Macro Challenge: 30 Days Completed

Click the image above for a larger view of the mosaic. Don't forget to visit the whole challenge pool on Flickr here to see images taken by over 100 participants.

Macro Challenge: Image Twenty-Nine

Violet, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Spring Flower

Here's another snap coin purse now available. This style features a red riveted flower and a fresh blue and red color combo.

Introducing our Lime Ripple Ribbon

Here's a peak at one of our spring ribbon options. It's a bright lime grosgrain that pairs beautifully with glossy black as shown in the picture. It also looks great with bright orange and hot pink.

I've posted this wristlet and wallet combo for sale on our website here.

Macro Challenge: Image Twenty-Eight

Blue Tile Chair, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Macro Challenge: Image Twenty-Seven

Door Knocker, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Macro Challenge: Image Twenty-Six

My Pug's Tail, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

This is my Pug Otis Redding's curly tail. Many people don't realize that pugs' tails go limp when they are sleeping or not feeling well. In fact, you can measure most pugs' moods by the look of their tails.

Every Bag Tells a Story: Part Two

Back in 1970 my maternal grandmother traveled to the Caribbean with my grandfather on a romantic adventure. She returned with this hand silkscreened floorlength dress.

More on the adventures of Grandma Doris and the bag we made from this dress later...

Pink-O-Rama

This is what my work table looked like mid-design phase when I was putting together these clutches.

Every Bag Tells a Story

This purse's tale began in another country almost forty years ago...

Macro Photo: Image Twenty-Four

Telephone Pole, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

When I first moved to Seattle back in the '90s there was a recently enacted law that banned posters on telephone poles. For years indie bands had stapled show posters all over town, but the powers that be felt that this practice was a safety hazard.

These rusty staples and scars on the wood are evidence of this old guerrilla publicity method. The piece of paper on the left is a sign about a missing cat.

While Otis Snoozes on the Couch at Home

Ashley's dog Tucker visits the shop each Thursday.

It's a serious case of puppy love.

Photos by Sandi Heinrich/Soulstice Imagery

Macro Photo Challege: Image Twenty-Three

Motorbike, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Happy Birthday SuzyBuzz

It's my little sister's birthday today. She lives in Boston so I won't be able to attend her yellow-themed birthday shindig. I'm sure it will be loads of banana-colored fun.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Twenty-Two

Birdcage Through Glass, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Twenty One

Oregon Grape, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Springtime means that color is on everyone's mind these days. Our customers are hungry for bold yellows, juicy oranges, and the hottest pinks. Nature is bringing forth color too, in the form of tulips and cherry blossoms.

These yellow flowers are adorning our Oregon Grape in the planter outside the front door of the shop. One detail of this image that I like is the soft purple background. I took a color theory class a couple of months back. One of the things I found most interesting was the subtle use of complementary colors in paintings and other art. While yellow and purple in full saturation can read as kind of tacky, the use of complements in shadows can really make an image sing.

For more color inspiration check out the current issue of Martha Stewart Living, which articles all about color, including this one about ombres. Here's a great blog, Colourlovers, that offers daily color inspiration.

Count Your Pennies

These days the humble coin gets very little love. Some are even campaigning to get rid of the penny. Yet despite this trend, we find that our little snap coin purses continue to sell like hotcakes.

These little cuties are compact and functional with a nickel snap closure and rivet accents.

Many minimalists even use as these snap coin purses as wallets. Ashley, for example, tucks her ID and cards in this back pocket, and uses the main pouch for her bills and coins. She tells me that everything stays secure.

Finally, I've added the snap coins to the website, so you can customize and order them right here. The price is $15.50. That's a mere 1,550 pennies people.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Twenty

Vintage Wood Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Here's a very belated Button Thursday image for you.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Nineteen

Hammock, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

We hung up our hammock for the first time this year last Saturday because temperatures came close to 80 degrees. Today we had record snow in Seattle. Go figure.

Lucky

I haven't posted a bubble necklace in a while, so I thought you might enjoy seeing the Lucky Clover. It's been popular in the store. I think pink and green is a really fun, happy color combination.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Eighteen

Guitar Pick, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

One Jeff's bandmates left a guitar pick at his shop sitting amid sawdust and tools.

Macro Challenge: Image Seventeen

Jeff's Tape Measure, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

This is Jeff's tape measure sitting on a table in his wood shop. I like all of the dings and scratches that show his use of this simple tool.

On a Roll

Here's another new bag that I'm getting ready to release. It is quite simple - a rectangular shape with a single strap, zipper closure and faux leather bottom.

This bag is a bit wider on the top than on the bottom for those who like a larger opening than many of our styles. Though it is small, it is three inches deep, so it is deceptively roomy. I designed this bag for those who love prints and patterns balanced by clean lines.

I haven't named the bag yet - I'll probably choose from the terrific list of names submitted for our bag contest last week. I'll keep you posted.

Macro Challenge: Image Sixteen

White Mail Slot, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I like the idea of pictures that are black and white at first glance, but are actually color images. For example, when I look closely at this image I see blue and lavender in the shadows.

This is the mail slot at my husband Jeff's woodshop. The paint looks more like a whitewash than a fresh high gloss finish. Remember Tom Sawyer's fence? This paint reminds me of that iconic paint job.

