Reminder

I wanted to remind you of the Randall Cooper High School Arts and Crafts Fair this Saturday, November 12, from 10-4.  This juried show started 3 years ago and has been hugely successful.   There are over 100 vendors to chose from and despite requests for the Fair to expand and increase the number of artists, the organizers have declined and been very selective about who will be featured.  I've been there since the beginning and it's one of my very favorites.  

I sold out of a lot of things at the Birds of a Feather Fair which is a great problem to have.  Don't worry, I've replenished the inventory with even more incredible vintage elements!  I remember when I first started making jewelry I would painstakingly detail and inventory every piece so I could replicate it when it sold.  I soon found my heart just wasn't into mass-producing the same exact design and presenting it as unique.  Now I just make it, photograph it, throw it up on Etsy, and move on.  Not relying too much on previous designs gets my creative juices flowing and the results make for an eclectic inventory of pieces that go well together without getting too commercially "matchy matchy."  I'd love for you to see the new pieces up close and in person.

Thanks for checking in!

Sara

A Beautiful Day

It was a great day at the first of what I believe will be many Birds of a Feather Fairs.  Leslie and Misty did a fantastic job organizing this event that not only provided area residents with great shopping, but benefited a worthy cause.  And they picked wonderful artists to include in this juried show.  Everyone was incredibly talented and their crafts were unique.  There were about 5 or 6 jewelery booths, but each were so different from one another that there were plenty of choices for each shopper's tastes.  I liked Emily Peter's big 'ole rings made from old jewelry pieces so much, I had to high tail it over her way to get one for myself!  It was just a wonderful day with neat people who were all excited about their craft and the Fair. 

Ready to go....let the shopping begin! 

I so enjoy explaining the details in jewelry. 

Each piece is made with love.  

I met the loveliest people today!

So dizzy with excitement...

...that I collapsed!

Actually, that's just Boy 3 taking a picture with an iPhone.

All my boys were there to "help" as only little hands can.  But most of all, they encourage me and make my heart soar.

Don't fret if you missed it.  Most of the vendors are on Etsy and you can get their links on the Birds of a Feather Fair blog. 

I'll be at the Cooper High School show next Saturday and that is a really great one, also.  It has the most vendors of any of the shows I'm doing and the facilities and PTA/Students are very helpful;  it's one of my favorites.

Have a great week!

Sara

Earrings Earrings Everywhere

What woman doesn't love earrings?  Even if you're running late in the morning you still manage to find time to throw a pair on.  They are like lipstick and mulch:  they complete the look.  I have even met women who don't like to wear jewelry (apparently there are some that exist) but if they do, almost all say the only jewelry they'll wear are earrings.  Ear baubles are perfect last-minute gifts and are always well-received. 

Earrings never fail.

I tend to create the way God loaded the ark and my sons have sorted their Halloween candy:  by kind.  I go on necklace-making sprees or a week focused on bracelets.  Today was The Day of Earrings.  In between laundry, refereeing several wrestling matches in the Playroom, and chauffeuring The Boys around town, I made some earrings and listed them in the Etsy Shop:
 

 

 

Black Wave Earrings 

Lace Earrings

These would be great bridal earrings.  So pretty and feminine. 

 

 Crystalline Green earrings.  The next best thing to real emeralds.

 

Lily Earrings.  So simple and clean.

 I love pieces with vintage sacred medals.  What worship did they inspire?  Depth Earrings:  these are lovely, yet edgy. 



 Earrings:  never leave home without them!

Sara

Garnet Goodies

A couple new listings with garnets.  Nothing beats the warm and rich hue of a garnet:

Vintage rhinestone cross pendant with vintage solid brass beads and garnets

Vintage brass chevron assemblage earrings with garnets, rhinestones, freshwater pearls, and vintage glass heart charms. 

Also, don't forget to come to the Birds of a Feather Fair this Sunday from 11:00-4:00 at the Cincinnati Airport Hilton.  The artists featured are truly incredible~you won't be disappointed!  Here's a media shout out:

Have a great weekend!

Sara

Advice

Get thee to iTunes or Amazon or wherever it is you get your music and buy the new Florence & the Machine "Ceremonials."  Brilliant.

Also, Kate Bush has a new album coming out November 22nd, "50 Words for Snow."

Happy sounds!

Sara

Etsy Front Page

In Small Spectacles' "The Dark Side Earrings" were featured on the Etsy Front Page.  It was at 3 a.m. this morning and I am THRILLED!  Here it is:




Many thanks to Lindsey at Creative by Heart for creating such a dark, creepy, and lovely Treasury that is perfect for Halloween!

Sara

Project Accessory

If you like Project Runway (I do), you'll probably like Project Accessory which premieres tonight on Lifetime at 10:30 pm.  The same formatting and concept like Project Runway only with accessories including bags, jewelry, shoes, belts, etc.  I submitted an application with photos/samples of my pieces earlier in the year.  They didn't call.

One day...

Sara

Flexibility

"Flexibility is the key to air power."  My husband with the private pilot's license says this all the time.  Things don't rattle him too much and if best-laid plans have to be abandoned due to an unforeseeable turn of events he trudges on without missing a beat.  I'm not so flexible and while I like to think I can roll with the punches, the truth is change and I don't mix too well.

But in this economy where people watch every penny, the extras sometimes need to have dual purposes and flexibility is a must.  This includes jewelry.  No one wants to fork over good money on pieces they can only use or wear once or with only one outfit.  A pair of earrings is like Thanksgiving turkey:  that bird needs to last a week.   

I got this chain belt and thought of ways I could give it several different looks.  Here's the plain belt:

I took the antique bronze swivel clasps I use on my beaded vintage metal tassel bracelets and added the large vintage metal tassels, vintage metal rhinestones and skeleton keys, and chandelier crystals:

...and thought they would look great not only on the belt like here:

 

....but these bad boys could go on my purses...

....and could give a face lift to all those keys I can't find locks for...

I have a few of these belts in my Etsy Shop here and the Vintage Charm Clusters here.  Go take a look!

 I think my flexibility has increased exponentially!  My husband would be proud....

Sara