Thursday, August 28, 2008

Do It Yourself

The Do-It-Yourself, or DIY culture is taking hold and you can find some great handmade items for tweens, teens, men and women by searching this term

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH DIY


The DIY culture is akin to the Indie movement, but it has many subcultures such as "Punk, rockabilly, emo, metal" etc. Many of the items are upcycled clothing or jewelry pieces made from recycled clothing or commercially produced goods. The DIY market is a very trendy and hip scene.

gypsy*rags is a seller who specializes in the DIY market.


kellyz-2007 has some cute crocheted DIY scarves, like this cupcake scarf for example:




See, you learned something new today didn't you? LOL.

Fashion Head Start

Why not head back to school looking smart in a
Peyton's Place Boutique headband?
Designer Y spied this website and her adorable headbands today.
The Pink Boho is one good looking accessory.


The Seaside rose heaband is just a beauty!

Tell her Y sent you!

ROCK the vote!

The Etsy handmade kids sweepstakes contest is coming to it's final culmination! All the candidates have been selected by a prestigious panel of judges (with the likes of associates of cookie magazine, Martha Stewart magazine, tree hugger & more!) and they're just waiting for you to pick up that virtual stylus and go into your little voting booth and rock the vote!




A well known designer in the boutique community has made it to the final round of the clothing category and we'd like to congratulate her. It's none other than Jen of Tie*Dye*Diva*Designs for her adorable heart dyed maternity top!

If you'd like to see all of the contestants in each category, click on the contest logo. If you'd like to see all of the entrants in the clothing category click Here. There sure are some darling things being featured!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Where are they now? Blast from the past

Where are they now?


Maybe somethings are better left in the past?

Have you had an evileena sighting
or is she now just an urban legend?

Blog or go home

Who has a blog?



Anyone?........

Anyone?........


Post a link here and we'll put you on the Designing-Minds blogroll

Monday, August 25, 2008

Stunning



Vintage Duck Dollhouse Collection,
what an amazing listing to behold!
I'm not sure which is more breathtaking,
the pictures, the graphics, the model,
or the design! Please click on the picture
and see for yourself!

Christmas Kitty

Christmas Kitty!


What a cute holiday dress from Maddie*Kate!
This one will be custom made in sizes 18m-6,
it's purrrrfect! Click on the picture to go
to the ebay auction now.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

This little pixie went to market

We've been hearing a lot of buzz
about one of Michael Miller's fabric lines....

Farmer's Market, by Sandi Henderson is the hottest thing going right now!

The creative force behind these to-die-for prints is one of the boutique community's own,
Portabllo Pixie, a.k.a. Sandi Henderson!

Two of Designer Y's boutique buddies traveled to quilt market in Seattle in May and
got to meet Sandi, and they reported she is just as friendly, approachable and warm in person as she comes across in her beloved fabric designs!

A recent design by the talented designer known as AbbyChase
using the Farmer's Market fabrics:


(check out her blog!!)


If you'd like to explore Sandi's world a little more,
here's the scoop on her:

Sandi Henderson, textile designer, artist, photographer...BLOGGER!
Portabello Pixie Blog


Get your hot little hands on the rich and vintage inspired Farmer's Market Fabrics
Sandi Henderson's Farmer's Market Fabrics on ebay


Want to see what people are making with Sandi's fabrics?
The public Farmer's Market Flickr Group

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Do you pounce?



Etsy has a very cool feature called "Pounce"
With it, you can see what has recently sold from a seller,
and view what else they are offering~

and you can also see new and undiscovered shops that
haven't had their first sale yet. Designer Y loves to pounce!

This is how I find some of my new favorite items and sellers
on Etsy for my item showcases on the
Designing-minds blog!

Don't waste any time...
Click here to get your pounce on:

Pounce

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Free E-Book For Moms In Business


Click here to visit Pink Power Suit


Pink Power Suit, a mentoring site for enterprising Moms is offering a free ebook download with tips and ideas for Moms thinking about starting a business or for Moms already in business! Read on to get a little taste...

