Chakra Pennywhistle

Pure Green Living Magazine

2010-07-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

Pure Green Living Magazine has launched! Congrats and thank you to Celine MacKay for producing such a fine inspiration! Very excited for this magazine and can not wait to turn every single page of the next!

relocated. refreshed. reCOVERed

2010-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

The shop is open

New Place New Space

2010-02-21T06:16:00.000-08:00

Chakra Pennywhistle is moving across the country from Tucson, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA.

The shops will be on vacation mode until late April / early May. Excited to reopen with new products and fresh designs! Watch for pillow covers, home organization, and affordable art.

Looking forward to seeing you this spring!

I invite you to visit the Chakra P. facebook page for up to date news and special sneak peeks!

Photo taken by mudpuppy. Thank you Michael!

Final Poppytalk Post

2010-02-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

The final Poppytalk tutorial has been posted. Visit the blog to check out a personal project that I have been working on. A big thank you to Jan!

Poppytalk Tutorial #3: Best Friends Necklace

2010-01-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

Make a best friends necklace cut from vintage doilies. Visit the Poppytalk blog for tutorial #3.

Photo: Me wearing my heart in Tucson, AZ and my best gal Ursula wearing hers in Norfolk, VA.

Poppytalk Tutorial #2: Vintage Valentines

2010-01-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

Tutorial #2 for Poppytalk has been posted!

Also be sure to check out the Love Transforms Market. It is full of the most beautiful handmade lovelies!

Guest blogging: Poppytalk

2010-01-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

So thrilled to be guest blogging for Poppytalk! I have been working on love inspired tutorials for the series. Check out the first post here. A new project will be posted each Thursday for the next three weeks!

Handmade Olympics!

2010-01-13T22:26:00.001-08:00

K. of the rikrak studio blog is always up to something fabulous! Check out her latest blog event... The 2010 Handmade Olympics. Visit the rikrak studio and join in on the FUN!

You can win a $50 dollar gift certificate from Chakra Pennywhistle :)

I am an ... I N C O ... How about you?

2010-01-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

Blu Dot Real Good Experiment from Real Good Chair on Vimeo.

COLORS

2009-12-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Just added a fresh and colorful batch of money bag wallets to both shops!

Etsy

Supermarket

Colors are very rare. Snag them while ya can! Wishing everyone a happy and successful New Year!

Moving forward...

2009-12-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

My Space Original Illustration by fricdementol

Looking ahead to the New Year, I am so excited! I have a lot of plans in the works for Chakra P. In order to make those plans a reality, I am taking a short break from facebook, twitter, and blogger. After stealing some time to actually draw the other day, I realized that I need to focus on new designs and products. This is where I am most happy. 2010 will bring pillow covers, new dishtowels, and a whole new look to the Chakra Pennywhistle site.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. I truly thank you for all of the inspiration and support. I look forward to living this handmade life in the new year. I am so thankful for this community! Happy Holidays!

Until next year,
Rikkianne

Supermarket Monday

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Aztec Dress by Annabelle

Milagros (sheep) necklace by natural historie

Visit my shop.

I gotta do this more often...

2009-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I was supposed to go to a few antique shops today. I was also supposed to drop by the fabric store. Neither of those things happened. Instead, I shut everything off and started to doodle a bit. The New Year will bring more of this. It must.... : )

Supermarket Monday

2009-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Kitchen Prints by Citizen Scholar Editions

Modern Recipe Cards by Cicada Studio

Visit my shop.

Etsy Handmade Portrait : enhabiten

2009-12-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is Liane. She is beautiful. Her work is inspirational.

This video.......... stunning shots of vintage fabric, raw cotton, and buckwheat hulls. Hand sewing seams and a welcoming voice sharing her creative process. This is what it's all about.

Visit enhabiten.

Give it Forward

2009-12-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

Cosa Verde is hosting a different kind of giveaway. Enter to win and forward the goods to a friend. A thoughtful way to share some lovely, eco-friendly gifts.

Enter to win a Chakra P. Tassel Pillow here...

Supermarket Monday

2009-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh and festive Supermarket finds...

Nest & Egg Art Print Cards by Handmade on Peconic Bay

Eco Holiday Stocking by Reiter8

Visit my shop...

Creature Comforts:18 Days of Festive Freebies & Holiday Tutorials!

2009-12-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

Check out my recycled gift wrap tutorial on the Creature Comforts blog. It was such a pleasure to put the post together. I am honored to share my fun little process on such a wonderful site. Ez, the gal behind the blog is such a huge supporter of handmade. Creature Comforts is a regular read of mine. I truly find daily inspiration from the site and recommend everyone to visit and explore!

Thank you Ez!

Happy Holidays!

Supermarket Monday

2009-11-30T04:30:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

TREE BRANCHES by Pattern Recognitions

The Journey Journal by Cracked Design

Visit my shop

101 Reasons

2009-11-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Visit the Poppytalk blog to read 101 Reasons to Buy Handmade. It will put a smile on your face. I am thankful for this community and all of the encouragement and support. This post is a sincere collection of thoughts regarding handmade and what it means to buy it.

What is your favorite reason?

Supermarket Monday

2009-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Simplicity Apron by Inklore

Felt Table Runner by FilzFelt

Visit my Supermarket shop.

