New Lenses = More Photos

 

Luxe clutch with premium Moss faux leather and discontinued Midori ribbon. $53

During the Christmas rush I don't have much time to take or post pictures on the blog, but when January arrives I will be back to my regular picture posts.

I received two new camera lenses for Christmas, so I'll be extra motivated to shoot and share. Let me know what you'd like to see.

Thank You for Our Best Season Ever!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

See you on Tuesday, December 28th at 10 am.

For the Restofus

Today, December 23rd, is Festivus. Have you aired your grievances yet?

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About Electronic Gift Cards

Ready to finish your Christmas shopping? Here's the part where I tell you that you can buy gift certificates on our website and be all done.

Just click here to got to our site, place your order, and have it emailed directly to your giftee. Or you can email it to yourself, print it, and then wrap it up to give in person.

Visiting our shop to custom design a bag is a special, creative experience. Share it with someone you love by giving them a Laura Bee Designs gift card.

If you'd rather buy a gift card in person, swing by our store tomorrow (Thursday) between 10 AM and 7 PM, or Christmas Eve between 10 AM and 3 PM.

Chocolate Button and Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Plastic Button, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I must be hungry, this button reminds me of a truffle.

I love naming colors after food. We have saffron lining, sugar cookie faux leather, and chocolate microsuede.

(Did I tell you we're selling delicious truffles by locally crafted Dilettante chocolates in our shop? They make great hostess gifts.)

Have you Heard this Christmas Song?

I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas almost non-stop since Thanksgiving. The songs are at once lovely, melancholy, and nostalgic.

My production and customer service duties have taken me away from photographing and blogging the last couple of weeks. It's our busiest, most exciting time of year. Thanks to all of you who have shopped with us so far. We've had a great season!

I want to let you know that we'll be open through Christmas Eve at about 3 pm. We're open tomorrow (Monday) through Thursday of this week from 10 am - 7 pm. (We'll be closed December 25, 26, and 27 to relax with our families.)

This Video Makes Me Happy

Pink Inspiration

Pink Glitter Cottage, originally uploaded by skybluecrayons.

Sometimes I visit Flickr and just type in a search to see what will pop up. Tonight I entered "Pink Christmas" and up came several wonderful images made by kindred spirits.

Take the one above, for example, made by with a popcorn box. It makes me want to build my own sugar-coated Christmas village. (Maybe next year.)

Here's another inspiring pink-themed Christmas picture. Her entire photostream is dreamy and nostalgic.

Truffle Eleanor with Peacocks

 Our Eleanor back is the perfect size for an every day purse. She zips closed and has a comfortable single strap.

This version, currently available in our Seattle shop, features our premium Truffle faux leather and a unique peacock-themed turquoise ribbon.

Eleanor, standard with one zipper pocket, $86, with premium faux leather as shown, $96.

Crystal Medallion Necklace

Sparkling and gorgeous, this necklace was crafted in the US by the artisans at Anne Koplik. Who will be the lucky person to get her hands on the very last of these in stock?

Swarovski cryststal and antique silver necklace, $42.

Ribbon and Ring Necklace

Silky ribbon laces through silver-tone rings to make this edgy necklace by Caracol. We just received a new shipment from this popular line. With fashionable pieces prices from $14-$24, this line will sell quickly.

O-ring necklace, $18.

Featured Bag: The Lola Clutch

 This design is sleek and simple. It can hold your essentials -- phone, wallet, keys, lipstick -- without weighing you down.

Purse fanatics love this shape, but those who are handbag averse enjoy using it as well.

We have several ready-made Lola's available in the shop for easy gift-giving. Or come in to design one for yourself.

Lola clutch - $52, without pockets, $62 with four credit card pocket.

Freebie: Simple Santa Gift Tags

Post 1000: Santa Photo and Pink Tree

I bought this little folder over the summer because I love any Christmas decorations that are pink and retro. This Santa photo from 1966 has it all. First, the illustration on the folder is both pink and adorable. Plus, it's stained with (hot?) chocolate. I know many native Washingtonians are still grieving the loss of department store Frederick & Nelson.

This photo is a Christmas showpiece. Never mind the pink tree, the saddle shoes, the gloating older sister. The look on the little boy's face shows that scary Santa photos are timeless.

 What must Santa be thinking? (Feel free to write a caption in the comments.)

PS - Blogger tells me that this is my 1000th blog post! Thanks for reading my musings for the last five years. I'm looking forward to 1000 more!

The Return of an Old Favorite

When we carried Mark Poulin's charming jewelry a while back, many of our customer fell in love with his sweet animal illustrations. I'm happy to report that we have received a batch of these sterling silver charms just in time for holiday giving.

These necklaces appeal to both the young, and the young at heart. Shown larger than actual size in the photo, they are quite petite - perfect for layering.

$23 each available in Rabbit, Whale, Octopus, Owl, Cat and more!

Thrift Score: Matroyshka Dolls

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

What is it about tiny versions of big things that makes them so cute?

Thrift Score: Washington State Mug

Washington State Mug, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I moved to Washington back in 1994 when I was twenty-two. But I first heard of Seattle when my dad used to fly there from Western New York for work.

When I was about seven (I think) he brought me little portable sewing kit made of bright orange vinyl (the same color as this mug) that folded closed, and said Seattle in gold lettering. I remember a plane illustration on the front. 

I guess it was my destiny to make my living sewing in Seattle.

Gussied Up Gift Wrap

Starting this Friday, we're adding something new to our signature pink pastry box gift wrap. I used one of my button photos to create a little gift tag for our packages.

We're tying these to our packages with tinsel pipe cleaners. They're free with purchase beginning at our Stuff It! event this weekend.

We've also stitched up a batch of reusable fabric gift bags that we'll give you when you spend $40 or more during the Stuff It! weekend.  (Limit 1 per customer, while supplies last.)