Bows and Arrows. A Tumbleweeds Original Collection.

We have been working on this collection of jewelery for the shop for a while now, and have been biting my tongue every time I got too excited about it, because I often start projects that I don't finish, i.e. my tee-shirt rug that took up too much space so I ditched it, and oh, I don't know, a hundred other projects. But this one, I actually followed through with, and have much more to come. I love working with Doug to create these beautiful designs, he really did teach me everything that I now know about working with leather and making jewelery.

This is part one of our collection and will be adding more to the shop and sharing more pieces on the blog in the upcoming weeks. I also have some really, really exciting news that I will be able to share later this week!!! SO, here goes, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Let us know what you think! We're very excited about this and can't wait to get even more in theshop! And be sure to check out the little video I made below announcing the winner of our giveaway!

xo,

Beca

Give Away Winner

Congratulations!

Allison, please email me at tumbleweeds{dot}shop{at}gmail{dot}com.

Please come back in an hour or so, and check out the newest additions to our jewelery collection, Bows and Arrows.

xo,

Beca

Happy Half Birthday, Tumbleweeds

Party time! Ha! Not really, I have to work my "day-job" today at 10. I have tomorrow off and will be posting the winner to the giveaway sometime in the morning.

I will also be opening up a new section in the shop called Bows and Arrows for a spring collection of repurposed leather jewelery. Be sure to look for that post later in the day. I have been working on it for a while now, and didn't know if I was going to have enough supplies, but Doug saved the day, as always, and we're ready to debut tomorrow. How appropriate. I love that we can start the second half of our first year with a new jewelery collection.

That's all for now. You still have time to enter. You can click on the button on the sidebar or go HERE. Have a great rest of your weekend!

xo,

Beca

Spring Jewelery Collection - Sneak Peek

That's all I can say or show for right now.

Stay tuned!

xo,

Beca

Curiosities Closet Vol 6

Doesn't this look like a dream come true?

(Unfortunately, i don't know where this gem is from since a friend posted it on facebook, but if you know the source, please share!)

Thanks H&M for knowing what I need, like this tea towel.

This adorable hoodie from boygirlparty.

I bought a little bundle of treasures from Susie a few weeks ago and shortly after, we both realized we live in the same neighborhood! I love her art work and she is super sweet!

Go visit boygirlparty.

This pretty print by RoddyandGinger.

This Nixon bag that Carly Anne originally posted a while ago, but since I am thinking about summer right now, I am keeping it on my wishlist. Nixon, why you gotta do me like this.

THIS!!! By Jennifer Davis.

And this awesome video! Oh, so in love!!!


I hope you liked my blue themed curiosity Closet this week. It was fun hunting down a little bit of blue skies on this ugly cloudy day. I am getting ready to start the Indie Biz 3.0 class on Tuesday, and I am getting excited for it. If you are planning on signing up, registration is open until Tuesday, and we can be study buddies. I am excited that my buddy Danielle is taking the class too! If you haven't visited her blog yet, you should because she's super rad!

Also, my giveaway is open until tomorrow, Feb 27th, at midnight! Be sure to enter!! It is our six month birthday, and first official giveaway, besides the friendship bow, which you can still email me about, forever!

By the way, how do you like the new layout?

Have a great Saturday!

xo,

Beca

Shop Update: From Trash to Treasure

I love nothing more than a morning of digging through a water damaged cardboard box searching for uncovered treasure. Sometimes I find gold (ie, lovely items for our shop) and more often than not, I find a whole lot of junk. Every once in a while, I find something that looks like junk, but with a little scrub down, can be incredible treasure. This is the before photo of all the beautiful stuff we found at the flea market today!

My go-to supplies for fighting dirt and grim on vintage curios. Dr. Bronner's all-in-one soap, a water bucket, a sponge and paper towels. I like Dr. Bronner's because it isn't harsh on delicate items, but it definitely gets the job done.

And here are the after effects for new items we are in the process of listing in the shop. There is tons more, but I didn't want to over load ya'll with images. Check out the shop over the next few days for lots of new treasures!

And for blog readers, we are offering a coupon code for you to receive 10% off your entire purchase, good until February 27th. Use the code "SIXMONTHS."

