Guest Post: Where the Lovely Things Are Part II

Hello, hello!  It's Mallory from Where the Lovely Things Are again, and now I have a whole bunch of handmade finds for you to peruse.  I was craving a cupcake and decided to find some goods that have a bit of a pretty-pastry-ish look to them (or are actually cupcakes! non-edible ones that is). Enjoy!

Earrings from Smashing; cupcake stand from Whitney Smith Pottery, garters from SWANclothing; top from Lirola; bag from Tortillagirl; ring from Jaime Jo Fisher.

Print from Eight Hour Day; bear from Ememem; print from IrenaSophia Art Studio; ceramic cupcake from Arthur & Sylvia; necklace from A.Alicia Handmade Accessories; print from The Black Apple; brooch from Tabitha Emma; card from Lizzy Stewart. 

Belt from Darlingtonia; cupcake container from KG + AB; mug from Sometimes She Does; Stuffed macaron from Handmadelove; shift from Kelsey Genna; earrings from JooJoo Land.

Guest Post: Where the Lovely Things Are

If you love indie products and all things handmade then Where the Lovely Things Are is definitely a must read.  Mallory has an eye for the best in independent design, art, and all things related and was recently an Etsy guest curator. Mallory will be posting twice here this week and I know you're going to enjoy all of her amazing finds.

Hello!  I'm Mallory from Where the Lovely Things Are and I'm ever-so-pleased to be guest posting while Christina is off celebrating her marriage.  As love is in the air over here in Down and Out Chic land, I thought I'd put together a few fitting finds for that mood.  I hope you like them!

At the top of this post a tote from Every Little Counts, and then we have a pair of prints from Gemma Correll and Hillary Bird.

Next, a print from Caitlin Shearer, card from Fugu Fugu Press, print from Sarah Ryan, card from Sass & Peril, and a card from Bowerbox Press.

Finally, a print from Bonbi Forest and another from Art School Girl.

Where the Lovely Things Are Links:  Blog / Twitter / Tumblr

6 things

Wow is September here already?! Well, even if time is flying by a little too fast for comfort, at least we're one step closer to fall which makes me incredibly happy (and only 6 days until I'm married!).  Anyway, as you know, there's lots to love on Etsy.  Here are a few of my recent "hearted" items:

1) vintage sweetheart sailor knit cardigan $32 via girl least likely
2) leather satchel old school style $71 via golden ponies
3) wood panel wall hanging clock $34 via decoy lab
4) brass fringe necklace $40 via moth house
5) kelly retro dress with collar $89 via michelle tan
6) mini stage silhouette pin $8.50 via lost at sea

Vintage: What the funk

Besides having a fantastic name, What the funk carries a pretty great selection of vintage shades.

The sunglasses range from $15-$220 so there's a little bit for everyone.  These are on my wishlist.

images: what the funk

6 Things

6 things that make my ♥ go pitter patter this week on Etsy...

1) Graphite Necklace, Scalloped Vessel $46 via Brooke Arin
2) hey man card $4 via hillary bird
3) bowtie barette hair accessory $16 via Ordinary Mommy
4) organic pillow sham, party pennant design $60 via katherine j lee
5) A gentle reminder $22 via simply hue designs
6) Tie The Knot, Good as Gold $31.50 via sparklethots 

You know what else makes my heart go pitter-patter?  Applying for a marriage licence, which I'm doing today! The courthouse nuptials will be happening in September but more on that later...

DIY: Paper Flower Bouquets

On our first date, B surprised me with a sweet, origami flower and since then, I've loved the look of paper flowers.  What's better than receiving a lovingly handcrafted paper flower? Making your own of course and Paper Platypus offers kits to do just that!

The DIY kits cost $24 and includes everything you need to make 12 paper flowers in a variety of different color choices.  What a fun idea for a project with your little one or to make you own paper flowers for a party, wedding, or to cheer up a dull office.  If you'd rather not make them yourself, Paper Platypus offers pre-assembled flowers that are ready to ship.  I'd like this kit to use on a rainy day...

images: paper platypus (via papernstitch)

6 Things

6 new items recently hearted on Etsy...

