European Decor at Mettlesome Means

 

Brass Gosling Duck at Mettlesome Means 

I was inspired to do a European and Cottage podcast after checking out shop Mettlesome Means on Etsy. This shop specializes in garden ware, pottery, home decor and European collectibles.  The shop is run by Abbey Lucas out of Akron, Ohio. 

Mettlesome Means found this great 2 pc Chokin set, see it in their Etsy shop.

The flow of this shop is clean, sleek, and chic. Selections of neutral tones mixed with natural elements such as flowers on pottery, such as these beautiful neutral colors by Chokin featureing a hummingbird and flowers.  This would go with any style country or cottage decor, and has a bit of Euro flair.  Much of this shop has clean sleek lines such as the solid white Pfalzgraff pieces or glass flower flogs which can be implemented in any type of home. 

Cute and charming, wood slice art at Mettlesome Means

When I think of European collectibles, I usually thing of old, wood, carved, and pictorial. Many Euro collectibles whether it be a jewelry box, an old raised relief urn, or a book tell tales of things past.  Primarily a simplistic time centuries ago can be implemented into the modern cottage or the mansion, with a bit of ease.  You can find out more about Mettlesome Means and what items are my favorites and what's hot in European collectibles and antiques, here in this podcast: 

Fine Jewelry Iconic DuetsFineJewelry Vintage Wedding Checklist Part Three

Icons of the past:  Jackie Onassis Kennedy Loved Emeralds. 

Today we look at the iconic styles of vintage celebrities and their love for all things bling , aka, their jewelry choices.  Part of a three part wedding checklist series, we have to refocus on the jewelry. It's not only important for engagement, but for bridesmaids, the bride to be, and even after the wedding as a way to show how much you care.  Women and jewelry, well, they go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Not to mention, Fine Gold Jewelry was worn by the most famous celebrities, so if you could pick, which celebrity are you?  

The Emerald Queen : Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Emeralds, stand for the birthstone of the month of May, (sign of Taurus) as worn by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, above, her famous Diamond and Emerald engagement ring made heads turn. It was hard to catch a glimpse of the ring, as this former first lady always wore dainty gloves!   Funny fact is, Jackie O was a Leo, not a Taurus and born in July. Perhaps she (or John) just loved the pairing of diamonds and emeralds.....  Sadly, she passed in May, the birthstone month of the iconic ring. 

Emeralds are a wonderful way to continue to say "I love you" to your bride.  In lore, this stone opens the heart chakra and the ancients believed it opened and nurtured the heart. 

Emerald Diamond Ring at Duets Fine Jewelry Etsy Shop, $850

Iconic: Princess Diana and her Sapphire Ring.  Raw Sapphire by PNG Arts.

The Sapphire Princess Duo  : Diana / Kate 

This ring was made iconic by Princess Diana, then again in history when Kate Middleton wore it (and wears it to this day.)  Sapphires are usually thought of as blue, and have been made fashionable over time; but they can appear in most every color gray, black, colorless or even an orangey-pink (or pinkish orange, depending on your opinion.) It's the birthstone of September, and the sign of Virgo. Ironically Diana was born in July and Kate in January.  

Get the Look!

Sapphire Statement Earrings, Duets Fine Jewelry on Etsy, click for pricing.

Sapphire and Diamond Ring by DuetsFineJewelry, on sale currently $891

Paired with or without the earrings, the ring is astonishing! I have always been a huge fan of sapphire, perhaps it's just so classy. When paired with diamonds there's nothing better! The earrings are also good for Bridesmaids or weddings, and are set in white gold.  In lore, the sapphire is highly prized, to bring good fortune and serves as a mental stabilizer. Nothing like that to keep a wife harmoniously happy.

Who doesn't love Diamonds?  They ARE a girls best friend...

After All, Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe, iconic legendary sultry sweetheart is still alive in our hearts when we think of diamonds. Gwen Stefani recently did a great Marilyn Monroe impression; but she's been impersonated by the best of them over the years by Madonna and some of the best icons along the way. 

