Beautiful, From Turkey

Wow. Popping onto Etsy this evening, I was greeted by this beautiful ring and simply had to see more. My click-through was well-rewarded; Star of the East has some beautiful, exotic, borderline glorious jewelry. 

The $59 ring, for example is made from a sea urchin found on the seashore. Yes, you read that right: a sea urchin. After being collected, it was cleaned, filled with polyurethane foam, covered with epoxy for protection, and then...well, decorated. And well-decorated, too. Silver thread and a rhinestone were added before the unique cabachon was set onto a detailed, handmade sterling silver ring. Spectac-u-rama! Isn't it gorgeous? Elegant? And oh-so-different.  Coordinating earrings are also available for $37.

Several more sea urchin and seashell rings are available at a broad range of prices (roughly $30-$60). I know that is a wee bit on the pricey side, but for what you are getting...no. It's worth it. Talk about Creation at your fingertips!  There are also some delightfully charming rings, like this one that reminds me of a garden. This mother-daughter team is coming up with some spectacular stuff!

Star of the East has so many beautiful things...it's going to take a while to thoroughly peruse and enjoy the shop. It's one of those where just window-shopping is an experience well worth taking the time for. Also be sure to check out their blog, where a giveaway is going on, their supplies shop, and their more eclectic Gifts & Stars shop.

Bracelets, bracelets all the time!

I love bracelets. There's something about them that makes every woman look instantly more elegant, more ladylike, more sophisticated. They make the wrist and the curves of the arm look so pretty. Over the years, with all of the time I've spent in vintage shops and glancing over sales racks, to say nothing of the wonderfully generous gifts others have given to or even made for me, I'll admit to having amassed a pretty nice little collection of bracelets. Nothing designer, nothing fancy, but I enjoy them all. In fact, when we go on vacations or trips, my favourite memento (other than the photos, of course!) is usually a bracelet or ring that makes me think of the place (heaven help us when we finally do the Route 66 trip...).

So you can imagine that a shop like Linda's is destined to keep me quite interested for some time. You'll find earrings, necklaces, and even watches and anklets there, but it appears that she, too, has succumbed to the lure of the bracelet. She's crafted tons — okay, well, many, many pounds — of them, all very lovely and pretty, with styles ranging from funky to sweet to gamine to beautiful, and all at remarkably fair prices. You pick the best part; I'm mystified.

 She also makes some really inspired bead choices, so all of her work is quite interesting and unique, like this peridot and amethyst bracelet. For one thing, peridot is one of my sister's favourite stones, but the shape of those deliciously-coloured green beads is definitely eye-catching and whimsical, particularly when paired with the amethyst  rondelles (which have always made me think of flying saucers, but I am a little strange). And the clasp demonstrates a terrific attention to detail, too; it looks like a fantasy butterfly, or perhaps a cluster of berries. Just $14!


Or what about this bracelet, featuring a summery blend of amber, turquoise, and brown wood-like beads? The colours are gorgeous and cheery, and this bracelet is just $15.

Honestly, these are just two of the many delightful treats to be found at Bracelets by Linda. She'll also do custom orders for you if you like, and is more than happy to work with you on a specific design you may have in mind; she'll also resize bracelets to your needs. If you're having or participating in a wedding anytime soon, I think giving Linda a ring is definitely worth your time; she can probably create coordinating pieces that aren't all exactly alike so they'll match bridesmaids' or mothers' personalities (there I go again...just a thought).

Definitely check out Linda's shop...you're sure to find something to love. 

Light

With the hot weather, sometimes it's nice to see jewelry and other goodies that reflect the light, or allow it to pass through them. As pretty as most of the things on Etsy are, when it's this hot they often just seem...heavy. Maybe it's the humidity here, I'm not sure, but it's almost as if even our eyes need a relief; maybe that's why just the sight of an icy glass of lemonade or a lake with a gentle breeze skipping across its surface allow us to exhale and relax for a moment.

