the pARTsy!

Plushies x Strawberries & Cream

2012-07-06T08:21:00.000-04:00

These plushies are my FAVORITE. I have one of these adorable handmade kitties and thinking I need to order another one :) I had thought Theresia Cookson's shop had closed but I believe it was just renamed to "Strawberries & Cream."

All of her plushies are handmade and they're so precious...

... one of a kind...

Her kitties are my favorites.

She makes pin cushions too...

... and all kinds of little woodland creatures...

... even love bird cake toppers!

Check out her shop at Strawberries & Cream.

Little Purses x Lazydoll

2012-07-03T11:28:00.000-04:00

Found the cutest little shop called "Lazydoll" on etsy...

Isn't this a precious iPhone case?

Love these little purses with hand painted/embroidered designs.

Shop Lazydoll to view their entire collection of products.

Mineral Magnets x Leif

2012-05-29T11:43:00.002-04:00

Aren't these magnets beautiful? I want to get a set for my fridge, they're such a nice alternative to grubby plastic magnets that create a cluttered look.

Find them here at Leif.com

Broken Box Bracelets

2012-04-28T12:17:00.002-04:00

New website for Broken Box Bracelets! Click here to visit.

Chain Jewelry x Litter

2012-03-13T07:34:00.003-04:00

I discovered "Litter" jewelry on one of my new favorite shows, "Shark Tank." I just love this look. It is totally different than anything else out there. Their leg pieces are my favorite! How cool, now we can accessorize our legs too! ;)

"Litter" was founded by a sister duo in San Francisco and is all handmade. Awesome right? Their jewelry has been picked up by Urban Outfitters, Free People and many other well known brands.

You must check them out!

www.littersf.com

Furniture x Pier1

2012-02-23T07:14:00.004-05:00

Found this beautiful loveseat and chair at Pier 1. I love their classic yet modern feel.

Homepage x Anthropologie

2012-02-06T11:53:00.004-05:00

Go to Anthropologie.com to see their cool homepage - it combines photos & videos for a really neat look. Their model is painting on glass in little video snippets. Its like everything online is coming to life or something. Pretty soon nothing will be static. Sometimes this is done in a busy way but I think Anthropologie used just the right amount of action.

The result is quite artsy.

www.Anthropologie.com

Family Logos x Custom Family Logos

2012-01-27T07:18:00.003-05:00

Logos custom-designed exclusively for YOUR unique family! Include your pets too!

Use your logo on Facebook/Twitter, greeting cards/stationery, address labels, tees, car decals, etc. Learn more at www.CustomFamilyLogos.com

Paintings x Gwen Meyerson

2012-01-11T08:25:00.004-05:00

Gwen Meyerson has a fantastic portfolio of paintings. Her pieces are inspired by photos that she snaps of street scenes. She then composes her paintings, using artistic license to create colorful, "lively, often edgy, depictions of urban living."

As a Clevelander (being all to familiar with snow), I am also drawn to her snow-scaped paintings of the city street. This painting perfectly depicts that quiet chill of a snowy street. The snow muffles all of the normal sounds that we hear - creating a peaceful, cozy, calm.

Shop Gwen Meyerson

Handmade Jewelry x Venessa Arizaga

2012-01-05T11:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I came across what is now my favorite jewelry designer, Venessa Arizaga. Venessa's collection is inspired from her travels throughout the world. She "constantly stows trinkets, shells, ceramics - as souvenirs from exotic locales - in her carry-on, to create unique pieces with a bohemian spirit".

Her pieces eclectically combine "chunky chains interwoven with rainbow silk threads, the sea and natural materials such as stones and crystals."

Her witty creations are for "women with strong character and a sense of humor". They are handmade and "with a modern twist they are exotic yet elegant."

Shop Venessa Arizaga.

Cake Toppers x Enchanted Belles

2011-10-05T07:04:00.003-04:00

The past several weddings that I have been to unfortunately did not have a cake topper perched on top of their cakes! Not sure why, but for some reason they are becoming more and more uncommon. Similar to how brides and grooms frown upon "The Chicken Dance" or the "Hokey Pokey" because they are too cool or something? Well, since when do weddings have to be stripped of all fun and playfulness?

Had I seen these precious cake toppers from "Enchanted Belles" 6 years ago for my wedding, I would have definitely ordered one!

The coolest thing is that you can custom order your cake topper exclusively for your wedding! Customize hair color, eye color, hair styles, gown types, suit colors and more!

