Pretty Things Spotlight: * ElisabethSpace *

Update: The winner of the Lou Lou necklace by ElisabethSpace is SHERRY G.!

CONGRATULATIONS!

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With inspiration taken from the most incidental places and things, jewelry by ElisabethSpace is free-spirited and beautiful in its balance and contradiction.

"I do love to keep each piece tantalizing with a smattering of color or an air of organic timelessness..."




Gentle yet whimsical shapes noted with colour capture a Bohemian attitude. With nuanced differences, each piece captures clarity, drama, individuality and a casual yet elegant style appropriate for a picnic in the park or a night out on the town.

Spotlight: ElisabethSpace

★ Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hello! I'm Elisabeth Percival from the lovely Midwest, Omaha, NE to be precise. Me: *bespeckled with freckles* *first time befuddled homeowner* *wear sandals whenever possible* *love my green eyes* *any cheese is a good cheese* *difficult to hear in noisy places* *lover of learning* *novice photographer* *



★ What inspires you?
My inspirations are always changing. Generally, silly whims and happy accidents set the course for a number of my designs. Frequently, I find myself drawn to a particular color for ridiculously long time, more often than not, some lush shade of blue or green. While I sometimes wish I was the type of artist that could plan out a design with sketches and finite notions, I usually like to plop down at my table when I'm feeling creative and simply play with the jumble of color and metal surrounding me. It's all rather willy-nilly, but that seems to be how I create my favorite pieces.


★ Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
In addition to the tried and true responses such as vacationing, reading, and cooking, I also enjoy soy lattes or double italianos, quality time on my charming, beeaauuutiful covered porch, snacking by the computer, tooling around on my bicicleta, and making my wee nephew giggle. Free-flowing conversation with quality people makes my day. Discovering new music (The Republic Tigers, The Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes...) makes the world a better place.

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
A lovely woman in Australia found me online and wanted me to construct a necklace with beads that came from a necklace that had been her grandmother's. Her kind words about my art and her trust in my ability to work with her beloved beads struck me as something special.

★ Any advice for fellow artists...
Always remember to nurture the child within you. Don't worry about "shoulds" Buy the basics for your art or craft at the best possible prices, but be willing to splurge on something special or out of the ordinary. Never force things. Get inspired by all the other innovative ideas to be found on Etsy.com and Flickr.com. Try to stay organized; creating out of cluttered chaos hampers flow.


★ Fun question: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?
While I would love to be able to see a number of places all over this beautiful, eclectic world, if I was to travel somewhere right now I would go to Eureka, California to visit my dear friend whom I miss a great deal.

★ Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or your work...
Outside of a couple summer metal smithing classes, I'm self-taught in my craft. I strongly believe that continuing to create my jewelry is a ways for my imagination to grow and stay fresh. Whatever direction it takes me is one I am happy to explore.

Shop: http://ElisabethSpace.etsy.com

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Enter this week's give-a-way!

Elisabeth is giving away one of her prettiest pretties...The beautiful Lou Lou necklace in vintage brass!



The surface of this piece has been given a light brushing, enough for added character, but not so much as to ruin the fine detailing. The chain is a delicate brass peanut chain with a high quality gold filled trigger clasp.









How to enter:
Peek into the ElisabethSpace shoppe and peruse her fine lovelies. Then, comment here on your most favourite piece.

Most Important Details: If your favourite piece is not part of your comment and/or some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. The winner's name will be drawn from a hat...the good ole' fashioned way to do things. One entry per person. All entries must be received by noon Sunday, May 25th, 2008, PST. This contest is open to everyone.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Go Get Your Own...

Have you created your Entourage yet?


I have...hee hee

You can go onto Gwen Stefani's page for HP and make your own Harajuku-inspired paper dolls, greeting cards, birth announcements, baby shower invites {must be 'cuz she's pregnant again}, cd labels and more!

It's great fun...especially the paper dolls! Of course, I named my cuties as well. :)

Raven's Entourage...

Gwen Stefani for you... Have fun here!

America's Next Top Model...Blonde Bombshell

After a marathon watch of America's Next Top Model 2008 last weekend when I wasn't feeling well, I saw every episode except the last for this past cycle....and desperately tried very hard to not have the ending spoiled by yesterday's media. I succeeded until last night at 11.59pm when I checked my email only to find the winner announced in the subject headline of someone's email.
Grrr...Well, I guess I can talk about it now too.

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The Finalists, just in case you haven't watched this cycle:

ANYA KOP, 19
Born in Russia and now residing in Hawai'i, Anya went from sultry brunette to blonde nymph during the competition.

WHITNEY THOMPSON, 20
A plus-sized { that's a size 10 in the modeling world } student from Atlantic Beach, FL who went from brunette to Anna Nicole-blonde during her ANTM makeover.
FATIMA SIAD, 22 { and my pick even if her walk and attitude needed an adjustment...}
Originally from Somalia and a survivor of female genital mutilation at age 7, this Iman look-a-like now resides in Boston, MA.

And,...the Winner is:


Whitney!

Even though she was never on top in the competition, her work was always steady and beautiful ...and her runway walk almost perfect.
On top of that, she's the first full-figured model to win the competition, which is a far cry from the toothpicks who have been banned from the runways recently.

Could this win possibly usher in a new era of blonde full-figured bombshells like we saw in the late 80's? We can only wait and see...

"People always say you have to be stick-skinny, emaciated and unhealthy and I've kind of stood up for [being full-figured] my whole life,...'I am a plus-size model and I am beautiful.'"

As the winner of "Top Model," Whitney, will have a fashion spread in Seventeen and an Elite modeling contract.

Mid-Spring Things...

Something for everyone...
Here, a variety of sweet new things for a Mid-Spring Shopping Fling...with colours inspired by cheerful earth and grass tones, luscious cantaloupe, sun, sand and sea.

Above, Top Row, Left to Right:

• Sea Bisquit Photograph by TheaCPhotography
• Dolce & Gabbana Handpainted Dress
• Givenchy Sandals - Spring/Summer 2008
  

Above, Bottom Row, Left to Right:

• Lotus Bowls by Whitney Smith
• Peaches & Cream Earrings by BeadsByEvelyn
• Thai Lemongrass Mineral Bath Soak by Dirty Pretty Things

Above, Top Row, Left to Right:

• Jacket, Shorts & Belt: Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere
  
• Lulu Shoulder Bag by Ericka Basile
• 83Z Letterpress Angled by TheTypeJunkie
  

Above, Bottom Row, Left to Right:

• Mandarin Orange Bath Salts by Dirty Pretty Things
• Giorgio Armani Prive Gown worn by Cate Blanchett
• Marcia No. 10 by Hasenpfeffer

Pretty Things Fashion: Sex and the City Premiere

Yesterday I happened to notice that everyone was making such a fuss over what Sarah Jessica Parker wore to Monday night's London premiere for the upcoming Sex and the City movie. Parker, who arrived at the premiere in a sweet Alexander McQueen confection, complete with the most amazing avant-garde Philip Treacy hat, looked absolutely fabulous!


Some said that SJP {channeling Carrie Bradshaw} is the only one who could possibly pull off such an outfit. Au contraire! ...I think there are many people who could have pulled off such a look {and quite often do}, such as Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani, Elizabeth McGrath, ...moi {hee hee}... And, I'd even like to clean Amy Winehouse up a bit and have her try this one...just put that exquisite hat right on top of that big ole' mess of hair!

Just in case you are not familiar with the work of Philip Treacy...he's a milliner who's work is clearly part of the fashion world, but his extravagant head sculptures also cross the boundary into visual art. Treacy has designed hats for many haute couture houses such as McQueen, Chanel, Givenchy, Helmut Lang, Versace, Mugler, Anna Molinari, etc... Here's a smidge sampling of his beautiful creations {Watch out...there's some boob showing in these pix}:


...And, here's a close up of the stunning hat he made to go with the Alexander McQueen dress that SJP wore. This towering sculpture is complete with green roses, butterflies and the very same peacock feathers featured on her dress, thanks to Mr. McQueen sending them to Treacy just so the hat would match exactly.... How sweet!


The new Sex and the City movie is being touted as the cinematic fashion event of this summer — a rumoured 81 costume changes for SJP alone! We can't wait!
....Are all you fashionistas ready for it's release on May 27th?

Pretty Things Spotlight: * Micawber *

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Update: The winner of the print of her/his choice by Micawber is PETRA... CONGRATULATIONS!

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There's something about Micawber...

Crystal, the artist behind Micawber, is obviously very talented...but, it's that very balanced blend of sweet, sassy innocence and an almost sensual devilishness in each of her illustrations that tells you exactly who she herself is.

The eyes in her "more grown up" illustrations pull you in, ...trapping you in a mysterious fantasy land of delicate thin-necked characters. Her women are strong and yet vulnerable... urging you to notice them as they hide in shadow.

Yet there is a sweet childlike side to Crystal too..., this playful side perhaps more evident now with the birth of her young daughter Avie, whom she describes as "one incredibly awesome little girl". Complete with pretty pink dresses, bubbles and ribbons, you can find Crystal's sweet, innocent side in her shop of children's illustrations called Little Beanz.

Whichever side you prefer, there is undoubtedly no end to Crystal's talent...

" I've always fancied anything even remotely cutesy....in fact, I should have a head full of cavities due to the amount of which I adore "sweetness."

