Handmade Stamps For the Handmade Heart

I have recently decided that I have an inappropriate obsession with stamps. I love them. I want to put them on everything and  I’m sure if I could I would design some sort of crazy contraption that I could transfer my handwriting to and stamp for the rest of my writing life! I know, it’s that serious.  But, it’s not my fault! It’s the wedding! All I can think of is crafting and thinking of fun and unique ways to create all of the “little things.” A.k.a Save the Dates, Invitations, Placecards, yada yada yada!  The one I’m working most diligently on now is my Save the Dates. For the past couple of weeks I have been avidly searching in stores and on Etsy for the PERFECT stamps to cover my Kraft paper envelopes.  Finally after hours of painstaking research and tear you heart out decisions I FINALLY found stamps on Etsy that I loved.  Well, I found dozens that I loved, but I had to choose just one! Check out some of the shops I found along the way and see what stamps I went with!

What drew me to this amazing shop?  The adorable “to” stamp with package tape! So cute and perfect for any occasion envelope (especially a rustic wedding!).  Seriously, I almost bought this stamp for my Save the Date envelopes, BUT I needed it a bit sooner than could be arranged.  ANYWAY!  You would not believe how difficult it was to find a shop that had already designed “deliver to” stamps.  And this was after I already shopped around some of your usual craft big box stores.  I guess you could buy a “t” and an “o,” place them side by side, draw some lines for the address and call it a day, but who wants to do that! Why not buy a fun stamp and cut the work in half! Ampersandity offers you just that and is one of the only shops on Etsy that carries these pre-made “to” stamps.  You can choose from a few styles, all rustic in design and there is even a Christmas “to” stamp!  How cute would that be on your handmade Christmas Card! Order early though because these handmade stamps take  a couple of weeks to carve and ship.  Besides the “to” stamps, Ampersandity also carries some beautifully hand carved address stamps.  Quirky, original and rustic the address stamps come in unique designs and prints.  Oh the prints!  They’re precise, unique, fun and 100% custom! Trust me, if you like things that have a vintage feel to them, you will love these stamps! Something to keep in mind about this shop: Custom orders are welcome and the owner is happy to work with you to meet your specific design needs.  Check them out!

There is only one word to describe this shop…ADORABLE! Seriously, check Cupcake Tree out and you will see what I mean.  Olga, store owner, has made the shopping easy for you; creating equally cute categories to match her sweet handmade stamps.  Animal stamps (owls!), food stamps, teacher stamps, you name it, she has it!  The cutest category? MINI STAMPS! You will seriously grab your heart and gasp when you see these mini-me stamps.  It’s not just their size that makes them so irresistible, but it’s what Olga does with them that makes you say,”Now that’s different.” Check out this mini-stamp set and you will see what I mean: Mini Cupcake Set.  If you don’t want to buy that just to play with it, then you may want to get your heart checked!  But besides Olga’s fun handmade stamps shaped in simple, joyful shapes, Olga can also make custom stamps.  A fact that I know to be very true because she made one for me!  Like I mentioned before, I was in a desperate search for a “to” stamp and could not find one that I could get shipped ASAP.  So, I asked Olga to carve one for me and she so generously did AND she did it EXACTLY how I wanted it! And talk about fast! Oh my goodness, I received my proof the same day and Olga had it carved and shipped within a day and a half and I got in the mail within 3 days.  You know if you are a bride or have been one, time is of the essence. So the faster, the better!  How did I find out about this awesome shop? Funny you should ask! Olga actually helped me with my Save the Dates.  Coordinating with another seller, MonkeysontheRoof, a shop that crafts tree stump magnet Save the Dates, Olga created a personalized stamp for my fiance and I to go on our tree stump magnets.  I just got them in the mail last week and let me tell you, I was beyond ecstatic and I am so excited to send them out!  Bottom line is, you need to check this shop out.  Olga is super nice and will work with you on anything you need.  And lets face it, what can this woman not do with stamps!  Happy shopping 🙂  [Check out the end of this post for pics of my stamps and Save the Dates!]

