Bring on the Sparkle: It's Awards Season!

I love watching the big awards shows and checking out who's wearing what on the red carpet. You'll find celebs wearing everything from the sublime to the bizarre. And the jewels, oh the jewels! I am a lover of all things glam.To keep the sparkle love going, I've made and procured lovely items for the Accessory Showcase collection that are red carpet (or at least Oscar party) ready. Here's a look at all that glitters in my collection!

Accessory Showcase tear drop earrings with black crystals

Accessory Showcase gunmetal "chain mail" stretch beaded bracelets

Salty Teacup black hoops with crystals in shades of pink

Salty Teacup assorted ornate filigree and colored stone bracelets

Faves of the Week

As usual, the weekend wasn't long enough, and another week is underway. *Sigh* But luckily, I've found some fabulous goodies that will kick that case of the Mondays to the curb! Check out these finds from fellow Etsians  The Crown Jewels Goddess and Maejean Vintage.

The Crown Jewels Goddess
The Crown Jewels Goddess is the brainchild of Vivian, who's been a craft and jewelry enthusiast since she was a child. Her mother introduced her to sewing and knitting, and over the years Vivian discovered her love of making jewelry, and never turned back. Swarovski crystals, gemstones and sterling silver are the materials of choice for most of  the collection.

This jasper bead and crystal bracelet is a stunner. The clustering of the beads and crystals create a darkly decadent adornment for the wrist. Love this bracelet as much as I do? Pay homage to the Goddess at her Etsy shop to find this and more!

Maejean Vintage
The self-proclaimed duo of thrifty sisters who created Maejean Vintage share a passion for procuring fantastic vintage finds and bringing them to you and me at affordable prices. One sister was a full time teacher, who saw losing her position due to budget cuts last year not as the end of the road, but as an opportunity to follow her dream and turn what was a hobby into a full time business. The other half of this duo is a business and marketing student, who helps run Maejean Vintage in addition to pursuing her studies.

What these two ladies bring to the table is an eye for the atypical and the luxurious. Offering everything from vintage clothing to jewelry and knickknacks, what these savvy sisters display in their shop has less of a dusty attic feel, and more of a high end boutique sensibility. Seriously--who wouldn't want one of these lovely pins? Pay a visit to their Etsy shop, and you'll see why they achieve the perfect blend of kitsch and sass. The ladies of Maejean Vintage can clearly spot the gems from the junk!

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!