New York Threads

There are few brick and mortar places left in this shrinking economy where you can actually still retail yourself to death. New York remains one of those iconic places, even though tourism dipped just a bit last year.

The choices....the choices!  Eating, drinking, sleeping, shopping, hopping, and topping the list...people watching.  New York remains one of those Mecca Destinations for me.   I assume perhaps for most people, as well.

This trip was both business and pleasure as there were fashion trends to scout, ribbons and chains to buy and friends to find, both old and new. More to come on that after you have had the chance to...

Feast ye eyes on the most fabulous selection of threads, threads, threads, in a one block radius.

M&J Trimmings on 6th Ave, between 37th and 38th Streets, is THE supermarket of buttons, trim and bows. 

Mokuba, on 38th Street, boasts nothing but trims which are even more exquisite! 

Uptown off Lexington there is a very very old and well known buttons only store called...what else but.....Tender Buttons.

SIMPLY PRETTY STUFF, not kidding.

Mokuba

M&J Trimmings

Tender Buttons

Art To Wear

Another simply pretty charm on a clasp.  Wear it on a necklace, clip to a purse, cell phone or keychain.  Click on the link to check it out on the web!

http://simplyprettystuff.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=359

Second Chances

This gal lost her head as some of us sometimes do. Instead of giving up, she stood proudly among the rest of the antiques and unique items at Donna's ON A WHIM Boutique in Lucketts, VA .... and then I found her!!!

I cleaned her up a bit and can't wait to layer tons of necklaces and charms upon her definitely chic torso

More Simply Pretty Stuff

I must say April showers have been slight this year, but when there is a chill in the air while it rains, no one really wants it to rain.  Still, the soon to be lushness needs water, and it is only a matter of time until I complain about sweating. 

Other things I thought I would share from today are below.  Enjoy....And those Martha Stewart charms, shown a few posts ago, are still sitting on my card catalog,  awaiting their uncertain fate.....

New Necklace Shipment To Ellie's, A Chic Boutique in Sea Pines, Hilton Head

Been quite a bit in the studio creating and assembling.  I love that shop in Hilton Head, where Lindsey Spargur manages the most fabulous inventory.

There is also a juggling act going on here right now and the camera is on the fritz......oh, NO!  You cannot pick the days for this kind of emergency ~ anyway! 

In the middle of some early development for a new line of jewelry.  Ou la la I say, and hope others feel as well.  Unveiling will be in a few months as I prepare the tah dah factor.

Meanwhile, I loved how these turned out.

Toile Time

Indeed this dress form gal needed a release and a re-do of her worn and tattered polyester threads.  I have spent lots of time in the work room "toile-ing" her.  I used the spray adhesive and wished I could say the project was a romantic homes type experience.  Ah, but nope.  Lots of sticky fun though and a "well, she certainly looks better than she did before" attitude prevailed.   Simply Pretty Stuff in the end!!  http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/ will feature her in future necklace/charm shots for sure.

Martha Stewart Charms From The Past

I was going through some of my inventory, making room for the new.....funny how time flies and things change.  Anyway, I had done some work for both a publisher and a printer,  three years ago, making customer journal covers into charms for corporate gifts.  The sample charms I designed were from some of my very own journals.  At the time, I was recieving Martha Stewart Living from a school fundraiser drive.  Pretty clever, eh?  Not to mention (yepper) simply pretty!! They were intended for bracelets, ball chain necklaces, jacket zipper pulls, key chains, cell phones, etc. What do you think Martha would use them for?

Sparkle and Glitz

Had to finish these in the wee hours last night, since I have been looking for the perfect use of these glass rhinestone littl' bits!!  Sparkle charms are just Simply Pretty Stuff!  Look for more of these to post shortly at  http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/  website.  Just click "Charms" and the "Vintage and Ephemera" link.

Simply Pretty Stuff

Spent precious time with a friend, picking out thread the other day at Joann eTc in Frederick, MD. What an uber store of stuff...

Found the perfect color for embroidering on my new apron!! Handy work done by Cheri Cline of Crosspatch Creations.

Ou~ la~ la for sure.  http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/

New Stuff For Fun

Today was a creating day, but not the usual.  I wanted to try a few new things for fun!  It began with Flip Flops.  A little bit of trim.......and Simply Pretty!  Ou la la!

Next it was on to the recycled bottles.  I have collected a few wine bottles in beautiful blues and greens.  Time for some cutting and etching! Let's do DRAGONFLIES....

  

 

   

Bliss Angel

This Simply Pretty Bliss Angel is another one of many pleasures I will be adding to my pin inventory.  You can also see her for sale on my website at  http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/  Click on the Charms for Sale then go into the Vintage and Ephemera section.  Enjoy!! There are a few new things posted as well.

A FIELD TRIP FOR MOI

This was the weekend for getaways in the Northeast.  The daffodils are up and the sun now warms the soul, chasing away what was left of that burr...winter chill.

Usually I thrill myself with a virtual getaway, on the spur of the moment to the blogsphere, finding new and wonderful sites led by the most interesting and wonderful women. 

But this weekend, I fed all the cats, packed a bag and tripped off to VA with my hubby, who had to work a bit. 

I did get a quick tour of Apex CoVantage headquarters since I tagged along and was impressed with Greg's very cool office surroundings.   http://www.apexcovantage.com/  The most beautiful office complex I had ever seen actually. The wall art, which was very earthy, contained the elements of glass and metal and was swoon worthy.  It was bright with lots of windows and neutual tones.  Desks were organized and all chairs looked ergonomically correct and comfortable.   sigh.  His home office is definitely lacking.  This artist will have to focus on tweeking a few things now that I have been inspired.

But to get back to the actual field trip...that was not the thrill found.  The real excitement came making the jaunt to Lucketts, The Beekeeper's Cottage and On A Whim..........  ou la la.  I was surrounded by glitter, linens and patina.

First stop was to a place called On A Whim.  This complex has the only polka dotted silo in Virginia... yep polka dotted!  Check out their site at http://www.onawhimantiques.com/   I met Donna, the owner and we IMMEDIATELY connected.  I loved her business which reflected nothing less than inspiration, energy and glamour.  How fab! Of course I made the perfect purchase.  Guess what's in this goody bag?

A simply pretty lamp, of course.  It will work wonderfully, lighting my designs on my table at future shows. How perfect are those colors?  Well, check out http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/  and you'll see what I mean. a definite wow...........

Here are a few more things to covet at On A Whim.

And on to Luckett's General Store.  Check out their place on  http://www.luckettstore.com/  While there I checked out the fleurish spot.....and just about everywhere I looked, I found Paris!!!  This is karma since the one and only "Summer Retreat" in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia will be sponsored by http://www.wewillalwayshaveparis.com/    Check out these Parisian lov~a~lees and then be sure to visit Korie B in the blogsphere!

       

Last stop, The Beekeeper's Cottage, Where glitter really does reign!  White on white on white......oh my!

Don't miss the ballerinas if you go there for your field trip away!