Modish: the blog

Spring Gardening with Renee: Why buy when you can try DIY

Last weekend I did a little project to help my aging (ack! 30!) knees while out in the garden.  Any time you venture into a gardening store (I've even the $1 shelves at Target, sometimes) you're sure to see those EVA foam kneeling cushions for working out in the garden. They're cheap enough, sure, but carrying single function items around while working outside can get. . . bulky.  Consider making one yourself! I made one out of fabric and batting scraps that I had on hand.  Basically it's just an over-sized potholder, mine is 11 x 23", which is ample room for a little scooting around, as well as a good margin to keep the itchy grass off my knees. And yes, I realize what a wuss I sound like for admitting that.   For easy directions on making a pot holder Derek and Lauren posted a great tutorial on design*sponge a while back, as did Artsy-Crafty Babe.  If you're a more experienced sewer, add a pocket to one side and you have a good sized tote for tools.  Just don't forget to take them out before kneeling over your plants.  OUCH!

That got me thinking about what else I could make, while saving resources that might otherwise end up in the dump. 

One of my favorite ideas from Natural Home Magazine is the recycled tire inner tube trug tub.  So simple, rugged, cheap, and looks great! Or you can buy the one Martha Stewart once featured, from Kinsman Company.

This Fiskar's 5 gallon Bucket caddy is a great way to reuse plastic buckets that would otherwise end up in the landfill. But to totally DIY, you've got options! The collapsible bucket on Instructables has a nice handle, but I love the idea of reusing jeans for their pockets in this crafty bucket on whip up. If you're truly smitten by the Fiskar's version, Garden Guides has a great tutorial on a nearly identical version, including the brilliant reuse of a 5 gallon bucket.

So how about you? What have you repurposed for gardening to keep still good items from early retirement at the county dump?

Anyone that comments on this post (hopefully with a good idea!) between now and next Friday will be in the running for a prize: a me-made kneeling pad (pocket and all) to keep you comfy throughout the rest of the gardening season!  Get to brainstorming and typity typing, and I'll do a random drawing for the winner, announced next week.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

So hot!

It's supposed to get up to 95 degrees here in Portland today...95!  It's mid May!  It's the "cold", "gloomy", "rainy" northwest!  It's not supposed to like this! :(  But there is some good news that came out of this mind-blowing heat wave- in a search to find a cute new mini somethin' somethin' to get me through the hot days, I stumbled upon Tailor Made and fell in love!

Based out of Seattle, Tailor Made takes perhaps not so cute but still in good condition vintage finds, and re-shapes and re-fashions them into oh so cute, contemporary garments.  LOVE that!  I with I had one of these outfits to strut around in today, but alas, I'll swelter things out with some summery thing in the back of my closet.  Save yourself before your own heat wave comes, with Tailor Made!  And make sure to check out the "before" pictures on each listing to experience the full genius of their finished wares!

Sister, sister!

It appears that creativity really does run in the family as Christine, the sister of the talented Jennifer behind Starving Artist Bazaar, has just opened up her own etsy shop: Crixmix!

Crixmix carries "flowers for the people" in the form of lovely bracelets, hairpins and rings!  Each combines different fabrics with semi-precious stones for unique little accessories that are perfect for spring and the coming summer.  Take a peek at the entire new line and find something adorable to adorn yourself with.

Sponsor Spotlight: Mama Mayborne Designs

Visit Mama Mayborne Designs for pretty jewelry made from pure silver!

Indie Fixx wants you to spruce up for spring!

While y'all are in the contest mood, busily entering yourself into the Modish May Giveaway, I thought you might like to hear about this wonderful contest from miss Jen over at Indie Fixx- the Spruce Up Your Place: Indie Home Decor Challenge!

Oh, this one sounds fun!  You're asked to enter images of your completed indie home decor projects, inspiration boards, or even projects you're dreaming of (like the entry seen above!) along with links to all the indie goodies included in your project.  Easy peasy!  And the favorite entry, as selected by Jen and her crack team of indie decor fans, will receive lots of great prizes including a Decoylab Cuckoo Clock (I have one of these and love it!), a $100 gift certificate to Circa Ceramics, an apron and tea towels from Skinny laMinx and more!  You have until June 18th to enter the contest- head over to Indie Fixx for all the rules and more info, and have fun!

Eco-Friendly Find: Fanisong Jewelry

I was thrilled to find this email awaiting me one morning last week, introducing me to Fanisong Jewelry's new eco-friendly line- my eco-find day couldn't come soon enough!  The jewelry is just gorgeous and features original nature photographs under glass- but what's so eco conscious about that?  All the pendants are made from 100% recycled glass!  Pretty cool, huh? 

