Giant Dwarf

Saturday // December 10th

2011-12-10T07:24:00.001-05:00

Giant Dwarf is taking Manhattan by storm this weekend. Hope to see you there!

November 17th // 2011

2011-11-17T12:57:00.005-05:00

If you're looking for a super fun shopping experience this weekend, you should check out the holiday edition of Art Star Craft Bazaar! I'll be there, alongside my lovely assistants, displaying lots of Giant Dwarf goods, including Fleur Cloches & Bon Bon Berets, as well as the Starlette Collection, in all its sparkly glory. I'll also have Fancy Felt for all your holiday crafting needs.

There will be lots of wonderful crafty folks there, including our talented pals & neighbors Something's Hiding in Here, who will be selling their handsome line of Forage Bow Ties.

The show will take place at the 23rd Street Armory on Saturday, November 19th & Sunday, November 20th from 11 to 6. It's free & open to the public!

Wait, that's not all! There's a VIP Party on Friday, November 18th from 6 to 9 pm. Tickets are $25 & if you'd like to purchase them, click here. Tickets will be available at the door Friday night, but space is limited. Here's the scoop:

• A free limited edition Art Star Craft Bazaar tote bag
• Food by Soy Cafe, A Full Plate & Sweet Box Cupcakes
• Cocktails by Art in the Age
• Live music with Olive Juice
• Free photobooth prints from Love Me Do Photography
• First dibs on all handmade goods

Hope to see you there!

May 3rd // 2011

2011-05-03T21:58:00.002-04:00

Tiny Starlette Sparklers are now available in a variety of sets: single + pair + trio. So sparkly + fun!

April 23rd // 2011

2011-04-23T21:41:00.000-04:00

Nate + I started to grow our own food in a raised bed at Bouvier Community Garden in the Newbold neighborhood of South Philly. We got lots of seeds from the Baker Heirloom Seed Catalog + were eager to get them in the ground. We'll see how it goes, as this is our first time gardening on the East Coast. Wish us luck!

April 20th // 2011

2011-04-21T20:58:00.011-04:00

After selling on Etsy for almost 6 years, the wish I've hoped for has finally come true. Giant Dwarf has made it to the ranks of Featured Seller! I'm on top of the world + so thankful for this wonderful opportunity. An absolute dream!

March 31st // 2011

2011-04-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

The Turbeaux Headband is a little bit turban + a little bit bow + a little bit vintage + a little bit modern. It'll keep you fancy all day long + into the night. It would also be great for bridesmaids + birthday girls at heart.

The Turbeaux Headband was made from recycled corduroy trousers + lined with Fancy Felt. The hairpiece stays in place with a hidden black elastic band, encircling the head, which fits most.

Available now in Rust, but lots more colors are in the works. Stay tuned!

March 16th // 2011

2011-03-16T19:14:00.007-04:00

I finally broke down + got an iPhone. I know, I know! I can't even tell you how happy I am to have this fantastic gadget in my hot little hands. My mind is blown every time I use it + often ask myself, Did I really just make that happen using my finger? It's absolutely magical!

I think my favorite part is the camera. It's so clear + can actually create quite a bit of depth. Once again, I often ask myself, Did I really just take that photo with this phone? Crazy! Anyway, thanks to Elsie, I've learned about some super fun photo apps out there to create really neat shots. There are lots of them to experiment with! Here are some photos I've snapped using the Instagram app. The Earlybird is my favorite filter!

I'm still learning, but so far so good. My only regret is waiting this long! Do you have a favorite app or trick you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about it!

March 9th // 2011

2011-03-09T20:35:00.004-05:00

I did it! I reached my goal of 3000 sales on Etsy. Huge hugs + high fives to everyone that purchased something from my shop or is thinking about doing so in the future. It really means the world to me!

After shouting the good news about my latest milestone achievement, I got the most amazing gift from Etsy. They made a sweet little congratulatory word bubble sign, complete with glitter + all, then sent it to me in photo form via Twitter. How amazing is that? Totally made my year!

March 7th // 2011

2011-03-08T13:31:00.003-05:00

March 7th // 2011

2011-03-07T20:22:00.002-05:00

Did you miss out on getting a Rosette Fascinator before they retired? You're in luck. I found a secret stash! The Cordial + The Parfait are in stock in the Giant Dwarf Etsy Shop, but once those are gone, that's it forever!

February 21st // 2011

2011-02-21T20:07:00.006-05:00

A weekend trip to Atlantic City with my sweetheart. The fun we had was infinite!

