Handmade Finds « oh my! handmade goodness

Handmade Finds

Meeting the Makers: Robyn of Shibang Designs

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Editor’s note: This meeting the makers post has all the things I love best-making it a perfect fit for our February theme of Love it Up. Robyn Santamaria of Shibang Designs is a talented and passionate Canadian maker with her own innovative style. Each of her pieces is a true work of art + skill + smart design, I am honoured to introduce Robyn to share her story with us!

Making and creating things has always been natural for me. From a young age I started selling my fimo creations at craft fairs and spending most of my free time drawing, making jewellery and sewing bags from fabric that I found around the house. When I made thedecision to take the Textile Arts Certificate at Capilano College (North Vancouver) right after high school I knew that I had found the perfect medium to express myself.

Exploring all of the processes related to fibre was my starting point and I gravitated towards embellishment, wool, dying and began to develop my technique of felt applique that I have built Shibang Designs around. I began designing simple shapes for purses to showcase the bright and textured abstract floral motif and creating a line to sell in some local boutiques in Vancouver. Feeling the need to solidify my skills and training in the textiles field I moved across the country to Halifax where I transferred to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCAD). It was there that I completed my BFA with a major in textiles, minor in jewellery and gained experience in fashion design and pattern drafting.

While a student I had the opportunity to participate in a couple of craft trade shows, both retail and wholesale, which has had an influence in the way that I currently run my business. In the past three years since graduating I have grown my business from part time job to a full time career. Etsy has been a great start to starting up and a wonderful tool to get out there. I am thankful for all of the leads, contacts and people I’ve met through this international online community. I also feel very lucky to be a craftsperson at this time when the internet and online shopping are so mainstream.

To sustain and promote my business I sell in three main ways; online through etsy and my own online shop, in boutiques across Canada and in the USA and by large trade shows that I travel to three times a year in Vancouver, Chicago and Toronto.

As much as I love working from home I enjoy meeting other artists in person and connecting with customers directly. What I find the most difficult is managing my time in all of the different roles that you must do when you run your own business – being the designer, maker, photographer, web designer, marketer etc. Some days I am busy doing other aspects of the business that I don’t even spend time sewing. It is a balance having to switching roles all of the time.

In the new year I plan to further develop my new line of art work as well as collaborate with other artists and designers.

Connect with Robyn by visiting her:

<<WEBSITE>> <<ETSY SHOP>> <<TWITTER>> <<FACEBOOK>>

Lovely Things to Make, Bake or Buy this Valentine’s Day!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Our little household gets all confused when Valentine’s Day rolls around. While Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th in Canada, it works a little differently in Japan (where my husband and I met and married) as women give gifts to men on February 14th and the men reciprocate on White Day – March 14th. And in Brazil, where my husband is from, Dia dos Namarados (Lover’s Day) is sometime in June. So, we’ve never really worked out which Love day to celebrate. And, to be honest, I’m okay with that. I’m not really a wine-me-dine-me-buy-me-roses-or-else kind of girl. In fact, my ideal Valentine’s Day would probably include a mailbox full of handmade cards (feel free to send me one!) and a chocolate-covered marshmallow heart (or two). Oh, and a cupcake!

That being said, I can definitely appreciate the abundance of Bee Mine and I Choo-Choo-Choose you puns, and over-abundance of pink and red hearts on everything! It taps into my innate love for cute & lovely things.

Now, I can admit, I may have been guilty of being a Valentine’s Day grump in the past, (surely a result of giant bouquets of flowers and life-sized heart-wielding teddy bears flaunted around high school hallways every February 14th) but I have learnt that holidays like Valentine’s Day are only miserable if you let them be. (Kinda like how New Year’s Eve is always a let down?) So stop being a Valentine’s Day grinch! Instead use February 14th as an excuse to embrace over-the-top pink & red & hearts-all-over, to indulge in something decadent (preferably involving chocolate) and to treat yourself or someone you love to something special.

No special someone this Valentine’s Day? Breathe a sigh of relief (pressure to find that perfect gift/card is off) and eat that cupcake anyway, bake heart-shaped cookies to share with your workmates or craft up handmade cards to share with your single friends. I’ll bet they’ll love them!

