Today I’m taking you to Riverside, California, hometown of Landon Donovan, mid-fielder for the U.S. Soccer Team. As you should know, the U.S. lost in a stunning defeat to Ghana, 2-1. I feel badly for the players because they’re not getting a lot of support, instead criticism is flying from every direction. Frankly, I’m more upset about the un-sportsman-like behavior of the commentators, owners, and media than I am about the loss itself. Oh well, we can still celebrate Donovan’s hometown with these handmade finds.

Ruthie Padro specializes in creating unique jewelry with using Swarovski crystals, charms, and handmade miniatures. She’s been creating and crafting since she was a child and, like many people, very thankful that Etsy gives her an outlet to showcase her designs. The Alice’s Teacup Necklace is her signature piece, but she also customizes the classic Dr. Scholl’s flip-flops.

ShellRose has been an artist for over twenty years, and she has done a number of large-scale murals, and window displays. She works with watercolor, acrylic, and other media. She uses nature to inspire her creations, and sometimes infuses an element of the magical into her pieces. This painting is titled “Just Treading Water”, and as the artist says, to move forward, we must first open our eyes! You can see her creative process and how she created this painting below.

In-vita Paper Studio is a one-girl stationery design studio located in sunny southern California. The owner and creator lived in Russia for two years where she taught Art in a High School. I love that she says her passion is stationery design, as I am a believer in the art of letter writing. In-Vita Paper Studio is also eco-friendly, using only FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, which is my favorite way to make green paper choices. For the luxe white cardstock,100% recycled content with 30% PCW (post-consumer waste) is used. 


I picked this particular design because I wanted our American Soccer Team to know that we are all very proud of them, and they should be proud as well.