julia elise: new shop announcement!

hi friends...
i am so excited to share something new with you today! this is something i have been dreaming about and working on for months. my new shop: julia elise: is open for business today!

i am happy to share some new products, some made from all that fabric i've been dyeing, and some new body care products as well. as usual, i didn't quite leave myself as much time as i needed to get all my grand plans in order, so i had to pare down what i was originally hoping to have stocked in the shop. for now, the totes are all one of a kind (meaning, there is just one available in each color combination) and the other linen products are also in limited quantities, but i am hoping to add more in the next couple of weeks if possible. i will also be adding some additional items in the future, including table runners, tea towels, and maybe even the beloved potholder. i will also be adding additional colors of fabric in the future.

i really am quite proud of this new direction i'm taking and i can honestly say that i don't think i've felt as connected to and inspired by any of my other creative work over the past few years as i do about these new products. it's like i've finally found my groove, or something like that.

okay...before i blabber on too long about all that went into this, i'll just stop here. so, check out the shop, and help me spread the word about this new venture. i hope you find something you like!

thank you for all your support. xo

shop sale!

just popping in to say that i am having a clear-out sale in the ol' etsy shop. pop on over there for some bargain prices. most items (everything except for the lip balms) are 30% off to celebrate my 30th birthday earlier this month! i'm clearing out the studio to make room for some new work. i had a slow day at work the other day and spent a while daydreaming about new products to make for the winter season. some new home goods, accessories, and body care products. i can't wait to tackle some of them in the coming weeks...you know, that whole anti-procrastination kick i'm on...

check it out if you like. 
xo

shop update!

good evening, friends! just a heads up that my shop has been updated with three brand new table quilted table runners. these are a new product that i'm super excited about. i made one as a prototype over a month ago and it's been living on our dining room table and making me happy ever since.

all three of these runners feature the beautiful dyed linen scraps that i've been working with over the past couple of months. i'm just about out of them, so i'm working on a replacement (more on that later) because i have loved working with these beautiful colors, especially in contrast with the blue/grey oxford cotton and cotton twill that is also featured in these table runners. each runner is completely unique and they are different sizes, so hopefully there's one that's a perfect fit for your table! each one of these was truly a labor of love, from putting together the patchwork strips, to sewing the uneven quilting lines, to finishing them off with hand binding. i'm really proud of them, and hope they find good homes out there.

there are also a few more potholders, snap pouches, lip balms, and a few other goodies. have a look, and thanks so much for your support!

xo

shop update & news

hi friends!

just wanted to let you all know that i've updated my shop with five new patchwork potholders. i'm also working on a new product that will hopefully be up in the shop in the next couple of weeks.

i know back just before my holiday shop update in december i mentioned that that update would likely be my last in my etsy shop, and clearly that hasn't been the case. i am still working on something new (involving the many yards of linen and box full of plants that i just ordered!), but it's gotten a bit delayed and i wanted to wait until i had all my new plans squared away before launching my new shop.

these past couple of months have been the first time in years that i've felt so inspired to design and make new products for my shop. and it's such a good feeling. i can't wait to share it all with you.

in the meantime, check out the shop for the new potholders (there are also still some snap pouches, zipper pouches, notebooks, lip balms, and cocoa mixes). just in time for mother's day!

xo

shop update and sale!

good morning friends! just a quick note to let you know that i've added a couple of new potholders and snap pouches to the shop. there are also some cocoa mixes, lip balms, zip pouches, and pocket notebooks too. and to thank you all for the wonderful support over the holidays and to help us get through this blah month of february (though i'll admit it hasn't been quite so bad this year given our complete lack of winter here), i'm offering 20% off everything in my shop for the rest of the month. Just use the code FEB20.

xoxo

last minute

i know i mentioned this in my last post, but i thought i could write a wee bit more about the last minute handmade craft market that's happening next monday evening.

eireann came up with the idea for a small holiday craft market as she'll be in town for the holidays from her current home of nottingham, uk.  it quickly evolved to include myself, martha, jen, and cynthia. we put the word out to some other local artists and designers and were lucky enough to partner with modern times for our venue. i am super psyched about the event and even though it has all come together in just about a month, the planning process has been really smooth and organic between the five of us ladies.  maybe a sign of future collaboration? (wouldn't that be fun).

