sirena con jersey accessories

cuter than cute totes and necklaces from ali and eli, the creative minds that make up the barcelona-based team sirena con jersey, which translates to mermaid with sweater in spanish.

purchase these goods at the supermarket and see more from the dynamic duo on their website.

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fauna chico keychains

i never wanted to carry a stuffed animal around with my keys until i saw these humorous handprinted keychains from new york’s salvor fauna. they’re pretty big — about 3″ x 8″ — so now i just need a purse big enough to keep it in.

find these pieces and see their other supercute animal accessories at design public.

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morsels paintings by megan foldenauer

if you have a little sweet tooth but are watching your calories, this morsels series of wee 3″ x 3″ watercolor paintings by michigan artist (and medical illustrator) megan foldenauer might satisfy you. they’re awfully cute, aren’t they?

they’re affordable too — the bidding starts at $5!

purchase them at megan’s ebay store and say hi to her on her blog.

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sara kirkpatrick softies & prints: miniview

i think serious looking animals are whimsical, and since i like to laugh, there is something about lighthearted anthropomorphic imagery that i highly enjoy. it’s probably because i am convinced that my beloved pets are talking, reading the paper and doing card and circus tricks to pass the time when i am not around. when i look at the plush and paint work of sara kirkpatrick i know i’m not alone in my ways of thinking. sara creates imaginative felt animals and very funny and expressive portraits of bunnies, bears and other animals. there is a pleasing story behind each worried, innocent or gruff-but-loveable character and it makes me want to know more! so i asked…

q: where do you live and where do you make your art?
a: i live in a little house in athens, ga with my husband and our very sneaky cat. i share a tiny studio room with my hubby’s guitars and keyboards, but i usually end up working on projects in my living room (often listening to this american life archives or an old friend of a movie that i’ve seen dozens of times.) my couch is perpetually covered in glitter and felt scraps and lost sewing needles! (be careful where you sit if you ever come over…)

q: what inspires you to create?
a: i am inspired by dreams, music, stories, film, dogs with beards, cats with one eye, the sound of the wind through the trees, other people’s amazing creations… inspiration is a bit tricky and usually visits me in random spurts. sometimes i feel very uninspired for weeks at a time, and then i’m flooded with ideas. i keep a sketchbook on my bedside table and usually reach for it when i’m very sleepy. when i look back, i find i’m most attached to the little doodles that i barely even remember drawing.

q: who is your favorite in your shop right now (we won’t tell the others)?
a: hmmm… i think my favorite in my shop right now would have to be sunny (below). i love the way the colors came together, though i am thinking of making a little birdie friend to sit on sunny’s head. i get very attached to every creature (or painting) that i make. sending them off to their new homes can be difficult. i actually cried when i sold olive (below, second photo)… i was thiiis close to keeping her for myself!

q: who exactly is the blueberry bandit?
a: i guess you could say the blueberry bandit is me, or maybe my alter-ego. i once made a little softie (it’s my etsy and blog avatar), he was very simple and kind of sad, and i instantly felt like i had made a self-portrait in the form of a softie. the blueberry bandit is shy and timid on the outside, but secretly a bit mischievous and fierce, a quiet little creature that steals blueberries when no one is looking! (i’m not sure i’ve ever actually stolen a blueberry, but you know what i mean…)

purchase these pieces at sara’s etsy shop (and make sure you take advantage of her two year etsy-versary (now through june 28th!) and be sure to cruise over to her blog to say hello too.

thank you sara!

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organic cotton veggie toys (cute)

it’s farmer’s market season and what better way to teach your child about the benefits of organic farming than with this adorable set of 100% organic cotton vegetable toys, from janice masoud and the folks at the sekem farm in egypt. little ones can use them as teethers and bigger kids can engage them in creative play.

the set comes in a useful wooden crate and is available at janice’s online shop and also at uncommon goods.

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handmade wood beacon bookmarks

keep your place with these supercute $6 wooden bookmarks from the beacon bookmarks. jon and kristy try to use scrap wood whenever possible.

i so need that yawn one right now.

see the full collection at their etsy shop and say hi to jon and kristy on their blog too.

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fun zodiac art by the primped paperie

i like the stylings of these whimsical zodiac prints from calgary’s amanda spicer that she makes for her primped paperie. and not just because my birthday is in less than a week either. amanda has thoughtfully portrayed each of these astrological signs just perfectly.

if these aren’t a terrific gift for a girlfriend, i don’t know what is!

see more cuteness at the amanda’s etsy shop, mintd shop and blog.

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fun and clever popmat placemats

oh how i love these popmats — placemats with pop up placecards built right into the clever design! simply pop and fold the cut out up to designate where people will be seated - so easy! they’re made of heavyweight paper in a lovely cream color and are 13″ x 17″. choose from a birdcage with chair, fencepost mailbox or leafy little tree.

available in sets of ten for $25 at charles and marie, but take heed - this is the daily special and will not be on sale for too much longer. hop to it if you really want ‘em!

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