Mom Calling Cards :: Printables

I love the idea of a calling card. Obviously in my professional life I hand out business cards, but calling cards just seem so much more personal and old-fashioned. I created these mom calling...

Let’s Connect

While I’ve been on Facebook for years, I didn’t rush to create a Facebook page for Beads & Brass. I didn’t want to create a page that I wouldn’t have time to update. After giving it some thought...

Sailor’s Garter Yoke Cardi

I recently cast off on the very cute Garter Yoke Cardi. This is the second cardigan I’ve made for my little man, due in 5 weeks (!). This was my first project using the i-cord bindoff and I love...

Why I’m Sick of Shopping

Last night while my husband and I were sitting together on the couch, I told him that I’m tired of shopping. He was justifiably skeptical and told me so, but I assured him that I was completely...

Spring Outfit

Splendid tank / Joe’s Jeans denim jacket / True Religion mid-rise jeans / Frye real leather boots / Clare Vivier leather shoulder bag / KENNETH JAY LANE necklace / Tory Burch bracelet

Grey and Blue Baby Sophisticate

I just finished my second Baby Sophisticate cardigan. I made the first cardigan as a gift for a friend, and I liked it so much I decided to make one for my little man (due in 10 weeks). You can...

Guest Post on Made in USA Challenge

Photo Credit: Mountain Meadow Wool Yarns I have a guest post today on a great blog, Made in USA Challenge. I’m talking about American sourced and spun yarn companies, including lots of links to...

Neon Knits

The neon trend has been around for awhile now. But unlike the neon trend of my youth, this time around it is a lot more subtle. Rather than wearing 3 or 4 neon colors at once, people are choosing...

Baby Dino Sophisticate

I recently cast off on the super cute Baby Sophisticate cardigan. This was actually my second Baby Sophisticate as I frogged my first attempt. This sweater is part of a gift set that includes the...

Maternity Wear

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Locally-Made Souvenir Shopping

World Map by TheMapShop Three years ago when my husband and I went on our honeymoon, I made the decision to only buy locally-made souvenirs. It didn’t seem right to travel all the way to Italy to...

Spiral Cowl

After restarting the Spiral Cowl for my mom, I finally castoff with this project and am happy with the results. I didn’t have a chance to take good photos before giving this cowl to my mom. I’m...

Maternity Clothes

I am 20 weeks pregnant and I’ve started buying maternity clothes. I’m lucky to still be wearing all of my regular clothes, but those days are definitely numbered. The baby was not happy today with...

Starting Over :: WIP Wednesday

This is not a typical work-in-progress post because I don’t have any pictures to share. Last night, I cast-off on the Spiral Cowl I’ve been working on as a just-cause gift for my mom. I took a look...

Dino Cap

A friend of mine is expecting her second baby boy in May. Since I just finished knitting two baby blankets for some other friends, I decided to knit a hat and cardigan for this friend’s bundle of...

Handmade Care Labels :: Printables

I created this handmade gift tag to go along with two baby blankets I recently gifted. Both blankets needed to be gently washed and laid flat to dry, so the care instructions on the backside...

Hudson Bay Inspired Baby Blanket

It took months of garter stitch and hours of dread, but I finally finished the Hudson Bay Inspired Baby Blanket the day before my friend’s baby shower. I started this project back in September and...

The Cost of Fast Fashion

I just finished reading “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion” by Elizabeth L. Cline. I first heard the term “fast fashion” about a year ago. Basically this refers to how quickly...

For the Love of :: Ampersand

I’m not sure what it is about the ampersand symbol that has sparked such a cult following (I’ve never seen anything similar for any other punctuation mark or symbol), I just know that I love the...

Closing Shop

After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to close my Etsy shop. Recently, I’ve not had the time to devote to it, as I’ve become busier with work, family and other life obligations. I want to devote...

New Prices at Beads & Brass

WIP: Hudson Bay Inspired Blanket

I’ve been itching to make the Purl Bee’s Hudson Bay Inspired Crib Blanket ever since I came across the pattern this summer. But I didn’t have anyone to make the blanket for until last month when a...

5 Resolutions for Holiday Shopping

It happened. Last night, I saw the first news report about the 2012 holiday shopping season. I hate talking about Christmas before Thanksgiving, and I know that it’s not even Halloween, but I...

Orange and Blue

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Yellow and White Chevron Baby Blanket

Here it is – my first-ever baby blanket! I made the Purl Bee Chevron Baby Blanket and loved the pattern – very easy to read and memorize. Instead of using the seven different colors that are called...

Oxblood and Ivory

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AO Eyewear

I’ve always bought the cheap sunglasses you find at mall kiosks or discount stores. The most I’d ever paid for a pair of sunglasses was around $25. The quality of the sunglasses has always been...

Congratulations Baby Card :: Printables

A friend of mine is expecting her first baby – a little girl! She is decorating her room in yellow and cream chevron stripes. I’m currently knitting her the Chevron Baby Blanket designed by the...

Watermelon Honey Cowl

When I decided to attempt my first sweater knitting project, I headed to my local yarn store and bought 4 skeins of some beautiful coral-colored wool yarn. Turns out, my skills are not advanced...

Handmade Care Labels :: Printables

I have been knitting for about two years, and my closet has quickly filled with scarves and cowls. A person can only have so many neck-themed accessories, so this Christmas I will be presenting...