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Fall Catalog Favorites: Poetry, Wrap London, Sundance
Poetry has done it again. Another gorgeous, artistic print blouse for Fall! I bought a similar one last year, so how on earth can I justify buying this one?
See this Cotton Printed Blouse Here
Fall colors are my favorites, and this pattern is so artistic! I think this blouse will eventually find its way into my cart.
Scrolling through the poetryfashion.com website, I plow through so much that is drab and colorless, but every now and then I see a print that is just stunning. Kind of like going from zero to 60 in an instant.
Wrap London
I also admire the Bird of Paradise blouses of Wrap London. Every year, this English clothing company (a sister company of Poetry) features at least one blouse with exotic embroidered birds. Where would I wear such a blouse? Somewhere in my dreams…
Silk Cutout Bird Blouse by Wrap London
More embroidered birds, this time on a sundress:
Birds of Paradise Embroidered Dress at wraplondon.com
Moving on to another favorite:
Sundance Catalog
Hmm, this beautiful print dress from the Sundance Catalog is now on sale! I like the combination of the fall print fabric with the dark blue crochet trim.
Autumnal Dreams Dress at Sundancecatalog.com
But this brings up an issue I have with dresses: I just don’t find them comfortable to wear. Tights are too constricting, so I like to wear leggings under a dress, but then the issue is what shoes to wear. It is hard to find dress shoes that are comfortable.
If there was a blouse in this pattern, I would buy it so fast!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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Poetry: Fabulous Fashion from England
Occasionally a clothing catalog will get it just right: the clothes, the models, and the locations all working together flawlessly. Stylish but not campy, understated but not boring. Tonight I was delighted to discover Poetry, whose clothes are elegant and intriguing. Take a look at this coat, which combines blocks of solid color with diagonal stripes in a simple yet stunning design:
Funnel-Neck Coat, poetryfashion.com The shirt below is what first lured me in to poetryfashion.com. I love the fall color palette and the elegant Nehru collar:
Autumn Printed Shirt, poetryfashion.com But would the background color (a deep teal) be too dark? Fortunately, there is similar blouse available in a lighter color:
Silk Printed Top, poetryfashion.com Choices, choices. The sister company of Poetry, Wrap London, also has some gorgeous blouses. I have to say it… I never thought I would admire the work of an English clothing company to this extent. I tend to think of French and Italian clothing designers as being the ones to watch, whereas English designers never had quite the same sartorial reputation, but I am busy reassessing that notion. Take a look at this stunning design from Wrap London:
Silk Blouse with Embroidered Bird Motif, wraplondon.com I love the bird motif and elegantly placed cutouts in this silk blouse! Wrap London had a linen blouse with a bird of paradise motif embroidered in blush tones earlier this summer, which I regret not buying at the time. Where on earth would I wear a splashy bird of paradise blouse, I wondered? Well, I could have worn it on the formal nights of the Mediterranean cruise I just returned from!
Word to the wise, if you love an item of clothing but think you have no place to wear it, go ahead and buy it anyway. Such an occasion may suddenly present itself, and then you would have nothing to wear!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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Huichol artisans of Mexico take beaded jewelry to the next level
I recently saw some floral earrings on Etsy in the Huichol style, and was intrigued by this Mexican folk art and wanted to know more. But I wasn’t preapared for what I would discover in a keyword search for Huichol jewelry: a profusion of multicolored, lavish beadwork, great blooming flowers, stunning imagery. Collars and bracelets with intricate geometric designs. Surprisingly, most are available for quite low prices, considering the impressive quality of the beadwork!
The Huichol people live in the Jalisco and Nayarit regions of Mexico, in and around the Sierra Madre mountains. They are descendants of the ancient Aztecs. Their beadwork features intricate designs, vibrant colors, and sacred symbols.
Here are just a few examples of their marvelous beadwork tradition, available on both Etsy and eBay:
Huichol Floral Necklaces
See this Cascading Floral Necklace Earring Set on Etsy
These exquisite 25-flower necklaces and matching earrings are made by Mexican artisans and sold by the Amor Fashion Shop, located in Arizona. Visit their Etsy store to see other exquisite beaded jewelry!
Floral Fringe Earrings
See these Mexican Flower Earrings on Etsy
The shop Aramara is located in Mexico. These earrings have a 6.5 in. drop, sure to make a statement!
Blue Lily Necklace Set
See this Blue Lily Necklace Set on eBay
This blue lily necklace set is made to order from chaquira beads by the artisans of Artechaquira on eBay.
Sunflower Necklace Set
See this Sunflower Necklace Set on eBay
Those who love sunflowers are in for a treat, because the sunflower is a very popular design in Huichol jewelry. This gorgeous asymmetric sunflower necklace set is available on eBay.
