Just launched: Ship&Shape's "Be Mine" collection

Minneapolis-based e-retailer Ship&Shape has just released its second collection, "Be Mine." Just in time for prime Valentine's Day shopping, the limited-edition collection features a romantic selection of curated, handmade goods by Twin Cities artists and designers - from the overtly love-themed, like the ceramic mug sets with the phrase "I love you" written out in various languages; or more subtly sweet, like ruffled cotton bloomers and a porcelain lace collar. Each item is available in ultra-limited runs of about five a piece, so get them while they're hot.

Here's a sampling of the goods for sale:

Urban Jungle Scarf by Beth Chekola

Porcelain Lace Collar by Erin Smith

Valentine Mug by Ginny Sims

Turquoise Dangle Earrings by Molly Erickson

Cotton Bloomers by Rachel Blomgren

Window Moons by Isa Newby Gagarin

Visit www.shipandshape.com for more.

Launching Sunday: SHIP&SHAPE

In the increasingly viable world of e-retailing, more and more local designers and entrepreneurs are abandoning traditional brick-and-mortar for something with a bit further reach. One could count the success of (former) Minneapolis knitwear designer Annie Larson, who landed features in national magazines and an exclusive collection for Madewell on the strength of her e-shop. Now, her longtime pals Erin Smith (of SISBRO Design), Annika Kaplan and Maddy Nye (of MN&Co) are joining forces to open their own e-shop, SHIP&SHAPE. The e-shop will have a focus on limited edition handmade goods from themselves and 15 of their crafty friends, including Larson and Voltage 2010 standout Rachel Blomgren, with quarterly collections launching every season. The store launches with "Ornamento," a pop-up shop on Sunday at Honeycomb Salon (Noon-4 p.m. 3504 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis.)

The shop owners shared with me some preview images of their holiday 2011 collection to get your appetite going: