found*ling

So happy to invite you......

2011-12-08T15:11:00.001-05:00

So many of you have asked if you could come by the studio when you're in Asheville. And, until now, the studio was in my basement. It's a really lovely basement, but since it was in my home I never felt like it could be open to the public. Mostly because of the dog hair.

But now.........the studio is a whole 15 minutes away from my house!! It's right behind Harvest Records in West Asheville.

My studio mate, Amber Mahler of Mani Designs, and I are hosting a Grand Opening this weekend, December 10-11th from 11-6 each day. We'll have PBRs. And a snowflake making station.

Our neighbor, Mimi Strang, is hosting her Holiday Sale, as well. She'll have Simone Wilson, Louann Jordan, Leslie Fay, Terry Taylor, Susan McBride and Stacey Budge-Kamison selling work in the adjoining studio. And in the parking lot, we'll have The Pink Taco Truck, Ursa Minor Coffee, and Veggie Love.

And....and!!!! Brooke Priddy of Ship to Shore is hosting her yearly sale on Saturday from 10-6. Her handmade one of a kind dresses will be up to 70% off.

All of this!! So awesome. Please come!

My arms fairly ache for you......awww, shucks.

2011-10-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

Oh, Hube, you sweetie pie! Butch is a lucky, lucky girl.

This is from a stack of old love letters I won on ebay recently. It drives me nuts that I don't know what happened to these two! Did they get married? Did they buy a farm? Did Punchy land one on Hube's button?

So, what am I supposed to do with these charms?

2011-10-24T07:52:00.000-05:00

There's a new section in the shop. And you are going to love it!

Yes! You can design your own found*ling necklace! Or, add our charms to a necklace you already have. You can even purchase charms over time and build something ever-changing and super special. Like this:

All of our charms slip over the clasp with a little guidance. There are no tools involved in adding to your necklace or switching things around.

I'm telling you--you're going to love it! Go ahead and take a look.

October Tutorial Roundup! Yee haw!

2011-10-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

My craft board over at pinterest is way too full of amazing projects that I can't wait to try. Take a look at these amazing projects--all of which could incorporate reused materials. Let me know if you give any of them a try!


image via Craft:

image via More Design Please


image via supercyclers!

image via Real Simple

image via Craft Stylish

image via El Mundo Del Reciclaje

something new!

2011-09-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

As in, "my heart is fit to bust". You can get yours in the shop.

sugar snap peas, penne, lemon chevre and chives

2011-05-30T08:39:00.000-05:00

This spring we planted sugar snap peas. I was impressed by the idea that you could eat so many parts of the plant--the shoots, the pods and the peas. Supposedly, all sweet and delicious.

It's true! We've enjoyed the sugar snap peas right off the vine--flat and full. We loved the tempura we made with pea pods, sweet potato and vidalia onion. I've been dreaming of a sugar snap pea version of the spider roll complete with an exuberance of crispy "legs" popping out the end.

Our favorite dish of the season, however, has been this pasta dish with a buttery wine sauce and goat cheese.

you'll need:

7-8 oz penne pasta

1 T butter

2 cups sugar snap peas, de-strung

1 T minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup white wine

4 T butter

4 T lemon chevre (ours was local Spinning Spider Creamery), or 4 T chevre and 1/4 t lemon zest

1/4 cup chopped chives

aleppo pepper flakes and parmesan sprinkled on top are optional, but encouraged

Boil and drain your pasta, then pour it into a large serving bowl.

Meanwhile, in another pan melt 1 T butter over medium high heat. Add the peas. Salt and pepper them. Cook them for about three minutes, until they are softer but still bright green. Add the garlic. Continue to cook for another minute. Add the peas and garlic to the serving bowl.

If you're lucky you'll have some nice browning bits left in your pea pan. Deglaze that over medium high heat with the wine. Let it reduce a bit. I usually stop when the odor from the steam no longer as an alcohol bite to it.

Remove the pan from the heat, add the butter and swirl it around until it has incorporated into the wine. Add this to the peas and pasta along with the chevre. Toss. The cheese and wine will begin to blend together a bit. Sprinkle with aleppo and parmesan.

Done.

We'll plant more sugar snap peas in September for a fall crop. I'd love to hear how you would fix them!

delighted by: these depression era color photos

2011-04-12T09:33:00.000-05:00

There are more than 1600 color photos from the 1930s-1940s in this collection from the Library of Congress.

I love this jumble of little girls in their floral dresses.