Regardless, I think that's why I'm so attracted to this necklace and earrings set from Tulip36. Everything featured on the set is transparent, lending a light-as-air feeling to a very pretty set without denying us any colour. All of the beads are quartz (the cherry quartz beads remind me of small, salmon-reddish tomatillos), so the light will reflect and bounce off this quite prettily — and, dare I say, offer a luminous frame for your face. Very pretty, and thanks to the crystal beads, you'll be able to match this with many things in your wardrobe. $40.

I also like this vividly golden-yellow ribbons necklace with a lovely beaded pendant and these subtly elegant flower agate earrings. There are plenty of lovely things in Tulip36's shop, though, and you're sure to enjoy your perusal thereof.

No, I've not been ODing on Jane Austen books this summer...

Have a great night. ;)

Beauties from New Hope Beads

Sorry this is a bit late tonight, but after a day of running we had a little local neighborhood thing to attend, and have just returned home! We live in such a very nice part of the country; everyone is so friendly and kind. After the main part of the event, we spent the rest of our evening chatting with a lawyer couple, a doctor, and a father-and-son construction team, as well as the very nice owner of a wine shop. 

I have to say that Pittsburgh, where we lived for a year and a half after our marriage, is full of very shy, very cautious people, so it's a relief to be back in a place where people are more easygoing and openly friendly! I miss that about my hometown in the Detroit area, so it was hard to tear myself away...but since we were among the very last group of people to leave the event, I should have the tank filled for a while.

(In all honesty, our neighborhood is so "Leave it to Beaver" one expects to see a young Cleaver tearing down the street at any moment, and our neighbors are all marvellous, but after a year and half of a town peopled with socially reticent, uncertain, and careful types, it's a blessing to be where we are now, and I seem to be making up for that lost time.)

Now on to the cute...please forgive me if I seem tired!

Whether you want something as simple as silver filigree dangling earrings or things a little more artistic, New Hope Beads' shop is a fine place to stop. Among my favourite pieces is this Desert Moon bracelet (above), with its complimentary, soothing colours so nicely set off by the Israeli sterling silver beads. The coloured pieces are made of African Turquoise Jasper, Swarovski crystals, and Nambian Amazonite. The blue and chocolate are so very lovely together, and certain to be very pretty with your summer (and fall, and winter, and perhaps even spring) items. You know I love seeing colours paired with chocolate, particularly soft blues, greens, and pinks, so it was hard to pass this up; besides, the chocolate really grounds the airier blues and silvers here. $53, one-of-a-kind, and is customizable to your size if necessary.

I also feel it is important to point out to you this mother of pearl necklace. I have a similar piece, though mine features an undoubtedly dyed piece of shell; it's a precociously bright and undeniably cheerful lime green. Regardless, I wear it very frequently because of its simplicity in shape and design, and this necklace from New Hope Beads is quite similar; therefore, it is a good buy as a wardrobe builder.  

Being  mother of pearl, it brings a lightness to whatever you are wearing without being frivolous or funky. Indeed, as a piece made of natural material, it 'grounds' what you are wearing at the same time it brings a sense of freedom and lightheartedness (think "beach", though it doesn't scream it). Since this is in its original, God-given colour and strung on black satin with sterling accents, this is an especially good piece of jewelry, wearable with nearly everything and admissible everywhere.  Just $22, a great price for something you will wear — trust me — a whole lot.

These pretties and many, many more (including an almost irresistible coral-turquoise piece) from artist Connie at New Hope Beads. Part (or all, I'm not quite sure) of the proceeds from your purchase go to God's Pantry, an organization that helps feed the hungry.

Copper Art

On occasion, it's fun (and, I think, important) to feature things that aren't just lovely, but unique and artistic, too. I've found another winner in Lucky Rabbit Designs. Brand-new to Etsy, she's offering very interesting, thought-provoking (and sometimes a bit cheeky) jewelry made of copper, sterling silver, brass, and other metals. There are earrings, necklaces, rings, and bangles in the shop, all quite interesting to peruse. I've plucked four of my favourites to share with you here, but encourage you to go look around.




Featured, from top to bottom, are the eclipse pendant on a chain, the very delicate and pretty silver bloom flower pendant necklace; caged, a fascinating pendant featuring wild creatures peering out of a forest at a caged bird; and the heartbreak ring, which allows you to look into a small hole in the copper dome of the heart to see a crack running through the center.

All available from Lucky Rabbit Designs.

Have a great night!

Psychotheraputic

It's always interesting to me, reading the profiles of Etsy sellers and other independent artists. Many are moms, there are quite a few teachers, some (like myself) have health problems I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one lawyer...the crafters and artisans selling their work have wonderfully varying backgrounds. So whenever someone says, "Accounting...that's not for creative people," don't believe them.

Today's designer is Madbeader, who has studied psychotherapy but does a pretty bang-up job designing jewelry, too. She's also a Yorkie mom with an interest in physics, neuropsychology and photography. Still, it's her fun jewelry which caught my eye, particularly her unique cloisonne pieces like Cocktail Party and Cats. These two pendants are actually double-sided and the artistic style on the pieces is very interesting, isn't it? They remind me of some works I've seen at the DIA. $32 and $28, respectively; each is suspended on an wire mesh cord.

Also available are things like this turquoise necklace & earrings set made with turquoise glass beads and silver findings. It's simple yet pretty, a standout treat that doesn't appear to be trying too hard. It's lovely, don't you think? $42.

If you ask me, having pretty jewelry is not just a way to perk up an outfit, but perk up your mood and that of those around you. Jewelry allows for splashes and sparks of bright colours, vivid designs, and artistry that might be too brash or brazen for our clothing; chances are, you can't wear a skirt or jacket with the "cocktail party" artwork to a work meeting, but you can certainly use the funky, cheery piece to top off a standard suit or your regular workday attire.


We're tuning in to see if my Wings can end the Dallas Stars' shot at the Stanley Cup tonight, so...Go Red Wings!

Two From Jeweled Elegance

Heather, artist extraordinaire and owner of Jeweled Elegance, never ceases to amaze me. Not only is she super-talented, she is super-nice and super-productive, too. As a writer, I guess I'm more of a reader, too, and that takes up what would otherwise be crafting time. Until I can hire someone with a wonderfully dulcet voice or train my computer to hijack George Takei's voice (no, really, the man has a terrific voice - take it from a former radio and ad agency girl) to sit and read news articles to me, I have to do it myself, and 'till then shall be held in thrall of those who pump out gorgeous crafty things with seemingly effortless skill. Of course, it is work, even for them, but...heck, even after I do train my computer I'll still be impressed by some of these folk.


Anyhow, I thought it was past time I featured Heather's work once again. Her shop is so varied - from whimsical, sweet treats to truly elegant, sophisticated pieces. Tonight there are two for you: one elegant, and one fun (but still elegant...funny how she works that angle...).


First up is this stunning, one-of-a-kind Mermaid's Pride necklace. I'll be honest with you: it stopped me in my tracks because it made me think of the (wonderful) book I've just finished, Perelandra. If the leading lady were to wear jewelry, this strikes me as exactly the sort of necklace she'd choose: it seems to be made from pieces of the sea itself, the shell like the reflection of the moon upon the waters, the double strand like the soft waves caressing the seashore. The necklace features amethyst accents and sterling findings. Handmade, $130.


Also irresistible, though in a different fashion, are these earrings featuring carnelian, new jade, and red mountain jade that
fairly seems to glow on their sterling wire. The gentle curves in the wire add a sophisticated touch to the cheery, fun colours that are simply perfect for the coming warm summertime. Another one-of-a-kind treat, these are $18.


Both from Jeweled Elegance, where you can also find Heather's latest stroke of wonderful, a fresh take on bird's nest necklaces you are really going to appreciate. Honestly, with Mother's Day just around the corner, I'm surprised she has any left, since they're a perfect gift for Mom! Heather has a new shop on Etsy you'll want to check out as well.



