Shop Vintage.. Allen Company Inc

I came across Kristina of Allen Company Inc on Flickr. Allen Company Inc is an online vintage shop via Etsy.com based out of Allentown, PA. Kristina has a background in history and considers herself more business minded than creative. However, she does feel that "visuals were always effortless" for her. (You can read more here in her featured Etsy seller interview.) Kristina definitely has a great eye, these photos are from Allen Company Inc's Flickr.. and they are beautiful. I love the styling and.. the light picks up the soft vintage colors so wonderfully. They would make very pretty framed photos for a boutique or a bedroom. Of course, they're not just pretty pictures.. these are great finds, merchandised and styled really well. The outfits are paired by decade showing her customers the history and color stories of the pieces. This is a really great idea for vintage shops. Random pieces can sometimes feel out of place when not styled well for the listing. It's important to tell a story with your item. Allen Company Inc tells wonderful stories through her Flickr photostream.

More on Allen Company Inc..

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Foodie Friday.. Healthy Desserts

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In honor of the group/blog #indielbs.. today's Foodie Friday is all about Healthy Desserts. #indielbs is a group started by Jen at Indie Fixx on Twitter in order for indie artists to get together and support each other through online communities, like Twitter and Blogs, in losing a few extra pounds and getting healthy. Also, as a bonus.. Jen has rounded up talented indie artists to donate prizes. How can you go wrong when prizes are involved? So today I bring you healthy desserts for this week's Foodie Friday and my Flickr Faves. Lots of fruit and yogurt, honey, nuts and spices.. recipes are included or linked from the original Flickr page.. so be sure to click on what looks good.. no need to deprive yourself of a tasty dessert when your options look like these..

Click on the links in the post to join the #indielbs group on twitter and blog.. everyone is welcome and we just started..

enjoy and happy weekend!

Gift Finds.. Bath & Body Under $40

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Today's gift finds are bath & body gifts sets and individual items all under $40. There are some really great unique gift sets and baskets available with.. I'm sure.. great selling products. Of course, without seeing these items in person you may need to know ingredients and worry about allergies.. just contact the sellers with any questions. They will provide all the details, if they are not included in descriptions already. How great is the gift set in the vintage suitcase? I tried a few products at the recent Handmade Brigade of Orange County holiday show and they smelled great and the hand lotion was really nice. Bath & body makes a great gift for friends, family, coworkers.. and the pricing starts at under $10.

What are some of your favorite scents?

The Illustration of Nan Lawson

This weekend I checked out the Handmade Brigade of Orange County at The Camp in Costa Mesa. There were tables lined up outside and around the inside. Lots of cute stuff.. I was really drawn to the line work of Nan Lawson's illustrations. I love the muted colors and simplicity. Nan is an LA based artist and also had a photography shop you need to check out too.. here. Oh, and did I mention you can also order a custom illustration too? Hmm.. My cats may need a portrait..

Shop Handmade: Winter Accessories

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Welcome to November and the early days of winter. I say that with a bit of sarcasm because it's about 90 degrees today in LA. I do realize though that the majority of the country is experiencing temperatures dropping and cold weather accessories are beginning to make their appearance. Well, there are a lot of great pieces being made by artists and designers in the handmade community. These pieces are on trend and really exciting.. and very well priced. Check out the 12 must have trends from People here. People's Stylewatch recently popped in with Etsy.com for their favorite picks from Etsy sellers. A few trends mentioned: cowl scarves, bib scarves or necklaces, plaid, fingerless gloves and everyone's beloved legwarmers..

enjoy these selections I've picked out for the Dig Under Rocks Blog.

Crafty Business Ideas... Holiday Promos, Gift Wrapping & A Free Print!!

As an online business planning for holiday shopping really needs to start early.. and as much as I have always hated thinking about buying gifts this early.. it's now November and it does take the stress out of shopping to plan and start early. Plus, for an online business we need to allow for shipping and also put that idea in our shoppers minds.. don't wait.. allow for plenty of time for your gifts to arrive. So I've starting offering free online shipping until the end of the year to promote ordering from my shop for gifts. Shoppers like to shop from their computer rather than heading to crowded malls. So why not give them a perk from ordering from your shop!

I came up with the idea of offering gift wrapping... but to keep costs down I didn't want to buy wrapping paper. Since I've worked as a textile and graphic designer I have lots of patterns and I created a few for the holidays..

