The most recent newsletter is displayed to your right and the archives below begin from oldest to newest.
- March 2002
- April 2002
- May 2002
- July 2002
- August 2002
- October 2002
- November 2002
- December 2002
- January 2003
- February 2003
- March 2003
- April 2003
- June 2003
- July 2003
- September 2003
- October 2003
- November 2003
- December 2003
- January 2004
- February 2004
- March 2004
- May 2004
- August 2005
- November 2005
- December 2005
- February 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- August 2006
- October 2006
- December 2006
- August 2007
- October 2007
December 2006
It's that time of year when there's guides galore; on blogs, in magazines and on TV. Hard to escape it so I was hesitant about creating a list. But there are so many wonderful companies that I just had to share. They're all women owned, small and artisan for the most part. And I really believe that if you want to run your own business or be an artist or a writer, you must support others who have these careers.
Often I hear that people would love to create their own company but they fear not making money. Those same people then go to big retaillers and spend money and complain how "expensive" artisan products are. You can't be a part of what you don't support. So please support small companies and artists. Lauren at Boss Lady wrote a really great article about this.
But let's move onto the fun of gift giving and online peaking from these wonderful online shops (and don't forget to stop by our artists sites to see what they have going on for the holidays!):
Energy Muse: I'm in love with their jewellery. I met them a few years ago in LA and purchased a necklace for my husband who is not a necklace wearing kind of guy. However, he loved it and so I followed suit with a 6th Chakra Necklace. I've received so many compliments on it and I love telling the story of how the beads are meant to help you with a goal and how they're made and all that good stuff that is best explained on their site. So if you're looking for something unique and meaningful, give these jewels a try.
Small Spiral Notebook: My friend Felicia is a rock star. She's one of the hardest working women I know - not only is she writing an amazing book, putting in hours at a publishing house but also finds time to put out this marvelous book every few months. You will feel all edumacated after reading it, I promise you. Give the gift of a subscription or pick up a single copy and pair it with some fine coffee and voila, a perfect book lover gift.
Rosy Little Things; I could not make a list and not talk about my friend Alicia. I have slept in her pretty pink spare room where I did nothing but read magazines and dream about her office and all the things she makes. She is the real deal when it comes to creating and packaging pretties. And her blog? It is my favourite - she knows how to write and be cheeky online. Love that! Her shop is closing up soon for the holidays so get some orders in quickly.
Mi Amore Skincare: What I love about Maki (besides the fact that she made my skin perfect with her facials at Ole Henriksen) is that she is a great example of someone who didn't quit their dayjob to create a new job for herself. She created her company and products whilst working at the spa. All her efforts have paid off, however, because her products are the most amazing things ever. And if you know anyone who is pregnant this holiday season, you must get them the momma kit! They will thank you for remembering them and not just the baby to be!
Katherine Dunn: One of my all time favourite artists and amazing farm girl. Her blog charms me, her work makes me swoon and her farm bits for sale have me saving my pennies. From lavender harvested on her farm, to Goats For PEace Buttons to one of a kind artwork, her store items would be beautiful under anyone's tree. She also has taken in ferrel cats and spayed/neutered them all so donating to help that is a great gift to give, too.
Sublime Stiching: Ok. For serious. Jenny Hart is a rockstar. When I met her years ago she took me to her little room which was just being made into her office. On the floor were "some patterns she was making for a book." The book came out and rocked. Then she came out with another book. Then she's rocking it out with the Austin Craft Mafia. Then she got really shiny hair (this has nothing to with business). I am not crafty but her first book helped me to stitch a couple of things that I've let people besides my mum see. It's just that good!
See Jane Work: I love this company. Thanks to them filing isn't a chore because my files are just so pretty! They have the best things from papers to pens to desktop accessories. And the packaging that it all comes in? Wonderful. I've had nothing but consistently great service from this group of women so should you know anyone that is starting their own business, think of outfitting them with things from here that are so not corporate!
Jennifer Causey Photography: I have a couple of her photos because with a simple click of the camera, she makes the ordinary, extraordinary. Her still lifes have such a cosy feel to them. I swear I've never looked at tea cups and saucers the same way since seeing her blog and owning some of her work. Again, she packages things wonderfully so receiving some of her work is great. And her postcards? Please send these out into the world. We need prettier mail!
Sugar Paper: And speaking of prettier mail, this company does custom made stationary as well as already made cards. Their charming store in Los Angeles is a must see but if you can't make it, pop over to their site at least. Get creative and make your own stationary or give the gift of business cards to someone who's trying to start their own project.
And lastly, Women for Women is a fantastic charitable organisation that I've been a part of for sometime now. It's a gift that keeps on giving and actually helps to change another woman's life. If you think you're struggling, I really encourage you to try to sponsor a woman through this program because chances are, she's having a harder time than you with less opportunities. It's a way to help someone else's dream come true, and what could be more holiday spirit than that?
