The Poppies Awards

We're super excited to be nominated for this year's Poppies Awards in the "Homemade Housewares" category. Jan at Poppytalk, one of our favorite Canadian design blogs, has a great list of folks and a wonderful judging panel. Many thanks to all our great friends who have been voting. Polls close on Friday, 1/29, at midnight, so you still have a chance to cast your vote for Miss Natalie! Simply follow this link and click on "Miss Natalie".

Mail-A-Mask Postcard

They're HERE!! Miss Natlie's Mail-A-Mask Postcards are ready to go, perfect for your favorite kid or friend in need of some cheering up. Who knew it only took a 6" x 9" postcard to make anyone instantly smile?

Don't tell the apple boxes, but Mail-A-Masks are my favorite new item this season, as it combines my love for mask-masking (remember this?) and hand-drawn patterns. Printed on recycled paper, the postcards are a total steal at $4 and available in our shop. Since they're 6" x 9", you have plenty of room to write an epic letter to your friend. Who doesn't like to get real mail?

Snowflake Ornaments!

We've just updated the Miss Natalie shop with some lovely wood-burned snowflake ornaments! Each ornament measures 5.5" x 5" and comes hung on a satin red ribbon with a green gift tag, ready for giving or hanging on your tree.

There are two unique styles to choose from: the Polka Dots or Herringbone pattern, and they are available in sets--just drop us a note and we can put one together for you! Aside from hanging on your tree, these also make charming table settings for a holiday dinner party. We've made a limited quantity for this holiday season, so get yours early!

Renegade SF Recap

Renegade SF was beyond words--such a wonderful mix of new and old friends, and some fabulously talented vendors. It was, by far, the best group of vendors I've ever shown with. We had a killer corner booth in the center aisle, which we flanked with bunches of red balloons. Whenever I got a chance to sneak away from the booth, I would overhear folks saying, "Yes, meet me over by the red balloons," b/c they were one of the few landmarks in the huge hall. Totally worth the splurge. I'll definitely be using red balloons at future shows in similar spaces.


Thanks to all my wonderful customers who came out to show their support--it means the world to me to meet you all and hear how excited you are about Miss Natalie. We wouldn't be doing what we're doing without you. Also, big thanks to my dear friends who helped me pull off a solo show--Clarissa, Scott, Margaret, Nichole, Jocelyn, and Ben. You all are life savers.

In all the chaos, I forgot to bring my camera, so didn't get many pictures of the other wonderful vendors. During the last day, I was trading goods like a mad woman, and came back with a great set of loot. Will share that in another post--stay tuned!

Renegade SF this weekend!

We're counting down to Renegade San Francisco this weekend! Only a few short days left to prep for our last show this season. Come on by this Saturday and Sunday, between 11am-7pm @ the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. Our corner booth will be in the center aisle, just past the first row of vendors. We'll have lots of goodies, plus some great vintage items for sale as well. Just look for the red balloons and you should be able to find us. See you there!!

Renegade Brooklyn, Part 2

Renegade Brooklyn, Part 1

All of my luggage is still packed. I am catching up on sleep. I'm still smiling from seeing so many loved ones and meeting new faces. And the pizza. Oh, the pizza. Many more photos to come.

Etsy SHOP LIVE Event today, 7pm EST

We're psyched to be taking part in today's Etsy SHOP LIVE Event, curated by the wonderful Marichelle of Heart Handmade. Etsy is always surprising me with the cool ideas they develop to connect their sellers and buyers. SHOP LIVE is a live 30-minute shopping sale that takes place today starting at 7pm EST. Log in at 7pm and enter the Etsy Virtual Labs. Once in, you'll see this:

You can chat on the left with fellow buyers, and new sale products will come up on the right, 1 product every minute for 30 minutes. You purchase just like a regular etsy purchase, but at Step 4 of your checkout, you'll type in the promo code in the "notes to seller" section. To get the promo code, you have to be at the event! Pretty slick, no?

Our Heirloom Growth chart will be for sale, with 20% off!! We only have a handful in stock, so get 'em while they're hot. We're also excited about the other participants at SHOP LIVE, including some favorites like Mudpuppy, SusyJack*, Fern Animals, and The Small Object.

Huge Shop Update!

Check out all the new items at MissNatalie.etsy.com. We've been busy!

