Things I've Made: Ruffle Tote Preview!

Hey y'all. Happy Friday! I wanted to share with you what I've been up to lately in my crafty corner of the world.

Ta da! Check out my ruffle tote! This is a sneak preview to the version I'll be adding to my shop very soon (the pattern is still a work-in-progress at this point, but it's very close to the way I want it!)

What do you think? This was made of a brown heather 100% linen outside with a brown/white swiss dots 100% cotton interior.

If you could have one in any color, which color would you choose?

Happy weekend ♥

Happy Valentine's Day!

 {via paper source}

Gosh, it's been ages, hasn't it? It sure feels nice to pop in to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Monday!

Though missing my blog terribly, I am happy to report that things offline for me have been amazing these last few months. My Etsy shop OhHelloMagpie, in particular, has filled my days with such tremendous success and joy, I can hardly believe it! If that weren't enough, however, I am also working part-time in a fantastic local chiropractic office, of which reflects many of my personal beliefs on whole-body wellness. All in all, 2011 is shaping up to be a peaceful, happy, healthy year -- one chock full o' love!

One thing I wanted to today, in particular, is share a fun blog, of which came to me through Amy, a work friend of my husband's who knows my love of all things handmade. Holidays by Hand is the blog of Amy's sister-in-law! It's a pretty new endeavor, but I think it's shaping up to be a great resource for all things handmade at the holidays. Be sure to pop over for a look...she has already compiled and shared lots of great Valentine's Day projects!

{via holidays by hand}

Thanks, Amy, for sharing the link with me -- can't wait to check out all the handmade awesomeness she has to share!

Wishing you all a very happy, smile-filled Valentine's Day ♥

Hello Magpie, Handmade Holidays + Scoutie Girl

{flag tags via ohhellomagpie}

If you can believe at all the windfall of blessings I've had this week, here's one more to add to the heap...Today, Hello Magpie was featured on Scoutie Girl! The absolutely AMAZING Tara and her stunning blog have been a great inspiration to me from Day 1 of this whole "Let's maybe start a business" thing of mine and, heck, even before, when I was just a humble blogger. This year, when challenging myself to get outside my comfort zone and set big goals, I approached Tara to see if she would be at all interested in featuring my little ol' shop. Not only did she say yes (!!) she allowed me to delve into what handmade holidays mean to me. What an incredible opportunity. Thank you, Tara!

Please take a moment to read the article, leave a comment, share what the handmade holidays mean to you -- and give Tara a special thank you, because she's one of the fantastic folks I'm thankful for this year!

Signing off til next week...Happy Thanksgiving to all my U.S. friends ♥

xo Evelyn

And another amazing Etsy Front Page Treasury!

This shopping season is getting crazy and I'm loving every second of it!

P.S. OhHelloMagpie Etsy is having a Black Friday Holiday Sale! Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, take an additional 10% OFF your entire purchase! Just enter code BLACKFRIDAY10 upon checkout (hurray!)

Holy Cow...

Oh yes, my friends, right there...second row far right. My Farmhouse Garland Advent Calendar kit, in all its glory, was on the FRONT PAGE OF ETSY yesterday (Saturday, 8pm). I could cry I'm so happy! This entire treasury is just so stunning...to be part of such an amazing treasury team, it's hard to find the words for how much I adore these people! One week into it and we've had 4 FP treasuries. Can you believe it?! Well...I can :)

P.S. I'm now working on getting T-Team Worldwide's own blog up :) Doesn't look like much right now, but it's getting there. Good things to come, I promise!

Holy cow. What a weekend. Thanks, teammies, for being so rocking and for everyone for being so supportive. I ♥ U!

I took the pledge, have you?

 

 {ohhellomagpie etsy}

I heart handmade everything. From soap to scarves, lip balm to paper flowers, there isn't a single thing I don't adore more than when it was made with the loving hands + upending creativity of an artisan. In celebration of American Craft Week (Oct 1-10th), I've reconfirmed my pledge with the Handmade Toy Alliance to buy handmade this holiday season. Can you imagine the positive impact buying just one handmade item would have on our economy? The thanks it would show to those folks who pour everything they are into what they create? As one of those folks myself, you can't begin to imagine the joy I have when someone buys something from the Hello Magpie Etsy shop. The least I can do is return the favor :)

So. This holiday season,  I urge you to make your own pledge to buy + support independent handicrafters by purchasing at least one handmade gift. Need ideas? Check out Etsy's endless possibilities + click here to make your pledge to support our handmade nation!

xoxo

Hello Magpie made it to Etsy's blog The Storque!

