Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Authentic Amazing

Ever since hearing a few years back that grunge/chick rock titan Alanis Morrisette’s record label was furnishing the singer with a stripped-down urban apartment in the hopes that such austerity might reignite the creative spirit of her early bohemian years, I’ve wondered at the lengths some artists will go to try to shake the commercial trap. In a world in which money almost invariably corrupts the creative process, it’s comforting to know that there exists, in the invisible middle earth of everyday artisans, an industry in which exceptionally talented craft professionals such as Katie, of New Zealand's In My Backyard, can make a name shaping distinctive brooches, handbags, scarves and the like in the comfort of, well, their backyards.

The charm of the ever-present bug-eyed bird caught immobilized in the logo that adorns so many of these products is really emblematic of the brand’s appeal in general. Be it the Little Bird fabric pin, the Lancewood Notebooks, the Little Bird Keyring or the Bird Zippered Pouch, the sort of items that make up this accessory line simply don’t need to fake the feel of earthiness, originality, and authenticity for which so many high-end apparel companies strive in vain by rolling out artificially distressed or “pre-weathered” merchandise. Put another way, this stuff’s audaciously, beautifully real, and that’s just one more quality that renders it special. With a little luck, you might even see this characteristic for yourself: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive a Little Bird Pin in their fabric color of choice. To qualify, visit In My Backyard, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/5/08.

**We have a winner! gkstratos who said, "I like the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf."***

93 comments:

Jenn S. said...

I really like the Wee Cutie Bird long green fleece scarf.

Unknown said...

I love the little bird on a hill zippered pouch!

Thanks!

Ann said...

I absolutely love the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf, we will sure need it very soon! Thanks for the great giveaway!

ann dot guns at mac dot com

Unknown said...

My Mom's favorite bird was the Chickadee. The little bird outlines resemble a Chickadee. I like the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf. I just bought a new winter jacket and that would be a good match and would remind me of my Mom who passed away last June.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

Wee Cutie Bird long green fleece scarf. is my favorite too!

mommyjen99 said...

I like these fo the fridge Cherry Blossom fridge art set of three.
thanks
jen62728@aol.com

mommyjen99 said...

I am a subscriber
thanks for the contest
jen62728@aol.com

Anonymous said...

The hanging birds are really sweet. I like the one hanging on a red cord. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I subscribe. Thanks!

Caitlin said...

I love the little tree notecards! Cute notes are so fun :)

Caitlin said...

I'm a subscriber. :P

Anonymous said...

Seagulls fridge art set of three--love it!

Tara said...

I like the Maude Fabric Pin.

vboackle said...

i like the black birdy fleece scarf.

windycindy said...

The "Little Bird on a Twig" fabric pin is adorable! Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway drawing. I appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I like the little forest pin.

Unknown said...

My favorite is the Little Forest Pin as well!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber as well!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Ang said...

It's the wooden bird pin I like the most. It just seems more expressive overall.

Though I like the cloth ones too, especially the deep red!

Thanks for having a giveaway.

Anonymous said...

They are all so sweet! I really like the Bird on a Twig.

mogrill said...

I LOVE the black bird fleece scarf!!

mogrill@comcast.net

redron said...

Bird on a Twig

judybrittle said...

I just love the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf.Very nice. Thank you so much!
judybrittle at aol dot com

judybrittle said...

I'm a subscriber
judybrittle at aol dot com

Hanna said...

Those are all so cute! My favorite little bird pin is with the red fabric. I also really like the brown little forest pin.

Hanna said...

Also, I am a subscriber. :)

Unknown said...

oop! Forgot to leave my e-mail address!

So here we go again!

I LUUUURVE her Row Of Trees cards! They are so adorable! I love almost everything in her shop! I love her style!

a_rose_l@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I am also a Subscriber now too! :D Love the blog
a_rose_l@hotmail.com

Whitney Ford said...

Love love love trees, birds, leaves, all that! I think the tree pin is my favorite. Beautiful stuff!

Whitney Ford said...

brand new subscriber!

Rebecca said...

I'm a subscriber to your blog and I wanted to tell you that I loved the Little Forest pin on In My Backyard. They are all so adorable.

Danielle Barlow said...

I saw you on the front page of Etsy - that's how I found my way here! I love all the birds, but the hanging bird is my favourite!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14857604
Danielle

Bramblemoon Farm said...

