Three Luxe Clutches in Vintage Navy Floral

Our Luxe clutch design has long been a popular bag for bridesmaids and many other customers. The simple rectangular shape can be made unique with endless fabric combinations.

Here is a short video where I explain how I used one vintage cotton print to make three different Luxe Clutches. This size is perfect for the essentials - phone, lipstick, keys and small wallet.

Ruched clutch withe vintage button embellishment. Learn more here.

Single fabric clutch with ribbon and vintage button embellishment.

Bisected clutch with silk accent and vintage button embellishment. Learn more here.

French Enamel Brooches

If these brooches entice you, act fast we only have one of each color. They are made in France by the artisans of La Vie Parisienne. They may look vintage, and that's because La Vie uses antique casting molds to craft high quality jewelry.

$34 each

Squirrel!

Take a look at these sweet squirrel charm necklaces made in Portland by Luscious. Available in silver and and gold. $18 each.

In Print

The Stranger, March 2011, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

We were in The Stranger a while back as part of a terrific new campaign called Think Local. I'm holding a sign that says, "Custom Accessories designed by you, handmade by us. Cruelty Free!"

It's designed to encourage people to spend their money with local businesses. Learn more on their website here.

Her Mother's Wedding

A customer brought us this amazing image of her mother and father's wedding. We transformed it into a glossy black photo notebook.

Maybe we should make one of these for Kate M...

Mushroom Mania: Color Combinations, Video Style

I thought I would try something new with my handy smart phone. Here is a short video where I show you fabric and faux leather combinations.

(Please excuse the camera shake, I need to figure out a way to affix my phone to my tripod.)

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Hummingbird Necklaces by Luscious

Handmade in Portland, these special necklaces are available in cool antique silver, or warm old gold.

Buttons for Japan: Grand Total for Mercy Corps

Our button-making equipment in action in our studio.

Thank you wonderful customers for supporting our recent fundraiser effort: Buttons for Japan. Together we raised $2009 for Mercy Corps' efforts to aid Japan after the March earthquake and tsunami. That means we made 1148 buttons out of origami paper and shipped them all around the country.

Learn more about Portland-based Mercy Corps' Japan relief here.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Oval Poppies Locket

French Oval Poppies Lockets - Gold or silver plated brass - $42 each

I post about lockets frequently on this blog because I love them so much. Something about the little compartment and the nostalgic designs make me happy.

French Locket- Gold with Swarovski crystals - $52 each 

We offer lockets online and in our Seattle store. Prices start at $24, and up to $65 for a deluxe enamel design. These necklaces are special gifts. Put a secret message, picture of loved one, or tiny drawing inside.

Resin Rose Rings

Recently we've received several shipments of exuberant rings. The carved rose resin versions above are chunky, fun, and adjustable. Plus, they are a nice price of only $12!

Glass Jewelry Handmade by Lisa Sparks

 

Glass artist Lisa Sparks is inspired by nature. Her simple sepia images are embedded in luscious glass chunks.

We have several beautiful necklaces and brooches by this Los Angeles based crafter. The larger pendants, such as 'Fir Trees' above are $28.

Sparks calls these smaller pieces her 'critter pendants.' Shown larger than actual size above, the mustang is under one inch square.

More Critter necklaces in juicy, candy colors.

I met Lisa at the Seattle Gift show back in January, and she is just as sweet as her designs. Her work is from the heart, and you can see that in each glowing glass lozenge.

A Little Otis Video for His Fans

POed pug a video by Laura Bee Seattle on Flickr.

I've been sewing away and haven't been blogging as much as of late. I have some fun things planned though, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, here is a funny, short video of Otis the shop dog.

Black Bag, Six Ways

Recently a customer from California asked me to send her a few images of black bag options. She wanted to order a fairly neutral black-based Helen Hobo.

I pulled a few prints from our collection, and photographed them with both glossy and matte black faux leather.

These images offer a quick peek at our design process. You can see how simple changes, like matte (left) to glossy (right), alter the look of the combination.

Which bag would you choose?

Wedding Party Celestes Featuring Orange Pleats

Our customer is a bride who loves orange (a girl after my own heart). She brought some bright orange dupioni silk with her when she came in to design clutches for her bridesmaids.

She came up with two totally different designs, one for each attendant. Both are pretty, fun, and unique, just like the women who will receive them as thank you gifts.

Memento: Share Stories with this Book

We're carrying this special journal-book in advance of Mother's Day, graduation, and summer vacation. Watch the short video above to hear from the author and to watch the book in action.

Filled with prompts for you (or your grandmother) to write life's stories, Memento is a great gift for you and your loved ones.

$19.95

Floral Hair Clips by Deborah Funches

Handmade in Camas, Washington, these sweet hair clips with add a hint of spring to your tresses. $16 each.

New Rings by Local Designer Krissy Maier

Each of these adjustable rings is one-of-a-kind. Krissy Maier uses vintage jewelry components to craft these fun pieces. $21 each.

A Very Special Lola Clutch

Our customer came to use with this rose gold brooch tucked into a little box. She told us that is was a gift from her father to her mother years ago, and held great sentimental value.

