collection crush: packing the bags

I don't exactly recommend moving in January (brrr!) unless of course it is a cyber move which this is! My idea journal pages are getting filled with a great concept that I can't wait to focus my blogging around: style. It's my favorite topic to talk about, encourage, brainstorm over, and read about. I will pack up a couple features for the road like collection crush and DIY projects, and I will be adding a few more I can't wait to start sharing. Soon, very soon! (above picture source)

1. globetrotting in grey coat: mod cloth 2. sage advice tote: anthropologie 3. season's end belt: anthropologie 4. vintage nude leather oxfords: dear golden vintage

While I neatly pack up some things around here and crack open the paint bucket in my new space I may be a bit absent. But as soon as the new place is ready for visitors I will be sure and have a wonderful blog opening party!

a few snap shots!

The show was so much fun yesterday and I am getting ready for day no. 2! Here is how my booth looks in the ring of all the crafty wonerlandness. Everyone who stopped by was so sweet and very complimentary, so thank you! This show was a real labor of love and seeing the final product sure does feel good. Here are a few of my crafty friends I snapped some shots of before the craziness began :)

Rachel with Bike Cozy. She makes tool kit rolls, toe cozies, lace wranglers, biking hats, and paper goods for the *everyday (biking) hero*. Her booth was so interactive, I loved it.

Amy Wing with Amy Wing Designs. Amy is a metal smither with an effortless looking aesthetic line of silver work. Every year there is a new piece I drool over, this year it is the clean circle inside a circle. *big heart*

Barb with Ciao Birdie. Barb is an ephemera collage artist who creatively has put her print work onto cards, buttons, magnets, journals, oh and she makes darling little mushroom ornaments. My day job is going to start selling her work this month, we are all pretty stoked about that!

There are many more friends but the doors were opening and I had to scoot back to my home base. The show is at the Oregon Convention Center, Hall C, from 11-5 pm today. Please stop by and say hello!

crafty wonderland, ah!

1. Rachel Austin Original Paintings 2. Ciao Birdie Paper Goods 3. Darling Savage Cloth Goods 4. Locket 2 You 5. Bison Bookbinding + Spincycle Yarns (<--both from my home!) 6. Queen Bee Creations handbags

It's here, it's here! It is officially the morning of Crafty Wonderland. Here are just a small hand few of the artisans, crafters, makers, and dreamers that can be found at the show today and tomorrow. If you are not in Portland visit the full list of vendors here for some over stimulus of greatness :) Crafty Wonderland was originally a small monthly show here in Portland and they held a holiday sale every December. This is the first year with no monthly shows and you can only soak up the crafty wonderland awesomeness at the holiday and a spring time shows; hence the overabundance of excitement!

I love that artisans are coming form all over to participate, such as No. 5. Not only are these cards made by Bison Bookbinding from my home town of Bellingham, but the cards are for Spincycle Yarns -- another Bellingham native yarn maker. It's not too late to road trip over to our bridgetown of Portland, you won't regret it! I will post some pics tonight of the show. And don't forget to stop by Monday for my project launch (tee hee).

holiday parties: green + red

1. holiday parade dress: mod cloth 2. bow so sweet headband: mod cloth 3. vintage doris eaten bracelet: jean jean vintage 4. forest flower oxfords: anthropologie

1. burning desire dress: mod cloth 2. leather laurel headband: anthropologie 3. badgley mischka humbee II: piperlime 4. holly berry garnet ring: one garnet girl

As I wrote here, the holiday season is a great one for party dresses. These dresses from mod cloth feel so fancy and yet so simply put together. It may be cheesy, but sometimes I do love the classic red and green!

(stop by Friday for my craft booth sneak peak!)

creative bookshelf: a wishlist!

1. my wonderful world of fashion: a book for drawing, creating, and dreaming by Nina Chakrabarti

2. the sartorialist by Scott Shuman

3. paper + craft: 25 charming gifts, accents, and accessories to make from paper by Minhee & Truman Cho of Paper Cup

4. the handmade marketplace: how to sell your crafts locally, globally, and online by Kari Chapin

One of my goals for the next year is to fill up my creative bookshelf with idea books, project books, how-to books, and even coloring books. This time of year is the perfect season to gift someone a book and a creative book sort of just keeps on giving! I stumbled on No. 1 at Anthropologie -- I was window shopping ;) -- and was quite impressed with this inspiring coloring book. I think it's intended for little girls, but I kind of want one too! It's pages are filled with blank sketches of clothing, accessories, patterns to color in and even blank pages with prompts to design your own creations. Christmas is coming :)

holiday party dress: golden rod

1. dulce de leche cocktail dress: dear golden vintage 2. time of my life dress: mod cloth 3. jewel trim dress: forever 21

The infamous holiday party dress season is upon us! Dressing up for Christmas has been a long standing tradition in my family, one that I always look forward to. Soft gold is a classic holiday color that will transcend well into New Year's Eve too. I like the distinct waist lines on each of these dresses, a little belt is a perfect whimsical touch for a dress! (I will post a few more holiday party colors next week.)