1) Baby Snake Ring in Sterling Silver with Diamonds $78 by michelle chang jewelry
2) D $45 by Etaletc
3) A Spring Stroll Tunic Tank Top $40 by Poor Jean.
4) cheery yellow canvas tote $26 by tree & kimball market
5) Snake Corset Fabric Necklace $42 by thief & bandit
6) Vintage Green/Gray Lunchbox $19 by Vintage Jane

Be Present

I just bought this print (which you've probably seen floating around blogland) as a reminder to myself to simply be present.  Every year that I get older I remind myself that each day, each year, each birthday is an incredible gift.  Even when the mundane aspects of life threaten to bog me down or when I find myself annoyed and angry at silly things, or when something tragic and terrible happens and I have to endure some sort of suffering, I realize that this is it.  This day is what we have, it's what we've been given and we should choose to be present (through the good, the bad, and the ugly).  It's going  to hang in my bathroom so that I can see it every morning when I get ready to face a new day.

image via Groundwork by danny ray

Wishlist 6.28.10

Oh how I'd love to get my hands on one of these handmade vintage inspired tea dresses from sohomode.

Priced at $110 each, they're going on the ever growing wishlist.  Wouldn't one of these make the perfect summer wedding attendee dress?  Find these beauties here.

6 Things

Recently hearted items on Etsy, by yours truly...

1) Suitcase Stack $55 by Moxiedoll 
2) Campfire Top in Lilac $70 by Foret
3) San Martin Yellow Porcelain Ring $32 by MaaP Studio
4)Button Collector Print $16 by The Black Apple
5) wherever we are together $20 by vol.25
6) vintage sheer safari utilitarian pocket dress $45 via clever nettle

Happy Hump Day! I hope you're enjoying your week thus far.

Handmade Laptop Sleeves

As I mentioned in my Sunday post, B and I were gifted with a new computer this weekend.  It's a 13" MacBook pro and to say that I love it would be a mild understatement.  Since we received the computer, I've been on the hunt for a gender neutral, handmade laptop sleeve.  "Gender neutral" is easier said then done.  Here are some of the ones I found and liked:

1)Laptop Sleeve Hessian pale blue and red canvas $60 via ambette 2) Laptop Sleeve in Echino Scooter Fabric $28 via Creating Things 3) Grey Wool Felt and Brown leather $74 via byrd & belle 4) Honeybear Laptop Sleeve $37.95 via Lollington

Here's the one I purchased. I like the retro feel of the stripes and the bike is fun yet still "gender neutral" AND the addition of handles means there's less chance of my dropping it (hopefully).
Vintage Bicycle on Stripes $48 via Track and Field. 

There are lots of girly options at Track and Field, including bags with doilies that I was very tempted to buy.  I suppose a doily isn't gender neutral though.  What do you think of my choice?  Do you have a source for laptop bags?

Wishlist 6.14.10

Two prints from one of my favorite Etsy artists, ashleyg , on my wishlist today...
I'd Rather Be Thrifting $20

Trust Your Instincts $20

I think both are completely appropriate for my office at work :)

Vintage: Secretlake

There are lots of adorable vintage options over at Secretlake right now...

vintage Yellow romper S, M $42
vintage 70's Butterfly mini skirt S $39
vintage White lace top S M $24
vintage White navy blue dress S $46

I had such luck with the last vintage romper I bought, I'm sorely tempted to get that yellow one...

6 Things

Six new favorite things, in no particular order, for your perusing pleasure...

1) My Heart to Your Heart Limited Ed. Print $18 by Leah Duncan
2) Jersey Shirt with Leaf Applique $70 by Minx Shop
3) Letterpress Address Card File with Box $49 by 1canoe2
4) Little bird house pendant dark oak $38 by M
5) Bow Blouse $80 by Lemonstory
6) Don't Hold Back Typographic Print $16 by Nan Lawson

I don't know about you, but this week has been BUSY!  I hope you're hanging in there. Friday is right around the corner friends.