If I were a novelist I would write a multi-generational epic novel about this house.

And I like this guy. I think he's having some inner turmoil over what he just witnessed at the carnival sideshow.

delighted by: springtime

2011-04-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

I'm so smitten with that blush of pink on the edges of the petals. Sigh.

found*ling update: our shop favorites for April

2011-04-06T08:09:00.029-05:00

Loving these pieces right now!

the mama tried necklace


name necklaces

boutonnières

delighted by: vintage trophy finials

2011-03-31T13:44:00.000-05:00

I never won a trophy when I was a kid. I did win a medal for taking a Latin test. I probably would have won a trophy if they had one with a short girl wearing super thick glasses, carrying around a pile of fantasy books in one arm and balancing a microscope on one finger high above her head. Such a nerd. And back then it wasn't cool. At all. Poor me.

My brother, Sam (who actually did get sports trophies as a child) and I found this treasure trove of old trophy tops at a junk store recently. Aren't they the best? How should we use them?

and the winner is.........

2011-03-31T08:55:00.000-05:00

.......alorien of Three Sixty Five. The choice was random, but I loved this:

I grew up in Hog Mountain, Georgia, where spring seemed to puddle up at the end of winter.

Spring is puddling up in Asheville this year. So puddled.

Thanks to everyone who participated. We loved reading about what you look out for each spring. Hopefully all the warm thoughts will speed up the warm weather!

found*ling update: a giveaway, in honor of spring

2011-03-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

This morning I found the very first pea shoots stretching their little leaves up through the soil. I think that's reason to celebrate! In honor of spring being just around the corner, one of you lucky readers will win a pair of carrot earrings. How do you know that winter is over? Let me know and I'll choose a winner next Wednesday.

And if you're in the Atlanta area, don't miss the American Craft Council Show March 10-13. I'll be there!

greener craft: eco-poxy resin

2011-02-23T11:44:00.000-05:00

Awesome news alert!! Ornamentea of Raleigh, NC is now carrying ecopoxy resin in crafter size portions. I've been a fan of this resin for a while. I'll let Ornamentea explain exactly why:

ecopoxycraftresin© is a 100% solid-based, thermosetting resin made from soybeans, beans and peanuts. It is non-allergenic and non-solvent based with virtually no VBOCs. The resin dries from the surface inward, so the impervious surface is much stronger than other resins with no clouding, fogging or bubbling. ecopoxycraftresin© has been carefully formulated with a flexible mix ratio to allow you to customize your hardening time. It will dry crystal-clear or you can add glitters, fibers, pigments and other additives with minimal settling.

If you're using resins, this is just the best, healthiest choice.

delighted by: NASA green

2011-02-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

Stephen and I both loved Mary Roach's book, Packing for Mars. I had a personal aha moment when she described this dirty, minty green color while visiting a NASA facility. She called it NASA green. And I knew exactly what she meant.

The chairs at our dining table are vintage molded fiberglass school chairs. They are exactly this color. I love them so much. Before reading Packing for Mars I always imagined school kids sitting in them, heads bent and scratching away with their #2 pencils. Now I think of nerdy rocket scientists. Drinking coffee. Knowing things.

Delightful.

we're in new york

2011-02-02T11:14:00.002-05:00

The view from our hotel room.

We've been out of the studio, out of the office, and out of the house for the last week while attending the New York International Gift Fair. We had a strong start, but I'm afraid the weather has gotten the best of us in the end. It's been pretty quiet for the last few days.

The etsy love is keeping our spirits up, though. We did an interview for their Quit Your Dayjob feature recently and it was posted on their blog yesterday. Go take a look.

greener craft: beer can roofing for the chicken coop

2011-01-26T20:36:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that we long for a flock of chickens. I would name the ladies after southern states, Stephen thinks Tolkien names would be the best. Eventually we'll end up with Missouri and Legolas ranging out back, but for now we dream.

instructions here

Maybe we should stop dreaming and start drinking. I ran across these coop instructions a while back and I'm so taken with the recycled aluminum can roofing.


instructable for roofing here

I love it.

update: we're golden

2011-01-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

We're adding gold vermeil to the line. So pretty! The new finish will officially debut at NYIGF at the end of January. It will be available in shops in early February.

delighted by: laciness

2011-01-12T11:23:00.000-05:00

More snow this week. Our tree branches looked like white lace against the sky. I found myself wishing for things with airy patterns:

doily silhouette ornaments from Iwannabe, porcelain lace bowl from Isabelle Abramson, lace stenciled floor via the style files, lace fencing from DEMAKERSVAN, librarian dress from FabDant1, stella lace necklace from whiteowl and vintage lace from PK's heirloom lace.

greener craft: harvesting hand me down yarn

2011-01-05T13:07:00.000-05:00

This year I'm pledging more love and attention to the blog. Meet me here every Wednesday, dear handful of readers, and we'll talk about the projects, people and objects that delight me.