December 2006
It's that time of year when there's guides galore; on blogs, in magazines and on TV. Hard to escape it so I was hesitant about creating a list. But there are so many wonderful companies that I just had to share. They're all women owned, small and artisan for the most part. And I really believe that if you want to run your own business or be an artist or a writer, you must support others who have these careers.
Often I hear that people would love to create their own company but they fear not making money. Those same people then go to big retaillers and spend money and complain how "expensive" artisan products are. You can't be a part of what you don't support. So please support small companies and artists. Lauren at Boss Lady wrote a really great article about this.
But let's move onto the fun of gift giving and online peaking from these wonderful online shops (and don't forget to stop by our artists sites to see what they have going on for the holidays!):
Energy Muse: I'm in love with their jewellery. I met them a few years ago in LA and purchased a necklace for my husband who is not a necklace wearing kind of guy. However, he loved it and so I followed suit with a 6th Chakra Necklace. I've received so many compliments on it and I love telling the story of how the beads are meant to help you with a goal and how they're made and all that good stuff that is best explained on their site. So if you're looking for something unique and meaningful, give these jewels a try.
Small Spiral Notebook: My friend Felicia is a rock star. She's one of the hardest working women I know - not only is she writing an amazing book, putting in hours at a publishing house but also finds time to put out this marvelous book every few months. You will feel all edumacated after reading it, I promise you. Give the gift of a subscription or pick up a single copy and pair it with some fine coffee and voila, a perfect book lover gift.
Rosy Little Things; I could not make a list and not talk about my friend Alicia. I have slept in her pretty pink spare room where I did nothing but read magazines and dream about her office and all the things she makes. She is the real deal when it comes to creating and packaging pretties. And her blog? It is my favourite - she knows how to write and be cheeky online. Love that! Her shop is closing up soon for the holidays so get some orders in quickly.
Mi Amore Skincare: What I love about Maki (besides the fact that she made my skin perfect with her facials at Ole Henriksen) is that she is a great example of someone who didn't quit their dayjob to create a new job for herself. She created her company and products whilst working at the spa. All her efforts have paid off, however, because her products are the most amazing things ever. And if you know anyone who is pregnant this holiday season, you must get them the momma kit! They will thank you for remembering them and not just the baby to be!
Katherine Dunn: One of my all time favourite artists and amazing farm girl. Her blog charms me, her work makes me swoon and her farm bits for sale have me saving my pennies. From lavender harvested on her farm, to Goats For PEace Buttons to one of a kind artwork, her store items would be beautiful under anyone's tree. She also has taken in ferrel cats and spayed/neutered them all so donating to help that is a great gift to give, too.
Sublime Stiching: Ok. For serious. Jenny Hart is a rockstar. When I met her years ago she took me to her little room which was just being made into her office. On the floor were "some patterns she was making for a book." The book came out and rocked. Then she came out with another book. Then she's rocking it out with the Austin Craft Mafia. Then she got really shiny hair (this has nothing to with business). I am not crafty but her first book helped me to stitch a couple of things that I've let people besides my mum see. It's just that good!
See Jane Work: I love this company. Thanks to them filing isn't a chore because my files are just so pretty! They have the best things from papers to pens to desktop accessories. And the packaging that it all comes in? Wonderful. I've had nothing but consistently great service from this group of women so should you know anyone that is starting their own business, think of outfitting them with things from here that are so not corporate!
Jennifer Causey Photography: I have a couple of her photos because with a simple click of the camera, she makes the ordinary, extraordinary. Her still lifes have such a cosy feel to them. I swear I've never looked at tea cups and saucers the same way since seeing her blog and owning some of her work. Again, she packages things wonderfully so receiving some of her work is great. And her postcards? Please send these out into the world. We need prettier mail!
Sugar Paper: And speaking of prettier mail, this company does custom made stationary as well as already made cards. Their charming store in Los Angeles is a must see but if you can't make it, pop over to their site at least. Get creative and make your own stationary or give the gift of business cards to someone who's trying to start their own project.
And lastly, Women for Women is a fantastic charitable organisation that I've been a part of for sometime now. It's a gift that keeps on giving and actually helps to change another woman's life. If you think you're struggling, I really encourage you to try to sponsor a woman through this program because chances are, she's having a harder time than you with less opportunities. It's a way to help someone else's dream come true, and what could be more holiday spirit than that?
COPYRIGHT 2002 - 2004 ALEX BEAUCHAMP. NO PART MAY BE REPRINTED WITHOUT PERMISSION. SITE IS HAPPILY HOSTED BY DREAMHOST.