Modish

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday!  I can't believe December is literally right around the bend!  Time is flying by so fast I feel as if I have no hopes of catching up with it!  Perhaps it's because I work too damn much.  So you all get out and have some fun for me, will you?!  In the meantime, I leave you with a round-up of some links to keep you busy til Monday.  See you back here in December!

-> Enter the 2nd round of the November Giveaway if you haven't yet, worth $805!  Last day to enter is Dec 3rd!

-> Portland peeps!  This Sunday, two wonderful handmade holiday shows are going on!

• The Sunday Best Holiday Show down at the Ace Hotel (oh, how I love the Ace!) from 11-5 : vendors include Jill Bliss, e.soule, rachel austin, honey& milk, satsuma press and more!  There's some overwhelming talent in that bunch!

• And the Secret Society Sale will be happening on NE Russell (next to the Wonder Ballroom) from 11-6!  10% of all proceeds will benefit the Oregon Food Bank, and you can also bring some non-perishable food items with you to donate.  Come to shop some wonderful vendors and stay from 4-6 for some cocktails! :)

-> Grace over at d*s is in cahoots with the NY Public Library and 5 talented Brooklyn based artists.

-> Ez from Creature Comforts and Holly from Decor8 are Kindred spirits, and lucky for us, they like to share!

-> How to: pretty paper garland and ornaments

-> How to: a gift topper that's not too trashy

-> Tips to stay sane this holiday season

-> Erin is so encouraging

-> Thanksgiving dinners sure are pretty

-> She promised it'd make me smile, and it did

Have a happy weekend!

<3 jena

Black Hole Friday: Sucked into the world of spending

I'm sitting here stuffing my face with yummy vegetarian Thanksgiving leftovers, on this bright and warm(-ish) Black Friday afternoon.  My man is downstairs sewing away on the sewing machine and I've already ironed over 21 yards of fabric.  We've pulled out bolts of fabric to start making gifts for our closest family members, will finish those up and decide if we'll keep making things for everyone else, or purchase goodies.  Either way, I've vowed to stick with Adbuster's Buy Nothing Day. 

Seems like, at least in this part of the world, we're in a sagging economy.  I dunno, I haven't really felt it (yet?) but I also don't have my retirement invested in the stock market.  

In a recent conversation with a favorite gal pal of mine, Jess, we were talking about focusing on abundance rather than voids. The glass is half full of deliciousness. How do we do this?  How do we turn loss into gain when economics seems so abstract--a trillion dollars means absolutely nothing to me when $20 seems like everything.  Money isn't really the reason for the season, anyway, is it?

Are you with me? Are you feeling a little bit of a need for some positivity?  Off we go, to create our own little stimulus package--are you ready for the ride?

{Click on the image to see it full-sized}  I asked some of my favorite internet buddies to do a little word association game based on a lot of the themes of current events.  The spectrum of responses was really broad, and that, my friends, is awesome.  They proved that we are already concentrating on what is in the glass and not what isn't.  Find your definition, then see if these days leading into Winter Holiday Season are representative of who you really are.  Do your definitions meet your philosophical intentions?  I think it's a good opportunity to remember to buy things that are important or significant--instead of buying a whole bunch of novelty crap, why not give things that will be of lasting value?  Do we emphasize having that paper receipt of purchase just a little too much?  Remember the significance of the dollar in comparison to the purpose of giving.

The words were: economy, budget, gift, gift giving holiday, value, currency, give and receive.  What do you relate to these words?  What's your first response to each word?

Once you've responded to each, go back through and think about celebrating the season as a "buy nothing month".  How would the holidays fare without spending?  Would you still exchange physical gifts, and if so, what would the source of your goodies be?  Homemade?  Regifting?  

How will you celebrate this season of abundance? Where do you find wealth?

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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  We're having a very "non-traditional" Thanksgiving Day today with Chinese food and vegan cake, so you all need to eat some extra stuffing for me!

Check back in here tomorrow- I'll have lots of discounts and Black Friday sale notices to share with you!

<3 jena

Sohomode

Oh how I am in love with these high waisted pencil skirts from sohomode!  I love the cut, I love the prints, I love the wide colorful belts that are included with each, I love the funky color combos, I love the modern girlyness.... they're soho-fabulous!

Sarah Cruse

...where ever this ship is sailing, on the high purple seas with swirly peacock waves... it's so beautiful, by local Portland artist Sarah Cruse.

Eco-Friendly Find: and furthermore,

Portland has more than its fair share of eco-friendly crafters, just one more reason to love it here.  New to the scene but already selling like hotcakes is and furthermore, a collection of home goods made from reclaimed materials.  Panes of glass from old light fixtures have become original artworks and beautiful vintage plastic doilies can now keep time.  What a good idea...

Jessica Doyle

I've always had a fondness for wild mushrooms, just for curiosity sake.  Whenever I come across some I get so excited, and now living in Oregon, I find new ones popping up in my backyard everyday!  It's amazing the varieties of shapes, sizes and colors that exist within just a couple feet of each other.  This print by Jessica Doyle reminds me of the little cluster of tiny yet statuesque little fungi towers I found recently, so noble looking, pushing up through the bright green moss just to say hello for a brief while...

Find more mushrooms, flowers, trees, fishes and much much more in Jessica's shop- it's overflowing with colorful artwork!

Picture Perfect: Stoopidgerl

{this shop was referred to me by a nice reader- thanks Moran!}

Handmade Spaces: foundling

I'm so excited to share with you today the space of one of my favorite handmade creators, Betsy from the foundling!  I've long been a fan of Betsy's work and it was a best seller in my now closed Modish shoppe... I always imagined the place where Betsy created her goods, made from reclaimed materials, to be one filled with found treasures and vintage delights, and well, I was right!  Let's take a peek and see where she creates her magic!

What do you create in this space?
I make jewelry inspired by an ethic of reuse and a love for all things old.  I also use the space for my sewing, collage or painting projects.

Where is it located?
The studio is in an old, refurbished warehouse in the River Arts District here in Asheville, NC.  It's a great little neighborhood with lots of other artist's studios, restaurants, a brewery and a place to hear live music.

What sort of tools/equipment do you use?
I use some typical metalsmithing tools, like a saw, hammers, a torch, lots of different pliers.  Because my work combines several disciplines I also have the things I need to work with paper and fabric.  It's almost like having three different studios smashed into one.

What inspirations do you keep nearby?
I love the materials I use in my work so I keep them out where I can see them.  The piles of fabric and rows of old books make my fingers itch a little. A quilt top pieced by my great-grandmother, a rusty yellow auto parts display and stacks of tarnished silver serving pieces are all out for me to see every day, as well.

What do you like to listen to/watch while creating?
I like to have something playing while I'm working, but there's no telling what it will be.  Lately I've been excited about country music from the 70s and early 80s, the blues hour on my local NPR station, and an Arcade Fire album I can't stop listening to.

You can see all the beauuuutiful jewelry and accessories that Betsy creates here on the foundling website and in the foundling etsy shop.  And psst: head over to the jewelry section of the Modish Marketplace to find out how you can get 20% off your foundling order!

Marie the Bee

Baby it's cold outside... good thing we have these stylish and snuggly accessories from brand new shop, Marie the Bee, to keep us warm!

Marie, the the busy bee in question, used to run The Sampler and I was afraid I'd never hear from her again when she left.  But now she's back baby, and better than ever!  Crafting again, making these beautiful hats and scarves to keep you feeling oh so toasty and lookin' fine too...check out the entire collection at Marie the Bee, and stay warm out there!