This week I've been knitting from my stash of hand me down yarn.

photo by Crystal Anderson Photo

Harvesting yarn from an old sweater is easy. It's a fabulous way to reuse a sweater no one wants to wear anymore, and you get a lot of yarn for very little money.

The best sweater for this project will be one that has larger, chunkier stitches. Finer gauge sweaters contain impossibly thin yarn. I was tricked by the yarn in the photo. It looked like a super chunky yarn had been used but it was actually a doubled up sock weight yarn.

To begin I simply cut the sweater apart at the seams, snip a bit at a bottom edge to create a starting string and unravel. The yarn gets wound into a sweet little ball as I go. If there are any short or broken pieces I just tie those together. As I'm knitting I direct those knots to the wrong side of the work if I can.

The trickier part for me is figuring out what weight my new/old yarn is. In the past I've used this helpful article about how to determine yarn weight.

Of course, you'll check your gauge when you start your new project and adjust as necessary, because you are conscientious and careful. I am not. I'm a reckless knitter. I purled headlong into the popcorn scarf in the photo without a second glance. That might not work for anything that needs to fit.

Have any of you played with hand me down yarn before? I'd love to hear about your projects.

most exciting business announcement in the history of found*ling:

2010-12-29T11:25:00.003-05:00

photo by Crystal Anderson Photo

Stephen Carr has officially left his old IT job! I snapped him right up and he's taken on the roles of shipping manager, problem solver, studio remodeler, sandwich maker and overall master of random tasks. I honestly don't know how I got this far without him.

I suppose I didn't. He's been behind the scenes from the beginning. I would say he's believed in me from the start but I'm not sure that's entirely accurate. More importantly he's never flagged in his support of this crazy idea I had to make a living as an artisan. He's tagged along to countless shows, critiqued work, offered amazing ideas and comforted me through my mistakes. I couldn't ask for a better partner--in life or in work.

I am so lucky!

Come and see me, Charlotte!

2010-11-04T10:22:00.001-05:00

le papier studio collaboration

2010-10-18T17:34:00.001-05:00

Isn't it lovely?

In Vana's words:

This collection incorporates pages from old books, patterned fabric, elegant illustrations, antique maps, and recycled silver - all put together in the most unique and elegant of way. We know you will love it! And you will love giving or getting them as gifts this upcoming season. What better way to treasure your loved ones than always carrying them with you in these heirloom pieces?

You can purchase the work at the le papier studio website.

So sweet!

my new favorite thing

2010-09-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

is curbly. It's a fabulous collection of projects and ideas gleaned from all over the place and I love it.

I want to rip out the carpet in my bedroom and replace it with a paper floor:

Then I will knit a pouf:

And I will put my feet up on it while lounging in my crutch chair:

And someone will bring me nice, cozy cup of tea. (hint, hint)

so charming.

2010-09-21T15:42:00.001-05:00

For a long time my customers have been asking to buy my charms on their own. And I've finally made it happen for them. I'm offering my alphabet charms at my etsy site, and I'll be listing smaller "lucky #" charms and some popular words shortly.

Folks have been doing some fun things with these. I, personally, love the idea of stringing a cluster of special charms on a long chain, all meaningful to the wearer. Let me know how you wear them--I know you'll have some great ideas.

and the winner is.......

2010-09-21T15:12:00.000-05:00

Lucid Moon Studios!!! Way to go! If you'll contact me with your address I'll get your prize in the mail.

book review: Craft Corps (and a giveaway)

2010-09-16T11:50:00.000-05:00

I love crafts. Maybe you've guessed? The amount of talent and ambition I encounter just clicking around etsy thrills me, and the chance to sit and talk with other artists about what they do is just plain titillating. So, of course I enjoyed my evening on the couch with Vickie Howell's Craft Corps.

The book contains over thirty interviews with celebrity and everyday crafters. Some of my favorites were there, like Amy Butler, Amanda Soule, and Denyse Schmidt. I just love this bit from Denyse, about the social role quilts fill today:

...I feel like we still have a very strong visual memory for textiles in quilts, whether it's from an old shirt we wore or some other personal fabric. Just like certain smells or the grain on a sidewalk can take us back to when we were five, seeing fabrics that way also transports us. It connects us to our history, whether real or imagined.