{that's my shop! on the storque! yayayay!}

Let the gush-fest begin..!

So you can imagine the happy, yet confused surprise when I checked out the Hello Magpie stats on Craftopolis today...and saw 315 visits to my Etsy page at around noon. After a little investigation I learned that, lo and behold...my Mini Clothesline Kit was selected to be showcased in Etsy's fantabulous blog The Storque's Etsy Finds Spotlight article called "A Place For Everything" -- *squee*

Now, at 10 o'clock in the evening, my Etsy store has had 1,168 visits (and counting...) and more sales in one day than I've ever had! A HUGE THANK YOU to Etsy and author Emily Bidwell for including me in such an amazing article -- seriously, this is one of the best Etsy Finds articles I've ever read (and I swear it's not because my shop is in it.) I love every, single one of the items listed and hearted many new favorite shops and items. I suggest you check it out. I know you'll discover lots of new favorites!

Best. Day. Ever.

xo, eve

list twenty-one: GreenSpot commitments

I posted on the Hello Magpie facebook page last week some exciting news... Our home (and thus, Hello Magpie) have been approved as a Columbus GreenSpot! As a local "green" initiative established by our Mayor Coleman, GreenSpot allows Columbus homes and businesses to commit to changes which will create a more ecologically responsible environment. Once approved, GreenSpot encourages each of us to share our lists -- to reconfirm our intentions and educate others on our actions to be eco-aware.

This is my GreenSpot pledge. Many of these, we already do; others will be gradually introduced.

Here's how I will conserve energy

• I will replace my regular incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescent ones.
  
• I will drive 10 fewer miles per week.
  
• I will purchase foods, goods, and services that are grown or produced close to home.
  
• I will turn my thermostat up in the summer, and down in the winter, or I will install a programmable thermostat.
  
• Other ways we will conserve energy. Please tell us what you will be doing in the space at the end of the form.
• We will line dry our laundry the majority of the time, rather than using a clothes dryer.

Here's how I will conserve & protect water

• I will water my yard only once a week, keeping in mind that 1 inch of rain/water is enough to keep most lawns healthy.
  
• I will install a rain barrel in my yard to collect rainwater, and use it to water my plants.
  
• I will install a low-flush toilet, or put a bottle of water or a displacement bag in my tank so I use less water with each flush.
  
• I will plant a tree on my property.
  
• Other ways we will conserve & protect water. Please tell us what you will be doing in the space at the end of the form.
• We no longer use our dishwasher. Instead, we use eco-friendly cleaning products and hand-wash our dishes, controlling the amount of water used.
• We no longer take excessively long showers.
• We no longer let the water run when brushing our teeth.

Here's how I will reduce, recycle and reuse

• I will carry reusable bags when I shop.
  
• I will choose products that use less packaging and less harmful material.
  
• I will request to be taken off junk mailing lists, stop catalog orders, and pay my bills online.
  
• I will avoid one-use items such as paper plates.
  
• I will buy small amounts of items that have a short shelf life and bulk amounts of items that do not go bad quickly.
  
• I will donate unused or unwanted items instead of throwing them away-and explore thrift stores instead of always buying something new.
  
• I will recycle paper, steel, glass, and plastic by using my local curbside subscription program.
  
• I will separate my yard waste (like grass clippings and leaves) from other trash, and leave it by the curb on my assigned day or I will compost it.
  
• We avoid buying petro-based plastics as often as possible.
• We are mending older clothes, making new clothes from vintage/thrift store fabrics, supporting handmade artisans, and committing to giving handmade gifts.
• My home business philosophy is that of eco-awareness and conscious consumerism, providing eco-friendly goods, functional, long-lasting products, and vintage items -- all of which support reducing waste by extending product lifecycle, reducing waste, and encouraging reusable items. All of my shipping materials are 100% recycled, repurposed, or reused.

Want to be a GreenSpot, too? If you're in Central Ohio, visit the Green Spot website to apply. If you're elsewhere, check out the application for great ideas on how to go beyond recycling!

Guest Blogger...Jen of Little Bean Embroidery!

{little bean embroidery}

Jen and I met through the wonderful world of blogging and I knew right away that she'd have great things to share with us on what it's like to be a mom, a blogger, crafter, and business owner...trust me, she's cut from the same cloth as so many of us! Without further ado, please welcome Jen of Little Bean Embroidery!

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When Evelyn asked me to be a guest blogger… my response?

Oh My Word!   How exciting ;)

It’s so nice when people are interested in you and your story.