Supermarket Monday

2009-11-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Plantpod by perch!

banjos are for lovers - hand printed striped towels by girlscantell

Visit my shop.

My stay at Lost River Modern

2009-11-12T18:44:00.001-08:00

Last month I had the ultimate pleasure of staying at Lost River Modern. Lost River Modern is a modern prefab cabin located in north eastern West Virginia. It was designed by the creators of the first Dwell Home res4 architecture.

It has been a dream of mine to stay there for quite some time. I am originally from West Virginia and as soon as I learned of LRM I was so excited. I was incredibly delighted to learn that this was the first modern home available for guests and was more than a little proud that it was located in my home state!

The owners of LRM describe the cabin as a "tree house". The website explains that "lostrivermodern's spare lines and perfect setting leave only light and sound and space vying for attention." My first thought was that there was no better setting to place this cabin than in the beautiful hills of West Virginia. There is no landscape quite like West Virginia, especially during the fall months. I have always described the change of season in WV as resembling a patch work quilt and was lucky enough to experience this change at LRM; where the outside is certainly brought in and celebrated to its fullest.

My friend and I arrived late at night. We drove on a road that was actually built just for the cabin. Speaking of, LRM does have a blog dedicated to the building process where one can learn about the design, location, and just how much it would cost to make a cabin of your own. It was that site where I actually learned about the road. The blog is a fantastic diary that leads the reader step by step into the adventure of modern prefab building. It even shares the ups and downs, as well as decisions on what sort of furniture to include in such a space.

Since we arrived at night, the scenery was a bit of a mystery. The next morning I was actually glad that our arrival was a dark one because I woke up and just about lost my breath.

My morning started with this view.

After that I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning. I got out of bed and quickly headed to the living room.

With a gigantic smile on my face, I just stood there for a while until I remembered that I could make coffee.

With coffee in hand and smile still plastered, I headed outside.

After coffee, my pal and I explored the cabin in detail. I absolutely admired every square foot.

The only thing that I could have asked for was more local recognition. I mean this in the way of the decor. I would have liked to have seen local photography, furniture, and perhaps a Chakra Pennywhistle pillow or two. Ha! Had to say it! I wondered about the decor and had a feeling that it was budget related. Sure enough, the blog goes into this topic with a post about buying original designs and at what cost that would be. However, I can't help but think that most indie artists like myself would jump at the chance and offer products for free or at a discounted price, not only for promotional purposes, but also to celebrate the fact that the cabin is a modern gorgeous piece of work. I also know that modern style requires lots of open space, but it sure would have been nice to wake up covered in one of these.... would have went well with the foliage.

My friend and I had the most beautiful morning. I remember talking to her about West Virginia and just how cool it was to have a place like this in the thick of it... literally. I decided that morning that I will have a LRM of my own someday. Presently, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of that at least once.

Staying at Lost River Modern was a little dream of mine that came true. I would recommend staying there just for the experience of waking up in a "tree house" in Lost River, West Virginia.

Supermarket Monday

2009-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

XX Chromosomes Shirt by Xenotees

Modern White Baby Head Vase / Planter by Mudpuppy

Visit my Supermarket shop.

I can relate...

2009-11-08T09:04:00.001-08:00

It is a beautiful Sunday morning. I was just getting ready to start my day of sewing wallets and packing up a couple of orders. Coffee in hand and computer in front of me, I was lucky to stumble across this lovely video. I just had to share it because it made me smile. This is similar to what my day looks like! I think a lot of handmade artists can relate to this little video. Smiles to this band and smiles to all of you :) Now I must go and stamp some labels...

Now available...

2009-11-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

Now available....

Circle the Date Pillows. I have received quite a few requests and custom orders for these. I decided to go ahead and make them available to all. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do. My customers and I have given them as wedding gifts to those couples who seem to have everything. The pillow makes a sweet and simple statement. Check out this post featuring one that I made for a pal's special day.

Supermarket Monday

2009-11-02T05:30:00.000-08:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Olivers Awake (Grey) T-shirt by Das Monk

Place to Sit - limited edition archival print by Leah Giberson

Visit my Supermarket shop

Facebook Page for Chakra P.

2009-10-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

I recently created a facebook page for Chakra Pennywhistle.

Click to become a fan and receive up to date news about Chakra P. I would also love to become a fan of my readers. So, if you have a page send me the link and I will be sure to click.

Hey! That's me!

2009-10-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

I recently had the chance to model my Collective Names of Animals Tee by Xenotees. I was a little hesitant cause I am no model but it was such a pleasure to do for one of my favorite Esty artists. Noelle is such an inspiration. She creates the most clever tees that are so much fun to wear! Here is a bit of her Etsy Profile...

Xenotees are unique + original designs - derived by drawing, scanning objects, or altering photos... You won't find an ounce of clipart on the clothing I sell! They are all professionally screenprinted by me, in my Philadelphia studio. Top quality guaranteed!

I absolutely love my tee. I also enjoy visiting the Xenotees shop on a regular basis. Not only is Noelle a talented artist, she is also a dedicated member to our indie community. She has featured many different Etsy sellers as models for her tees and it is always fun to see who is sporting which design.

