Shop News

I've spoken on this subject a little on Instagram, but wanted to share more about my thought process here.  Etsy, as a venue for independent sellers of handmade goods, has changed so much in the last handful of years - mostly, it has become more commercialized.  Mass consumerism has arrived in full force, and I will not undervalue the quality of my work or creative process. But things change; we evolve.

Since becoming a mother, my top priorities have been rearranged.  Being a mother comes first, and then everything else.  My shop will stay open, though.  New offerings will be added sporadically.  Here is a recent order for a stamped custom baby spoon, made from US steel in the USA, and hand stamped freehand by me.

For holiday orders, US orders must be placed by 12/14 for ready-to-ship items.  The international orders deadline has passed.  I deeply appreciate your support this holiday season!

New Listing

A new listing available in shop.  A new listing that keeps up with my commitments as a mother, conscious consumer, and precision-loving jewelry maker.  Meet custom name US-made stamped baby spoons (in nickel-free 18-0 stainless steel):

Each spoon is stamped imperfectly by me with a custom name up to 10 letters.  For consumer safety, the letters aren't darkened.  

My toddler has been using Baby Liberty spoons since her first meal at six months old.  We, her parents, love their quality craftsmanship, durability, and commitment to keeping jobs in the US.

Simple, uniquely customized, and functional, these baby spoons will last for years to come.

And baby A. agrees. 

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Available in soft-bite coated or uncoated.
Find them in my shop here.

Inspiration: Post-Storm Fog

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the drought that had plagued our area since last fall.  I guess my ranting of sorts (plus the rain dances and the religious prayers that I saw on the local news) worked because we received a steady downpour of rain for four days straight last week.  It was beautiful in a moody kind of way--so beautiful in fact, that I felt like I was living in a drizzly Seattle-like dream.  Rain became the white noise in the background; the music to my drought-heavy ears.

The images in this post were taken in the evening of the day immediately after this rainstorm, when the fog quietly slipped in between land and sky in the pre-twilight hours...

With the ground squishy and the air crisp, clean, and damp with the musty scent of earth, I took these images.  The air chilled around me, twirled me to and fro in its heavy mist of fog, whispered to me age-old secrets from a world away...

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Changing subjects, I came across this great "made in America" article about Mohnton Knitting Mills in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, which manufactures for the label RP Miller (the same label as Curator's Stripe Tee).  Mohnton Knitting Mills is currently in its sixth generation of family ownership!

I blogged about Curator here.

Shop: Curator

Stripe Tee - Grey

I've been thinking a lot about the whole "made in America" movement lately, so this post, which follows this train of thought, is quite appropriate.

One of the my favorite "made in America" shops is Curator, a stylish-yet-affordable, San Francisco-based brick and mortar boutique that offers wearable, uniquely designed clothing for both the hip and comfort seeking (I clearly fall under the latter category).  The company, whose tag line is, appropriately, "Made in California," is run by two clothing-designer best friends who have their stylin' SF designs sewn by local tailors in small batches--the end product is a one-of-a-kind line of decidedly feminine, cozy clothing with a flattering modern edge.

Frankie Hood

The coziness of the gorgeous sweatshirt above (I never thought I'd call a sweatshirt "gorgeous"...) is an example of what I mean about Curator's unique balance of basic and trendy elements in their designs.  Who knew a sweatshirt could be more than lazy-day outerwear?  I sure didn't.

Or that a dress could be worn on multiple occasions and essentially dressed up or down?  The below dress would look absolutely delightful paired with mid-calf boots, and would look equally flattering with heels.  Throw on a cardigan of your choice, and you are good to go.  This piece would surely make a pretty bridesmaid dress, as well as a "date night" dress.

Classic Dress

These are only a sampling of designs from Curator, but they comprise some of my current favorites.  What I love most about the company, besides their "made in America" mission and minimalist designs, is the quality of their products.  I know that I'm not the only one who has purchased "made elsewhere" t-shirts (as an example) from chain stores, only to find that the already-thin material becomes flimsier with each delicate-cycle wash--that the tiny pin holes in these year-old shirts grow with each passing month.

Due to this experience, I continue to be amazed at how well my tops from Curator hold up to the wear and tear that I consistently put them through, both when worn and in the washer and dryer (on "handwash" and "low," of course).  I've owned these Curator shirts for a few years, and they're still looking like new.  Love, love this shop!

Visit Curator here.

Now off to not-so-secretly ogle Curator's stripe tee in grey...

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How's that for mindful consumerism?