I was also tagged by a pal with a "Six Random Things" meme, which I promised to do yesterday but did not after being overwhelmed by other events. I won't tag anybody else, but feel free to play along and link back to me, letting me know! You just have to offer six random things about yourself, so...here goes.


1. We have finally, finally picked out the colours for our master bedroom! This has been an odyssey I'd rather forget, but...finally. If they look hideous, I don't care. We'll buy new bedding. This has gone on too long! Whew.

2. I still miss Remmy. A lot. Terribly. These past two weeks have been nearly as painful as the first few days after we had to let him go. I don't know why this is, but all there is left to do is trust God and know He has all in His hands, and He sees and even understands my hurting heart. Hubby is ready for a kitty, methinks, but...some days I am, and other days I'm not. So I wait. And just know Remmy is up there, knocking over God's wineglass and wondering where the marshmallows are hidden.

We're planning our garden now, and part of it will be a memorial garden for Rem, featuring blue flowers, to remind us of those sweet blue eyes of his.

3. Yes...I have eaten Nutella straight out of the jar. We all have our guilty pleasures. (Fortunately, Nutella is so rich and tasty, a little bit off the teaspoon is quite satisfying.)

4. My weekend treat is traditionally a "fancy coffee" from my two favourite coffee places: Caribou Coffee or Dunkin' Donuts, though the latter has fallen slightly from my good graces due to their inexplicable decision to hire Rachael Ray. There is not a Dunkin's for roughly an hour, and last month...they closed my Caribou! *sob* Back to my Mr. Coffee machine. It's just not the same...

5. Joseph and King David are my two favourite Biblical people other than Jesus. Joseph was just an all-around good guy who was abused, wronged, and seemed abandoned by God, yet he continued to trust in the Father and His faithfulness. Moreover, Joseph was such a tremendous man that after he'd been put in charge of the Egyptian prison for a while, it was considered strange for some of the inmates to be unhappy (no, really). David was just...David. He wasn't God's first choice, he was adulterous, conspired to murder a loyal man, his family became a disaster due to his adultery...yet he loved God so much, God considered David to be a man after his own heart. David's Psalms, of course, have brought comfort and joy to countless souls over the years.

Moses would have to be up there, too. He was willing to be separated from God for eternity so the Israelites wouldn't be punished for their sins. God called Moses "friend", which is definitely something to aspire to.

6. Jimmy Stewart is my favourite actor of all time, and "It's A Wonderful Life" my favourite movie. What would have been his hundredth birthday is May 20. "Harvey" is another terrific Jimmy movie, and we often pair it up for a night's viewing with Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace" Two very funny films, of the kind we'd never see come out of Hollywood today!

Have a great night!

Fun Friday: Very cute Very Vintage

So sorry I didn't post last night...Not sure what happened, really! Things are still pretty sad around here and a little hectic. What makes it really strange is I actually had an item picked! Go figure.

It is a blessing to have so many people sending kind words of encouragement and love at this time. Years ago, the loss of a pet wasn't understood as well as it is today, where many are single or have no children and find pets a comfort as much as the furballs are a pleasure. We feel fortunate to have so many people who've sent notes and prayers our way.

I hope giving you a handful of fun little trinkets makes up for it. Each of these is from Very Vintage, purveyor of all sorts of things that remind me of the 50s, with the sweet, confection-ish colours and adorable themes.

You'll find everything from food to critters on Very Vintage's barrettes, clips, earrings, necklaces, brooches and other goodies. Everything is cheerful, light, and a wee bit cheeky, not to mention super well-priced. Any one of these pieces would make a great treat for yourself or a friend, and are sure to bring a smile to many a face.


Have a great weekend, everyone, and stay safe to those of you in the parts of the country getting hit with inclement weather. Perhaps this shall be the last such weekend before spring arrives.

Candy-like

This ring is so simple yet still very pretty and sweet. Sweet because of the soft, pale, shimmery pink pearl button; pretty and simple because the button is set on an austere and unfussy clear button made of Depression glass. All is mounted to a silver-plated ring. Best of all, it's just $12!