Diamonds, are also the birthstone for April, (ironically Marilyn was born in June) and in lore known for balance, abundance and brings clarity to the wearer.  Diamond deposits were formed over 900 million years ago but weren't mined (found) until 4th century BC, where they were used as a form to "repel evil." Diamonds also come in other colors, such as black.  Vintage estate rings contain diamonds sometimes called "mining diamonds" which contain diamonds that are imperfectly cut, not as clear and not as brilliant due to the ways of cutting back in the late 1800's early 1900's but can be prizable possessions among antique jewelry collectors.  Once unheard of, today diamonds are fashionable in many other colors, browns, yellows, and even black!

Get the Look!

What a gorgeous idea! Above:  Monogrammed Diamond Bracelet on Etsy and below, a stunning ring at Duets Fine Jewelry

Duets Fine Jewelry on Etsy : Half Eternity Band. Stunning.

Buy Loose Diamonds!

You can buy your own diamond and have it set in a ring! Many colors at Duets Fine Jewelry on Etsy

It's now a fad to buy your own loose diamond, and have a local artisan set it in a ring for you. This way you can create your own setting and draw your own ring based on a pattern. If this is the case, Duets Fine Jewelry on Etsy above, has loose diamonds in many shapes and sizes.  If you don't see something , just ask!  Thanks to them for working with me for this article!

In Summary: 

So if this article has told you anything, it should be that you don't have to be born in the birth month of your favorite stone. Perhaps something draws a wearer to the particular ring, rock, or gemstone.  The Wedding Checklist is not complete without follow up after the wedding, continue to dress like a diva to make your husband happy, and husbands must continue to treat the wife like a cherished object!

Thanks for reading.

Links you May Enjoy / Sources: 

Duets Fine Jewelry on Etsy  (Links Above in Article)

Wedding Checklist Part One
Wedding Checklist Part Two
Wedding Checklist Part Three 

Owls Nest Candles Vintage Goodies Custom Candles

This Folger's Coffee can is lined with a handmade scented candle at Owls Nest Candles!

 

Today we interviewed Kaley, owner of Owls Nest Candles on Etsy.  Although this may sound like a candle shop only, don't let the name fool you. She's found a menagerie of vintage goodies . What's better, then buying candles and shopping for vintage, is that sometimes she lines the goodies with handmade and lovely smelling candles!   You can pick your own scent and these make great gifts! This shop from Washington State make it a hot stop on Etsy for any vintage or collectible lover!

Q: Why and when did you start selling vintage? 

A: I have always loved candles...and I mean LOVED. I was the girl buying 6 Yankee candles for over $100 every few months because I couldn't get enough. It took me a while to slow down my addiction but thankfully that came in the form of my sister's wedding last year!

She asked me to create hand-made french lavender candles in antique tea cups for her bridesmaids gifts. After constructing that first batch, I was hooked and have been making unique candles ever since (thus ending my heavy reliance on Yankee Candles).

Cast Iron Shoe Rack, upcycled at Owls Nest Candles on Etsy, $145

Q. What your favorite vintage items are or what you collect? 

A: My favorite vintage/antique items are tea cups, anything rusty and mechanical, I love vintage tools - they certainly don't make them the same anymore!

Great Story on this box, see below. Find it at Owls Nest Candles on Etsy for $40

Q: Anything currently in your shop with a great story? 

A: 1950's Fleet Steel Tool Box - It was found at an estate sale in Bellevue, WA. It has the original owners name imprinted on the front.

Put a candle in this vintage truck $50 awesome at Owls Nest Candles

Q: What item will you hate to see go and why? 

I will hate to see my Vintage Ritz Hardware Truck go to another home. I think it just amazing sitting on my mantel at home.

Q: What other news can you share ? 

A:. I recently started selling candles in a store in Los Angeles, Faithful Roots. (Link Below)



Catch up with Owls Nest Candles:

On Etsy
Facebook

Locapoxie Vintage Clothing on Etsy

For summer rainstorms why not get this cool vintage 70's teal A-Line Raincoat, $27.00 on Etsy.

