Wednesday What-Nots…Feature Focus: The Home Office

2010
03.11

Since I stopped “working” (at an office job, that is!), I’ve become very keenly aware of how important it is to have a well thought-out home office/studio space if:   1) you’re going to spend your weekday, workday ( and then some…)  hours in it, and, 2) you want your work to be productive and efficient at the same time.  If the space is attractive and comfortable as well, your work is so much more pleasant.  I feel lucky to have such a space. 

While my space is small, and, to some observers, cluttered, it works for me, and has been highly personalized to suit the way I like to work.  I’ve got my music, great sunlight and a view of the Long Island Sound – what’s not to like???

craftsitemusic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

desk

Thinking home office, I happened upon several products while cruising through some Etsy shops the other night.  They command a capital “P” for pizazz and a huge “E” for adding efficiency!  Here are my picks of the week:

Karen from BaffinBags designs and sews reversible organizers in a variety of great fabrics to organize a desktop or workspace, or any room in the home, for that matter.  I could see one of these organizers holding bills and correspondence, receipts, or craft items ready for quick use.  With a fine assortment of fabrics to choose from, there is a bin organizer basket to suit everyone’s taste or color scheme.  When you need a change, simply reverse the basket for a fresh look.  The fabric for the bin basket organizer shown below is called “Starling“. (naturally, for me, a bird motif!)

basket (2)

Dubbed a modern design solution from a shop called SimpleShapes is an innovative approach to a wall calendar, creatively constructed in vinyl.  This calendar wall design incorporates a white dry erase vinyl that you can write on,  and  is applied directly to the wall.  Use any dry erase marker to mark appointments, deadlines, etc.  You can even customize the color of the calendar to match your office color scheme.  The style shown below is  22 inches wide by 15 inches high;  a vinyl dry erase memo note pad is also available.  How very clever!

board

Guaranteed to bring a smile to your workday face is the Desktop Moodometer, a fun and creative product from reuseREDESIGN.  Fifteen glossy cardstock cards are housed in a mini-display case;  each card sports a funny quip to lighten the mood – for examples, “control alt delete IF ONLY LIFE WERE THAT SIMPLE” and “i’m un-stoppable EXCEPT FOR MAYBE LUNCH”.  Megan, the creative force behind the shop, also makes luggage tags, gift tags, wedding items and more – all unique, all fun.mood

 Don’t want to create your own to-do-lists, grocery lists and the like?  There’s a shop on Etsy that has done the work for you!  Carla, from CrownBindery, has constructed several varying sets of downloadable, printable sheets to organize the minutia of everyday life and office tasks.  The set dubbed “Home Management Principles” is a series of electronic files in a pdf format that you simply download, print out, and use as needed.  It includes such titles as Task Tracker, Expense Tracker, and Project List.  So easy, so functional … take a look at the other sets available, too.   Fab idea!

sheets

 Here are some additional resources to check out, now that you’ve got efficient, fun products to help you in your home office!

For the “how do I design a home office that works for me” angle, don’t miss:

  • the Flickr “Creative Workspaces” pool for a ton of ideas from photos of real workspaces
  • the ideabooks on the website houzz.com - and create your own home office ideabook from the photo ideas (roughly 30000 of them!)  on the site

When you’re ready to furnish the space, look into:

  • IKEA – functional, affordable solutions that can be configured to virtually any space and storage need.  (I have several IKEA pieces in my home office – one of my favorites is a work table which has adjustable legs – mine is set at counter height to make it comfortable to work at while crafting, packing items, etc.)
  • not quite as affordable, but fabulous to look at is Design Within Reach - great office solutions and more.

Definitely more utilitarian, but necessary, an article from Real Simple about record keeping.  And some interesting and fun stats about “The Office World” from Entrepreneur magazine.

I mean, work can’t be all fun and pretty stuff – I think that’s oxymoron-ish, but we might as well strive to make it as pleasant as we can – right?

As always, I hope you’ll take a minute to comment on my writing and let me know what YOU think, or offer suggestions, input, and other ideas to add to the conversation.  It helps the flow!            With wishes for a great Wednesday and weekend ahead!

 

 

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Wednesday What-Nots…Feature Focus: Fine Art Photos, Cool Photography Links

2010
03.03

I was hanging some artwork this past weekend, in dire need of finding creative ways to ignore the dismal days of weather that have been lurking around.  In doing so,  I came across some photos I had framed a few years back that had been in an “as soon as I can get to it” pile.  It reminded me that changing around home decor accessories can really jazz up a space and give it some new life.  It worked!   A few nicely framed and matted photos brightened my walls and my spirits…

If you’re looking for some new sources of artwork to spruce up your “nest”, consider photos, hung alone or in groupings.  I did some “window shopping” on Etsy over the weekend and found some really wonderful fine art photo shops that I would love to share.  Might just be the lift you’re looking for.   Check out the amazing talent here.

