The NorthWesternBelle

Well, it's December 31 of my first official year of operation; I officially launched my Etsy store at the end of March. The first official sale occurred on March 31, 2014 and is actually a pretty funny story: my college roommate scooped up one of the very first vintage afghans I listed for her gender-neutral nursery without even realizing that she was buying it from me. That's the beauty of the internet, I guess LOL! After that first sale, business was slow going until about August. Just when I was starting to lose faith in the whole online retail business thing, vintage blankets started flying out of inventory via eBay and Etsy sales. October was a particularly good month thanks to a bunch of handmade capes that the lovely and talented Taiza P contributed to the handmade inventory and the Jack Skellington Beanie . November and December weren't bad either, thanks to the Crochet Death Star pillow that everyone loves and needs. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the f...

Another beautiful vintage blanket sold over the weekend, this time on Etsy! So pretty and soft! That makes three Etsy sales in one month, plus five on eBay. Eight sales in the month of August means that another inventory trip is in order. Hopefully I'll get to do that this weekend. I really hope the trend continues, and that it's only a matter of days before my first handmade crochet item is purchased. Good things do come to those who work their asses off! Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

I downloaded a new drawing app last night...actually, I should I paid for it, since I'm most in the custom of downloading free apps. This one, ArtRage , is apparently the best when it comes to drawing apps. The Hubby Hubs has been obsessing over pricey drawing tablets of late, and stumbled across review for this particular app. We went ahead and sprung for the $5 it cost. So far, I'd say that was a total steal. Here's my first official ArtRage doodle: The different tools and mediums available in this app are incredible! So many options, and they interact with each other on the "page" the same way they would IRL. So far my only gripe with it is that I can't get it to create a canvas that is shorter than 400 pixels: I'm trying to re-do the banner on my Etsy page, which has to be no bigger than 760 X 100 pixels, but the app will only let me create something that is 760 X 400. So, it's not perfect, but if you're serious about drawing, spend the $5...

This listing on Etsy used to be a made-to-order, but you can buy the hood pictured for 25% off list price today, June 9, 2014! It is one-size-fits most. Pictured below is my 3 year old, who has a 20" head circumference. The hood also fits my 23" circumference head comfortably (though, not as adorably).  Need a particular size? Send us a message on ETSY about a custom order! Processing is usually three to five business days. 

From the 1960s and 70s, all of these zippers are in their original packaging and have not been used. Various lengths, colors and purposes. Get them individually on Etsy , or buy the whole lot of 20 now on eBay . 9 Inch (4): Talon for Dress Plackets Dark Green, style 222 Talon for Dress Plackets Turquoise, style 333 Talon Skirt or Neckline Black, style 25-1 Talon Skirt or Neckline Brown, style 25-1 11 Inch (1): Talon Metal Trouser Zipper White (col 020), style 335 12 Inch (3): 2x Talon Dress or Neckline Nylon Coil Navy, style 20-1  *Talon Dress Magic Tab White, style 20 14 Inch (5): Talon Dress or Neckline Nylon Coil White, style 20-1  *2x Talon Dress Magic Tab White, style 20 Talon Neckline Placket Smoke Grey, style 110 J & P Coats All Purpose Flex Zip 319-A Spanish Tile (reddish-brown), Art. F72 20 Inch (1): Talon Polyester Coil Zipper C-Berry, style P02 22 Inch (6): Talon Neckline Nylon Coil Black, style 110-1 Talon ...

This set of pretty purple vintage buttons is available now! Lot of four sets, 17 buttons in total. From the 60s, possibly early 70s. All are washable and can be ironed. Great for adding some vintage charm to any craft project or piece of clothing. Get the lot on Etsy now . Thanks for looking, loves! Yours always, TheNWB

Grandma's craft supplies have been sitting around for long enough! Time to dust off the piles and piles and boxes and boxes of fabric, yarn, patterns and notions to uncover lost gems. First up, these two beautiful handmade, hand-tied quilts in vintage calico: This leafy Autumn quilt is great for any lover of all things retro! Backed in solid olive green, hand-tied in white acrylic. Fully washable! Get it on Etsy now.  So bright! This Rainbow Bright quilt is reminiscent of the cartoon character; the vintage fabric comes straight out of the 70s! Red, green, orange and yellow pinstripes, backed in solid red, hand-tied with white acrylic yarn. Get it now on Etsy . 

These two gorgeous vintage afghans are now available on etsy & eBay from the NorthWesternBelle!  This striped & fringed afghan is really beautiful and heirloom quality! Made in acrylic, likely in the 70s or 80s, the combination of cream and variegated baby pastels is delicate yet warm and so soft.  This ripple chevron afghan could very well be a lapghan for mom! It is warm and so soft! In white and pastel blue & pink it's perfectly suited for any nursery.  These vintage gems and many more are available now on Etsy and Ebay! Links to the where? To the RIGHT :D Thanks for looking, loves!! Yours always, The NWB

Went on an inventory acquisition trip today and came across some great vintage crochet! Up first, this awesome retro dreamcicle potholder. Orange and white acrylic, this 9" across, extra thick flower is going to protect your countertops from basically any pot or pan.  A great gift for the vintage-loving foodie in your life! Available now on Etsy!

Just sold this beautiful & unique vintage baby afghan on eBay. Obviously I'm pretty stoked about it. I love finding great works of art like this, and I love it even more when other people love vintage crochet too!  There are still several unique & beautiful vintage afghans available from The NorthWesternBelle! Find them on Etsy & eBay using the links to the right :)  Thanks for looking, loves! 

I love cotton yarn! I don't know what it is about cotton that gets me, but I love to use it! Today, I'm working on a set of extra thick hot pads in grape and ice blue Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton. I pick up skeins of Kitchen Cotton from Amazon when they are less than $3 a piece. I guess I just find crochet cotton so useful in my own house that I want everyone else to know about it! I can't even tell you the last time that I bought paper towels or an actual hot pad. With cotton yarn around, who needs 'em? NOT THIS GIRL :D  Today's project: This particular pattern is very easy and results in a great textured fabric. Built using four strands of yarn (two of each color), this extra thick hot pad is going to stand up to even the heaviest of heavy hot pots.

So, I'm pretty much a huge nerd. That fact seems to catch people off guard, but it's true nonetheless. I married an equally huge nerd, too, so we are raising an inevitably nerdy child (go on, ask me how many TMNT shirts my 3 year old has. The answer is two, and the hat. That's just how we do!). Last week, I checked an item off my nerd to-do list: I purchased tickets to Salt Lake Comic Con! The hubby and I are going, and I convinced my best friend, Carmy, to make the three hour journey from Idaho to Utah so she can go with us! That's really where the story of this particular piece of work started. Carmy and I might be a tad obsessed with Adventure Time. You know Adventure Time, right? If not, you should, because it is completely random and awesome. Anyhow....Carmy had decided that she wanted to go as Princess Bubblegum before she'd even purchased a ticket. That, naturally, led me to realize that I should DEFINITELY dress up as Marceline the Vampire Queen! Se...

Hey, all! Jessica B., here, finally getting around to updating the blog with real information about The NorthWesternBelle. If you're visiting from Etsy, thanks for coming! If you found me some other way, WELCOME! The NorthWesternBelle is your premier provider of Handmade Shenanigans. Featuring vintage and handmade crochet, textiles, pottery and more! Satisfy your shenanigan-related needs at The NorthWesternBelle .