Etsy shop Locapoxie Vintage offers these great finds! Specializing in modern vintage clothing and super cool accessories to go with your new fab outfit, you never know what you will find here.

Vintage Hawaiian Breezy Blouse on Etsy $14.00

Shop owner Lara from Asheville, NC explains her love for vintage, "My love of vintage started as a child. My grandma always took me to thrift stores when I was little and would let me pick out whatever I wanted. My mom likes to remind me that I would change five times a day when I was around the house, switching from leggings and a t-shirt to a gold lame cape to a Victorian silk gown (five times too big for me, of course)."

Vintage 70's Mini Dress on Etsy, $32.00

Lara continues, "This vintage obsession continued through my teen years as I was determined to be different from all the other kids. No better way to stand out than to wear something no one else had! In college, my roommate (and quickly best friend) had that same zest for thrifting. We loved trading clothes and having dress-up parties in our apartment."

Super cool metallic gold vintage purse, $30 on Etsy.

 Go ahead, check this shop out! You can keep up with Lara and her Locapoxie Vintage shop in the following ways:

On Etsy
On Facebook
On Twitter
On Pinterest

Carillion Collectibles : Spend 50 Get Free Art Print

This vintage purse is $52 on Etsy in Ania's shop. Find it here.

I love Carillion Collectibles on Etsy.  This shop is out of Toronto, Ontario Canada run by Ania Victoria. It features collectibles, antiques and vintage finds mixed with some of her very own own art prints. It's a place to get your bling on for sure!

Get your crafty mind thinking the possibilities for this are endless.  $42 on Etsy here.

Ania is a writer and artist with a passion for all things vintage. She's on Twitter here.   I love seeing some of her finds, they are both unusual and hip.  Take for instance this vintage belt buckle (above).  You don't see things like this anymore. If you aren't going to wear it, it would look great adorning a purse or in an assemblage project.

This is $30 and free shipping from Carillion Collectibles, see it here on Etsy.

US customers should know that Ania runs specials often, which you will find in her shop annoucement.  What's better that that? Currently she offers free shipping on jewelry, and if you spend $50 you get one of her original art prints valued at $18. Sweet!

• So remember to tell all your friends, you spend $50 and get a free art print.

• Check out her shop on Etsy, and make sure to connect with her on Facebook under Carillion Collectibles

The Best Vintage Etsy Shops

This week, I'm highlighting three super cool Etsy shops by husband and wife team Monica and Roland Dressler of Galveston, Texas!

The IDConnection on Etsy offers these way cool vintage shoes, but there's so much more you will find here.

TheIDConnection

 This shop features a bit of everything, and stock is always changing. Anything from gorgeous china dolls to vintage hubcaps.  I found these way cool cat shoes (above) from the 1980's which are just super.  You will find a huge selection of Art, Jewelry, Sewing Pattern, Holiday related items, Supplies, Buttons, Vintage Paper, Millinery Flowers, Hats, Swimsuits, Clothing, Post Cards, Black & White Photography, Camera’s and more here.  This shop ships all over and is willing to trade if you are another Etsy seller.  Keep up with this seller's shops here on her Facebook page theidconnection on Facebook.

On Etsy, TheIDConnection has this for $38

A super cool 1940's pedal car (right) available from RolandDressler on Etsy.

RolandDressler

This is the place to go for finding that special gift for him.  He's cleaning out his model kits, toy trains, books, aviation, military related items. You can follow him on twitter @RolandDressler

This and more trains, planes and automobiles found at RolandDressler on Etsy!

NanaBellAntiques on Etsy has great vintage paper items like this old apron pattern from McCall's.

NanaBellAntiques

This shop features just about anything from sewing patterns, to Christmas items, to craft items.  I like to look here for super cool supplies and vintage paper items. This shop was also found under ChristmasAngels but is in no way limited to only Christmas anymore!

You can also keep posted on cool finds by following:
Twitter IAntiqueOnEtsy
IAntiqueOnEtsy  on Pinterest.