Glass Gem Earrings

I'm obsessed with making these earrings in juicy, bright colors. The glass domes glow in the light.

Each glass dome is set in a scalloped bezel, giving it a vintage look.

I call this color Pink Lemonade because the pretty pink has golden shimmer. Order here.

This electric blue catches the light and pops against any hair color. Order here.

This teal shade is a universally flattering color. Order here.

All earrings are $24 a pair.

Pouches, Case, & Wallets, Oh My!

Travel season is here and we've stocked up the shop with pouches that carry your stuff with function and style. These mesh pouches are customer favorites because they are sturdy and you can see your stuff for easy organization. $12-$18

While we call this compact size a coin purse, it's really a small pouch that works perfectly for little things like lip balm, memory cards, credit cards, cash and more. Plus, a brightly colored case is easy to spot inside of even the most messy bag. $20 each. Order here.

Our snap coin purses are among our all-time favorite designs. We're stocked with bright color combinations for you or for gifts. $21.

Happy Spring! Our Annual Bag Sale is Here!

Learn the details about this instant gratification event in our latest newsletter here.

Spring Splashes

I reworked the store displays last Friday to showcase spring colors and merchandise. Those little doodads hanging from the tree are metal bells in the shapes of cute animals.

They make the perfect zipper pulls, and I'm told they are all the rage in Japan. $2 each, or 3 for $5.

Speaking of cute Japanese things, after a hiatus, we've restocked our popular Japanese erasers in various adorable animal styles. These are excellent candy-alternative Easter Basket treats. $1.50 each.

The lucky cat above is sitting inside another new goodie. Introducing silicone kiss-lock coin purses. These are fun to carry and remind me of jellybeans. We also have a larger style that nicely fits a smart phone. $8-$12

 Don't miss our display of pinback buttons featuring cute critters. $1.50 each, or 4 for $5.

The Cle Elum Seven

Quad pocket wallet in glossy espresso, featuring Jamie.

Several years ago a customer came into my shop and told me she had just attended a meeting at the church across the street. She had met with a group of activists who were founding a new chimpanzee sanctuary that was soon to be located in Washington State.

Photo notebook in glossy espresso, featuring Negra. 

I asked her to keep in touch with me about the project, and months later a representative from Chimp Sanctuary Northwest got in touch with me to say the sanctuary was a reality. Since then I've been making special photo products for their annual auction. I've also gotten to know each of the Cle Elum Seven through the amazing blog posts and videos here.

These items will be available at the Out of the Box auction on May 4, 2013.

 

You can learn more about the chimps' transformational journey from a Pennsylvania research lab to Cle Elum, Washington here. My favorite video was taken the day the chimps, who had spent most of their lives in tiny cages, were first were able to go outside and feel grass under their feet. View it here.

A Valentine

In the dead of winter comes a day to celebrate love in all its forms. 

Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

Pug Locket

Inspired by our shop dog Otis, our latest fundraiser product will benefit pugs in need. For each of these pug lockets we sell, we'll donate $10 to pug rescue organizations.Order here.

We'll split the funds between Seattle Pug Rescue and Southern Nevada Pug Rescue. Both are volunteer-run organizations doing great work for dogs in need.

"Thanks for supporting my less fortunate brethren," say Otis Redding the shop dog.

Enamel Jewelry by Bemused Creations

 I'm excited to share a new one of our new artists with you.

 Debbie of Seattle-based Bemused Creations makes gorgeous, affordable enamel pieces.

She uses a jewelry torch to fire powdered glass onto metal. We have three styles in candy colors available just in time for Valentine's Day.

Prices start at $23.

Craving Color - New Jewelry

Now that the holiday sparkle is gone, we're craving color.

 Like the red in this poppy. (Poppy locket, $26)

Or how about the icy aqua in these glass gem earrings? (Earrings, $24/pr)

Perhaps the retro pop of these vintage buttons are more your style. (Button bracelets, $28)

Contest Time - Celebrating 1000

We've surpassed the 1000 likes milestone on our Facebook page, so we're celebrating by giving away two of our ever-popular infinity scarves.

