New Portland magnets

I'm back from my annual 2-week Nebraska trip. I had a great time but I'm so happy to be back in PDX. I missed this city so much! Today I'm making a new version of my Portland magnet. These guys will be available soon in a few local shops! I'll keep ya all posted. Making new Portland magnets

 

Personalized initials stamped charm necklace

New new new in the Etsy shop! This necklace is so adorable! It can be worn every day. Even be paired with another necklace.

The listing is for 1 personalized hand-stamped necklace. Choose 3 uppercase letters, numbers, and/or symbols. Examples: A+J, LIS

Brass charm pendant is 16mm in diameter. Antique brass chain is adjustable, approximately 15.5" to 18" and is lead & nickel free.

CRW_6369-Edit900px CRW_6375-Edit900px CRW_6380-Edit900px CRW_6381-Edit900px

"Roadtrip Abound" compass ring

I looove roadtrips. Don't you?

I love the excitement getting up in the morning, packing a lunch, camera, sketch book or possibly a novel to read when we hit our destination. Heading out the door, picking up some mouthwatering pastries & piping hot coffee, and then away we go! The anticipation of the sights we'll see!

Spontaneous road trips are the best. Which direction to go? Who knows what you'll run into.

My love & I have discovered some amazing places, especially being new to Oregon... Silver Falls, Pittock Mansion, Mount Angel...

There's a new comrade in my Etsy shop inspired by roadtrips!

Let me acquaint you with...

"Roadtrip Abound" compass ring

I was enamored when I came across some vintage miniature compasses. I got to thinking about those Cracker Jack prizes. As a child, digging my fingers into a Cracker Jack box and pulling out that delightful lil' prize. I wouldn't think twice about sacrificing my fingers to the stickiness. Wouldn't it be merry to transform these compasses into a wearable?

This vintage miniature compass (3/4" in diameter) actually works, but has had a change of career from function to fashion. Instead of getting you through the woods, this compass will lend your day a note of eclectic style. This piece is finished off with a strong, stainless-steel toned adjustable band.

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

December was a busy month! I've been meaning to post about the Super Colossal Holiday Sale for almost a month. Here we go... finally!

Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th were 2 amazing days. One event that has made Portland so welcoming for me has been Crafty Wonderland. I am so humbled that there are people out there that get down with their art nerdy selves; appreciators & creators alike. I would love to give a shout out to all those who attended and supported handmade.

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

Over 12,000 shoppers attended! The organizers said that this show was by far their biggest and best event to date. It was so nice to meet new and old faces... sale goers & vendors. There was so much handmade awesomeness that I wanted to marvel over, but I had to man my booth. Ha!

A few snaps of my booth...

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

Greeting cards, Mini vintage Scrabble rings, button rings, bingo rings, compass rings, and vintage Portland map rings in a vintage fisherman's tackle box

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

Suitcase filled with Herb Series prints & framings • Vintage Oregon map marble magnets on edge

A handful of my favorite vendors handmade awesomeness...

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010 Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010 Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010 Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2010

View more snaps on my Flickr.

I really can't wait for next year's Holiday sale!

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Multnomah County Central Library & Finnegan's Toys has a new neighbor for November & December. The City of Portland has asked Crafty Wonderland to participate in their Pop-Up Shop program. Basically they fill vacant storefronts downtown with local talent over the Holidays. The Crafty Wonderland ladies have exclusively hand-selected 80-some awesome crafters & artists to sell their hip handmade work at their storefront in downtown Portland. They call it a "pop-up shop" because it is only open temporarily, from November 9th through December 30th. I was pretty stoked to be asked to sell my artwork and jewelry there, along with all the other local talented artists & crafters.

The shop is located at 802 SW 10th Avenue in downtown Portland. It's on the corner of SW Yamhill & 10th.

There's a SmartPark parking garage right across the street. Oh so very convenient. There is also parking available at metered street spots. The shop is open from 10:00am – 7:00pm, Monday through Saturday and 12:00pm – 6:00pm on Sundays. There are going to be some fun special events at the shop. For example, wacky holiday photo booth on December 4th, which is this coming Saturday. For more information about events, visit www.craftywonderland.com/pop-up-shop.

I took lots of snaps of the shop and have posted some below. If you would like to see more of them, hop on over to my Flickr here.

