I'm Back! Plus, New Items on Etsy

Hello! 

It's been a while since I posted anything on this blog.  Okay like 3 years to be exact! A lot has happened and I should fill you in on what's been going on over here. But to do that entirely would make this a really long, long post. 

So to catch you up in the short version: I got married, had a baby (she's now 2yrs) and left my full-time job, became a stay-at-home mom, and now work full-time again as a freelance/contract mobile assistant. 

Whew! I believe that brings us up to current day. 

Part of my kick to get back into blogging also stirred up my desire to update my Etsy listings. Now that my regular "day job" has settled down a bit, I can take the time to put some focus on my jewelry. In fact, this weekend I've got a photography session for new items scheduled! Can't wait to get those posted on the Etsy shop too. 

Smokey Topaz with Aqua chip beads on sterling silver chain 

 

This is a necklace that I made a while back and sold on Etsy. It's such a classic piece to me that I decided to renew it. If you missed out, now's your chance to own it for yourself (or give as a gift!)

Wouldn't this look great paired with white linen pants or chic white dress?!

Well it feels good to be back and I'll try to not wait so long to post again.

~Rita

Etsy Find: Beach Inspiration

The weather has been so nice I'm already thinking about Summer at the Beach. With this in mind, I found some lovely items on Etsy with a beach inspiration.

1. Surf by OneStepBeyond70

2. Vintage woven clutch by NattyFramebyPY

3. Sea Green Coriander headband by mixbaby

4. Sea Star by Flax and Spindle

5. Hibiscus rubber stamp by drumchick99

{found on Etsy}

Etsy Find: The Spotted Sparrow

This cute card by The Spotted Sparrow was just added to its online shop today. It makes me smile and it's so perfect for Mother's Day! Julia of The Spotted Sparrow is an American living with her husband in Aachen, Germany. Her paper creations are vintage inspired and so adorable! I love the fact that there is a quirky and funny side to them. They really are great for any occasion. Here are a few more of my favorites.

Find more of The Spotted Sparrow:
{Etsy}
{Blog}
{Flickr}

I love Mocha

It's no secret that I have a coffee addiction. Specifically, "Grande Soy Vanilla Lattes." I know most people would just say no to Starbucks but this particular concoction has a stronghold over me. I've tried to stop. Really I have. I even resorted to making my own version at home. Let me just say, it's really not the same. I like going in to the local one (dangerously close to my office) and connecting with other like minded peeps. My love of this great little bean has filtered to other areas...here are some of my recent Etsy finds related to coffee, mocha, java, espresso...

Morning Coffee Scarf


Coffee Brown cotton pillow

Oh Cocoa earrings

The Classic wrap...

Mocha Shortbread


Coffee with cream ruffled sweater

{etsy finds}

Etsy Find: Blythe King

I stumbled upon todays Etsy artisan (Blythe King) by mere coincidence. I can't even tell you I found her work because in the Twitter/Blogosphere I start clicking links and finding new people to follow. Then I like to read their tweets and then I'll start clicking more links. Somehow I'll end up on a blog and suddenly here we are in the present -- with me writing an article about an artisan (which of course I will then follow up with a tweet.) Crazy world! :)


About the artist:
I'm Blythe. I am a quiet middle child with cold hands and curly hair. I come from Pittsburgh, but currently live above an old hardware store in a small bayou town in south Louisiana, where I’ve collected piles and piles of vintage fabric.

About the product:
I use only vintage materials collected from various seamstress' estates throughout Louisiana. Aside from the padding used to make iSockits, no new materials are purchased in the making of my products, and all designs are my own.


I've been looking for a cover for my iPhone for a while. I had one but lost it and right now I'm not using anything. But I know I need something and I guess what I find at the Apple store isn't quite my style. So finding Blythe King's Etsy shop is a miracle to me. Not only does her product serve the purpose but it's handmade and it has style. And to me those two are super important.

She only sells online but you can also check out her work on Flickr. Don't you just love the internet?!

Artisan Spotlight: Hooray for Spring!

Here are a few of my Spring favorites from Etsy...

(click images to see Etsy seller information)

My Latest Project: Rings

Finally, I made some rings! I've been wanting to do this for quite some time but it was only recently that I devoted time to tackling this new area. Let me tell you that at first I was discouraged but after a few hours I had finished 5 rings! This one is already posted on Etsy - the others should be up by tomorrow.

What do you think? I making them in sterling silver as well.

