31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 20: Color

col·or  

/ˈkələr/

Noun

The property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light.

 

Color bombards us from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we close them at night. We spend great amounts of time and energy planning the colors of our home, our outfits, our cars...most everything in our life is, in one way or another, linked to color.

 

Being an artist, color is obviously one of the most important elements of my work. Since starting by business about 2 years ago, I have always been complimented on my "eye":  namely my choices of color combinations. All of my pieces are designed with the utmost attention to the juxtaposition of color, texture, style, and mood...but color always sets the tone.

My home is the perfect example of my love of color. Apricot colored couches, aqua walls, and bins full of colorful beads and baubles adorn the space where I love to spend my time. Even my car is orange...you will never, ever see me without some kind of color.

I think that color enhances the beauty in everything. I love finding a knickknack in the perfect shade of pink, a painting with gorgeous aqua and crimson hues, or a scrap of vintage fabric in dusty rosy pastels.

How do you use color in your life?

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."  -Georgia O'Keeffe

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 13: Leftovers

Is this one too simple? Sorry...it's true. Few things bring as much joy as finding some delicious leftovers when it's time for me to begin my dinner preparations.

It's not just the joy of food that does not need to be prepared: it's the memory of what was most likely an enjoyable visit with a friend or loved one (at least, for me it is). When I open my fridge and I see that little silver or foam box, I am reminded of the precious time spent enjoying the company of another. Sure, it's fantastic that I don't have to cook, but the memory of laughs shared brings a smile to my face all the same.

At the basic level, though, I'm just really glad I don't have to cook for at least another day. Thanks friends!

What do YOU do with your leftovers?

"Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart." -Thomas Fuller

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 12: Flea Markets

"My name is Lucy, and I am a Flea Market Addict. Nice to meet you."

That would be my line at a support group if there were some sort of 12-step program for people like me. I am truly, madly, deeply in love with junk. Not junk junk, but good junk. There IS a difference.

This is what  I love about a good flea market...GOOD junk!

Recently, I traveled to Orlando, Florida to visit with my brother for the New Year holiday. What was by REAL objective? To go to Renninger's flea market in Mt Dora, where I also hit up my fave antique shops. And, thanks to a loving brother and his patient girlfriend, my objective was successfully met.

My best bud Jeanne and I

My friend Jeanne of juNxtaposition has, like me, made an entire business out of junk. She's older than I am so I will graciously concede to her the title of Queen of the Flea, but I proudly take the role as Princess of the Flea, immediate heiress to the throne.

Jeanne and I share a common bond: we are addicted to the thrill of the hunt. Scoring great deals at the flea market is a rush that, in my experience, by far goes unmatched. Here are some of my very best finds:

"At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first." -Ethel Merman

We'd love to hear about some of YOUR fave flea market finds!

Knick of Time: Bel Monili GIVEAWAY - Miner's Tag Necklace

Knick of Time: Bel Monili GIVEAWAY - Miner's Tag Necklace: 

Check it out! bel monili is giving away one of our coveted Miner's Tag necklaces through the Knick of Time Blog...click on the link above for details. Good Luck!

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful : January 7: Humor

Oh, there are just so many things to say about this. Humor is one of the pinnacles of my existence. To put it simply: I love to laugh. A lot. All the time. I think this is one of the reasons I love my job (my "real" job as a speech language pathologist) so much: no one is funnier than an elementary school student.

My sense of humor is simple, silly, and sometimes (ok...a lot of times) inappropriate. Yes folks, I am a 32 year old professional woman and I will fall out of my seat laughing at a fart joke. Playing pranks? Count me in. Hilarious photo opportunities? Call me Annie Leibovitz. As a matter of fact, I have a few videos that, to this day, bring me to my knees with tears of hysterical laughter.

Just one example of something that makes me laugh out loud

Humor is such a wonderful part of life. It gets us through good times as well as bad. In times of extreme sorrow, I think the heart and mind instinctively search for memories of happy times: we as humans WANT to laugh.

