The Tide Pool Collaborative Market

View from the street

I am so lucky that I got to send this last weekend celebrating my independence with my honey bunny out at Ocean Shores. And of course because I’m always looking for local and creative handmade things, we found ourselves at the city’s newest business, “Tide Pool Collaborative Market”. It’s on the main drag, in the same complex of the Irish Pub. While in the shop I had the opportunity to meet with one of the artist and wonderful lady, Susan. She had nothing but positive things to say about the new shop and all 8 artist who are currently involved. They have room for 10 artist total and info. on how to get involved is on there website. She calls her product “The Good Egg Emporium”, and makes super cute embroidered pillows. I fell in love with a sock doggie she was selling. She also has a massage room, which was her former business. I found myself walking out with this great leather journal by Deneen Shank. It’s perfect for my drawings, and just the right size. You can find her at Pike Place Market. I also grabbed some essential oil from Rainwater Botanicals. Her product comes in beautiful packaging, and I highly recommend the Cedar.  So next time you find yourself down on the coast please go in and support this local business. They have everything from jewelry, to watercolor, to handmade sailboats, even signs and fences made from drift wood. Yeah Local!!!

Love to Love You!

OMG! I just bought the cutest skirt EVER! Of course I found it on Etsy. And of course it’s from Portland, OR., which just seems to cultivate amazing crafters. The seamstress behind this beautiful skirt made from vintage fabric is Loni Gaghan, who’s online shop on etsy is lovetoloveyou. Most of her items are one of a kind being that she uses a mixture of vintage fabrics in most of her work. If you don’t see something in your size, you can contact her and she will see if she can make something similar in your size. What a nice lady. Man I love esty! And I’m gonna love rockin this diddy around town. Oh yeah!

The Retro Rita Ruffle Skirt!

Concert at Green River

“Monetta, Shy For Shy, Sunderlyn and West On 18 bless the Green River Community College’s Lindbloom Students  on April 16th. Get this, tickets are only $5 and that means you can raid the couch cushions, come have an awesome night with four great local bands and still afford a soda.”

And that’s straight from the mouth of KGRG – FM, Green River Community College’s very own radio station. And happy delusions is proud to be one of the awesome sponsors you will see at the show. So be sure to stop by our booth and say Whadup! That’s tomorrow night 7-11 at Green River. Be there or be square.

Tie purses and more…

I am loving these tie purses by Trizanh. Anh has traditionally done knit purses, and recently started experimenting with more. Although I do love her knit purses, The tie ones just stand out a little more for peeps needing that extra flair of personality by way of accessories. Anh’s beautiful knit bags are a perfect size for a night on the town and have nice soft colors that match the smooth texture of the yarn. Either way you really can’t go wrong because all of her items are made with lots of love and attention. She lines all her purses and with nice fabrics that compliment the outside. She even goes as far as to include nice cell phone pockets. What a nice lady.

Crochet Octopus

If anyone happened to be in the shop during the month of December, you most likely saw me working on this amazing crochet Octopus for my parental units. Finishing it just in time for Christmas and received with an overwhelming reception. Sweet. So many of you have asked to see the finished project. So here you go. I got the design from Ravelry, and it’s a personal design of Vox Mortumm. It was very time-consuming but not incredible hard, just tedious.  Enjoy the photo’s and please feel free to post and share any crocheted sea life you may have done.

Recycled Made Purses!

Heather Ramsay is so talented, and her work is so high in quality that I am going to leave her story here for all to read.

My Purses, the Backstory: It started in a used bookstore. On the front of the rack of records was this old album by the T-Bones. The record was pretty beat up (really, what was it doing here? no good for a music collector) and I didn’t have a turntable, but the graphics were great and I bought it just to look at. The music’s in my head, anyway. I leaned it up on a shelf over my desk. I went about my business designing and making jewelry, always working to integrate recycled materials into that work. So I ask myself, occasionally at first, then later a few million times, what I could do with this beautiful old record jacket besides set it on a shelf or hang it on a wall? And what about all those others, sitting in dusty bins? Beauties by the not-so-famous, or cool jackets with scratched albums inside? Finally! Light bulb. I took the T-Bones down from the shelf and made myself a purse. Got some compliments. Then I made “Hello Dolly” and “West Side Story” for friends. Hmmm…maybe if I set my mind to it I could refine the details…(later came art prints, out of date calendars, game boxes, maps, and more.)finally, my own graphics were hatched, married to my purse designs, and the real fun began…

Heather also has amazing handmade jewelry in the shop for a limited time, so come on by and take a look. You can also see and buy her purses on etsy at ramsayart. Here’s the link;

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24900648

Acholi Beads

Acholi Beads are made by the women of the Acholi Tribe in Uganda, East Africa. After civil war ravaged their villages, they escaped to the capital and took refuge in a hillside slum. Now by crafting recycled paper into Acholi Bead jewelry these women are rebuilding their lives and refounding their communities. Not only do these beads support these African women and bring money to the tribe, but it also keeps them out of the mines they have been working in for a dollar a day.

Yes, these are the same beads that have been featured on many television shows such as Good Morning American, and in hundreds of publications.

A Princess is Crowned!

Princess Olivia is crowned!

These crowns by World of Whimm are such a hit with the kids of all ages.  Giving your ordinary day that something extra that says, hey, treat me like the royalty I am. And usually brings an automatic smile too. Come by to see all the fabulous crowns we have and be sure to check out Kayce’s etsy page as well.

Spring has Sprung!

Okay so maybe here in Renton it rained all day the first day of spring, but today is gorgeous! And even with the flowers still waiting to come up and fill us all with the excitement and wonder of all things new, you can still start your garden today. Come on in and see all our wonderful garden art. These flowers are always in bloom.

In bloom all year long

Hamlet Hen is flying the coop!

Knitted Doll

At the end of the month Hamlet Hen will be leaving happy delusions, which means you only have about two weeks left to come in and snatch up some great deals! All  items are now 50% off, which includes knit and sewn items. Most popular being the Nipple Hat. If you can’t make it in or live out of town you can always see Hamlet Hen on her etsy page at www.hamlethem.etsy.com