Winter, You've Overstayed Your Welcome

Winter is being a tenacious season on the East Coast this year. We're a week away from April, and snow is still in the picture! Spring, will you ever come? Despite the bleak picture outside my windows, and the lethargy that cold weather can bring, I'm plowing forward and creating, creating, creating for my spring/summer line. I shake my fists at you, Winter!

Okay, rant over. Now take a peek at these lovelies I've been working on. I hope these get you in the springtime mood, even if Mother Nature isn't cooperating!

Antique silver fine chain necklace with filigree copper bead and French inspired floral pendant

Chain dangle earrings made with fine silver curb chain, copper filigree beads and round floral motif charms

Silver charm necklace hand assembled with fleur de lis, crown, bird and wing charms

Antique silver chain with a cluster of 3 charms--silver leaf, ornate silver key, and copper filigree bead.

Steampunk earrings with copper and silver gears, suspended from fine copper curb chain

Steampunk copper necklace with 4 gear charms in copper, brass and antique silver

New Items!

I've put my nose to the grindstone and created some lovelies that I'm really excited to add to the Accessory Showcase collection! I'm loving the whole mixed metal trend, so much of what I'm doing will have that feel for Fall/Holiday. Here's what I've completed so far. There's more to come. Would love to know what you think!

Brass Steampunk Gear Dangle Earrings with Indigo Oval Stones

Autumn Antoinette French Charm Necklace

Victorian-inspired Black Tear Drop Charm Earrings with Copper Beads

Mixed Metal Boho Earrings with Fringe, Copper Beads, and Brass Textured Disc Charms

Antique Silver Eiffel Tower Earrings with Copper Beads and Fine Chain

Modern Boho Necklace with Faux Wood Bronze, Red and Aqua Charms

London Calling!

So, I'm kinda psyched about the upcoming London Olympics. I'm not a huge sports fan, but somehow when the Olympics are on, I get excited about watching the best of the best compete in their chosen sports. Plus, as my husband wisely pointed out, when the Olympics are on, there's always something on TV.

I have yet to travel to England, despite having several relatives there, but I've always had a bit of a fascination with it. And some day, I shall cross that pond! In the meantime, to gear up a little for the big event, I've created some fun, London-inspired key charms for the Accessory Showcase collection. Check them out!

London keychain with "Underground" pendant,
steel washers and red and blue beads

London keychain with red phone booth pendant,
suitcase, antique car, boot and teardrop charms

London keychain with Union Jack pendant,
compass charm, and red, white and blue beads

Primary Colors: My Faves of the Week

My fellow Etsians never fail to delight and surprise me. My latest stroll through Etsy furnished me with some fantastic finds from designers worldwide. Here are some worthy of sharing. Stop by these shops and show some love for all that is bright and bold!

Fave #1: Elifus Jewelry
You wanna talk about bold and bright? Elif Ustunel, a designer from Istanbul, has created a collection of felt and yarn jewelry that makes your inner child "ooh" and "aah", while being daringly sophisticated for the grownup in you. Major statement necklaces with large spheres in rainbow colors; treble clef earrings; tribal-inspired bangles--all make for an unforgettable collection. Here's a little taste of what you'll find when you visit the Elifus Jewelry shop on Etsy. You can also find Elifus on Facebook.

Red Fringe Fiber and Felt Necklace

Treble Clef Necklaces

Neon Felt Cuff Bracelets

Fave #2: Bayan Hippo
To a handbag junkie like me, finding bags that are stylish AND useful make me jump for joy. And fellow Etsian Bayan Hippo delivers. A gorgeous color palette paired with simple, attractive shapes is what this designer does best. Every bag is more than a showpiece--they can carry your books, phones, makeup bags--all the necessities. They double perfectly as diaper bags too, which, I can tell you, is a HUGE plus for the style conscious mom. Having a fashionable handbag to incorporate into your "with kids" lifestyle is wonderful. Check out their Etsy shop to find your favorite bag!

Flamenco in Carmine Red Canvas

Fora in Yellow and White Striped Canvas

Euphoria in Teal

It's a Charmed Life: Part 2

I'm back after a bit of a lapse (shame on me!), but have been a busy camper creating more items for the Accessory Showcase collection. The newest additions are more handmade, one of a kind key charms! Great for adding some fancy to your keys or the zipper pull of your favorite handbag. I've hand selected delightful charms and glass beads and lovingly assembled them to create key charms that are truly special. Check these babies out!

Charmed Life

It's been a rainy, cool week in the Hudson Valley, and motivation has been low to do anything productive. Is it just me that wants only to curl up on the couch with a throw and some Ben & Jerry's when it's dreary out? With two kiddos, vegging is next to impossible. But, today I rallied and focused on getting some creative time in. I've been treasury-making on Etsy like a madwoman, and I've created three new key charms for my "Charmed Life" story in my shop. These charms also work well to adorn the zipper pulls on your favorite handbags. Check 'em out!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted...

So, the weather's been beautifully mild this month in the Hudson Valley (and some days were downright summery), which is making me antsy for summer, or for a getaway to someplace warm and beachy. Since a vacation is not in the immediate future for this new homeowner, I've been pouring that desire into additions to my Into the Ocean story for Accessory Showcase. Some of my fellow Etsy designers have been on the same page, and have made my daily Etsy perusing feel like a mental vacation.

Check out my latest Into the Ocean creation, as well as some highlights from my latest treasuries that whisk me away to imagined tropical climes. Enjoy!

Into the Ocean silver finish necklace with faux coral, shell and starfish charms

Blue shell statement necklace by Wild Flowers and Grace

Blue stripe cotton Turkish beach towel by Turkish Towel Village

Deep aqua sea coral glass bowl by Uneek Glass Fusions

Show Some Love for Etsy Designers!

Today my Into the Ocean blue starfish earrings are being featured in a great BNS treasury on Etsy. These types of treasuries are great ways for Etsians to increase the visibility of their shops, while supporting their fellow designers. So excited to be a part of this, and thrilled to support other shops.

Check out the treasury here, and snag yourself something lovely! Thanks to Jenny from Flirty Sanchez Project for putting this together.

You Can Always Go... Downtown

So for some reason or other, I could not get Petula Clark's song "Downtown" out of my head. Maybe it was because I miss NYC so much. Maybe I'm jonesing for a little spring inspiration for the Showcase collection--who knows? Either way, it inspired me to make this little Etsy treasury. Here are some of the stars of the treasury for your enjoyment. Forget all your cares and go Downtown!

Yellow retro dress by GoGo Vintage

Vintage yellow purse by Michelle's Closet

Green and turquoise trench by De Novo Style

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