The Craft Begins

1.  I’m not usually the hugest fan of pre-made cards but I find these little sayings from Uccello Curiouso pretty on target for the way we express feelings today.  Also, this card is adorable.

2.  I’ll admit that I’m completely obsessed with all things miniature, and these little file folders from Donovan Beeson totally fit the bill.  What a cute way to keep track of recipe cards or receipts!

3.  These lovely hand made leather accessories from Moxie and Oliver look like they would last a lifetime.  While I’m pretty fond of this wallet, there are lots of other great goodies, like belts and guitar straps.  Could make a great gift!

4.  This photograph from Aptrick has always tickled me.  It’s entitled the “Immaculate Reception”.  He’s got some other great photos in his shop – some equally cheeky and some that are just plain lovely to look at.

This great shop is filled with all sorts of goodies, from the handmade to the practical.  Every item is hand-picked and gorgeous.  I especially like all of the lighting options, but the kids toys are pretty cute too.

I’ve tried experimenting with resin over the years, with varying degrees of success.  The people at Dinosaur Designs seem to have elevated resin to an art form.  Unusual jewelry and housewares can be found at their online shop.  From their website:

Olsen, Ormandy and Rossler have managed to intersect the boundaries between art, craft, design, fashion and business without pause, and have applied the same creative energy and focused vision to each new opportunity. They have forged an important place for themselves within Australian design history, not only through their longevity and popularity but also through the distinctively Australian character of their work, with many of the colours and forms they use evoking the casual lifestyle and vibrant natural landscape of Australia.

I like how organic-looking everything is, which is a real contrast to the raw material that they’re using.  I’m already plotting what I would do with one of those fabulous bowls.a

A few months ago I started a flickr group for lovely readers to contribute their items so that I could put them here, for you to see!  It’s been a long time coming, but here’s the first round of my fabulous finds.  I hope that you’ll find something you enjoy as well!

1.  Shrimp Salad Circus.  Great name, great vintage finds!  You definitely will find a lot of unusual things here.  Like this military wire, for one.  Lots of fun bags and fun accessories and fun things you never knew you needed until you saw them.

2.  I love these earrings from K. O”Brien Jewelry.  I mean, I’m a sucker for the color, but the shape is so interesting and different. They’re definitely the kinds of earrings that will get you compliments on the street (my favorite kind, of course!).

3.  I won’t lie to you – I’m a sucker for pirate anything.  I love everything over at Joonbeam’s shop not only because they have great pirate patterns, but because it’s all eco-friendly and recycled and generally awesome.

4.  I like the delicate intricacy of this necklace from Jayval.  I like the color yellow almost as much as I like pirates (perhaps that’s why my big yellow car has a skull and crossbones sticker on the back window?).  She’s got a great palette and some really interesting pieces.

5.  Ah, vintage kitchen ware.  Is there anything better?  Visit Groverland for lots more fun vintage pieces.