Coming this weekend: a much needed beetwixt shop update! I have been grappling with what to put into the shop for the holiday season and have decided to show you what I have been up to this past month. Rings, pendants, hair bows, and feather adornments are on their way!

gift guide: for kiddos!

1. robbie the radiant robot: danger crafts 2. custom doll: rice babies 3. dinosaur jumbo crayons: lil doodlers 4. wooden camera toy: little sapling toys

Start the little ones on the handmade path this holiday season with handmade toys! No. 1 is actually a knitting pattern from Rebecca Danger. She has an etsy shop filled with darling knitting patterns of robots and monsters (even ones with knitted hats to match!). The little one in your life will not only love this quirky toy, they will love that you crafted it up yourself. Hope you enjoyed these handmade gift guides. I have some more handmade holiday goodness up my sleeve later in the month!

gift guide: for him!

1. black and white typewriter key cufflinks: qa create 2. screenprinted silk necktie: toy breaker 3. foaming shave whip: luscious lather 4. grey wool felt and leather iphone case: byrd & belle

Having two older brothers has certainly made for some tricky gift giving holidays, what do you buy for the boys?! The older we get the more fun gift giving gets, and I must say I am pretty excited about what I am wrapping up for them this year. I love the idea of giving handmade gifts, it makes even the simplest gifts more exciting such as shaving cream and cufflinks. Stop by tomorrow for a little kiddos gift guide!

gift guide: for her!

1. organic body scrub: anthology organic 2. organic cotton and lace bralette: sandmaiden sleepwear 3. custom ring set: kathryn reichert 4. navy blue feather moccasins: darlingtonia

Here is a lovely gift guide for her, still to come this weekend are gift guides for him and for those little ones! It's officially the gift buying holiday season, but don't fret, before you get into crazy long lines remember all those fabulous handmade + local artisans this season. Check local listings in your area for upcoming craft shows because these aren't your old fashioned craft fairs. These days local craft and artisan shows are filled to the brim with clothing, paper goods, jewelry, prints, and refurbished things. Just think, there are etsy like markets popping up now through the end of the month! So thanks for buying handmade + local this season :)

cocoa season!

1. cabled pathways pullover: anthropologie 2. perfect skippers necklace: anthropologie 3. patterned knit tights: forever 21 4. velvet crusher peeptoe: free people

I saw these heels on another blog and snatched them for this collection all about velvety chocolaty cocoa. It is officially cocoa season. I look forward to this during the fall, although the cold weather that accompanies it is, well, cold! For a good morning treat try adding a tablespoon of cocoa mix to your coffee, it's the perfect perk. And I have a triple chocolate cookie recipe box for tomorrow, complete with step by step pics this time!

I need some help!

1. estate jewelry box, rings: anthropologie 2. bakers twine: crate + barrel

Hello sweet bees. After burrowing in my studio for hours and hours getting product produced I am finally starting on the smaller details! But here is where I need some advice. I have cards being printed, stamps being made, little wooden trays and chalkboards painted, and table tents for hair pieces; what should I do with these delicate pendants I've made? I know, you haven't exactly seen them, but imagine dainty semi-precious stones wrapped with brass findings and strung on tiny (yes, I found some!) brass ball and chain. If you were a shopper how would you like to shop for a necklace? If they are laying down they get all tangled, if they are hanging the tag gets in the way... I am stuck! How do I love shopping for necklaces? When piles of them are strung up so I can sift through for the perfect one. But that's just me.

aster + bee

A very near and dear friend of mine and her darling mom just opened there very own shop in Portland and I couldn't be more excited for them! Inspired by her own daughter/grand daughter they've opened a boutique for children and their parents. Their shop is filled with delightful games, gifts, and sweet clothes (like sailor coats, and tutus!) and plenty of local goods. They've taken old drawers, dining room tables, and china cabinets and turned them into darling fixtures to fill up. Visit their shop today! If out of town see their online shoppe. Their grand opening is just a couple of weeks away in plenty of time for the holidays. Love, love, love!

