Eco bags workshop at the OSU Urban Arts Space

Bring your unwanted disposable plastic shopping bags and transform them into beautiful and sturdy handbags at the OSU Urban Arts Space from 5-6 p.m. Thursday (11/12). Accommodating both beginner and advanced participants, artisan Marcia Trakas will work with guests to crochet the bags into masterpieces, keeping them out of the landfill. Bring a crochet hook J- 10, scissors, and plastic bags. Free and open to all. RSVP to mailto:uas@osu.edu. Read more: http://uas.osu.edu/program/eco-bags-workshop

New work, new retail location

I love my newest creations - super-wide & soft headbands! Made at the request of the best local yoga studio in Columbus - Yoga on High - I've used organic cotton headbands made by Prana and added botanical decorations made from recycled sweaters!

Also coming soon to Yoga on High - eye pillows from recycled/repurposed silk!

(Full disclosure - my wonderful mom is a YoHi co-owner. That may have given me something of an 'in'. : )

Wanderlust abroad . . .

It's been a busy month! Craft shows and business meetings and custom orders - whew!

But I'm thrilled to announce that some of my work is now available in . . . . Belgium! Back in the begining of September, a lovely woman named Elaine visited my booth at Artisan Sundays. She spotted the Wanderlust pins, and promptly found a pin showing her husband's hometown in France. She told me that she lives in Belgium and works at a gift shop, and would love to buy some Wanderlust to take back with her! Long story short, her husband brought over some maps, I spent a few days button-making, and now there are Wanderlust magnets in Belgium.

If you're ever there, check out:
The Gift Boutique
Avenue des Erables, 1-1640 Rhode-St.-Genese, Belgium

A treasure trove of vintage maps!

I just got an amazing new collection of gorgeous, National Geographic vintage maps! Is there someplace specific you're looking for? Peruse the list and let me know, either here or through maram.etsy.com!

India & Burma - 1946
Phillipines - 1945
World map - 1932
Canada, Alaska & Greenland - 1947
Mexico, Central America & the West Indies - 1934
Classical Lands of the Mediterranean - 1940
Theater of War in the Pacific - 1942
USA - 1946
North America - 1942
South America - 1921
World map - 1955
South Central United States - 1947
China - 1945
Asia - 1942
Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands - 1944
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - 1944
Canada - 1936
USA - 1940
Europe - 1920
Pacific Ocean - 1936
Atlantic Ocean - 1939
Soviet Union - 1976
Southeastern United States - 1958
New England, USA - 1955
Great Lakes Region, USA & Canada - 1953
California - 1954
Caspian Sea Region - 1999
Australia - 2000

A few results from my shopping spree . .

Mmmm . . . shopping

Ok, so I completely broke my self-imposed ban on new fabrics - but I really need some fresh inspiration, and by inspiration, I mean some quality shopping time at my favorite thrift stores.

See something you like? let me know if you want to call 'first dibs' on any bag I make using a certain fabric or belt!

New felted flower rings!

Yet another fabulous thing to make out of no-longer-loved wool sweaters! I'm really excited about my new rings. The 'daisy' rings are made from the seams, and that center bead is from an old, broken necklace! They're all sewn onto adjustable rings (not recycled, but I'm keeping my eyes open).