Happy New Year from Vivi Dot!

Thanks so much for making 2009 a big success! I look forward to a lot of new and exciting projects in 2010.

My list for Santa

I've fallen in love with a lot of my fellow crafter's goodies lately. It's so hard not to buy buy buy for myself, but it's the time of year to give so I've been good. I'm hoping that sharing my absolute favorites will help quench my thirst and possibly even give some of my loved ones very specific ideas if they don't know what to get me.

First up is an Acorn Necklace from Neawear. I bookmarked it months ago and keep coming back to it over and over again.Next is a pretty wintery print by Marisol Spoon. After seeing the Fantastic Mr. Fox I can't get enough of these cussing adorable little guys.I will definitely be spending some money at the Whitney Smith Pottery booth (she'll be my neighbor at the Renegade show in a few weeks). The Tree Stump Candle Holder below is one of her newest items, but I'd love one of her amazing Scalloped Cake Stands too.I would also love to feel like a winter princess wearing the amazing Twiggy Wire Vine Crown by Whichgoose.
Next up is a gorgeous hand woven bead in granny smith green by TBQ Designs. It's vibrant, versatile and my favorite color!
All of Skunkboy Creature's little creations make my heart melt, but the Polka Dot Penguin Ornament is definitely my favorite. There aren't currently any her Etsy Shop, but I hear there may be an update this week. If I'm lucky enough to catch one of these guys I'm going to have break my no gifts for me rule and snatch one up.
The last item is something I purchased a little over a month ago. I wear it constantly so I had to share my find and talk it up. The Happy Hour Bow Beret by Polka Dot Robot is the perfect finishing touch to any outfit and turns around a not so great hair day in a flash.

So there's my list Santa. You know I've been good!

Get ready for a Handmade Ho Down - Etsy Style

This just in! Vivi Dot was accepted to the first ever San Francisco Handmade Ho Down put on by the lovely folks at SF Etsy! It's gonna be a spectacular event with 60 diverse vendors, live art, music, booze, raffles, gift bags and oh so much more. And since it 'tis the the season they'll be raising money and collecting art supplies for DrawBridge (a non profit organization that strives to provide art programs for homeless children in the Bay Area).
I'm already cooking up some extra fun holiday items and will be selling some all new products at this show. Make sure to mark you calendars and come by for a good time and great shopping!Here are the details:
Thursday December 3rd
6pm- 12am
Free Admission
21 and over
1015 Folosom, San Francisco
Go to www.handmadehodown.com for more information

Renegade Holiday Craft Fair - San Francisco

I'm in! I just got word that I was accepted as a vendor at the first ever (in San Francisco) Renegade Craft Fair Holiday show! This is the first time I applied for this show so it has been anticipation station here at Vivi Dot all morning. The show is at Fort Mason on December 19th and 20th, just in time to take care of all your final Christmas shopping needs. Mark your calendars and save the date!
You can check out a previous post about what I bought at the Renegade Craft Fair last time I went as a shopper.

Scoutie Girl Gifts

Scoutie Girl Gifts recently launched and it has quickly become my go to place for all things handmade. I've already bookmarked quite a few items for my holiday shopping list. I submitted a gift guide of my own to the site and it was posted last week! Check out my 'Let's Go to the Zoo' gift guide with twelve hand made pieces featuring my favorite zoo creatures. If you like what you see please cast a vote for the guide by clicking the five stars at the bottom of the page.

Make sure to also visit the Scoutie Girl Blog for daily finds from the world of the passionately handmade.

Oh hi, Ojai!

Duncan and I took a trip down to Ojai (pronounced oh hi) two weekends ago for the wedding celebration of our good friends Keith and Becca. We jumped in the Yaris with our new friend Josh who hitched a ride to the event and were on our way Friday evening. We had Saturday to explore and relax a bit before we headed out for the wedding so I thought I'd share some photos from our adventures.