I’m Jen.  I live in central Ohio (born & raised!)  I just turned 31. I sew. I embroider. I craft. I take pictures. I scrapbook. I cook. I bake. (I’m obsessed with decorated sugar cookies at the moment.) I jog. I blog. I listen to music. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 9 years now.  We have 2 little ones… who maybe shouldn’t be called little anymore. Lilly is newly 6, and Cohen is even newer to being 3.

When people ask me what I do, you know… as in “Do you work?”, I always struggle with my answer.  “Well… I used to teach, before Lilly (whose full name is Lillian) was born. I’ve been home since. And I have a little embroidery business.  So I don’t really work…but I do.”

So, the answer is yes.  I do work.

I’m a mom and CEO of Little Bean Embroidery.

CEO sounds so fancy doesn’t it? 

Balance is tricky.  I don’t even know if I call it balance as much as…‘this little creative outlet that keeps me somewhat sane and feeling important’. While I am a mommy first and 24/7, I use my nights and weekends to work on embroidery orders for customers. I don’t have an ‘order’ form or instant ‘add to cart’ buttons on my site. This is partially because I built LBE’s website on my own (and I don’t know how to add it) and mostly because I love having the interaction with each individual customer via email. I want the colors, fonts, designs… everything, to be just what the customer wants! Sometimes it only takes 2 emails, sometimes 10.  I’ve even been called a perfectionist by some (I’d use other words, but ‘perfectionist’ sounds so pleasant.)   

I want each order to be custom made with love. I handwrite my receipts. I tie a little business card on each order. I can wrap your gift, attach a gift card (if you’d like), and even mail it right to the recipient (if you wish). I strive to give the boutique experience, but from the comfort of your home. Each order is as if I were gifting it myself…and remember, I am picky.  I love seeing all the great names, classic and unique, come through on orders.  I’m a little infatuated with names and would have 10 kids just to name them all. Well, not really, but maybe someone will let me name some of their kids?

Speaking of kids. I’m tired. At the end of the day, sometimes I’m excited to work on some embroidery!  Some days I look forward to my ‘alone’ time with my machine, a spool (or 3) of fun colored thread, and some cute baby items (or a tote and an apron). Sometimes I’m just looking forward to sitting on the couch with my hubby, our favorite show, and some ice cream. 

Motivation. Getting to embroider adorable little creations that become memorable gifts is really all the motivation I need. Each time I get an email, it’s like opening a present to see what I get to make next! Then, to get compliments…that’s the best. Who doesn’t need a warm fuzzy now and then? And it’s nice to have that extra LBE checkbook…you know…the one that pays for soccer, and a ($16!) kindergarten (!) yearbook, and the occasional phone bill, or trip to the grocery store if (or rather, when) the personal funds are low. 

LBE has a blog. Nothing over the top, just enough to keep Little Beaners up to speed with new items, designs, etc… And I very recently just jumped on the Facebook and Twitter bandwagon all for the sake of networking. Affordable networking. I have a personal blog as well (which I enjoy writing on very much!) and I follow over 500 blogs (via bloglines). Did I just admit that? Yes, I did. 

Little Bean holds an occasional raffle or drawing directly on the blog itself, so those who follow the LBE blog and/or FB will be in the loop of any fun things going on.  Besides that, Little Bean helps to support our community (and beyond) by donating gift certificates to help raise money for numerous causes, such as the local pre-school program, families dealing with cancer, CureDuchenne, Haitian relief and more.

Evelyn, thank you so much for asking me to be part of your amazing blog. I am honored.  I look forward to meeting more guest bloggers, reading more Good Morning Ohio!, and enjoying all the other amazing inspiring things you share with us!

Jen



website: www.littlebeanembroidery.com
LBE blog: littlebeanembroidery.blogspot.com
personal blog: itsmejen.blogspot.com
twitter & facebook

{Jen: You're so very welcome! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share some special insights with the OMW! readers. I wish you nothing but the best! O-H!}

Good Morning Ohio: Hello Magpie

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Good morning Columbus's (and my) own,

Hello Magpie!

Today's the day...I am officially releasing Hello Magpie to the world! It's been an amazing journey up to this point and it's only the beginning. Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me to lose fear, pursue my dreams, and enthusiastically encouraged my passions. From my heart, my sincerest thanks.


