Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Shabby Apple:

I stumbled upon this website a while ago and just had to share it with you!
Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique selling women’s dresses, casual dresses, skirts, and women’s apparel. They recognize that finding the perfect dress can sometimes be challenging, which is why they strive to design highly fashionable dresses for all types of women.

Take a look around the website.

Dresses from Shabby Apple

Whether you’re looking for an evening dress for a special occasion, blouses, or the perfect skirt, I bet Shabby Apple will have something that is right for you! And,  keep in mind that they are always designing new dresses for women, as well as coming out with entirely new fashion lines. They are a beautiful alternative to mall shopping!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Rafflcopter Round Up

Join in on the fun!

Click on the "Rafflecopter Round Up" link below and "favorite" my shop on etsy to enter to win this vintage chain and floral medallion bracelet:


Rafflecopter Round Up


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Inspiration versus Imitation


Fashion is a fickle thing. Styles change. Colors change. And, jewelry changes right along with it. This past summer, necklaces were selling in my etsy shop, at local gift shops and boutiques as fast as I could conceive and create them. Now bracelets seem to be the item of choice.  So, I am expanding my line to include cuffs and leather bracelets as well (look for those items soon in my etsy shop!) 

One thing that remains the same, however, is that there will always be another designer or shop that simply takes cues from another.  No creativity. Nothing unique. Simple imitation.
So, it begs the question: what’s the difference between taking inspiration from something you’ve seen and creating something that is uniquely your style, versus imitating something to the extent that it is an exact duplicate and then offering it as though it were your own unique creation?
I believe inspiration is at the heart of most artists. You see something and are inspired to create something new. That is an awesome process! Inspiration motivates the creative spirit and sparks more new ideas. It feeds the ambitious mind and spurs more creativity. Inspiration can come from anything…nature, fashion, travel. Inspiration knows no boundaries.
Imitation is exhausting. My grandmother used to say, “The view never changes if you are not the lead dog.” Imitation means that your view never changes – you are always chasing someone else’s tail. That can’t be as much fun as inspiration and creativity.
Are you inspired?
Do you inspire others?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Bella the Bead's Fall Forecast 2011

Taking cues from the Fashionistas of Fall, Bella the Bead is forecasting beautiful blues and creamy shades of chocolate this season. Here's a peek at what you can expect to see in my etsy shop, local boutiques and holiday gift shows:

Blues: Deep Teal and Quarry



Browns: Coffee Liqueur and Nougat



Layers of Chains



and for the holidays....Flowers! Lots of Flowers!