Handmade Bridal Sash

This past weekend I met a bride-to-be with some flowers I created for a handmade bridal sash.  I was so excited when she approached me about creating a sash that she will be wearing with her ivory wedding gown.  The bride shared some inspiration photos and I got to work creating a few different variations of bridal flowers and rosettes.  I have never worked with bridal materials, and rarely use any "bling" in my everyday crafting and sewing.  This was a big step out of my comfort zone, but it was also exciting to try something new.  When I step outside of my bubble, I am extremely nervous; however, 99% of the time it turns out and I am left with a big smile and appreciation for trying something new.

Unfortunately I was unable to get a picture of the flower combinations the bride decided on, but it was a big cluster of five different sizes of satin fluffy flowers in champagne and silver layered with pearls and rhinestones on an ivory ribbon sash.  It was beautiful!  The stash definitely makes a statement, in a very classy way.

Maybe this project was a door opened to something new I will try in 2013.  I make a lot of dog collar accessories for pups that are in weddings, and maybe I will venture out and experiment with more bridal styles for everyone in weddings.  We shall see...

Handmade Feature: Birdy Bird Boutique

*I love shopping different handmade artists online.  There are so many unique items out there, and sometimes it's just a matter of knowing where to look.  Because it's a big BIG shopping season right now, I am going to introduce to you new handmade artists that you can buy gifts from online.  Etsy is a great place to shop handmade locals, and if you are new to Etsy I have put together a post with tips for buying handmade items online this holiday season.*

I hope you enjoy the shops included in this series, and please share with friends and family!

Buy handmade.

Buy Local.

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Chevron knit hat with yellow flower

"Chubby Chunky," the Chinstrap hat

"Little Loves" Scalloped Chinstrap Hat

I can't get over the cuteness in these photos.  Birdy Bird Boutique is based out of Toledo, Ohio and Kelly is the designer behind these adorable crocheted hats for babies.

I have always been a fan of knit and crocheted hats and ear warmers, and I imagine my little one some day being the same way ;)  Not only are these adorable hats great Christmas gifts, but they are functional going into winter and also great for photo props.  It's a close call, but I think my favorite is the scalloped chinstrap hat.  So so cute!

You can also check out Birdy Bird Boutique on Facebook.



*To view all of my local artist features, click here.

Handmade Christmas Stocking

This week I traveled to my favorite little fabric boutique in Columbus for a night of sewing with some ladies.  On Monday I finished work, quickly drove to Columbus, sat down at Sew To Speak and introduced myself to the 5 women I would be spending the next 3+ hours with.  Our instructor was Mary Dugan, who is an amazing quilter that also blogs about her sewing adventures over here.  She taught us quilting basics and how to make our own customized stocking.  

I am so in love with the look of this retro inspired stocking, that I now want to make 10 more of them.  Family members: Beware.

The only problem that I ran into was finding a place to hang my stocking since we do not have a fireplace. Luckily, my chalk wall saved the day and I have my stocking hung ready to be stuffed with some candy and nail polish!  (...ahem, ahem hubby)

Here are some photos from our class and a look at the other adorable stockings created that night:

Mary taught us that quilting straight lines is easiest when using masking tape to keep your rows straight.

The lining for my stocking is a soft grey and white floral fabric.

I love all the fabrics used this night!  Makes me so ready for Christmas season.

I'm in love obsessed with this "Oh, deer" fabric from Moda.

I want to buy it in every color.

My stocking is hung above my workspace in LBF studios <3

Handmade Featured Artist: Personal Baggage

*I love shopping different handmade artists online.  There are so many unique items out there, and sometimes it's just a matter of knowing where to look.  Because it's a big BIG shopping season right now, I am going to introduce to you new handmade artists that you can buy gifts from online.  Etsy is a great place to shop handmade locals, and if you are new to Etsy I have put together a post with tips for buying handmade items online this holiday season.*

I hope you enjoy the shops included in this series, and please share with friends and family!

Buy handmade.

