Vintage 1950s Inspired Wedding: A Bridal Shoe...Something Old and Something Midnight Blue!

The beautiful California bride, Annette Summersett, in this photo is wearing a stunning pair of vintage original 1950s Sesto Meucci Italian designer shoes in midnight blue from our Etsy sister shop LaOohLaLa Boutique! It's such an honor to see these elegant pumps accenting the nostalgically glamorous mid century fashion style of this bride's dreams!

Reminiscent of a romantic Cinderella glass slipper fairytale, she said, "from the very beginning they were a part of my vision", as they beautifully complemented her fifties inspired wedding! I'm so happy that this gorgeous vintage pair of shoes found their sole-mate (pun intended) bride-to-be! They were with her as she walked down the aisle and as she danced with her sweetheart! 

In LaOohLaLa Boutique, we currently have another pair of vintage original 1950s Sesto Meucci Italian designer shoes in this very same style, with the peep toe design and art deco ruched bow embellishment; however the pair we have is in stock is black in color instead of midnight blue (we only have one vintage pair available in a size 6M)...their Italian leather exterior is so soft and lusciously luxurious! I encourage all vintage shoe fashionistas to take a moment to admire the other Old Hollywood heels in our boutique as well!

Renew & Reawaken: Breathing New Life Into Vintage

Me in my Aunt Mary Lynn's Hand-Cut Moon Geisha Zen Taoist Appliqué Denim Vest in my Etsy shop Eco-Friendly Freckles. I am constantly reflecting with reawakening aspirations, gaining inspiration from other Etsyians!

I am so amazed and impressed with this story that I have to share...a certified yoga teacher from Canada, Amy of Mystic Key Meditations, purchased one of my vintage beaded necklaces from my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop, a 1980s blueberry swirl necklace, and how she transformed it is truly amazing! Like Amy's alias name "Metta Morphosis", she has revived and enchanted these old beads, creating a profound metamorphosis in their aesthetic beauty and symbology by utilizing them as an element in her sacred, artistic craft. She removed the beads and constructed them into a yoga mala necklace and bracelet Prana Gift Set that includes a 108 mala, lotus bracelet, and swirl sunshine peace flags. Like a butterfly flying out of its cocoon for the first time, let's admire in awe the astounding transformation of the before-and-after images of this vintage necklace being altered into a sanctified creation!


BEFORE: As the vintage 1980s Blueberry Swirl Sorbet Marbled Necklace in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop...

AFTER: As the beautifully transformed sacred 108 mala and lotus bracelet in the Prana Gift Set in Mystic Key Meditations...

Isn't it gorgeous?! I am so in love with this stunning transformation...Mystic Key Meditations utilizes vintage in this Prana Gift Set in such a creative and breathtakingly beautiful way by combining it with three silver lotus marker beads, a "be yourself" pendant, white tassel, natural white bamboo cord, and sacred blessings.

Mystic Key Meditations is hosting a free give away for the month of May! I encourage all admirers to check her Facebook for more entry details for this giveaway HERE! There will be 3 prizes and it runs May 2 - May 30th. The winners will be picked May 31st

As I bid adieu with farewell blessings, I'd like to leave similarly as I came with another one of my Aunt Mary Lynn's handmade feng shui creations...this one is a home decor piece in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop, an Oriental Zen Geisha Tea Room Pillow...Namaste...

Generous Etsyians Show Support for NYC's UPCA Theatre's Broadway Film Showing of "On the Town" by Raffle Donation!

On behalf of our Etsy sister shop "LaOohLaLa Boutique", I'm thrilled that we are participating in New York City's United Palace of Cultural Arts Theatre raffle at their film showing of the 1949 movie "On the Town" by the charitable donation of one of our vintage 1940s romantic ads...a vintage original 1945 Manhattan Shirts advertisement from LaOohLaLa Boutique:

It's so exciting that their show is being nominated for Tony awards, and that there will be Broadway performers at the event! I'm delighted to see all of the other donated raffle items from fellow Etsy shops on the United Palace of Cultural Arts website. They all look like nostalgic gems and perfectly capture the theme of the film! Along with LaOohLaLa Boutique's donation pictured above, I'm pleased to present the other Etsy shop donated raffle items for this event here...

A vintage Frank Sinatra vinyl record like this one from Etsy shop "Timeless Tunes"!...I encourage readers to check out their other vintage Frank Sinatra vinyl records in their Etsy shop HERE!

...this vintage 1940s child's sailor top from Etsy shop MaryBethHale! There is an identical one available in her shop that is a size larger than the one donated and it can be admired HERE!

 ...this handmade articulated Gene Kelly paper doll from Etsy shop Pieces of Elise's!