Etsy Find: IS Photography

Today's Etsy find is from Irene Suchoski of IS Photography. While researching sellers for this article, I originally planned on writing about letterpress or other paper goods. Then I came across this lovely notecard with the perfect message: Follow your bliss. I stopped dead in my tracks. So although this post was meant to be about paper goods I felt I had to write about her work. (See my next post about exclusively paper items.)The following description about Irene and her work says it best:
Faithfully capturing a scene is less important to me than finding that little bit of mystery or evoking a certain mood. I like to explore the ethereal, the surreal, the whimsical, the mysterious, and the beautiful. I enjoy creating little poems for the eyes.


Looking through her shop, there are so many beautiful images. Her "dreams" take many forms - from a cute notecard to a 8 x 10 print or even as a piece of jewelry.


As I look through her pieces, I immediately want to buy them to put up on my wall as inspiration. Her prints are touching and deep but so light and soft. What's also great is that these wouldn't set me back tons of dough. I can afford to buy one or two or three without feeling guilty about the money I spent. Now, what's better than that?

{irenesuchocki's shop}

Etsy Local: LA Black Bag

In preparing this article for you, I realize that I didn't want to showcase just any local (Charlotte area) Etsy seller. I wanted to find products whose creator is just as unique as they are. Alas, I bring you, LA Black Bags on etsy.

About the creator, Leslie Ann Black:
LA Black Bags is the creation of Leslie Ann Black. Leslie's philosphopy is that simple, uncomplicated, and classic styling is best. Leslie Ann Black has been sewing since in high school (70's), and she owes her skills to Aunt Betty Lou. Aunt Betty Lou, is the mother of two boys and welcomed the opportunity to have a girl's day of sewing with her niece. Leslie would start out with simple patterns and with each trip up the mountain (Berwick, PA) would see advancements in skills and techniques. Hopefully Aunt Betty Lou has forgiven her for those horrible John Wayne shirts with ruffles! Some things should never be repeated.

Here are just a few of her lovely creations (they also happen to be faves too!)

...fun stripes pattern and wristlets are so flirty ;)

Sweet Shoulder bag...soft colors and a nature theme perfect for all year long!

A beautiful handbag...reminds me of Summer at the Beach.

A classic shoulderbag...blue stripes are always in style.

Leslie Ann talks about what is so special about LA Black Bags :
"We have to really love what we do, to create a product that we are proud of. I believe in the independent creative process that is touched by human hands through every level, nothing mass produced. Each woman is an individual and so are LA Black Bags."

Leslie Ann also sells her fabulous handmade handbags in stores. You can get more information about Leslie Ann or her creations at www.leslieannblack.com but check out her Etsy store too!

When you buy a handbag, jewelry or anything for that matter, it's a great feeling to know that the creator/designer loves their work just as much as its new "owner". That's the best thing about handmade products.

Inspired by Nature

My inspiration today is all about nature . With Spring around the corner, I'm on the lookout for light, organic and natural designs. Here are some of my Etsy "nature" finds:

1. Printed scarf

2. Asclepius

3. Ceramic Coasters

4. Deer hand dish

5. Dandelion Necklace

6. Letterpress cards

7. Dandelion Scoop Tee

8. Bird wood pin

Etsy Dress Mondays

Monday is not usually my favorite day of the week. I would dare to say that I am not alone in this belief. I feel like I have to drag myself out of bed and into the shower. I am so slow, in fact, that I have just enough time to throw on 'whatever' and it's probably the exact thing I wore the previous Monday. In order to break this habit, I think I need to be able to pull something chic yet comfortable out of my closet.
Here are some finds that would do the trick to break my Monday blues.

Navy long draped dress by astridland

Organic wrap dress by consciousclothing

Maxi dress by gaiaconceptions

40's flower dress by lirola

Vintage sack dress by katiehatescouture

Flutter wrap dress by sandmaiden

Spring Preview: Yellow

I realize it's February but to me Spring is just around the corner. I'm counting the days to warmer temperatures, pretty flowers...and you guessed it, Spring fashions! Lately, I've been obsessed with the color yellow. What better color to represent Spring, right?

Here are some of my favorite yellow finds (in no particular order):

Frye Kate flat at Zappos

strappy sandal at Go Jane

patent buckle sandal at Go Jane

Kenneth Cole wedge at Piperlime

mustard tulips by WildWomanJewelry

mustard bird laptop bag by mareri

French postcards by aleecesattic

And finally, here's my contribution to the list. I was so inspired by yellow that I just had to make something. So I looked in my supplies (didn't have too look too hard) and found these lemon quartz briolettes. I paired them with sterling silver to make them more casual - wear them day, night, or basically anytime.

Lemon Drop earrings by shopangelica

Spring Fashion Week in NYC just ended so it'sreally not too early to thinking about your Spring wardrobe. I can find a way to rationalize anything especially shopping ;)