Shopping List Saturday - Renegade Brooklyn

I am getting a head start on my shopping for the Renegade Craft show in Brooklyn. Everything on my list is from the vendors that will be there. So Excited!!!

Argyle Whale

Megan Stelzer

Sara Smedley

Foxy and Winston

Twigs and Heather

Pepper Sprouts

Jewelweeds

Berd and Bee

International Robot

Laura George

Arcane Arts

Berkley Illustration

Visit FancyPicnic to see more Shopping List Saturday. Hope your weekend is great!

Weekend Eye Candy - water

Weekend Eye Candy - water, originally uploaded by Chocolate And Steel (Christine).

1. Poinsettia Water Drops, 2. Drop macro V, 3. My First Macro, 4. Macro of Fake Rain Drops on a Leaf, 5. How to put pretty stuff in those drops. Tutorial below:, 6. macro water drop

I'm off to take my son to his swimming lessons, so I guess I have water on my mind. Hope you enjoy these gorgeous macro shots of water. I'm REALLY wanting a macro lense but I think I'll have to wait. Have a wonderful Friday.

Don't forget to check out Paige's list today.

I just can't resist

My little guy is just the cutest, yes?


And this is a picture he took of me. The camera was so heavy for him I'm surprised the picture wasn't of the grass.


I'll be back later in the day with my "Weekend Eye Candy" post. Enjoy your day!

Look at what I discovered

I just finished up two shows and look at all of the wonderful vendors I discovered. Some I already knew of but was so pleased to meet in person.

At Unique LA I had the pleasure of meeting Stacey Winters, Sasha Bell, Imaginary Friends, and Rachel Austin. I have admired their work from afar for some time. Isn't it just the best when you love someone's work and then meet them and they are nice too!

Stacey Winters with Sasha Bell in the back

gorgeous earrings from Sasha

an array of really cool things from Rachel Austin

the very nice duo that make up Imaginary Friends

At Patchwork this weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the very talented HannahMade. And again... isn't it the best when you meet someone that you've admired from afar and they are the sweetest!

Hannah having some laughs and looking good:)

I also got to see Nina Gibson's collection. We met a year or so ago, I think. She is so sweet and so talented. My pictures didn't turn out all that great, but at least you can see how awesome her display is. She had an Etsy jewelry seller make it for her. Love handmade:)

Also, I shared my booth with my regular booth mate Adriana of Invita Paper Studios. Check out the cute new cards she has up. The cuteness just never ends with her - not to mention she might have the most adorable little boy ever (James aside). So cute that you would think I got pictures.... but I did not.
And here's my mismosh booth setup. I've combined 3 different displays so now I need to tie it all together again. I'll be working on that for the next show - Renegade Craft in Brooklyn, NY. So consider this the before picture.

Weekend Eye Candy - a light

1. Sun Glare, 2. glare, 3. Sun glare, 4. Sun glare thru the evergreens, 5. Focus on Color (Diffuse Glare), 6. Sunburst

Lately I have been feeling very overwhelmed. I am doing everything I can to maintain my business (and hopefully grow it) in this retail unfriendly economy. I can tell you in all honesty I have never worked so hard for my money. I just applied to another wholesale show for August. I have fingers crossed on one hand, but the other hand is doing it's best to counteract that. I really am excited about all of the great opportunities coming my way. I'm just overwhelmed! That is why I choose to do a Weekend Eye Candy all about light. I know there is a light bursting through all of this frustration. I feel it everyday..... and then the next day begins and I'm completely stressed again. Oh, to just find balance would be so lovely. Maybe next week's edition will be about balance:)

Have a lovely weekend and visit Paige and Lora to see some more beautiful Eye Candy.

And don't forget, if you are in LA or OC stop by the Patchwork Show on Sunday. I'd love to see you and there are going to be some great vendors there. This is ALWAYS a fun and laid back show.

wildflowers and pie

This is how I spent my Mother's Day. First to the farmer's market "all by myself!". That alone time was glorious:) Then off to my favorite local cafe for paninis and banana creme tart with Dave and James.

from Susina Bakery (mmmmm)

Then we went to Descanso Gardens. I cannot believe that I have lived in Los Angeles my entire life and never wandered north to these beautiful gardens. It was the most perfect day. It is now ending with a delicious dinner made from my farmer's market buys and a refreshing bottle of champagne. Seeing how only two of us are of drinking age.... I think I know what tomorrow might bring. But for now, here are some peaceful pictures that I took today.

It's Crowded out Here

Berries of a Peculiar Sort

Badminton, Anyone?

A moment to Shine

My place in the Sun

To all the moms out there, I hope you feel loved and appreciated today (and everyday frankly).

Shopping List Saturday

It's so funny. Every time I put start to put together a shopping list Saturday I see some sort of pattern or mood I've been in. These are things that I've been bookmarking throughout the week. I love what it is saying about my mood. Kinda surreal.


from top to bottom: "francine no. 3" by doubleparlor, "I am a camera" by bunny with a toolbelt, "turquoise bunny rabbit" by girl savage, "windy on the coast" by roadside, "mook with owl mask" by I love grey skies, "48th and mitchner" by my wire empire

Don't forget to check out other lists today. Visit FancyPicnic to see the rest.

Weekend Eye Candy - Nature Patterns

This week I spent a lot of time working on some artwork for a couple's wedding bands. I learned the aesthetic value of pattern and repetition. These are some favs that I found on Flickr involving the patterns found in nature. I'm in awe.
1. Bokeh Spiral, 2. patterns in nature, 3. Romanesco Broccoli for PCA "Patterns" theme, 4. Ice Pattern, 5. Dizzy Pattern, 6. Green Leeks Pattern

getting ready for summer

I got sucked into the Anthropologie website today. I was innocently enjoying some frozen yogurt and mini m&m's when I receive an Anthro email regarding new sandals. I've been on the hunt for sandals lately and have actually found a few really cute pairs. While perusing the site I ended up shopping for clothes. Here's my first outfit for summer. The bronze makes me so happy. There is a memory attached to this color. Hot, baked, golden, warm sunny days at the beach. Can't wait:)earrings: LoraHart, $45
top: Brass Ring tank, $88
pants: Wispy cargo pants, $118
sandals: Metalwork sandals, $110

These are the sandals I've actually bought. Only $12.99 on sale:)