What started years ago as a simple dream of entrepreneurship has grown into Hello Magpie, an online retail shop specializing in functional, practical, durable and beautiful products for every day. Each product is carefully chosen to become part of our growing collection, each with a purpose. For some, it is the material choice, like organic cotton. For others, it's durability, which will extend a product's life cycle (or prolong how long it may take to get to a land fill.) Let's call it getting back to good, old-fashioned basics (and then some.) Some of our products, like our hand-crank rotary beater, have a classic vintage-meets-modern design. Others, like our recycled cotton lunch totes are fashion-forward and endlessly customizable (colorful permanent markers + doodles = a one-of-a-kind lunch tote!)

Alongside our shop is our Hello Magpie Etsy shop, which features handmade items (like the best darn cotton + jute dish scrubbie you'll ever use) and a hand-picked selection of vintage pieces chock full o' character. Looking for a little "spoil me" gift? How about organic bath fizzy bombs? Look no further than our organic Spring Mix Bath Bonbons, which are handmade in small batches with essential oils and homegrown + dried flower petals. The Etsy shop is ever-changing so check back often for all the latest + greatest.

Personally, I believe that we each have the opportunity to redefine the norm by which we live. I challenge and encourage you all to put conscious thought into every purchase, every product. Ask yourself how it can benefit your life. Will it help support ecologically-responsible living? Is it reusable? Safe? Practical? Local? National? Handmade? It's my goal for Hello Magpie to help find the answer to some of those questions and make living as a conscious consumer a little easier (and a bit more fun.)

Here's to the future + HAPPY 40th EARTH DAY!

xo,
Evelyn

P.S. Click here to subscribe to the Hello Magpie newsletter!

A (Truly) Beautiful Idea.

I have a friend-in-blogging named Evie Schaffer and I really like her. Evie is an artist, designer, Etsian, mom...you name it and she does it (and does it well, I may add), but her latest is something that involves us all -- artists, handcrafters, indie designers and conscious consumers alike. Read on my friends because it's, truly, A Beautiful Idea.

Personally, I've always struggled with how to consider myself successful if I don't do anything that makes an  honest-to-goodness difference in the world and how to find a balance between what I take and what I give back. Perhaps it's safe to say that each of us, to some degree, wrestles with these same principles. Maybe it's a simple philosophy, but I really do think that sometimes, the true successes in life are found through supporting the things bigger than ourselves.

Evie puts it eloquently when she says, "As an artist, I’ve struggled with the “why” behind the creative urges I have — to be used for something more than myself or for profits. I’ve longed for a greater purpose. I know I am not the only artist who feels this way. That’s why I created A Beautiful Idea. As a friend of mine said it so perfectly,  

 “How can God use artists to meet real needs in practical ways? 

Cuz my creative gifts seem futile up against a hurting world. Help!”

My hope and prayer is that A Beautiful Idea will motivate artists to use their gifts to change the world."

How ABI works:




1. Artists partner with A Beautiful Idea and create products.
2. The artists then donate their items through the ABI Donation Center.
3. The items are then put up for sale with 100% of their proceeds being donated to the featured charity (currently World Vision, delivering relief to the people of Haiti.)

That's it. It's that simple. Amazing, isn't it?

Evie was kind enough to share even more on how ABI started and what she hopes for the future:

me: What was your "a-ha" moment in committing to A Beautiful Idea, that moment of revelation when you knew it was right?

Evie S.: ABI was one of those things that has been percolating for quite some time, maybe for as long as a year. I knew I wanted to do something with my art to make a difference, but I also knew that I wanted to do something bigger than myself. The "ah-ha" moment came while watching the movie "Ghost Town" and I really can't remember why. The idea just popped into my head and I've been formulating the details and slowly working on it ever since. That was about 6 months ago."

me: What do you see A Beautiful Idea growing to become?

Evie S.:  I'd love to see the entire arts community get involved and literally span the globe. It's great seeing all the pockets of things that artists are doing, but I think it would be awesome if there was a more unified effort so we could all see the impact we are making in the world. The Arts can be so overlooked as a form of giving back to humanity that's hurting, and I believe that ABI is something we can all rally around and show that it's important to us.

me:  What can we do to help support ABI?

Evie S.:  If you are an artist, you can join the network. If you love to shop, you can purchase products and know that 100% of your money is going to help someone in need, not to mention getting a great product! Since we are brand new, any and all publicity helps us out so we can keep the momentum going and keep building awareness. That means blogging, tweeting, and sharing ABI with your friends. You can also add a badge to your blog, become a fan on facebook, and follow us on twitter.