"Many success story write-ups focus on million dollar businesses. I love to read those profiles! But some women have trouble relating to millionaire success. If you can't relate to something, it's hard to feel inspired.

Like beauty, success comes in all shapes and sizes.

Some of you may not be ready for the work and commitment involved with "big business". Perhaps you've only just started to consider a home business at all and you'd be happy to be paying off a few bills.

If so, you'll be inspired by the women featured within this FREE eBook download whom are doing at least that.

*Tracey von Dehn and Lisa Will can shed some light on becoming a mom inventor-- the Stonz bootie has set the bar for cold weather baby footware!
*Tara Holberton has a creative idea for what you can do with an old house and a bread machine, that could bring in $2000-4000 a month!
*Marlynn Jayme Schotland's press coverage will have you convinced that you don't have to be in a low competition business to get noticed! "
* (from Pink Power Suit's site)

I think I can fly!

Don't miss this one, it's from Goosie Girl and it's $.99



Who doesn't love to score a deal?


Click Here if you want to save money


Custom Handmade Clothing Resells for Babies, Toddlers, Boys and Girls,
you can't score better deals on the best made stuff anywhere!

A little birdie told me

Jaybird Designs, a mom owned and operated custom crochet boutique, features many unique crocheted and knitted designs for babies, children, and women. They specialize in crochet baby blanket sets (which include a crochet baby blanket, matching crochet hat and booties), boutique style children's clothing and accessories (such as halters, sweaters, and hats), women's accessories (beautiful purses, scarves, and more!), and original crochet patterns.

The designer, Jennifer J. Cirka, is also a published crochet designer with beautiful designs published in major crochet magazines such as Crochet Today and Crochet World. She also has a leaflet of her designs in the works with Leisure Arts.



(Click on the picture to go to the Jaybird Website)


The new line of wholesale items include adorable baby hat and mitten sets for both infant boys and girls. It also includes other amazing accessories for babies and children. The women’s accessory catalog features stunning hats and scarves along with a unique crocheted purse. Other items listed on the Jaybird Designs website can also be considered for wholesale purchase if requested.

The Jaybird Designs wholesale catalog is now available for viewing by contacting the designer at sales@jaybird-designs.com . It will be available up until December 1, 2008. All orders must be received by that date.

Monday, August 18, 2008

DM Summer Fun Photo Contest!



We're hosting a photo contest that lets you show off your adorable kids while earning the chance to win some great handmade and boutique prizes!

Prizes Needed: We are seeking THREE (3) handmade prize donations for this contest, each prize should have a value of $25-$50 retail value each .If you're interested in being a prize donor, please email a photo & brief description of the item you'd like to donate to a winner of the contest and we'll give you a free 180x200 size ad on the blog for 2 months! (and lots of mentions on the blog too!) *This should be a pre-made or ready to ship item*

What: We want to see your kids being kids and enjoying summer activities! To enter the contest, please send in a picture you've taken (sorry, professional studio portraits don't qualify) This is a great way to wrap up the summer with a great contest & bring out all those memory making moments you had this summer.

Email: one photo:600 pixels x 900 pixels per entrant/family

Details: The top 5 will be chosen by Designers X & Y, and then posted on the blog. We will then have a poll for the TOP three winners. *Prizes will be donated by DM readers, and will be sent to the winers by the donors.

All entries must be received by Sept. 10th, The top 5 winning photos will be posted by Sept. 15th, The poll to pick the top 3 winners will appear on the DM blog between Sept. 15-22nd, Prizes should then arrive by Sept. 30th to the winners unless other arrangements are made between the donor and the winner.


There's still some time to start snapping pictures if you haven't taken any over the summer...but we're pretty sure you have~LOL! We know how much Moms love to photograph their kids!

