I can like girly too. If it's elf-girly.

 MIGNONNE

I've been adding quite a few etsy shops to my favorites lately. I'm thinking maybe I'll make it a monthly ritual to feature a favorite shop on the blog. We'll have to see how that goes.

But for now, I would like to share the shop Mignonne handmade. Jennifer Wood, owner and designer, creates lovely head pieces with perfectly sweet embellishments. Not only are the designs soft and peaceful, but so is the photography. Really, I just want to be a woodland fairy elf.

    

see the rest of her romantic creations here: mignonnehandmade.etsy.com

and she was featured by etsy! (those bastards always beat me to it) read the interview here.

lovely work Jennifer!

emily

old shoes; no matter how shabby, they're better than new ones

I'm in love with my shoes. My newest and greatest are a pair of vintage purple-ish grey suede minstrel heels that have a large floppy bow proudly sitting on top. I recently purchased these from lisazain on etsy

I was so very excited for the package and was giddy when it came. as a slight let down, they were snug. they sit fit, but were very snug in the toes. I was fully prepared to cut off my toes when my clever mother suggested we see a cobbler. we did, and he fixed them to utter perfection. Lisa was a wonderful seller and I wear my shoes anywhere I can. thank you, Lisa.

I'm more of a shoe person. Most of my clothes are basic and dully colored. I don't really have many accessories and lost the one ring I liked. But shoes... that's were I flourish. Scuffed up working boots, wooden sandals, pure white tennis shoes, black shoes that my grandmother has in brown (jealous), character heels (that I wear out- I don't go on stages), and now floppy bowed heels: love

thanks darlings.

PS - title paraphrased from Willa Cather

look, a post

oh hello.

it's been quite a long time (an embarrassing amount of time) since our last post, which is coincidentally about how little we post. I suppose I'm just not a very social person, so being social online is very difficult. But we will dwell on this no longer...

sister Maggie came for a weekend visit a few weeks ago and we had a revolutionary photo shoot for old and new etsy items.

Awhile back we found a new location for photos. before, we used the pine trees in the backyard, which was perfectly fine, but now we use a barn that sits behind a museum at the front of our neighborhood. I really don't know what it's doing there, but it has beautiful coloring. I like the new background, especially in the bag photos.

I have a concern: what is twitter? I know that it is a social network in which people 'tweet' small blurbs about their life, but, truthfully, I still don't understand. businesses have twitter... what do they 'tweet'? and what in the world is a hash-tag? I don't understand why they are used and if they do anything at all. however, I have been advised to start a Second Fiddle twitter account. would these short blurbs and hash-tags make it easier for an online introvert? or would it become one more sad account for me to update? frankly, I have no idea.

Namarie

it has begun

I'd hate to bring it up, but school has started. This means less time, fewer posts, and more stress. I'm only halfway through highschool and it seems to be dragging out. Hopefully this year gets better, as I've heard. So far my teachers are fairly good and I got into the classes I wanted (it took me 4 months, but I finally got Satire class).

Last week I learned that my history teacher went the highschool with Jeff Tweedy. yes! Jeff Tweedy and my American history teacher.

So, I for one will not be writing as often. (However, Maggie has been doing remarkably well lately. Huzzah for sister Maggie!) But I bring good news! We have a newsletter!

See the small grey button to the right? That is where one could sign up. No one has yet and I wonder if anyone reads this blog, but it's there anxiously awaiting acceptance like it's back at the lunch table. Because we don't post that often, I figured it might be good to tell those who would like to know when we do. We'll also send product updates and etsy coupons.

And I just found out how to wash my wool!... but I have homework.

thanks for reading.

Namarië

plain geometry

Lately I have been spending lots of time perusing Etsy, and I thought I would share with you some of my favorite pieces. Notice the pattern: I have mostly been perusing jewelry. I love Son of a Sailor for its simple geometry. And look at those beautiful splashes of color! What a lovely, understated way to cheer up an ensemble!

