Happy New Year!

I want to wish each & every one of you a very happy new year! Also, thanks to all of you for making 2007 a terrific & successful year. As you may have noticed, Funky Finds recently received an exciting make over. In an effort to dedicate this site to promoting independent artists, crafters, and designers worldwide, I now offer paid advertising. I believe that these affordable opportunities will enable independent business owners to increase their exposure & drive more business to their websites.

In addition to advertising, 2008 will be full of giveaways! The last week of each month in 2008 will have a theme. For example, the last week in February will be dedicated to promoting independent jewelry designers. A giveaway will also be sponsored during the week featuring donated items from various business owners & designers. Below is a list of the themes for each month in 2008. I know that we all love giveaways & have fun spreading the word to everyone we know about them! If you are a business owner & would like to participate or receive more information, feel free to email me at any time.

You all know that I am an advocate for buying handmade items & for supporting independent business owners. I am thrilled to have found such a wonderful community of people who share this passion.

Here's to a fabulously funky 2008!
Cheers, Jessica

Monthly Themes for 2008 (Last week of each month)

January - Stationery & Paper Goods
February - Jewelry
March - Children’s Goods (Apparel, Toys, etc.)
April - Home Décor & Housewares
May - Crafts & Hobbies (Knitting, Quilting, Scrapbooking, etc.)
June - Pet Products (Apparel, Toys, etc.)
July - Plushies & Softies (Handmade toys)
August - Adult Apparel & Accessories
September - Artists & Artwork
October - Ceramics & Pottery
November - Charitable Shopping (Businesses that donate a portion of sales to charities)
December - Holiday Items (Cards, Gifts, Décor, etc.)

Note: This chart appears on Funky Ad Space for easy access.

Please note that advertising on Funky Finds is NOT necessary to be a featured find. My site exists to help spread the word about funky products.

k8tykat

k8tykat is a great Etsy shop full of vintage and handcrafted goods. Snag yourself a funky vintage Christmas crafting kit for next year, as well as vintage holiday gift tags. I love the interesting ephemera bits & pieces found in kits like the barn kit. k8tykat also has great vintage papers & fabric scraps that will come in handy for a wide array of projects.

Wink Designs

I'm sure all the kiddos you know received plenty of goodies this holiday season. But, if you're like me, you regularly attend baby showers & other similar events. Wink Designs is a great source for unique handmade gifts for wee ones. I love the adorable children's aprons. You can also incorporate the optional baking set that includes a real rolling pin, whisk & cookie cutter. Mr. Blobby would also make a wonderful baby gift. A soft, handmade plushie is something every child needs. Don't miss the terrific fabric greeting cards featuring vintage children's images.

Studio 28 Couture

Have you always dreamed of designing your own couture garments, but don't have the time, skills and/or resources? If you said yes, then Studio 28 Couture is the perfect place for you. Andrea Marron's online clothing store allows customers to design unique, one-of-a-kind pieces using the online dress builder. Expert seamstresses, Rebecca & Marion, create each dress individually to your specifications and deliver within 3 weeks. Small fabric samples are available for viewing prior to building your dress online. Check out the Studio 28 Couture blog for more information.

RunAliceRun

RunAliceRun creates unique magnets & pendants by hand stamping images on dominoes. The stamped images are embossed, then colored with markers and sealed with a semi-gloss finish. The gold leafing around the edges lends a finished look to each piece. Choose from a wide array of images & styles, or customize your own piece. You can have a photograph transfered to a domino, as well as monograms or letters spelling out words, phrases, or names. This shop owner also co-runs another Etsy shop, Piping Hot Papers, featuring various paper goods.

Leslie Janson

This spring Leslie Janson discovered vintage handkerchiefs & began sewing up a storm. Her Etsy store, which opened in November, features fabulous accessories & home decor. I love the plaid Bonnie Scotland pillow, as well as the black, white & green Boston Terrier pillow. The nostalgic Christmas pillow is another terrific piece. Leslie has also designed unique brooches & other accessories using vintage linens.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you all for a wonderfully funky year! I wish everyone a happy & safe holiday. See you next week.

Cheers!
Jessica & Abby

Graphic by Rhonna Farrer

Lucia Johnson - Artist

At first glance, I didn't understand why Lucia Johnson's artwork had such a unique appearance. After reading each painting's description, you learn that Lucia paints on vintage windows. The original works of art are created in multiple layers on glass & wood with an epoxy coating. This process allows pieces like Formidable Green Tights to look so lively. Lucia also offers prints of her original works which are more affordable. I love the Umbrella Cherry Tree and Weather Machine. And don't miss the fabulous mixed media pieces which incorporate prints, as well.

