Miss Modish- Mojo Maker

Etsy Epilouge

Just wanted to formally wrap up Etsy week from last week: I came, I saw, I bought, I enjoyed every part of it.  I've found a lot more artists and crafters who I didn't have time to feature this past week, so it's guaranteed that this Etsy week will become a familiar phenomenon here at Modish.  What did you as a reader think?  Like the Etsy week?  Not so much down with the Etsy week?  Your feedback could help gauge how often I do this, so it's much appreciated!

So now, onto other great indie finds that I've been saving up for you all.  Goodbye Etsy, we shall meet again soon!

It's a nice day for a white wedding...

Yep, the title of this post most certainly is referring to the Billy Idol style "White Wedding."  If you're a rocker bride, a rockin' bridesmaid or just plain rock, I have found the earrings for you.  From Pequitobun comes these funky victorian rocker bride earrings.   
Made entirely with vintage elements (except the ear wires), these earrings are fresh, feminine, frilly and one-of-a-kind!  With cascading vintage rhinestones and faux pearls, and accented by white copper hearts, pretty white rose cabochons and gold flecked millefiori beads, these earrings are somehow fun and elegant at the same time and are sure to draw much attention.  Check out these along with many other crazy cool re-vamped vintage jewelry designs at Pequitobun!   

Ol' blue eyes

Aww, I just fell in love with this little guy:
Not only is it adorable, it's a handy little pocket mirror made by Kate Black from vintage ephemera.  Fun and functional!  Kate Black's shop is filled to the brim with stylee vintage inspired buttons, magnets and keychain bottle openers, notebooks made from old record sleeves, rock 'n' roll shrink pendants and much much more.  Pick up a trinket or two as a gift for yourself, for your friend, your neighbor, hey even your mailman!  They're cheap!  They're cute!  They're fun!  Find all the goodies at Kate Black!

Dottie dress up

Just like a brooch can dress up a plain tee, a colorful throw pillow can dress up a plain couch, bedding, or your sun bleached papasan.  And, a silk pillow, a hand painted silk pillow at that, can not only add some color but luxury too, like this pillow from Crystal J:
This pretty in pink pillow is girly and cute with white polka-dots and diamond quilting and it's absolutely one-of-a-kind!  Each pillow starts out as a plain sheet of white silk, and Richmond, VA artist, Crystal, then hand dyes it, cuts it, quilts it and turns it into the perfect little throw pillow for you!  Soft and luxurious, it would be perfect for a bedroom or that old yucky, yet way too comfortable, thrift store chair that you need to "dress up" a bit.  Find this and other pillows along with hand-dyed silk scarves and eyeglass cases at Crystal J!

The holy grail

Again, I've been faced with an absolutely impossible choice.  Trying to decide what to feature from Danielle Maveal's line is like trying to choose which is cuter between kittens and puppies.  Uh uh, not gonna even try.  So, I'll show you a few wonderful things from her line, although there are many many more, here's, at least, a smathering of sorts of the wonders that she has to offer:
Each piece is handmade by Danielle who is a trained goldsmith and acrylic artiste.  The Baby Bunny earrings are from her new series called the happiness series, featuring designs that'll make you smile etched onto sterling silver squares.  Then comes the Mod Red necklace with a handmade acrylic leaf pendant hung on an oxidized silver chain.  And then, her masterpiece, (which I didn't want to focus on solely because I've seen these featured before elsewhere) the Fake Diamond Ring.  Featuring a layer of bright acrylic sandwiched between two silver pieces with a diamond etched onto each side, these are innovative, shticky, incredibly unique and just plain rad.  Yes, rad.  There are even more amazing designs in Danielle Maveal's shop that will have you oohing and awwwing and drooling and pawing.  This Etsy place is gonna bankrupt me!

I have no willpower

I've recently become very drawn to brooches.  After receiving some in my Sampler from Honorable Mention and Make Out Goods, I've decided they're the perfect way to add some spunk to a plain ol' tank or tee.  So, I've made the leap and decided to actually purchase some from a cute little shop I just found called RUN AMOK.  Take a peek!   
These three handmade brooches, made from lovely vintage buttons, came in a set and are the perfect colors for my wardrobe.  This marks my first Etsy purchase, hurrah!  I can't wait to receive them.  I've heard nothing but good reviews about RUN AMOK, which happens to be the Etsy featured seller this week.  Among the brooches there's also hairpins and bracelets made from vintage buttons, pretty kimono fabric clutches and totes, dolls, pincushions, and much more all made by Oona Peterson.  Check out the lovely goods at RUN AMOK, but beware, you're going to have to have strong willpower to get out of there without buying something.  May the force be with you.

