Paper Goods

Book-Inz is a fashionable AND functional product. These hand-crafted magnetic bookmarks ensure that you never lose your place in your favorite book. Available in a variety of colors & patterns, Book-Inz are also customizable.

KDHollister Books & Handmade Paper Art is a great place to find unique paper books, including journals, guest books, and hidden message books.

Paper Cuts, Texas offers the cutest handmade note cards, many embellished with vintage buttons.

S.ALEXANDER Designs specializes in handmade cards, invitations, marketing & promo materials & much more. Check out the photo gallery for a sampling.

Vinyl George features a variety of hand-crafted paper products by Julie Sears. Her product line includes wedding announcements, penny wishes & more.

ManHandled

ManHandled is run by husband & wife team Matt & Emily Adams. Emily does the art, Matt does the fabrication & they collaborate on all the concepts. They named it ManHandled because Matt committed to helping fulfill every single order when they were planning their shop, making every shipment “manhandled” at some point in the process. About two months ago, Emily overhauled her website & now adds posts daily - everything from recipes to trend reports. Bookmark her site and subscribe to her newsletter for future sales & specials.

Start your holiday shopping early! Matt & Emily wanted to create affordable, creative options for teacher gifts that are as fun to give as they are to receive. They created 14 teacher items for you to choose from (7 pairs of earrings for her & 7 keychain & button combos for him). These also make great stocking stuffers for everyone on your list! This sale is for a limited time only, so shop now & save BIG on your teacher gifts this year!

You will also receive free domestic shipping for the rest of the year as part of ManHandled's pay it forward experiment. *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: ManHandled is committed to offering free domestic shipping for all of 2011 as well!! You heard it here first!

Hey Cary Ann

I have a slight obsession with buttons (ie: I'm a hoarder), so I was especially delighted to discover Cary Lopiccolo's button jewelry designs. Growing up with a father that was a professional silversmith jeweler, Cary says jewelry has always been a part of her life. She decided to name her online shop Hey Cary Ann, because she was named, by hippie parents, after The Hollies' song. After spending time scouring dusty thrift stores, estate sales, friends' attics and online for unique buttons, Cary then repurposes them into groovy jewelry. I would never guess that the Black Filigree Flower earrings are vintage buttons - very classy! And the Yellow Crush bracelet is sure to lend a nice punch of color to any wardrobe. If you're looking for a touch of hippie yourself, check out the red Kyoto bracelet (pictured). Cary's designs are colorful, fun and simple, making them easy to wear with any outfit.

Peace, Love, & Cupcakes

Peace, Love, & Cupcakes...what more could one want out of life? Florida-based artist Amy Lapi creates artwork that is bright & fun - the perfect way to brighten up any dull space! Her original 8x10 canvas paintings depict bold images with various sentiments, such as she believed that life is pretty sweet. Many city dwellers come to view the city as one of their best friends and every good man should also be a BFF, in my opinion. I love all of Amy's paintings; however, the cupcake with buttons (pictured) is perhaps my absolute favorite. Learn more about Amy & her work by reading her blog and by viewing her Flickr gallery.

Funky Five: LOST

1. Locke is the New Black Tee by Sloth Art

2. Set of 12 LOST Pinback Buttons Badges Pins by Wrong Sauce

3. LOST Onesies by BABYWOOD

4. LOST Time Travel Steampunk Charm Bracelet by Jezebel Charms

5. LOST Embroidered Figures by Crafty McGee

Halloween Wear

I love Halloween and always have fun finding spooky items! Topsy Turvy Design offers a variety of unique headwear designed by milliner Kim Brown-Dye. The Candy Apple Cocktail Hat is fantastic! Besides offering different Sock Monkeys, The Sock Drawer also has a beautiful Embroidered Lace Halloween Mask available in black or a custom color. If you're looking for Halloween gear that can be worn daily, you don't want to miss the pendants by Happy as a Lark. The spider is such a cutie! Manhandled also offers Halloween jewelry, such as these cool Trick or Treat earrings.

I Love Cookie Party

I Love Cookie Party aims to provide the DIY crowd with hard-to-find notions and supplies. Billing her shop as a DIY Fashion Design Supply Store, Brandi Bowman offers a variety of items ranging from fabric to trims. I love the hot pink stretch lace trim pictured here! I know there's lots of button lovers out there, like myself, that will want the adorable vintage sparrows & sugar high collection. Check out the gallery to see some great projects and receive 20% off with coupon code funkycookie. Expires September 30, 2009.

Super Sneaky Collaboration Project

I have had the pleasure of working with three extremely talented artists & designers that reside in Texas - Dylan Dowdy of Dowdy Studio, Pamela Jackson of Pamela Michelle, and Cheyne Little of Cut Out & Collect. The trio will soon be traveling to Norman, Oklahoma, to participate in the Dustbowl Arts Market taking place Saturday, August 29. There they will be debuting their Super Sneaky Collaboration Project. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it!? They will be displaying their new collaborative goods, including a handbag, a pillow and some mini pouches and wallets. The items will feature Dowdy Studio's superb artwork & screen printing, as well as Pamela Michelle's beautiful hand-carved wooden buttons. And of course, the pieces are all pulled together by Cheyne's top-of-the-line seamstress skills. I believe many independent artisans could take a cue from Dylan, Pam, and Cheyne and benefit from collaborations such as theirs. I am excited to see what the future holds for this Super Sneaky Trio! If you're lucky enough to be in the area, be sure to attend the Dustbowl Arts Market & see these fantastic goods in person.

