ornament picks

Since it is now officially the holiday season (i always wait till thanksgiving is over :), each week i'm going to showcase some really great ornaments from this years swap participants.


Made from an upcycled sweater and blazer felted in the wash by sighfoo


lovely crocheted hearts by geek_patrol


hand painted by sue mcloughlin

Thankful..........

I'm refraining from my normal posting today to reflect on everything that I am thankful for this year because I will not be around tomorrow and with all this "Christmas explosion" going on, I felt like Thanksgiving gets ignored by all the commercial hoop-la for x-mas. We should all take a moment out of our busy lives to think about those little things that mean the world to us and be grateful for them.

so here goes nothing!.... I AM THANKFUL FOR, the birth of my happy and healthy Zoe (seen playing with her toes above)....for my loving and supportive husband that really doesn't get enough props from me on a daily basis....for my parents who have done soooooooo much for us as we experience the trials and tribulations of new parenting.....for my puppy-kitty who, even though got the title of #2 kid, still cuddles with me every night before i go to bed.....for such close and good hearted friends, some just around the corner and some who we only get to see a few times out of the year....for those in the online community who check out FB from time to time, leave comments, or even just let me know they've just stumbled upon it, these tell me you like me.....to those who get me through the "hard times" that we all go through in life, what would i do without you!....for all those little things that i have probably forgotten about...Just know I am Thankful. :)

I hope You all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I will be back after this short break.

mademoiselle dimanche

Beautiful hand printed textiles from french designer Mathilde Alexandre of MADEMOISELLE DIMANCHE. She has just launched a beautiful new site with seamless navigation and gorgeous imagery. really beautiful stuff.

great reads for that handmade modern person in your life

If your like me then you know that books are the best thing to give for the holidays, especially perfect for that person who you think has "everything" already. Here are some great picks for that crafty person in your life.

lets start with this fantastic companion planner to Meg Mateo's Craft Inc. book published last year. The Craft Inc. Buisness Planner is here. Every crafter should use this planner, it has  everything from start up plans to marketing  campaigning, and even a budget worksheet...love it. even better, bundle it with Craft Inc. and get some great brownie points this season!






Hand-Stitched Felt by kata golda. there are some really great photos and additional patterns of all kinds of felty goodness from buisness card holders to little felt toys for the kiddies.






and last but not least, for  that uber trendy product designer we have Made and Sold an impressive conglomeration of some of the worlds most innovative indie crafters and designers. If you want to know the who, what where, and how, of some great stuff, then you want this book (hah, sounds like a bad info-mmercial! sorry about that!)

Sponsor spotlight :: renegade handmade

FB welcomes RENEGADE HANDMADE. A unique one-stop shop for DIY goods, featuring the work of over 300 artists! Created as an extension of the Renegade Craft Fair, the store serves as a permanent location for people to buy and sell unique handmade items all year long.

This wonderful brick + mortar shop is located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, where the Renegade Craft Fair got its start in 2003.  If you don't live in Chicago, just visit the shop online!  The online shop has a constantly rotating crop of distinctive items you won't be able to resist.

RH carries an amazing selection of housewares, jewelry, posters + prints, plush items, clothing, stationery + more from the best craftsters out there! They are always looking for new consignors too, so feel free to apply if you'd like to sell your stuff there.

Sponsor spotlight :: I heart handmade

A big welcome to new sponsor I Heart Handmade.  Run by Jess and DJ, I Heart Handmade is a seasonally inspired virtual handmade marketplace.  The holiday market is currently going on and they’ve got 55+ featured artisans – many of whom are offering special sales just for those shopping through the market.  Here are a few picks for the holidays:


Leaves and twigs zip clutch from Besu


Bird in the nest necklace from bijougirl 9


“It’s all a growing process” print from papersquid

Renegade for the Holidays...

(Mat Daly and Timber)





The ever so popular and HUGE Renegade Craft Fair will be holding two Holiday events, one in Chicago (12/5 + 12/6) and the other in San Francisco (12/19 + 12/20). Over 150 of today’s finest indie-craft and contemporary design talents will be setting up shop at these two great venues so be sure the check them out!

(photographs were taken by Tate Gunnerson)

Mélangerie Inc. :: scratch and sniff cards

Love this fun take on scratch n' sniff by Mélangerie Inc. chose a pack of two cards that include the scents of - sweet and minty candy canes - gingerbread fresh from the oven - pine needles and winter snow! all my favorite holiday smells!

happenings...

Two great events happening this month:

In Rochester, New York, you can shop for all the handmade goodness your hearts desire at the Second Storie Indie Market! Usually Freshlyblended Press is a vendor here but this year we are taking a break but we will be there for the coverage and moral support! also, get your tickets now for a special viewing of the much anticipated HANDMADE NATION by Faythe Levine, here are your links for all the info:
SECOND STORIE INDIE MARKET
tickets for HANDMADE NATION




If your in the Boston Area, definitely check out the 2nd Annual Design Salon Holiday Sale. lots of fabulously talented people vending at this one including two of my favorite gals, jennifer hill and angela liguori. They have a blog up for all the info and links you need.

from camilla and elisabeth...

as you know studio violet is the lovely collaboration of elisabeth dunker and camilla engman. they've just launched this super cool poster called Krakatoa. love the colors!


as if that was enough...here is elisabeth's first of three limited edition prints called "rebuild square". it's in her shop now.


and last but definately never least, camilla's new 2010 calendar is also out and about ready to be hung on your wall.

underwater envelopes

clever letterpressed envelopes by etsy shop, made of the myst.

Noshii :: beautiful embroidery

stunning embroidery on wood. seriously the last thing you would ever think to embroider on but something london born, dallas based designer, Noshii has mastered!

beautiful megan auman

beautiful holiday ornaments made by the incredibly talented megan auman. these are available in a set of three or individually, megan is offering free shipping on all ornaments!

come darkness show :: curated by Maria Alexandra Vettese

Beautiful collection of art by some very talented artists curated and installed at the chelliswilson in portland, maine by the one and only MAV! featuring artists, natalie abadzis, rinne allen, stephanie cogdon barnes, kevin bauman, laoraine bergevoet, yu-I chan, lena corwin...and much much more!
The show will be running from november 6 through december 1.

Pistachio Press :: 2010 Calendar

Loving Pistachio Press' new 2010 calendar. the illustrations are inspired by vintage chinese patterns and is entirely letterpress printed by hand.