Standard pricing starts at $125, which is a great deal for such a cute little keepsake for your wedding.

You can also order flower girls, Birthday cake toppers and more!

Shop Enchanted Belles

Scarves x celapiu

2011-10-02T10:46:00.003-04:00

I LOVE this "Little Wing Shrug" by Celapiu. It's beautiful in an abstract/rugged kind of way. The cold is coming and this is a really neat way to stay cozy. We can't find things like this in department stores, I think it is worth every penny!

This "Polar Foks" is just too cute, again... in a cool kind of way (not cutsie cutsie) ;)

Cowls are great because you don't have long dangling pieces from your scarf but can still have the warmth of a scarf protecting your neck from blustering winds. The best word for this "Woven Cowl in Charcoal" is simply just - cool.

Shop Celapiu

Pedestals x Grand Stands Patisserie

2011-03-31T18:19:00.004-04:00

Aren't these fun? They are hand crafted dessert pedestals by Grand Stands Patisserie.

I think they are so much prettier than most of the dessert stands I see available in the stores. I love their vintage-look and each one is different.

These are truly great for any occasion! - Wedding showers, Birthday parties, girly get togethers, holidays, etc.!

Shop Grand Stands Patisserie

Prints x Picnipic

2011-02-24T15:42:00.004-05:00

I love this print by Picnipic, "un monde plus rose" or translation "for a pinker world." Something about it is just really sweet. Love the color palette and loving little hug. Shop more prints and paintings at Picnipic.

Dolls x Bit of Whimsy Dolls

2011-02-03T20:07:00.005-05:00

I stumbled across this website the other day and think that these are the ABSOLUTE MOST PRECIOUS dolls! - ever. Need I say more?

Short & sweet, they are all handmade and just adorable.

Whimsy Dolls sells dolls, clothes and patterns. So you can have a lot of fun creating or shopping :)

Visit Bit of Whimsy Dolls today!

Knits x Sweet Pea Toad Tots

2010-11-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

Aren't these just precious? Hand knitted scarves, hats and other items for kids and babies. - By Sweat Pea Toad Tots.

Adorable product photos as well!

Shop Sweat Pea Toad Tots

Prints x Mandy Lynne Photography

2010-11-03T07:10:00.003-04:00

Check out these precious photography prints by Mandy Lynne. They have a unique, magical, dreamy, vintage look.

Sometimes the simplest objects, when arranged just so... can create a lovely composition!

Shop Mandy Lynne's prints at www.MandyLynne.com

Wine Glass Chandelier x Nasielsky

2010-10-22T08:23:00.002-04:00

Isn't this cool? Its a wine glass chandelier! - or "Glasklasen" (The Glass Cluster). It is a "chandelier and at the same time a repository for drinking-glasses with stems, either with all glasses alike or of various combinations and colors."

"Glasklasen is a genuine product of Swedish art industry, designed by a team of two architects - Gunnar Cedervall and Björn Stillefors - and an industrial designer - Jörgen Pudeck. The manufacturing takes place in Sweden, at a smithy dating from 1840."

"The glasses in the chandeliers are intended to be used and then replaced in the chandelier after being washed."

I love the way these look in a restaurant setting or chic bar, however it'd be an awesome focal point for a dining room too. Pretty clever huh?

To learn more visit Form Nasielsky.

Felt Brooches x Yali Paz-Gilboa

2010-10-05T07:38:00.003-04:00

Honestly I do think these are just SOOOOOOO cute. I can't decide which is my favorite. They are just so sweet and precious... unique and delicate. I adore them!!

Shop Yali Paz-Gilboa's Brooches!

Necklaces x Forever 21

2010-09-21T07:05:00.001-04:00

I've always loved Forever 21's jewelry collection. Check out these chunky but delicate necklaces, for under $15! That's a steal! They have a huge collection of necklaces :)

Shop Forever 21 necklaces.

"A Life of Style" x Rebecca Moses

2010-09-14T07:36:00.005-04:00

Today after work I am headed to the bookstore to get this neat book by Rebecca Moses, "A Life of Style." I too believe that style is what makes us unique and that our clothes, home, the way we entertain are how we show it all off! Plus, her book is illustrated with the most beautiful illustrations by Rebecca herself!

"Style is a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and what we have experienced—the good, the bad, and the indifferent. It is what makes us into the unique beings that we are.

