Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Yellow, Yellow, Kiss a Fellow: Latest Treasury

What a gorgeous day here in the Hudson Valley! It's like a little taste of spring, and I'm loving it! There's nothing like a good dose of Vitamin C to make you feel human again. In light of this lovely weather, I made a sunny treasury of yellow items from my fellow "TT Team" Etsy members. Here are a few highlights.
Bright yellow pillow by pillows4fun on Etsy
Yellow handlebar mustache cufflinks by Bijotti & Ciciotti
Yellow quilled flower wall hanging by S. Vaeth Designs & Photography
Do check out the shops of Pillows 4 Fun, Bijotti & Ciciotti and S. Vaeth Designs to see more of their fabulously sunny creations!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Facebook Goodies

Can you believe January's nearly over? Crazy how fast the time is going! I can't say I'm sad to see it go, since it means we're one month closer to spring. While January wasn't terrible in the Hudson Valley in terms of storms, I just don't do cold very well. But, enough bitching about winter--it's time to announce the next Accessory Showcase giveaway! Earlier this month, I gave away a lovely gold multi-chain necklace to my 100th Facebook fan.
This week, I'm giving away more delightful items! Once the 150-fan mark is reached, I'll do a random drawing of 2 lucky people, who will each receive a free piece from the Accessory Showcase collection. But, wait! There's more! To sweeten the pot, each winner will get a coupon code for 20% off their next purchase. Here's what's on the table for our winners.
Vintage-inspired gold finish heart locket and rosette charm earrings
Charmed Life stylized feather and shell key charm
Show some love by "liking" the Facebook page (if you haven't already) and posting the link on your wall, so your friends can "like" it too. You and your friends will have a shot at winning. You're welcome!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Treasure Me!

Many thanks to Pieces of Home Mosaics and Art Harmony, two fellow Etsians, for featuring items from the Accessory Showcase collection in their treasuries! I'm a treasury makin' fool, so it feels great to have other Etsy shop owners return the love.

Here are some highlights from the "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "Bosom of the Sea" treasuries. Enjoy!

Embroidered Dandelion pocket journal/cashier notebook by My Hideaway

Navy Nights Paper Garland by Arts Delight

Linen Goldfish Clutch by J Carter Handmade

My "Into the Ocean" gold finish fish and sea charm necklace


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Groove is in the Heart

Last night, while completing a custom pair of earrings for a friend, Dee-Lite's "Groove is in the Heart" inexplicably came into my head and wouldn't leave! Love the song, so it naturally (at least for an Etsy junkie like me) inspired me to create a Mod/retro treasury. This treasury was a blast to make. Here are a couple of highlights.

Red Mod dress by Honey Bunny Vintage

Mod Psychedelic feather and crystal eyelashes by Moonshine Baby
Find the video on YouTube, flip through my treasury and shake what your Mama gave you!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Longing for Spring: My Latest Treasury

So, today was a sunny and mild (for January) day in the Hudson Valley, which helped to melt away most of the evidence of last weekend's snowfall. This made me have a hankering for all things green and new.Luckily, some of my fellow Etsians came through with some lovely spring green items for me to create a treasury with, like these pretty tealight holders from Raven Hill Pottery.
Check out my latest Etsy treasury. It'll put a little spring in your step!

Set of ceramic tealight holders, from Raven Hill Pottery

Friday, January 20, 2012

More Truly, Madly, Darkly

The Accessory Showcase midwinter story is coming along pretty nicely. It's literally my saving grace during these dog days of winter. Check out these necklaces for Truly, Madly, Darkly!



The other lovelies in the collection were completed last week. Take a look! Next on the agenda, the raven bracelet! More to come.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Two Great Giveaways this Week!

This week I'm offering two exciting giveaways from the Accessory Showcase collection on my Facebook page and Etsy shop.

Giveaway 1
On Etsy, I'm giving away these two great pieces to the next 2 orders of $20 or more. Quite a steal!
Faux black lacquer pheasant pendant on silver finish curb chain

Faux black lacquer pheasant earrings
Giveaway 2
The Accessory Showcase Facebook page is nearing 100 "likes", and to celebrate this milestone, I'm offering this gold finish multistrand necklace as a "thank you" to the 100th person to "like" my page. Someone's about to add some serious shine to their jewelry box!


