Loose Linens Ltd. - Linens with a Past

 Resurrected Retro Mid Century Kitchen Tablecloth Towels

I've been chatting with Loose Linens Ltd. a bit and I just love her upcycled dishtowels! Check these little sweeties out on her site or her Facebook fan page.

 - PJ

End of the Month Sale - Free Shipping or 10% Off!

 Cummerbund Sailing Skirt at Poor Jean

From now until the end of May, receive free domestic and international shipping on all Poor Jean handmade items, or 10% off all Poor Jean vintage items!  Simply mention the Poor Jean blog or the Poor Jean Facebook fan page when you finalize your Etsy order.  This offer will expire on May 31.

Check the Poor Jean blog, Facebook fan page, or Twitter feed for more information on end of the month sales!  In order to receive the discount you MUST mention the blog or the fan page at the time of purchase.

 - PJ

Friday Pounce

It's been a while since I have had the time to do a Friday pounce, but today we're back in action!  Check out these newly opened stores on Etsy, and don't forget to use the Etsy Pounce Tool to discover some great stuff from new sellers.

Love this sweet, hand-painted silk pillow by jobka:

Fun, food-oriented prints from Anek:

Super cute home furnishings from An Element of Style:

I totally want these ceramic earrings by Robintree Jewelry:

Happy Fiday!


 - PJ

Mango & Cherry - Pages and Pages of Beautiful Things

El Mariachi Skirt, on sale at Poor Jean

Stumped for shopping ideas?  Check out Mango & Cherry; it has pages and pages of beautiful, handmade things.  Scrolling through the simple pages and bright photos quickly becomes addictive.  I would know - I have been looking at it for 20 minutes, with no sign of stopping.  The next time I feel the need for a little online retail therapy, I know where to look for ideas!

 - PJ

Introducing 80% Upcycled Frocks at Poor Jean

Upcycled doesn't have to mean lower quality.  For the summer Poor Jean will start carrying dresses, shirts, and skirts made of over 80% upcycled and vintage material with special care and attention to detail.  Each piece created from these materials may be made of 80% upcycled, but they are 100% unique!

I enjoy working with reclaimed material because of the challenge it presents.  Unlike a clean, new bolt of fabric (a blank slate) taking a bed sheet or an old prom dress and turning it into completely new garment is puzzling and sometimes frustrating, but the end product is always interesting and one of a kind.

All the material used for my upcycled clothing has been meticulously checked for defects, thoroughly washed and is guaranteed to be clean and sturdy.  Curious to see what kind of alchemy has been taking place?  Check out my bedsheet frocks below - the first two of many to come!

Upcycled Dandelion Frock, coming soon to Poor Jean. 
This dress is made of 90% upcycled materials, including the lace and buttons.

100% Upcycled Garden Party frock, coming soon to Poor Jean. 
All materials, including the lining, is reclaimed or vintage.

80% Upcycled Garden Party Strapless frock.  Soon to be on sale at Poor Jean.

Welcome Eugénie-Savon Soaps!

 Lavender Handmade soap by Eugénie-Savon

This is not entirely an unbiased post.  My mother has started making fine, all-natural soap, and her shop is brand new!  Check it out if you have a few minutes at http://www.etsy.com/shop/EugenieSavon.  Her "Woodland Spice" bar is popular with men (it has a cedar and cinnamon scent), and her unscented, "Clean Bee" soap leaves your skin feeling silky smooth after a shower. Fun fact: the Clean Bee bar is made of honey from my father's bee hives in my parents' back yard.

Happy Mothers' Day, mom!

 - PJ