Savethedate is another shop, like Ampersandity, that specializes in  lovely self-inking and wood handle address stamps.  They were actually the first shop that caught my eye when I was searching for address stamps for my Save the Dates mainly because I loved their designs.  They’re not especially grand or anything, but their simplicity is utterly adorable and the print is the main attraction. If you are like me and like that vintage look that exists with typewriter print, rigid lines and simple shapes, then you will know what I mean when you view the stamps.  Understated and unique, I had a ridiculously hard time choosing what stamp design I wanted.  There were just to many that I would of been happy with and that would fit with my vintage theme wedding.  Not only that, but my Kraft paper envelopes (which I also got off of Etsy)! So in my desperation, I actually brought my fiance in and asked him what his favorite was! And would you know it,  I ended up buying the one he liked!  Go figure.  Then from there I designed my “to” stamp which Savethedate also custom designed for me! (I know, I have two “to” stamps! I wanted a bigger one and a smaller one. What gives! I’m a bride, I can do what I want! Hehe..) Tiffany, one of the store owners, was unbelievably patient with me considering I changed the design like 50 times and she had to keep proofing it! But, she was super fast about it and when all my stamps were finalized and carved, she had them shipped and I had them within a week.  Which, I was surprised about because I was under the impression that it was going to take longer!  I did mention a few million times I needed them ASAP, so Tiffany may have pushed it through faster, but either way, I am a satisfied customer.  The best part is that my stamps look exactly like the product shown on Etsy and how I proofed it was how it was handcrafted.  And talk about quality! Fabulous! I’ve never had a self-inking stamp before and it is so addictive!  I highly recommend taking a gander at Savethedate if you are in the market for address stamps! [Check out my stamps below]

My Stamps!

One Sheet…A Million Possibilities!

On my search for quality handmade paper for my Save the Dates (I know! More wedding stuff! It has consumed me!) I came to the harsh realization that either you buy expensive handmade paper from an independent retailer OR you buy your basic cardstock from a Big Box store such as Michaels.  Neither of which obviously appealed to me at all and I began to give up on the idea I would be able to find affordable handmade paper.  But Alas! There is hope! In a last ditch effort, which I don’t know why it wasn’t even my first thought, I signed on to Etsy and searched for my desired scrolls of papyrus.  Of course it was no surprise when 10000 products popped up! But when I specified my search a bit more, I stumbled upon some beautiful paper and some must mention stores. And not only beautiful, but affordable! I mean, really, what doesn’t Etsy have?  I think I’m just going to start shopping for all my needs there! Check out the amazing products I found and find out which one I bought to create my Save the Dates!

FYI: There are endless possibilities when it comes to paper. Scrapbooking, Card Making, Sign Making, Place Cards…name it and you can do it!

How awesome is this handmade paper from torielliot! Made from recycled yellow pages paper, this handmade paper comes in packs of 4 and is perfect for scrapbooking.  Original and ornate, these sheets of collaged scraps of paper are in themselves a work of art.  To beautiful for you to write on?  Stick them in an old frame and spruce up your walls.  Imagine the conversations that would arise from them!  The best part about these colorful sheets is that they are super affordable.  Have a piece of handmade awesomeness for only $3.50 a pack!  Amazing!

Freshly brewed coffee paper! I loved reading that description when I stumbled across this coffee dyed handmade paper by secondhandwhimsy. It made me feel all warm and cozy on the inside just thinking about freshly brewed coffee.  Well, more the smell really considering I don’t drink coffee.  But not for a lack of trying! I just never took to the taste. Back to the paper though! Handmade from recycled office materials (talk about conserving!) these parchment sheets can be made with or without grounds embedded.  Sold in packs of five and hand tied with twine.  How cute!

Besides being pretty, these beautifully twined handmade sheets of paper put the “eco” in “eco-friendly.”  Combining the usual leftover scraps of our paper worked lives, this lovely stationary includes a rather unique feature….flowers.  Yes, dried flowers.  That’s what those little specs of color you see are.  How cool is that? Not to mention that sheepstreetdesign also creates its handmade papyrus with tea; an indulgence that I could not live without! Perfect for scrap booking, card making or whatever fun project you may have in mind!