Gold finish multistrand filed curb chain necklace
Good luck, everyone!



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Color Me Happy: Faves of the Week

So, I woke up to 15-degree weather in the Valley this morning, and really had a hard time getting out of bed, much less leaving the house to run errands. Being Caribbean-born, I don't do winter very well. In the post-holiday dog days of winter, I need a little dose of cheer. Looking at some of my favorite Etsy designers' shops, I found some. When it comes to warm and bright, these designers deliver! Here's your happy pill for the week. Enjoy!

Fe Fi Fo Fun
If you think the name is adorable, wait until you check out Fe Fi Fo Fun's Etsy shop! Color, color and more color is the rule here. Upcycled home decor items, painted in bold palettes will bring a powerful dose of sunshine to beat those winter blues. Speaking of blues, these fab frames will add life to any wall in your home.
Jaani, a Texas resident and the designer who hand selects these fantastic flea market finds, breathes new life into them with a great eye for color. Maybe being a teacher of young children allows her to tap into a sense of fun and high energy.
In addition to having a love for upcycling vintage home decor, Jaani creates laundry dryer balls in varying colors and scents, like lavender and pomegranate vanilla. The balls are merino wool, a great moisture absorber, so they'll cut drying time nearly in half. Add a bit of fun to the dreary task of doing laundry!
These colorful frames and candlesticks would make any mantelpiece the focal point of a room. You just can't stay down in the dumps when you look at this fun assortment of shapes and colors. If you're feeling a little ho-hum this winter, visit Fe Fi Fo Fun's shop, and give your space a little pick-me-up!

Me and Matilda
About to tie the knot? Or looking for that little something to give an old outfit some wings? Me and Matilda's charming collection has what you need--delightful ties and bows for ladies, gents and kids in color and print combinations that simply sing!
All the pieces are handmade to order. The brainchild of a fellow entrepreneur, Me and Matilda is the home of the "Everyday Necktie", a washable, cotton tie. Not only are they well made, you can skip the dry cleaning bill and throw them in with your wash! Me and Matilda's commitment to creating unique, high quality, affordable accessories is clear. The collection has the right mix of crispness and humor,  whether you're 4 or 40. The looks have been featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog and Disney Weddings.
Whether you want a bright twist on a traditional print, or want to inject some whimsy with a bold polka dot or Chevron stripe, Me and Matilda has a tie for every personality. Check out their Etsy shop for a look at all their offerings. You're welcome!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Today's Fave: GoGo Vintage

GoGo Vintage
A great love of yesteryear inspires the designers/collectors of Gogo Vintage. Handpicked, whimsical vintage clothing and accessories are their specialties. They also create custom designs that hearken back to bygone eras. The GoGo Vintage shop's Mad Men-esque offerings were the inspiration for one of my Etsy treasuries. This sassy plaid coat is one of my favorite looks from their shop.
GoGo has a clear vision for what they want to offer--nothing trite, everything charming and stylish. Their collection would make Joan Holloway squeal with delight!
This darling custom made nautical dress with embroidered ribbon trim channels Maria from The Sound of Music. Can't you just see her skipping through a square in Vienna in this?
If you're a retro lover, check out GoGo's full collection on Etsy. These lovely wares can be shipped anywhere in the US and internationally. Start practicing your skirt twirling now!



"Truly, Madly, Darkly" Phase 2

 I love it when a plan comes together! Spent the evening playing around with the components that will become the "Truly, Madly, Darkly" story for my collection. The seeds of finished looks were beginning to germinate in my mind.
Since finishing the first item earlier this week, I've been itching to get going on more of the story. Being a fan of Downton Abbey, I was particularly excited to start playing with this cameo heart pendant and seeing what developed. I think it'd be something the Crawley sisters would love to wear. I'm really pleased with the result!
On the more "Darkly" side, I created this silver and black finish choker with black bird and winged black heart charms. I like that there's a hard edge mixed with the romance of a heart shape.
Can't wait to see what new things develop with the finds I have left!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Downton Decadence, How I Love Thee!

