Ways to Wear It: Casual Summer Style!

Hello Summer! My favorite season of the year brings some delightful bursts of color in nature and in fashion. No coats, no gloves, just easy, breezy beauty!  Whether you've bought new summer duds, or are looking for ways to freshen up your existing summer wardrobe, we can all use tips on ways to wear it all. Here are some stellar ideas for pairing jewelry with your outfits. Summer on, ladies!

Printed blouse by Anthropologie; Brown suede Hobo bag by CitaDElle on Etsy; Green beaded dangle earrings by Accessory Showcase.

A lovely, airy leaf print blouse like this one from Anthropologie makes a gorgeous summer statement, paired with jeans. Finish off the look with a Hobo bag, like the suede beauty above from CitaDElle and glass beaded dangles for a hint of sparkle.

Striped lightweight knit top and shorts by Ann Taylor Loft; Suede sandals by Tamar Shalem; Tricolor Steampunk gear dangle earrings by Accessory Showcase.

Slip on a lightweight summer sweater with cute and comfy shorts, like these from Ann Taylor Loft, and you've got a look with stylish ease. Add your favorite flat sandals, like these olive suede beauties by Tamar Shalem, and finish it off with a hint of steam using mixed metal jewelry, like these tricolor gear earrings.

Hope these looks give you some great inspiration for cultivating your casual summer style! My next post will cover some great "Ways to Wear It" ideas for work. 'Til next time, friends!

Psst... There's a Pre-Sale Going On! Plus, the Winner Is...

Congrats to giveaway winner Francoise M! She's the lucky owner of this one of a kind antique brass and clear faceted bead statement necklace. Lucky lady, yes? Thanks to all of you who participated!

Now, on to the dish about some fab "followers-only" goodies. I've created some lovely pieces for V day, and I think you deserve to get the jump on these delights before I list them to the general public! Take a look at these classic, yet modern romantic necklaces and earrings. If any strike your fancy, do drop me a line at accessoryshowcase@gmail.com. I'll hook you up and ship them out, anywhere in the Continental US or Canada!

Assorted antique brass earrings and necklaces with painted pearls and glass beads

These antique brass beauties are adorned with painted pearls and faceted glass beads. You can see more detailed photos of each piece on Facebook. Necklaces are $25, earrings are $15. Pre-sale ends on Thursday, 2/13. Get yours today!

New Year, New... Well, You Know...

Happy New Year, dear readers! I hope the holiday season treated you and yours kindly and that 2014 will bring you much joy and new opportunities!

My holiday season was a whirlwind, as I'm sure was true for many of you. I spent much of my free time (aka after 10pm when the little humans were in bed) making jewelry, prepping for holiday fairs and accessory parties, tending to my online shops, ordering and wrapping gifts--you know, the usual for an independent designer with a fam. Absolutely no complaints, though. I'm blessed and thankful.

As we stare a new year in the face, many of us are doing a lot of resolving, reordering and re-prioritizing, right? And while some of our resolutions may fall to the wayside, don't let treating yourself well be one of them! The importance of being happy with who you see in the mirror can't be overstated! With that in mind, it's time to start freshening up the wardrobe a little.

A closet-full of new clothes not exactly in the budget? Never underestimate the ability of a bauble or two to amp up your existing frocks and give a new look to your tried and true pieces. That's how I roll, anyway. While having an entirely new wardrobe with the change of every season sounds divine, I, like most of you, don't have it like that. What's the average non-celebutante to do? Make old duds new again by switching up your jewelry and accessories. You'd be surprised what a simple adjustment can do to your favorite outfit.

Here are some styling ideas, inspired by the three "stories" of the Accessory Showcase collection, and featuring some of Etsy's best shops. It's time to get inspired!
For the Vintage-loving Vixen:

Get the Look: Black drop waist 80's dress from The Rabbit Hole; Velvet clutch by DDSLL Girls Store; Vintage bangles from The Gatsby Gals; Grey vintage boots from Jen Style Chic Vintage; Gold finish chain and mauve pearl earrings by Accessory Showcase.

 For the woman who digs Rocker Chic:

Get the Look: Black, fitted leather coat by In Time Fashion; Gunmetal gear and needle charm earrings by Accessory Showcase; Black leather clutch with white screen print by WELMOED Bags; Black studded stilettos by Vile Broccoli Fur.

For the Modern rustic, who likes a hint of Industrial Steam:

Get the Look: Copper gear and large patina pendant necklace by Accessory Showcase; Cashmere cape coat by JM521; Suede vintage lace-up boots from Jan's Vintage Stuff; Hand-forged brass cuff by Addiction to Detail; Vintage plaid high collar shirt from Brown Cow Vintage. 

