Cart-Worthy + Heart-Worthy: Arrows!

I don't know if it was The Hunger Games craze or just that arrows are an iconic, classic symbol of bravery and justice, but I am loving them lately. In jewelry, art, even fabric - they've captured my imagination. Here are a few of my latest Etsy favorites.

{1. arrow sketch painting - original acrylic on wood - $15 2. arrow ring - copper and dipped enamel - $24 3. arrows letterpress print - $35 4. braided arrow bracelet - $8.99 5. arrows 5x7 print - $9 6. bows and arrows fabric - fat quarter - $9 7. arrow iphone case - $37.50 8. midcentury arrow brooch - $18 9. arrow tablet cover - $32}

*May the odds be ever in your favor*

Focus On... Lila Ruby King!

Lila Ruby King

I am totally digging this shop specializing in beautiful contemporary jewelry made of natural materials like porcelain, wood, stone, glass and silver. Not only is her work stunning, but so is her ecological conscious - every month she offsets one ton of greenhouse gas in her effort to run a carbon neutral business. Take a look at some of my favorite pieces from her shop, then head over to check it out for yourself. 

{touch porcelain, silk and sterling necklace}

{simple branch sterling studs}

{loop porcelain necklace}

{sterling and wood segment earrings}

{tiny petals sterling earrings}

You can find Lila Ruby King

on twitter, 

on her blog, 

on her website, 

on her paper goods and small art shop on etsy and

on her jewelery shop on etsy.

Focus On... Soleil Girl! {And A Giveaway!}

Soleil Girl is a sweet shop perfect for kids and grownups. I love that Amy has created such wonders out of felt. FELT! I have worked with felt and it always ends up looking like I'm in a third grade arts and crafts class.  But Amy has figured out a way to tame the felt and she's turned it into brooches, hair clips, small pockets and pouches, even bookmarks! Read on for Amy's interview and a chance to win a Valentine's brooch!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

My name is Amy Busch. I come from an artistic family, but only recently realized my own enjoyment of making things with my hands. I am the mother of 3 children, Caitlin: 5 years, Gavin 3 years, and Emma, 6 months. My family and I live in a 100 year old Arts and Crafts house in small city outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

{ivory elegance rosette felt brooch}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

I kind of fell into felt. I don't have or know how to use a sewing machine, and I liked that I could hand sew felt without having to worry about fraying fabric or hemming the edges.

{leaf peace symbol felt card holder}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

- When Gavin was just a little baby, my sister, Autumn (mamazakka.etsy.com) told me about Etsy and I fell in love with the site and all the very cool and unique things I could find and purchase. It became kind of my hobby to buy things on Etsy, and I soon realized that I needed to support my spending habit. So, while my son napped and Caitlin played, I began the discovery process of what I could make to sell on Etsy.

{circles and polka dots felt bookmark}

Where do you get your inspiration?

From nature, from my love of the Arts and Crafts period, from my love of color.

{trio of Mod Little Posies felt ornaments}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

I like listening to podcasts of This American Life and The Moth.

{woodland rainbow felt and fabric brooch}

When it's cold outside...

you can find me inside making flowers.

{meadow flower in bright red and polka dots brooch}

When I'm hungry...

you need to feed me fast, or else I get cranky.

{warmly festive felt bookmark - my fave!}

When I need a boost...

I like to go running or practice yoga.

{set of two peppermint candy star ornaments}

I wish I was/were...

in France.

{trio of woodland sprays felt ornaments}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...

a gift of tolerance and acceptance of different ideas and people.

{golden dijon felt brooch}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...

Shiva Rea.

{plum and charcoal blossom felt pin}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

A lion.

{flowering hearts in red and turquoise felt brooch - love this colorway!}

What's your favorite piece of your own? 

Mother and Baby Nesting Playset. I love the tiny details, and it really speaks to me as a mother.

{in a pocket of love - mama and baby nesting playset}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now? 

When I'm on the computer, I'm usually checking my e-mail or at Etsy.com! :)

You can find Soleil Girl 

on facebook and

on etsy.

One lucky winner will receive this beautiful heart-shaped brooch just in time for Valentine's Day!

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. - 

First entry (mandatory):

- Visit Soleil Girl, select your favorite item and tell me about it.

Extra entries (optional):

- Like Soleil Girl on Facebook.

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link. 

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time January 28, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on January 29, 2010 and will be emailed promptly.

Focus On... Mrs. Dazo! {And A Giveaway!}

Mrs. Dazo is backed by Itsy, a super talented artist in Singapore. I've always wanted an abacus of my own and when I saw her necklaces, it was love at first sight! Luckily, the generous Itsy has offered one of her abacus necklaces to one of you! Read on to learn more about Itsy and to see how to enter the giveaway. :)

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

my name is itsy and i've freed myself from the rat race to do arts and crafts and to sell my products online. i also love vintage stuff and i can stare at things i like for hours.

