Out of Print- is an awesome T-Shirt line we found that uses the covers from great literary novels as T-Shirt graphics. The artwork is really wonderful & diverse, much like the collection of novels. They even have library sign out cards as the hangtags for their line, so clever!

For each shirt Out of Print sells, one book is donated to a community in need through their partner

Books For Africa.

We Wood makes awesome Men’s watches out of sustainable wood & plants a tree for every watch they sell. We have been looking for watches we could get excited about selling & I think we found it!

RyN RiNa makes lovely felt flowers from felt made from recycled bottles. We got some stunning barretts & rings in wonderful colors coming in for fall.

De La Luna Designs we have been admiring for some time. She does some amazing one of a kind suitcases & purses that are just a bit too high end and fancy for little ol’ us. We did find out she also hand makes some very affordable flasks, business card cases & wallets, all made individually using recycled fabric & decoupage techniques. You will love these vibrant creations!

Slow Loris is a T-Shirt line from the San Juan Islands in Washington. Our northwest neighbors are putting out some truly awesome hand drawn designs that we are in love with! All the designs are hand drawn by Slow Loris’s founder Jessica Lynch & no computers are used in the process.

Their studio & printing press are powered by solar.

Effie’s Heart is an indie fashion line inspired by vintage glamour. We couldn’t resist a couple of her stunning dresses, especially with their super flattering real live adult sizes.

This skirt was also too fun to resist!

Leatherette Heart is an awesome little handmade line with the most adorable bobby pins! Birds perched on large vintage sequins are our favorite!

Charlie’s Leather is an awesome line of leather cuffs & watch bands made in the US at their LA base. We got an amazing assortment of colors & the prices are awesome! We also got some watches from them incorporating their unique leather bands that are under $50 and really cool. In our constant search for men’s/unisex accessories this line was a tremendous find!

Also coming are wonderful new works by some our already favorite indie lines like Fluffyco, Nooworks, Super maggie, Synergy, Ames Bros, Heavy Rotation, Gama Go, Solid Threads, No Star, Poketo & Mary inc.

New tee’s, coats, dresses and accessories scheduled to arrive weekly!

What about you? Do you have any final trips as you begin to make your adieu to the sweet Summer? If you happen to be headed to the City of Roses, our lovely Portland, you should stop by our store for some cool souvenirs, and some trip advice.

The famous Hawthorne bridge in the springtime when the cherry trees blossom.

We have an awesome collection of Portland tees, all designed and made locally. We also have some great guide books, if you are staying for awhile, and you would like to check the many great parks, and city walks that Portland has to offer.

These guide books come with easy to read maps and directions on how to get to where you need to go so that you can relax and explore the hidden gems of Portland’s natural life.

If you are visiting, or you live here and like to carry your Portland pride on your sleeve, or you have a friend who has moved away and is homesick for P-town, or you are moving away; a cool tee-shirt is a great gift and a great find for anyone in any situation.

We really do have an awesome collection. Take this distressed baseball tee that is meant for both men and women. We are all about the unisex fashion, and this shirt is equally cool on either gender.

We have men’s tees and women’s tees.

McMenamins' Bagdad theatre right across from Presents of Mind.

Portland tees for kids and toddlers.

We have Portland Hoodies for toddler’s that need to get the warm on for fall.

And we have local pride for our Portland babies.

If you are sticking to the city and you only have a couple of days to explore, and the PDX flask looks more appealing in your short visit than the Hill walks…

Then you might want to come in and pick up the Portland Happy Hour…

It has the best details and information on all our local pubs, restaurants, and “libatious” haunts. If you are here for a limited time you really should put a McMenamin’s hotel or restaurant on your list of exploration.

If you have a little extra time, check out the wine country. Even if it isn’t the prime season for wine the area is still beautiful and a nice day trip out of the city.

Why do they call us the city of Roses? Well if you come early enough in the Summer you can see that we are literally filled with roses. We have roses aplenty blooming in every corner of the city.

In her latest edition of tees, Seasons Koll of Seasons K.Designs, has brought us a new line of Portland tees that embrace our rose status.

These Portland roses tee are a great new line and we are excited to be carrying them.

They can be a reminder of your visit to Portland, and a fashionable gift to give to your friend or family member that wasn’t able to make the trip.

It comes in a men’s cut and style as well.

We hope you like these new tees as much as we do and we would love to see you if you come passing through our rosy city. If you can’t make it in but just have to have one of our Portland Roses tees you can find them on our website.

The Gorge right outside Portland city limits

Enjoy your last day of summer grasshoppers! There is much to see and do.

The use of the word “great” is not an exaggeration when used in reference to this Sunday’s Hawthorne Street Fair. Okay, okay, there wont be any rides, but there will be two stages with music, and an interactive circus, not to mention, the Bagdad theatre is showing Labyrinth for free, and, double and, Presents of Mind will be out enjoying the sunshine and offering fantastic sale items just for you.

From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hawthorne will be hosting a party for thousands of Portlanders, and out of towners. On 34th ave the main stage will be set up, and from 11:00 to 4:00 you can check out live music ranging from Blues, Rock, Latin groove, Zydeco, and more.

If electric is a little too much for you, you can stroll up to 42nd Ave to the Acoustic stage to watch singer songwriters, gospel, and folk music performers play their heart and souls out.