You can find the whole recycled glass series right here- there's lots of inspiring, colorful images to choose from and you can also pick your own ribbon color for added personalization.  Thanks, Fanisong, for your nature inspired and nature friendly necklaces!

Sponsor Spotlight: Elizabeth Williams Jewelry

Take a peek at Elizabeth Williams Jewelry for classic, feminine pieces.  Get 10% off by mentioning "modish08" in the notes at checkout! (you'll be reimbursed after payment is received)

May Giveaway!

Yay, it's that time again!  What time, you ask?  Giveaway time!  This springy fresh and fabulous May Giveaway is worth over $680 and this time, it's going to go to ONE LUCKY DUCK only, yep, just ONE winner will get everything you see below!  Want to be the one?  Well, hop to it!  Entering is easy!

To enter the giveaway contest: click and explore at least one site from one of the giveaway contributors listed below.  Scope their site out and find an item you think is interesting, unique, or something that you'd love to have for yourself- then, leave a comment on this post letting us know which site you visited and share a link to an item you found there that you like!  Voila!

Some guidelines:

• You can visit one site or visit a lot- just share one link per comment- (ie: if you visit 5 different shops, you'll enter yourself 5 different times with 5 different comments and increase your odds of winning, see?) Please paste the link into the actual BODY of the comment- the "URL" section is for your own website, if you have one.
• You'll have until Friday, May 16th at 11:59pm (PST) to look around at the sites and post a comment (entries posted after that will not be included in the contest)
  
• on Saturday, May 17th, ONE winner will be chosen randomly from all the commenters and notified by email!  (so check your email if you've entered!)
• And yes!  International residents can enter to win too.
  

So, start cruising the sites below, share the cool things you find with the rest of us and maybe even pick up a few things for yourself along the way, hmmm?
 
(click pics below for larger view)

gingerbread & cotton candy cat collars THE MODERN PET
bubbling bath salts THE IVORY MAGNOLIA
silhouette print VOL. 25
cleopatra earrings SPARKLING STARS
tie dye zipper pouch URBAN KNIT
"Into the night" print AUSSIE PATCHES
crocheted chocolate cake slice SHARLEEN MORCO
pomegranate soap LOVE JANET
marina purse CHIC 36
black & white mounted photo PLYWERK
hand knit headband TICKLED PINK KNITS
protozoan ring STARVING ARTIST BAZAAR
set of photo notecards GOTCHA GREETINGS
the queen & her spirit print WITTY WORKSHOP
set of three notecards A PUNKIN' CARD CO
leash & collar set PATTERN & PAW
treetings recycled card set DESIGN FOR MANKIND
beaded and embroidered brooch KRISTA RAAK
froggies zip pouch OBLINAKNIT
reversible corduroy tote SHEILA D
"lady wears the blues" print LUCIA JOHNSON
"content" photograph CAREY SHAW
gift tags & notecards BEAUTIFULLY HANDMADE
"All that glitters" print UNE FEMME
wine glass coasters FOR QUILTS SAKE
mixtape zine 2nd issue MIXTAPE ZINE
black jet earrings A PLANET 4 CREATION
set of greeting cards PAPER LOTUS 
siam ruby pendant necklace SPARKLE PLENTY 
grey pearl drop earrings A PRETTY ROCK   
agate & brass earrings IT'S A LJUBICA DESIGNS!
crystal & silver bracelet MAU STUDIO
mahjong tile pendant necklace set ECLECTIC ELEMENTS
apple tree earrings & bracelet CHERRY CREEK DESIGNS 
set of sterling & pearl earrings + perfume sample ART CREATED

Sponsor Spotlight: Blue Citrus Art

Visit the Blue Citrus Art etsy shop for a wealth of beautiful photographs!  Modish readers get a free 8"x 8" print with the purchase of any print in the shop (choose whatever print you'd like!)  For more photos you can choose from, check out bluecitrusart.com as well.