February 16th // 2011

2011-02-16T16:05:00.005-05:00

All Rosette Fascinators are going into retirement as of March 2011. The last day they'll be available is Monday, February 28th. Don't miss out on your last chance to collect one of Giant Dwarf's signature designs!

January 28th // 2011

2011-01-28T17:47:00.002-05:00

The Heartlette Crown was featured on A Beautiful Mess today, alongside super fun glittery banners from Nice. Huge hugs to Elsie for featuring us on her sugary sweet blog!

January 27th // 2011

2011-01-27T17:30:00.006-05:00

The Heartlette Collection made its way into the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop today. Made in the same likeness as the Starlette Collection, with German Glass Glitter, these sparkly hearts are sure to keep you fancy on Valentine's Day + beyond. Choose from the Heartlette Crown, Sparkler, or Sparkler Trio available in 5 decadent colors.

January 26th // 2011

2011-01-26T17:26:00.002-05:00

Sneak peek at a new collection, coming soon to Etsy. Stay tuned!

January 19th // 2011

2011-01-19T19:58:00.002-05:00

Introducing the Pastel Patisserie Collection, curated by Giant Dwarf. It's the latest Fancy Felt color matrix inspired by all things spring. It's available now in the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop!

January 3rd // 2011

2011-01-03T12:24:00.026-05:00

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Brand new Fancy Felt Collections are here!

1 // Carnival Confetti Collection
2 // Secret Garden Collection
3 // Moulin Rouge Collection
4 // Be Mine Collection
5 // Love Letters Collection

January 1st // 2011

2011-01-01T18:12:00.003-05:00

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

A little peek into my world, month by month, in 2010. All photographs presented in this annual were taken with my trusty Nikon D40. I love photography so much + I hope to take it to the next level in 2011 with a Nikon D7000. An archive of my photos can be found on my Flickr page, dating back to 2005. Take a peek if you'd like to explore more of what I see through a lens. Enjoy + happy new year!

December 23rd // 2010

2010-12-23T22:17:00.005-05:00

The Starlette Crown was beautifully featured on Design Sponge today. The entire post is luscious + perfect due to the photography of Jesse of Our Labor Of Love + styling by Ashley Meaders. I couldn't be more thankful or feel more honored than I do right this second. Pinch me!

December 14th // 2010

2010-12-14T22:06:00.006-05:00

More photos from my trip to Portland.

December 13th // 2010

2010-12-13T18:09:00.001-05:00

Giant Dwarf at Crafty Wonderland in Portland.

December 10th // 2010

2010-12-10T17:58:00.002-05:00

I'm heading to the West Coast this weekend to bring Giant Dwarf goods to my final craft show of the year. This time you can find me at Crafty Wonderland in Portland, Oregon!

When // December 11th + 12th, 2010
Time // 11am - 5pm
Where // Oregon Convention Center, Hall C
Cost // Free!
Who // Over 200 artists + crafters

Can't wait to see you there!

December 5th // 2010

2010-12-05T17:52:00.000-05:00

Giant Dwarf at Bazaar Bizarre in Boston.

December 4th // 2010

2010-12-04T06:40:00.008-05:00

Giant Dwarf + Secret Lovers will be slinging crafts tomorrow at Bazaar Bizarre in Boston!

When // December 5th, 2010
Time // Noon - 7pm
Where // BCA Cyclorama
Cost // $1
Who // Over 100 artists + crafters

Fingers crossed that we'll see you there!

November 26th // 2010

2010-11-26T09:28:00.008-05:00

Catch Giant Dwarf at Art vs. Craft in Milwaukee this weekend!

When // November 27th, 2010
Time // 10am-6pm
Where // Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center
Cost // $3
Who // 55+ artists

Hope to see you there!

November 21st // 2010

2010-11-21T07:58:00.009-05:00

Introducing Starlette Constellation Garland + Ornaments, just in time for the holidays. Coming soon to the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop!

November 8th // 2010

2010-11-08T07:33:00.000-05:00

November 3rd // 2010

2010-11-03T10:54:00.029-04:00

This weekend I'll be attending a craft fair for the first time from the opposite side, as a visitor, not a vendor. I'm traveling to Portland, OR, my old stomping ground, for Little Winter, hosted by Abby Powell Thompson from Abby Try Again + Chelsea Fuss from Frolic. There are only 20 vendors, all of which I'm excited to meet + see their work in person, but these particular artists will be sure + grab my attention first:

Gorgeous paintings // Amanda Blake
Yummy handwoven scarves // Secret Pocket
Pretty frocks + knitted socks // Garment House
Incredible tote bags // Forestbound
Lovely ties + kitty illustrations // Fieldguided
Colorful photography // Abby Try Again

When // November 6th, 11 - 6 + November 7th, 11 - 5
Where // The Cleaners at The Ace Hotel, Portland, OR

If you're in or around Portland this weekend, be sure to check out the show. It should be aces! For more info about the event, visit the Little Winter Blog for vendor spotlights + Portland destinations not to be missed. See you there!

