CLEVER inDeed, Saturday November 8, 2014

Well friends, here it is! My bestie juNxtaposition and I have partnered up to bring you Pittsburgh's only holiday shopping party: CLEVER inDeed. We hope to see you there!

Fantastic 14: Day 5: Common Ground

Take a peek over at Common Ground, and there you will find everything that you'll ever need to satisfy your craving for shabby, chic, handmade, vintage, feminine, frilly...you get the picture.

Debra, the inspiration behind this beautiful blog, began her blogging journey in 2009. Since then, Common Ground has grown to have thousands of followers (and surely at least 10 times as many readers) with an impressive collection of inspirations and projects.

The Common Ground Monday Marketplace is a widely popular "linky party" where Debra invites Etsy shop owners and other online stores of the like to share their pages/websites.  On Mondays and Tuesdays, everyone has the chance to link up their page while they take a look at a finely curated collection of gorgeous boutiques and shops. If you have an Etsy shop or boutique website, I highly recommend it.

On Fridays, make sure you stop by Common Ground to check out Be Inspired Friday, where you'll find links to projects and ideas that will send you SPRINTING for your toolbox and paint.

As if that wasn't enough, Debra manages to find time to fill her own Etsy store with stunning jewelry pieces.

Your time spent at Common Ground is time you will cherish. I invite you to read (and follow!) Debra's Common Ground blog, and while you at it you can see her on Facebook, Hometalk, and Pinterest. Happy reading!

Fantastic 14: Day 4: Knick of Time

Today I am featuring one of my favorite romantic/vintage/DIY blogs: Knick of Time.

Take a stroll (or some clicks...however you like to think of it) through this site and you'll quickly find that you are inspired, excited, and even a wee bit envious. 

Ok, you'll need peanut butter for your jelly sandwich.

(jelly = JEALOUS!)

Angie, the beautiful brains behind this amazing blog, pulls together gorgeous, simple projects and ideas that give a new meaning to the term "fabulous".

On Tuesdays, you can take some time to peruse the amazing bloggers and their pages during 

Knick of Time Tuesday, a highly popular (and very well curated!) linky party.

Through her Antique Graphics Wednesday, Angie shares THE best vintage graphics (gratis, I might add...) to help her many readers take some of these ideas and turn them into reality.

How adorable is this vintage luggage tag graphic?!

As if that wasn't enough, Angie shares a plethora of valuable ideas and projects in her Project Gallery. One of my very favorites is her Furniture Makeovers, where she takes the most ordinary household accessories and turns them into something amazingly special and unique.

Friends, I cannot say enough about Angie and her gorgeous collection of posts at Knick of Time. I invite you to follow the Knick of Time blog, "like" on Facebook, and follow on Pinterest, Twitter, and Hometalk. Happy hunting!

Country Living Fair Columbus 2012

One word: AMAZING.  I really can't say much more right now...still letting it soak in. Here's a peek at bel monili's booth:

bel monili's booth on Day 1

vintage rhinestone necklaces

bel monili's booth display

bel monili bracelets

bracelets and necklaces and keychains!

bel monili French enameled tags and upcycled vintage necklaces

bel monili bracelets and collage necklaces

lots of upcycled vintage goodness!

bel monili treasures

vintage miner's tag necklaces and collage belt buckles

bel monili signature bobby pins

fairy dust...sprinkle on some magic

leather cuff bracelets with vintage components

bel monili booth; flowers and upcycled vintage necklaces

we were SO thrilled to be there!

Weddings!

Summer is the season of love, and bel monili is a friend to the brides! This summer, I had the distinct honor of creating goodies for 5 beautiful brides and their respective bridal parties. This is truly a favorite for me; I LOVE the idea that one of my creations will have a place in someone's family history.

A bridal sash, custom created with satin ribbon, lace from a vintage bridal gown, and antique rhinestones and pearls

As you know, bel monili items are created using vintage materials, meaning that these beautiful bridal pieces are created using materials rich in history. Perhaps it was a brooch from the mother of a bride in the 1920s, the earrings of a blushing bride in the 1950s, or the necklace of a bridesmaid in any of these magical times.

Custom collage style necklaces featuring antique rhinestone components

bel monili bridal can make your dreams come true. I hand-craft items that are uniquely designed for each bride's specific needs, meaning that each special day is truly one of a kind right down to the last detail.

bel monili signature vintage component cluster bracelets, designed to compliment a wedding's theme colors

Gifts for bridesmaids will be cherished (and actually worn!) for years to come, giving the recipient of the special piece a reminder of that special day, and her friendship with the bride. Custom designs for the bride offer a unique compliment to her gorgeous gown, and each piece lives on as an heirloom quality work of art.

signature collage style necklace featuring antique rhinestone pieces

Brides, bridesmaids, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers...take notice and get your thinking caps on. bel monili will work with you to custom design the bridal accessories and gifts that will add the perfect touch of sentiment to your special day.