...this vintage 1940s women's hat from Etsy shop Steele Hollow Vintage...I encourage all admirers to stop by her shop and check out her other stunning vintage millinery fashions!

 ...this set of vintage 1940s New York City tourism postcards from Etsy shop Debra's Attic! I encourage everyone to stop by Debra's Etsy shop to view her other New York souvenir postcards!

...this handmade etched metal Frank Sinatra wallet card by Etsy shop Madame Poindextra!

...and although my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop was not nominated to participate in donating into this charitable theatrical themed raffle, I have a vintage 1940s Frank Sinatra sheet music set that I think would be a perfect fit for the musical theme...

...and in LaOohLaLa Boutique, although I'm happy that we were requested to donate our vintage 1945 Manhattan Shirts advertisement (pictured at top), I think our vintage 1940s sailor themed sheet music set would complement the theme wonderfully!

...and lastly from our other Etsy sister shop "Storybook Artifact", I think this vintage original 1940s Talmack New York designer dress would be a perfect fit (although also not a donation)...it would even match with Steele Hollow Vintage's millinery fashion hat! My elegant twin sister Andrea, the owner of Storybook Artifact, is the pretty model wearing this haute couture World War II era relic from yesteryear!

United Palace Theatre of Cultural Arts film showing of the 1949 classic On the Town takes place tomorrow night!! I hope they have a packed theater and I wish them the best of luck with the show and raffle!

Whirl and Weave: A Welcome to Midsummer's Eve

I'm standing at a beautiful dewy creek with spring blossoms and my mother-in-law Beverly's hand-crocheted "Maypole" scarf which can be admired further in her Etsy shop "Maddie's Trinkets and Bobbles".

Tis the last day of April, and yesterday evening my husband Joe and I were delighted by the sight of new duckling hatchlings swimming on our nearby pond...Oh, I love this time of year! Spring is filled with whimsy and wonder...As we welcome in May with flower-festooned Maypole traditions and June with the ancient European folk song and fertility dance customs of Midsummer's Eve, I would love to take a moment to share some beauties of spring as we embrace the new life that it breaths into our souls. Without further ado, here is a small collection inspired by the whirl and weave...grandmother's crochet and knitted crafts and the dancing celebration of new birth that it cuddles with warmth and love!

My precious niece Lydia, born in April she is our blessed little spring chick! Here are some photos of her in Beverly's darling crocheted creations...

"Alice Blue, Lavender, & Yellow Granny Square Afghan and Matching Baby Hat Set" in Beverly's charming "Maddie's Trinkets and Bobbles" Etsy Shop.

Baby Lydia in a "Pastel Granny Square Baby Afghan" found in Maddie's Trinkets and Bobbles.

"Mint Cream Crochet Baby Hat" modeled by Baby Lydia in Maddie's Trinket's and Bobbles.

Little Miss Lydia LOVES bears! She is often found carrying around a teddy bear and at 2 years old now her favorite television show is Little Bear. Here is a hand-crocheted 3D Teddy Bear with Balloons baby afghan created by our talented Aunt Mary Lynn that can be found in Lydia's mother's (my twin sister, Andrea) Etsy shop Storybook Artifact...It's a work-of-art!!!

Lastly, I encourage all lovers of crochet and knitted crafts to stop by one of my favorite Etsy shops filled with an eclectic assortment of beautiful yarns and craft patterns: Suzie's "Mom's Vintage Books"! Here are some treasures found in her Etsy shop...

"Leisure Arts Knit Lace & Leaves for Baby" found in Mom's Vintage Books...

...and this gorgeous heather grey yarn...I just love this airy neutral shade...also found in Mom's Vintage Books!

LaOohLaLa Boutique's Charitable Donation to NYC United Palace of Cultural Arts Broadway Film Showing "On the Town"

On behalf of LaOohLaLa Boutique, I'm pleased to announce our participation in the United Palace of Cultural Arts theatre's upcoming film showing of the classic 1949 movie "On the Town" starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in the form of a donation of our vintage original 1945 Manhattan Shirts advertisement in their raffle of charitable items associated with the film.

We'll be joining other Etsy artisan sponsors who have donated unique handmade and vintage items from past classic film showings; including "King Kong (1933 film)" and one of my all-time favorite movies Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window"! I am honored that our charitable contribution will be credited in this non-profit theatre's program and social media sites as well as at the event. I love the movie themed Etsy contribution raffle items from past classic film showings...especially the vintage and handmade movie memorabilia for the Alfred Hitchcock Rear Window event, like this glamorous Grace Kelly Paper Doll from Etsy shop Paper Dolls by ER Miller!

 
The United Palace of Cultural Arts is a historic art deco architecture landmark in Washington Heights of New York City, New York...I can hear Frank Sinatra and the famous sailors singing ♩♪♫♬New York, New York, it's a wonderful town!♩♪♫♬ Along with the showing of the 1949 film "On the Town", members of the present Broadway cast will perform a concert of the score! This event takes place on the evening of Sunday May 3rd and admission is FREE to the public! The theatre provides work for the local Boy Scouts, and their goal is to raise enough funds so they can hire neighborhood youth to run the theatre which volunteers have been doing up to this point. This would provide great first jobs and a healthy source of pocket money. I'm happy to be able to provide a small contribution and support their efforts of bringing back art to a lower income neighborhood in desperate need.

As I mentioned, there will be actual Broadway performers reenacting this iconic American motion picture at this film showing...gathering their inspiration from legendary American dancer Vera-Ellen who stars in the film. In LaOohLaLa Boutique, we have a similar vintage original movie poster that also has Vera Ellen shown dancing, its from the 1945 musical Wonder Man in which she stars alongside Danny Kaye. Vera Ellen is best known for her starring roles in On the Town with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, and the 1954 film White Christmas with Danny Kaye whom she is cast with in Wonder Man...Vera Ellen is an adorable American sweetheart! Here is the 1945 Wonder Man movie poster in our LaOohLaLa Boutique Etsy shop!

Upcycled Art at Franklin Arts Center, The May 2015 Issue of Tulsa People Magazine, & Jessica White's Cranky Pickle Etsy Shop Feature!

Hooray!! The TulsaPeople Magazine feature spotlighting my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy art business in the May 2015 issue recently made its debut (an early release before the magazine will be available on local newsstands May 1st)! The article can be found on page 24; and the entire magazine can be viewed HERE! Along with my upcycled artwork, the two books that my art is featured in, Jen Karetnick's "Brie Season" and Julie Rawding's "The Upcycler's USA: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It" is also promoted! I'm so excited!!! My artwork can be seen in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop section "Upcycled Decoupage Art" (my virtual online art gallery), however at this time this only includes my canister and tin art pieces since throughout the month of April all of my vinyl record artwork is on display in the "Art On Record" exhibit at the Franklin Arts Center | Resident Artists Gallery in Brainerd, Minnesota. 

If you happen to be visiting the area, please stop by and admire all of the upcycled masterpieces at this wonderful art gallery! 

In the gallery exhibit's promo photo above, my upcycled vinyl record art piece titled "Tintype of Love" is shown on the far left, in the middle is fellow Etsy artist Jessica White's vinyl record artwork titled "Nature Walks"...I love it's whimsical charm! I encourage everyone to stop by her Etsy shop Cranky Pickle and check out all of her delightfully quirky mixed media vinyl record art pieces! Two of my personal favorites from Jessica White's collection are...

"Woman Sitting on Henna"

...and "Lipstick Kisses":

A Tour of My Art Studio and the Two Books That Feature My Upcycled Artwork!!

Welcome to my art studio! Here you will find my hand-painted upcycled vinyl record wall art...a couple of the pieces are sold, but will soon be replaced with more artistic eco-conscious creations!

 
Me in my art studio hand painting "Eco-Friendly Freckles" onto one of my original upcycled decoupage vinyl record art pieces...after my local Tulsa People Magazine "Artist in Residence" photo shoot yesterday!! 

My hand-painted upcycled art cans, canisters, and tins, and the two fabulous books that my art is featured in!!! Jen Karetnick's "Brie Season" food and wine poetry book...

...and Julie Rawding's "Upcyclers U.S.A.: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It"...which features a wonderful variety of eco-artists, including myself!  

For each copy of Julie Rawding's book "The Upcyclers U.S.A.: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It" sold 10 trees will be planted!! 

Back to my art studio, in front of the pretty daffodil flowers are some stationary art cards printed with my original Eco-Friendly Freckles artwork on them...Thanks to my thoughtful twin sister Andrea (owner of the Etsy shop Storybook Artifact) for getting me this awesome gift! These cards will soon be available in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop; sold in sets of four (one of each card).

Next up, my art collage assemblage/packaging station; with some of my vintage print ads and retro wares from my Etsy shop nestled underneath...

My precious Mod Podge and museum putty that I couldn't do without, along with an assortment of acrylic paint and brushes, and some of my Etsy bling, badges, and pamphlets from local art events where I've had my art shown: RAW Natural Born Artists Tulsa and The Drunken Artist...and I have Jen Karetnick's beautiful Brie Season poetry book and accompanying postcards pictured here too. I love that my artwork is featured on the cover of her book!!

 ...and that's it! Thank you for taking a tour of my home art studio...my sweet Flame Point Himalayan kitty Nozomi says, "good bye!"

I've added some of these photos to my updated Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop About Page; which I encourage everyone to stop by and check out...Thanks again!