My New Marketing Job

Holy cow! It's been 5 weeks since I've touched my blog, thanks in part to my amazing new job in marketing and social media for Corner Bakery Cafe. I couldn't be happier here. I also could eat an Anaheim Panini every. single. day.


Not much has been going on in the world of tefi. I've made several beaded necklaces for myself, took part in the Etsy Dallas Supplies Me! sale, and have started working my tookus off planning this year's 4th Annual Jingle Bash. Other than that, it's my real job, my awesome kid, and just livin' life in general.


The good news for you guys? I'M HAVING A BIG SUMMER SALE!! Any purchase in my Etsy shop through the end of summer comes with a freebie - either a magnet set (of 2), a bookmark or a mirror. You choose! Visit my shop today and start getting free stuff: http://www.tefi.etsy.com.

Forts, Crafts and Cocktails: Austin Recap

My birthday weekend was a beautiful mess of toys, hotel fun, crafty sales and cocktails. We hit the road Friday morning - me in my Element loaded with my handmade goods and displays; my mom, Grandy and Ian in their car loaded with 182 toys:

Saturday morning was a whirlwind of setting up my booth, drinking lots of coffee, and preparing for a day of charming customers and making sales. After nearly six years of doing craft shows, I've got my set-up nailed down and had over an hour to kill before the doors opened:


Saturday night Ellen and John (good friends and owners of Holy Cacao) took me and Jason to Haddington's on 6th. We had copious amounts of tiny chi-chi cocktails with names like Devil's Moustache (mescal, a flaming orange slice + a whole bunch of other stuff). We also had tiny portions of fancy food that cost more than my weekly Tom Thumb bill. Everything was incredible.

Sunday was day 2 of Renegade sales. In the meantime, Ian and the family made forts, went swimming and basically had fun in Austin. I didn't get a chance to do any site-seeing or shopping while I was there - maybe next time!


Oh, and then there's this:

This is my son, and he's awesome.

Ian came home from school last week with the most awesome child craft ever. In case there's any doubt about Ian being my spawn, I present Exhibit A:



and Exhibit B:

Vacation Day 2: Button Maker

Today I decided to bust out some buttons using Ian's school artwork as my "canvas." I think these turned out rather awesomesauce! They'll be turned into magnets and gifted to friends and family (i.e. the only ones who really give a crap about my kid's artwork). Lovely!

Ye Olde New Year's Resolutions

I am resolute to accomplish the following, dangit. I will! *slams fist into open hand* 1) Expand my tefi repertoire. These past couple of years, I've expanded the kinds of items I make, in addition to jewelry. Years ago I started off with simple beaded jewelry, which I still love making, but have lately fallen in love with fabric and sewing by hand (needle and thread, not machine). Aside from jewelry, I also carry magnets, mirrors, hair clips, bookmarks, coasters, brooches, and most recently - wall art. This year I'd like to add: coffee cozies, buntings, wreaths and notebooks. (The wreaths are already made! Just need to photograph them. They are lovely!) 2) Finish my works-in-progress. Got to finish those stacks of coffee cozies and buntings that I pre-cut months ago. Months, people! Geez. This also means: 3) Reacquaint myself with my dusty sewing machine. Must take a class to boost my comfort level and relearn how to thread a bobbin. A what? Exactly. 4) Open myself up to more inspiration. It's everywhere, around each corner. I feel I am missing opportunities to be inspired because I'm too busy worrying about other things. 5) Stop worrying about other things. Really, what's the point? I could be sewing! 6) Create new fabric necklace designs. I've already got a few new ones on the way. Must create more! I want my designs to be ever-changing, yet true to my vision. Whatever that means. 7) Be more spontaneous. I seriously have a problem with spontaneity, too much of a planner. Must jump in the lake every now and then without checking the temp with my toe. Know what I mean? 8) Pull off my long-planned guerrilla street art. Not gonna say anymore. You'll just have to wait and see if I pull this off finally. (yes it's legal, and yes it's awesome) 9) Begin training Ian for his future tefi internship. Just look at those opposable thumbs! I could use help with some sewing and cutting. I'm only half kidding. HAPPY 2011, Y'ALL!

Best. School Pics. Ever.

These pics are pretty awesome sauce with extra awesome sprinkles. Don't be jealous if your kid chose to smile in his pic as opposed to this painful realismo:

Up Above A Itsy Eye

This is my son and he's awesome. GET READY FOR CUTENESS OVERLOAD

My New Favorite Picture

My buddy, Larry Pile, snapped this photo at the recent Craft Party hosted by Etsy Dallas at Make - the largest Etsy Craft Party in the WORLD, mind you! In addition to DIY crafts, party punch and party favor bags, we (Etsy Dallas) had our very own photo booth starring Paco the donkey piñata, a backdrop by Laura Davis, and photographer Cheyne Little. Read more about the party here. Good times, y'all!

