BESTeam weekly feature - Our Home to Yours

It's my pleasure to introduce Our Home to Yours a lovely shop on Etsy where you can browse so many different types of items.  It's like being in a little department store where there are new handmade items and lovely vintage finds side by side.  I guess part of the variety comes from the shop being run by a mother and daughter combo, Debbi and Amanda, with each of the items made or found by one or the other. They clearly both have very good taste!

Here are a few of my favourites






1.  This quilt cover is beautifully stitched and finished and would look fantastic in any setting
2.  Bunny needs a loving home where his lop ears will be regularly stroked!
3.  A unique momento of your special day - this shadow box will hold your bouquet and other wedding keepsakes
4. Beautifully crocheted ring bearer pillow to carry the symbols of your love
5. Lovely vintage crochet collar
6. These cross stitched swans are a handmade work of art!

You can find out more about Our Home to Yours on their blog, follow them on Twitter and on Facebook

Happy shopping!

BESTeam weekly feature - Our Home to Yours

It's my pleasure to introduce Our Home to Yours a lovely shop on Etsy where you can browse so many different types of items.  It's like being in a little department store where there are new handmade items and lovely vintage finds side by side.  I guess part of the variety comes from the shop being run by a mother and daughter combo, Debbi and Amanda, with each of the items made or found by one or the other. They clearly both have very good taste!

Here are a few of my favourites






1.  This quilt cover is beautifully stitched and finished and would look fantastic in any setting
2.  Bunny needs a loving home where his lop ears will be regularly stroked!
3.  A unique momento of your special day - this shadow box will hold your bouquet and other wedding keepsakes
4. Beautifully crocheted ring bearer pillow to carry the symbols of your love
5. Lovely vintage crochet collar
6. These cross stitched swans are a handmade work of art!

You can find out more about Our Home to Yours on their blog, follow them on Twitter and on Facebook

Happy shopping!

BESTeam weekly feature - Miss Pretty Perfect bags and purses

If ever a shop was appropriately named, it's this one - Miss Pretty Perfect!  Each of the handcrafted bags and purses featured are unique, one of a kind and beautifully crafted from upholstery fabrics and leathers.

La Toya, based in Charlotte, NC, did her apprenticeship working for a handbag designer who sold to major stores like Bloomingdales, and you can really see the skills in the crafting and finishing of these purses.  There's a really distinctive brand feel to them, I think, a touch of vintage boho chic but very practical and in luscious colour combinations.  And it's an exciting time as the store, established in 2007, is now branching out into womens and childrens clothing.

Here are a few of my favourites.  Click on any of the pictures to visit the store.

This messenger bag is a lovely combination of fabrics and easy on your back too - something we should all consider!  It's also available in other fabrics and combination as a custom order.  It will fit your laptop and your papers comfortably, so perfect for work.

Love this mustard and olive wrist bag - the pattern is delightful and the quilted fabric looks soft and beautiful.  It would be great for daytime with jeans and a T-shirt and equally suited to a smart evening event as well.

And here's the Indian Princess blouse, made to order from saree fabric in the colour combination of your choice, it features sequinned, beaded and embroided fabrics patchworked together.

You can find out more about MPP and keep up with new creations by following these links:
Facebook MPP: http://www.facebook.com/missprettyperfect
Blog MPP: http://www.missprettyperfect.blogspot.com
Tweet MPP: http://twitter.com/toiyah

BESTeam weekly feature - Miss Pretty Perfect bags and purses

If ever a shop was appropriately named, it's this one - Miss Pretty Perfect!  Each of the handcrafted bags and purses featured are unique, one of a kind and beautifully crafted from upholstery fabrics and leathers.

La Toya, based in Charlotte, NC, did her apprenticeship working for a handbag designer who sold to major stores like Bloomingdales, and you can really see the skills in the crafting and finishing of these purses.  There's a really distinctive brand feel to them, I think, a touch of vintage boho chic but very practical and in luscious colour combinations.  And it's an exciting time as the store, established in 2007, is now branching out into womens and childrens clothing.

Here are a few of my favourites.  Click on any of the pictures to visit the store.

This messenger bag is a lovely combination of fabrics and easy on your back too - something we should all consider!  It's also available in other fabrics and combination as a custom order.  It will fit your laptop and your papers comfortably, so perfect for work.

Love this mustard and olive wrist bag - the pattern is delightful and the quilted fabric looks soft and beautiful.  It would be great for daytime with jeans and a T-shirt and equally suited to a smart evening event as well.

And here's the Indian Princess blouse, made to order from saree fabric in the colour combination of your choice, it features sequinned, beaded and embroided fabrics patchworked together.

You can find out more about MPP and keep up with new creations by following these links:
Facebook MPP: http://www.facebook.com/missprettyperfect
Blog MPP: http://www.missprettyperfect.blogspot.com
Tweet MPP: http://twitter.com/toiyah

BESTeam weekly feature: Empress Jade

Ooooh - my first chance to review a vintage clothing store on Etsy - Empress Jade - based in BC Canada specialises in glamourous vintage lingerie but also covers vintage clothing and accessories from the rockability 50s, mod 60s, groovy 70s and glam 80s!

