Prep Work for my First Pop Up Shop

I don't have much time to blog this week, mostly due to various deadlines, but also because I've been quite busy getting ready for my first Pop Up shop with some lovely people from Finland Handcarfters Team.

The venue is this really cool (pun intended) little Frozen Yogurt place called YoBot. So if you're in Helsinki this upcoming weekend,  then come and check us out. Since Mother's Day is coming up, this could be a great opportunity to find some cool and throutghful gifts for your Mum. 

   

Last Minute Christmas Decor Ideas

Christmas is always a very busy time. You have to make the presents, wrap everything and bake a million and two cookies. Sometimes you just do not have time to go all out on the Christmas decor.

For instance, we decided not to have a tree this year, so I decorate my room with a few nifty things I had at hand. Behold, the cake stand Christmas tree:

All right, I admit, it may not be all that epic, but it really makes for a fun piece, especially on a dinner table.  

You will need:
- A cake stand
- Christmas ornaments
- Some white cake doilies (if your cake stand has a very un-Christmasy pattern)

You can use tinsel, pine tree branches or a mix of everything. I had some really lovely vintage bulbs. If you have a Christmas star you could attach it to the top of the stand.

But cake stand is not the only way to decorate your room this year. You can use a jewelry stand instead.

   
You will need:

- A jewelry stand 

- Christmas tree ornaments

Pick a color scheme or just go all out (like I did) and put up everything you can find. This works much better if you hang the ornaments at different levels. Do not be afraid to add some tinsel or mix in some of your Christmas-looking jewelry for a more ostentatious look. I found stars, angel wings and bulb earrings, necklaces and bracelets of all kind very conductive to the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas!      

Jewel Beetles in 19th Century Fashion

Evening Dress, 1850, India? Source: The Kyoto Costume Institute

What a beautiful dress! Mid-19th century white mull with silk satin bodice, a floral pattern and a matching shawl. So elegant!

But look closer. Can you see it? The floral embroidery on the skirt and shawl is made of thousands of beetle wings!

Evening Dress, detail, 1850, India? Source: The Kyoto Costume Institute

Jewel beetles or buprestidae have iridescent blue-green elytra (the hard case covering the wings) that reflect light very much like sequins and have been traditionally used for beetle wing jewelry and decorations. The elytra are lightweight and very durable. They retain color for a very long time and often remain intact when the surrounding fabric has practically disappeared.  

Jewel beetle embroidery came to England from India, where Madras and Clacutta were the centers of beetle wing art. The exquisitely beautiful elytra had been used since the beginning of the Mughal Empire to decorate turbans, wedding dresses and ceremonial robes as well as for jewelry and even paintings.

Dress piece, muslin, Madras (Chennai), India, about 1880. Source: V&A Museum

Though the technique came from India, Europeans often used the wing cases of South American jewel beetles. They must have looked quite dazzling in candlelight. This style of embroidery was not only fashionable, it was also considered a suitable pastime for ladies of leisure, who were advised to use Walker's number 8 needle and green thread.

Once the vogue for beetle wings on ball gowns had passed, they were often altered for fancy dress parties and masquerades. Beetle wings also found a home on the stage. Probably one of the most famous instance of jewel beetles in fashion is the stunning green dress worn by Ellen Terry in the role of Lady Macbeth at the London Lyceum Theater in 1888.

Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent, 1888

Ellen Terry's Lady Macbeth dress © Zenzie Tinker Conservation Ltd

The gorgeous emerald and sea green gown is crocheted and composed of 1,000 jewel beetle wings. It has recently been restored and it took artists 1,300 hours to return the tattered dress to its former glory. It is currently on display at Smallhythe Place.

While using bugs for decoration may seem like a strange Victorian caprice, some modern designers still use jewel beetles for dresses and jewelry.

Take for instance the young designer Holly Russell who created this sheer fantasy in 2009.

The Blue Jewel Beetle dress by Holly Russell, 2009

The dress is from Russell's Animals & Minerals collection and uses jewel beetle wing cases and human hair to create that slightly surreal effect.

And if you have seen the recent Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), you may recognize this gorgeous gown worn by Queen Ravenna.

Evil Queen dress by Colleen Atwood, 2012 

The dress was designed for Charlize Theron's Evil Queen by Colleen Atwood. It is made of turquoise and gold chiffon with jewel beetle detailing.

Jewel beetle embroidery is truly beautiful and it is a shame that it has been relegated to the world of high fashion and film costumes. I suppose people are just too squeamish about wearing insects; but maybe we should consider adding some nature's own iridescence to our everyday style.    

How to Turn Buttons into Earrings

I often find myself buying cute buttons without actually knowing what I am going to do with them. Well, last night I had an epiphany - I could turn them into earrings. Not only would that expand my own collection of jewelry, but I would be able to stock up on presents for all my jewelry loving friends. 

Here is my quick and easy tutorial that will help you turn your buttons into tiny pieces of delight.
   

You will need:
Buttons
Wire cutters
Super glue (Don't use a glue gun, it's difficult to apply the glue and it can get a bit messy)
Toothpicks
Earring posts and backings (available from any crafts store)

Note: When working with super glues, make sure the room is well-ventilated; and mind your figures and surfaces. Always follow the instructions on the tube.

Step 1:

Take the wire cutters and cut off the back of the button as close to the base as you can. 

Step 2: 

Put a bit of glue on a piece of cardboard and with a toothpick apply it to the flat part of the earring post. 

Step 3: 

Press the post onto the back of the button. Apply some pressure to make sure it sticks. 

Step 4: 

Repeat the same process with your second button and then leave them to dry over night.

In the morning you will have a whole assortment of new pretty earring to wear.           

Ofelia Market Treasures

Ofelia Market is a wonderful annual/biannual event that brings together great fleamarket vendors, arts and crafts makers and boutique keepers who offer a wide range of handmade rarities, unique designs and vintage treasures. This is a paradise for all those who worship at the alter of style and/or bow down before the aesthetic of such movements as burlesque, gothic, lolita, pin-up, retro, rock 'n' roll or vintage.

Every year it's a different theme. This time it was Steampunk.

I must admit, I went a bit mental and bought quite a few things, going over my modest budget of 20e by a substantial amount. Though, I do not regret it.  

These cute earring and the fun ring I bought from one of my favorite vendors - Essi Paajanen. She makes beautiful lolita-inspired jewelry. And you can see that she puts a lot of thought and love into her work.

I do love junk food

It makes me think of Pushing Daisies 

I wish I could remember the name of the person who sold me this great ring. I'd been looking for something similar on Etsy for ages and this one was just what I wanted.

Who doesn't love waffles?

The vintage Barbie from Zefora necklace is not for me, it's for my little niece. The holidays are just around the corner and I wanted to buy her something she would love. And knowing how much she likes pretty and colorful jewelry, I knew she would love this.   

Vintage Barbie is really cute 

You may notice a marked preference for food-related jewelry. That was probably because I was shopping around lunchtime and was very hungry.