Inked Necks

and you're still here.
these are beautiful

(source)
xox, rachel

Molecular LOVE?

apparently my oh-so-cool-nerd-of-a-husband is really rubbing off me these days. he's a high school physics teacher, he majored in mechanical engineering. he basically speaks a language COMPLETELY foreign to me.
when i found myself drawing some molecular love on a train case the other day (above photo) i was taken a bit by surprise. but hey, i'm all for branching out:)

and no one, i mean it, NO ONE does ties up better than my FAVORITE TIE SHOP EVER on etsy: Toybreaker has everything under the sun, every style tie you could possibly dream up. i am really diggin' on this one:
Coffee and Cigarettes silkscreen necktie. (Caffeine and Nicotine molecule)

and check out this little bit of stichery goodness from my friend Malarie over at Itsastitch
i do believe my wall wants this, in a BAD way!
Happy Molecule - Embroidered Wall Art

and i have had my eyes on this necklace for quite some time......
serotonin molecule necklace, styled for men

so, what have we learned today?
1. my husband is really smart
2. molecules are super rad
3. this is as much as i need to know about physics and i'm TOTALLY okay with it:)
happy neurotransmitter hunting 2 u!
xox, rachel

Flowerleaf GIVEAWAY!

* THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED:)*

YAAAY! i am back from tour & getting back into the swing of GIVEAWAY's:)
this week i am happy to have the WONDERFUL Jocelyn of
www.Flowerleaf.etsy.com
who is giving away not 1, BUT 2 items!
SO super giving of you Ace (that's my nickname for her, gilmore girls reference)

i have watched Jocelyn's shop grow over the past few months and have fallen in love with her items and her product shots. there's a bunch of mystery in her goodies. i'm a huge fan of mysterious trinketry:)
let's get to know a little bit more about Jocelyn....

1. tell us about your shop. when did you first open your shop & what made you choose to sell on etsy?

I first opened my shop in May of 2009 and I had actually heard about Etsy from a mutual friend of this here Rachel lady (Jamie Maldonado - see his awesome photography blog in the button in the left column <--). He told me there was this cool site where I could sell my art. I didn't feel I was ready to start selling my drawings and paintings online yet, but I was making these rings at the time and figured I might be able to sell those. I was making the wire wrap rings and just starting to venture out into what I am selling now. The rings I made were just not good - I just don't have the talent of wire wrapping, or it might be that I haven't developed patience for it. So I started selling my jewelry on Etsy, knowing full well that the competition is pretty fierce when it comes to selling jewelry. It makes life that much more exciting, right? 2. do you sell on etsy full or part time?

I am not currently working right now and not really making a living off of what I sell on Etsy, so I will say that I am full time when it comes to hours and part time when it comes to pay. I am definitely hoping for full time some day.

3. who are your top 5 favorite musicians/bands/songwriters etc.? (i realize this is almost a mean question because how can one choose but i love music & i need to know what kind you love too!)

Oh wow. This is always a tough one for me. But here it goes.
1. Future of Forestry - awesome guys who outrageously talented. (I listen to them every day)
2. Paper Route - some of the most gorgeous music ever.
3. Franz Schubert Gabriel Faure - I am cheating...for that is two different composers that I am going to count as one to squeeze in other artists. ;-)
4. Mumford & Sons - one of my new favorites
5. Hillsong United - their music has got me through some really tough times.

4. what are some of your favorite things/hobbies?

One of my favorite things is the autumn season and hopefully by the time people are reading this autumn has finally decided to show up where I live (central California). I love the feel of it, the atmosphere, the smells - cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin spice. - and of course the fiery colors in all the trees as they turn.

Hobbies: To list only a couple I love watching lame movies with my little sister and I love to bake!

{GIVEAWAY TIME}

Jocelyn is giving away 2 PIECES!
1.the Verdigris Leaves Layered Necklace, "which has been a favorite of mine for a while."
2. one of her newly designed adjustable rings, The Majestic. "I think I shall be making a lot of those in different colors because they are super fun."

there are lots of ways to enter and each entry will give you a better chance at winning so lets get on with the different ways you can participate...

to enter:
● follow my BLOG (on the right sidebar), if you already do, just let me know.
● "Like" Flowerleaf on Facebook: HERE
● follow Flowerleaf on Twitter: HERE
● visit Flowerleaf & let us know which item is your FAVORITE
● tweet about this GIVEAWAY
● blog about this GIVEAWAY

leave me a comment below letting me know all of the ways that you've entered. also, make SURE to include your e-mail address so we can contact you should you be the winner:) have fun, good luck and happy browsing!
xox, rachel