Latest Projects: DIY Twill Tape Labels

Something I've been wanting for ages is create my own labels for all the soft handcrafted goods I make for my store Hello Magpie. Twill tape labels, to be exact. Simple, soft and natural, twill tape labels are the perfect kind of label, but I ran into a few issues when sourcing them from professional label companies: 1. minimums and 2. cost. Most of the companies I looked into require a minimum order of 1,000 labels, which is many more than I'm ready to use right now. The cost issue? Every dollar is precious and 200 of them is more than I'm willing to part with, just to have the perfect sew-in label right now.

After a fruitful Google search, I came across a couple tutorials on how to print my own twill labels that I wanted to give a try: SouleMama's direct-printed version and PatchworkPottery's iron-on style twill tape labels.

Because I liked the idea of not using an unnatural material (the iron-on paper), I first tried SouleMama's tutorial. Basically, the idea is to create your labels in a program (like Word, for example), print onto a sheet of paper, tape down the twill ribbon over the print out and run it through your printer again, printing directly onto the twill tape. For the life of me, I don't know how she managed to get hers to work, but I gave up my futile attempts. The ink didn't take like I had hoped and the image result was fuzzy.

Rather than waste any additional twill tape on perfecting a direct-print method, I opted for giving the PatchworkPottery iron-on method a go. I already had a few sheets of iron-on transfer paper leftover from Halloween, too, which was a plus.

I followed PatchworkPottery's tutorial completely, having created a full-page logo sheet, with mirrored type. *You want to either mirror the logo in your software or print mirrored, so when  you transfer it onto the twill tape, it doesn't read backward. My twill tape was 1/2" width, so I cut each single line in 1/2" strips. I let the iron preheat (cotton setting, no steam) for 5-10 minutes, used a scrap of muslin over the ironing board and lined up my first transfer strip, face-down, onto the tape. To keep things even, I started at an end and slowly worked my way up the transfer paper, ironing in circles for 20-30 seconds (but follow the transfer paper instructions to make sure you get it right.) Also, as PatchworkPottery suggested, I left the backing paper on until I was finished. I tried it both ways, but it didn't look any different and keeping the paper on made doing it all at once much easier, so I went with it. (That way, the already-transferred image didn't accidentally get melted, either.)

When I ran out of twill tape, I was done. Starting at the first end of the tape, I slowly pulled back the backing paper and voila! The transferred text was clear and looked great! My only complaint is the faint gloss to the surface from the transfer paper, but I can live with it for now. Actually, that little bit of binding creates a stronger twill tape, resulting in less edge fraying. I cut each piece with pinking shears and I don't think it will fray a bit. All in all, I'm really pleased with the results. This method doesn't take long, cost much and is great for small-run production. Another benefit is color-fastness. The iron-on transfers really stay put through countless machine washes, though a slight fading may occur, so I suggest you hand wash or wash on gentle and air dry or dry at a low temperature, if necessary.

So there you have it...easy peasy DIY twill tape labels. Wouldn't these be great for sewing onto children's coats, lunch bags and toys, too?

Ta-Da! New Year, New Shelving

{source}

We did it. We bit the bullet and bought new furniture for my office. OMW, it's super crazy fantastic loads of goodness. Who knew that metal and melamine could make a girl so happy?!

So on Sunday, I woke up all bent out of shape, as the previous two days (on and off) were spent cramped at my old desk, contacting suppliers, working on my business tax filing and brainstorming. Sure, I got a lot done but I didn't enjoy it like I should've because most of it was spent swearing under my breath at my (very) rickety ugly ol' desk, piles of paperwork, yarn, fabric, plastic Joann's bags, general disarray and lack of shelving. I was just salty about it and doing a fair share of sulking about it, honestly.

Bubs noticed the sulkfest, of course. He asked me what I wanted. We discussed some options. Briefly. I knew I had wanted an Elfa wall system from The Container Store for the last three years. I knew it was a good product because I used to work there. I also knew that it wasn't the cheapest solution, nor was it the most expensive. The deciding factor was that, until sometime in February, all Elfa products at The Container Store are 30% off. Holla!

Honestly, I had carefully weighed my options with Pottery Barn Outlet, JCPenny's, craigslist fixer-uppers, Ikea...you name it. For me, I wanted the best quality and most stuff for my dollar...intrinsic value, if you will. Elfa designs are free (online or in-store), free to pick up, easy to install, extremely well-made, adjustable and portable. It really was a pretty easy decision to make. The stuff really is that good.

