New Favorite Blog: Studio, Sweet Studio

Oh man, drool central over here. Cheyne, Pam and I were talking recently about how much we love to peek inside other people's studios. This conversation sort of segwayed into Cheyne getting an amazing feature on Bella Pop blog of her sewing studio. Now I'm wishing I'd won last week's lottery so I can move my "studio" out of my bedroom (and dining room, and living room) and into one sweet craft space. *sigh* Until then, I can Ooh and Aah over the photos and tutorials in this new blog, Studio, Sweet Studio.

Retail Blogs I Love

Anthro: In Our Own Words So not exactly a blog, Anthropologie offers fans and loyalists (hi there!) monthly blog-style email updates about what's brewing over at the mega-gorgeous women's clothing chain. Yesterday I received the February 2010 edition and was immediately blown away by the project they highlight: plastic bottles turned into beautiful flowers. They took it a step further and created beautiful clusters of these upcycled flowers in their shop windows. In case you can't tell, I'm gushing:

Fossil.Life.Style I was recently turned on to Fossil's newish blog after a big mega shopping spree at their employee shop, onsite at their headquarters right here in Big D. I love how they highlight designers (some known, some unknown, all fabulous), but their nod to The Who* is what won me over as a reader. My favorite entries so far on the Fossil blog are the DIY projects. Not that I have enough time to do anything in addition to mommyhood, real job, Tefi Designs, Etsy Dallas, and (whew!) the Handmade Bash. But, I love to see the possibilities of all the things I could be making if only my clone machine was working. *sigh* Free People: Bldg 15 I'm not a huge fan of Free People's clothing line - it's all a little too boho chic for me, but their blog is something else entirely. Sure, they often spend time blogging about their own goods, understandably so, but in between are great blog posts about local happenings, DIY projects and handmade news. Because I'm a little crazy about the ins and outs of merchandizing, my all time favorite posts are ones that give me a glimpse into their shop displays, like this one. Gorgeous! * For a good time, hang back and watch me rock out to "Pinball Wizard" on Rock Band!

Get On the Renegade Bus

A few weeks back I had a good ol' time chattin' it up with Teresa Burkett of Renegade Bus, an online magazine of "Culture and the Curious in Dallas, Texas." She and I had fun emailing back and forth. Some of my favorite moments are humbly reprinted below without permission: TB: How do you define a person who is a crafter? SH: This is just my opinion - I think the word ‘crafter’ refers more to an artisan than an artist, someone who creates by hand meaningful and functional art like a purse or votive candle. I don’t mind being called a ‘crafter,’ but there are still a lot of stigmas associated with that term that conjure up images of grandma in her rocking chair darning a doily or knitting an afghan. That is definitely not me. Not yet. TB: What an achievement [to found Etsy Dallas], to see a need for a craft group and then to make it happen. When Etsy Dallas formed what did you all have in mind for the group’s purpose? SH: In September of 2007, when I sent out cold emails to local people selling on Etsy.com, I envisioned a small team of crafters and artists who would meet for coffee, hang out and craft together, and hold small trunk shows here and there. But instead, the response was astounding with so many people replying, “I’ve been waiting for someone to organize this!” My husband compared me to Richard Nixon when he said I had tapped into the “silent majority.” While I appreciate the sentiment, it’s never fun being compared to Richard Nixon. And guess what: If you're going to work blue, beware that it just might make it into the interview. Yoozers! If you dare, read the entire PG-13 interview right her.

Indie Parade

We crafty types have to stick together. I mean, c'mon we aren't Van Gogh. We don't work in a vacuum. So big fat thanks to my gal Pamela Michelle who submitted my Fire Walk with Me gemstone necklace to Indie Parade. You'll find my piece showcased alongside her Nature Abstract wooden necklace, Dowdy Studio's Viking tee, and Cut Out and Collect's Bamboo Leaf zip pouch. All of us will be selling our handmade goodies at the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash this November 21st at the Sons of Hermann Hall. Find something for everyone on your holiday list at this, the "Best show in Dallas, ever." (We heard customers say this over and over at the last Bash.) You can also apply to be a vendor or sponsor today!