Betty Turbo

Agnes of Betty Turbo was one of my partners for a holiday ornament swap I participated in this year. I was very lucky to receive one of the cupcake with mustache ornaments that Agnes designed. Oddly enough, mustaches have been a source of great entertainment for me & my friends as of late (odd, I know). Agnes also has an Etsy shop, The New Adventures of Betty Turbo, that showcases her clever artwork. The George Moustachio greeting card is a favorite, as well as the Surreal Cupcake Dressform print. Agnes's artwork will transport you into a dreamworld you are sure to enjoy.

Mushy Peas

Mushy Peas is run by two crafty Dutch girls from Amsterdam. Their funky accessories are created by recycling fabric, namely tea towels. There's a nice variety of tea towel prints to choose from, my favorite being the O la la Cafe de Paris tote bag. Mushy Peas also offers fabulous crafty aprons to ensure your craft tools at the ready. You can even put in special requests, such as different colors or sizes.

C,PandB Magnetic Designs

C,PandB Magnetic Designs has some of the most creative & stylish magnets I've come across. I love that the magnets are created using wool sweaters & metal tins. The pink little deer is charming. And as a pet lover I must have the Gotta Love Your Pet design! Have a look at all the cool products C,PandB Magnetic Designs has to offer.

Mini-Mocs

Mini-Mocs creates designer footwear for babies. These shoes are not only stylish, but also pediatrician recommended. Made with genuine leather, the Hide & Seek camo pair is adorable. Santa's Helper is another great pair perfect for the current season. Mini-Mocs also carries many accessories for your wee one, including tag-a-long blankets & reversible bibs.

Oh Honey!

Oh Honey! has lots of cool apparel & accessories. I love the two-sided Bees in the Grass tote bag, as well as the cherry blossom tote. And the dainty doily tote is fabulous! This shop also has lots of great screened tees for women. I really must have a porcupine for myself. The cat or dog tee would be the perfect gift for any animal lover, too. Check out all the rockin' items Oh Honey! has to offer.

itty-O-matic

In a time where consumers are searching for more than the common pre-packaged item, it is a pleasure to find original work such as that of itty-O-matic. The illustrations found on the Christmas countdown calendar are charming & endearing. And as a fan of woodland creatures, I really dig the woodland gift tags. Of course, the mushroom gift tags are sure to add a bit of whimsy to any package, as well.

Sunshine's Friends

I love monkeys & handmade toys. Sunshine's Friends has handmade sock monkeys that are colorful & cheerful. The baby sock monkeys are a new twist on the traditional toy we're accustomed to. Ideal for babies, they are perfect for little hands to grasp onto. The larger sock monkeys are also available in a wide array of colors. This shop also features other lovely softies, such as glove friends & pocket friends.

Mixed Species

If you are looking for funky, Mixed Species is the shop for you. Their tees, which are currently only $11 USD, range from crazy to slightly outlandish. The When Bad Things Happen to Good People coasters are a nice reminder that things could always be worse. There's also items for the prankster, such as the Grosser than Gross cards. Check out all the wacky items Mixed Species has to offer.

Care to Bead

Gingeroni1 is an talented & admirable crafter who depends on her Etsy shop, Care to Bead, as her sole income. That's not the typical statement I would make about a designer here on Funky Finds. But Gineroni1 wrote an article for the Etsy Storque about her life as wife & caretaker to her husband, Dennis, who has lived with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for nine years. In the article, she elaborates on how she first discovered Etsy & how opening her own shop gave her the opportunity to sell her jewelry without leaving home. Gingeroni1's designs are simply gorgeous. The Gate Keeper of the Magical Land is a fascinating piece in a series of three. I love the Tiny Swallow earrings that are available in multiple styles. All of these pieces seem to have a magical feel to them. Note that you can win one of ten pairs of earrings this week. One pair to be given away every Friday until Dec 20. Just convo Gingeroni1 to be entered & please let her know where you heard about her contest. (No purchase necessary. Must enter weekly.)

Kiku Handmade

Kiku Handmade is a small company that was created in 2004 by Laurie Freivogel. Her recently redesigned website makes it easy to navigate to all her fabulous jewelry & accessories. There's several great necklaces perfect for the hobbyists in your life, including knitters and photographers. Laurie also designs earrings in a wide variety of styles. The glass belt buckles are amongst my favorite items, especially the mint woodgrain. And don't miss the large clearance section!

