the beans have been spilled.

for about six months, i've been a contributing writer on the blog, indie icing. i write a weekly post (on wednesdays) about some of my favorite handmade goodies.

recently, jessica (the fabulous editor-in-chief) decided to step down from her leading role and focus on her other projects.. including the i heart handmade market and her personal blog, bloomerie. i, for one, didn't want to see indie icing go by the wayside, so i volunteered to step up and take the job! it's a wonderful opportunity for me, and i'm beyond excited to continue what jessica started and grow her amazing blog even more! its grown from around 70 followers when i started writing to almost 300, so i think it's definitely on the right track!

so check me out as the new editor-in-chief over at indie icing (along with my wonderful guest writers, robin and alison), and come see what handmade goodness we find for you every day!

indie icing post 4.16.10

it's a double-dose of christen over at indie icing this week! no specific theme for today, just a few of my recent etsy favorites! [click the photo to be taken straight to the article.] have a great weekend, everybody!

indie icing post 4.14.10

if you didn't see it yesterday, please check out my latest post over at indie icing! it's dedicated to my favorite jewelry piece.. the necklace! [click the photo to be taken straight to the article.]

long weekend + possibilities.

sometimes, a long weekend and a little spontaneity is all you need to gain a little perspective and a lot of inner peace.

i love what i do. i make things that make me happy. i make things that make other people happy. but sometimes, i need a break.. and a reality check. i'll be the first to admit that, right now, business isn't great. if every month had continued to be like november and december, i could have made a living off of this. but that's just not the reality of the situation.

granted, i don't pay rent since i live with my parents.. but it would be nice to have a little extra spending money every now and then, which i haven't had the luxury of lately. i'm not one to go splurge the second i make some dough, but i honestly can't even tell you the last time i went shopping.

the reason i love etsy so much is because i don't have to force my products on anyone. anybody that knows me can tell you that i'm just not a salesperson. if you like what i make, buy it. if not, that's okay too.

i've sat back for a long time and just kind of let the sales roll in. i've been lucky with some blog features, front page spots, and etsy finds emails. i'm starting to realize now that i need to be more aggressive. i need to be a salesperson. i need to get my name out there. i need to stop being lazy and complacent. i'm happy with my life, but i want more.

recently, i've been handed an amazing opportunity. i can't reveal it quite yet, since it's not mine to reveal, but i'm beyond excited about it. it's a step in the right direction for the type of business-lady i want to be.

stay tuned, people. i'm just getting started. :)

indie icing post 3.31.10

it's hipster week over at indie icing, and my guest post for today is all about hipster history! [click the photo to be taken straight to the article.]

planes, trains, automobiles, & bikes.

one of my favorite blogs, scoutie girl, is doing a new weekly feature called "we scout wednesdays". tara has asked her readers to share their stories, their experiences, and their items with her via blog or flickr. so this week, i'll be tooting my own horn [pun absolutely intended].

several months ago, i worked on a series of illustrations for my etsy shop. included in those illustrations were a plane, a 57 chevy, and a bike. no train to speak of yet, but i just may have to get working on that.

they're all available in 5x7's, and i see them as perfect decorations for a little boys room, or for someone who loves simple, clean design.

and for good measure, i just love this colorful, abstracted train wheel photograph from fellow etsy seller, yellafish.

indie icing post 3.17.10

i know, i know. it's st. patrick's day. i should be posting about shamrocks and leprechauns and blarney stones and celtic things. nope. today, it's all about the pickles. head on over and you'll see what i mean. [click the image above to be taken straight to the article]

spring scarves.

last week, i gave you a sneak peek of some new screenprint designs coming soon to my etsy shop. well, wait no longer.. they're here! i just listed the first one, and will be adding more throughout tonight and tomorrow.

take a look and let me know what you think!

