Baby Woo's Room

Here's the finished design board that Courtney made for me! 

I sent her photos of bits I've picked out and she put it all together! 

So what do ya think? x

I'm on an Owl kick.

I can NOT get enough of cute owls lately! I've really liked them for years and years, but has there been a cute owl explosion recently? Is it just me or have they totally surpassed cupcakes as the uber cute trend leader?
Who can blame me though? RIGHT?! Aren't they make you wanna "squeeeeeeeeeee"!

Tangerine Owlet Necklace

Cute brooch

Ceramic Owls

Yes. This is real. 

Beautiful. 

Like I said, I just can't get enough. I love the look of owls with their big round eyes. I also treasure wisdom, which they represent.

The Frosted Petticoat and My Button Bouquet

The Frosted Petticoat  has created a Carnival theme wedding ceremony.  My sweet little button bouquet which now belongs to and was photographed by Clair Penn  was chosen to be part of the fun & inspiration! 
I feel so honoured and tickled pink!

cute as a button treasury!

Yippeeeeeeeeeeee! I've sort of made an Etsy Treasury! The button bouquet I made that the lovely photographer Claire Penn bought and photographed is in the Treasury! Thank you Claire! Again!

You can buy Claire's print on Etsy if you LURVE IT as much as I do!
I feel famous!

My Creation Has Become Someone Else's!

Claire Penn's gorgeous photo of my Button Bouquet!

I feel so honoured! I met the lovely Claire and a friend at the Becniks grand opening! Clair purchased this sweet little vintage button bouquet and doily and we discussed wedding photo shoots and vintage.
Claire said I'd be seeing it again - and just look at how gorgeous she's made it look!
If you love it as much as I do you can get your own print from Claire's etsy shop along with other beautiful photographs.

Thank you Claire! It's beautiful!

Phew! New Listings Finally!

I've been busy! I'm working on patching up my new/old 1946 sofa and chairs - yes, a vintage living room suite and sideboard and dressing table! I know you're gonna pound me for not telling you or posting pictures yet! I will eventually! I've also been making jewellery like mad and listing the jewellery to etsy! I started taking photos of the jewellery at about 11 and I've just finished listing things on etsy and it's 3:30!!!!!! I'm pooped!

I thought I'd show you my new pieces that I've just posted! I had been on an etsy downer for a few months, but after having two things purchased and then some non-etsy orders I've been encouraged to really push myself and get back in the ole saddle!

Here are some pics of what I've been up to!

Gorgeous Green Necklace

Carnival Colorful Bracelet

Food Lover Necklace

Classic Little Black Earrings

Bluebell Earrings

Vintage Blue Bird Brooch

Lush Purple Earrings

Come see me on etsy!!!!!

FABULOUS FRIEND FRIDAY IS BACK!!!!!!!

Introducing...

....drum roll please....

Thoris Designs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Hello Dejah :) Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

I’m a crafty pirate extraordinaire. When I’m not painting, sculpting, knitting, sewing or drawing, I’m probably playing video games or figuring out how to make a new kind of scone. I love to cook and make up all kinds of recipes all the time. It’s one of my favorite things. The next best is feeding it to people.

I’ve got two beautiful children that do their best to drive me bananas, but that’s as it should be, I suppose. You can see my daughter modeling a number of items in my shop and I’ll be getting my son to do some soon.

I’m in love with everything frilly and girlie. As soon as I get my sewing machine I’ll be opening another shop to house all the clothes I want to sell, mostly focusing on costume like pieces for kids, but I want to be making ruffled, Victorian inspired clothing with a modern flare also. Expect giant purses and nifty clutches that you don’t actually have to clutch.

 Music is always in my life. I don’t even include it as one my favorite things in most cases because that’s a given. Like I don’t have to tell people I breathe I don’t tell them I love music. I have to have it when I’m working, especially when I’m doing work on the computer. Without it I get completely distracted and can’t focus.

