Spring is here and with it comes the insane urge to tidy and organize. I've noticed many of my fellow Etsians are re-doing their studios and trying to get their space organized. I, of course, am doing this as well, however, I'll save that update for another time. Today I want to share with you some of the treasures I unearthed while sifting through the thousands of listings on Etsy looking specifically for items perfect for a home office & studio. Ready, set, go: (From left to right)A vinyl wall calendar sticker by SimpleShapes: You can write on this vinyl wall sticker with a dry erase marker. I think this is a unique item because it cuts down on the bulk of the typical dry erase board and you don't have to punch holes in your wall. Any they can make it any size that your heart desires. A white metal vintage numbered drawer from Hindsvik: This drawer is perfect for organizing/indexing receipts, recipes, or tools. It would also add more character to your space than your average plain plastic bin. A set of 4 vintage coffee/tea mugs from TastyVintage: Everybody needs a special work mug! These unique cups could double as a votive since the brass handle is removable. I thought these mugs had a lot of style and they may be especially attractive to painters because they are clear. I thought if you could see that there is coffee in your cup then you wouldn't mistake it for your dirty painting water, as I all too often do! They are monogrammed with the letter "B," but that could easily stand for Boss, Busy, Bojambo? A vintage Russian mechanical alarm clock from ClockworkUniverse: How could you miss a deadline with this handsome clock keeping track of time for you. I love the aqua/seafoam green color. This clock will serve you both functionally and decoratively - it's a win, win. A vintage map pencil cup holder by CarolinaCottage: This quart paint can has been decoupaged in a vintage map of New York City. If a pencil cup isn't your shtick, this fine container could also serve as a supply holder or vase, the lid has even been decked out and could be a coaster for your drink of choice! A vintage American Family Scale from vintageavacado: In this day and age, I think it's fair to say that nearly everyone has done a bit of mailing. That said, why wait in the possible long lines at the post office. With your own scale at home, not only are you enhancing your home environment with the added character of your vintage scale, but you can prepare your mail at home ensuring that your trip to the post office will be super quick! A giant succulent terrarium kit by monkeysalwayslook: If you can't be outside while your working, why not bring a touch of the great outdoors inside. A terrarium is an easy way to add color and freshness to your space. You don't need a green thumb to take care of these plants because terrariums are pretty low maintenance, but just in case you are worried detailed instructions are included. A vintage book bundle from lostandfawnedhome: The topics of these books may not pertain to your line of work, but I think people overlook the simple pleasure of enjoying a beautiful book cover. It's nice to mix books with attractive covers with the other books on your shelves to enhance the visual appeal. This vintage set is great example of the style and personality you could add to your collection of books. A vintage Mirro Lux timer from blackscottietreasure: This little 60 minute will look excellent on your desk or on a shelf because of its minimal design. It will also ensure that you don't spend too much on one any one project with it's loud "ding!" ♥ Miss Bojambo
 With Mother's Day around the corner, it's about time to start brainstorming new and special ways to say, "I love you" and "Thank you for being awesome, Mom."
Lucky for you, I've already been brainstorming and boy do I have something special for you! I am offering one of a kind, custom pendants that are a wonderful way to express yourself as the pendant lends itself as a host to your creativity. With both gold and silver frames to choose from, your mama will be stylishly wearing wonderful photographic memories for years to come! This truly is a custom pendant.
For more information about having a custom pendant made please contact me or visit me on Etsy! ♥ Miss Bojambo
 Golden Gate Bridge - Photo taken from our moving vehicle This Saturday, the BF and I vacated the fine city of San Francisco to drive up North and taste some wine with his parents in wine country- just for an afternoon. We specifically wanted to taste whites because we've been conducting our own tastings as of late with ... you guessed it - white wines! We went to two different wineries: Ferrari-Carano Vineyard and Winery and Dry Creek Vineyard, both of which had beautiful gardens and yummy wines. While at Dry Creek Vineyard, the BF and I were split in our taste preference between two Sauvignon Blancs, a 2008 Fumé Blanc and whatever it was that he liked, neither of us can remember! In any case, we ended up leaving with a deliciously rich 2006 Chardonnay that we both liked. That said, my Sauvignon Blanc recommendation is the $12.00 2008 Fumé Blanc from Dry Creek Vineyard. It was delicious - give it a try! We had a lovely time tasting wines, enjoying the beautiful vistas, and gardens. I was very impressed by how well manicured the gardens were and feel inspired to shape up my own little slice of earth. Oh, and I loved seeing the allium and wisteria in the garden at the Ferrari-Carano Vineyard and Winery. I would like to incorporate these into my garden somehow. On that note, I will leave you with wishes for a wonderful week and a few lovely little floral photos taken during my adventure.
 Allium Purple Sensation at the Ferrari-Carano Vineyard & Winery  Allium Purple Sensation at the Ferrari-Carano Vineyard & Winery  Wisteria at the Ferrari-Carano Vineyard and Winery ♥ Miss Bojambo
 The Birth of Venus I have been finding so much inspiration from light, airy, and feminine things as of late. The most recent pair of earrings that I created were inspired by the Sandro Botticelli painting The Birth of Venus.
