Etsy Treasury: SHOUT! Introducing The Orange Girl!

I'm too excited to sleep - our first rehearsal for Shout! The Mod Musical!  I had the great idea to make some Treasuries based on the characters.  Here's one for the Orange Girl, played by Elizabeth Glenday: "The mother of the group, Orange is domestic and maternal. Wise, soulful and mature, she is slowly asserting her new-found independence."  Enjoy!

1960's Colorful Geometri... kaleidoscopeby... $39.00	VINTAGE MOD ORANGE DRESS wit... vintagous $20.00
Mondrian on the Rocks drawin... BrashAnticsArt... $60.00	The Citrus Sixties. A Chunky... AmyAdair $69.00
Vintage Yellow Orange Plasti... ForgottenFiner... $10.00	Funky Fab Floral 1960's ... Fondue $35.00
Vintage Crochet Pattern Sult... toknittowoo $4.00	12 Vintage 1960s Plastic Smi... callmejasper $16.00
SLIPSTREAM- vintage enamel r... VictrolaVamp $15.00	the 1970s cushion set sweetbirdieblu... $45.00
Clementine - Vintage Enamel ... JenniferJonesJ... $115.00	Orange Ford Galaxie 1950s Ca... thestapeliacom... $20.00
1964 A BC Beatles Tradiing C... BoxBoys $19.95	Set of 4 -Repurposed - Upcyc... sewnewthings $40.00
Rusty Tartan Scotty Dog BROO... EmmaDear $8.50	EXTRA SMALL 60s VINTAGE TOP vintagefriends $24.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

The Coolest Piece of Interchangeable Jewelry You've Ever Seen ...

For those who are fans of charm bracelets, like myself, you may be enjoying the kilt pin charm brooch accessory!  I wanted a way to make a stamp on this unique piece and came up with something really one-of-a-kind.  I looked at the brooch itself as an entire piece and thought, "This would be a killer pendant!"  My mind kept reeling from there - each charm dangling from the kilt pin would be attached with a lobster clasp to customize the piece by adding different charms and beads.  A simple chain is attached to either end of the kilt pin with lobster clasps; one attached to the kilt pin, one on the chain itself.  Wanna know something else cool?  Attach a charm or two onto the chain and you've got yourself another necklace!  You can clip the charms onto zipper pulls, purses, cell phone charms and anywhere else you'd like, and probably a few other ideas I'm not thinking of right now!

Take a look at the first few!

Late Night Friday Covets, Issue #16: Be Good To Yourself

Curated with this week's Etsy Monday! in mind!  Enjoy!

Great Big Bottle of Air Plan... TortoiseLovesD... $29.50	Mr. Darcy Proposal scoop nec... Brookish $22.00
SILENCE nightgown/camisole V... MajoReyStore $95.00	Oatmeal Milk and Honey Soap sunbasilgarden $5.50
French Lavender Honey Vanill... FusionSweets $18.00	Faceted Pear Pendant - 199 C... gemagenta $42.00
Honeysuckle Pink Hi-Gloss Li... opheliasapothe... $12.50	Organic cotton bamboo Kimono... econica $76.00
pattypan squash hoops in pin... foundling $75.00	Golden Yellow Big Bow Pillow bedbuggs $24.00
Coeur de Chocolat aux Cerise... lechouchou $26.00	Hydrangea Purses and Heels S... sproutcandlesh... $5.00
Tub Caddy made of Reclaimed ... PegandAwl $100.00	Tree of Life Vintage Natural... LeatherDruid $89.00
SALE All Eyes Are on You 8 x... LolasRoom $12.50	My Little Babushka Russian D... Marolsha $21.50

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Shania Got Married!

What a ... er, wonderful ... story of love ... and loss, and well, uh ... love at last!

 
Congrats to Eilleen Edwards (but you may call her Shania Twain) and Frédéric Thiebaud on their wedding day!  They were married on New Years Day, 2011 in a beautiful resort in Rincón, Puerto Rico, hosting a private ceremony to 40 of their closest friends and family.

"Beatles For Sale" Guitar Pick Jewelry

Who doesn't love The Beatles?

Colourful images - lots of possibilities!

Those yellow crackle lucite beads are fantastic!

A thrift store find for a charm bracelet idea!

I'm very excited to have picked up these Beatles guitar picks from work to have some fun with, featuring some classic memorabilia and album art images.  Also in the mix, we've got a strand necklace of vintage lucite beads, a few thrift-find link chain necklaces and bracelets, and some random charms and and trinkets given to me by some friends.  Check out some of the results!

Etsy Monday! Resolution Edition, Issue #13: Be Good To Yourself

Happy New Year to all of you DIY lovers, crafty people and artsy-fartsies!

As much as people may deny it, everyone has their own personal list of 'New Year's Resolutions'.  It may be the same promises you keep to yourself every year to better yourself in some way, to go on a new adventure, to try a new hairstyle, to pick up a new hobby, or to drop a bad habit.  For January's Etsy Monday! issues, I'd like to try to help you with whatever 'resolutions' you have for yourself!

My resolutions every year fall in the generic categories a lot of the time; I find that specific resolutions always seem to disappoint me.  The whole thought process of making resolutions for me is to reflect on the year that has passed, and see what I've learned from an entire year of new experiences, people I've met and accomplishments I've made.  There is one resolution, however, that I do make every year for myself - and it's to be good to myself, to remember that I have friends and family who love me as much as I love them.  I do think that people tend to forget to take care of themselves as much as they are generous with other people - I know I can be!  So, may I present a few Etsians who can certainly help you feel good about yourself, so that you can be better in everything you do in 2011!

