3-Day Only Jewelry Sale

Fine Print: The discount/sale prices are not valid with any other discount or coupon offer.

For Auld Lang Syne

If you gave or received a gift from Laura Bee Designs this holiday season, it was cut, sewn, packed, and shipped by the team above. Thank you so much for your business and support during 2009! We closed the year with record November and December sales, and we are so grateful!

Pictured from left to right: Kaleigh, Rebecca, Laura, Ashley, Kim, and Debbie. Photo by Sandi Heinrich.

Also a part of our team in 2009 are Marissa and Libby, who, while they have moved on to further ventures, will always be part of the LBD family.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

I made this purse for a bride who was getting married near Christmas in Chicago. She chose Christmas green as her main wedding party color.

The lace overlay is a piece of the bodice from her mother's wedding dress. I think it makes for an icy winter wonderland look that is perfect for the season.

Gift Certificates

We offer gift certificates in any amount. Order here.

Winter doldrums are just around the corner. Seattle without the twinkle of holiday lights is the grueling time for our weather. It's the perfect time to visit our studio to look at pretty colors and bright patterns for some relief from the gray skies.

Purchase a gift card worth $100 or more, and we'll
tuck it into a free mini wallet and wrap it in a gift box.

I'm already looking at new materials for spring bags. It the midst of the holiday festivities, it's fun to think about warm, sunny weather and wardrobe.

Last Minute Personalized Gift Idea

We just restocked our Window Photo Necklaces and I've been mulling over new ways to use them. Of course you can easily shrink and print a digital photo as I did above and below.

But how cute would it be to shrink down a child's drawing, or to insert a favorite literary quote in a pretty font?

Or you could even make a little deck of decorative papers to give with this necklace for a whole wardrobe of jewelry options.

We have several of these in stock in our shop right now. $24, available in blacked silver, or bright silver. They are two-sided, so the options really are endless.

Don't forget our extended holiday hours, which you can see here.

Wonderful

Photo courtesy of TV Guide.

I recently caught It's a Wonderful Life by accident on television and it had be years since I'd seen it. I found it much deeper and darker than I remembered.

It's a classic for good reason - it shows a flawed human being dealing with his choices and finding redemption in those around him. Plus the movie is great fun; I hope that my guardian angel is as funny and cute as Clarence.

Christmas Crafts: Felt Trees

Gumdrop Christmas Trees, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Last year I posted a link here to felt trees handmade by the visionary behind the Thompson Family Life Blog.

Somehow that tutorial stayed stuck in my head for a whole year, so I decided to make some trees for the store using similar techniques. I added raffia flowers that I've been addicted to making ever since I saw this tutorial video by my idol Cathy of California.

So these gumdrop trees are really tributes to two of my favorite bloggers. Thanks to all of you who share your crafts and tutorials on the web. You are my endless inspiration!

Holiday Production has its Hazards

We're going full steam ahead on holiday production right now to get all of our Christmas orders done in time.

We use rotary blades (see above) for much of our cutting, and Ashley used this one well past its prime. Who knew that a piece of steel could break in half mid cut!

Video: A Tour of our Christmas Decorations

Inspiration: Cathy of California

Photo courtesy of Cathy of California.
Click to enlarge.

One of my favorite blogs for crafty inspiration is Cathy of California. Although I've never met Cathy, I can't help but feel that she is a kindred spirit. Her lovely posts of vintage craft books, design ideas, and kitschy graphics are genius.

You should visit her site here for some delightful eye candy. Thanks Cathy!