Spotlight: Micawber

★ Tell us about You…
My name is Crystal Wall, soon to be Crystal Lancaster as I am getting married in 3 weeks! I live in a growing suburb area in Southern New Brunswick, Canada, called Quispamsis(say that 5 times fast!) with my soul mate, Paul, and our 16 month old daughter, Avie. I am a classically trained animator who has worked as an animator/character designer in the animation industry for the last 6 years. I recently decided to take the plunge and try working from home selling my art prints, participating in art shows and doing freelance animation contracts so that I can be with my daughter. It can be a bit intense and scary at times, but overall, it has been a super rewarding experience.

★ Where does the name Micawber come from?
The name Micawber comes from a character, Wilkins Micawber, from Charles Dickens' novel, David Copperfield. His name has become synonymous with someone who lives in hopeful expectation, which is the way I try to live my life, so I thought it was quite fitting! :)

★ What inspires you?
I tend to get inspiration from a lot of different things. I absolutely adore studying other artists works, their choice of composition, the way they apply the medium, their colour choices, I find it all really captivating. Sometimes, I am inspired simply by colour, a fantastic colour can really get my brain swirling with ideas! I'm loving on turquoise a lot lately. Also, I tend to get a lot of ideas in those moments in bed, just before I drift off to sleep, the hard part is remembering them all in the morning!

★ Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
I love music, so, I love seeing live shows. My fiance is very into music as well, so it's something we've been able to share. Heck, even our daughter has been to 5 concerts already while she was in the womb! What? It counts! :) I have been trying my hand at sewing a bit lately, it's definitely something that I would like to pursue more in the future, I just need to invest in a decent sewing machine. I enjoy photography, my fiance is quite into photography as well and we recently invested in a Canon Rebel xti....sweeeeet! I also enjoy sitting out on the deck on a hot, sunny day with a nice cold beer and friends.

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
I don't think I could narrow it down to just one moment, I've had a lot of rewarding moments overall regarding my work. The first time I ever saw some of my animation work air on television was pretty exciting. Custom pieces always bring a certain level of accomplishment and satisfaction, also, simply having someone tell you that they are a fan of your work is pretty exhilarating as well!

★ Any advice for fellow artists...
Always be willing to change, adapt, and expand your work. Too much of the same thing can become very boring. Try new techniques, mediums and styles. Have fun with it!

★ Tell us more...
This is honestly the first time in many years that I have had the time to truly concentrate on my own artwork again. Working in the animation industry is quite rewarding, but it leaves little time for your own artistic ventures. Since I decided to work from home at the end of last year, I have been blessed with the time to really work hard on my own visions again, and I am absolutely loving it. I will be growing and evolving with my work and techniques as much as I possibly can over the coming years, so be sure to keep a close eye on me! Also, I'd like to thank you Raven for featuring me on your awesome blog, you rock!

Shop: http://micawber.etsy.com
Shop: http://littlebeanz.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.themicawber.com

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Enter this week's give-a-way!

Lucky you...This week's give-a-way is a a super sweet treat as the winner gets to pick the print of her/his choice by Micawber!

How to enter:
Peek into Micawber's shoppe and comment here on your most favourite print...the one you'd absolutely DIE to have, telling us just why you love it so!

Most Important Details: If your favourite print is not part of your comment and/or some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. The winner's name will be drawn from a hat...the good ole' fashioned way to do things. One entry per person. All entries must be received by midnight of Saturday, May 17th, 2008, PST. This contest is open to everyone.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Freaky Friday... A Hot Mess

Recently out on bail after being arrested earlier this week in London for drug possession...Oh, Surprise!...Amy Winehouse was caught out-and-about in this very un-fashionable rag-like bikini, proving that even some really skinny chicks have sagging butt cheeks too. ICK!
And, just like a Muslim taxi cab driver in New York City, she has us wondering what is going on up there with her mess of dirty hair in that towel... Double ICK! Oh, and no offense to any Muslim cab drivers, but every single person in the NYC who rides in one of their cabs sits in the back seat just wondering WHAT is up under there. True Story. :)

P.S. Do you think that a mayonnaise bottle is the new 'it' accessory or is it telling Amy what to say to the person on the cell phone?

Pretty Things Gossip: Domestic Bliss

I am really loving the new Harper's Bazaar feature on Nicole Richie {June 2008}.

Again, I am not a fan of Nicole's celebutante life style or her BFFs {ugh!},... I just love how happy she looks with her little muchkin, Baby Harlow and hubs-to-be, Joel Madden.















In the article, Nicole talks about motherhood, domestic life, her new body and new projects. She is eager to let her growing fan base know that she's more than what she has portrayed on "The Simple Life".







"You know, I went through a stage of thinking that once you had a baby, you moved to Brentwood, had a white picket fence, and it changed your entire life," Nicole says. "But I love where I am right now. Every single thing is for Harlow."




The accompanying photos by Peter Lindbergh are sweet, depicting the family in domestic bliss ...and hanging with Gramps...Lionel Richie!

