Hanboks and Cursed: What a Combo

I love to browse through foreign language magazines at bookstores, especially the lavish, glossy fashion and home ones filled with fresh stylish things. There are certain themes I never tire of adoring, like chandeliers, vintage bling and kimonos, but I am really liking these Korean hanboks. They are so serene with their clean lines, blocks of color and simplicity.

Korean Vogue October 2007
Images from Nihilistic_youth at Flickr

I've been surrounding myself with serene and calming things lately because such bizarre, unexplainable things and bad luck have been happening around here lately. I don't believe in curses, but if things keep going this way, I might just have to change my mind. I'm beginning to feel a bit like a tiger chasing it's own tail and getting random shocks with an electric cattle prod. If anybody wants to send some good luck this way, it would be appreciated! But look .. The tulips are starting to bloom in my garden and Spring, that season of new hope and new beginnings, is near! Maybe Spring will chase away this barrage of bizarre happenings :)

I did finally get a new batch of magnets done! Yeah! They look like little mushrooms here. I found this one sheet of paper for magnet manufacturing that is just too cool - it's patterned like illuminated manuscripts.
And now .. new friends and old, I'll see you in a week or two! If this bad luck doesn't make my laptop explode or drop an asteroid on it :) Then you can see some awesome mail love AND ..... the little bird and nest I'm currently creating for a swap. Shhhh .. quiet .. my little bird is about to lay some pretty eggs! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!! I hope this day is filled with flowers, love, chocolate, warm-hearted wishes, and everything else that makes you feel special!It was so wonderful to be part of The One World One Heart Giveaway again! What an amazing blogland event. Through it I found many new friends, reconnected with some old ones, and bookmarked MANY new wonderful blogs to explore. Special thanks to everyone (all 162 of you - whoa!) who took the time to come visit and enter my giveaway. I wish I could have given every one of you a gift on this special day, but I only have one ring today so ....

The giveaway winner, as chosen by ye olde random number generator is .....(drumroll)....... Kecia at Lemoncholy's Flight of Fancy! Congratulations Kecia!

p.s. sorry this is being posted a little late in the day - my husband surprised me with a lovely Valentine's breakfast this morning :)

One World One Heart: Valentine's Giveaway!

I am proud to announce Jeweled Elegance's participation in the 2nd Annual One World One Heart Giveaway! An event that brings together bloggers from all over the world in giving and sharing. I'm a little late getting this posted, but I really wanted to do this again, so please make me feel like I'm not too late by entering my giveaway :)This year I am giving away one of my new Towering Nest Rings, with a single pearl nestled at the top of the nest! The lucky giveaway winner will be announced on Feb. 14th.

Now go visit all the other blogs spreading the love by clicking the One World One Heart link above! It's a wonderful way to meet new people and discover new blogs!

What Do Marie Antoinette's Pink Dress and My New Business Cards Have in Common?

Well ... they are both making an appearance in the new round robin I joined, Queens & Harpies: Altered Paper Dresses with Panache! Every two months we will be creating an embellished paper dress for a queen or harpy from history and then mailing them onto the next person in the round robin. At the end of the year, you get back your portfolio filled with beautiful dresses by various talented artists! If this sounds like something you would like to do, we are looking for two more participants - just let me know!! (You can check out our blog for the round robin here.)

I couldn't find a store made portfolio I liked, so I created a pocket page journal from scratch out of beautiful papers and soft yarns.And here's the inside! Marie's Antoinette's pink dress is usually snug in it's pocket on the right, but I pulled it out for this shot.
On the left is my handmade title placard for the round robin and ... my awesome new business card! This is the first professionally designed card I've ever had and I LOVE it! I wanted something really upscale, almost textural and brocade-like with my black/pink/green colors, a hint of the art nouveau style of many of my products, and lots of elegant formal black swirls. Angie at Rio Oso Designs designed my new cards and was just a pleasure to work with!

Here is the Marie Antoinette dress in more detail.



I am also having an ♥ Etsy Valentine's Special ♥ : For a sweet Valentine's treat, all etsy orders $20 and over (not including shipping) include a bonus free handmade goody! (Note: this is valid on Etsy purchases only, not my regular website boutique and expires Feb. 14.)

For more Valentine's Day celebrating, check back here for my upcoming Valentine's Day Giveaway!!