She chose glossy merlot faux leather for the body of the bag and dusty brown ruffle ribbon as an embellishment. The simple design showcases the vintage piece perfectly.

Restocking Our Vintage Button Collection

I went to a button sale last week and found some treasures to incorporate into future bags. I was drawn to this batch of gold buttons because they have open areas that will allow the fabric behind them to show through.

9 Different Silk Scarf Ideas

Japan Fundraiser: We're Off to a Great Start

Cell phone snapshot of our buttons for sale along with the Buttons for Japan tag

Our Buttons for Japan fundraiser is a moving example of the magic of the internet. I posted the buttons on our website here at around 10 pm last night. Then I posted a link on our Facebook page. Orders came in almost immediately.

I shot over an email to the fine folks at our neighborhood blog, MyBallard.com. By the time I checked my email the next morning, the article had been posted. More orders came in through our website.

Meanwhile, Debbie opened our shop at 10 am and people who had seen our online announcement stopped by right away in search of the buttons. Some bought big batches of 40 or more to give to clients. Others bought 4 for $8 and talked with us about watching the news crying for the suffering in Japan.

The good news is we raised over $600 on day one of our fundraiser. The bad news is the situation continues and seems to be getting worse. I urge you to visit the excellent Mercy Corps website to read about the crisis and the work being done there. 

One blog entry talks about the charity bringing satellite phones for the displaced to call their loved ones to tell them they are alive. How simple; how huge.

Thank you for your support thus far. Whether you choose to buy buttons from us, or donate directly, your support, however large or small, is part of a greater good that will help many.

Fundraiser: Buttons for Japan

The earthquake in Japan has us heartbroken, and we turn to you to help us raise funds for disaster relief. We are making these pin-back buttons with one of our favorite Japanese craft supplies - origami paper.

Order these 1.25" pins in sets of 4 assorted patterns for $8 and we'll donate $7 to Mercy Corps, a Northwest-based disaster relief not-for-profit. Learn about their Japan aid here.

These pins are available in our Seattle store, or online here. Shipping is free for this fundraiser, so send these little pins to your friends and family. Wear them as a show of support for the people of Japan.

We were overwhelmed by your help with our Dahlias for Haiti project  just over a year ago (you helped us raise $6800!). We thank you in advance for helping us this time.

Our goal is to raise $1500 by April 15th, when we will end the Buttons for Japan fundraiser. Please spread the word!

$8 buys a set for four assorted origami pin-back buttons. Each pin will ship with a small tag explaining the fundraiser, making it perfect for sharing with friends and loved ones.

Please help us by sharing this idea with your friends - both online and on Facebook!

San Diego Wedding: Avocado, Mandarin, Sunflower

Our customer is a former neighborhood regular who now lives in San Diego. She emailed to ask us to create a custom wristlet collection featuring her wedding colors.

She asked us to choose the avocado, mandarin and sunflower embellishments for her eleven wristlets.

I love the cheerful colors and think they will look amazing when carried at a Southern California wedding later this year.

Embroidered Drop Scarves

Round embroidered droplets cascade from crinkled cotton on these new scarves. The tonal textures are perfect for spring.

$22 each, available in cream, gray, brown and black.

Peacock-inspired Bronze Collection

The bride who designed these clutches was inspired by a natural color palette: a peacock feather.

Her attendants will wear rich navy blue dresses, and they will carry these bronze Luxe Clutches.

This design features faux sequins, pleated ribbon, and a vintage rhinestone button.

 

The ruching on this bag is topped by two vintage glass buttons with woven detail.

Green brocade accents the unifying bronze tone on this bisected clutch.

Tones of bronze and copper make this design a study in monochromatic texture.

Gold hardware and removable wrist straps complete this collection.

Ombre Scarves

Kaleigh braved wind and rain to model our latest scarf arrival. The gauzy ombre fabric is featherweight and super soft.

We received gorgeous shades of violet, lime, indigo, tangerine, and butter. I think these look especially lovely twisted in pairs and layered around the neckline.

Ombre cotton scarves, $16 each.

Vintage Resurrection by Krissy Maier

Local artist Krissy Maier makes one-of-a-kind jewelry. She takes broken earrings, discarded necklaces, and other vintage components and refashions them into wearable art. (Necklace above $32)

Rings, hair clips, earrings and necklaces are all part of Maier's special line. I love the nostalgia in mystery in each piece.

Wedding Collection: Accenting Summer Navy

Our customer is a bride who wanted to design a unique bag for each of her bridesmaids, who will be wearing navy blue at her upcoming summer nuptials.

For a bridesmaid with classic style, the bride chose glossy navy blue topped by a multicolored floral ribbon and simple red button.

She created a frothy confection for another attendant. The pink and taupe brocade is embellished by cream-colored braid layered over a lovely ruffled ribbon.

A vintage floral fabric in navy and rose inspired this design. Our customer found the print and large button to be the perfect look for a willowy bridesmaid.

The ten-year-old junior bridesmaid will feel like one of the big girls with a purse of her own. I wonder what treasures she'll carry in her new Bette bag.