Fun Friday: Redbirds for your hair

Oh, the colour of these swallow hair pins is just so rich, isn't it? These pretty birds are a lovely currant  red, and shiny enough that an experimental nibble could be very tempting.  These pretty little doo-dads for pulling back unruly strands or adding a little extra interest to a chignon (for me, that is when this kind of thing is doing double duty) from VeryVintage are just $5, and made from vintage cabachons.

Available in a plethora of colours, the pins come prettily packaged in a gift box, meaning they're ready to go if meant to be a gift, and adding that extra-special touch if they are something you need for an upcoming wedding or just "my hair is driving me crazy, it needs to be pulled back" days. Best of all, at $5, these are a very pretty and very sweet gift for just about anyone on your list, and likely to be quite appreciated.

A Fall Favourite

Thanks so much for all of your concern about my health! I'm feeling much better. Ugh! Summer flu...thank goodness it didn't last terribly long, and better yet, wasn't the "green at the gills" kind of flu (just the "ouch, my bones are burning and melting within me" kind). Whew!

I'm not sure what it is about fall, but it seems to me that autumn always means headbands begin to make themselves seen once again. Perhaps they're like deer, apple cider, and pumpkins: they're at their best in the fall. Maybe it's simply that we spend a lot of time outdoors in the fall, watching football games, enjoying the fall colours, and picking apples, and with colder weather comes stronger winds; headbands keep the hair a little neater. Whatever it is, though, it's fall now, and yes, the headbands are peering around corners and watching us from the still-beleafed trees, waiting for their moment to really arrive.



If you're in the market for some new ways to dress up your locks (or just keep them from blowing into your caramel-dipped apple), Stylish Mode is going to have you more than covered. Though this retro mod one caught my eye, there's plenty to choose from: pretty plaids, more traditional florals, stripes, dots, ethnic prints, paisleys — even martini-loving kitties, retro martini glasses, and sheet music. Headbands range from $6-12, though some are more scarf-like headbands than your classic headband style.

One thing I like about these is that they go all the way around your head, courtesy of hidden elastic in the back of the band. Continually re-adjusting the placement of one's headband because it slides over hair so easily is not a great way to spend the day at the office or the homecoming game, is it? All of the headbands are machine washable, fully reversible, and the artist is more than happy to make a headband larger or smaller if necessary (they'll fit a noggin 21-23" around).

Stylish Mode also offers cute and funky ponytail holders as well as fashionable, chic key fobs and lanyards.

Fun Friday: Felted Hair

Oh, okay, okay, not really, but it's felted stuff for your hair. From Project 31 Studio come these almost snuggle-able, colourful, and very elegant (particularly for felt) hairclips. Topped with filigree buttons, this orange one makes me think of a fun night at the carnival or state fair.  The second one, in lime green with a filigree and rhinestone button, is just plain fun.

Both are handmade, and the bases of your hair blossoms are needle-felted wool. Artist Yu-Ting Feng, a New York based artist, wife, and mom, also has a fun triangle-shaped clip with a tiny flower embedded into the felt available for those who'd rather not get too flowered out (for days on which you have a big meeting, you know?). Tonight's featured clips range from $10 to $12, and you'll also find felted jewelry boasting cameos, eggs, and other pretty designs in her Etsy shop.

I also like her reason for naming her shop "Project 31":

I have always been interested in arts and crafts and have been doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that as a hobby. Never really thought about marketing and selling my art since it was so hard for me to part with them and the timing just never seemed right. But when I read Proverbs 31:10-31 and challenged myself to think and pray about this passage, I realized that I can do what the “excellent wife” in that passage did - make things with her hands and sell them - all in honor of the LORD. All of a sudden it made sense for me to start a business and make it my "project" to put Proverbs 31:10-31 into action and update it for the current generation.

Not only that, but I think Yu-Ting is being a fantastic example of the Proverbs 31 woman by using her God-given gifts to His glory and to bless others.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend! 