Mother and Son, and a Childhood Bench

This has nothing whatsoever to do with handmade or crafts or design, but it's uncanny and adorable. Me on the left, Ian on the right 30 years later, same desk and bench... And here are some great "mother and son" art prints I found browsing Etsy, because I just can't hit "Publish" without showcasing some great art or design: 1) art print of original oil painting by Kat Hannah, 2) art print of original acrylic painting by creativethursday, 3) art print of original oil on wood painting by Lisa Hurwitz

Playing In the Backyard

Earth Day is coming up next week, but really isn't every day "earth" day? I mean, yeah, sometimes I feel I'm living on Mars but still. Jason and I try to practice what we preach: we recycle, compost, use canvas shoppers, throw our coffee grounds in the garden, shop locally, grow some veggies, catch rainwater, plant trees, and eat at home as often as possible. In the future, I want chickens! One simple thing we do to celebrate the earth and all that is spend time outside. That's it! Ian, Jason, Oliver and I have a grand time hanging out in the backyard, enjoying nature, playing with rocks and water, talking to the flowers, and yelling at the birds (all Ian). I sometimes make my jewelry out there or work on a crossword puzzle, all the while with an endless cup of coffee (naturally). Jason works in his veggie garden, tending to the blackberries, tomatoes, grapes, cabbage, peppers, and broccoli. Sometimes, I even scoop poop. So you - yeah you! Go outside and play. And if you're in the Dallas area, come on out to the 3rd Annual Oak Cliff Earth Day festival at Lake Cliff park. I'll be selling my handmade jewelry alongside friends Jacky of Texas Tarts and Larry the Kessler Craftsman. Lots of family fun things to do: buy plants, learn to compost, support local green businesses, eat yummy food, adopt a homeless pet, shop local art, and enjoy the spring season. Stop by the Jefferson Median Beautification Project booth, as well. This is a group that I volunteer for and believe in. Our goal is to beautify our little corner of Oak Cliff along Jefferson Boulevard and create a rich urban forest of plants, trees, community art, and walking trails.

Me & Ian

My little Ian monster turned 14 months yesterday. Hard to believe! We have fun in the morning. Here we are playing around on the bed just before leaving for work. I had a little Ian fun of my own today by searching "Ian" on Etsy. Here are some great handmade items I found: 1) Ian the Boston Terrier by ANichelleDesign, 2) Ian Pants! by TheCharlotteLetters, 3) Ian Goes Puddle Jumping art print by megalunostudio, 4) Insomniac Ian the Owl by SavageArtworks, 5) Ian the Butterbean by bitofwhimsyprims, 6) Ian Curtis dress (love him to pieces) by IdilViceFashionRocks

Sweet Little Baby Feet

Ian's first Christmas and birthday are fast-approaching and I've been drooling over these adorable baby shoes I came across while browsing Etsy. He's already wearing size 5 shoes, so I imagine by January he'll be in a size 6. Um, by the way, my boy is enormous. Hellloooo NBA scholarship!

Clockwise from top left: Organic baby boots $34 by Infusion; Felted wool knit baby shoes $25 by coffeelady; Bluebird leather baby shoes $15 by Bugaloo; Houndstooth baby loafers $24 by ivoryandmoss

Tefi Loves: Fair Day!

Me, Jen, and big mound of tater swirls

Yesterday I went to the State Fair with Ian, Jason, my parents and BFF Jen. It has been Jen's and my tradition to go each year, ever since we taught together way back in the day. This year we invited the rest of our family in on the fun times (with us, my family = her family). I ate: cotton candy, a pupusa, Greek salad, tater swirls, funnel cake, a candy apple, Fletcher's corny dog and some beer. Hard to believe I'm still a size 6.

Ian and Jason taking in the sights and sounds

To celebrate, I made a treasury on Etsy, highlighting some great handmade State Fair-themed items. Here are a couple of my selections:

Autumnal Sweets ACEO $10.50 by Loxly Hollow

All the Fun of the Fair photograph $25 by Laura Evans

Ian makes me laugh.

The best thing I've ever made is this little guy right here. (It was a collaborative effort, mind you.)

Ian and the Abuela

Happy times, new teeth

I'm going to be one of those parents.

Seriously. How cute is my kid? Happy six months, Ian!

A Day at the Dallas Farmer's Market

Today Jason and I had the day off in honor of July 4th, so we loaded Ian into the car and headed to Dallas' convenient and abundant Farmer's Market in downtown. This place never disappoints. We had lunch first at El Mercado (read my Yelp review) then walked the produce pavillion. What a beautiful sight!

Hey hey! Check out my beautiful custom-made "I heart Ian" pendant by Pamela Michelle. Click the photo to enlarge.

Know your onions!

TThere's my bargainin' man!In the spririt of community and independence, we love soupporting local businesses and farmers. And altho it was sweltering, Ian held out long enough for a trip to Starbucks (the indie cafe was closed), where I happily nursed him, then a stop at Splendor, a cute little bead shop in Lakewood. Happy 4th everyone! Here's to supporting the community!

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.

Tefi's Crafty Good Times

Life with Ian is, well, busy. It's incredible and magnificent, but makes keeping up with Tefi stuff rather difficult. I've been forced to become even more of a planner than I already was before. (Wha? Is that possible?) So tonight I plan to make bobbies and rings out of these super cool vintage BINGO and LOTTO markers I ordered from Etsy seller ScrapsOfTime. If I ever lay off taking pictures of Ian, I'll try to get around to taking pics of these new sweet creations. Gonna try to mix in media like buttons and fuzzy wool felt, too. Fun! With any luck, Ian will drift off around 9:30 after his last nursing session of the night, and won't wake up until...4:30am. Hmm. Is that asking too much?

Chicken Boy

Here is the stuffed knitted chicken my mom just finished for Ian. I bought her this how-to book about knitted toys and this was her first project. Cute cute!