Site of the Week: Etsy

So, today's Thursday?  Did you know this?  I didn't until just recently.  Hmmm...(note to self, get calendar.)  Um, so yeah, Thursday's are site of the week day!  So, I'll deem Etsy site of the week this week, for obvious reasons.  Check out the Etsy shops below if you haven't yet, and keep your eyes peeled for more Etsy goodness to come today, tomorrow and (quite possibly even) Saturday!  I'll have a "real" site of the week post next week, I promise. 

BFSC is my BFF

See, I'm hip, I'm down with all the latest acronym slang (wait, is saying "acronym" cool?)  Like uh, WTF?  And, BTW, your DH is AKA as BAMF, LOL!  Yeah, that's right.  I also now know that BFSC means "built from scratch."  Did you know that?  Yeah, IDTS. (You figure that one out.)  So BFSC clothing means something created, well, entirely from scratch.  The pattern is original, the fabric was cut and pieced by hand and the whole thing was spawned from one person's creative brain and talented hands (and Serger!)  Danielle DIY is the perfect example of the BFSC phenomenon, just take a look at this oh so cute Teal Petals Side Pocket Tunic: 

This OOAK (one-of-a-kind) top was built from the ground up by Danielle with super stretchy and pretty, teal material.  It features "fabric petals" made from vintage scraps in pinks, purples and whites, and a cute little pocket on the left side.  Fitted, unique and very stylee, this top will make you look like ORHG (one really hot girl!)  Find more great BFSC finds at the Danielle DIY site.  WAYWF, GS!  (What are you waiting for, go shopping!)

The Artmaster!

Remember the viewmasters from your childhood?  I wonder if I still have mine in a closet somewhere...I had tons of viewmaster stories, from Sesame Street to the Carebears to Barbie goes to a pool party!  Yeah!  They were great!  But I haven't even thought about them for probably, oh, 20 years?  Until I found the Vladmaster.  These are so rad!  Vladamir, a Portland res (I'm comin'!  I hope!) and filmmaker, has re-vamped the loveable viewmaster of our pasts into crazy creative art pieces called Vladmasters.  They each tell a different tale, like this Fear & Trembling set which is about a dinner party seen through the eyes of someone "who probably shouldn't have come," and really, reallllly wants to get the heck outta there.  It's even set to a soundtrack that'll cue you as to when to switch slides.  Designed, photographed and hand-assembled by Vladamir, these Vladmasters are one of the most creative art pieces I've seen in quite a long time.  Can't find your old viewmaster viewer?  Don't fret, you can purchase one from Vladmaster for 5 bucks.  Enjoy the show!   

Fire in my belly

The gorgeous necklaces by Fiery Lion Designs give me that tingly feeling in my belly- ya know, that feeling of want, of greed, of excuses being made to reason why I "need" them.  I like so many of them that I've been pawing over the site for the last half hour trying to figure out which one to feature.  I finally settled on this Sky Blue Stripes necklace:
This hand-cut sterling silver pendant features a brilliant blue stained glass piece shining through it.  I love the color, the shape, the simplicity- all put together, it's just so unique and pretty!  Strung on a sterling silver snake chain, this stunning piece will definitely inspire many compliments from anyone who sees it.  Take a look at all the lovely, nature inspired designs at Fiery Lion, and you'll be able to understand why it took me so long to choose one! 

Size does matter

Sometimes a little clutch just ain't gonna cut it, and sometimes a tote is just too big for your little stuff.  The solution?  A big, luscious shoulder bag, like this one from Urban Heirlooms; perfect for ladies who have to have everything with them at all times (like my mama who carries a make-up bag, every key to every door, a pharmacy, sewing kit and probably some astronaut food in her purse) without sacrificing style.
This handcrafted purse pairs deep brown vintage leather with a nubby brown floral pattern with beige, olive and rust.  Oh, did I just mention the perfect fall colors all in one breath?  Yes, I believe I did.  I love the vintage styling of this bag, perfected by the large tortoise colored lucite buckle, so sweet!  Lined with gold duponi silk with a little welt pocket for your keys, cel phone and other little items, this bag is casual and luxurious at the same time.  Find this along with other bags and accessories at Urban Heirlooms.  And hurry!  This one's on sale and I just may beat you to it.

