Christmas in July Sale

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While the weather outside is frightfully - hot, we can enjoy some festive summer savings with the NewNewNY's Christmas in July promtion. Search Etsy for CIJ and newnewteam and use the coupon code CIJ11 from July 14th to July 24th to find a wide range of handmade goodies that have storewide sales of 10% to 25% off from over 25 NewNewNY team members. These kind of deals make any handmade shopper melt.


After sending a joyful garden party why not send a personal thank you note full of summer green and happiness that will be 25% off.

Green Branches Folding Card by Fubabee


Bring some good fortune to your summer lovin with 15% off this sterling silver fortune cookie necklace.



Be squeaky clean after a long day at the beach with 20% off this refreshing castille soap.

Daisy Castile Handmade Soap by Simplynu


What is a picnic without Monster Blueberries by Takokids that are 15% off to liven up your table and the kids?



For a long bike ride through the boroughs represent with this Brooklyn Puppy dog tshirt for Women and Men that is 20% off.




So spread the summer cheer from July 14th to July 24th searching coupon code CIJ11 on Etsy for all the NewNewNY deals.

What Makes Valentine's Day Sweet To You

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If you can't get enough Valentine's Day, then today is your lucky day!  Get your fill of sweetness from The {NewNew} and then check out some of our friends and their blogs about this notorious day of romance, flowers and of course sweets.
Andrea Davis: Pure Food Nutrition: Valentine’s Day Chocolate: Good & Good for You?
The Bitchy Waiter:  F*ck Cupid
Brooklyn Flea:  You Gotta Have Heart
The Experimental Gourmand:  Valentine’s Day Special Dinner
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market:  A Blog Affair to Remember
Metalicious Jewelry:  Well Hello February 
Kumquat Cupcakery:  My Messy Pink Kitchen

Did I mention sweets? Chocolate and conversation hearts, what more could you ask for? Maybe a lot of them.  Did you know.....
A bowl just waiting to be filled with conversation hearts by LennyMud
  • More than 36 MILLION heart shaped boxes of candy will be given and received this year. (www.sugarstand.com)
  • About 8 BILLION candy hearts will be made.  If you put them all side by side they would reach from the city of romance, Rome, all the way to Valentine Arizona -- not just once mind you, 20 times and back again! (www.iowastatedaily.com)
  • Those candy conversation hearts have been around a long time.  NECCO, the maker of them, started putting those catchy little phrases on them all the way back in 1866, and we've been in love with them ever since. (Sweethearts: The Continued Success of America's Favorite Valentine's Candy, 2010)
Of course, candy is only one of thing that makes Valentine's Day sweet for The {NewNew}, when I posed the question I found out there was a whole lot more.

Home is Where The Heart is by JDavisStudio
Mom has been making Valentine's day special for a long time and {NewNew} members Lorrie from LennyMud, Alton of AltonWeekes and Jill from JDavisStudio remind us how sweet mom can make Valentine's Day:

Lorrie's mom made the day special by summoning the Valentine's Day Pixie.  The Pixie is a magical creature that would ring the doorbell several times over the course of the day and leave presents on the doorstep.  Today, Lorrie shares the same tradition with her kids.

Alton's mom and her Valentine's day tradition are actually the driving force behind him starting his stationery design studio.  Every year Alton's mom would give him and his sisters a box of valentine cards to share with classmates.  Those little cards with cupid, hearts and sweet sayings were Alton's introduction to stationery beyond birthday cards.  It was the holiday of love that inspired Alton's love of stationery.

Jill's mom started sending her special Valentine's day care packages back in college and still does today.  They are filled will fun things like candy, silly jewelry, even the occasional McDonalds gift card. Way to go Jill's Mom!

I Do Card by Alton Weekes
Let's face it, nothing makes Valentine's day more romantic than a ring, and I don't mean the doorbell.  A ring is exactly what Loella from LoellaMedina and Angel from CardsInStitches got one Valentine's day.

With the view of the New York skyline in the night time sky Loli's best friend surprised her by popping the big question.

Now Angel, has a bit of a different story.  She got married not just on Valentines day 2003, but on the 5 am Eyewitness News along with 4 other couples!  She found out on Monday that she'd be getting married on Friday at Tavern on the Green in Central Park all expenses paid.  Now that's what I call one sweet Valentines Day!

Since The {NewNew} is an Etsy team made up of the best and brightest artists and designers in the tri-state New York craft scene, it is no surprise that DIY valentines are high on the list of sweet things about the day. Nothing makes Simone, from Groundsel, smile more on Valentine's day than a handmade valentine.  Anne from Felt It loves making valentines for family and friends with her three year old.  Each year her daughters designs become more creative and intricate, I bet it won't be long before she has an Etsy shop.  Jennifer from MellowBeing recalls Valentine's day as a time to make valentines for her mom and friends.

