Happy Fourth of July to you all. I wish that you’ll all have wonderful and safe holiday weekends. Enjoy the items in shades of red, white and blue…

1) Hello Ladies Signed Fine Art Photograph by Alicia Bock Photography: $17.00; 2) Crankset T-Shirt by Rat Trap Press: $15.00; 3) Tree Tote Bag by Victrola Design: $48.00; 4) Felt Cherry Motif by Samantha Sultana: $4.50; 5) Dick and Jane Scarf - Fresh by Bossy Boots Design: $60.00; 6) Retro Roadbike Hood by Red Boots Design: $52.00

I adore the vintage lace wrapped around vintage keys at Farm Girl Studios. The shop has unique finds for use in your scrapbooking, mixed media arts, or maybe just for display. I figured the lace was July 4th appropriate…

Vintage Lace: $3.00:

Check out the other items in the shop now (all of which I adore).

…Goodness. This shop always has such amazing vintage finds and these are some of current faves. A little hint: Scoop up the things you like because they move fast!

Contessa Type Writer: $65.00; Westclox Flip Alarm Clock: $40.00:

 

Canister Set: $38.00; Pink Electrohome Fan: $35.00:

 

Vintage Stube Scale: $35.00; Wooden Snack Bowl Set: $20.00:

 

I am so excited to share with you that Moop has recently launched their website. So, now you can purchase via their amazing Etsy shop or browse the full site. Great bags at either place.

Moop specializes in handmade bags for men and women and create everything on their site that you see - start to finish. Their bags are simple in design and oh-so-practical. That’s what I love about them. You can just tell they are sturdy and well made and they can go anywhere! Oh, and I love that the Market Bag is also available with an adjustable strap (for just $10 more!).

The Market Bag in Gunmetal Gray: $83.00; The Porter in Provincial Blue: $76.00:

 

The Tote in Rosewood: $68.00; The Clutch in Brown: $36.00:

 

Check out some of the new items at Shana Logic’s shop…

Tentacle Tie - Electric Blue by Cyberoptix: $36.00; Monster Hand Towel - White by Kathy Steig: $20.00/ea:

 

Chirp Mobile by Spin Designs: $28.00; Frisky Business Post-it Notes by emotibles: $3.50:

 

Oh my, oh my…It’s the last Friday of June. Where does the time go? Happy Friday, loves!

1) Connections Eco-Heather Short Sleeve Hoodie by Harrilu: $38.00; 2) Glamour Skull Brooch by Pulp Sushi: $8.00; 3) Forest Wallet by Pego: $35.00; 4) The Three Grannies by La Pomme: $28.50; 5) All the Leaves are Gone by Yellow Canoe: $16.00; 6) Candy Stripe Tank Top by Tacky Top Hat: $15.00

…with Jennifer Ramos, the owner and designer of the fabulous shop Made by Girl. She’s talented, creative, fun and sassy and there really isn’t anything in her shop that I’m not a fan of. I wish that I had done this post sooner, actually, because there was an amazing Romeo and Juliet painting that I wanted so badly…which, of course, sold out. Not to worry because there is so much more to be seen on her site - Vibrant and colorful cards and digital prints await. All of the cards are printed on recycled or post consumer paper. Also, Made by Girl donates a percentage of its sales to StopGlobalWarming.com.

Sitting Next To U: $2.95:

WTF?!?: $2.95:

Dare You Pack: $10.00/set of 4 (check these out for the different “dares”):

ABC Love Print: $45.00 - $125.00 (depending on print size); Kick Ass: $45.00 - $120.00 (depending on size):

 

P-A-R-T-Y!!!

What are you doing tonight?  Why not head on over to The Candy Store and help celebrate its one year anniversary at their party.  The owners would like to enjoy some time with friends and supporters who have been there during their journey.  Tasty treats and drinks will be shared and, wait, I know there’s something else…CANDY, hello!?  Stop on by this yummy, yummy sweets boutique and get your party on!

Who: The Candy Store
What: One Year Anniversary Celebration
Where: 1507 Vallejo Street (at Polk)
When: Thursday, June 28, 2008; 6-9pm

Letters and numbers. Again. I can’t help myself. There are just so many things I come across online that folks incorporate random letters and numbers into.