(Images via Little Winter)

October 29th // 2010

2010-10-29T10:49:00.002-04:00

Behind the scenes preparation for a Starlette Crown wholesale order.

October 26th // 2010

2010-10-26T10:20:00.010-04:00

Elsie from A Beautiful Mess + I have a magical giveaway we'd like to present. Up for grabs is not only a Giant Dwarf Starlette Crown, but also a one year subscription to BUST Magazine. Why those amazing things together in one giveaway you ask? Well, Elsie is featured in the October/November issue of BUST wearing a cute little outfit topped off with nothing other than her Starlette Crown. I thought it was fitting that we'd team up + celebrate by offering our dear readers a chance to win both. Exciting, I know!

Now hop on over to Elsie's blog + leave a comment, along with your favorite thing to collect, for a chance to win. The opportunity ends this Sunday, October 31st, so don't miss out!

Good luck + happy Halloween!

xo,
Sue + Elsie

October 22nd // 2010

2010-10-22T08:03:00.001-04:00

I'm super excited to introduce a new design that I've finally perfected for autumn + winter. It's called the Bon Bon Beret, inspired by Bonnie Parker, made from recycled cashmere. They're making their way to the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop soon + will be available in the most luscious colors, so stay tuned!

October 21st // 2010

2010-10-21T18:07:00.002-04:00

Here are a few photos of Kat Von D wearing her Starlette Crown on LA Ink. I think she's absolutely magical!

October 20th // 2010

2010-10-20T14:47:00.007-04:00

Remember when I asked if Kat Von D would ever wear her Giant Dwarf Starlette Crown? Well guess what, dear readers, my wishes have come true!
The word on the street is the tattoo starlette will be wearing a silver sparkly star headband, made by yours truly, on the newest episode of L.A. Ink. The show airs tonight, October 20th on TLC, 10/9 central, so be sure to check it out + cheer me on. This is what dreams are made of!

August 8th // 2010

2010-08-08T00:29:00.001-04:00

Feelin' the Etsy love with 1500 sales + 7500 hearts. Time to celebrate!

August 7th // 2010

2010-08-07T18:46:00.001-04:00

New to me vintage frames, ready to be filled.

Ben Sherman for Lanvin, circa 1960s.

August 3rd // 2010

2010-08-03T00:46:00.004-04:00

I decided to stay an extra day in San Francisco to explore + unwind after an insanely fun + busy weekend at the Renegade Craft Fair. I treated myself to a day at SFMOMA + afterward met up with my friend Olivia for drinks + story swapping. When the cocktails were consumed, I headed to the Mission for dinner at Weird Fish with Lisa + Clay. We got fried pickles to start! The food was delicious + the conversation was yummy as well. Luckily, I was able to stay with those gals, who graciously put me up in their lovely home. They were just a quick jump to the BART station, so I was able to make my early morning flight without a worry. I wish I could've spent more time in the foggy city, but I know I'll be back soon!

August 2nd // 2010

2010-08-02T18:50:00.007-04:00

Giant Dwarf at the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco.

My lovely craft fair pal, Pollyannacowgirl Designs.

July 28th // 2010

2010-07-28T20:34:00.009-04:00

I'm packing up a few vintage dresses + handmade goods to travel west to San Francisco tomorrow for the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. I'll be sharing a booth with my pal + confidant Polly Conway, of Pollyannacowgirl Designs, and I couldn't be more giddy. Polly + I have been friends in craft for years + years, and when we get together it's all fun + pure magic.

If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, stop by the show + say hello. There will be lots of wonderful shiny things made by over 200 talented makers. You can find us at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, July 31st + August 1st from 11am - 7pm. If you need directions, take a peek here + if you'd like more info, there's lots of it here.

Hope to see you there!

July 24th // 2010

2010-07-24T18:33:00.001-04:00

After many attempts to package the Starlette Crown to my liking, this is what I came up with. I used the product photo to display the piece + a care card signed by yours truly + a plastic sleeve for extra protection during travel + delivery.

July 23rd // 2010

2010-07-23T19:33:00.004-04:00

The Trois Dot Clip is brand new + sweet as pie. Each barrette is made from 3 hand-covered felted buttons that are attached to a French clip. They are a simple pop of color for your hair, worthy of a double-take.

Here's the package design to accompany the clips. Uh huh, it's the same photo as above with the clip attached.