Yes, Denyse Schmidt, I agree.

The folks over at Lark Books were kind enough to give a copy of the book to you readers. In the spirit of the book, let's all talk about a crafter who really inspires us (yes, you can use your mom). Leave your comment and I'll randomly choose a winner next Friday the 24th.

Indie Craft Parade is this Friday and Saturday

2010-09-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

It's in Greenville, SC at Huguenot Mill. I will be there. So will a ton of other amazing artists and makers. The Indie Craft Parade put together a great video featuring some of those folks that you can see here. Come by and say hello!

we're back!

2010-09-06T08:35:00.000-05:00

wishing wall

my pet camel

It was a wonderful trip. It took a long time to recover! I'll slip more pictures onto the blog over the next week or so.

We're in Turkey!

2010-07-22T06:11:00.002-05:00

I found this amazing photo at the lonely planet site.

We'll be back by August 9th, and I'm sure I'll have lots of photos and stories.

Don't miss the Big Crafty! Listen to me, now--don't miss it!

2010-07-07T08:05:00.000-05:00

It's in Asheville. It is wonderful. I will be there.

new work, inspired by our vegetable garden

2010-07-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

Some of you may recognize these carrot and pattypan squash pieces! They are reprisals of one of a kind works that were carried by Art & Invention Gallery in Nashville, TN and Craft Alliance in St Louis, MO. So many of you asked me to remake them that I put them into production. You can find them at my etsy shop.

2010-06-15T13:27:00.000-05:00

ReadyMade has the poppy tutorial posted on their website now. You should go make some!

Why you may hear clapping coming from the studio, at odd intervals.

2010-06-11T13:37:00.000-05:00

a good day looks like this

2010-06-10T13:05:00.000-05:00

Land Trust Day is Saturday, June 5th!

2010-06-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

I'll be participating online as well as at The Blue Plum Festival in Johnson City, TN.

Maybe you'd like to know what exactly Land Trust Day is? It's a promotional partnership between North Carolina & Tennessee buisnesses and the state's land trusts. I'll be joining with other local businesses to support the work of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, whose mission is "to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, local farmland and scenic beauty of the mountains of North Carolina and east Tennessee for the benefit of present and future generations." Pretty worthy cause, huh? I'll be donating 10% of my sales to SAHC on Saturday. So, if you've had your eye on something it would be a great day to treat yourself and do something good for this beautiful piece of the planet.

My husband took the lovely photo of the sheep that graze Roan Mountain. They are part of a project put in place by SAHC to maintain the historic bald there.

If you're not familiar with the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, do check out SAHC's website. And come for a visit!

turn to p.38, please

2010-06-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

Remember the scene from The Jerk when Navin R. Johnson is working at the gas station and the phone book with his listing finally arrives? That's what it was like last week when I received my advance copy of ReadyMade--the one with my project in it!!!!! Luckily, I was not shot at afterwards. It looks like this:

The project is for the recycled polyester flowers that I've made and sold a pattern for in the past. They're super easy to make, and easy to customize with different fabrics and beads. P.38--right hand side!

The best part might be that my project is listed on the spine. That means that every time I walk past my row of ReadyMade's on the studio shelf I'll see it and feel a little bit proud of myself again.

homegrown

2010-05-28T07:59:00.000-05:00

This is the fourth pint of strawberries from our bed! Geez. They have the most amazing, nuanced flavor--really sweet and floral. We keep talking about sharing some but just can't bring ourselves to do it.

2010-05-18T14:43:00.000-05:00

check out my interview with Michelle from wedloft!

it's going to be a big weekend!

2010-05-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

You can find foundling in Austin, TX and Philadelphia, PA at the same time!! Crazy! I will be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philly, and Stephen will be at Renegade in Austin. I've got new patterns and new phrases (some of which you can't show your grandma). Come say hello!

love these

2010-05-04T18:41:00.000-05:00

here they are

mama didn't raise no fools sale

2010-04-27T07:34:00.000-05:00

In honor of Mother's Day I'm having a little sale! Enter the promo code "mama didn't raise no fools" in the the notes to seller section at checkout in my etsy shop. I'll return 10% of your purchase price to you via PayPal. Mom's like flowers, by the way.

