Debbie Harry.

Is one of my fashion role models.

Artist: Paola Zakimi

Paola Zakimi is full of a talent of the inspiring sort.

Now, I can accept the fact that I am too old to play with dolls.  But what about Art Dolls?

The creative process of these dolls can be found on her blog and really have me wanting to buy one.

Her illustrations and dolls are beautiful and invoke a loneliness--a sort of homesickness at times.  Making me think about my old throw away dolls packed up in the attic.  How sad they must be, awaiting a new home.  

Paisley.

Let the haters hate.

We all know paisley is the jam and butter of life.

We all know, being royalty implies one be familiar with certain symbols and textiles.

Paisley is Persian in origin, but got its name from the town Paisley in Scotland.

Some believe the shape is the convergence of a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree:

a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity. Who in the world has ever heard of this religion? India having the largest population of Zoroastrians, it is no surprise the pattern is so common there. This religion has both western and eastern religious philosophies and is said to

have more influence on mankind directly or indirectly than any other faith.

A floral motif called buta, which originated in the Safavid Dynasty in Persia (1501-1736)

was a major textile pattern in Iran also during the Qajar Dynasty. During these periods, the pattern was used in the royal house decorating regalia, crowns and court garments.

In 17-1800 the pattern was widespread through the Baltic regions and was thought of as a protective charm to ward of evil demons. In the modern culture it is seen as a symbol of rebellion to the youth of these countries.

The East India Company began spreading the pattern throughout Europe and in the 19th century production of paisley increased. Soldiers returning home brought with them cashmere wool shawls from India and the East India Company imported more.

The pattern was copied and then reprinted, rather than woven, onto cotton squares for mass distribution, the precursor to the modern bandana.

Paisley is identified heavily (in our time) by the summer of love and the psychedelic movements of the Beatles. Paisley then became a mascot for rock n roll.

Maybe because at one time it was EVERYWHERE, or maybe it is because your Grandma wears it SO much---you despise paisley.

Well I suggest you change your tune.

Cause Paisley rocks.

New New New: Inherited Leather in Store Now!

From a dear friend to you...

Inherited Leather...

just like the name says:

Bags and belts from vintage leather skirts, pants, jackets, and belts.

Holiday Trunk Show Sat. 7-10!

Our first ever trunk show

featuring Harlow in Chains.

Get wholesale jewels and indulge in holiday temptations.

(brownies, cupcakes, wine)

This Saturday @ Old Hollywood

7-10

Also get your hands on some now limited edition SPARKS.

For Your Home...

I have had a lot of requests to buy my displays at Old Hollywood.

So I thought, why not bring a piece of my home, to yours?

This is one of my dressers.

This is a shelf in the shop.

And yes, those pictures, feather hair pieces, and sterling silver vanity set are all for sale.

Folk Art wall piece.

I have decided to start selling some small home accessories.

They are going fast, I can barely keep them stocked.

Just sayin'.

Species by the Thousands

Dangle Charm Bracelets.

$24

Plastic Vintage button and bead rings.

$12

Old Hollywood Style.

Might not be what you think it is...

Cameo mother and child ribbon, 1960's flintlock buckaneer working cap gun, antique key and vintage flower necklace, all by Old Hollywood.

Vintage Black and white knotted seed bead necklace.

Brass hanging grape style necklace by Tracie Howarth.

Reconstructed war ribbon with celluloid rose pin by Telesca.

Pictured from top to bottom multi-chain asymmetrical necklace with 1950's brooch and rhinestone bee detail.

Miss KK single peacock feather necklace.

Pictured from top to bottom is a necklace by Harlow in Chains. The focal point of this necklace is the highly detailed antique fraternal badge belonging to the 'Knights of the Maccabees'. The badge features a beautiful depiction of the actual temple of the Maccabees. The temple is encircled by the words "Astra Castra Numen Lumen", which translates to "The stars are my camp, god my light"--early 1900's.

Below is an antique grandfather watch key on long vintage chain by Telesca.

Bread by Kira

What is better than Abe Lincoln and Friendship necklaces?

Ahhh...yes.

Dolly Parton.

Kira, a super awesome amazing retired art teacher 

(this fact is still puzzling to me as she doesn't seem a day over 35)

makes the coolest tote bags.  Adorned with felt hearts.

Her line of totes and T-shirts, BREAD

features images that no one can refuse.

Dolly Parton.

Abe Lincoln.

And a childhood memory.

But you know, for me...

these all coincide with a childhood memory.

(dolly tote not pictured)

Bracelets...

I just finished working on a nice little spell of bracelets...

all nicely priced.

$40-$60.

Digby & Iona Magic

Apartment Therapy (more images)

ventured into the studio of my boy 

Aaron Ruff.

Creator and designer of one of my favorite jewelry lines,

that I am fortunate enough to carry:

Digby & Iona.

I think he needs to open an interior store, but that's just me.

My Britches are Burning.

Seriously...the coolest boots ever!

Circa 1950---

it really burns my britches that they are men's.

Love.

$12 1960's deadstock enameled haircombs.

yeah, I love that.

New Designer: Queen of Hearts

Hello?

California?

Are you there?

Another awesome designer from the yin to our yang.

These are super badass in that, "oh this old thing?" kinda way.

I am not a crew-neck wearer its scoops and deep v's all the way. So I welcome some awesome prints on a slouchy american apparel sweatshirt.

I have a lovely loose tank design in, that you have to have.

Awesome with high skinny jeans, and blazers.

Old Hollywood Jewelry by TippyPorter

I, Tippy, have been making various forms of jewelry since elementary school.

Of course my style and taste are now much more refined, from casted recycled silver cocktail rings to beautiful vintage re-creations.

My handcrafting of vintage materials had been placed on the back-burner as I tried my hand at ghetto wax carving over the stove with heated butcher knives and filers.

The result of this magnitude of ghettoture is the Old Hollywood Jewelry line, full of old-timey influenced shapes and ideas.

I have more recently (now that I am done laying the flooring in the store) dug out my pliers and my tackle box of findings and spend my nights watching wife swap and tearing the backs off of old brooches.  Boy have I missed this.  My living room is always littered with jump rings and chandelier crystals.  You are a product of my environment.

With the reconstructed line, each piece is carefully handcrafted with 100% vintage pieces.  

No two are alike.

With the Old Hollywood line each piece is made with recycled metals so both lines are eco-friendly all the way.  I am in the process of unveiling some amazing new pieces so check back.  

Both lines are available at Catbird and Old Hollywood.