Mellow Yellow (sorry, couldn't resist)

Introducing our latest faux leather color. We've added sunflower to our collection just in time for sunny days and daffodils.

Photo by Sandi Heinrich/Soulstice Imagery.

Flickr Video is Cool (Yet Controversial)

The new video capability on Flickr, the terrific photo sharing website, is quite controversial among that community. Personally, I think this video is an exciting development. I like the idea of having short videos intermixed with still images.

I just uploaded the Making a Luxe Clutch video that Laurie Pearman and I made last fall. The image quality is far superior to YouTube. I also posted the little video above. It's nothing fancy - just Jeff and Otis wandering around Richmond Beach last Saturday. It was a sunny, wonderful day.

I decided that you might be sick of seeing every single macro photo I've done for the 30 Day Macro challenge so I've taken a break from posting them here. You can see Image Fourteen and Fifteen if you like.

Gratuitous Otis Photo

Pug in Black and White, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Thirteen

Fence, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Macro Challenge: Image Twelve

Push Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I've always liked weathered signs and their layers of detail.

Macro Challenge: Image Eleven

Rusted Chain on Blue, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

On a walk with Otis to Javabean I spotted this rusted chain. I liked the look of the orange tones against the blue paint of the boat trailer.

An Outside Observer

A couple of weeks ago Bellingham photographer Sandi Heinrich of Soulstice Imagery visited our shop to take pictures of the Laura Bee studio in action. It was great to have an outside and professional view of our little work space. Her image above shows our brand new batch of orange tags. Don't they look juicy?

Sandi put together a sweet little photo essay about her visit that you can view here. Be sure to scroll down below the large logo at the top of the page to see lots of images of LBD including a supercool panorama of the whole store.

Introducing Harriet

We loved every entry in our bag naming contest. Each was original and creative. From the song characters to the tributes to mothers and daughters, we found each submission so touching. We're keeping them all on our list of bag names for the future.

But it was a customer Emily who came up with the winning entry. Her suggestion of Harriet from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh was truly inspired. I absolutely adored this novel about a smart girl with an observant eye and a little bit of loneliness.

So this bag Harriet is named for every girl who carries not only a notebook, but also her curious individuality close at hand at all times.

Thank you everyone, especially Emily.

Edited to say: The fact that outfits the on book cover and our model are similar is a happy coincidence. We took the picture weeks ago, long before the name Harriet was even submitted to us.

Button Thursday & Macro Challenge Image Ten

Orange Buttons, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Ripple Wallets

This new ribbon reminds me of the ripple that forms when you throw a stone into still water. I like its asymmetry and simplicity. I've just posted these wallets for sale on the website. This ribbon is also available for wristlets and purses.

Stay tuned for the contest results. We've received so many terrific submissions that we want to consider all of the options before we announce our decision. Thank you so much for participating.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Nine

Matryoshka in the Mirror, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

These little Russian nesting dolls were a recent antique mall purchase and they were great fun to photograph. I had a tough time choosing which image to include in the challenge. Click here above to see the other pictures I took.

For Macro Photo Image Eight I cheated and used a picture that I posted on this blog last year.

Beatrice Hits the Beach

When I was little I had a wool coat that was charcoal grey on the outside with red trim inside the hood. At least that's how I remember it. Anyhow, I've recently remembered that coat as I've been loving red and grey as a color combination.

Consider grey as a warm weather alternative to black. It's softer and less severe against your skin, yet still neutral and versatile. When paired with bright red, grey is anything but gloomy.

Macro Challenge: Image Seven

Vintage Owl Bank, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I bought this bank a couple of years ago at a thrift shop. I think it was manufactured in the late 1960s. I adore the crazy colors and huge round eyes.

Deluxe Details

Our Luxe Clutch is a simple rectangular bag that works as a perfect template for beautiful fabrics and unique details. I think this bag is one of the most fun styles to custom design in our shop.

Since it is small (about 4.5" tall by 9" wide), the Luxe clutch can showcase bold, bright fabrics that might be too flashy for a larger purse. Plus, looking through all of the rich ribbons and vintage buttons is like reading a dessert menu.

Base price is $48 for a Luxe clutch. You choose your outside fabrics and embellishments, lining, and either a bangle or fabric strap.

Macro Challenge Image Six

Bridal Party, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I saw these figurines set up at an antique mall. Since I've taken to carrying my small point and shoot camera in my purse, I was able to take some quick pictures.

I took the shot without moving the tiny figures at all. I was struck by the way I found them set up in a slightly chaotic bridal procession.

Blustery Beach

If you live in Seattle, you might recognize this location as the beach at Golden Gardens park. Yesterday was cold and grey, but the beauty of this stand of trees was still striking.

Macro Challenge: Image Five

Tiny Sprinkles in a Spoon, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I had these little round sprinkles left over from the cupcake shower last week. They were great fun to photograph. I love how the extreme close-up makes their scale mysterious.

Photo Shoot Outtake

Ashley and Katie braved the cold for a photo shoot this morning. We were faking spring, but the temperature was actually in the forties.

Macro Photo Challenge: Image Four

Lamp with Linoleum Floor, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Beatrice #2

Macro Image Three; Button Thursday

Three yellow buttons.

Against the blue paper, they remind me that sunny long days are around the corner.

Macro Photography: Image Two

Tricycle pedal.

Visit the 30 Days 30 Macro Photos Challenge Flickr gallery.