Tefi Loves: Amy Blackwell

Love love love her artwork, her lovely aesthetic, the colors. I'll just let the illustrations speak for themselves.





Visit her Etsy shop: www.blackoutwell.etsy.com

Want want want this fabric.

Sweet and foxy fabric by mummysam.etsy.com. Gimme gimme. Gimme!

Tefi Loves: humbleBea

Oh. My. God. These are just about the cutest little twee mushrooms I've ever seen in my life. And she uses handsewn fabric yo-yos to make them! Gotta love that. I also adore her little gnomes and tiny people. This stuff is just so cute it hurts. Check out her Etsy shop: http://www.blogger.com/www.humblebea.etsy.com

Tefi Loves: Trying to be happy a lot of the time

Gorgeous and lovely, isn't it?

Art print by Sarah McNeil - $22

http://www.sarahmcneil.etsy.com/


And how can you deny the utter adorable-ness of her porcelain pendants?

Tefi Loves: Blue Seraphim

Thanks to Etsy's front page, I just stumbled upon Blue Seraphim, an Etsy shop run by Jennifer Jennings who creates the most gorgeously luscious lampwork glass beads. Gimme gimme! I want them all!

Tefi Loves: Animal Portraits

Enna: enna.etsy.com

Chet Art: chetart.etsy.com

fellow Etsy Dallas member and Bash artist

Berkley Illustration: berkleyillustration.etsy.com fellow Renegade Austin artist

Tefi Hates: Houseflies

My house has become infested with giant houseflies. It's a regular Amityville horror at the Catherine Street abode. Jason and I have the blood of at least 50 flies on our hands from the last four days. These buggers are coming from the attic where, undoubtedly, something cute and furry died. It's gross, I know. So I'm looking toward the artsy and crafty to lighten my mood. *swat!* 1) Photograph by livingwithart, 2) Messenger bag by SlipstitchDesigns, 3) Letterpress notecards by PressaRussa, 4) Watercolor print by Sckraps, 5) Jeff Goldblum, the original fly, 6) Art tile by lulunjay And then of course there's this timeless classic.

Tefi Loves: Pods

I love the perfect compactness of a little seed pod - nature's little neat-and-tidy. Their promise of life makes for an inspiring design element, including my very own original Peapod necklace design, pictured in the final box below. Enjoy these pods I found on Etsy! 1) print on fabric by redbean, 2) handbag by Cut Out and Collect, 3) earrings by Marcus Berkner Jewelry, 4) pod garden art by dkruegerbotanicart, 5) felt peapods by SnapStreet, 6) poppy pods photograph by honeytree, 7) maple seed pod bib by , 8) seeds watercolor painting by GollyBard, 9) peapod pendant necklace by Tefi Designs My Peapods make the perfect gift for a mother, mother-to-be, sister, grandmother, wife, or special secret lady friend. I make them to order based on your specifications (2 peas, 3 peas, large, small, dark green, white pearls...you get the idea). Order one today!

Tefi Loves: Robots!

Ever since I bought a two robot prints at The Girlie Show a couple months ago for Ian's room, I've been robot crazy. For him, of course. I've purchased robot fabric with plans to make a garland for his room spelling out "Ian's Room" and now I see robots everywhere! Here are a few of my favorites: 1) Wall decals by designfruit, 2) Box block by johnwgolden, 3) Messenger bag by rainbowswirlz, 4) Finger puppet by stayawake, 5) Bifold wallet by ThienThanh, 6) Boys' t-shirt by happyfamily 1) Lunch sack by JulieMeyer, 2) Crayon walllet by GetSassed, 3) Art print by falldowntree, 4) Necklace by BellaSmiles, 5) Notecards by zuckerpix, 6) Art print by artandphilanthropy And let's not forget my very own robot creation that I sold over a year ago. He's made with a vintage charm and sterling silver wire wrapped with a crystal. I give you V.I.N.CENT:

Tefi Loves: Birka Scandinavian

I was heartbroken (and still am) when I couldn't find my beautiful emerald ring with a white gold band that my mom bought for me in Colombia. I wanted to replace it with something equally as beautiful and meaningful, and that's when I found Marie of Birka Scandinavian. She was so patient as we went back and forth creating the perfect custom ring order: 1 garnet band for Ian, one citrine band for Jason, and one emerald band for me - all our birthday stones. I wasn't sure what my ring size was, so for $3 I purchased her ring sizer and came out to the perfect fit - 7-1/4. According to Marie, she buys her gems and silver from very reputable suppliers in the US. The sterling silver is 92.5 % or higher in silver content, but on her thin bands she doesn't stamp "sterling" as this would distort the wire. Any independent certified gemologist and assayer is capable of confirming the composition of a stone and the purity of the metal. In other words, you're guaranteed to get something beautiful, affordable, and authentic when you get a piece of jewelry from Birka Scandinavian. Anyone who knows me knows that I rarely, if ever, where another person's jewelry. I like to be my own walking billboard for my own jewelry. But other than Pam's "Ian" pendant she made for me, and now my Birka rings - I stick strictly to Tefi Designs. The rings arrived a few days ago, and Jason presented them to me as my Christmas gift from him. GORGEOUS. Tack, Marie!

