Christmas already!

I can't believe it's been almost a month!
I love Christmas and have been so busy.
Had a few sales and craft shows.  Have been busy adopting out cats and kittens finding new homes for them (I am a co-founder of a rescue group).
 But enough excuses lets get down to business. BUY LOCAL!
So much to choose from. Get out there and buy those last minute gifts.
Are you in NYC? Go to Columbus Circle Tents- so many great and unique artisan gifts. Check out Union Square's market.  There is also a new market in Astoria.
For a complete book of markets buy this book. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Markets-of-New-York-City/Karen-Seiger/e/9781892145857 

Etsy - not too late to have things shipped. Napkin set of 2 http://www.etsy.com/listing/63375910/flatware-napkins-set-of-2-in-liquorice?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fview_listing.php%3Flisting_id%3D63375910&utm_content=etsy_finds_122110&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_122110 

For the cat lover in your life. This is such a cool ring.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49204170/lazy-cat-ring-black?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fview_listing.php%3Flisting_id%3D49204170&utm_content=etsy_finds_122110&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_122110


And for the coffee or tea drinker in your life check this out. Cute and vintage. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63817375/postcuptm?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fview_listing.php%3Flisting_id%3D63817375&utm_content=etsy_finds_122110&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_122110

Enjoy your holiday and shop local!

Enough talk of turkey hangover...

Enough turkey hangover and Black Friday now extended for 3 days. Well I joined in. I just added a coupon to my etsy shop. Now, today only, Cyber Monday get 15% off anything in my shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/traceyt  use the coupon code CYBERMONDAY15  Lots of other etsy sellers are also having coupon day today.

So many cool shops to check out like http://www.etsy.com/shop/HomeDeconomics  very cute retro kitchen items and other.... I love this mouse pad. I try not to eat bacon but this looks yummy. And it is less than $10!

Looking for some cute fabrics? Check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/luckykaerufabric
I have purchased here before and she ships it fast and fabric is always great quality!

Want to buy some art? Check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/matteart  Matte Stephens has the cutest and most whimsical art. I have already purchased a few. I am so tempted to buy this owl.

Needless to say there is so much on Etsy from all over the world. You get some cute items, one of a kinds to give as gifts and support a independent artist! People really do love these types of gifts! So get shopping!

Holiday Season is here....DIY gifts are the thing.

It's November 8th already. The weather in NYC has been abnormally windy and chilly. I have been quite busy teaching sewing classes. DIY craftsters are everywhere! Why not make something and give it?
At 3rdward I started teaching the pant class for 102 and for 101 I am teaching the Charlie Bag. I made a few tweeks to it so maybe I should call it the Marley Bag, Snarley Bag,  Carley Bag??? It's basically a double sided bag great for quick trips to the groceries or as a purse. I have been using mine as a purse.  I will be selling these on etsy so keep an eye out. Custom orders are being accepted.

 Check out http://www.etsy.com/ for thousands of handmade items. For those of you who do not know about this website designers upload photos of products they sell. All handmade and everything imaginable. You can also request items. This website not only caters to the US but thruout the world!


In honor of Conan O'brien being back there is a Conan treasury on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cd82cb337a78eef5defaba4/im-with-coco?index=1


And if you want to make something yourself check out Craftster.org  Happy crafting!

Do something good! Art and kids.

Many of you know that I teach sewing at 3rdward in Brooklyn. 3rdward is getting together with the Art of Elysium, a charity for children.

 Tonight is the night you can learn how to get involved with this incredible organization that brings art and hope to the children who need it most.

THE ART OF ELYSIUM ORIENTATION
TONIGHT, October 14, 2010
195 Morgan Ave, 7 to 9 pm, FREE and open to the public

At this low-key orientation, discover how The Art of Elysium enables hospitalized children to explore a wide range of artistic mediums so they can gain confidence and find an individual creative voice, even in the midst of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances.

Representatives from The Art of Elysium will introduce the work they do across the country, then you can sign up for specific creative events scheduled over the next two months. The projects range from 2-hour craft gatherings to fashion shows to evening music sessions.

We'll provide complimentary whiskey and wine, live bluegrass and an opportunity to be a part of something much larger than yourself.

Learn more about The Art of Elysium at: http://www.theartofelysium.org/

RSVP at: http://www.3rdward.com/rsvp

P.S. Plus! Some Open Call updates ... Stay tuned on October 21st, when we're announcing our most recent Open Call winner. And, the deadline for our biggest and most exciting contest yet is coming up soon on October 27th. Art Takes Miami will award the winner $10,000 AND an inclusion in an exclusive feature booth at the Scope Art Show in Miami. Send us your very best work at: http://www.arttakesmiami.com/?f=3w4



3rd Ward

195 Morgan Avenue

Brooklyn New York  11237

Crafts in Chelsea One Day Only!