I'll have lots of Trois Dot Clips available soon in super fun color combinations. Stay tuned!

July 19th // 2010

2010-07-19T08:24:00.002-04:00

Starlette Sparkler package design made from mini manilla shipping tags + hand-stamped twill tape.

July 7th // 2010

2010-07-07T18:32:00.000-04:00

Starlette Sparklers are made from hand-cut metallic naugahyde vinyl stars doused in sliver German glass glitter. They're also fully lined with Vanilla Fancy Felt, which has been sewn for added stability. The star is affixed to a silver bobby pin and can be worn alone or with many at a time. Also, due to the handmade nature of this one-of-a-kind piece, slight differences in shape may occur.

For your very own Starlette Sparkler, visit the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop to order one or a handful!

July 6th // 2010

2010-07-06T18:44:00.017-04:00

Shawshank, my handsome fluffy grey kitty, was featured on Dream Cats today! If you haven't heard of my new favorite, adorably fantastic Tumblr, then I suggest spending some time with this dreamy place completely devoted to girls & cats, cats in soft focus, cats on film.

Dream Cats was created by the lovely duo that is Anabela from Fieldguided + Erin from Atlantic Treefox, in which the photos chosen are hand-picked directly from their Flickr group of the same name. Anyway, the gals conducted a little survey on Twitter to see what kinds of knicknames, those of us who have cats, give them. When I hopped over to see the results of the poll, I was tickled that Shawshank was chosen as the Nickname Mascot!

If you're a cat lover or just a lover of beautiful photographs with cats in them, then Dream Cats is the place for you. Meow!

July 5th // 2010

2010-07-05T13:57:00.009-04:00

5 years ago today, I joined the Etsy community. It's a very exciting anniversary, or Etsyversary, if you will, as I signed up for an account just a few weeks after they launched the site on June 18, 2005. To celebrate, I'm offering free shipping shopwide on all Etsy orders.

To catch the Etsyversary sale, hop on over to the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop. The sale ends this Friday, July 9th, and includes both Fancy Felt + handmade goods. Hooray!

June 25th // 2010

2010-06-25T09:41:00.016-04:00

I'm back on the road tomorrow for another summer craft fair. This time, I'll be in Baltimore for Pile Of Craft! I did this show a couple years ago, and it was a lot of fun, so I'm happy to be returning once again. It's held inside St. John's Church, which is amazing in itself, and the vendor count is small in comparison to some of the other shows out there, which is a nice change. Along with handmade goods, you'll find craft and printmaking demonstrations + free photobooth photos from the incredible folks at Magnolia Photo Booth Co. + a raffle to win a huge basket full of surprises.

If you're in or around Charm City tomorrow, and you'd like to stop by the show, you'll be sure to find Giant Dwarf + Secret Lovers there, along with 40 other talented artists, at 2640 St. Paul Street in Baltimore, of course. We'll be there from 10am to 5pm, rain or shine, so come on over and say hello. It'd be awesome to see you there!

June 17th // 2010

2010-06-17T20:11:00.014-04:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to say a quick hello + introduce you to my newest home haircut.

I've been cutting + coloring my own hair for years + years now, but I've decided to give up the dye + just let my hair grow out to its natural color. It had been blue-black for almost 5 years, which is quite intense to change, so I had to completely cut the color out, rather than bleach it to make it happen. It took longer than I thought, but I'm really happy with the color, which I haven't seen since high school. It's a rich chestnutty brown with slight black + auburn highlights and some sweet little grey sprouts here + there. I've actually been trying to let it grow long, since I cut it off moons ago, but I can't seem to stick with it. There's something rather cathartic about keeping it this length, but how sweet would a pair of criss-crossed braids be? I'll keep you posted, but don't hold your breath!

Have you ever cut your own hair or let a pal cut it for you? I'd love to know how it turned out!

June 7th // 2010

2010-06-09T11:50:00.024-04:00

I'm back from the Renegade Craft Fair, which was held over the weekend in Brooklyn. Here are some photos of the Giant Dwarf pop-up shop and my new display, made from discarded cuts of wood, found in my local park, and an old forgotten easel, found in my basement. I think the woodsy bits, which display headbands, and the wooden easel, which holds a vintage mirror, are perfectly paired and work really well with my aesthetic.

I brought lots of new things with me to the show, including a spruced up version of the Farfallette Bow + some sweet letterpress cards made by my dear friend Amanda, who just opened up a fantastic Etsy shop, Mello Press.

The weather was daunting, to say the least, but our tent was in a shady spot and we had some amazing neighbors, Sarah + Dawn from The Small Object and Kellee + Matt from Overdue Industries. I met lots of really kind folks and got the nicest feedback from those who tried on my hats + headbands.

