Mark Your Calendars!

On April 25th, two amazing things will happen. I will be a mom for the first April in my life, and I will be a vendor in Fort Worth's first Spring Fling! This show is organized by the folks at Funky Finds, a great online blog featuring handmade goods from around the world. Lucky for us DFW-ites, Funky Finds is based right here in the metroplex, which means we get to participate in this upcoming handmade bazaar!

I'll have a ton of my felted jewelry for sale as I slave away on new designs over the spring during my maternity leave (that is, when I'm not nursing, changing diapers, or trying for 5 minutes of sleep). Also on display, I'll feature a slew of my Nuts & Seeds pieces, featuring beads made from nuts and seeds from the Colombian rainforest.

So mark your calendars for April 25th!

Tefi Loves: Anne-Julie Aubry

Somewhere over the moon there is a young raven-haired girl lost in a strange, enchanted garden. She counts ants, swims in a misty lake, and frolics among larger than life flowers (left). This haunting girl is the imagination of artist Anne-Julie Aubry who uses both traditional painting and modern digital formats as the mediums for her strange and lovely work. Her inspiration comes from her childhood, fairytales, nature, and dreams as evidenced in some of her haunting pieces pictured below. Available in her Etsy shop are prints, buttons, cards, and more.

Shop: http://www.annejulie.etsy.com/ Web Site: http://www.annejulie-art.com/ Location: France

Tefi Loves: In My Backyard

The name says it all. In My Backyard features sweet handmade items either inspired from the artist's backyard, or gathered from her backyard. A perfect example: the Little Bird wooden pin pictured left made from her old rose tree. From her "little old cottage with a large garden in New Zealand," In My Backyard creates brooches, stationery, zipper pouches, and gocco prints all adorned with the things she see's in her backyard: birds, cabbage trees, berries, and pods. Some of our favorites are pictured below: Shop: http://www.inmybackyard.etsy.com/ Web Site: http://www.inmybackyard.co.nz/ Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Tefi Loves: Nuts

Go nuts over these delightful handmade finds featuring nuts and seeds - all found on Etsy.com!

Felted Wool Acorn set of 12: $24 Shop: http://www.lilfishstudios.etsy.com/ Location: Brainerd, Minnesota

Little Pine Drops earrings: $14 Shop: http://www.trystbykerry.etsy.com/ Location: Toronto, Canada Peanut Dress size XS: $45 Shop: http://www.lyptis.etsy.com/ Location: Melbourne, Australia Squirrel with an Acorn art print: $9 Shop: http://www.barkingbirdart.etsy.com/ Location: Portland, Oregon Green Nut Combo necklace: $24 Shop: http://www.tefi.etsy.com/ Location: Dallas, Texas

Acorn I Spy kids' toy: $24 Shop: http://www.thosegreathousewomen.etsy.com/ Location: Michigan, USA

Flora + Fauna Handmade is a series of spotlights and reviews that celebrate art, craft, design and the natural world we live in.

Vote For Me! (please?)

Holy Toledo! I was floored to get an email from Etsy.com admin stating that they had chosen my Caribbean Queen necklace as a finalist in their Holiday Sparkly Jewelry contest. Log on to your Etsy account (or create one - it's easy! - so you can start shopping for the best handmade stuff on the planet) and VOTE FOR TEFI DESIGNS!! Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=26

Voting ends at 4pm on December 19th. My piece is in superb company and there are some seriously beautiful pieces in the contest. But ignore the prettier pieces and vote for my necklace instead. (pretty please?) Buy the one-of-a-kind necklace here: Caribbean Queen: $39.50 FREE SHIPPING & GIFT BOX

Tefi Loves: Nut and Bee

When perusing Nut and Bee's art print repertoire, it's impossible to settle on just one sweet little animal or flora print. Her characters are charming and simple, some just looking at you with curious eyes, some engaged in odd little activities. Choose from a large selection of art prints to liven up your walls, write sweet little notes on her stationery and top it off with a rubber stamp or three. Nut and Bee also offers note pads, write-on labels, and stickers. You can also find her work at Moo and make mini cards or gift cards with her art. So many sweet offerings! Clockwise from top left: Puffy Puffer Puffing, Treetop Koala, Tusker and Son, Bruno and Oliver, Hot Tea Tortoise, Whirlipig, Gopher Peeping, Bunnylump, Toadstool Treat Shop: http://www.nutandbee.etsy.com/ Blog: http://annettle.livejournal.com/ Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Tefi Loves: Grasshoppers

Ah, Grasshopper. You have much to see. Just take a look at these beautiful Friday Finds starring our hoppy little friends!

Green Grasshopper hoody Shop: http://www.inkyspider.etsy.com/ Location: British Columbia, Canada

Grasshopper pull toy Shop: http://www.mccoytoys.etsy.com/ Location: Asheboro, North Carolina Patience Grasshopper bracelet Shop: http://www.edithandlulu.etsy.com/ Location: Portland, Oregon Bugs in the Yard art print Shop: http://www.tamaragarvey.etsy.com/ Location: Savannah, Georgia Grasshopper hand-dyed Merino wool Shop: http://www.maisydayhandspun.etsy.com/ Location: a farm in Oregon

Leafing Out art print Shop: http://www.corid.etsy.com/ Location: Pullman, Washington

Tefi Loves: The Purl Bee

It is always a delight to visit The Purl Bee, the official blog for the Manhattan-based yarn and fabric shop, Purl Soho. Day after day, The Purl Bee posts beautifully-rendered knit projects, sewing tutorials, book reviews - even a glossary for those "huh?" moments. My favorite thing about The Purl Bee, other than the splashes of colorful photography, is that the reader does not feel she is being asked to buy their goods. Rather she is encouraged to sit back and enjoy the simple pleasures of knitting, sewing, embroidery, and other textile crafts. To get into the holiday spirit, try your hand at these sweet birdie ornaments, and pick your craft: knitting or sewing. Feeling intrepid? Try both!

Blog: http://www.purlbee.com/ Shop: http://www.purlsoho.com/ Location: Manhattan, NYC

A Beautiful Sight: Gift Ideas

Thanks my designer friend Pam for being the inspiration for my latest batch of posters and banners. Check out her wood-etched lovelies: http://www.pamelamichelle.etsy.com/!

Tefi Loves: mariwibis

If you're like most people, you're afraid to break out the fine wine glasses for fear of, well, breaking them. Fear not - Mary Elizabeth Hining offers stemless wine glasses covered in delicate branches and vibrant cardinals (left). Just try to knock these off the coffee table. Her beautifully detailed images are hand painted with non-toxic paint, then heat-set for lasting durability. Chose from champagne flutes to decanters. And in case you can't pick your poison, choose an entire set of various glasses and enjoy a little bit of each (champage, wine, and martini). Feeling bold? Spring for this set of fern-covered stemware (below). Go on, I dare you.

Shop: http://www.marywibis.etsy.com/ Web Site: http://www.meharts.com/ Location: Durham, North Carolina

Tefi Loves: Mushrooms

Milk & Honey Mushroom Soap: $4.50 Shop: http://www.loveleesoaps.etsy.com/ Location: Daytona Beach, Florida

Toadstool Skirt: $62 Shop: http://www.madewithlovebyhannah.etsy.com/ Location: Los Angeles, California

The Forest Floor hairclip: $10

Shop: http://www.hellobirdie.etsy.com/ Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Mushroom Softie: $40

Shop: http://www.annieoakleaves.etsy.com/

Location: San Diego, California

Tefi Loves: Ollies Woolies

Ollies Woollies, run by Catherine Svensson who lives and works in the southernmost part of Sweden, is a line of charmingly crocheted and fulled jewelry. Many of Catherine's pieces resemble branches and other flora found in the enchanted forests of our imagination - like her Winter Berries necklace (pictured left). The process of fulling involves washing the crocheted piece in alternate hot then cold water, during which the fibers are agitated, causing the wool to shrink, and leaving the individual stitches barely visible. All items are handmade by the artist using 100% wool and contain no wire, making each piece soft and manageable. All products are hand-washable and come with free care instructions. Shop: http://www.ollieswoollies.etsy.com/ Location: Lund, Sweden