Being a bit of a ageing hippy-chick myself and a big fan of Mad Men style, I've picked out some 60s styles for my favourites.  Click on any of the pictures to be taken to the shop:

Love this psychadelic floral sleevless top

Love the print and colours on this caftan - you could party all night long in this and wear it the next day too!

This mini-skirted romper is so Jackie O!

The shops are full of maxi dresses at the moment, aren't they? But why have one from the high street when this is vintage and unique?

You can also find Empress Jade on these links:
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Website
and now Bonanzle

BESTeam weekly feature: Empress Jade

Ooooh - my first chance to review a vintage clothing store on Etsy - Empress Jade - based in BC Canada specialises in glamourous vintage lingerie but also covers vintage clothing and accessories from the rockability 50s, mod 60s, groovy 70s and glam 80s!

Being a bit of a ageing hippy-chick myself and a big fan of Mad Men style, I've picked out some 60s styles for my favourites.  Click on any of the pictures to be taken to the shop:

Love this psychadelic floral sleevless top

Love the print and colours on this caftan - you could party all night long in this and wear it the next day too!

This mini-skirted romper is so Jackie O!

The shops are full of maxi dresses at the moment, aren't they? But why have one from the high street when this is vintage and unique?

You can also find Empress Jade on these links:
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Website
and now Bonanzle

It's all about the book - BESTeam weekly feature on ConduitPress

This week I'm featuring a real classy shop - ConduitPress, aka Talia, sells beautifully handcrafted notebooks, journals, baby books, albums, photographs and cards, all with a unique edge to them. There's a real vintage feel from the items, perfect if you want something that's pre-loved and kind to the planet!

Here are a few of my favourite items - click on the picture for more details:







1. This journal upcycled from a vintage novel has pages from the book interspersed with plain sheets!
2. This journal is in beautiful upcycled upholstery leather with a lotus motif

3. The vintage map is of Europe in 1939 and the Far East on the reverse. Perfect for history buffs!
4. Maroon leather journal with a beautiful green decoration.

5. A lovely fresh feel to this pocket sized journal
6. Mini albums with a die cut cover for your own picture - a perfect gift at $5!

If you're an arty or crafty person, you probably keep an ideas journal or a creative diary, collect photos for albums or scrapbooking and enjoy the feel of a beautifully made item. ConduitPress is bound to have something to interest you.

You can follow ConduitPress on her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter

It's all about the book - BESTeam weekly feature on ConduitPress

This week I'm featuring a real classy shop - ConduitPress, aka Talia, sells beautifully handcrafted notebooks, journals, baby books, albums, photographs and cards, all with a unique edge to them. There's a real vintage feel from the items, perfect if you want something that's pre-loved and kind to the planet!

Here are a few of my favourite items - click on the picture for more details:







1. This journal upcycled from a vintage novel has pages from the book interspersed with plain sheets!
2. This journal is in beautiful upcycled upholstery leather with a lotus motif

3. The vintage map is of Europe in 1939 and the Far East on the reverse. Perfect for history buffs!
4. Maroon leather journal with a beautiful green decoration.

5. A lovely fresh feel to this pocket sized journal
6. Mini albums with a die cut cover for your own picture - a perfect gift at $5!

If you're an arty or crafty person, you probably keep an ideas journal or a creative diary, collect photos for albums or scrapbooking and enjoy the feel of a beautifully made item. ConduitPress is bound to have something to interest you.

You can follow ConduitPress on her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter

Featuring the Fab Miss B!!!

I know - I'm a day late on my Friday Featured Artist - but yesterday was a bad day - and I didn't want to risk completely skipping such a fabulous artist! Becky is also our Featured Etsy Blogger of the Month :D

1. What type of art work do you do?

I create Pipettes! They were inspired by vintage ornaments I've collected for ages. They are made with humble chenille pipe cleaners, but I add lots of luxe embellishments like silk ribbons, antique lace, mother of pearl buttons, feathers, sequins and vintage costume jewelery. Their heads are all carefully hand painted too.

I also love to paint and am constantly making new illustrations, which I sell as prints and greeting cards. The originals are watercolor and ink and they are always whimsical and even a bit silly!

2. How did you get started doing art work?

Ever since I was little, I loved to draw and make things with my hands. The Pipettes originated when I decided to make a pipe cleaner bride and groom for our wedding cake three years ago. I've been making them ever since and they've gone through lots of changes! They've become more elaborate and sophisticated.

3. Do you do any other crafts?

I was trained as a florist while I lived in Chicago, so here and there I dabble in making floral corsages and crowns. I just outfitted an entire wedding party for a dear friend! I also like to cook and take photographs.