This Saturday, October 16th, is Crafts in Chelsea.
Over 100 local artists and craftsters will be selling their custom made goods and celebrating all DIY.

The Greta Cinnamon Floral- water resistant

Yours truly will also be selling her goods. Come check out my new bags, boys ties, fleece stroller blankets and the houselinens in new patterns!


Am I forgetting anything? ooh yea the new pet beds I have, one side fleece and the other side faux fur. What animal doesn't love these?

Hermes, a happy customer. Looks good with his siamese coat.

                                 

Ok so not to focus completely on me. Check out these other cool vendors.
Crafts in Chelsea sponsored by the newnew

Hope to see you there!

Saturday 10 to 5!

Maker Faire 2010 in NYC

The Maker Faire had it's first successful event in NYC at the NY Hall of Science in Corona Queens.
I was fortunate enough to work at the Burda Style booth and receive an all weekend pass into the faire. Burda Style is an online pattern resource center.
http://www.burdastyle.com/

The Maker Faire is for anything that is made. It is not just crafts, it's a community of Makers who share their projects and skills. MAKE is what-you-MAKE-it. It's a growing DIY movement of people who look at things a little differently and who just might spark the next generation of scientists, engineers and makers.

http://makerfaire.com/newyork/2010/

At the Burda Booth we were teaching people how to sew up a simple drawstring bag. People who never used a sewing machine made a bag! I think we have turned 100s of people into craftsters!

After my shift ended I was able to walk around and visit many of the creative and inspirational booths.

Not only that but I also learned how to crochet at the National NeedleArts Stitchzone!
Want to learn how to knit or crochet? Visit http://tnna.org/

Are all of your friends having babies? Too many trips to Babys r us? Get something fun, cute and unique for the little humans. Michelle Jones at Hoosier Magnolia in Boston has thee most adorable items, all made in the USA by her. www.hoosiermagnolia.com

If you missed this years Maker Faire definitely try to get there next year and learn how to make something!

Nantucket Bagg Company

One more Nantucket thing to mention....The Nantucket Bagg Company. Located at 17 Straight Wharf, these are the coolest bags. If you are an artist, stylist, carpenter, crafts person or just like to be organised check this bag out! They come in natural canvas as pictured below and a poly canvas.

http://nantucketbagg.cameoez.com/catalog/

traceytoole: Shopping on Nantucket

traceytoole: Shopping on Nantucket

Shopping on Nantucket

Nantucket has many cute, cozy and inspirational boutiques.   For many residents this is their second home therefore there are a few furniture and home dec stores.  Every house has an interesting door knocker. My favorite are the whales. The basket below is classic. Nantucket baskets are a symbol of the island.

You can't leave Nantucket without buying a pair of Nantucket Reds. This fabric is a soft red color that fades almost to a terracotta color.  You can purchase these at Murrays Toggery Shop.  http://nantucketreds.com/

Many antique shops to choose from in Nantucket. Be sure to check out Atlantic. This store is absolutely inspirational. Not only nautical and island items but items also for the home. Lots of cool rooster items and I love roosters!

Looking for something nautical? Go to Freedmans on Center St.

Other stores to check out are Manor House Antiques and Stephanies.


When you are done with all this shopping be sure to stop by the Bean. This cafe is a little hidden but it is also on Center St. Very cool coffee pots decorate the shop.
Also free wifi in here.

Be sure to put Nantucket on your list of places to see in your life. You will have a very relaxing time, many beaches to go to, get a bike, eat good food and do some shopping.

GREY LADY.....The island of Nantucket

I'm on vacation this week in Nantucket Massachusetts. For those of you who are not aware of Nantucket it is a teensy island off of Cape Cod in the middle of the Atlantic. Nantucket was a small, farming community in the 17th century.  In the 18th and 19th century, the island became the capital of the American Whaling Industry and in the 20th century a very popular east coast summer resort area.

I worked in Nantucket many moons ago for a summer. I worked at the 4 Chimneys which was a B and B, no longer in existence. The owner decided to turn it into a private home. Here is a pic now of it.

This is such a cool place, like many old captain's mansions this house has a cupola where you can see the whole harbor. The Captain's wives would look out of these trying to spot the ships returning from whale hunting.

Many of the houses have the shingles that will turn a grey blue from the salt air. There are so many cute houses here that there are books about them.
The one below is a new house so the shingles have not changed yet.

Stay tuned, tomorrow I will be showing you some of my favorite shops on the island.