be sure to check out our website for the details and more information on each vendor and you can rsvp on the facebook event page as well. hope to see you there!

shop is open!

good morning friends!  and happy december!

the holiday shop is open!  i'm really excited to share these goodies with you today.  i will tell you that i'll be adding more items over the weekend including some sets of knitted dishcloths (which are finished, but i just couldn't get good photos by this morning) as well as some tins of lip balm and jars of cocoa mix.  since i don't have all the items up just yet, if there's something from the first round here that you'd like me to reserve for you, just let me know and i'll happily do so.

again, i think this will be my last ever etsy shop update since i do have some new plans for a shop next year, so please do take a look and i hope you find something you like for someone special in your life this season, or for yourself.

 thankyou thankyou.
xo

sunday sunday

good evening friends. i hope all of you celebrating thanksgiving had a wonderful time. i know i did. after the sad news i mentioned in my last post, my mood was lightened by the birth of one of my dear friends' first daughter, a thanksgiving baby.

thursday night, we celebrated with a group of friends. we had good food, lots of laughs, and one adorable baby getting passed around the table.  friday night, we had jared's brothers, their wives and our three little nephews over for round two. it was super fun.  great to catch up and just chill with all of them after the craziness of two weddings over the past six months.  and, have i mentioned how much i love those little boys? man, do i ever. i can't wait for there to be another one to snorgle with in just over a month! 

i have had this whole past week off from work and, in between the two days of cooking and (successfully!) teaching myself how to build a website, i've spent a lot of time knitting and sewing in preparation for a small holiday sale i'll be participating in later in december.  and so, i've decided to open up my shop again for some small holiday goodies.  after five and a half years, this may be my very last etsy shop update (not that i've had very many over the last two years) as i'm working on some new ideas and am hoping to have a new shop set up sometime in the beginning of next year.  the shop will hopefully be open this thursday, december 1 and i'll probably add some more items next week as well. 

thanks, friends.

shoppy shop

hi friends! just wanted to pop in here and let you all know that the shop has been updated with card sets, pocket notebooks, zipper pouches, and one precious pair of oven mitts.  like i said, there may be another update before the holidays, but this could be it, so snag something if you like.  also, i'm offering free shipping until next monday (november 29), so be sure to take advantage of that if you're interested.  

thank you all SO much for your support, it means the world to me!
xo


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a few other exciting things out there today:
} shanna's beautiful new stationery line (and the hello handmade paperie feature in rue magazine)
} herriot grace rolling pins at shop terrain
} mr. peder emil!
} alyson+dlb+one!
} sneak peek of water, paper, paint!
} the oh bara winter shop (i snagged the magpie cards!)

yippee!

Hi friends.  I'm really excited to share some news with you all today.  I'm reopening my shop!  


It's been essentially closed for over a year now and I'm finally ready to re-stock it with just a few choice items for your holiday enjoyment this season.  I had closed it down last year because I was just feeling too overwhelmed by it and uninspired to make new products that I was excited to share with the world.  Lately, though, I've started to catch the creative bug again and have been working on some small, simple designs that I'm excited to share with you all.  Maybe it's the holidays and all the insanely good handmade goodness out there, maybe it's the fact that I've finally moved past feeling too burnt out from work and am seeking a creative outlet in my time at home, or maybe it's just that time for me again.  I know I have a ton going on in my life these days and can barely keep up with it, but I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and maybe now is the right time for me to be getting back to crafting in that way.  Maybe I just needed this past year and a half to learn some new skills, get some new ideas, establish my style a little more.  

All I know is that the wheels have been turning and there will be a small update in the shop next Monday around 6pm (central time).  Like I said, there are just a few items:: small zipper bags, cards in reusable fabric pouches, and at least one set of oven mitts.  If all goes well, I might have another update before we get too close to the holidays, but I'm not making any promises.  Also, as a little gift to my shoppers, I will be offering free shipping (within the US and Canada) until Monday November 29.  

After a year that's been filled with loads of making other folks' designs, I'm really excited to be creating my own work again.  I have a lot of ideas and designs and plans for where the shop is going in the new year (including some exciting conversations with other talented ladies!), but I'll keep quiet about that for now.  


In the meantime, the shop will be stocked on Monday evening.  Thanks friends!

shop update

I know that I wrote a few weeks ago about having a shop update. Well, life just seem to have gotten the better of me. In a good way (don't worry!). Well, here we are, finally updating the little old shop.

I've posted a few summer patchwork scarves that are perfect for those summer nights with just a hint of a chill (or more than a hint if you're around these parts- or New England!). This small collection features a lot more vintage fabric than the previous batches of fall and winter scarves, as I discovered a little pile of vintage patterns stuffed away in my stash as I was making these. It's always fun to have those discoveries!

I've also posted a number of notecards. I find that summertime is so great for letter writing (have you seen Heather's summer is series over at echoes? It's so great) and hopefully some of these little cards will inspire you do write a little note to someone far away. As always, you can buy four cards, and get a fifth one for free!

So head on over to the shop, hopefully you'll find a little something you like. Don't forget that I still have a number of items in the sale section. And, in celebration of summer (though it doesn't feel all that summery at the moment, I might have to throw on one of those scarves!), if you type in "summer09" in the notes to seller section when you make your purchase, I'll take 10% any purchases from now until July 13. (I'll either refund the difference through paypal, or you can wait for a revised invoice).

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Also, hop on over to Abby's space to read some exciting news. If any of you have a few extra dollars to spare, consider helping Abby get to Second Storie in the fall! I know she and Shanna will make a great team. {To be honest, her news has gotten me all looking up trains to Rochester too!}. I'll be back tomorrow with my summer manifesto, finally!

shop update!

Hi everyone! Just a note to let you all know that I have updated the shop with a couple contrasting stripe totes and a few more pleated clutches. I will add some lightweight summery patchwork scarves and notecards in the next couple of days (I'll let you know when I do).

I was really excited with how these totes came out. They're small and simple, yet that contrasting stripe and a few other little details make them unexpectedly interesting. I think so at least! And you know how I feel about these clutches. I was surprised that I didn't sell any at my craft fair last month (though frankly, there was a lot less selling happening overall than any of us had hoped!), but I guess that just means more for you all!

And, in celebration of June, I'm offering 10% off any orders made before June 15. Just type in "happy june" in the notes to seller and wait for a revised invoice, or pay and I'll refund your 10%. Don't forget to check out all the sale items too, help me clear out my inventory so I can make new stuff! And thanks for checking out the shop and supporting me.

{My friend Sarah updated her shop today too, go check it out! I'm totally snagging one of these amazing prints, just as soon as I can decide which one I want...}

another preview

Happy Friday everyone!! I hope you've all had a great day, or are at least looking forward to a great weekend. My week was crazy busy--yesterday I left the house at 7:30am and didn't get home until 10pm! But then I took today off and spent most of the day in the garden, woohoo! I'll have lots of garden goodness to report next week. I also plan to begin blogging more over at homesteading (where I've been a little remiss this past month, or maybe more!) so be sure to check that out in the next week or so.

In the meantime, another preview from my show coming up tomorrow and Sunday. These are a couple of new bags that I've been working on this week. They are similar to some simple little totes that I made a few years back, but the design is a little more interesting, with the stripe of contrasting fabric (or vintage lace) a bit off center. These also have a small pocket inside and close with a magnetic snap. Again, if there are any leftover after Sunday, they will be in the shop next week (I'll let you know exactly when, probably Wednesday or Thursday). If not, I will make some more soon.

Just a reminder, for all you local folks, Johnstock is Saturday, 10-6 and Sunday 10-3 on Johnson Street NE between 28th and 29th Street (across the street from Crafty Planet). And while you're there, you can check out all the other great open studios and shows that are part of Art-a-Whirl. Have a great weekend!

preview

One of the things that's been keeping me so busy these days has been preparing for an awesome craft show that's coming up this weekend. This weekend will mark the third year that I am participating in Johnstock, a super fun spring craft show in NE Minneapolis (Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm in the Johnson Street Merchants Parking Lot- across the street from Crafty Planet). I hope any of you who are local can come out and say hi, I'd love to see you! I still have some products leftover from my December craft shows, and my last shop update, so I didn't have too much to make. But I wanted to work on some new designs that I've come up with in the past few months. I'll have some new, summery patchwork scarves that are backed in a lovely lightweight chambray, perfect for summer nights.

