not so pretty

sadly we will not longer be selling our line at Pretty Penny but you can still shop us local in the city at RAG Co-op!  And don't worry, benny & i are on the hunt for a new awesome oakland store to work with...

new stock

We just dropped off a bunch of awesome new bennykelly styles at Pretty Penny today....

Ever wanted to curl up in your blanket and not go out on a cold morning?  Well, we have found a way for you to stylishly wear all the coziness of a blanket with our new cowl neck tees & tanks!  Each of our comfy creations is handmade from recycled t-shirts, recycled fleece blankets and other reused fabrics.  Best of all they are great for layering with sweaters and jackets.  Head over to Pretty Penny to cozy-up for yourself before they are all gone!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="437" caption="we are love the plaid on the tanks!"][/caption]

pictures...best of the east bay!

We had a fantastic time at Best of the East Bay Party last friday!!  We meet soo many amazing people and a diverse group at that (thats why we love oakland!).  And best part of all was the live spray paint art.  Check it out...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="290" caption="big thank you to Pretty Penny for always supporting us!! you are amazing and we love you so!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="281" caption="stenciled leather!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="things got crackin once the sun went down..."][/caption]



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="it was just a bit crowded!"][/caption]

Best of the East Bay Party 2009

We are so excited to have a space at the biggest party in oakland, Best of the East Bay Party 2009!  Join us this friday at the Oakland Museum to help us celebrate all that is great east of the bay.  We will have a small space with our favorite vintage store, Pretty Penny, who has been nominated for 3 best of the bays!!  The event will also feature a style lounge with 60 local designers and artists for your shopping pleasure.

But what we are most excited for is the science!  Chabot Space and Science Center will be host a party area where you can do all sorts of space related activities.  You can learn how to make your own air compressor rocket or discover the complexities and hazards of working in space by examining the components of a spacesuit.  You can even receive some Astronaut training with the black hole toss, space toliet and vestibular boards!

We can't wait to party with you friday!!

When:  Friday aug 16th
Where: Oakland Museum of California 1000 oak street, oakland
Free Bike Valet: (provided by East Bay Bicycle Coalition) on 10th street near the intersection of Fallon street

*please note the parking garage at the museum will not be available to the public.  They are asking that people take public transit as Lake Merritt bart station is just a short walk away...

Bazaar Love

We had a fantastic time at the Craft Bazaar and the people could not of been nicer!  Thank you to all that came out and showed us some love.  And a big thank you to Pretty Penny and the Parlour for hosting such an awesome event!

For your enjoyment...here are a bunch of pictures benny took of the bazaar!

more pictures after the jump...

The Bazaar

Don't forget, saturday is the day Pretty Penny and the Parlour Gallery present the Craft Bazaar!!  We are soo excited to be participating and can't wait to see all your smiling faces tomorrow.  And to make things even more enticing we kindly donated one of our one-of-a-kind beer cozies to the bazaar's one dollar raffle!

So come to shop or come to win the raffle either way we would love you to be there!



When:  Saturday!!
Where: Pretty Penny  5488 college ave, oakland

Participating Artists:
Wonderwear , bennykelly , Crooked Sister , It's Scrap , Queen of Hearts Apparel , Volta Press , kittinhawk , Pollyannacowgirl , Salvaged Beauty , Abeo Bestia Design , BirdversusBird Design

one dollar RAFFLE!
we will be having a raffle where you can win all these awesome prizes...
$25 gift certificate from SLASH DENIM
$25 gift certificate from VOLTA PRESS
custom made beer cozy by BENNYKELLY
fabric flower hair piece by CROOKED SISTER
leather earrings by IT'S SCRAP
handmade coin purse by BIRDVERSUSBIRD
Handmade brooch by SALVAGED BEAUTY

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="you could win this at the raffle!"][/caption]

new tanks!!

As you know we have been busy bees...check a sneak peek at some sweet new tank styles!!  These lovelies are made with 100% organic cotton and recycled cotton tees, which have been hand dyed and stenciled.  Come get yourself one at Pretty Penny's Bazaar!

more photos by the awesome Christopher Bennett after the jump...

SAVE THE DATE...

We have been silent for the past few weeks and we wanted to let you in on why.  First off kelly got a job...so her time is, unfortunately, more limited but at least now she can pay the bills!  Secondly we have been helping Pretty Penny and The Parlour Gallery plan and promote their very first Craft Bazaar!

