Old Timey

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Blue Slushy Bow by Its The Little Things

Maybe it's the fact that I'm going to a supper club with the HBOC ladies tomorrow night, maybe it's the Cocktail hat I just bought, or maybe it's the fact that the Handmade Brigade is planning the Speakeasy craft show: Indie Shopping, Music and Booze (September 20, 5-10 PM, Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa)......

.....But I am undoubtedly feeling pin-up inspired.

Did I mention I like things that are Russian?

So when people are asking those get-to-know-you questions that everyone fears, like "So what are you into?" I typically have a few go-to topics. I would start off with the typical, "well, I like art, design and music...blablabla" but honestly, I need to be more truthful. so let's try it again:

"hey Melissa, what are you in-to?"

I'm really into things that are Russian. Russian themed, Russian colors, Russian Ballet, Russian artists, and well, just Russians. Don't worry, I'm not a commi, nor would I ever want to rub elbows with Marxists and if I had the chance, I would have punched Stalin in the mouth. I just have this fascination with Eastern Europe and in particular, them Russians. What a history!

So, when I saw the Chanel Russian Purse in the most recent issue of Elle magazine, I flipped. Unfortunately, it's one of those "price available on request" items, bleh. (not that I could afford it even at 80% off). But I just appreciate it for what it is...Russian.

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ahhh, and this little one...little nesting doll purse makes my day.

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It's no wonder I tend to include Russian themed images in my pieces.
I have several in my newest collection of bracelets.
This one is the Matryoshka Y-chain Bracelet

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This one is the Matryoshka and Rhinestone Bracelet

I'm not even Russian, I don't think I have any Russian ancestory. I must have been Anastasia in a past life.

Good Thrifting

I feel it's necessary to show my support and love for the few thrift stores I frequent that I feel are:

1. Not overpriced
2. Not picked-over by buyers who get special first-dibs
3. Include a craft/fabric/trim section
4. Don't simply resell surplus merchandise from Target and Ikea (yes Goodwill, I'm talking about you).

The shop that is top on my list for quite some time is the Lutheran High thrift shop in Orange
670 N Tustin St
Orange, CA 92867

Here are the finds I bought today, all for a grand total of $23!!!!

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new artwork for my re-decorated room. $1 for the framed vintage marriage certificate and $2 for the faux cross-stitched Scandinavian scene. I'm a sucker for those, I already have one similar to this but vertical.

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Trims, tassels and ribbons, all for $2. I love when the original price-tags are still on the merchandise in grab bags. If I had paid full price for everything in the bag, it would have been over $30.



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2 nylon woven belts for a total of $1, soon to be couture statement necklaces!


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Scarf: $.50, and 3 ties @$1 each. The blue one has little bicycle riders and the teal one has little red crayfish. These will all be couture statement necklaces too!


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GASP I love these shoes. Even though they are old school target "Honors" brand, they are exactly the type of shoe I've been looking for. $5


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These red pumps were my luxury purpose. I didn't need them, I do in fact have 2 other pairs of red heels, but those ones are too high to wear to work or anywhere that i have to walk a distance too. $5


Moral of blog entry, go to Lutheran High Thrift shop. Be sure to check out their vintage women's hats and fascinators behind the front desk that range from $10-$30. They are absolutely gorgeous.

Be on the lookout for new statement pieces to be posted to my etsy

Freshening up

I could delay no longer, I finally sat myself down and updated my etsy/blog headers and avatar. It only took me a couple of months and a lot of thought about what my shop name is, exactly. I got great advice from Elsie and inspiration from my fellow Handmade Brigade girls and other crafters (like Steppie) to take the time and create some consistency in my branding. "Justice Not Revenge" will soon be its own etsy shop (www.justicenotrevenge.etsy.com). It will be the socially charged theme art and jewelry under "Melissa Loschy Designs."

Here's where hours of embroidering and scanner brought me

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The Header which will become my table banner

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The Avatar and soon-to-be business card

The Last Hoora

Well, this Saturday (tomorrow) is the last event for the Handmade Brigade's Indie Craft Month. We're going out with a bang by hosting another Indie Craft Fair, this time in Laguna Niguel in the parking lot of Tall Mouse. There are over 30 absolutely lovely handmade vendors as well as food vendors!

I've added several new pieces to my repertoire including another couture tie piece (vintage Christian Dior), several new bib necklaces, and plenty of new knuckle rings. It will be a FUN day
Don't forget to get there early because if you're one of the first 50 people there, you can get a free giveaway bag. I contributed to them this time!



Hope I get to see some familiar faces!

Put your fist in the air

So, lately I've been trying to do this thing where I make the things that people like and buy the most! (What a concept, I know.) People always ask me at shows "What's your #1 seller?" and while it's kind of hard for me to answer with one specific item, it's pretty consistently my knuckle rings. Since I use elastic, they are so much more comfortable to wear than metal or wood "knucks." I finally got around to taking some fun photos of my latest rings and have posted about half of them on etsy. Keep checking my site to see the rest of them listed as I go!

Summer 2009 Knuckle Ring Collection

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Golden Fan Knuckle Ring ahh, just sold

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Diamond Cut Neon Knuckle ring click for listing



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Couture Spring Flowers Knuckle Ring (Just sold last night)



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Golden Star Knuckle Ring click for listing



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Triple Heart Knuckle Ring click for listing



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Armadillo Spike Knuckle Ring click for listing



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Pink and Orange Spike Knuckle Ring



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Orange Leopard Spike Knuckle Ring



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Sequined Armadillo Knuckle Ring

Since I've been slacking on the etsy selling side of thing, and haven't posted a blog in forever, I decided to share what I like right now. Here it is.

Sprouts on Sandwiches
I like my turkey sandwich to look like a secret garden inside

Blouses at Goodwill on 19th
Lately, Goodwill has been disappointing me with overpriced items that I could get for cheaper and in better condition at target....However, I was bored on Tuesday night and ventured in and dug through the "blusas de damas" section and found some amazing anthropologie brand shirts for $4.99 each. In this shot from a screentest at work, I'm wearing a black top with very beautiful details. Goodwill, I haven't given up on you.


Turbo Kickboxing
I'm back on the fitness wagon and I'm locking myself in this time, hopefully. The goal is 3 times a week. This week, a success.


String Cheese
I don't know why, maybe it's the act of pulling it a part, but I boy have I been eating it.


Bangs
I have them, thanks to the Sassoon academy. It's definitely a lifestyle (bahahaha). I have to groom them, I carry a comb with me now, and I need to find someone who can trim them next week because I'm getting to the awkward phase where they look weird with sunglasses.


Plastique
Probably my favorite Etsy seller. I just bought another necklace from her "Avante Garde." I will be buying at least 2 more as gifts for those who are Graphic Design Lingo inclined.


Clues, the band
First band that i have been obsessed with for a long time. Multi-dimensional music is my cup-of-tea coming from a symphony background. Their show started on saturday night at Detroit bar with an intro straight out of the Middle East. The guy who I'm assuming is their sound mixer sang with a beautiful "islamic" infused melody along with another dude who played some sort of flute. Then Alden from The Unicorns, a drummer from Arcade fire, and a few other lovely canadians flooded my brain with a full-blown percussion section, horns, strings, organs..you name it, they play it. My favorite song is Ledmonton.
Clues - Perfect Fit



Dorm Life on Hulu