I also recommend the Xenotees blog. A must read with fantastic posts like Naming Names where Noelle asks fellow artists how they came up with their shop name.

Thank you so much, Noelle. You are wonderful! I appreciate your support and am so proud to show off your work!

Supermarket Monday

2009-10-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Fresh Supermarket finds.

Matchsticks ring by lunaticart

Manta Obi Belt by zelaya

Visit my Supermarket shop.

Cameron Mora Photography

2009-10-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of sharing photos by Cameron Mora Photography.

Oh my, what can I say about Cameron? I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her on-line and would give just about anything for her to be my next door neighbor. Pardon the pun but on-line, you can find amazing people that you just click with. Cameron is one of those folks for me. She is beautiful, intelligent, funny, and when it comes down to it, I admire her....

Cameron recently ordered a Circle the Date Onesie for one of her pals. I was completely honored to send her one. She gave the onesie as a gift for the most beautiful little newborn. After receiving it, she sent me the most breathtaking photos! Speaking of, Cameron is a photographer. Typing that seems understated. Cameron has a gift. She is a true talent with a special eye for portraits. I have never met Cameron in person however I am so proud of her! I am so excited to watch her photography business grow. I hang on to every new photo that she loads to her gallery. Visit her site and you will surely do the same.

Thank you Cameron for being my pal! You are the coolest. Thank you for the lovely photos. I appreciate them and am proud to share.

All photos courtesy of Cameron Mora Photography

Supermarket Monday

2009-10-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

necklush - natural w/ black print

Q is for question mark...

Visit my Supermarket shop

Supermarket Monday

2009-10-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

Fresh Supermarket finds

letterpress coasters stem, set of 8 by 12fifteen

Porcelain Knitware Tumblers by Alyssa Ettinger

Visit my Supermarket shop

jewelry recycled by Alex Keller

2009-10-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to live in the same town as Alex Keller. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Alex by way of some of Tucson's finest thrifts and antique stores. We have become fast thrift partners! She is a fun, fabulous, and creative gal. I want to share her latest recycled jewelry line. Alex is creating necklaces and bracelets out of found goods like antique drawer pulls and watch bands! Severely stylish and eco-friendly, the Alex Keller shop is a must!

Check out her vintage shop too!

Supermarket Monday

2009-10-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Fresh Supermarket finds...

Hugs & Kisses by FutureCraft

The Arienette by Little Houses

Visit my Supermarket shop...

Cash Cowl

2009-09-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

New item listed in the shop! Must thank Michael aka mudpuppy for the stylish idea.

Get a closer look here.

tel⋅e⋅gram

2009-09-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to announce that Chakra Pennywhistle is now available for purchase at tel⋅e⋅gram. tel⋅e⋅gram is a locally owned boutique with a fresh and welcoming feel. The owners, Travis and Liz, are dedicated to promoting local handmade. They emphasize form, function, and impeccable style.

It was so refreshing to chat with them about how they curate their own shop. Both feel it's important to offer products that are eco-friendly, artistic, stylish, and simply functional. The shop has a clean and modern aesthetic - all the while exuding an appreciation for handmade, vintage, and fine art. I think that what I like most about the shop is the fact that Travis and Liz are both passionate and excited to share their eco-forward aesthetic.

Both Travis and Liz have an architectural background. This is beautifully evident in the metalwork that is available for purchase and used as display around the shop.

tel⋅e⋅gram also holds events that range from art shows to collaborative evenings where folks can participate, share, and learn. Travis told me about a lighting project that they worked on where the public was invited to combine found items and electrical to create a unique light. tel⋅e⋅gram provided the light bulb while all who participated provided their own creative vision. To the left is a light by Travis and Liz created on that night. It is constructed from a found palm leaf, metal work, and a knitted shade that was plastered to hold its form.

Visit telegram online

Would you like one?

2009-09-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

The lovely phydelle is hosting a Chakra Pennywhistle giveaway. Check out the interview and enter to win a Chakra P. dishtowel.

Art:21 Margaret Kilgallen & Barry McGee

2009-09-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

Sharing something that I love. Enjoy.

A new batch of Moneybag Pillows....

2009-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Visit them here.

A rare day...

2009-08-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I got the chance to hang out with my pal, Dave. Dave is my partner and we have been married for 8 years. Recently, I have been so busy with my little one going to preschool and Chakra P. bizz that Dave and I have not spent much time together at all. I realized that we needed to make an effort to just chill out because - from what I can remember - we are the best at that!

On Saturday, we decided to grab some coffee downtown and take a stroll on 4th Ave. I have not been out of my studio for so long and discovered that there were some fantastic places that I have not yet discovered!

With iced coffees in hand, Dave and I walked to the most incredible little used book shop called The Book Stop. This place was a dream and has actually "served readers since 1967!" We opened the door and were greeted with the lovely smell of old books. We gazed on the concrete flooring , comfortable decor, and amazing lighting. I found three Early American Design books! Two on wood carving and one on candle holders. I was completely in love. We strolled around 4th a bit more and ended up catching an afternoon film. I was in love with the day and just had to share!

The Collectors

2009-08-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to be featured in the new Storque series, The Collectors! This feature is the brainchild of the incredible K. of rikrak. Etsy will be showcasing all kinds of artist collections thanks to the wonderful rikrak and her love of this entire handmade community/lifestyle.