Here fishy fishy...

So, I'm a vegetarian and there's only so many vegetable rolls a girl can eat, so I haven't thoroughly enjoyed the thrills of a sushi addiction like many.  Despite that, I still love this handmade Sushi Set by Tasha McKelvey.
Made from stoneware clay, this set comes with a large and small plate, a little dish for your soy sauce/wasabi concoction and a pair of wooden chop sticks to boot!  I love the combination of the textured and smooth surfaces in the subtle tan hues.  Check out this set plus some beautiful pottery buttons, trays, pitchers, cups and more all at Tasha McKelvey's shop! 

Shopping's a hoot!

I've been perusing the wonderful fabric creations at Allyson Hill, and am having a hard time deciding what to feature!  From wallets to bags, headbands and wrist cuffs, all the pretty, Asian inspired designs make it hard to pick out one specific item to love.  I think I chose well though, if at least to introduce you to Allyson's shop; check out this cute little Woody Owl Says wallet:
With the hip, funky flair of a Fred Flare item, this cute little wallet has enough room for 8 credit cards (although, you probably shouldn't have that many =), cash and receipts, and even has a handy little zippered pocket for your change.  It'd be the perfect size to fit in your cute, also little, clutch.  Check it out in detail at Allyson Hill, and find some more fabric goodies while you're there!  186 super satisfied customers can't be wrong!

Blossom, Woah!

So, unless you're an 80's child like me, you may not get the Joey from Blossom reference in the title.  That's okay.  You're really not missing much.  What you may be missing out on though (as I was until recently introduced by reader, Jenn) is the hip, luxurious jewelry from Blossom Luxe.  Handcrafted with care and tested thoroughly by designer, Emily Barnes, Blossom Luxe Jewelry is made with pearls, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones, and is crazy affordable!  Take a look at this Festoon Necklace, for example:
This Victorian inspired design will give you an antique look at a contemporary price.  Featuring an antiqued brass branch that dangles a gorgeous cranberry red Swarovski crystal, this necklace is a steal at only $30!  Perfect coloring for the fall, I can see it paired with a low cut sweater, a cute corduroy skirt and some wooly tights.  Oooh, fall...I'm drooling at the thought.  Plus, each piece comes packaged in a handmade silky pouch which you can then use as a little travel jewelry case!  Find this necklace along with many other inspired designs at the Blossom Luxe  shop, and keep up with pretty Emily and her jewelry design life on the BlossomLuxe Jewels blog. 

How does your garden grow?

To start off the Etsy wagon right, I'd like to introduce you to an artist that I've actually been meaning to feature for some time (and, been meaning to buy a print from for even longer), Ashley G.  It's not only I who loves her work, 894 other Etsy users call her a favorite of theirs.  And for good reason!  Take a look at this pretty in pale print, Growing Growing:
Created from an original illustration by Ashley and then digitally colored and printed on pliable, archival poly/cotton canvas, this pretty little print can add warmth to any corner of your home.  I love the background of subtle mint green that fades into a cool tan, and the texture of the girl's hair is kind of plant like and weirdly straight.  Ashley says in her bio that "what you're happiest doing at five is what you will be happiest doing your entire life," and you can see that childlike innocence in each of her prints, and can tell that she truly enjoys what she creates.  Which is why so many of us enjoy it as well!  Check out her shop which is filled to the brim with many amazing prints, and stay up to date on her artsy goings on by reading her blog, Kitty Genius. 

Hear ye, here ye!

I do hereby decree this week Etsy week on Modish!  I've recently discovered a vast array of wonderful handmade goods made by Etsy artists and crafters.  I've long since known about Etsy, which is kind of an "ebay for crafters," but have never really taken the time to fully peruse the site.  Have you seen the new search features on there?  With eye-popping, colorful, fancy flash delicacy, you can search through all the listed goods by color, a sample array of the top sellers or random ones, or take a little trip in the time machine and see what items were listed today and every day past. 