I love the bird on a twig pins-- those are adorable!

Bramblemoon Farm said...

I just subscribed...I'm glad I found your blog through Tip Junkie!

Miss Spoken said...

I like the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

Subscriber
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I love the wee bird green fleece scarf. thanks for sharing

ceashark at aol dot com

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I have just subscribed to your wonderful blog.

ceashark at aol dot com

Ginny said...

I like the Lancewood note book in orange and white & I'm subscribed via bloglines.

Jenn said...

Love the Bird on a Branch Pouch!! Everything is so cute though!

janetfaye said...

I like the Bird on a Twig pin.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I am subscribed.


janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Gill - That British Woman said...

I like the bird on a twig pin.

Gill

Anonymous said...

I love the Birdy Black Fleece Scarf
mitanari[at]yahoo.com

Genevieve P said...

I like the bird on a branch zippered pouch.

Thanks for the giveaway!

parknj at basicisp dot net

RE said...

Birdy fleece scarf. Thanks!

shellydelight.etsy.com said...

I like the cherry blossom fridge art.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Michelle
Shellydelight@gmail.com
Shellydelight.etsy.com

rosannepm said...

lovethe birdie green fleece scarf

37 Questions said...

I love the Little Bird on a Hill zippered pouch, so cute!

Jen lleras said...

the fly little bird pin is my favorite!

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

llinda29 said...

bird on a twig pin is cute

Anonymous said...

I really like the Maude pin. It's so pretty!










Bshaw75015@aol.com

Anonymous said...

The Maude Fabric Pin

Anonymous said...

The black birdy fleece scarf

cman said...

I love Blackbird and Snail fabric pins set of two :)

Anonymous said...

The Wee Cute Bird long scarf is precious. Thanks for the chance to win.

Kirby McCauley said...

I love the green birdie scarf!!

Jenn S. said...

The Lancewood note book in tan is really nice.

Anonymous said...

I love the Bird on a Twig pin. Thank you for the contest!

AmberRose95[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like the little bird wooden pin.

mverno said...

my favorate is the black bird fleece scarf

Unknown said...

I like the little bird keyring

paryjeja said...

I like the Row of Trees Note Cards. very simple but very classy

kygirl said...

Little Bird wooden pin

Trish said...

little tree notecards!

artmarcia said...

Really like the Little Forest pin.

Helen said...

I love the Bird on a Twig pin.

Andreah said...

I like the fly little bird pen.

toughturtles said...

Cabbage Tree fridge art set of three

Michelle said...

I love the bird zippered pouch and the keyring.

Michelle said...

I am a subscriber!

Anonymous said...

The row of trees notecards are fantastic! I love those.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I'm subscribed too!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

littlelatina said...

I like the magnolia fridge art. very nice

Brooke said...

I love BOTH the wee cutie patches!

klp1965 said...

i like the http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16071817

jennem said...

I like the Little Forest pin.
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

Sahm Lee said...

I love the Cherry Blossom fridge art! Thanks for the contest!
airalynn(@)gmail . com

masonsgranny59 said...

I heart the Seagulls fridge art set of three

Anonymous said...

I love them all but my favorite is the Birdy Black Fleece. It would look great accenting any type of clothing. Thanks for the contest.

adamnsarahsmall@yahoo.com

Christina said...

My favorite item is the Bird on a Twig pin.

Christina said...

I'm a subscriber!

fancyfeet48 said...

I like these fo the fridge Cherry Blossom fridge art set of three.
thanks

Karen said...

Love the little bird on a hill.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Unknown said...

The Lancewood note book in tan is my favorite. garrettsambo@aol.com

huggr1960 said...

The bird on a twig is soooo cute!

ladyspy79 said...

I love the ROWS OF TREES notecards. So simple and so elegant :)

ladyspy79@aol.com

DOLL said...

Thank you for offering this cute little bird for someone very lucky to own it.

lilyk said...

I love the Bird on a Branch hand painted zippered pouch!

lilyk said...

I subscribed to your blog.

Charlene Kuser said...

I love the Bird zippered pouch.
It is so cute and sure would be handy.Nice store!Thanks for the giveaway

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Golly, what to pick! I like the Homemade Caramel Marshmallows the best! Although ALL of them look yummy!
nina@myvsphere.com

Wishing Willow said...

***This contest has ended. Thanks so much for your participation!***