Instagram Earrings

Earrings are always top sellers, so we stock new styles every week. Yesterday enamel teardrops debuted. $18/pr

These brushed silver trefoil earrings are lightweight and unique. The long kidney style of ear wire is my personal favorite for its comfort and security. $21/pr

If you're an Instagram user, follow me at LauraBeeSeattle.

Crafty + Vintage Sidewalk Sale

Saturday, June 23 from 10-5 pm

Sunday, June 24 from 11am - 4 pm

New merchandise each day!

It's time to clear out our stash of craft supplies! Join us for our annual sidewalk sale.

THE PROBLEM: After nearly 10 years in the same location, I've accumulated too much crafty stuff that I don't have the time to use. I've run out of space for new fabric and supplies that are coming in every day!

THE SOLUTION: Sell our overstock of fabric, ribbons, beads, baubles, glitter, decorative paper, craft books, gift wrap supplies and more via a sidewalk sale!

We'll have cool stuff for the crafter in you! This year we'll also have vintage treasures to peruse. All at great prices.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. Check out the Facebook invite here.

Our Mini Wallet Solves Gift-Giving Dilemma

We often hear from wistful customers who complain that all their gift recipient wants is money or a gift card to iTunes, the Gap, etc.

Just because you're giving a rather generic gift to a graduate, teacher, or friend, doesn't mean the gift needs to be boring. We suggest gussying up said card in one of our ever-popular mini wallets.

 

We've making and selling these little guys for many years now and they remain incredibly popular to give and receive. With lots of color combinations to choose from online and in our shop, and a friendly price of $14 each, we have a wallet for everyone on your list. Even guys swear by the compact design for their credit cards and a few bills.

Some gift ideas:

• For the college grad: She'll put her new business cards in the wallet once.
• For the high school grad: She'll love tucking her new college ID inside.
• For the 21 year old: Driver's license and happy hour please!
• For the elementary school grad: Library card, school ID + allowance.

With all of these graduations, don't forget the teachers! Restaurant or coffee shop gift cards are perfect inside of our mini wallets.

Oh the Places You Go!

Our customers go to some amazing places around the world and I just love hearing their stories. Amy brought this luscious multicolored silk back from Indonesia. We made her this special Audrey shoulder bag trimmed in black and lined in saffron.

Taking a Trip?

You might not have considered buying fabric as a souvenir, but that's what our customer Lisa did when she went to South Africa recently.

 

She found a fair trade fabric store in Capetown and came away with this gorgeous batik cotton. With custom handbags from Laura Bee in mind, she tucked the print into her luggage and came home to Seattle.

When she returned, she brought the fabric to us and commissioned two bags: this Olivia clutch, and a gorgeous cognac Helen Hobo whose photograph I missed.

Good News - May Newsletter

 We've published our May newsletter and this cheeky monkey pin awaits you inside.

In case you aren't a subscriber, check it out here. If you like what you see, subscribe here.

Rhoda Bag with Exterior Pocket

One of our long-time best-sellers, Rhoda is roomy and functional. We now offer her with a new upgrade option.

Behold, Rhoda with an exterior zipper pocket.

 Slip your wallet and keys into this pocket so you don't have to dig at the checkout line. Stash your boarding pass here when you're traveling and you'll be organized and ready to fly.

Exterior zipper pocket upgrade, $14. Rhoda as shown with premium pesto faux leather and exterior pocket, $129. Rhoda base price $110.

Contest - We're Giving Away this Locket

locket_jadegem2, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Visit our Facebook page to enter a contest we're running right now. Tell us what picture(s) you would have us put inside this locket, and you'll be entered to win via random drawing.

http://www.facebook.com/laurabeedesigns

Contest ends 5/18/12 at 2 pm.

Pooch Passport cover

passport_cover, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

A lucky mom received this passport cover from her daughter for Mother's Day. Wouldn't you want to look at these pooches whenever you cross the border?

Our custom photo passport covers make great guy gifts (think Father's Day), as well as unique graduation presents. Order here.

New! Flip Flops You'll Love

I wore Oka B shoes all around Florida earlier this spring to test them out and I fell in love.

Now I'm excited to share these sandals just in time for Northwest toe-baring weather.