If you think this has a vintage feel even aside from its components, it's because the artist adores vintage. She uses many vintage materials, so this is sustainable chic to the max less the snideness. Her entire shop is full of darling, whimsical, and very pretty jewelry you're sure to love, at affordable prices, too. If you like this ring, be sure to check out the Valentine's ring, which actually makes me think of a snowflake.

Hope everyone had a great weekend...I spent most of today at the doctor's, so I'm ready to relax with Hubby and Rem. ;) See you tomorrow!

Soft Beauty from Eliwill

While the listing for this lovely, delicately-coloured bracelet says it's perfect for summer, I think it's perfect for this time of year, too. All of those muted green and blue sweaters, not to mention the chocolate and vanilla-coloured ones, would doubtless be happy to be paired up with this sweet little accessory. Handmade of swarovski crystals and faceted pearls, it seems as perfect for the cool, grey, icy days of winter as it is for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Just $32, it would go beautifully with the marlys or noelle earrings, and especially this pair, which are promised to someone else, but artist Elizabeth does accept custom orders, so perhaps you could get a similar pair.

Elizabeth's entire shop is full of fetching jewelry in colours and materials that are more often than not soft in colour (some are bright) and hence very rich-looking. Her earrings are especially well-priced, but everything seems reasonable to me.

Bijoujuju Fall

This autumn-themed pendant from Bijoujuju is perfect for the season and even beyond (as Southern artist Shannon suggests as well). Quite a few people I know consider fall to be their favourite season, so it must be a common affection; therefore, there'd be no reason for you to feel silly wearing this in, say, March, because your fellow autumn-philes will completely understand.

Also, the pendant is named quite cleverly. Just trust me.

The beautifully stylized image — Hubby says the tree reminds him of the trees on Hollin's Gate in Tolkein's mythological Middle-Earth — has been transferred onto the polymer pendant, and it all hangs from a silk cord. The image is protected by a triple seal, and it's just $16.

The nice thing about Bijoujuju is that if you see something you like and ponder it for a few days only to find it sold, she'll do her best to make another of the same item for you. She's also got these fantabulous grab bags of pendants that don't meet her high standards, but she'll sell you four or five "perfectly imperfect" pendants for about $10! They're not imperfect, really; they just have slightly more quirky personalities.

In addition to these polymer pendants, this Texas-based shop (let's here it for the Lone Star State!) is also home to photographic prints, rich beaded necklaces and earrings and fused glass treats. There are even a few semi-precious gems in her shop, so head on over!

Sophistique

Is this loverly or what? It's very rich, with the red, caramel and gold tones — tones that also make it perfect for fall. It reminds me of the turning leaves, of apples pumpkins atop a bale of hay at the orchard, of perfect sunsets. The polymer clay pendant has been polished and sealed with a gloss, giving it a very glasslike appearance (at first, I thought it was glass). A gold-tone rolo chain sets the pendant off beautifully, and this is a one-of-a-kind piece. $24 from JanZio, who I initially found through Flickr and this beautiful piece, one I thought would go wonderfully with the dress featured yesterday. Wonderful, isn't it?

Sorry I've been non-chatty this week - I sprained my wrist, making it hard to type. That hasn't stopped me from spending today priming and painting our front door, priming the garage door, and priming one kitchen wall and slapping the final 2 paint selections on that wall, too. The front door looks terrific, and it feels good to have THAT done, but it began sprinkling, preventing me from taking care of the garage door as well.

We also purchased two apple trees over the weekend - Empire and Stayman - and planted one. The other will have to go in the dirt within the next few days. Interestingly, Stayman trees have sterile pollen, meaning they can be pollinated by other apple trees (apples are not self-pollinating), but their pollen can't work with other trees. We were unaware of this fact when making our purchase, but the neighbors across the street have two apple trees in their backyard, so we should be good. What bee is so lazy she won't fly across the street for some good pollen (they'll fly up to a mile, so we aren't worried)? I'm very excited about the apple trees - it's something we both wanted, but me especially.