35th Ave is the Kids Area where the kids can enjoy the interactive circus, face painting, and puppet sing- a- longs and watch stilt walkers.

So, in between your face painted, song filled, food consumption wanderings, stop by our sidewalk right in front of Presents of Mind on 36th Ave, and peruse our sales table, and clothing rack. We know you will find something special or quirky for yourself or a loved one.

If you arrive between 11:00 and 3:00, you can find items on sale for 40% off, and if you decide to hit us up between 3:00 and 6:00 you can find something for 70% off.

So come by, say, perhaps after watching David Bowie dance around in some grey tights while singing songs with puppet goblins, and get something just for you.

Our special guest is local designer Flipside Hats, and of course Presents of Mind indoors will be open during our regular hours 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For more details on scheduled events check out the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association’s website here: HBBA- Hawthorne Street Fair.

Sounds like a great time you said? Well, it will be so we’ll see you there.

Get your bags packed and hit the road or the sky.

We have great travel bags just waiting for you to take them home, and get them packed. Like these purses from Baggallini, they are lightweight, durable, have plenty of pockets for wallets, passports and everything else important that you may need to have on hand. Also, they have a smart style and are easy to clean.

They come in several cool summer colors and are a favorite among more than one of our employees.

If you are looking for something a little bigger like a carry-on or something compact that can hold a lot, we have bags to suit your travel style, and we are not joking about style, we carrying cute to classy, and all the trendy to original in between.

Don’t forget to attached your address to your luggage before you take that long awaited trip. Loosing your luggage sucks, but if it happens you want to make sure that you have your  luggage properly addressed so you can get your stuff quick, and you might as well have the cutest luggage and most durable luggage tags around.

These are way more attractive and clever than those flimsy paper ones from the airlines that you have dangling from your handles like old shredded confetti. You still haven’t cut those things off?

Aside from the things you need that are practical, like clothes, shoes, and toiletries, you might want to make room for a few extras items.

A small journal organized with your destinations and places of interest is a great way to record your travels.

Whether you are taking the ultimate road-trip or taking the train across another country, we have journals to collect all your paper memories and pressed flowers.

However you want to record your trip we have the journal for you.

You want to make sure you stay plenty hydrated and we have a great selection of fancy and sturdy water bottles.

You may be surprise at what you find at Presents of Mind that can help to make your up and coming trip more organized and helpful. Check out our travel wall to see if we have that “thing” you are looking for, and you can be sure to know you will find it in a cool color or style that is everything, but generic.

These little travel clocks are great and wont take up any space in your bag or purse, and if you need or want a new wallet we have tons to choose from like this lotus wallet made completely from duct tape, by the local company Jduct.

You never know, emergencies happen.

If you find yourself vacationing in the Pacific Northwest we have great books of places to check out and places to hike and camp.

The Pacific Northwest is gorgeous and lush with flora and fauna. If you are spending anytime in any one of the forests like the Olympic National Forest or further into B.C., you should check out this book, “The Northwest Nature Guide.”

Beautiful photos and descriptions of where you can go to find the homes of local critters, flowers, woods, rivers, lakes, and rich forests.

If you are camping there are a few things you might like to know ahead of time.

Like how to survive a zombie attack. It might happen.

Or, what life might be teeming around you on the very forest floor where you hike.

This book is an excellent way of tracking and identifying. Get to know the life of our forests.

Road tripping through Oregon? You have to check out this book. Maybe it will become your inspiration to create your road trip around all the things that make Oregon weird and wonderful.

Visit Bigfoot’s favorite haunts along with all the other places that beasties, crazy characters, and strange water dwellers, hide and become legends.

The time has come for you to hit the road and have a grand adventure. We hope you have fun! Send us a postcard!

BBQ’s, picnics, games, family time, and fireworks. We are ready to get cooking, grilling and celebrating.

Here in Portland, Oregon we are promised to have a beautiful day. This is not always the case for a Portland fourth, but after the rainy June it looks like the sun is ready to shine, well at least it isn’t supposed to rain.

It’s time to relax and get your fun on.

Wishing you a happy fourth from everyone at Presents of Mind.

First comes love then comes marriage then comes the baby in the baby carriage; not necessarily in that order, but however the order, the stork has been busy, and the bundles of joy are dropping like dandelion wishes and everything tender.

Your best friend, your sister, your co-worker, your cousin, your sister in-law, your daughter, your grand-daughter, your neighbor; first, second, third, fourth, or more, the babies are coming, and we have the gifts to welcome them in, and warm up momma’s heart. We have that useful yet stylish baby bag, we have that darling onesie, we have gifts for the new born, and the baby, and the toddler, and of course, we have that extra something special for mother.

You’ve probably seen Petunia Pickle Bottom’s Heriloom Boxy baby bag from an earlier post we devoted to Petunia Pickle Bottom Bags. This bag is a beautiful work of art incorporating many of PPB’s previously popular designs. It is unique, sturdy, and functional. Your new momma can have a full utility bag in the disguise of laissez-faire.

If you are feeling ‘extra giving’ for the up coming baby shower: because she’s having her first baby, or she is your only child, your best friend and sister, or because you just feel like lavishing your new momma, you can turn this bag (or any baby bag) into a hip, fun and adorable gift bag.