 I, along with millions of others, am a HUGE fan of the Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey. As a costume and jewelry geek, DA sends me into paroxysms of ecstasy. The story begins in 1912, and takes you through World War I. Drama, war, scandal, plotting, romance, and some of the finest costumes and jewelry I have ever seen on television! After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Season 2 is finally underway. Let the eye candy begin again! Take a peek at some of these lovelies.

There's so much to love in every shot. From the opening credits that showcase the stunning manor house, the opulent interiors, and the precisely set tableware, to the stunning gowns that rustle and tinkle with ornate beadwork, I can't help but want to dive into that world (skipping the pre-women's rights society and world war, of course).
The character Lady Mary Crawley gets some of the best frocks on the show. Her evening gowns and riding outfits are to die for! It is impossible to not be inspired by this show. I absolutely must include an ornate Downton-inspired necklace for my Truly, Madly, Darkly midwinter collection. Like the young Lady Sybil says, "Is there anything more thrilling than a new frock?" No, indeed.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Little Darlings: Some of My Etsy Faves

If you're like me, a "quick" peek on Etsy can easily turn into hours of ooh-ing and aah-ing. Every click just leads you further down the goodie-filled rabbit hole. Since joining Etsy, I've come across some wonderful designers and artisans creating items that make me want to reach through my computer screen screaming, "Mine, MINE!". Here's a sampling of the lovely offerings available from some of my favorite shops.

Made by Moe
This designer collects and assembles vintage components to create new and delightful jewelry. Moe has a keen eye for color and stone combinations. There are cabochons in colors so soft and rich, they look like frosting flowers.
Some pieces in the collection play with the juxtaposition of hard and feminine, like this grey agate and pink rose necklace. This piece showcases Moe's talent for creating good composition and balance in a piece of jewelry. It's one of the things that repeatedly draw me to her shop.
When I look through Made by Moe's collection, it evokes afternoon tea in a sunlit parlor--so many delectable things to see and sample!

Janine Basil
Embrace your inner superhero with this awesome collection of retro/comic-inspired accessories! Janine's handmade designs have an amazing blend of kitsch, sparkle and originality. The girl who sports these looks can't be viewed as anything other than fun and bold.

Janine is a London-based designer, who describes her lovely wares as "retro geek style, with a twist of glamor and glitz". Her Day-Glo color palette packs a superhero-size punch with rich reds, blues and yellows. There are plenty of sweet and sassy options for the extroverted party girl and the quietly confident retro fashion lover. As for sparkle, this collection has it in spades!

That rhinestone pillbox hat is pure glam, and I love it! You've got to take a virtual stroll through Janine Basil's shop, and you're bound to fall in love too. You can look out for new additions on her Facebook page. And the best part: she ships internationally, so you can have your very own Janine Basil design come to you from across the pond!

Friday, January 6, 2012

In the Works: Truly, Madly, Darkly

I'm going through the new trinkets for the the Accessory Showcase collection. The story is "Truly, Madly, Darkly", and as I mentioned in a previous post, I'm going for darkly romantic, a la Stevie Nicks. Here's the first creation in the story.
Love these Victorian-inspired earrings! They remind me of vintage cameos, and the gunmetal finish adds a little modernity to them. Onward and upward we go to some necklaces!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Sowing the Seeds of Love

 Stevie Nicks has always been fascinating to me. Her unique voice; her signature, ethereal, witchy style.

She has a thing for the darkly romantic, and I love the way she uses it in her look and persona. That feel is what I'm going for in my upcoming additions to the Accessory Showcase collection.


Picked up some wonderful components for what will become the "Truly, Madly, Darkly" Midwinter/Valentine collection. It will reflect the stark, bare feel of midwinter, coupled with the romance of heart shapes and red stones.


I'm picturing ornate earrings, dark charms on thick chains. I want to invoke the image of velvet skirts rustling in a dark wood. Let's see what develops!