Custom Payphone Key Cufflinks by 19 Moons: $35.00:

The Letter Thank You Cards by Three Wheels Design: $16.00/set of 10:

Boys Will Be Blockheads by Artsy (Cat Bishop): $52.00/one vintage doll:

Letterpress Alphabet Poster by Sycamore Street Press: $30.00:

Set of 20 1970’s Vintage Scrabble Cubes at Liberty Aspen: $4.75:

3 Tiny Vintage Watchmakers Glass Bottles at Closet Addiction: $4.00:

Letters Card Mix at Artful Designs by Marilyn Healey: $5.00/31 pieces:

New designs from Nantaka Joy’s Summer 2008 Nature Story Collection (LOVE the patterns)…

Agate and Stones Notebooks: $13.50/ea.:

Mixed Species is by far one of my favorite shops to visit. There’s always something fresh and funny to see. A design collective that began printing and designing for others, Mixed Species realized that they should start putting their ideas out for themselves. So, here is my current pick from the creative minds behind this wacky Oregon crew…

Hand Gestures Coasters 4-Pack: $8.00:

I love these moments where we can find out more about our sponsors. Plus, there are two gals we’re about to get to know…

Meet Joleen Rumsey and Rachel Six of Flutter:

Name: Joleen Rumsey and Rachel Six

Business Name: Flutter

Where are you located?
Grand Rapids, MI

What is it that you design and create?
Women’s knit tops, jackets and dresses.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
Joleen: I really enjoy picking out fabrics. I love to mix and match different prints together. I really enjoy the pull between not knowing if something matches or clashes so good to matches.
Rachel: Brainstorming

How did you come up with your business name?
Joleen: We wanted to find one word that would describe all that we do and how we feel and what our end product is. The word Flutter is perfect. It is fun, flirty, playful, eccentric, eclectic, pretty, colorful. . . . .
Rachel: Joleen came up with our name and we just went with it.

Where/How did this all begin?
Joleen: Rachel and I worked at a fabric store together. We have similar taste and style and thought it would be fun to start making things together. One thing led to another and now we are designing and drafting patterns and making beautiful clothing and selling internationally!
Rachel: We have both been sewing since we were little girls. We finally collaborated 2 years ago in my sewing room and that was the birth of Flutter LLC.

Who or what inspires you?
Joleen: Life and friends and family and music and flowers.
Rachel: Classic Movies,Vintage Patterns, and Audrey Hepburn.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Joleen: Have fun making things!
Rachel: Don’t be Shy.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
Joleen: Earrings!!!
Rachel: Sparta Soap - we absolutely love the quality and bath time allure of this product, available on etsy.

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Joleen: Bo Diddly
Rachel: My Morning Jacket and Essex Green

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Joleen: Battle Star Galactica
Rachel: The Bob Newhart Show. Carol Kester is so spunky.

What was the last movie you watched?
Joleen: Eagle vs Shark
Rachel: Vanity Fair

What’s your favorite food?
Joleen: Raspberries
Rachel: French Onion Soup

What’s your favorite candy?
Joleen: Chocolate
Rachel: Dark Chocolate

Coffee or Tea?
Joleen: Both
Rachel: Both - Black Coffee or Chai Tea

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Joleen: Target
Rachel: Antique Stores

Any pets?
Joleen: House plants are the most ideal pets for me!
Rachel: One itty bitty adorable Boston Terrier named Pearl.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Joleen: India, I have been twice and it always blows my mind with its beauty and horror.
Rachel: Favorite Place to Visit is Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Pennsylvania. I’d love to visit the Greek Islands.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
Joleen: I don’t think I would want to be a super hero. It is too fun and plenty of excitement just trying to be me.

Any celebrity crushes?
Joleen: Jermaine Clement

Favorite Holiday?
Joleen: Birthdays
Rachel: Christmas

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
Joleen: Platform sneaker mary jane style
Rachel: A kitten heel, you can be sassy and comfortable.

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
Joleen: Fly

Favorite piece of clothing?
Joleen: My sea horse knee socks! They are so beautiful with lime green and white candy stripes and turquoise sea horses going up each side.
Rachel: My vintage green lawn dress.

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
Joleen: German, my mother is from Germany and growing up we used it quite often. I didn’t make much sense to the other kids in school sometimes.
Rachel: A little, if College French counts.

We’re half way into 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the year?
Joleen: To make lots of clothes!

Thanks to Joleen and Rachel for participating in our interview. We can’t wait to see what new designs you’ll create!

Cess: $64.99; Cinnamon Girl: $64.99:

 

Lolly: $120.00; Gretchen: $64.99:

 

Stylist Jacket: $69.99; Deeter Dot: $54.99: