Locations: See Jane

One aspect of running Reiter8 that I really enjoy is meeting people. For example, wholesale vendor Katie Gibson who owns the shop See Jane located in the in trendy East Village section of Long Beach, California. Sweet and friendly, Jane has a good thing going with her shop in the Broadlind building, said to be one of the prettiest in Long Beach which she fills with many one of a kind handmade products.

"I like to be different and unique and that's a good selling point," she said. "People don't realize that handmade is good for the community because you're supporting your local artists, and it's good for the environment because it's not mass-produced and won't end up in a landfill."

Customers also get a well-made product with a story, Gibson said.

"Someone spent a lot of time making that item and put their heart and soul into it," she said. "Everyone that makes things - they do it because they love it. They don't do it because it's a job."

- from an article in the Press Telegram

Only someone who makes things (which she does) could nail that last part. I love that.

See Jane, 145 Linden Ave. Long Beach (map)
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

Clambake!

I'm trilled to share that Reiter8's Recycled Sail Luggage Tags have been featured in an Food & Wine / Etsy article!

The Food & Wine site features a lovely slide show of images and yummy recipes by husband and wife chefs Gabriel Frasca and Amanda Lydon of the Nantucket restaurant The Straight Wharf on Nantucket Island.

Photo by © Buff Strickland

'As the style editor for Food & Wine, Jessica Romm gets to combine her twin passions for excellent food and amazing design. Every month she tracks the best in tabletop, choosing stunning plates, glasses and other serving pieces to showcase in the magazine. To start off a new series of Food & Wine summer party picks, she shares a few of her favorite nautical Etsy Finds for the perfect clambake.'

'These luggage tags would be great wrapped around napkins. They are a fabulous party favor, since guests can use them again and again.'

I love the idea of giving them as favors! And using them as napkin rings - how creative is that?!

Among my favorites of her picks are:

Alyssa Ettinger's Mason Jar Lantern:



These beautiful block print napkins by Julie Peach:



The sturdy bowls and mugs by Dodge Station Pottery:



And this enamelware pot by Cabin Windows:



There are many more, so I urge you to read the Etsy article, check them out and start your shopping list!

Have a great weekend!!

Let the Sun Shine

New to the shop: a few bright bags in this otherwise dreary weathered weekend.

More info on the yellow 8 tote here.
More info on the yellow dot purse here.

Stay dry!

Sunshine!

Working on a little sunshine in the studio today. I am loving the new bright yellow insignia color. When I peel it off the backing it's bright, shiny and slightly translucent. Reminds me of fruit leather and lemon drops- YUM!



Given the recent damp and dreary weather that we have been experiencing, it's extra nice to be working with bright colors. I'll update the post when they are listed in the shop.

WIP - Piled High

Got a bunch of bags on my work table this week patiently waiting to get sewn. Among them a few pieces from a recently donated sail with lovely weather worn red numbers that were zig zag stitched by the sail maker.



I've got something bright and bold in the works, too. Will share soon!

A Stow Away and Good Deeds

Recently, I had a stow away. I was wrapping orders and one of my purse orders 'jumped' into a pillow order and started out on it's journey to Ohio ... via San Francisco.

Kind and honest Melissa, who was the San Francisco pillow recipient, brought this to my attention upon opening her package. She was incredibly understanding. 'We all make little mistakes - that's what makes us human!' She was happy to help re-route the stow away. (I must say, UPS also helped to make it easy. I was able to create a UPS shipment online and email a shipping label for Melissa to print and attach.)

So, a HUGE thank you to Melissa, who's lovely blog: fancy and folly is definitely worth a visit.

The purse has been delivered to it's rightful owner (thanks again UPS for free email delivery confirmations) and my faith in humanity has been restored. However, from now on I'm packing orders one at a time.

New Item: Billfold Wallet

Just in time for fathers day (although these are great for moms, too!) and in response to your feedback, I have created a great full size wallet.

Snappy, huh?

Details in the Etsy shop