Stacy Lynn (again!)

It was a surprisingly a little chilly in Santa Barbara yesterday! Luckily, I picked up a cute and cozy scarf from Stacy Lynn at last month's Whole Foods Local Artist Market. This soft jersey scarf was in the perfect coral color - I had to have it.

Stacy Lynn Coral Jersey Taffy Scarf
SHOP

Not surprisingly, I left with more than one item from Stacy Lynn (:
I've been looking for a way to dress up a simple black maxi dress that I purchased a few months ago. It's not the most flattering for my frame because it's actually a maternity dress - on it's own it has no shape on me, but I love how flowy it is and that it has braided straps. Not to mention it was only $7.99 (for a maxi dress!). I couldn't pass it up. Now for the hard part: how to accessorize my dress!

Stacy Lynn not only designs cute clothes, like the custom maxi dress I purchased this past December, but adorable accessories as well! Since I usually wear solid, mostly neutral colors, I've been attracted to bright and fun accessories, like this seafoam green (or 'icy blue') flower pin! It looks cute on her coral taffy scarf, but I decided to pin it to the braided strap of my dress.

Stacy Lynn Icy Blue Jersey Flower Pin
SHOP

Next, I decided to go with a fun print: a leopard print polyester scarf. I've been eyeing this one up for the past few Whole Food's events now, and I finally had a good enough excuse to purchase it for myself. This scarf is light and thin, perfect to use as a belt to accent your waist in flowy dresses. I tied it into a bow near my bust line to create more of an empire-waisted dress.

Stacy Lynn Black & White Leopard Print Poly Scarf
SHOP

Here's the final look! I think it's cute, girly, and fun... and quite a transformation from the plain, shapeless (maternity haha!) maxi dress that I purchased. What do you think?

I've already had a sneak peek at Stacy Lynn's newest creations, so I have a feeling that I'll be back for more. She has lace (!!) flower pins and lace-trimmed slips (with cute little bows!) that I can't wait to get my hands on. She actually custom made me another maxi dress that I can't wait to show you in the future... but that'll be for another post (: In the meantime, she finally put up maxi dresses for sale in her Etsy shop! So comfy and cute - definitely worth checking out.

Thank you again, Stacy!!

I Dream I Can Fly

I love that Etsy sellers offer a beautiful selection of well crafted jewelry. When I first got my cartilage pierced during my freshman year of college I had a (stainless steel?) partial hoop placed in. It was a little large for my liking, but that's all the piercing salon had available that I liked.  A few years later, I stumbled across tiny Bioplast posts while in Japan. They were less noticeable in my ear and more comfortable to sleep in. Still, I wasn't completely pleased. A couple months ago I was itching to change it up again.

Ever since moving to Santa Barbara and experimenting with more gold in my jewelry, I've come to realize that I really like the way gold looks against my skin tone. I began hunting for a gold hoop - Macy's, Claire's, Hot Topic, etc. Fail. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right stores (I didn't think it would be so difficult), but I decided to turn to Etsy. I should have looked here to begin with!

I stumbled across idreamicanfly on Etsy by Jo Hollingsworth. Absolutely beautiful handcrafted jewelry. She had exactly what I had in mind: a simple, 14k gold hoop that would fit snugly on my ear. I wanted gold, not gold filled, for jewelry that I didn't plan to take off anytime soon; I needed something that could withstand showers and the beach. In addition, Jo provided superb customer service - I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a new, high quality piercing. My package quickly arrived within a couple days, and I've been wearing my hoop ever since.

9mm 14k Yellow Gold Curl

SHOP

Simplicity Earrings

SHOP

Thank you, Jo! I almost wish I had more piercings haha.

Poppy & Pinecone

This past December I stumbled across a watercolor print that was featured alongside my Raindrops Bracelet in a lovely Etsy Treasury (Christmas at the Beach). It was love at first sight. I clicked on the print of the Hawaiian islands, and it led me to a wonderful little Etsy shop called Poppy & Pinecone. 

Poppy & Pinecone is filled with beautiful drippy prints of different states and countries that each have a tiny white heart placed in the middle. The concept is adorable and the colors are captivating. I had to have one. I decided to purchase a 5x7 print for my best friend who lives on the other side of the country. We met in middle school in Hawaii, and even though I only see her once a year now, if that, I love her to pieces. I'm sure she misses Hawaii as much as I do, and I wanted to send her a little bit of home for Christmas. 