We also (finally!) have pumpkins on the porch. Had I not sprained my wrist, I'd have grabbed a couple more at the store yesterday - I love pumpkins, not to mention the yummy seeds that come out of them.

Have a great night!

Tree Love

This decoupaged wood pendant is pretty with a hint of whimsy. A small red bird is floating on one side of this fanciful tree, and overall it's a very merry necklace, don't you think? The pendant is finished with a glossy veneer for looks and to protect your jewelry.

The pendant comes with wire backing attached so you can put it on your own chain, ribbon, or whatever you'd like to hang it from, or you can purchase a length of leather cord from artist SparkleNose's shop for just $5. Since the pendant itself is a mere $7, that means you get a lot of fashion bang for your buck!

You'll find many similarly pretty pendants at SparkleNose, some featuring art like this, others bearing beautiful foreign stamps or fun photographs and retro art. The idea is unique, and the price is definitely right - and it never, ever being too early to start Christmas shopping...

Have a great evening!

Origami Earrings

These origami earrings from LeeLoo Studio are perfect for everyday wear if classic diamonds, pearls, or hoops just aren't for you. Pretty but with a hint of funky, they'll spice up your wardrobe without being too flashy or getting in your way (chandelier earrings are beautiful, but not exactly practical for running to the supermarket, taking the kids to school/football/ballet/piano/swim, or prepping for a major meeting). Handmade with origami paper affixed to sterling silver posts with clear resin, they're $20 a pair, and entirely customizable - there are 18 different design choices! LeeLoo will make a ring, pendant, or brooch to match your choice of style or colour.

There is a lot of wonderful jewelry at Lee Loo Studio, all made with silver, gold, precious and semiprecious stones, and other unique materials. This limited-edition leaf pendant is one of my favourites, and this cute tricolour geometric circle ring reminds me of my little sister. :)

Have a wonderful evening! Is it just me, or did this week fly by?

Art From eeni-ren designs

I've been chatting with artist and life-coach Inna of eeni-ren designs via email recently, after I emailed her about pictures of her products to use here on Pretty/Modest. She's a Pittsburgh native (who lives in one of the coolest parts of town, to boot) who is quite fun to talk with, and her work is really wonderful, full as it is of unique beads and fashioned very artistically.




I originally chose these earrings a couple of weeks ago because they matched something featured the previous night, but she wasn't sure about the quality of the photos and whether they'd be good enough or not, and we got to talking about houses and Pittsburgh and photos, and you know how all that is. At any rate, these $32 earrings feature large green freshwater pearls - so pretty! - and two small white ones. Not only do I like the soft, gentle colours, the oval shape of the pearls is quite unique. Overall, the effect of the earrings, with the subtly flirty swirl of sterling silver beneath, is very sophisticated and refined but not at all stuffy or overly dramatic.

The other item I saw and had to feature is the Dreaming of Another Time reversible pendant, which I'm teasing you with by showing just one side of. Both sides feature delightful vintage portraits of lovely ladies, kept safe by glass covers and a hand-soldered frame. The chain is about 19.5" long, although you can get a different length if you like. Only $30, and there are several more on her what's new page.

Inna told me she's getting ready to revamp her shop with new pictures soon, but her site is plenty fine as it is (her logo is a fabulous tribute to Art Deco). Her show schedule and a list brick & mortar shops carrying her work are on her website as well in case you want to check out her work in person. Of course, any order over $50 ships free, so this is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a few things for yourself or your friends.

Have a wonderful evening!

Pretty As A Picture

Isn't this bird pin lovely and wonderfully sweet? A miniature collage piece made of paper from old calendars and then covered in plastic, it's definitely a one-of-a-kind wearable work of art, perfect for heralding the much-appreciated arrival of spring. There's a beaded pendant attached to one side to add a little extra heft and sparkle. Perfect for attaching to your handbag, jacket, or a light sweater, this pin is only $6 from Pequenio Craft.