Have a nice weekend sweet bees!

send me into a dress tizzy

1. angel in a blue dress: mod cloth 2. woven drawstring dress: forever 21 3. spinning lace dress: anthropologie 4. laced with grace dress: anthropologie

Something about this time of year sends me into holiday/everyday dress tizzy! I admit that I start looking for my Christmas eve dress right around this time. What? I spotted No. 4 in the most recent catalog from anthropologie and am very much in love with it's vintage-y feel and soft winter color. Oh and don't miss the vintage racks of dear golden, she always stocks plenty of holiday dress love!

inspired...

1. simply charming pendant: anthropologie 2. cotton candy divine twine: endless inkibilities 3. kimono fabric button ring: tiger lilly shop 4. a fine fete necklace: anthropologie

Here are a few images I am keeping on my desktop to help inspire a few new designs! I have switched from sterling silver to brass, it's much more delicate and looks pretty darling around a simple drop of serpentine. I will take a few pics this weekend!

Happy Halloween!

This is me on halloween, I think I am 3. (nope, I was 2!) Who doesn't love kiddie pics of your past halloween days? The story goes that after a mere five houses I was ready to head home, that's a lot of candy for a little one!

These days Halloween is more about pumpkin carving and pumpkin bread baking then costume construction. Alas, here are 3 costume collections I adore! Mother nature, a black swan, and a peacock. Three quick costumes you may just already have laying in your closet! Enjoy.

1. kindred spirit sweater dress: anthropologie 2. woolen bouquet headband: anthropologie 3. owl picture stone necklace: forever 21 4. curried heels: anthropologie 5. owl patch sweater cardigan: forever 21

1. black feather fascinator: vie moderne 2. sateen lace party dress: forever 21 3. swan hook earrings: forever 21 4. heel booties: forever 21

1. gemstone dress: mod cloth 2. peacock wide headband: forever 21 3. everlasting emerald heel: mod cloth 4. in the groove mineralize shadow: mac cosmetics

Happy Halloween!

eye candy

1. evergreen plaid dress: red velvet art 2. decaf chandeliers: anthropologie 3. fox red vintage frye boots: lizzie warren 4. gold small ball of yarn: clay, wood, & cotton

Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional halloween candy: candy corn + pumpkins, mini chocolate bars, and carmel. But eye candy is just as sweet! This pumpkin colored ball of yarn makes me laugh a little, and is reminding me of that little itch to start knitting again. I always get the urge right about now and it lasts well through the winter to whip up hats, scarves, and little mittens. I think my sweetie needs a charcoal cable knit scarf, another DIY in the works maybe?

whimsical + white

1. sovereign style coat: mod cloth 2. finely feathered cloche: anthropologie 3. first glow peep toes: anthropologie 4. tart pear droplet pendant: beetwixt

Who says you can't wear a softer palette during winter? A whimsical white is just as cozy as it's darker counterparts charcoal and chocolate. I will be debuting a larger line of my droplet pendants at Crafty Wonderland this holiday season. Any color combination suggestions? I must get started!

I heart paper goods

1. super cute custom notecards: sugar and spice studios 2. I love you dear letterpress: clay, wood, + cotton 3. I'm so happy I found you letterpress: clay, wood, + cotton 4. basic grey jovial nordic

I just can't help myself, I heart paper goods and prints! Working a day job in a paper and craft store only feeds this little obsessive love. Whether it's cards, printed papers, letterpress, or even solid card stock I can find someplace for it in my life. No. 3 inspired this collection. "I am so happy I found you" is just too adorable and quite simply says so much. Monogram cards are always a classic favorite and they are useful. Looking for a simple handmade holiday gift? Try a monogram stationary set. Hmm, I see a DIY in the near future!

my autumn look book

Hello sweet bees! This is the inside view of my personal closet. (bee keeper vintage has a different home down the hall) It's a tad messy and I love it that way! Sometimes, like many gals, I utter, "I have nothing to wear!" but then I get to rummaging around in things I have collected over the years and newness springs up. These red boots are my no. 1 favorite vintage find of all time. They are 1970's burgundy leather by Dexter. Even when totally broke, I never consider selling these, they have burrowed a little into my heart. The top two dangling from my closet door are favorites that are perfect for the season. The printed dress was a classic summer find, but paired with burgundy tights and a mustard scarf it just reads fall.