Design Phase

1-14-10 Photo Shoot, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Following the bustling holiday season, I spend some time working on new designs. Somehow the gloomy weather fuels my creative impulses as I play with materials.

Here is the first new bag of 2010. Introducing Julia, sporting our newest premium faux leather in Steel.

More info to follow soon!

Ashley's Trendwatch: Anchors Aweigh!

A Nod to All Things Nautical

When you think of the word 'nautical', what comes to mind? Tacky gold? Shoulder-padded thigh-length navy blue blazers? Well, at the risk of striking fear into the hearts of all those who lived through the eighties: Nautical is back. Thankfully this time, the stripes don't have to be horizontal, the gold is sprinkled rather than saturated, and the blazers are decidedly more chic.

Photo courtesy of FashionMeFabulous.com

When designers start releasing their resort wear in the gloom of January it's difficult to see the point of purchasing something you have to keep in a closet for months before wearing. Nautical wear easily transitions from winter to spring/summer. This allows more bang for your buck, and often includes staples you can use year round. This cardigan, for instance:

Beaded Cardigan - Photo courtesy of Forever21.com

Or these shoes and belt:

Seychelles flats - Photo courtesy of Piperlime.com

Photo courtesy of Heritage1981.com

Here at Laura Bee Designs, there are several ways to pay a little tribute to the sea. Include a nautical button on a handbag or clutch, add a striped ribbon to a wallet, or pick up a lucky sparrow necklace or schooner money clip to accent your look.

Clockwise from top Right: Vintage buttons, Alaska Gadgetry Money Clip - $16,
Classic Hardware Sparrow Necklace - $37, vintage wooden button.

And not to leave anyone out, even Fido and Fluffy are able to get in on this look:

Photo courtesy of barronstreasures.com

The nautical trend isn't as scary as you remember, so don't be afraid to dive in - The water's fine.

Exotic Earrings

These earring may appear bohemian and exotic, but they were made right here in the USA by Ollipop.
Encrusted with rich details, they look gorgeous with this season's chunky sweaters. $26 pair, available in our store. Or email us to order: info (at) laurabeedesigns.com

Video: Our Locket Collection

We sell so many lovely lockets on our website and in our store, I thought I'd make a video overview so that you can get a better idea of their sizes and features.

I got a new video camera for Christmas that is much better at capturing small details, but I'm still getting used to it so forgive the fumbling.

Green Theme with Animals

After indulging in our pink and silver Christmas decor for over a month, I decided to mix it up and change the window to light green theme. I hung some little bird cages along with tissue paper puffs in the window. (I made these once before years ago here.)

Then I set about gathering products from the store that coordinated with the look. Sometimes displays just come together. The striped coin purse above looks adorable next to the International Arrivals notebook.

More stripes and texture keep the look light and winter white.

How about a bushy tailed squirrel on a green background?

Orange and Gray

Wondering how to wear gray during the gloomy winter months? Pair it with a hot color. This Eve bag features our glossy gray as the body, with mandarin orange accents.

Shades of gray can be less severe than black, but still just as neutral. Here is a coordinating Madeline Mega Wallet, which is bright orange on the inside.

If orange isn't your bag, then try gray with red, yellow, or turquoise.

Winter Sparkle

Adjustable bling rings. $12 each

New Year - New Tags

We change our tag colors each batch to keep things fresh. Our latest color combination is a minty aqua with orange stitching.

You can learn more about our sewn-in tags here.

Quick Video with Bag Pictures

Business Card Organizers

Photos courtesy of Galison.

While you might have your frequently called phone numbers programmed into your fancy cell phone, you still might enjoy having this cute organizer on your desk.

Rather petite in footprint, and designed to fit standard business cards neatly, the organizer gives you place to store the paper versions of your contacts. $16 each. Available in our store.

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!