Old Favorites

For today's blog post, I asked the team to show off something from each of their shops that may have been overlooked. Here's what they came up with...

From Keikeaux:

This druzy gemstone sparkles like sugar! The long sturdy chain makes this an easy go-to statement piece. 

Druzy Agate Necklace

From Sferra Designs:

Gorgeous amethyst and sterling silver earrings featuring trapezoidal faceted amethysts, unique and show stopping. 

Amethyst Earrings in Sterling Silver

From Allie's Adornments: 

I don't normally put items on sale but the prices on these have been reduced. Both made with Victorian black glass buttons that are over 120 years old.

Antique BUTTON bracelet

Antique BUTTON locket necklace

From Nans Glam:

This is a one of a kind aqua and brown necklace that was featured in Jewelry Affaire Magazine, July 1, 2012. It is abalone and amazonite with copper. I collaborated with Becke of OceanAvenueSilks who provided the hand painted 1" silk ribbon which she designed to go with my beach themed necklace.

Abalone Statement Necklace

From Zizi Rho Designs:

This little thing is perfect for keeping your smartphone in your purse or hanging it on your wrist...

Knit Cell Phone Purse with Strap

What have you been overlooking lately?

MEET ALLIE OWNER OF ALLIES ADORNMENTS

Allie C. owner of AlliesAdornments

EST. July 2007

located in Tucson, Arizona

A LOVE OF VINTAGE

My great aunt instilled a love of vintage in me at a young age. A visit to her house was like a trip to another world. There I reveled in the beautiful jewelry, furniture, linens & photographs that were handed down through a number of generations in our family. Today as I use their silver & china, I find myself wondering about my great great grandmother & her 3 beautiful daughters, Allie, Grace & Louise (my great grandmother). Knowing that my relatives once used these items & that they have survived over 130 years to be part of my everyday life, is something that never fails to astound me.

Allie is the namesake of my jewelry line & I use her picture from the 1880s in the packaging for my button bookmarks. A photo of Allie & Louise from 1881 are used to package my button hairpins. The smiling girl wearing a crooked hat was a young cousin of my great grandfathers & this image of her from the 1900s is my online avatar & tags for my button jewelry.

Allie passed away at the young age of 31 and never had any children. The way her items & image have sparked my creativity is her legacy.

One thing that my family believed about "things" was that they needed to be used in order to be properly appreciated. Let those things bring you joy every day instead of locking them away for special occasions.

When my great aunt gave me her collection of buttons, they were so lovely that I was inspired to find a way to view these tiny pieces of art more often. Most are too delicate to wash in a modern machine, so wearing them as jewelry occurred to me. Hence, Allie's Antiqued Adornments was born.

This jewelry line evolved as a way to share the romance & craftsmanship of antique buttons as miniature pieces of art. This soon became a treasure hunt to find additional beautiful & unique buttons from around the world.

These century old buttons traveled from England, France, Germany, Bohemia, & old estates of the eastern United States.

Each button is lovingly cleaned to reveal its former glory while keeping some patina. Their original history remains a mystery. The majority are over 100 years old; plastic & modern buttons are not used.

♥ For vintage buttons, postcards, toys, photos & notions visit: OldeTymeNotions.Etsy.com 

The Dog Days of Summer

While trying to come up with a theme for this week's post, I Googled "dog days of summer". From Fact Monster, I got this answer:

Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.

Which means they're just about over. So, to celebrate their end, I asked for dog-themed items from the team. (If you wish to be featured in one of these posts, keep an eye out for my announcements on the team message board.)

Victorian DOGS on sterling silver by Allie's Adornments

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Brooch Set by Indy & Cleo

Paw Print Pendant by Vision Quest

Love My Dog Squiggle Bookmark by cserpent designs

Ceramic Mug by Maid of Clay

Set of 3 Dog Potholders by annie k designs

Purple Pug Wallet by Emo Seal Creations

Designer Chihuahua dog bamboo knitting needles by Designs by Tami

Handmade Knit Wrist Cuff by ohmay

Modern orange and Wiener dog print toddler dress by 100 Acre Co

Break Out the Purple

February's birthstone...

Amethyst Bead Square Heishi Rondelle from Yay Beads!

...is amethyst. So, it's the perfect time to break out the purple...

Allie's Adornments says:

I used a large antique button from the 1890s to make this ring. It's called a "Gay 90's" button & was probably used as dramatic coat button.

1890s Antique BUTTON ring

Express Yourself says:

I used Faceted Amethyst and sparkle purple Swarovski is hand wrapped with fine silver wire and dangle from a lovely sterling silver heart.

Heart Earrings

Sparkles-a-lot2 says:

I used Chevron Amethyst Beads to as an enhancement to the lavender/green dyed pearls that tie together the green hand carved shell flower pendants!

