Subject: Jewelry

• Behind every great man...

  For some reason, I had forgotten that former OC congressman and current chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission Christopher Cox is married, but married he is, and to a very industrious woman. Like many who belong to the bedrock traditional values strata of the Republican Party, which loudly proclaims the value of a stay-at-home wife, the Coxes are a two income couple. And a good thing, too, because while political appointments like hubby's have a limited shelf life, Mrs. Cox's busines

  August 2, 2006

• Because You're Ugly: Pixie Cuts

  These two red headed pixies were at Proof on Friday night, looking the epitome of chic. The girl on the left is wearing a sweet dress in an olive green very flattering to her rust colored hair. It has an elastic waist, which manages to show off a tiny middle and still be comfortable enough to dance in. The ivory drop earrings are a classy touch. Her friend on the right chose a striped sequined sheath dress much like the one Sienna Miller made famous a while back, and tops it off with a big co

  August 14, 2007

• Because You're Ugly: Vivienne Westwood

  With Vivienne Westwood, punk never died—it just grew up. Westwood's beginnings are in punk music and she pioneered punk style, first gaining notoriety when the Sex Pistols wore her clothing at their shows and appearances. Like the swallows, hearts and robots before it, the safety pin seems to be the next regurgitated trend gracing clothing and accessories everywhere—an obvious takeoff on the safety pin as fashion's punk roots. It's the logo of one of the best fashion/design blogs around,

  October 22, 2007

• Because You're Ugly: The Vampress

  I'd like to think I'm a pretty untraditional girl when it comes to diamonds, jewelry and other assorted expensive, sparkly things. So if you plan on proposing to me any time soon, please do so with Bittersweets NY's latest creation: the Vampress. The ring's actually a twist on one of their most popular pieces, the Baby Vamp. But this time, the Vampress boasts a half-carat diamond (toootally modest, right???) set in between two sets of teeth (available in 14k white, rose and yellow gold). B

  November 16, 2007

• Because You're Ugly: Supermandolini

  So I'm sitting in bed with a sweltering fever and the sheets drenched. I have body aches, my glasses keep sliding down my nose bridge and I pretty much feel like I'm on my deathbed. So what do I do? Do some online shopping, of course. Supermandolini offers a fun line of accessories, brooches, rings and necklaces, including this adorable "Just My Luck!" pin, available here. The pin takes something pretty unfortunate—getting crapped on by a bird flying overhead—and spins it into something

  January 14, 2008

• Because You're Ugly: Retainer Wear!

  Remember that time in the fourth grade you left your retainer on your lunch tray, trashed everything on the tray... only to realize in fifth period that you threw your retainer away with that mac and cheese—and then subsequently spent the rest of the school day rifling through bags of trash for it? No? Well, me neither. But this gold retainer necklace from none other than Fred Flare might remind you of your more awkward days way back when. This sterling silver necklace with 14kt plating sits

  July 15, 2008

• Designer Stories: Silver Star Casting Company

  April 26, 2001

• Death and the Sale Woman

  October 30, 2003

• Because You're Ugly: Etsy Local Crafters--Atomic Dog

  For the young or just young-at-heart on your holiday gift list, Irvine-based Etsy shop Atomic Dog (go ahead, sing the rest) has the perfect fun and inexpensive gifts or stocking stuffers in the shape of Smurfs, donuts, ice cream cones, artist palettes, roller skates, cupcakes and yes, in case you were wondering, ballerina hippos. Nothing in the shop is over $11, but each and every single item is uniquely crafted. There are pendants, earrings, rings and even a Hostess cupcake-shaped box ($4) to

  November 25, 2008

• Mikimoto Trunk Show

  June 4, 2009

• [Trendzilla] Necklush Life

  January 15, 2009

• [Trendzilla] Feathers and Fringe, the Native American Look

  November 13, 2008

• Mummy’s the Word

  March 27, 2008

• Family First

  November 8, 2007

• Trendzilla

  Trend by Trendzilla

  August 9, 2007

• The Presets

  April 16, 2009

• PIERCING PROPOSITION

  July 28, 2005

• Trendzilla

  Going mod. In a good way

  November 23, 2006

• Out of the Past

  February 23, 2006

• Piercing Proposition

  July 28, 2005

• Its, Its a Ballroom Blitz

  December 9, 2004

• Muse It or Lose It

  December 11, 2003

• Scarlett Fever

  September 25, 2003

• Moulin Rouge

  April 18, 2002

• French for Dummies

  December 6, 2001

• Golden Years

  December 4, 2008

• Sing Out, Louise!

  May 15, 2008

• Gettin' Made: Meet the OC Handmade Brigade!