2010-04-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

And the winner is Jessica Ann! She said:

Thanks for such a lovely giveaway!
I am still learning about living a green lifestyle, and really loving it. My husband and I try to buy local products, we compost, we made our own rainwater barrels, we planted a garden last year and this year. We also planted raspberries, blackberries, and cherry trees. I love to buy vintage, used, and handmade when I can. There are lots of things I am still working on, and learning about, but it's a step in the right direction.
We celebrated earth day by planting our backyard garden!
~Jessica Ann

Thanks, everyone, for playing along!

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T09:01:00.000-05:00

Would you like your Earth Day presents now?

One of you lucky readers is going to win both of these Earth Day prizes. The beautiful citrus garland decal is from Shanna Murray's new line. The earrings are my own where are we now posts.

Leave a comment about how you're celebrating today (or how you'd like to!). Tomorrow Shanna and I will choose a winner. That means, you can leave a comment here and over at Shanna's beautiful blog to double your chances of winning! I can already imagine you wearing your sweet little posts and tacking up your favorite photo inside your fabulous decal (which comes in matte white, matte charcoal, speckled gold or silver lustre, by the way).

And, listen, if you don't win, you can still treat yourself to some Earth Day happiness because both of these items are available to purchase via the links above.

sunshine. flowers.

2010-04-13T10:29:00.000-05:00

other things I like about April:

the farmer's market opens

Daisy hunting bumblebees

strawberries blooming in the front bed

iced tea seems appropriate

deviled eggs seem appropriate

spring peepers

bare legs + sweaters combos

windows open all night

Feel free to add to the list!

2010-04-03T19:32:00.000-05:00

plain jane ring stacks now available!

2010-04-02T07:40:00.003-05:00

The little farm took a field trip to the back porch yesterday. I think all the new sprouts were happy to drink up the sunshine and warm air.

These are Purple Russian Tomatoes. Lettuce Leaf Basil is in line behind those guys, and we've also got lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, sweet peppers, and two other tomato varieties underway. I can't wait for some homegrown produce!

I'm very lucky, though, that the Asheville City Market will be open in about two more weeks. Check out Naomi Johnson's super beautiful photos of our farmer's market.

It's making me want to revisit the garden series I started last summer. Maybe I should get those veggies into the production line.

let's make rainboots!!!

2010-03-26T12:43:00.004-05:00

Here's the post, with a link to a pattern at the end.

2010-03-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

We were visiting our family in Florida last weekend, and I'm still missing the warm weather and flowers. Sigh.........

Hey..........lovebirds......over here!

2010-03-17T08:53:00.009-05:00

Brides and grooms (or brides and brides, or grooms and grooms, let's be fair) get 20% off at foundling! The minimum purchase is 5 items, and these can be earrings, necklaces, cufflinks or pins. Here are some ideas:

personalized initial necklaces

this boutonniere won't wilt

cufflinks with sweet words, or maybe the place you met

something blue

I'd be happy to make something super special just for you and yours, so feel free to be in touch!

2010-03-16T12:47:00.001-05:00

Here's a little interview with me over at unofficial featured etsy sellers.

new at the shop

2010-03-10T09:08:00.003-05:00

New! And at the shop. 1. persephone joins the circus earrings 2. crosshatching ring 3. we necklace 4. yellow and gray necklace

mr. foundling's birthday cake

2010-02-25T08:33:00.005-05:00

I'm a sucker for the frosting, so I always make something from scratch. As far as I'm concerned, the cake is only an excuse for eating frosting. Last night we had cookies and cream--cream cheese frosting with crushed oreos. I adapted a couple of recipes I found on the web:

Cookies and Cream Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
3-5 T. heavy whipping cream
2 cups crushed oreos

Cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in powdered sugar and heavy cream until the consistency seems right. Fold in crushed oreos. Frost your cake.

I also feel that baking is just an excuse for wearing adorable aprons. Mine, which is made from vintage fabrics, came from Holly Harper of threadandneedle.

we have a winner........

2010-02-15T10:04:00.002-05:00

It's battlemaiden! Battlemaiden, please email your address to me at betsy@thefoundling.com and I'll get your prize in the mail.

Thanks, everybody who participated! I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day.

A Valentine's Giveaway

2010-02-03T12:39:00.005-05:00

Love is the most amazing thing, isn't it? It's like magic.

Just leave a comment to enter the giveaway for this necklace. The winner will be magically selected (ok, randomly selected) on February 14th.

Lately I've been loving quilted upholstery, like....

