For the Boys

Mustache socks by Sock it To Me. $7.50 a pair

Introducing SoapyCakes

I want to tempt you with our latest confections. Made in Kent by SoapyCakes, these are deliciously scented soaps. I've been testing the Candy Cane version (above) the last few days and it smells amazing.

  Even after several showers, the soap is still in the shape of an adorable cupcake. Other scents include Creamsicle, left, Vanilla, center, and Pumpkin Pie, right.

I think these soaps might be the perfect stocking stuffer. At $5.50 they are terrific value so you can stock up for everyone on your list!

These cupcakes will debut at our Stuff It! event this weekend. Learn more here.

You're Invited!

Material Spotlight: Our Zipper Supplier

We use YKK zippers, top quality notions that are made in the USA.

We buy our zippers in bulk from an historic supplier in the garment district of New York.

This video is a fascinating look into their business, which was started in the 1940s by an entrepreneur who escaped the Nazis.

Cyber Monday Special: Save $20 on our Website

We're offering an incentive to place your holiday order on Monday, 11/29/10, also known as Cyber Monday. Fill up your shopping cart on our website with $100 or more in merchandise and save $20 upon checkout. You'll need to enter this coupon code: 20onCYBERMONDAY.

You'll need to act fast because this is a one day only special, and code expires at midnight. You can choose from various shipping options including Store Pick-up (free), and gift recipient shipping. Order here.

Great Gift for Under $25: Passport Covers and Luggage Tags

 

Here's a gift idea for your jet-setting friends and relatives: bright, cute passport covers. At $21 each, these slim cases feature clear ID windows inside and protective faux leather on the outside. Plus, you can't possibly lose a bright yellow or red item in the bottom of your travel bag.

Pair a passport cover with one of our vintage-style luggage tags, and you have a sweet set. The tags are made in the USA by Bluebird Bath, and are a mere $3.50 each.

So together, that's $24.50 for a useful gift. For a scads of additional gifts priced at $25 or under, come to our Stuff It! event this weekend. The official invite is here.

 

Great Gift for Under $25: Scrabble Tile Necklaces

I constantly hear from new customers that they are pleasantly surprised by all of the affordable gifts we carry in our shop.

This year I wanted to highlight our focus on great gifts that cost $25 or less by having a special weekend-long event. I've decided to call this shindig 'Stuff It' because all of these goodies would make great stocking stuffers. You can check out the official invite here.

All this week, I'll be highlighting featured Stuff It inventory here. First up, our best-selling Scrabble Tile Necklaces, which retail for a mere $16 each. These are handmade in California by the really nice people of Home Studio Arts.

Freebie: Gift Enclosure #2

Copyright Laura Bee Designs. If posting online, please link to this blog. Thanks!

I took this picture of a friend's door knocker a couple of years ago. It feels like Christmas to me.

I've posted this at 300 dpi so you can download (right click and save) and then print it for your holiday gifts. This one folds so you can put a personalized message inside. The finished size is 2" wide by 3" tall.

Getting Cozy - Back on Friday

Sleepy Pug in Turtleneck, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

The Laura Bee crew will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow by getting cozy at home with our families. We'll be back in the store at 10 AM on Friday morning, staying open until 7 pm.

Shop with us this Friday and receive Double Punches on your Frequent Shopper Card.

We're also giving away the 2011 CRAVE guide to the first 20 customers who spend $50 or more.

Freebie: Gift Enclosure Card #1

Copyright Laura Bee Designs. If posting online, please link to this blog. Thanks!

I thought it would be fun to make some gift cards to share with you. I've posted this at 300 dpi so you can download (right click and save) and then print it for your holiday gifts. This one folds so you can put a personalized message inside. The finished size is 2" wide by 3" tall.

I love using pretty cards tied with a simple ribbon or string around a butcher paper wrapped package. I also think the blue on this image would look pretty with silver giftwrap.

Let me know what you think. If you like this idea, I will post more in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

It's our annual tradition to put up this pink Christmas tree at the shop. It looks great with our pink pastry gift boxes.

This year we added to the sweet theme by hanging hundreds of paper doilies as stylized snowflakes. I stitched up the garlands using my favorite tool - the sewing machine.

Lauren Carries Amy

If this box isn't working, click HERE to watch this video.

I adore the HBO series Six Feet Under, especially the character Claire, played by Lauren Ambrose. When she drove off into the sunset in the series finale, I had tears running down my face.

Imagine how thrilled I was when the costume designer for the film Grassroots chose one of our bags for Ambrose' character to carry in the film.

You can catch a quick glimpse of the Amy bag in this video at the 57 second mark.

Wristlets and Mini Wallets

Best-sellers for a few years now, our wristlets and mini wallets make perfect gifts for both the purse-lover and the handbag averse. We have a full batch available in our shop right now, and I'll be added some new options to the website tomorrow as well. Stay tuned. (Wristlet as shown $30, mini wallet as shown $14.)