Off we went to pick up Mr. M's van and drive on over to the store. With the trusty (to scale, of course) wall elevation of my Elfa plan in hand, we knew what we were in it to win it. That was around 4 o'clock. At 5:30, we were on our way home with all the shelving, standards, boxes and bags. Sure, it took us HOURS getting everything just so, but that was partly because we dilly-dallied, had to track down our level, measured a million times, made a frozen pizza and then I cleaned every computer component and did some major wire organization while I was at it.

Please excuse the work-in-progress photo, but I had to share. See all the white shelving and massive work top? That's it! What do you think? This office will be organized if it kills me! More shelves and things will be added as our budget allows, but for now, I'm beyond excited to have a happy, closer-to-tidy space to work in. By the way...all of that shelving is held up with 10 screws. Pretty rad, isn't it? I wish I could have Elfa in every room of our house. Oh, especially in a bright white laundry room. That would make me actually want to do laundry. Well, it would make me not loathe laundry time, anyway...

P.S. In case you were curious, the ugly desk currently resides in the spare room, to be reborn into my packing + shipping center. Hurrah for repurposing!

New Year & New Beginnings!

It's hard for me to express what a truly amazing year I had in 2009. The last ten years have had their share of ups and downs - with loss and birth, moves, graduations, job changes and marriages. From start to finish, this has been a decade of true personal growth. It's strange to think that any other decade in my life may never rival the first decade of the new millennium in quite the same way, but I am beyond excitement in being blessed with every opportunity to try!

This blog started out much like many others, but has evolved into so much more for me. It's helped me to realize that my determination and creativity are my own and something of which to be very proud. Rather than allowing myself to think that I'm not good enough, creative enough or that no one would be interested, I've learned quite the opposite and, because of all of you who read my humble writings, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Big things are in store for me in 2010!

So here it is...the official announcement. After many years of hoping and wishing, I'm turning a dream into a reality with the creation of Hello Magpie -- an online retail store of creative, quality handmade gifts, goods and paper works, all by me. The specifics are still in the works and will take some time, but I couldn't stand not sharing the good news with everyone who helped me believe in myself and my abilities. This has been a long-time coming and I can't wait to share more as things develop. (Trust me, you'll be the first to know as they come!)

Here's a little background history on how I came to make this decision. From as far back as I can recall, art was a huge part of my life. Musicians, painters, designers and writers abound in my family and nurturing your God-given talents was always encouraged. My mom put me in private art classes with one of my grandma's dearest friends when I was a kid. I took piano lessons from a family friend and practiced on my grandmother's piano. My great-grandfather, aunt and sister are outstanding painters, each with their own developed styles. My mom could be a singer/songwriter/pianist, writer or interior designer for a living, if she so chose. Having keen eyes, ears and nimble fingers is in my blood. It is my birth right.

It's a very long story how I went from high school graduation to college graduation, but I'll tell you this: the Columbus College of Art & Design is no joke. It broke me more than once. There were so many sleepless nights, I lost count. Literally, my blood, sweat and tears went into nearly every piece I created. I even took a nearly four-year break, in which I had a career in quality management for an IT call center.) In fact, it was that break that helped me decide the direction my life would take. After nearly six years with that company, I left to return to CCAD full-time. I had three semesters to go and I was on the Dean's List every one of them. I took my love and knowledge of computers and translated it into design. I took design courses on top of rewriting my senior thesis on sustainable home design and excelled. After all my years at CCAD, on my own, I had managed to marry my two loves -- computers and design -- and my graphic design career was born.

One thing that I had always known about myself is that I am self-motivated. I'm a self-starter. And, generally, a huge pain to manage because I really believe I could do it better if you'd just let me do it myself. Micromanagement is not my friend and neither is boredom. After lukewarm design jobs under fluorescent lights, I couldn't take it anymore. Something had to be done! My strongest skills had helped create the perfect incubator for my entrepreneurial dreams. My most-amazing family encouraged me. Things were worked out. My husband believed in me then (and believes in now.) It was decided. We'd make it work. And the rest will be history in the making, my friends. The goal is to launch Hello Magpie this Spring 2010 and what better time for new beginnings than the season of growth and rebirth? Feel free to share the word with friends and keep your eyes posted for news & updates!

So, with all of that said, if it's not too much to ask, please keep me in your prayers. I'm nervous and excited, but, above all, really proud of myself for taking this huge leap of faith. I'm going to make 2010 a year worth taking note of, you have my word on it!

Wishing you all everything your dreams are made of in 2010 and every year!

xo,
Evelyn

P.S. I haven't forgotten Passau and Prague! More lovely photos coming your way this week!

