Happy Holidays!

I am looking forward the the holidays and spending some down time with friends and family.
Enjoy your holidays, too.
(Squint ...that's supposed to be a tree with a star on top.)

Inspiration and a Library Card - Part II

Part two in the series from the NYPL and Design*Sponge.
I grabbed my notebook and started to list my jumping off points for my next trip to the library. Get your blank page and pen ready!

Featured in this series is Rebecca from Moontree Letterpress. I simply love her work and am excited to get a hold of some at this Sunday's 'Gifted', the Brooklyn Flea's indoor market in Fort Greene. Last time we were there it was so busy, by the end of the day when I got over to her table to purchase she had packed up what little she had left. This Sunday I'm going as a shopper not a seller!!

See part I here.

Back to last minute orders!

Just Keep Tuggin'

This was the scene yesterday when it wasn't just snowing - it was snowing GOBS of snow. Absolutely beautiful, those huge wet 2 inch dollops of snow that somehow manage to fall silently.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks making bags, doing markets and sending out orders (thank you for all those orders - keep 'em coming!!) I caught the mother of all sinus colds that did not knock me out flat because I didn't have time to be THAT sick. Actually, I was that sick, I just didn't have time to be knocked out flat.

A new batch of messengers and totes have been cut, sewn, photographed and will be listed today. Custom holiday orders have been finished and sent out with the exception of a few pick ups that are scheduled over the next couple days.

The beauty of the season is coming into focus - the kids are starting to really think and plan about what they can make for everyone on their list. Decorations have been brought up from the basement and are getting dusted and distributed. It's nice after such a long time of focusing on work, work, work to pause, appreciate and celebrate.

And through it all the tugs keep tuggin'.

Clearwater Brooklyn Revival?

Quite a busy day yesterday - filling orders, stuffing and photographing pillows - planned on a big WIP post today but look what docked at the Fairway pier yesterday! I recognized her from afar and when she came in close I grabbed my coat and camera and ran down.
The Clearwater:





The Clearwater is a Hudson River Sloop that:

conducts environmental education, advocacy programs and celebrations to protect the Hudson River, its tributaries and related bodies of water.

Clearwater’s story began in 1966, when a handful of Hudson Valley residents came together believing that by learning to care for one boat on one river, the public could come to care for all our threatened waterways. And what better boat for the job than a replica of the vessels which were once a much more common sight on the Hudson.

The sloop was launched three years later on May 17, 1969 in South Bristol, Maine. In the years since, Clearwater has traveled to towns and cities along the Hudson, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound.

Clearwater is a work boat. Sailing from town to town, she models her course after the Dutch sloops of the 18th and 19th centuries. These cargo vessels were specially designed for the variable winds, currents and depths of the Hudson. Their cargoes and crews were the main communication link between river-front towns and outlying areas which now house one-tenth of this nation’s population.

Clearwater’s cargo is people. Her work is making them care.

Love that. My daughter went on a 'Classroom of the Waves' educational sail in elementary school. What a great experience. Check out their site for news, sail schedules, volunteering and membership info. Don't forget the Great Hudson River Revival festival held every year in June.

I got to meet Captain Sue (couldn't be nicer) and if the Clearwater can find a suitable place to dock, there might be a Clearwater Brooklyn Revival.

Back to work: here's a little taste from the pillow photo shoot:

Eco Gifts For Him

Thanks Eco Etsy Street Team Blog for featuring Reiter8's Messenger Bag in their Gift Guide for Him.

It's a nice well rounded group o' gifts. My favorites? 2ReVerts skateboard belt buckles and Chakra Pennywhistle's upcycled moneybag wallets.

Find more eco friendly handmade products from this group by searching Etsy's offerings by 'teamecoetsy'.

But wait! There's more! Check out Etsy's Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide.

WIP - Mini Wallets

Just finished a fresh batch of mini wallets!

They make a great wreath:


but really work better as stocking stuffers!


Available here.