4 cheers 4 MONDAY!!!!

it's monday (still working on waking up, bear w/me)

i work from home, i set my own schedule, i can work in my pajamas if i want.
that being said...... i still am FULLY capable of getting a case of the monday blues. so what do i do?

i title my post something extremely cheesy like "4 cheers 4 MONDAY!!!!" with 4 exclamation marks to make me believe it more. lets face it, not every day is a bowl of cherries.

moving forward.....
WOW! check out these etsy artists. polka dots, baby hedgehogs, headbands of felt leaves. a simple necklace that i'm certain would make your day brighter every time you caught a glimpse of it in the mirror:)
here's where you can find all the goods:
1. Candy Thief Sparkle Band $37
2. Single Bead Strand Necklace $22
3. Baby Hedgehog $50
4. Upcycled ' button red' Kepp Jones hat $48

in closing, if you have a case of the monday's i say:
let's go shopping!
xox, rachel

Polarity GIVEAWAY!!!

* THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED:)*hey hey hey friends! you know what day of the week it is. yep, it's GIVEAWAY day. this week i am featuring another one of my stellar friends. CAT, of both Polarity & Uncorked (yeah, she runs 2 KILLER cool shops), is giving away from either one of her 2 shops. GET EXCITED!

let's get to know her.....

1. please tell us about your shop. when did you first open your shop and what made you choose to sell on etsy?

Hi- my name is Catherine (Cat) Ivins and I have 2 shops on Etsy- one called Polarity and one called Uncorked. I opened my first shop almost THREE years ago- which seems unbelievable to me! My niece found Etsy and showed it to me and I knew it was just the right place for me.

2. do you sell on etsy full or part time?

Full time plus (there are about 37 hours in a day now, right?)

3. what's your favorite part about running Polarity/Uncorked?

Definitely the wonderful, amazing people I have met. There are so many talented, open people on Etsy.

4. what are some of your favorite things/hobbies?

Ugh- I don't have time anymore for much- and I really miss reading, napping and basketball.
5. what is your MISSION-STATEMENT (i picked this one just for you because i love how eco-friendly you are and i know you will come up with something great:)

OK- my mission is 1. to make really cool, unique and interesting new things out of other things- things that are already being produced for a more useful purpose and to use as many sustainable, recycled and industrial parts as possible 2. to promote and support handmade 3. to open people up to new ways of looking at the things in their own lives and in particular how things can be used for multiple purposes

{GIVEAWAY TIME}
Cat is giving away a choice of ANY NECKLACE OR LOCKET FROM EITHER SHOP!
there are lots of ways to enter and each entry will give you a better chance at winning so lets get on with the different ways you can participate...

to enter:
● follow my BLOG (on the right sidebar), if you already do, just let me know.
● Follow Cat's blog: HERE
● visit Polarity or UNcorked & let us know which item is your FAVORITE
● tweet about this GIVEAWAY
● blog about this GIVEAWAY

leave me a comment below letting me know all of the ways that you've entered. also, make SURE to include your e-mail address so we can contact you should you be the winner:) have fun, good luck and happy hunting
xox, rachel

*this giveaway will end on thursday september 30th at noon*

THE WINNER OF THIS GIVE AWAY WAS:
"Karen said... I like the "Bloggers need love too" magnetic locket set. I'm so impressed by these two shops!

karenDOTerkertATgmailDOTcom

September 24, 2010 5:49 PM"

LOOKS Vintage 3 in 1 necktie BOWS!

i will NOT apologize for saying one of my best friend's is a crafty GENIUS! because really, check out what rebecca of LOOKS has done with vintage neckties....

1. the necklace pendant

2. the headband accessory

a closer look at

3. the headband (slide your favorite headband through the back)

4. the necklace (slide your favorite necklace through the back)

and the 3rd way to wear these:

5. brooch

6. pin included on the back of the bow

currently rebecca has 2 of these bows listed in her shop (found HERE) but over the past 2 years her and i have collected vintage neckties obsessively so i know she has at least 100 more she could make. maybe she'll whip you up a custom order one if there are certain colors you are looking for? and she'll probably do it in the midst of taking care of 4 children all under the ages of 8! like i said, my friend is a genius and i am SO proud of her and inspired by her craftiness.

much love and hugs to you rebecca, life would NOT be the same without you:)

xox blog readers,

rachel

Follow the Wind....