Artist (and professor) Andrea is wonderfully creative, and it was very difficult to choose from her jewelry and other goodies. Another fave is this $15 leaf necklace - which I happened to see in a Flickr craft group, leading me to explore her store - and these adorably demure paper doll earrings for $6. There's a great amount of charm and whimsy to Andrea's work, and I'm certain you'll really enjoy her shop.

Short And Sweet

This girl is still playing catchup from her one-year wedding anniversary vacation, so I'll have to keep this brief (oh, stop laughing... ;D ). Tonight I'm featuring this lovely Obi ring from Beadoodles. A bead of rainforest jasper is flanked by knots of sterling silver. There's a lot of variety in the stones and the crystal inclusions on each, and the artist is happy to work with you if there's a certain look you'd like, such as bigger crystals, more variation in texture, or even spots of orange in the stone.

The artist's philosophy about the relationship between people and art makes a lot of sense to me, so I'll share it:

I could get all philosophical and wax on about the symbiotic relationship between people and art* but I really enjoy making and seeing the fruits of my labor, and seeing them travel happily to a new home!....This is why I create things to be used. Jewelry is made to be worn; and when it is, it expresses both the style of the wearer and the vision of the maker. Journals are the medium for the written word or the drawn subject. The owner's individual art or thoughts only enhance my own. There is no greater thrill than seeing my art worn or used. It is then I know that my artistic vision is complete.

Her slogan is "it's the little things that make life happy", and being a details dame myself, I have to agree with her. She takes great pride in her work, and with much reason - it's beautiful in some cases, fun in others, and expressive of talent and creativity on all counts. I can assure you that she'll be another artist we'll be hearing from again here on Pretty/Modest - it was difficult for me to choose just one treat for you, when there are things like this, this, this....


At only $12, this piece is a real steal, and it's so beautiful I think it's perfect to wear just about anywhere. The colours and appearance of the stone make it perfect for summer. From Beadoodles, home of some gorgeous stuff I think you'll enjoy browsing through and, I hope, wearing!

Pink Will Prevail

So will soft greys and turquoise, according to Christian Dior, but let's focus on one thing at a time - like this lovely pendant from Get Wired. I saw her work noodling around on Flickr while eating lunch this afternoon and am so impressed by the artistic way she shapes and molds the metal - so fluid and elegant, and very feminine. Schoolteacher and artist Rebecca has some beautiful work displayed both at her store and her Flickr stream that's worth looking at!

This fellow Pennsylvanian created the pendant with silver-coated copper wire and a very pretty pink and clear glass bead that she found at a bead store (judging by the beads she uses, it must be a magical bead store, let me tell you!). The pendant is a mere $12, quite a deal for such a truly lovely piece, and Rebecca provides a sheer ribbon necklace in your choice of colour with every pendant purchase.

But wait, there's more! (I couldn't resist.) Right now, Rebecca is having a "Yikes, I just bought a car!" sale, which means you benefit from Rebecca's new ride: $1 off $5-$9 goodies, $2 off $10-$14 goodies...basically, it's $1 off every four you spend! To top it off, she'll throw in a pair of earrings that compliment your jewelry for just five bucks. Whattadeal!

You'll find sterling silver, gemstones, bracelets, earrings, and other goodies at Get Wired, all of them worth your perusal. Her wire-wrapping work is truly among the most beautiful I've seen. Enjoy!

Sparkling Your Way Into Spring

We took a later walk than usual downtown tonight...what can I say?

I can say "Buy this fantabulous ring", can't I? This is one of those things I see and just know I have to feature because of its sheer wonderfulness: great colour, a fun style, and reasonably priced. If that's not trifecta, I don't know what is. Only $8.50 at LAMDesigns.

Created by Laura, a professional embroiderer, I'm sure this ring will make you smile every time you look at it. (It's also a good excuse to update your manicure.) This English artist was actually accepted to the Royal School of Needlework in 2002, spending three years learning what is not only a fine but an enjoyable art - embroidery. Isn't that wonderful? (Sounds like a dream school to me.) She has a gallery of her work here at her UK-based site.