Tefi Loves: Beadkeepers

The jeweler behind Beadkeepers believes that art and nature are inextricably linked; one cannot exist without the other. F&FH couldn't agree more! This is why we can't get enough of her unique, biology-inspired pieces like her bell jar rings (pictured left). Nature lovers can rest assured that all animal bone and insect designs are created with either found objects or captive raised "farmed" insects. Added bonus: a portion of Beadkeepers' sales goes to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Shop: http://www.beadkeepers.etsy.com/ Blog: http://www.beadkeepers.blogspot.com/ Location: Loxhahatchee, Florida

I'm In the Paper! Part 2

Today our local big paper, The Dallas Morning News, made the decision to turn its daily freebie the Quick into a weekly rag. Lucky me! Today I'm featured, along with several other fellow Etsy Dallas members, and I'm lucky enough to get seven days of exposure versus one measely day. YAY!! When I founded Etsy Dallas back in September of 2007, I had no idea it would go this far.

The article features my Opah! hair bobbies (bottom left). Click here to see the pdf version and read the text.

Tefi Loves: Kate Broughton

Like many crafters, Kate Broughton, a designer based in the UK, began making animal-themed accessories for her friends in 2007 and hasn't stopped since. With a degree in textile design, Kate sews, knits, paints, and draws all sorts of sweet little flora and fauna goodies, including her new line of felt brooches. I really love her Mushroom brooch (above) and her Two Turtle Doves brooch - just in time for Christmas! Also pictured is her Wise Barn Owl brooch (below). As an added bonus, Kate is offering free gift wrapping for the holidays. Shop: http://www.katebroughton.etsy.com/ Location: Nottingham, England

Oh, Nuts!

Introducing a new line of jewelry called Nuts & Seeds, thanks largely in part to my mom who schlepped these beads back from Colombia. They are made from nuts and seeds harvested from the rain forest. This commerce gives indigenous people jobs and preserves the trees and plants they come from (rather than chopping them down). Be on the lookout as I create new designs with these beads and add them to my Etsy shop.

And don't forget that I'm still offering free shipping through January 31, and a ton of CLEARANCE items at HERE (shipping offer does not apply to clearance items).

I'm In the Paper! Part 1

Today Oak Cliff People, a branch of People Newspapers in Dallas, featured yours truly in a Q&A session. Here's the content (below), and here's a link:



Age: 33

Occupation: I work professionally as a grant writer/fundraiser for the Vogel Alcove Childcare Center for the Homeless, a local non-profit. At night, I’m a crafting maniac, focusing mostly on jewelry, needle felting, and fabric crafts.

What is your favorite word? “discombobulated” – I love the way it crashes out of my cheeks and off my tongue. It’s too bad you can’t be “combobulated” since that seems to be a more preferable state than discombobulation.

What is your least favorite word? “taxes”

What is the best part of your job? Professionally, I get to write and do research all day, which I love, and the end result is providing free care and developmental services for very young children living in poverty. As for the crafting side of my occupation, I love being a leader in the local handmade movement. I founded and lead Etsy Dallas, a local craft collective of over 100 artisans. We put on two big art/craft shows a year, and I’ve come to find that I really love event-planning.

What’s your single favorite thing about Oak Cliff? I love the people. The feeling of community is very strong here, and there’s a warmth I haven’t found in any other part of Dallas. It’s like living in a tight-knit, hip small town with the view of the downtown skyline in my back yard.

What’s your least favorite thing about Oak Cliff? We’ve recently been hit by robberies and break-ins in my sweet little hamlet of North Cliff. That has us all mobilizing to do something about it. So I guess, it’s a blessing in disguise in that it’s bringing the neighborhood even closer together.