I owe huge hugs + high fives to Nate + our friend Sarah, who helped out the entire weekend. I couldn't have done it without them. Also, I'd like to thank Sue + Danny of Renegade Handmade, for putting on such a stellar show, as always. It was a dream to be back in New York and I'm already looking forward to next year's show!

June 8th // 2010

2010-06-08T20:50:00.009-04:00

At first I thought it was a joke when I received an order for a Starlette Crown from the tattoo starlette herself, Kat Von D, but it was absolutely a sure thing. After screaming at the top of my lungs, I made the piece + sent it out to her tattoo studio, High Voltage in Los Angeles, along with a Starlette Sparkler for good measure.
Still overjoyed from the order a week to the day, Kat graciously left the most amazing Etsy feedback on top of everything, which sent me over the edge. I wonder if she'll wear the sparkly crown of stars that I made on her show, L.A. Ink one day or maybe to an event. Heaven only knows + time will only tell, but my fingers are crossed that she will!

June 5th // 2010

2010-06-05T01:25:00.003-04:00

I'm headed to New York today for the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn! This is my 6th year participating + I couldn't be more excited. Stop by McCarren park to say hello and shop for your favorite Giant Dwarf + Secret Lovers handmade goods. See you soon!

May 17th // 2010

2010-05-17T14:44:00.006-04:00

Here are a few photos from the Art Star Craft Bazaar held over the weekend. It was a spectacular show and the weather was amazing!

May 14th // 2010

2010-05-14T17:17:00.004-04:00

My summer craft fair tour begins this weekend in Philadelphia. I'm setting up shop at the Art Star Craft Bazaar and I couldn't be more excited! Stop by booth #15, near the Chestnut Street entrance, to say hello and shop for your favorite Giant Dwarf + Secret Lovers handmade goods. See you there!

May 5th // 2010

2010-05-05T09:31:00.001-04:00

Fancy Flutter Suits are the newest addition to the Giant Dwarf catalog and will make their debut at the Art Star Craft Bazaar, then will hop right into my Etsy shop. These sweeties are super soft organic cotton onesies, from American Apparel, embellished with Fancy Felt + hand-covered buttons. So adorable!

April 23rd // 2010

2010-04-23T14:29:00.002-04:00

The Stashette Satchel is a pretty + functional bag. I can't wait to make more of these!

April 11th // 2010

2010-04-11T14:07:00.004-04:00

I've been working on a Petit Clochette prototype made using only Fancy Felt. I'd love to start making these for weddings, but I'd like to integrate French netting in the design, as well, which I think would be absolutely lovely. They'd be completely customizable, as there are 60 colors of Fancy Felt to choose from. I'm still working out some issues, but I hope to have these available soon!

April 10th // 2010

2010-04-10T13:53:00.005-04:00

April 8th // 2010

2010-04-08T18:52:00.005-04:00

A thoughtful surprise arrived today from Chad Merritt, one of the sweetest gents in the craft world. The lovely packaging, once opened, revealed a jointed silhouette bear creature, which I'm so thankful for!

Chad is the artist behind Mon Petite Fantome, who's amazing papercuts make my heart skip a beat. He also has a blog, where he shares some of his favorite things, as well as his art + music making. He's a fancy + talented lad, to say the least, and I'm thrilled to be in his good graces!

April 5th // 2010

2010-04-05T18:33:00.003-04:00

Nate + I took a trip to White Clay Creek State Park in Delaware to get out of the city for a spell + hang out with nature. We were also on the hunt for morels, fiddleheads, and leeks. We were unsuccessful in gathering wild produce, but we had an excellent hike + the perfect picnic.

April 4th // 2010

2010-04-04T18:44:00.002-04:00

Resting in Rittenhouse Square on Easter Sunday after pedaling around the city. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day!

April 2nd // 2010

2010-04-02T18:15:00.002-04:00

Caught the Girls Girls Girls Tour at Making Time in Philly. It was a great show featuring Dum Dum Girls + Girls. Both bands performed brilliantly + the energy was electric. More photos here!

March 26th // 2010

2010-04-01T14:30:00.004-04:00

I was lucky to celebrate spring break last week with my best friend, Nicole, and all my old pals, in the place I hold dear to my heart, Portland, Oregon. I can't believe how much food + shopping we were able to squeeze into such a short visit, but I feel like I saw + ate it all. Also, the weather was amazing, which made being there as delightful as ever. More photos here!

March 25th // 2010

2010-03-25T14:20:00.001-04:00

Giant Dwarf was featured in the Indie Artist Spotlight on one of my favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess. Read what the lovely Elsie Flannigan has to say about my work right here.