Buy Local.

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Homeless To Homie Tank

Lover Not A Fighter Tshirt

Shop Personal Baggage Tees

I first heard of Personal Baggage at Three Dog Bakery, where I am currently selling some of my dog products.  I am totally in love with their "Homeless To Homie" t-shirt and love the idea of them conveying their message through graphic tees.

Some people wear t-shirts because they are soft and comfortable, while others wear them to say something meaningful (or funny) to them.  In this case, these shirts do both..  And they are handmade.  And they are local!  Personal Baggage is based out of Columbus and they are selling in Three Dog Bakery and in their Etsy shop online.  If you are an animal lover, you should probably take a peek.  

You can visit them on their Facebook page as well by clicking HERE or their website HERE.

*Stay tuned for more handmade artists being featured each week.

Christmas Packaging

It's that time of year!  Christmas packaging is in full force here at LBF studios!

A long time ago, I used to wrap my bodysuits in scrap fabric with ribbon.  I loved the way it looked, but the added costs got to be a little too much when I started selling more.  For a long time I haven't included specialized packaging but with the holidays here, I wanted to spruce things up a little bit. 

Getting mail is so much fun.  Getting mail that is a handmade item packaged really cute, well that can make your day.  I purchased Kraft bags for very cheap online (a box of 1,000 for $19), a stamp duo, stamp pad and these cute little bows ($1.50 for 12 in a pack) in the Christmas aisle at Hobby Lobby.  This has turned out to be an inexpensive packaging option that continues the LBF brand until the very last step.  I hope my customers enjoy the extras this season!

Handmade Artist Feature: Molly Mattin

I love shopping different handmade artists online.  There are so many unique items out there, and sometimes it's just a matter of knowing where to look.  Because it's a big BIG shopping season right now, I am going to introduce to you new handmade artists that you can buy gifts from online.  Etsy is a great place to shop handmade locals, and if you are new to Etsy I have put together a post with tips for buying handmade items online this holiday season. 

I hope you enjoy the shops included in this series, and please share with friends and family!

Buy handmade.

Buy Local.

Today I am featuring a new find on Etsy:  Molly Mattin

I came across Molly Mattin when I was shopping on Etsy for locals.  When I shop local on Etsy, I type in Ohio because I consider all of my home state local.  When I come across a shop that is in the same city or county as I am, I get a little excited.  Molly Mattin is based out of Springfield, OH which is not too far from where I currently live.  Molly Mattin is a digital artist that specializes in typography within states.  Her work is very eye catching and great for showing your hometown pride.  

Take a look at some of her work below:

OHIO Cincinnati Reds special edition print via Molly Mattin

Digital illustration Print of Florida with Cities via Molly Mattin

Digital Illustration Print of Texas State with Cities Listed via Molly Mattin

State of Ohio Digital Illustration Print with Cities Listed via Molly Mattin

If you like Molly's work, stop by and say hello and that you found her on Little Blue Feathers blog!

You can shop more of MollyMattin in her Etsy shop HERE.  She is also on Twitter.

Stanlee Gets Noticed

Most of you have probably been introduced to Stanlee, my Boston Terrier pup who is the face of Little Blue Feather bow-ties and collar accessories.  Incase you haven't met, allow me to introduce him to you:

Stanlee is such a unique Boston Terrier, and he has my heart for sure.  He is very loyal, loves to be cuddled and instantly turns into the best pup model when the camera comes out.  He makes my heart very happy and I can't imagine our home without him.

Recently, this pup has not only been melting my heart, he has been winning over stranger's hearts on etsy.  This past month he has been on the front page of etsy three different days, which lead us to meet some new friends in the handmade world. 

A few weeks ago, I was asked by a couple painters if they could use Stanlee as their subject for their next painting.  I was first contacted by Clair Hartmann and introduced to her amazing paintings she sells in her shop.  I was so impressed with her work and definitely agreed to let her use Stanlee as her subject.  In turn, she is also sending me a print of Stanlee for my home!  I can't wait to receive it and am blown away by how well the painting turned out of my little Stan man.