On the Vivi Dot front I've been busy redesigning all of my packaging and working madly to prepare for POOL which is a mere 21 days away. I will have some exciting photos and products to share with you soon.

Prague Log

So waaay back in April I went on a fabulous holiday with some of my girlfriends from college. We made a quick stop in London and then ventured off to Prague for a week of sightseeing, eating and drinking. As per usual, I had high hopes about how I could share our adventures here on the Dot Girl Blog, but then failed to make time to execute my lofty ambitions. So instead of carrying the guilt of a missed opportunity around with me I've decided to share tidbits of our excursions as I find time to do so.
I'll start off by sharing some photos I captured of my friends sporting their Vivi Dot gear. This is Andrea sporting a bright green Chrysanthemum Vivi Dot Flower Brooch. She's partaking in one of our favorite finds from the trip, Potato Soup. This delicious soup was on just about every menu, until we were seeking it out on our last night. After seeing it and having it nearly each place we ate, we spent over an hour hunting it down for our last meal in town. And here's lovely Stacey wearing two Private School Plaid hair clips on our walking tour up to the Prague Castle.Okay, so there's not Vivi Dot item in this shot, but I can't post about Pruage and leave out the pivo! And finally here's a pic of my Traveling Gnome Earring posing by the candlelight at one of our scrumptious and wine fueled dinners. You can see some more pics from our trip on the Vivi Dot Flickr Page.

Vivi Dot Vacation!

Just a quick post to mention that I'm traveling this whole week. I had a lovely weekend in London and now a week in Prague ahead of me. I'll post photos in the next couple of days!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I hope your day is festive and filled with green beer and lucky leprechauns!

Mulitcolored Chrysanthemum Flower Brooch
Seagreen Koi Magnets
Clover Lady Bug Earrings
Dainty Floral Hair Clips
Green Scallop Striped Watch Necklace

I'm Proud to be an American!

Wow, it's been quite some time since I've said that! I think the last time must have been in an elementary school assembly when we sang that song during the Gulf War. Don't get me wrong, there have definitely been moments where I've been proud to be an American since then, just not so overwhelmed by it that I felt like I should say it out loud (or type it). I think that's why today is especially noteworthy and exciting. I have a feeling we'll be seeing an influx of red, white and blue clothing and accessories. It's been a very long time since half of this country has shown some pride so I think we'll see people starting to flaunt it more. Since this is the Vivi Dot blog I thought I'd celebrate with some red white and blue patriotic products. Okay, the red and white kitties are a stretch, but they fit within the color theme.
Hail to the Chief!

Love is in the Air

I'm excited to announce the launch of the Vivi Dot Valentine's day product line! Check out the Vivi Dot Store to see all the special items. Highlights include 'You're as Cute as a button' fabric button sets and 'Diamonds are forever' faux diamond earrings.. There are also lots of new pink and red themed watch necklaces, hair accessories and oh so much more.

Christmas is Cancelled

Okay, it's not really cancelled just slightly postponed this year.

Seattle is under a blanket of snow with more predicted to be on the way tonight and tomorrow. At first glance this makes everything seem pretty and serene, but only until you try to go anywhere. Most flights were cancelled or extremely delayed yesterday, but things seem to be back on track this morning. That doesn't mean it's not a nightmare getting to the airport and through the security line though. Unfortunately for the Gaines family this means our first Christmas apart. Emily and Bryce are driving into San Francisco from Las Vegas today, but Mom had to make the tough decision to avoid the madness and remain snowed in up Seattle. Luckily there's no shortage of friends and family near by offering her Christmas plans to keep her busy. We'll miss ya Mom and it definitely won't be the same without you with us. Can't wait to see you soon, give you a great big belated Christmas hug and celebrate late this year.

And for your viewing pleasure I've included the good and the bad that come with along with a white Christmas. (photos courtesy of The Seattle PI)

The Naughty:
And the Nice: