Christmas Time in Stow Craft Show

Want to see me in person? I'll be selling at the annual Christmas Time in Stow Craft Show in Stow, Ohio this weekend! I've been busy preparing all week and I'm so excited to do my first craft show since I graduated!

There is no entrance fee and it's on Saturday, November 7th from 9am to 4pm at the United Methodist Church. There will be a variety of Christmas crafts and gifts and food of course. Stop by and say 'hi' if you are in the northern Ohio area!

Now on Flickr!

I've been taking pretty pictures since I was in high school but lately I've been really playing around with my camera. So I've finally started up a proper flickr account! Check out my photostream and add me as a contact! I would love to know what you think and see your lovely photos as well! There are so many super talented photographers on the site. I've really been enjoying browsing galleries and admiring other people's work.

Also, new pieces come to my etsy shop! Lots more early next week after the craft show!

Coming to Lost & Fawned this winter - Clutches

Just wanted to you give you all a heads up! Coming this winter I will be adding framed clutches and other bags and sewn goods to the Lost & Fawned line! I'm so excited to finally put my love of fabric to good use! I've been stocking up on beautiful Heather Ross, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and vintage fabrics and perfecting my technique.

Ideally I would like to have them out by Christmas, but I think it's more likely you will start seeing them around the new year. I am so very excited to share this news with you all!

What do you do to get in a creative mood?

"My Muse" Photo by The Blue Balloon (aka winter_mitts on Twitter).

Last week I had one day where I was just struggling to get in a creative and productive mood. To remedy it I went and took a shower and put on some clean clothes. For some reason I just can't get down to business and really work if I feel gross or really frumpy. I started thinking about how funny it was that we all seem to have our quirks.

I tweeted about it and asked my followers to tell me what they do to get in a creative or productive mood. It was really interesting to see the responses roll in.

heartsabustin2
Get off the computer. ROFLOL

thriftonista
Taking a walk and just being in nature tends to be very inspiring. Or going to a museum or art gallery.

winter_mitts
Tea and music!

EdinaVintage
-I find watching TV really unproductive, so if it's on I always try to have something else to do with my itchy fingers!
-also, I never fail to be inspired by the awesome stuff other people create! Etsy is a mine of ideas and inspiration!

missHinterland
Definitely coffee and reading a few passages of poetry. Words always make me feel creative.

yourluckyduck
I look at color schemes, I browse brand name websites (gap, anthropologie, etc) for trendy items, I browse Etsy stores...

TheMissinThread
What helps me get in a creative mood is having my house all clean, then I can relax with a nice cup of coffee and create!

gogovivi
I turn on This American Life. Always works for me.

So what gets your creative juices flowing? Post it here in the response or tweet me about it! Next time I'm feeling like I'm in a creative slump I'll probably take a look at this list again and try some of these out.

Oh My Cavalier - By Julianna Swaney

I have a new favorite artist. For some reason her Victorian ladies and little creatures really speak to me. I love the subdued colors and the way she seems to combine simple almost child-like forms with really ornate costumes and floral motifs. PLUS she doesn't just turn her pieces into prints but also beautiful brooches and her little mechanical animals. Check out her beautiful etsy shop for more. I'm dying for one of her beautiful prints for my studio for Christmas.

Sweet Stocking Stuffers: Nostalgia Organics

A few days ago I stumbled on the sweetest little gift while browsing soaps on etsy. These adorable little bundles from Nostalgia are made with the end in mind. Not only is the packaging so cute and the soap scrumptious, but the label unfolds into a pattern for, in this case, the sweetest little strawberry pincushion that you make from the limited edition patterned bag! The pattern and fabric changes seasonally including a little chicken egg cozy and soft doggie.

The whole product is so thoughtful and well executed. The patterns seem simple enough I could give them to my non-crafty friends and family and they would still be able to create them. I know what I'll be giving as hostess gifts this year.

I may order some of these soaps just for the packaging and custom printed fabric. The lovely smelling soap is like icing on the cake! Just flawless. Did I mention they have beautiful tins of perfume balms and other soaps? Visit their shop, website or lovely blog for more information and pretty things!

New Treasury - Autumn Rose

Spent a little time this afternoon putting together a lovely autumn treasury featuring shades of rosy pink and ivory. I quite like this one though it was surprisingly difficult to find items in these colors that felt autumnal. I quite like the way it turned out though. If you have a second head on over here and give the artists some love.

Featured Artists:
1. Oh My Cavalier 2. Sea Pinks 3. Three Fish Shop 4. Emma Lynne 5. Sweet Petula 6. New Fashioned Whispers 7. Lunar Belle 8. Angelic Folk 9. Washimatta 10. Lynda Naranjo 11. Karlita 12. Imagine Art 7

Holiday Wishes 2009: Chunky Handknit Accessories

Another thing I'm loving this year are really chunky hand knit hats, gloves, arm warmers and scarves, especially in beautiful colors. I've had my eye on this gorgeous yellow hat by iLE AiYE for months! The color is just divine and at only $25 how can you go wrong? Here are some more chunky knits for the looming winter chill...

(Cream Bobbly Arm Warmers with Bow by Dolly Knits.)

(Large Bubble Cowl in Rust by Oh Ashley Love.)

Spice Cupcakes.

Spent the afternoon baking some spice cupcakes and playing with our new mechanical pastry bag from William Sonoma. Added some store bought cream cheese frosting on top and sprinkled a little cinnamon on top for added spice. The sweet plaid pink liners are from Hey Yo Yo on etsy. They turned out so delicious and so pretty! I think I'll make them again for a christmas party of thanksgiving.

Holiday Wishes 2009: Desk Critters

At the top of my holiday list this year is some little critters to hide behind my supplies on my desk. I've been seeing them all over the place on etsy and elsewhere and love the idea of hiding them around my studio to cheer me up this winter. I can pretend they've come inside to escape the cold. There little squirrels from BROOKLYNrehab are my favorites. Here are a few more that are adorable.

(3 Miniature Forest Animals from k g a b b y.)

(Tiny Hamster Vase from Pretty Random Objects.)

I want everything from Pretty Random Objects! I've been lusting after their bird and bear vases all year. I just want to plop a daisy or wild flower from the yard in the top of the bear's head. I know I would smile every time I looked at it.

Stay tuned for more items and trends off my own holiday wish list.