K. has been a true inspiration since the day that I ordered my ultra cool rikrak business card holder. I have the pleasure of being a member of ecoetsy with K. and have gotten to know her by way of the team, her work, and her amazing blog. The rikrak studio blog is a must read! The description says it best....

:: the rikrak studio ::

hope you'll join me for some of the little ideas, inspirations and goings on in the world of rikrak: mommying, crafting, eco.living, design, encouragements, fun folks, how-to's, giveaways and much much more. welcome welcome welcome, wonderful ones!

K. is as bright as her work. She truly shines! Thank you K. and etsy for the amazing feature!

I also wanted to add a quick note about the photo above. If you look closely, you will see that half of the decor is straight out of Etsy!

Baby Head Planter by mudpuppy
Vintage Crate by 26olivestreet
Throw Pillow by skinnylaminx

Care Tags by GreenPost

2009-08-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to share my care tags for a while. I recently had the pleasure of working with Kendra of GreenPost. Kendra is a truly amazing artist who is dedicated to recycling. GreenPost offers a line of eco-friendly paper products. Everything is recycled, handmade, and gorgeous! When you visit the shop, be sure to read the profile. Kendra is a prime example of the truly unique and dedicated people that you will find in this handmade community. She welcomes collaboration, provides inspiration, and promotes others in a wonderfully genuine way.

2 NEW

2009-08-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Clutches just added to the shop. Take a closer look.

Weekly Wallets

2009-08-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

Fresh batch of Moneybag Wallets just listed! Visit them here.

win win win

2009-07-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Enter for your chance to win a Chakra Pennywhistle Tassel Pillow!

The Sweet Greens blog is hosting the giveaway. I really enjoy this site. It is a fabulous eco-focused blog. If you haven't visited yet, I totally recommend popping over. I love the creator, Jen. She is so nice and completely dedicated to supplying smart, reachable, green living suggestions.

Enter and explore the blog here.

Photo Shoot Interrupted!

2009-07-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when a child is raised by an Etsy fanatic. Dave and I were working on a photo shoot for this week's wallets and Mia completely took over.

The model is wearing:

Circle the Date Tee by Chakra Pennywhistle
Straw Hat by A Local Thrift Store
Super Hero Cape by Daddy's Collection of Vintage Tees
Moneybag Wallet by Chakra Pennywhistle

I think that Mia is channeling a bit of Little Edie.

Buy Handmade

2009-07-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to be participating in the Home Sweet Home market on PoppyTalk Handmade!

Visit my table here.

Also, check out the other amazing participants! Above is a set of hand built wind chimes that I have been coveting. These hanging sculptures are made by fellow Etsy artist, mudpuppy. Be sure to stop by his table.

Another quick link....

I woke up to this beautiful post and it completely made my day. A lovely series on why to by handmade. You must read the comments! Absolutely inspiring!

11 of them...

2009-07-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

Just added 11 recycled moneybag wallets to the shop! Visit them here.

That's my gal!

2009-07-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

I feel so lucky to say that I have THE BEST pal in the whole world! Her name is Ursula and she is down right AMAZING! I have mentioned our friendship before. She is the one who inspires me daily, makes me laugh constantly, and offers her impeccable style, savvy biz skills, and even her incredibly talented web designer of a hubby whenever I have computer techie needs.

Ursula has recently been featured on Apartment Therapy! I am so very proud of her. This is some much deserved recognition! Her taste is exquisite and her home reflects her love of both vintage and modern design!

I can not tell you how much I love this gal! I am so thankful that we have met.

I recommend Ursula's blog to everyone. She is quite the writer. Her posts are full of beautiful finds, unique and quite hilarious thrifting experiences, and simply down to earth musings on all things indie, vintage, handmade, and fabulous.

Thank you, Ursula. I am honored to be your pal :)

It's raining men!

2009-07-15T23:51:00.000-07:00

Chakra P. has recently received some fabulous press! The money bag wallets have been featured by some amazing sites. Check these out! I am loving the mention from Uncrate. I want to use it as my ad!

Uncrate.com

WIRED

URBANDADDY

Vintage Collection 2

2009-07-14T01:02:00.000-07:00

My Boho inspired vintage collection is posted on mint. Go and check it out! I had the most fun gathering the goods! I can't tell you how honored I was to be asked to share my finds. Ellie of mint is an incredible gal! Her blog is an absolute stunner!

Handbag available in the Dalena Vintage Shop

Enter to win!

2009-07-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

The amazing jewelry designer, Lillyella is hosting a Chakra P. giveaway on her fabulous blog! Read, comment, and enter for your chance to win your choice of a recycled moneybag wallet or clutch!

Enter here

Earrings by Lillyella

All things vintage!

2009-07-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Come and join me on the mint blog today! The lovely Ellie asked me to share My Etsy vintage finds with her readers :) I had so much fun putting together two collections. Today you will find feminine pieces that are easily updated and tomorrow will be boho inspired!

Embroidered tunic found via My Wagonette
Ethnic Pleat Dress found via kitbits

mo money.....

2009-07-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Just added 6 moneybag wallets to the shop. Unique colors and great locations! Visit them here.