Make Something Special

1. Valentine Popcorn Invitation – Eat Drink Chic / 2. Love Garland – This Is Glamorous

3. Sweet Straws – A Field Journal / 4. Giant Paper Rose – Green Wedding Shoes

5. Felt Heart Barrettes – The Purl Bee / 6. Je T’aime Coffee Cup Wrappers – Eat Drink Chic

7. Valentine Cards – Alisa Burke / 8. Love Tea Time – Rosaline

Bake Something Decadent

1. Cupid’s Arrow Cupcakes – Bakerella / 2. Conversation Heart Cookies – Martha Stewart

3. Valentine’s Day S’mores – Bird’s Party / 4. Gift Box Cake – Bakerella

5. Raspberry-Hazelnut Linzer Hearts – Babble / 6. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies – Annie’s Eats

7. Origami Heart Cupcake Toppers – Omiyage / 8. Valentine’s Sugar Cookies – Sweetapolita

Buy Something Lovely

1. Je T’aime Card – Popolo Press / 2. LOVE Print – Helen Dardik

3. Valentine Paper Dolls – Jordan Grace Owens / 4. Herkimer Diamond Ring – lumafina

5. You Are So Loved – Katie Daisy / 6. HELLO Print – Mengsel

7. Tiny Heart Studs – Rachel Pfeffer Designs / 8. For Like Ever – Super Rural

As for us, this Valentine’s Day is sure to be a quiet one. But there will be cupcakes!

How about you – Are you a Valentine’s Day lover or could you do without this holiday? Will you be doing anything special to celebrate this year?

A New York state of mind…

Friday, December 9, 2011

click on any of the pictures in the gallery above for a full screen view

Sometimes you need a little inspiration.

A change of scenery, a much-needed break from routine, and a city full of energy seemed to do just the trick.

Hello Brooklyn!

Lucky me, to have a friend who graciously invited me and a couple of friends, to enjoy a little getaway.

I had a list of places to visit in New York City and I loved every crazy minute of it. It’s a stunning city. So full of energy, it’s contagious. But what I was really curious about was Brooklyn and … The Brooklyn Flea. Have you heard of it? If you love vintage and antiques, handmade loveliness and yummy food than you will love The Brooklyn Flea.

We visited the Sunday market in Williamsburg. It’s a nice sized market located on the East River Waterfront on Williamsburg. With the Brooklyn bridge in the distance and the Manhattan skyline in the background it makes for a pretty impressive atmosphere.

I would have loved to buy up this lot of vintage soda crates. They were a deal! I have one at home that I use for everything from serving drinks to displaying product at shows.

Look at those vintage printers blocks! I love using these to embellish packaging and to make displays at shows. Incorporating vintage storage pieces into product displays is a great way to add visual interest. I find it adds warmth and familiarity to a display that people can connect with.

It was inspiring to visit a city so full of strength and optimism, architectural beauty, old and new, and infectious creativity.

Thank you New York for recharging my batteries in a crazy, exhausting but inspiring kind of way.

The World’s Smallest Post Service + Teeny Tiny Advent

Thursday, December 8, 2011

I love small things, handwritten letters, creativity and magic. So when Chronicle Books wrote to ask if I was interested in jumping on board the blog tour for the World’s Smallest Post Service kit by Lea Redmond I was on it! I am a fan of Lea’s work and all things Chronicle Books and had been planning a mini advent calendar for my oldest daughter. I immediately thought how cute it would be to have mini-mail from Santa’s elves as an advent…and the World’s Smallest Advent was born!

Using Lea’s kit I made teensie little packages and letters from Santa’s elves for each of the days leading up to Christmas. The packages have activity ideas (ornament making, snowflake cutting, watching The Polar Express), little treats, and wee needle felted creatures. I don’t know where the mouse mail idea came from but I decided it would be fun to have Ila’s Mouse Mail delivered by reindeer mice-all the elves are using them these days. Plus it was an excuse to put antlers on mini-mice-how I love Christmas!

