Caught My Eye

via beccastadtlander

Different Places

Found a few things that caught my eye, all from different places. 

This totally awesome idea came to me through StumbleUpon recommendations.  Do you guys stumble? I do, but not as often as I could.

Check this out...........a cell phone holder made out of an old lotion bottle. Holla.

via makeit-loveit

You can find out how to make this simple bit of brilliance at makeit-loveit. Lotion bottle, scissors, modge-podge.....simple, cute and it wrangles everything. I may have to try this one.

Had to include this one I found through a stumble upon recommedation too because my mother has been using nailpolish to distinguish keys forEVER. Right Mom?

a bubblylife

Super easy, and pretty darn cute to boot.

The wonderful art of Becca Stadtlander came to me by way of Frankie Magazine. If you haven't checked out Frankie, you should. It's an Aussie pub and they always find the neatest stuff. 

Isn't Becca's work fantastic? I love this one because it could be my breakfast other than the french press. I'd be having a cuppa tea.

via BeccaStadtlander

'Bell jar'. Sweet.

via BeccaStadtlander

And another one for Mom, aka Maggie The WasherWoman. 

via BeccaStadtlander

She's great, don't ya think?

Photochallenge

The Mercantile Muse Photo Challenge begins this Friday. So if you're joining in, remember to get me your submissions for Friday's topic, on Thursday. Email me (pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net---- just avoiding spammers gang) a link to your photo submission (blog link, flickr link, facebook link, or what have you) by noon the day prior if you want your photo to be included in the photo challenge post the next day. Join the fun! 

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,

Caught My Eye

via inherent style in la

Favorite Finds

Just a few things that have caught my eye recently. Isn't that one of the best things about the biggo world wide web? That your mind gets to wander all over the world and find the most wonderful things.

Amanda Gomes has put together a wonderful magazine that I dare say, left me 'delighted'. All sorts of topics to wander through from home, work, style and more. Which reminds me, it's left me wanting more. Kudos to Amanda for a fine premier issue and for doing something I still am only dreaming about.

via delighted magazine

If I didn't already have a wonderful bar cabinet that my Dad made me (not it's original intent, it's based on a colonial design for a 'water chest'.....one man's water is another's wine I guess), I'd have this fabulous bar cart from Ada & Darcy on my wish list. Oh my, that Mrs. Darcy has a great eye.

via ada & darcy

Now this is a crafty-how-to from Inhabit that I think I could handle. It reminds of the lanterns that hang in the 'watering hole' (there's that water thing again) on M*A*S*H. Plus, you'd be upcycling at the same time as creating a great outdoor splash of light. Wouldn't these look great at your next party?

via inhabit

Another great thing about the biggo world wide web, is that it is in fact like a web. You connect with people through other sites and people. That's how I found Angela at Inherent Style in LA, who found Mercantile Muse through Cari-Jane at HybridHandmade. So neat the way that happens. Well, let me tell you, Ms. Angela has got some guts. Look what she did to her fireplace!

via inherentstyleinla

I love the way it mimics all the colors of the books that line the side of the fireplace. I also think it's cool because it's completely unexpected.

Also while 'in la', I really enjoyed taking a walk with Angela through the cool neighborhood near her home. 

Chandliers in trees? Why the hell not? I'm in love. Not sure I could pull it off, but I do seriously love them.

via inherentstyleinla

What's caught your eye on your travels around the world wide web lately? Have you been pinning things or sharing them on your blog? Share a link in your comments if you like, I think it would be cool to see what 'caught your eye'.

Have a fabulous day.

ta ta for now,





Favorite Finds

via ILaBoom

Oh, The Glories of Etsy

I could get lost on etsy like I can in a good bookstore. There's just so much to discover. Here's some things that have made their way into my etsy favorites and I think you'll see why.

How cute is this shadowbox from ILaBoom?

via ILaBoom

What? You think it could be a little cuter? OK, maybe you're right. Turn on the light! 

We're talking way-over-the-top cute now.

via ILaBoom

Moving right along from cute to totally awesome. Who knew I'd ever think a towel ring would ever be totally awesome, but the 80s valley girl in sure thinks it is. OMG. I want it. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

via TheLandLockedSailor

I was voted most talkative in highschool so I can relate to this little card.  So did my friend Ralph. Yup, we're quite a pair.  That said, sometimes I'm not in a 'phone' mood, but sometimes I talk for so long on the phone my ear actually hurts so this card from Pounouheartsyou  makes me chuckle.

via Pounouheartsyou

Pretty, pretty top from ASeasonInIndia. I'm a sucker for cabbage roses.

via ASeasonInIndia

I have a lot of tea cups. OK, more than a lot. I have a collection of tea cups but I don't think any are buttercream yellow like this one from SwirlingOrange11.

via SwirlingOrange11

What can I say? I am on the 'hanger' bandwagon. Gar can attest, this happens to me. Oh man, does it ever. Thanks to mybeardedpigeon  for letting me know exactly what it is.



via mybeardedpigeon

What about you? Have you finding lots of great stuff on etsy and elsewhere? Share a link in your comment below....I love finding new shops and blogs.