It cheers me to see embroidery making a comeback of late; it was a hobby I greatly enjoyed as a girl in but had to give up as life became more crowded. Fortunately, the regular five-hour each way drives to see our families (mine live in Michigan and Hubby's are in Ohio) opened the door for me to begin embroidery again in the car of all places. I'm now blessed enough to spend a little time each night happily stitching away. It's a simple hobby to begin if you want to work with your hands and add a personal touch to napkins, bed linens or kitchen towels, but as you can see from Laura's work, there is an entirely separate level. Her Snow Queen is gorgeous work (in her gallery).

Best of all, though, I think every embroiderer can say this: not only is it a beautiful hobby to partake of, it's very relaxing and fun.

(Full disclosure: Despite never having been there *sniff*, I have a very deep and abiding affection for England and the people thereof. I'm almost as happy to feature a Briton as I am a Michigander. I'm a strange woman...)

Yes, yes, I've spent all this time speaking of embroidery without showing one of her wonderful pieces. How cruel.


Beautiful, don't you think? This hand-embroidered peacock feather cuff is $34 at her shop. The feather is embroidered onto dupioni silk (wonderful texture for jewelry, in my opinion); the cuff fastens with a black ribbon. The Swarovski crystals add just the right touch of glamour, although I think this piece would really be fine without as well - the embroidery is absolutely lovely, isn't it? A piece of curved plastic on the inside of the cuff maintains the crisp shape. There are also matching earrings, a pendant, and a ring. In reality, you're wearing something that is more a piece of art than jewelry alone.

Trust me, you'll enjoy looking!

Earth laughs in flowers!

Well, I hope y'all had a chance to take a peek at last night's jaw-droppingly gorgeous vintage dress. Scroll on down, it's drool-worthy, and anyone who sees you and the reason for the drool won't blame you.

Moving on (to something that wouldn't even hope to dream of going with that dress), I saw this pretty beaded flower necklace the other day and was looking forward to sharing it with you tonight. Made of brown wooden beads - have I mentioned yet how I really like the warmth of wooden beads? - with faceted purple and brown glass beads, green glass potato beads, bronze glass pearls, and a few other beads, the obvious calling card of this necklace is the beautiful large flower pendant. You might be able to wear this pendant to one side instead of dead center for a little interest; it's made of purple glass drop beads with a large bronze glass pearlescent bead in the center, surrounded by a few more pretty green beads to add some life to the pendant. Artist Gillyflower finished this off with a silver plated lobster clasp and silver extension chain finished off with another pretty bead. While it can be worn short - hitting right below the collarbone - it can also be worn longer thanks to the extension chain.

As you know, purple is typically considered the colour of royalty, and we've already talked about the wonderfulness of green. Purple is associated with nobility, luxury, power, wisdom and ambition - fitting, since many of the world's great past leaders liked to wear purple. I suspect the colour's associations came along after a few powerful and well-heeled wearers began to take to it! The dye to create purple - a rare colour in nature - was expensive and rather difficult to produce (it takes about 12,000 mollusks to make 1.5 grams of pure purple dye), so it stands to reason that for much of our sartorial history, only the powerful and wealthy could afford it; purple apparel was literally worth its weight in gold. Many Christians associate Israel's King Solomon with purple, as he used great amounts of purple textiles in the Temple at Jerusalem. Also, if my memory serves me, many past popes wore purple regularly as well.

It wasn't until the mid-1800s that purple became available to everyone. While the mystique of purple is somewhat gone, it still evokes thoughts of wealth, royalty, and nobility in most people - old habits die hard!


A mere $18 at Gilyflower, where you'll find some truly lovely, ladylike jewelry that always has a really fun twist (like these cute earrings). It's the kind of stuff that makes people look twice - first, it's "Oh, how pretty!" and then, "Wait a minute...look at that! How cool!" Wearing jewelry that makes the people looking at you smile, too, is always a good thing, since of course we all want to spread joy and be a blessing to those around us, even if it's just something small like this that makes them smile for a little bit ('tis the little things that count).

Enjoy!