I'll also have some more pleated clutches, which I think might become essential for little summer outings (though this may require getting a basket on my bike, since there's no strap/handle). I'm also working on a couple of simple totes that will be ready by the weekend as well (I'll post photos later in the week). For those of you who aren't local, I'll be posting leftovers in the shop sometime next week.

shop update!

Good morning everyone! I hope you all had sunny beautiful weekends, I know I did. On Saturday, I got my hands dirty for the first time this season in my garden! I haven't planted anything yet, but we had our annual spring clean up at the community garden and it was awesome. Lots of new and old people came out and we worked together on this amazing community space. I'm really looking forward to my garden this year, I do think it's going to be my best yet!

So, the shop is updated with a LOT of stuff (these little sneak peeks are seriously just a fraction of what's there!). I know that a lot of people are struggling out there or are at least saving their pennies, I think we all are. I always try to make my goods affordable, while still valuing the materials and time that go into creating one of a kind, handmade items. In light of the economic situation (and my overwhelming inventory!), I've put quite a lot of goods on sale, so be sure to check out the sale section (which is chock full of coasters, utility aprons, and bags) as well as the other goodies.

Any purchases made today will be accompanied by a special extra little goodie. Also, just a note that any purchases made after this Thursday (4/23) will not be shipped until Friday, May 1 (I'll be out of town) so keep that in mind if you're thinking of Mother's Day gifts. I can always gift wrap and/or ship to someone as a gift, just let me know. (Note: I will be uploading more Mother's Day cards later, around 7pm CST). As always, let me know if you have special requests, I'm happy to work with you.

Thanks, as always, for all your support and encouragement. Have a great day!

a little shop talk

Here's another take on the simple clutch I made a few weeks ago. This was inspired by the contrasting pleat in my bag that I also made a few weeks ago, which, by the way I've been seriously loving! For some reason, I did not envision how asymmetrical this design would turn out, but I'm so excited about that feature of it. Literally, while I was making it last weekend, I actually got kind of giddy about how it was turning out and said out loud "wow, this is going to be so cool." (I think Jared thought I was a little weird, not the first time, I'm sure) It became something I hadn't expected and I really love that.

I've been feeling very overwhelmed ever since I got back from New York and have been surviving off of many many lists (the fact that I'm going out of town again in a week isn't helping that, but it'll be great) so I'm going to finish the rest of this post in list form...

::There are three of these pleated clutches, along with a bunch more goodies over at the new i like you shop, which is having their grand opening next Saturday, April 25...for all of you local folks. I will, sadly, not be in town for it, but I highly recommend checking out their new space- it's super sweet!

::I will be having a little Mother's Day shop update next Monday. This clutch will be included, along with some cards and other goodies that all of your moms will love. I will also have a bunch of items on big sale since I've decided that it really is time to clear out some items so I can start fresh, so be sure to check out the shop next week. Also, I'll include a little extra goodie for anyone who places an order on Monday, just sayin'. I may pop in over the weekend with a few previews...

::I have some more spring goodies in store for the shop, that may or may not make it into Monday's update (and possibly for a craft fair next month...) so stay tuned for lots of shop excitement soon!

::I will be starting a shop mailing list to let you know when I'll be updating the shop as well as when I'll be participating in craft shows or other events that you might want to know about. If you're interested in signing up, send me an email at juliaedavidson[at]gmail[dot]com, just check the sidebar.

Okay, I guess that wasn't a very long list at all. But hey, it's almost Friday!! I've got some fun plans for the weekend, so I'm excited. Jared will be out of town, but I'll be doing a big clean-up at my community garden on Saturday, then hitting up the Textile Center Garage Sale (third year in a row, woot!) that afternoon. Sunday, I'm hoping to get some major sewing done (maybe a new skirt for my trip? possibly a quilt back completed? oven mitts? more shop goodies? the possibilities are just endless!). What are your plans for the weekend?

a new clutch

Now that spring is sort of here, I'm feeling the weight of winter begin to lift up and away. With fewer layers of coats, hats, mittens, long underwear, boots (and more) constricting me, I'm feeling much lighter. As spring approaches, do you notice that there's less to carry around when you leave the house? I notice that. Hence the need to make a new bag (which is done! a full report tomorrow...) and this new clutch.

