The official color of 2012 has been announced by Pantone… and the winner is Tangerine Tango {let’s just call it orange-ish to keep it simple}.  I love orange-ish.  It goes with black or brown, it makes a big statement in a room as a paint color, and it looks better than you would think on a red-head-like-me.  But this little ROUND UP isn’t about orange-ish. 

It’s about YELLOW.  Another color that is often associated with a food category when described as ‘mustard yellow’.  I started my search for the Yellow Boots when I stumbled on No. 4 {ABOVE} from Need Supply Co.  My mind began to race through every outfit in my closet and HOW good these little yellow booo-ties would go just perfectly all winter long.  Then I thought yellow could go a long way in any style, so here you go, a YELLOW BOOT ROUND UP.  enjoy.  {and yes, I know that yellow is soooo last year, but i still like it so there.}

 SOURCES: 1. Little Wings Designs 2. Southwest Vintage  3. Sundance Catalog  4. Need Supply Co.  5. Piperlime  6. ModCloth  7. Rocketbuster Boots  8. Your Uggs Outlet  9. Chooka Rain Boots 10. Paola

p.s. what would be your favorite color BOOTS??

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I wondered into Peruvian Connection for the first time a few weeks ago down in Kansas City on the Plaza.  My friend Steve Rogers owns Prize Antiques & he has an AMAZING antique/vintage/dreamy store on the top floor + he helps with some merchandising at Peruvian Connection.  Anyhoo, the clothes are divine & the source of my new fashion dream world… their tag line says it all: “Artisan Apparel for Nomads and Romantics” check it out & DREAM ON sisters…

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Love these new Totem Necklaces from Schaef Designs!!  The necklaces are made of items that Schaef Designs owner, Bobby Schaefer, has collected over the years including antique & vintage items, as well as recently acquired items.  

Bobby has re-purposed earrings, pendants, fetishes, pins and more for these great pieces.  She calls them totem necklaces as most have animals in addition to many other items.  Of course they are a Schaef Designs collection and each is a one of a kind original!!!

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION & JEWELRY

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We have some new necklaces to feature from our friend Tamara Ruiz… fresh in time for fall. I would love to have any one of these necklaces for sweaters this winter!!

Chunky beads, bone, bronze, Bakelite and a vintage button . . . . all combined in a cool, tribal look perfect for fall. Muted fall colors of amber, rusty red, bronze, weathered black, ivory and chocolate brown are the predominant colors of this necklace. All beads and elements individually wire-wrapped and linked with bronze wire. A rustic focal of a wire-wrapped fossilized bone found on an East Coast beach, with a vintage die dangling below, complete the piece.

Nuggets, carved, faceted, shaped, and polished beads in beautiful shades of turquoise comprise the beaded strand of this necklace. A forged steel connector bar wrapped in small beads and vintage fabric with a wheel of recycled glass, a vintage trade bead with a yellow turquoise carved melon rondelle, a hammered copper etched bar, and patterned links of a metal chain and bell charm; hang together from a “charm catcher” forged wire hoop to form a cluster drop completely focused on texture.

A fossilized piece of sand dollar, wire-wrapped to a hammered copper medallion, forms the centerpiece of this rustic three-strand necklace. The beaded strand is a mix of vintage trade and resin beads, bone, mother-of-pearl, wood and brass; all wire-wrapped and linked with bronze wire. The second strand is copper wire crocheted with tiny, vintage glass pearls; and the third strand is a supple piece of deerskin leather. A forged bronze clasp and links complete the necklace.

Strands of small beads, pearls and shells in Southwestern desert colors are softly twined together in this necklace. The talisman charm focal consists of a forged steel connector bar wrapped in vintage, tea stained muslin, a length of ribbon in shades of plum, and tiny, vintage glass pearls – - with a chunk of agate dangling below; a stacked bar of puka and oyster shells; a hammered silver bar hand-stamped “begin”; and more dangles of carved bone and a spiral shell with just a tinge of pink. Forged bronze wire forms the end wraps, clasp and closure links of the necklace.

