Apolo Ohno buys handmade

I'm writing this while watching the closing ceremony for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. For the past 2 weeks I've been glued to the screen because I am an Olympic junkie. I love the pageantry of the opening, closing, and medal ceremonies; I love seeing the world come together to compete; and I love cheering for Team America.

I also love the little factiods I pick up about Olympic sports and athletes along the way. Did you know that the speed skates Apolo Ohno used to win his record breaking number of Olympic medals were handmade in Rock Hill, Missouri? (Just 8 miles west of here!) I didn't either until a few days ago. It turns out a former speed skater who was tired of skates that broke or didn't fit well set up shop and started making them in his backyard using carbon fiber composite and titanium on custom molds for each skater.

Higher quality materials, customization, greater care of workmanship, Olympic victory - all the benefits of buying handmade.

Wow me Wednesdays - steamboy

I recently re-watched Steamboy one of my favorite movies ever and find myself drooling over all things late 19th century and gear-y I want it all. Here are some of my favorites:

A beautiful necklace by steampunkjunq:
For the house this clock of clocks by CyberMoon:
Something a little sparklier a necklace by purpleshiny:
And last but not least this royal red felted victorian bolero by TianaCHE:

happy birthday to me

Last week I turned 25 and 2 fabulous crafty presents appeared in my world - coincidence? I think not. Well it probably is, but I prefer to think of it as a birthday gift from the universe.

First I won the naming contest of ecokaren (previously ecogeneration) and received this fabulous reusable coffee sleeve:


Secondly I had the honor of trading with Surlymermaid on etsy and now these beauties are on their way to me in the mail:


There's nothing better then getting a package in the mail with something fun and handmade inside. I should start treating myself more often