BluGrn Design

BluGrn Design has a fun mix of products ranging from jewelry to stationery. The squirrel on branch necklace is an adorable metal piece. You can also purchase a customizable hand-cut puppy pendant for your pooch or yourself. Another great item for dog lovers are the mod dog mini notes, complete with your choice of dog breed. Check out all the funky cool creations BluGrn Design has to offer.

Mollycoddle

Mollycoddle is a wonderful Etsy shop featuring silly soaps & other items. I might not mind having my mouth washed out with soap if it looked as delicious as the donut soaps. They look so realistic! The marshmallow snowball soaps are equally as tempting. You will also find printed fabric featuring this artist's designs. I especially love the fancy chairs print. Check out all the fun products Mollycoddle has to offer.

Tresijas

I have mentioned before that I find it very difficult to shop for men, especially my dad. He really doesn't have many hobbies that I can think of. But he does love classic rock & listening to his vinyl records was always something we could enjoy together. When I discovered the recycled LP business card holder by Tresijas I knew I had to have one to give to my dad. A co-worker of mine wanted one as well & Kelly whipped up an extra one to send our way. I was so pleased with her quick turn around & great customer service. Kelly creates many other great items using a variety of materials. Her Day of the Dead beaded necklace & river rock cuff are wonderful. There's also lots of other items made using LPs, such as the yellow spiral necklace & the orange vinyl cuff. Kelly also started an Etsy shop, Our Lemonade Stand in Cyberspace, with her young daughters. Here you will find original artwork created by Onyx (age 8) and Néa (age 6). Talk about a wonderful family project for an artistic & talented family!

The Ironic T-Shirt Corporation

It seems like every time I turn on the television there's nothing but talk about the upcoming Presidential election or various celebrities' escapades. I really don't like hearing about either. The Ironic T-Shirt Corporation has developed products that allow you to have fun with political figures, celebrities, etc. The Freedom of Speech Bubble allows you to write your own message above the heads of well-known public figures. This humorous design is available on greeting cards & postcards, vinyl stickers, fridge magnets, buttons, & t-shirts. Designs include several politicians & celebrities with more characters on the way.

Etsy Dallas Trunk Show

Saturday I attended the first-ever Etsy Dallas Trunk Show. It was a smaller event, but one where quality over quantity was rule of thumb. I've mentioned Stephanie of Tefi Designs who is the Etsy Dallas team leader before. Stephanie creates fabulous, affordable jewelry & accessories. I was proud to purchase several of her designs to give this holiday season. It was also a pleasure to meet & visit with Stephanie's mom, Constanza, of Knit Sisters. Constanza's sister lives in Columbia & knits beautiful scarves that she sends to the States. Both of these sisters are talented knitters.

Brenda Morris of B.Liscious creates wonderful reversible tote bags, as well as custom baby onesies. Her onesies (pictured here) are unique because you can have them printed with a baby's name, birth date, and other relevant information. These would make wonderful baby gifts!

Scribble Scrabble is another one-woman operation I have featured in the past. Mandi creates the most intricate beaded designs. Her colorful works of art are available wrapped around pens, as well as custom pieces ranging from beaded portraits to Christmas ornaments. I do not see how she has the time, nor patience, for this intricate art form. Her work truly is fabulous!

ebraunnagel showcases well-made handbags created by Linda. Her designs range from mild to wild! Seeing her products in person gave me the opportunity to see that her items are of the upmost quality.

Carrie of Atom-In & Abby of Pulp Reality teamed up to showcase their wares at the show. I really liked their setup & displays. Both designers said they are just starting out, so keep tabs on their shop. Their pendants & other items are terrific.

I had the pleasure of viewing Pamela Michelle's work at previous showcases, but Saturday I had time to really take in all her beautiful designs. The etched wood pendants are gorgeous & so unique. Also, if you are looking for original artwork Pamela Michelle is a great resource.
I thoroughly enjoyed this event & look forward to more Etsy Dallas shows in the future.

Joie Studio

Tina Pham of Joie Studio creates beautiful letterpress stationery & paper goods. Her most recent blog post really grabbed my attention. On December 15, Tina is participating in a charity event benefiting ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a disease my crafty Granny died of. The “Gifts from the Heart” holiday event is being held at a private estate in Calabasas, California, this Saturday, December 15. If you cannot attend the event in person, don't fret. Joie Studio will donate $1 from each sale at the event, as well as online. This is a great opportunity to do some last minute holiday shopping while helping out a cause close to my heart.

clinQs

Jeila Guermarian developed clinQs reusable vinyl drink decals. These decals are a fun & decorative way to avoid a beverage mix-up at parties, the office, meetings, etc. clinQs can be used with almost any drink container, as well as hot or cold beverages. They are also waterproof & never lose their ability to stick. You can even pop them in the microwave! The festive Happy clinQmas set is perfect for holiday gatherings. Other designs range from gnomes (which I love!) to celebratory birthday decals. clinQs would also make a great hostess gift.