We stuffed our bag to the top with a soft baby blanket handmade by Luna, ruffle butt baby bloomers, baby books, a teddy bear, a wooden print, picture frame, and Petunia Pickle Bottom onesie.

PPB’s Heirloom Boxy Bag has a built in changing pad, like all PPB’s baby bags.

You can wipe the bag clean with a clothe, but this durability doesn’t take away from its beauty, as you can tell by the detailed embroidery.

Our bag is stuffed! Our momma and baby are getting something special!

Don’t have the funds or the time to be so lavish? Make it simple, get a book and a pair of bloomers.

So dang CUTE!

They come in several colors and we carry them all at the store.

And if the bloomers didn’t hurt enough check out this adorable two piece just in time for summer.

This little bathing suit is perfect for protruding baby bellies and chubby baby legs. We also carry it in pink.

Something for momma too? Does she like to make things? We have many books on crafting like this book Pretty Little things to Make.

It has vibrant photographs and detailed instructions on how to make the prettiest of the littlest things.

Tea-Time for toddlers. We all had a binky or a bubby that we carried around when we were little and these stuffed animals are so soft you may have a hard time sharing them with baby. For now Binky and Bubby are having lunch using one of our adorable diner sets.

This Scout Bag by PPB is great for mom or dad. Classy and streamline, once baby is grown you can use this bag as a computer bag and commuter bag.

Want something to decorate baby’s room? Need some onesies? We have boys, girls and non gender specific onesie to fit any parents, uh we mean baby’s, style.

Oh there is something special when changing your little baby boy, and you will love these Pee-pee Teepees to help with the sudden stream that sometimes just, happens.

New mama? We have things just for her gifts and books to ease any anxieties and help her to laugh. Having your body change and the knowledge of a new tiny life coming into your life can be stressful and filled with a hundred what-ifs.

There is nothing better than laughter and knowledge to help ease one’s mind.

And this brilliantly red PPB Cake clutch bag that comes with a changing pad and a case for your baby wipes can’t hurt either.

Danica also make’s baby bags like the one pictured here. They are handy, long lasting, and each come in a cute spry design.

You need invites, gift cards, thank you cards, gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbon? Whatever you need to make your gift special we have it.

You can mix up your designs or you can match like with these Sweet Pea designs. This design comes in a small and large bags, invites, and photo albums.

Whatever and however you decide to imagine and build your gift, she will love it and baby will love it too.

Bright new apple cheeks tempting enough to eat/I hold you to my chest where both our hearts can beat

Your plump hand like a gum drop, but three times as sweet/ rests softly centered in my palm when at last we meet

Like a bud before it blooms I’ll encase your hand in my safe grasp.

And never will I let it go/Till your hand envelops mine

and even then when I am old, and you are grown and strong/my child, for me to loosen my grasp, I’m afraid you will have to ask.

Weddings are all about ceremony and tradition, and some people take it to the hilt, while other people like to take it easy on the wedding and save all their money for the Honeymoon. That’s what we are talking about VACATION of LOVE. We have the things to make your quaint wedding spectacular without gouging your pockets, so that you can have plenty of cash left over for those surfing lessons, in Hawaii.

When it comes to gifts for the wedding you know you can come to Presents of Mind to find something wonderful and unique for the “just married”. We have wrapping paper, bows and cards that make you cry before you even open the present.

But what if you are in the wedding? What if you are the bride? We have some things that you may like too; dresses and jewelry, everything you need to look beautiful on you and yours’ special day. We wont leave you gasping at your empty wallet. Remember- Honeymoon: Tahiti.

Why we have your entire wedding in our little store, and we even have what you need for sticking with tradition and ceremony.

Becoming a bride can be stressful, the arrangements, your parents, the in-laws, the outlaws, the invitations, it can all be a nightmare, and it’s supposed to be a happy celebration. You want to make sure you keep yourself healthy and fit as you wrestle your way through the time management and  wedding plans.

But you just got engaged! That means engagement party. You need to wear something nice, something that compliments that blushing bride glow you have just acquired. We have some sweet dresses at the store like the one our soon to be bride is wearing in our photos.

Girl’s got to follow tradition, that means bachelorette party! Woo-Hoo! Be it wild with the girls on the town, or a nice time having high tea with the ladies, or a dual spouse party, you need to have some games. Did you hear us? You need to play games because it is your last time to have any fun! Right, just wait till your Costa Rica Honeymoon, talk about fun.

Speaking of Honeymoon, (Jamaica) what are you going to pack? You need some nice dresses because it’s gonna be tropical, and no matter what the bachelorette party say’s about the last “hoo-haw” you know it’s not true because you are going to spend the rest of your life married to your best friend, and your “hoo-haw” starts in the tropics, and you wanna look good.

Road-tripping for your honeymoon? Pack this road trip bingo and don’t forget to record your tales of adventures.

But, what are you going to wear?

There are so many beautiful dresses to choose from

This is when your girlfriend comes in handy to help you pick out your honeymoon fashion.

Remember, she is not going with you, so what you pick is what you pick. But, being your friend and all, she told you to take all of them.

This one is for the bachelorette party! And, Spain!

Are you looking for Bride’s maid dresses? Something that is not over the top expensive and something that they would love to wear again and again? We may have something that can suit your wedding fancy.

Our collections of dresses, hair adornments and jewelry can sass up and sophisticate your wedding day.