2010-02-02T10:27:00.008-05:00

beautifully mismatched folding chairs from Anthropologie.

my own slipcovered couch in the studio

this super cozy one from All the Luck in the World.

and this amazing deborah swift couch.

pattypan squash jewelry

2010-01-28T09:39:00.005-05:00

At least, that's what I'm reminded of (thanks to the hours of seed-catalog flipping I've been doing lately). These pieces are for the Valentine's Day Trunk Show at Craft Alliance in St. Louis.

don't be scared!

2009-12-15T13:22:00.003-05:00

I managed to extract myself safely from this. I am ok.

today's word is..........

2009-12-09T18:56:00.002-05:00

..........wanderlust

free shipping is on!

2009-11-25T14:57:00.004-05:00

I'll be offering free worldwide shipping at my etsy shop from now until Monday, November 30th. You don't have to do a thing to get this fabulous deal (well, you do have to buy something). The free shipping is already set up and waiting for you.

well, of course I love this stuff

2009-11-04T12:22:00.002-05:00

Mikayla Gattuccio's artwork at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem, OR.

men and boys--I made these pins just for you.

2009-10-29T10:31:00.004-05:00

I have more and more men stopping at my booth and feeling sad that there's nothing there for them. I love this!! I'm tickled that my work appeals to so many different kinds of people. So, I made these pins to be worn on coats, by men or women. They are especially nice grouped together and I'm selling them in sets like this at my etsy site.

My friend David Dondero was nice enough to model these for me on his wonderful vintage plaid coat. He's lucky he managed to get that coat back out of my house. It's a real treasure. But, I suppose it's my civic duty to allow one of NPR's choices for The Best Living Songwriters to stay warm and cozy, right?

poppy giveaway!

2009-10-28T12:20:00.002-05:00

Pink to Green is hosting a poppy giveaway today. Go visit her site!

THIS chicken coop is my favorite

2009-10-26T06:23:00.003-05:00

Oh, my goodness, I just love this. You can buy one at moderncoops.com.

2009-10-19T07:27:00.002-05:00

Sarah of The Small Object has a great post up right now at her blog. I loved it when she said:

"When you buy handmade directly from an individual, you are investing in me. And not just in me, but in my products, in my ideas and in my own well-being. When you buy something from me you just gave me a double high five. We just connected and shook hands like mad."

feeling autumnal

2009-10-13T07:28:00.004-05:00

One evening last week I had the most delicious homemade apple tart with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and finally I felt glad that the fall is here. Now I'm delighted by how much more colorful the mountains are each morning and by the nip in the air when the dogs and I take our walk.

Just letting you know.

Winner!

2009-08-24T09:45:00.003-05:00

The winner of last week's celia earrings giveaway is Kirsten Russell! She picked the map pattern as her favorite.

Thanks to everyone who played along. I always love doing giveaways--it's like hosting a little party here at the blog.

new patterns giveaway!

2009-08-18T12:20:00.008-05:00

I've begun listing my new patterns and styles for fall at my etsy site. I love anticipating a change in seasons--and I especially love the fall. My interpretation is pretty light and sweet, but I think they'll be wonderful with sturdy boots and cozy sweaters in browns and greens, fiery pinks and oranges. Of course, I just have to share the love with a giveaway.

One lucky winner will receive a pair of my new celia earrings in the pattern of their choice!!! It's so exciting. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me which pattern below is your favorite (if I can't link back to you, please leave an email address, too). I'll pick a winner on Monday, August 24.

hedgehog for supper

2009-08-15T07:28:00.005-05:00

Here is a wild hedgehog I prepared for book club. We'd read The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, and I'd told the ladies that I would be serving the elusive beast.

I made this little fella with a box cake mix, but I added a box of french vanilla pudding and some organ meat (fresh raspberries). The lemony cream cheese frosting was from scratch. His pelt was made of slivered almonds. Mmmmmm........hedgehog.

free worldwide shipping!!!

2009-08-14T08:38:00.004-05:00

On any item in the etsy shop, to any place in the whole wide world. 8/14-8/16. Smokey and the Bandit surcharge still applies for shipping baby elephants.

two things

2009-08-07T12:59:00.003-05:00

#1: Maize ring stacks are on sale this weekend at my etsy shop at 15% off!!!

