3.14.2011

giveaway: second street designs

I realize that Meet the Maker Mondays have been few and far between, but I enjoy bringing it back every now and then, for a good interview + giveaway whenever lovely goods & people come along. (btw--if you and your crafts are ever interested in being featured--please get in touch!)

Some quick introspection: The worlds of blogging and crafting are such happy places for me. I double love blogging about handmade things, and I triple love reading some of the real-life details of the makers themselves. This blog has been so much more than a creative outlet for me, and it's helped me grow in countless ways, especially in viewing my life through a more authentic, joyful lens. Better yet, it's connected me to some of the most genuine, caring, and creative women the world has ever known.
And every once in awhile, I've received precious opportunities to meet fellow bloggers in real life. It's strange how a perfect stranger can seem more like an old, dear friend with whom you have nearly everything in common.

Today I feel really blessed to introduce just one of those girls: my new/old friend Naphtali of On Second Street. Her blog is one of the first I ever found/read, and can't believe that four years later we've finally gotten around to getting together once in awhile. She also has a super lovely etsy shop, Second Street Designs, which is currently filled with some seriously classy handmade bags that no spring wardrobe should do without. The elements she uses are sometimes vintage, sometimes unexpected, and always lovely.

*****

Q|A with Naphtali:

1. What do you love most about Second Street Designs?

I love having a creative outlet. I love fabrics & colors and enjoy mixing and matching them so having my little shop allows me to "play" with colors without repainting my house all the time. (because yes, that is what I do when I need a color fix.)

2. Describe your perfect day.

Hmmmm, well to start with my perfect day would be about 20 hours long. I would love to sleep in, work out, enjoy a leisurely coffee/brunch with a friend, do a little shopping - maybe at a store like hunt and gather - and still have energy to find homes for my treasures when I get home. Then I would invite some favored friends/family over for a special dinner and the day would end with some snuggling time with Aidan while I read him a book.

3. You're a busy mama, career woman, and somehow maintain an inspiring blog and a well-stocked etsy shop on the side. How on earth do you do it all!?

Oh, I don't do it all, please believe me. Blogs just show a little "snapshot" of our lives, they don't always focus on the dirty corners, dusty shelves, crabby mornings, neglected workout clothes, frozen waffles for dinner or the Valentine decorations that are still gracing my front window. But I do really try to use my time wisely - I probably drive my family crazy b/c I am usually busy and I always assume everyone else needs to be as busy as I am.

4. Name a craft supply that you simply could not do without:

I love fabric. I have tried every craft in the book over the past decade (jewelry making, paper craft, mosaics, painting, cement molding, wire art, etc) but I always end up back at the fabric store. My first job was at a fabric store and I think that was when my love affair began. I was always fascinated by the customers and their plans for their fabrics and {suprise!} even at age 16 I had pretty strong opinions about their fabric choices. ( but I did my best to keep them to myself.) I also should keep it real and tell you that the only reason I worked at a fabric store was because my dad thought it would be a "safe spot" and would keep me out of trouble. (i.e. boys)

5. Where can we find more of your work?

Right now I only have the Etsy shop and some stock in my sewing room. I have taken a little break from art fairs and local stores in the past few years as I have gotten busier as a mom and with my job. If you are local you are always welcome to do some shopping at my house. I don't know what future plans I have for Second Street Designs but I love the outlet it provides me so even though I sometimes take a little "break" from sewing I usually end up coming back. I always like to have little projects in my life - so when I am "project free" i typically stock up my Etsy Shop.

Today Naphtali is kindly sharing her sweet + sturdy Retro Floral bag with one lucky reader.

It's actually constructed from a bunch of Anthropologie towels--seriously friends, it doesn't get any better than that. The bag measures 17x12x24". There are two medium sized inner pockets and a vintage bicycle pin embellishes the outside of the bag:
There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below sharing one thing you always have stashed in your favorite bag (i.e.) simply cannot leave home without.

and/or

2. Visit Second Street Designs and leave a separate comment sharing your favorite.

and/or

3. Blog, tweet, facebook, (or why not even pinterest!?) this giveaway and leave a third comment sharing the link.


Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday 3/18!

51 comments:

Bonnie said...

I can't leave home without my cherry chapstick in my purse! Love this beautiful purse!! And the fact that it's made from Anthropologie towels! Swoon!!

kt said...

ooh cute cute bags - I adore ADORE THE large pleated bag in amy b fabric http://www.etsy.com/listing/64701179/large-pleated-bag
perfect for winter!!

I can't leave home without my phone -how else do hubby and I send silly nonscence and sometimes important - like get milk msgs to one another :)

The Almeidas said...

I must agree with Pink... I can't leave without chapstick in my bag... and lately, a book too!

The Almeidas said...

My favorite bag is simply called "linen bag" -- the light mustard color and fabulous damask-like design is gorgeous!

