adventure is out there {i heart makers}

to be brave print

Another edition of {i heart makers} for you today! As the days warm up here in the Pacific Northwest, I can't help but start dreaming about little adventures to take with my family. While looking for a collection of goodies to celebrate getting outside, I was struck by how many awesome handmade designs there are the directly celebrate the adventures we experience in our lives. So I focused on that word and discovered all these goodies.

One thing I love about almost all of these is that they'd also make really thoughtful gifts for grads, new parents, and some would even be sweet wedding gifts.

First, the print at the top of this post is from Mae Chevrette, and I love how it celebrates the way we have that deep desire to connect with our bravery and make our way in the world. From big decisions, like moving across the country after college or starting a new business, to smaller ones that feel big ones, like simply moving into a new house, we all know this feeling. 

The Adventure Moleskine from The Wild Creatives would be a sweet way to keep track of the adventures you want to take and what you find when you get out in the world.

I'm also a little obsessed with their Breathe Adventure Drink Coffee mug. 

The Adventure Awaits globe from Everthine Designs is simply gorgeous. Hand lettering makes me happy and I'm pretty excited that this is a trend that is sticking around. You can customize a globe with your own wording too, which is so much fun!

The "adventure is a family value" sweatshirt from elSage designs delights me. I had the chance to connect with these makers at Urban Craft Uprising and this couple is the real deal. Awesome customer service and just a very sweet, genuine vibe to them.

This "Blessed are the curious" watercolor print from Winsome Easel is breathtaking. 

And while curating over on Pinterest, I've seen quite a few prints and other good things that celebrate this idea that "you are our greatest adventure" but I think this one, also from Winsome Easel, might be my favorite. A gorgeous gift for new parents.

You can never have too many bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, and these Adventure Awaits pencils from Earmark Social Goods make me smile.

Here are two products that celebrate the adventure captured in the movie Up (which is one of my favorites ever...that first 10 minutes or so...hashtag I can't even). First, this sweet print from Wanderlust25 Paper Co.

And then this handmade "Our Adventure Book" journal by Akeidah is the sweetest!

The "life was meant for good friends and grand adventures" t-shirt by ShopAugustInk takes me back to the summer in college that I spent in Jackson, WY with dear friends from the boarding school I went to. Wish we'd had these for the iconic photo we took by the Welcome to Wyoming sign we stopped at during our cross-country drive. Also love their not all who wander are lost tee.

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a little about you and your shop with a link to your site in the comments so I can visit. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.

Note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. All photos are copyright to the makers mentioned.

To check out other posts in this ongoing series where I celebrate makers and the good things they create and design, head over here.

makers gonna make {i heart makers}

downloadable print from Inspire Empire

When you're a maker, sometimes you need a little bit of encouragement to keep going. You need to be reminded that all the hours are worth it. That you can learn new things. That people really are going to love (and hopefully even buy) that thing that you're creating that is really an extension of your heart. And I love that makers realize that they can create things that become a pep talk for other makers. 

Here are a few of these "pep talks" that have caught my eye lately:

This print from Bubby and Bean just makes me happy. I want to put it right above my desk in my studio.

This maker life tee from Small Glow delights me. So sweet. Also love the long-sleeve version + this mug + this shopkeeper tee. Yep. Love this whole shop.

Love this reminder from Signs with Soul for those moments of doubt.

These pencils from Harvest Paper Co. make me smile. Pink! 

This journal is hand lettered by Sarah Cason Designs with one of my favorite quotes that reminds you to stop waiting for it all to align and just get started right where you are. 

This wall hanging would make me sing my own version of "Shake It Off" every time I see it. And the best part? There's also a listing for a pattern so you can make your own.

I turn to this Ira Glass quote again and again (print from Pink Milkshake Designs). It is a really good one to have on your wall.

And this notepad from The Hipster Housewife is perfect for your daily to-do list or, my favorite, your "what I did today" list.

Also love this mug and this necklace and this sweatshirt.

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a little about you and your shop with a link to your site in the comments so I can visit. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.

Note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. All photos are copyright to the makers mentioned.

To check out other posts in this ongoing series where I celebrate makers and the good things they create and design, head over here.

because coffee makes me happy {i heart makers}

This print from LetterSpeak says it all really, yes?

