Mattie Reid Chicago blog contest

I am very excited to offer Mattie Reid Chicago readers a chance to win a $20 store credit at our Etsy shop. Don't want to wait for the contest to end to get something from our shop? Use coupon code "ETSY20" and get 20% off anything in our store. Coupon expires 3/31/11.

The giveaway details are as follows:
1. Visit our shop, find something you really like and come back here and comment.
2. Heart our shop or favorite an item for extra entries and then come back here and comment.
3. Earn one extra entry for following our blog. Come back here and comment and tell us you are following our blog.

Contest ends Thursday March 31, 2011 at midnight CST.
Limit is $20 store credit.
Open to residents worldwide.
Winner will be drawn randomly.

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Buttery soft soft leather scraps = cuff bracelet heaven!

I went to an estate sale yesterday and the woman who used to live in this house was a major crafter. Her back room was full of fabric bolts, trims and scraps. I found this fairly large buttery soft leather scrap:

I pulled out my scissors last night and started cutting into the leather. I made one small cuff bracelet for myself. I also cut some other scraps that I was going to try and sew into rings. Here's the bracelet I made for myself:

I cut some slits in the leather to create separation:

I'm going to go back today and see if there are any other leather scraps.

I'm getting a new camera today! Yay!

I'm so excited. I'm getting a new camera today. I actually ordered it a few days ago from Dell online. My current camera is a crappy, GE12.2 MP point and shoot. I can never get the light settings right and I'm hoping I'll be able to take better pics with my new camera.

The camera I bought from Dell is a Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera (Black):

I've been wanting to take some pics of some pieces I've made recently, but I've gotten to the point where I hate my current crappy camera and the quality of photo's it takes. My new camera should arrive today. Watch out, I may just become a crazed photography junky!

Great video on how to screenprint your own t-shirts

I found this video on YouTube. If you're into learning new things and want to learn how to screenprint your own T-shirts, I recommend this video!

I'm getting a new banner and avatar for my Esty shop! Yay!

When I first opened my Etsy shop, I purchased a banner package from a graphic artist on Etsy. I like the banner and avatar quite well. I think the artist did a great job, but I've had the same banner since 2007/2008. I'm finding that I'm bored with it and want a change. I mean, it is 2011 after all.

I received my weekly Etsy Success email yesterday and two of the articles really made me realize I needed to make a few changes to my Etsy shop. The article can be found here. One article talked about the importance of having a banner and avatar. Well, I have both and they're cute, but I need something new.

This morning I logged onto Etsy and searched out some new banner/avatar packages. There are many graphic artists on Etsy who bundle Etsy shop starter kits. I ended up purchasing two different kits from MiPrincess . She sells nothing but banner & avatar kits and her prices are super duper reasonable. Her work is cute, she is very accommodating with your font choices and she gets your purchase to you quickly upon your approval. I highly recommend her work! Here's my new banner!

Handmade accessories...Why be without them?

I think accessories can brighten up any outfit. Why be drab when you can be cute and sassy by adding handmade accessories to garments. Handmade items are unique and can make your dull, ordinary outfit spectacular!

The purpled up in plaid bloom pin by $18 by Sweet & Dirty’s Emporium

I love the combination of textures in this purpled pin as well as the top stitching and button details. It looks cute on a top and I also think it would be cute on a coat or tote bag.

Cream Infinity Scarf / Recycled T-Shirt $20 by Oh-Zie

This scarf is super cute and would dress up any t-shirt or sweater. It's made from an old t-shirt and has a cute brown flower detail to dress it up a bit. Great way to recycle an old item if I don't say so myself.

Vintage wool plaid button bobbies/hair pins $6 by Mattie Reid Chicago

These hair pins were actually made by me. I used to be a vintage button hoarder and started making things with them. I've made a lot of hair accessories with the buttons that had a matching mate. I think these buttons would look cute on anyone.

The Etsy Recyclers Guild Team has a lot of talented artists who make eco-friendly products. All products are recycled into something else, which is beneficial to everyone. Our team motto is basically, "We live green, we love to recycle, and that's what brought us together. Our team believes in Random Acts of Kindness, a movement to promote each other's shops and spread the word about living green." To shop handmade items on our team, you can click here.

Vintage chain link upcycled into a necklace & bracelet

Most of the items I upcycle are made from vintage jewelry pieces. Last night, I was talking to my sister, Courtney, on the phone. She lives in Illinois and we don't talk terribly often. When we do end up talking, our conversations end up lasting for about an hour.

As I was talking to Courtney last night, I started digging through my junk jewelry and started playing with some vintage chain links in the box. I ended up making a matching necklace and bracelet set:

Here's the necklace on my neck:

Here's the bracelet on my wrist:

I haven't listed these in my shop yet, but plan to do so later today. Mention this post and I'll send you a coupon code for 25% off anything in my shop.

Handmade goodness with art deco flair

I love, love vintage items and especially vintage items from the art deco era. I frequent estate sales and make a lot of my handcrafted items from broken pieces of vintage jewelry of leftover trims.

Art deco filigree leaf belt buckle cuff bracelet $45



Nature was a big part of art deco design and filigree was often used as a design element in art deco pieces.

Black Elastic Headband with Antique Vintage Brooch Pin $48


Many times, the pieces were just shiny, elaborate, decorative statement pieces.

Vintage art deco marcasite shoe clip cuff bracelet with velvet ribbon $65


Regardless of what the pieces were, they are still beautiful to this day. I just like to reform them into something new and different. You can take a closer look at the items above by clicking on each photo. You'll then be redirected to the actual item. For other upcycled/recycled vintage jewelry pieces, please visit Mattie Reid Chicago on Etsy or visit Mattie Reid Chicago online.

$75 store credit for upcycled handmade items at Mattie Reid Chicago

I'm offering a $75 store credit for my Etsy shop when my Facebook page reaches 300 fans. My page is currently lingering at 98 fans. Please visit my Facebook page and become a fan today! Winner will be drawn randomly once our page reaches 300 fans! Spread the word!

One-of-a-kind hand embroidered baby infant onesies

A few months ago, my friend Tania had twin girls. I typically make and give onesies as shower gifts. I think they make nice gifts because they're completely one-of-a-kind. I do all the work by hand and they always turn out really cute! Here are the two onesies I made for Tania:

I can make anything I'm capable of drawing. I love special orders. Contact me for more info!

The blog is alive again!!!!

After years of neglect, I have decided to revive this blog and make it better than ever! Stay tuned for a fun-filled 2011!