Duck Boo Originals


ducksouporiginals

Has this adorable Halloween Boo set listed this week on ebay,
it's just way too cute!

How precious is this one?

Look at all the detail that went into this GORGEOUS hand-smocked
baby bonnet! Designer Y wants to have another baby just so she can
buy this darling little chapeau!


Raise your hand if you're in love with this one from littleiddybiddies

Sunday, August 17, 2008

It's just marvie!

Sarah of Marvellous Mouse is such a busy lil' bee!

Her fall fabric swap is well underway and this is what she wants everyone that is participating to know: "The Fall Fabric Swap is well underway. Thanks to those of you who have emailed me back to let me know that you've gotten your swap details. I will breathe again when I know that everyone has received them (LOL) and is busily putting together their packages. The deadline for mailing is August 30th. Some participants have already mailed their packages, including yours truly :)."

Sarah has been thinking on her feet & has added a cool feature to her blog too:
"There's a new feature on her blog: the Order Here button. It's on her sidebar and if you see anything that catches your fancy - either in her flickr account or in her posts - just click on that button and email her the details of what you'd like her to custom create for you. "

Thanks for the news Sarah!

We just love getting business & fun news from designing moms, if you have an announcement or accomplishment to share,
please email them to:

DesignerY@live.com

Dream House




Pixie Dust Studios does it again!
What an adorable purse!
Click on the picture to get your
very own real estate showing of this lil' dollhouse!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

This just in from Daisy Head ...er....that tutu girl....

Once Upon a Time...


A designing mom worked hard to establish
herself in the market,
she created a business of her very own making,
but Dr. Seuss said,
"Our name you are taking"

"Daisy Head Mayzie is a Suess character, you see,
We know you spell if different, but you are infring-ing

"Don't make us open up a can and get all grinchy
they said with a frown,
we will take your to court and bring your reputation down

"This hard working mom never said she was related
but the cat in the hat's widow argued and negated

"Get rid of your website, ebay id, & etsy shop all together,
It doesn't matter that you've had this name for 4 years,
inconsequential and naive, little Heather!

Through the face of it all, this mom thought she'd persist
Until she was served with a cease and desist

The name has been canceled, but the business
will go on
Perhaps it wouldn't matter if she were in Taiwan?

The mom will go on and build a costume empire,
in the face of adversity while coming under fire
from the stingy widow of the cat in the hat
the mom will start over, and come right back

This talented mom will bring costumes to the world,
raggie bows she will make and rolls of tulle will unfurl,

Word to the wise, don't mess with a mom who's
got to feed her kids
by selling on etsy and getting ebay bids

Top quality tutu gowns and cute girly things,
will continue to flow from the hands of this
dedicated mom....

You'll soon be able to find her doing business at
www.GoosieGirlBoutique.com

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Trick or Treat, I love boutique!

Halloween is so fun when you're into custom boutique
and handmade clothing/accessories!!


(this one is by twolittleangels, member of Melimelo on ebay)

There is such a wide variety on ebay & etsy right now. Who would have thought that as the kids head back to school so many of us are thinking ahead and buying NOW for Halloween? When you buy a handmade custom piece of clothing, you are supporting the mom behind it. You're also helping the American economy and you're getting a top quality product, which, in Designer Y's opinion is far superior to anything you can buy at a department store or chain clothing store at the mall.
Support the handmade movement, and make a purchase from a designing mom!

Click here to search ebay for custom boutique halloween


Click here to search etsy for custom boutique halloween

The Nesting Instinct

This gorgeous dress and bow set is being offered
as a custom by the very talented

921Mojo
on ebay this week.
Click on the pictures to see it!






WOW!

Feeling a little spacey?

Buckeye-Mom has this one on ebay this week for the outer space lover


Click on the picture to get a better look, it's really a CUUUTE set!

and one for the girls (aliens are hard to find for girls, so this is great!)
from So Busy Boutique:

Over the river and through the woods



this*lil*piggy is offering this great 4 piece set for the Ivylane WOODS launch
My what nice applique you have.......

