Imagination

Emerge, by Fréya Eté

My imagination has been slow lately.  Ideas seem to be just on the other side of a gauzy curtain--I can see their shapes but not well enough.  So I've gone searching for inspiration, and found Freya Art.  These words and illustrations, paired together, are stirring those creative thoughts now.  Good words and good art have a way of doing that, no?

Good Words

please send good into the world print by Jessica Swift

Sometimes, I need some good words.  Sometimes, they're inside me; other times, they're in a book.  Every now and then, I stumble across them.

Yesterday, I was craving some good words, and found them in my google reader, two posts in a row.  One was a post on Oh, Hello Friend about a marriage retreat Danni attended with her husband.  The other was some poetic prose, musing on how we live in a world like this one, from Elizabeth Lives.  Both resonated with me, with their simple honesty about living and loving, about believing what is true about yourself and your life and your beloved.  So I don't have any more words for you today.

FOUND :: Nostalgic School Supplies

Growing up, I went school supply shopping in June, usually within a month of the end of school.  Sometimes I held out until July, but I usually didn't make it that long.  I was always more excited about entering the next grade of school than I was about having summer break.  My process for picking school supplies often involved several trips to Big Lots, where they had a steady supply of Lisa Frank everything, and Target, where I picked up my less vibrant items that the school required--a red folder for math, yellow for reading, etc.

{by Robin's Egg Blue Nest on Etsy}

In fourth grade, we had bigger desks, so we got to use binders.  I was so excited to purchase my first binder that I think I bought three before deciding which one would go in my desk.  In middle school, we didn't get our supply lists until two weeks before school started, and it drove me crazy.  I couldn't wait that long, I just couldn't!  So I shopped to outfit my locker in purple shelves and sparkly magnets.

{by Earmark on Etsy}

In high school, I finally held out a little more, since we only got our supply lists on the first day of classes.  At that point, school was thoroughly routine, but I still stocked up on enough loose college ruled paper that I still have some left.

{by forrestinavintage on Etsy}

In truth, right now, I'm a little antsy to get back to school.  In August, when I plan to start, I'll breathe a huge sigh of relief.  I was excited to finish my coursework in three years and graduate in December, but I wasn't ready to be done with school, which is good, since I'll most likely be a student for at least another six years.  That means I get to keep stocking up on school supplies, right?

{by faded plains on Etsy}

In short, I've always been a nerd about school (except in the time between spring break and the end of the year, but that's beside the point).  You can laugh at me now (I know my mom already was), so go ahead, but then take a look at all the vintage school supplies on Etsy.  I compiled a treasury last night that you can look at here, featuring the items in this post and more.

FOUND :: Old New Again, on Etsy

Okay, if you know me, you probably know that I've lived in Kentucky for twelve years now, a slight majority of my life, but I'm still definitely, totally, and surely a Wisconsin native.  So when I find things from my home state, I get a little bit like that annoying kid saying "pick me! pick me!" every time the teacher asks a question--I stick my nose in the middle of things and say "Hey, I'm from there, too!"

I'm definitely going to be that kid right now and brag on these folks up in my home state who create some pretty fantastic upcycled goods in the hometown of the great and beloved Green Bay Packers.

They have Wisconsin in turquoise wood.

{Wisconsin light turquoise wood wall hook by Old New Again on Etsy}

They also have Kentucky in slate.

{Kentucky wood wall hook, slate, by Old New Again on Etsy}

If you're not looking for state-shaped wall hooks, Old New Again has a number of other wooden shabby chic items for your home, like this welcome sign.

{wood sign cottage style welcome by Old New Again on Etsy}

I must agree with the imperative statement on this sign.

{read sign wooden wall art by Old New Again on Etsy}

Every piece of wood is hand-picked, so even though their prices are a little higher than other sources, their pieces are carefully made with great quality.  Old New Again is "a husband and wife team supporting [their] family with [their] goods," which impresses me even more.  Their shop is gorgeous and you really should take a look.

