We’re meeting with the title company tonight.  Once we get the keys, I’m planning on documenting the transformation of a bedroom, into my studio.  (**hopeful transformation anyhow**)

So we went to watch WALL E the other day. I’m not sure I knew what to expect. The previews looked cute, and that little robot looked so darn funny. Never knew the flick would have this whole “message” to it about big box stores taking over world. I won’t ruin the movie, but let’s just say WALL E was created to clean up the waste humans made of buying and leaving too much stuff everywhere, and there was a simplistic overlying cautionary theme to watch the amount of unnecessary stuff we buy and consume.

So what I am I doing writing about this when in addition to telling you about great artists and events, I basically write about a lot of “STUFF”. I must admit, at times I have to think hard about some of the the things I post about. I do not want this blog to simply be one more in a long stream of internet blog commercials. We’re more bombarded on the internet today to look at stuff and buy stuff then we ever were before. And yet, here I am still writing about STUFF, when even in my own life I’ve been taking a long hard look at trying to buy less, to buy only what my family needs and to make more educated and responsible buying decisions. Sounds hypocritical perhaps??

But ACTUALLY, not so much. When I write about STUFF, I’m writing about goods and services offered by individuals and small businesses. Granted you could argue that there is no difference from buying lots of stuff you don’t need from say a Target or a Wal-Mart and still buying lots of stuff from independent business owners. However if you look at past posts about Shopping Locally you”ll see that my discussions on this blog about stuff are meant to make you think more critically about the items you purchase. Visit the site Buy Handmade, and you may learn that there is indeed an actual difference between a product purchased at a big store, and a purchase you make from an individual.

When I showcase products on this blog I do not want you to grab your credit card and immediately buy the featured item. I’ll actually admit I don’t even want you to buy my own products on a whim….seriously! That is not unless you’ve thought about your purchase and have decided that it is something you REALLY need or want. Products are showcased on this blog to introduce you to and give you alternative sources of places to buy the things you have decided you need in your life. These sources are all small business owners, most of whom daily make decisions to run their businesses with the least amount of waste possible, and in turn also try to spend their profits wisely and buy responsibly themselves. When you support these independent businesses you are often buying items in which little resources were wasted in the production and shipment of the items. They were not made in sweat shops. The profits (however meager sometimes) go to the individuals who make the item who in turn spend the money in their local communities. The money does not go to a corporate executive who is already making far more than some of us may ever see in our lifetime. Believe it or not it actually cuts down waste, pollution and urban sprawl to make your purchases from small businesses while also providing an opportunity to support individuals instead of corporations and give new life to the shrinking middle class.

So what does this mean? It means next time I’ve got the urge to run up to the nearest Target and possibly get sucked into buying a bunch of crap from the $1 bins I hadn’t planned on buying, a cute top cause’ hey it’s only $9.99, a new bedding set since it looked so darling on the end cap, and the 1.99 tube of toothpaste that was all I really ran up there for, after wasting half a tank of gas to get there…..well I might sit back and do a little more reflection. Will you?

Sometimes I stumble across something so cute I just have to write about it. It’s probably no secret if you’ve read this blog for awhile that I love things that are black and white. Year round, middle of summer, I still love black and white.  So when I saw this Bird and Branch Messenger Bag  by Cut Out and Collect I knew I wanted to share it.  It’s no average messenger bag, as the designer customizes them according to the owners preferred way of wearing it.  It’s made of a nice heavy canvas and even has six extra pockets!  Not to mention it’s simply darling and sleek looking.

Bird and Branch Messenger Bag, $50.00

So I don’t have kids yet, but I was browsing trying to find something for my cousin, who is having a baby.   There’s just so much stuff that’s way to…..well, BORING.  It tool quite a bit of searching to find the right thing to buy. In all the searching though I found a shop that simply **needs** to be around when I have kids.  For all you hip rocker/punk parents, who believe that having kids does not have to mean losing a sense of style or individuality I found the shop for you.

Punk Rock Ska Baby Boy Kit, $38.00

The online shop you simply must visit is called lowleepop.  Beginning in  NYC in 2006, mom and dad Robyn and Rob, created a combination of rock and roll attitude with “edgy” style. They’ve continue today creating fabulously cool little outfits at very reasonable prices.  You’ll wish you could wear this stuff!

Punk Rock Baby Rockstar Kit, $25.00

SO I was happy to be perusing the Etsy treasuries today when I noticed a star meaning one of my items was in one. I clicked and discovered my cherry pie earrings in a treasury that was an ode to the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. The curator did a lovely job, as there was a delicious color scheme and it was all definitely gothic inspired and richly dark.

It was funny as I had thought the earrings to be rather cute and playful, so it was neat to see my jewelry in a different light.

Would you like to help a girl out? Visit my sister site and click on the pink and black Venue Zine logo on the bottom–you might help me win some free magazine advertising, and learn how you can get some too!

http://www.valerietylerdesigns.com

Thanks!!!!!

So I will finally have a garden soon, a real garden that will end up being tons of work most likely. However, it will be thrilling to have a garden and a yard full of trees right near the park. I think this has inspired me to make some more earthy garden-like jewelry. The latest have been a series of flower earrings.

Wisteria Earrings, $16.00

Blue Bellflower Earrings, $16.00

Because I’m so excited about this garden thing I think I’m going to throw my first ever special through Art Addict. If you purchase **anything** from my etsy hop between now and July 9 (the moving date!) I’ll add a free gift to your purchase (at least $15.00 value) when you include the code “GARDEN” in your notes upon checkout.

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4

It sounds like a mission impossible theme….you have five frames to tell a story, can you do it?  The Canvas Project invites artists to create five 3X3 canvas frames, in a series to tell any story they want.  They will then be included in a large show with other artists and you may include them for sale if you wish.  It’s a really neat concept.  Though I’m a jewelry designer, I really am tossing around the idea of creating a set myself.

If you want to participate or find out more visit http://www.arthousecoop.com/canvasproject

I’m planning on heading out to the Coventry Street Arts Fair tonight, perhaps even with camera in tow.  Last I checked there are 65 artists and vendors scheduled to participate (not counting all the local businesses!) who will be selling all sorts of goodies from handmade pottery and jewelry, photography and other arts to tasty treats like popcorn.  Of course, being Coventry, there should also be a decent showing of non-profit groups, and a little bit of patchouli and tie dye.  In addition check out the music, and sidewalk sales from local merchants, and family activities as well.  Of course, there’s always lots of great restaurants in the area to visit as well. The fair runs from 6-9 tonight (June 19th, 200 and is of course located on Coventry Road.