[white ginkgo on lavender]

[white ginkgo on baby blue]

[magenta ginkgo on sunshine yellow]

indie icing post 3.10.10

here it is! my weekly post over at indie icing! let's just skip the april showers and head straight for the may flowers, okay? thanks. [click the photo to be taken straight to the article.]

sneak peek.

happy tuesday!

just wanted to give y'all a sneak peek of what's coming up in my etsy shop this week! i got some new screens burned and i'll be printing the designs on american apparel tees [chocolate brown] and bright spring-colored jersey scarves [baby blue, sunshine yellow, and lavender].

first up, a retro boombox line drawing. i'm imagining this in bronze ink on the chocolate brown tees.

second, a cute, whimsical sun and clouds repeating pattern. this will probably get printed on the yellow and blue scarves. bronze and white ink, respectively.

and third, another pattern-type design. a little more sophisticated and elegant.. gingko leaves. i haven't quite figured out the colors for this one yet.

so there you have it! a little sneak peek into what this week brings to letterhappy! let me know what you think!

tomorrow's my day to guest post over at indie icing, so look for my feature some time before noon! have a great night, everyone!

desperate for spring.

this has been one of the longest and coldest winters i think i've ever experienced. global warming? i don't believe it. i'm craving that warmer weather. i want to wear dresses and flip flops again.

i spotted this dress over at bright, bold, & beautiful the other day and couldn't believe it was from american eagle. i stopped shopping there a few years ago because i thought the direction they were going in was a little too young-looking for me. and let's face it.. as a 23 year old who looks like she's 16, i don't need any help in that department! i just may have to give them another chance. this would look perfect with a certain purple cardigan that i already happen to own.

and of course, for good measure.. i have to throw in a certain etsy find that i'm drooling over at the moment. the lovely and talented sabine from lamarquisedesanges creates beautiful embellished tops that i just can't get enough of. this is my favorite of the moment.

yep, now i just need the weather to start matching my mood and we'll be good. come on spring! i know you can do it!

indie icing post 2.24.10

just wanted to share my latest post over at indie icing! cute, cuddly polar bears! click the photo to be taken straight to the article.

indie icing post 2.19.10

just wanted to share my latest post over at indie icing. this week, it's raining cats and dogs! click the photo to be taken straight to the article.

indie icing post 2.10.10

just wanted to share my latest post over at indie icing. i'm so ready for spring, so my picks for today are bright, cheery, and sure to put a smile on your face! click the photo to be taken straight to the article.

raymond. a bit of a badger.

lately, i've been extremely conservative with my money. mostly because i don't make enough (yet) to go on frequent spending sprees, but also just because i have way too much stuff overflowing in my room and my studio-to-be. i'm currently working, etsying, and blogging from my kitchen. yeah.. that needs to change asap. but then, i found raymond. when i was little, i had a serious obsession with beanie babies.. and stuffed animals in general. so i have a soft spot when it comes to cute cuddly little animals. plus, raymond claims to be a badger, which was my college's mascot. plus plus, he's little and won't take up too much space. he's currently sitting by my computer, content as can be.

yep, he's cute. and i decided that i deserve a little present for myself every now and then! everyeskimo has an adorable collection of cute little creatures available in her etsy shop. she also sells pretty vintage goods. you can also check out her beautiful blog and follow her on twitter.

coming soon!

just wanted to give a little preview of what's about to debut in my etsy shop! i'm expanding my line, and branching out into wearables! i've already listed an awesome american apparel jersey scarf. it's been printed in an all-over circle paisley design.

[click on the photo to be taken to the listing in my shop!]

and now.. this is what i'm even more excited about. all the supplies are on their way from dharma trading co. i'll be turning this popular print of mine:

into this!

look for it in the shop starting next week! if you'd like to pre-order one, just let me know your size! have a great day, everybody!

xo

indie icing post 2.3.10

my weekly post over at indie icing is up! today, i featured some of my most recent etsy jewelry picks. click on the photo above to be taken to the article!

if i had a LOT of money.

i found this awesome jewelry designer (lsueszabo) on the front page of etsy this morning.. and immediately wished i had at least $300 of expendable income to blow on one of these rings.

one day, my friends.. one day.