  Have you noticed aside from events like Patchwork that there's a serious lack of indie crafting events in Orange County? What is it about the OC--are we too cool for school? Has the stigma of crafting as something your grandma would do not been purged yet? The OC Handmade Brigade is lookin' to help change that by hosting all sorts of crafty events all over Orange County, and getting the word out in general that crafting can be just as hip as the new Nissan Cube. Join us over this next week as w

  July 24, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Last But Not Least

  Wrapping up our week-long feature on the OC Handmade Brigade, let's meet the mind behind Melissa Loschy Designs. She's a Costa Mesa crafter named, surpisingly enough, Melissa Loschy. Also, read on--today's your last chance to enter to win a free gift box of goodies from the OC Handmade Brigade! Melissa Loschy models one of her great collage-style necklaces​

  July 31, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Twist and Shout

  You know as well as I do that there is nothing bigger these days than being green, recycling, upcycling, and generally just saving our ecological butts. But did you know you can still look totally rockin' while doing it? Join us as we chat with Courtney Chesley of Twisted Handmade and the St. Louis Craft Mafia, learn how her friendship bracelet obsession of the 80s turned into the cutest upcycled accessories of today, and enter to win some free twisted goodies! Courtney spo

  August 18, 2009

• Gettin' Made: The Not So Endless Summer

  Folks, there's no denying it. The end of summer is upon us. Stop crying, we all knew it was gonna happen eventually--let's take a moment to savor the last few fleeting weeks with a look at some beachy Etsy selections that will help keep summer with you all year long. Botanical Shell drawing by Tamara Garvey​ I love the details in this seashell drawing, and how simple and classy it is. After the jump, she sells seashells (and indie crafts) by the seashore.

  August 26, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Contreras to Popular Belief...

  I'm really excited to share this indie artist and crafter with you; Melissa Contreras of Axelhoney is one of the reasons I got into the indie craft scene to begin with. We used to work together at t-shirt company Mighty Fine--while we we designed all kinds of licensed character tees during the day, I was always really impressed with everything she had going on with her own work on the side. We shared a table as the Lady Scouts at the holiday 2006 Felt Club and Bazaar Bizarre events in Los Angele

  August 31, 2009

• The Happy Ones

  September 24, 2009

• [Trendzilla] Friendship Is Back in Style

  October 1, 2009

• Gettin' Made: (Polished) Two's Company

  Tracy Owens Chasteen is a wife, music lover, thrifter, and a city girl who lives in beautiful downtown Austin, Texas--the Live Music Capital of the World. She's also the prolific crafter behind the successful Etsy shop Polished Two, a veritable smorgasbord of great earrings, bracelets and one of a kind necklaces. "Mum" pottery shard necklace by Tracy Owens Chasteen of Polished Two. No two pottery shard necklaces are alike, with some pieces coming from ancient and replica Ming Dynasty

  October 12, 2009

• Gettin' Made: As Seen on TV

  If you haven't made the journey from Orange County to Sherman Oaks to visit indie craft uber-gift-shop Handmade Galleries LA, I'll put it simply: You. Are. Missing. Out. Christmas ornaments by Skellramics, available at Handmade Galleries LA​ This mecca of handmade awesomeness sells everything from Crafty Chica to Gama Go to Bungalow 360 and more. Couple that with almost weekly in-store events and a chance to see someone famous show up from the E! channel's Keeping up with the

  October 20, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Suck It

  There is no escaping it--between the new Twilight movie coming out soon, and True Blood (and now Vampire Diaries) on the boob tube, bloodsuckers are everywhere. Including this blog! There's definitely a fair share of "inspired by Twilight" crafts available on Etsy, but never fear--there's plenty of the Transylvania types for the rest of us, too. Lippy Fangs pillow by Krantzwerk   After the jump, more Etsy vampire finds that don't suck!​

  October 23, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Learning Some New Tricks

  Recently at the Long Beach Craft Mafia Halloween party, a gal showed up with a costume that really stood out from the crowd. Look out, Sabre the Super Crafty Crafter is here to show you a thing or two!​ As I chatted with the girl in the "trashy queen" getup (who later went on to win the costume contest), I learned that Sabre had a very cool new gig leading workshops galore at The Annex, the new educational wing of The Road Less Traveled store in Santa Ana. After the jump, details on s

  November 9, 2009

• Gettin' Made: Stop--Turkeytime!

  The big bowl of leftover Halloween candy is still sitting on your counter, yet there's Christmas decorations every which way you turn. Did we all forget about Thanksgiving?   Turkey fused art pendant by Jochris12​ Thank goodness for these fab turkey finds--after the jump, some more tasty selections from delicious Etsy crafters!

  November 11, 2009

• Gettin' Made: and Makin' Magic

  Mama's Magic Studio is the work of stay-at-home mom Jen Johnson from up north in San Jose. When she's not chasing after the little ones, she's crafting up a storm for her Etsy shop. Autumn Sunshine bracelet by Jen Johnson of Mama's Magic Studio​ I know it feels like far from autumn during the day lately, but I'm almost sure I saw some leaves that had turned this color falling from a tree in MIssion Viejo yesterday. After the jump, check out some more great pieces by this crafty mom.

  November 17, 2009