If you are wondering why our bride’s maid looks like our bride, let’s just call her her twin.

They know what to do, they have been following this bride book to the sentence.

And they know know what you are doing on Wednesday because you highlighted in your “honeymoon” book. It was a gift, you said, from the bachelorette party. Uh huh.

If you want to get something nice and momentous for your bride’s maids check out these lovely necklaces from Fernworks. Each one is unique and unto itself, but has a common thread or theme that ties them together. It is a gift that they will treasure and adore. Every time they wear it, it is a reminder of your union.

The wedding is over, and it is off to the reception, and you need something darling.

Everybody knows you are beautiful, and you will remind them once again in this sweet summer dress.

Still white like your gown, with a black bow; for if you went without the traditional white gown, either way it works, and it looks charming.

It’s time to catch your plane for your honeymoon in Peru!

Your bags are packed you have your travel outfit on, and you are ready to go, oh, but there is one thing left to do.

That’s right you’ve got to throw that bouquet and pass on the wedding bug to the next person.

You’ve caught it, and now it’s time to start all over again.

And head down that road of matrimony.

Oh and if you don’t want to spend your honeymoon in the tropics, that’s okay, we were just fantasizing, ah Paris.

Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

Robert Hayden (click the link to read the rest of the Poem)

$32.00

In May of 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, sat in a church in Spokane, Washington listening to a mother’s day sermon (mother’s day was originally meant to be a day of worship). It was at this moment that Sonora thought of her father, William Jackson Smart. Sonora’s father was a Civil War veteran who raised Sonora and her five siblings after her mother had died in child birth. Sonora, felt that her father had loved her and raised her as any parent could with selfless love, courage and tenderness and therefore deserved a day of honor, the same as a mother. Following the footsteps of Anna Marie Jarivs (founder of mother’s day) Sonora set about creating a day of honer for fathers. Choosing the month and day of her father’s birth, the city of Spokane recognized June 19th, 1910 as the first father’s day. By 1926 there was a National Father’s Day Committee and in 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson declared it a national holiday and in 1972, Nixon signed into law a permanent Father’s day to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. There you have it in a short paragraph the history of Father’s day.

$17.00

We’ve been thinking about dads a lot here at Presents of Mind, since the holiday is rapidly approaching, thinking about how funny it is that so much preparation goes into finding mom’s gift, but dad will most likely get a card, socks or if he is into sports he’ll get some sport thing. We started asking each other about well known dads, dad’s that make a cultural impact, fathers who have stuck in our memories as the image of the word “father.” Granted these are fictional fathers, except for two, and there are so many more real life and fictional fathers to choose to write about but these are the eight we’ve decided to highlight as part of our Father’s Day celebration.

John Walsh-

John Walsh became famous the way no father would ever want to become famous. The tragic abduction and murder of his young son Adam, turned John Walsh into a living media personality, but not for entertainment’s sake. John Walsh was a normal everyday man, a partner in a hotel management company, a husband, and a father, but after the murder of his young son he became one of the most well known, and loudest activists for missing children and victim’s rights.

Craig Ferguson-

Nighttime comedian and talk show host shared his revelations on life as a father and as a son in his essay In Dad’s Chair. The moment that Craig brought his young son to meet his dying father, Craig was hit with his father’s truths and ideas of what it means to be a father. He was face to face with life at its end and life at its beginning. It is a poignant and well written essay, a beautiful look at a generation of males as one member passes from this life and another just begins to grow and what it is like to be in the middle.

$9.50

Charles Ingalls-

Not everyone had the chance to see or grow up with Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie, but for those who did Mr. Ingalls (and some saw Landon as a Mr. Ingalls) couldn’t have been a better dad. He was always there for his kids, had the best advice for living and he lived on the prairie, not easy to do. If you are a woman there is a high chance that you read The Little House on the Prairie books and fell in love with the family and with Pa, what you may or may not know is that Pa Ingalls is based on a real life Pa. Some may or may not know that Michael Landon was a pa on and off screen. He was an advocate for family values and a father of both biological and adopted children (he adopted his first wife’s children). He felt that television should be positive and a medium for promoting family life and paternal values. He was also an advocate of rights for the disabled.

The Man

The Road, if you’ve read it you know it is bleak, if you’ve watched it, you know it is bleak. Whether you are familiar or not with the story one thing is undeniable, and the one thing to know about this book, is that it is a story about a father and his young son. You can add all the other symbolism and allegories later. The Man loves his son to no end, and will stop at nothing to protect him. It is a story of survival but it is also a story of great love and a grasp at the final string of humanity. You will fall in love with the boy and the father who promises to take care of him. It is a gripping view into the love of a father for his son at the end of the world.

$24.00

LIfe is Beautiful

Say what you will about the film you liked it or you didn’t but there is no denying that Guido goes through all lengths to save his son’s life. Captured by the Nazis, Guido convinces his son that it is all a game and protects him through his game, risking his own life. In the face of one of the darkest moments in our time Guido teaches his son that life is still beautiful.

$10.00

Anne of Green Gables

He wasn’t her biological dad, Anne was an orphan, but who did not adore Matthew Cuthbert. Remember when he bought her the puff sleeves dress for the dance?! There couldn’t have been a better father to Anne or to any person real or fictional. Cuthbert showed that a father does not have to be biological in order to be a great and loving father.

