Hello!

Yes, I have FREE WORLD WIDE SHIPPING on all the items in my shop from Nov 27th to 30th! =)
Also on any custom orders you place during those dates. Who doesn't like silk accessories? And silk jewelry?

http://gilbea.etsy.com



(Pssst I also have some scarves on sale, check the sale section!)

Yay!

And, if you want to find more items that have sales or free shipping, try searching for this words at etsy: etsyholidaysale and etsyfreeshipping

Also, here you can find a list of shops offering discounts, free shipping etc, love it!
Papernstitch Blog

Happy Shopping!

Hello everybody!! Back from the dead (too much working and magazine editing can kill anyone hehe) with a great giveaway for you to enjoy:

This week: One of a kind Scarf by birribe


Wow! I love the colors of this scarf! I think it will look great with those black/grey/brown winter coats we all have ;)

This week: Vintage sequinned belt by erstwhilestyle


This belt is fabulous! Disco style yay!

You can never have too many accessories. Add this sparkly gold and black sequinned, beaded belt to your collection. The belt is made in the style of a cumber bun.
label: none
size: M
fits like size: medium, large
material: rayon, sequins, beads
condition: mint
MEASUREMENTS (doubled where applicable)
length: 31.4"/79.7cm

Rules to enter:

1. Visit erstwhilestyle's shop and pick a favourite item.
2. Leave a comment in this post with your favourite item and a way to contact you (email or etsy link. Leave a contact or I won't be able to place you in the draft).
3. I will select the winner from the comments with a random number generator.
   

This giveaway ends 26th April at midnight EST. Good luck!




If you are a seller and want to offer an item for a giveaway, contact me (see contact details in last section of left column)

Ok... so headbands might not be in the sytlebook for this spring BUT! I just got a haircut and I can barely make a ponytail so... for the first time in my life (not including when I was a kid lol) I am going to wear a headband! Of course, I don't have any, so I turned my head to Etsy to see if I could find any I liked.
I am all for thin headbands that are not too obvious lol - no fascinators (at least not until I get used to wearing headbands).

Headbands and hair pins, the things I am gonna need most these days (and probably for a long time cause I love this new haircut lol)!

Sellers, left to right, top to bottom, are: branchaccessories, MGMart, dandyapple, TenThings, GaiaTroveChicago, adventuresofjr

So... any recommendations for me?
I might make my own headband of braided silk threads =)

Gloves!
But not any kind of gloves... fetiche gloves are, as usual, leather gloves. This time, the extra long version with short sleeved tops, the more classic ones and the casual look ones, all of them are fashionable this season!
I know Spring is here and the cold is leaving.. but until it is really gone, why not wear a pair of super soft and lovely leather gloves? =)

And here is a small selection that I found in Etsy:



Sellers, left to right, top to bottom, are: pafiberartist, CassiesAttic, BackThennishVintage, BackThennishVintage, sodear, riina6undesign

I hope you like them! I haven't worn gloves all this winter, only once or twice lol Not beacuse it wasn't cold, but because I kept forgetting them!!

Also, I have open dates for Giveaways from next week on if anyone is interested! If anyone wants to giveaway an item or gift certificate, please contact me (email at the bottom of left column)

I'm back with much more fashion for you guys! And I think you will love this one. Or at least I will =)
I have always loved to wear all kind of bracelets, specially cuffs. In fact, I have tons of them (ehem, and even more earrings!!) and love to wear them in spring & summer.
But don't worry, you can also wear them in fall & winter. Just wear them over the sleeves of your turtle neck shirts. Fantastic look!

So what is in this season for bracelets? Basically: Rocker Cuffs. Big leather bracelets/cuffs with buckles, and metal. They are cool because they can be worn anywhere and with almost any trend or look. (well, probably they wouldn't match too well with a formal suit lol)

See a few examples I found in Etsy:



Sellers, left to right, top to bottom are: sewlutionsbyamo, ShiStudio, urbanheirlooms, hollyhawk, fosterweld, AnvilArtshop, LeatherFromtheAbyss, RADCOW, prairiejeweler

Do you wear this kind of cuffs? I do! Believe me, they can make any outfit stand out. I really recommend them for the jeans and tshirt girls out there. ;)

This week: Raspberry Rose Bud Hair Pins by FriendlyBanter



Such lovely hair pins!!! =) Now I want ones too!

Artist's description of the pins:

Two petite rose buds on hair pins. Lovely to add to your hair. For a girl of any age!

Bright raspberry pink felt is formed into little buds with sweet bright green leaves. It is then sewn onto the pin. They measure 1.5 inches (4cm) across.