The Almeidas said...

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/Shades_of_Grace

Carolyn said...

following the chapstick trend... blistex!

Carolyn said...

and my favorite bag is the darling pleated echino bag!

mama b said...

what a perfectly adorable bag!! at this stage in my life, one thing i always always have is a pack of baby wipes. :)

Michelle {lovely little things} said...

From her shop, I love the "pleated bag" and the "pleated echino bag."

What I always have in my purse...lip gloss. Somehow it manages to always find itself buried in the depths of the bag I'm toting around. No color specifically, any color will do really, but I definitely have a sad face is I leave this crucial item at home.

Lina Thomlinson said...

I must have Blistex in my bag at all times.

Lina Thomlinson said...

My favorite item's the large pleated bag.

Anne said...

Ohmygoodness, that is so cute! I always have to carry a pen in my purse. I think that's pretty typical, but I get kind of antsy if it isn't there.

Anne said...

I'm a fan of the Modern Floral purse.

Bean said...

Definitely cannot leave home without my water bottle!

WaconiaBrown's said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda said...

It might sound lame, but I can't go anywhere without my chap stick and some gum. Just some of life's little essentials. :)

Amanda said...

The modern floral purse is right up my alley. :)

Unknown said...

I can't leave home without my camera...you never know when a photo opp will come along with 2 little ones in tow.

ELIZABETH said...

I can't leave home without my wallet!

ELIZABETH said...

my fave bag is the "Primary colors bag"

Emily said...

I always always have my chapstick in my purse. I feel lost without it.

What a cute bag! Thanks for the chance to win! Off to check out the rest of Second Street Designs!

Emily said...

My favorite: the linen bag. Super cute for Spring!

Katie said...

I absolutely can't leave home without my camera in my purse. I love taking pictures and want to make sure I have in case a photo op happens!

aeb said...

Cute bags! I always have lip gloss and a diaper/baby wipes!:)

Tamara said...

Fun bags. I can't leave home without my phone sadly my world stops without it.

erin said...

Love the bag! At this point in parenthood, I can't leave the house without a few diapers in my bag! It would be fun to upgrade to a cute purse for spring instead of lugging around our giant diaper bag! ha! :)

Melinda said...

I would love to win! :) Hmm...one thing I can't live without being in my purse? I would have to say my powder compact. I have to have something on my face and my powder/foundation compact is a must! :)

Amy said...

I always have to have chapstick and a mirror to check that there isn't anything stuck in my teeth.

Amy said...

I love the primary colors bag.

PangKatlyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PangKatlyn said...

I like the pleated one since pleats in my clothing never work out for me.

I also really like linen bag as well! So perfect for summer!!

PangKatlyn said...

In my purse there is always my Eos starfruit flavored lip balm and my sparkly polka dotted wallet :)

aimee said...

I can't leave home without my coupons. You never know when you might get a chance to go shopping!

aimee said...

I love the pleated Amy butler bag! Anything with buttons will get me every time :)

Melissa said...

I always have my keys. I've learned this lesson the hard way, getting locked out of my apartment one too many times.

Joy said...

Burt's Bees lip balm.

ilona said...

Burt's Bees lip stuff - always!
Thanks for the opportunity to claim such a great looking bag.

ilona said...

The linen bag would work for me - it would hold everything and look great doing it. Or the modern floral - so cheerful! Or the pleated purse for those times when I need just my keys and a place to stash my glasses....

ilona said...

I posted a link to the giveaway at:
http://downthegardenpath-downthegardenpath.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaway.html

Whitney said...

I can't leave the house without my chapstick and a camera :)

Whitney said...

It's hard to choose a favorite...but I do really like this one :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64688474/pleated-purse

forr2girls said...

blistex!

forr2girls said...

love, love, love the retro floral bag...

Ramblings said...

I get a little panicked if I don't have at least one Burt's Bee's chapstick in my purse...

Justine said...

What a beautiful purse!!!

I can't leave home without my hand sanitizer or a tube of chapstick!!

Holly said...

Can't leave home without my work ID in my bag, it's an unforgiving time clock! And Burt's Bees lip balm.

Olivia said...

I never leave home without my camera or a tiny notebook to jot down ideas and inspiration.

Precious said...

I cannot live without...big surprise...my lip gloss (when it's Clarins, there is no comparison) ;)

Precious said...

I'm drooling over the Linen Bag and the Amy Butler?!? Really? Can't be any cuter! Simply GOT to have them.

Cynthia Lee said...

I can't leave home without my sunglasses. It may sound ridiculous but I will turn around and go back home to get them if I find they are not in my purse!

Diana said...

Cute bags, love the yellow floral linen and the this one.
Must haves in my bag are sunglasses, my phone and a couple treats to brighten any mood when I pick up my darling boys from school.