Button, button....

2009-07-09T10:32:00.001-07:00

Monsoon season has arrived a bit early! Every evening, the clouds roll in and Tucson gets to experience amazing skies and cool breezes. It really is a fabulous sight! The desert gets a big drink and celebrates the season with color. Everything is green!

While it is raining, Mia and I find ourselves searching for things to do inside. Yesterday we went on the hunt for vintage buttons with plans to make jewelry. I wanted to go thrifting for the buttons but Mia insisted that we go to the "buffalo store". The "buffalo store" is actually Copper Country Antiques. They have a giant buffalo with wings on their roof. Mia loves it! I decided to give in and made the trip. Luckily it didn't take us long to find a little jar of the cutest vintage buttons. We made our way home and started our little project.

I took photos in order to share as a tutorial. If you have never made jewelry out of buttons, I really recommend it! It is so much fun and quite easy to do with your little ones.

Gather up those old buttons. Try and find ones that are flat on the back making them easy to attach to a jewelry blank. The buttons with metal loops can be used to jazz up a bobby pin. Just slide the button on and there you go! Makes a unique hair accessory.

Gather a variety of ring blanks, pin blanks, and bobby pins. The blanks can be found at your local craft shop.

Heat up your hot glue gun.

Start making your jewelry. Mia's job was to design the jewelry while I used the hot glue gun to attach them to the blanks. We actually played around with these for a really long time.

It was a lot of fun creating different styles!

We were lucky enough to find pairs that could be made into matching rings! These were our favorite :)

Put on your party hat!

2009-07-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

Another fantastic photo from the cutest little customer! It was such a pleasure to work on this tee! Etsy seller lumalum contacted me and let me know that her adorable son would be wearing the circle the date for his birthday party! Check out the Lumalum shop for wonderful artwork like the custom painting below!

Rooster sighting....

2009-06-29T14:32:00.001-07:00

.......in the kitchen!

Fab Feature!

2009-06-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to have one of my Moneybag Pillows featured on NOTCOT!

"NOTCOT is a visual filtration of ideas + aesthetics + amusements. NOTCOT's two sites have become the daily sources of inspiration for creatives everywhere, fighting the good fight against "creative block" since 2005 with visually stunning imagery, the latest in international trends, and a passion for all things well designed." NOTCOT

Visit my pillow here and give it a heart :)

Onesie in action!

2009-06-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

Another Circle the Date in action! Look at that smile :) I absolutely love it when clients send photos!

Ikea Chair Revamp

2009-06-22T11:57:00.001-07:00

I just popped onto Etsy and spotted the coolest chair cover! I have a severe addiction to chairs, especially vintage. I have about 5 chairs that I have collected for Chakra P. photo shoots. This may sound like a lot but I do use these chairs around the house. Even if they are worn down and not fit to sit on, I use them as extra tables or a colorful accent piece. I also love simple chairs at a nice price. This brings me to Ikea. I purchased one of these folding chairs a while ago for a possible photo shoot. At $14.99, it was nice to snatch one up and store it for future use. It has been sitting in my workshop for some time. It kinda bothered me to have it sitting and not functioning. So when I saw this cover, I was so excited! How cool is that? What a wonderful way to fit a common folding chair into one's decor! Visit the chair cover in the InBoundThread shop.

One cute little customer!

2009-06-22T06:48:00.001-07:00

I feel like I haven't blogged in so very long! I just had to take a quick break and share a customer appreciation photo. Absolutely adorable :)

New in my shop...

2009-06-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Moneybag Pillows just added! Visit my shop for more.

Heavy Equipment

2009-06-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

I just received some rather large equipment! A gigantic exposure unit, a 4-color press, and a dryer. 20 or so screens were also thrown into the mix. I was lucky to purchase these tools from a wonderful friend who could no longer use them. I am so excited! I can't wait to see what is next for Chakra Pennywhistle. In the meantime, this set-up will make life a bit easier. There is nothing like working with the correct tools!

Mia with her kitty...

2009-06-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Mia requested that I take her photo with her kitty.

A quick note about the kitty. It is a paper mache sculpture that stands about 3 1/2 feet tall! Mia adores it. The kitty was actually given to her by a dear friend. My friend tells me that there used to be a local shop that just sold these amazing sculptures. The shop is no longer in business. Man, do I wish that it was still open!

I took advantage of Mia's photo request and had her wear her little vintage jumper that I found at the thrift the other day. I wanted to blog this cute getup because I have recently been on the hunt for vintage clothing in her size. This has proven to be quite a challenge. Makes sense due to the wear and tear kids clothing goes through on a day to day basis. I get lucky every once in a while and find a nice piece like her little jumper.

Vintage Floral Print Shirt My Red Boots

Since I rarely find vintage for Mia, I decided to turn to Etsy. Boy am I glad that I did! There are some fantastic vintage sellers on Etsy who actually specialize in kids clothing! Not only are the selections incredible but the pricing is reasonable too!

Vintage Sundress Baby Hank Vintage

Vintage Baby Pants Buttons 'N Such

A couple of other shops to check out...

yestreen

fuzzy mama

Indie Fixx !

2009-06-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be the Wednesday featured artist on the Indie Fixx blog! Check out the interview, here.

