Posts from holidays (58)

So, do you guys know about minted.™? It's this amazing site where designers from all over the world submit their ideas for everything from wedding invitations to stationery to holiday cards, those designs are voted on (by YOU) and the winning designs are sold on minted.com!

Rate this design here.

For the most recent challenge (Holiday Card Spectacular), designers were asked to reinvent those boring old photo cards in a chic and modern way. The winning designers will receive national brand exposure, cash awards, and 5% commission on all net sales...

So, where do you, my fine SCOOP readers come in?... well, we're currently in Round 1 of voting, so I need your high ratings to get OrangeBeautiful's designs to the final round.

You do have to create a user login/account, but you can opt out of any mailings if you like, and - best of all - when/if one of your favorites wins the contest, you'll be able to head back and purchase that design as your holiday card for this year!

Rate this design here.

Rate these designs here and here.

Rate this design here.

While you're there, be sure to check out some of my favorite designers ::

Potts Design // Emily Ranneby // Alex Elko Design // Milkmaid Press //
Unless Someone Like You //

And don't forget to browse through all of the submitted designs and rate your favorites with 5s - 'cause remember: GOOD DESIGN MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY!

Thanks to minted.™ for providing these challenges to the design community... I can wait to see who wins!

If your problem isn't sticking to your New Year's Resolutions, but rather coming up with one in the first place - well, check out designer, Monina Velarde's New Year's Resolution Generator...

I know I'll be adding "Take More Photos" and "Back Up My Computer Regularly" to my resolution list ;)

via NotCot

We'll be taking a short break to enjoy the holidays with our friends + families.
See you in the new year!

Ling-An White, Guinea and Red Tail feather earrings, by Haji Couture.

This past weekend proved, once again, that the best thing about doing shows is the amazing & talented people you meet.

Friday evening & all day Saturday was spent at Living Room Realty Gallery with a delightful group of vendors showing their work at the first Modus Donandi ("Gift of Giving") Show.

Silo Votives, from up in the air somewhere.

Then Sunday ended the weekend (and my run of holiday shows) quite nicely with OB and Thread And Needle's mini craft mart, Coffee. Shop. - held at our local coffee shop, The Perfect Cup (4700 N. Damen)!

Vintage Postage Stamp bracelet, by Foxglove Accessories.

It was great to see Cindy (Tomczyk, of Paper Parasol Press) and spend the day with Holly (Thread And Needle) & Betsy (Foxglove Accessories, image above).

Limited Edition Gocco prints, from Laura George.

And even though the weekend was great, I'll be the first to admit that I'm glad it's all over and I have some much-needed rest & relaxation ahead of me!

I hope everyone else has some R&R coming their way, too!

If you're feeling antsy that Christmas is just one week away and you've gotten hardly any of your holiday shopping done... well, don't fret. There are tons of local events happening this weekend, including two that OrangeBeautiful is participating in!

MODUS DONANDI (or "Gift of Giving") is a 2-day handmade goods market with local designers and makers being held at LivingRoom Realty Gallery. The event includes an evening reception Friday from 6-9pm, followed by a day of shopping on Saturday. +Plus there will be a special bake sale directly funding LivingRoom's Micro Grant Project, which funds projects (up to $1,500) in the areas of art, sustainability, and overall world betterment. The perfect way to give a little that will immediately get you in the holiday spirit!

1. Girl With A Hook // 2. Dollybird Design // 3. Pears of Danger // 4. Kiyomi Kimble // 5. Up In The Air Somewhere // 6. Jane Palmer/Noon Solar.

Then, on Sunday, at my favorite local coffee shop - The Perfect Cup - Holly, of Thread And Needle and I have organized the very first Coffee. Shop.

Stop by between 10am and 4pm, grab an Anne's Special (trust me, it's delicious!) and shop, shop, shop! (And be sure to stop in the newly-opened Ravensgoods, right across the street!)

1. Paper Parasol Press // 2. Foxglove Accessories // 3. Thread And Needle // 4. Tartella // 5. Laura George // 6. OrangeBeautiful!

Hope to see you this weekend!
& Happy Shopping!

P.S. Did you happen to see OB's mention/pic in the Reader TODAY?