Geometric Collar Necklace
See this Geometric Collar Necklace Set on Etsy
This amazing geometric collar would take a blue shirt or blouse from plain to fabulous! I love the way the artist incorporated flowers into a geometric design. Sold by DULCEDEGUAYABA on Etsy.
Full Disclosure: Design Hunter’s Journal is a member of the eBay Partner Network, an affiliate program of eBay.com. If you click on a link to an eBay product listed on this blog and purchase the product, Design Hunter’s Journal will receive a percentage of the profit. Thanks for looking!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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The Perfect Finishing Touch: Handmade Silver Charms from Ayla’s Originals on Etsy
For the past 26 years, Ayla’s Originals has been the go-to bead shop in Evanston IL, filled with quality beads, charms, and findings. I always know I will find natural stone beads and supplies of the highest quality when I shop there! Ayla and Joe Pizzo are amazing resources, and I can ask them any questions about supplies or how to make something.
I recently moved to a different city, but am pleased to discover that Ayla also has an online store: AylasOriginals on Etsy.com! It’s great having a trusted source of supplies. I checked out her online inventory and was particularly impressed by the variety of silver charms:
Handmade Sterling Silver Charms
If you are working with natural stones, whether beads or cabochons, adding a small sterling silver charm can provide the perfect finishing touch. Ayla has a wonderful assortment of handmade silver charms to complete your pendants, bracelets, and earrings.
These can be hard to find when you need them, so I have gathered them all here for you:
Sterling Silver Leaf Charms
See this Sterling Silver Leaf Charm from Ayla’s Originals on Etsy
Use these leaf charms to finish off a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings. These charms are 13 x 7 x 4mm.
Small Teardrop Charms
See these Sterling Silver Teardrop Charms on AylasOriginals Etsy Store These small teardrop charms would make great danglers to embellish clasps on necklaces and bracelets. They measure 11 x 5 x 4mm.
Stamped Flower Charms
See this Hill Tribe Silver Flower Charm on AylasOriginals Etsy Store This stamped flower charm has a rough-hewn, handmade look that will complement all sorts of natural stones and handmade beads. Or, it could stand on its own. These charms measure 18 x 14 x 2mm, with a 4mm loop.
Hill Tribe Fish Charms
See this Hill Tribe Fish Pendant on Ayla’s Originals Etsy Shop
The fish design is kind of unusual, but this charm would also look great with natural stones and handmade beads of all varieties. The charm is 11mm square.
Medallion Silver Charm
See this Hill Tribe Silver Charm on AylasOriginals Etsy Store This versatile silver medallion charm is 11mm square.
Ayla’s online store has many other categories of beads and findings to explore. For jewelry designers interested in quality supplies, AylasOriginals is a great resource!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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Mission-Style Lamps and Lighting on eBay: Simple, Natural, Stunning
I am a longtime admirer of Mission Style lamps and home decor. Most products in this style are extremely expensive, handmade by artisans from the finest quality materials. So I was delighted to discover this moderately-priced Mission Style ceiling light on eBay, displaying a beautiful, asymmetric pattern of budding branches and round glass gems:
Mission Ceiling Light
See this Mission Ceiling Light on eBay for $199.99
The design is reminiscent of the art glass made by Greene & Greene, an Arts & Crafts-era architecture company. I have seen and admired lights like this one on other sites, but they are always out of my price range. I was very surprised to find this pattern at such an affordable price! I bought this ceiling light for the main hallway of my home, and it looks as great as its photo.
This ceiling light is made by Robert Louis Tiffany Co. and sold on the Lamps Plus Store on eBay. The “Budding Branch” pattern is also available in the following products. I am so tempted to buy these as well!
- pendant chandelier light (on sale for $249.95 through June 20!)
- desk lamp
- floor lamp
- wall sconce
Meyda Tiffany Lamps
There are many present-day lamp companies with “Tiffany” in their name, hoping to evoke the cachet of the original stained-glass lamps made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Some of these companies are better than others, and one of my favorites is Meyda Tiffany.
Nuevo Mission Accent Lamp
See this Meyda Tiffany Nuevo Mission Accent Lamp on eBay, $288.00
I am in awe of this rustic Southwestern design, featuring a geometric dragonfly in the center. This lamp would complement rustic or Southwestern home decor. I am very tempted to buy these accent lamps for our home office. Each side of the square shade is 10 in. wide, making it the perfect size for a desk or nightstand lamp.