Lea’s kit is perfectly suited to this type of whimsical sweetness, imagine getting tiny love letters for Valentines day or miniature birthday wishes. I’m smitten with the whole idea! I was inspired by how the kit began, Lea would set up shop in public spaces with a little roll top desk and transcribe tiny letters that were sealed with a real wax stamp. Of course the little letters go into a “real world” envelope so they can navigate the post but inside is a little bit of magic.

The kit comes with everything you need to create the world’s smallest mail (or advent!) including fine-tipped pen, paper, envelopes, stamps, little seals, boxes, twine + an itty bitty mailbox. It would also make a brilliant stocking stuffer for family fun on Christmas morning. You can get your own copy of the kit by visiting Leafcutter Designs. While you are there poke around and check out Lea’s inspiring blog and other creative projects.

Be sure to join in the holiday blog tour for the World’s Smallest Post Service, next stop is Black Eiffel tomorrow. You can visit the past posts and enter to win a copy of the kit on, Simple Lovely, Refinery 29 and Fete a Fete.

Cheers to more magic + whimsy + teeny tiny awesomeness in the world!

Bright Holidays With Stacy Altiery of InkSpot Workshop

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Ho Ho HO! It’s my favorite time of year and it’s been pretty busy here around InkSpot Workshop. Creativity levels are at an all time high and although it’s December, most of what you see in our 2011 Holiday Line was conceived this past Spring and Summer. Note to self…get started earlier to avoid total meltdown! :)

If you like bright, bold and modern designs then you will surely love what I have in store for you today. I’ve put together a few of my favorite picks to help you out with your holiday shopping this year. Plus I have a super, secret discount shopping code (for Oh My Handmade readers only!) How does FREE SHIPPING on any USA + CANADA order sound? Simply input coupon code OMHGFREE when checking out at InkSpotWorkshoop.com Think of this as my own little gift to you. Shop now to ensure your personalized orders arrive on time. View our FAQ’s page for holiday shipping dates. Now sit back, turn on some holiday music and please enjoy this post.

Rudolph Silhouette Fondant Cupcake Toppers
Rudolph Silhouette Holiday Party Set
Mod Ornaments Holiday Party Set
Silly Rudolph Holiday Party Set
Holiday Lights Party Invitation Set

Personalized Soy Candles
Peace Love Girlfriends Note Cards
Bubbles Initial Note Card Sets
Linen Journals
Daisy Personalized Note Cards with matching pen

Doughnuts Personalized Note Cards
Personalized Holiday Recipe Cards + Box
Baking Mitts Personalized Note Cards
Seaside Stripes Personalized Recipe Cards + Box
Cupcake Love Note Cards

Personalized Pocket Mirrors or Magnets
Personalized Notes with Matching Pen
Girl’s Zoo Crew Personalized Note Cards
Girl’s Banner Personalized Note Cards
Lollipop Personalized Note Cards

Zoo Crew Personalized Note Cards
Old MacDonald Note Cards
Army Men Camouflage Personalized Note Cards
Personalized Mini Notebook with Pen
Surf’s Up Personalized Note Cards

Allisa Jacobs Terra Cotta with Red Poppy Brooch Handbag
Alice + Trixie Tunic
Tocca Eau De Parfum Viaggio Set
Vermeil Stone Bands
Painted Hostess Cart
Tahari Jenny Boots

Happy Holidays Everyone!

OMHG Contributor Holiday Wishlist

Thursday, November 24, 2011

After all this talk about holiday season business, I thought it would be fun to switch gears and share some of the items on our wish lists this holiday season! I asked OMHG’s contributors what they’re hoping to unwrap this year. Here’s some (mostly) handmade goodies that we would love to receive as gifts. Hint hint!