{light blue heart locket}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

i like using vintage items and combining it something new. in this store, i have this abacus on a brand new chain. it's something that extends even to the way i fix my home. i have vintage and antique cabinets with a really modern couch in my living room. i have vintage bowls in my modern kitchen. perhaps it's the contrast of something old and something new that makes it interesting for me.

{vintage miniature ship}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

at first, i decided to sell on etsy just to support my hobby of making little things. i didn't realise that i could actually make some extra money too!

{the three worms, the butterfly and the mushroom ring}

Where do you get your inspiration?

i get my inspiration from everywhere. people i talk to, going to the market, fashion, nature. i am most inspired though when it rains. rain makes me happy. a lot of my inspiration i get, too, from something my husband always tell me - "do things only if it makes you happy".

{yellow abacus necklace}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

funny, i need silence when i work. so no music when i work.

{vintage russian watch - free shipping!}

When it's cold outside...

...it only means i must be in another country.

{floral tote bag}

When I'm hungry...

...i know what time it is. and i eat.

{gold nest ring}

When I need a boost...

...i work out.

{the kitty necklace}

I wish I was/were...

taller. and thinner.

{fish out of water necklace}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...

...peace of mind. if they want a wrapped present, i would give chocolate. it will alter their mood in a most wonderful way :)

{margarita chinoiserie clutch}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...

...coffee farmers. i may get some insight on why coffee is so ridiculously priced sometimes.

{vintage kangaroo pouch}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

sloth :) 

{bilingual roses}

What's your favorite piece of your own?

my bags. every single one of them :)

{pink tote}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?

i love visiting fashion websites for inspiration, too! mostly the french designers. one of the blogs i really love is paulo coehlo's blog.

{the queen necklace}

You can find Itsy at
her handmade shop,
and her vintage shop.

Itsy has awesomely offered to give away an abacus necklace (winner chooses color) to a lucky reader!

{red abacus necklace}

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. - 

First entry (mandatory):

Head over to Mrs. Dazo and tell me your favorite item!

Extra entries (optional):

- Heart Mrs. Dazo on Etsy.

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link. 

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time November 16, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on November 17, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Itsy will ship anywhere in the world!

Focus On... Kris Nations! {And A Discount!}

A few weeks ago, I shared my excitement when Kris Nations was featured on Ideeli and teased you with her upcoming feature. Well, here it is! Kris Nations is run by two sisters, Kim and Kris, and Kim graciously answered my questions and offered a discount code just for Kate and Oli readers. Read on!

Tell me about your company. 

My sister Kris and I started this company in 2005 when we were unable to find unique jewelry items, within our budget.

{peacock pendant necklace}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

Most of our collection is made from original artwork cut from recycled metals. Using our own artwork allows us to be more creative and unique.

{friendship cuff bracelet}

Where do you get your inspiration? 

It sounds cliche but we find inspiration everywhere. we live in the san francisco bay area and inspiration is truly everywhere - people, nature, architecture.

{fool's gold ring}

What is your favorite music to craft by? 

Bjork, the pixies, npr (not music but i do listen daily).

{geo leaf cuff}

When it's cold outside...
I hope it's snowing in tahoe so I can go snowboarding!

{wildflower moon necklace}

When I'm hungry...
I join my son for snack time.

{bird in flight pendant}

When I need a boost...
coffee for sure and probably a cookie :)

{champagne necklace}

I wish I was/were...
in Hawaii or Mexico swimming in the ocean

{pebble earrings}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...
a green thumb

{rough cut quartz ring}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...
my maternal grandmother, she passed away when I was 11. She is a huge inspiration for our collection.

{owl earrings in turquoise}

If you were an animal, what would you be? 
a Pterodactyl.

{large dahlia earrings}

What's your favorite piece of your own?
I really love these Peacock Feather Hoops, they are versatile and dress up any ensemble.

{peacock feather hoops}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now? 
We recently bought a house so I'm spending time reading up on home decor. My favorite, and more recent discovery is The Brick House.

You can find Kris Nations

on facebook

and on their site.

Kris Nations has offered a discount code for Kate and Oli readers! Simply enter code "KO25" for a 25% discount on any order over $40!

Kris Nations Jewelry at Ideeli!

I've been planning to do a post on Kris Nations {a fabulous jewelry company run by two sisters, Kris and Kim} for a few weeks now. Imagine my surprise when I got my Ideeli email this morning and there was her jewelry! At insane discounts! I love her cute owls and peace signs. :)

Check it out for yourself and check back in October for her feature!

{silver small owl earrings - $22}

{gold mini peace cuff - $24}

{silver deco egg earrings - $25}

{silver wildflower necklace - $32}

{gold bold peace cuff - $34}

{gold large owl necklace - $34}

Ideeli is an invite-only site and if you're not already a member, be sure to sign up here!

Happy shopping!