Where is the sun, little darling?

There's been a steady bout of clouds and rain for about three weeks now, and New York is damp and somewhat gloomy. I really miss the sun and am waiting for a chance to head out to the beach.

When I do get to take that trip, I'll probably be smiling as happily as this cheeky flapper with her pretty bob cut and shining eyes in 1927. This photo is from a series I picked up at an antique shop in the city. Like the others in the batch, it was lovingly tucked into heart-shaped photo corners on a black construction paper page. Although it's hard to see, the photo reads that it was taken at Sheepshead Bay, which I believe is in Brooklyn.



Flapper style is so fun.

Etsy Treasury Feature

happysquashtoys on Etsy was kind enough to feature my Jonquil Hoop with Red Flower Earrings in her "Summertime" treasury yesterday. (The pair is the first photo in the middle row).



On another note, I came across a great resource of potentially copyright-free vintage and antique images: The Vintage Moth. The site's hostess does note that her images are intended for personal, rather than resale, use.

Aquavision Comes to Astoria

Our apartment just got a bit midcentury modern with the addition of our new sofa from Urban Outfitters. I've been in the market for a stylish couch for a few months now, and while the quality of this company's furniture is questionable according to some reviews I've read, the piece was decently priced and modeled in exactly the type of 50s and/or 60s-era look I've come to adore. According to Urban's Web site, the couch was inspired by vintage Danish modern daybeds.



The fact that the frame features an eco-friendly wood also appealed to me. Initially, I wanted the "groovy green" color fabric on the cushions, but this subtle gray-blue hue slowly worked its way into my favor during the months of debating whether to even get a new couch.

As a renter, I find myself constantly treading the line between wanting to nest and express a personal style, and simultaneously, save money and not invest too much in a place that I don't own. All of the HGTV watching and comparisons don't help; neither does reading magazines like Where Women Create.

The inundation of visual stimulation and nesting ideas has me daydreaming of working in an studio near a scenic outlook, with worn white, green and blue wood walls. The birds would be able to roam around a screened aviary attached to the workspace, and I could pull in a deep breath scented with leaves, earth and clear skies. (Lately, I've only been able to inhale through my nose in the city when I'm in a park).

Perhaps, someday I'll have the homestead that now lives in my head. There's plenty of time to achieve that goal, and knowing me, I may be into a totally different aesthetic by that point. I'm looking forward to the journey, and I just have to remind myself to live in this moment, and live each day (and crazy night) in this city to its fullest.

I did manage to bring a bit of an aged country look into the apartment the other day with the adoption of a small chest of drawers in a faded cream and green combination. Photos to come.

Also, current contemplating bringing some jewelry at a local flea market on Saturday.

French Antiques and Skipping Heartbeats

She's back, folks!

Get ready for more frequent updates filled with enticing jewelry, beguiling birds and eye-catching curiosities. In fact, let's approach all of these topics at once.

A sneak preview of earrings destined for the shop:



A new little helper around the studio, Einstein's little brother and recently turned 1-year-old Caique parrot, Papaya:



And, a circa 1800's French watch display case, which is totally drool-worthy and way out of my price range (don't remember the photo source, will gladly credit if anyone knows it):

Hangin' with my lil' green dino

This lil' guy peering out of his feathers is all tuckered out after a day chilling out on momma's knee.

We watched Mystic Pizza and Jersey Girl.



I'm loving these days off right now, spending time with my sweet birdie, although I had an extremely painful morning thanks to a certain monthly visitor. And so it was up to Einstein to take care of me. And the heating pad and some Tylenol.

I'm still trying to get the camera adjustments right as there is no "constantly roving parrot" setting on mine. So although many photos I have of Ein tend toward a bit of blur, I actually like the effect this gives them.

You can really sense his movement and personality... like in this post-spray bath pic:



When he lets us give him a rare bath, Ein looks almost like he's wearing a costume.

Which is just the most endearing thing ever, and requires much affection from his loyal subjects.



And we are more than happy to oblige.

In addition to fuzzy goodness, also wanted to share some pics I've had on my computer consisting of shiny goodness.



Vintage rhinestones that I've been using in my latest pin creations:



Likely vintage Swarovski teardrop crystals!



No other updates, although hopefully tomorrow. I actually have to start working on increasing inventory as most of my work is currently tied up in consignment.

I also have slowly been gathering elements for a mixed media project. I'll post the eventual results whenever I get to them. Time to create!

Photos, finally

I finally got around to organizing my photos today, so let's play catch up!

View of the table at SITE that played host to most of my trunk show items:



Another area:



Before the show on my coffee table after being tagged:



My new hand-stamped hang tags:



Adding to my productivity levels, the Etsy shop has been updated.

Phew!

Look at what a few days off can do.

Records

Yesterday was kinda hectic crazy: I forgot my Metro card and had to buy one for the day, there were literally at least 50 children on my subway stop (and subsequently in the cars-- who does this?) during the 9 am rush; and then the end of the day saw major delays on the L as I tried to get to an appoinment in Brooklyn.

I was weighed down by a bunch of jewelry and display pieces for a major pre-holiday drop-off at one of my consignment boutiques, and I could feel myself sweating at the mere thought of trying to get on the next train with the huge throng of people behind me. So, I got out of that situation and even asked the NYPD in Union Square if there was some sort of bus I could take to where I needed. Not sure if the officer with whom I spoke was totally accurately, but he basically gave me this really contrived route and I just ended up politely nodding my head as if I understood and walking away.

This is where I'm going to get mushy and tell you that Mark seriously saved my butt. Even though he worked a full day, and had been recruited for tagging jewelry items the night before, he still came through for me and took me to BK from Astoria (I just ended up waiting at home in between).

Anyway, the ladies at this indie store are awesome and sweet, and everything went really smoothly once we got there. I'm extremely excited and hopeful and even nervous-- it's hard just forking over 30 items that took you weeks to make in just a mere second! I know they are in way capable hands, though.

Anyway, I wanted to pop in and suggest a great link to a blog maintained by a young bostonian attempting to document the start up of her screen printing biz. There are some great tips in there, like this one, which focuses on the importance of taking stock and how to maintain inventory records-- which I was emphasizing yesterday (see below) as a key component of consignment and definitely wholesale.

It can be hard to give every item in your line a tracking number, especially if you tend to do mostly "one-off" items, but you can get as creative or as simple as you like. All you need is a way to easily identify the product through the many stages of sale.

Anyway, I'm off to go search for frozen vegan pumpkin pie at Whole Foods... these are the times when I actually miss my one-stop Wegman's in Binghamton.