Feature Friday: Bayan Hippo

Mmmm... handbags. And more handbags. Cute handbags... At really affordable prices!


This is the essential territory of the Bursa, Turkey, based Etsy shop Bayan Hippo. Designer Vildan is a mother of twin kindergarteners and still she manages to keep a fabulous shop chock full of handbags in every color and many styles. She also recently opened a second shop called Minik Hippo dedicated to children's apparel and diaper bags.


I love that her bags are versatile, generally have a plethora of pockets and don't skimp on style. As a mom of three young kids myself, I schlep all manner of odds and ends wherever I go. No teensy clutches for me, thank you... when I'm out, I schlep like I'm being paid! Bayan Hippo's bags appeal to me because they are so cute, practical and affordable. And need I mention well-made? It's a rare combination, folks, and I've been contemplating my favorite bag for quite some time. After much deliberation, I have decided on this one:


I love it... I wanted a darker color and it zips to hide whatever I need to toss in there. I really love the little scarf detail and I imagine myself changing it out for something in a holly green for Christmas. And the best part? It's on its way to me right now! I know you're jealous :) But lucky for you, Vildan keeps her shop well stocked so I'm sure there's another with your name on it...

Feature Friday: Fuss Jewelry

Must resist... must resist... oh, who am I kidding? I just LOVE Fuss Jewelry. I'm so smitten that I'm a little intimidated and star-struck even writing this feature.


Somewhere in the Tri State area, surrounded by gardens and one-time farmland, Wendy has been handcrafting her unique style of jewelry. She has long loved designing this gemmy goodness, and I have been a fan since the first time I laid eyes on her highly photogenic work.


I love semi-precious stones, and I love that her impeccable wire-wrapping allows them freedom from the cage of a bezel or other torturous settings. The heady floral feel and trance-inducing colors are enhanced by the classic shapes and massive variety of stones and pearls she employs.

Reading about her background was fun, and I discovered that, like me, she is a biologist by degree. I feel a connection there, and I think our mutual fascination with all things floral must be a common result of that scientific background. She writes in her Blogger profile, "I love creating freeform, organic shapes with underlying structure and rhythm." Uh-huh. She takes beautiful photographs of her jewelry, as you can clearly see, and shares other yet equally fabulous pictures on her blog.



Thanks to Wendy for graciously permitting the use of her photographs and letting me gush about her rare and fantastic talent! I'm inspired!

TheJuneBride News: Wooly Goodness

I was lucky enough to have been noticed by Rebecca of the Try Handmade website, and today I am thrilled to be featured in their Going Green segment "Where the Wool Things Are". My Mocha Latte Carnation was pictured, and she made note of my Etsy-enabled charitable donations. Which gets me thinking that it's about time for another round of that as the holidays approach and the weather (hopefully) gets cooler...


I just went on a photographing spree yesterday since the weather was sunny and the children accomodating. More brooches, cashmere newborn hats and fleece hats for all sizes of people will be added soon! Here's one of my favorite new items... this mossy green is just as soft as it looks...

Through the Looking Glass: Fall Neutrals