This pattern, called Nuevo Mission, is also available in the following products on the BuildStore shop on eBay:
Quoizel Lighting
See this Quoizel Inglenook Pendant Chandelier on eBay for $429.99
This gorgeous art glass pendant light currently hangs in our loft. It really is this lovely. I love how the lighter panels of glass shine brightly when the light is turned on.
This pattern, called Inglenook, is also available in the following products:
I would love to buy every single light listed in this post, but since that isn’t practical, I decided to share my Mission-Style lamp obsession with you all!
Full Disclosure: Design Hunter’s Journal is a member of the eBay Partner Network, an affiliate program of eBay.com. If you click on a link to an eBay product listed on this blog and purchase the product, Design Hunter’s Journal will receive a percentage of the profit. Thanks for looking!
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Affiliate Marketing: a better way to monetize your blog
UPDATE 6/11/2022: Content updated to focus on affiliate marketing specifically for blogs.
We have all seen the sketchy-looking ads at the bottom of even the most reputable blogs. The ads that proclaim “Follow this 1 tip to reduce your belly fat” or “#1 weird tip to get rid of toenail fungus.” Not exactly what you want to see when you are reading your favorite author. And the popup ads and videos that suddenly start blaring at you — just plain annoying!
What if there was another way to earn money from your blog, one that is less intrusive and annoying? For a blog like this one, affiliate marketing may provide a viable alternative to the more irritating forms of online advertising.
On this blog, I write about artisan products and great examples of design, mostly from my favorite sites including Etsy and eBay. These sites have literally millions of products from which to choose from.
I recently discovered affiliate marketing programs, which allow bloggers (and social media marketers) to earn a percentage of each sale of a product that is featured on their site. The writer includes a unique link to the product, and if a reader clicks on the link and purchases the product, the writer will earn a percentage of the sale.
This means the writer would get paid to promote another company’s products, but the writer also gets to choose the products they feature on their blog. And there are millions of products to choose from on sites like Etsy or eBay.
Downsides to Affiliate Marketing
Negatives? Yes, there are some. A big criticism is that the writer’s editorial judgement will become skewed toward whatever product they think will earn them the most money from the affiliate marketing program. I am not naive; this probably will happen to a certain extent. But I just can’t help writing about great design: it is what drives me as a writer. If I was driven primarily by money, I would write about online gaming consoles, athletic shoes, tech gadgets, or whatever is trendy at the moment.
Fortunately, I couldn’t care less about those products. I can already find enough products on Etsy and eBay that meet my exacting standards for quality materials and good design to keep me writing for a long time to come.
Is Affiliate Marketing Enough?
Affiliate marketing may not provide all the revenue necessary to monetize a blog, but it might allow the blogger to pick and choose when it comes to allowing ads on the site. I don’t want Design Hunter’s Journal to become the kind of site where the text of an article is interrupted frequently by display ads, breaking the reader’s concentration. Or worse, having the content you are reading suddenly covered up by a popup ad, demanding that you sign up or input your email address. (Even after I DO sign up, I still keep getting these ads! How frustrating.)
So I have decided to go the affiliate marketing route, rather than have offensive ads on my site. I recently signed up with the eBay Partner Network and may choose to sign up with other programs, such as Etsy Affiliates or Amazon Associates. There are dozens of affiliate programs out there, and one of them might be right for you!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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DIY Project: Ankle Bracelets for Ballet Flat Shoes
I love how ballet flats look, but unless they have a strap to hold the shoe onto my foot, I just can’t wear them. The shoe will ride up and down on my heel, and I will tense my foot and curl my toes, trying to keep the shoe from falling off. So I have pretty much decided that I can’t wear low-cut shoes of any kind. I have a feeling I am not alone!
A few years ago, Skechers sold some ballet flats with elastic laces that were just perfect, but… you guessed it… the company discontinued them.
So I was searching around on Amazon for other ballet flats with laces, when I saw it… what a freaking brilliant idea! Use an ankle bracelet as a strap for your ballet flat shoes!
See these HIRIRI Ballerina Shoes on Amazon Why didn’t I think of this before? I am impressed with the idea, if not with the actual shoe itself. (These particular shoes are being sold for a ridiculously low price, which is not exactly an indicator of quality.)
An ankle bracelet “strap” would be decorative as well as practical. (Of course, the ankle bracelet should be pretty strong so it doesn’t break when you try to take a step!) Some flats have a small loop of ribbon on the back that you can use to thread the ankle bracelet through.
If your shoes don’t have a loop of ribbon on the back, it is easy to get a shoe repair shop to add one. If you are handy with a needle and thread, you might be able to add them yourself. Then you can thread the ankle bracelet through the loop, and voila, ballet flats that stay on your feet!