4. Is there a story behind your shop name?

My husband and I love to travel and are lucky to have lived all over the world- Kenya, Uganda, China, Chicago, Las Vegas, and now we're trying out life on an island- The Big Island of Hawaii!

We adopted our funny last name- Kazana- while traveling in Africa just after getting married. It's a Swahili word that means "To make a home" and it reminds us that our home is where the other is.

5. What's your favorite piece in your shop right now?

I'm madly in love with Daschshunds- someday I'd love to have a whole gaggle of them running around a farm. But for now, hanging Daisy on my Christmas tree is as close as I can get!

6. Where do you sell your work?

I have two shops on etsy. One for my original Chenille Pipette Dolls and artwork:

http://beckykazana.etsy.com

and one for Vintage and One of a Kind Finds:

http://thefabmissb.etsy.com

7. Do you blog?

I blog about the inspiration I find around me every day on The Fab Miss B:

http://www.thefabmissb.blogspot.com

Swing by and say hello! I love to meet new folks!

8. Are you on any social networks you'd like to share?

Let's be friends! Here is my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Becky-Larson/1047722678

and my Tweets too! https://twitter.com/BeckyKazana

9. Do you watch or listen to anything while you work? If so, what?

I love listening to music while I work. I often use Pandora radio (http://www.pandora.com), where you can create stations based on your musical preferences. Right now I'm listening to Julie London Radio non-stop. I can't help but create glamorous Pipettes when listening to all those amazing chanteuses from the 40's, 50's and 60's.

10. Tell us one random fact about your self *wink*

I adore champagne and never save it for special occasions. It's far too wonderful for that!

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

Happy New Year!!!

Best wishes to each and all of you and Thank You for tuning into my site and supporting my sometimes random fashion style!

(Vintage Fur Jacket, Forever 21 top, Express Jeans, and second hand boots)

Oh and the fur jacket is a second hand that I found at a Vintage Store couple days ago.

I was really debating whether to get it or not since it's real fur and I feel really, really bad. BUT, I tried to justify myself because I bought it second hand and I can't let the animal's death go to waste no? and also, I thought since I do feel bad about it it's better for me to wear it than some random person who doesn't care about animals to wear it.

Aimeeways,

My New Year is definitely the best New Year I have had so far. I just got back to San Francisco on the 31st to spend it with my lovely boyfriend and guess who came the next day? My whole family including my doggies! We spent the first day of 2009 doing a little tourist stuff in the city.I'm sad that they were only able to spend a day in the city due to their busy schedule, but thankful that I was able to spend my New Years with the people I love.

Friday's Featured Artist - WHIMSYlove!

I've always loved this artists work - and her blog is priceless to! The name of her shop - WHIMSYlove is just perfect for her style! Now I'll let you get to know her for yourself - and see exactly what I mean :)

1. Tell us your story, what got you started selling on line and how would you define the work you sell?

I remember always liking to make things & loving to give handmade gifts. I’ve always been a crafty girl.

A
few years ago my mom & I actually sold vintage & handmade items
in a space in an antique mall. Well, that place closed down after a
year & a half or so. But, before it did, I had been searching
online & stumbled across Etsy. In March of 2007 I opened up my
shop. I sell a wide range of handmade items--from button rings to
watercolors to sewn items & most everything in-between! But I
mostly love working with vintage materials: buttons, fabric, trim, old
books, papers, etc. I love trying everything. I can’t stick to just one
medium or craft.

2. Where did you come up with your shop name?

I
originally called my shop “WhiMSy”, but that name was taken when I
signed up to sell things on Etsy. So, I added the word “love”--for no
reason at all. But I figure that some days I’m a goofball (that’s the
WhiMSy part) & other days I’m girly & romantic (that’s the
love), so it works out. And that reflects in the diversity of items I
make.

3. What's your favorite piece you have up on etsy right
now?

I’m fond of the vintage button rings. They’re so fun to make &
I have my own that I wear almost every day.

Vintage Button Rings of the Month Club

4. Where do you do
your work and what do you listen to while you work?

I have an art
studio in the basement of my home. There’s not a lot of space to work
in there, so I mostly craft on the couch, the floor, the dining table,
or all of the above.

5. I know this can be a hard question to answer, but where do you find your inspiration?

This
is not a hard question at all. My kids inspire me! They are always
saying silly things….that make complete sense. I often steal their
ideas too. (haha!) Sometimes I wonder what I’ll do when they grow up
& move out. Where will my inspiration come from then? Maybe I’ll
just borrow someone else’s kids.
Lots of times a random idea will
hit me at any hour of the day-- & I better find a sketchbook quick
or the thought will be gone in a flash!

6. Tell us one fun fact about yourself!

I once balanced a hockey stick on my nose for 8 seconds.

And now for a few of my favorite items from her shop!

Wee Pie Magnet



Fork Easel!



Cutie Cupcake Notecards



A Rainbow of Vintage Stamps