$28.00

Mr. Huxstable

How many of us wondered if Bill Cosby’s character was not a real life rendition of who he really was as a father. Who wouldn’t want a dad like Mr. Huxstable, you would have a constant stomach ache from laughing twenty four seven. Of course judging by Theo, we bet Cliff as your dad could be a little embarrassing when you are trying to be a cool teenager, “Daaaaaaad!” When you think of Bill Cosby don’t you think of getting chocolate cake for breakfast? That’s what we are talkin’ about!

Atticus Finch-

To Kill a Mockingbird may have created one of the greatest fictional and literary fathers. A single father raising two children; a man couragous enough to stand up against bigotry and injustice; a father who chooses to teach his children not to be tolerant but to recognize that people should be judge by who they are and what they do in life, and not by the color of their skin. Not to mention he has awesome quotes like this: “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion faster than adults, and evasion simply muddles ‘em.”

$19.50

We know you have a favorite dad and he may be your own, but we hope you enjoyed these real life and fictional fathers as much as we do. Oh and if you want to get your dad some socks- we have the coolest socks, socks so cool Atticus would want a pair you know Mr. Huxtable already has a pair.

$7.50

I can remember my father bringing home spruce gum.
He worked in the woods and filled his pockets
with golden chunks of pitch...

and how many other children had fathers
that placed on their innocent, anxious tongue
the blood of tree?

Suzanne Rancourt (click link to read the full poem)

Photo by Jesse Jacob Young

Locket2you was created in 2009 and has quickly become a success. We have been carrying these sweet lockets now for about a year, and we can barely keep them in the store. They come in vintage and artful styles, and are not only a lovely piece of jewelry but a memento. The idea of the locket is old and romantic hearkening back to a time when lovers would keep a photo or even a lock of hair around their neck to remind them of the one they love. Young girls exchange photos as best friends and wear them, and parents and grandparents may hold the photos of their children and grandchildren. You can carry secret messages or wishes around your neck, and with Locket2you designs, you can wear your secret love or not so secret love on you wrist, like wearing your heart on your sleeve, but fashionable.

Scott McCarty is one half of the husband and wife team Locket2you. In honor of father’s day we asked him if he wouldn’t mind coming down to visit us so we could ask him a few questions about his line, and also a few questions about his life a a father of two. Luckily for us he was more than happy to become a part of our blog family.

Photo by Jesse Jacob Young

1. You and your wife Miranda started Locket2you in 2009, about a year ago, can you tell us, briefly what you were doing before, and what inspired you both to do what you are doing now?

Yes, we started in January 2009. We were waiting for the birth of our second child, our son was about to start kindergarten,we were living in Chicago, and I was the project manager on a 43 story building, on a window project. The project was ending and we knew we needed to take the jump now.  Either I took another job in Chicago or take a risk and move back to Portland.

Are you both from here?

No, but we met here, in fact, we found out later that we both moved to Portland within two weeks of each other.

And were you going to start making jewelry when you moved back here, was that the idea?

No. I was going to get another job in construction, but that was right during the whole economic implosion, and it was impossible to find work. In construction I was either way over qualified or under qualified.

Photo provided by Locket2you

2. Why lockets? Did either of you have any previous Jewelry making experience?

Miranda went to art school. I studied economics and Russian, but I had always thought of myself as an artist.

My wife Miranda was doing lockets with her earlier project Button Envy, and the lockets took up most of the sales. She had bought vintage lockets and was putting Washi paper on them, and I had said, “hey, let’s pour some resin on them”. It turned out really nice. We didn’t know it would work, and it worked really well, but it started out with us saying “let’s try this”. We realized we could do just about anything we wanted with the lockets. We started on Etsy but eventually outgrew Esty, and I said, “let’s put the money into developing our own website,” and that move helped us to get wholesale accounts.

I’ve always loved lockets. Ever since I was a kid, I’m not sure the first time I saw one, but I always liked the concept. They have maybe a more emotional connection.

Locket2you studio. Photo Provided by Locket2you

3. A husband and wife team in the craft and jewelry world is pretty unique, and we know that there are others who would love to do what you two are doing. Was it challenging to transition from what you were doing before into creating your own business? Did you have to give anything up, sacrifice as some would say, in order to make it work?

Yes. We have no cell phones, no cable, we gave up our car, our haircuts, we have holes in our shoes. If I have $1000.00 it goes to my kids and the business. We still have debts to pay off. Right before we moved here our son had to have emergency eye surgery. We were broke when we got here. We used up my bonus and all of our savings. When we arrived in Portland we had a hundred dollars to our name and no jobs, well Miranda transferred to Home Depot™, but she was in her third tri-mester and there wasn’t a lot of hours available.

I was always one of those people who took the safe route instead of what I really wanted to do, and because of that I probably got fired from more jobs than anyone. I would work hard move up and then loose interest. I’m a big dreamer, my wife used to make fun of me about it because I’d make these big manifestations, but things are now coming true. I always knew I could be successful, and that money would never be a problem, but then somehow money always became a problem, and I didn’t think it would be. I realized I needed to change my perception and my attitude, and once I did things just started clicking. I really believe we touched something and did something unique, and now we are being copied (he laughs). I knew we could do this, we just needed to get people to see the lockets, and to work hard. Ever since I met Miranda our dream was to sell our own stuff and travel and go to trade shows and take the kids with us that’s our dream, and that’s what we are doing this summer. We are just getting to the point where we can buy a few more things, and we can have some part time helpers, and we have reps. We are just at that point where we feel we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Locket2you had a natural organic growth. It’s a lot of fun but we literally have shed blood sweat and tears for this business. You have to stay positive and you have to work your ass off.

