by lynn krestel

monday...

ok, its monday - you know me by now - mostly a day at my computer, little blog surfing, catching up on emails, re-working my etsy shop a little ... so how about a few of my etsy favorites today...go by and check them out!!

 four bird vases by catherinereece...too sweet - great start to spring!!

lost by yaelfran ... a digital print...whimsical, makes me want to be a little girl again...

sea urchin ring by staroftheeast .....ooak, i love being inspired by nature...can you imagine, wearing a sea urchin?? its really beautiful.

vintage chenille bunny by soblissfullyvintage...perfect little bunny for giving or keeping!!

 

 

i've been working with mixing hand rolled silk cording with oxidized silver links. the bracelet also includes rough cut garnets - i love them, they are chunky, faceted bits of sparkly elegance - and pinky wire-wrapped freshwater pearls.

i used pieces of oxidized sterling silver, 24 guage, and wrapped the ends of the silk to creat the silk link connections.

i am using oxidized silver for a couple of reasons.... for its aged apprearance... pre-aging the silver, now it won't tarnish, is ready to wear and wear!!

 

ok, i better get to work!! happy monday!!

creative writing

i come from a talented, accomplished family. we are creative, persistent, strong willed and stubborn. we are uncannily similar, and yet if the three of us sisters are together, most wouldn't guess us related!!

my mom could craft anything with a sewing machine. she made awesome christmas gifts for her neices and nephew - i especially remember the bear skin rug sleeping bags and felt playhouses, that fit over card tables (remember those??)   i also have memories of spending hours at the fabric store pouring over patterns, then fabrics, sifting through zippers, buttons and threads to match. we would gather in the sewing room in the evenings and listen to my older sister read aloud over the whirring the machine. now my girls look in horror at the 'outfits' we wore, but at the time, we thought we were styling!!

my little sister is also quite handy with a singer machine!! she sews dresses and costumes for sammy, quilts with fabrics from her travels, and even her own evening wear...

there is also quite a penchant for words in this family of mine... both of my sisters are quick witted, funny, and sarcastic - and usually all in the same sentence!! i say all this, to give a shout out to my older (not that she's old! just older than me!!) sister who has been journalling and writing, i think, most of her life. and as most artists, she is loves the writing...its the self promotion and selling that is the labor.. check out her blog, busysmartypants, and get a glimpse into her way with words and outlook on life!! there is also a link to a short story that was published recently. (way to go, sis!!)

 

trashbaggs

my youngest daughter has always loved creating....nothing would make her happier than construction paper, scissors, and a glue stick. she would ask if we were 'arters'!

well now she is officially 'arting'! at christmas she wanted these little coin purses for her friends for gift giving. we couldn't afford to buy enough for all of her friends, but decided to try to make them. we were so fortunate to be able to buy a pattern from an etsy seller (who has since sadly closed her little shop).

so making her own take on recycling. we create with candy and snack food wrappers, vintage fabrics and metal zippers. jayme does all the cutting, matching, and turning (the hardest part) - i just sew the seams, for now....

jayme ventured last week to the etsy spring fling as her debut selling experience. as well we have finally begun stocking up her own etsy shop, trashbaggs. there will be even more listed this week as time and homework allow!!

 

 

stop by her little shop and give her a heart - if you will!! : )

i can't quit....

 

i can't quit on these vintage necklaces!! this one came from florida from an estate sale. it has quite hefty, these crystals are large in comparison to most old necklaces... you can definitely see the age on these beads...the yellow of age - but to me, thats the beauty! (hey, i'm forty(one) - i'm working hard to see the beauty of age!!)

i bought this for the bicone crystals - for my spring dragonflies... but i don't know if i'm going to be able to take this beauty apart! it is so luxurious just as it is...hmmm any thought??! i have a couple of weddings to attend this summer - it would be perfect!! with just a simple scoop neckline...

the only problem with getting my hands on such a find - i only want more!!

stay tuned - i'm sure i'll have more to share in the future!!!