Learn to sew!

My classes for fall have been scheduled at 3rdward.
Follow this link to see times and descriptions for Sewing 1 and Sewing II and lots of other cool craftster classes! http://www.3rdward.com/3rdwardclasses/category/craft-etsy-at-3rd-ward

                          CITY TOTE IN 102                                             RETRO WAIST APRON IN 101

Strawberry Pillows!

OMG these are so cute!
I love Purl Soho! Such a great store, inspirational and fantastic fabrics. This was just posted on their blog this morning! Get started and send me your pics!

http://purlbee.squarespace.com/the-purl-bee/2010/8/21/mollys-sketchbook-strawberry-pillows.html

ART OF THE TRENCH

Art of the Trench is the new website look book for Burberry. All I could think of when I watched this is what a fantastic idea and omg Christopher Bailey is on fire. Bailey is the Chief Creative Officer of Burberry and also quite young, Mario Testino is the photographer for this WOW project.  This interactive campaign features models and you can upload your own pics of you in your trench coat. You can move the screen to see other coats, comments, models. You also can organize the screen according to gender, style, most popular and shades. Please check it out, the music for the film will get you in the mood to buy a new trench coat....Burberry if you are lucky.  http://artofthetrench.com/#

Glass Bottles Jars Vessels

I think colored glass bottles and jars that line a shelf are always so pretty. Even when I see them at a flea market there is something so beautiful about it. All the different shapes, the curves, the history of them, what were they used for. Martha Stewart Living magazine has a great article on colored glass bottles in the August Issue. Greens, yellows, blues, amethysts, goldenrod, amber, aquas, deep teal.  There is even a category called Cathedral Pickle, a plain bottle sometimes with Gothic designs.  Each shape is made specifically for a certain purpose, its contents, to protect medicine, keep spirits fresh or warn the user that the bottle may contain poison. Cobalt or green glass bottles were used for arsenic to kill vermin in the Victorian Era.  Next time you see a colored bottle you may wonder what was it's purpose.

   

The color here is called bottle glass green, this glass is the most unadulterated.

     

Natural glass has an aqua tint as seen above in the bottle glass green jars.  Until 1900 there was a chemical used to change the color. The chemical that was used would turn the glass lavender when it was exposed to the sun.

  The largest one in this picture, the demijohn, was used for wine or ale dates back to the 1700's.

 My own piece of amber glass. This bottle I picked up in Sydney. It is used for ginger beer by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks

Spice up your old baskets

I just received my August issue of Martha Stewart living. One thing about summer that I love are baskets. Yes baskets are used year round but the lightness of the wicker seems natural to warm weather.
In the August issue Martha shows how to dip dye your baskets. All you really need is latex paint. For detailed instructions pick up the August issue, it's on page 114.

FEELING RED WHITE AND BLUE?

This Sunday our beloved country will be 234 years old. Today, July 2nd in 1776, Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain (wa hoo take that!) one year after the American Revolutionary War started. Our country's birthday is  celebrated on the 4th because that is when the wording of the Declaration was approved. Big holla out to Thomas J. So we celebrate with fireworks and hotdogs and corn on the cob but last year at this time I was in Nantucket.  In the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the little island called Nantucket, we went to see a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.  This has become my most favorite thing to do. Like most holidays in the USA we forget what the original cause for celebration is. Hearing the reading sends shivers thru my body. Our country  truly fought for our freedom. Towards the end each of the 13 colonies is called out, usually by someone in the audience who is from that State.  So when you are celebrating this weekend try not to forget....

       We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their  Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 
















AND if you are looking to put some money into our sad economy what better way then to buy something patriotic. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50689599/sale-glass-tile-pendant-or-charm-rugged?ref=sr_list_1&ga_search_query=patriotic&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title




http://www.etsy.com/listing/50088290/stockholm-navy-and-white-pleated-french?ref=sr_list_8&ga_search_query=patriotic&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&show_panel=true

Have a wonderful holiday! The summer has begun.

I LOVE LANTERNS

Living in New York City, Manhattan, I don't really get to use lanterns. I have used them in my apartment but it does look sad and pathetic. Lanterns make everything soft and relaxed. Maxwell at Apartment Therapy posted today his pics of favorite lanterns. It's a great list of all different styles and most importantly, prices for everyone! My favourite is pictured above.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/best-outdoor-lanterns-2010-119427

End of May already! Sex and the City 2.

Wow I have not posted that much in May. Alot has been happening. Moved to a new place. Have amazing views of Hells Kitchen and the Theatre District....and we can see Neeeewwww Jursey in the distance. AND we only moved 2 blocks! So settling in and settling in and still settling in.