Bare witness, my friends! These are the sheets of handmade goodness that started this whole debacle! I was in a desperate search for paper that would make my Save the Dates POP! And cardstock was just not giving me the effect that I wanted at all.  Way to rigid and it was just not fitting in with my vintage theme! So, I realized that I needed some amazing handmade paper…something that would scream rustic.  And after searching in shops, I realized I should just try Etsy and VOILA I find my perfect match at WhiteDragonPaper! Made from 100% cardboard, paperboard, and scraps of magazine pages this set of brown handmade paper is 4×5 and comes in a range of pack sizes.  To give you an idea, I got 40 sheets for $10! How amazing is that! I never thought that I could get quality handmade materials for affordable prices! So excited to get started on my Save the Dates when it arrives! Fun detail about shop: If you accumulate lots of scraps, send them to me for up to 25% off any item in my shop!

If I was a goat, this delectable handmade cotton paper would be my Filet Mignon!  Available in 5 delicious colors, these sheets are ” solid,” as the seller puts it.  What the seller says: These papers are what we call luster, which means they glisten just slightly, nothing too overpowering, but enough to add the wow factor to any project you might be working on. Paper size is 19″ x 25″ and has 4 natural deckles. The paper is one hundred percent cotton, internally sized and buffered, a heavy wight paper great for a range of artistic purposes. Just imagine the possibilities!

Journal writing is a favorite past time of mine and I always challenge myself when finding a new journal to purchase something unusual and unique. Just like me 🙂 I love buying leather bound or handmade journals, but they naturally be super expensive.  So when I stumbled across this handmade paper journal from hyperdoggie I was relieved! Beautiful and priced well, this journal is handmade inside and out. The book has a lovely cover with natural paper made from gourd vines, and decorative papers and beads have been added in natural tones to dress up the cover. 20 pages inside are sewn as signatures, and each has graceful deckle edges. Lovely.

Time to Spring!

It’s snowing outside and all I can think about is Spring!  Yes, Spring! Spring and its dandelions, its warm breezy days, and its…Spring Dresses! And not just any spring dress, but a truly unique vintage dress!  I just love that aroma that radiates from an aged dress, almost as if it was pressed inside of an old library book and left to ripen;  blending perfectly with natures smells and that warm feeling that immediately overtakes you as you take that first step into a sunny Spring day. So, as per the usual, I have searched to find the perfect dress for that occasion. The result: BrownBagVintage, a cute Etsy shop that offers its shoppers everything vintage from tops to accessories! Beginning its journey in Los Angeles, shop owner Michelle Delgado, has been an Etsy seller since 2008! Following her heart to Brooklyn, she currently resides in Brooklyn, where she  now conducts her business. When Michelle isn’t digging for her newest vintage finds, she is actually working for Etsy on their support team in Dumbo. And as she says, “…I’m very much looking forward to helping folks with all their thises and thats!”  Awesome!  Now, the hardest part about Delgado’s cute store, choosing just ONE  dress for my spring fantasy! But luckily I narrowed it down and found one in particular that I think that you will also fall in love with! Check it out!

White Dress: The winner of my Spring dress search! This sweet eyelet sundress is one of Etsy seller’s, Brownbagvintage, cutest! A fully lined cotton dress, this 1980’s spring dress is going for only $38 and is in excellent condition! Better be quick to scoop it up or else I will!

Other dresses I can’t resist from this seller:

Braided Belt: Courtesy of Ruche clothing, this braided belt is perfect for everything in your wardrobe! Wear it with your jeans or an oversized tee, you can wear it high and low! Going for only $14.99, where is the resistance?!

Tan Wedges: These adorable 1970’s wedges are a steal at $42! Featured on LaVintage, these wooden clompers are in superb condition with only minor scrapes! I am in love with the weaved look with the buckle closure! So cute!

