independent

I love independent artists. I would, hands down, any day of the week prefer to support their efforts rather than a big box store. I could spend lifetimes sifting through all of the treasures to be found on Etsy. I'm always thrilled when I come across something new and special. Something perfect for the corner of that little shelf. Something perfect for the kitchen. There are so many products on Etsy... it's impossible to find all of the freshness on your own.

When I posted the giveaway on August 4th and asked for any great links you guys had, you all did not disappoint! Here are some of my favorite new things (thanks to you)...



From Fey Handmade. I've wanted a cuckoo clock for quite some time now. But, the $100's-$1,000's the cost? Not in my budget. At $28, this one is much more affordable... and possibly a great deal cuter! Fey Handmade has a great variety of products... check 'em out!



From MiChiMa. Uh, hello? Felt + alphabet + magnets + rainbow colors = PERFECTION. Love these! If only I didn't have a stainless steel refrigerator that magnets won't stick on. :0( She does have some non-magnetic versions that would make great teaching tools, though!



From Carolina Patchworks. Who wouldn't love to curl up under this beauty on a cool fall evening? Okay, maybe you can't wrap your head around that idea right now with this 90 degree heat. But, it's beautiful nonetheless. And, the quilter is from Raleigh, NC... right in my own backyard. Gotta' support the local crafters!



From Tessa Ann. Gasp! How could I possibly have not come across her site before? She makes the most awesome handmade buttons! If I ever owned my own kit club, I would be commissioning this woman to make some buttons for it!



From The Rainbow Room. This woman has everything rainbowlicious! This is a necklace, but couldn't you imagine it as some garland for your Christmas tree? *drool*



From Sweet and Sassy Accessories. Cute hair clips galore!



From ormolu. Gorgeous paper embellies, and this woman is definitely doing her part to save the environment. A lot of her products are printed on recycled papers, and printed with soy inks using wind power.

Thank you so much for sharing all of your handmade finds! You all are quite the bunch of enablers, aren't you? If you haven't already entered my Chatterbox giveaway, you can do that here until 11:59 pm tomorrow (Sunday) night.

I ♥ Sushi!

It's no secret. I love the raw stuff. And, since sushi is on the, shall we say "expensive" side here in the dirty south (not to mention the *good* stuff is hard to come by)... I try to find other ways to get my fix. I've found some lovely creations through Etsy, and just thought I would share with my fellow sushi lovers! There is sushi goodies to adorn, literally, every surface known to man. I figure if I can't actually consume the sushi, I can at least adorn myself (and nearly every surface of my home) with it! Check it:

Sushi for your ears...



from PetitPlat.

Sushi for your bulletin board...



from Bear Duck Designs.

Sushi for your refrigerator (the outside of it, that is)...



from gossamer*buddha designs.

Sushi for your bathroom...



from Bunny Bubbles.

Sushi for your wall...



from beepart.

Sushi for your wrist...



insanejellyfish designs.

Sushi for your purse...



from Madame Cupcake.

Sushi for your finger...



from Elleban's Cuties.

Sushi for your... whatever...


from Jenny Pie Productions.

Sushi for your kids to pretend-play with...




from Sam McLean Designs.

Sushi for your neck...



from Bead Passion.

Even sushi for your precious little baby's feet...



from Sushi Booties.

Bon appetit! Or, as they would say in Japan... "douzo meshiagare."

♪♪♪ It's a small world ♪♪♪

Maybe it's the recent trip to Disney World, and hearing that song pumped through speakers all over the Fantasyland area of the park... but, I am currently obsessed with all things small. Tiny little worlds under bell jars, in photographs, on top of spools...I love them all! So, I thought I would share some of my favorite miniature artists as of late...

Katie Runnels has LONG been one of my favorite crafters. She's know particularly well for her yarn wreaths, of which I used to be a proud owner of... until my wreath hanger snapped while I was away from home, and Sake chewed it to bits before my return. :0( But, more so than her wreaths, I adore her magical dioramas!

Swan Song
Originally uploaded by Katie Runnels

Happy Bird
Originally uploaded by Katie Runnels

These particular pieces are part of the Deep South exhibit. But, Katie does have an Etsy shop, The Constant Gatherer, where you can purchase her works when available.

Amy Powers of Inspire Company create some insanely detailed miniature scenes. My favorite are the ones atop spools of thread...



It's been all I can do to restrain myself from placing that little guy into my virtual shopping cart. But, alas, we're trying to save some money after our Disney World splurge. I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope it's still there the next time a few extra dollars float my way. Want one for yourself? Amy's Etsy shop can be found here. Just promise not to buy my fave, k? ;0)

How about a crocheted terrarium scene?



Freakin' fabulous, right? They're from JackRabbit. She has tons of other cute stuff in her shop as well.

I've been a fan of Erin Tyner's work for quite some time. In fact, I've mentioned her on here once before. I adore her photographs of these wee dioramas. They are eerily beautiful.



Erin's prints can be purchased at her Etsy shop.

Those are some of my favorite arts in miniature. Have any that you'd care to share with me?

***For some Label Tulip sneaks, head on over to the LT blog. As part of our 2nd birthday celebration, I have created a fabric embellishment tutorial along with some sneaks of my projects for this month. Plus, you;ll get to learn a couple of nutty facts about me.***

Dear Santa,

I know it's about 6 months too early, but I would be ever-so grateful if you slipped one of these into my stocking this year:



After watching Yes Man last night, I decided this was a must-have camera (it's what Zooey Deschanel shoots with throughout the movie... in case anyone saw it, and was wondering what camera it was). And, you can purchase it here.

I've always loved Polaroid. But, now that it is somewhat defunct, the Fuji Instax is about as good as it gets... for now. I say Polaroid is only somewhat defunct because they actually seem to be reinventing themselves:



That's the Polaroid Two, and you can read more about it here. Sounds pretty interesting, but isn't available in the US right now. Bummer. Well, I'm off to create some more LT pages... hope to have some to share tomorrow or Saturday!

funny little thing...

this place called the internet is. You see, I started out here, which took me here, where I discovered this, made by him. Tim Haugen. Oh, my. This man is crazy talented. And, you know I like to share good things when I find them. And, these things are oh. so. good. His adorable softies aren't stuffed animals so much as they are plush little works of art. Which leaves me with a wee dilemma... do I buy these for my kids, or hoard them all to myself?









Freaking adorable, right? Hello? Tap. Tap. Is this thing on? Santa? I'll be an extra-good girl if you'd kindly just drop one of these lovelies in my stocking on Christmas morn. Yup. Thanks.

You can check out more of Tim Haugen's creations at his Etsy store or at the Fantastic Toys blog. Oh yes, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!