FusionSweets.etsy.com

The first thing I think of when it comes to treating myself is candy.  Who doesn't?  There's nothing like a sweet, tasty confection to indulge in!  Then, may I suggest feasting your eyes on Fusion Sweets - baked goods, candies and other sweets infused with Eastern and Western influences.  Kay and Angela, a mother-and-daughter team "with a passion for eating, baking and traveling [sic]" experiment with combinations of unique flavours and spices.  Pick up a little treat for yourself and tell a friend about the shop - they'll treat you to a "referral discount!"  And if you're in the Michigan area, they offer free pickup - that might be dangerous for your sweet tooth!

Taro Butter Caramels

Etsy Treasury: From Down Under by Pugs & Pigs

Thanks very much to Pugs & Pigs Shop for including the Bondi Beach necklace in their Treasury!  Visit on Etsy and leave some comment love!

Vinyl Wall Sticker Decal Art... urbanwalls $79.90	SALE Australia Travel Journa... PrairiePeasant $24.00
Opossum Crochet Pattern - Am... OohLookItsARab... $	Pink Queensland Agate Sterli... rocknwrap $60.00
Scrabble Tile Pendant - Abor... ThePendantFact... $6.95	Turtle Dreaming SheldonLee $395.00
PLATYPUS Stuffed Toy Pattern... FunkyFriendsFa... $11.35	Vintage Australian Postage S... Juanitas $18.00
Watercolor Sydney Opera Hous... makaistudio $30.00	Australian Vintage Map Neckl... LefthandOrigin... $16.00
S A L E - Bondi Beach neckla... designbycassan... $20.00	Unique Painting on a T Shirt... mooneydanny $47.00
Boho, Hippie, drawstring sac... thegroove $19.95	Cute and Fun Climbing Koala ... Suzlarooz $1.75
Spinifex Aboriginal Print by... Goddesswares $	ULURU Australia 8 x 10 Origi... pugsnpigs $20.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

The Pantone Colour of 2011: Honeysuckle

After the tranquil escapism of their colour choice of Turquoise in 2010, Pantone Inc., the "global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries", has made many dreams come true for those girly-girls out there by announcing Honeysuckle as the signature hue of 2011!

Growing up a tomboy, I was never really attached much to pink as other girls were.  I don't ever recall having a pink bedspread, let alone a pink bedroom.  I had a few pink outfits as a child, and owned Barbies, but I also played in the mud and gave them haircuts so that they could fight with my brother's G.I. Joes.  My wardrobe consisted of well-fitting, awesome clothes with earth tones and neutrals.  Only the last few years had I started to incorporate jewel tones - amethyst purples, bright turquoise, emerald greens, pale yellows and rich pinks - into my wardrobe with key pieces and accessories (scarves are the big thing for me right now!).  I was always worried about looking like I was 'trying too hard' to look feminine, since my tomboyish look has resulted in a "polished bohemian" look, both professional and casual (at least when I'm going out - it's pajama pants and a tee when I'm blogging at home!).  Honeysuckle was a colour that helped me reign in that feminine style without feeling 'fake'.  Whether it's a bold necklace, a casual print top, a pashmina scarf or floral brooch - the piece not only fits right, but feels right.  The fit makes me comfortable, and the colour can change my attitude.  And I know, if I ever want to face a day with a sassy, confident attitude and still feel 'myself', I wear Honeysuckle.

"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits.  Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color [sic] that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues, explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute®.  "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color [sic] red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."

Honeysuckle will be making appearances in day and night apparel for women, as well as accessories and cosmetics.  Mens shirts, ties and sportswear will be featuring this hue for a punch of energetic colour.  Patterned pillows, bedspreads, tabletop accessories, kitchenware and small appliances in this vibrant hue will be gracing homes, as well as wall and window treatments.  This colour will create a flurry of inspiration across the spectrum in the design world - I'm excited to see what will be revealed!

Read more about Pantone's choice of Honeysuckle for 2011 in their press release!

Check out my latest Treasury on Etsy inspired by the Pantone Colour of 2011 - Honeysuckle!

A Handmade Christmas: The Big Reveal!

Going for the handmade option in gift giving always adds a special meaning; the thought and time you've put into something that you've made just for them, knowing there isn't another "one of those" out there like it.  Now that they've all been given, here are a few of the many handmade gifts I had given this year!

Blogger's note: I haven't pictures of everything quite yet, as there was technical difficulties with the camera over the holidays.  I can always borrow the pieces for a photo shoot - they're not too far away!

 

The mailman was extra careful!

My best friend Graham received this totally awesome 'Nerdherder wallet' from Rockitbot on Etsy, made from herringbone-patterned mens suit material.  I nearly kept this wallet for myself when I opened the package - better than I expected!  These wallets hold everything all at once - all those little gadgets, loose change and minor necessities all have their own place in these well-organized pockets.  The best surprise - the stamp on the package when I received it in the mail!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please, do pardon the absence over the past few weeks, as it has been quite busy - I'm sure it has for all of you! You were all in my thoughts this holiday season, itching to get back to blogging and sharing some new stuff with you all!  Among the many things that made it a 'handmade Christmas', I made some delectable Apple Cinnamon Banana muffins for a potluck at work, and decorated my own gingerbread house with some good friends.

The tree will be down any day now, so here's a picture of our tree this year in all its glory, full of handmade decorations from friends, family and what we made ourselves.  Placing these small tokens of friendship and love on a symbol that represents a spirit of giving, wonder and magic always makes my heart swell.  Maybe that's why I hate taking it down every year.

Hope everyone has a wonderful start to 2011!  Here's to a year full of new adventures yet to be had!