Speaking of scarves, I've posted several new style for sale on our website here. Cozy up!

Feeling Tangerine

Sure, you could opt for a gray lining to match this bag. It would look sharp with the silver button. But why not go with a quirky, unexpected color like tangerine? Not only will you find your stuff inside this Olivia bag with ease, you'll smile every time you unzip the clutch.

Butter soft microsuede Olivia clutch, $63.

Here's to a sparkling 2013!

Our sparkle vinyls waiting for your custom designs.

Gift Guide: Lucky, Pretty, Calm

 Lucky horseshoe necklace by Classic Hardware - $24

Pretty hair clip by Seattle's Orange Box Jewelry - $17

Calming bath salts - $6

"The world will have to wait, I am taking a bath."

Gift Guide: Northwest-made Presents

We're making new infinity scarves daily because they have been selling like crazy. We have dozens of colors and prints available for everyone on your list. My favorite is this mustard and gray sweater stripe. $30 ea. Order here.

 

These wood inlay Washington state necklaces by Seattle designer Amy Bengtson are great gifts for any woman whose heart is in Washington State. $40 each

 

Heather Lewis is the artist behind Crescent Moon Designs and she lives in the same neighborhood as our shop. We've sold her sterling and gemstone earring for years, and her delicate, colorful work appeals to so many different women. She just brought by a new batch next week, and I'm in love with these butterscotch and teal earrings.

Our Clara wristlet continues to be a popular gift. Its compact size and exterior back pocket make it functional inside a larger purse or on its own. $48, available ready-made in many colors and patterns in our shop. Or custom design one in our shop for the ultimate personalized purse.$48 each.

How to Have a Lovely Day

I recently spotted this image on Pinterest and thought it was a nice reminder during the busy season that's just beginning.

Sometimes it's easy to lose track of what's important as we struggle to stay caught up on our To Do list, especially during this time of year. We can get cranky and annoyed.

These little tips are a great way to reset our interactions with those around us, and maybe help others have a lovely day too.

 Wood ornament, made in Germany. Learn more here.

I Love (Cyber) Monday

We're offering two website coupon codes on Monday, Nov 26:

Spend $100/Save $15 - Code: ILOVEMONDAY15
Spend $150/Save $20 - Code: ILOVEMONDAY20

Check out all of the new merchandise on our site here.

Here's An Idea

I saw this floating around on Facebook and like its succinct list of reasons why shopping local rules.

Vintage Fabric

Vintage fabric score. Love the quirky color combination., originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

This cotton print is a recent addition to my collection.

Did you know that you can bring fabric to us to incorporate into a custom bag design?

Special fabric make extra-special accessories.

Custom Order Deadlines 2012

Custom photo checkbook cover, order here. 
Custom phone mini wallet, order here.

Our branch of Santa's workshop is in full swing sewing custom gifts. We're open late during this busy season to make it easier for you to visit us. Check out our holiday hours here.
 

Here's our custom order turnaround time schedule:
Orders complete* by December 7 must be placed by November 18.

Orders complete* by December 15 must be placed by November 25.

Orders complete* by December 20 must be placed by December 2.

Orders complete* by December 23 must be placed by December 8.

*Please note that "complete" means ready to ship or ready to be picked up in the store during  business hours.

Visit our website, or contact us at (206) 789-4044 to set up an in-store design appointment.

Feeling the Photo Love

There is so much joy in the custom photo products that we make. Customers often tell us the story behind the meaningful images. The Becky bag above showcases a gorgeous wedding picture of our customer's parents. I love it with the Lollipop faux leather. The tweed makeup bag is her mother with her grandfather. Can you feel the love?

Checkbook covers and wallets can be compact ways to feature favorite images. The checkbook above is a gift for someone who misses her Springer Spaniel very much. The wallet is embellished with an image of a brand new kitten friend.

View our custom photo product options on our website here.