A huge thank you to Jen for the interview!

Two Happy Clients!

2009-06-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

I received this photo in an email this morning. I must say that it made my entire week! Thinking that it would make a fantastic ad for the onesies! Aren't they the most adorable little folks?

Calling all fabric folks!

2009-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have this vintage, teak wood dining set that desperately needs reupholstered. I scored this set at my favorite thrift for a steal! It was super cheap due to having one leg missing from one of the captain's chairs. I was lucky to have the leg replaced by an amazing antique dealer who sells right here in central Tucson. If you are a local or are visiting, I definitely recommend dropping by Copper Country Antiques and checking out the Dwell 101 booth!

Now that the set is complete, it is ready for some updated fabric. This is where suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I have been overwhelmed with my search and would love to get outside opinions. I do know what I can't use. White or light shades won't work due to one of the chairs being equipped with Mia's booster.

Felt Bowl

2009-06-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

I received the most wonderful little gift in the mail yesterday! Take a look at this beautiful felt bowl by Etsy seller, Cose Dolci. Alyce, the artist behind the shop, is one of the nicest gals that I have had the pleasure of meeting on Etsy.

This little handmade world is truly full of amazing, talented, and down right nice folks. I really do feel quite lucky to have found this community. With people like Alyce in it, how can it get any better?

Mia's Fabulous Find

2009-05-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Mia and I go thrifting quite often. By often, I will admit to twice a week. Yes... twice a week sounds reasonable. My grandmother actually volunteers for a local hospital thrift two days a week. So, whenever I drop Barb off, Mia and I visit our regular shops. It is a lot of fun to go with Mia. Of course she loves to look at the toys, and the housewares department interests her more and more each visit. She enjoys being very careful with the mugs and plates and has taken to straightening the displays that need a bit of tidying up. She always has tons of questions about the all the stuff she finds.

A couple of days ago, we were at our favorite shop. I was looking through a box of scarves. Mia was checking out some shelves beside me when I suddenly heard - in a very matter of fact voice -"Mom, we must buy this hat." I look over and she has this hat on. Needless to say, I took one look and marched directly to the cashier. She has worn it everyday since. Pretty good eye for three, right? I swear, I laugh every time I see her walking down the hallway with it on.

Just tie it around your waist...

2009-05-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Less is more with the new Chakra P. dish towels. Visit them in my shop!

Sneak PEEK! Money Bag Clutch

2009-05-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Money Bag Clutches coming soon!

Embroidery Sketchbook by Elsie Marley

2009-05-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

I just have to share this project by Elsie Marley. I have subscribed to the Elsie Marley blog for a while and always love receiving the updates! This post is exactly what I needed to kick-start the summer.

I am always on the lookout for something portable when it comes to keeping myself busy. My medium of choice happens to be screen printing. Not the most portable of mediums. So, I have tried quite a few travel friendly crafts. I am a huge fan of knit and crochet but can never stay on it long enough to finish one piece. Dave actually has quite a few half knitted scarves. I also embroider and have always enjoyed vintage embroidery patterns along with more up to date versions like Sublime Stitching. Speaking of present day embroidery, the amazing Maira Kalman has also produced embroidered artwork.

With all of this inspiration and the Elsie Marley sketchbook, I think that this summer will be just right. I am in love with the simplicity of the book. It is so nice to see something so full of sweet simplicity and pure function. Easy on the eye and simple to carry.

Thank you, Meg! Keep those wonderful posts coming!

Passion is...

2009-05-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to be featured on the Scoutie Girl blog! Read my take on passion in the handmade community.

The photo above is a Daisy Janie original fabric designed by Jan DiCintio.

Thank you, Jan!

More Money!

2009-05-17T14:53:00.001-07:00

New to the shop!

What's new?

2009-05-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

Just added a couple of money bag pillows to my Etsy shop. Look for lots of fresh stock coming very soon! Putting the final touches on 2 new Chakra Pennywhistle items this very weekend. Very exciting!

Finding inspiration...

2009-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I found two vintage clutches at the thrift the other day. I am in love with the simplicity of the design. Keep your eye on my shop! Going to share the wealth with the ladies ;)

The Process

2009-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am in love. This video is just as beautiful as the artist and her work. I first watched this on the Creature Comforts blog. I had to share too :)

The end especially struck a chord. Kim Westad talks about the uniqueness of her pieces " I definitely see them as little characters because no two are exactly alike. Some are a little bit shorter, some are a little bit rounder. Almost like little animated things."

l o v e l y .

Visit Kim Westad : Ceramist on Etsy.

Jezze Brooch

2009-05-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Look at what I received in the mail! I love these brooches from etsy artist, Jezze. A little about them...

"The brooch is made from a small ceramic tile, decorated with my own screen printed transfers. Each motif is cut out and placed by hand, and then fired in a kiln to fuse with the glazed surface of the tile. A brass pin is epoxied to the back, and the edges of the tile have been smoothed to prevent snagging on clothes." Jezze Shop

Thanks so much, Jesse! I love it :)

Max the Dog

2009-05-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have to share another one of Mia's birthday gifts. We are all huge fans of Maira Kalman. She is not only one of my favorite artists, her children's books also hold a special place in my heart. Maira Kalman first won Dave and I over with her picture book, Next Stop Grand Central. We were completing our education degrees when we were introduced to her through an early education art class. After reading one, we proceeded to collect the rest. The collection is a treasure that I am thrilled to share with Mia. Mia absolutely adores every single story. Her favorite happens to be Ooh la la Max in Love.