Handmade Nation SF Opening

On March 11th, the amazing documentary "Handmade Nation" will open in SF with a bang! Come out to see the the film by Fathye Levine, hear an amazing panel of speakers, and shop local with Miss Natalie, Nous Savons, Diana Fayt, and other wonderful designers. We're super excited about this film, and so honored we were asked to help celebrate at the opening party. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, check it out:



Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 11th @ The Mezzanine (444 Jessie St, between Mission & Market). Doors open at 7pm, the film starts at 7:30pm, followed by the panel discussion and lots of partying. Buy your tickets in advance (sure to sell out!) at the San Francisco Film Society.

Valentine show, 2/7

We're excited to be setting up shop at DWR for a quick show next Saturday, February 7th, from 10am-2pm. Swing by and pick up your last minute valentine gifts! I'm cooking up a few quick surprises to share.

Help Save Handmade Children's Products

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I a€™m writing to share some news and ask for your help to save handmade toys and small businesses like Miss Natalie. In August 2008, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that will go into effect February 2009. As written, the new law requires all manufactures of ANY products for kids under 12 to have each product safety tested (costing between $2000-$5000 each!). These costs are bearable for large manufacturers, but for small artisans making handmade products (like Miss Natalie), these costs would wipe out our businesses completely. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses (crafters, bookstores, children'€™s stores) will be forced to close their doors.

Safety testing is an important concern that we all take seriously, but a "one size-fits-all" law is not the answer here. Small artisans present a safe alternative to mass-produced children's products, and we are now being punished for their grave mistakes. Please take a few minutes to help support our cause, and keep handmade products available for the next generation.


How to Get Involved:

• Find your congress person and senators and write a letter like the sample here. Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
• Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923
• Vote for amending the law on Change.org by 1/16/09: We are currently one of 90 finalists, and if it makes the top ten proposals, it will be presented to President Obama in January!
• Sign the petition to amend the CSPIA law

For more information, check out the Handmade Toy Alliance. Thank you so much for reading this, and for your support! It means the world to me. Please forward this on to any contacts you have.

All the best,
Natalie

Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids

One of our absolute favorite shop's in San Francisco, Paxton Gate, has just opened up a wonderful children's store, aptly named Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids. Located at 766 Valencia St, near 19th in the Mission District.

Like their parent store, the Curiosities For Kids shop has a wide assortment of odd and beautiful objects, like a crocheted dissected frog. Perfect for you science-nerd 9-year old niece (ahem, or me).

Or what about your favorite vegan hipster, who surely wouldn't have a mounted dear head in their living room. Teddy bears are all the rage now. I may need this in my studio.

Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids is also now stocking Miss Natalie! Stop by to check out our handmade masks and heirloom growth charts. I'm sure you won't be able to leave without one odd and beautiful thing.

ReadyMade Magazine Holiday Show

December is starting off on the right foot--it's time for one of the best holiday parties in town, thrown by ReadyMade magazine! Come have a drink and mingle at the ReadyMade Winter Ball Craft Fair, this Thursday evening (12/4) at the Verdi Club. We'll be there, so stop by and say hello!

Verdi Club
2424 Mariposa St, SF
7:30pm - 11:30 pm

Forest Finds!

Ok, I've been sitting on this news long enough. I hate keeping secrets from you guys. Miss Natalie has been selected as one of the November Forest Finds on Fawn & Forest! Check out our post and designer bio.

I've been a huge fan of Fawn & Forest for a while, so I was doing cartwheels when they asked to feature us. Thanks to Summer and Chris for their help, and a big thank you to Ben who helped me write up the designer bio. Why is it so difficult to try and capture the spirit of what you do/who you are in 2-3 sentences? I have new respect for my marketing co-workers.

Pirate Supply Kit

Everything you need to set sails for the high seas. Our very limited edition Pirate Supply Kit is now up in the shop. Check it out here! The kit includes a red bandanna, black cloth eye patch, treasure map, message in a bottle, bag of wooden gold coins, and Polly the parrot pin.

More photos available here. Check out Polly in her hand drawn birdcage, just waiting to sit on top of your shoulder and listen to your bellyaches. Just in time for Halloween or your next voyage.

Panda and Bird

On display and in action at the Capsule Design Festival last Sunday. The Panda has plans to attend a wedding where all the guests must come masked. I love that idea! All masks are hand stamped and hand cut, soon up on the shop. Contact me if interested.