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More BEST OF CCD as we count down the last few days before heading to Texas… this post is from Spring 2009 after I was first introduced to Richard and Janet Schmidt… their joyful spirits and attitudes ooze out of their beautiful jewelry… even if you can’t make it to Texas {be sure to visit the Schmidt’s this fall at Marburger Farm!!} you have a great opportunity to get to know their work on their website right HERE. 

Last fall during Round Top Antique Week I was introduced to Richard and Janet Schmidt ~ a married duo whose talents, creativity, and keen eye create endless STYLE. During Round Top Antique Week they set up an unassuming display for their jewelry on Round Top’s town square. It’s not until you enter their little white tent that you realize you have stumbled upon something really special… jewelry that is created with SPIRIT and SUBSTANCE, and is sure to be the next big rage.

This spring I had a chance to peek into Richard and Janet’s permanent showroom, Schmidt’s, which is in the town square of La Grange, Texas {just 20 minutes south of Round Top, and halfway between Houston and Austin}. As suspected, I was not disappointed… Art, jewelry, photography and pottery are just the beginning of the journey through Schmidt’s.

Richard’s distinct jewelry designs set the tone for the space which has been a family owned business since 1977 {Richard and Janet have owned it together for 9 years}. In addition to their own designs, Richard related that “other artists they show are Dave Newman, Brad and Sundie Ruppert, Clayton McDermott, Rustic Attitude, and Tara Gasparian. They also have a great selection of diamond and colored stone jewelry, santos, oaxacan pottery, wrought iron and wooden crosses, beads and many other great tchotchkes.”

I also asked Richard about how he got started designing jewelry, “I first made jewelry about 30 years ago while in college. It wasn’t until 1995 when Janet and I decided we wanted to raise our children in the small town I grew up in that I decided to do jewelry design full time. I am mostly self taught with lots of trial and some error. This is truly my passion and I am blessed that I get to do this every day.” Richard’s passion is evident in his detailed and INPSPIRED designs.

“Schmidt’s is a small town store and gallery with great merchandise, Texas hospitality, and a warm atmosphere…” The Schmidt’s work hard “to find unusual and one of a kind pieces that will fit even the most discriminating budget.” This is definitely a place that you must stop if you are traveling between Houston and Austin ~ or go for the day, it’s a great drive… ROAD TRIP!!

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COUNTDOWN to Round Top

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(more…)

Fall is upon us here in Weston MO… can you feel it in the air??  Fresh for fall we have some new jewelry from one of our favorite artists, Tamara Ruiz… enjoy taking a look and reading what Tamara has to write about her inspiration for each piece…

I’ve been working on some new necklaces that have a rustic, ethnic look.  I’m reminded of the song from the seventies that had a verse “take a trip and never leave the farm” . . . . they weren’t talking about jewelry – - ha, gotta love the seventies – - but my favorite necklaces this month have taken a trip and never left my studio (on the farm). 
 
The talisman necklace, with creamy shades of ivory, golden amber, and chocolate brown, celebrates the American Southwest with primitive glass and cork beads, etched metal with designs reminiscent of Native American petroglyphs, vintage trade beads and coins in bone and brass, citrine, rutilated quartz.and a hammer forged steel clasp.  The combination of different textures in this necklace make it especially appealing – - carved and pierced bone;  raised designs etched in copper;  primitive basketweave patterns of brass trade beads; sandy, matte glass beads;  and smooth nuggets of citrine and quartz.  A neutral color palette weaves the textures together and gives it harmony.

A vintage pagoda charm was the inspiration for the red necklace.  Red, in the Chinese culture, symbolizes good fortune and joy;  so red seemed a good choice for the beads featured in this necklace.  Vintage trade, glass and resin beads from India and Africa, chunky rondelles of red coral, lampworked glass beads and a fabric connector bead wrapped with vintage silks in reddish hues are linked together with a free-form handmade steel focal bar, the vintage pagoda charm and a forged clasp.

