Bright New Mini Wallets

I think everyone is craving some color at this time of year. Here are some colorful new wallets to enjoy. I've just posted them for sale on our website too.

Where The Button Ended Up

I didn't get very far in photographing this bag before my camera batteries died. I just took this not-very-good picture and one that was even worse. Luckily, the bag's owner Erica took some lovely photos and posted them on her blog, so hop on over there and take a look.

This button might look familiar. Erica saw it here and brilliantly knew that it would look great on her already-designed purse in production.

Macro Pug

The light was really pretty in the shop this afternoon so I snapped a couple of photos of Otis using my macro lense.


I think he's tired of having his picture taken. I swear he rolls his eyes when he sees me coming his way with the camera.

Introducing Miranda

Ashley braved the cold yesterday to model this new bag. (Short sleeves were pushing it a bit.)

Miranda is smaller than Kate and bigger than Eve. I ruched a subtle glen plaid for this sample.

Button Thursday: Coral Flowers

I Want Candy

Here's a sneak peak at part of our spring collection. We'll have two color stories: licorice and chocolate.

The Object of His Affection

Otis loves tennis balls just as much as he adores kibble and naps.

As soon as he and I come home from the store, he stares at his t-bizzles as we call them, begging to go out into the back yard to play fetch.

He even tries to catch the mini tennis balls in mid-air. However, normally they just bounce off of his smooshed face. That's life for a pug.

After playing hard, he often does this.

Button Thursday: Yellow Rhinestone Button

Otis the Pug Takes a Bath

Here's a new video of Jeff giving Otis a bath. Click here to check it out.

Owl Earrings

I think owls are so cute. Maybe it's the big eyes, or the 1970s iconic vibe. Anyhow, here are some earrings from Classic Hardware that I just posted for sale on the website. They are really only about 3/4" tall, so I had to experiment a bit to take the photos. My new camera is a Canon Rebel XT, for those of you who have asked. I bought a macro lense to use for photos like this one.

Fiddling with New Camera, etc

I got a fancy new camera for Christmas so I'm playing with all of the complex functions. I've read the manual straight through, but still, many of the details did not seem to penetrate.

So I set up a little photo studio in my office next to a lovely big window. I'm finding the best way to learn is to photograph familiar subjects using a tripod. That way, I can take exactly the same shots with different shutter speeds and apertures. Here's one example with hugely different depth of field. The subject - buttons, of course.

Button Thursday: Navy Peacoat Anchor

Thrift Shop Find

One of the least expensive things to be had at thrift shops is kitchenware. I've been collecting aluminum muffin tins for a while now, and I have yet to pay over $1 for one. I avoid the newer Teflon coated tins, and instead look for the discarded vintage aluminum style instead.

They make great drawer organizers for jewelry. I also use a mini muffin tin to hold beads and findings when I make earrings while watching TV. The little compartments hold tiny objects perfectly and prevent spills.

I also love how the beat up muffin tin metal looks on its own. It takes on a lovely patina of use, and is quite sculptural.

New Bubbles

We've added a new batch of bubble necklaces to our collection. Now available on the website - horse and lucky clover.

Hot Tips

Looking for something to read or listen to? Here are a couple of suggestions:

Great argument to patronize small businesses and shop locally. Podcast here.

Great pop culture nerd interlude. Blog here.

Best project runway recaps, courtesy of Jay McCarroll. Essay here.

Portrait of a Pug

Here's another picture I took in the back yard with my new camera. Otis was mostly a blur chasing his favorite tennis ball, but this was a still moment.

Lucky 2008

Here's to an auspicious beginning to a great new year. Aren't clean slates wonderful? I plan to take more pictures in 2008. Here's one of the first that I took with my fancy new camera. I put our Maneki Neko on a rock in our backyard.