Also, I know that my blog is still pretty small, I mean we're no Red Velvet (haha,) but don't be scared to enter the giveaway, even if you're the only one!! I really want to give this pretty ring away to one of my blogger pals. It could be you. You can enter the giveaway here! All you have to do is comment. Someday we'll have more than 36 readers, but for right now, I appreciate every single one of you!!!

xo,

Beca

Lovely Ladies Vol. 1 - Sandra Kafka

So, as I mentioned in my last post, I am debuting a new feature called Lovely Ladies, an artist series, in which I feature one very lovely lady a week who creates art, in all shapes, and let you peek into their world, through their words and images. This week, I am so very happy to introduce to you my friend Sandra Kafka of Backstitch Betty. I have known Sandra for years and have witnessed the incredible transformation she has made with her craft. Sandra is also a huge part of the Tucson Fashion Week, which is slowly growing into one of Tucson's premiere events. So, here she is.

Name: Sandra Kafka

Location: Tucson, AZ

Occupation: Hair stylists & Fashion Designer (and I work at a cafe for fun)

Website: Shop & Blog

How long have you been creating art?:

Well I was always involved in art classes growing up. I took anywhere from ceramics, figure drawing, photography, acting, chorus. I started college for photography and dropped out to go to cosmetology school instead. I have been doing hair professionally since 2005 and making hair accessories and sewing since 2007 but launched my clothing line in 2009.

What is your favorite medium to work in and why?:

I love all things. ha! except I feel I can not paint to put food on the table. I love to knit, especially during the fall and winter.I grew up back east and it is important to keep your core warm, and riding a bicycle around your neck gets really cold. So my bestie taught me how to knit a few years back and I have been in love since.

I really enjoy making skirts and dresses. I feel it is my strongest I adore lace and sheer overlays. This last year I loved making a swim suit collection and hope to do it again this year.

For hair I really enjoy doing color and styles(for weddings and events). I actually got into doing design from working for years behind the chair for local fashion shows. I like creating that crazy messy/put together look. It should be effortless, that is why it is important to have a talented professional team(hopefully they work for trade or charity).

Where do you get your inspiration from?:

oh man! where don't I? I am really inspired by the Arctic. I know it sounds silly for a girl who lives in the desert, but it is true. I love snow and ice. I do love all seasons though as well.I just love nature!!!! I really love a lot of stuff that just does not fly in the South West. Lucky for me I do love skirts and dresses. I think that layers are my biggest inspiration. "okay what can I layer over this or under this to add some texture?" I get really inspired by other's work. It all comes in handy.

What words of advice do you have for new artists?:

Take your time! Learn as much as you can from other's mistakes. Really have your stuff together before you decide to jump feet first into making it a business. It is better to take it slow and really grow than to sink in a big pool of others around you. If you love something go for it! Do not let anyone tell you, you won't be able to make it. There is always a market out there growing, pick something that is fresh and may not be all the rage, but that is lasting. And what I am finding is very important is.. life skills out beat the education they all say you "must have". I am sorry to say it. It might take you a few years longer to get where you want to be, but it is worth it when you get there on your own.

What is something that you have learned in the past 5 years when it comes to being a working artist?:

It is hard! There are always going to be slow seasons, you have to learn to balance out your year. Like I know that almost all year long I will be booked with doing weddings on site, except for june-september.(it's too hot here) I also know that those are the times when I can get in the most of sewing for my fall line. I could not do it all on my own. Without the help of some awesome friends and amazing husband I could not do half the stuff I do. The faith and support of them is helpful during crunch time and shows for sure.

What has been the hardest hurdle you have had to overcome as a working artist?:

Learning not to spread myself too thin. I am kind of a planner but Tucson is very last minute town. So I have picked up on some of those bad habits. The absolute hardest for me was and is pricing my work. I am a bargin hunter, so knowing that I spent such amount of time on a garment and have to price it accordingly is tough for me. I am afraid people won't buy it if it is "too" pricey. But when it comes to hair, I am firm on my cost, due to the fact that I am still paying off school for my skills and working for a corporation helped me with that.

Where do you see yourself and your art in 5 years?:

ooo! I would love to start making wholesale orders. I am trying out this year for the first time just a few core pieces and just in different colors. Fingers crossed this is how I can run things. I would like to open my own online store (I love etsy but it is huge and over saturated). I would also like to bring in a few friends and work with them a little bit more and help them sell their goods. Hopefully be able to be at home or a studio and work not having to work at a cafe (though I love my job). Big dreams are to open a little boutique with lots of cupcakes being served and DIY classes.