And the winner of the Deck the Halls giveaway is KTLuv. Congratulations! Please contact me with your mailing address & I will get your goodies to you asap. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Permanent Crease Bindery

Suzanne Cowan is the one-woman operation who is Permanent Crease Bindery. Suzanne creates fabulous hand-bound books that are made up of a mixture of found, new, reused, & recycled papers collected from all over the world. The vinyl covered journals are exquisite. I especially love the walrus notebook. The record albums have hard covers that are wrapped in vinyl & inset with a LP. These would make fabulous presents this holiday season. Suzanne also has a very interesting slide show on her website showing the process through which she creates these wonderful books.

ekoCHIC

ekoCHIC, a boutique dedicated to promoting eco-friendly products produced by independent designers, is a great source for unique apparel. Recently added to the shop are recycled cashmere sweaters. These sweaters are made up of vintage pieces that have been re-designed. ekoCHIC also has beautiful handbags, my favorite being the Alexis turquoise clutch. The tops come in a wide variety of styles ranging from halter tops to dressier styles. And check out the cool skirts made of vintage tablecloths!

Amy Tangerine & Emily Falconbridge

I was thrilled to learn that Emily Falconbridge is currently taking orders through her Etsy shop for Amy Tangerine tees. Emily is a talented scrapbooker & designer in her own right, creating funky camera straps & creative kits. In fact, she created the wonderful design Be Free. I became a fan of Amy's products when I stumbled upon her blog. You can tell by reading her blog entries that she is a fun-loving, talented girl. Check out all the terrific items these talented ladies have to offer.

*Don't forget you have until midnight CST Saturday, December 8 to enter the giveaway contest!

millimoomi

Recently I was lucky enough to receive a lovely swap package from Zoe of England. I was happy to learn that she has a great Etsy shop, millimoomi, where you'll find lots of lovely handmade items. The tooth fairy cushions are absolutely adorable. There's a small pocket on the back where your child can place his or her lost tooth. Included in my package was a great sock creature, as well as a cute felt sugar cookie. So much fun! Check out all of the great items at millimoomi.

Keep Calm & Carry On

Based upon the British World War II propaganda poster, Mark Coop's products encourage you to Keep Calm and Carry On. The message still resonates today in our hectic world. You can find these simple, but meaningful words on a wide variety of items. The tees are available in many eye-catching colors. Other products include tote bags, children's apparel, and my favorite, retro flight bags. Have a look at all the cool products & don't forget to Keep Calm & Carry On. I myself think that's a great mantra!

Texas Tarts

Texas Tarts, co-host of Deck the Halls, creates accessories using old vinyl records. The various colors are not dyed, they are actual records that were produced on colored vinyl. The blue marble and orange are too cool. I also love the hair clips and rings featuring mini records. Texas Tarts also had painted vinyl bracelets displayed at Deck the Halls. Check out all the cool products Jacky & Kym offer at Texas Tarts. And don't worry...we verified that no good music was harmed in the making of these accessories!

Deck the Halls Recap

Sunday we attended Deck the Halls in Dallas, an independent business showcase hosted by Armhole & Texas Tarts. The event was held in a very cool venue, Sons of Hermann Hall in Deep Ellum, & had a very casual, laid-back vibe. We had the opportunity to really spend time talking with all the passionate, creative vendors. It was truly an awesome experience!

Chris Watts (pictured here) owns Petropolitan, a unique shop designed for you & your urban pet. It was very apparent while chatting with Chris that he is very passionate about his business, as well as animals. Being a dog lover, I was really drawn to his enthusiasm. Petropolitan’s services include grooming, boarding, day-care, pet walking, personal shopping & much more. If you are in the Dallas area & are a pet owner, definitely check Petropolitan out. Located a few miles North of the Dallas Farmer’s Market – 408 South Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201 – (214) 741-4100

Chris Thrash is the charismatic creative force behind Texas Scum. Don't let the name fool you - this company's designs are anything but scummy. Chris designs & screen prints his own apparel, as well as accessories & artwork.

Tefi Designs is a great jewelry company featuring Stephanie Hindall’s work. Stephanie, who founded the Etsy Dallas group, designs jewelry available in a wide variety of styles. Many of the handcrafted pieces are made using sterling silver, semi-precious stones, and Czech glass. You’ll also find less expensive pieces made with fabric-covered buttons.