March 17th // 2010

2010-03-17T18:43:00.005-04:00

Hooray, I'm having a little sale! The Fancy Felt Free Shipping Sale includes Cut To Order + Collections + Catalogs alike and is available in the US only. Get on down to the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop to stock up on your favorite colors. Oh, and hurry as the sale ends Thursday, March 17th at midnight, EST. See you there!

March 15th // 2010

2010-03-15T12:37:00.000-04:00

The Diamond Dancer Starlette Crown is now available in my Etsy shop.

Handmade from German glass glitter + vintage silk ribbon.

March 14th // 2010

2010-03-14T09:14:00.000-04:00

Fancy Felt is restocked + ready for springtime crafting!

Choose from super fun collections or personalize your order by the dozen with cut to order stacks.

Not sure what colors to pick? Fancy Felt Color Chart Catalogs are now available to make choosing your favorites a whole lot easier.

You can find Fancy Felt, in all its glory, at the Giant Dwarf Etsy shop.

See you there soon!

xo,
Sue

March 11th // 2020

2010-03-11T17:36:00.004-05:00

Giant Dwarf Dwarfette Bunny

A new adventure in plush collectibles.

Made from Fancy Felt + vintage fabric + silk ribbon + pearl snaps + recycled sweaters.

Coming soon to my Etsy shop, just in time for spring.

March 8th // 2010

2010-03-08T12:07:00.002-05:00

Me + Virginia Wolf, my new vintage dress form.

The ultimate thrift score.

Once belonging to Virginia Gardner.

Complete with a cast iron base + casters.

February 26th // 2010

2010-02-26T13:17:00.000-05:00

Pirouette Pinwheels featured on Design Is Mine.

February 25th // 2010

2010-02-25T13:53:00.000-05:00

Giant Dwarf featured at The American Craft Council Show in Baltimore.

My pop-up shop in the AltCraft section of the show.

A mini vanity to display product, built from vintage oak cabinet doors.

A peek inside the vanity's mirror.

Looking out from behind my table.

February 14th // 2010

2010-02-14T12:39:00.003-05:00

A valentine made just for me by my dear friend Alex.

February 12th // 2010

2010-02-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

Fancy Felt Sweet Shop Collection

Fancy Felt Rose Garden Collection

Fancy Felt Beach House Collection

Fancy Felt Candy Land Collection

Fancy Felt Perfect Prism Collection

February 8th // 2010

2010-02-08T12:42:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl celebration with mini muffalettas + red beans and rice.

Building the muffalettas.

Soaking the beans.

February 5th // 2010

2010-02-05T14:08:00.004-05:00

Giant Dwarf nominated for favorite accessories in The Poppies on Poppytalk.

Victorious 1st place win chosen by the jury.

January 21st // 2010

2010-01-21T14:16:00.001-05:00

A fresh batch of Fleurette Cloche hats.

A peek at one of my photo shoots before editing the hats.

January 20th // 2010

2010-01-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

Fancy Felt Color Chart Catalog.

A blank catalog.

Connecting the dots.

January 16th // 2010

2010-01-16T14:20:00.002-05:00

Giant Dwarf Stashette Satchel

Unexpected pop of color.

Perfect for stashing things you need in a flash.

Complete with an adjustable strap + lots of pockets.

January 12th // 2010

2010-01-12T12:46:00.001-05:00

Spicy labels project.

My vintage cursive Dymo label maker was perfect for the job.

Empty jars + delicious spices + new labels ready to go.

Featured on the ReadyMade blog, Make Nice.

December 17th // 2009

2009-12-17T18:08:00.003-05:00

Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco.

December 6th // 2009

2009-12-06T17:46:00.001-05:00

Bazaar Bizarre was fantastic, and I wasn't surprised, as this show is one of the best out there! I missed it last year, due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict, but I was back in Boston once again, sandwiched between my favorite crafty neighbor, Heather Toupin of heatherjeany + Thereminist Jon Bernhardt, better known as Jonnie Spaceman.
The show was super fun, and by the end of the whirlwindy day, my table was empty and my heart was full. Thanks to the wonderful organizers, amazing volunteers, and everyone who graciously stopped by to say hello and shopped handmade for the holidays!

November 27th // 2009

2009-11-27T07:00:00.006-05:00

Art vs. Craft, Milwaukee's most amazing indie craft fair, is set to take the Brew City by storm Saturday, November 28th, at the Scottish Rite Foundation in downtown Milwaukee, from 10am to 7pm. There will be 75 incredible makers representing their art + craft and Giant Dwarf will be part of the roster for the 2nd year in a row. I couldn't be more excited! I'll have lots of handcrafted eco-friendly goods, such Fleurette Cloche hats + Rosette Fascinators, as well as some Fancy Felt, so stop by and see what the buzz is all about. It's a fantastic show and what better way to shop for the holidays!