There's also a new contest called Etsy + Craft in which the people behind MAKE Magazine are releasing a new mag called CRAFT, and sponsoring a contest for an Etsy artist to re-interpret CRAFT magazine's logo using any medium they like.  Contest entries are due next Monday, Aug 21st.  Go here for all the rules and info.

I've featured some Etsy shops on here before, but found that there's so many talented people on Etsy, they deserve a whole week dedicated to them!  (I could probably fill a whole month up, but we'll start slow...)  So, every featured site this week will be an Etsy shop to help bring exposure to lesser know designers/artists who don't have a large web presence, and to help prove that you don't need a fancy site to make great stuff!  Hurray for Etsy!

Tell it like it is!

These cards from O Plus D are F*ing fantastic with a capital F!  I love them!  I adore them!  I want them all!  I wish I knew more people to give them to that would uh, "appreciate" the humor and the exquisite use of bad language.  The card I chose is one of the more "mellow" ones in their "f*ing funny" collection for your best friend that you love to hate because she always looks way more put together than you and is aging flawlessly.  Maybe you have that friend, maybe you are that friend, either way I think you can appreciate the truth of the words.  Plus, paired with gorgeous, girly graphic design, it's so pretty that no one can be all that offended by it.  There's the really dirty cards, rad Jewish Grandma cards, naughty holiday cards even some "nice" cards if that's what you're into (bor-ring) and many, many more!  Thank Holly from Decor 8 for introducing me to these, and thank the good lady Olga (the O in O Plus D) for having the guts to fucking say whatever the hell she wants, and print it!  (wo-oah, did I just say fuck in my blog?  Oops, there I go again!  It's contagious...)  Check out O Plus D for all your trash talkin' card desires.  Fuck yeah!

Fawning over these

I've always wondered how to make a wire ring that's adjustable, and I think someone has figured it out- Julie of Handmade Julz creates little masterpieces of wire and art for your fingers that are adjustable and one-of-a-kind!  Just look at this cute little fawn ring for example (image from Copacetique):
At Handmade Julz, you pick the pattern you like best (and there's A LOT of adorable images to choose from) then pick whatever color wire you'd like to match, and voila!  Julie puts the image behind glass, wraps it up nice and neatly with the pretty colored wire, and tags an inexpensive $20 price tag to it.  You now have a personalized little piece of adornment to fit whichever finger you feel like emphasizing at the given time (and you know there's days that certain fingers beg for more attention...)  Handmade Julz also features pretty bracelets and necklaces made in the same way.  Create your own customized design on the main site, or check out Julie's Etsy shop or Copacetique for already made items (but I'm warning you, they sell fast!)

Hip hop and ya don't stop

Oh look, it's 4:44!!  Happy time happy time hap hap happy time!  Sorry, I had to do my "it's my favorite time of the day" happy dance.  Anyway, I've found a cute little sachel to carry your keys, phone, and other essentials, from Camp Apparel! 
I just love the coral and teal color combo, very hip (or is that, hop?)  Either way, I'm liking it.  And the kangaroos are a welcome change from the usual suspects (owls, unicorns, birds, ya know...)  This cool suede pouch with a hand silk-screened print can serve as your own marsupial like carrying case.  Now all you need is a little Joey!  (Not the offsping kind, the cute boy kind.)  Hop on over to Camp Apparel to check out other great pouch, clutch and t-shirt designs. 

Rebe-llion can be a good thing

I admire mothers and daughters who, not only get along well, but can be creative together! My mom's always been great at checking my grammar or proofing math problems for me when I was a kiddo, but we definitely couldn't collaborate on an artistic endeavor together. Unlike the mom and daughter team who created the beautiful fashion line, Rebe! The apparel and accessories at Rebe are stunning, totally femme and very unique. I really love this lidia skirt, made from layers of knits and woven fabrics. The long waist will elongate your torso and make you look lean and mean and the just below the knee length is flattering and flirty. It'd be perfect for the remainder or summer, or pair it with some cute tights to take you through fall. Check out this skirt, which comes in two other very pretty designs, and all the other gorgeous goodies at Rebe!