ManHandled

ManHandled is run by a super cool couple, Emily & Matt Adams. I first met Emily when she was teaching a scrapbooking class I took at the Arlington Scrapbooking convention years ago. She is high energy & so creative. I was thrilled when Emily & her husband Matt started ManHandled, as well as The Bookie. The duo's latest offering are 1" buttons that can be worn in a whole new way - as earrings! There are pairs of earrings that will suit everyone from anime-niacs to proud Texans to crafty b*tches. Not only do they have over 40 sets listed on their site, you can also request your own set based on any combination of all the button designs on the site. Of course, ManHandled also offers the standard 1" pinback buttons in a variety of styles & combos. These are perfect for adding flair to your tote bag or sending to friends. And Twilight fans will love the cool buttons & earrings showcasing images from the books, as well as phrases from the stories. If you're in the Dallas area, visit ManHandled at the White Rock Local Market between 9am & noon this Saturday, July 11th.

Mention Funky Finds at checkout & receive FREE domestic shipping through July 19th! Also, sign up to receive all of Emily & Matt's indie brand newsletters to receive special discount information & announcements.

The Dog Coat Lady

It is great to see so many artisans using their talent to raise money for important causes ranging from Breast Cancer Awareness to Animal Rights. The Dog Coat Lady donates a portion of her profits to various animal rescue groups. Her focus has been on spreading positive propaganda to the masses with animal rights and shelter pet-themed buttons and magnets. Humans are the only voice animals have and we all need to speak for those who can't. As a Chihuahua lover myself, I could definitely use an I Love My Chihuahua pin! Many of the pieces of flair are humorous while raising awareness for important causes. Animal lovers, you do not want to miss the unique earrings. And Bob Barker would be very proud of the Spay & Neuter button!!!

Button Soup Jewelry

I love collecting buttons & occasionally use them in scrapbooking. However, I never would have thought to use them to create unique jewelry. Button Soup Jewelry did think of it & the result is fantastic. The Midnight Lime button & bead necklace combines navy blue & lime green vintage buttons with light lime green glass beads on dark blue wire. The Little Brassy vintage button necklace is a piece that can easily add interest to and dress up any ensemble. Amongst my favorites are the ocean and Tuscan colored button & bead necklaces. And don't miss the terrific button earrings and pendants Button Soup Jewelry offers.

House of Adeline

House of Adeline features a collection of hand-made laptop sleeves for small notebook computers. All of the sleeves and created using 100% linen combined with quilted cotton padding and beautiful wooden buttons for closure. These unique products are a great alternative for those looking for sophisticated yet simple designs that are functional. You are able to choose from several various trims that coordinate with the linen material. Check the list of small notebook models for a sleeve that will perfectly fit your computer.

Betty Jo Designs

Betty Jo Designs features jewelery that is hand-crafted by Betty Jo herself using recycled and re-purposed materials. Betty Jo is passionate about recreating unwanted & discarded items by making quirky & unique characters. Her pieces are made by utilizing funky vintage lino, gorgeous pre-loved buttons and pretty embroidered doilies. I love Pip the Pony who is made from vintage lino, buttons and a press stud. The pendant hangs on an antique finish nickle chain & is packaged with a vintage playing card. The Oscar Owl pendant is another fun piece that utilizes lots of great decorative buttons. Enter the August giveaway for your chance to win a brooch or pendant of your choice from Betty Jo Designs.

Ring Around the Rosies

Like many crafters I love buttons. I love ones that are brightly colored, oddly shaped, all of 'em! Ring Around the Rosies is an Etsy shop full of rings made using various buttons. The perfect accessory for funky fingers! The tops of the rings showcase cool buttons while the band is made using coordinating beads, as seen on the fuschia & silver ring. You can purchase button & bead bracelets as well.

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.

With a Twist

When you visit the Etsy shop With a Twist, you will see lots of delicious eye candy. All the product shots are so bright & vibrant. This shop features lovely ribbon & flowers, perfect for many crafting projects. You'll also find sets of pink carnival tickets, tags & handmade buttons. And I absolutely love the beautiful mixed media pieces, such as Glamour Queen. Have a look at all the fun & fabulous items With a Twist has to offer.

Jodiez Buttonz

I thoroughly enjoy using buttons in my scrapbooking & other crafts. The handmade buttons found at Jodiez Buttonz are the perfect embellishment for any project. I love the cute little stars & the cupcakes are just too much fun! You'll also find fabulous brads for Christmas projects. Although I adore all the products Jodiez Buttonz has to offer, the robots are hands down my favorite.

Mutha Crafter

Yesterday I discovered Mutha Crafter through The Broken Plate blog. The tagline I'm So Crafty I Make People is beyond hilarious. Equally cheeky is My mom is so craftyn she made ME! which comes emblazoned on a onsie for any crafty mama's child. Check back often for added designs that are sure to please.

AnthroPoMorphCo

AnthroPoMorphCo, whose simple mission is to make everything your friend, has classified the "friends" they have created in three categories: mental vegetables, gourds of goth & holly jollies. You can purchase fabulous gift sets, such as the Beet It set, which includes a notecard, one 1" magnetic button, one folding bookmark, & one 1" button pin. There's also lots of terrific stuffed veggies to choose from. The Gourds of Goth may well be my favorite, especially the bobby pins. Grab a set of the Holly Jolly cards so you are well prepared this winter. Don't miss the sale section either.

Nut and Bee

Annette Lauder of Nut & Bee has created illustrations that are absolutely fabulous. Her Sketchbook Sweeties are produced three times a week & you can vote as to which product you would like to see each sweetie appear on. The products include lettersets, buttons & magnets, stickers, and more. Take a look at all of Annette's wonderful creations.