Colorful Headbands: Who says headbands are not an essential accessory! They’re easy, fun, and serve a purpose in the prevention of flyaways! These 1980’s headbands are selling for only $4.99 on Modcloth and are in PERFECT condition seeing as they were found in a warehouse! Perfect for mix and matching!

Plastic Bangles: It must be fate that I found these while searching on Etsy! They match exactly with the headbands! Wear one or wear them all these lucite 1960’s bangles are selling for $19.99 on Etsy at AnnPrimRose!

Ruche Clothing: Check out my review of this shop on my post “Vintage Inspired”

LaVintage is a vintage lovers gem!  A true pearl!  It specializes in everything from clothing to accessories from the 1940′s to 1990′s! Constantly updated there are always great new Vintage pieces, all in mint condition!  A vintage paradise!

Modcloth was founded by high school sweethearts, Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger, and built on a foundation of love for vintage and retro clothing!  A great go to for anything you need, ModCloth provides vintage inspired clothing and accessories too.  But if you want to shop their vintage, you have to be quick about it and get it early in the day b/c it goes super fast!  It’s totally worth it if you catch it!

AnnPrimRose: I can’t say it better than the shop, so…”Ann Primrose has it’s roots at a place and time that were arguably the pinnacle of American jewelry making, New England in the 1960‘s and 70’s. Established in 2010, we specialize in buying out inventories of vintage jewelry and manufacturing close outs. In a time where most fashion jewelry is outsourced and when unique designs are hard to find, The Ann Primrose Collection is unmatched in quality. We provide authentic vintage jewelry that is a part of American history and culture including bangles, bracelets, brooches, earrings, necklaces, and jewelry supplies.”

A Necessary Accessory: A Fab Vintage Bag!

OK ladies! Now I never usually dedicate a post to solely just one boutique, unless reviewing!, but I couldn’t help myself on this one!!  There was just to many cute things at this boutique that to just tweet about it would not do it justice!  To kill your anxiety- I was shopping around early on Etsy to find some amazing vintage sellers and I stumbled upon Thrush Vintage! A Milwaukee based seller, Thrush’s store is filled with adorable boho and mod vintage!  Besides the cute dresses, this store has another enchanting element to it that I fell completely in love with! ACCESSORIES! :Warm cuddly feeling: One of the more fun elements of fashion and a defining staple of one’s look! And perhaps one of my favorite accessory add-ons are….drum roll please…..BAGS! Yummy! They’re enough to make you swoon! The smooth leather against your shoulder, the aroma of your mothers boho satchel. I mean what is more definate of one’s self than a bag? Big bag, heavy traveler, a girl who’s ready for anything or perhaps is a bag pack rat! Small, petite shoulder purse, low maintenance.  Woven or cloth bag, perhaps a free spirited boho.  Studded fringe in any shade of dark, a rocker, and perhaps a but on the side of obstinate!  Take a look around you next time you happen to be out! You might be surprised at what you find!  And while we are on the subject of bags, here are some sweet vintage finds from Thrush!

This adorable 1950’s embroidered tapestry purse is a cream colored fabric with multicolored embroidery of feminine florals. With  one large interior pocket, this wooden handled handbag is in mint condition with very little visible wear! Going for $49 this little purse is a steal!

I am in love with this fringe 1960’s suede purse!  How amazing and unique is this! Originally designed as a gun accessories bag, this straped bag is super roomy and in good condition! Going for $68 how can you resist?!

How cute would you look around town with this 1960’s leather satchel bag? Wear to work or wear it out around town, it works both ways! Reminds me of a bag my mom used to have! With tons of interior pockets and with only a bit of loose stitching on the interior, this silky smooth bag is going for $44!

I have to say that the 40’s is one of my favorite fashion eras! So you can imagine my excitement when my eyes peered upon this soft plaid knitting bag from the 40’s! Who cares if it was meant for knitting, that just means more room for all my stuff! And while this wooden handled bag is going for a bit more at $86, I still think it is worth it!