Tied Together: Vintage Heels

$21, Metallic Golden Spike Glam Heels, by zwzzy
$54, 1970s Suede Leather Boots, by allencompanyinc
$34, Strappy sequin heels, by DearGoldenVintage
$34, Flirting With Lace, LapineOurs
$89, Tall Black Leather High Heel Oxford Boots, italianpostcards
$25, Bows, by littlegreenbirdxo
$34, Sky high green stiletto pumps, by treeandkimballmarket
$29.99, Powder blue pip toes, AdrianCompanyVintage
$89, 1950s Vintage Purple Plum Satin Pump, starletvintage

Head to Toe: Bermuda Splash

A pretty summer garden skirt is softened with the ultra feminine soft top by Ureshii, and then played up with a bit of sparkle from the always fabulous Glitz Glitter. This look is defined by the use of a large, contrasting accessory- such as the beautiful cranberry bag featured.

$95, Large Cressier Bag in Burgundy, by iragranteco
$56, Soft Top - Long Sleeve, by Ureshii
$18, Oracle Earrings, by GlitzGlitter
$60, Garden Party Skirt, by ellainaboutique

Wall Love: Cat in Window Print by rochelle31

I saw this seller grace the front page of Etsy on June 24th and just fell in love with her work. This print, "Cat in Window" is particular is lovely. It's a kitty, and it's in watercolor and ink- and the print is only $15! Go get yourself one now!

New Soap: Key Lime Pie

Things are finally starting to warm up here in the bay area of California, except for last night of course, which was cold and windy! (confusing much?) To celebrate summer, I've re-done my popular Key Lime fragrance as Key Lime Pie. It's a refreshing scent, heavy on the lime with just a touch of sweet cream and graham cracker crust. The natural vanillin in this blend makes the soap turn darker over time, so I've isolated the discolored portion and topped it off with lots of fun green soap curls and fresh white soap. The old Key Lime fragrance is still available for a limited time, and on sale until it sells out!

Head to Toe: Garden Stroll

An elegant outfit centering on neutral colors inspired by nature and different textures.

$138, White Bias Pin-tuck Top, Silk Charmeuse, by prizysebastian
$28.99, Giselle Necklace, by BGBJewelry (currently on sale!)
$29.50, Tan Leather Peep Toe, by thepuddingstorevint
$70, Viridiflora Tulip Skirt, by oneaviandaemon

More Fun With Copper

Some of you will remember my recent post about oxidizing copper with ammonia. It went over pretty well, and I love that it was able to help some of you out! Lately, I've been playing a lot with merging filigree and wire-wrapping techniques and came up with this pendant-style necklace the other day. It was oxidized using the ammonia method, and the smallest beads you see there are 15 seed beads, very tiny!

Wall Love: Hydrangea, Snowneressness by Raceytay

Okay, I have to confess I've given up figuring out how to pronounce the name of this photo by the spectacular Raceytay. I can get the "hydrangea" part but when I get to the "Snowneressness" my tongue quits and goes home for the day. Oh well, it's absolutely gorgeous regardless!

New Soap: Pink Frosting

This is one of those fragrances that you just keep having to sniff to pick up all the complexities in it. The name "Pink Frosting," while definitely fitting, doesn't begin to cover all the luscious notes there. It starts out with a dark, Madagascar vanilla that screams frosting and then quickly mellows into a bouquet of beautiful white flowers. Very fleeting is the scent of fresh lemon slices sprinkled with white sugar, and the finish makes up the heart of the scent with luscious, sexy amber. A nostalgic note of cotton candy is present throughout the entire fragrance, adding an innocent touch to an otherwise deeply mysterious blend. A must have for any woman who likes sweet and sexy fragrances!

Wall Love: Sew by TheHauntedHollowTree

This beautiful mixed media piece, titled "Sew" by TheHauntedHollowTree would be absolutely perfect in a sewing room or as a gift for any seamstress.

Tied Together: Afternoon in Paris

$20, Un soir d'automne, Serpentine
$10, Post Earrings- Pink Damask Je' Taime, UniquelyEJewelry
$21.50, Vanilla Sky Over Paris, WoodenNickelsJewelry
$65, Roses Pink raw silk top, Malam
$5.50, Handmade Gift Bags and Sticker Seals, nolan3863
$87, Paris Window, ArtConductor
$35, No. 166, JolieMarche
$15, Shabby Chic Embellished Candle, Shoponalark
$110, Shabby Cottage Console Cabinet, PaintedCottages

BarefootFae: Northern Lights Earrings

I've been playing a bit with wire-wrapping and experimenting with how different patinas can completely change the look of both glass and gemstones. It really is interesting to watch. I've set up a small tupperware box with two pieces of string inside to suspend my piece over a sake cup full of ammonia. When I place the piece on the string, I close it up and watch, checking once every hour, on the progression of the patina. As it shifts from fresh, rosy copper to dark, chocolaty brown the depth of color in the beads themselves is enhanced. If inclined, you can even let the patina take over until all the wire has turned a deep, turquoise green. These earrings I stopped at dark-dark brown, but I will show some more experiments later.

