Deco Pendant

I found this stunning Art Deco light fixture at a Tin Barn Market Flea for a mere $20. Swoon! I'm going to have it to rewire it, but oh even in the meantime using it with a battery tea light would be just fine. Look at those glam '20s details! I tell ya, this is going to be a dangerously Deco decade of thrifting finds for me!

Deco Table

I ordered my Deco Diamond design on linen cotton canvas and satin fabric to update this black powder-coated metal c-table magazine rack. The sling used to be a black faux leather, but I wanted to make it a little more interesting. The canvas is on the inside so it holds up to the books sitting in it and the satin on the outside to give it that black and gold gleam. I love the clean lines and airiness of the glass writing surface. 

Hello Rialto

I'm packing to spend the weekend swing dancing at the stunning 1920s Rialto Theatre! If I skip a song I'll be drooling at the architecture. My outfit is, of course, flapper inspired, with this gold skirt that I added fringe to. 

Tomorrow night is a masquerade ball! I made this mask out of faux leather that I painted gold and embossed with a single hole punch! Ha! I made it to be compatible with my glasses. So excited for this swing fest!

October Bulletin 2018

Masquerade, grandeur, and grace

What I Wore: Pink and Black

Here's the wedding outfit of the summer, featuring this bright pink moire dress and various black and gold accents. The best part is that the retro glam number was only $0.30 from a recent thrift haul plus a half hour of easy peasy tucking and sewing on the bodice! Amusing note on moire: that fabric thoroughly repulsed me until this dress came into my life. It is strangely, satisfyingly crisp and water-repellent, and rather makes me feel like I am wearing an umbrella. The main new positive association is that now moire has been mentally transformed from dated drapery to sashaying like Barbie. Much classier! Oh how I love whipping an outfit together!

Golden Treasure

I love the incised floral on this golden locket, a family heirloom. Inside it I have written Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That fact is my greatest treasure, as it was for St. Patrick!

Decollect

My Decollect design is up for voting in Spoonflower's Large Scale Art Deco challenge, previewed on a duvet!

Plume Bobbin Pen

Ooolala, this is an ideal pen with which to write a love letter! It is crafted of a re-purposed bobbin from a loom (my textile-loving heart just fluttered) and a glamorous ostrich feather. I bought it at the MVTM.

The Pretty Lady

I found this edition of 1918 novel The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) at a book sale for a song. I admit...I bought it purely for the title and the glamorous gilded pattern on the black cover!

Urn It

I've been playing around with this collection of thrifted urns; I love the variety of materials and textures. It makes me chuckle that an urn gives the displayed item a little bit of elegant pomp.

Be Still

I took some time to be still and illustrate this verse. It calms my soul.

Black and Gold Greek Urn

Time for another Classical accessory! I found this little Greek vase at Value Village for $5. I love its shape, black and gold sleekness, and band of toga-wearing people.