By: Nora G.

I am a sucker for cool jewelry,  and was thrilled when designer Dala Al Fuwaires launched her beautiful accessories line, Olives and Pearls on Etsy. For the upcoming holidays I’m recommending everyone check out her stuff, and put in an order or two for amazing Christmas presents you know your friends will love.

Her personality is truely reflected in her pieces. . . cute, charming, but at the same time edgy and timeless. Here are some of my favorites, and surely some of yours soon too!

And an early Merry Christmas from Hong Kong, or as they say here — Shengdan Failong!!

The Midwest is a fantastic place to be, especially when autumn colors swoop in for a visit. We all know the dreaded cold is a couple months away, but that doesn’t stop us from relishing in the happy oranges, golds and bright reds of fall.

This last weekend while flea market shopping (scored an awesome vintage desk chair by the way for only $10!), the warm colors and endless piles of pumpkins were lovely to see and smell. Such easy inspiration, but I’ll take it whenever and however it comes! So, here are my funky punkin and autumn inspired finds. . . I can’t help but smell apple cider and pumpkin spice as I write this. Yum.

Sentimental Journey photograph by Irene Suchocki ($30)

Autumn mixed media by LetsAllMakeBelieve ($30)

Pumpkin Man Portrait print of oil painting by CuriousPortraits ($20)

Orange Tree in the Field original acrylic by Jen O’Connell ($15)

The Acorn Queen Locket by Marisol Spoon ($35)

Abstract Fiber Bloom by Jelly Toast ($10)

Sly Fox Cushion by Jelly Toast ($23)

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share the original funky punkin inspirations I picked up along the way this weekend (warning: photos were taken with a cell phone!). And despite my lack of a front door step potential, I found a nice home for my new pumpkin additions right on the coffee table. Cute!

Air plant pods. Er, come again? Yes, you heard right. . . these are air plant pods created and patented by Denver’s own Michael McDowell of Mudpuppy. One glimpse of these weirdo plants and their matching upside down homes and you’ll be struck by the strange, yet appealing cacti like tentacles climbing out of the ceramic pot they hang from.

Goodness is it curious looking, but that’s what makes it worth having. I mean, those long alien fingers sprouting down from the ceiling really could be quite fetching, in a way. Also known more generally as tillandsia, these special air plants can grow up or down, left or right I suppose. And the sleek pods with the twine like cord give them extra punch of clever design.

Sweden’s Dasrotesrabbit has a brilliant eye for color and and a wicked sense of design. I really love the way each piece pops and engages the eye. . . like the “OK” illustration below. Is that a lemon, or a bird, or both?? I don’t really know, and actually, I don’t really care, because it’s so cool! And the giant blackbird in heels? I mean come on, how nifty would that look on your wall?!

Check out more of Dasrotesrabbit’s work on Etsy or on their blog here.  There’s definitely a lot to be inspired by, as you can already see!

The beautiful pendants and rings by BrookeArin are not only charming and delicate, they’re handstamped sterling, giving that oh so attractive one of a kind feel.

The tiny details are what make each piece stand out, especially her sweet nesting ring, and simple “X O” pendant. Both perfect accessories inspired by this lovely time of year, when birds are singing and love is blooming!

Nesting Ring $50

Tiny Gem “XO” Necklace $44

Opticwaste has a fantastic spin on the antique art of silhouettes. Inspired by vintage art, quiet corners and bird wings, Ellen of Opticwaste has made her own series with a very charming and admirable twist. You may think at first glance, these are just another copy of what’s been done for hundreds of years. But if you look again there’s an entertaining edge to each, with the story discretely placed on the back of the frame.

From Uncle George to cousin Clara and her hoop skirts, I love them and the stories they inspire. It definitely gets the imagination going! Oh the webs we could weave. . .

“Emma and the hornet god got on well. Perhaps too well.”

“Beatrice neglected to read the full list of exotic ingredients in her favorite perfume. This was to have alarming consequences.”

“Lisette Landry, the famed bird hypnotist.”

“Uncle George and the spider surprise!”

“Cousin Clara had occasion to reflect that storing her hoop skirts in the attic was perhaps not the best idea.”

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Also interesting to note, the frames are re-purposed and gently distressed by Ellen the artist, and have no glass. Each one is mounted on bamboo paper, a very green and renewable resource.

There’s nothing as refreshing as spring flowers, and there’s really nothing as delightful as spring flowers in an antique mason jar. The look and feel is so cheerful and warm, you can’t help but feel just happy, plain and simple (and smiley).

With warmer weather and long, hazy days just around the corner, these colorful, shabby shelves with mason jar vases are just the ticket for brightening up a foggy room. For only 20 bucks you can grab one from Old New Again on Etsy. Their handmade wood shelves, key hooks, organizers, wall vases and blackboards are put together from recyled and new materials.

Or instead of purchasing one of the below, you could take the inspiration and try crafting one for yourself. I think I’ll try my hand at that, with a bit of help from my handy dad of course. I might eventually share my finished product with you too (might being the operative word). But in the meantime, enjoy these photos and p.s., isn’t their vintage bingo clock (see below) AWESOME?! Calling O 70… for OOOO my gosh, I have to have that!