Tefi Loves: Candie Cooper

Also known as the Savvy Crafter, Candie Cooper is my new crafty hero. No joke! Looking at her blog photos and reading about her life makes me take a deep breath and sigh, "Ahhhh...." To quote her, "I never met a craft material I didn't like." I hear that. (Sidebar: I am knee-deep in a yo-yo making frenzy, thanks to Clover. And doubly thanks to their web site, which led me to Candie's. More on my yo-yo craze later....) Candie crafts, she goes to fiber festivals, she loves Mod Podge (my, who doesn't?), she bakes, she loves felt (me too! omg), she's published. Sigh, indeed. My favorite project of hers (so far) is beaded beads (above). You heard me right. She even has a tutorial for them with a clear and fair warning that these suckers can be addicting. Believe it! Find this and other tutorials at her old blog The Candie Cast. Web site: http://www.candiecooper.com/ Blog: http://www.candiecooper.typepad.com/ Location: Wabash, Indiana Books: Felted Jewelry (have it! love it!) and Designer Needle Felting (holy cow! must have! somebody buy this for me!)

Tefi Loves: Christina Likes

Okay, so I may be a bit biased. After all, Christina did spend the afternoon at yesterday's Spring Bash (a lot more on that later), and she did come by my booth to introduce herself (she's adorable!). And then, she went on to feature a ton of Spring Bash vendors on her blog, Christina Likes, including one of my Big Balls. Bookmark her blog and stay tuned to her new Etsy shop Paper Fingers. Seriously, what's not to love about Christina Likes? Shop: http://www.paperfingers.etsy.com/ Blog: http://www.christinalikes.com/ Location: Dallas, Texas

Tefi Loves: Feeling Stitchy

Oh my. I am in love. Just came across a bright new blog called Feeling Stitchy. Perusing the photographs and blog posts allows me to imagine a world where I have the time and energy to use all of the floss, muslin, hoops and needles in my studio to stitch up a storm. In fact, while on maternity leave I was able to complete two embroidery projects of freeform trees + houses for Ian's nursery, but haven't gotten around to framing or photographing them. Shame on me! Stay tuned; I just might get it together some day. In the meantime, check out Feeling Stitchy and enjoy the pretty, pretty colors and shapes. Blog: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/54791047@N00/

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

Best Video I've Seen in a Long Time

more at Where the Hell Is Matt?

Oh Laptop, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

My hardrive is a dud. It turns out to be one of Samsung's 5% that turn out buggy and messed up and now I need a new one. The worst part is that I most likely lost all of my files. This includes all of my pics, invetories sheets, design ideas, art show docs, etc. Nothing I can't either replace or live without, but MAN! What a drag and a half. Luckily, my friend Matt is helping me out. He's a 'puter whiz and is nice enough to take on the task of restoring what files he can (if he can), replacing my hard drive, performing a security recovery or something...This is where my eyes start to glaze over, you know, when computer talk turns technical. In the meantime, I've uploaded my Boston pics onto Jason's computer and have yet to upload them to Flickr. But I promise I will! Warning: We were photosnappin' fools, so you're in for a whale of a time. I also photographed a lot of new pieces, but then my memory card got FULL and I had to stop. I didn't snap shots of my new Wired pendants and they are, I think, the best of my new work. Once I get those photographed, I plan to submit my application to Stitch. My favorite of the new pieces are these Totem Pole Pendants I constructed using various stones and Tibetan skull prayer beads. The beads are stacked one on the other and wirewrapped onto a hammered wire frame. They look like little totem poles around your neck! Jason and I had a fun weekend. We partied like rock stars Saturday night at Lee Harvey's, danced to some DJ Sista Whitenoise tunes, and then later on went to Laura and Neil's pad to watch 80s videos on The Tube and some HBO Real Sex. If you ask me, it should be called HBO's Real Dumb People Doing Real Dumb Sex Things. But we had a laugh or two. Yesterday was my day for mourning the loss of my hard drive. I'll let ya know if anything can be recovered, but I'm preparing for the worst. Kids: back up your stuff. It's a hard lesson to learn.