Poppytalk Hademade is a great website that showcases a bunch of handmade products created by emerging design talent from around the world. Here are the a few of the items that I especially liked.



I found this adorable monogram sign at signs by diane.


A clever way to organize tasks... found at susyjack.



Sea urchin note cards with lined envelopes... comes with matchbook note pads and a burlap sack! Seen here.

pink peony

Ah, I had to post these beautiful peonies that my sister got from her boyfriend! Good job Chris!

I found this wonderful rocking chair on sale at the Pottery Barn. It is made out of solid FSC-certified eucalyptus from sustainably managed forests. The dense wood is kiln dried, a process that removes moisture from wood and ensures that it will not split, warp, crack or mildew. Rocking chairs always remind me of characters and past times in the romantic Nicholas Sparks books.

go green | give air

I love the idea of using tree seedlings as wedding favors. When your guests plant the tree, they will think of you and the celebration of your marriage every time they see it. The tree is generally considered to be a symbol of life, growth, and strength. May your marriage blossom!

hgtv | green home

As long as you are willing to pay the taxes on this beautiful "green home" located in sunny Port St. Lucie, Florida, put your name in daily to win HGTV's green home of 2009. The sweepstakes ends on June 5! Enter here. Good luck!

aqua & lovebirds | organize your wedding

The Mindy Weiss Bridal Collection is so cute and a great way to get organized. Lovebirds are my favorite. I found a few of her items at TJMaxx, but I'm not sure if they are still available. Pictured above: the expandable organizer and the response card organizer with alphabetized dividers.

collage | wedding stuff

Thought I'd let you in on some of the wedding planning, inspiration materials, and favorite things. The wine/plum color seems to be a nice balance to the lime/fern green that I'm in love with!

colored | masking tape

I couldn't hold myself back. I fell in love and had to have it! Masking tape in beautiful colors made in Japan. More greeting cards on the way. I found the "happy tape" here. Just a word of caution if you click that link... expect to spend some money : )

cement design

I was in Montreal a few weeks ago and stayed in a hotel that used to be an old apartment building. I walked out on the balcony and found this beautiful cement sculpture. Every apartment on every floor has this great design separating each outside living area. I am very fond of aesthetically pleasing sculptures. The way the square pattern is stacked on top of each other to form circles makes cement look beautiful. The monotone weight of the lines coupled with the thick outlines of the boxes is a wonderful combination. Instead of having a slab of dirty, ugly cement on either side of your balcony, the wall is open enough to socialize and still closed enough to have your privacy. And the pattern can be your own magic eye picture... look at it long enough and you will see a pile of pipes, crosses, a stain glass window, flowers, butterflies...

domino | fresh & clean

I found this book in target a few months ago and had to have it. Not only is the cover beautiful AND embossed, but the ideas inside are great! So fresh and clean. They encompass so many different styles... edgy classic, refined pastoral, girly drama, functional chic, urbane cowboy... The best part... they tell you how to use stuff from your current decor so you aren't dropping thousands of dollars by buying new furniture. Each room has a chapter full of tips, tricks, and finishing touches. I can't wait to decorate! Good work domino!

the complete package

Ahh, the complete package! I am obsessed with awesome packaging. It makes the item that much better. I made 6 greeting cards for my mom for mother's day and decided that other people might like to give this gift as well. They are handmade and one-of-a-kind. The 6 pack includes 1 happy birthday, 1 happy anniversary, 1 thinking of you, 1 best of luck, 1 thank you, and 1 tying the knot! You can check them out at my etsy store -- click shop on the right. Thanks!

white | paper flowers

I'm in love with paper flowers. A little preview of the wedding decorations! The multiple layers of paper add so much texture and style to the flower, while curled paper casts perfect shadows to give depth and added likeness to flowers in nature. If only they weren't so time consuming!

about | philadelphia based designer

made by jessa | odds and ends is a design blog written to inspire and to share well-designed home decor, architecture, wedding ideas, stationery, fashion, books, fonts, and anything else that makes the world a prettier place.

jessa butler is a designer, creative thinker, and marketing guru. her loves include brian, the beach, running, anything paper, and traveling. she currently lives in conshohocken with her awesome husband.

september 1, 2010...

with the support and love of my family and friends, i have decide to live my dream. to be a creator. a crafter. an artist. i quit my job and decided to take the jump. to start my own business and follow my heart.

it began with the book, the alchemist, given to me by my sister for christmas and finished with my husband asking me, "what are you waiting for?" so here i am, the master of my own future.

i will be blogging every day (or almost every day), designing full-time for life's biggest events, creating handmade decor, and most of all loving life. hope you join me on my journey!

*a big, dinosaur-size thank you to everyone who is helping me make this dream a reality!*