SOURCES: Leather Triangle Necklace – ulala / Hemp Pants – Sweetgrass / Stockholm Messenger Bag – Ikabags / elde handknit accessories / Adventure Sticks – Prunella / Across the canal – Laura Amiss / Custom Family Tree – cozyblue / Earth Girl print – Little Ladies by J / Doodle Necklace – Tickette / The Hostess cart – Society Social / Soy Candle – Luminology / Kokeshi Recipe Cards – Creative Mama / Fox Necklace – Odette / Modern Stripe Vase – dahlhaus/ Fused Glass Pendant – Gloria Lynn Glass / Personalized Notes & Calling Cards – Rifle Paper Co. / Baby Blanket & Burp Cloths – Organic Quilt Company / Custom Initial Necklace – S.D. Marie / Quartz Terrarium – Score + Solder / Geometric Leather Jewelry – boo + boo factory / Jon Klassen prints / Stand Mixer Poster – Oh, Dear Molly / Hand Drawn Garden Plate – ecdesign / Village Wall Plate – Zuppa Atelier / Skipping Bunny Plate – The Storybook Rabbit / Mr Raccoon Plate – jimbobart

CONTRIBUTORS: Kristen Hodges – Ahoy Graphics / April MacKinnon – Anointment Natural Skin Care / Arianne Foulks – Aeolidia / Jacqui Miyabayashi – Mee a Bee / Isa Maria Seminega – Noisette Marketing / Sarah Toms – sarah + abraham / Tracey Selingo – Twisted Pinky / Joy Charde – Creative Mamma / Stacy Altiery – InkSpot Workshop / Nicole Morell – Honeybunch / Cam Pietralunga / Laura Simms – Create as Folk / Allisa Jacobs / Michelle Vackar – Hi Mamma / Grace Kang – Retail Recipes / Meg Bartholomy – olliegraphic / Zoe Rooney – A Quick Study / Jena Coray – Miss Modish / Marisa Edghill – Omiyage.ca / Jessika Hepburn – Oh My! Handmade Goodness

Interview + Giveaway with Amy of tiny giraffe

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

One of the things I truly love about editing Oh My! is the chance to get to know people and watch their business grow and change. I first connected with Amy of tiny giraffe nearly a year ago and since then have seen her change her branding, collaborate with artists (& OMHG contributors!) and develop her brand. I am so happy to get the chance to share a bit of her journey with you.

Amy creates beautiful handmade classic wooden blocks with both modern and vintage styles. Choices range from classic paper dolls to artist illustrated sets-all perfect for little hands to play with and then pass down to future kiddos. Amy’s blocks make a perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer so be sure to enter the giveaway and take advantage of the 10% discount code below and get a leg up on your Christmas shopping!

Hi Amy, I am really thrilled to have the chance to share your business and story here. Please tell us a bit about yourself and tiny giraffe!

Tiny giraffe™ is the perfect balance between my passion for creating and love of business. After graduating with a degree in economics, I worked in the music industry in performing rights by day, then managed indie artists and even hit the road with some big names by night.

With the birth of my first daughter, I made the decision to give up working in music to start my most exciting job yet: raising my children. I created tiny giraffe™ as an outlet for my creative and entrepreneurial energy. I opened this etsy shop in February 2009 on the very night my second daughter was born. I launched the shop, loaded the graphics, and just minutes later was on my way to the hospital to give birth. Crazy, yes, but that’s how I operate! Now, just two years later, tiny giraffe™ blocks are sold in baby boutiques both online and across the U.S. from NYC to LA.

You had a busy summer re-vamping your brand with the help of one of our contributors Lisa of Moxie Pear. I would love if you could share that process with us by giving us a behind the scenes look at your brand before and after your makeover.

I had so much fun working with Lisa, and in addition to coming out of the creative process with an awesome new brand, I also learned a lot about the direction I want to take the tiny giraffe™ brand. My initial conversation with Lisa was all about exploring my goals and working to identify a few key words to describe my brand. I find myself going back to those key words often, and am so grateful to Lisa for taking me through that process.

Take a look at the before and after logos. The old logo was too bright and busy for the product I offer. tiny giraffe™ is about simple and classic wooden blocks for tots, and I wanted my new logo to reflect that look and feel. The new logo has a simple white background, earthy color palate, and a hand-drawn giraffe. I absolutely adore the way the giraffe appears to be drawn with crayon — it conveys that the brand is for children.

