Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Free Shipping in July

I'm offering free shipping throughout the month of July on my Balls and Fabric Pendants. This is only good for U.S. domestic sales. After all, we Americans have to stick together. And thanks to my gal Pamela Michelle for this super duper graphic shown below. Check out the upcoming Weekend Guide on our Etsy Dallas blog for more July Sale events. Wheeeeeeeee!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Dangle Balls

I've been a busy bee lately. Made a ton of new designs including a new line of needlefelted pieces I call Dangle Balls. These look so sute wrapped around my neck. My favorite color scheme: I've also made a TON of new fabirc pendant necklaces. Big thanks to Cheyne of Cut Out and Collect for giving me her scraps of super cute and high quality fabric, most of it Japanese = super happy joy forever. Just look at these cuties: Get these great new Tefi designs in my Etsy shop. I'll be in Austin June 25-29, so all orders will be processed when I get back. Tefi loves you!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Raise a Glass of Leninade

For my first Mother's Day, Jason bought me a new closet (basically, my old one collapsed and imploded - loooong story) and this t-shirt here to the left. The Golden Girls kept my sanity intact during those early weeks of motherhood. Thank you Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and especially Sophia! Now it's his turn. His first Father's Day is just around the corner and I couldn't help but give him his gifts early. I know, I know yeah whatever - he wanted them! So in addition to a new set of much-needed headphones and a Cat Steven's Best of CD (including the song "Father and Son"), I got Jason a little something snarky I knew he would love.

These upcycled bottles of Leninade soda by YAVA Glass were the perfect Father's Day gift. They also sell beer and vodka bottle glasses, too. I wish I could have one of each!


So here's to you, Pops. Let's raise a glass of Leninade to all the dads out there!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Tefi Loves: Kitty Meow Meows

Oh, happy day! I found out that my cat George's recent and costly intestinal woes do not lead to the Big C. The little guy, who has been with me since I rescued him from a thunderstorm in Austin back in 1994, has the Little C: colitis. This is treatable, and most importantly he is not in pain. Whoo-hoo! So in homage to my sweet kitty meow-meow, I bring you some of my favorite handmade cat goods (all in support of animal rescue efforts - hint hint ADOPT!):

Charity Cat plushie Shop: http://www.TwoStrayCats.etsy.com/ Location: Alberta, Canada

Kitty Kat Love pendant Shop: http://www.leandogpottery.etsy.com/ Location: San Luis Obispo, California

Adopt a Rescue Cat doll Shop: http://www.wishwithme.etsy.com/ Location: Pawtucket, Rhode Island

The Rescue art print Shop: http://www.heidishaulis.etsy.com/ Location: Corinth, Vermont

Deal with Gus button Shop: http://www.thedogcoatlady.etsy.com/ Location: Jacksonville, Florida

I love you George, forever and ever.

Monday, June 15, 2009

What Not to Wear

Okay well, I can tell you what to wear: my signature Juicy Fruit necklace. And now's your chance. If you're in the Dallas area, swing on by Best of Texas' What Not to Wear viewing party starring local maven Amanda Warr who recently got a fashion redux on the hit television show. The fun is happening at Jack's Backyard, a swell new dive in my neck of the woods: Oak Cliff.
I donated one of my signature Juicy Fruit necklaces to a charity raffle benefitting Attitudes & Attire, a very worthy cause that provides stylish clothing and job interview training for low-income women searching for viable employment. Other items for auction by my fellow Etsy Dallas-ites include a pair of earring by f. is for frank and a set of notecards by design roots. RSVP for the event HERE. Raffle begins at 6pm and the drawing is at 7:45pm. Good luck!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Tefi Loves: Linda Lee Studio

