Nautical fashion basics

I found some fun nautical fashion collections.  A navy blazer is a must have. I have several of them in different fabrics. How many do you own?

Source: mariapia65.polyvore.com via beachhouseliving on Pinterest

Blue Sail Studios fine silver jewelry by the sea collection.

Introducing Blue Sail Studios by the sea jewelry collection handmade organic rustic styling in fine silver. From ocean waves to starfish my new collection is underway.  Early stages at the moment but, it's moving forward which is the important part right?

I had a few different names in mind for jewelry line. I didn't want to pigeon hole myself if I decided to add different products all together in the future. Blue Sail Studios was in the top three but,  not my favorite. It was the name that came out on top of the opinion poll of trusted friends.

Simple starfish pendant.  Currently this has a piece of blue ribbon.

The difference between "fine" silver and "sterling" silver is that fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. Sterling is  92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% being composed of other metals. They may look the same, but fine silver is more "pure" and is, therefore, more costly and often considered more desirable than sterling silver.

Individually crafted by hand means even similar looking pieces are not exactly alike. 

 

Urchin pendant with CZ on 2mm black leather cord.

Unlike mass produced pieces these take time to craft. For example on the pendants below the bezels for the stones are hand formed. I think it's time for a big magnifier for those fine details.

I made the larger, heavier urchin pendant for my Mother.

Hope she will like it.

After refining, firing, scrubbing clean and tumbled for hours the piece receives a patina if desired.The part I like the least is the removing the patina solution to show the highlights.  It is so tedious.

I was given this small piece of pottery. 

It looks like Delft. I am not sure.what it is.

 I am pretty proud of this one.

Pottery and glass requires being fired in the kiln to test it first.  No sense in setting in the silver to have it shatter or in some cases completely change color or both.  I wanted to use some sea glass and the test firing completely changed the color of the glass.  A light aqua turned an icky yellow brown.  Blue turned rust. Pretty pale gray veins in aqua pottery just went poof, gone!  There went the designs I had planned.

 

Old world cross earrings with a light rust patina

like they were pulled from a ship's treasure.

Small scallop shells the wears the scars of the sea

hidden back bale.

Some of my pieces are fired twice.  I wasn't sure if the shell pendant would have a jump ring or hidden bale. I prefer the hidden bale even though it is more work.

Ocean waves pendant with hidden rope style handmade bale.

Black leather 2mm cord.

I craft with more of an organic, rustic look overall. I think it lends character and gives each piece it's own hand crafted just for you styling.

Seahorse pendant with background waves and

hidden bale.  Currently this is on a 18" 1.8 mm Rollo style chain.

I think it looks okay but a slightly finer chain may

be a better choice.

Art Nouveau style shell pendant.

I thought I would make something for myself.

 I do not know what I was thinking it is pretty hefty. 

There you have it. Should I keep making more?

What do you like or don't like?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

P.S. I am looking for a graphic artist to design the logo I have in mind.

Toriska clutches. Designer Spotlight

Toriska clutch purses from nice and nautical to tropical brights have captured my attention. How fun would this red and white stripe number be with some white jeans or khaki's?

 

When I started my first real job I carried a simple black leather
envelope style clutch. I felt so grown up.

I cannot recall exactly when I abandoned using a clutch daily in
favor of a shoulder bag, but these handmade cuties have me
longing to lighten the load I tote around each day.

Each clutch is handmade by Tori who hails from Philadelphia, PA.

Tori was taught how to sew by her mother as a child but didn't 

really do much with her skills until a few years ago.

Feeling a bit tropical?  This silk tangerine and pink fits the bill.

Making purses began as a hobby and later turned into a business.

Tori's line up ranges from shoulder bags to wallets but her
true love is clutches.

Depending on the style, they take two to over four house to make.

Personally, I was pretty surprised to find  handmade

frame closing, rhinestone silk clutches that can hold more then a lipstick 

and keys so reasonably priced.

 Getting the fabric perfectly into the frame isn't as easy as it looks!

I can see this turquoise dupioni silk being made for bridesmaids

for a seaside wedding. Tori gives discounts for wedding party clutches.

Love the color but don't want the rhinestones?

Tori offers some custom options.

Give a unique bridal shower gift with the brides

initials inside the purse.

While navy and white is my standard go to color and I really like this yet,

I am completely smitten with this happy looking tangerine silk.

....getting daring in my old age.

It's a fun pop of color don't you think?

Spring is just around the corner!

Go on now accessorize, accessorize with a Toriska clutch.

P.S. Toriska sometimes makes napkins rings.

I may have to get these when she gets the fabric back in.

The fine required print.  This is not a paid endorsement or advertisement.
I've been blessed to have my work featured by others.  I'm simply doing the same.
All photos by Tori of Toriska used with permission.

Shells and Ships on my wrist

When I saw this fabulous nautical bracelet I was head over heels smitten.  It had several of my favorite nautical beachy icons.

(click to enlarge)

From pearls and shells

to jeweled anchors

Should or shouldn't I? I pondered.

It's kind of large. It's kind of bold and not something I could

wear to work unless it was a meeting only day.

It's really unique,

It's beautifully made

It's too expensive; especially now.

I could wear it.....hmmm I don't really go anywhere.

Look at that dangling anchor.....

I thought about it for a week....and its sort of sister bracelet.