Love painting by LennyMud
Dinner, mix tapes and wearing red made the sweet list among {NewNew'ers} too.
Jody at AStudioByTheSea makes Valentine's day sweet by planning a special night out with her husband of 23 years.  But they do it a little different, they skip the February 14th crowds and inflated dinner prices and celebrate at a fancy restaurant a day or so off.  What a great idea, we may just do that this year too!

Te Amo Card by S2 Stationery and Design
Sara from S2 Stationery and Design has mixed feelings about the holiday but has a great tradition of making a mix CD she calls the "Love Mix" and shares it with friends.  It's her way to let them know that she supports and loves them no matter what.

The perfect notebook for February by CardsinStitches
Lisa from Pretty Stationery loves that Valentine's day is close to Chinese New Year so she gets to wear red and eat candy for two weeks.

And finally, Stephanie from MulryJewels finds sweetness on Valentines day by simply remembering and being thankful for all the love in her life, romantic and otherwise.





Wishing you all the sweetest Valentine's day.
Holly / EllisDesign



Thanksgiving weekend promotions are not over yet!

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The Sunday after Thanksgiving hasn't coined any phrases nor does it have an official 'name', but this year it is sure to be just as spectacular.  Today and tomorrow are the last two days to take advantage of some amazing promotions - with more than 30 members of The {NewNew} participating in a Thanksgiving holiday weekend shopping extravaganza, you're sure to find a gift for everyone on your list.
Check out these stores and get in on the holiday shopping fun!

Fubabee is an award winning design studio and her cards are sure to please! from wedding stationery to baby showers she'll have the card you need.
Fubabee gift card sets


At romi ceramics, you'll find beautiful ceramic vases and spinners, perfect for keeping plants and flowers. the soft colors and cool hues compliment any decor.
Romiceramics large spinner

Thepeachtree makes jewelry in striking jewel tones using gemstones, rocks and raw minerals. this freshwater pearl bracelet caught my eye!
thepeachtree freshwater pearl bracelet


Knittingguru knits and crochets beautiful accessories, perfect for those cold winter nights - all the better to snuggle up with a soft scarf or cowl.
the knittingguru eco-friendly cotton handknit cowl


Mulryjewels has a passion for making jewelry. this freshwater pearl cocktail ring is the perfect companion for a night out on the town!
mulryjewels cocktail ring - freshwater pearl and swarovski crystal

Kbatty is ready for the holiday season with a wonderful assortment of beautiful stationery. send your holiday greetings in style!
Kbatty holiday greeting card set

Latelier des bijoux uses high quality gemstones and metals to create her lovely line of jewelry. these garnet earrings are perfect for gift giving!
Latelier des bijoux rhodolite garnet and spinel earrings

Heartfelt4kids makes childrens clothing using wool and eco-friendly bamboo felt. her capes are especially lovely and would be a unique gift!
Heartfelt4kids hooded wool felt cape

Jdavisstudio's line of jewelry is fun and unique. her signature jewelry featuring houses and trees are whimsical and make a perfect gift. i love her teeny house ring!
Jdavisstudio teeny house ring sterling silver
Additional shops participating in The {NewNew} Thanksgiving Weekend promotions
Join us for your holiday shopping fun!

Be sure to check out all the other shops with great Black Friday / Cyber Monday specials:

Webbedware - unique fabric wrist cuffs
Key Element - metal and stone jewelry
Hanky Blanky by Rosi Rouge - baby blankets, infant clothing and more
Knock Knock Studio - jewelry knits and accessories
HeartFelt4Kids - eco friendly kids clothing
Romi Ceramics - unique handcrafted ceramics
Mulry Jewels - elegant, fun and sparkly jewelry
Kipi - affordable original art
Ellis Design - one of a kind and limited edition hats (and more)
KimmChi - silk screened apparel
Pretty Lovely Painting - paintings and mixed media
JDavisStudio - handmade jewelry
Alton Weekes - handcrafted stationery and papergoods
Knitting Guru - natural fiber knitted and crochet wearable art
Kim Last Designs - sterling silver jewelry
Meliannaa - wire wrapped jewelry
Apertureagog - fine art prints, embroidered art and photo cards
Loella Medina - gemstone jewelry
The Honey Pie Tree - designer toys and accessories
Persuede - handmade jewelry
KBatty - stationery and notecards
SDVDesigns - one of a kind and limited edition jewelry
Felt It - eco felt applique clothing for kids and adults
latelier des bijoux - limited edition gemstone jewelry
PriaVanda - handmade personalized stationery
AdornmentsNYC - vintage inspired jewelry with a modern twist
KittyJones - toys for cats, dogs and kids
Groundsel - handbags made from recycled materials
The Peachtree - classic gemstone and pearl jewelry
Projects by Carm - handknit and crochet accessories and toys
Rose McKay Designs - handcrafted jewelry
Fubabee - stationery, notecards and graphic design
Sans Map - handmade bags and accessories
Deborah Julian - unique notecards, print and fine art

Artistic Process: What inspires you?

