Bonnin Designs Holiday Gift Guide

As an editor for Rare Bird Finds, I scour the web daily to find my readers unique home and kitchen accessories. So here, on my personal blog I wanted to share with my readers businesses and the products that they sell and I just adore in a Holiday Gift Guide. Many of these businesses, I have purchased products from, love, and therefore want to share with you these original businesses, Others, I have written reviews on and covet. And lastly, I personally know all but one of the owners of these businesses and can attest that they are great people and care tons about their products and the customers that they sell to. That's who I want to give my money to! Don't you? I hope you enjoy what I've put together. Please visit these sites and see what else they have.

Sommer Designs - Violet vines Linen Apron on Sale, plus free gift. This would make a great hostess gift.

Fiberphile - MCN Worsted True Heart Yarn. Knit or crochet a great scarf for a friend, or get the yarn for someone you know that knits. About 2 skeins would make a great scarf, one skein for a hat.

 Found and Made Designs - Owl, vintage chandelier crystal necklace. This would be the perfect gift for  a stylish friend or family member.

 Hearts and Laserbeams - Sit Happens Dog Tee. You know a dog lover and this is the gift for them. They would really appreciate that you thought of their dog.

 JustJenn Designs - Sh*t List. I know everyone has one. Give this with a set of fun pens to a co-worker. Done.

 Mareike Auer - Dog Lover print. The clean simple lines of this art would be appreciated by any dog loving artsy friend.

Meringue Bake Shop - Cupcakes! They are available in so many flavors. These are available in Southern California and delivered fresh. What a perfect corporate gift, order some for a holiday party, or get some for yourself.

Michelle Caplan - Norah6 Mixed Media Collage Portrait. She also does amazing commissioned pieces. You know a dancer? Perfect gift!

 Mud Puppy - Modern White Baby Head Vase. Give a little humor to anyone! I have one of these and people love it!

 Nan Lawson - Love is a Book 8x10 print. A reader would love this hanging in their home.

Patchwork Show Santa Ana - Today

Today from 11-5 in Santa Ana at Main and Buffalo is Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival. You will be amazed at all of the talented crafters, artists, food, and entertainment and it's FREE. Please come out and enjoy the beautiful sunny day. Bring your pet, because I will be taking pet portraits for one of a kind custom mixed media art pieces. They make great gifts!! I also have some amazing deals and fun gifts for the holidays; clothes, mixed media art, vintage silverware garden  markers and cheese knives, cupcake jewelry and more.

Easy Custom Lamp Shade Tutorial

Let's just say that my daughter kinda ruined a lamp I had by messing up the lamp shades. No problem I thought. I'll just go out and replace them. Yes them. 2 shades. After 4 lighting stores, several department stores and even a lamp shade outlet, no luck because of the size that they are. So leaving the last store, I thought "time to get creative". And I had just the idea.

I grabbed a vintage feed sack that I had laying around and with spray adhesive, sprayed the shade, wrapped a lampshade in the feed sack and trimmed it to size with scissors.

Then the other one. No special technique needed, just confidence. I like the way it turned out. Don't you?

Great Place for Getting Handmade Gifts for the Holidays

I'm really excited to be part of The Patchwork Show. I will be at both locations selling my applied vintage clothing and accessories plus many special items made just for this show. It's the perfect place to get handmade gift items for those on your gift list. 

I also will have a pet portrait "studio" set up to take free pictures of your pet with purchase of a mixed media pet portrait, on site.

So don't forget to bring your adorable furry friend to get a portrait that will last for years to come.

The patchwork indie arts & festival showcases over 75 local independent artists, crafters and designers in an outdoor setting. come down and eat; drink from local cafe; restaurant booths as you listen to tunes and peruse goods from the best southern California creators. look; shop... clothing for men, women and kids, handbags, accessories, art, ceramics, home goods, garden finds, plushies, jewelry, paper goods, edible treats, pet gear, crochet; knit goods, kits; patterns, bath; body goodies & more. check out our bike valet, eco-gift wrapping station; diy crafting tables for adults & kids. And it's free to get in.
WWW.PATCHWORKSHOW.COM for details and exact location

WHEN & WHERE:
PATCHWORK LONG BEACH
THIS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21ST 11-5PM
MARINE STADIUM- BAYSHORE @ APPIAN WAY

PATCHWORK SANTA ANA
NOVEMBER 28TH 11-5PM
2202 NORTH MAIN STREET @ BUFFALO SANTA ANA, CA 92706

White Decor DIY Project

I was watching The Nate Show the other day and he made a project that had the perfect tie-in to the theme in the last post regarding the white trend in decor. He painted animal figurines in white primer which made the item look like a porcelain white bisque fired item. I had to do this. 

I got a .50 cent pedestal bowl from an estate sale this weekend.  It was a charcoal color. I think the color would have been fine, but I was considering using it for my display for The Patchwork Show. If I put a white bowl of items out, it would enhance the look of the items, rather than a dark, dreery black bowl. so I simply sprayed it with white primer. Isn't it fantastic?

White: Trend in Decor

I've noticed in catalogs, on the internet, and even in my local antique store, the trend right now in home decor is white. This past weekend I went into an antique store that used to be many vendors with their goods strewn all over. Much to my surprise, it was completely different; it was a merchandising heaven. And I noticed white. A lot of white. I thought I'd share with you what I completely fell for.

Below are some ideas of current home decor accessories in white:

Z Gallerie

Z Gallerie

KG + AB

West Elm

Wordless Wednesday: Do you know what this is?