Have a happy and warm spring weekend!

You could say I’m a gear head. . . but not in the grease up to my elbows under a car hood kinda way. But rather as a fan of these super cool, vintage gear necklaces by Jill of Creative Manifestations on Etsy. Just look at the delicate details combined with the rough, machinery vibe, it’s such a good thing!

I’ve returned to the frozen tundra and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. . . so I thought I’d share some fabulously unique jewelry to start off everyone’s week just right.

A little bit of quirky mixed in with a whole lot of brilliant designs thanks to Yellowgoat and their fantastic jewels. From the perfect match necklace to the polaroid inspired ring you can load up with your own photo, I can’t decide what I want to buy first! Check out all of their sweet wares here!

A Perfect Match

I’m Priceless

Good Time Ring

Today Is Bangle

Half Full Half Empty

Sugar and Spice

(all images courtesy of Yellowgoat on etsy.com)

Recently it has come to my attention that I’m a little more Irish than I thought. Okay, a lot more Irish than I thought. With a name like O’Shanney only a few branches away from me on the good ‘ole family tree, I was a bit surprised by my sudden ability to actually say, ‘Kiss me I’m Irish!’, and mean it. With that being said, I figured why not use this newfound identity to find something cool and chic (and a tad celtic)?!

Guiness Extra Stout Soap $6

I Heart Guiness Brooch $8

Celtic Comfort $15

Green Hoops $16

Green Gem Earrings $33

Celtic Business Card Holder $22

Peacock Scarf $90

That is the word of the week, er last couple weeks I should say. FROSTY. Everything in my world at the moment is iced over, chilled, numb, frigid, frozen and especially frosty. Thank goodness a trip to warmer weather is just over the horizon for moi (sorry to all the rest of you below zero peeps!). So in honor of the bitter cold days here up nort, I’ve decided to make some extra nippy lemonade out of some super arctic lemons, and shed some light on a few fantastic, frosty inspired gems.

Frosty Coffee Mugs $25

Frosty II $17

Frosty Deer Pencil Case $18

Twisted Frosty Earrings $45

Winter Textures Handmade Buttons $6.50

White Oval Pendant $10

Frosty Grace Hair Piece $29

The Frosty Fox Print $14

Frosty Leaf and Pearl Necklace $38

And with that, may I leave you with two very important words. . . stay warm!

During a fabulous weekend in Iowa with friends (yes. . . Iowa can be fun and fab!), I came across an interesting use for tape measures. My dear dad always has one in his pocket, and insists I use the one he gave me before hanging any picture on the wall. Now, I may or may not (usually not!) use it before hanging artwork, but after seeing all the potential in that simple yellow tape I just might need to take it apart and make something way more useful.  Like earrings or a necklace or a brooch. . . the possibilities are endless! Just don’t tell my dad. . . eep!

Love Measures Brooch $23

Artful Hardware Pendant $50

Don’t Make a Noise Print $15

Tape Measure Apron $15

Retro Measure Up Ring $39.95

Tape Bracelet $5

Tape Measure Headband $7.50

Tape Measure Earrings $9.50

Apparently this week is going to dump a lot of snow on the Twin Cities, and I’m not so sure how I feel about that. As much as I’d like to have a little chat with Mother Nature about my schedule and how a load of snow is really going to get in the way, it’s probably not a possibility. So I’ll just take the hint, and let it inspire me to find some lovely gems. . . winter white rings and lovely crystal earrings. Pretty, pretty simple things just like the snowflakes that are about to fall. . .

Winter White Ring $12

Snowball Earrings $18

Pearl Cluster Ring $14.50

Snow on Pines Earrings $18

My Heart Studs $12

Snow Queen Earrings $18

Cameo Ring $15

Snow Button Ring $10

On this chilly first of December morning, I thought a warm fuzzy would be a nice addition to the day. And thanks to Tollipop’s wonderful little girls and their oh so cute furry friends, it wasn’t too difficult of a task.

These tiny gals love to read, knit and make music in their darling caps and scarves, and I adore the imagination and creativity that just spills out from their sweet faces. Check out more of Tollipop here and see what’s behind the magic on Tollipop’s blog here!

By Nora G.

This season, big and bold necklaces are definitely a must, and I was lucky enough to find one in Singapore to the huge envy of all my friends. But all bragging aside, Bendywho’s big and beautiful work of art necklaces and other fabulous, vintage inspired accessories are available online here! No need to go to Singapore to find your own statement necklace. . .

Bendywho is Wendy, a mother and multitasker from Providence, Rhode Island, who creates amazingly gorgeous statement pieces. Right now she’s working hard at writing a book on how to make kick butt statement jewelry too. . . definitely a much needed inspiration I’d love for Christmas!  She loves what’s old and dented, and by combining scraps and findings at flea markets with new and unused elements, the results cannot be anything but pretty. Can I have them all?! Please?