Fresh New Necklaces!

I've been overwhelmed with crochet inspiration this weekend and was able to whip up a fresh batch of necklaces in Spring-like colors. Are you desperate for warmer weather and sunshine, too?

I love using the alligator stitch for jewelry as it offers such a fun, unique texture to an everyday item.

These necklaces will be at The Muse later this afternoon, but you can also find them in my shop (only $25)!

I hope you're having a lovely President's Day!

:)

The Collar Necklace Trend... in crochet!

I know it's been a while. Life was busy as I attempted to not only tried to prepare for the holidays, but also enjoy them. My efforts were rewarded with a wonderful winter break, a successful winter season in my shop, and a smooth entry into 2013.

With that being said, I have been extremely busy designing new product for my crochet shop. I'd like to introduce to you: the Crochet Sparkle Collar Necklace! (You can expect non-sparkle collar necklaces in the next day or two, as well!)

I love these necklaces! I've been sporting a purple one to work recently and both students and faculty love them! I paired it with a simple black long-sleeved shirt and dress pants. It was the perfect touch of collar for a pretty drab outfit in January.

If you're interested, these necklaces are available in my shop for only $25 and at The Muse in downtown Frederick for the same price!

I'll post again sometime in the near future with real-life updates, but I just wanted you to see what was new in this neck of the woods! (Pun not intended ;)).

Have a lovely Saturday!

WANTED: People who wear things made of yarn.

Hi, fine folks! I am coming to you with a need, a wish, a hope. Over the last two and a half years I have sound hundreds of crocheted wears to many of you. Either through my shop, The Muse, or various craft fairs in Maryland, I have head the pleasure of decorating your wardrobe with colorful, hand crocheted accessories. It has been so much fun developing the brand and business over time, but now is the time I need help from YOU!

 Last November I shared a customer appreciation post featuring two of my favorite customers sporting their Donna's. I would LOVE to highlight you (and your blog/shop!) wearing a piece of Donna's wears! You can accessorize it however you want and email me (donnasdecembers(AT)gmail(DOT)com) your photo. or you can simply snap a photo on Instagram and tag me (liz_matheny). Either way--I want to see YOU wearing your Donna's!

Don't own any Donna's, but would like to try it out? Let's partner up! I'll send you a piece of Donna's and you can review or share it in an outfit post or just as typical blog post! Up to you and very easy!

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. If you'd rather not do that, email me ANY time! :)

donnasdecembers(at)gmail(dot)com

xo,

A little effort to get things right.

After last night's post, I've decided to try to carve out a little bit of time every day--maybe even only 10 minutes when things are really tight--to post something or crochet something. That way I know I'm doing something that focuses on me.

With that being said, last night I stayed up way too late for a school night and opened back up my etsy shop. All the products are the same as last year, but I'm hoping to spend this coming Saturday morning crocheting new items and bringing to life different designs I've had in my mind for the last few months.

Anyway--if you're interested, head on over to the shop and enjoy 10% with the code HELLOFALL10. I'm hoping if I get orders then I will be FORCED to spend a little more time crocheting, right? That's the ultimate goal :)

Hope you had a great Tuesday!

SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Leather & Lace

Yesterday was a phenomenal day. We had a half day at work, I got a new water heater installed, I went shopping downtown and to a sushi dinner with Cory, and then I had magic happen. While we were talking over dinner, I had a wave of inspiration overwhelm me, so I did what I normally do. I talked it over with Cory and headed straight to the supply store.

I worked for hours last night. HOURS. I woke up early this morning and worked for more hours. I finally had it.

Lace & Leather Cuff Bracelets.

It's the perfect spring into summer accessory that is the right amount of style without being too flashy. I am in love with the Gold Lace & Leather cuff; I made one for myself and am wearing it right now!

For now, you can check out four main colors (gold, silver, blue, red) in the shop, but there will be many more to come! Within the week there should be a full inventory at The Muse in downtown Frederick as well :)

Let me know what you think!

Yes! We're Open! Come on in!

Just wanted to pop over and let ya'll know that Donna's Decembers is back open for business. I'm still working on getting my new pieces photographed and posted (will probably happen this weekend), but there are still many more pieces available! In fact, here's a look at my favorite pieces (and colors) for January!

www.donnasdecembers.etsy.com

CYBER MONDAY SALE

Go get your shop on!

xo,

Liz

How do you wear your Donna's?

Since the beginning of fall I have had the pleasure of seeing random people in my community (and online!) wear their Donna's Decembers merchandise! So cool! Here are two lovely ladies sporting their drawstring cowls!

Bri in a Grass Drawstring Cowl 

Katie in a Navy Drawstring Cowl.

Would you like to be featured wearing your Donna's merchandise? Email me your photo at donnasdecembers(at)gmail(dot)com!

Also, don't forget if you order ANY cowl between now and December 1st you will automatically receive a FREE pair of coordinating fingerless gloves! woo hoo!

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

A little weekend action

Aside from participating in two craft shows this weekend, I found a little time to hangout with my BFF who was visiting from New York City. We had a good time checking out a new restaurant downtown, The Wine Kitchen and looking through old photo albums (yes, I still put together photo albums and I L.O.V.E. them). I had the best time hanging out with Lisa--it was so great getting girl time right before the holidays!

I also received my new earrings from the Bellwether Shop! I'm wearing them right now and specifically picked out an outfit to wear them with tomorrow ;). They're really light weight and the perfect amount of color for my autumn wardrobe :)

How was your weekend?

Fall Shop Update

Since I have been really busy stitching up for autumn craft shows, I haven't had much inventory around the house to shoot for a fall shop update. However, I had a few spare hours this morning and a full stock of merchandise to take over to The Muse, so before I met up with Whitney, I decided to do a little mini shoot.