After your death, how would you like to be remembered? I’d like to be remembered as a benevolent leader and out-spoken trailblazer who wanted to make her corner of the world a better place.

What is your greatest pet peeve? People who react without thinking things through. It makes sense that this is also one of my biggest character flaws.

What is your guilty pleasure? midnight episodes of Golden Girls on Lifetime

What is your favorite quote? “Walk softly and carry a big stick. You shall go far.” I’m a huge fan of Teddy Roosevelt.

What hidden talents do you have? Hidden? I don’t really hide things well. I’m an open book. I guess most people don’t know that I can walk on my feet with my toes completely curled under. It creeps people out at parties and I just love that. I can thank early years of ballet for this “talent.”

If you wrote a book, what would it be about and why? I would write a collection of short stories, and if I’m lucky they would be half as good as anything by Flannery O’Conner.

What is something people don’t know about you? I’d like to start a movement to make coffee the 6th food group. In my world, it’s a daily requirement.

Name a local hero. My heroes are the trailblazing French and Belgian founders of the original La Reunion. I betcha they walked softly and carried very big sticks. While La Reunion as a utopia failed in the end, it wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s existence shaped what Oak Cliff is today – a haven for creative types who aren’t afraid to take risks.

Tefi Loves: Flowers

In honor of the 1st Annual Jingle Bash, put on by the leaders of Etsy Dallas (like, um, me!), this week's Friday Finds features items from Jingle Bash vendors.

You really ought to wear this on your hot date tonight.

Price: $42

Shop: Cut Out & Collect

Your dreams of being a geisha are about to come true. Price: $14 Shop: Little Cookie Flowers growing out of my coffee cup? Oh, sweet joy!

Price: $26

Shop: Pamela Michelle

Reversible and covered in flowers. What else could a girl want? Price: $40 Shop: B.Liscious Your couch is boring. Brighten it up with this crochet pillow. Price: $100 Shop: Modest Ambition

Tefi Loves: RecycleRabbit

Children's book author and illustrator, Liz Goulet Dubois, loves to make plushies and ornamental pretties out of recycled pieces of scrap fabric, ribbon, and felt. Her Etsy shop listings look like pages from a kid's book filled with adorable flora and fauna. It's no wonder I really love Flora, the Kitty Cat Doll. Her aqua and pink color compliment her vintage 70's floral print dress and green rick rack trim. What little girl wouldn't love getting this under the tree this season?

And while you're at it, trim that plastic tree with this pair of darling orange birdy ornaments (above) stuffed with Maine balsam needles. Your faux tree will smell piney, and you'll be saving a real tree from the chainsaw!

Shop: http://www.recyclerabbit.etsy.com/

Blog: www.LizGouletDubois.com/blog

Location: Rhode Island

Etsy Dallas Giveaway on Funky Finds!