I'm having a bit of a love affair with coffee these days. About a year ago, we had to break up because we simply did not get along. Then I was able to switch over to cold brew, which I still love and drink most mornings. It's lower in acidity, which is a very good thing for my body. After my long break from regularly brewed hot coffee, we seem to be getting back together. Thank goodness. So I thought I'd do an I Heart Makers post that simply celebrates coffee.

I think "but first coffee" started out as a hashtag on Instagram. (This is something I need to Google.) Wherever it began, it makes me happy every time I see it. This t-shirt from MoodCatz delights me. I love the neckline and the bat sleeves. Also love this mug and this print.

Love the colors on this print from Benton Park Prints. I want to hang it in the coffee cart in my imaginery loft meets studio meets place where I hold workshops.

This ceramic pourover cone from Jennifer Creighton is gorgeous and comes in several colors.

I've probably mentioned a few times that this print of a quote from Johnny Cash by Hey There Design is one of my all-time favorite finds.

This Madagascar vanilla cold brew coffee syrup from Dave's Coffee sounds so good.

And this mug by small glow is on my wish list because I think my coffee would be very happy inside it. (It's also possible that this brilliant Dolly Parton meets coffee print is also on my wish list.)

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a little about you and your shop with a link to your site in the comments so I can visit. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.

Note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. All photos are copyright to the makers mentioned.

To check out other posts in this ongoing series where I celebrate makers and the good things they make and design, head over here.

because books. always books. {i heart makers}

"I like to party" print by Bookworkboutique

I've been gathering a few of my favorite book-related goodies to share with you as the next installment of the {i heart makers} series. Books have always been among my dearest friends. I've gone through times in my life where I honestly felt like authors and characters in books got me and helped me feel seen in ways I couldn't ask others to do in my life. Books take me on adventures, get me to think about life in new ways, and give me a sense of place. If you're someone who loves books like me or you need the perfect gift for a book lover in your life, here are some awesome made/designed by makers creations:

The "I read past my bedtime" pillow by Bookwormboutique makes me smile and has me nodding yes yes yes. The 10-year-old me would have loved seeing this on her bed every day (it goes without saying the 39-year-old me feels the same way). And because this is over on Society6 it comes in other designs too. (And I'm a bit obsessed with all the designs by Bookworkboutique. Like this phone case and this t-shirt and this mug.)

When I signed the contract for my book, my friend Jen gave me one of these gorgeous tiny book journal necklaces from Peg and Awl. It remains one of my favorite most thoughtful gifts of all time. (And Peg and Awl has become one of my favorite maker made businesses to support. I have several of their items in my studio and home. They probably deserve their own blog post soon.)

I've started spotting really unique book planters more and more on Pinterest. I recognize that they might be blasphemous for some book lovers because a book has to be altered but in my mind I love that books that might just be sitting on shelves unread in thrift stores are getting a new life. Over on Scoutmob, Paperdame has some awesome ones.

If you know me well, you know I'm not so much into humor that plays off of body parts. It just isn't my thing. At all. But this tote from She Sells Fairhope and other Etsy items out there with this quote make me crack up every single time I see them. I start singing and grooving and can't stop smiling. The. Best.

When I started my retreats years ago, I couldn't find book plates that I liked to put inside the books I'd be taking with me to retreats (and loaning to friends). Back in 2009, Etsy rescued me and I fell in love with the shop boygirlparty. We've been customers ever since. These whale book plates are my favorite but Susie has several others. You'll be seeing boygirlparty appear in future "I heart makers" posts. I'm a fan.

Love this "Reading is my super power" mug from LennyMud. There are other styles too.

And the Bookworm phone case from Cassia Beck makes me smile. I want to step into that photo and read all those books!

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a little about you and your shop with a link to your site in the comments so I can visit. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.

Note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the link.

in case you need some encouragement {i heart makers}

Love this quote print from Parada Creations

One of my favorite things to pin is quotes (and products with words) because they are like little whispered truths (or loud reminders when needed) that invite us to think about the ways we really want to live. At least once a month, my {i heart makers} series is going to feature items with quotes and words that I hope will shake things up a bit for you and invite you to pay attention or, like this week, remind you that you're not alone.

A few people in my life are going through "stuff" in the way that happens from time to time. Maybe you have some people in your world having a hard time too or maybe that person is you. Here's a handful of my current favorite items that are handmade or designed by makers that fall in the "words of encouragement" category.