November 26th // 2009

2009-11-26T11:22:00.003-05:00

The invite.

Shopping for Le Creuset at Fante's.

Our first piece of Le Creuset.

Our Thanksgiving feast.

November 24th // 2009

2009-11-24T08:19:00.005-05:00

I'm excited to offer ready to ship bundles of Fancy Felt to my Etsy shop. Each pack of 15 coordinating colors is perfect for creating wonderful gifts for your friends + family or decorations for your cozy wintery home.

Classic Holiday Bundle
The colors were inspired by the perfectly trimmed tree, sleigh rides through winter wonderland, and the classic holiday movies that many of us look forward to each year.

Vintage Holiday Bundle
The colors were inspired by colorful collections of glass ornaments, kitschy glitter + embossed cards, and the great stop-motion animation specials that many of us look forward to each year.

You can find both Holiday Bundles, as well as Cut To Order packs, in my Etsy shop, filed under Fancy Felt. Happy holiday crafting!

November 12th // 2009

2009-11-12T16:26:00.001-05:00

Giant Dwarf was featured on The Today Show with Bobbie Thomas! The Style Buzz feature was cleverly titled Don’t Just Recycle, Upcycle Your Wardrobe.

Here are all of the products I sent for review.

You can take a peek at the video clip if you'd like or look up above at the still I took with my camera.
There were lots of wonderful upcycled gifts featured and I feel honored + humbled for the opportunity to be amongst such talented makers. Thanks to Adam Brown, over at Etsy, for inviting me to send samples, Bobbie Thomas + Natalie Morales, for putting their sweet little hands on my work, and Ann Curry, for the shout out right before the segment aired. I feel really lucky + I'd like to thank all of you that tuned in to cheer me on!

November 3rd // 2009

2009-11-03T09:35:00.005-05:00

Join me Saturday, November 7th, from 11 - 6, for the second annual Make + Take Trunk Show at Art Star! I'll be setting up shop, in the annex of the boutique, with lots of Giant Dwarf goods, but there's a twist. I'm bringing my sewing machine and I'll be creating my signature designs from the colors you choose. Oh, and there will be mimosas and plenty of snacks, so bring your best pals and come on down. I'd love to meet you and make something special just for you!

Art Star is located at 623 North 2nd Street, just one block north of Spring Garden.

October 31st // 2009

2009-10-31T22:52:00.000-04:00

Labeled not carved.

October 30th // 2009

2009-10-30T11:30:00.002-04:00

Shawshank + Turnip by Vivienne Strauss

Inspired by this photo.

October 26th // 2009

2009-10-26T11:36:00.000-04:00

5000 hearts.

October 25th // 2009

2009-10-25T11:37:00.001-04:00

Promo postcard for Etsy orders.

October 16th // 2009

2009-10-16T10:37:00.007-04:00

Without further ado, I present Fancy Felt to my Etsy shop!

Fancy Felt is boutique + heirloom quality wool + rayon blended felt. There are 60 delicious colors to choose from and it's cut to order as you wish. Each piece is 9 X 12 inches and is available by the dozen. You may add multiples of one color if you'd like more than one 9 X 12 piece.

Please keep in mind that all computer screens are not created equal and some differences in color may occur from my screen to yours. Also, Fancy Felt is not available for international shipping at this time.

Fancy Felt Facts

Fancy Felt is one of the most wonderful fabrics to craft with. The colors are vibrant and the quality is unbelievable. It is soft, yet durable, and can be used to make just about anything from dolls to hair pieces to penny rugs. It can also be screenprinted + used in a die cutting press.

Fancy Felt measures a little over 1mm or about 1/16 of an inch thick. The thickness also varies from color to color as the pieces are either 20% Wool/80% Rayon or 35% Wool/65% Rayon.

Fancy Felt is not at all like craft felt, which is usually acrylic or polyester, therefore it will not pill, shed, or stretch out of shape. You can also wash + dry Fancy Felt if you want a bubbly boiled wool look, and if you change your mind, you can just iron it out.

•••

To get your crafty hands on some Fancy Felt, stop by my Etsy shop and stock up!

October 14th // 2009

2009-10-14T12:57:00.004-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to Crafty Bastards in Washington DC! This was my third year participating and I feel extremely fortunate, as this craft fair is pretty tough to get into. It was loads of fun, as always, and I think it was the busiest I have ever seen it. My goodness, DC loves to buy handmade!