Finally, deciding while I liked them both I could only have one

and even one was way more then I should.

It was the Seahorse toggle that sealed the deal.

I am now ready for dockside cocktails or dining.

In the meantime, my wrist was in all its glory pushing the cart down the grocery store isles.

Smitten with knitten. The Ruby Needle

Winter knits from The Ruby Needle on Etsy.

This photo with boats in the background confirmed I needed one of these.

So I wrote to Beth asking if she wouldn't mind making a special cowl for me

in gray 100% merino wool.  Beth was absolutely wonderful about sending
information on different shades and types of yarn.

My cowl arrived last Saturday.
I tore into the package while sitting in the car with the abandon of a toddler
and squealed and grinned like one too as I slipped it on.
It was so cozy I wore it all day, and I mean all day. 
Even after I put on my pj's.

I had no clue what I missing.
Thank you Beth I love it.

A Lifetime of Hat Affairs. In search of the perfect hat. Design Spotlight Anya Caliendo Couture Milliner

It all started with a simple engineers hat when I was two years old.    I was so enamored I refused to take my hats off and, all hell would break loose if my parent's tried.  They literally had to hold my hats over my head to wash my hair.  No joke.

I loved going to Church because many "ladies" still wore hats.

Unfortunately, I think my mother wished she could have duct taped 

my mouth shut with my never ending commentary and exclamation.

You know, like "Mom, Mom, look Mom.  Why don't you get a

hat like that one?  Can you see it Mom?  The lady over there...."

Christmas was pretty bad but, Easter; Easter was the worst.

A Christmas hat from my sister many many years ago.

In near mint condition. I'm not really a red fan unless it's just the right shade.

 

Easter bonnets were my favorites.

Sales women were happy to oblige placing grown up hats on my head.
It let my mother shop for her own with less interruption.

My new hat's had to be modeled for everyone.

Complete with my new gloves on so the hat didn't get dirty.

 The gloves were another story. I have a lot of those too.

I had hoped someday to look as chic as the people in the movies.

Not a chance.  Then, or now.

My adoration of hats subsided as I grew older.

When I started wearing them again.  It became an inquisition

of what hat would I be wearing to such and such event or meeting.

One of the hat's I no longer wear but have held onto.

Wedding invitations with special notes....

"You are wearing a hat to my wedding aren't you?"

When my wearing of hats subsided once again.
I packed up a handful and gave away the rest.

Then out of the blue a few years ago, I started wearing them now 
and again. Before I knew it, a new collection was beginning to grow.
Including some vintage hats.

Nautical flair; of course.

Jackie O style in white straw

Before I continue to bore you with more of my poorly 

photographed collection, let me introduce you 

to a most wonderful Milliner, Anya Caliendo

I found Anya via A Gift Wrapped Life and find myself 

smiling at the screen recalling the days of my church antics 

and hat shopping with my mother.

Anya is one of the few keeping the fine art of Millinery alive.

 

Her hats are made by hand and have been purchased by women

as far as France, Russia and Australia to name a few.

A quote by Coco Chanel adorns the windows of

Anya's New York Couture Atelier

"I consider a woman undressed 

if she does not wear perfume, gloves and a hat"

Recently Anya announced a giveaway of one of her

 gloriously colored summer fedoras.

It is no surprise, I was head over heels for the turquoise.

Yet, the pink has me totally smitten.  Like in Bermuda beaches pink.

Anya likes wearing hers with jeans for running errands.

I think it's perfect to wear while having a glass of wine dockside.

I liked it so much I've put it on a wish list for an upcoming occasion. 

You can visit Anya at her Atelier in New York state.

or view her collections online

Do take a moment for a lovely virtual tour here.

  

An Etsy Treasury feature - handmade flower pin

I was happily surprised to be notified one of my flower pins was selected for an Etsy treasury.

None of them have sold yet but, to be noticed for the amount of work that goes into them added a bright spot to the day.

It's the one with the black frame around it.

Here it is larger.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I did end up putting them on Etsy

Beautiful aqua and blue earring giveaway by Simple Daisy

If shades of this season's hot color trends are up your alley then head on over and enter this fab giveaway for a pair of handcrafted sterling silver chandelier earrings in shades of aqua and blue by Simple Daisy.  You can also enter via the little button on the left sidebar of this blog.

Aren't these beautiful?  Colors like tropical waters. 

This post is my way of saying thank you (not an entry) for the numerous times Simple Daisy's blog has perked me up even on days she wasn't feeling particulary perky herself.

Her blog is delightful.  You simply (no pun intended) can't help be inspired to get moving, try a super healthy recipe, adorable DIY's, and a chuckle about her two dogs LC and Ruby.

Her giveaway ends really soon on Thursday, March 11, 2010; don't miss it.  We can all use a little encouragement now and again so while your there drop a word of support not giving up on her lovely jewelry making was a good choice.  Be sure to check out her Etsy shop too.

Good luck!

Flip Flops to Flip over

There is no time like the present to window shop for summer flip flops.

All by Mystique except one pair by Lilly Pulitzer.

Lilly Pulitzer

I've had these little gold chain numbers for two years.

 I justified the price because they actually lived up to what other wearers told me; little to

no blisters in between your toes plus they actually make my unattractive feet palatable in public. 

Surprisingly comfortable I've worn them walking around for hours at a time.

I'm looking forward to wearing them again very soon.