 

2. What are your Etsy shop & Blog called? Where did that name come from?

My Etsy shop is Thoris Designs and is located at http://thorisdesigns.etsy.com. My blog, which features items in my shop, recipes I’ve made up, reviews for others I’ve tried, and anything else I’d like to blog about, is located at http://thorisdesigns.blogspot.com. I should really write for it more, but sometimes my computer access is limited. The name Thoris came from an association with my first name. My mom named me for a princess from a science fiction series called John Carter of Mars written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He’s also famous for writing Tarzan. Dejah Thoris was a princess of Mars and married John Carter. Thoris Designs was born.

3. What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

The last thing I bought was from http://dennisanderson.etsy.com. A bar of Once Upon a Blue Moon Beer Soap for my brother (Blue Moon is his favorite beer) and a luscious Maple Crunch Lip Balm. They sent me a free Coconut balm too! I’ll definitely be buying more bath and body goodies from them in the future.

4. Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

I would love to visit Japan. I’m a huge fan of ancient Japanese culture and find the architecture, artwork, and fashions of the ancient Japanese deeply beautiful and alluring. The history of the samurai and the geisha are especially appealing to me and I love learning about their histories and customs.

I would also love to visit China, for much the same reasons. I would most love seeing the Great Wall of China and the tomb of Emperor Chin, who united the various states of China for the first time. He is most commonly known as the Emperor with the Terra Cotta Army. Fascinating!

5.  What 8 records or books {or combo} would you would take with you to a desert island?

Oh goodness, that’s not nearly enough choices. Okay, it would have to be at least eight of each and I’m going to cheat a little.

Music:

Tool – every album

Primus – every album

Rush – “Fly by Night”, “2112”, and “Moving Pictures”

Led Zeppelin – every album

Pink Floyd – “The Wall”

Across the Universe Soundtrack

The Smashing Pumpkins – every album up to “Machina”

And a Ben Harper and Jack Johnson mix album

Books: More Cheating

Lord of the Rings Series and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Narnia by CS Lewis

Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix

Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O’Shea

The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

All Chuck Palahniuk novels

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

The Gentlemen Bastards Series by Scott Lynch

Some of those series aren’t finished yet, so my exile will have to wait.

6. If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

We so romanticize so much of the past. I love that I live in a time where things like electricity, indoor plumbing, hot water, and rapid communication are fairly common. I also like that I experience little prejudice as a woman in today’s society. However, I would love to have been a pirate captain at sea during the Golden Age of Piracy, minus the bad teeth and poor personal hygiene. Being a samurai would have been grand, with all the armor and the swords. I also love the fashions of Victorian times, the 1920’s and the 1940’s. I would, of course, have wanted to have all the freedoms I enjoy now during those times. I wish I could combine elements of all those times and make a world of my own, but alas, I visit them only in books. Except for the pirate thing. I really am a pirate.

7. What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

The magic! To take a few materials that are raw and unformed and turn them into something new and beautiful. When I’m knitting at the park or somewhere where my children are playing, I get asked by kids, “What are you doing?” all the time. I always answer, “Magic!”

 My second favorite thing is seeing people wear the stuff I make. Nothing is more flattering than seeing someone wear or use something I’ve made. I just made my friend a scarf that she wears almost every day. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time I see her in it.

8. Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

I think I can safely exclude my favorite people here. They know who they are.
My three favorite things are:

Books: I learn from all sorts of books all sorts of nifty things and get to visit times, places, and people that might not even exist in our “real” world. I read so much it’s almost a bad habit. “Hello, my name is Dejah, and I’m addicted to reading.”

Tea Time: I have about forty different types of tea in stock at my house at all times. I bake scones from my own recipe and love having afternoon tea. Whenever I see a tea shop I HAVE to go inside. There’s just something wonderful, comforting, and timeless about tea and the wonderful circumstances that brought it to our attention so many centuries ago.

Writing: I love to write. I hope to someday be a published author and contribute my own fantasies to the lovely world of literature. To create a world outside of our own that can bring laughter, tears, and wonder to a reader is an amazing gift and I hope that I can someday give that to other people the way it’s been given to me by so many amazing authors.