Photo provided by Locket2you

4. You mentioned on your website that twitter and social networking really helped you- can you elaborate on that?

We were in the hospital room, our daughter was a day old, and on the t.v. ABC news did a story on Twitter and Mc Hammer. Mc Hammer said, “what it is [twitter] is a tool for artists to get their message out directly to their fans”. I got on twitter and I checked out Portland people big into twitter, and people who would like our lockets, and people in the tech community. Because I knew there were all these rules and ways to go about it, and I needed to learn them fast. We really exploded with Twitter. I was successful at marketing. I would do these thirty minutes sales. I got creative I would do these diaper changing sales, “this locket will be on sale till I change this diaper.” I built up to be one of the top 100 twitter users in Portland and have 3,000 followers.

Although, I laid off for a bit, because we were so busy on the wholesale side. I was putting too many hours on tweeting and I got burnt out, but I’m getting back to it, but a little different.

5. How do you juggle the work? Are one you more for the production and design while the other is more on the marketing and selling side or do you switch off or share?

photo provided by Locket2you

We are literally switching roles this week. Miranda is more of the resin tech but I’m going to begin doing more of what she is does and she will do more of what I do. We both do production and painting. She is the photoshop whiz. One of my favorite things to do is painting the lockets. I also could watch a movie and bead up two hundred lockets and package them. It’s fun and a lot of work. Every locket is is touched by us every detail, every locket is touched at least two or three times by both of us before they go out.

The biggest challenge in all of this is finding the right balance, between life and work. You can work as hard as you can, but you need to remember that you are in a marathon and not just a sprint. I think a lot of people are sprinting. We are wanting to make some changes, we want to separate Locket2you from our home life, we want to get a separate studio space. Like I said, we are now working on finding that work life balance. I think it should be imbalanced at first when you are starting out. At first other areas in your life will suffer and you have to have faith and persevere through it. We had family members and friends convinced we couldn’t do it or didn’t understand it.

6. How do you juggle the kids? You have two children, a seventeen month old and a seven year old. Does one take care of the kids while the other works, like a tag team, or do you strap the baby to your body and go to work?

Our son (our oldest) is in school, so he is out while we are working, and I hate to admit it but sometimes our daughter watches a lot of Blue’s Clues when we have crazy deadlines, but basically we switch off. I take care of our daughter more because it is easier to e-mail with her than for Miranda to pour resin with a baby. I’m pretty much a Mr. Mom, I’ve probably changed just as many if not more diapers. We are very productive during nap time, or we get a treat where someone wants to take her out to the park or hang out with her and we say okay and we get to work. We are doing this all on our own and every single dollar is from our work and that feels good, but our number one job is being parents.We are going to send her to daycare once or twice a week, but only so she can have some interaction with other toddlers.

Photo by Jesse Jacob Young

7. As a father was it frightening to make the jump from the “job” that society would deem as safer and more reliable for raising a family to what you really wanted to do? Did you feel any social pressures or were you, hey, this is my life my families life and this is what we are doing?

Yes and no. Like the week to week money yes, but I didn’t want to be on my deathbed with any regrets. I don’t want to be that guy that works at a job he hates, that resents… I think there is a lot of hidden pressure on men to take care of the family. You always have to try to do better, and sometimes one mistake and… I think it is easier for mom’s to say, “I am going to start selling jewelry,” and she’ll get support. The husband  has the job that supports them, and family encourages them, but when men do it, you better make a showing of it fast, you better take care of things.

I had pretty much everyone on all sides of the family pretty mad at me for not just going out and getting a job, but I had jobs. I would get contracting jobs, and be away from my family for five or six weeks at a time. I’ve done everything, I was a janitor once for a year. I was the world’s worst janitor, but then I switched to project manager, just like that one day you are a janitor the next a project manager, but after that and doing part-time work or working two part -time jobs that pay minimum wage, and I know doing that is acceptable here (working part time jobs) but I said no- I said, something has to change. I have to do something where we could change and I knew we could do this.

My wife was doing a show two days after our son’s accident and she was next to a jewelry maker. She said [the jewelry maker] I don’t have to do this I’m in over 100 stores. I’m just here for the fun. It was like the law of attraction. I was so happy to hear all of this, no jealousy, I said, thank you for telling me how successful you are, and I didn’t even talk to her. She talked to my wife and my wife told me. With my economics background I did all the math and I could see we could make it work.

photo by Jesse Jacob Young

8. You would be considered an at home dad or a work from home dad. Can you tell us a bit about the challenges and advantages,plus do you think the role of the father is changing from dad goes to the office to bring home the bacon or do you find yourself to be unique in the roll of “father?” Since the roll can be narrow in our societal views.

