Buzz

Check out our wristlets (and Ashley's lovely arm) in the Seattle Post Intelligencer's gift box section today. It's in the actual paper, as well as online here.

Shop dog Otis' 15 minutes of fame continue with his appearance, via photo bag, on Komo TVs early newscast between 4 and 4:30 today (Seattle channel 4). Brandie from Modern Dog magazine will be on the show in a feature on holiday gifts for dog lovers. She'll have a few of our dog-friendly custom photo products.

Productivity!

Wallets, wallets, everywhere...

We just can't make enough wallets to keep the store stocked these days. Here's a recent batch, fresh out of the oven.

Christmas time is here

Workshop

Lydia took this great picture at the studio a while back. I love how it shows two wristlets upclose, but also offers a glimpse of the rest of the space, paper lanterns and all.

Seattle Snow

Stocking Stuffers & Hostess Gifts Under $10

Pocket mirrors with vintage images - $4


Pin sets - $5


Bath salts - $5.50

We have over twenty five terrific products for sale for under $10!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're feeling quite thankful around here. The new store has proven to be an enjoyable work environment with more natural light, open space, and better feng shui. Otis has been thrilled to play fetch along the expansive floor, something we couldn't do in the old space.

Tomorrow Otis, Jeff and I will head down to our friend Julie and Jean-Pierre's place to celebrate the holiday, and to watch the dogs play. I'm quite thankful to have such caring, warm friends who've tolerated my insanity over the last four years of owning the store. I have neglected some friendships due to work, and I appreciate the loyalty and patience both my friends and family members.

We hope to see all of you Friday or in the days following. Right now, we're taking custom orders through November 28th. We also have lots of great readymade items, including dozens of goodies under $10.

Remember Fruit of the Month Club?

My sweet mother found a lovely jar of these buttons in a little antique shop in Rochester, NY. They are all red vintage plastic, but no two are exactly alike. I've decided to use them as the vintage embellishment on the debut wristlet in my new subscription program.

I've been mulling over this idea for a little while. The concept is simple: subscribe, and receive a new, extra special wristlet in the mail four times per year. I'll base each wristlet around a vintage material or embellishment, making the design exclusively for subscribers.

I think this would be a fun gift to give for the holidays. I know I would love to receive a gift every few months throughout the year. Let me know what you think if this idea. I'm thinking of adding an earring and belt subscription too.

Check out the Wristlet Subscription product page.

Dreams can come true: The Gunn Show

Bubble skirts and pinstripes suits: Angela and Tim of Project Runway grace the stage at Seattle Macy's. Tim did not disappoint. He was witty, suave and genuine.



Aside from meeting Tim, the highlight of the evening was seeing the winning garments from each challenge. Ashley and I had a terrific time looking closely at the construction, stitching and design details.

Happiness is a Warm Gunn

From left: Angela Keslar, Laura Buzard, Tim Gunn, Ashley MacWilliam

Earlier this week...

To do list

Remodel space. Check.
Tear down wall. Check.
Gasp at vast square footage. Check.
Vacuum dry wall dust. Check.
Install new lighting. Check.
Do a little jig. Check.
Reconfigure workstations. Check.
Reassure Otis that all will be OK. Check.

Charge battery and take photos of above. OOPS!

Next on the list...reopen on Thursday 11-9-06! Please stop by to visit our new digs!

Four is the Magic Number

Today is the four year anniversary of the opening of our store. We're not taking time to celebrate; we're hard at work getting the expanded space ready. Still, I want to offer you, dear customer, a Thank You special.

Save 15% on any purchase by mentioning the Four Year Anniversary discount. Valid for in-store and phone orders only. Custom orders must be paid in full at the time the order is placed to receive the discount. Offer is good from November 2-4.

Cornershop

Craftsanity Interview

Do you know about the CraftSanity Podcast? Journalist Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood records fantastic interviews with a different crafter, author, or crafty-preneur each week. I'm addicted to his inspiring show.

This week's interview is with yours truly! I had a great chat with Jennifer recently about Laura Bee Designs, and I hope that you will find it interesting too.

Jennifer also asks her interviewees to post a craft project on her website. I did a little write-up on building your own color palette. (See the photo above for a sneak peak.) You can download the PDF on the CraftSanity website.

Visit the CraftSanity website.

(If you're a podcast newbie, note that you don't need an ipod to listen to the show. I just listen to podcasts on my computer.)

Goodnight P-Run

We were really happy for all of the contestants last night. I'll miss my weekly Project Runway fix. (Until the next season.)

Making it Work

You may have noticed that we're behind on our Project Runway analysis. We've been having our own make it work time around here getting the new space ready and gearing up for Christmas. Our wholesale business is going gangbusters, with stores carrying our line in Portland, New Zealand, Michigan, Wyoming and Colorado (among others). We've found some terrific small boutiques who understand what we do, and who have customers who buy our stuff. (Thanks!)

Those of you who have been to the shop will recognize the pink paint above. It's been our ceiling color for the last four years, and we've painted the new space with the same color scheme - vanilla walls and pink ceiling. The actual paint color is called "Taffy Lips" which brings to mind all sorts of X-rated associations. I've had to go back to the paint store a couple of times to restock, and I can tell that the gruff guys at the counter think I'm a wacko. (For the record I would have named it cherry pink.)

All about Eve

The crisp air we've experienced lately tells us that fall is here. Our best-selling bag for fall is the Eve, which is a new shape. Eve is compact yet roomy, measuring 11" tall, by 11" wide, by 4" deep. Many customers have taken to ordering cute little coordinating sets. This picture shows Eve with a little teal wristlet. I love sets that aren't too "matchy matchy" but work together just the same.

View the Video

Check out the little video about our store at this link. You can catch it on the Seattle Channel, or you can watch it right on your computer (see the link at the right of the screen).

It's a three minute vignette that was filmed as a part of our prize for winning the Seattle Mayor's Small Business Awards 2006, along with nine other great companies. Don't miss Otis the pug's TV debut!