You also teamed up with another OMHG contributor, Joanne Gibert of Drawn to Letters to create a beautiful set of illustrated blocks. Tell me about that collaboration, how did it come to be & will you collaborate again with other artists in the future?

Joanne contacted me about a possible collaboration, and after just a few minutes on the phone we realized if we put our strengths together we could create something amazing. Putting Joanne’s beautiful watercolor drawings on classic wooden blocks is the perfect medium for babies and toddlers to get their hands on the alphabet and form those first words. It’s so satisfying for both Joanne and I to see the product of our collaboration, and tiny giraffe™ customers are returning for second and thirds sets after purchasing their first.

Of course, I would love to collaborate with other amazing artists and am always on the look out for unique spins to put on classic wooden blocks.

We love hearing how & where makers make! Can you tell us about your workspace?

We moved just a few weeks ago, and now I have my own studio ::squeal!:: The biggest benefit of dedicated space is that there is no setup and tear-down time. In the past I spent an obscene amount of time preparing to work, and now my supplies are at my fingertips ready to create. I’m still settling in and have my eye on a handful of handmade goodies to adorn my blank walls!

You took the summer off and are getting back in the swing of things-are there any tips or tricks you can share with our readers about getting back on track after spending time away?

Getting back on track after spending time away can be a challenge. Having a plan is important in order to get up and running on day 1. After taking the summer off, I reach out to my retail locations, as well as any online shops selling tiny giraffe™ blocks to make sure that they are stocked for the coming season. I also try to offer new designs upon reopening to create buzz and to keep repeat customers interested in my product.

What are you planning for tiny giraffe in the future? Any exciting projects or products in the works?

The holidays are upon us and I have just added the Christmas 2011 set to my etsy shop. Every year I create a stocking stuffer for tots, and have many customers who are collecting each year’s Christmas set. This year I’ve put together a set of three retro Christmas blocks (pictured above) with a drawstring bag hand-stamped with the words “elf made”, and the set ships free in the U.S. (with super affordable shipping worldwide!)

Amy is offering a generous giveaway and discount for US and Canadian OMHG readers of any item in her etsy shop! She is also offering a coupon code good for 10% off your entire order by entering OMHG10 at checkout. The code is valid until Wednesday, November 2nd so get shopping!

How to Enter this Giveaway

Leave a comment about tiny giraffe and my interview with Amy (can I get a WOW on her launching a biz + a baby at the same time-talk about multi-tasking!)

AND/OR

Visit tiny giraffe and let us know what you would choose from the shop

Get extra entries by leaving a separate comment (1 comment=1 entry) if you:

Like tiny giraffe on Facebook
Follow tiny giraffe on Twitter
Tweet or share this giveaway on your Facebook wall (be sure to let us know by including@ohmyhandmade in your tweet or tagging oh my! handmade goodness in your post)
Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post

This giveaway closes at midnight EST on Wednesday, November 2nd with the winner announced at the bottom of this post on November 3rd (comments received after this time will not be published until the winner is announced). By entering this giveaway you agree to the oh my! handmade giveaway policies.

This giveaway is now closed! The lucky winner is:

Get Creative with New Pop & Lolli Decals

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The new collection from our sponsor Pop and Lolli is ridiculously adorable! These amazing decals can transform a room into a pirate getaway, a robot factory, a spooky Halloween party or an ocean scene to sail away into on your very own ship. I interviewed Mia at the beginning of the year and was impressed then by the creativity and unique style of Pop and Lolli designs. Now they are celebrating their first year in business with a new round of styles. The decals were released October and are just as awesome as the earlier designs!

Seriously, what kid (or adult for that matter) doesn’t wan’t to play with giant stickers? Now is your chance! Mia has offered OMHG readers a 15% discount on anything in the shop. Simply enter OHMY15 at check out and have fun transforming your walls into an interactive play space. Worried that wee beasties will destroy the decals? This video shows them in action and I can speak from experience, Mia sent me a sample last year and my toddler had great fun balling up the decal when I wasn’t looking. A couple seconds of smoothing it out and it was good as new!

Throwing a Halloween party? For just a few more days you can save 20% on the Pop and Lolli Halloween overlay (bottom left) with the code HW2011.