Here's a Little Somethin' Somethin' for You!

Hello, dear readers!

I hope this ramp-up to full tilt holiday madness will be a joyous one for you and yours. I've been making pieces practically non-stop for at-home jewelry and cocktail parties, craft fairs and my Etsy and Zibbet shops, plus prepping for my family's holiday activities. It's amazing how things can go from zero to insane so quickly this time of year!

To show my appreciation for your readership and patronage, I wanted to give a special "thank you" to my followers with two great coupon codes:

Use code FREEMAIL for free shipping at checkout. You can also use code FAN15 for 15% off your entire purchase in either of my shops. Enjoy and get something fab for you and yours, now through Tuesday, December 3rd! Happy Holidays!

Why Should Celebutantes Have All the Fun?

Great style should always be accessible: this has been the design philosophy behind the Accessory Showcase collection from the start. Spending my teen and broke college student years window shopping all around Manhattan with my best friend, we salivated over all the gorgeous clothes and jewelry we saw, fantasizing about some day being able to afford those fabulous frocks and baubles.When I graduated, I decided that, whatever aspect of fashion I gravitated toward, I'd make beautiful things for my fellow fashionistas (even if we didn't have a celebutante's bank account). After all, why should the rich girls have all the fun?

Brass and Silver Steampunk Gear Necklace and Earrings

Fall/Holiday Brass Charm Bracelets

One of the easiest ways to show off your fashion sense without going broke is with jewelry and accessories. This is why costume jewelry and accessories are my main focus. Don't get me wrong-- watching a couture runway show or flipping through the pages of Vogue still sends my heart all a-flutter. Seeing what designers can create with the very best materials and craftspeople at their disposal is the ultimate in fashion fantasy. I mean, seriously... What's not to love here?

Alexander McQueen Fall 2013

Ralph Lauren Fall 2013

Lanvin Fall 2013

But this girl lives in reality, and my reality requires some savvy to bring that high-end sensibility to my everyday life. That's why I get so much joy out of seeing a woman's eyes light up when they fall in love with one of my pieces. Who doesn't love having a handmade, super stylish necklace or pair of earrings that adds some serious voltage to an everyday outfit, and makes your friends ask, "Where did you get that?" ? Add the bonus of not maxing out your funds, and that, my friends, is the good stuff. I know you feel me, ladies!

Gold Finish Necklace and Earrings with Mauve Painted Pearls

Regal Brass Crown and Bead Necklace and Earrings

I love coming across fellow designers and style-makers who share my passion for accessible style. Here are looks from some great Etsy designers and one of my favorite fashion bloggers, giving you the goods on razor sharp looks that keep it real for your wallet. You're welcome!

Sensible Stylista
This girl knows how to shop savvy! She gives you the dish on the elements of her personal style, and hooks you up with awesome giveaways, info on great designer finds and how to combine the pieces in your closet (old and new) to form a rockin' ensemble. Want to get some free swag? Check out Sensible Stylista's latest giveaway here!

Etsy Faves
Here are some slick combinations I've put together from some of my favorite Etsians. The best part? Not a single item is over $50. It's time to get inspired!

White t-shirt with grey and red feathers by Shebbo Design: $29
Silver Tone Necklace with Swarovski Crystal Pendant by VQ Studio: $48
Sterling Silver Fringe Earrings by Mitz Metals: $49
Clear Resin and Silver Flake Rings by Daimblond: $31 each

Arrowhead rings by Evidence Jewelry: $45 each
80s Striped Crop Top from Mamma's Chest: $30
60s Vinyl Clutch from Victoria Westbury: $34

Gold Silk Ombre Blouse by Love Charles: $30
Gold Brass Statement Necklace by Minus One: $22
Faux Leather Gold Foldover Clutch by ByMart: $32
Gold Plated Autumn Leaf Earrings by Silent Roses: $25

Adorn Yourself with a Bit of Autumn Color

The season of Autumn is a close second to my favorite season, Summer. The only drawback to Autumn is the shortening of daylight (and leaf blowing). Especially here in the Hudson Valley, the hills are bedecked in rich reds, yellows, greens and oranges. And there's no better fashion season that Fall, am I right? Well, I've been busy creating goodies for Fall/Holiday and those Autumn tones are front and center. Have a look!

In my next post, I'll be showing you the work of some of my favorite Etsians, who are bringing the Autumn indoors for your home and your body. Stay tuned!