Please check out Stanlee's painting in Clair's shop and let her know how you discovered her.  She is a sweet person with great talent and I feel honored to have been asked for her to use my pup as her painting subject.  

Isn't it amazing the way an animal can touch your heart?  Even when you don't know him/her?  Stanlee is doing just that across the internet.  

I am one proud momma.

Made in the 216 event

This weekend is the Made in the 216 event held in downtown Cleveland, OH.  I am so excited to be participating in this event and am even more pumped to shop other local artists!  

Made in the 216 is held at the Dredgers Union on E. 4th Street in the heart of downtown Cleveland.  This show is very different compared to a traditional art show because the handmade artists dropped off their goods to the store two weeks ago and the store owners are creating a retail store environment with all the handmade products displayed throughout the space. 

Pretty cool, right?

Friday is the beginning of this event, with a party celebrating Dredger's Union's first birthday and to help kick off the Made in the 216 event.  If you live in or near Cleveland, come shop talented local artists in this unique event on Saturday or Sunday that will be sure to impress you and your friends.  And if you see me out and about enjoying downtown Cleveland (I might have a Colossal Cupcake in hand) or shopping at Made in the 216, stop me and say hi.  I love meeting new people! 

Handmade ice cream bowls

One thing I love to do outside of work is hang out at the nearby art studio with the owner, Sarah.  She is an amazing artist, an unbelievably creative person and a great friend.  After saying too often that I didn't have the time to start new projects, my husband suggested making the time to do these things that I enjoy and are important to me.  I'm glad he made it more clear for me! 

I need to schedule time for projects.  

Remember to make time for all the things I love outside of work.

Tell myself that new art forms will spark new ideas and creativity. 

To practice new skills.

Step out of my comfort zone

and just have fun getting messy and making something new.

Today I did just that.  I went to the art studio without a specific idea in my mind.  I talked to Sarah and she suggested sitting in with her and a couple little giggly girls to make ice cream bowls.  I loved this idea {mainly because ice cream is my favorite food} and she invited me back next Tuesday morning for the same thing, but there will be six little kiddies making ice cream bowls!  

After 2 months away from the art studio, I came back today energized and excited to create.  I have a few classes and projects scheduled, and it feels really good to be back.  Tomorrow I will be finishing my piece and I will hopefully have it back just in time for my birthday and a great big ice cream sundae to help me bring in 27 in a few weeks!

Local Spotlight: Room Service

This local spotlight post is one that I am really excited to share with you all.   Justin and I discovered Room Service at the end of February when we spent a Saturday in the downtown Cleveland area.  Our purpose for going to Cleveland was for the West Side Market, but found a couple eye catching stores when walking in that general area.

One of these shops was Room Service.

Room Service is a store that sells a lot of handmade items and has a very stylized store design that instantly won over my heart when I walked in.  What I loved about Room Service was the creative way all of the products were displayed.  I found a lot of inspiration in their store colors, use of materials, furniture, the height of the store and all the natural lighting that was shining in.  

After doing a little shopping, Justin and I talked with the manager and associate buyer, Jennie, about the area, the history of the store and an event they put on in the summer called Made in the 216.  This event is to showcase creative handmade businesses right in the Cleveland, OH area.  When Jennie was describing the event, she explained it as not just another craft show, but an event that is displayed as a retail setting in a studio space in downtown Cleveland.  Customers will come in and feel like they are walking through a store layout and not visiting separate booths of only items from that specific artist.  I love the idea of a show with this approach and am anxiously waiting to attend this event in June!

Just as I was impressed with their store, I am sure that Made in the 216 will have the same aesthetically pleasing layout and style as well as quality artists participating in this event. You can read more about this event on their website!

Overall, this was an amazing find and I am excited to have the chance to visit the store again today and do a little shopping.  If you live in Cleveland, I definitely recommend visiting Room Service.