Be sure to stop by Sandra's blog and say hi. If you are interested in being a part of this weekly feature, please email me at tumbleweeds.shop (at) gmail (dot) com! And don't forget to enter in the giveaway contest. It is open until February 27th at Midnight!

xo,

Beca

Tumbleweeds Half Birthday Giveaway

Hi ya'll! I just want to say happy half birthday to our little shop. We have come a long way with this little dream of ours and still have a long way to go. To celebrate our baby turning 6 months, we are going to host a weekends worth of celebrating from tonight until Monday Morning, the 27th. I will be debuting some awesome features, a really neat Curiosities Closet (vol 6!) that I have been saving in my queue and I will give out some special coupon codes for blog followers, facebook fans and MORE!

So on to the giveaway. For one lucky blog reader. You can win this incredible handcrafted and upcycled leather ring. It is adorned with a pretty vintage button and will will stretch to fit any size finger. This ring comes in our pretty new packaging! This giveaway is open to international friends too!

You have three way to enter the giveaway!

1. Follow our blog and leave a comment as a new or continuing friend.

2. Visit our shop and leave us a comment telling us your favorite item!

3. Like us on facebook and leave a comment.

You have until February 27th at midnight west coast time, and the winner will be announced the morning of Tuesday February 28th. I will draw the winners name live on video! I am so excited for this! Let the celebrations begin!!

xo,

Beca

California!

My friend sent me this video this morning!!!

Stella's Shasta Adventure from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

xo,

Beca

Shop Update

Doug and I pulled out the tool box last night and made some gems for the shop. I am going to spend the day working on some more new designs. The purple suede rings we made from upcycled leather sold so quickly, that I will be making some more of those too.

I love the rustic feel of this last one. It has so much character and the leather is SO soft! And isn't that coffin neat! It's backed with royal purple suede, so pretty.

I am also happy to announce that we will be working with Sleepy Pony Designs to create the tags and business cards for our shop. I will definitely share with you all when everything is done. We are working together from over 2000 miles apart, so this will be a long term project. I am really excited about it. They also make really lovely jewelery, you should give them a peek.

I have also been working on packaging our jewelery. Here are some little bags I made last night for a special order.

What do you think?

I feel like we've been pretty productive over the past few days. Trying to get through this cold and trying to not be too super bummed about having to go to work tonight. In three days, it will be our shops 6 month anniversary, which means in 6 months, my goal of quitting my day job for this business will need to be a reality. Count down begins. I signed up for the Indie Business Course through The Freckled Nest and, not to be a constant worrier about money, but I hope it's worth the $90. Prove this skeptic wrong! I'm actually REALLY excited about it. I feel like I'm going to school again!

Be on the lookout for a crazy great internet party for our shops 6th month anniversary on the 27th. Insane deals. Special offers, and a GIVEAWAY! My first (real) giveaway! Hooray! Have a great Thursday!

xo,

Beca

Little House Pillowcase

My sick day somehow made me feel like holing up in the house with my pups and make lots of little things while watching my favorite movies and eat pizza, and feel no shame. We really really needed new pillowcases, so I got really pretty raw cotton material at the fabric store down the street for $1 a yard, and pieced together some cute little cottages, and tada. It only took my an hour to make this (with lots of breaks) and I'm starting another one now.

If only my nose would stop running and my head would stop pounding. If only. Doug is taking me to the beach when he gets home and then we're getting take-out. I'm looking forward to that. Have a good Wednesday!

xo,

Beca

Steak and Potatoes

Blood oranges, dirty dishes, puppy dog play, boyfriends work shirt, steak and potatoes.

Blood Oranges, got a bag of those too from the mister.

Blood orange juice.

His work shirt.

Steak and Potatoes for dinner. A meal for a man. (I could only eat 1/3 of my plate...not that I am a light eater, but it was A LOT of food!) I am always a fan of good old fashioned meals, garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, milksteak and steamed carrots and squash. Mmmm.

I woke up this morning, sick, again. I'm so tired of my body not being able to fight these bugs going around. I blame it on spending so much time in a place where the germs fly freely and I interact with hundreds of people all day long. I've always been prone to colds and flus and viruses. But really, last week I had the stomach flu, this week a head cold. I also think it's the changing weather 0 hot, cold, and then hot again. Anyways, it is what it is, and I still have a lot to do today, so cold or no cold, I plan on staying busy.

How do you deal with being sick?

xo,

Beca