Tefi Loves: Nuts II

Clockwise from top left: Acorn gift tags by BuncoBettys, Acorn necklace by Crave, Aw, Nuts necklace by Tefi, Acorn rubber stamp by Corrabelle, Oh Nuts gift tags by SunshineandRavioli, Bustin' a Nut vinyl sticker by vinylville, Beginning VI watercolor painting by GollyBard, Golden Peanut pocket knife necklace by contrary, Acorns stationery by TheBeehivePress. Clockwise from top left: Nut-Busting Squirrel magnet by CrowBiz, Porcelain mixed nuts by kgrandey, Nutter earrings by urbanlegend, Nuts for Acorns necklace by secretjewellz, Coconut Pom-Poms by PomLove, Timothy Peanut plushie by MadeByMarta

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

Tefi Loves: (Certain) Musicals

Technically, I do not love musicals, as a genre. For the most part, they get on my nerves, really get on my nerves. [Example: 2007's Wicked should receive public censure and a week in the stockades for ruining what I consider to be one of the best works of modern fiction.] But there are a few musicals that I hold near and dear, mostly because I grew up with them. The following Etsy items are inspired by my warm fuzzy memories of certain musicals that left an indelible mark on my childhood. Enjoy! (but don't go singin' about it):
Xanadu Roller Skate Earrings: $15 Shop: Deb Star Designs Location: Sydney, Australia
Hedwig & the Angry Inch Gummi Bear soap: $2.75 Shop: Jessica Edwardss Location: Idaho

The Sound of Music Kissing Cousins Print: $12 Shop: Made with Love by Hannah Location: Los Angeles, CA
A Chorus Line Tiny Dancer necklace: $19 Shop: Cocoa Chu Chu Location: Toronto, Canada
Grease! John Travolta Cross-Stitch Pattern: $4 Shop: All Stitches Location: somewhere in the U.S.
Grease! 2 Motorcycles photograph: $18 Shop: Eva Vaughan Location: Louisville, KY
Annie She wants to live with grandma Doll: $12 Shop: pocomedio Location: Port Clinton, OH
Little Shop of Horrors Venus Fly Trap Skinny Tie: $30 Shop: Jes Switaj Location: Brooklyn, NY

Tefi Loves: Creepy Baby Stuff

Now that I have Ian in my life (7 months old!) I have even more appreciation for these creepy baby things I found on Etsy:
Baby Limbs hook rack $49 Shop: www.luxfordst.etsy.com Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Baby hand soap $15 Shop: www.Hartleysoap.etsy.com Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Baby Hand handsoap $18 Shop: www.foliage.etsy.com Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Dainty doll parts necklace $9.50 Shop: www.babydollbutcher.etsy.com Location: Wisconsin
Oddity No.4 $25 Shop: www.emporium51.etsy.com Location: Savannah, Georgia

Tefi Loves: Shopping Locally

We hear all the time how important it is to shop locally for the ecenomy, the environment, yada yada. Well, it's true! But my favorite part is that I get meaningful, handmade items to fill up my life, rather than Made In China crippy-crap from the mall.
Little Peanut Onesie by Harrilu Bought this at the Spring Fling in Fort Worth. Peanut was Ian's nickname when I was preggers. Recycled Paper Garland by Alicia Colina-Ashby I won this at an Etsy Dallas party silent auction and plan to decorate my Xmas tree with it this year. Custom "Ian" Art Necklace by Pamela Michelle In honor of my son Ian, this is the only non-Tefi necklace I wear; and I wear it proudly! Sailor Zipper Pouch
by Cut Out and Collect I carry Ian's nursing rag, pacifier, and other small items in this adorable pouch. Cathedral Votive by the Kessler Craftsman This gorgeous votive brightens up my sewing table. Cupcake Beaded Pen by MandiBeads I proudly use this at shows to write up receipts! Cucumber Melon Soap by The Pig & the Peacock I bought these and some candles as baby shower hostess Thank You gifts. My mistake was not buying myself some! Pride & Prejudice Buttons by Manhandled Okay, so this wasn't actually a purchase since Emily gave them to me as a gift. But I covered my show apron with them. Gotta keep Mr. Darcy near and dear. Custom Head Warmer by Karmacrochet I don't have a pic of this yet, so I'm including her beautiful Cranberry red neckwarmer. Frosted Donut Soaps by Soapopotamus These soaps are seriously cute and make great gifts. I bought some for my quirky dad.As luck would have it, all of these fabulous Etsy Dallas members will be at the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash this November 21st at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas. Buy your loved ones meaningful gifts this year - SHOP HANDMADE AT THE BASH!