Fun Friday: Anemone Wear

Well, all, I've no idea what to say about tonight's featured goodies from artist Keri Rounding than "Squeee!" and "How charmingly brilliant and delightful!" Her shop overfloweth with anemone-reminiscent rings, hairpins, brooches, and even necklaces. Everything is made from 100% merino wool which has been carefully felted into shapes similar to what you see here. Fun, quirky, unique, and sure to please, her items range from $5 - $20, an excellent price for marvellous work far different from other stuff out there.


Any of these pieces would make a wonderful gift for someone you love or yourself. I think the brooches and hairpins are my favourite, but I look forward to seeing a lot more terrific work from Keri!




Custom orders are more than welcome, and you can see if she'll be live and in-person at a show near you here (Keri, come to Pittsburgh!). She has some art pieces available as well.

Fun Friday: Robin Week Roundup

Well, unofficial robin week draws to a close 'round here, despite the four or five gigantic robins I saw today. How do they get so pudgy? They all come back looking like feathered Porky Pigs. Amazing!

Just a few little items today featuring those very welcome harbringers of balmier weather.

First we have this very lovely, very pretty robin stamp pendant in a sterling silver frame. It's set behind glass, so the beautiful artwork will be protected. It's on a bail, so all you need to do is slip it over the cord or chain of your choice (plenty of which are available on Etsy). From Kelli Belli Beads. The artist is donating 50% — half! — of her sales to Avon's Walk for the Cure fund from now to July 12th of this year to help her participate in the 39-mile walk this summer. Not only do you get a beautiful piece of jewelry, part of your money is going to a really good cause.



Now, I generally don't feature kid stuff or home stuff, but these two items were just so cute they couldn't be passed up. First is this Bobbin the Robin hair clip from mimisayshi. Just $5, this little hair clip features a darling, pudgy, handmade little robin. It's perfect for keeping your tyke's hair out of her face, or even your own! Hey, why not? It's a two-inch clip, so it may well work for grownups just fine.


Finally, a piece of artwork. It's a little crazy, but were you to see my Etsy favourites, most of them happen to be pieces of artwork. This is crazy because a) I'm a visual artist myself, hello, with tons of my own artwork and b) we've got exactly 0 (zero) pictures hanging on our walls despite having lived in the house for 6 months now. Pathetic. I'm the woman who
always had her artwork up very soon after moving in to a new place...not this time (it could be the hard-to-get-through plaster walls though...). We tried putting artwork up last week, but didn't get too far. Yet.

Anyhow, this piece, too, has been added to my favourites on Etsy. It's a very small piece of art, just 3.5 x 3.5, but very cheery and whimsical. A collage work, it's just $6 and from the creative mind of Sassy Bella Melange. She has many bird-related artworks (I LOVE birds, and were it not for lamentably poor mathematics skills, I'd be an avian vet) as well as other wonderful, lovely, and charming pieces.

So, that's robin week 2008, inspired by the bright-eyed birds flitting about our neighborhood and especially in our oak tree (already!). Have a wonderful weekend.

Lush Hair Jewels

These elegant hairpins (about 3 down) from Jeweled Elegance bring to mind a beautiful, vibrant garden...perhaps one in England, traditional and stately, or something a little more unrestrained, maybe one in ancient Persia or Egypt. Amazing how such a small thing can stir such vibrant imaginations, isn't it? Wonderfully, you too can be swept away with these hairpins, because they're just $12 — far less than a plane ticket (unless you're already there...).

Handmade and easily yours from the lovely Heather of Jeweled Elegance, one of my favourite indie designers.

Soft 'n Fuzzy Barrette

Isn't this barrette darling? Not only are the colours suited for fall, but the texture is perfect for it as well. What was once a merino wool sweater has been needle-felted and reformed into a barrette, with its edges dyed a warm cinnamon and charming vintage buttons sewn on top for one of the more interesting barrettes I've seen. The felted bit has been sewn and glued onto a nickel French-back barrette clip. Interestingly, artist Liz offers lifetime repair for her jewelry pieces, and that might apply to this barrette as well. Nifty, don't you think?

The shop is Made in Lowell, the barrette is $18, and Liz's shop offers a plethora of pretty, fun, chic little treats for you, a friend, your sister...maybe even a special "treat" for that favourite neighbor when she comes by with her munchkin October 31. Liz's shop is full of beautifully drawn art cards, felt flower pins, beads, earrings, barrettes, and other jewelry in the most delicious colours, so I'm sure you'll enjoy stopping in.