Someone asked me what traits were important to me in a mate, and immediately my response was, "he has to be silly." If I don't get a chance to laugh every day, then hit the road, Jack. The same goes for my friends...so all of you Debbie Downers can consider this a warning.

"Humor is mankind's greatest blessing."  -Mark Twain

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful! January 2: Home

Home Sweet Home. There's no place like it, so someone once said. For me, nothing could ring truer.

For the past 7 years, I have been the proud owner of roughly 750 square feet of cozy, eclectic, inviting happiness.  I purchased this (my first) home, a one bedroom condo, back in 2006 when I was in graduate school. I had rented many apartments up until that point, and the one day it hit me: I can OWN a place for less than I am paying in rent! Not long after that little breakthrough, I was the proud owner of my very first home at the tender young age of 25.

Since that time, my home has truly been where my heart is. Over the past 7 years, my little corner of the world has seen infinite beads, thousands of pieces of jewelry, hundreds of meals and drinks on the patio, several new coats of paint, a couple of "roommates", and one brand new kitchen. My friends and I have spent countless hours lounging and laughing at our pool, and the list of jokes and funny secrets could go on forever.

Each spring, I wait with bated breath for the arrival of my beloved irises: gorgeous blooms of violet and saffron so full and healthy that some reach all the way to my waist!

I began my business here, and with the help of friends and family I've seen it grow exponentially since it's humble beginnings in the summer of 2010. My work space is warm, colorful, and organized. In the spring of 2011, my living room was filled with fabric, laughter, and love when 4 of my closest (male!) friends spent the evening with me to prepare 1,000 of my signature flower pins to ship out to L.A. for the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. It's one of many defining moments that has taken place here in the comfort of my space.

I invite you to share your sentiments of home here, for there is truth in the old adage, "Home is where the heart is!"

Cuff Bracelets are Back

It's the holiday season, and the desire for sparkle and bling is in full effect. Thanks to a beautiful article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, a huge number of women (and a few men too!) shopped online and came to Handmade Arcade to purchase bel monili's latest favorite thing: vintage component leather cuff bracelets!

We sold out over the weekend, but fear not my dear friends...they are BACK! 

With limited quantities available, these adorable cuffs are one of a kind and sure to be YOUR new favorite accessory. Check them out in our Etsy store and grab one before they're gone again.

Happy Holiday Shopping Season!

I Made It! For the Holidays!

I Made It! for the Holidays announces its sixth annual handmade arts marketplace to be held on Friday, November 30th from 5 pm – 10 pm and Saturday, December 1st from 11 am – 6 pm at Bakery Square. More than 90 Pittsburgh-regional artisans will offer handmade goods including children’s items, house wares, clothing, jewelry, plush, ceramics, sweets, photography, toys, bath & body products and much more. Saturday brings TAPPED Pop Up Beer Garden and Santa! To learn more about the artists or for event details, visit www.imadeitmarket.com.

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!

Flea Marketing!

Here we are, another week gone by, another Sunday to cherish. Again, I find myself preparing for a day of creating, beginning with my weekly trip to the local flea market.

Most Sundays I happily peruse the aisles of the flea market, peeking through piles of junk and pulling out what I would call treasure.

It's something I have come to crave: The Thrill of The Hunt. Many of us feel it; it's a primal lure that calls to us like a siren, begging that we come with our dollar bills and sift through the seas of castoffs and rescuing the beautiful and the brave.

I have a special love for these kinds of things; the old, the unwanted, the items destined for landfill. It is these things I seek out so that I can bring them home, clean them, re-work them, and turn them into new works of art that will once again be loved. These bits of broken history are, by my hand, given a new lease on life.

Those earrings, the ones that hardly anyone wears, are rescued.

Broken necklaces and brooches, once cast aside, are again brought into the limelight.

So friends, there it is. Another week gone by, another haul of treasures, another group of misfits to be cared for and loved again!

I'd love to hear your stories and see your treasured finds!

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.