Star fashion designer Rebecca Moses has devoted herself to crafting chic garments for stylish women world-wide. Underpinning her years of innovative design has been a series of questions: What is style? How does it evolve? And what can we do to develop our own style? A Life of Style provides the answers. Consisting entirely of Moses’s inventive watercolors, which incorporate witty words of wisdom distilled from personal experience, A Life of Style encourages readers to draw upon and develop their innate style—traditional or modern, conservative or radical—and especially to cultivate the confidence to express themselves.

Rebecca Moses offers a style journey that is at once informative and imaginative. She persuades readers to listen to themselves and their instincts, to open their minds to new ways of thinking, and above all to search for inspiration. Once the style mind is engaged, she turns to fashion and beauty (“Don’t forget: We wear our clothes—they don’t wear us”), the home (“Creating a home is creating a world of your own”), and entertaining (“The best gift of all is the gift of relaxation and great pleasure”). Above all, says Moses, style is personal communication at its most profound, most ingenious, most original.

Style is not skin deep. It is soul deep. It is our most significant form of expression. It is how we communicate who we are to the world around us. It is our voice."

Buy "A Life of Style" online!

Beautiful Bedding x Urban Outfitters

2010-09-08T11:19:00.003-04:00

Oh I wish I would have seen this beautiful bedding collection from Urban Outfitters before I bought my new bedspread... They are really unique, trendy with a classic spin. Love them all! Prices are not bad either... you must take a look!

Shop Bedding x Urban Outfitters.

Zodiac Pillows x Jonathan Adler

2010-08-17T07:42:00.003-04:00

I think these pillows from Jonathan Adler are a cool alternative to add a personalized touch to any room without having to monogram something or write out an entire name. I want to get my zodiac sign (Virgo) and husband's (Scorpio) to toss on our couch in family room.

These pillows are 100% wool needlepoint with velvet backs and down stuffing. They're colorfully unique, with a vintage-look. Love the needlepoint texture that they bring.

So, what's your sign?

Shop Jonathan Adler zodiac pillows.

Handcrafted Hares x Owl & Slipper

2010-08-13T07:07:00.007-04:00

Today's artsy item features handcrafted hares from Owl & Slipper...

I had the pleasure of doing a little email-interview with Michelle Cresswell, owner of this cute shop!

Why the name "Owl & Slipper" (though we love it!)?
I started by making owl doorstops for friends and my 4 yr old would help me stuff them and always remind me that we are 'teamwork' ! One day after explaining why I was making them, he went to the cupboard and pulled out all the slippers , covered them in coloured string and said he would have a shop next door to mine and sell slippers ! We joked about being called, ' Owl and Slipper ' . When I felt ready to brave a label and take this seriously I couldn't find a name to stick so very happily went back to my original source of inspiration !

What inspires you for your creations?
The idea of cloth, texture, pattern and individual detail all designed together to create something that little people can cherish and grown ups can admire. I only need to catch a glimpse of something somehwere in the corner of my eye and I take it and let it buzz in my head day and night until I come up with a design ... many drawings yet to be made into something!

How long have you been making your handcrafted hares?
I have been making the hares since Easter this year. I just wanted to come up with an item to grab and carry without extra floppy bits , and an exaggerated head. I mostly make them in denim now and they have become a favourite!

Where do you find your materials?
I have stores , special stores... mostly donated by friends who use lovely materials in their trade, and they generously supply me with their remnants. I am loving my button collection and have made button brooches for a local fair - a little sad to see them go- pure vintage!

How long does it take you to create an average hare?
Hares take 3 hours to put together, but I tell my husband my price is 'heart and soul' at this stage!

What are your future plans for "Owl & Slipper?"
My future plans are to develop my woodland animals into a collection. I am enjoying developing my crochet skills and am making stripey drawstring bags of all sizes and garlands of doily like flowers. My dream is to print my own fabric and use that in the decorative items I have on my list to make. I believe in 'handmade' so I would like to provide items that have been designed right down to the pattern on the fabric and printed by hand. I am enjoying playing with the lino blocks at the moment cutting out my woodland animals... I would like them to go on lampshades, bags, cards ... I dream of having a recognized and somewhat streamlined look, even though the range may be vast because you can't contain a crafster can you?!?

Shop Owl & Slipper

Purses x Sir Tom

2010-08-10T16:20:00.004-04:00

Aren't these neat? They are handmade clutch and coin purses by Sir Tom.

Designer, Anne, says "I make purses that feature my own fabric designs. I cut the stencils by hand and then silk screen the image to fabric." She especially loves to work with hemp, linen and denim.

I love knowing that the patterns are one of a kind and handmade. Very cool.

Shop Sir Tom