I have a new project that I'm excited to share with you! Inspired by my pug Otis and my ongoing volunteer work for Seattle Pug Rescue, I've launched a new website and brand called GoodPug. For every purchase made on that site, I'm donating 10% of the price to dog rescue. Check it out here.

You can also find some of my favorite  fun gift-friendly items and vintage finds on Ebay here.  The listings are under the GoodPug moniker, and 10% goes directly to pug rescue.

From May 1 through 15, you'll find clutches, coin purses, jewelry and more - all handmade by me  using new materials and designs! Each bag in the collection is one-of-a-kind. Also new are surprise patterned linings and sizes that work beautifully with jumbo smart phones.

Please come by to say hello on May 8! We'll have snacks and hugs ready! Check out the Facebook invite here.

Artist's Statement
Inspired by bees, who jump from flower to flower collecting pollen to take to their hives to make honey, I created a new collection: GATHER by Laura Bee. My hiatus from store ownership has given me time to collect new materials and experiences that inspire my latest designs.

I need to work on my editing skills, lighting and music, but I think that little videos that show the features of my designs will be helpful!

I remember drawing this little flower because it was one of the early drawings in my daily doodle practice. I was really getting into the groove of how fun this could become.

I used:
Pen: Pigma Micron
Paper: Strathmore Artist Trading Card


About the Daily Doodle:
In February of 2016 I decided to draw something every day, no matter how little time or energy I had to do so. I started off posted my drawings on Instagram to keep myself accountable and to create a digital record of my experiments. Now that this practice has 'stuck,' I'm sharing it here on my blog. As a beginner, I hope that this peek into my learning and process inspires some of you to try something new every day too!

I'm working on a new series that involves book pages and hexagons. It feels weird to cut up books, but I like the idea of exploring what is precious and what to transform.

I used:
Watercolor ink: Distress Ink pads in several shades
Homemade hexagon stamp pad material: Adhesive craft foam
Work surface: Ranger Craft Mat (I love this mat!)
Vintage book page: Goodwill!
Brush: Pentel Water Brush


About the Daily Doodle:
In February of 2016 I decided to draw something every day, no matter how little time or energy I had to do so. I started off posted my drawings on Instagram to keep myself accountable and to create a digital record of my experiments. Now that this practice has 'stuck,' I'm sharing it here on my blog. As a beginner, I hope that this peek into my learning and process inspires some of you to try something new every day too!

Experimenting with India ink and watercolor

I used:
Watercolors: Angora Watercolor Pans
Ink: Dr. Martin's Bombay India Ink
Brush: Pentel Water Brush
Sketchpad: Canson Mixed Media XL

About the Daily Doodle:
In February of 2016 I decided to draw something every day, no matter how little time or energy I had to do so. I started off posted my drawings on Instagram to keep myself accountable and to create a digital record of my experiments. Now that this practice has 'stuck,' I'm sharing it here on my blog. As a beginner, I hope that this peek into my learning and process inspires some of you to try something new every day too!

Experimenting with black watercolor

This doodle started off as a flower, but quickly became abstract. I think it could be the beginning of a pretty textile print, maybe a scarf?

I used:
Watercolors: Angora Watercolor Pans
Brush: Pentel Water Brush
Sketchpad: Canson Mixed Media XL

About the Daily Doodle:
In February of 2016 I decided to draw something every day, no matter how little time or energy I had to do so. I started off posted my drawings on Instagram to keep myself accountable and to create a digital record of my experiments. Now that this practice has 'stuck,' I'm sharing it here on my blog. As a beginner, I hope that this peek into my learning and process inspires some of you to try something new every day too!

You can get a glimpse into my daily doodles, new work, and pictures of Otis the Pug! My handle is LauraBeeSeattle!

Since moving here in 1994, I have always searched for what I think of as 'quirky Seattle.' I'm talking about the places and businesses that are not concerned with being cool. Instead, these spots feel authentic, creative, and fun. In the 1990s, I lived in Belltown and the low rise buildings - glass hot shops, laundromats, and night clubs - felt like home. From zines made at copy shops to bands formed in basements, the DIY ethic inspired me.

As anyone who has lived here awhile knows, twenty years later, we find Seattle in a bittersweet situation. Our downtown is thriving, there is gobs of  money being made, and physical growth (and increasing gridlock) is happening fast. That means the arty little rough spots are becoming polished and glossy.

As is common with change, there is loss to mourn, but also opportunity to embrace. The handmade community is thriving through venues like Etsy and huge modern craft shows. Innovative technology makes things easier for micro-businesses -- from Square readers to WYSWG web design platforms. With the wealth in Seattle, have money to spend on handmade things.  Still, I search for the quirky Northwest in undiscovered corners of this place.

When I moved out of the retail space I occupied for nearly thirteen years over the summer, I said goodbye to my little patch of quirky Seattle.

I left behind a building that was not charming or cute on the outside. It had plumbing problems and the ceiling was cracked. The corner definitely wasn't cool back in 2002 when I signed the lease and my husband Jeff did some pretty intense work to make it into a serviceable studio and shop.

I think some people who visited the shop in the early days felt sorry about the location and wondered if I had a plan. My secret was that I loved that the space was affordable, nestled in a cozy neighborhood. I  felt I could chart my own course there.  The city, my team, and our customers inspired me for a long time and I remain grateful.

The great news is that I've found a new spot for a studio a bit further north in Edmonds, Washington. Jeff and I hoisted the sign, so it's official! The space isn't open to the public for now, but I anticipate events and open houses in the future. Right now I'm just enjoying setting things up and starting to sew and create. I can make things for my website and wholesale business, work on new projects, and recharge creatively, but still have the freedom to enjoy travel and weekends off!

The location is perfect: two miles from my house and chock full of not gentrified quirkiness. Within the complex you can:

Get your dog washed
Get your cat groomed
Buy exotic fish
Go see a play
Eat pizza
Buy dollhouse miniatures
Drop your pooch off for day care
Do Pilates
Get your hair done
Eat Turkish food
Buy a latte
Have a diner breakfast
Get your books kept
Learn jujitsu
Take belly dancing classes
Meditate
Order custom floral arrangements

I took this picture on an early summer Saturday day trip to Whidbey Island. Since closing up shop in late January, I've been on more than twenty planes and several mini road trips. There's a great big world out there and I'm excited to keep exploring it!