Pleasure Notes

via Fantasy Floral Designs

I’ve never had a wedding. I don’t have one scheduled for the near future. Or the far future, for that matter. I am tempted to create one, however, just to have an excuse to let Amanda Heer make me a Brooch Bouquet. Hell, I’ll grab a groom from my local Starbucks. I live in Hollywood, so the regulars there are kinda cute.

made with vintage brooches

You know how much I love real flowers. And how I strongly encourage everyone to have fresh flowers at home because of their magical ability to motivate smiles. But I’m also a big fan of recycling, of saving the planet, and of jewelry. Duh.

created by Amanda Heer

So when I stumbled across these stunningly beautiful, unique and creative works of art, I was literally stopped in my tracks. Bouquets made from vintage brooches. GASP!

via Fantasy Floral Designs

When I discovered they were made by a California entrepreneur, I was even more excited. Then I checked out Amanda’s charming blog and her company website, where I learned she is located in San Juan Capistrano. That’s where the little birds go, right? Swallows, I think they’re called. There’s a very romantic, sweet story I vaguely recall from my childhood… I think there’s even some famous folk song about the Mission bells.

THE POINT IS…

I feel compelled to celebrate this woman’s creations, and I don’t even know her!

Why?

Because this is one more bit of TANGIBLE PROOF that thinking outside the box results in stupendous success! DOESN’T IT INSPIRE YOU TO DO… SOMETHING?

created by Amanda Heer

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go dig through my vintage costume jewelry drawer because, yes, of course I have one…

What do you think? Thumbs up or down? Are YOUR creative juices flowing?

Los Angeles may be a fairly new city in the grand scheme, but it has its share of landmarks. I’ve lived here for fourteen years, and I’ve visiting an alarmingly small number of them. But I can now say I’ve been to Watts Towers, and it was well worth the trip.

Watts Towers

What is it about living in a city that makes one less curious to explore?

When I travel to other cities, whether in the U.S. or abroad, I wouldn’t dream of missing their highlights. But when it’s home, there’s always tomorrow, or a self-conscious “cheese” factor, or the comfort of routine that keeps me from pulling out my map and my camera.

I’d heard talk of Watts Towers from the very first day I arrived in L.A. It’s the story with which people juxtapose that of the Watts Riots, to illustrate how this town is complicated and surprising. The riots of 1965 were a violent manifestation of fear, a push-back against hatred, intolerance and injustice. The towers, constructed from 1921 through 1955, were an artistic expression of peace, possibility and beauty. Quite a contrast. One I wanted to see. Or so I kept telling myself. But I never got around to it.

patterns

Then, three things happened.

1. I created my Intentions list at the end of 2009 – a huge long list of random activities I dreamily professed to want to experience. Suddenly it was all on paper, in front of me.
2. Then, I made it public by posting it here – that made, and makes, me feel oh-so-much-more accountable than those thousand-and-one lists I’d always scrawled in random notebooks or the back pages of my journals. I’m no longer the only one who knows how much I sit on my ass and talk big. Still, though, it took an outside force to get me driving across town on a Sunday afternoon.
3. If the ever enthusiastic Dian hadn’t read my list, seen my intention to visit Watts Towers and spontaneously agreed to join me on my venture, I’d still probably have no idea how inspiring broken bottles can be.

Simon Rodia spent 34 years collecting broken things, the stuff others see as junk, to create a vision.

DO SOMETHING BIG.

That was his dream.

perspective

He didn’t become a millionaire. He didn’t cure polio. He didn’t advance technology.

He constructed beauty out of trash.

broken bits

He’d never trained as an artist. He was a construction worker.

He didn’t seek or gain fame (at least not in his lifetime). He had a failed marriage. His neighbors thought he was crazy, and that he was designing a hazardous blight on the landscape.

He had a day job.

vision in pieces

And every single day, for 34 years, he came home and built these towers. At night, after an exhausting day of physical labor. On the weekends, when others were going to BBQs or the beach. He hand-selected every single piece of broken bottle, chipped china, shattered glass, and discarded tile. He had no architectural drawings, sketches or plans to consult.

It was all in his head.

How’s that for commitment, for faith, for trust?

dreaming big

Do you have a dream that strong and clear?

To be honest, I’m not sure I do.

But I’m working on it. Are you?

So, it’s been one week since I opened my Etsy shop, and I’ve already made two sales! It’s so exciting and humbling. The support and encouragement I’ve received has been unbelievable and I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude and glee. I have a feeling this is going to be an awesome ride, full of challenges, revelations and firsts.

I’ve never been interviewed before, for anything, so I was blown away when Jenn over at The Style Geek approached me to request an interview regarding this new entrepreneurial endeavor. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. Check out what I said! And while you’re over there, poke around a bit. Jenn’s great and has an awesome, carefree and refreshing take on accessible fashion.

Also, I must let you know I just added two new earring designs to my Noted Design inventory. Swing by the shop if you’re curious to see them.

Yes, I know, I’m a tease. That’s why you love me, right?

Oh heavens, my lovelies, I just got the most gorgeous catalogue in the mail today! I don’t normally receive catalogues, and I have no idea how this one ended up with my name on it, but I’m ever so happy to have received it. It is from a British company called Toast, which specializes in women’s fashion and home decor. The clothes look absolutely perfect – much more classy than my yoga pants and hoodie but equally as comfortable. And the photographs to illustrate each item? Oh lordy, they just make me sigh in appreciation.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

In fact, I barely got four pages into the Spring 2010 catalogue of clothing before I salivating and dreaming of escaping to some Mediterranean hideaway with a shoulder bag packed with choice pieces of linen, a good book and a feather.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

I have no idea why I had the impulse to pack a feather, but that is how inspiring this catalogue is to me! Check both the Spring Line and House & Home catalogues for yourself, and let me know what you think.

by Jenny Zarins for Toast

The photographs are by Jenny Zarins, the wardrobe styling is by Lesly Dilcock and Gaelle Paul, and the design and art direction is by Lesley Dilcock. I think I’d like to have them all over for tea.

Is there any particular catalogue you’ve received, unexpectedly or not, that transported you someplace delightful?

Anyone who is visiting my homepage today will notice a new badge in my sidebar. It’s my oh-so-subtle way of letting everyone know I JUST OPENED UP AN ETSY SHOP! I decided to send this wee announcement out as well, because I’m just so damn excited, and anxious, and a whole gamut of other emotions. Yep, I’m kinda emotional. Shocker, I know. The shop is called Noted Design.

NotedDesign at Etsy.com

If you feel like moseying on over there, it’ll be like giving me a great big ole smooch and, really, haven’t you been wondering what that would be like? I’m sure it’s been keeping you up at night.

I’m selling handmade jewelry using semiprecious stones and beads and silver and gold and anything else I think is pretty. I’m also doing some hand stamping. I’d love to know what you think of it all!

I’ve only hinted about my intentions to open up the shop a few times, and put it on my list. Why haven’t I regaled you with tales of every step I took to get here? Because I was doubting that I’d actually accomplish the task. I’ve been creating jewelry forever, it seems, and I’ve wanted an Etsy presence since I discovered the site years ago, but fear and doubt have always kept me solidly anchored in inaction. UNTIL NOW.

I have you, my lovely dear readers, and this blog to thank for providing the kick in the butt necessary to see this particular dream become a reality. THANK YOU!

Now, let’s take another moment to let it soak in… I have an Etsy shop, folks. KICK ASS AWESOMENESS, I tell you! Makes me feel like anything is possible. Now if only I could figure out how to bottle that feeling, I’d be golden. But, hey, clearly stranger things have happened…

xo