Itsy Bitsy Craft Craft Sale

Looky what I got!  Stunning pillow cover by Soraam

Hey, guess what?  I get all of my holiday shopping done in October.  Sometimes people say "wow!  you're really on top of things!"  Actually no, I am not at all on top of things. Three unfinished dresses are sitting on top of my sewing machine, the dishes are desperately trying to scrub yesterday's breakfast off of themselves in the sink, and I can't find the remote control because it's somewhere on the couch...underneath a wool blanket, annual taxes paperwork that I finished two weeks ago, a stack of Vogue magazines, two leather jackets, and a sleeping tabby cat.  I get my shopping done in October because I like to shop.  Buy.  Spend.  Using others as an excuse for me to fling handfuls of money away with a twinkle in my eye just makes me feel better about myself. 

"Why are you telling me all of this?" you ask.

Because, it's important to remember that shopping local is SUPER easy when you've got nothing else to do, and after all, hey! it's February!  Shop local during the holidays? It's hard to find the time.  Shop local when the sloppy Seattle rain is blowing at your house sideways and the heavy gloom makes you want to write and self publish your own poetry? Easy!  All of these reasons (and dish-washing avoidance) is why I attended the tiniest craft show I have ever seen today in South Lake Union.  My momma's birthday is coming up, and since I know she never reads my blog I can confidently announce that I bought her a pretty little necklace from Madeline and Francine, and a cute little salt shaker vase of button flowers thingy by Wanna B Rock Star so she will always have something to keep her chipper.  For my husband I got this gorgeous pillow cover by Soraam...because he loves home decorating... and as a little pressie for myself (a reward for shopping local), I picked up this large sachet filled with cloves, lavender, and cedar from Sunday Drive Designs to keep my unmeantionables smelling dreamy. 

And what did YOU do today?

 - PJ

Mena Trott's Fantastic Idea..

I am absolutely in love with Mena Trott's blog, The Sew Weekly.  Mena set out to sew an outfit for herself every week for an entire year.  Not only are her vintage-inspired outfits absolutely charming, but they are often inexpensive to make.  Many of them feature vintage sewing patterns and fabrics, and she lists the cost and time to make each piece.  I feel so inspired...I wish I had 6 or 7 more hours each day to undertake such a project myself.  What a wardrobe I would have!

Check it out - and if you don't have time to read the posts, at least click on the thumbnails and view the fabulous outfits she has created for herself!
 

 - PJ

Happy Birthday to Us!

Today Poor Jean is a year old, and we're celebrating with an anniversary sale!  Everything in the shop is 10% off until October 26th.  There are some screaming deals in-store right now, so stop by www.etsy.com/shop/poorjean and check them out!

Retro Pineapples Cocktail Apron - $13.50

El Mariachi Skirt - $40.50

Hops Schoolgirl Dress - $40.50

Ahoy Anita Strapless Dress - $81

Friday Pounce!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Friday pounce – take a look at some fresh, undiscovered shops on Etsy!

Even if you don’t have children, these fabric mobiles by Babyjives can add life and color to any room in the house.

It’s still a few months away, but Gertie and Co. is all ready for Halloween with these cute accessories for the home.

Feet need love too!  Show your toes how much you appreciate them with these sweet little shoes from Annalisehusfeld

I have a weakness for robots, which is why the little robots on this hand-painted butter dish from Julia Davey instantly caught my eye!

The rich color of this hand-knitted jacket from Karen’s Loom is sure to turn heads.


Selling online is difficult, but rewarding - so is buying. Don't forget to check out the Etsy pounce tool on occasion, and make a new seller's day.

 - PJ

There's Still Time to Visit the Urban Craft Uprising Indie Craft Show!

Seattleites - the Urban Craft Uprising 2010 Summer Indie Craft Show is still happening at the Exhibition Hall in the Seattle Center.  Admission is free.  This is a chance to get some great deals on handmade clothing, papercraft, jewelry, original art, and to talk with the amazing people who create all of this fantastic stuff.  Stop by before 5 p.m. this evening and check it out!

 - PJ

Friday Pounce

It's time for the Friday pounce!  In view of the fact that the economy (at least the Retail economy) has taken another dive, I am pouncing on more stores than usual.  Remember to buy handmade!

 Olivewood pendants, by Vanittas

LuxcatVintage has some fantastic shoes!

Wind up Mouse Pouch by 11M2

 Clever wooden graphic cubes by Scraptones

 

Rich-colored Blood Orange Pendant by Geeves

 The musings of artist HooperSchneider

That's all for this week!

 - 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

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

Friday Pounce

It's Friday again, and time to pounce on some new sellers!  Check out these recently opened shops:

I'm loving Loft777s swinging mid-century vintage housewares

Check out the sweet paintings and prints at The Project Room

I love Ardy1991's Boxes and Lines t-shirt...

This reusable fabric gift wrap/scarf/ whatever you want it to be at A Collective Thread

Happy Friday!

 - PJ

Late Spring Beach Skirt

Late Spring Beach Skirt at Poor Jean

The Late Spring Beach Skirt is back up for sale due to its popularity.  Available in all sizes, this skirt is serged,  unlined, and has a cased elastic waistband.  Head over to Poor Jean and check it out.

 - PJ

Thursday's upcycling tip: Spring cleaning!

Upcycled Linen Blouse at Poor Jean

If the spring cleaning bug has bitten you, chances are there are some household items and articles of clothing that are sitting in a box, waiting to be dropped off at the local Goodwill. Before you toss out those old boot-cut jeans and teal placemats look at them with a critical eye - an eye for scavenging.  That shoulder-padded button down blouse may be ugly, but what about the buttons?  Pull them off and put in your button jar.  Jeans with out-of-style shapes can be made into shorts, like these Urban Renewal Lace Shorts a Urban Outfitters or these Tomboy Crops at Anthropologie. Try cutting off the back pockets and sewing them to a heavy piece of canvas to make a handy pocket office organizer.  Old neckties are now being upcycled into amazing creations, like this Neck Tie Belt by Berry Unconventional or these super creative half-aprons by Forevercraftydotcom

Finally, I leave you with this fantastic example of spring cleaning upcycling - a T-shirt by Mountain Girl Clothing.  Enjoy!

- PJ

Ruffing It.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have never worn a neck ruff before, but I think I am about to start - after all, I never make anything for Poor Jean that I wouldn't wear in public! These collars are a fantastic way to keep warm while wearing a strapless dress, fancy up a t-shirt and jeans, or to add a little flair to your every day office attire. In the late spring they fend off the cool of the evening, and in the fall they artfully cover up whatever the collar of your sweater can't. Check out these great ruffs that I found on Etsy...

I love the beautifully crafted Cartwheel ruff No. 1, by Artlab , the velvet ribbon on the Mabel 1, by Misfitchic, and the crocheted layers of the Exponential Neck Ruffle by fringe.  These are some of the more voluptuous ruffs for sale, but this neck accoutrement can also be very delicate, such as the Madame du Barry ruff by Viennalarouge and the Black Net Neck Ruffle by waywardseamstress.

So far, Poor Jean's ruffs are a bit more casual.  These are accessories that you could actually pair with jeans and a pair of ballet flats.  Check out the Plain Jane Ruff, and the Royal Hops Ruff at Poor Jean.

 - PJ