Since Mia has grown to love Maira Kalman and her Max stories, I thought that I might bring the books to life by purchasing a Max doll. I remembered spotting one on ebay a while back and thought that it would be a great gift. Well, I didn't realize that the dolls were from 1995 and must have been a special promotion of some sort. Needless to say, no Max the Dog to be found. I couldn't give up! I really wanted to find one of these little fellas. I went on the hunt and after hours of crazy google searches, I found an unopened one on half.com for $1.00!!! Yep, you read correctly, $1.00! The shipping was more than that coming in at a whopping $3.00! I was stunned to say the least! I snatched it up and couldn't wait to give it to Mia. Max was a fast favorite and I have discovered that I want one for myself :)

If you are not familiar with Maira Kalman, visit her website here. I would also recommend checking out her book,The Principles of Uncertainty. I actually blogged about that one too. Feel free to read that post.

Money, money, money....

2009-05-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Just added a couple money bag pillows to my etsy shop. Many more to come!

ofifteen interview

2009-05-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Click here to read my interview for ofifteen magazine!

Keys for Skinny

2009-04-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love when designers share their inspiration. Heather of skinny laminx does this quite often through her blog. I am a regular reader and absolutely adore visiting her site!

Just this morning, Heather posted about how one of her readers provided her with some very old keys. The reader thought that Heather could find inspiration in both their design and history. Being a fan of skinny laminx for such a long time, I know Heather will create something incredible! I can not wait to see what she comes up with! Her Keys from Beryl post is a must read.

Learning about the keys and viewing the photographs that Heather took made me think of my Vera collection. I collect vintage Vera Neumann scarves and have accumulated well over 300. I can't help myself! I am especially partial to the illustrated ones. I wanted to share my scarves with Heather to perhaps provide a bit more inspiration.

These are prepatent Vera's. So, I believe that they are from the 1950's. The first is quite fancy while the next includes two little key charms on the corner. I personally love the key charms!

It is truly a lot of fun to follow an artist's process. Thanks to Heather for letting us in on her vision!

KODOMO INC. for Mia's Birthday!

2009-04-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's Mia's birthday! She is three years old. I bought all of her gifts a while ago and hid them around the house. One gift was not hidden well enough and she actually found it a couple weeks early! Serves me right for hiding the little guy on the bottom shelf of my sewing cabinet. This has become Mia's favorite place to fiddle around in. I actually forgot that her bunny was in there!

I bought Mr. Leaf from the wonderful etsy shop, KODOMO INC.. I adore this shop and recommend it to all. I had the best transaction. The seller is such a joy and my overall experience was perfection! I have got to share the quote at the bottom of the kodomo shop announcement...

"Have a great day, and remember that TODAY is the happiest day of SOMEONE'S life, and that the sun is shining somewhere." kodomo

With an outlook like that, how can you resist a kodomo creation?

You must also play the video, below. This is Valerie, aka KODOMO providing us with the coolest Etsy song, ever! Totally made my day:)

Sweet Greens Giveaway

2009-04-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to be featured as an Earth Friendly Etsian on the Sweet Greens blog. Sweet Greens is a wonderfully informative blog packed with practical green tips. From earth friendly giveaways to natural beauty remedies, it is a fabulous daily read!

Speaking of giveaways, click on over to Sweet Greens and enter to win one of my Circle the Date patches. Contest ends on April 29th at 12am EST.

Thanks to Jen for supporting all things green and handmade!

Earth Day: Green Share

2009-04-22T08:26:00.001-07:00

Mia and I are celebrating Earth Day by handing out little tomato seed packets. I got the idea from the Eco Etsy project, Green Share.

Mia had a lot of fun with this project. The packets are made from recycled Trader Joe's bags. Here is a nice tutorial to make your own.

We are heading out in a bit to give them out.

Happy Earth Day!

Recycled Table Runner Aprons

2009-04-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I just completed five aprons for Bohemia, a local shop that sells my line. The aprons are for a Tucson Women's Commission luncheon.

It was nice to make these. Lately, I have been focusing on my print designs and haven't had the chance to have fun with my fabric collection. I am always on the look out for vintage fabrics, especially ones that are handmade. I love embroidered table cloths, napkins, and runners. These aprons are constructed out of old table runners which happened to be a perfect fit for a half apron.

These were really simple to make and are a wonderful way to celebrate vintage handiwork for a bit longer. Just cut a table runner in half, then sew pieces together. A hem at the bottom is optional. Lots of runners already have lovely hems. I hemmed mine because I thought that the clean line brought it up to date. Add bias tape to the top and there you have it. Recycled, cute, and functional!

Starting the week off right!

2009-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

New printed pillows! Check out my shop for a closer look.

Sneak PEEK! New Designs

2009-04-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just finished printing 2 new designs! Thought that I would share a peek before they are listed. I wanted to list them today but I have decided to make the swordfish a bit lighter shade of navy. So, the swordfish will be a rectangular pillow while the wreath will be placed on a square. I am so happy to have time to draw and print again. It's truly my favorite part of the process. I hope that you like them:) Have a lovely weekend...