Give the gift of handmade this year. Instead of giving your dad a clichéd sweater, give him some something creative and unique!

Support a local artist. Viva handmade!

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Crafty Wonderland Pop-Up Shop

Holiday craft show season is here

Here are a some snaps from the Lewis Elementary Holiday Bazaar that was on Saturday!

:: My booth ::

I displayed a vintage suitcase holding framings of Herb Series & Standard Movement Series drawings...

Herb art framings displayed in suitcase

I decided to go simple this time around with the table display...

Framings, art prints, and jewelry

:: art prints, button rings, and more ::

My most recent vintage store purchase, a fisherman's tackle box...

Fisherman's tackle box

Bingo chips, buttons, cabochons, and Scrabble rings...

Button, Bingo, and Scrabble rings

Quiet the Humming Robots earrings on faux mossy rocks...

Quiet the Humming Robots earrings

:: lunch time ::

Lewis Elementary's PTA made awesome soup! I couldn't resist...

Yummy delicious lunch served!

Many thanks to the friendly parents and teachers who made a great event. I enjoyed meeting you! I'll be back next year! Better yet, I'll be signing up for the Lewis' Garden Fair in April. I had so much fun doing last year's. I think it's awesome that an elementary school has a garden program! For more info on Lewis Garden Program, go here.

Also, thanks to all artists participating in this sale who gave a portion of the their proceeds to Lewis Elementary School.

Lastly, thanks to those who attended and supported local & handmade!

She's crafty!

This last weekend was incredible. I'll cherish it in my heart always, as mushy as that sounds. I want to send out a huge thanks to Cathy and Torie for organizing such an awesome show! And lest we not forget... to you all that came out and supported it! Crafty Wonderland is definitely a staple in making Portland what it is. I'm so thankful to be able to experience it. So much creative talent at the event. It was so cool to see the faces behind shops that I have favorited on Etsy. I wish I had a chance to go around and meet more of you!

I took many photos of the weekend. You can check them all out on my Flickr. I posted a few below too.

My booth & I in action!

Thanks to my friend Heidi for capturing this shot! www.heidihoffmanphotography.com

Make Something Awesome Area

Make Something Awesome Area organized by Hello Craft

People a shoppin'

People a shoppin'. I got to sneak out of my booth when it was quiet for a moment to snap a photo.

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Sunny & Swell

Self Portrait Thursday

What a BEAU-TI-FUL morning we have here in Stumptown. I enjoyed the sunshine on my way over to Crema. I thought I would share some of the rays that are shining in the office.

A Tea Leaf on DailyBooth

I signed up for a DailyBooth account the other day. Do feel free to add me as a friend on there. In the past I've been kinda hesitant to sign-up but after moseying around a lil' bit and viewing other users silly faces I was persuaded. DailyBooth is basically like a visual journal. It's a place where you can upload and share portraits of yourself on a daily basis. Pretty fun concept, eh??

First Listen: She And Him, 'Volume Two'

The last three days I have been blaring (at least twice a day) the new She And Him album, 'Volume Two'. My husband would say he can vouch for this. He doesn't have the nerdy obsession for Zooey as I do. And hey that's okay. The album is not released yet– won't be until March 23rd. Thanks to NPR's website you can stream it! Take a gander here.

Wait, wait! Don't leave yet. I know, you're about to think... tl, dr. BUT I have some very thrilling news.

Weee!!! I got in!!!

I was accepted into Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Spring Show! It will be at the Oregon Convention Center on May 1st and 2nd. Be sure to mark your Google Calendar, iCal, Moleskine, etc. It's going to be glorious... 200 vendors with their handmade goodness. Keep posted on Crafty Wonderland's site.

Last but not least... I have drawn a new kitchen herb. May I present Nutmeg.

Nutmeg printNutmeg print :: 8” x 10” :: View in Etsy Shop

"Nutmeg is usually associated with sweet, spicy dishes — pies, puddings, custards, cookies and spice cakes. It combines well with many cheeses, and is included in soufflés and cheese sauces. In soups it works with tomatoes, split pea, chicken or black beans. It complements egg dishes and vegetables like cabbage, spinach, broccoli, beans, onions, and eggplant."

Nutmeg_Fruit

I found a photo of the actual fruit. I'm amazed of the dried "lacy" reddish covering of the seed... I see a resemblance to human capillaries.

