Indie Artist Spotlight: Rommy Kuperus of RommydeBommy

October 20, 2015September 27, 2017 ~ jama ~ 27 Comments

When it comes to Rommy Kuperus’s foodie fashion accessories, you can have your cake and wear it too.

Totally calorie free, her fanciful, over-the-top creations break all the rules, definitely turn heads, and are just too much fun.

Fancy a candy roll purse, a waffle clutch, a fried egg brooch? No need to cry over spilled coffee when you can wear a matching coffee bean necklace.

Did you know it’s totally de rigueur to accessorize with baked goods? How do you think baguette got its name?

And poor pasta, always getting such a bad carbo-rap. Why not stash all your guilt in Rommy’s farfalle bow clutch?

While you’re at it, deck out your male friends in babelicious bow ties. Is there anything cooler?

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friday feast: 21 cool gifts for poetry lovers

November 21, 2014November 20, 2014 ~ jama ~ 35 Comments

‘Tis that time of year once again to shift into gift-giving mode. Here are some lovely and fun ideas for the poetry lovers on your list, or for adding to your personal holiday Wish List. Click on each image for descriptions and prices.

shakespearetea — Shakespeare’s English Breakfast Tea by Steep Show Teas (Emily Dickinson Garden Jasmine and Poe’s Midnight Blend also available)

craftypoet — Superb poetry tutorial by Diane Lockward (model poems, prompts, tips, interviews)

dickinsonbookpendant — Emily Dickinson “Not in Vain” Poetry Book Pendant by Red Quadrant

cummingsbowl — Handmade letter-stamped poetry quote large serving dish (can be personalized) by LoveArtWorks

emilybrooch — Emily Brooch (oil painting on wood OOAK) by Mrs. Peggotty Arts

frostdoll — Robert Frost Miniature Doll by Uneek Doll Designs (many other literary figures available)

bookends — Poetry Text Steel Book Ends by Knob Creek Metal Arts

poekadottote — Poe-ka Dots Tote by Out of Print

rumisign — Rumi Quote Stoneware Clay and Ice Agate Sign in Gilders Paste by Hidden Fire Pottery

poetsgiftpack — Poets Gift Pack (notecards, bookmark, magnet) by artsyletters

shewalks — Shelley Gold-filled Pendant by Pangaea Designs

william_shakespeare_action_figure__84622 — Shakespeare Action Figure at Annie’s Tea Time (on sale!)

sara — Fleetwood Mac “Sara” Glass Tile Pendant by Lyrical Lady

shakespearepurse — Shakespeare Book Purse by Novel Creations

quotetag — Handmade Cummings ceramic quote tag by Kylie Johnson

scarf — Romeo and Juliet Infinity Book Scarf by storiarts

poesoupjpg — Edgar Allan Poe Porcelain Soup Bowl by More Than Porcelain

hopependant — Emily “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” Gold-plated Pewter Necklace by Heart Felt by Foxy

Shakespeare Insults — Shakespeare Insult T-shirt at Unemployed Philosophers Guild

haiku — Haiku 2015 Calendar (Art Gallery of Greater Victoria)

poetryonrecord — Poetry on Record 4-disc Box Set – Grammy-nominated collection featuring rare recordings of poets like Whitman, Cummings, Tennyson, Yeats, Ginsberg, Stafford, Plath, Frost, and Bukowski reading their own work.

Do you have any other gift suggestions for poetry lovers? Please share in the comments!

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Becky is hosting this week’s Roundup at Tapestry of Words. Click through to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up in the blogosphere today. Enjoy your weekend!

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what are those indie artists up to now?

November 13, 2013November 12, 2013 ~ jama ~ 12 Comments

pilgrims — Pilgrim Dolls (John and Priscilla Alden) by Uneek Doll Designs

Of course I’m referring to the nine perky, uncommonly good-looking, crazy-talented women who’ve visited Alphabet Soup this past year to share their wares in our Indie Artist Spotlight series.

If, like me, you’ve already shifted into holiday gift-buying mode, you’re probably hungry for some good ideas. Supporting independent artists is always a win-win — your lucky friends and relatives receive unique heartmade-handmade gifts, and you’re helping to ensure that these ingenious, inventive people can continue to make the world a more beautiful place with their delightful creations.

Just to refresh your memory, I’m linking to all the Spotlight interviews and sharing two new items from each of their Etsy shops. Click on any image to be taken directly to the listing. Be quick about it, especially if you want to place a custom order. Enjoy!

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Indie Artist Spotlight: Stéphanie Kilgast of PetitPlat

February 26, 2013March 2, 2013 ~ jama ~ 47 Comments

HELLO! BONJOUR! HALLO!

You’re just in time to meet Stéphanie Kilgast, the supremely talented artisan who creates all the amazing miniature food sculptures at PetitPlat. 🙂

A couple of years ago, while browsing for food art on Etsy, I chanced upon PetitPlat and instantly fell for Stéphanie’s meticulously crafted, truly splendid banquet of French pastries, breads, cookies, fruits, cakes and candies. The realism and level of detail were so incredible I couldn’t believe my eyes. How did she do it? I immediately ordered Oreo cookie and submarine sandwich earrings which arrived on my doorstep lickety split, and have had so much fun wearing them ever since.

Stéphanie currently lives about 280 miles southwest of Paris. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, speaks fluent French, English, and German, and has a Master’s degree in Architecture. While on summer break in 2007, a bored Stephanie looking for a new hobby discovered the world of miniatures and hasn’t looked back since.

She hand sculpts and assembles all the jewelry and 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures she sells from scratch. Her work has been featured in international publications such as the New York Times, The Telegraph, BBC Brasil, Europa and American Miniaturist, and just last year she exhibited her work in Hong Kong. Crafters who work with polymer clay will be happy to know Stéphanie is currently working on a bilingual French/English tutorial book, hopefully to be released in May.

We thank Stéphanie for taking time from her busy schedule to tell us a little more about her love for food miniatures. Hers is a delightfully inspiring story of someone finding success by following her true passion, which is evident in every micro-mini baguette, St. Honoré, fruit tart, croissant and rainbow cake. She says colors and textures are her companions; “making you smiling and happy is the goal of my work.”

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lovely letter necklaces ♥

February 9, 2012September 26, 2017 ~ jama ~ 15 Comments

#40 in an ongoing series of posts celebrating the alphabet.

Love these necklaces created by collage illustrator Laura Tarrish of Bridgetown Papers in Portland, Oregon. The little bottle is filled with tiny custom letters cut from silver card stock.