This "you are loved" mug from pinkoliveinc has been a favorite of mine for years. So sweet. And would make a beautiful gift.

Love this reminder that "you are part of something beautiful." Such an awesome t-shirt from Perusha People.

Because sometimes we just need to be reminded to keep believing (and to sing Journey). Love this print from Virginia Kraljevic

The Instant Comfort Pocket Boxes by Kim Welling are one of my favorite things on Etsy. Simple. Delightful. Heartfelt. Yes.

I don't think we can hear "you are enough" too often in our lives. When I first started hammering versions of "i am enough" and "you are enough" into lockets years ago, there was just one other shop using that phrase on Etsy. Now you can find these words on so many products, and I think that is so awesome. These two caught my eye this week.

Love the happy colors in this print by pen and paint (and you can choose a colorful version when you order).

And this mug from LilyAndVal is really lovely. 

And finally, this print from Read Between the Lines just makes me happy. I can just imagine seeing it every day in my home knowing that someone in the world feels that way about me. Would be pretty awesome.

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a little about you and your shop with a link to your site in the comments so I can visit. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.

Note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the link.

unicorns, mermaids, and rainbows {i heart makers}

Be The Mermaid by Kelly Barton

Over the weekend, Jon, Ellie, and I were having a somewhat quiet afternoon (okay, it was not all that quiet because life with our five year old is not quiet, but it was a bit chill). I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw all these awesome people hanging out at Urban Craft Uprising and couldn't handle not going. So off we went with just a few hours to spare.

And it was so awesome to be in a room filled with so many amazing makers and people who love handmade.

Ellie was full of so much energy and joy finding all the booths with stuffies and chatting up anyone who wanted to talk. Oh this kid. How she makes my life so much brighter. 

I found some really fantastic handmade goods that I'll be sharing in a few posts this month (I want to take some photos first of a few). As we were driving home, I started thinking about creating a new blog series here about all the handmade (or designed by makers) goods I find when I have on my curating hat and am sharing things over on Pinterest.

So here we are: The first "I Heart Makers" column! I'll be spotlighting some of my favorite makers, some of my favorite products that I use and wear and have in my home, along with a few fun things that catch my eye as I'm perusing the Internet.

Today, I'm spotlighting "Unicorns, Mermaids, and Rainbows" because those three things are current favorites for Ellie and me. As she would say, "We LOVE LOVE LOVE unicorns and rainbows and mermaids too, don't we Mama?" Yes, honey. Yes. We. Do.

You might have seen this photo of me sporting my sparkly unicorn horn over on Instagram. It just delights me. My dear friend Alli gave it to me and she found it in Brooklyn Owl's Etsy shop. It's the perfect thing to put on when you're about to drive away from the ocean-front home where you've hosted a retreat and are feeling the sads come on.

(image from MilbotandChooky)

This rainbow cloud mobile is so adorable and from MilbotandChooky on Etsy. They have quite a few happy mobiles and garlands.

(image from Yikes Twins)

Last month, we found this awesome unicorn towel for Eleanor at Pottery Barn Kids (she sometimes wears it for most of the day). AND THEN SOMEONE ON INSTAGRAM LET ME KNOW ABOUT AN ETSY SHOP THAT MAKES UNICORN TOWELS FOR ADULTS. Sorry. Couldn't stop myself from talking in a super loud excited voice just then. Check out these awesome towels from Yikes Twins (including mermaids!). I can't even handle it. Totally have one in my shopping cart right now.

My new Reading Rainbow aka Brainbow phone case makes me so happy. It also comes as a pillow, totebag, and even a shower curtain. I can't help but smile when I see it and I'm totally thinking about getting this pillow.

Have you seen Kelly's mermies yet? She's has some over on Society6 (like the one on the top of this post) and others in her Etsy shop. I heart these mermaids and their awesome ways.

And I'm totally in love with Anna Wingfield's Magical Unicorn Anointing Oil. It has a very clean citrus and lavender scent. I'm using it in the moments when I want to invite in a bit more magic and playfulness with a huge dose of inner wisdom on the side. 

An invitation: Are you a maker? Share a link to your shop in the comments so I can visit your shop. Would love to possibly feature you in a future post.