P.P.S. You guys really are the best :)

The Value of My Dollar {Pt. 5}

{Courtesy brilliant. Check them out...they get it.}

Exhibit 5: Buy Local

And when you can't buy local, buy independent. We should all be embarrassed that we don't do this more often. Yes, it's not always easy, but is anything worth having ever as such? So much of our money goes to support overseas goods production - boosting their economies. Well, in case you hadn't noticed, our own isn't doing so hot. Don't believe me? Next time you're at a store, look at the "Made in" label. It could be pruning shears or rain boots. I'd bet you have a hard time finding anything made in the U.S.A. Why do you suppose that is? Well, my friends, it's cheaper to make cheap stuff elsewhere and occasionally, "they" make it better (read: cars.) It's sad, but true. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I only buy American-made goods because I don't, but I am buying less in general than I ever have before and I carefully consider where my money will go next.

More than anything, though, I want to support my local small businesses and independent retailers every chance I get. It just goes back to being a responsible shopper -- take your time and do the research. Get out into your community and talk to a real person - the farmer selling organic greens, the boutique owner who supports the local art community, the small coffee shop who is still in business, even with a Starbucks down the street. Those are your neighbors. Lift them up and they will give back by strengthening your communities -- giving people jobs and recycling money back into the local economy. They are tremendously hard-working people too. They have to be in order to be a success. Take our wedding, for example. I am proud to say that every, single vendor we have chosen is a local business owner (and most of them 1 or 2 person shows.) A couple work out of their homes. Every person hugged me at the end of our meetings. I would be honest-to-goodness friends with these amazing people. I will go to them for their services and goods and refer them as often as possible because that's what it is really all about.

I'll step off of my soapbox now, but I will ask each of you to consider everything I've mentioned. Let it linger in the back of your mind. Marinate on it for awhile.

I think that money and how we spend it is a topic that each of us needs to not be afraid to discuss, if we are to ever EpiPen some life back into our economy. Wouldn't you agree? Let me know what you think -- if you agree or if you don't. I live for feedback!

The Value of My Dollar {Pt. 4}

Exhibit 4: No-Pressure Sales

Shopping when you don't really need anything is empowering. You don't succumb to sales pitches or sales racks. You know what you have and you know what you need...eventually. You have as much time as you need, too, which gives you time to research a better deal. Think about it like this: It's January and you have $20. You hit the post-Christmas sales to see what deals you can find. All ornaments are 75% off -- about $1.25 each from their original $5. You buy 10 at $12.50. Now here's the value: yes, you had to spend $12.50, but you saved yourself $37.50, if you bought those same ornaments in October, right before Christmas. Sometimes, it takes money to save money in the long run.

Shopping early has HUGE advantages, but you have to be organized to be successful. Take note and assess everything you already own, what key pieces you need and what you'd love. Keep holidays, birthdays and other events in mind throughout the year and buy on sale when you can.

Personally, I've been shopping for my honeymoon (even though it's not until December) because we're going to Jamaica and, right now, all of my local stores are featuring summer stock. Have you ever tried to find summer clothes in November? It's almost impossible! By shopping for the few items I'd like to have on my h'moon now, I get to use them all summer long, may take advantage of summer sales and have them for December. It's not so much "impulse shopping" as "carpe diem" shopping.

Now, this doesn't always apply to every item, but, given that the majority of my shopping lately is wedding-related, I've found that nearly everything I buy, if I weren't patient and in control of what I am shopping for, could end up spiraling out of control and I'd end up spending 30, 40 or 50% more than I should. Besides, everything with the word 'wedding' tacked on is more costly, so the more time I give myself to research and find a good deal, that's money in the bank. But I'm also not the kind of person who equates self-worth to material cost. An insecure bride-to-be may think she's better than buying discounted items for her wedding. Maybe she even thinks that, if she didn't spend full-price on that guest book, that people may think she's discounting her very marriage. It's sad, really.

The Value of My Dollar {Pt. 3}

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Exhibit 3: The Little Black Dress and All Her Colorful, More Trendy Friends

The Wardrobe Musts. Now this one is the hardest for me to follow prudently because I refuse to allow my fashion to consistently dictate into what box society will fit me. It's safe to say I like to wear a lot of hats, literally and figuratively. And my closet needed (and still needs) major assistance. Sure, I have some fantastic pieces, but a wardrobe complete they don't make. Some things are too small, some too large, some too worn and some need mending. The mending is easy, but what about the rest? I have trouble justifying The Big Clean and donating everything that isn't perfect...what would I be left with? A handful of items that are as close to perfect as I can ever get. Do I have the ten basics to survive by, a la Tim Gunn? I'd say a solid 6 of 10 isn't too bad, is it?

