Scoutie Girl

gourds, really.

in consideration of Thanksgiving, i was searching for art that would pay homage to mother nature's bounty - and here you have it: gourd art. i found an array of styles, vessels, animals, but these were by far the most intriguing and well-done. this artist searches for just the right hard-shelled gourd and brings out its 'personality' by carving, burning, staining, painting and weaving. here, these birds come to life with their delicate handcarved feathers. she uses glass eyes, copper feet and beaks fashioned from handcarved wood or horseshoe crab tails! i appreciate the originality and detail...a lot of passion in her work. Artist: Mindy Hawkins

prices vary at mindy hawkins gourds

classic clutch

created from flea market, tag sale and antique shop fabrics from the 1940s-50s, each of these clutch handbags is a handmade original. select vintage accents like millinery,trim, buttons & jewelry adorn the fronts - giving each one a final, unique touch. impeccable quality and a wide range from which to choose. each bag measures approximately 16" across, 6" tall and has a 6" by 12" hinged closure. Designer: Lynn Teles

Q: what was the deciding factor in making only clutches from these gorgeous fabrics?

$80 from vintage clutch

coming full-circle with 180

back in january, my 4th post ever was about this really cool serving bowl made from repurposed metal washers. i loved it then like i love it now. i found it at realm dekor doing google searches. and as much as i love jewelry, it seems lately like that's ALL i get suggestions about...so i've been googling like mad to find more non-jewelry indie artists (and who are bold enough to have a website of their very own), like i had in mind when i started Scoutie Girl. i KNOW you're out there...show yourselves...ollie ollie all come free!

ready for the 360? i rec'd an email from tammy roy of one eighty designs about placing a free banner ad for her new site (did you know they were free?). so i checked out her site, and there was the whole sha-bang: beauty & duty, stretched convention, economy of materials, not jewelry, not etsy...just awesome recycled art!! and i saw thee very serving bowl i had been reminiscing about...and this is post #184 (did you do the math?) how freaking cool is that? 180 posts between then and now + one eighty designs.

tammy's art is ab-fab, which is made in part or entirely from reclaimed metal from salvage yards. as she goes about constructing her pieces, she draws inspiration from the clean lines of modern art as well as an intrigue with shape, form and unusual objects. does that pendant lamp rock or what?! i hope you enjoy her eco-inspired, industrial art as much as i do. Designer: Tammy Roy

Q: what was your favorite find on a dumpster dive and what did you make with it? [see comments for answer]

$55-110 from one eighty designs

get wired

finding dramatic, new ways to wire-wrap gemstones has become an experimental obsession for this designer. her techniques are constantly evolving as she challenges herself to find new collages, layouts and statements in her pieces. she incorporates classic elements in a hallmark "organized chaos" - i love every second of it...risk-taking is what it's all about! Designer: Alexandra Mihaescu

Q: how hard is it to repeat a wrapping pattern that you created by accident? [see comments for answer]

$65-229 from by me jewels

hip [to not be square] necklaces

how about these babies? hand-etched copper with a funky jade-colored fiberglass backing. super lightweight, but durable (horseplay allowed). each pendant is covered with protective gloss to prevent tarnishing. artist features lots-o-designs as well as necklaces in acrylic for only $10 and cool t-shirts, too. keep an eye out for this one...

$20 from bumblesea

just what november ordered

there's a little nip in the air in PA, and the first real winter chill is days away. one of these hats would be just the thing! they start with individually crocheted tops in patterns ranging from pageboy to hipster to military-style - then add a funky brim constructed from a salvaged sweater. nice selection of colors (two-tone and mono-tone), and a few choice embellishments here and there. these ladies also feature well-done reconstructed shawls, jackets, sweaters, t-shirts and more. Designers:  Jen Neitzel & Kim State

$38-42 from knot ugly designs

mood lighting worth creating a mood for

whether you're going for a relaxed evening for 2 or a classy extragavaganza for 20, these votives will add a nice touch. finished in a white matte glaze with burnt brown edges (that look like they were gently torn by hand), they'll go with sooo many decor styles - i don't think you can go wrong. pale pink glaze inside sets off the candle flame with a warm glow. approx. 5" across by 2.5" tall. artist creates wheel thrown bottles and vases with silhouettes inspired by the urban landscape around her. all lovely. she has a gallery site here: sarapaloma.com. and you can buy her items at her etsy site listed below. most pieces are made to order and take 3 weeks to ship. Artist: Sara Paloma

$34 from sara paloma

colorful, happy, flirty felt

so many applications, so little time. this artist is addicted; she says she can't stop thinking about all the things she'd like to make...i say go for it! it's an extremely adaptable medium if you're as skilled and creative as she is. these are just a few of her designs: a scarf, a handbag, a necklace, and a scarflette. all delicately felted and embellished by hand. her etsy site also features earrings, journal covers, barrettes, brooches and covered soap - each more remarkable than the next.

$30-125 from lana de flor

textile collage

melding and molding both vintage and remnant fabrics, these engaging handbags are quite distinct. with the variety of textiles, colors and designs used in each bag, it'll go with just about everything you wear - versatility is key for me! and each handbag is individually put together, ensuring that no 2 are alike. lots of styles from which to choose - good luck! Designers: Kristin Morrow & Lyndi Eimerl

$90-170 from fuffy j. couture