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

T-Minus 48 and Counting

http://www.bennettauctions.com/2007/120207_posters2/203.48.Hours.jpg

T-minus 48 hours and counting to
SHARE THE LOVE!!

THIS Friday is the FINAL DAY to have a (fabulous) Designing-Minds
banner posted on your blog for this month's Share the Love Contest!

WHO loves Starbucks and wants a gift card worth 25 smackers?!

C'mon ladies!
Pony up & get a banner on your website,
blog or ebay me page!
Report back here and post a LINK to where you posted it
(ehem...that's called free promotion for YOU) ;)

AND then cross your fingers that you are the lucky girl who is about to get
her joe fix for a couple of days ON US!!

Hurry...there's only a little time left!!

Zuma Zuma Zuma Zoom!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants has nothing on this showcase!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Designer Y would like to introduce you to the fine art of the Zuma. Zumas are a European style of pants with wide legs and they're so cool!

This is the best of the best of the Zumas available on Etsy right now

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
designery.etsy.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time janiasphotoenhancements was featuring this on ebay!
It's got free shipping! I think it would make a nice gift!

How's this for "Over the top"


Ends TODAY
HIGH bidder gets it shipped for
FREE!!
don't miss it!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Minding my P's & Q's: Blog Etiquette

Designer Y has a few questions about how our readers feel about an important topic...
such as, blog etiquette. I want to hear from all of you!

Tell me what you would do or what you think "Miss Manners" might do if in the same situation.



1. You're notified via email by a business acquaintance that she has added you to her blogroll...
What do you do?
a. Email her back and thank her
b. Email your thanks, and add a reciprocal link on your own blog
c. Nothing

2. You're notified that you're being featured on a blog. The feature includes a link to something you're selling and a link so it may result in a sale for you.
What do you do?
a. Thank the sender of the notification in a return email
b. Cross your fingers that you get a bid or sale out of it
c. Go to the blog where you are featured and leave a comment thanking the blogger
d. Send a thank you email, go to the blog and drop off a comment of thanks, post a small notice about being featured on your own blog
e. Nothing

3. You see a post on a blog that interests you, and you think readers might enjoy something similar you've blogged about.
What do you do?
a. Post a comment with the link to your own blog in it and direct readers there
b. Email the blogger and ask if it's okay if you post your link
c. Write another blog saying you read the other person's blog and it reminded you of your own blog and reference it.
d. Nothing

4. You post a blog and people begin leaving derogatory or mean comments about you, the subject you're blogging about, or the designer you've blogged about.
What do you do?
a. Enable comment moderation for all future blogs
b. Delete any and all mean/derogatory comments
c. Leave the mean comments alone, free speech is a 1st amendment right after all!
d. Watch from the sidelines and jump in if it gets completely out of control.
e. Nothing

Designer Y would hate to commit a blogging faux pas,
so I beg you gentle readers to tell me what to do if faced with these situations!

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Who loves ya baby?






Add the Designing-Minds blog to your faves so
you don't miss out on any news, features, or
any of the other good stuff
Designers X & Y spread around!

Designer Y spies with her little eye...something etsy-ish!

I've got some YUMMY Indie Made Etsy Goodness for y'all!




(this is from Designer Y's fave items list!)

Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolly Lolly lolly...

lollipopjewels just listed a bunch of jeweled blingy barettes and they're super cute!
This one is a bookworm barette, and it's ideal for BTS!

bookworm.jpg picture by princessjewels73



Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?




Thursday, August 07, 2008

Can I get a Woo-Hoo?!

Designer y is proud to announce, we've been monitoring visitor traffic on our lil' old blog here and we just want to say........



We're hitting nearly 1,000 views a week!
Can I get a woo-hoo?!