#2: Surprise! I'll be at the Carolina Asheville Theater this Saturday for the Summer Film and Art Festival. That's happening at 1640 Hendersonville Road from 3-9.

the robot battle

2009-08-07T08:32:00.002-05:00

I was drinking my coffee this morning and noticed that something had happened on the robot shelf. I was never sure why that big guy had that long metal pole, but now I get it. I guess all my suspicions were true--the toys come alive at night while I'm sleeping and have fights.

art crush

2009-08-05T12:49:00.005-05:00

I'm really loving these drawings by Jennifer Davis today. She's the featured seller at etsy right now. And she has a blog. Go look at her work--it's wonderful!!

UPDATE! I just bought this print:

BOGO sale at etsy

2009-07-27T08:21:00.003-05:00

Lots of artists are participating in the BOGO sale at etsy! In my shop you'll receive a free pair of frances posts with your purchase of any other pair of earrings until Wednesday, July 29.

the vegetables

2009-07-21T08:19:00.005-05:00

I'm finally done with my little vegetable garden of jewelry for the Art and Invention Gallery in Nashville, TN! Here they are:

tomato jewelry sneak peak and free shipping this weekend!

2009-07-16T11:03:00.004-05:00

We ate our first homegrown tomatoes this week! That's a big event at our house--tomatoes have held a certain fascination for Stephen this summer. He's been growing them at his office and twittering about their progress (this is actually very entertaining). So it seems particulary appropriate that I've been working on this super fabulous tomato necklace for the Art and Invention Gallery in Nashville to have during the Tomato Fest. I'm almost done.

Also, an alert!! This weekend you can get free shipping on any item purchased at my etsy shop. Just enter the promo code "weekend deals" in the notes to seller section at checkout and I will refund your shipping via PayPal.

gratuitous cute baby photo

2009-07-10T12:27:00.002-05:00

My niece--she's growing so fast!

cracker jack prize jewelry

2009-07-08T11:42:00.005-05:00

I'm listing some one of a kind pieces that incorporate vintage cracker jack prizes this week at my etsy shop. I love the detail in these little celluloid animals, and the aged, worn colors.

All the little chains and clasps are handmade by me, too.

There's a few with resined bezels, too:

Crystal!

2009-06-18T07:34:00.003-05:00

Meet Crystal! Nothing would happen here anymore if it weren't for her. She is the best, most wonderful studio assistant I could ask for. She's also a fabulous photographer. See her work here.

For Father's Day

2009-06-09T07:25:00.005-05:00

I realize that not every dad wears cufflinks, but mine does pretty often, so these would be my number one Father's Day gift idea if I hadn't already made him a pair:
His have maps--the town he was born in and the town we grew up in. If your dad wears cufflinks, too, don't miss the special I'm running this weekend, June 12-14 at my etsy site. You'll receive 20% off these cufflinks by using the promo code iheartmydad. (The 20% will be refunded to you via PayPal after purchase).

now I'm a winner!!

2009-05-21T13:24:00.002-05:00

Yes, sirree! I won third place for jewelry at the Saluda Arts and Music Festival last weekend. I got this big ol' third place ribbon and a check. Nice!

another winner!

2009-05-06T09:19:00.001-05:00

Lorelei won the Mother's Day Giveaway!! Thanks to everyone who entered. I'll be running another one again soon, I'm sure.

Mother's Day Giveaway

2009-04-28T14:28:00.004-05:00

It's another giveaway!!!

In honor of our mothers, I'm giving away a pair of the earrings I designed in honor of my mother--these pretty, flowery Marietta earrings.

Since there isn't much time left until Mother's Day, you'll only have until Sunday, May 3rd, to leave a comment at this post (you can say something nice about your mother, if you like). That way the lucky winner will have the prize in her (or his) hot little hands in time to share it with a mother if they so choose.

Good luck!

A winner!

2009-04-23T08:12:00.002-05:00

Olivia is the winner of the Earth Day Giveaway!! Congratulations, Olivia!

Thanks to everyone who dropped their name in the hat--keep your eyes open for the Mother's Day Giveaway!

so I went to the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville, TN

2009-04-20T19:40:00.011-05:00

Your Earth Day Present!

2009-04-09T07:50:00.003-05:00

Some lucky someone is getting a gift from me in honor of Earth Day!

You might know that all my work includes vintage, recycled and repurposed materials, but did you know that my packaging is recycled and even compostable? I also eliminated the noxious chemicals from my metals studio, replacing them with citric acid for cleaning and liver of sulphur for my patina.

So, let's celebrate! One lucky winner will receive a set of three dot rings:

I'm showing you rings with vintage map, ginko patterned fabric and late 19th century French handwriting, but the winner is welcome to choose other patterns.