My biggest problem is not immediately going for the cheap when buying new and knowing when to let go of items I already have. When it comes time to donate my favorite pair of British khaki-colored dress slacks because they really are too big to wear, don't be afraid to replace them with another well-made, well-fitting pair. Consider those price versus value concepts with every purchase and think out of the box whenever possible. Maybe you find a great bargain at a discount store but they need a bit of a nip & tuck beyond your skill level to have them fit perfectly. Consider the cost of a good tailor and tack it onto the price. Still a steal or would a new J. Crew petite pair be a close second? Did you wait until the last minute before buying those pants? Did you presume the pair in your closet still fit and they don't, you have an interview in the morning and now you're desperate for another pair? "Desperation shopping" always seems to cost me double.

The Value of My Dollar {Pt. 2}

Exhibit 2: Thrift Store Faves

I have a heaping TON of favorite clothing items that I bought at the thrift store. I like to call these my 'shabbies', though by the look of my perfect-fitting vintage London Fog trench, you'd never know it. Sure, there's a seam that I need to resew and it could stand a good soak, but I'm pretty certain it cost me $3. Both of my favorite tees came from the thrift store - a baby blue Ithaca, NY one and a navy blue Foster's Lagar one. They really are completely ludicrous, but I love them so much I would consider rescuing them from a fire.

But my thrift store pièce de résistance, you ask?


This stunner: a shiny, black dining room sideboard with multiple drawers and a duo of cabinets. Those features help it to look like it's $1,000 cousins, but mine had a price tag of $22. Yes. I'm serious. In total, with paint et al, $50. I knew this was a piece I would like to have eventually, I knew to keep my eyes open. When I was at the thrift store and saw the ugly brown pre-makeover version for $22, I didn't hesitate to call D. to help me bring it home. After a lot of sanding, priming, painting and a hardware change, it was complete.

I've found the key to thrift store shopping is to not go in looking for anything particular, have a few hours to kill and look through everything. Heck, make a day of it and visit a handful of shops with a (patient) friend.

The Value of My Dollar {Pt. 1}

Lately, I've been really thinking about shopping (OK, to be fair, I always think about shopping) but the difference lately is that I am consciously considering not only how much I pay for items, but the businesses (specifically) and industries (generally) I choose to support through my purchases and the ratio of price versus value (or how much "bang for my buck" an item has.)

For me, the biggest consideration as a patron is service. I don't care where I am, what they sell or how much it costs, I expect an almost unattainable level of service. For a very long while, I was in the customer service industry - from retail sales to IT call center service quality management for a very popular computer vendor. Though graphic design doesn't scream "customer service job", any successful designer will tell you how critical it is to understand your customers and consistently follow-through with a professional service experience. When it comes to spending my extra pesos on something, I want to make sure I feel good about it. The last thing I want to do is walk away, thinking I just gave my business to someone ill-deserving. Sure, I may give you another chance if my first experience is meh, but that's it. And here's a PSA for all managers and business owners: We are judging you on the quality of the people you hire. With Ohio's unemployment rate at just over 10%, there is no excuse to settle for arrogant, snotty people who make your patrons feel as if they are a nuisance to their day. Very qualified, fantastic, motivated, talented people need jobs, too. Sometimes, we even want to get out of our field and start selling used books. Give us a chance! Set the bar high. Very high. You will not be disappointed and neither will we.

Now onto my most recent, seemingly unnecessary purchase:

Enter Exhibit 1: Full Price with a Perk

I love my TOMS Shoes and D. loves his a whole heaping ton. Did I need another pair of shoes? Not really. Did I want them? Abso-friggen-lutely. Will I wear them until they fall apart? High probability. How's the quality? Tops. The service? Well, it was online and the shipping took a bit longer than I had wanted, but the intrinsic value of the 'one for one' (buy one pair, donate another pair to a child in need) more than makes up for it. I tried to buy mine locally at Tigertree, but alas, they didn't have my size or my flavor.) They are cute, match just about everything in my closet and make a great shoe to travel in. Is all of that worth my $45? To me, it was, not merely at face value, but when taking into account all of those factors.

TOMS Shoes Twins

Am I alone here, or do you feel better about paying full price if you know that there is a vote of "good will" tacked on? The way I look at it is this" I spent $22.50 on a new pair of shoes and bought a pair for a needy kid for $22.50. That's win-win to me, folks.