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"I get inspired a lot by nature and architecture. I find the use of stone, glass, metal and wood to create structural elements a fascinating thing, and I try to replicate the juxtaposition in my designs on paper. Oftentimes I will be walking along on the street, especially in NYC where there are so many beautiful buildings, I will see stonework or some design element that would intrigue me and take a mental picture of it."
-Lisa
Pretty Stationery for Beautiful Souls - Fubabee

If I Had A Bell...

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Remember this old song? It was a staple during my summer sleep-away-camp days:

"If I had a bell, I'd ring it in the morning, I'd ring it in the evening, All over this land..."

It reminds me of all the creative ways we handcraft-folk strive to let the world at large know what we're doing. Of course, we try to ring bells with our Etsy shops and our blogs, with the hope that the attention will lead to sales. But I think it's also fair to say that it's difficult to create in a vacuum.

Judging by a recent blog roundup from my fellow {NewNew} artisans, talking about how we do what we do, as well as what and who inspires us to keep creating is an important part of the process. The ongoing inspiration and the sense of satisfaction we get from knowing someone likes something we made -- uses it, wears it, cherishes it -- is, well, kinda awesome.



prismPOP @ My Coney clearly has a soft spot for Coney Island USA, but also blogs about her experience at the recent Renegade Craft Fair with her fellow {NewNew}ers and (ouch!) sunburnt knees.




pandawithcookie @ pandawithcookie.blogspot.com offers an inside look at preparations for her first craft show, Seventh Heaven, in Brooklyn.





fubabee @ Pretty Stationery for Beautiful Souls talks about what inspires her beautiful stationery, but also tackles the whole "wedding industrial complex" as part of an ongoing meditation on the value of handmade.




pulpsushi @ pulpsushi.typepad.com writes with verve (and lots of exclamation points!) about what inspires her in work and life.





dirtylovesclean @ DirtyLovesClean.blogspot.com invites readers to follow her soap-making adventures, which include the pros and cons of craft fairs, veggie "meat", and the creation of a boxed wine soap.




jantar @ Jantar Handcrafted Jewlery uses her blog like an inspiration board, full of pictures and stories behind the creation of her lovely jewelry, as well as detailed, easy-to-follow how-to's.



You'll find all of these blogs, and more, through the {NewNew} member shop links and banners on the left. Take a moment to follow the links and learn a little bit about what inspires some of your favorite artisans. Perhaps you'll be inspired too.







Susan
persuede.etsy.com

Eco-Conscious Wedding Paper Product Alternative Ideas (that's a mouthful!)

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My husband + I wanted a beautifully and thoughtfully decorated wedding - but we also wanted it to be ecologically responsible, economically reasonable and also represent 'us' [tall glass to fill!] The first of many decisions began with our save-the-date. Yes, there are tons of adorable and clever options out there (magnets, cookies, candles, etc); but rather than create excessive waste, we determined that every single person on our invite list (save for 5 people over the age of 80) had an e-mail address. We therefore sent out an electronic fyi (which was a huge hit) also serving double duty requesting mailing addresses for the formal invitation.

Easy steps to e-mail save-the-date:
(1) Craft a message that is personal - reflecting you as a team.
Include the necessary information:
- date
- location
- hotel information (if you have it)
- website (if you are doing that)
- address information (if you need it)
(2) Attach a photo - everyone loves to see the couple in a funny state [fortunately for me, i've known my guy since we were 12] If anyone on your list is insistent on prehistoric methods, they can print out the attachment + affix to their refrigerator. Here is a blank version for you to use if you'd like :
Also, you are welcome to use this MARRIAGE header + footer I created to frame the text of the e-mail:
Next, invitations! If you do not feel comfortable with complete DIY invitations, waisze and fubabee both offer options in customization (color, font + wording choices among others) in their ETSY shops.

Programs:
We wanted to explain the customs and traditions of our wedding, as well as highlight those participating. A very simple DIY solution (that doesn't involve bows, glue or much more than a paper cutter) is following this format:
(1) Chose 11x17 paper or card stock. Each sheet will yield 2 programs.
(2) Design your monogram or emblem, which will be placed on the far right. Make sure it is no wider than 1 inch. For example: Wedding of _____ & _____ with optional date and place - or just initials is also lovely.
(3) Design the text keeping in mind that you will be folding the paper 8 inches in from the left (therefore leave a gutter)
*Keep all of the above no taller than 5 inches from the top.
(4) Duplicate all of your top content directly below.
(5) Print / Copy just over half of the amount you anticipate needing.
(6) Cut every sheet in half lengthwise (hot dog - not hamburger) so that you are left with 2 pieces of 5.5 x 17
(7) Fold - not in half - but so that your names are visible on the right hand side.
This may seem simple, but really these are generally a throw-away (except for maybe your paternal grandmother) and super easy!

Cheers + Great Wishes!


- lisa