(pssst...now would be a good time to advertise on the blog!)

Things that make you go hmmmmmmm

Here's the latest news from ebay:


DSRs Displaying Incorrectly
August 07, 2008 | 11:39:42 AM PDT
Some Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs) are currently displaying incorrectly.
We are working on this issue with the utmost urgency, and expect to have it corrected soon. We absolutely understand the necessity of displaying accurate DSRs for our sellers, and we apologize for the frustration and confusion this may be causing you.



info courtesy of the fine IT folks at ebay

I feel priddy, oh so priddy

priddy*creations is offering these digital camera straps in designer fabrics on ebay this week. I totally need one of these, and what a GREAT price!
I want one for every day of the week
I'm such a fabric monger..LOL!



The Tide is high and I'm holdin' on...



hbd! is rolling up her clam diggers and playing in the tide with this BEAUTIFUL fringe bracelet! What a charmer! Very swingy and fun.....and the coolest blue!

The best part is it's a listing in the BOUTIQUE ANGELS Charity listing benefiting
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

This is a great cause, and a great piece of jewelry!
Click on the picture to get your bid on!

She shoots.......She Scores!



Tuesday, August 05, 2008

It's a handmade baby shower!

I just got invited to a baby shower for a good friend of mine.
She's expecting in 6 weeks so it looks like Designer Y will be shopping for baby things!

When I searched on Ebay & Etsy, I found some of the cutest things!

Just take a look at all of these adorable items that would be ideal shower gifts:

Britax Car Seat Cover by sidlance



treysmom has this personalized onesie and burp cloth set



What a funky infant hat! It's from thebabygalleria



Handmade letters for the nursery! How fun!
(From candicenkatiesart on etsy)



vanessaandcompany has this little cupcake set on etsy



Feel free to spam me here with your handcrafted
baby shower gift ideas in the comment section!

I'd love to see more!

Monday, August 04, 2008

EEEK!



3sweetps*boutique has a favorite ride...and I bet it's the one to the bank! She deserves every single penny on this adorable set! Nice work!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Indie Inspiration



Welcome to a new feature on the Designing-Minds blog
"Etsy TV"!

This is inspiring! Isn't it?


Saturday, August 02, 2008

Shark Week!

Discovery Channel is hosting Shark Week this week, and I love it!
So Designer Y took a little dive expedition into ebay boutique to look and see what she could spy with her little eye with sharks!

Cage Goes In the Water
Designer Y is in the Water........


Click on the pictures to take a look at each one:


flutterbyes*boutique




punky*doodle*bowtique






txbabe10




ooh!wee!

Don't miss this!

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics are coming very soon! Designer Y loooves to watch the opening ceremonies, not only for the nostalgia of it all, but to catch the amazing costumes and theatrical elements!



Beijing has been preparing for this event for YEARS and an amazing stadium was built especially for the summer olympics. It's a breath-taking structure that has been affectionately referred to as "the birds nest". The Beijing committee has guaranteed this will be the most spectacular pre-games ceremony yet. 10,500 athletes from around the world are expected to compete and participate in the opening ceremony. The theme for the program is,
"One World, One Dream" and there will be many elements of fantasy and dance in the program.



The costumes have been rumored to be fantastic, and if you're into designing, like most of our readers, this is a "do not miss" event!





Not only has an incredible amount of work gone into the traditional Chinese costuming expected to be seen in the big show, but take a peek at this leotard being constructed to represent Canada's swim team!




What a thrill to be a designer on the team for the opening ceremonies! I can't wait to watch!

Where to see it: NBC (Network Television)

When: Friday, August 8th at 8:08 CST (precise, aren't they? LOL)

Hosts: Matt Lauer & Bob Costas


See you in Beijing next Friday!
It's custom BOUTIQUE....made by DesigningMINDS
NO fluff, NO interviews, NO ADS...JUST the Facts...the way it was intended............