Posted: September 27th, 2010 | Author: Sarah | Filed under: Shopping Sherpa | Tags: arrow, beaded, bird, Boosterseat, Cagebreak Bird, card, craft, dress, fabric, Farah Fitzgerald, handmade, hellojenuine, necklace, pearl, Vera Vague, vintage | No Comments »

Clockwise from top left: { “Strawberry Mint Ice Cream” Vintage Dress from Vera Vague } { “Thank You So Much” Card from Hello Jenuine } { “Stay Free” Cotton Fabric from Booster seat } { Rima Pearl and Silver Necklace from Cagebreak Bird }
Brian and I recently received a lovely email from a Westervin reader who introduced us to her Etsy shop, Cagebreak Bird. Not only was it nice to get an email from a sweet e-friend, but her work also put a smile on my face. The delicate beadwork and abstract designs of her jewelry are really beautiful! I think the Rima Pearl and Silver necklace (pictured above) would make such a delightful anniversary present… Don’t you think (*cough cough*… Brian)? But here’s the real kicker folks: this talented jewelry designer’s name is Farah Fitzgerald. I mean, get outta town! That’s a combination of my alter ego’s name (Farah Mervin, which I was dubbed freshman year by my BFFsties Megan & Grace.) and our new kitty’s name (Fitzgerald P. Cat). It’s fate.
Posted: September 22nd, 2010 | Author: Sarah | Filed under: Out & About | Tags: accessories, art, beaded, braided, Chicago, clocks, clothing, craft, handmade, jewelry, Little Ocean, native american, painted, Renegade Craft Fair, Renegade Handmade, southwest, Thief & Bandit, Timber!, trend | No Comments »

{ Little Ocean }
I hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage of Renegade and don’t mind that we’ve spread the posts out a bit. We’ve got just a few more features left, and next up are some craftsters who were workin’ one of my favorite trends: the southwestern motif! Now, I realize that referring to the traditional designs of an entire culture (or in many recent cases, an amalgamation of different cultures) as “trendy” is a bit asinine, but I’m referring more to it’s somewhat recent resurgence in popular culture (I’m looking at you, Urban Outfitters, with your suede fringe moccasin booties). All the absurdity of popular culture aside, I’d like to introduce you to a few southwestern-themed booths that really caught my attention. I’m buying into this trend quicker than a tourist in an Arizona hotel gift shop!
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Posted: July 26th, 2010 | Author: Sarah | Filed under: Shopping Sherpa | Tags: arrow, art, beaded, Chainette, craft, feathers, geometric, handmade, Hello Earth, jewelry, print, Studio Fludd, Verla Ivans | No Comments »

{ Clockwise from top left: Woman in a fur cape Print from Hello Earth; Pie Chart Pin Set from Studio Fludd; Strange Geometry II Earrings from Chainette; Sea Green Arrow Necklace from Verla Ivans }