Everthing is meticulously hand sewn. I would never use glue.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit FriendlyBanter's shop and pick a favourite item.
2. Leave a comment in this post with your favourite item and a way to contact you (email or etsy link. Leave a contact or I won't be able to place you in the draft).
3. I will select the winner from the comments with a random number generator.
   

This giveaway ends 25th January at midnight EST. Good luck!




If you are a seller and want to offer an item for a giveaway, contact me (see contact details in last section of left column)

First of all, VivaLaModa online magazine is getting superb critics and many blogs are talking about it! Yay!

If you like the magazine and would like to spread the word, I created banners you can post in your blog to link to the magzine! Thanks! =)

I revamped a little bit the magazine's website design to make it nicer aaaaand... Advertising is now open for next issue (issue #02) that will be published by the end of February!
For more information and rates go read this.


This week's Giveaway: "Where the Faeries Go" Scarf by KreatedbyKelly

This scarf is super original! When I think of a scarf I always think crochet, but a patchwork scarf is a fantastic idea and totally original. Thank you Kelly!

Random patchwork in a tie-dyed yellow print, some purple calico squares, some aqua calico squares and a beautiful floral encompassing all the aforementioned colors. The beautiful floral print that makes up the back of the scarf is the inspiration for the patchwork.

All seams are serged for a professional finish even though you cannot see them. The patchwork is all completely top-stitched because I love the look of it.Scarf measures about 48" (1.22 meters) long & 5" (12.7 cm) wide.

Rather than use a batting for this scarf, I chose to use a heavy-weight interfacing. This will provide warmth without all the bulk.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit KreatedbyKelly's shop and pick a favourite item.
2. Leave a comment in this post with your favourite item and a way to contact you (email or etsy link. Leave a contact or I won't be able to place you in the draft).
3. I will select the winner from the comments with a random number generator.
   

This giveaway ends 18th January at midnight EST. Good luck!




If you are a seller and want to offer an item for a giveaway, contact me (see contact details in last section of left column)

This week: Keychain Lip Balm Holder by BeaG


This is a fantastic idea! Perfect for the winter, to always have your lip balm on hand. And she has different models too so your bigger lip balms will fit too.
The winner will choose 1 keychain lip balm holder from BeaG's shop.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit BeaG's shop and pick a favourite item.
2. Leave a comment in this post with your favourite item and a way to contact you (email or etsy link. Leave a contact or I won't be able to place you in the draft).
3. I will select the winner from the comments with a random number generator.
   

This giveaway ends 21st December at midnight EST. Good luck!



If you are a seller and want to offer an item for a giveaway, contact me (see contact details in last section of left column)

This week: Raperonzolo scarf by Claa

I love the size of this scarf (yes, it is kinda huge and looks super WARM!) and that it is braided... =)

And if you rather wear a cowl, she has plenty of them:

I'm back from Madrid!! I got one of the jobs! =) (Well, they asked me if I wanted to do a trial of 15 days) And I don't know if to take it or not.... I'm not much of a Madrid fan, actually I don't like it, but I understand most of the computer jobs are there. On top of that, I have also a few other job positions in other companies (out of the country) I'm interested in and waiting to see what happens with them. I think I might take Madrid's job just in case I don't get the other jobs, and if I do, take them. The problem is I will feel really bad for working there 15 days or 2 months and then leaving hahahaha. Should I take a job I already know I don't want (more because of the location than because of the job or company) only to have a backup plan? With the crisis and all, who knows if I will have another job offer or if I will be jobless for 6 months! I'm so confused!! And I need to decide by Monday or Tuesday, cause they want me there October 6! Argghghg I hate adult world, too many decisions.

I'll stop ranting now, and here goes this week's fashion friendly item:
Purple stickpin by creationsbyeve


Isn't it cute??? And she has 4 different ones, they are lovely:


If you think your items or someone elses could fit in this section, please post your pictures in the photo pool. Remember: Handmade / Vintage items only!

This week we have something totally awesome!... a fabulous hat: Capricious indigo hat by terrygraziano


I have always loved hats so much! I think they give this super cool stylish touch to any outfit. Of course there are hats that are more casual and hats that are more of a cocktail thing, but this one is so cool it can be worn in any occasion!
This hat can be worn many different ways.

Description from the artist:

Capricious is made with a gorgeous indigo cotton, lined in rose red silk, and finished off with a sunny yellow grosgrain ribbon. The ribbon acts as a drawstring to allow you to adjust the size from 22" - 24" (55.88cm - 60.96cm) for a perfect fit. Ribbon color can happily be changed at your request.