I use Adobe Illustrator to create my designs so i just printed the repeat patterns on 8 1/2" x 11" paper from my printer. Luckily, my jewelry boxes only need one page to wrap because my printer doesn't fit 11x17 paper. I picked up a package of glossy paper from Staples to print the wrapping paper designs on to make it look pro. ;) Then I trimmed the edges and just finished off the wrapping with a satin ribbon. I'm also going to print out gift tags with the buyer's note on it in a pretty font.

The best part is.. this is all printed to order.. so nothing to stock but files on my computer, a package of glossy paper and ribbon. And the last step... I've created an Etsy listing for my gift wrap services.. and easy add on to the purchase.

I know designing graphics and patterns isn't for everyone.. so here's a free print for you.. ready to print on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. It's a PDF, so if you have Illustrator you can open it there and change the color background or resize if need be... but you can just print the PDF too.

What are some other ideas for Holiday Promos for your crafty business?

Foodie Friday.. Trick or Treat

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Happy Friday and a Happy Halloween! Today is, of course, mischief night... Leading up to today and tomorrow there has been nothing but bite size snickers, three musketeers, milky ways, reese's.. twizzlers everywhere you look. These are from my flickr faves.. you can really have all the cupcakes, candy apples you want but until you see massive amounts of those fun size favorites in one pile.. it's not quite Halloween.

Have a great weekend! I have a friend coming into town this weekend and we're going to see the original Halloween screening in the Hollywood Cemetery! Can't wait!

Check back on Monday for a Crafty Business Idea post..

Gift Finds.. Paper Goods Under $40

Vintage Flowers Set of 10 Notecards, $22.50 by Olive and Ruby • Vintage 1879 Book Journal, $32.95 by Revamp Boutique
2010 Giclee Calendar, $30 by joojoo • Adventure Gift Box, $35 by Earmark

Pair Printed Letterpress Journal, $22 by YeeHaw • Recycled Monopoly Game Board Journal, $32 by CrabAppleDesign
Lose Yourself in a DayDream 2010 Calendar, $20 by Susannah Tucker • Central London Street Map Notebook, $29 by Bombus

Stationery gifts are a good gift for friends and family. I tend to give them to my mother, the English teacher or my brother and his wife, the newspaper journalists. Plus, there are times when I can't resist the blank page journal/sketchbook. I found these and I think they're all really great. I don't know many people who still use actual calendars or notecards/stationery sets but honestly, those who do.. really appreciate a unique and really nice one. I also love the idea of travel journals... for photos, notes, menus, business cards, tickets... anything you happen to pick up on your travels. Etsy sellers have an amazing selection of paper goods.. and at local art and craft fairs they look even better in person. Enjoy these picks.. direct links are located under the picture grouping. Also, if you have any recommendations for a theme or item for the Gift Finds Under $40 or $30 feature please comment or email me.
Happy Thursday!

Letterpress.. Wedding Invites & A Giveaway!

Have you been looking for custom letterpress wedding invitations? These very elegant and beautiful designs have been created by Ajalon Printing & Design, a family owned letterpress printer in Northern California. They are right in wine country, Sonoma County... so what better way to look into your wedding invites then to pair it with a wine tasting trip too. Ajalon wants to get the word out on their current special.. 100 letterpress invitations and enclosure cards for $398. But wait.. I did promise you a giveaway in this post...

Enter the "Engaging" Save the Date Letterpress Giveaway..

Everyone’s got a story to tell, and everyone loves to hear about the “Grand Proposal.” Tell us how he proposed (or did you?) to enter our giveaway for 100 letterpress save the date cards, over a $300 value!

The lucky winner will receive 100 one-color, one-sided 5×7 letterpress save the date cards with 110 blank envelopes. Printed with soy-based ink on 100% cotton Crane’s Lettra stock.

The winner will be able to choose from most of our gallery designs, fonts, and our standard ink and paper colors.

More details and the designs available to choose from are located here.

Contest will end October 31, 2009. The giveaway winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified by email on November 2, 2009. All entries will qualify for a free sample pack, a $10 value.

More on Ajalon Printing & Design..