 Venus From the Sea - Fringe Earrings As stated in my Etsy listing, The gemstone is representative of the ocean and the gold chain is meant to symbolize the long golden locks of hair on the ever beautiful woman, Venus. It is my hope that these earrings empower the wearer to feel pride in her own natural beauty as a woman.
There is so much to be inspired by in the spring!
♥ Miss Bojambo
 New Prints Created by Miss Bojambo I was able to take some photographs of my new prints today, just at the end of the good afternoon light. Although my time was cut short, I am looking forward to creating more arrangements tomorrow. I am having so much fun with the versatility of these little prints! They are so easy to mix and match, look amazing hanging together, and are in search of a new home! Don't try to resist their charm!  My cat child, Roux, making his debut in my Etsy listings You too can create this look - these prints, and others, are available in my Etsy store. ♥ Miss Bojambo
Happy Thursday! I am so looking forward to the weekend, as the bf and I are going to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D! For those of you planning Mad Hatter tea parties, I've got the perfect fruit tart recipe. And if you are not in to Alice and her mad tea parties then, this recipe is sure to get you excited for spring, as if you weren't hungry for it already! Strawberry Mascarpone Tart with Port Glaze
Recipe From Gourmet April 2009Serves: 8
Active Time: 30min
Start to Finish: 2hr 30min
(includes cooling)
For Tart Shell
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
Rounded 1/4 tsp salt
7 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 large egg yolk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsp cold water
For Filling
1 1/2 lb strawberries (about 1 1/2 qt), trimmed and halved lengthwise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup ruby Port
1 lb mascarpone (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
Equipment: a 10-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom; pie weights or dried beans. (I used a cake pan, as I am fresh out of tart pans and I used plain rice instead of pie weights) Make Tart Shell: Blend together flour, sugar, salt, and butter in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) just until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-sized butter lumps. Beat together yolk, vanilla, lemon juice, and water with a fork (or pulse) until mixture comes together.
Gently knead with floured hands on a lightly floured surface until a dough forms, then gently knead 4 or 5 times. Press into a 5-inch disk. Place in center of tart pan and cover with plastic wrap. Using your fingers and bottom of a flat-bottomed measuring cup, spread and push dough to evenly cover bottom and side of pan. Prick bottom of tart shell all over with a fork and freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375F with rack in middle. Line tart shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until side is set and edge is pale gold, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights and continue to back until the shell is deep golden all over, about 20 minutes more. Cool in pan, about 45 minutes. Make Filling While Tart Shell Cools: Stir together strawberries and granulated sugar in a bowl and let stand, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Strain in a sieve set over a small saucepan, reserving berries. Add port to liquid in saucepan and boil until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, whisk together mascarpone, confectioners sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until stiff.
Assemble Tart: Spread mascarpone mixture evenly in cooled tart shell, then top with strawberries. Drizzle Port glaze all over tart.
Cooks' Note: Tart Shell can be baked 1 day ahead and kept at room temperature.  Ta Da! I hope you enjoy the wonderfully refreshing fruit tart as much as I do. I've also added a few Etsy finds to inspire your mad tea parties! The first listing is from thelooseleaf and they are offering a set of four teas (15-20 cups each). There is a great variety of teas to choose from to suit your different needs and ailments. The second item is a beautiful vintage cup and saucer, a silver plated spoon, and a lace mini matte from GloamingDesigns. Tea for one? Absolutely! Treat yourself daily with this charming solo tea set. And lastly, I've added a beautiful hand screen-printed 100% linen tea towel created by FormosaDesigns. The original illustration was inspired by the birds and plants at the Meroo National Park of Australia's east coast. Please enjoy your weekends, my friends! -Miss Bojambo
After seeing my plain old redish-magenta mailbox day after day, I decided to spruce it up a bit. My bf and I had our house painted just before this winter started and are very happy with the change from red, white, and blue, to a more sophisticated rich navy and warm white. But our mail box was still an eyesore. There is something very nautical about the new blue and it inspired a mailbox makeover! C'est magnifique, non? I had a blast painting the little critter on my mailbox and thought that my mail carrier would really appreciate the improvement! I think the Octopus is a great addition because he livens up the box from every angle! The mailbox is now worthy of my crafty snail mail and makes me look forward to collecting the mail! I am still looking for the perfect ship steering wheel to glue on to the magnetized clip that hold the outgoing mail. A work in progress.
After painting the mailbox, I felt like the house numbers could stand a makeover too. I took them down right away thinking that I would find a replacement at the snap of my finger. Unfortunately since that day, I've been scolded many times by delivery persons who suggest I put my numbers back up... oops. I was waiting for the perfect numbers.  Decorative House Numbers by Mooza on Etsy I led my house number search to Etsy and voila! I give you decorative house numbers by Mooza, an Australian seller, or rather, two creative mama's dedicated to hand making acrylic letters and numbers and matching them with beautiful Japanese papers. Kinda great, isn't it! I really like the blue floral design on the number 21 shown above. I think that this pattern will looks wonderful against the new warm white. I am so happy that my search has finally ended - woo hoo! Have you done anything crafty to your front door area? I'd love to hear about it! Also, have at look at Mooza on Etsy and take care, my friends.