9. What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

I could eat seafood, blackberry cabernet sorbet, and homemade scones every day. I could drink any kind of black tea (especially chai), Jack Daniels whiskey, and strong coffee with French Vanilla creamer and never get tired of it.

10. What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

My favorite place has more to do with the company than the location. It’s with my children and my friends. As long as I have them with me, everything will be alright.

Thanks so much Dejah! Good times! Make sure you visit Dejah's shop and blog! Give her lots and lots of love!!!! Mrs Woo says so!



P.S.

I'll be seein y'all later! I'm leavin on a jet plane! I'm going home to celebrate my mommy's 60th birthday! I'll be back in about two weeks, just in time for the last few days before CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
If you wanna see where my home is google Charleston, SC....nothin' could be finer....

Christmas Craft Fair

T-minus 2 days until my first craft fair! I'm really ready for Saturday to get here! I've been crafting and crafting and procrastinating so that I wouldn't have to craft anymore! My friend Jayne is partnering with me on Saturday - HOORAY! I don't know how I'd make it through the day without her! Jayne has been in retail for years and has done lots and lots of fairs so I'll be taking mental note of how she does things! Plus Jayne has insisted on giving me half of whatever money she makes. I refused saying it wasn't fair to her as I hadn't done any work and then she said if I didn't take it she wouldn't come....and I am pretty sure she meant it. All she wants is some American cake mix. Devil's food to be exact! I think I'd better take a trip out to SAMs club for an equally generous gift for Jayne!

My ETSY shop will be on vacation for the day on Saturday as everything is going out on the stall! Not only are we going to have a table, but I'm bringing my Christmas tree to decorate with jewelery which will be for sale! Jayne is coming over tomorrow night for pizza & so that we can get our heads together and be ready for Saturday morning 8:45!
If you've gotten to know me a bit by now you will know how I feel about crafts AND Christmas.
Please try to imagine my excitement about Saturday:

1. A craft fair
2. A Christmas craft fair
3. Christmas music
4. SANTA!
5. Crafting all day with my friend
6. The first mince pies of the season (Jayne and I are both waiting for Saturday to have our first mince pies of the year!)
   
7. Making money to buy Christmas presents and spending money for my trip home while helping a good cause!  

This fair at the Kelsall Community Centre  is being hosted by Ashworth Time Bank. Ashworth Time Bank is a charity that assists the elderly and others who live in rural areas and who need a bit of help so that they can remain independent for longer and help to build community. People "exchange" assistance. Some of the examples given as "exchanges" are giving lifts, Shopping or doing errands for people, Doing simple housework, gardening, babysitting, 
Telephoning people who are lonely, Visiting people at home or in hospital,
Letter writing and helping with form filling,
Sharing skills in music, woodwork, fitness, computers, knitting, & sewing.
How lovely is that?! I really like the idea of neighbor helping neighbor like in the old days.

SO if you're anywhere near or kinda nearish Kelsall on Saturday between 10 & 4 come on down! Support me & Jayne and AW Time Bank! How can you say "no" to Christmas crafty goodness, mince pies and SANTA!!!!?!

Trader Woos.

I like trading. A lot.
I used to trade graphic design work for getting my hair did by the most talented stylist in Charleston.

Now, thanks to Etsy I get to trade treasures for treasures all over the world!

Wanna see my most recent trades?!

Copper & Turquoise Acorn Necklace by Custom Vintage

Mint In My Champagne Chandelier Earrings by Leeya

Sweet Little Customized Pouch by Lucinda Ramsay

The Fisherman's Dream Charm Bracelet by my fave trader Katia of The Hen's Army!

Hip! Hip! Hooray for Trades!

FABULOUS FRIEND FRIDAY AGAIN!

Introducing  ♕  Presentazione

 

{drum roll} {rullo di tamburo}

  The Hens Army - l'esercito delle galline !!!!!