I met Linda over 25 years ago. We were in the children's choir at First Presbyterian in downtown Dallas. We went on countless youth group trips together, camping, having fun. My favorite: choir trip, Montreat, NC in 1987. Today, Linda and I share the jewelry-making passion. I ran into her at my very first craft show back in 2006, and we've kept in touch since. Enjoy my interview with her below. Are her pieces beautiful, or what? What was the first handmade object you made? I think it was a little wreath made out of a pipe cleaner and plastic beads. Or maybe it was a reindeer made from three clothespins? When did you start making jewelry? I picked up jewelry making as a hobby in 2004 (I'd been on-again-off-again up till that point), and I decided to make it a business in 2006. That's when I opened my Etsy shop and started going to craft fairs. Tell me about your "real" job. A leadership insights business analyst in the business innovations department for an international snack food company. That sounds so technical, doesn't it? How do you balance your jewelry business with other things in your life? I end up working in spurts. I'll spend an entire weekend making jewelry. Or during the week I design in the evenings and then end up making that design another evening. Jewelry is a creative outlet for me, and if I don't get enough time to create, my mood definitely sinks! I try to make sure that doesn't happen. Where do you find your inspiration? Honestly? Everyday life. I once received a free set of beads from a lampwork artist that were technically wonderful, but she felt the color combination was a bit of a stretch. I let them sit in my bead box for almost a year, and then one day I pulled [them] out and turned them into a necklace that makes the color combination successful. I will place limitations like that on myself specifically to flex my design muscles. What's your workspace/studio like? My work space is my "comfy chair" in the living room. My jewelry supplies are in bins that fit under the coffee table. When I'm working, the ottoman, coffee table, and a TV tray are all occupied with wire, tools, beads, etc. It's a pain to keep everything organized, but for now it's what I've got. Tell me about a favorite piece you've made. This is still my favorite necklace, made with this focal bead by Sarah Hornik (below). This was one of the first beads Sarah made after a trip to Murano. This bead does a good job representing the magic - love, light, freedom, whimsy, and happiness - that we all felt during our time in Italy. I feel extra confident and happy when I wear this piece. I suppose my emotional connection serves to elevate the design and my feelings when I wear it. Any future plans for Linda Lee Studio? At this point, I want to continue growing the business online through my Etsy site and blog. I enjoy writing, and I'm getting better about updating my shop. I'd like to continue that trend. Shop: http://lindaleestudio.etsy.com/ Blog: http://lindaleestudio.blogspot.com/ Location: Frisco, Texas

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tefi Loves: Stormy Weather

Batten down the hatches! In a tribute to the storms that blew through Dallas yesterday, here are some great handmade items I came across on Etsy.com when searching the word "stormy."
The Horse's Mouth fine photograph Shop: http://www.camillaskye.etsy.com/ Location: Shimosuwa, Japan

Spring Storms lampwork glass beads Shop: http://www.angelfireartglass.etsy.com/ Location: Kansas City, MO

Itty Bitty Raincloud ring Shop: http://www.catherinemarissa.etsy.com/ Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Ixchtaca crocheted cowl Shop: http://www.EveldasNeverland.etsy.com/ Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Stormy Nights vegan soap Shop: http://www.YouStinkSoap.etsy.com/ Location: Michgan

Patchwork Cloud brooch Shop: http://www.handmadepretties.etsy.com/ Location: Iowa (somewheres)

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Let It Linger

I'm honored to be in two Etsy treasuries right now. Treasuries are user-curated selections of their favorite picks, oftentime based on a theme. They expire in a couple days and sometimes make it to the front page of Etsy.com! Got Game? treasury by heaterdixonstudio featuring my new BINGO bobbies (bottom left) Such a Fool for You treasury by sugarraindrops featuring my Swinging Ball felted necklace (bottom center)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tefi Find: Cut Out & Collect

I really should call this "Tefi Loves: Zipper Pouches" because this blog entry is nothing if not an ode to Cut Out & Collect's collection of fun and fresh zip pouches. I can't get enough of them. If I had my way (and tons of dough to spend), I'd buy each and every one of the zipper pouches in her shop. Cheyne is a friend and fellow Etsy Dallas member, and is the gal behind Cut Out & Collect. She has a keen eye for delicious color palettes, and one day I plan to break into her studio and steal every yard of her fabric stash. Last year I bought a blue scooter wallet from her shop, and this year I came back for more. Actually, my BFF Jen did when I told her THIS is what I want for my bday. Whether you are into pandas, mushrooms, deer, or Vespas, there is likely a zipper pouch, wallet or bag for you in Cheyne's shop. If you're in the Dallas area, stop by The Coffeehaus in Arlington. While Cheyne's whipping you up a latte you can shop for local handmade goodies including her items and my stuffs, too! Shop: http://www.cutoutandcollect.etsy.com/ Blog: http://www.orsewitseams.blogspot.com/ Location: Arlington, Texas

Monday, June 1, 2009

B4 (and after!)

Lookie What I Made Yesterday I hit the studio table, armed with a tube of E6000, and made a bunch of bobbies and rings using genuine vintage BINGO markers. Not only did I make these cuties, I photographed and listed them in my Etsy shop, too! I also made 15 LOTTO marker rings (not pictured) that I'm donating to Alamo City Etsy's upcoming craft show. Oh, and I also managed to make Ian some homemade sweet potato puree. Whew! Me tired.