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Color.. Orange You Glad

Orange Shoes by spindexr • Orange Vintage Party Dress, $130 by Pink Twink

.story of my life. by .introcoso. • While by calabkimbrough

Wednesday: Orange by girlhula • Pumpkin Harvest Wedges, $28 by Thrush

Orange Owl Incense Holder, $22 by Adventures in Vintage • Plastic Picnic Dishes 12pcs, $32 by I'm So Vintage

As we are nearing the end of October we are approaching Halloween... and orange is everywhere. After Halloween it becomes a harvest color mixed with browns and warm yellows.. I found some really great pictures that made orange just look so good! I actually am an Orangemen too.. I am an alum of Syracuse University- the Orangemen.. so I have lots of orange tees and whenever I see orange and blue together I can not help but think of my team. Certainly not a favorite color.. but orange has it's place and I know a few people who call it their favorite. I also believe with the right palette.. it's a great color. Please enjoy these selections with link under the pics.

Home Goods.. Wall Art

Willow, $15 by ara133photography • Lemon Branches, $18 by studiolyon

Breeze, $20 by yellena • Stretch Out & Wait, $18 by lifeinsugarhollow

Colorful Cactus & Birds, $20 by joojoo • The Meeting, $10 by meArtDesign

I have been browsing for new items for decorating my apartment. There are lots of talented artists, illustrators and photographers on Etsy with very affordable art ready to be framed and placed on the wall. Here are a few of my finds. I love them all and would purchase everyone right now for my empty wall space. Unfortunately, I am just browsing right now due to lack of funds. I must prioritize and a new desk will need to come first- as I blog from my coffee table. The first group, turq and yellow is perfect for my kitchen with the black and white tile floor. The second group: mint & black with pink and turq accents are excellent for my living space.. and finally the third group.. peach/pink, gold and the blue details of the cactus piece would look really great in my bedroom.. Well, they've been blogged so I won't forget the artists..

Have you purchased any wall art on Etsy for your home? Send me a picture if you have one..

Foodie Friday.. Ginger

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Happy Friday! It seems like this one came fast.. but that's probably not true for everyone.. so either way.. we've arrived. I'm spicing this Friday up with some ginger. I love ginger.. there's just something about how it gives that warm spicy boost to sweet flavors. I'm really loving this color palette too.. the dusty blues and greens sitting next to the vibrant yellow, reds and oranges.. with white to keep it all very clean and proper. I've combined a few Etsy sellers with my flickr faves this week. There's a recipe for the cranberry ginger bread I may need to try.

Any crafty plans for the weekend?

Just a note, links for "Where to Buy" or "This Photo Belongs To" are now located under the picture groups.

SALE!!! Dig Under Rocks Jewelry!

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Gift Finds.. Accessories $30 & Under

I found some really cute handmade accessories that would make the perfect gift... and even better they are all $30 & under! So maybe you need a fun gift for a friend, a secret santa, or a stocking stuffer.. or maybe someone on your list has a birthday near the holidays. These gifts are really pretty and unique accessories that will mean a lot and you won't have to spend too much.

What are some of your favorite gifts you've received?

Where to Buy..

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Top Left: Robin and Peacock Ruffles Jersey Necklace, $30 by POAPLUM

Top Right: Raindrop Blue Quartz and Pearl Sterling Silver Earrings, $24 by Dig Under Rocks

Bottom Left: Mystery Pearl Cocktail Ring, $25 by Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Bottom Right: Fallen Snow Light Blue Cluster Flower Headband, $20 by Beautiful Blossoms

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Top Left: Vintage Garden Necklace, $23 by corrieberry pie

Top Right: Newsboy Hat, $30 by natalya1905

Bottom Left: Turquoise with Moss Pleats Zipper Pouch, $20 by Zia Zia

Bottom Right: Beaded Cocktail Ring, $21 Cheap Date Jewelry

Shop Handmade: Disguises

With Halloween approaching.. it's time to make the decision.. costume or no costume. Whether you are handing out candy at your door or going to a party.. what are you going to wear? Or maybe.. you're just a secret spy and need a suitcase of disguises on you at all times. A handmade Halloween is a great way to save money or even work on some crafty projects. There are tons of mustaches available out there but these were my favorite of all the disguises from the masters on Etsy.

What are your Hallloween plans?


Where to Buy..
Lupin Handmade or in the USA via Fawn & Forest
Wife of Brian
I Made You A Beard