Lena of LenaBrownDesigns is a self-taught photographer as well as a passionate knitter, spinner, and fiber artist from Grand Rapids, MI.  The photos in her shop deal mostly with nature and our surroundings, and are quite lovely.  Pictured below is a photo she took of  flowers in a Mother’s Day bouquet.  It is a stark, yet delicate floral photo that  really caught my eye, entitled “Stand Out”  … and it does!  Lena is running a 10 % special in her shop that makes a purchase even more alluring.

  stand out

Billy Currie hails from Stirlingshire, Scotland.  He has two passions – woodturning and photography, and is renowned and quite proficient in each.   What a range of expertise!  The photo I selected to high light in this post is entitled “Delicate Wings”, found in the “Artistic Photography” category of his shop, as it is available in five colors/styles.  The photo is of a butterfly, and the detail is remarkable.  Take a look, and then check his shop to see the processing styles he is offering on this image.

butterfly

It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for anything bird-related.  I’ve always enjoyed the capers of the little creatures.  Tracey from Raceytay  has captured a sweet little goldfinch in a setting of red buds from maple trees that is a delightful  burst of color.    Graphic design is Tracey’s background, but her passion for photography is quite evident in her work.  She is having a “March Madness” sale in her Etsy shop … not to be missed.

goldfinch

Another photo that wows! in the color department is in a shop called davita.  Jamie Mc Coy is a self-taught photographer and environmental artist from Erie, PA – she has a fine selection of photos in her shop and graciously offered a special promo to readers when I asked if I might highlight her shop in my blog this week.  (more on that in a sec…)  The photo that I chose to include here was one of many I loved – the “play” of the red and electric blue is amazing.  She has titled the image “Heaven is Decorated in Polka Dots”.

blue

Jamie’s offer, available through next Wednesday, March 10, is a “buy one print, get one half off” sale.  When you’ve made your selections  from her Etsy shop, simply put the word “nest” in the “Message To Sellers” at checkout and Jamie will take care of the rest!

As I’ve been doing since I started this Wednesday feature a few weeks ago ( and with thanks for your encouragement and kind words regarding it! ) I will give you the benefit of some research and/or personal experience about the week’s topic.  I am not a photographer in, really, any sense of the word, but thanks to my trusty digital camera I can at least come up with photos that do some justice to the items in my Etsy shop and on my website.  And I have found a few tools to help in the process, and some fun sites as well…

To adjust my photos (crop, enhance, size, etc.) I mostly use Paint Shop Photo Album 5 from Corel which I’ve had for some time.  (the newer version is out, natch, but I’m still happy with the one I have)  I do have Photoshop Elements 5 installed on my computer, but haven’t had sufficient time to play with it to feel confident.  I’m anxious to do so, and will!

I came across a Gorillapod (a flexible, easy to use tripod) a while back on Photojojo, a website devoted to the very best photo tips, DIY projects, and gear.  It’s a fun site, loaded with tons of  ideas.  (The Gorillapod is great!)

Two sites that are cool for creating official postage stamps utilizing your own photos are zazzle and photo.stamps.com.  What a great way to advertise your work  (promotion, promotion!) or celebrate a special occasion or person in your life such as a new baby or an upcoming wedding, perhaps.

One last site to share before I close, and I use this one a lot, is picfont, a site where you can add text or comments to a picture in about ten seconds – it’s just FUN!

thanksnest

I look forward to your comments and hope you’ll subscribe to my blog by either adding your email address to the left sidebar or by clicking on your favorite reader, also to the left.                               Have a great Wednesday!

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Signs of Spring!

2010
02.26

geranium

Yes, the snow is coming down and the winds are howling, but I am undaunted.  There ARE signs of spring!

  • There were new birds at the feeder off the deck this morning – a pair of carolina wrens.
  • Earlier this week, a nuthatch made a visit to the suet feeder.
  • Three robins were sighted on a nearby lawn.  (wondering if they are regretting that journey to the East at this very moment???)
  •  The bay leaf plant, at home in the master bedroom for the winter, has sprouted some new growth and buds.

baybud

  • The Meyer Lemon, in like manner, delights with new buds and an alluring fragrance from its pretty blossoms.  Two baby lemons have begun to emerge.  Great plant!