In celebration of our big upcoming 1st Annual Jingle Bash (co-organized by your truly, Ms. ED Founder), Etsy Dallas is sponsoring a big swag giveaway on Funky Finds. Here's the info from the FF web site: Etsy Dallas is a cooperative craft collective of artisans and artists living and working in Dallas who sell their wares on Etsy.com. The group is made up of over 100 members working in a range of mediums. They have put on several successful shows, including the Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q that was held in May. This Saturday, November 22, the group will be hosting their 1st Annual Jingle Bash at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas. The event will showcase 50 local handmade vendors, great food, live music, karaoke, make 'n takes, and much, much more! *GIVEAWAY: To celebrate this exciting event, Etsy Dallas is sponsoring a swag giveaway. You have the chance to win some awesome swag with a retail value of $270! (pictured above) The swag includes the following items donated by Etsy Dallas members: • Dowdy Studio: Original Owl silk screened tee (retail value, $25) • Pamela Michelle: Art print (retail value, $35) • Tefi Designs: Juicy Fruit Necklace (retail value, $32) • Patti Haskins: Stuffed Drawing-Flying Dog (retail value, $20) • Bijoujuju: ‘Treelightful’ polymer pendant (retail value, $11) • Karma Crochet: Wool Headband in Red shades (retail value, $20) • LolaFalk: The Lola Mini-Zip Pouch (retail value, $22.00) • MiaMaria Designs: “Calavera” craft apron (retail value, $24) • Michele Cook Designs: Copper & Blue bead earrings (retail value, $15) • Cut Out & Collect: Japanese Linen Scooter Pouch (retail value, $15) • Freeforged Jewelry: Ionic-Sterling silver molecule post earrings (retail value, $16) • Starrydance: Lucky Cat necklace (retail value, $12.00) • Designing Diva: Pink Fused Glass Guitar Pendant (retail value, $25.00) To enter, visit the Jingle Bash vendor shops listed on the Etsy Dallas blog and choose something you think would be a great gift for someone on your holiday shopping list. Leave a comment ON THIS POST noting the item you have chosen. A winner will be randomly selected & announced on Saturday, November 22. The winner must live in the continental U.S. and must provide a mailing address upon winning. Good luck! Many thanks to Randi, the Designing Diva for organizing this!

Tefi Loves: Peacocks

Strut your stuff with these gorgeous peacock-inspired accessories and designs.

A perfect silk clutch for casual or elegant occasions. Shop: http://www.redrubyrose.etsy.com/ Location: Bristol, UK BUY IT!

Send some ostentatious greetings with this set of three notecards. Shop: http://www.mvegan5.etsy.com/ Location: Be'er Sheva, Israel BUY IT!

Dress up your locks with this colorful collection of peacock feathers. Shop: http://www.viemoderne.etsy.com/ Location: Pasadena, CA BUY IT! Brilliantly colorful upcycled pendant made with a Scrabble tile game piece. Shop: http://www.homestudio.etsy.com/ Location: Palm Desert, CA BUY IT! Make your own beautiful necklace with this lampwork glass pendant. Shop: http://www.tefi.etsy.com/ Location: Dallas, TX BUY IT!

2008 Fall OCA Show

Hope to see you all at the 2008 Oak Cliff Artisans Fall Show this weekend. Shop for pottery, jewelry, glass art, photography, wearables, & more!



Tefi Designs will be having a big blow-out CLEARANCE sale of most beaded jewelry. So get the jump on your holiday shopping and give the gift of local, handmade love.

- FREE gift wrap while supplies last.
- FREE smiles all weekend long.
- FREE shipping online at my Etsy shop.

When: Saturday the 15th, 10am-5pm & Sunday the 16th, noon-5pm
Where: At the beautiful and historic Kidd Springs Park in north Oak Cliff
Address: 711 W. Canty (the first exit just off I-30 from downtown Dallas)
Click Here for a Map

Tefi Find: strawberryluna

Screenprinter and designer, Alison of strawberryluna, claims that she "works on art prints, posters, bags...anything that sits still long enough is likely to get inks upon it."While strawberryluna has quite a repertoire of big and bold music show posters, I love her alphabet animal prints. At times fun and cuddly, her animal prints are often a tad snarky (see her X-Ray print), and I just love that. These little pieces of animal art are the perfect addition to your kids' room. After all, isn't it time to upgrade that tired commercial print your friend got you at Babies-R-Us? Shop: http://www.strawberryluna.etsy.com/ Blog: http://www.strawberryluna.wordpress.com/ Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Tefi Loves: Maladora

With Malodora's rare creations, you can wrap something beautiful around your wrist. Constructed completely out of polymer clay, Malodora's beautiful jewelry pieces are truly one-of-a-kind. Although they may look real, don't be fooled. Bonua: no flora nor fauna were sacrificed for my Malodora favorites below, Faux Antler bracelet and Green Nudibranch bracelet: Because of the nature of handmade items, please expect variations in each piece. Shop: http://www.Malodora.etsy.com Location: Madison, Mississippi