Grab a latte and biscotti you're about to meet una signora bella {a lovely lady} from sunny Italy! Katia is a generous and creatively talented lover of things vintage, polka dot and cupcake.
Katia is, among many things, the creator behind  A Thousand Ideas in a Cup  {Mille Idee in una Tazza} blog and The Hen's Army {l'esercito delle galline} etsy shop! 


Katia's blog is in Italian but you can translate the entire page all at once with Babelfish!

{mw} Hello Katia :) Why don't you introduce yourself and tell as a little about YOU!

{tha} I love my name. I wouldn't have had a different one..I'm Italian, living in sunny south Italy. I have two girls, Angelica and Arianna, who are the best aim I could ever reach! I love them, they're my inspirations and guides. Angelica, the eldest says to me what to make, she's dramatically creative and I'm very proud of her. I'm a teacher, a french teacher, and my works with young people allow me not to get older:). I like everything cupcake, I pray angels, my daughter's name comes from this love for everything winged. i do love Great Britain, i have a particular attitude into recycling..and..of course i adore vintage. I'm vintage inspired in everything i made.

{mw} Your Etsy Shop has such a fun name {the hens army - l'esercito delle galline}! Where did that name come from?

{tha}My work let me stay home half a day. So in the afternoon my girls and I have so much fun. We play, we cook, we draw, we create, we dance and we sing...these last two inspired me in giving such name to the shop. We feel such happy hens all together. Army is ironically against everything war...do not forget we're hens! We keep flowers under our arms and beads in the hands! {rather than guns!}

{mw} What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

{tha}Your cards Felicia of course! I love your work and the simple but treasured stuffs you do!

{I am blushing, big time!}

{mw} Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

{tha}As previously said I love Great Britain, i feel home there, everytime I come I feel better and better with my Scottish friends..however when I dream I do it about the for ever, the north globe islands {Scottish northern Isles} I would like to see closer.

What 8 records or books would you would take with you to a desert island?

• I would take The Little Prince ------- I adore it!

• Gibran's The Prophet

• The Alchemist of Coelho and the fairy tales, not forgetting Chocolat, a beautiful story

• Then, as I love the 1960 music I would keep the beatles with me, as much as Sade's songs and celtic music to find inspiration

If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

Nice question:) if there is more than one life..and I strongly believe in that, I would have been in rural romantic england, in the countryside: I always dream a cottage in the fields with poor inside but with a fantastic sightseeing, I think it could be around 1800, considering the surroundings.

What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

I love to recycle. I recycle almost everything. Every jewel [I make] is made from recycled materials, every pouch too. It's quite hard for me to buy for creating, except the findings I need to make stuffs. My lucky is to own my granny storage box which is full of goodies, vintage and antiques..it is enough for me to have a look inside o be inspired.. so I do not have a particular attitude. Everything depends on the day, the weather, the granny's magic box and what my children wants me to do.

Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

I love walking along the seaside at sunset because you can be so close to nature.

I love cooking pasta, which is actually my favourite food.

I love making stuffs, as I imagine my ideas coming off my brain, from an idea to something.

What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

Ohh, coffee, of course..I'm a coffee addict! I drink alot of coffee every day. It is a way to feel better, to stay with friends, to share moods. I think you should feel similar when drinking tea.

{I totally agree Katia,  I am a tea addict! But in honor of Katia I had a cup of coffee while writing this blog entry ♥}

 
What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

My favourite place is my incredibly full of stuffs crafty room.a sewing machine, lots of sheets and fabrics, ribbons, buttons, tons of beads, wires and magazines. a couple of soft winged plumed angels watching over me, 2 pictures of my girls, a mp3 to hear good music.. it's simply my world. I know that when I came inside I go out with something new, swirly, creative. I would stay there for ages.

Here are a few of Katia's wonderful treasures from The Hen's Army shop: 

 

please enjoy and visit often x

Mrs Woo's Makes

Ok. I think as this is my blog I can shamelessly plug my own Etsy shop right?

Won't you give my treasures a home?

x