 

lemonbudslemonbabylemonflowers

I do have to admit to a bit of jealousy, however, when I was looking at some blogs earlier today, and came across thepaperseed, which had also written about signs of spring – see what the emerging spring looks like in Portland, OR.  Hopefully, we’re not too far behind!

Enjoy your weekend, thinking Spring….

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Wednesday What-Nots…Feature Focus: Cupcakes, Baking Websites

2010
02.24

It’s been, and supposedly will continue to be, a dreary week weatherwise here on the shoreline of CT.  Gray/ rainy/sleety/snowy … yucky.   A good week, though, to do some baking.  Warms the house and makes it smell yummy.  Takes me back to the days when both my great-grandmother and Nana baked – made it feel like “home”.  Grandma Laux (my maternal great-grandmother)  made donuts (actually not baked, but deep-fried) …  great, great donuts with powdered sugar on them.  Light as air and simply irresistible.  Sadly, these donuts are the only thing I remember about her…ah, but what a sweet memory!

I remember a lot about Nana, my maternal grandmother.  She was a real “lady” and we were all very close to her.  She made tapioca and rice puddings that could win contests, and she also made a mean NY cheesecake.  However, terrific cupcakes are what I remember best.  They didn’t always look as pretty as the ones we see today, but they were tasty morsels .  Such a treat to come home to from grammar school in Riverdale, NY.  I was reminiscing about them the other day with a friend, and hence, the “theme” for this week’s Wednesday What-Nots.  Cupcakes, whether plain and simple or ornate, but always tempting, single-serving delights…this one’s for Nana!

I was amazed to find a wealth of great products when I researched “cupcakes” on Etsy this week.  In their truest form, you can actually purchase delicious home-baked cupcakes from various sellers on the site, but I’m going to focus on cupcake-related products that I found.  And, if you are inclined to bake your own, there’s a great little book on my website that has sold very well and is also a  personal favorite of mine,  “Cupcakes Year-Round” by Sara Neumeier.  (The Black Forest Cherry Cupcakes are positively addictive!)

When you bake your own, you’ll want to check out Cupcake Social, a shop devoted to “making cupcakes too cute to eat”.    There is an amazing array of all things related to making cupcakes look as good as they taste.  From toppers to sprinkles to cupcake liners, this shop has it covered!  The assortment of green liners, shown below,  is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or, perhaps, a Springtime garden tea party. cupcakeliners

 

How cute are these!

 

 

 

 

 

Another great source of cupcake and cookie toppers for all occasions is TwoSugarBabies, made from fondant (edible!) and available in a variety of themes and for all the seasons and holidays.  Charynn specializes in custom work, creating handcrafted toppers to fit any occasion you may have.  With Easter not too far off, these little baby chicks caught my eye!chicktopper

In the non-edible category, there were two shops that put a clever spin on the “cupcake” theme.

Priscila’s ModDiaperCakes are elegant, artistic creations that are as affordable as they are stylish.  Diaper Cakes (in this case, cupcakes!) are hot commodities in the baby gift world, and these are a great find!   Priscila crafts baby diapers and washcloths into these sweet concoctions and packages a set of four ”cupcakes”  in a gift box that is almost as cute as the product.  Check out her full-sized cakes, bouquets, and lollipops, too.  You’ll want to keep this shop in mind when you need a special baby shower gift!

moddiaper

 

 

Introducing:  Pretty in Pink Cupcakes!

 

 

 

 

Totally different from the above, but certainly worthy of mention as well, from TheBumblingBird - a baker’s necklace.  This one has a tiny antique silver pewter KitchenAid mixer and cupcake/muffin pan that dangle from an 18 inch sterling silver chain.  For the chef/baker in your life, or a great gift for Mom or yourself (the cupcake baker!), this is a gift that’s sure to please…  kitchenaid

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Kitchen Tools – great little replicas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought I’d share a two favorite baking sites to coordinate with all this.  Without a doubt, entire days could be consumed – easily – looking at various food-related websites.  Unfortunately, I’d never get any work done, as these sites draw me right into the kitchen.  Not a bad place to be, but, as I said, I’ve got work to do!

Devoted solely to cupcakes is a blog called “cupcakestakethecake“, with recipes, links, resources and more.  The site has more than 3400 followers, so you know it has to be good!  Naturally, I can’t resist the urge to spotlight a specific page on the blog which has the cutest little bird cupcakes created by a San Diego baker! 

The browneyedbaker, self-dubbed a “virtual kitchen”, is  a food and cooking blog loaded with drool-producing photos that is really well-organized and easy to navigate.  While the list of ingredients might make you think twice, don’t! … the lemon-limoncello cupcakes are truly citrus delights!  A real recipe keeper….

