Hello Bluebird Brooch

This pretty pin is made of enamel-covered brass. Handmade in New York State, each pin is timeless and intricately detailed.

I love to pin brooches like this one on a simple blouses or jacket lapels. The Bluebird Brooch would be a great gift for Grandma or Mom this Mother's Day.


$22, available in our store.

Two Things Mom Might Like

If your mother lives out of town, it's time to think about sending her something pretty for Mother's Day, which is less than two weeks away.

Stop by our store, and we'll wrap your gifts for free. Bring mother's address along - we can ship your purchases too for a nominal fee.

Shown above: Silk zipper case - $25. Bird necklace - $32. Both available in our store.

Mother Daughter Design Time

I just shipped these two bags off to a mother and her preteen daughter in Ohio.

They made their first visit to the northwest over spring break. (The daughter's Julia bag, above, has watermelon lining.)

While in town, they came by our shop to design bags that will help them remember their Seattle experience. (The mother's Edith bag features pumpkin microsuede and a kiss-lock closure.)

Stockists: Noun, A Person's Place for Things

Stephanie of Noun, in Portland, was in Seattle recently and stopped by our shop to put together a custom wholesale collection. She decided to order a selection of mini wallets with tonal grosgrain ribbon embellishments (shown above).

Stephanie also designed several of our best-selling Lola clutches with vintage buckle embellishments. If you're in Portland, stop by Noun and tell Stephanie Laura Bee sent you.

Kid Stuff: I Made This for You

Images courtesy of Chronicle Books

Long before I sold anything I made, I enjoyed giving home made gifts. I'm sure some of these presents were more loved by me than the recipients.

Still, there is great satisfaction of making something at home for a special person. I think teaching kids that putting their own creativity and artistry into gifts is a wonderful lesson.

Wouldn't grandma love this? I Made This for You coloring book, $12.95. Available in our store.

Handbag Store or Buddhist Pug Monastery?

The other day I came back from a lunch break to find this sight on the sales floor of my shop. (Click the image to enlarge.)

Because he is king, we swaddle him in polar fleece at his command. Somehow he managed to leave his bed, crawl under display shelving, and self-drape this saffron robe/toga.

Otis was nice at first about having his picture taken, but quickly became bored. Either that, or he was doing some sort of silent chanting/meditation.

Rumor has it that rubbing his belly does bring good luck.

Mixed Metal Luxe Clutches

As an alternative to black and brown, we've created these sophisticated metallic clutches.

We've combined crystal vintage buttons, metallic fabric leaves and our premium faux leathers in Truffle and Steel.

The results are versatile, unique bags that can go day to night.

Leaf Luxe Clutches, $52.

Stockist Exclusive: Kobo Collection

These images are from a vintage Japanese game that the owner of Seattle boutique Kobo played with as a child.

She commissioned us to use these drawing on several of our best-selling wallet designs.

You can buy these items exclusively at Kobo, which as two locations here in Seattle.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Kid's Self-Portrait Notebook

When Nathan's mom asked him to create a self-portrait, he drew this excellent robot version of himself.

I made it into a refillable notebook with a ribbon bookmark using faux leather colors that matched the illustration. (Photo notebook, available online and in our Seattle store.)

So here you have it, the Nathan collection. I love the idea of using a child's drawing on something utilitarian like a wallet. The images are there daily to remind you of the child who drew them.

More broadly, the pictures remind you of what it feels like to be a child -- ready to create, color and play.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Children's Drawing Mini Wallet

Our mini wallets have long been one of our most popular products. They are compact and cute - perfect for business cards, credit cards, or all of those punch cards that over stuff your large wallet.

I made this mini wallet sample using another one of Nathan's original drawings. I scanned the image, reduced the size, and added a periwinkle background.

Like all of our custom products, you can choose your faux leather colors, inside and out to best complement your image when you order online or in our store. Custom image mini wallets are $20.

So here is our growing child drawing collection, mini wallet in front, and checkbook cover in back.

Stay tuned for Nathan's next masterpiece tomorrow.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Children's Drawing Checkbook

I commissioned the son of a frequent customer to draw some pictures for me. The one above is his version of a family portrait - Robot Family that is. Notice that Mom is a hovercraft. Nathan, the artist, does wear glasses in real life, but is not actually red.

 Imagine paying the family bills with this charming drawing on your checkbook. Grandma might love one of these too.

We can use any JPEG image on our Custom Photo Products. A checkbook with your favorite image is $27, and you can order one here, or in our Seattle store.

Stay tuned for more of Nathan's drawings made into Laura Bee products. Thanks Nathan!

PS - I tinted the background of the drawing green to make it pop against the mandarin faux leather. 

Introducing: Custom Photo Mega Wallet

Just in time for Mother's Day orders, I've added a photo option to our popular Madeline style.

While a wallet is a functional item that you use every day, it's also a terrific place to show off an image that is meaningful for you.

Consider using a picture from a vacation, of your pet, or a vintage family photo, as shown above. I bought this "Picture-tainer" at Goodwill and rescued the snapshots inside.

From the late 1960s, the images have wonderful vintage details and capture the personality of this little boy.

Most of us (and our mothers) have photographs from the past that are hiding in albums and drawers, forgotten. I invite you to sort through these memories and order a Custom Photo Product from us.

Wallet $50 in the store, or on our website here. You choose outside and interior colors and image tint.

We're Closed for Easter

Here's a little video that's guaranteed to make you smile. This egg hunt was held at a community center near our shop yesterday.

Wristlet Subscription: Winter Red

Last month I sent out these red-themed wristlets to the women who subscribed to this program. They feature vintage glass buttons with a linear plaid detail.

The red and black tweed is from a vintage skirt that I cut up after saving it for a couple of years, waiting for the perfect project.

I topped off each purse with a narrow black ruffle ribbon and a red silk panel.

To learn more about our Wristlet Subscriptions, visit our website here.

Purple Wedding in Virginia

Our bride chose a deep rich purple for her attendants' dresses. They plan to wear silver shoes and to carry these bags.

Each Luxe Clutch is slightly different to suit each woman. I combined the rich brocade with vintage purple and silver solids and various ribbons. The purple satin is an exact match for the dress color. I topped the bags with vintage crystal buttons, each one slightly different than the next.