Pretty Things...Neapolitan Soy Candles

Yum! A Neapolitan treat just in time for summer...now in my shop!


Did you know that the origins of Neapolitan ice cream lie in Naples, Italy?
I created this triple layer candle just like the ice cream, rich with vanilla, strawberry and chocolate layers of sweet soy goodness...ENJOY!

More Cuties!!

...now available in my shoppe featuring your favourite characters...

...Bunny...

...Bear...

...Monkey...

You can also customise these cards with the pet name that you call YOUR hunny...Sweet!

And, yes...the 3 Little Cuties Card is still available too....with a sweet message sure to make everyone smile!

Get Some Today!

Pretty Things Spotlight: * Coco Bijou *

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Update:
The winner of the Coco Bijou "Nocturnal Bloom" Band give-a-way is BUNNYB...Congratulations!

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Nicole Robertson of Coco Bijou appreciates the beauty of imperfection.

Celebrated by way of twisting, hammering and patina, imperfect beauty is reflected in every piece of jewelry that she creates, making each piece unique and one of a kind...just like each of us.

"The concept of perfection always makes me squirm a bit, so I strive to create unique jewelry that allows us to celebrate our deliciously imperfect beauty."

Coco Bijou pays tribute to the strength and beauty in women with simple, organic, stunning pieces full of rich colour and amazing textures. Elegant earrings, beads, necklaces and rings sparkle with light and love.
These beautiful works of art are to be loved and treasured.

Spotlight: Coco Bijou

★ Tell us about you…
My name is Nicole Robertson and I live in Bozeman, Montana with my super tall fiancé (we are getting married on June 21!) and our darling black lab, Chilkoot. I was born and raised in the gorgeous little artsy town of Homer, Alaska, and got my degree in sociology at the University of Oregon. Upon graduation, I became hooked on travel and volunteer work overseas, where I really established the framework for the kind of person I wanted to become…and finally, two years ago, decided that I was ready to settle into a home and do some nesting. So, here I am, pursuing the world of art from my workbench, and loving every moment of it.

★ What inspires you?
Women inspire me. I was raised with two amazing older sisters, and a very talented and loving mother. We have always found strength and inspiration in one another - and that has helped to guide me in my life. I am always in awe of the bonds of friendship amongst women. We understand one another - we lift each other up, and laugh about the quirks of our unique experiences. That is fascinating to me. I intensely admire women who respect their bodies and capitalize on their strength and wisdom. Upon this alone, I am able to create works that speak to these qualities in all of us. I was raised to appreciate the beauty of imperfection, and I reflect this in my jewelry.

★ Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
I adore everything associated with summer...camping, hiking and growing herbs. I love to cook and treat my friends to an evening of appetizers and wine. I'm obsessed with tennis, but haven’t found a partner to play with here in Bozeman. Kurt (fiancé) and I are utterly happy so long as we can get out and play in the snow and sun.

★ What is your most memorable moment selling your art?
A customer contacted me to ask if I could create her wedding ring. I was SO honored, flattered and nervous all at the same time. I spent an enormous amount of time making sure it was exactly what she wanted and, when all was said and done, she loved it. It warmed my heart to know that I had created something that this woman would hold dear for the rest of her life. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be capable of something like that.

★ Any advice for fellow artists…
Keep creating! Experiment, even if it means wasting some of your materials in the case that the piece doesn’t work out, just give it a shot. Some of my favorite pieces are the result of winging it on a design idea, and the rewards that come from taking those risks are so gratifying!

★ Tell Us More…
Throughout my life, I never considered myself an artistic person. The thought of a blank canvas and a palette full of rich colors scares me no end. Then suddenly, my life took a turn and I began to sense this void - I wanted to create, but didn’t know where to start. Since that change of direction, I have been embraced by such a warm community of artists on Etsy that I am inspired to fully commit to this new path that my life has shown me. Also, thank you to women the world around. You endlessly inspire me.

Shop: http://CocoBijou.etsy.com

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Enter this week's give-a-way!

This week's sweet little give-a-way is a wide sterling silver band by Coco Bijou entitled "Nocturnal Bloom". It's rich patina gives it an organic quality, seeming to resemble forms found in nature. The winner of this week's drawing will receive a custom made "Nocturnal Bloom" band in their size.


How to enter:
Take a look-see into the Coco Bijou shoppe and comment here on your favourite piece.

Most Important Details: If your favourite piece is not part of your comment or some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. This contest is open to everyone. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. The winner's name will be drawn from a hat...the good ole' fashioned way to do things. One entry per person. All entries must be received by midnight of Saturday, May 10th, 2008, PST.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Freaky Friday...The Brady Bunch Revisited

Paris Hilton is just EVERYWHERE anymore... She just knows how to ruin a good thing.