A Merry Mishap makes charming little geometric shapes from beautiful plums, mint greens, and pale pinks. 

Kim Dulaney has quickly become one of my favorite Etsy designers. Her pieces have just enough edge. 

                 

powers of ten

Came across this marvelous video today on the Etsy blog, showing just how much heart and soul goes into the Eames Lounge Chair. This commitment to handmade will always makes Eames the best.

After I did a little research, I found at that, coincidence of coincidences, Charles Eames was born and raised in none other than St. Louis! My hometown! Charles and his wife Ray designed the chair in 1956. And aren't they a darling couple?

And don't they live in the most wonderful home?

With the loveliest book case?

pictures here

Don't you just love them?

Museum of Wonder

I do love this house. and I do love these men.

Butch Anthony's Museum of Wonder from Etsy on Vimeo.

wooden ships

Our newest addition to the Second Fiddle Spring 2011 line: big sack in navy and cream.

It seems very nautical and is perfect for beach picnics.

california dreamin

Today we introduced our spring tote line on etsy. We really love the way these bags turned out: spacious enough to hold plenty of library books and plenty of fresh produce. The big sack makes a great beach tote, as well. Ideal for summer trips to California. We couldn't help thinking about Joni Mitchell and the Mamas and the Papas while taking some of these photos.

little sack in pine and wood

big sack in taupe and cranberry

Talk about spring fever. We're ready for strawberries, sandals, sunglasses, and picnics in the park.

something new is coming

introducing the spring 2011 line for The Second Fiddle.

including new crocheted totes and bags. coming soon.

the woodland household

Woods of Narnia

apple wood buttons

pine wooden coasters

Birch round buttons

birch buttons

pine place card holders

Woods of Narnia is a handmade store on etsy.com selling everything from place holders, button, jewlery, and coaster made entirely of wood! We here at The Second Fiddle love wood, and so thought these cozy coasters and such would fit our style. We hope you enjoy the rugged and rustic domestic items.

See more of Woods of Narnia's wooden items here: www.WoodsofNarnia.etsy.com

Local Harvest

Our new treasury list featuring all things earthy, organic, vegan, or green. The name for this treasury came from a darling cafe in St. Louis called Local Harvest that uses all locally grown ingredients. Their Morganford Mediterranean sandwich is worthy of great praise.

See the entire treasury of naturally colored and made items here.

The Carmel Apple from thetinykitchen & Vintage Hemp Thread from simplyfrenchvintage

Organic Cabbage Seeds from Thebearfootshaman & Organic Mulling Spice from good4you

Handmade Botanical Perfume from IlluminatedPerfume & Organic Green Tea Rice Bran Soap from brownricefamily

Vintage Celluloid Knife Set from ethanollie & Handmade Vegan Mary Jane from TheGeneration

specimens in watercolor

gollybard

Holly (the artist behind gollybard) is an amazing creator. She creates watercolor paintings of nature, insects, birds, and much more. She sells her paintings on Etsy and her work has been used in other sellers jewelry work (for example: this rustic lamb and fence magnetic locket by polarity)

Not only does Holly have great talent but a great heart. With every sell from her Heart collection, she donates $5 to So Others Might Eat, a organization in the City of Washington who helps the poor and homeless.

gollybard was also a featured seller on Etsy! Read interview here.

Visit the gollybard blog (one of my new favorites)

Look through the rest of Holly's art in her shop: www.gollybard.etsy.com

christmas

We have returned from a trip to northern California. The redwood trees were quite dazzling. While we were hiking in Muir Woods, we received inspiration for this woodland hooded scarf (now listed on The Second Fiddle). John Muir (for whom the scarf and national park is named) was an amazing naturalist who aided in the conservation of the redwoods. we've even started a flickr group (Rustic and Rugged) in honor of John Muir, Jeremiah Johnson, and all the mountain men, lumberjacks, and rugged men.

fine figure of a man: (John Muir)

Etsy is also having the annual Christmas in July sale! stop by our shop for 10% off