etsy love: DrikaB

it's been a while. i know! so sorry.
better late that never, i always say!
so, here's the latest installment of etsy love!

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this time around, it's all about DrikaB!
i discovered DrikaB via a very recent post on the exceedingly tasteful and lovely design blog creature comforts. thanks to the etsy profile page found on DrikaB's etsy shop, i learned that the maker of these beautious bags is a brazilian transplant who resides in the san francisco bay area. hey, right near me!

DrikaB states that "her primary goal is to keep making things that are practical and fun", and her line of handmade bags are certainly true to that self-motivated directive. 'colorful', whimsical, and 'designed decidedly different' are descriptives that i'd deign to assign her work. i love her modern sensibility in the use of materials and the pattern-play she employs, and even the decision to use a heavy burlap-like strapping seems genius to me...it ups the texture stakes, and provides an almost utilitarian feel to the bags that contrasts nicely with the graphic fabrics found in her work in abundance. perfecto, people!

DrikaB bags not only look super sturdy (seemingly sewn PERFECTLY, people, no dubious 'deconstructionist' look or excuse in evidence here!), they also appear to be nice and roomy. i saw one tote measuring a generous 16" by 18", for example, allowing the lucky owner of such a bag to pack it with a day's needs with utmost ease. the insides of her bags (the totes at least) are complete with pockets for whatever one likes...pads? pens? wallets? you decide.

and DrikaB is prolific! examples of her past designs can be found on her etsy sold items page. what lucky folks those current DrikaB bag owners are! just like a creature comforts...i'm almost about to cave and snap one of these stunners up myself! think one of those totes might make a good baby bag?? (haha!)

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want more? check out DrikaB viva etsy!

wardrobe_remix(ers) o' the week

holy hannah! holy cow! jeebus!
the goodness just keeps getting...gooder? :)
there were so many awesome photos i wanted to post, but couldn't post them all! so i went with a few extra this time...for your delight and perusal. thus proving, as always, how MEGA wonderful wardrobe_remix is! dontcha agree?
this here is the ORIGINAL and OFFICIAL weekly wardrobe_remix recap of the latest and the greatest from the wardrobe_remix community, from yours truly, the creator of wardrobe_remix!
any wardrobe_remix photos that find themselves here showcase great style + great photography = the two meet and merrily marry to make a perfect expression of YOU and your singular personal style! and i've said it a million times before, it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it...the ticket is the confidence and sureness you exude when you express yourself the way that makes YOU feel most comfortable. that confidence shines through and is captured on film. so whether you're wearing couture clothes from the finest designers, mass market threads, thrifted stuff, or even a shirt you found on the side of the road...rock it! it's ALL GOOD and it's ALL WELCOME in wardrobe_remix!

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softspoken:
coquelicot sleep:
emilie who?:
shopaholic supergirl:
hique:
becktress:
laska.wanilii:
the snail and the cyclops:
ryfka:

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thanks to everyone who's been posting about wardrobe_remix or featuring fashions and folks from the group in their own blogs or websites. thanks for getting the word out. i am glad that wardrobe_remix inspires you! remember to give credit to the people in the aforementioned photos (if you use them in your blog posts, etc.) and to wardrobe_remix itself. it's good internet/blogging karma! (plus it actually goes with flickr's terms of service and a little thing called copyright!)

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remember: you can click on the photo of any of these terrific wardrobe_remix(ers) to learn more about their photo or outfit, explore their flickr photostream, and beyond. all of the photos are owned by the awesome people who are depicted in them, of course!
join us over at wardrobe_remix and show off your awesome EVERYDAY trendbusting and trend-SETTING personal style!
spread the word!
and see you there!

bead simple: a new jewelry-making book by susan beal

my online pal, writer and crafter/designer susan beal (of west coast crafty fame) just came out with a gorgeous new jewelry-making tome called bead simple, which is jam-packed with information, instructions, and a huge selection of projects that promise to make the making of jewelry with beads and baubles super-easy, and the results of such making stunning.
the thing that really sets bead simple apart from the pack, i think, is the clean, modern feel of the art direction of the book as a whole. well-lit, thoughtfully-arranged photos and simple illustrations abound, and are coupled with easy-to-understand instructions. as a complete work, the book is a superb, approachable launch pad for any reader/crafter's creativity and idiosyncratic personal style.
another facet of the book that i feel takes it to another level is the inclusion of reams of projects created by a cabal of crafters whose names are well-known to those in the know: jennifer perkins, leah kramer, and many, MANY more. this gathering of creative folks gives the book a diverse feel...ensuring that there's something for everyone as far as projects and inspiration are concerned.

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some of my favorite projects from the book include...
this riotously colorful bracelet formed from deliciously disparate beads (by jennifer perkins):

i'm a vintage button fangirl, so why this one caught my eye is obvious:

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and...full disclosure: i have a project in the book as well! it's these low and swingy 'pop organic' earrings, that can be found on page 55 (should you possibly be interested).

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thanks, susan, for allowing me to participate and create a project for your book! i'm so proud of you.