I think there are a lot of unsaid pressures with fathers and a lot of automatic dismissals. A balance of the traditional man of fixing things, the protector, the provider, and also now you are also expected to be a spiritual nurturer. I think men have to go back and forth where mothers can be more grounded in the nurturer.  Dads in a lot of families, they are the ones that when it comes to discipline, they are the ones to have to put the foot down, and that might lead to resentments from kids. You know, all of the ills and struggles of the family are placed on the absent father, but non of the successes in the family, like if the kids are happy and everyone grows up well, are placed on the dad who is present. I think the roll of the dad is to tell our kids the truth and to acknowledge when we are wrong and apologize.  Some mom’s are looking at me funny for the way I am talking to my children.  I think a lot of people when they see me pick up my son from school still think I am just a dad out of work. I think what I am doing is amazing. I get to see my kids all the time it is unique and fun.

I do miss my alone time. I think any parent misses that, but it may be magnified for me [working in a woman's industry] I’m missing the good ol’ boy network of going out and getting a beer. In this industry most are women, the buyers are women, the store owners, the crafters, the jewelers, this is a woman run industry. I’m surrounded by women now, and sometimes I have the hankering to go to a sports bar and get a beer. I think it’s good though and I think there is an advantage because there are not a lot of men, you are just a little bit more unique and people talk to you different.

Portland is also different. Men here would not be considered very “manly” in most places in the country, and that’s a good thing. Portland is on the cutting edge in parenting and fatherhood. It is great being a dad in Portland where I can push a stroller and never feel emasculated, but in different places of the country where the dads’ are more traditional put your foot down kind of dads, they are not as involved in their kids lives and are not able to be because that is not the roll.

photo by Jesse Jacob Young

9. Did you always want to have kids or see yourself as a father? What is your favorite part about being a parent? What surprised you the most about yourself as a father?

Yes I wanted to be a father. I always loved kids. I always knew I was going to be a dad, and I was going to be a good dad. My goal is for my kids to be able to one day say I was a good dad, that is what it is all about. I love my kids so much. Sometimes I wonder if other dad’s know their kids as well as I know my kids. I’m lucky.

As for surprise, making some of the same mistakes as my dad made with me. Not the major ones the minor ones. I’ll think, that is what my dad did, and I stop myself and I apologize. I literally feel younger they give me energy. Another thing is how other kids’ associate me as a dad as my son’s dad. Being a good father to your own kids can have an effect on other kids. I think good dads effect others in a positive way, I know it did for me. My dad didn’t always make the best choices and he was detached sometimes, but seeing the way other kids dads were sometimes  showed me a different perspective on how dads could be. I don’t mean undermining some one’s parenting just reinforcing it. I think the best thing a dad can do is admit to mistakes and apologize, I think it teaches so much.

10. What are your visions for the future of Locket2you?

We have in the works new styles, different shapes, we also have our new frosted locket (which will soon be at Presents of Mind). This is our year for breaking out nationally, and getting more exposure.  We are working on bracelets, coin purses, earrings, and probably silver lockets. We are looking for a new work space, and developing the brand more, we might actually get a logo we can stick with (he laughs).

Any last words?

photo by Jesse Jacob Young

If there is one thing I can stress more than anything out of this interview is that success gives you more success. We need to shift our perception of what our future is. Success is measured in your children’s successes, and in your own development as a human. I want to convey that I love my kids. I love being married. I love my wife. I love success. I love our success, and I love other people’s success. I want other’s to do well.

Thank you so much Scott for your awesome interview. Speaking of Awesome if you want to know more or hear more from Scott he will be speaking at the Summit of Awesome.

Father’s day is coming and even though you can get by with a card, we wanted to let you know that we have a few things you may want to check out if you’re thinking of doing something a little extra this year. We have socks and ties, but not your Nordstrom style accessories, like most of our gifts our socks and ties are made locally. Also if you find that your pockets are low this time of year or they have been low all year (we know that!) we’ve put together a budgeted gift guide so that you know exactly what to look for and exactly how much to carry in your wallet. Trust us, you can get something cool for pop for five dollars.

Gifts for under $80.00

Thinking on splurging on your father this year? We have some sophisticated men’s bracelets for under $80.00 like this Tungstan bracelet. What makes it so special? The Tungsten element combined with other elements creates one of the hardest metals. It is 70% heavier than lead which gives these bracelets a substantial weight that feels comfortable and looks sleek. The bracelets have metallic facets, crisp lines and gem-cut edges. They are hypoallergenic, scratch and tarnish free and will never dull or soften.

$74.00

$66.00

Gama-go is found in our lower price points but this awesome  hoodie with an embroidered squid attacking a schooner is durable, warm for the cool evenings, and just all around cool.

$64.00

Gifts for under $60.00

Titanium is light. If your dad is a bike aficionado then he knows all about Titanium and its value in creating light weight speed demon bikes. He’ll be proud to wear this or any of our Titanium bracelets. Harder than gold or silver, these bracelets are long-lasting and hypoallergenic.

$58.00

Cipriano Designs makes these artful recycled leather hand designed and silk screened wallets. They are soft and unique, each wallet is like a work of art in textile.

Wallets $45.00

Sterling Silver and Stainless Steel are what you will find in these bracelets. Hypoallergenic, rust free and tarnish free, this handsome jewelry will last for ages. We are talking about dad’s day, but graduation is not too far off and not only would this make a nice gift for dad it would also be a nice memento for graduation.