Fashionable Flowers

These pretty Go Dutch hairpins from Katie London's shop Sakura Kitty Creative have such elegant, simple style, don't they? Vintage Japanese butterfly charms and tulip cabachons have been mixed with Czech aurora glass and affixed onto a 3-inch silver plated bobby pin. They're only $7.75 and so lovely - sometimes you want a noticable bloom or funky pin in your hair, but on many days, something unassuming but still prepossessing. Even so, these are graceful enough that they'll work just as well for a delightfully romantic evening out as they will on a hectic Monday at the office.

Katie's shop is brimming with similarly wonderful treats, all very well-priced, making Sakura Kitty Creatives the perfect place to shop for yourself and for gifts for the ones you love.

Have a great night! We've finally scheduled an official move date - the 7th. It's going to be an exciting couple of weeks in our household.

Adorn Thy Hair...That's An Order!

This is such a pretty, unique item I had to feature it. From Kutchicoo come these pretty paper crane hairpins. Handmade and definitely different, these cranes really will adorn your hair with style and a touch of whimsy. They're water-resistant (though not waterproof) thanks to a varnish seal and 4.5 x 2.25 x 4.5.

There are many different colours for all of your wardrobe-coordinating needs. At only $4.50 apiece, you can pick up several in order to place a pair in your hair, or perhaps a whole flock. One of these would probably make a really pretty gift tag for a friend's birthday or "just because" gift, too, don't you think?

Kutchicoo offeres some really lovely clay jewelry as well as these pretty birds. Enjoy!

(The red bird hairpin is available here.)

Hip To Be Mod

Isn't this mod hair scarf from Bubblegum Designs cute and sunny? In bright shades of turquoise, aqua, and yellow with subtle lime and lilac tones, it's an adorable, chic choice for a day at the beach, zoo, fair, or wherever you need to be. Use it to bedeck a ponytail or pull those sometimes-annoying wispy front locks that can stick to your face (or in that sunblock) on a breezy or muggy day. If your mane is good to go without it, why not use it as a belt or loosely tied neck scarf (during winter's dreary months, I'll bet this would look darling tucked into a V-neck sweater, don't you think?).

This scarf is 42" long, so I'm sure you can think of myraid other uses for its cheerful face. Best of all, it's a mere $6! Another well-priced reward for yourself or gift for a friend, or maybe to tuck into your "emergency gift stash" (no way am I the only one who has one of those). 'Tis never too early to start shopping for Christmas, and this would be a great stocking stuffer - actually, if someone has a birthday coming up, why not use this to make a pretty bow atop the gift? No need to use un-reusable ribbon, right?

This scarf as well as other goodies available from Bubblegum Designs.

Not So Buttoned-Up Hair Treats

Both of today's goodies are from Coo-Koo-Ri-Koo, and because of the adorableness of hair accessories, rings, and handbags, it was really difficult to choose! The first feature is the good day sunshine barrette, featuring both new and vintage buttons on a nickel barrette in a variety of cheerful (but coordinating, of course) yellows.

I'm also fond of the ocean city girl bobby pins - the green and teal flowery buttons are fixed onto nickel-plated bobbies and perfect for forcing rebellious hairs or bangs into obedience with a little style subtly hiding your cold determination to look good even if the air is humid and flyaways rampant.

There are far too many in my circle of friends and crafty acquaintances who really, really, really like buttons, and it is difficult to resist the perfectly molded cuteness in such a parade of colours, isn't it? Coo-Koo-Ri-Koo (and how fun is that name?) has a lot of these pretty hair duds as well as some really darling clutches, bags, totes, and of course button rings for your enjoyment. The barrette is just $7, and the pair of bobby pins is only $6; not only are these a fun treat for yourself, but they make great gifts too, I think. The bobbies would probably look cute pinned over a buttonhole, too (imagine that!) or tucked into a french twist for extra flair.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

More Hana Tsumami

I'm so excited about tonight's little goodie because it truly is a very beautiful piece of wearable art. Really, that's one of the things I most enjoy about this blog, because "wearable art" is the best way to define a lot of the things I feature here, particularly when it comes to the jewelry and accessories like this one.

