What color is your bicycle?

My bicycle is blue, I love her. I've spent many miles on that bike. She has trained with me, pulled my kids trailer, delivered me to work. She even rode with me across the U.S. a handful of years ago. Bikes are rad, which is why my latest series highlights them. 

 White Bike in red ink

Vintage Bike

Baby Bike in pink

White Bike 

 Pink on kraft & black on green

Vintage Bike reduction print

Vintage Bike Line 

One of a kind piece

There they are... my happy bike series. I hope you like them. Oh, and I seriously want to know, what color is your bicycle? 

SALe yo!

Having a little sale at elSage. Use the code RADDNESS to get 50% off everything. This deal ends Sunday 8/8/2010 so act soon.

Bow Headbands ::The Grace Collection::

I've been sharing so much miniSage lately I thought it was time to give the big girls some attention. Introducing The Grace Collection: elegant, classic, and as with all elSage goods, sustainable.

The large bow is made from vintage cotton and lace. It's super soft and beautiful! The center is reclaimed satin.

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 Grace Headband Large Bow

The small bow is created with white vintage lace and reclaimed black satin. What a fun and adorable little piece.

 Grace Headband Small Bow

 Bows are securely attached to each headband but are able to slide in either direction to ensure the perfect position.

::First Day of Summer:: Pleasant Ridge Farm

Picked up some apples and beans at a local farm yesterday. I thought I would share a peek of our beautiful valley.

Pleasant Ridge Farm uses the honor system. How rad is that? Their stand is open daily from 9 to 6.

See more photos from the first day of summer on the elSage flickr site.

::New Fabrics:: Sustainability in Materials

Things have been oh so busy lately as the school year is coming to a close. I have been finding studio time (and artistic energy) lacking. When this happens I like to reinvigorate by collecting materials I'm excited about.

elSage is all about sustainable design. Re-purposing, recycling, renewing & reusing is the name of the game, so I often get my materials from interesting and fun places. This latest set is no exception.

Last week I received my order of usable scrap fabric from Allisa at Quiltish. She makes beautiful handmade items and loves the environment too! She collects her scrap fabric and what she can't use she passes on to other artists through her destash shop.

 

I also went to the Goodwill yesterday. I love it there. Hubs and the boy came too and the boy was in heaven. He walked out with a new soccer ball and a book, and I got a ton of cool fabric. I love the variety, from cast off fabric to men's dress shirts and a few vintage pillow cases. I am so excited to jump into the studio!

I really believe in repurposing materials. I think it's not only earth friendly but I love what it does to my work, my materials drive my designs and I love that. When I get too calculated as an artist my work loses it's magic. I also enjoy that, due to the nature of my materials, all my creations are one of a kind or limited editions. It creates a unique and heirloom nature to everything that comes out of elSage.

How do your materials affect your work?

Schools Out SALE!

With two teachers in our house the start of summer vacation has become the ultimate holiday.  Hubs was done on Friday and my last day is tomorrow. In honor of that I have 2 things to share.

The first is 35% off everything in the elSage shop. Use code SCHOOLSOUT to get your immediate discount. Oh and don't forget that orders $50 & over always ship free (worldwide)!

The second is a trailer for one of my favorite movies ever. It is one I always think of on the last day of school.

To all the teachers out there, congrats on another successful year. If you're not a teacher, I hope you're excited about the beginning of summer anyway!

::New MiniSage::

Girls just want to have fun 

(while wearing eco friendly miniSage headbands)!

The Lacey Collection.

Sweet as can be.

 Vintage tulle & lace. Vintage wooden bead in yellow and a marbled blue accent bead. Black knit headband.

 Vintage tulle & lace. Vintage wooden bead in chocolate brown, with a pinkish pearl accent bead. Purple no slip, elastic headband.

 Vintage tulle & lace. Vintage, reclaimed pink speckled bead, with a pinkish pearl accent bead. Fuschia super no slip, elastic headband.

For the tomboy darling in your life.

Reclaimed cotton sourced from a vintage work shirt. Pearl beads accented with an orange seed bead. 

Each elSage piece is thoughtfully created with an awareness of sustainable design. I collect my materials from repurposed sources when possible. I believe in sustainable design & hope you think they are as cute as they are eco friendly.

What's your favorite source for repurposed materials?