Bust Craftacular!

Yesterday was the Spring 2012 Bust Craftacular, and it was so fun! I shared a table with a friend, and it was great to meet and talk with customers in person vs. the online world of Etsy. I brought a lot of newer items that haven't shown up yet in my shop, including some bright hand-dyed silk shirts and circle scarves, and a lot of fun sporty and geometric jewelry!

Thanks to Raymond, my master iPhone photographer, for these pics of me working! I had a fantastic time and am looking forward to our next summer fair!

Rip it

Everyone knows Forever 21 consistently rips off other designers. But what impresses me is the sheer variety of designers they copy. For example, the Charming Lady Hinge necklace and the Ballerina Bunny necklace are all pretty much ripoffs of Servane Gaxotte, a brand I would never, ever have heard of if I didn't love Kisan's free vodka so much!

I can't say I'd actually spend $400+ on the real Servane Gaxotte necklaces, but they're gorgeous in person, vs. the Forever 21 ones which are basically crap even in the pics on their site. I love Forever 21, don't get me wrong, but man. At least rip off huge designers that have nothing to lose! These are designs that Forever 21's audience would never guess were taken from someone else.

Ribbonesia

You know what's incredibly frustrating? These beautiful ribbon animals are available to purchase online in this awesome Japanese store; but they're sold out of the one I would actually go to the trouble of buying! I am in love with this furry lion head!

Ribbonesia is the product of illustrator Baku Maeda, who needed a project for his "fiddling" fingers in his downtime. The accessories line is full of amazing animal head brooches and pins, but at the bottom of this post you can see what I can only hope is examples of the visual display line!

via Honestly WTF, Beading Gem, and a whole lotta Googlin'