Home County Music and Art Festival 2013

 Regretfully I've had to withdraw from the Home County Music and Art Festival on July 19-21, 2013 due to a family emergency. My apologies to anyone planning to stop by and see me. I will be adding many new pieces that were created for this event in the next 1-2 weeks and offering free delivery to all of my customers until August 17, 2013. Please use Coupon Code FREEDELIVERY0813 to take advantage of this promotion.

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Last Minute Details

Three days left before the big show and I'm starting to feel more relaxed as I continue to stroke things off my to-do list. Other than packing, which I'll take care of on Thursday night, most tasks that are left are quick and easy. The plan is to sit down and sew all day tomorrow and most of the day Thursday. Hopefully I can make a few new ties, hats and carpet bags....and necklaces, bracelets, earrings....and rings, scarves, belts, and headpieces.

I never seem to make as many items as I think I should. That's one of my worst fears--that I won't have enough to fill my booth. And fear # 2 is that I won't sell anything....oh yeah-and fear # 3 is the weather. This will be  my first outdoor show and the heat wave that we're currently experiencing is supposed to break on Friday, along with the severe thunderstorms that normally accompany a big change in the weather. Yes, Friday is Day One of the show. So as the British say, "Keep Calm and Carry On". I know in the end that these are normal pre-show jitters and I just try to keep them at bay. Things always seem to work out fine in the end.

I'm still working on new displays and had a last minute thought on a unique way to display my bracelets and Gatsby hand ornaments.

                  I purchased a collection of vintage gloves on Ebay, and with a little batting...voila!

Bracelet displays!



 

 

 

 

This is a Gatsby inspired headpiece that I made for the show in black and silver.....

 

 

.....and stacks of business cards are printed and ready to go!

 

So, I'm nearly set and can't wait to get started. To meet lots of new folks, see some familiar faces, enjoy the music

and fingers crossed, have a very successful show!



Take care.....Marian  xo    

Gatsby Design Challenge

Have you checked out a new online shop called Shopbevel? It's a fantastic site that offers jewellery designers the opportunity to have their creations manufactured and receive royalties for all sales.
Last week a rep from Shopbevel contacted me through Facebook regarding a Gatsby Style Challenge and invited me to submit one of my Gatsby inspired pieces.

The pieces that have been submitted are then listed on the Shopbevel site for everyone to review and cast their vote for their favourite design. The winner's item is then manufactured for a limited time and offered for sale on the site for anyone to purchase. The winner also receives a 15% royalty from all sales. So many amazing designers and gorgeous creations!

I decided to submit my black and gold Gatsby flapper necklace, which I think is very symbolic of the art deco era. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope to have the opportunity to work with the folks at Shopbevel and have my necklace manufactured.

If you'd like to help by casting your vote, you can head over to shopbevel by using this link:
http://www.shopbevel.com/index.php/vote/gatsby-style/2922-tasseled-flapper-necklace


Thanks so much!

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Tasseled Necklaces

Tasseled necklaces are my absolute favourite. Their long length gives them such elegance, and their sexy sway when the wearer moves makes them so appealing. Most of the originals were created with a necklace made of glass beads that ended in a tassel. Originally these necklaces were called sautoirs, but they became known as "flapper necklaces" in the 1920's when they became the craze with the "bright young things" of the Art Deco period. Tassels also started appearing in earring designs. They were perfectly matched with the latest style of bobbed hair, dangling below the flirty new cut. Tasseled shimmy dresses were also a fashion trend during the same period. The flying beads and tasseled ends created a lively sense of movement when the flappers participated in the latest dance crazes like the Charleston and the Shimmy.

With the release of the Great Gatsby all of the jewellery of the era has become popular again. Lucky me! I've had a great time designing lots of new tasseled necklaces. Below are some pics of my newest creations. For a look at my entire collection, you can visit my Etsy shop by using the link on the right.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and hope you'll come back to visit again!

 

Take care.....Marian  xo