Tuesday 26 October 2010

Handmade and the high street: get ready for the party season



Today, I'm launching a new fashion feature on the blog. It's to highlight how well handmade and the high street (in this case, the virtual high street) sit together.


 I've chosen to start with my new
'gothic revival' necklace and earrings.  I think they are real party or occassion pieces, and a bit different to my usual creations, so I've picked some stunning fashion pieces from major retailers to feature alongside.

Both the necklace and the earrings using deep red Czech glass diamond shaped beads and smokey grey bicone crystals.  The necklace also has dark grey hematite semi precious cubes and teardrop crystals.  I think the necklace has a bit of a Gothic look to it, and also reminds me of the sort of style popular in Edwardian times.




Maybe one of you is looking for a real statement outfit for the Christmas celebrations - you couldn't do better than to keep up with the season's trends.  Grey (or gray, if you prefer!) is the new black, and a splash of red just adds to the mix nicely.  Of course, grey is nearly silver, so that's perfect to go with this jewellery set, available in both Folksy and Etsy shops this week.



This satin crepe evening dress in grey from John Lewis has just the right dramatic cowl neckline to support a statement necklace like Gothic Revivial.

john lewis emily dressMonsoon evening sandalsDebenhams bag



You'll need some 'knock-their-socks-off shoes' too. These pewter sandals from Monsoon are just right. Maybe if it's snowing, you take them in a bag to change into!

And taking a purse, mobile and keys is no problem with this stunning ruffle bag from Ben de Lisi at Debenhams. How red is that?

Put them all together and you have a real statement outfit!

Let me know what you think of this feature, won't you?

Many thanks to John Lewis, Monsoon and Debenhams for granting permission to use their images in this post.

Monday 25 October 2010

BESTeam weekly feature: Danizabeth on Etsy


Danizabeth (Danielle Elizabeth) from Peru, IL, hosts this striking shop full of color enhanced photographs of cars in salvage yards, acoustic guitars and landscapes and features around Illinois.  Danizabeth is also a painter and graphic designer, and you can see her love of art and color in her striking work, which invites you to look at the world around in a slightly different way.

My favourite picks from this shop reflect the use of color enhancement on these striking photographs.  Danizabeth uses Photoshop to make these colors really pop and I think this gives her artwork a slightly surreal feel, like your looking at the pictures in a dream.

Here are my picks from the salvage yard shots:



Danizabeth Danizabeth


The service truck and acoustic guitar at a local salvage yard. Blues and yellows are fantastic, aren't they?

The old green Chevrolet door handle with peeling paint layers around it. Danizabeth writes that 'The reds are coming from places that had been primed for a repaint which add a lot of character.'

And here are some landscape shots:



Danizabeth Danizabeth


The first is Mount Ayr in Iowa.  I love the a-symmetry of the shot, and the beautiful colors of that field and building.  You can definately imagine yourself lying on that grass soaking up the view, can't you? Then an historic covered bridge in Illinois.  Red and green must be Danizabeth's favourite colors, I reckon.  If I've read it right, you can get seriously fined for 'leading any beast faster than a walk on or across this bridge.'  Best not take my dog, then, as his average speed is a gallop :-)

I have several really important things in common with Danizabeth, besides sharing her love of color.  One, we like animals (click here to view Bagheera in all her black cat glory).  Two, we love music and the beach - OK that's more than one thing.  Three, an addiction to shoes.  Four, we are left handed.  You can pick up many more interesting facts like these on the blog.

Check out more at the links below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Danizabeth
http://www.danizabeth.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/danizabethphotography

Friday 22 October 2010

Etsy picks: Deep in the forest

Celebrating the forest today. I've always loved stories about the forest, the mythology associated with a place where there is darkness in the day, which teems with life and death, can be cool in the blazing sun, supports some of the smallest and the largest forms of life, and is always stunningly beautiful.

Check out these Etsy artists whose work captures the aesthetic of the forest so perfectly...

'Very deep in the forest' by BlueForestJewellery

I love the myths, mystery and folklore around the forest - a place of quiet refuge, hidden dangers, life, and continuous renewal. And here are some beautiful artworks which celebrate that. Enjoy!


Mommy Deerest - mother...
$10.00

AUTUMN'S RAINBOW
$28.00

The nightbound belt buc...
$38.00

Three Birch Felted Wall...
$85.00

Among Friends No. 2 - 2...
$300.00

HUGE SALE --WAS 43 -- E...
$33.00

Pine Tree - Crocheted i...
$20.00

Autumn Forest 16 x 20 x...
$125.00

The Forest's Edge- ...
$32.00

SEE AMERICA- Wild Life
$22.00

A Walk in the Forest - ...
$18.00

SALE Little Green Oak L...
$10.00

Forest in Blue - 5 x 7 ...
$11.00

Fairy Forest Playset - ...
$15.00

Pink and Red Deer in Si...
$50.00

Thursday 21 October 2010

Folksy Friday: Cheerful flowers


After a bit of a stressful week of hospital visiting away from home, I was searching round for some flowers that would last longer than a week, and found these beautiful creations on Folksy.  So when mum is out of hospital, maybe one or more of these or similar will be greeting her on her return.  Or perhaps the wonderful husband will treat me?!

