by MissMalaprop on August 15, 2010
Yesterday I noticed some news spreading around Facebook that my friend Kyle Berner, founder of Feelgoodz eco-friendly flip-flops, was in a bit of a bind due to the recently Gulf oil spill. I’ve mentioned Feelgoodz here on Miss Malaprop before, here and here; they’re a great local company based here in New Orleans, and Kyle is a really nice guy.
Apparently they had a huge order (10,000 flip flops!) en route to the U.S. from Thailand, where these all-natural rubber flip-flops are made, when the cargo shipment got stuck at a port in the Bahamas because everything was being re-routed because of the oil spill. These flip-flops were supposed to be delivered to Whole Foods stores across the country in time for summer, but they never made it in time, and now Whole Foods in most places are already switching out their stock for fall. You can read the full story at Change.org, but basically because of this whole situation Feelgoodz needs to sell those 10,000 pairs of flip-flops ASAP in order to repay a loan by August 18!
I contacted Kyle to see what I could do to help. He has graciously offered Miss Malaprop readers a special coupon code, MALAPROP, for $5 off PLUS $5 flat rate shipping on all orders at the Feelgoodz online store. (No expiration, no limit!) I have friends who have Feelgoodz flops, and they swear by them, and have told me they’re the most comfortable flip-flops they own. So if you’re in the market for some flip-flops, check ‘em out!
In other news, yesterday I also whipped up some customized one-of-a-kind fleur de lis guitar straps for my friend Aaron’s new French Quarter shop, The Guitar Bar! I think they turned out pretty cool, and these are going to be exclusive to his new shop. The Guitar Bar not only sells guitars and related equipment, but they also do repairs and offer music lessons (they do more than just guitars), and they’re open late for all you downtown musicians. If you’re in New Orleans, stop by and tell him I sent you – the shop is at 1205 Decatur Street.
And now, my weekly Indie Biz Chicks link round-up:
Designed by RJ is on a roll – last week I mentioned how she always posts the most delicious looking recipes, complete with pictures of her concoctions, and this week she turned out another doozy: Seasonal Fruit Pie, packed with nectarines, peaches, apricots, plums and blueberries. Sounds amazing!
Chrissy from Indie Biz Chicks always tells it like it is, and she recently went to the BlogHer10 conference. She posted her reaction to the event and to reviews by other attendees in her post If You Don’t Like It, Change It!
Jen Kiaba recently posted a link to some Photography Tips for Shooting in Full Sun. Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, or you’re trying to brush up on your photo skills for online selling, Jen always has great tips and links for making your photos look amazing!
by MissMalaprop on August 13, 2010
The lovely Bonnie of Going Home To Roost is a successful crafty businessperson in her own right, and now she’s sharing her expertise and experience with others. She’s just announced a new 7 week e-course called Selling the Handmade Way. In Bonnie’s words, “It’s for beginner/intermediate sellers of handmade goods to learn more about their indie biz and how to make a name for themselves.” The course starts on September 6th, and in it, you’ll cover everything from product photography to website SEO, all while taking a very hands-on, personal, workbook style approach to learning and growing your business. For a taste of what you’ll learn, Bonnie has also issued a FREE e-book to go along with the course. (Anyone can download the free e-book, and if you like what you find inside and want more, you can sign up for the course.) You can find more info on the course and a link to download the e-book at Selling the Handmade Way.
Plueys, the super stylish indie rainboot company, is hosting a fun contest via their Facebook page. They’re accepting your rainy day photos, now through September 28, 2010, and winners will receive new unreleased Limited Edition Plueys rainboots. Sound like fun? Head to their website for more details.
Check out the cool art, seen above, by Lynne Mori, a Long Beach, California based artist who specializes in small, postcard-sized, mixed-media collages. I like this piece, titled EL BANDOLON (the mandolin). Find more of her work in her Etsy shop or on her website.
Looptworks is a great new sustainable fashion line for men and women that takes the leftover, excess materials from big fashion companies and creates new garments from material that would otherwise be thrown away. They’ve also got some cool accessories, like laptop sleeves made from excess wetsuit materials. Personally, I’m a fan of this Ningxia Cowl Neck top – I love a great cowl, and this looks so soft and comfy for fall! (I love the colors it comes in too!)
by MissMalaprop on June 4, 2010
Today is the last day for nominations for the Gambit’s 2010 Best of New Orleans Web Awards. I’d be honored if you’d take the time to nominate my shop for #4 Best Retail Website!