$42.00

Dual finish Sterling Silver with steal cable

$38.00

FluffyCo. out of San Francisco has brought us these hand made and hand screened bottle openers that would look nice in the kitchen. Functional and artful.

$34.00

$34.00

Is your dad a film maker, a fan of film and the old movie camera or maybe your graduate just got out of film school, regardless of their interest this wall art of a camera hand screened on metal would look distinctive in any room of the house or studio.

$32.00

Along with men’s bracelets we have rings that are befitting to any man that is a ring wearer. They are made from Stainless Steal, Sterling Silver, and Tungstan. The rings are smooth or can be gem cut. They range in price from $40.00 to $20.00.

$32.00

Gifts for under $30.00

If you are looking for cool t-shirts, we have them. Most t-shirts are under $30.00 like these Gama-go shirts. You will find unique images and scenes from local and independent designers.

$28.00

$28.00

Your dad loves fashionable belt buckles or you think maybe he should try being a little secret hip or show his bike pride with these cool belt buckles from FluffyCo.? We carry many, many styles and designs of belt buckles you are sure to find something cool for your dad or a new graduate for under $30.00 and it is a promise they will love these buckles!

$24.00

$24.00

It’s now time to replace that rotted and ratty wallet. We know your dad loves it but, come on, it is falling to pieces. If Cipriano is a bit out of your price range you may want to check out all the cool designs we have from Gama-go.

$24.00

$24.00

$24.00

Speaking of Cipriano, if your dad is a bracelet man but not the type that like to wear metal jewelry, Cipriano Designs also makes these men’s recycled leather bracelets, all hand made and silk screened with individual designs.

$22.00

Gifts for under $20.00

We said we have ties and here they are: Storm troopers, gas masks, and guns oh my! For your $20.00 you can find a tie for your dad that no other dad will be able to compete.

$20.00

Is your father a big reader? Does he love Portland and Oregon? Is he Oregon born and raised? Does he know how weird this place is? Well this book can clue pop into all the unique things that make Oregon weird, wonderful and a great place to live.

$19.95

Pop, likes his whiskey on the rocks but hates it watered down? Well, here is a great gift for just your kind of dad. Chilled on the rocks but no melting so his whiskey stays smooth and flavorful.

$19.50

Gifts for under $15.00

Looking for something that your dad can enjoy but for under $15.00?  We have books, picture frames, pint glasses, coffee mugs and rock star microphone tongs.

$15.00

$17.00

The Force comes in many ways.

$14.95

Does you dad love vinyl? He would love these 45’s inspired drink coasters.

$12.00

Squid versus Schooner who will win nature or man?

$12.00

It is the elusive Yeti captured forever on you father’s pint glass.

$12.00

Dad like his morning coffee? Does he love to camp? Well so does the Yeti he especially loves to roast cars.

$12.00

No one rocks like your dad, and you know it.

$12.00

Speaking of rocking… does he like to karaoke or sing while he’s making dinner? Spaghetti tonight? Dad will love these Sing Along Tongs that are designs like you guessed it a super star’s microphone. Two turn tables and a microphone and a dash of wine in the red sauce proves that your dad is the best if not most entertaining of all cooks.

$12.00

Gifts for under $10.00

We think this is one of the radest gifts you can get your dad for $10.00. If he is a radio man, if he likes National Public Radio he’s gonna love this NPR map.

$10.00

Books, trinkets with purpose, hilarious ice trays for his soda or dinner nightcaps, maybe your dad is a joker and would love to make jello in a brain mold, we have fun utilitarian gifts all for under $10.00.

$10.00

$9.50

Fry it up like a rocker pop!

$9.50

Not only does he sing in the kitchen he sings in the shower.

$8.00

For your dad the mad scientist, or maybe a newly graduated science major or film geek who loved Re-animator, who doesn’t? Your dad loved that movie too!

$8.00

Easter Island in his glass.

$8.00

This clock blocker keeps the wine fresh, for your wine loving dad or for that wine loving graduate.

$8.00

Does dad have dish duty? Well make it cheesy fun with this Dish brush.

$8.00

Socks! Socks! Socks! It is Father’s day cause we have Socks!

$7.50

Keep your drink cold with some icy fish.

$7.50

You have that dad, if it is not Elvis it’s Pirates. Shiver the timbers with some Pirate class pop style.

$6.00

Does your dad have something to say? Some grumble on his mind well give him a note pad to make it simple and to the point. If he can’t think of the words he can check it off.

$6.50

We are back to rock and roll because that is what we know your dad does, after all this is Portland and we know that there is some guitar playing music making dads living in this music city.

$6.00

We were thinking this could happen to you the morning after the graduation party or you can leave a note and let the host know that the party was awesome even though they slept through it.

$6.00

Oh dad, he’s a funny guy.

$6.00

Under $5.00

We have fun gifts for under five dollars that would be great for your dad or even as a small congratulations for the grad. Not to mention we have the best card selection in Town and we stand by that statement. So if you come in for a card know that you can also find an amusing and thoughtful gift for under five dollars.

$5.00

$4.50

As always we have a selection of gifts for women as well that can fit into your budget if you are buying gifts for friends; wallets, books, frames, t-shirts, dresses and jewelry that range from $60.00 to as little as $20.00. You can find many of these gifts on our website just click on the link and it will take you there.