Larry Pile is a talented furniture-maker and stained-glass artist based in Dallas. The Japanese lamps & stained-glass candle holders were all beautiful. Larry also teaches classes if you are interested in learning this beautiful craft.

Threaded Smiles specializes in patches, magnets, & wristbands, as well as vegan totes & wallets. The Whale of a hoodie was one of my favorite items displayed.

Clayton Wright (pictured here) of Deadbeat Leather had a cool setup showcasing her great leather designs. The luggage tags & leather-encased flasks were among my favorite items.

Drew Merritt is another interesting & talented artist we had the opportunity to talk with. Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Drew is now opening a studio in Deep Ellum. I love that Drew creates art on a number of diverse materials. We saw art on everything from Sweet ‘n Low packets to large canvases.

Mikki Mallow’s hand-painted glassware is fabulous. A set of these would make any home bar the envy of your neighborhood. Her work is available at the House of Dang & Voyager Trading Company, both located in Dallas, as well as Etsy.

David Tripp, a local watercolorist, teaches Art History & Philosophy at an area high school. Mr. Tripp has prints of his wonderful work available through his site & he also paints murals that are very impressive.

Nine Eyes Studio is a Dallas-based, artist-run art studio, gallery & tattoo studio. Interesting concept, wouldn’t you say? Nine Eyes also offers art classes & allows private parties. I will definitely be checking out this gallery’s events in the future.

In addition to all the talented artists we met this weekend, I had the opportunity to meet a couple of members of the Assassination City Roller Derby. Wendy O. Wheels, captain of the Bombshell Brigade, and Pyro Maim Ya, Co-Captain of La Revoluciòn, (pictured here) were very friendly & more than happy to tell me why they love participating in roller derby matches. They said that it’s a great work out, they’ve forged great friendships, and they are able to take out their aggressions. Sounds good to me! Aside from the occasional broken bone, that is.

It was such a thrill to discover so many talented artist, crafters, designers & independent business owners this weekend. I plan to feature more of the funky finds we came across in the future.

GIVEAWAY!!!
This giveaway includes Dallas Indie swag & an original Funky Finds ornament handmade by moi! Leave a comment about one of the Dallas artists I featured this week by midnight CST Saturday, December 8.

Urban Street Bazaar Recap

This weekend we were fortunate enough to attend two great shows featuring tons of independent artists & designers from the Dallas - Fort Worth area. Saturday was the Urban Street Bazaar which showcased more than 55 vendors, hip DJs, a fashion show & more.

We were thrilled to meet Julie McCullough Kim, owner of the Make Shop & Studio in Dallas. Julie also designs beautiful handbags (pictured here) that are even more fabulous in person. Her accessory line Enju is stunning!

Judy Stump of Superchica fame is a member of the Dallas Craft Mafia who creates cool jewelry & home decor. Amber Zuniga of Chromosapien, also a member of the Dallas Craft Mafia, creates fused glass designs that are striking. These girls are truly living with a DIY attitude!

I have long been looking forward to meeting Randi Deckard of Designing Diva. I have featured Randi's work before, but seeing her designs in person was a treat. Her jewelry is of the highest quality & is just beautiful.

Tara to the T (pictured here) was one of my favorite vendors that we met. She was dressed in such a fabulous, eye-catching way that you couldn't help but be drawn to her booth. And her bubbly personality was an extra treat! Tara's hats & other accessories are well made & very cool.

Amber Fort of Juxtapose Designs had a beautiful display featuring her jewelry that's created using interesting vintage buttons. I loved all the cool rings & earrings that she has designed.

If you are looking for lotions, candles & other products that smell fabulous Shambhala Body Gallery is for you. All of their products had a wonderful scent that wasn't overpowering.

Micca Rogers (pictured here) was the most exotic & interesting vendor we had an opportunity to chat with. Micca is originally from Dallas, but now resides in Bali where she works rescuing animals sold on the black market. Her scrapbook was fascinating! Micca was selling beautiful jewelry designed in Asia & other items that fund programs where she resides.

Ruth Lloyd creates what I consider to be a very cool form of a scrapbook. But this form of memory preservation isn't in a book...it's in quilt form! You supply Ruth with tshirts or other materials you want to preserve & she will create a keepsake that will be in your family for generations.

Tomorrow I will recap Deck the Halls, the event we attended on Sunday. I will also be hosting a giveaway later in the week, so stay tuned!