This was a fake cover of DC's City Paper drawn by Ben Claassen. Can you spot the little caricature of me wearing a Rosette Fascinator? So funny!

Nate + I got up at the crack of dawn, drove past Delaware + Maryland, where the sunrise led us to DC. We were greeted by an amazing band of volunteers that helped us unload + get situated in our temporary place of business.

The Giant Dwarf pop-up shop!

A closer look!

I brought tons of Fleurette cloche hats + lots of Rosette Fascinators, but by the end of the day, they were all spoken for. We were busy little bunnies, to say the least, and didn't really have a chance to say hellos or do much shopping.

After we were all packed up, we got a quick bite to eat at our favorite falafel shop in town, with some friends + crafty comrades, Stephen + Shauna and David + Maggie. It was delicious and gave us just enough energy to drive past Maryland + Delaware, and into the sunset that led us back to Philadelphia.

•••

High fives to all of the organizers + volunteers that made the event a huge success. It was a rad show and I appreciate all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you!

October 12th // 2009

2009-10-12T11:40:00.003-04:00

Pirouette Pinwheels.

Made from Fancy Felt + a hand-pressed button on a wooden dowel.

September 18th // 2009

2009-09-18T11:44:00.000-04:00

Sue + Nate forever + ever.

My engagement ring, circa 1890.

September 16th // 2009

2009-09-16T11:47:00.000-04:00

It is my birthday.

I am 33.

September 12th // 2009

2009-09-12T11:50:00.001-04:00

Wardrobe Remix.

Hand shakin' stripes.

September 10th // 2009

2009-09-10T11:52:00.002-04:00

Giant Dwarf Petit Clochette.

Made from recycled cashmere + a sweet little ruffle.

Fully lined + an elastic band.

August 20th // 2009

2009-08-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

DIY pizza party invite from Stephen + Shauna.

Best welcome sign ever.

Sue + Shauna with Noodle + Dexter.

Stephen + Nate.

August 2nd // 2009

2009-08-02T12:04:00.000-04:00

Handmade Nation screening in Philly.

My friend Amanda was my date.

July 16th // 2009

2009-07-17T09:52:00.007-04:00

Thank you all so much for taking the time to enter my Etsyversary giveaway! I was blown away by all of your kind + thoughtful comments and I truly wish I could've chosen all of you! It really means a lot to me that you like what I make, which is enough encouragement to keep me going another 4 years! Also, this was my very first giveaway, which I so enjoyed, but I had no idea how difficult it would be to pick!

Well, without any further delay, I'd like to announce the winners of the Giant Dwarf Etsyversary Giveaway!

Becka from Bliss In A Teacup
Anabela from Fieldguided
Kim from Golden Dove Design
Katinka from Katinka Pinka

Congratulations, ladies! You have won a little prize pack of delicious goodies made by me especially for you. Please send me an email, which can be found in my profile, to collect your prizes! Please include your mailing address + favorite colors so I can be sure to make something you'll absolutely enjoy!

Once again, thanks to all of you that entered. Don't worry, there will be more giveaways in the very near future. Stay tuned!

July 12th // 2009

2009-07-12T13:18:00.000-04:00

Me + Nate.

Sittin' in the park on a summer's day.

July 5th // 2009

2009-07-05T22:57:00.011-04:00

Today is a huge milestone for my tiny company, Giant Dwarf! Four years ago today, I joined the most amazing website to sell the things I make by hand. Yes, that would be Etsy and I haven't looked back since I signed up.

I met Rob Kalin, Etsy's founder, at the very first Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. He was handing out fliers to all of the vendors + telling everyone about this new website he was starting called Etsy. If I remember correctly, I think he said it was like eBay, but for handmade stuff. I may be totally making that up, but that's how I started explaining it to folks when I began to spread the good word about the website, so I think that's how I remember it. Anyway, I signed up after thinking about it for a few days, and in less than a couple weeks, I had sold my first item. It was a W.W.T.W.D? t-shirt. I love that there is an archive of everything I've ever sold over the years. It's like my year book of crafts + my feedback is like the autographs I've collected from each sale!

To celebrate my Etsyversary, if you will, I'd like to propose a little giveaway to you, dear reader! I'd like to put together a series of little gifts to give out to four lucky readers, to commemorate four years of virtual craft slinging. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me which Giant Dwarf design is your favorite or what you'd like to see me create in the future. I'll pick my favorites on Friday, July 10th and announce the winners on Monday, July 13th.

Thanks + good luck!

July 4th // 2009

2009-07-04T13:17:00.000-04:00

Wardrobe Remix.