Hawaii Love

SHOP

Elisabeth, the artist and creator of Poppy & Pinecone, kindly moved the heart from the Big Island (default) to Oahu. My print was promptly shipped to Hawaii for me, and it was just as delightful in person as I imagined it would be online. (How could I not love these colors??)

Before sending it off to my friend, I picked up a frame from my local craft supply store, sifted through the handfuls of sea glass and shells that my parents handpicked for me in October, and put together my very first beach glass picture frame. I love how the colors of the glass complement the print. Just the touch of home I was hoping for to make the present complete. 

(This package took over a month to ship via USPS Parcel Post, so I wasn't able to blog about it until now. Couldn't give the surprise away early!)

Thank you, Elisabeth, for helping me create this wonderful Christmas present! Your artwork is beautiful, and I am so very tempted to purchase one for myself as well.

Stacy Lynn

I absolutely adore Stacy Lynn; she is one of the sweetest Etsy sellers I've met while in Santa Barbara. If you haven't already stumbled across her Etsy shop, she designs cute clothes and accessories out of jersey fabric, leather (upcycled), and more.

Stacy was kind enough to custom-design a jersey knit maxi dress for me (an ongoing obsession of mine). I was thrilled with the way it turned out - it was soft and flowy, it draped beautifully, and the color she picked out for me was perfect!

December 23, 2011

Sandy Beach, Hawaii

PC RT

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

Stacy Lynn usually participates at Whole Food's Local Artist Market the first Saturday of every month. (She"ll be there this Saturday, January 7th!). You should definitely stop by and check out her lovely booth.

knotsewcute

When I was younger, I used to love to "crochet" at my grandma's house. She taught me how to crochet a chain stitch, so I would pick one of her many balls of yarn and just chain away... and just end up with one ridiculously long... well, chain. I'm not exactly sure what was so exciting or satisfying since I didn't actually crochet anything useful, but it definitely solidified my joy of crocheting. If I could spend hours on end crocheting nothing, I can see why I am able to spend days crocheting something warm and cozy.

As the weather cooled down in Santa Barbara in October I decided that I wanted a new scarf. I saw a few crocheted scarves that I liked at the store, but the prices for the simplest scarves started at around $20. Not too bad, I thought to myself, but I can make that for less! Rather than searching the interwebs for a free pattern, I wanted support a fellow Etsian. There were so many designs to choose from, but I excitedly settled on an infinity scarf crochet pattern from knotsewcute for just a few dollars. The instructions arrived in an easy-to-follow PDF in my email in less than 12 hours after purchasing.

I purchased 2 balls (100g each) of Lion Brand Sock-Ease sock yarn in the color "Green Apple" from my local Michaels. The olive green yarn was 75% wool and 25% nylon - a nice blend that keeps the scarf soft yet warm. The yarn was ultra fine so it took me one month to complete. My gauge was a little smaller than the pattern called for, and I made the scarf a little wider and longer than the original pattern. I kept the scalloped edging but decided to go sans fringe.

I finished it just in time to take it to with me to rainy, cold Portland this Thanksgiving. I couldn't have been more pleased with the way it turned out. Thanks, knotsewcute!

Isn't this scarf lovely? I've paired it with my long, beautiful feather earrings from Rogue Butterfly. If you love to crochet and are looking for a few new projects, you should definitely check out knotsewcute on Etsy!

Green Dog Jewelry

I participated in a Jewelry Boutique at Reds a few months ago and happened to set up next to Green Dog Jewelry. At one point we started chatting next to her rings so I decided to try some on for fun - nothing struck me in particular, at least not in the display tray - but I have been interested in finding another ring to wear everyday. As I tried a few on, I came across a dainty sterling silver ring with a light green translucent gemstone. The faceted prehenite glowed in the sunlight when I picked it up and looked radiant against my skin tone. The delicate band had etching detail and overlapped at one side - very unique. I was sold.