Head to Toe: Casual Sunday

A super soft wrap, comfy jeans, pretty flats and a gorgeous necklace create the perfect outfit for being creative around the house on a slow Sunday afternoon.

$90, Merino wool knit circle wrap, Sandmaiden
$20.50, teal zipper ruffle ballet flats, TatterdFlower
$58, Marshlands Necklace, Noblegnome
$29.50, Bootcut Jeans, Oldnavy

Wall Love: Pink Lily by Weaselle

A truly beautiful palette knife painting of a lily in shades of pink by Weaselle on Etsy. She is an incredibly talented artist and has a whole shop full of beautiful things!

Head to Toe: Sky Blue Yoga

Soft, comfortable pants and top with a lot of flexibility and few seams make for a great gentle exercise outfit. Handmade, vegan slipper-style shoes are lightweight for tossing in your yoga bag while at class and small, sterling ear studs at a bit of sparkle without hampering movement.

$15, Sterling Silver Om Studs, by CatherineMarissa
$38, Eco Friendly Vegan Flat Linen Shoe, by extraseed
$36, Mountain Top, by pasqueflowerdesigns
$55, Pencil Short - Bamboo, by Ureshii

Oxidizing Copper with Ammonia

Materials:

• Deep plastic container with lid
• Small bowl that's at least an inch shorter than the plastic container
  
• String
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ammonia (you can get this at most grocers)
• Piece of copper jewelry
  
  
  
  

Step one:
Measure out three pieces of string that are about 4 inches longer than the width of your plastic box. Lay them onto a piece of tape about a 1/4" apart from each other. Affix the tape/string to the inside wall of the plastic box, about a 1/2" from the top. Just be sure that you have enough room to set your piece on the strings with the lid on.
















Step two:
Tape the other ends of the string to the opposite side of the box, making sure there's some tension in them. Apply a few extra pieces of tape to both sides to make sure they stay in place, the ammonia fumes can weaken the adhesive over time.















Step three:
Place your piece of copper jewelry on the stings and make sure they're steady. Adjust any loose strings and add some tape as needed.


















Step four:
Remove the copper pieces and make sure they're clean. Then fill your small bowl with about an inch of ammonia. Be prepared, this stuff is strong and stinks. Slip the bowl of ammonia into the plastic container underneath the strings.
















Step five:
Replace your copper pieces on the string and put the plastic container's lid back on. Set it aside and check in every hour or so. It will take a few hours, but the copper will turn a rich dark brown, black, or even a deep verdigris color depending on how long you leave it in there. Have fun experimenting!

















Extra thoughts:
By playing with the type of wire you use and the length of time you leave your piece in the box, you can achieve some pretty interesting results. These earrings were made using raw copper wire for a base and the ear wire itself, but the wrapping was done with a coated, non-tarnish copper for a nice contrast. The piece was left in the fumes overnight, creating a dark green patina.

Tied Together: Sowing Seeds

$33, Pomegranate Salt Shaker, by StudioElan
$25, Branching Out No. 9, by milemarker
$145, seed pods and seams pillow, by lottahelleberg
$25, Windy Pods, by DwellinStyle
$78, Turquoise and Samara, by UmbilicusDesigns
$9, 3 Natural Seed pods with Red Wool, by woolicious
$36, Two tone organic dangle earrings, NoraCatherine
$50, Blue Mountain Views, by aliherrmann
$8, Helicopter Ring, by dillondesigns

Head to Toe: Coffee Date

A casual look with a cute skirt and surprise cut-out top, contrasting vintage heels and cute earrings.

$10, Dark Roast Earrings, by LiciaBeads
$32, Vintage Maroon Criss-Cross Heels, by zwzzy
$29, 3Elfen Shirt in black, by 3Elfen
$25, ERM two layered chocolate brown wrap skirt, by ERMclothing

Wall Love: Kirie Bamboo Clock by Decoylab

A truly beautiful (and functional!) piece of art, the Kirie 02 clock by decoylab was inspired by the Japanese art of paper cutting.

Head to Toe: Cool Spring Breeze

For those days when it's just sunny enough for a skirt, but the breeze has enough chill for a soft hoodie.

$43, Dandelion Wishes on Navy Cadet Jacket, by ellembee
$38, Everyday Pencil Skirts-Heather Gray, by artaffect
$42, Porcelain Pendant - White Primula Auricula - Sterling Silver Chain, by seaurchin
$48, Iolite Wave Hoop Post Earrings in Bright Sterling Silver, by NeroliHandmade