Vote!

2009-04-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

My Money Bag Pillow is included in an Etsy voters poll for Eco-Friendly Favorites! Vote for me, here.

Cosa Verde & Modish Earth Day Giveaway!

2009-04-14T15:18:00.001-07:00

Click on over to Modish and enter the Earth Day Giveaway! You could win one of these...

Fey Handmade

2009-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Look at this product shot for Fey Handmade! I am so thrilled for Chakra P. to be offered on this site. If you haven't visited Fey Handmade, you must ASAP! The site is so warm and inviting. It is stunning and packed full of amazing, independent designers.

Christine, the founder of Fey Handmade, is a true gem. She supports independent artists in such a gorgeous way by promoting our products in a truely beautiful manner. Here is a bit about Fey and Christine...

"Fey Handmade believes in promoting individual artists and craftsmen while providing our customers a way to find quality products that are not mass-produced. We bring our customers discoveries that reflect the quality of handmade. We are very environmentally active and only pack and ship our products in earth-friendly, recycled packaging.

Mass manufacturing causes much pollution in our precious environment. Goods made by an individual or small company can be closely monitored to avoid waste, as well as ensure quality. This quality has been cherished for generations. We at Fey hope that people begin to find the beauty and affordability of handmade once again.

Founder, Christine Lindstrom, has her BA in fine art from Monmouth University. She has experiences with many wonderfully creative companies, holding positions such as sugar artist and visual merchandiser. These different positions led her to create Fey Handmade, in hopes to provide artists with a way to showcase their work, and in turn showing consumers what handmade is all about." Fey Handmade.com

I really admire the fact that Christine wants to promote the "quality of handmade". You can tell by the site that she is an artist that has both a deep understanding and appreciation for the handmade world.

Thanks Christine! I wish you much success!

Linocut Animation

2009-04-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Just found this via grain edit tweet. AMAZING!

Desert Survivors

2009-04-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

This past thursday, Mia and I shared a nice afternoon digging in the dirt. We started the morning with a trip to the Desert Survivors plant nursery. We chose Desert Survivors because they not only provide native plants, but practice organic gardening as well. According to their website, they offer "well over 400 species of bioregional plants." The website goes onto explain that "native plants give us a sense of place" and are an important part of our desert eco-system. Needless to say, Mia and I were very excited to start the morning in such wonderful place!

Once arriving at the nursery, I quickly learned that the plants - although beautiful and impeccably cared for - weren't necessarily the main focus. You see, Desert Survivors has a double, even triple meaning.

As we strolled though the grounds, we were greeted with cheerful hello's and genuine smiles. There was a small group of mentally disabled adults gardening in the main area. Their supervisor was all over the place offering encouragement, challenging them to keep up the pace, and complimenting their hard work. The pleasant buzz this created was literally music to our ears. We would hear the supervisor offer guidance, followed by proud statements of accomplishments like "Look what I did!", or repeating the scientific name of the plant with great fervor. Mia even repeated a plant's name that I couldn't even begin to pronounce. We were smiling. I wanted to stay! However, we needed to get back and start planting so we received help with the picking of two succulents and some organic potting soil. As we headed home we were still smiling.

It was an enlightening and encouraging morning.

With more reading up on Desert Survivors, I learned that it actually started with its basis in the therapeutic. The nursery was founded by Dr. Joseph Patterson, who recognized the importance of meaningful activities and occupations that could provide dignity, accomplishment, and purpose to adults with disabilities. A plant nursery provided the perfect employment for the Dr.'s patients, allowing all involved to thrive (the adults and plants). I realized that the employees and plants weren't the only Desert Survivors. I left the nursery with a sense of pride. I was proud to be a local. I was proud that such a place exists and is able to survive. Mia and I were full of life that day.

One left

2009-04-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Must share this photo that Ursula took of the money bag wallets. I am gong to use it for postcards. More wallets to be listed very soon along with new print designs! My goal is to have everything listed by the end of next week. I do have one wallet left in my shop. It is one of my favorites :)

A fresh start....

2009-04-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of remodeling this little blog. Hopefully by the end of the week, I will have it all planned out. Not sure where I would like to go with it but excited to figure out what's next. Please stay tuned. Thinking about a refreshing , more organized, eco-friendly focus. Check back in a couple of days:)

Pigeon Toe Ceramics available at Fey Handmade

Eco Tutorial: Cereal Box Business Cards

2009-04-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Check out my Cereal Box Business Card tutorial on the ecoetsy blog.

Mia and the Butterflies

2009-04-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Today, Mia and I visited Butterfly Magic at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. I just had to share the photos. I must say that I was a bit worried about how Mia would react to the exhibit. She freaks if there is a fly in the house! So, did she flip out? Did I have a screaming, almost 3 year old in my hands? Did we make a b-line for the door? Scroll down and find out. I will let the photos finish the story :)

Butterflies are okay. Komodo dragons are a different story...

One happy gal!

Shop Update!

2009-04-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

New Money Bag Pillows available in my shop.

SNEAK PEEK! New Money Bag Pillows

2009-03-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

Available very soon!