Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Otis is a snapping turtle this year. Click on the image to view more pictures of him in costume.

Halloween Started on Tucker Thursday

Tucker the Rock Lobster, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Button Thursday: Textured Ceramic

Green and Blue Vintage Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Party Debut #2: Ceci Cela Initials

These small initial pendants are simple, wearable and personal. Crafted in Minnesota by Ceci Cela, they are strung on ball chain and have tiny mirror backs. We'll have an assortment of letters available at the party, and I expect them to sell quickly.

We've also have a small selection of these stunning poured resin and sterling necklaces, also by Ceci Cela. This deer silhouette is both sweet and timeless.

Thank You!

Birdcage on Blue, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I'm proud to announce that Laura Bee Designs has taken first place in the Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest. According to voters, we're the number one Women's Accessories shop in the region! Yippee!

Thanks to all of you who voted, and extra thanks those who took the time to write such nice reviews.

No word yet on whether John Curley will make an appearance...

Party Debut #1: Deborah Funches Jewelry

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the new items we'll debut at our Anniversary Party. Ashley and I have spent the last few months looking for terrific new lines by Northwest Designers to offer in the store.

Working with strong wire and Czech glass beads, Deborah Funches creates these flowers in her Camas, Washington studio. Let me tell you, the tiny blossoms are even more lovely in person.

A genius with color, Funches line has something for everyone; necklaces, barrettes, and scatter brooches with friendly prices will make great gifts for you and those you love.

Button Thursday: Large White Shell

Carved White Shell Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I guessing this button was made in the 1960s due to its generous proportions and carved motif.

Micky Mouse Gumball Machine

I'm not sure if I received the gumball machine on my birthday, but I do remember loving it. That's Daisy, my first dog, begging for a morsel of food. The green coffee cup cracks me up. I didn't start consuming java until I was sixteen so perhaps the mug is just a funny photo prop!?! Mom, please comment on this.

Thanks to everyone who's emailed, called, or Facebooked (is that a verb yet?) with birthday well-wishes. It feels nice to be remembered, even if I do have to turn a year older.

Enjoying the Small Things

While I love designing and making bags, sometimes I do enjoy working on smaller scale projects. Today I made a bunch of velveteen barrettes. I dug into my collection of vintage baubles and buttons to use as embellishments.

(Does the black textured background in the picture above look familiar? We use mini "school lunch trays" in our jewelry production area. They are functional and nostalgic at the same time.)

I also made a bunch of bubble necklaces this afternoon. These are destined for a couple of stores in Denver, Colorado.

Cute Customer with Necklace

Lovely Melissa of the Bay Area sent us this self-portrait featuring our horse bubble necklace.

Visit Kup Kup Land

Don't these delicate pastries make you hungry? You can't eat them; they are made of felt and thread. You can visit them in Kup Kup Land.

When I feel worried or doubtful, I visit this magical place to look at the dreamy photographs and inspiring handmade creations. Kup Kup Land exists in the imagination of a Spanish crafter living in Greece. You can learn more here.

Mystery Embellishment

Our customer found the red plastic squiggle in one of our bowls of buttons. I'm not sure what it originally adorned, but the piece looks terrific against the layered ruffle ribbons and bold black and white tweed.

Weekend Away

Yellow Stripes, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Jeff and I snuck out to the Olympic Penninsula over the weekend to get a little break from city life before things get even busier at work.

I took a bunch of pictures of the moody towns and lush woodland parks. I did not, however, get a picture of the black bear that blocked our path on the beach. He was having a grand old time eating crabs.

The craziness of the fall holiday season is just around the corner. In fact, this year customers started placing Christmas orders at the end of August!

Fruit Sorbet Stamps

These fruit numbers have to be the most lovely postcard stamps ever printed. We mailed out out postcard invites to the party today using these yummy squares. That means it's official; the party is a go!

Button Thursday: Silver and Black Glass

Carved Glass Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Moving Forward

Walking to Richmond Beach, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

It's generally my goal to post five times a week here on the blog. However, lately I haven't quite been hitting that goal.

The good news is that I've been doing a bunch of work behind the scenes to get ready for the upcoming fall season.

Thanks for staying tuned!

Meet Negra the Chimpanzee

Have you heard of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Recently a customer who volunteers for the organization told me about their mission and I knew I had to help.

According to their website, the CSNW is located on a 26-acre farm in the Cascade mountains, due east of Seattle. CSNW is one of only nine sanctuaries in the country that cares for chimpanzees.

CSNW was founded in 2003 to provide sanctuary for chimpanzees discarded from the entertainment and biomedical testing industries.

The farm is home to the Cle Elum Seven, a group of chimps who were rescued from a lab in Pennsylvania last year. You can learn more about the gang here on the website, and also see videos like these on the charming blog.

We hope you'll join us on Saturday, October 25th as we host a fundraising shopping spree at our store. We'll donate 20% of the gross sales that day to Chimp Sanctuary Northwest. (All merchandise and custom orders qualify. New gift certificate purchases excepted.)We want to raise as much as we can for these beautiful animals, so please tell your friends!

Chinook Book Tips

I don't do much advertising, but I couldn't resist putting a Laura Bee 20% off coupon in the Chinook Book, one of my favorite local resources. We're selling the book in the shop too. In case you're not familiar with the book, which has coupons for all sorts of regional businesses, I thought we'd give you a sampling of staff picks.

Ashley had two picks:

Mud Bay: A pet supply store with the best selection of organic food for dogs and cats, and all the most successful and durable Puggle-tested toys.

Powell's Books: "My Portland Mecca. I didn't know they had a web business before I saw this coupon... I'm in trouble."

Kim and Marissa agreed that their top pick is the Amtrak 2 for 1 ticket on the Cascades line. That savings alone would pay for the book.

I know for a fact that Kim will also be using the Goodwill coupon for a soon-to-be scored fashion find.

I suggest that you check out the various museum discount coupons. I think Jeff and I will head over to the Aquarium. I've had sea Otters on the brain ever since I saw this video: