I’ll state right now that Charlie is one of my favorite people in the world and a good friend. She runs A Minor Thread out of her 1 BR apartment in her spare time.  Now that I’ve disclosed that information, the purse that she gave me is my take everywhere with me purse.  I talked about it in the Banjoflannel post a couple entries back.  It fits a couple books, magazines, pens, business cards, a camera…everything you can think of.  The reason I am posting about this particular purse is because it’s made with the vintage flower fabric that the applique on my purse was made with.  So, if you want to be purse pals with me, now is the time.  I can vouch that her totes hold up after time since I’ve carried my tote nearly every day since August of 2006. I’m still getting compliments on it left and right.

A Needle Pulling (A Minor) Thread
http://minorthread.etsy.com

It breaks my heart when artwork gets stolen. Susie Ghahremani (Boy Girl Party) had a bunch of her mini paintings stolen at a Giant Robot show last year. When I read in the description of the Story Time print that this original painting was stolen, it ticked me off. Darn you robbers of art. If I had the loot and had the painting not been stolen, I would have tried to buy the original from Portland’s very own Apak. I will settle for a print if anyone wants to get me one for Christmas. Apak has plenty of prints that whet my whistle, but this one is my favorite right before the card they made of neon pandas clinking frosty beer mugs together. That one is currently sold out, but hopefully for you they will repress that gem.

apak it up, apak it in:
http://apak.etsy.com

There is a song I really love by Push Kings called ‘Girl Who Only Loves Candy’.  Well, this seller is all the way from Finland and all he eats is candy, candy.  Well, let’s hope he has a good dentist.  He certainly makes some cavity inducingly sweet items.  I had his shop as a favorite for some time, but this is a new item featuring animals from Finland including a hedgehog.  The craft world has some cute hedgehogs, but this may be the cutest one I have ever seen.  Our hedgehog, Hoggle, is still cuter though.  However, if you are looking for something to buy me, I will accept said totebag happily.

Finance a Finlandian:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5110862

Most anyone who knows me has probably noticed that I am not a bag lady.  99% of the time, I alternate between carrying two bags even though I have two brightly colored purses by Matt & Nat that I save for special occasions.  One is a grey flannel tote with a flowery applique made by my pal Charlie (A Minor Thread) and the other is a dowdy camera bag for when I want my camera with me.  I figured it was time to get another purse and when I saw this style by Diana of Banjoflannel, I fell…hard.  There are elegant touches like the piping matching the lining, the sexy silver buttons, and the soft pleats on the front of the bag.  I contacted Diana about a custom bag and she has been wonderful with communication and making sure I get exactly what I want.  Unparalleled awesomeness.

Get a brand new bag:
http://banjoflannel.etsy.com

Essimar makes some of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen and, being a creator of paper goods myself, I have seen A TON of cards. I wonder how it is that Esther R. lives in Chicago and I have not seen her work until today, thanks to her tuli card being on the Etsy front page. I’m really at a loss for words. Each of the cards are little works of art. These are two of my favorite.

 

 Express yourself artfully:
http://essimar.etsy.com

Another one of my favorites from THE PACK LADY: Rummage & Craft Spectacular is R Blade Designs. Raiza hand carves these unique pieces and it’s amazing how much personality they have. They look even better in real life. She even hand made her display for her jewelry out of wood. I already know one person I am placing a special Christmas present order with R. Blade for. I bet you do too!

Wood is good:
http://rblade.etsy.com