Hip Handmade: Scarves

Those big box stores are calling your name with cheap deals on hip clothes and accessories, home goodies that you just can't live without, beckoning you to become part of the latest fashion trends of the moment...it can be hard for the indie design world to keep up!  But, they do keep up- it's just sometimes a little more difficult to find the hip handmade goods that rival the big box stores' goods in style, but far surpass them in quality, creativity and uniqueness!  So, I'm here to help, taking a cue from the now defunct box vs. indie blog, and Renee's awesome "if you like...., than you'll love...." posts around Christmas time, and helping you find hip handmade alternatives to the big box store stuff that you so covet- hopefully you'll see, it's easier than you think to shop consciously and stay stylish at the same time! :)

First up for the hip handmade comparison, I bring you the fashion accessory that I see popping up everywhere in catalogs, tv shows and on the streets: summery scarves!

big box: hot pepper scarf from Anthropologie- imported, cotton- $48
handmade: acid green & mulberry striped scarf by Karen Richards- hand woven, cotton/wool- $45

big box: silk peony wrap from Banana Republic- imported, 100% silk- $68
handmade: apple blossom scarf by Sylvie & Elizabeth- hand painted 100% silk crepe- $35

big box: guaze buffalo plaid scarf from Urban Outfitters- imported, cotton- $28
handmade: brown & orange woven scarf by heartisans- handmade by co-op in Guatemala, fair trade- $15

big box: batik print scarf from Banana Republic- imported, 100% cotton- $49
handmade: purple grey scrolls scarf by Margot Bianca- hand dyed & batiked, 100% silk- $45

big box: full fringe scarf from Free People-  lurex- $48
handmade: garden of earthly delights scarf by Adventures of Jessica Rose- hand knit, pure cashmere- $45

big box: daybreak scarf from Anthropologie- imported, cotton- $48
handmade: poppy woven scarf by Cyberoptix- hand silk-screened, fair-trade woven silk- $44

Well, there you have it!  What do you think of the hip handmade options- are these fair comparisons?  Do you prefer the big box choices, or the handmade ones?  And did you notice all the handmade items are less expensive than the big box ones?  Pretty sneaky, eh?

If you'd like to see this kind of post continue as a regular feature, please let me know!  Also, if you have item/item types you'd like to suggest for a future "hip handmade" comparison post, leave a comment or feel free to email me!  Thanks much!

Hinged

I'm working on a special post that may become a regular feature if ya'll like it- but it's taking awhile, so while I finish compiling and editing, take a peek at these cute new cards by sub-studio- they'll be debuting them at the National Stationery Show in New York if you're attending, but non-NY folk can shop for them on the sub-studio website.  They're simple and golden and vintagey and original- love them!

Sponsor Spotlight: Modcloth

Visit Modcloth for cute indie clothing and accessories.  Use code "modish" at checkout for 10% off your order!

Handmade Spaces: Swallowfield

Today I'm pleased to be able to share the space of a well-known artist here on Modish, Swallowfield!  Jennifer is the talented artist behind Swallowfield who creates mixed media collages and illustrations for her etsy shop, and also sells many prints right here in our Modish shoppe!  See what's behind her creativity and keep up with new work on her blog, and take a peek at where it all happens below!

What do you create in this space?
I make mixed media collage, illustrations, gocco prints, the occasional sewn item, and giclee prints.
Can you describe what we see in the pics a bit?
I have two spaces I work in during the day. One is my basement studio space, and the other is my 'desk' - where I make prints, package orders, etc. I like both a lot for very different reasons.

In my basement 'creating' space, I have lots of inspiration on the walls, including favorite prints, stuff from my kids, cards, etc. It changes a lot. At my desk there is not much wall space, because the room is filled with windows. I like the natural light a lot.

My tools and materials include countless pens + markers, a ton of different papers, vintage books + ephemera, a gocco printer + supplies, inks, a fancy archival printer, my laptop, photoshop, exacto knives, tiny scissors, glue...

How do you feel when you enter your "handmade space?"
I love being surrounded with all of the tools i need to make art. I sometimes wish my studio wasn't in my house, because it is constantly tempting to multitask and throw in a load of laundry or do the dishes...and I can definitely get distracted. A dream for this year is to move my handmade space to a 'real' studio, but for now I am pleased with how I've set things up.

Thanks for sharing your lovely space and even lovelier work with us, Jennifer!  Be sure to check out all the wonders that she creates here in the Swallowfield shop!

Put it on ice

I love these pendants by Soma Venus, a new line that features her original art collages, tiny and compact, housed behind a thick, icy piece of glass:

They're unique and fun in vibrant colors and sure to start a conversation.  Each pendant is only $18, so you can collect a few for your every whim!  And right now, if you buy 3 you get the 4th one free!  That's a pretty good deal for some wearable art.  While you're there, be sure to also check out the Soma Venus polaroid ice pendants and all the other fun stuff in the shop!