Catherine is getting a play kitchen for Christmas. This week she's practicing telling Santa that she would like him to bring her a "little kitchen". Imagine how thrilled I was when I found Ikea's Duktig set, which looks just like a "real" Ikea kitchen - no garish colors or "girly pink" themes happening here - and is well-priced to boot! (We also got the top section, shown here with the main unit, which is sold separately.) Since it just came out this year, I'm hoping Ikea might add a fridge to the series for next year. We're putting it together this week. I'm so excited!

Image from Ikea.

It's December now (huh?), so that means it's time for the One of a Kind Show here in Chicago... this'll be OrangeBeautiful's FIFTH year exhibiting at the show - can you believe it?

If you're in town later this week (Thursday - Sunday), be sure to stop by our booth (#7055) and say Hello!

The show is pretty huge (over 400 artists, designers + craftspeople), so it can be a bit overwhelming... this year, there's the awesome addition of the Etsy Pavilion, which features 25+ Etsy sellers all in one spot!... more on that later.

For now, here are some of my jewelry picks for the show... I kinda want something from every single vendor in this category, but - as I do each year - I'm gonna have to narrow it down to a few special pieces.

Here's the list ::

1. 314?Studio // BOOTH #3136

2. Veronica Riley Martens // BOOTH #7124

3. Erin Gallagher // BOOTH #6124

4. Stylish Girl by Laila // BOOTH #1119

5. Frucci Design // ETSY Pavilion

6. Blue Buddha Boutique // BOOTH #8097

7. Foxglove Accessories // ETSY Pavilion

And remember, get your FREE complimentary passes to the show by visiting THIS LINK and entering PROMO CODE "ECPArtist"!

See you Thursday!!!

Stash Style has added beautiful, vintage holiday decorations and giftwrap accessories to its shop. The glitter bells remind me of those pictured on one of the "covers" inside the December issue of Martha Stewart Living.

The reflective, jewel-toned flower gift toppers look like something straight out of a Kate Spade ad. And the silver feather would perfectly adorn a minimalist gift and double as an ornament for the tree. Everything feels so fifties-glam and very modern.

Images from Stash Style.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the LILL Holiday Market this past Saturday... and an extra thanks to the awesome, awesome folks who work at LILL. Every single person working the show was sweet, helpful, friendly and genuinely excited about each and every vendor that they asked to participate.

And it was really great seeing some familiar faces in vendors I'd met before - as well as finally meeting some amazing people I've been fans of for a while (Hi, Veronica!) - I think we all finished the show with the feeling that we'd love to come back and do it all over again. I'll, of course, keep you posted on the next event at LILL's amazing space!

If you couldn't make it this past weekend, definitely mark your calendars for this Saturday - it's the DIY Trunk Show! and many of the same vendors who were at the Market will have tables at that show, as well!

I've got a ton more pictures from the show, so stayed tuned for more posts in the next few days...

1. Seriously 6pk, $14.00 from OrangeBeautiful // 2. Red Kukui Nut Necklace, $54.00 from Veronica Riley Martens // 3. Peacock Earrings, $18.00 from Isette // 4. Untitled matted print, $45.00 from Ariyama Studio // 5. Opal Aline Skirt, $75.00 from orangyporangy // 6. Flight Pattern Onesie, $17.00 from Earth Cadets.

If you're in the Chicago area this weekend, you should definitely check out the 1st Annual Holiday Market, held by one of my absolutely favorite businesses, 1154 LILL -

The market is a collection of 20 local vendors (including OrangeBeautiful!) and was inspired by the brilliant The 3/50 Project... so here's your chance to pick your three (or twenty) independent businesses to buy from this month - all in one place!

And, the best part (for me, anyway), is that the market is being held at LILL's headquarters (1511 W 38th Street)... heck, I'd go just to see their digs!!!

oh, and cause I love you crazy SCOOP readers, here's * A COUPON FOR YOU * to print out and bring with you to the show... this'll get you 10% off your entire OrangeBeautiful purchase at the market ONLY - so I'd better see you there!!!

Get more information (and directions) about the market RIGHT HERE
- and I'll see you tomorrow!