Not only are these sandals made in the USA, they are super comfy, easily cleaned, and fun! They remind of of Jellies from back in the day.

We're stocking two styles in four colors each. Above, Kylie in aged gold, capri, copper and twilight. $25/pair. Wedge heel.

See those little bumps? They are massaging insoles that put a spring in your step.

I chose a mix of color options to offer. I liked the neutral metallics and candy-colored brights.

Depending on the toenail polish you favor, you could go with versatile option, or a eye-catching pop to accent your summer wardrobe.

Chloe flats, $20/pair in Copper, Citrine, Pearl, and Capri.

Laura Bee Lockets

Forget-me-not locket, available here.

For several years, we've offered a variety of lockets our customers because they are such special gifts. I'm excited to announce that we now offer our own exclusive line of lockets.

We'll even add your picture to the inside of our designs. We print archival images and seal them under epoxy domes for durability.


Jade gem locket, available here.

So whether you are celebrating a new family member, remembering someone who is no longer with you, or sharing a special secret, consider a locket for yourself or a loved one.


We will process locket image insertion orders each Friday, so turnaround will generally be one week. Visit our store or order online.

Stackable Enamel Rings

rings_stackable, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

Even the least expensive accessory in our store is fun and colorful. These enamel rings are designed to mix, match, and stack.

$3 each.

Smiley Face in Fabric Form

This Kate bag is all boxed up and headed to Montana via Priority Mail. A customer designed it on our shop while visiting Seattle. I think receiving this happy purse at home a few weeks after a vacation would be great fun.

In fact, I don't think you could be in a bad mood when you look inside a bag that has saffron yellow lining. It's like a smiley face in fabric form.

Kate is currently our best-selling bag. Its large size, roomy pockets and color-blocked look make it fun to custom design and handy to carry.

Kate bag, $135. This bag features our Sonic Bloom ribbon, plus glossy gray and mandarin faux leather.

Moms Love Jewelry - Website Coupon Code

We're offering free shipping for website orders on all jewelry. Select a necklace or earrings from this section of our site, enter the coupon code OTIS$MAY2012 when you check out, and the shopping cart will give you free shipping! Offer expires 5/6/12.

 This offer corresponds with our in-store $10 Otis Dollars offer which is running right now.

April Showers Bring May Flower Classes

Register for Felt Dahlia Class
We're offering two of our colorful and fun felt flower-making classes in May.

You'll leave the class with two completed dahlia pins and supplies to make four more.

I will walk you through the simple steps that convert flat felt into bold blooms.

Tuesday, May 8 from 7-9 pm
Tuesday, May 15 from 7-9 pm

$30 class, limited to 8 people per class. Call our shop to register and prepay, non-refundable: 206-789-4044. Or email to register here.

Mother's Day and Otis Dollars

We celebrate women on a daily basis and Laura Bee Designs. Mothers buy gifts for daughters, nieces share the design process with their aunts. Grandmothers send a little Laura Bee love to granddaughters in far away places.

On Mother's Day, we enjoy sharing our special touches with our wonderful customers and the other women in their lives.

Learn more about our latest gift ideas and merchandise in our newsletter here. Shop dog Otis has a special treat for you as well, to sweeten your shopping experience.

Introducing Glass Bubble Necklaces

After lots of tinkering and testing, I've come up with an entirely new version of our ever-popular bubble necklace.

 Now made with glass gems set in durable silver-plated bezels, these images glow in the light.

I've also developed several new images from my collection of antique ephemera. Each necklace hangs from a quality 18" silver-plate chain.

$26 each.

Fun with Resin

necklace_fauxjade, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

I've been making silicone molds of some of my favorite antique buttons. Here's an example of a resin casting I did. It reminds me of jade.

One-of-a-kind cast resin necklaces, $36

Cherry Blossom Season

Veronica_blossoms, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

The cherry trees are blooming all around Seattle. This Japanese print was inspired by the season, and makes the perfect pocket panel for a Veronica shoulder bag.

Owl Makeup Bags

Owl Makeup Bags, originally uploaded by Laura Bee Seattle.

We're loving this new coated cotton with its quirky owl motif. These little pouches are great for makeup, power cords, or even snacks.

Lined in rip-stop nylon, $24.