Click on any of the images to visit these lovely shops.




Holly J. Art HeloiseV
Tickboxcards Originals Sneddonia Designs
Lou Peajeux Illustration Ahh...Fleurs de Perles


Monday 18 October 2010

BESTeam weekly feature: AlexandersDesigns on Etsy

Jenny and Skip, a husband and wife team, run AlexandersDesigns from Independence, Kansas City MO.  This shop has a true artisan feel, specialising in lampwork and hand forged items, so you're sure to get a one of a kind, made with love product.  There's also loads of colour, and lots of items labelled 'ugly' glass which are really beautiful!  Full time crafters, living the dream, these are clearly busy people - check out the links to their other Etsy shops below.

Of course, I love blues, so I have to pick one out first! Very bubbly, isn't it?




AlexandersDesigns


And here's a great thing: you can buy for men at this shop too - it's not often I get chance to feature stuff for the guys, but we most of us have presents to buy for males in our lives, don't we?




AlexandersDesigns AlexandersDesigns


And some unique 'ugly' glass pendants.  These are examples that were in the shop last week, but I think must have sold since.  So now you'll just need to get in touch with Jenny and Skip, who I'm sure will be more than pleased to create a unique pendant for you!




AlexandersDesigns AlexandersDesigns


Links:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexandersDesigns
http://www.alexandersdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenny-Alexander/100000626406831
http://www.etsy.com/shop/classicallysimple (Jenny's shop)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeaderyDestash (Destash shop)

Sunday 17 October 2010

More treasuries!

Three more fantastic treasuries to promote this week.  Thanks so much to these curators for including me in their choices.  Treasuries take some time to make and promote, I know, and the effort is really appreciated :-)


'Ashes of roses â–  â–  â– ' by WarmToze



Soft Gray Mohair Bubble...
$35.00

One-off Ashes of Roses ...
$4200.00

Sunrise - original acr...
$25.00

Grace Kelly Smoky Grey ...
$45.00

AUSTRALIA 10x8 ORIGINAL
$20.00

Live Laugh Love Digital...
$4.00

Soft Pink and Grey Flow...
$15.00

Double Sided Pink and G...
$95.00

Pink and grey rose quar...
$40.00

Pink porcelain spot mug...
$28.00

Three Handmade Pink Pea...
$10.00

ROYAL GREY RABBIT in a ...
$17.00


'Something blue' by OlGramma

My favorite color has always been blue - light blue, dark blue, cobalt blue, anything blue! I have grown to love other colors now but if it's blue I know I'll like it. It's like dessert - if it's chocolate I know I'll like it!


Beaded Knitted Evening ...
$150.00

Stained Glass Butterfly...
$17.25

HANDMADE LAMPWORK GLASS...
$12.00

Fingerless gloves lace ...
$35.00

New...Cobalt....Curly R...
$

SALE Cobalt Blue Cardin...
$25.00

Blue Green Ripple Fused...
$20.00

cobalt blue cozy sweate...
$15.00

Tulip - Handpainted Por...
$29.00

Signed Hand painted Art...
$125.00

Pair of Etched Mustache...
$24.00

Mother Snowman and son ...
$15.00

Navy Blue Crocheted Ber...
$15.00

SALE 10 percent OFF TR...
$59.00

Newcastle Lighthouse 5x...
$12.00

'The Orange-Red Hue of Fall 2010' by YsmDesigns

Beautiful jewelry pieces in colors that are as beautiful as fall foliage.Enjoy!


Floral Earrings in Red ...
$27.00

Fall Maple Leaf-Hand pa...
$54.00

Recycled Glass Necklace...
$26.00

Handmade Tangerine Swar...
$40.00

Cantaloupe Rind Thin Ru...
$50.00

Wire Wrapped Orange Jad...
$18.00

Garnet and Goldfilled E...
$29.00

Hayleigh-Swarovoski Cry...
$29.00

Handmade lily fire agat...
$9.95

Handmade rouge smokey q...
$55.00

Red poppy fabric flower...
$8.00

Sterling silver and Swa...
$25.00

Caged Seed Earrings - B...
$295.00

Antique Brass and Burgu...
$12.00

Round Faced Red Zircon ...
$15.00
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