A Tea Leaf at TinyHidyHo Holiday Shoppe

Attention Portlanders out there!

Stop by the Tinymeat store on North Williams to find local handmade gifts! It's a great place to pick out those last minute gifts, treat yourself to something sweet, or chit chat with Tinymeat owner, Michael! My handmade goodies are there, as well as a dozen other local artists' & crafters' work.

Tinymeat's address is 3808 N. Williams, Portland, OR - Located in the same building as Cha Cha Cha & Ristretto Roasters.

A Tea Leaf magnets at Tinymeat™

A Tea Leaf necklaces at Tinymeat™

A Tea Leaf at Tinymeat™

New Earrings, Giveaway, & Etc.

Oh my! I haven't written a blog post since October 12th! Here's a quick run-through of the latest.

New Earrings... October Nights and Black Kitten's Green Eyes are available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

October Nights and Black Kitten's Green Eyes - Earrings

My Dill drawing of my Herb Series is featured in an Etsy Treasury called Dill or Sweet. They can't be beat! Click here to view.

Etsy Treasury - Dill or Sweet. They can't be beat

On Sunday, November 8th I will be selling my art and jewelry at Crafty Wonderland. More info here!

Crafty Wonderland craft show

I'm doing my very first give-away on here! I will be giving away an 8" x 10" print of my Poppy Seed drawing!

Poppy Seed

There are 2 ways to win:

  1. Send a tweet on Twitter with the hashtag: #atealeaf. Maybe something like: "Hoping to win this awesome print: http://tinyurl.com/poppyseed! #atealeaf". I'll watch the hashtag and automatically register you for the contest.
  2. Or register using Facebook. All you have to do is invite 10 friends to become fans of the A Tea Leaf Facebook fanpage here. Once you've done that just let me know in the comments below and I'll register you to win.

The winner will be contacted and announced on Friday, November 6th.

New Earrings & Mint drawing

It's Friday! Woo-hoo!

Well it's just about over with, isn't it? I'm staying home this evening due to feeling a bit under the weather. Hopefully things turnaround with the help from hot tea. I mean come on, who wants to be sick over the weekend? Surely not I.

I don't know if you noticed but 2 new sets of earrings made their way into my Etsy shop yesterday. I'm having so much fun using these little twig beads that I acquired awhile ago.

Float on Clouds - Earrings Float on Clouds - Earrings - View in Etsy Shop

One More Song - Earrings One More Song - Earrings - View in Etsy Shop

Lastly, a new plant is added to my Herb Series! I've been pretty anxious to post this one.

MintMint - 8" x 10" Print - View in Etsy Shop

Well that's all for now. I'm gonna kick back with a steamy cup of Chamomile tea, snuggle with my cat, and watch a movie borrowed from a friend. Hope all you lovelies have good weekend and enjoy that crisp Autumn air.

Last Thursday on Alberta

When my husband & I visited Portland for the first time, we checked out all of it's awesome neighborhoods, including Alberta. I fell in love with it's telephone poles covered in show posters, it's street art, and it's quaint art store Collage.

Street Art in Alberta

A street art find on my first visit to Portland, back in Fall of 2007.

A few months after moving here we learned about and checked out Alberta's monthly event, Last Thursday. It was so awesome to see such a lively event for blocks and blocks. Food, unique art, live & obscure music are definite staples of the experience.

Last Thursday on Alberta

My wish to participate and sell my handmade goods and art is going to be a reality! I will be joining 2 other artisans, Little Bear and Camp Smartypants this Thursday evening (which happens to be tomorrow). So if you are in the area, definitely stop by and make an appearance. I love meeting fresh faces. Also, if you have a minute do check out Little Bear and Camp Smartypants' Etsy shops.

Craft Show tomorrow!

Craft Show tomorrow! Saturday!

Tomorrow I'm joining 90 other Artists & Crafters at tomorrow's (Saturday, 19th) craft bazaar, Skating with Scissors. If you are in the Sellwood/Portland area you should totally swing by. It's free to get in! I am so thrilled to do another craft show. Submerging myself into the Portland indie craft fair scene has been super awesome!

Here are directions to Oaks Amusement Park.

Start your Christmas shopping early and support handmade!