  

spring fling

so saturday i was part of the etsy sellers spring fling show here in vancouver. i was looking forward to meeting other sellers, hearing their experiences, learning from their successes, and sell a bit of jewelry. as with all shows - you never really know what you're getting into... has it been well advertised, will people come, where will i be located. plus all the work packing up display and packaging, preparing enough  product so you look prepared! tagging, signage, business cards, on and on!! it is a great upheaval to my studio space, my home, and my family.

anyway, it  turned out to be a great day. i got to meet some great etsy sellers!, purchase a few handmade things, as well as trade with a couple of people, hang out with my daughters... what a wonderful way to spend a saturday! and of course - i forgot to take a picture - my camera was in my bag at my feet the whole time! i was just relaxing, yakking, selling, forgetting!! 

rita from smeeta took great pics and has a info packed post - i snagged the pic of jayme and me there... http://www.noticle.com/?p=672&cpage=1#comment-96 

 

we shopped from kris (and others) - love her art - check out her blog with pics too - if you want!!

http://www.acageybee.com/spring-has-been-flinged/268

anyway - happy monday!! feeling cold here - better not be more snow! : )

french sequins.....

 

a tissue wrapped package...bits of spring colors arrived in my mailbox this morning! i ordered these vintage french sequins - but as everything you order online, you hope its as the image appears, that your eye has seen not what it wants to see - but as it truly is!

their matte softness and transparency was even more than i'd imagined. i knew what i expected them to be - and happily they are!! i am going to create with them a design i made years ago..and its funny, because then i used all new components. now i am going to update my design by creating with vintage!!

i am part of an esty spring fling sale this saturday. a vancouverite group of etsy sellers showcasing our creations in person.  and we get to meet each other - who we email, chat, discuss but never see!

if you are in the area - please stop by.... main and 17th - cambrian welsh hall (look for signs) 11-5.

 

 

the chicky!

i like to share some of my favorite vintage things on tuesday. today its a chicky pin.

   

chubby and sweet - this little chicky just makes me smile!! her round little body is a glass bubble. her little eye is also glass. and i love the bit of sparkle on her tail - see the rhinestones.

i want my jewelry to have classic wear-ability - and some whimsy. don't know if i'm there yet - but its where i want to be!!

  

bouquet charm

 i love the idea of attaching a memento charm to a bridal bouquet. carry your parents wedding picture  or even the photo of someone you would want to be with you on your special day.

it comes with a freshwater pearl and silver jumpring - makes an simple transition into a necklace. 

tulips are absolutely my favorite flower - and working with these today has reminded me again why i love them. the waxy yellow-green stems droopping slightly with weighty heads. the curly variegated petals opening ever so slightly with the warmth of light or touch. the soft peaches and yellows with a splash of green and cream...who could paint a more beautiful picture!?! 

take a peek

i follow jan at hazelnut cottage regularly. she is a talented, smart indie designer i admire. she is transparent in sharing her joys, successes and struggles with the blogging community. she also shares her insights into things she is learning along the way. i appreciate that!

till midnight tonite she is generously offering one of her necklaces - a new line she has added - in a giveaway. don't just stop at the giveaway - take a look through her etsy shop - i'm sure you'll fall in love with her too!!

with purpose

my tuesday vintage love are these sweet egg cups. i snatched them up at a tag sale - i absolutely love the retro design and colors. they have a bit of crazing which also adds to their charm.

when i originally purchased them - probably about 20 altogether - i used them to store some of my vintage buttons and crystals. some held candles. some were gifts.

two years ago, on a march break trip to new york city my sister and brother in law took us to a french bakery/cafe - sadly, i can't remember the name : (   

 the soft boiled eggs, rustic bread, berry jam and marmalade shared at a communal table in the center of a warm yeasty room - a bit of heaven that cold winter morning.

we have re-created that simple breakfast many times since, needless to say, the beads and buttons dumped, and these well loved vessels are once again placed with purpose on a weekend brunch table!!