these bags are not your everyday accessories... founder of engage green, leonor mendoza is completely committed to being environmentally responsible.   all of her products are made of recycled and sustainable materials.  she uses 18 plastic water bottles to create one yard of fabric... the end result is eco-friendly yet fashionable products!  she makes everything from clutches, purses, messenger bags, yoga bags, and even umbrellas {the handle of the umbrella is biodegradable}

i also met marta medina of medina contemporary jewelry... beautiful jewelry handmade in venezuela...

lovely hand-dyed silk scarves from lydia brockman of the little pillar...

and incredible photography and artwork.  from small pieces...

to ginormous artwork...

it was a great weekend in the name of a greater cause... KIPP schools.  to learn more about KIPP schools and successful education reform or to make a donation... visit the site at www.kipp.org

sadly, it took me FOREVER to open shop... my etsy shop states that i was open since july of 2009... but it wasn't until 3 days ago that i finally officially opened.  i haven't finished posting all of the goods, but already i feel so welcomed by the etsy community.

so maybe you're reading this blog post only because you're a good friend of mine that i've "forced" to become my facebook fan or blog follower... and i keep referring to this "etsy" word and you have no idea what etsy is?  well, ok then.. let's back up... here's a blurb from etsy's website:

Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.  Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: BUY, SELL AND LIVE HANDMADE.

The Etsy community spans the globe with buyers and sellers coming from more than 150 countries.  Etsy sellers number in the hundreds of thousands.

still don't understand?  plain and simple, etsy is an online community and marketplace to buy and sell handmade goods.  anything from clothes, paper goods, furniture, food and everything {literally everything in between}.  vintage goods and craft and art supplies can also be sold on etsy.

i've only been open for three days and i've already had a few sales, have been included in people's "treasuries" {etsy member curated galleries} and have been blogged about!  ok, so maybe that's not a big deal to you, my reader, but it is to me... how exciting!

above is a screenshot of the blog that posted my "thanks" cards.  the seller has a shop on etsy called Get Ready Set Go - Upcycled Vintage Luggage for the Unique and the Geek.    she sells really cool vintage luggage.. go visit her etsy shop!  

i'm still learning the etsy ropes and all the online selling lingo, but for now, i'm lovin' etsy and the handmade community!  have a fantabulous weekend!

If you love letterpress + beautiful design be sure to read our latest post from Sara Tams of sara + abraham - an interview with Debbie Lee of Penelope's Press filled with wonderful images of her printing press and studio.

i had no idea when the post was going live, but when i read the facebook message {because i am a fan of oh my! handmade goodness & you should be too... get the inside scoop and be a fan today} i nearly fell off my chair.  this post was my first interview feature on a blog and i can't be more excited! seeing my name and my little business name on a blog is like seeing my name in lights... ok, maybe not that extreme.. but oh so exciting nonetheless!  read the whole interview by 'clicking here'.