Unfortunately, the band was too large for my fingers! While I was wearing the ring, another seller wandered over and took an interest in it as well. It fit her perfectly, so I reluctantly let it go. Green Dog Jewelry told me that she could make another ring at some point if I didn't mind waiting a few months. I don't think I've ever fall in love with a piece of jewelry so quickly and unexpectedly - so I told her that if she ever had the chance, I would love to purchase a 4.5-5.5 size ring.

Four months go by and I receive the email I've been waiting for. Green Dog Jewelry stopped by the September Whole Foods Local Arts Market event to drop off my ring. The 5.5 fit perfectly on my index finger and looked wonderful with the other two rings that I like to wear. I was ecstatic. I've been wearing this little beauty every day since.

Within/Without Chalcedony Sterling Band Ring (similar)
SHOP
Within/Without Carnelian Sterling Band Ring (LOVE!!)
SHOP
Within/Without Sterling Band Ring (simple band only, very pretty)
SHOP

Green Dog Jewelry is talented, isn't she? I hope she makes it out to a Whole Foods event soon!

Rogue Butterfly

I purchased these beautiful feather earrings from the lovely Rogue Butterfly during last month's Whole Food's event.

The sun was scorching that day (unlike all other previous events that I've attended), and she was kind enough to offer some space beneath her tent. I would have melted away without her!

These are my first pair of feather earrings. I know how trendy they've been lately, and as much as I adore roosters, I've been extremely hesitant to make a feather earring purchase. I figured that I could always make myself a pair if I really wanted some, but these really stood out for me. Rogue Butterfly was wearing a slightly different pair that I was initially eying up, but truthfully, I'm so obsessed with my pair. I'd wear them everyday if I could. 

I think this design is so unique, especially with the bead embellishments wire-wrapped up top. This makes it feel like they're a real pair of earrings and not just a tuft of feathers thrown together. I love that they're very long and thin, almost blending in with my hair in certain lighting, and that the olive dye compliments my tan skin tone well. 

I've worn these out and have received many compliments - more than when I wear my own jewelry!(Maybe I need to rethink my designs... haha, just kidding).

Thank you, Andie!

SuKiKu

I participated in April's Local Artist Market at Whole Foods with SuKiKu, a fused glass artisan born and raised in Santa Barbara. I actually met her through EtsySB, and she was the one who helped me sign up as a vendor for my very first event (: Needless to say, I love her designs. We worked out a trade that weekend (she got my Sea Foam Droplet Necklace) and this is what I picked out from her selection!

I was initially attracted to the translucent stone-like pattern of this piece. I also love the shades of gray and the streaks of black. I use it to hold some of my small earrings, like my favorite pair of Pastel Rose Bud Studs. But really, you can use these small dishes for a variety of things - soaps, sauces, jewelry, etc. They're so versatile!

This next dish is a matching pair, and at the moment I have it on my night stand to keep all my bobby pins from being scattered all over the place.

Finally, I've used this last piece while eating homemade sushi! It was the perfect little dish to hold my pink pickled ginger and wasabi. This is probably my favorite out of the three because of its beautiful sea foam green color and streaks/speckles of black on white. I would absolutely love if I had a regular sized plate with this design. But really, I would be so giddy if all my dishes matched and looked like this (:

I thought that all these pieces were beautiful and really fit my style. I'm so happy that I was able to do a trade with her.

Like Sukiku's fused glass work too? Feel free to visit her Etsy shop. You'll find a variety of lovely pieces there.

Fuss Jewelry

I stumbled upon Fuss Jewelry on Etsy a few weeks ago, and I am in LOVE with these earrings.

They are absolutely stunning!

Fuss Jewelry

"Endless Cascade Earrings in Aqua Blues and Greens"

These 4" long vermeil earrings are covered in bright teal blue apatite, turquoise, chalcedony, vesuvianite and green gold quartz. They are long, dramatic, yet delicate at the same time. I adore how these earrings cascade down and how beautifully the colors pair with gold.

What ocean (and jewelry) lover wouldn't want a pair of these?? I really can't stop looking at them.  They have my name written all over it.

This particular piece has been inspiring me to continue making jewelry. I hope to design jewelry like this one day, even if it's only one pair and for myself (: I am in awe of how beautifully they cascade, her color and stone choices, and her photography.

If you adore flowers, other items in her Etsy shop might pique your interest as well.