I don’t own any ankle bracelets, so I tried converting a ribbon bracelet into an ankle bracelet by adding a longer chain:
These tapestry shoes are from a Turkish import shop. Previously, I had been threading ribbons through the loop on the back and tying them in a bow, but the bow look is kind of bulky, precious, and draws too much attention to itself. The ankle bracelet is much more low-key and elegant!
DIY Ankle Bracelet
These ankle bracelets are easy enough to make, using sturdy ribbon, ribbon crimps and a chain extender. Follow the instructions below to make your own.
Supplies You Will Need
- Sturdy ribbon, 1/2 in. wide, about 20 in. long
- Four ribbon crimps, 1/2 in. wide
- Four heavy-duty jump rings, 6mm
- Two heavy-duty hook clasps
- Two sturdy chains with wide links, about 4 in. long
- (Optional) Two dangling charms for the end of the chains
- Craft Glue, Scissors, Pliers, Tape measure, Wire cutters
Ankle Bracelet Instructions
- With the tape measure, measure around your ankle where the strap will sit.
- Cut two pieces of ribbon that are about 2 to 3 in. shorter than your ankle measurement. This will allow room for the chain.
- Glue the very end of one of the ribbons and insert into the ribbon crimp. Close the crimp tightly over the ribbon using pliers.
- Repeat for the other end of the ribbon.
- Allow the glue to dry, then attach the hook clasp to one end of the crimp using a heavy-duty jump ring.
- Attach a 4-in. chain to the other ribbon crimp using a heavy-duty jump ring.
- Thread the completed ankle bracelet through the ribbon loop on the back of your shoe. Adjust the length of chain as desired.
- If the chain is too long, use wire cutters to shorten the chain.
- If you wish, add a small charm at the end of the chain.
Once you are satisfied with the first ankle bracelet, make the second one, and your shoes are now ready to wear!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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Before & After – My Vintage Dresser Transformed by Orchid’s True Blue
When the time came to downsize my mother’s vintage Berkey & Gay dresser, I immediately thought of artist Kandi Jamieson of Orchid’s True Blue.
Kandi refinishes and paints astonishing murals on furniture in her Evanston, IL backyard studio. She turns practical pieces of everyday furniture into works of art, and I have long admired the pieces she posts on her Instagram account.
Berkey & Gay Dresser – Before I always thought my mother’s early 20th Century black dresser needed “a little something.” There were some hand-painted details along the sides, mostly rust-colored roses and some green leaves, but the details really didn’t stand out that well on the dark background. There was also a small Baroque-style painting of two cherubs that never appealed to me. I decided to give the dresser and matching vanity mirror to Kandi to see what she did with it.
Well I was in for a surprise! Kandi went much further than I ever envisioned. She painted a stunning portrait of an African woman, wearing a magnificent floral crown that extends beyond the cabinet itself and onto the vanity base:
Kandi Jamieson and the transformed cabinet “Something about it was so dark and black and striking, that I just felt like she needed to be on there,” Kandi told me when I visited her studio recently to see the dresser. “I definitely see her as an African queen, a pre-colonial young African queen, out in nature.”
I was floored by the stunning new appearance of this dark old cabinet. I love the way the original color of the cabinet is still visible in the face and hands of the African woman. And I appreciate the way Kandi enhanced the leaf details on the sides into tropical foliage, set off with bands of hot pink. She took the tiny exotic details of the original cabinet and went much further, turning the whole cabinet into a gorgeous, exotic work of art.
“The colors are vibrant and modern, but referring to history as well,” Kandi said. She was inspired by pre-colonial African history and also the floral masterpieces of artist and illustrator Olaf Hajek to create this astonishing work of art.
Just a footnote to this story: Kandi discovered something about the dresser we never knew about, not in the 50+ years my mother owned the piece: it has a hidden drawer. At the bottom of the dresser, what I thought was a decorative border is actually a shallow drawer:
Secret drawer I grew up with this cabinet, and I never knew about it! This is one of the reasons why I love old pieces of furniture. Sometimes there are hidden “surprises.”
I am so glad that Kandi has given this old cabinet new life with this astonishing transformation! I hope this vibrant work of art goes to a new home where it is cherished for a long time to come.
-Louise Hunter Burton
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The 5 Steps of Any Creative Project
It recently dawned on me that there is a pattern to my behavior as a creative entrepreneur. Whenever I am making jewelry or engaged in any other creative work, I tend to go through five distinct steps:
The 5 Steps of Any Creative Project
- Get an idea for a creative project.
- Work like mad to realize your idea.
- Take a good, hard look at the finished product, and realize it isn’t as great as you imagined.
