'Tis the Season!

My favorite time of the year is here...CHRISTMAS!  Although my holiday shopping list is far from complete, I've been busy filling orders and helping people check a few things off of theirs!  If you're looking for a unique gift for someone special check out my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Silkendipity

Place your orders now to receive them in time for Christmas. Shipping is FREE!

Here's the leafy sea dragon I just completed: 

Step 1: Draw Design

Step 2: Paint Background 

Step 3: Paint Design

Cigar Box Pen Pal Kit

“How wonderful it is to be able to write someone a letter! To feel like conveying your thoughts to a person, to sit at your desk and pick up a pen, to put your thoughts into words like this is truly marvelous.”
― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

 

The instant gratification of text messaging, email and social media have made letter writing obsolete.  I won't pretend that I'm immune (I am writing a blog post after all), but don't you just love receiving cards and letters even if they are few and far between?  There's something so old fashioned and fabulous about it.  Opening my mailbox to find a card that someone took the time to sit down and write by hand instead of typing or texting always makes me feel special.  With my upcoming trip to Olympia, WA to visit my sister, Chelsea, right around the corner, the idea to make her a personalized "pen pal kit" hit me.  Not only was this very inexpensive to put together, but its also a wonderful housewarming gift that has the added bonus of helping us keep in touch! 

 

 

  I found this old cigar box at a garage sale a few years back.  I wasn't quite sure what to do with it at the time but loved the dark finish and intricate, colorful label.  Although any box will do, I thought this one was extra special and would make a great addition to her desk or book shelf.

 

 

Once I had the box, I set out to find some fun things to put inside it.  I started with the basics: plain, blank cards, stamps and colored pens (not pictured).  Then, I came across a pack of all kinds of unique scrapbooking paper, and when I say all kinds, I mean it.  Everything from felted leopard print and Christmas trees to glitter swirls and shiny star patterns.  I thought these pages would be great for her to cut out designs and letters to decorate the cards with.  Much to my delight, I also came across a wax seal kit.  How much fun is that!?!  It made me want to rip open the cards in aisle 3 of Hobby Lobby and write a letter to be sent via courier pigeon right then and there!  Ya...it's that nostalgic.  Alas, I refrained and focused my attention on the sticker section where I found these cute little guys:

 

 

Texas is so cool its greatness had to be captured in sticker form and therefore, I had to have it. 

 

 

I also just happened to pass this adorable cat stamp in the clearance Halloween bin that I couldn't pass up.  Chelsea has the doppleganger of this exact stamp in cat form and her name is Grimm.  I wasn't playing around when I said "personalized"!

 

 

I also added a couple of blank vintage cards I had found years ago.  The artwork on these cards are so unique and the vintage feel seemed right up the wax seal's alley.

 

 

Lastly, I trimmed the papers down to size and tied ribbon around each of the elements to keep them separated.

 

 



 Voilà, my pen pal kit is complete...next stop, Olympia, WA!

 



4 Things I LOVE - Jewelry Edition!

1. Pamela Love Crystal Spike Necklace

I LOVE Pamela Love jewelry.  I stumbled upon her line while reading one of my favorite blogs Wild Heart Whispers.  Her jewelry is inspired by elements found in nature with some African and South American influences thrown in.  I love the unique rock n' roll/bohemian vibe it portrays.  If you like unique pieces that really make a statement, then check out more of her line HERE.  You won't be disappointed!

2. Unearthen Crystal Necklace

I'm really into these crystal necklaces by Unearthen designer Gia Bahm.  The stones are embedded in empty bullet cases which is  unique in and of itself, but also shows a really cool juxtaposition between the organic and man made elements in the piece. According the Bahm they can "remind you of the balance between destruction and creation" which I think is really beautifully stated.  I'm really drawn to the citrine, but of course I would be delighted to have any (or all) of them!

3. Unearthen/Cassaniti Vial Necklace

I know I just mentioned Unearthen, so I hate to do it again....but I just can't help myself!  Now, this next one might not be for everyone, but it really spoke to me since my husband works in the oil industry.  His job takes him away from home every other month and this crude oil pendant (far left) reminds me of him.  If the oil pendant doesn't do it for you, then maybe the others will.  From left to right we have water from the Pacific Ocean, Pink Holi Poweder (used in color festivals in India), sand, and compost.  Did somebody say DIY?

4. Marty Magic Animal Rings

I'm always on Etsy looking for unique, fun jewelry.  I came across these adorable animal rings by Marty Magic and just can't get enough of them! According to her website, Marty sculpts her impeccably detailed designs in wax and then casts them in gold, sterling silver or bronze.  Her pieces are inspired fantasy, fairy tales and the magic of nature.  My favorites are her stackable bird's nest, tide pool, armadillo and octopus rings, but she also has fabulous pendants and ear cuffs too!

Boho Chic

Ombre Maki Skirt & Lace Blouse - Marshalls

Evil Eye Graphic Tee - Ross

Tree of Life Pendant - Thrifted

Lotus Scarf - Silkendipity

Lace Skirt- Marshalls
Gold Glitter Heels - Payless

Gold Dust Necklace - Thrifted

Little Red Dress

Little black dress?  Been there. Done that.  Red is the new black and a sure-fire way to get noticed.  Solid colors are a blank-canvas for bold accessories that take your outfit to the next level.  Try your favorite necklace as a belt, throw on a scarf, and remember you are FABULOUS.

Dress - Thrifted

Jeweled Necklace Belt - Claire's 

Scarf - Silkendipity

Wedges - BCBG

Fun in the Sun

The days of endless summer are upon us. Beat the heat with a breezy cotton sundress or a light silk skirt and blouse.  Summer scarves, sunglasses, and sunhats are a great way to hide from the sun while revealing your inner Fashionista.  

Dress - Marshalls

Gold Studded Sunglasses - Target
Sun Hat - Sam Moon
Fish Bone Necklace - Estate Sale ( Only $1!!!)

Scarf - Silkendipity

Reversible Wrap Skirt - Outdoor Market in Hawaii
Wedges - Ross
Blouse - Target

When In Doubt, Just Add Glitter!

Every girl needs a little sparkle in their life.  These glitter signs are a quick and easy way to showcase your favorite quote or brighten up a lackluster room.  The possibilities are endless which is half the fun!  After all, a little glitter never hurt anyone...unless of course it's in your eye.

All you need is a frame, glue, glitter and a paint brush.  We used a couple of old frames we found around the house, so the whole project cost under $10!

We put our designs together using Adobe InDesign, but any type of word processing program will do.  Next, we used a large format printer to print our designs since the frames we chose were so large.  You can also free hand your piece or use a stencil if you'd like! 

Now for the fun part...the glitter!  Make sure you work pretty quickly so your glue doesn't dry.  We found that it worked best to do one letter at a time.

As you can see, my bullmastiff, Bruin, was happy to be my muse for the day.

Chelsea added a border to hers which really made it stand out.  Overall, this was a really simple, inexpensive project that only took about an hour to complete but looks like a million bucks!

BOLD Prints

It's definitely hip to be square when it comes to geometric prints! Bold lines and colorful repeating patterns, the fun alter-ego to those Polka-Dots you've been rocking for years.

And you thought you'd never use Geometry again...

Blouse - White House Black Market
Maxi Skirt - Olive & Oak

Dress - Nordstrom

Heels - DSW Shoes

Pearl Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe

Wedges - Ross