Province

If you're in Chicago and looking for a good "green" restaurant, head over to Province. It's a lovely combination of American food with Spanish, Central and South American influences. It's located in a green building in the West Loop. Their floors and table tops are made from regenerated woods, mostly cork, and the chairs were made with reupholstered leather. Energy efficient appliances were used in the kitchen, among many other green elements. Oh, and the food is yummy. We went last night and had a lovely time. The blue cheese fondue is delicious.

Etsy Favorites

Here are a few of my current Etsy favorites.

by sraige


by Jennifer Orme



by the English Department

Bud Vase

These bud vases by Handmade Housewares are incredible!

Great Lake Swimmers

I saw the Great Lake Swimmers last night at Schubas and they were so amazing. I've been to see them a couple times before, but each time my husband couldn't make it. Tonight was a treat because I got to have him by my side the whole time. Schubas is such a great venue because the sound is great and it's super small and intimate.

PS To Seeley: NO I did not make them anything and act like a shy fool this time.

Mad Face

So I have been a bit annoyed because I have had too many sales on Etsy in one week where the customer didn't pay. I really hate that. The worst was that the first person bought a headband, didn't pay, and then opened a different account (and used the same false US address, which shows she's just messing with Etsians) and ordered from me again, and from a bunch of other sellers. She paid no one.

Ironically, I am giving a lecture on Friday about the thesis I wrote for grad school. I've been working on my presentation this week, and it's about art, psychology, and commercial enterprise. I surveyed 148 Etsians and gathered data about how it felt when items sold, and how it felt when they didn't. My conclusion was that happiness and self-esteem climbed as sales climbed, and plummeted as sales decreased. It fits into exactly what I have been feeling this week!

I also found a lot of other interesting things. It turned out a vast majority of participants had suffered or were suffering from mental illness, which was quite surprising. Well if you want to hear more, come on up to Mt Mary College in Wisconsin tomorrow and you can hear my rather boring lecture. Kidding-it costs money to get into and will be full of art therapists, which could be weird. woooo woooo WOOOOOO.

Brooklyn Renegade

I found out on Monday that I got into Brooklyn Renegade, so I'll be heading east the weekend of June 6&7th toting all my handmade goodies. I haven't been to New York in several years so I'm so excited to get back. I heart NYC.

Re-shoot

I am re-shooting all the items in my etsy shop now that it's spring and there is LIGHT and I need to try to boost sales. (I have had NO sales! It makes me want to cry)
So here are a few of the necklaces I just photographed yesterday. If you want to buy one, and put a smile on my face, check them out here. They are only $18!!

Pretty Dresses

This is the treasury I curated on etsy. It's so rare that I'm actually in front of the computer in time to get a spot. I listed my favorite dresses for sale on etsy. It turns out several of them are from Portland. That city is full of talented designers!

Schwinn it.

I have been wanting to get a new bike for a while, and tonight my husband came home with this beauty!!! He even got a big basket and light for the front! I can't wait to ride it!!!

New Fascinators

Here are a few of my new fascinators. I will be posting tons more throughout the week!

Where the Wild Things Are

Ok, I don't know where to start.

1. Where the Wild Things Are, one of my favorite books as a kid (and probably every kid in America), has been made into a movie, with the blessings of the author Maurice Sendak.
2. Spike Jonze (director of Being John Malkovich)and Dave Eggers wrote the screenplay.
3. Spike Jonze directed it.
4.Catherine Keener, Lauren Ambrose (from Six Feet Under) AND TONY SOPRANO!!!! (James Gandolfini)
5. The trailer features my favorite Arcade Fire song.
The lyrics are beautiful. Here's part of the song:
Somethin' filled up
my heart with nothin',
someone told me not to cry.

But now that I'm older,
my heart's colder,
and I can see that it's a lie.

Children wake up,
hold your mistake up,
before they turn the summer into dust.

If the children don't grow up,
our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms turnin' every good thing to
rust.
According to the Telegraph, the movie almost never made it to theaters because, "Warner delayed the release and was rumored to be considering a new director amid fears it was too dark and many children would be frightened by it." Classic.
I'm not a fan of kids movies at all, they sort of bore me. This one I want to see.
YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS TRAILER!!!!!!(James Gandolfini is the monster in that first segment!)

Sasikaan Sriprateepbandit

Here are a few interesting prints created by a fellow etsian from Bangkok named Sasikaan Sriprateepbandit. She went to art school to study fashion design, and currently works as a costume stylist. Saskikaan says she makes her pencil, ink, and colored pencil creations to keep her happy and fulfilled. Aren't they wonderful?

Red Balloons

I know I've posted this Ellen Kooi photo before, and yes, I am a bit obsessed with her photographs, but when I saw this wonderful mixed media piece by gretchenmist, I had to see them together.