- Decide to look for a real job.
- Repeat.
There is some variation to the above steps: Sometimes the creative product actually stands up to scrutiny, so it is photographed and listed on Etsy and social media. Where it is then promptly ignored by almost everyone.
In my jewelry studio, I have been going through these five steps, with variations, nearly every day for the past year. When will I learn, you might ask? In my defense, I have been searching diligently on LinkedIn and Indeed for jobs. But then… I get an idea for a new jewelry design, and it seems so cool that I just have to pursue it. The ideas I come up with are much more interesting than any of the job descriptions I have seen so far.
Does this sound familiar? I wonder if I am alone in my obsession with creative work, only to have the finished product ignored by just about everyone.
Am I in the grip of a delusional obsession? Probably. And what possessed me to choose jewelry making of all things, one of the most oversaturated categories on Etsy and the web as a whole?
But I can’t seem to stop. Here is the necklace I made today, which actually did turn out well:
See this Boho Necklace on Etsy And now I have this blog, so I have yet another way to keep reality away. I started it to share the amazing artisan finds I kept discovering while exploring Etsy and other sites for design inspiration. There also seemed to be a lack of good journalism in the field of DIY and artisan crafts, so I thought this blog might help to fill that gap.
Creative work can be lonely at times, and I am hoping this blog can reach other creatives. Let’s face it, by profession I am a journalist, not an artist, so perhaps my contributions might lie in that direction… especially after seeing the wealth of impressive products made by real artists that already exist on Etsy. I admire your talent, skills, and perseverance, and hope to feature your amazing products on this site!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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Shop Small on Garmentory, the Online Marketplace for Indie Designers & Boutiques
Have you ever noticed there is a depressing sameness to most shopping malls in the U.S.? The same stores, the same brands everywhere. Consistent products for the most part, made with reliable quality, but what if you want something a little more exciting?
I made a great discovery this weekend – Garmentory! This is an online marketplace for small boutiques and independent designers. If you want to shop small, this is a great way to do it!
“We are fortunate to work with incredibly knowledgeable and talented buyers from more than 800+ boutiques around the world,” Savannah Krenzel, Garmentory’s general manager, told me when I asked her how they select their designers and products. “We utilize their thoughtful curation and our internal research on trends in the industry to identify standout brands and designers.”
Some of the real standouts appear below. I have chosen these products from the categories of clothing, accessories, and home goods to give you an idea of the stylish things available on this site:
Scape Tray Set by Areaware
See this Scape Tray Set on Garmentory For your home office or den, may I suggest these eye-catching trays with wavy borders? Made by Areaware, a purveyor of creative home goods.
Great Desk Toy
See the Pieces Candle on Garmentory Even if you aren’t a candle person, these stackable candles by Ri-Ri-Ku would make a great desk toy. It reminds me of an adult version of that colorful ring-stacking toy from childhood. These candles are available in a wide array of colors, and the fun variety of wax rings could be stacked on shorter pillar candles as well. Buy two sets in contrasting colors and make your own unique desk sculpture!
Moving on to shoes…
Joan I Sandals by Paloma Wool
See these Joan I Sandals on Garmentory These aren’t shoes, they are modern sculptures for your feet. Made by Paloma Wool of Barcelona, these sandals have interesting squared-off soles and marvelous color contrast.
Flight Denim Skirt by Paloma Wool
See this Flight Denim Skirt on Garmentory Step out of those gray sweatpants and into something a little more exciting! This denim midi skirt with angel-wing graphics, also by Paloma Wool, is another standout.
Butterfly Wing Sunglasses by Anna Sui
See these Butterfly Wing Sunglasses on Garmentory Veteran clothing designer Anna Sui takes the ordinary eyeglass shape into extraordinary territory with these Butterfly Wing Sunglasses. These sunglasses are true flights of fancy! I love the subtle butterfly shape, available in several colors.
Indra Dress by Rachel Comey
See the Indra Dress on Garmentory With the addition of some well-placed cutouts, this little black dress by Rachel Comey goes from basic to extraordinary. I must confess, I had a dream a while ago where I wore a stunning dress like this to the Oscars. I won’t even tell you what Hollywood star was my date for the evening!
Garmentory is a great source for exciting design made by an ever-increasing group of independent designers. “We are constantly onboarding new menswear, gender-neutral, childrens, homegoods and beauty-focused boutiques to expand our potential reach to additional customers globally,” Krenzel explained. “We seek to introduce small, local businesses to a global audience interested in leaving fast-fashion behind and investing in exceptional items they’ll love for years to come.”
I hope you will find the clothing and accessories of your dreams on Garmentory!
-Louise Hunter Burton
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