Here's a taste of my Autumn 2011 line. My main focus this season was to create pieces that would add a touch of sass to your outfit. I wanted overly romantic pieces and a lot of texture, and I think you see that in a lot of the pieces. I really love them and I hope you will, too!

Check out the rest of the update here.

A little etsy thrifting!

Gosh, I can't get over how many gorgeous pieces I have been finding on Etsy recently. Here are a few that I have my eye on!

(Vintage Brass Magazine Rack from Rusty Vintage)

(Vintage Gold Bookends (that I secretly want to spraypaint teal at Fini Home)

(Vintage Needlepoint Wall decor via Lee Lee's Closet)

(Pretty metal tray via Loved by Time)

(I LOVE this floral tv tray. Perfect for crafting! From Christolphe)

(I actually own this same set of teacups but forgot until I found them on Etsy! Redcomb Vintage)

(This Friendship Cinderella Set is so juicy! At Sassbox Classics)

You know... maybe I'll put all these into a pretty little treasury!

What vintage are you loving on right now?

xo,

Liz

What I'm Working On...

I'm pretty busy over here working on some new fashions for our spring collection!

Everything will be listed on Etsy by the end of the month!

Yay!

xo,
Liz

What I'm shopping for today!

The biggest problem with me being stranded on the couch all day is online shopping. It's like I'm sitting here, watching really horrible day-time television thinking to myself: Hmm.. I wonder what's on ETSY!?

And off I go into a glorious online shopping world. It's a magical fairytale that Etsy!

The next few months are super busy for me as I have a class and two shows coming up (have you noticed the Calendar widget in the sidebar? ----->

So I need a great bag to get me through the hecticness. I love my current bag (photos later), but I'm ready for an update. My current bag has been around since I found it at Forever 21 in Union Square in NYC last April. I truly love it. Whenever I try to use a different one... I always come back to it. With that being said, I want a fresh look with just as much space.

Here's what I found on etsy that I'm loving:

American Tourister.

I need one. I want one. It will be perfect for all the yarn I plan on taking with me every day!

This pretty is from MySecretCloset:

From CarlyAnnSwift:

This upcycled beauty is my runner-up... from Castawayshall:

And the one I eventually bought... because you know...I'm stranded on my couch with puffy cheeks:

Thank you VintageRubyHearts for this adorable bag that I CANNOT wait to carry on my arm:

There were a few things about this bag that really caught my eye:

-mint condition--very much like new considering it's from the 70s.

-original American Tourist tag

-original keys

-pretty cornflower blue that never fails to brighten my day!

Of course, when it comes to purses, I have a few requirements:

-it needs to be soft and able to carry my wallet, a book, crochet hooks, and at least one skein of yarn.

-it needs to have a side strap--not just handles. I have been spoiled and can't stand carrying a bag on my shoulder anymore. (My chiropractor is very happy about this decision!)

-it needs to be a color other than black or brown. I like my accessories to have personality and color--so they can go with nearly every outfit.

-I need numerous pockets (business cards, pens, paper, etc.)

I think this bag is perfect for 2011 and the next few months, let alone the price was UNBEATABLE!

Are any of you bag shopping? What qualities MUST you have in a bag?

xo,

Liz

Color of 2011

Lion Brand Yarn posted about Pantone's color of 2011 today: Honeysuckle

When I think of honeysuckle, the flower, I think of cheery and crisp yellows and creams, but Pantone doesn't agree. Hmph.

Anyway, one thing we do agree on is how lovely this color is and how perrrrrfect it will be for 2011! Bring on the bright! Here are my favorite Etsy finds with this so-called "honeysuckle."

Enjoy :)

PidgAPeg's pretty necklace:

This sweet darling from Pixie Dust:

These sassy earrings from SYMBOLICinteraction:

This is the perfect item for your purse from right now through April:

And do I love peonies? Why, yes I do!

This beautiful repurposed vintage necklace from Sora Designs:

And of course, a pretty vintage day dress to wear it all with:

Are you addicted to this color yet?

:)
Liz

Monday Inspiration

Good morning!

Sometimes I feel like if I'm inspired on Monday there is a better chance that I will make it through the week with a smile on my face and creativity in my brain. Sometimes it's a stretch to get the slightest taste of inspiration at the darkest of hours on Monday. You know what I'm talking about?

One source of inspiration for me recently has been the Etsy Blog. It seems to always have a post on exactly what I'm thinking about or need. There have been two special posts within the last week that I want to share with you, just incase you haven't found them yet!

(source)

The first one, Fearless Creativity, is all about pushing through your creative ideas even when you're busy or your own worst critic. This is usually my biggest problem, so reading this post was a huge moment for me! I love it!

(source)

The second one, Make Something Every Day, focuses more on how to see the endless creative possibilities that stand before us all the time. Her project MakeSomething365 is a huge source of inspiration for even the simplist of days. I find this so inspiring, because I get so focused on the project at hand or all my work-in-progress, that I ignore the small methods of creativity that could be truly rewarding.

So head off, dear reader! Go get inspired! Have a wonderful Monday!



Pretty Ways to Pass the Days

I've been eyeing some pretty calendars over at etsy and adding them to my birthday/Christmas list (as they are quickly approaching). I wanted to share some of these beauties with you!

Storybymia's classic Chair Calendar

 

This sweet desk calendar from nelladesigns:

 

This sassy "Uberfunky"calendar set fom Icings Prints

 

And this charming wall calendar from Juliannabright:

 

Can you tell that I'm beginning to get excited for the new year?

 I just love this time of year!

 

xo,

Liz