Of birds' nests and poodles

Check out http://www.birdsnest.com.au/ for a wide assortment of Aussie and overseas labels, at affordable sale prices.
My favorite piece? A short 50s-inspired cream frock with a small round collar and poodles prancing along the entire hemline, it will be fantastic with my Italian LEVANTE black tights and burgundy kitten-heel shoes ...
@ Sarah & the Birdsnest girls: keep up the great work!

Of Victorian camisoles and Battenberg lace fans

My new wardrobe from the Historical Emporium (San Jose, CA) arrived yesterday, much earlier than expected!
All vintage inspired, Steampunk & Victoriana: a gorgeous black Battenberg lace fan, delicious black & cream camisoles (19th century lingerie, 21st century summer tops!), ankle-length lilac & forest-green swirl skirts, elegant black & white lace shawls ... Bliss!

Le Sacré-Cœur d'Avalon _ signature piece (1)

Trinity Brass filigree, matt & resin black petite roses, laser-cut walnut wood hearts (two of them, stuck together for reinforcement because each piece is very fragile), Chinese silk collar, Emerson frock. Petite Celtic crucifix from a street market in London, circa early 1990s, I think. (It was a long time ago!) As with every piece of filigree in my collections, this one was created by the Trinity Brass Co. in the USA, and imported by Beads Online Australia. Likewise, every laser-cut wooden pendant featured in WearableArt Celtique was acquired from a California-based company, Beadaholique.

(private collection/ template)

Of Czech glass buttons, purple summer dresses & black net shrouds

Purple ISHKA dress, KITA-KU black net shroud, and brooches made from handcrafted Czech Republic glass buttons - my absolute favorite summer-time combo, worthy of Morticia Adams ...
(private collection/ templates) (all Czech glass buttons in my collections were imported by Beads Online Australia)

Finally bit the Apple

It's only been a day & a half, but my iPad 2 is already an extension of me, just like my beloved BlackBerry. Big difference between the two, no more squinting @ tiny screen when blogging or working on the go!

New additions to my private collection of "wearable art" which can be used as templates for individual commissions. Historical Emporium -- my new favorite supplier of vintage-inspired clothing, a la Steampunk & Victoriana!

I can hardly wait for my new Steampunk-Victoriana wardrobe to arrive! Check out the Historical Emporium in San Jose, California:
http://historicalemporium.com/
If you click Ladies Emporium, you'll be able to see what I've ordered (thanks to the strong Aussie dollar, yippee!): a black Battenberg lace fan, a classic cotton camisole (natural shade), a traditional Victorian camisole (black), white & black lace shawls (one of each colour), two swirl skirts (forest green & lilac). The camisoles will look great with jeans & capris as well.

Back to Avalon & Arcadia below ...

 Avalon Celtique au Clair de Lune. Trinity Brass filigree, Swarovski crystal pearl cabuchons, petite black rose cameo, hand-dyed navy blue rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. The crucifix was purchased @ a local fair in Leiden, circa mid-2000's. {private collection/ template}

 Olive wood pendant from Palestine (individual purchase available @ St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne CBD). Ornate black cabuchon setting. Hand-dyed apricot silk ribbon. {private collection/ template}

 Avalon signature piece (1). Giant rose cameo, Swarovski crystal pearls & butterflies, black onyx, faceted Czech glass beads. {private collection/ template}

 Avalon Celtique signature piece (1). Giant rose cameo, Swarovski crystal pearls & butterflies, black onyx, faceted Czech glass beads. {private collection/ template}

 Le Sacre-Coeur d'Arcadie. Pewter fleur de lis heart, pewter butterflies, hand-dyed black silk ribbon. {private collection/ template}

 The St. Christopher medallion is from Antwerp, Belgium. Black rose cameo, hand-dyed black purple rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. {private collection/ template}

 The crucifix is from Dublin, Ireland. Hand-dyed black silk ribbon. {private collection/ template}

 The crucifix is from Dublin, Ireland. Hand-dyed turquoise silk ribbon. {private collection/ template}

 The olive-wood pendant is from Palestine (available for individual purchase @ St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne CBD). Laser-cut cherry wood Celtic knots, petite black rose cameo, hand-dyed auburn silk ribbon. {private collection/ template}

Laser-cut walnut wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. {private collection/ template}

 Laser-cut cherry wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. {private collection/ template}

 

 Laser-cut walnut wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. {private collection/ template}