You're gazing at a lovely hana tsumami hair comb featuring three lovely cherry blossoms made of habutae woven silk. Habutae is smooth, soft, and shiny, and is traditionally used as kimono lining in Japan as well as for hair treats like this and kanzashi. Tsumami is the art of pinching silk in order to create a thee-dimensional object; maru-tsumami is round-pinching and ken-tsumami is sword-pinching. In this comb, the artist has made the blossoms with maru-tsumami and the petals with ken-tsumami.

According to Atelier Kanawa,

Since the middle of Edo period(1603-1867), this handcraft technique has been traditionally utilized by maidservants in the imperial court as their hobby. Eventually, this beautiful technique was recognized by the Japanese society, then it began to be used to produce KANZASHI hairpins, sticks, combs and so on. . .

Today, not only MAIKO wear them, but they are worn by Japanese women for new year celebration, celebration for children called "shichi go san", a coming-of-age ceremony, wedding, and those people who perform traditional Japanese dance.

TSUMAMI KANZASHI are made to show the beauty of four seasons. For example, MAIKO wear plum flower in February, cherry blossom in April, and chrysanthemum in October.

Apparently - this is something I didn't know - there are only 15 acknowledged tsumami kanzashi artists worldwide, and it's a piece of Japanese heritage that could easily be lost - wouldn't that be a shame? There are few who can or will take on the continuance of this unique and singularly beautiful art form, so Atelier Kanawa is planning to take a class from one of these amazing artisans this year! Obviously, that means your purchase of her artwork will go toward her being able to do this, not only so Atelier Kanawa can take the class but also pass this art form on to future generations.

In addition to the blossoms themselves, this $35 comb also has detachable hanging petals. The detachable petals fasten onto the comb via a circular spring ring (like the ones you'll find on many necklaces and bracelets) so you can place the petals wherever you like or just wear the comb by itself. There are two teeny, tiny bells in the petals that create a really sweet, lovely, quiet sound as you move about, something I'm pretty sure is a traditional touch as well. This is a perfect touch for your next celebration or as a gift to a bride-to-be, or maybe to someone who is going through a lot right now and would be really blessed and encouraged by such a beautiful gift.

Everything from Atelier Kanawa is shipped secured in bubble wrap in a box, and free gift-wrap is available. You'll also find fused glass and Japanese paper pendants as well as hairpins, combs, and handbags made from kimono fabric at her store. All of the things you'll find at Atelier Kanawa are beautiful and stylish, and items you'll probably treasure forever or be thrilled to give as a gift (for instance, check out this amazing bamboo basket purse crowned with vintage kimono fabric - wow!). Definitely one to watch!

Flowers In Her Hair...Flowers Everywhere

Sorry this is quite late, but my dear mother-in-law was in town from Cinci today. We enjoyed a nice dinner with her and then she helped me figure out the hem on a dress I'm making - turns out the pattern has screwy directions, resulting in screwy pattern pieces, but it's easily fixed so no worries! She's a wonderful lady and I'm quite blessed to have a normal mom and a normal mother-in-law; my husband actually insists that his parents like me better than they do him.


With spring not only come flowers and warm weather - it means the hair frizzes are making their rapid advance. Here in Pittsburgh, it's 80 degrees and a bit humid, and I'm sure some ladies are already cursing the muggy air for what it does to their locks. Fortunately, there are many options for clipping those frizzy locks away to prevent your becoming frazzled: headbands, chopsticks (I use them to put my thick hair up into a French twist), ponytailers, and of course barettes.

Hair flowers - typically silk flowers glued onto an alligator clip - are gaining favour as well, not only because of the glam factor but possibly because they're a throwback to the 30s, 40s, and 50s, ages always considered to be a little more glamourous and sartorially sane. I'm sure that from the time the first woman decided to tuck a fallen bloom behind her ear, flowers have been a beloved hair accessory - indeed, some would argue a far better thing to bedeck one's locks with than jewels.