FOUND :: shop local, part 1

I found myself writing a post of near-epic proportions concerning my opinion on buying local, fair trade, secondhand, or handmade, and decided that it would need more revisions than I feel like writing at present and was more suited to a Friday essay post than a Tuesday handmade finds post.  So I'm sparing you the tedious verbosity and I'll be blabbering about one of my favorite Etsy features instead.  I've found some pretty neat things using this feature, and I think you'll like it, too.  My bridesmaids in my wedding all got these adorable slippers that I found, made by a local (to where I lived at the time/plan to live soon!) knitter, Casey of Clamors.

I found her using the Shop Local feature on Etsy.  It's on the homepage, left side, right below the "pounce" feature, and I love it.  When you put in your city's name, it'll pull up the one hundred most recently updated shops on your area, along with a few items from each, and you can browse your way through local makers.  Buying these slippers from Casey meant that first, I supported a local crafter, and second, I saved money on the shipping, since it only went through the post offices in my city.  If you felt comfortable with it, you could even arrange to meet someone locally* (provided you follow some basic safety tips), or pick something up from a craft fair, instead of ordering online.  This feature lets local buyers connect with local makers.  You may be surprised at what you find is going on right where you live! 

This is what's going on in my hometown...

{coffee mug cozy by then there's this}

{falling leaves brooch or necklace by Zia's Cottage Industry,

from both my home state of WI

and my hometown of Louisville! 

Oh, how small the world is}

{vintage shoe printer's block by fisherville studios}

Have you found anything interesting in your area lately?  

*Please note: if you ever meet someone in person that you originally met online, meet them in a very public place, with friends along, and absolutely do not go anywhere private with them.  Most people in the handmade online community are cool and safe, from what I've learned, but you should always watch out for your safety. 

FOUND :: Easter Treasuries on Etsy

Spring is hiding somewhere past the chilly temperatures we're still feeling here, and Easter's not so far, either.  I feel like Easter is often overlooked, or fully occupied by bunnies and eggs, when it comes to craft and handmade design.  It's sort of funny to me, since Easter is a celebration of the resurrection, of a return to life, and what could be more wonderful than that?  Maybe it's just my experience, though, feeling like Easter gets forgotten, since we don't get a lot of days off around Easter (like we do for Christmas and Thanksgiving) and the holiday gets a little forgotten.  Anyway, since I feel a little more interested in celebrating this year, since I actually get off for the weekend, I did a little Etsy hunting to find some treasuries--and some lovely things--that are perfect for spring and for celebrating the miracle of Easter.

the cycle of life by ArzuMusa

{by maclancy on Etsy}

Shabby Chic Easter by Lauren Blythe Designs

{by sweetsimple on Etsy}

And just to keep things interesting, I'm going to put one together myself in a little while.  In the meantime, here are two more treasuries you might like.

French Country by Baymut

{by blueberrycream on Etsy}

April Showers by foresstinavintage

{by sparklethots on Etsy}

I'll give you the link to my treasury in a few hours.  Until then, have a lovely day!

All images belong to the shop owners listed beneath.  If you're interested in purchasing an item, the link below the image will take you to its sale posting. 

FOUND :: the little fox, on Etsy

{the book lovers postcard set}

When I spotted this collection of postcards on my cousin's blog today, I knew I'd be writing about the shop.  The Little Fox describes herself as a "picture crafter, imagination enthusiast, and bedtime stories fabricator."  Her illustrations reflect a fairy-tale aesthetic expressed in wide-eyed, sometimes ingenuous, primarily female subjects.  They're adorable and they're somehow enchanting.

{baby owl print}

Her prints ship free worldwide, so don't worry that she's in the United Kingdom.  The Little Fox is also having a sale at the moment, so this print is only twelve dollars, placing it in the category of affordable art.  I could see these in a young girl's bedroom, or in a creative space, or even in a whimsical living room, which I fully intend to have someday.  

{hello, mr. hedgehog}

The Little Fox also blogs on a whimsy and pretty site here, which you should most definitely read for at least a bit. I'm a little in love with the colors and font she uses.  They're so sweet and fanciful.

all images link back to their listings on Etsy and belong to The Little Fox.  please be kind and give her credit if you share these images elsewhere, because they are copyrighted.