Also be sure to keep in touch with Pop and Lolli goodness by visiting the website, following on Twitter and becoming a fan on Facebook .

Creative Inspiration from a Foreign Land

Saturday, October 8, 2011

A trip to the newsstand is one of the best creative pick-me-ups. Here in Japan I am absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to magazines about living a creative life. My favorite go-to magazine is actually a craft kit mail-order catalog. Unfortunately delivery is not available outside Japan but if you have a foreign-language enabled computer then the website is a real treat. You can view the current catalog online and there are tons of gorgeous photos to look at.

Of course I would love to be able to order every single thing but I am happy to simply be inspired by the wonderful quirky color combinations, the visually fascinating photo layouts and the use of different fonts and page elements. The whole magazine is a delight to ‘read’ from cover to cover. It’s bright, cheerful and overall uplifting. I am always full to the brim of ideas and things to try in my own business since I wear all the hats – designer, maker, photographer and sales manager.

The magazine is called Couturier and to view the digital catalog click the pink square on the right immediately under the large scrolling picture banner. Please remember that all the photos, text and project ideas are copyrighted by the publisher Felissimo (the same company who brought us the wonderful 500 Colored Pencils ).

If a trip to a real bookstore is more your cup of tea then pop over to the Kinokuniya website to see if there is a store near you. Japanese craft books rank right up there with sushi and cherry blossoms if you ask me.

Pin & Win! The Pinterest Challenge Redux

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Since October is all about challenging your creativity, Jessika and I thought it was time to bring back the Pinterest Challenge!

Back in June, I issued myself a challenge – A Pinterest Challenge – and invited you to join me. It’s a challenge to try new things and to actually do something with all those pins you’re collecting on your Pinterest boards. To actually get inspired by the inspiration boards you’re curating. As Pinterest gains popularity, and the handmade community grapples with the ethics of it all, we thought it was a perfect time to ask you again to try using Pinterest in a different, more proactive way.

I’ve been keeping track of my projects on the Oh My! Pinspiration board. It’s been a little slower going that I’d originally planned, but it’s definitely encouraged me to try some projects that I probably wouldn’t have – and to share things which are less than perfect. There’s definitely a moment of “is this good enough to send out there into the world?” whenever I hit “pin” on one of these projects, but at the core of this challenge isn’t a goal of trying to make the best art/craft, it’s a challenge to work with the things that inspire me and to give myself the freedom to play. Here’s a few of the projects I’ve taken on in the last few months:

Combining two images I love and playing around with different versions. See pin for sources.

My interpretation of the t-shirt necklace. Longer, looser and with a braid. See pin for source.

Came across a Dala Horse softie tutorial and whipped up a couple of my own. See pin for source.

An envelope clutch made of obi fabric. See pin for sources.

Want to play along? It’s easy! Take a look at your pins and listen to what they’re telling you. Is there a common colour story? A particular type of project you pin over and over (and over) again? A tutorial that you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t made time for? And then just do – make time for a little me-time in your busy schedule and sew, draw, paint, knit, create.

When your pinspired work is complete, take a picture and upload it to Pinterest, making sure you tag either Oh My! Handmade or me in your description. We’ll make sure your pin gets repinned to the Oh My! Pinspiration Board. Sounds too complicated? Simply tweet your image with the hashtag #PinspirationChallenge and I’ll make sure it gets pinned to the board. Be sure to include a link to the original pin(s) which inspired you!

And to sweeten the deal – and help get those creative juices flowing, I’m going to throw in an Omiyage Creativity Pack as a proverbial carrot.

Here’s how to pin & win:

Each project you pin will be worth one entry – and yes, you can pin multiple images of one project, but no, you can’t have extra entries for extra images of the same project!

At the end of October, I’ll put the names of each contributor and their project(s) into a hat and pull out a winner.

The winner will be sent a a surprise pack of Omiyage goodies - inside you might find mt washi tape, Divine Twine, gorgeous chiyogami paper, fun stickers, cute stamps… perfect for inspiring you to create more handmade goodness!

International pinners & winners welcome!