gold school

New Starts in Old Places

Moving at the beginning of the Summer is a dream! We recently moved only a few blocks away–but it feels like another world. The neighborhood is small and full of charm and history. It seems to be making me a little less mod and a little more feminine. See my latest favorites above.

P.S. Tune in next week when Gold School will have it's very first giveaway!

DIY (Design It Yourself)

The internet never ceases to amaze me. Who knew one day we'd be able to shoot a design through space and have it created to our specifications in a lab somewhere? (Yes, I do have a very Ted Stevens-like grasp on the workings of the internet, thank you.) Not only can you download free patters (see: BurdaStyle) and watch how-to's (see: Instructables) via the web, you can also design your own supplies! 

Want to custom printed fabric?  Check out Spoonflower (while you're at it, why not vote for my design in the Fabric of the Week contest!)  There is no minimum fabric order and no set-up fee. You can order a swatch for $5, a fat quarter for $11, or multiple yards at $18 each.  Here are a few samples:

"Suburbia" fabric
by j.m.aranez

branch fabric
by strawbunny

Custom pendants, purse handles, displays, furniture.. what ever you can think up! At Ponoko, you can design a product and get it made in your own personal factory.  Choose from materials like wood, acrylic and felt - and using their Photomake program, all you need is a sketch and you can create it!

Epershand necklace
by lsette



Umbrella Tree Jewelry Hanger
by KaiserRoyale

Craft Booth Display Time

Sitting in on a talk on craft show displays with Something's Hiding in Here and Rebound Designs (two craft show GENIUSES!) - I remembered how much fun it was designing and planning your booth! Christine and I had fun last spring working on our Fact & Fancy booth; and I'll be setting up next weekend at Handmade Cavalcade. So its time to start thinking about displays again! Here are some fun vintage Etsy Finds to brighten up your displays! P.S. Thank you Summit of Awesome for being... well.... awesome!

Help Tootie!

Poster $25 + $3 shipping.

Help lil' tootie get his eyes fixed up!  In return, your heart will feel good and you'll have a great big poster to hang.  Find out more here.

$12?!

Serious deals people!

Lazy Day Reads

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Interview with Anna Roberts (Miriness) by LoucheLink


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Tree Bark: 10 Free High Res Textures by LostandTaken


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Girls & Boys Photos by my favorite photographer Sharon Montrose


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More photography! Barcelona based photo studio, Las Coleccionistas by Bloesem

Possibilities

Staying positive helps keep yourself open to possibilities. Need a little more inspiration? This book, The Art of Possiblity, has really helped me gain a new perspective.

How Tuesday

My very own Glass Photo-etching Tutorial on Etsy's Blog

The cutest Toadstool Tutorial on the webz.

Moss Terrarium Tutorial (complete with rounded corners!)

More Sunday Reads

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Tricks of the Trade: Barter as Marketing during the Recession by Modish Blog's Biz Tips


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Have you heard of Feed Your Soul: The Free Art Project by IndieFixx?  Free downloadable art! Here are some artists that have donated:

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Yay! More free downloads! Danke, JuliaPott!   Julia Pott VS Supersweet

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Quince Tarte Tatin recipe by melissa bakes bread.  I never get around to trying out half of these recipes... but they are fun to drool over.

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artist house by sarahblankstudio's blog. a little insight into sarah, i think. and how her families sensibilities have shaped her artistic style.  love these types of posts from my favorite artists!

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Business Cards are So 2007 by SwissMiss.  I abhor business cards.  Sorry, but I find them so phony, a waste of paper, and old fashioned.  Last week I dreamed of an iphone app that would allow you to shoot your info over to another iphone at the touch of a flatscreen button.  CONTXTS is pretty damn close to this idea! Allowing you to send your deets through text messaging.

Sunday Reads

Every Sunday morning I make a nice cup of coffee and take some time to go through my blog reader.  Here are my top blog posts of the week.

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Etsy Love Post with cool picks like this one by Plush-a-holic

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ThePeachTree's Pitcher Picks (say that 3x fast!)

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Chocolate Chip and Sour Cherry Cookies by Coconut & Lime

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Spool Design {and 5 tips for a better shop} by Decor8

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biz ladies 2009: surviving + thriving in the recession by Design*Sponge

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British Houses by Design*Sponge