle) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:55:00 +0000

It is this spirit of Love which has guided me in my jewelry designs. My wish is that my little Jeweled Blossoms will inspire Love in your life...

Visit Jeweled Blossoms for elegant and classic handmade jewelry. Free shipping when you enter in HH2009 as a promocode.

{Thank you for your support!}