Have a great Wednesday.

Over and out,

Go On, Have a Look.

via oldnewhouse

Some Things That Caught My Eye 

There was lots of stuff going on all over the place this week.......etsy, blogs, facebook. You name it, things were buzzing.

I was happy to find a shop that I've featured here before on the Muse, had made it to the front page of etsy as the 'featured seller'. Three cheers for oldnewhouse and David and Melissa Lynn.

via oldnewhouse

Fantastic getting to know them better and I always enjoy seeing studio/office spaces. By the way, be sure to read David's answer to 'what inspires him'. Talk about a hopeless romantic.

via oldnewhouse

My blogging/etsy friend Cari-Jane of Hybrid Handmade, had good news to share this week. She attended London Fashion Week with the 'Hybrid Handmade Husband', who happens to design seriously cool shoes. What a trip! The Hybrid Handmade Husband is now on the shortlist for Drapers 'Best Footwear Designer of the Year'. Congrats to the 'triple h'!

via hybridhandmade

Love the shot Cari got of the entrance to Somerset House. Black and white awesomeness. Oh yeah, I just made that word up. Got a problem with that?

Did you miss Marketing 101 this week? That's because I didn't have a Marketing 101 post this week silly. 

However, I did come across a great post by Bonnie of paperkeeper via her facebook page.

via paperkeeper

Some great things to ponder, including turning envy on it's head, lessons she learned from a little blue dinosaur and small things that may affect how people perceive your business. Really worth a read.

Question for you? Are you all following Bates Mercantile Co. on facebook? If you're not, I'd just love it if you did. I'm often posting about things on facebook that I don't talk about here on Mercantile Muse and I wouldn't want you to miss out. It could be disastrous. Plus, I enjoy having company. 

Hope you all had a great week. You all made mine a little bit better and I thank you for that. It's funny how the challenges in life are what bring us all together, because we all face them at some point. Loss is never easy, but it's a little easier when you know others can relate.

Nothing much planned for the weekend. Bruins game on TV tonight (which may throw me all off because it's usually a Saturday game....hey, didn't you know that I'm a creature of habit?), laundry, sorting through stuff and organizing. Hugely exciting, eh? What about you? What's on the books?

Freeform Friday

Here's a little something from Mr. Cliff that always makes me feel better and brightens my day (even when it's gray and ugly like today).  Click here if you're reading via email.

Live large, seize the day and celebrate life and your loved ones. It's what really matters in the end.

peace out,

I Spy

via hybridhandmade

They Caught My Eye

Thought I'd share a few things that caught my eye and made me smile. Hope they do the same for you. 

Look at these pretty, shabby chic note cards created by Kristen from By The Book Paper, yesterday's guest poster on Mercantile Muse.

via by the book paper

I told you she made wonderful things with paper.  Hhhmmmm, she's got me thinking.......a shabby chic heart garland may be in my future.

This photo by Crystal Lynn Photography brings back lots of happy memories of carousel rides as a child. 

via Fine Arts By Crystal Lynn

The color and the bubbles of light in the background capture the feel you get when riding round and round on the carousel.

More romance from tomcatbeadworks.

via tomcat beadworks

Love the colors and the chain used to create that necklace.

Here's something you'll find I say, and when I do I really mean it. Love the way sparrownestscript wrote it.

via sparrownestscript

Lovely calligraphy.

An ever-so-sweet boudoir mirror from a Bates Mercantile Co. etsy friend across the pond, glass artist Pamela Angus.

via Pamela Angus

The shape and flowers are so pretty, and hanging from the chain and ribbon.....it's screaming romance.

Love Letters Written By Moonlight, just one of the many pieces I love by another etsy friend across the pond, metalsmith/jeweler extraordinaire Cari-Jane Hakes.

via Cari-Jane Hakes/Hybrid Handmade

The wonderful thing about this piece is, it is not only a brooch, but can be turned into a necklace. Too cool.

Whimsical at it's best.

via ohjoy

Pure flying fun.

A pretty little wristlet purse.

via Carolynn Redwine Geer

Carolynn not only sews, but paints too. Oh to be so talented.  Another thing that I love about this piece........Carolynn used a pattern from another etsy friend of mine, Cherie.

Cherie is quite the pattern/clothes designer and all around sewing wizard. Cherie's designs have even been featured in famous pattern catalogs.  Love this travel bag.

via studiocherie

My favorite part about this piece.......the straps!

So, what have you spied this week? Share a link if you'd like- I'd love to see what caught your eye. *Side note: If you're on pinterest, note that there is now an easy 'pin it' button at the bottom of each post (thanks to a tutorial from JulieAnnArt) on Mercantile Muse. Pin away if you see something you like. You can also follow me on pinterest by clicking right here.

Hey, did you notice? It's midweek already. Have a superfantabulous Wednesday in your corner of the world.

Before I go, you may notice a couple of sponsors on the right sidebar. It's currently an exchange program. Big thanks to Kristen and to Courtney Jo for hosting one of my ads on their blogs (both a couple of peaches by the way- wink wink). 

Thanks for being here. I love the company.