Big, chunky beads of bone, silver, glass and a wire-wrapped twig of fossilized wood comprise the links in this statement necklace.  Deep espresso brown, ivory white, golden wheat and soft black mingle with gently tarnished silver beads. wire-wrapped links and a forged clasp.  Swirled tribal patterns of dark browns and ivory in the focal African trade bead and an asymetrical drop of a fossilized twig complete this bold necklace.

 Wire-wrapped yellow turquoise beads, carved bone, vintage glass and woven brass trade beads;  a hammered steel link wrapped in frayed silk and small, tarnished beads;  and a citrine nugget complement the etched copper in this amulet necklace.  Inspired by vintage Southwestern Shaman and medicine man bags, the focal piece of this necklace is the etched copper amulet.   The circles and spirals etched into the copper are said to represent life and renewal.  The 32″ length of this necklace allows it to be wrapped twice for a shorter look, or worn long to layer with additional necklaces.

Love it all!! Thanks, Tamara…

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I first posted this in May of 2010 and it has been one of the most viewed posts here on CCD.com… I do love this look to no end!!  It’s a style that hasn’t faded much in the past year.  Many of the items have sold out so I have changed the links to go to the primary website… hope y’all are having a great week!!  xofancy

Last Fall 09 when we were in Round Top I was enamored by the Mexican Dresses that I remembered from growing up in Houston, but hadn’t seen in years. Back in the 80′s when I lived in the big city with my Mom it was high fashion to buy Mexican Dresses off the side of the road and pair them with a ribbon around the waist. {High fashion for 5th grade anyway} My Mexican Dress was purple with white embroidery… I loved that dress… anyway, back to the point.

So last fall during Round Top I went to a great party in a beautiful house and one of the first girls to greet me was a pretty blond with a short Mexican dress and kick a** cowgirl boots. Ahhh, welcome to Texas. Then I ran into this wall full of Mexican dresses at Punkies {ABOVE} ~ after perusing the racks of vintage and altered dresses I was smitten with the colors, the embroidery, the tradition. I was ready to take on the look.

Now I can hardly open a catalog, run into a store, or surf the www, without seeing these beautifully embroidered garments everywhere. Here’s a few that we’re loving for this spring…

Punkies Place altered Mexican Dress * Embroidered Sundress from Anthropologie

Mexico Roses embroidered skirt from AidaCoronado’s ETSY Shop * Tehuantepec Corset from El Interior {hand embroidery on red satin ~ scrumptious}* Mexicali Shirt Turquoise from Cry Baby Ranch

Acres Blouse from Spool No. 72 * Embroidered Maxi Dress from Forever 21 * Mi’ja Tee from Double D Ranch

3 J Workshop Olivia Mexican Peasant Dress from Missouri Bluffs *DIY Mexican Dress from TheMexicanDress.com {oh, how I would love to make one of these on my own!! My own fabric & colors & embroidery…} * Vintage Mexican hand Embroidered dress from Vdingy’s ETSY Shop

PILLOWS, too!! If you have an old Mexican dress that doesn’t fit anymore, an embroidered hankie, or tea towel then you can always turn them into a pillow. {I think I’ll call my Mom & ask her about the old Purple Mexican dress…}

Embroidered Pillow Cases from La Mariposa Imports * Mexican Folk Art Embroidered Pillow from Appel Jar’s ETSY Shop

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Some new goods from Ataggirl Creations… Ataggirl offers jewelry already put together but for those of you who want to DIY she offers an excellent selection of supplies… i LOVE these new goods!!  It is easy to let your imagination go wild at all you could create with these tags and horseshoes… and she also offers beads, supplies & anything else your heart desires!!  {I really love the FREE SPIRIT tag right HERE!!}

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 More new jewelry today, these are from Florida Cowgirls ~ an online store with tons of jewelry, tshirts, horse tack and blossom clips.  It’s a wide variety for the cowgirl who loves it all…. in fact the definition of Florida Cowgirl(n): a female that loves to wear lots of jewelry; a female that lives to ride, train, compete, work, have fun with her equine partner; a dependable friend.

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New jewelry from our friend Laua Ingalls Designs… Laura custom designs each piece, most of which are available on her website, and also works with many retail partners for all you SHOP GIRLS. 

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