Accessory Love - Scarves

Something that can be worn during any season in hundreds of different styles and a multitude of colours is the scarf. Now it's no secret to most that I am a huge scarf lover, I even offer a selection of them in my shop from time to time.

My spring/summer scarves.

Now, it's not like scarves come with manuals on how they can be worn and
I am often told that people don't know how to wear them. So I've decided
to share 10 ideas on various ways to wear the scarf:

1. Loosely wrapped around the neck.

2. Wrapped around the neck and tied in a knot.

3. For the fashion daring, a bow.

4. Tied over and worn to the side.

5. Done best with a square scarf. Fold in a triangle
and wrap ends opposite ways around the neck.

6. Wrapped around several times around the neck
and tuck in the ends.

7. One of my favourite ways, the slip knot.

8. Wrap around neck and cross over once.

9. Tie the ends of your scarf together and wrap
around your neck twice. (Like the infinity scarves)

10. Head wrap. Ever tie a towel around your
head? Basic idea, but twist the scarf
down towards your waist.

Scarves are a great way to add an accessory to your outfit or add a splash
of colour. Not to mention the practical use of a scarf to keep you warm.
(You could also use your scarf as a shawl for those cool summer nights)
There are a multitude of other ways to try out scarves as well as other styles,
so feel free to experiment.

Hopefully there are enough ideas here for you to try it out for yourself!

 A HUGE Thank You to my models who kindly demonstrated for the camera!

Oscar Glam

I haven't blogged about Hollywood fashion in some time, so why not touch on this past

weekend's event. While I didn't get to watch the Oscars this year, I did keep my eye on 

the winners as well as the dresses that hit the red carpet. Here is a quick run down 

of all the fashion that caught my eye. 

      Halle Berry looking flawless as always in her Marchesa corset gown. I need to check

out her movie Frankie & Alice soon! 

Mila Kunis is on fire with her career, so it only make sense that her dress

would catch as much attention! Her lavender Elie Saab Haute Couture gown
complimented her dark and gorgeous features. 

Natalie Portman looked absolutely stunning in her purple Rodarte gown. And pulled it off
effortlessly even with the baby bump!

Gwenyth Paltrow seems to be winning fashion nods across the web and I can

only agree with the critiques. She looked like a bombshell in her Calvin Klein dress.

It's a shame that James Franco didn't walk the red carpet like his co-host Anne Hathaway, 

but while on stage the pair did look great (yes I have a small crush on Franco) so I had to include a photo of them.

And last but not least, Jeremy Renner in his YSL tux looking smokin' side by side with
Scarlett Johansson in her Dolce and Gabbana lace dress.  

Imagine the day my jewelry is on the red carpet accessorizing the 

stars! Now that would be something! Untll then, I'll just keep

rocking my own jewelry to the more casual events, like lectures, 

volunteering and group meetings.

Etsy Teams

I've finally discovered the community of teams on Etsy. 

I am currently a part of the teams, Native American Forum: Walking The Red Road 

and Lunaessence's Arts and Crafts World Expo Team. 

I've never come across so much support and praise for crafters in one place before. 

Etsy has helped provide a wonderful place for artists to come together and share their sales, joys, triumphs, tears and frustrations. I've asked questions about running my shop, and given advice when I can. Teams are more than just a resource for sellers, some teams

make their groups to anyone with common interests. 

One of my favourite parts of the teams, are the wonderful treasuries they create to support each other. I have seen a wide variety of collections from creative minds from across the continent. Today I was ecstatic to find that I was picked in treasury 

by  Gibson Wire Creations.

So for any seller, that has yet to check out the Community link on Etsy, I would highly recommend that you browse through everything they have to offer. They have teams with common interests, from moustaches, photography, animals, to location, you'll be sure to find something that speaks to your liking.

Tree Spirit

Another Treasury made by me, I hope you enjoy the collection.

Learning Never Ends

My granny and mother are the ones I thank for introducing me to the world of handmade jewelry and crafts. From a small child I began beading bracelets and necklaces for them to sell at local shows. I was always super excited because it gave me pocket money to buy myself items from other vendors. (No wonder I'm such a shopaholic, I started so young!) I remember following the Pow Wow trails in the summer and meeting all sorts of fascinating people. Dancers, Drummers, Singers and other Pow Wow trail followers, I was deeply exposed to parts of my culture.

While my family doesn't pack up for every Pow Wow anymore, we do participate at events when we can. This weekend up in Moosonee/Moose Factory, Ontario there is one taking place. (I also understand there is a hockey tournament happening!) My mom is up there visiting from Toronto and staying with my grandmother. They asked me to send up jewelry for the sale. I had happened to have a hand beaded basket in my inventory that I knew would get a lot of attention, so I sent that as well.

Now let me share that my granny is a very good business women. She's worked with other well known Aboriginals in Toronto and when she was still living there had made a very good name for herself (especially as a moccasin maker.) So when she saw the basket, her immediate idea was to have a raffle for it. I had valued the basket at $60 and she has already exceeded that amount of raffle tickets for it. Of course I am aware that many people use raffles to fundraise for their events and such. But taking a hot item out of your shop and raffling it off can really improve your profits, and something other shop owners can consider during slower sale periods.

Granny's Work

Most of my business practices come from my mom and granny. We make and sell a fair amount of dreamcatchers and medicine wheels, so along with every purchase we include a little description of what they mean. My granny also purchases Tamarack Birds from the men in her community. These items have a history to them as well, but of course, leaving them on display for their natural beauty isn't always enough. Adding a little ribbon to these tediously handcrafted items give them a little extra. Majority of the bead stores and resources I have now, are the very same from when I little and watched my family make their purchases. Even my customer service skills are rooted from my experience with family. Smile! Be friendly and helpful no matter who is looking at your product (even if they are 5 years old or giving you a hard time)

Tamarack Birds

Dreamcatcher

Although I do feel I have a fair amount of my own experience with selling my product, I still have a lot to learn. My family is not familiar with setting up shop online, which is where I have the most learning to do. As I've shared before, I'm working my way through the countless amounts of information online to make it in the online world, word by word, sale by sale, I know I'll get there!