-Miss Bojambo
 A work in progress ✿ What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name Jamie, but my friends call me Jambo or more formally Miss Bojambo. The skinny on my craft is ... I know no limits. I like to think that I can make anything I set my mind to ... and I try. And sometimes I fail and it's magical. I am particularly fond of jewelry making, drawing and painting, and book binding. I just love to create!
✿ When did you decide that you needed a studio?
I've always needed, at least a place to store the outcome of my varied interests. I guess, the dawn of my studio life rose when I decided to keep all of my supplies in one space and work near them.
✿ When and how have you set up your studio?
I've always made little spaces for myself to work, but I decided once and for all that I wanted/needed/deserved to have a space that I wanted to be in, had a purpose, and inspired me. I "set up" my studio a couple years back. It entailed a crazy wallpaper search, finding the right craft tables, and a wild hunt for a dreamy chair ... which I have finally found!
✿ Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
Absolutely. I let my aesthetic sensibility run the show ... in fact, it usually runs the show. Meaning, I didn't just throw together this and that. I designed a space that inspires me! I think it was worth it because it's a space I love and value. I think everyone who is creating or revamping a studio should make a place that they love and value ... by whatever means they want.
✿ How big is your studio?
Hmm I'd say 5' x 8' with 9+ foot ceiling and a "storage" closet that is 2.5' x 6'. Long and narrow.
✿ Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
This is so tough. I'll have to get back to you on this one.
✿ Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
Oddly, my studio space doubles as a dressing room and closet. In the 100 year old bungalow house where I reside, the closets are itty bitty and painfully narrow. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a lot of clothing. And In my studio, I use the closet for art supply storage and have a wardrobe where all of my clothing and accessories are stored. I didn't want to clutter my bedroom with my collection of goodies, hence the studio/dressing room combo.
 The Secret ... ✿ How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
That really depends on how tidy it is ... When my studio is clean, I love to be in it. Love, love, love. But unfortunately, no one taught me to clean up my art messes. They just pile up on top of each other until it gets out of control, then I avoid my studio and unintentionally usually conquer the dinning room table. Once the dinning table is out of commission, I take that as my cue to clean up my studio. I'm unconventional.
✿ Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
As I admitted in my shared studio secret, I share my studio work space with mine and my boyfriend's clothing. At times, it can be a dangerous combination.
✿ Is there anything you would add to your working space?
More storage and organizing tools!
✿ If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
My boyfriend and I actually call my studio "The Jungle." It's a wild zone in the house ... to quote the dictionary, "Jungle: A dense, confused mass; a jumble. A place or milieu characterized by intense, often ruthless competition or struggle for survival." And that's just what it's like in there, but it's also lush and beautiful.
✿ And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Yikes!
Happy Valentine's Day, my friends. On this fine day, I wanted to share with you a few lovely floral arrangements, however, I temporarily do not have access to the photo's. But what I do have to share are a few snaps I've captured while in Italy, this past fall. All Valentine's Day approved! Though this wasn't the romantic gondola ride that I shared with my shweetheart, I captured this gondolier and his boat while in Venice on the Grand Canal. The city of Venice is like a museum and is definitely worth seeing at least once! Make sure you have a friend or special someone to share a gondola ride with! While in the quaint town of Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, In Southern Italy, My Bf and I walked through though the vender filled streets and happened across this stand of hot peppers. Hot red peppers to spice up your life! Lastly, I will leave you with the lovely photo taken in the romantic gardens in Ravello; A sleepy town atop the rolling hills of the Amalfi Coast. DH Lawrence, Truman Capote, and Virginia Woolf have all spent time in Ravello; finding inspirations from its beauty no doubt. Italy is such a wonder. Enjoy your Valentine's Day, my friends! - Miss Bojambo
Wedding season is about to explode, but for many the work of putting together their wedding has just begun. It is appropriate to send out wedding invitations six weeks prior to the day of your wedding ... That sounds simple enough, until you begin to list all of the other items that need to be addressed prior to the big day. To you, dear readers, I offer this: An easy to do, affordable, custom invitation for you or someone you know who is taking the plunge.  Hand drawn invitation - comfortable fits into a standard business size envelope
 Hand drawn RSVP - approximately 3' x 5' I've hand drawn this elegant invitation and RSVP set. You may be thinking to yourself: [Custom drawing ... probably costs a fortune!]. However, dear readers, I assure you this is yet another cost effective wedding invite set. As I was saying, I've hand drawn this customized set for a couple tying the knot this Spring in Seattle - they are saving money by making copies of the imagery that I made for them and by laying out the announcement themselves. Absolutely a smart move when times are tough! Are you looking for something unique - can't quite find what you've envisioned for you invitation? Together we can created a one of a kind invite and turn it into a beautiful and affordable invitation for your guests. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact me. - Miss Bojambo
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