To enter, just leave me a note, and be sure I have a link to your email address.

I'll choose the winner at random on April 22nd.

springtime in the studio

2009-04-08T10:24:00.004-05:00

These pretty flowers are available at my etsy site.

official mascot

2009-04-06T10:08:00.004-05:00

Dogwood Arts Festival

2009-04-06T08:33:00.005-05:00

So, I'll be at the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville, TN from April 16-19. Come see me there!

lizzie bangles

2009-04-03T11:53:00.001-05:00

I love these. They're new!

2009-03-30T14:45:00.005-05:00

There's a beautiful group of photos by Jeremy Lange up at mint done for the Redress Raleigh project. Here's my little poppies (but, really, you need to go read about the project and see all the other photos!):

recycled craft love

2009-03-26T07:24:00.002-05:00

I try to remember my cloth bags. I really, really do. But I still have truckloads of little plastic bags stuffed in places all over the kitchen. Thank goodness for plastic bag crafts.

some new work

2009-03-10T19:56:00.000-05:00

Most of it is at the etsy site!

a mention and a contest of wit and observation

2009-03-05T07:09:00.005-05:00

I've had a blog feature this week, at the lovely genevievegail, and I'm awfully flattered to be included there with other etsy artists I'm so fond of, like jd wolfe pottery and calexandra. Genevieve's blog is so pretty!

And I'm really excited to be designer #5 at The Bright Side Project. That's run by the irrepresibly cheerful Tristan, who says:

"the aim of the bright side project is to bring you a little metaphorical sunshine each day, to help you stop for a second and remember that life is (still) beautiful and that there is goodness in the world"

The project is giving away work from wonderful independent artists almost daily! Hot damn!

Here's where the wit and observation comes in. Each designer asks a question, and after a while they choose a winner and send out the prize. Go take a look right now.

i'm calling spring time

2009-02-26T17:17:00.003-05:00

Because I found these today. Yay, spring time!

p.s. I spoke to soon. It's about a week later and my front steps still have yucky, crusted over snow on them.

It's official.

2009-02-25T09:34:00.003-05:00

I'm officially behind! On everything!

The BMAC went well, considering how very few buyers were there and that I was new and all.

Now I have piles of orders in the studio and piles of laundry, piles of dishes, piles of dog hair in the house. At least my life is balanced.

I am catching up this week and then I will be busting out some new goodies. Promise.

Yay! I'm at the Buyer's Market of American Craft!

2009-02-13T21:14:00.004-05:00

This is my booth. Stephen arranged the rainbow of poppies. Everyone loves that (or, the ones who don't love it have kept their mouths shut about it).

valentine's day is swiftly approaching

2009-02-04T13:58:00.004-05:00

I once received a tarantula for Valentine's Day. That doesn't have to happen to you. This offer is good at both my shop and the etsy shop.

a thank you note

2009-02-02T08:34:00.005-05:00

A big thank you to everyone who bought jewelry or tutorials over the weekend, or stopped in with good wishes, or even just poked around for the first time because of the wonderful featured seller spot on etsy! The outpouring of friendliness and capitalist goodness has been enough to make me tear up a little.

this is what I'm wearing today

2009-01-30T09:11:00.004-05:00

Here's my shiny galoshes, plummy velour sleeping pants and a cashmere cardigan. There is something seriously wrong with this combination.

I often look up from my work at mid-morning, ready to dash out the door on some errand, and realize that I'm wearing something like this. It's getting scary. And, I now understand the appeal of those matching sweatsuits. Which might be scarier. Or, is it scarier that I now think of jeans and a shirt that buttons as my "dressy" outfit?

a suspicion of mine

2009-01-28T09:47:00.009-05:00

I think Elvis may have reincarnated himself as my dog.

The similarities are uncanny.

*Please note the physical characteristics these two share--long, droopy black ears or sideburns, sad eyes, and a tendency to gain weight with age.

*My dog howls a lot, and when he does it sounds a lot like parts of "Blue Christmas".

*They share a love for peanut butter and bacon sandwiches.

*Both are from the South.

*My dog also had a twin.

*Sometimes my dog gets one lip stuck up under his teeth. This is eerily akin to the classic lopsided grin of Elvis.

*Elvis was the king of rock and roll. We often call my dog the king of dogs.

*My dog also met with Richard Nixon in the oval office. (actually a lie)

Please don't tell the Weekly World News.