Clips like these pink lemonade cuties from gemmielou have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, probably due to the popularity of stick-straight and layered cuts. It's easy to swipe those rebellious locks away from your face and create some semblance of mane order no matter what your hair decides it is going to do. Gemmielou has quite a few available at her shop, all cheerily couloured and featuring a delicate, pretty flower on their face. Handmade, they're only $12 a pair and far more chic than the plain turtle-coloured ones at your local stores. The felt covering means your hair won't snag or get caught in the snap clip, and best of all, you'll have a sweet little flower or two in your hair. There's a variety of colours and they're the perfect treat for a friend, Mom, or yourself!

Betcha Can't Pick Just One

Aren't these colourful, wide and flexible headbands terrific? All are from the Nestlings shop. Coming in a variety of cheerful prints, they fit all ages from 3 to adult. They mimic the look of a chic wrap without having to deal with tying the wrap in a manner that won't rip half your locks out at the end of the day (joy!).

A headband is always great to have for a quick bad-hair day fix and pushing your hair out of your face while cooking, not to mention an always-perfect accessory for work, school, church, getting a mani and pedi, shopping, a party or night out, vacations...this is why headbands are so great. They are good to go anywhere, anytime, and happy to be of assistance. What's not to love? Especially at just $6.50 apiece and free shipping on additional headbands.

From top to bottom, tonight's cuties are the theDaisy, the Karen, Gaucho Girl, Sakura, and the Blue Mosaic. I've featured mostly springy headband wraps here, but Nestlings offers neutrals, solids, and even novelty print headband wraps featuring things like very concerned goldfish and retro mushrooms that remind me of the hand towels in my great-grandmother's kitchen.

Based in Texas, Nestlings also offers a lot of super-cute baby stuff and small accessories for yourself or fun gift-giving. Enjoy!

Spring Hath Sprung!

Yes, it's the official announcement, at least from my neck of the woods. Yesterday we had a temperature of nearly 70 degrees and buckets of glorious, shimmering sunshine. Unsurprisingly, this inspired me to pop out onto our balcony and start moving flowerpots around in preparation for spring planting (which doesn't happen until Mother's Day per family tradition, but I'm organized like that) to find my Stella D'Oro daylilies - those gigantic yellow lilies - are already peeking up through the soil! It was wonderful to see those little green shoots beginning to appear. I hope the weather is turning nicely for everyone. Anybody else get ridiculously excited when she sees the first few flowers of spring begin to appear?

In honour of this joyous and felicitous occasion, tonight I share with you this elegant hair pin from RubyVegas. A simple three-inch pin is made exceptional with the addition of a flower made of silver wire, white glass pearls and clear, light-catching Swarovski pearls. The flower itself measures four inches across, and the petals can be shaped and customized to your hairstyle.

While this would be a beautiful accessory for a bride (or even the mother of the bride), I think any woman could add a touch of beauty to her day by tucking this eternal bloom into her chignon, bun, braid - anything! It's such a delicate, ladylike, romantic piece of jewelry, isn't it? Very beautiful, with a tantalizing hint of glamour and whimsy.

Each flower is made to order in gold or sterling and any colour beads you like. At only $22 per flower, I think this is a great buy - especially having spent countless hours searching for the perfect wedding hair jewels myself last year and finding myself agog over personality-free $45 rhinestone bobby pins that my cat could probably make.

From the talented mind and hands of RubyVegas, where you'll find some terrific wire jewelry. Enjoy!

Kanzashi

I'll admit to having known about the wonderful beauty of Kanzashi for a while now - I actually considered wearing one in my hair for our wedding, but they didn't really go with the whole 30s/40s thing (and didn't match the beaded silk gown, let's face it). Still, whenever I see them, I just can't help emitting a sound somewhere between "Ooooo!" and "Awww!". I - and many others - am quite enamoured of these sweet reminders of our ally on the other side of the globe.

Traditionally, these beautiful ornaments were worn in Japanese coiffured hairstyles (as opposed to long and straight) that was popular from the mid-12th to the 16th centuries. They gained popularity again during the 18th and 19th centuries, and since everything good comes 'round again, they're very popular today - particularly due to the indie craft movement.