Have you seen the new TOMS wedges yet? I feel like they’ve already been posted all over the place, but I really like them. I’ve always loved the ethic behind TOMS, but I still have trouble seeing myself wearing their traditional shoe style. But these! Oh my… these have me wanting to save my pennies…
This weekend I’ll be volunteering with the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. I interned here for 3 summers, from 2000-2002, and I loved it! If you’re in New Orleans and looking for something to do this summer, I highly recommend seeing some of their performances. This weekend they’re doing Love’s Labours Lost and a new play by local playwright Jim Fitzmorris called The Everlasting Bonfire. Later this summer they’ll be performing Macbeth, a staged reading of A Streetcar Named Desire and their intern company will perform The Tempest. You can purchase tickets and find out more at their website.
I also just signed up to do this event next weekend:
St. Clement of Rome – Roman Singles
Collectibles, Crafts, Antiques and Art June Yard Sale
Saturday, June 12, 9am – 3pm
3978 West Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA
Come visit me if you’re in the New Orleans area, and check my events page for a full list of where I’ll be!
If you haven’t already, there’s still a week left to enter my giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to my shop!
Here are a few posts that caught my eye recently…
Craft & Design:
DAILY CRAVE { self expression } @ heysusy (those amazing watercolor tattoos above!)
i fell off my bike @ Scoutie Girl
How to make a handy List Organizer out of random stuff you have lying around @ CraftyPod
Garden Gifts For Boozehounds @ Try Handmade
I MadeIt – Susannah Tucker Photography @ Epheriell Designs
Lovely Finds – Cakehouse @ Where the Lovely Things Are
alexandra grecco’s apparel and lingerie @ going home to roost
Local Contrast : Norwegian Wood SS10 @ THE COVETED
Crafty Business:
Attract More Customers to Your Business Brand @ Fine Tooth Comb
Flattr: an interesting alternative to Free @ CraftyPod
How to Survive a Tax Audit @ Inc.com
stop making average products for average people @ craftMBA.com
is sharing too much creating a sense of entitlement? @ all things girls can tell
strategy session with susan of modcloth.com @ Makeunder My Life
by MissMalaprop on January 13, 2010
I just saw this shop on the front page of Etsy, and I thought these were too amazing not to mention immediately:
Platform stiletto stripper style shoes have been reimagined and transformed into quirky planters. The shop announcement explains all: “The concept is about hard-working women, the increasingly artificial nature of American femininity, and the impossible images that women face in our society. It’s a prickly, spiky, sticky situation…”
I think this is such a brilliant transformation, and I absolutely love these. Check out more at giddyspinster on Etsy.
by MissMalaprop on January 12, 2010
Christy of The Generation Shoes got in touch with me today to let me know about her awesome handmade vegan shoes. Christy and friends make these shoes from natural, sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp and linen, and they come in styles for men, women and kids.
The Generation Shoes makes cute eco-chic ballet flats, Mary Janes, and slip-on shoes, and they welcome custom orders. I love that I’m starting to see more and more people making handmade shoes… is there anything that you can’t find a handmade version of these days?
by MissMalaprop on December 22, 2009
It’s chilly where I am, and even colder for many of you, but when the weather outside is frightful, it’s nice to remember that people in some parts of the world get to celebrate the holidays outdoors with beach barbecues! (I would love to take part in an Australian Christmas celebration one day. Just sayin’.)
So when these limited edition Feelgoodz flip flops from Organik made their way through my inbox, all I could think was how comfy and perfect they would be for just such a holiday beach barbecue. Feelgoodz is based right here in New Orleans, and they’ve partnered with Hawaii based Organik for these special limited edition flip flops. The swallowtail bird design is available in blue or black, but there are only 300 pairs available in each color, so if you like these, you’ll have to act fast!
Organik also makes other great eco-friendly fashions from bamboo, organic cotton and recycled materials. I love this organic cotton peacock tee… the colors are right up my alley!