The Fruits of My Find

Happy Friday, all!

In my last post, I gushed over the finding of a lovely batch of vintage buttons I bought from a sassy old lady up in the Catskills. Every time I look at my little treasures, I beam with delight. I know, I know, they're only buttons, but I can't help it. I love them! It's a sickness, really.

Anyway, I've been hard at work prepping for the fall/holiday shopping season, and for two at-home Accessory and Cocktail parties in October and November. I've been making lots of jewelry and key chains, many of them using some of my colorful stash of buttons. As a matter of fact, here are a few examples of the button-centric pieces I've created so far. Many more to come! Would love to know which ones you like. Leave a comment to tell me your fave and I'll give you a coupon code to enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Thank God for Spitfires and their Buttons!

Happy Labor Day, all!

Hope your L Day weekend is going swimmingly! The fam and I spent most of the weekend at our little log cabin in the Catskills, playing cutthroat Monopoly, taking walks, and splashing around in the neighborhood waterfall. The hubby and I also got to enjoy some much-needed cocktail time on the porch. Good stuff.

You know what else was fantastic about our mini vaca in the 'Skills? That's what the cool kids call the Catskills (actually, no one calls them that). An unexpected but totally awesome score for one of my jewelry-related obsessions: vintage buttons!

On our way up to the cabin on Friday afternoon, we passed a sign that said "Red Barn Yard Sale and Antiques". Mind you, we'd passed this sign dozens of times over the years on the way to the cabin, and we always said, "We need to make that right turn and check that out some time." And at the end of every weekend at the cabin, we'd always forget to check it out. This time, we decided to make the right turn before we headed to the cabin. We turned off Route 17B and drove about 2 or 3 miles down a road with rolling hills and farmland on either side, keeping an eye out for the red barn. We finally saw it, and pulled into the driveway.

Out of a house off the barn came this wiry old lady who had to be at least 85 years old. The stuff she had for sale ranged from old toilets (I kid you not!) to old books, furniture and clothing. She was about to close up for the day. I asked her if she had buttons for sale. "Yeah, I got lotsa buttons. Come back tamorrah and I'll get 'em down for you." "Great, I'll come by around 11am," I said. Now, I figured I'd at least be able to get a few buttons out of her stash to make a necklace or two, maybe a couple of key chains for the collection. So, Saturday morning, I left the hubs and the kiddos after breakfast and headed out to spend what I thought would be about half an hour going through this lady's tin of buttons.

When I arrived, she came out and told me she'd bring the buttons down after she helped some customers. I wandered around the barn, checking out all the piles of old yard sale stuff that people brought to this lady to sell. Then I went into the house and perused the old novels and bric-a-brac. A few minutes later, she came waddling in with six tins filled to the brims with buttons. She put them down on a table, pulled out a chair for me and said, "Here they are. Every piece of clothing I ever threw out or donated, I cut off the buttons first. You never know when you're gonna need buttons! Have fun." It was Christmas come early, people!

Each tin had to weigh about 4 or 5 pounds. So much for spending half an hour!

 I had to be methodical. I had to take heaping handfuls, one at a time, and spread them out on the table. Then I pulled from each handful any buttons I thought were pretty, then sorted my picks by color. As I got lost in my task, the old lady haggled with potential customers, sold sodas to locals who wandered in to chat and discussed what to do with the stray kittens she'd taken in to her friend the animal rescuer. Quite a cast of characters flowed in and out of the place, glancing over at me hunched over the piles of buttons, chuckling at my "patience". They had no idea I was in a kind of heaven!  

Two hours later...BOOM!

 Look at those lovely, lovely buttons. I know, some of you are like, "They're buttons. Big woop." But for those of you who have the sickness, you know how exciting it is to look at this rainbow mountain of beauties and start imagining all the awesome creations you'll make with them. So glad that sassy spitfire saved those buttons! I'll post pics of the goods as they materialize. Can't wait to start working!

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

We All Secretly Want to be Rock Stars, Right?

I'm a pretty classic girl. I'm nuts about items with staying power and femininity. There's also a side of me that loves to add a kiss of Edge here and there. I know I'm not alone! In the spirit of embracing a little Rocker Chic, here are some fantastic finds from the magical world of Etsy that'll help any lady tap into her inner Rock and Roll siren. Cue the pyrotechnics!