Inspiration for this one struck the other night and I worked out the (albeit very simple) pattern and made this up right away. This one is now in the shop, and I'm already envisioning some additions to the pattern...a small pocket inside, maybe some very small and simple embroidery. We shall see, I'm excited to continue tweaking this one. I'm really loving the style of these two fabrics together, the solid darkness of the denim contrasted against the white subtle polka dot/uneven line pattern. All brought together with orange contrasting stitching (I do believe that the orange was deeply inspired by this).

This could be dressed up for a night out, or it would be perfect for just heading out for the afternoon. I could also see using this as a pouch inside a larger bag, to keep track of those essentials that always manage to end up at the bottom, especially when you need them most (you know, like your keys!). So head on over to the shop and check it out. Thanks!

ps: this is my 300th post! who knew i'd have this much to say here?! thanks again for reading everyone. xo

input please

I've been thinking a lot about ye olde shoppe, and what direction to take it in this coming year. I really would like to dedicate some more energy to keeping it updated, and I thought I'd solicit some input as to what you all would like to see offered there. A lot of the handmade items that I share here are not shop related, and maybe there are some things that I've shared that you might like to see available for sale? I've also had some thoughts about offering some photo prints for sale in addition to handmade items, but I'm not sure if there's any interest out there for that. Or maybe some knitted accessories?

It can always be a little nervewracking putting myself out there like this, especially when I feel like I'm surrounded by an entire community of amazing and successful artists. One of my biggest struggles at this point is that I do, in fact, have a full time job that is very emotionally demanding right now (and I don't think that's going to let up anytime soon). It's hard not to compare myself to those out there who are full-time artists, or who have more flexible schedules than myself, even though I know that I shouldn't. I'm not sure that, even if I could make a living doing it, I would want to be a full time artist/crafter. But I certainly would appreciate more time than I have right now.

I'm exploring some new opportunities for this spring and summer both in terms of promotion of my shop and also in terms of new products. So I'm hopeful that those opportunities might bring some new success. I'm sure many of you out there are thinking some of these same thoughts, and I would appreciate any ideas, suggestions, requests for the shop, advice, or just general good thoughts that you have on the topic.

And while we're on the subject, don't forget the spring sale over in the shop. Just type "celebrating spring" in the notes to seller, I've got lots of fun items including these little pocket notebooks!

welcome, march

{Photos taken with my new-to me- lomo lc-a that Jared bought me for my birthday. Can you tell, I'm having fun experimenting with new cameras?!}

Just popping to let you all know that the four remaining fabric packs are now listed up in the shop. I've also added two new patchwork scarves. Many of you out there are experiencing spring-like weather (not here, it's currently seven degrees outside- but sunny!), so there are now three patchwork scarves that are backed with a ridiculously soft lightweight recycled wool suiting. I'm dreaming of the days when that will be warm enough around my neck, though for now, I suppose I'm content with the cashmere neckwarmer my mom made me :).

As Emily said so eloquently, after all the apprehension about the February Funk, it turned out to be a pretty nice month. I know April will be quite busy, with two trips to opposite coasts, so I'm looking forward to March, and the slow (because I've lived here long enough to know and accept that it will be slow) easing into spring before things pick up and get totally crazy.

Today I'm loving...
:: issue 12 of This Joy+Ride
:: braids, here and here
:: these prints (more printing inspiration!)
:: this band, who I saw live last weekend and cannot stop listening to

Enjoy your Sunday! I'll be back tomorrow with a yummy new recipe.

some valentine's goodies

...are up in the shop! Go have a look at some of the new cards I've got up there, as well as some other goodies that would be perfect for that sweet someone in your life, or just someone who's feeling the winter blues and needs a little pick me up (there's definitely a lot of people out there like that!).

I can send items directly as gifts, if you just put that information in the comments to seller.
I'm also continuing the special notecard promotion:: buy four cards and get one free, five cards for just $16! {you will receive this discount as a paypal refund}

I hope you find something you like!