If you're in the Portland, OR area on Sunday July 20th, Susan will be teaching the Solo Earrings project from Bead Simple at the final meeting of the Church of Craft.

For far too long, Exclusive Buttons has been a closely-guarded secret in the craft world, where covetous creative types would hoard beautiful vintage deadstock buttons all for themselves. Having visited the shop myself last weekend, I've decided to pull back the curtain and tell everyone I know about it--as this magical place needs and deserves all the business they can get.

Exclusive Buttons is a teeny hole-in-the-wall shop in El Cerrito (a bit north of Berkeley, CA), where the walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with a mind-boggling array of colorful buttons you won't find anywhere else. The owner, Mary, and her husband Vince (who passed away last year) were button wholesalers back in the day--which is why some of the button cards still carry the name "Exclusive Buttons". They've been in their current retail location for 20+ years!

There's something for everyone at this shop, whether your tastes run to Shabby Chic-style distressed rhinestone buttons, colorful Bakelite beauties, delicate pearl closures, rustic wooden or bone buttons--the choices are endless, and Mary is more than happy to run you though their choices and explain the provenance of each selection. It's so wonderful to meet someone so in love with their job, especially in their later years. Do yourself a favor and make the trip! (PS: It's cash only.)

Exclusive Buttons
10252 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530
ph: (510) 524-5606
Hours: Friday & Saturday, 11am - 4pm

I've fallen hard for this ingenious little necklace from Sherry Truit Studios, which features a genuine piece of slate chalkboard mounted within a sterling silver bezel pendant setting. You can write fun messages in chalk, then wipe 'em clean. This would make a killer gift for a teacher, am I right?

He's all sold out now, sadly, but how cute is this whale-shaped pincushion by Blueberry Bandit? I love the way the multicolored pins form a spray of water shooting out from his blowhole. Here's hoping there are more of these in her shop soon!

Kristin writes:

Each month subscribers receive a package filled with: +++A kit for a pattern from a previous Craft Leftovers post +++Reclaimed Craft Leftovers goodies (flat quarters of vintage fabric, buttons, iron on patches, ribbon, etc) +++Craft Leftovers Monthly - A 10 page zine filled with as much tips on leading a stress free crafty lifestyle, a Craft Leftovers Monthly only project, cutout project cards, and other goodies original to each issue.

Each subscriber's package is unique because it is made up of reclaimed leftovers and random stashy goodies and therefore a few of each kind only. The image shown is only an example of what each subscriber will receive.

For those discriminating pancake lovers, make your Sunday morning brunch more fun with this mini bear smile skillet from Fred Flare. [ via GoodyBlog ]

• Tokyo t-shirt by gohgirl.
• Cakehouse handmade coasters made with recycled fabric.
• Sawsome Brand change purse by Loverly Ink.
• Shaken, Not Stirred Martini Olive hair stick by Tefi Designs.
• Just Jenn Designs Robot Love card.
• Paloma's Nest Sweet as Honey Bowl.

For more Sampler news and info on how you can contribute, visit The Sampler web site.

Spotted in the CRAFT Flickr Pool: Etsy seller netamir (from Tel Aviv) makes these mary jane shoes, and also slippers! They have foam plastic soles and look really comfy.

More:

• DIY Shoes - CRAFT Video Podcast
• CRAFT: 07 Preview the Shoe Issue - CRAFT Video Podcast

From the pages of CRAFT: 07:

From the site:

Everybody's got a hoodie, but now you can have one that no-one else has got. Jem is a 'baggy' style hoodie with a bust dart making it good for girls with fuller busts.

I'm loving Sosorosey's Etsy shop, which recently appeared on The Storque. Pictured here are a pink fabric bowl and a beautifully textured trivet, both made from repurposed strips of vintage linens.

Etsy seller SewMaryAnn offers fun kits for making these tape measure trees--a great decoration for any sewing room.

I don't know what it is about summer but I love quick crafts, and instant satisfaction from making something. Beadalicious: 25 Fresh, Unforgettable Jewelry Projets for Beads Old and New by Sonya Nimri fulfills this and also helps me spruce up my accessories for summer. From dramatic earrings to delicate lariats to bold necklaces, the book shows you step-by-step how to make 25 of the most stylish jewelry. Make them for yourself or better yet make them as gift for friends. One of my favorites I want to make right away is the "In The Spotlight Ring", a dramatic single stone ring that just requires me to wire wrap!

Two lucky random readers are going to win the book Beadalicious! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you'd like to make jewelry. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field not the text area (it won't be published on the site). All comments will be closed by 10am (PST) on Friday, June 20th. The lucky winners will be announced by Monday on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!

Beadalicious Santa Monica Book Event
Sonya will be at Ritual Adornments in Santa Monica (2708 Main Street) demonstrating projects from Beadalicious and signing books all day during the Summer Solstice Festival on June 22nd. Stop by and learn a new jewelry technique!

Related
Pictures from Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn 2008

Related
Pictures from Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn 2008

Michelle Ott braved the heat in her Postcard Machine and was always surrounded by a crowd while Heather Menicucci offered free samples of interesting foods like vinegar pudding as part of her 1 Bite 7 Days documentary project.

See all of my pictures from the Renegade Craft Fair on Flickr.

Emily from The Black Apple has come out with a great new product--blank sketchbooks featuring cover art taken from her own sketchbook. Nab one for yourself here.

We've seen lovely creations by flickr user ~aorta~ on CRAFT before, but I've never seen such a lovely necktie! These squiddy ornaments come in a variety of fabric and tie combinations, and each one is unique! Check them out over at aorta's etsy shop. What a great idea for father's day! Via the CRAFT Flickr Pool.

Related:

• Octopus Skirt

• Drunk Octo-Shirt

If you missed your chance to nab one of Alicia Paulson's Country Girl Clothespin Doll Kits the last time around, you're in luck--the cuties are back in stock.

I love the ease of knit wear but it's hard to find simple patterns for what I want. Now, Wendy Mullin of Built by Wendy fame has a new book out called SEW U Home Stretch that is filled with fashionable knit sewing projects from simple t-shirts, dresses, to hoodies. The spiral-bound book is filled with clear instructions and illustrations, along with all the patterns in a special pocket in the back of the book. I'm looking forward to making some of the babydoll dresses and t-shirts using some of the jersey knits I bought over at Crybaby's Boutique.

But wait, there's more! Two lucky random readers are going to win this fantastic book! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field not the text area (it won't be published on the site). All comments will be closed by Noon (PST) on Tuesday, June 10th. The lucky winners will be announced tomorrow evening on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!