Visual Interest

November 11th, 2009

anthropologie

Anthropologie appreciates innovation, craftsmanship, artfulness and good design. This is one reason why they consistently win visual awards for their store windows and displays. This Sunday, their Hilldale location in Madison is offering a workshop hosted by the visual manager and design team. Learn how this group of creative thinkers come up with such unique ideas and implement them throughout their locations nationwide. Give them a ring if you’re interested in attending.

Fancy your Father

June 16th, 2009

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Dad’s Day is this Sunday, so don’t wait until then to get your papa a great gift. Order one of these Pinstripe Suit & Tie business card cases from Kelley at Gracie Designs. These stylish holders have two pockets and come packaged to give to your fine father. Buy them at GracieDesigns.etsy.com for just $8 each.

Shop ’til you Bop

May 18th, 2009

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No need to visit New York to update your designer wardrobe this Spring. The e-commerce phenom Shopbop is located in our very own back-yard. Carrying everything from Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture to Nicole Miller and Sam Edelman, Bop’s State Street storefront is their only one in the country. Visit their store, in person or online, to choose one of these designer fashions for a summer wedding or cocktail party. With all these designers under one roof, why shop anywhere else?

Elsie Marley

May 12th, 2009

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Former Chocolatier and Baker, now blogger, mother of two (and #3 on the way), Meg “Elsie” fills her creative void sewing toys, clothes and accessories for the modern tot. One of her signature creations, kiddy messenger bags, can be purchased here, starting at just $30. Machine washable (few!), they’re perfect for your tot’s library books, matchbox cars or that stuffed animal that they can’t leave home without. Meg lives in Madison with her husband and children in a beautiful vintage/European-inspired home. Last year, thanks to Joanna Goddard of Cup of Jo, Meg’s home was featured on Cookie Magazine’s Nesting blog and her children’s room was seen on Apartment Therapy’s ohdeedoh.

mom loves jewelry

May 7th, 2009

christianson

Looking for a unique, customized gift for your mom? Eau Claire Jeweler Richard Christianson takes your initials and/or birthstone and designs a one-of-a-kind pendant that your mother will love. This pendant above uses the initials L, M & P. See Richard’s work at jewelrybychristianson.com or visit the Artisan Gallery in Belleville.

Funky clutches

April 23rd, 2009

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Featured on Etsy’s Storque Spotlight in mid-December, Jennifer Ladd, talks of her passion for Milwaukee and all things hand-made. The article also highlights other Milwaukee artists in hopes that people will buy local during all holiday seasons. Jennifer spends her days with her two year old daughter, strolling area art museums looking for inspiration for her beautifully-crafted hand bags. These funky clutches with mod scooters or a green forest are a few of Jennifer’s brightly colored designs. In addition to purses, her creations also include bags and baby goods. See her work at jenniferladd.etsy.com.

Trusty Totes

April 20th, 2009

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Many Wisconsin Farmer’s Markets began this past weekend, so now’s the time to get a locally-designed, grocery-shiek tote. Carol’s corn field design is printed on a 100% cotton canvas tote with large, soft shoulder straps. Buy this tote for just $14 at madisonfarmersmarket.com. Olive Brown’s hemp market bag comes in a variety of colors and was seen in April’s issue of Bon Appetit. She also makes a triangle bag and canvas “plastic” bag that can be seen here. Fair Indigo’s reusable shopping bags come in five design collections. These Fair Trade totes are lightweight, waterproof and fit into a handy pouch. See this retro collection and their other designs at fairindigo.com. With all these choices, you have no excuse to be using that old plastic grocery bag anymore.

Bare it all

April 3rd, 2009

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Need more t-shirts? Don’t we all. Madison’s Bare Tree Apparel t-shirts are just what you need to stuff in your dresser drawers this Spring. Their hand-screened designs use eco-friendly, water-based inks on free-living-wage American Apparel fabrics. Feel good about your purchase because a portion of the proceeds will go to “Hoodies for the Homeless,” a program run by shop owner Saul Mandel that purchases hooded sweatshirts for homeless shelters. Buy these limited-quantity shirts and much more at thebaretree.com or etsy.com. Or, if you’re in the Madison area (perhaps for the film fest) stop by the Etsy Trunk Show at Genna’s Lounge tomorrow evening (April 4th) to see Bare Tree Apparel and other local artist’s work.

Pravina Studio

March 31st, 2009

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Spring has sprung and what better time to clean out your closets and re-fill them with a few new items? Toss out that old bag that has duct tape on the corners and replace it with a sweet bag, tote or pouch from Pravina Studio. Using quality craftsmanship and durable fabrics, this Madison designer creates bags that are simple, modern and practical for every day use. And, for today only, enjoy 20% off during their Spring Cleaning Sale. Visit pravinastudio.com or see their current Spring collection on etsy.com.

Umi Shoes

March 16th, 2009

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Based in Grafton, WI, Umi Shoes handcrafts children’s shoes, boots and sandals for design lovers alike. Inspired by European style and devoted to your child’s comfort, their shoes are colorful, fanciful and playful. Named  the “Best Baby Product” by Consumer Reports and also worn by celeb kids such as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s daughter, Violet, Umi Shoes are all the buzz. Visit Umi’s website, redesigned by Madison’s Cricket Design Works, at umishoes.com to see the Bugaboo, Patch, Sweetgum and their many more unique styles.