Not a Hipster

This print by Nan Lawson makes me chuckle...

{print available here}

Artist: Michele Maule + Chair Series

I recently saved Michele Maule's shop to my favorites after finding her work on Paper n' Stitch.  I'm particularly interested in the chair series of paintings and prints. In these works, the chairs take on a sort of energy as they're forced to interact each other, tied by string.

You can purchase the prints at $20 or an original painting for around $200 in the shop. I think the pieces work best as a series, perhaps framed together and hung in a cluster. The second piece is my favorite as it seems to be the most "finished" but I think they're all really interesting.  *Now I'm having flash backs of art school critiques so I'm just going to leave it at this...visit Michele Maule, you won't be disappointed.

Bunting and Birdies

These pieces by Atlanta based Pragya K combine the best of both worlds: bunting and birds.  Besides the imagery, I really enjoy the effect created when something 2-D is forced to interact with an object (in this case, the bunting).  So sweet!

Chirpy Spring $30

Let there be light $60

Wonderland $30

Catch Me $30

{shop seen on Desire to Inspire "Winks")

I can't decide on a favorite, I think they're all fantastic.  What do you think?

Handmade Clothing: Janey

I realize in my haste to get things done, I completely ignored St. Patty's day.  I know I'm a day late, but I thought I'd celebrate the day in my own way, by highlighting a talented Irish clothing designer, Janey.  I ran across her work on Etsy and I adore the way she styles her pictures (look at that beach!) and her clothing downright adorable.

Baptiste gathered skirt $45

Molly Turquoise Peekaboo T-shirt $45

Molly Magenta TShirt $45

Molly Aubergine peekaboo TShirt $45

At $45 a pop, you get two pieces for under $100 and how amazing is that sequin detailing in the second photo? 

Man Made Rain

I'll give you one guess as to what type of weather we've been having.  Rain might not do much for my mood but doesn't it make fantastic imagery?  

Enjoying the Rain Plate via Ninainvorm $50

My Umbrella via lauraamiss $75

Good Day for Listening to Jazz via Helene Smith $25 (8x12)

Mobile Thomas  via The Butter Flying $33

One of Those Days via Ashley G and Drew $20

Rainy Day Letterpress card via  Letterpress Delicacies $4

Caught in a Rain via Nan Lawson $10 (5x7)

Raccoon with Umbrella via Mis Napoles Art $17

From plates to mobiles to prints and letterpress cards, rain is definitely a motif that makes me smile.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and trying desperately to catch up with the online world and your lovely blogs.  You might notice that posting is a bit sporadic but that's because I'm trying to fit it in whenever I can, even if it's right before bed time.  Hang in there with me, the storms always pass.

Handmade Books

In college, I took a bookmaking class and it was probably one of the most tedious, labor intensive classes I had ever taken (and that says a lot coming from a painter).
If you've ever made your own paper or attempted to bind a book, then you know that bookmaking is most certainly a labor of love. Despite the sheer amount of work that goes into making a book from scratch, the finished product is tangible, useful, functional, and if done well, will last a long time.

I no longer make my own books, but I do admire those that continue to persevere in what seems to be a dying art. I've picked three Etsy shops that vary in style but all offer gorgeous, carefully crafted, handmade books.

Birds on Branches Journal $20
Aqua Petals Album $33
Little Love Note Ornaments $4
Plum Blossom Album $33


Little Notebook $8
Big Notebooks $12
Black and White Chrysanthemum Album $40
Teal and Brown Origami Book $19.95


2010 Leather Datebook $22
Mini Leather Journal Keychain $18
Medium Light Blue Notepad $7
Large Light Blue Leather Journal/Sketchbook $70

Have you ever owned a handmade book? Would you agree that handmade books stand heads and shoulders above mass manufactured journals or did you notice a difference?