Did a great market in Ellenville NY at the WBASNY convention. Best seller? Not laptop covers to all these lawyers and judges but napkins and placemats.
Made a new friend too, Heidi from Heidi and Arthur Chocolates....holy chocolate! They do corporate gift boxes which make great gifts.

http://www.heidiandarthurs.com/default.asp  the bark was a big seller.


Summer has begun in the big apple. 80 degree temperatures are here and Sex in the City 2 has opened up. Its getting bad reviews but I still may go see it with my girls. Although the whole desert thing is a bit far fetched. However, then I saw Michael Patrick King interviewed on John Stewart and he made me want to see it. He admits it is far fetched.  They had to do something different. Agreed.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-may-12-2010/michael-patrick-king

Has anyone seen the 2 yet? Please let me know what you think. Are you a New Yorker?

Hopefully they will be wearing some great fashion.

How is that walking in the sand in heels? I still can't help it, I love Carrie. 

Stay tuned for comments!

ALL THINGS NAUTICAL and MARKET THIS WEEKEND WBASNY

Nautical seems to becoming more and more popular. Especially now that summer is almost here. Etsy sent out a few days ago a whole email showcase called "Hey Sailor". So much cute nautical inspired stuff. Check out this scrimshaw salt and pepper shaker http://www.etsy.com/listing/37630369/salt-pepper-shakers-vintage-ceramic-faux?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Salt+Pepper+Shakers+Scrimshaw&utm_content=etsy_finds_050610&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_050610

I love love love vintage wicker purses. This is not quite the Nantucket Basket purse but it is quite similar. It also is still for sale on ETSY.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42906495/vintage-50s-etienne-aigner-hand-made?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image&utm_content=etsy_finds_050610&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_050610

 So I have been quite busy sewing up a storm for a new market I am in this weekend only, May 21-23. It is the WBASNY, a convention of women professionals from the legal system. It is being held at this gorgeous spa and resort but I won't be doing any relaxing.....I will be sewing my product. New pillows- I love this sailworthy print. It is so simple and clean and a nice heavy weight cotton.  I have made some pillows in it, perfect for that beach house, I also made a nice tote with the fabric as well!
What do you think of this fabric?

If you are going to be at the WBASNY in Ellensville NY stop by my booth and say hello!

Pinup style prints

Yesterday I delivered some product to a new wonderful shop in Brooklyn called SHAG. http://www.weloveshag.com/

You can now buy exclusive placemats, napkins and coasters in Williamsburg. The second print below is an Alexander Henry print.

SHAG is a "sexy shop" At the most basic level, SHAG functions as both a retail store and as a fine art gallery, but in essence, it is so much more. Virtually all of our inventory, from the art on the walls to our stock of retail goods, has been made by local artists.  SHAG is interested in supporting the local community by creating a platform through which artists can uninhibitedly express themselves, and generate a discourse on historically misrepresented issues revolving around “sex”.

When I walked in I was greeted by Pearl. The cutest white pittie mix and a rescue pup! She is so sweet and after a few minutes of sniffing she retreated to the floor. Sam, one of the owners, was sitting at the register/desk. The store has such a nice layout with an even flow of items. Everything merchandises nicely. There are candles, massage oils, sexy sheets by Sin in Linen and much more. Much more as in artwork and workshops.  Since it's opening in November they have been featured in Timeout, Blackbook Mag, Thrillist and Dailycandy.

So make sure you get on SHAG's email list. Workshops seem to happen almost every week. You may learn something!
108 Roebling Street @ N. 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
L Train to Bedford

Tues-Thur & Sun 12-8pm
Fri & Sat 12-10pm
Mon closed but available by appt for custom castings
347.721.3302
weloveshag@gmail.com

Photo of the day from designismine

Thank you designismine blog for making me smile on this rainy New York day!

http://designismine.blogspot.com/2010/04/flickr-photo-of-day-cat-love.html

Gimme Some Colour!

If you haven't see the May issue of Martha Stewart Living this month you are missing out! Especially if you like color.  I personally love color. So much that I sometimes I need to make a point of buying black items of clothing to mix it up. Some great finds in Living this month:

Glassybaby- first of all I love the name!  This glass is so cool and comes in 70 colours. Also the sales of many of them go towards great causes such as cancer research at University of Washington Medical Center.  Can be used for votives or drinking.  http://www.glassybaby.com/

Colored Keds! Remember keds? I had a red pair, white pair, navy pair, pink pair and khaki pair. Now in more than 35 colours the Keds Champion is also offering design your own version.  www.keds.com Also come in mens and childrens.
Great way to start the summer! Get Happy!