CHA Continued

A huge trend on the CHA floor is jewelry. Thankfully we have Jewelry Affaire to quench cravings. Thankfully we have Vintaj in particular (http://www.vintaj.com/). These gems not only get better and better every year, but the folks at Vintaj are now bejewelling everything in sight including home decor, shoes, and accessories. Any ideas surfacing? If so, remember we proudly sell Vintaj products in our Shoppe (http://www.stampington.com/html/vintaj.html).

This really cool home set up, features my favorite print, houndstooth, along with some inspiring home decor ideas. I love the book pages tied in twine on the chair.

Graphic 45's booth took my breath away (http://www.g45papers.com/). More houndstooth and 1920s images along with home decor and functional art. Lovely! Their artist Candy is a sweetheart/genius who I hope to be working with further in the near future.

At the ideology booth (http://www.timholtz.com/idea-ology.htm) I saw some really cool displays including chandeliers - which are a definite trend in crafting right now. There was also a really cool coat made from grunge paper ( I swear!). For more on that, stay tuned to Stampington.com in the coming months.

And lastly, Jo Packham (http://www.jopackham.com/) and I. She was wearing some truly beautiful jewelry from Where Women Create artists, including a glamorous bracelet made of pure cameos. FYI I love cameos. I'm calling this year's convention quite the success.

In the World but Not of It

Hide not thy tears on this last day
Your sorrow has no shame;
To march no more midst lines of gray;
No longer play the game.
Four years have passed in joyful ways — Wouldst stay those old times dear?
Then cherish now these fleeting days,
The few while you are here.

Written by J.D. Salinger in 1934.

Mr. Salinger has now leapt out of our sight for good - finding perfection in his own world - as any artist should.

The Scene at CHA 2010

One of the funnest parts of my job is going to the Craft and Hobby Association Convention. That means coffee (in the press room every morning), samples, seeing the newest products, and getting to have face to face interaction with many of the lovely artists I have the pleasure of collaborating with. It's great fun and I am so lucky to be able to go. Here's the scoop thus far ...

Yesterdat I visited my favorite booth, Duncan Enterprises/ iLoveToCreate (http://www.ilovetocreate.com/). If you're a fan of Altered Couture, then you're a fan of Duncan. Their products are amazing and their new line of tools (including pink brushes!), tie dye kits, and glitter paint takes wearables to new levels. Thes mannequins show off the amazing things iLoveToCreate does for fabric. Can you believe that paper dress? It's all done with glue! Designer Patty is one of the proud altered artists who made the paper dress and this outfit here, which started out as Forever 21 accessories.

Then I went to hang out with my good friends at Fiskars, Angela Daniels (http://angeladaniels.squarespace.com/) and Cheryl Waters. Check out the scissors Im packing!

And I ran into my good friend Jenny Doh (http://www.jennydoh.typepad.com/) who is passionately talking about the power of art to do good in people's lives.

Cathie Filian's (http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/) Restyle wall at Plaid perfectly captures Altered Couture's message. Needless to say, look forward to seeing Cathie popping up in Altered in the near future...

Today I saw this fabulous home decor stuff from Glitz (http://www.glitzitnow.com/). The cake is actually part fondant part styrofoam. Yum! Their fabulous products are the type of eye candy I'm eyeing for Somerset Home (3/15/10 in case you forgot).

And lunch was perhaps the best yet, being surrounded by some of my favorite artists from Out of the Blue. More to come tomorrow ...

Flower Power

Many of you may know my affinity for Florabond (http://www.etsy.com/shop/florabond). Im just a fan of millinery and jewels and spring colors in general, but since we have officially started production on Jewelry Affaire (!!!) my thoughts turned again to Flora.

In fact, I received an email from Nicole (designer extraordinaire behind the brand) yesterday, and I was reminded yet again just how sweet she is. You see is, it's one thing to really like and respect a designer's WORK but when they themselves are humbe you like it and THEM even more. I will forever recommend Nicole's work to anyone and everyone.

I took a peek at her new items and thought I'd share as her jewelry is too pretty to keep to myself and too perfect for Spring. She has a new Web site up to (http://www.florabond.com/) so please stop by and show her some love. She's also very willing to customize anything, so dont be afraid to ask. I'll be donning one of her pieces at CHA next week.

Shut up!

Had anyone ever told me some of the cutest shoes around were not for your feet I would have never believed them. But then I saw these on Etsy yesterday (http://www.etsy.com/shop/giddyspinster). Needless to say, I now (for the first time EVER) want to own plants. They also kind of remdind me of my latest shoe crush from YSL (pictured at top). Oh how I'd love to plant my feet in those gray pumps and watch my legs grow ...

Crazy for Creollus

Read about this company a while ago on http://www.missmalaprop.com/. They are called Creollus (http://www.creollus.com/) and they specialize in beautiful handmade Brazilian goods. I am a sucker for bright colors, which is why these babies drew me in. Just finished writing a story on their Buzina tote coming soon to Haute Handbags Spring 2010. Check them out if you have a passion for eco-fashion.