Hat arrives in lovely hatbox and includes detailed and illustrated wear and care instructions.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit terrygraziano's shop and pick a favourite item.
2. Leave a comment in this post with your favourite item and a way to contact you (email or etsy link. Leave a contact or I won't be able to place you in the draft).
3. I will select the winner from the comments with a random number generator.
   

This giveaway ends 3rd August at midnight EST and I will announce the winner on Monday. Good luck!



If you are a seller and want to offer an item for a giveaway, contact me (see contact details in last section of left column)

I couldn't help it.... I bought a pair of shoes! I'm the kind of girl that always wears trainers/snickers :) But I have a couple nice sandals for summer and boots for winter. However, this is my first pair of nice SHOES.


I got them at Zara. Yeah, cheap shoes. And also, not the most comfortable ones evah (compared to trainers! haha) But I swear I will learn to walk on them and not die! :D After all, I'm not going to walk a lot on them. I suppose I'm just one more female victim of the addiction to shoes... argghh

Definitely I bought them just because I love them, not for any outfit or occasion. So now comes the very famous female say: "What do I wear this with?" And I have a very cute denim skirt that will go great with them, but decided I also wanted to know what could the handmade world offer me to wear with this awesome shoes, from clothes to accessories and jewelry.

So here are my Etsy picks for my new shoes, I hope you like them as much as I do!

Sellers, from left to right, top to bottom, are (link to the item): hollystalder, larimeloom, megamimoon, eninaj, VC2o, daniellejewelry, roselabiche, cocoirene, vaivanat, isadoraclothing, nervoussystem, thefaintinggoat, missbrache, laurenkroberts, flutter, ninu

From all these artists, I really love all the work of daniellejewelry, eninaj and nervoussystem! :)
(And my birthday is coming soooon)

Please let me know if you liked this post, and of course, if you have an item you don't know what to wear it with, I'd be more than happy to search Etsy for you! :) Just post a comment about it!
This was a lot of fun hehe

On another note, I finally decided on who would do my alchemy dress... so yeah, can't wait to get it! :) I will post pictures of the final product heh

I also got new silk handfans I will be adding to the etsy store soon...

Next post: Really no idea! Help!

And If I can ask you one favour... If you like the blog, please rate it :) It's here on the right column ------>

This one must be the most fun trend this spring!
So what is this about? Just find that HUGE piece of jewelry you bought years ago and start wearing it again. The bigger the better baby!


Of course, we need to be very careful with this trend. Too many of those and we will look like clowns!
There is only one rule: focus on one item. If you wear a huge necklace, please no earrings! Huge ring, no cuff. Huge earrings, no necklace. And so on.

It was a bit harder to find such huge jewelry in Etsy, but I tried my best. Here are my handmade picks for this trend. Enjoy! (click to view full size image)

Sellers from top to bottom, left to right (link to the item): topsyturvydesign, designsbyamber, stoopidgerl, rlee, lovinganvil, gingerlady, Madreterra, DesignedbyRJ, kankalinhats, melaniefavreau, thelovelyteaspoon, speechlessbubble

So, is this your trend? Do you love to wear something HUGE to grab people's attention?

Read the full fashiontribes article here

Stay tuned for next trend review - #5: Romantic Florals

This will lighten your spring for sure! After a dark fall, what we needed was some really bright colors in our wardrobe. So here they are! What do the designers say?:


This is a very fun trend! But what if this is too much color for us? What if we mix and match so many colors that it is definitely too much? What if we end up looking like a carrot from head to toe? Well, the tip is to wear one item (dress, top, skirt or trousers) in a fun bright color, and the rest of accessories (shoes, sandals, jewelry, bag) in brown colors (chocolate, cafe au lait, etc)

So, how to be colorful and still wear handmade? After searching through Etsy (this time it really took me a looong time, and most items are vintage!), this is what I found: (click on the image to see full size)

Wow! So I finally finished the summer collection catalog! :)


It took me a looong time, but here it is at least!
http://www.gilbea.com/Files/GilBeaSummer2008.pdf


GilBea's summer collection for 2008:

• Silk skinny scarves
• Silk small bags
• Hobo bags with silk accents
• Tops with silk accents
• Silk Brooches and Necklaces

I hope you like it!!! :) Feedback is welcome!

I made the catalogue for my wholesale customers. Sadly I don't have that many. I would like my business to grow and start selling in other cities and countries, but so far it has been quite difficult.

Let's talk about painting!
I have been making silk paintings for a few years now, but I only sell them at exhibitions. For the last year I totally dropped that line of my work and focused on silk accessories. I plan now on painting again now that I finished the summer collection. For now, I listed yesterday in Etsy this beauty that I saved from last year's work:


Soon more to come!