The Bazaar will be a day focused on a small number of handpicked local fashion and craft designers and their amazing fares.  With an intimated feel, shoppers will have the chance to come say hello and talk with each designers about their goodies, all while shopping the best vintage in the bay. Best of all Pretty Penny and The Parlour are hoping to make this a reoccurring event!



So mark your calendars and come see how talented your neighbors really are!  There will be good music and FREE libations!!

When:  Saturday July 25th  11am - 7pm
Where:  Pretty Penny 5488 college ave, oakland
Cost:  FREE!

go shop!

We just dropped a bunch of new renewed styles off at Pretty Penny today for your shopping pleasure.  So we thought that we should give you all a small taste of these awesome creations to trigger your desire to shop.  Kelly and I are so excited for these new pieces...think stenciled leather!! Go, quick before they are no more!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="ORGANIC!!"][/caption]

more photos after the jump...

a day of spray paint, live beats and awesome people!

Yesterday we hosted our second annual earth day extravaganza at Pretty Penny here in Oakland and it was the best yet!!  We are soo thankful to everyone that came out to support us and create some fantastic new pieces.  We could not of asked for a better turnout! Check out some pictures of the event taken by the lovely Christopher Bennett!

more after the jump..

TOMORROW!! TOMORROW!! TOMORROW!!!

can you tell we are excited?

Only 3 left to gather up those swappables..

we just hit up goodwill yesterday to pick up some extra goodies for the clothing swap!  we can't wait to swap and stencil with you all!

Save The Date...Earth Love & Crafts!

Its time to show our Earth Love once again!  We will be celebrating Earth Day with another fantastic craft party at Pretty Penny! This year's party is even better with an awesome clothing swap, then stenciling and crafting (sweetening it up a bit) all while listening to live music and digging on the free juice.

So mark your calendars with a huge red X and starting gathering your old clothes to trade and/or redecorate! We will have tons of stencils by benny, an ungodly amount of spray paint, random used buttons, and recycled random goodies to glue. We would love to see you craft up some earth love!!

When:  Sunday April 26th  2pm - 6pm

Where:  Pretty Penny 5488 college, Oakland

...no need to bring clothes to participate, you can just show up, as we will provide some clothing for the swap. We are asking for a $2 dollar donation if you don't bring swappables but still want to craft some Earth Love.

Introducing...Reusable Lunch Sacks!!

Benny and I have been brainstorming new accessories and we finally have a winner!  Introducing reusable canvas lunch sacks!!  These babies are made of 100% cotton heavy weight canvas that has been produced in the US.  Each sack has been hand-dyed and stenciled, making each one completely one of a kind.  Best of all, if something spills you can just throw the sack in the washer/dryer and its like new!  So if you have been trying to save an extra buck by bringing your lunch to work, now you can do it in style!

Shop our etsy store now.....or if you are more of the instant gradification shopper, check out our lunch sacks at Pretty Penny in Oakland, Ca!!

more pictures after the jump...

Beats and Factories and Cardboard Oh My!

Don't quite know what to do with yourself tomorrow night after work?  Well if your in Oakland it's not because of a lack of options!  Here are 3 amazingly sweet events that are sure to keep you entertained with amazing art, great music, refreshments and not a penny paid at the door...

Rock Paper Scissors Collective: Cardboard City

Through RPS's Community Collaborations Project, local artist James Ferrell has spent two month working with the disable artists at Creative Growth.  Ferrell and other RPS volunteers have worked with these artist to teach them how to take 2D drawings and turn them into 3D sculptures out of cardboard.  The works range from an oversize bust of Martin Luther King Jr. to a hybrid flower-satellite and will be available for sale, with proceeds going to the artists directly and funding future Community Collaborations.

Pretty Penny Saves you Money!

Pretty Penny, one of our absolute favorite thrift stores, is having a huge sale on the whole store!!  Take an additional 20% everything (except local indie designers!) TODAY in celebration of our dead presidents.  So, if you love thrift stores with impeccable taste then you must spare a moment to shop today at Pretty Penny.

p.s. PP usually has one of the best selections of boots for a thrift store in the bay area.  It ain't texas but its the best we got!

Friday at PP is the place to be!

Location:  Pretty Penny

5488 college ave, oakland