 

I love getting feedback from my readers, so I look forward to your comments. In addition, please feel free to email me with any questions or suggestions you may have. karen@thewellseasonednest.com

 

 

 

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Wednesday What-Nots…Feature Focus: Pottery, Design/Decor Websites

2010
02.18

Some time ago, I put together a post based on a customer question.  She was looking at a display I had done in my shop that featured a new line of dinnerware that was interspersed with some linens and gourmet foods, and asked me where I got my inspiration.  I remember giving the question some thought and writing about it the next day. 

Today’s inspiration was not quite as difficult to define or insightful;  it came from dusting ….. yep! dusting.  This past Sunday, I was removing a week’s layer of dust off a cabinet in the living room, as the sun was hitting it just right, so as not to be ignored.  Aside from the dust, I was noticing, as I glanced around the room, what a nice collection of pottery I have accumulated, some of it just pretty and other pieces, functional as well as attractive.

There is no shortage of great pottery in the Etsy marketplace so I thought I would I would highlight a few shops today that I think to be exceptional.

Bill Norton of Alethia Pottery is a functional potter by trade, and a self-proclaimed perfectionist.   His pottery is hand-thrown, lead free, and non-toxic.  Like myself, Bill is a retired educator who has found life after retirement!   His pieces range from traditional to modern, and his self-formulated glazes are quite unique.  I think his line is lovely –  and well-priced.  Definitely worth a look.pottery1  His wife and daughter have Etsy shops as well.

 

The line includes some “sets”  such as this great individual chip and dip! 

 

 

 

 

Naturally, I am unable to resist an adorable set of  ”nested bowls”, especially when they are polka dot!  Julie Knowles Pottery has just such a set, and a number of other unusual pieces, too.  I thought her yarn bowl to be unique;  if you knit, or know someone who does, you’ll want to take a look at her line.

bowls

 

 

Pretty Spring-like colors!

 

 

 

I don’t know which attracted me first about this little pitcher – the earthy coloring in the glaze or the sweet little shape.  Whichever, the piece is from Meadowpoint, the Etsy shop of a couple from northeast CT.  Richard fashions unique decorative tiles and Holly creates a varied line of  pottery pieces, all dishwasher and microwave safe.  Their shop is a lovely assemblage of handmade goodness. pitcher

 

                                                     I even love the name of their shop!

 

The simple, clean lines of this stoneware mug  by Heath Reed Pottery appealed to me, as does the “treasury jars” that are in his Etsy line of wares.  The bulbous shape of the mug, narrowing at the top, seems like it would serve to keep the contents warm longer.  As with the other potters,  Heath’s glazes are lead-free and food safe.

 

mug

Thouhgt I’d also pass along a few websites this week that are dedicated to design and/or decorating ….. where I often get good ideas for do-it-yourself projects,  read about trends in the home and garden, drool over makeovers, take a break from the keyboard, and so on.

One of my favorites is Design*Sponge, a daily website dedicated to home and product design.  The site is updated constantly throughout the day (with an average of 6-10 posts a day), and attracts a core group of devoted readers.  One of the categories I enjoy most on the site is titled Made With Love - down to earth projects that are creative and interesting.  There’s a great recipe section, too.

 Apartment Therapy is another site I visit often  – their byline is “saving the world one room at a time”.  Great ideas for organizing and making good use of small spaces, great sourcing for unique products, too. Highlights a “daily find” that I love checking out.  You’ll want to take a gander at this one, for sure.

Last for today, GetDecorating.com, a site with a wealth of photos for inpiration in any part of the home.  If you’re redecorating, or thinking about redecorating (aren’t we always???) you’ll find ideas here, lots of them.

Enjoying this new feature??     ….. feel free to comment, join, or pass along to a friend.

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Wednesday What-Nots…Feature Focus: Gifts for the Little Ones, Recommended Resources

2010
02.10

Welcome to “Wednesday What-Nots” !

I have just dubbed Wednesday a compilation day – a listing, per se, of what nots, thingamajigs, snippets, dribs and drabs - gathered from here, there, and everywhere I’ve “visited” over the past week, virtually and in actuality, to be shared!  I hope you’ll like it, and that you will share some of the same, via comment or through email for me to pass along….           here goes!

Because my grandkids are on my mind today (okay, always!!), I thought I’d feature a couple of Etsy kids shops I think are worth a visit:

John Golden is a digital artist who has a  line of  “By Order of Mangement” signs that would be great in a kid’s room.  Check them out at his Etsy shop, johnwgolden.  Here’s a sampling …pop it into an 11 x 14 inch frame and it would be wonderful in a kid’s bathroom.  So cute!

kidart

Another favorite of mine is a gal from North Georgia that specializes in personalized baby gifts, with a nice range of monogram options.  She has cuddly terry robes, for example, that would make a great baby shower / new baby gift.

robes

I’ll be featuring more shops in subsequent weeks – there’s so much amazing talent there.

