New to the Shop

Last year, a friend and I took a hand-stamping class in preparation for Make Something Day. Well, we FELL in love with it so much that we went right out and bought everything we needed to do it ourselves. We worked like busy little elves to make handmade gifts for all of our friends and family. They were such a big hit that I've decided to add this itty, bitty necklace to the shop. Everything is sterling silver and I can fit 1 to 3 initials on each of the 1/2" pendants. What do you think?

And here is the little box it will come in!

I would love for you to stop by! Auburn & Ivory

Dear Sukie

I was in DESPERATE need of a new wallet. I've had mine for about 7 or 8 years (I know) and for the past few months it has looked very, very sad. I like to stuff as much as I possibly can in there - cards from little diners I stop at driving across country, pictures, my old license and college ID - so after awhile the strain of all my mementos took a toll on my poor little guy. So today I decided enough is enough and I went over to faithful old Etsy. I was going to post about all the different wallets I found and let you, dear reader, decide for me but then I found Dear Sukie and everything changed. I love the colors, the fabrics, the size and all the storage space for my goodies. And all under $20 including shipping. AMAZING!

And here's my new friend -

Lovin' Locally

This or a That is a funky little shop run by one San Diego lady. I have a couple friends who are really into pin up girls and would love her Bettie Page and pin up girl purses and bangles. All of the really colorful and pop-art inspired jewelry is showing up all over the place right now. But I lean towards the leather cuffs that would go so well with my leather ring from Tomate d'epingles!AND I stopped by Stacey Winters' shop. She has the CUTEST springtime buddies up! I just adore that little dearie!

Auburn & Ivory Etsy

Here is a sneak peek of what I've been working on for my Etsy shop. I'm really excited to be making stuff again. I started making homemade paper a couple months ago out of recycled newspaper. The paper pendents are paired with vintage glass beads and pearls and other fun stuff. I'm hoping to re-open the shop for real in a couple weeks!

Sweetie Necklace

Mordecai Necklace

I'll be uploading pics to flickr as I make more before I re-open the shop!

The Greenies

In honor of the upcoming green March (according to every magazine publication!!!), I want to start a little group project. I want to see what you make that is green and eco-friendly. Maybe you will reuse or recycle materials. Maybe you'll be eco-concious while you make what it is your making. It can be a work of art, a craft, a piece of jewelry.

Update: I love that there are so many artists and designers being eco-friendly out there. This project is for everyone, artists and non-artists alike, and I would love if you used it as a starting point for creating something new. I can't wait to see the creative ways you come up with to make something in a greener way!

To be involved just go to the greenies link below and leave a link to your project in the comments or shoot me an email with pictures and a description and I will post ALL the creations EVERY week of March at http://www.greenies08.blogspot.com/!

Here are some of my favorite green products and crafts~

1. Recycled bowls and trays from Bitters Co. - a really great green shopping resource. 2. I know everyone has been blogging about these textiles from Plover Organic but they are fantastic 3. The life and work of everyone at R. Wood Studio is inspirational. These bowls are made by hand from red clay from Georgia. 4. I want this fancy schmancy no electricity required coffee maker from Toddy Cafe. 5. This favor box is part of the Paper-Source environmentally friendly line of stationery and paper. 6. greenKarat's goal is to end destructive gold and diamond mining by creating ecologically and socially responsible jewelry. 7. My baggu is one of my favorite accessories. I use it for groceries, a lunch bag, library books, everything. 8. Cute felt birdies from the sustainable living experts at Branch Home.

"Can you stay up to see the dawn in colors of Benetton?"

Favorite Friday Picks -
The end of the week is finding me a little mopey so I'm trying to brighten things up.

I wanted to post this bag from The Sea Within with my Mustards and Blues but it was a little too yellow. I've kept going back to look at it all week!

These skateboards from Think are HI-larious. I would probably break a limb if I actually tried to skateboard but I wouldn't mind having these on a wall.

I love these little Zoomies especially Peace Nigel even though his favorite band is Oasis.

Love love love this FREE wallpaper from Tess McCabe that I saw on Creature Comforts. I want to try and incorporate it into my layout somehow. Any ideas?

This necklace has been patiently sitting on my desktop waiting for a home all week long! Check out nervous system for more unique designs and a whole education (diffusion limited aggregation, what?). You can even "play + learn" and then use what you learn to design jewelry! Jesse and Jessica are probably two of the smartest designers out there. I am impressed!

Please go check out the vagina stationary at snew. It is rad and I totally would post it if I didn't think someone would flag me for being indecent! I do love me some roller derby though.

Cutie Ubiki pins at Shana Logic. Makes me think of the Peskimo flip book I saw on Larger than Ink (also super cute).

AND I couldn't pick one thing from Poppytalk Handmade so just go look at it all.

"felt like crying": Olivia Ew on Etsy

Ok. I was really planning on only posting once today. I want to try to break my habit of being "random" and have a semi-schedule for auburn and ivory. BUT then I saw this. And I was in love love love. Olivia's dolls are more punk rock than you or I could ever wish to be! I especially like her two-headed girls.

If I were a doll I think I would look something like this:

Check out Olivia Ew's blog for more of this sassy lady's little buddies.