Custom PhD graduation ornament

A good friend contacted me recently to commission a Christmas ornament to commemorate her PhD. She told me that it was surprisingly hard to find nice graduation ornaments for such a momentous occasion. I brainstormed a little with her, and I decided to create a miniature paper replica of her PhD regalia and suspend it inside a clear glass ball.

I was so excited at how much she loved her ornament! At her encouragement (thank you so much for your support, S!), I have created a custom listing for similar ornaments in my shop.

I will fully customize the color and style of the regalia based on photos and information that you provide for me! And I can even add a little tag with the year of your graduation to hang from the loop at the top of the ball!

Finally, here's a little close-up of the paper regalia before it got inserted into the glass ball:

Four seasons trees

I made this paper illustration as a Christmas gift for my mother (and my dad, but it was kind of my mom's idea :) ) Last year, when she saw the Three Billikin Whiskers, I knew she'd like one of her own, so I talked to her about what she might like. She suggested trees in different seasons, so I thought about it and visualized it in my head... and procrastinated... and finally buckled down and started it the week before Christmas. Once I got going, it came together quickly. The summer tree was the most challenging for me to execute, for some reason. But I am immensely pleased with how it turned out!

So here are lots and lots of pictures...

Custom purse

I was thrilled (and to be honest, a little nervous) when one of Husband's coworkers approached me a couple months ago with a request for a purse for his fiancee. She likes very small purses and once upon a time had the "perfect" purse. Except since it was perfect, she used it until it literally wore out, and then couldn't find another like it. So my commission was to produce a close replica of the original.

I have learned *so much* by making this purse. I've been working on the techniques for this purse for a while now, greatly aided by Lisa Lam's Bag Making Bible. I went through many iterations of the design to make sure I was creating exactly the right purse. Though the purse itself is fairly basic, I created my own pattern-- and it worked!

The purse has a top zipper and an inset zipper pocket in the lining. I love that the lining is polka-dotted!

I think this pattern's a winner... so keep an eye out for similar purses in my shop one of these days!

The story behind the covered button necklaces...

I have always been slightly addicted to reading crafty blogs. I have lists and lists of project ideas inspired by the wonderful scrapbooking, sewing, and craft blogs out there. Every once in a while, though, I come across a project that is so exciting that I feel like I have to make it right now. Do you ever feel like that?

That's the way it was with the covered button necklaces. Last winter I saw one on a blog and thought, "Ooh, I want to try that!" I posted the end result on my personal blog, and I began to wear it everywhere. I love how funky and unique it is.

About a month or so ago, Husband and I were at a restaurant for dinner, and I was wearing my necklace. I was surprised and delighted when two waitresses and the manager (at separate times) came by our table and raved over the necklace. They all asked whether I sold them anywhere. Their compliments were so much more than just nice words! Because of their encouragement, I decided to create more necklaces for my shop...

Just listed: 11.24.2010

I'm branching out with some new types of items this week. I added a hand-cut paper illustration, which is based on a photo of the Hudson River. I also am working on some new purse designs, so there's a cute new ruffle clutch in the shop!


And there's a new covered button necklace listed, this time it's in shades of green.


Thanks for stopping by!

The story behind the purses...

In 2008, my friend gave me a small pile of upholstery swatches. I loved the beautiful colors and textures, and I started thinking. Wouldn't they be perfect for a purse? A couple broken sewing machine needles later (I learned that I needed a heavy-duty leather needle for fabric this sturdy!), I had my first purse, a black-and-white striped tote of the same style as the ones currently listed in my shop. I used it all summer long, and I still get it out every once in a while!

I got more upholstery swatches and began making purses for my family and friends. As I made more and more, people started remarking that I could sell them. Around that time, my cousins opened Etsy shops, and I was intrigued. Maybe I could, too! But I was in my last year of finishing my PhD (that's a whole 'nother story...) and it just wasn't the right time to start a business.

Two years later, I have a PhD, completed a year as a postdoc, and have moved to a new time zone. My husband (and my family and friends, of course!) encouraged me to follow my dreams-- and Lettered Olive Handmade was born!

Just listed: 11.17.2010

Two new upholstery purses are in my shop!




I've decided that Wednesdays are the days new listings will be added to Lettered Olive Handmade... Check back next week, because I've got some new things planned! :)