If you're getting your holiday shopping list together, you might want to check out our recent newsletter. This one is designed for out-of-town and online customers, while this one is meant for Seattle-based peeps.

Get Cozy: Velveteen Hats and Fingerless Gloves

Hats by the San Diego Hat Company, available in many colors - $24. Gloves by Laura Bee Designs, available in several colors, $21 pair.

Available in our shop, or order via email or by phone (206-789-4044).

Customized Christmas (and Hanukkah too!)

Custom photo keychain, $16. Order online here.

I wanted to let you know our deadlines for custom holiday orders this year.

Hanukkah (December 1st): Deadline - November 18th
Christmas Shipping to a US Address: Deadline - December 1st
Christmas Eve (December 24th): Deadline - December 5th

Don't forget, we can ship your goodies to their destinations to save you time. We charge a nominal fee, and fuss with your gifts (at no charge) to make them pretty and fun to open, where ever they end up.

 Custom photo notebook, checkbook, and mini wallet. Order online here.

PS - Hop on over to our Facebook page to get some yummy Thanksgiving meal ideas via our current contest. Enter to win while you're there!

Introducing: Cozy Fingerless Gloves

 Heather green fingerless gloves, available with embellishments $21 pair, and plain $15 pair.

I have a thing for fingerless gloves, so I'm excited to announce that we have our own line of fingerless gloves at Laura Bee Designs! We've teamed up with a machine-knitting company in New York State to create these cozy acrylic gloves. These are perfect for our Northwest climate, and will keep you warm while you text, feed the meter, or scratch your dog behind his ear.

Heather gray fingerless gloves, available with embellishments $21 pair, and plain $15 pair.  

I've been having a great time adding vintage buttons to the gloves, making each pair unique. We're also offering them without embellishments, for those who prefer a minimalist look. These gloves are a cozy wrist-warmer length to keep that pesky draft from rushing up your sleeves.

Also available in Deep Indigo, and Bright Teal.

Gift Idea: Enamel Leaf Brooch

We have so many gorgeous new pieces in stock in preparation for the holiday season, that I want to share some with you online here. Case in point: This beautiful pin, crafted by the artisans at Anne Koplik Designs, would make a special gift for the sophisticated woman who has everything.

Available in our store, and online here. $26.

Pleated Satin Ribbon

We unveiled these gorgeous new ribbons at our Anniversary Party last weekend, and bags made with the pleated textile sold quickly. Now you can visit our shop to design your own accessory using these special embellishments.

We have three shades in stock, Deep Charcoal (top), Rich Aqua (middle), and Sunset Copper (bottom). Select the textural ribbon as a stand-alone detail, or layer it under a narrow velvet or brocade ribbon as shown here.

It is What's on the Inside that Counts

I took this picture of our lining fabrics as Kim was unpacking a recent delivery. This material is made specifically as handbag lining by an old-school company in New York that's been making the material for over sixty years. From left to right: turquoise, gold, raspberry, saffron, terracotta, and aqua.

Thanks and Holiday Deadlines

Brocade X Ribbons, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Thanks to everyone for attending the party on Saturday. I love seeing all of the familiar faces and custom bags coming back to visit.

We had a wonderful turnout (and terrific sales) to kick off the holiday shopping season.

If you missed the party, come check out our new displays of new merchandise. From fingerless gloves to French lockets, we have some great gifts at all price points

We are currently taking custom orders for holiday delivery. Depending on how fast our production schedule fills up, we will accept orders for delivery by Christmas through December 5th or so.

Glam for Good: Vintage Necktie Bags

 The tags I stitched inside this bag give a clue as to the featured vintage element.

I incorporated a vintage Christian Dior necktie into a wine-colored purse. The rich silk stripes, cut on the bias, are topped by a huge vintage button.

This navy version is the sister (or should I say brother) bag. The bright cornflower blue has gold and silver accents.

These bags will be offered for sale Saturday, November 6th as part of our Glam for Good collection.

We'll donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Glam for Good bags to three of our favorite charities: Ballard Boys and Girls Club, Pasado's Safe Haven, and Northwest Harvest.

Otis the Shop Pug Apologizes to His Fans

Party Debut: Ollipop's Victorian Jewelry with an Edge

 Made by California artisans, the Ollipop line is Victorian-inspired with an oversized, rock and roll edge. (Rings $29)

Pieces like these work beautifully with modern contrast. For example, wear the girly earrings with jeans and motorcycle boots. (Earrings $26)

Encrusted with crystal, enamel and mixed metal details, the Ollipop jewelry pieces will make special additions to any woman's jewelry collection. (Locket charm bracelet, $42)