Lariat Floating Bead Necklace

Indy & Cleo says:

This tiny brooch was created with an upcycled wood Scrabble tile, and artwork from an original oil painting of a beautiful Maui sunset. The artist? ...Painted by my very talented husband! ❤

Maui Sunset

Vintage Formal 1960s Dress from Kmalinka Vintage

And finally, from me, Zizi Rho Designs:

This is one of the first pattern stitches I ever learned, taught to me by the woman who taught me to knit, my great-grandmother. It's an easy stitch, but it makes a beautiful scarf...

Purple Openwork Scarf

 Do you like purple?

Stocking Stuffers

We've all heard it. Christmas is coming. And I know we all want to find that perfect gift. But we also like to find those cute little extras--the stocking stuffers...

Knit Christmas Trees by ohmay designs

Santa Claus Scrabble Tile by Indy & Cleo

Pink Polka Dotted Fingerless Gloves by annie k designs

Copper Spiral Wire-Wrapped Necklace by Poppy Johal Jewelry

Pearl Studs by NansGlam

Church Button Bookmark by Allie's Adornments

Ring Dish by BobblesByCarol

If none of these catch your fancy, make sure to check out the whole collection...

Stocking Stuffers curated by California Crafters Club Of Etsy - CCCOE on Etsy

Around the Team

Just in time for Valentine's Day. Think Eco² says:

Our handmade eco-friendly wine gift boxes are a memorable gift. We are a San Diego-based company offering wine & liquor gifts, wine racks, garden planters, and rustic wedding decor.

Handmade Wooden Wine Box by Think Eco²

Little Smarty Pantz says:

I hand draw all of my art, and enhance them digitally. It's my creative outlet, outside of my day job. (I am an artist for the entertainment industry - commercials, tv shows, films, etc.) So it is so nice to design for me rather than for work. :)

Personalized Valentine's Plate by Little Smarty Pantz

They have several plate designs especially for Valentine's Day. Make sure to click the link and check them out.

And Allie from Allie's Adornments was kind enough to find some more Valentine's Day finds from the team:

Narwhal Love by Maid of Clay Ceramics

Leather Luggage Tag by Tresijas

Shower Them with Hearts by Pacific Paradise Soap

Bookmark by Vision Quest

Cupid's Garden by Allie's Adornments

Felted Case by ohmay designs

Happy New Year

Image courtesy Allie C. of Allie's Adornments

Handmade Wooden Wine Box Rustic by ThinkEco2

French Victorian Shooting Star by Allie's Adornments

Merry Christmas

Hand Dyed Silk Crepe Scarf in Deep Reds by Ocean Avenue Silks

13 teeny tiny miniature square Christmas envelopes by teenytinyenvelopes

Lace Mohair and Bead Scarf by ohmay designs

20s BUTTON earrings by Allie's Adornments

Jane is in Paris! Wish we were There!

Our CCCOE teammate Jane, of LoveJaneJewelry is in Paris! We can't be there, but here's a view of our Paris, 
on Rue de Etsy.

Sacre Coeur Carousel, Montmarte

An Original Signed Photograph by SonjaCaldwell

One of the many evocative photographs of Paris in her shop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75461094/sacre-coeur-carousel-photo-french

❤

Need some change for the carousel? Here's the perfect coin purse for those Euros.

Paris Market Coin Purse by ArtToWearDiva.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90479554/romantic-paris-flower-market-metal

❤

Fleur-de-lis, the stylized symbol of the lily is used in French heraldry and found in historical buildings and coats of arms. Here is a pendant from BeadedTreasurebySue.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96952988/vintage-fleur-de-lis-pendant-gothic-chic

❤

Roaming through Paris, a daily must is a stop for macarons!

A macaron necklace from Roscata, looks almost good enough to eat.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79337882/necklace-blue-pink-yellow-macaron-stack

❤

Our last night, one more look at the Tour Eiffel. Pick up a souvenir bangle, this one is from DesignsbyTami

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61273449/resin-art-cuff-bangle-bracelet-eiffel

❤

Want to share the Paris love, send your friends some Edith Piaf in these CD sleeves, from Shasta Blue 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106269036/pink-and-black-paris-france-eiffel-tower

❤

Home, but still wishing for more Paris! These French Victorian Shooting Stars might make your wish come true. There could be an April in Paris in you future!

 Vintage 1800 French Victorian Shooting Star button earrings are from AlliesAdornments.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46693058/wish-1800s-button-sterling-earrings

We are at the end of our fairy tale visit to Paris! Au revoir! I hope you had fun! Who would have known our own Paris right here at CCCOE!