Thought I’d also share a few resources that I’ve had first-hand experience with so I can recommend them personally. 

For postcards and business cards on the web, I’ve had good luck with GotPrint.  I like that I can use my logo and / or photo and do some customization of the cards.  I’ve heard good things about Moo cards, too, but haven’t checked them out, yet.  (on the TTCO list – things to check out, that is!)

If you’re looking to play with some fonts, check out dafont.com.  They are primarily free downloads and were recommended to me.  I just picked one out to use on a newsletter tomorrow.   Nice font  selection!  Check out the Dingbat section – you’ll lose an hour of your day but find many cool things to play with.

A family-run business called crstamp created a rubber stamp of the hand-scrawled nest I drew for my website logo a few years ago.  I remember the service to be good and the product has held up well.  If you need a custom stamp, I would check them out.

Always looking for storage ideas, as I am?  I mentioned in a previous post that I was working on getting the studio ready for production-each day a little closer!  I needed a handy place to store gizmos for use on papercraft projects.  I went to Home Depot and checked out some options and came up with what is below.  I’ve been saving cans for a while – actually use them a lot around the house.  Now I just need to get out the old labelmaker and get the contents of each can labelled.  (that one is on the TTD list!)

I used over-the-door supports to hold it in place.

shelf1shelfcloseup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to make some turkey orzo soup….more of the same next week, same time, same place.  Join me!

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A Blessing in Disguise?

2010
02.08

It has been a little over a week my position was terminated.  It’s been a busy one, and I daresay, other than the financial insecurity, I seem to be finding my way a little more with each passing day.

Ethel Merman said, “I work as often as I want and yet I’m as free as a bird.”  How true for me as well!   I have been working hard, but enjoying it so much more than the office routine I had been in at my “day job”. 

The book ” Crush It! “ by Gary Vaynerchuk was recommended to me a couple of months ago by Michael Stearns, co-owner and CEO of  Mighty Merchant, the company who did such a great job of designing and implementing my website. The book shows how anyone can build a career around what they’re passionate about. It is based on the premise that making a living by building content around your passion isn’t simple and it doesn’t happen overnight. What it is, however, is fulfilling and in most cases just as profitable, if not more so, than your previous job.  At the time I purchased the book, my “day job” was secure, and I used the book as a means and motivation to achieve a future goal.  Funny the way life is some times!  I now have the time to take my passion and run with it – how divine!

What I have observed/learned in the past week has been somewhat of an eye opener for me.   I’ve enjoyed the silence of the morning after the rush hour traffic has passed.  I’ve had time to think, rather than to act/react because I didn’t have time to think!   I can take time with some of the ” little things”, unlike before – like tightening cabinet knobs, reorganizing a pantry shelf, putting a few plants under the shower to rinse off winter’s dust. 

I continue to be amazed at how quickly the day goes.  Several times this past week I have glanced over at the clock and noticed it’s one or two o’clock and I haven’t had lunch nor yet showered!  Marcia Petrie Sue wrote an article about time management that  is a good read, and will be helpful to me as I begin to better PLAN the days ahead.  It is still an odd feeling for me that I actually have a block of time in which to do what I need and want to do – so refreshing!  I need now to better define my goals and work toward them in some organized fashion. 

I’ve always been intriqued with people’s work spaces.  As for my work space – well, in itself, a work in progress …  but becoming more workable each day.  It is a glorious space, full of sunlight, cozy, with great views of the Long Island Sound.  I’ve been spending much time organizing and sorting to store like things together and near where I will use them. (remnants of past learnings from my Home Economics Ed undergrad courses!)  Here’s a few  shots of where it’s at …

ideas

 

 

  Ideas ready for creation!  Clipped from magazines, sketched on slips of paper, from here, there, anywhere……………..

 

  

cardstock

 

       Various papers, pieces of cardstock….

 

 

 

shipping

 

Labels, shipping and packaging – ready to utilize.

 

 

 

 

papers

 

Did I mention there’s still much left to do?

 

But soon!  and I  look forward to the day.  So very much I want to do.  Yes, indeed, I do believe losing my job could actually have been a blessing in disguise…time will tell.  The onus is on me…and I’m up to the task. 

Now, I must get working on those piles…

If you have an interesting work space you’d like to share, please send it along for a future post…love to see it!

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