Island girl Stephanie Walker sent this after photo of the $20 desk she thrifted off the coast of Washington.  The chalkboard paint is a nice and functional contrast on the drawer fronts.

What does free mean to an entire island that’s 90 minutes from the mainland?  For one funny story, read Stephanie’s account of the Island Giveaway/Swap Meet in which she and her husband Bob acquire a…….well, read it and find out.  Too funny!

Back in Chicago, the talented scavenger/woodworker artist, Bladon Conner, invites you to an open house in his new space.  If you want to see simple, beautiful furniture design using existing materials and really innovative technique, go to Bladons’ studio this Saturday, the 14th, 1845 West 35th St, Chicago.  This link will lead you to more info.

Like to know how to knock off the cool but pricey ruffley tee’s at JCrew?  I recently discovered My Mama Made It by Alexis Meschi. A creative talent.

Yesterday, I had coffee with Splendor in the Trash.  Amy Cappello is an Etsy seller who loves to repurpose, and she had much to say about hunting for inventory and taking her online store to a new level. You can read her tips over at Garage Sale Warrior.

Other shameless family promotion: The Howlin Tumbleweeds (I gave birth to the drummer) will be playing this Friday at 8 pm at Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln.  To see what their rockabilly roots music is all about, click the short video made this summer in Normal, Il.  See you at the show.