Romantic Floral Crown with Gothic Black Roses by Paramount Vintage

Could you just die?? This gorgeous black rose statement headband channels Florence Welch, and has a bit of femininity without being too sweet. The black color and size of the roses brings it out of sweet and into bold, Goth glamour. After all, a Rock Goddess isn't sweet, is she? This swoon-worthy goody is brought to you by the San Diego-based Paramount Vintage, a beautifully curated and designed collection of Vintage and handmade clothing and accessories. Luckily for you, the floral headbands are handmade, so pay a visit to Paramount Vintage and order one to grace your locks. Onstage with a mic, or in your bathroom with a hairbrush, you'll be convinced of your star power!

Gold Tipped Black Leather Feather Necklace by Love at First Blush

Leather feathers? Yes, please! I love an interesting use of leather. Love at First Blush's black leather necklace really gets the blending of girly glitter and badass just right. Hand cut from Italian lambskin, and adorned on one side with gold foil, how can you not want one of these gracing your neck? This Canadian designer has an amazing collection of feather and leather offerings (with a bit of gold, of course!) that will have you saying, "Mine, mine, MINE!" Seriously. Take a virtual stroll through Love at First Blush's shop. You'll fall in leather feather love too!

Hand-patinaed Black Textured Brass Triangle Earrings by Balanced

Balanced is one of my favorite Etsy shops, because the collection has a clean roughness to it. Sounds a bit contradictory, but one look at this jewelry line and you'll get it. Sharp, smooth shapes and lines, roughened up a bit with interesting applications of patina give a deliciously distressed look to the pieces. These brass triangle earrings with "scratched" patina treatment and lacquer seal are wickedly sleek and stylish. And this Dublin-based (by way of Northern California) designer ships internationally, so not even The Big Pond can come between you and your little slice of Rocker Heaven. You're welcome!

Recycled Marilyn Mansion CD Necklace by PYRocks

Here's a recipe for you:
Take a Rock and Roll scholar who's spent years in the high end jewelry market,  mix in a jaw-dropping personal collection of chunky/sparkly/dramatic jewelry, add a love for making music into wearable art, shake well... and you get PYRocks. This line of recycled CD jewelry isn't just super cool--it's made with a strong focus on quality and detail. The CD's are cut with precision, sandwiched between two layers of plexi, and hand-riveted together with nickel wire. All of these CD-to-necklace creations are suspended from stainless steel chains. In addition to what's in the shop, PYRocks will custom make a necklace from any CD you desire! Simply send in that CD you played for a year straight (you know you did!) and it will return to you as a wearable symbol of groupie devotion to your favorite band. So pull out that box of old CD's from your closet and take a peek at the PYRocks shop!

Italian Red Ruffle Stilettos 5x7 Fine Art Print by Captain Cat

A wickedly red pair of stilettos? Mounted and framed on your wall? Total Rocker Chic. Captain Cat Collective has a cornucopia of cool art, fashion and collectibles in their shop. The Dynamic Duo of Oregon-born artist/designer Zelda English and Portuguese painter/musician Rodrigo Neto are the creative engine behind this stylishly quirky collection. Their objective? "The invigorating pursuit to piece together a world scape of absolutely delicious proportions." I'm sold! Wander through their world and find designer shoes, original paintings and photo prints, vintage home decor, terrariums--it pleasantly boggles the mind. Check out their shop. You'll want to stay awhile!

Victorian Style Black Sheer Blouse with Lace Trimming by Dark Margot

When you go to Dark Margot's shop, she asks you to reveal your dark side. And her collection of leather, plaid and lace fashions will make you want to do just that. There's a great rocker feel to all her made-to-order clothes, combined with sexy, ladylike silhouettes and materials. This black sheer blouse with lace trimming at the front and shoulders has a romantic feel and design, yet the sheer fabric and metal flower buttons add a not-your-Grandmother's-blouse attitude. And it's versatile enough to go from daytime to nightlife--what every Rock and Roll woman needs! Visit the shop and see what beckons to your dark side!

If you're liking what you see here, check out other great Rocker Chic finds here. What's your favorite piece?

Newbies to the Showcase Collection!

I'm so excited to be creating again after a busy summer. I'm shoring up the collection with some great pieces for Fall and Holiday. Really loving mixed metals and charms, especially anything with a Steampunk feel. Take a look-see at what I've been up to!
Time to start pinning!

Iron Flowers antique brass chain and gear earrings with orange stones

Steampunk key chain with mixed metal charms

Modern Boho dangle earrings with faux wood charms and chain fringe

Grey tone key chain with assorted gunmetal and vintage button charms

Gunmetal Steampunk charm necklace with gears and filigree beads

Gunmetal chain and gear dangle earrings

Spanish Rose silver and white charm key chain