1. LAMINATED patterned double sided paper globe ornament $10
2. Vintage Typewriter Key Pendant Necklace Charm - RARE RED BACK SPACE $31
3. Follow the Wind $20
4. Coasters - vintage inspired - for party outdoor $20
sundays make me lazy and sluggish. these 4 things put a smile on my face and brighten up my day. i want to fly away with some red and aqua balloons please....
xox, rachel

a Twillypop GIVEAWAY!!!!

*THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED:)*

welcome friends!

i am very excited to be having my 1st giveaway AND to be having such a talented etsian participating:)

TWILLYPOP.etsy.com
let's get to know a little bit about Sara, the shop owner......
1. please tell us about your shop. when did you first open your shop and what made you choose to sell on etsy?
I only just started last fall. I opened my account in September & listed my 1st item sometime in October. I started selling on Etsy just to see if i could...... If anyone would want to buy my little creations :)


2. you dig fashion! what are your favorite styles or decades of style?
*sigh* I LOVE most of what is going on right now in fashion. I have always been one to mix a little of what's new with something that will always be timeless. i.e. Pearls........ with neon ribbon.

3. what's your favorite part about running Twillypop?

I LOVE creating new pieces. I LOVE the photography and the photo editing more than i ever expected.


4. what are some of your favorite things/hobbies?
I enjoy running and weight training. I LOVE to read. I also like to cook and DEFINITELY LOVE to bake. Of course all of this takes a backseat to cuddling with my "chickens" (aka my kids)

5. what are your 2 favorite items in your shop?

1. Pinkie (Tuscadero) Ribbon Bracelet
I LOVE Pinkie. Mostly because I almost fell over in delight when I found the beads. Hot Pink. Crackle. Enough said.
2. Camille Bauble Bracelet
This is a brand new listing that I'm kind of smitten with as well.

{GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!}

the super fantastic Sara is giving away a MATCHING SET:
Peacock Jet Ribbon and Pearls Necklace
&
Deep Peacock Mollie Pearls and Ribbon Bracelet
there are lots of ways to enter and each entry will give you a better chance at winning so lets get on with the different ways you can participate...

to enter:
● follow my BLOG (on the right sidebar), if you already do, just let me know.
● visit TWILLYPOP' shop & let us know which item is your FAVORITE
● tweet about this GIVEAWAY
● blog about this GIVEAWAY

leave me a comment below letting me know all of the ways that you've entered. also, make SURE to include your e-mail address so we can contact you should you be the winner:) have fun, good luck and thanks so much to sara for giving awayyyyyy!
xo, rachel

*this giveaway will end on thursday september 2nd at noon & the winner will be announced on friday the 3rd*

Threads & TRENDS

don't ask me why but i have a thing for "spools of thread". i wish i was better at sewing, that i had more time to do it and that my grandmother was still alive to teach me all of her tricks. i do have her sewing box and i cherish it! i went on a "spools of thread hunting binge" last night and the goodies above are half of what i found:) you can buy all things pictured plus 8 extra threaded goodies over in my etsy treasury here....

NOW FOR THE TRENDS:

okay, i am not a big fan of keeping up with the trends. i don't have time and i really just like to like what i like. there is nothing wrong with keeping up on trends, i should probably do more of it when i'm drawing new designs on my luggage, but i just am not the girl to go to if you want to know what's "in", as they say. i'm getting to my point i promise!

my sister has been telling me for months to start watching WEEDS. i gave in yesterday and watched 2 episodes. the intro to that show blew me away. i found it so fascinating and i was able to find a video clip of it to share with you- it's BRILLIANT!
and it definitely reminds me of why i tend to stay away from trends:

YOU MUST CLICK THIS LINK TO GO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

happy weekend!

rachel

Crimson Jet Ribbon

this first photo is of a few things in my kitchen that i absolutely ADORE. i wanted to re-paint the kitchen and it all started with me finding that awesome teal & green sugar shaker at a local antique shop for 6 bucks- TOTALLY worth it! when i found the salt n pepper shakers on etsy i was deeeelighted:)
got the tins from ikea, hung up coffee mugs from my cabinets, painted the kitchen poolish blue and a brand new room was born!

i'm not sure what to say about this piece of Killer necklacery (made that word up).....
it's from a wonderful shop on etsy called TWILLYPOP
i have a bracelet from the shop and i think my next purchase is going to be this
Crimson Jet Ribbon and Pearls Necklace $22.50
and don't even get me started on the new photos of this shops goodies. i am beside myself. just loving the all around feel.

as promised i have a song for you! old school death cab for cutie's song PHOTOBOOTH is such a sweet summer jam. listen to it----> HERE
love, rachel