"Tsumami" refers to the act of pinching, "Kanzashi" means hair ornament; this is appropriate as these pieces are created by pinching small, square pieces of fabric (usually silk) into a lovely piece of hair art (you can see some gorgeously elaborate pieces here). Not only were they beautiful, some historians think certain kinds of kanzashi were used in self-defense! Geisha wear kanzashi, and the manner in which she wears it actually transmits her status to others. Coming in forms from wooden combs (Kushi) and chopsticks (kogai) with dangling flowers, kanzashi is a varying art, the wearing of which is dictated by the season! (As an example, in February, deep pink or red trailing blossoms are worn to symbolize young love and the forthcoming spring - you can read more at Wikipedia, but as with anything from that site, a grain of salt may be necessary. There is also Immortal Geisha).


Today's Tsumami Kansashi barrette comes from the hands of gochemoche, and is made of smooth red kimono silk with green silk leaves on each side. There's a pretty golden bead cap with a pearl glued to the flower itself for a classy - but not overpoweringly formal - finishing touch. It's shipped in a white gift box with darling origami stars for that all-out 'treat' feeling, and is a mere $9.

As you can see, gochemoche has quite a selection of beautiful kanzashi for your perusal and enjoyment - and, of course, for your wearing. There is a variety of other jewelry and very nice goodies, too. Enjoy!

Lollipops For Your Hair

There is a fabulous pair of shoes in my closet to which I refer as the "party on my feet" shoes. They are so cute, a pair of Candie's pumps I snagged at DSW a couple of years ago at a steal of a price. So much did I like them that I went back and bought the same shoes in another colour - they're that kind of shoe. (I found a picture of them for you.) I feel happy when I wear them, and judging by the compliments and actual squeals of delight from other women I hear when wearing them, they have the great power to make other people happy, too. Not a bad deal!

That's what I like about these absolutely adorable Cream & Orange Candy Hairpins from the super-talented Debra of Red Polka Design. They're a yummy bright orange with fun stripes and dots - people might be trying to pluck these from their hair, hoping for a snack. The polymer clay "candies" are set onto bobby pins, making them two inches long in total. In addition to cutely pinning your locks back, these pins have the added benefit of the "cheer factor" - and probably not just for you!

A mere $3.50 at Red Polka. Happy shopping!

Because Bad Hair Days Are Easy To Find

All too easy to find, in fact. I doubt you need to take it from me (a woman with long, thick, THICK hair). That bad hair day can come because of weather, a hair dryer that decided to burst into flames, running out of styling product, or just plain, good old-fashioned "Bad Hair Day", but they happen, and they are not pleasant. In fact, a few years ago, a study actually found that we aren't exagerrating - even the memory of a bad hair day can deal your self-esteem and mood a heavy blow.

Most women I know just throw their hair up in a ponytail, but mine is so heavy that I've had to find other ways of dealing with the dreaded Ides Of Bleah. Most of the time, I use chopsticks and twist my hair up into a french twist, or will hastily arrange a low 50's style rolled chignon with whatever bobby pins - and God forgive me, if I can't find any pins, paper clips! - I can scrounge up. Obviously, we will go to great...er...lengths to correct our disobedient locks.

Headbands were out for me for a long time, too - they don't mix well with eyeglasses should I have to done specs on a bad hair day, and how often have you gotten a ferocious headache from a too-snug band? Lately, however, it seems that headband makers have gotten the hint: we don't all have squishy, small heads. It seems that headbands now allow for a normally sized human head, and furthermore, pretty ribbons being used to tie back one's mane are coming back into vogue in a big way - indeed, they are touted as stylish and sleek all over the place!

This pretty striped scarf headband from One Good Bumblebee is among my favourite kinds of headband: read, "stylish, adjustable fabric". Even better, they come in stripes - red or black on white. They're an inch and a half wide with twenty inches of ribbon tie - you can leave the ties hanging loosely, tuck them under, or if you are feeling particularly ambitious, wrap your locks in a pretty Edwardian, Kate Winslet period film-ish style with these modernly striped ribbons. Best of all, they're easily stashed into one's purse - just in case that cloudburst decides to make you it's special target all the way in from the parking lot.

At One Good Bumblebee. Happy shopping!