A Bibliophile Sanctuary

Books, coffee, and cats; what more do you need? A library is a bibliophile's sanctuary. One of the perks of being a library assistant is that I am surrounded by books everyday.  I tried to capture this peacefulness with A Bibliophile Sanctuary treasury on Etsy.

A Bibliophile Sanctuary

Thank you to all of the shops for the inspiration.

Snoop Lion's Girlfriend Listen to Punk Rock on Spring Break Treasury

My vintage blank cassette tapes listing was featured in the Snoop Lion's Girlfriend Listens to Punk Rock on Spring Break treasury curated by samandchris. The treasury reminds me why I like my music underground!

Don't forget to visit Silverblayze Supplies and Vintage for more fun listings!

Gypsa Darkest Pretty Blue Quilt

I love blankets. I love afghans, coverlets, throws, and comforters. I believe that you can never have too many of them. But most of all I love quilts.

The quilts in etsy shop gypsa are hand-dyed, hand-sewn, and one-of-a-kind. I want to cuddle under the beautiful Darkest Pretty Blue Queen Quilt on a cold winter's night.

Gypsa's lovely goods are created by several artistic families. The shop have been featured in Anthropologie and Apartment Therapy.

A twin version of the quilt is also available.

Wondra's World: The I ♥ to Blog Giveaway!

Wondra of Wondra's World is a frequent guest blogger on a Shimmering Star. She is giving away a super cute "I Love to Blog" necklace from etsy shop Kawartha Beads to celebrate her 10,000th visitor.

Be sure to visit Wondra's World to enter the drawing!

Back in Stock

After my Etsy shop reopening announcement last week I decided to relisted two popular bracelets in my etsy, With Eyes Lifted.

Cobalt Bracelet

Verde Bracelet

And here is a sneak preview of my current project, a crochet necklace.

Make sure to visit a Shimmering Star and With Eyes Lifted for updates and new listings!

Etsy Shop Updates

Before the holidays I started the process of reopening my Etsy shops, Silverblayze Supplies and Vintage and With Eyes Lifted. My shops have been closed for about a year because of the wedding, the new house, and the time I needed to recharge.

Now that I am focused again I am getting reacquainted with the changes to Etsy's site. I have created About pages for each shop (About Silverblayze and About With Eyes Lifted), and I am refreshing item descriptions and pictures to sell old stock.

Here are a couple of handmade listings from With Eyes Lifted...

 Rose Skinny Scarf

 Opalite Bracelet

...and curated items from Silverblayze Supplies and Vintage.

Plaid Ribbon

 Blank Cassette Tapes

In the spring I will release a new collection. You can follow my blog for listing updates and the official Grand (Re)Opening.

A Sneak Peek

Putting my computer in the studio was a smart move. Once I am in my studio I feel inspired to make. When Matt visited the room this afternoon and said "It is very peaceful in here." And that is exactly what I need to create.

Here is a sneak peek of what I am working on:

Hint: It goes around the neck. And it will be listed in With Eyes Lifted soon.

Mane Message

My hair can be unmanageable in the summer. I start the day with my down, but I inevitably put it into a ponytail.

These hair ties by Olivia Hayward of Mane Message are on my wish list. The hair ties look like they would be gentle on my wavy hair, and they double as a fashionable bracelet.

Silk Colorway

images via Mane Message

I discovered Mane Message via this post by Rachel of Elephantine.

Breaking the Silence

It's been a slow week for a Shimmering Star. Our internet went down on Wednesday, and I struggled for 35 minutes to upload my Wordless Wednesday post from my phone. Although the internet was fixed yesterday I didn't post because Matt and I went to Los Tres Amigos for dinner and then saw Prometheus.

Meanwhile, I have been doing a lot of research. My local library subscribes to the Craft and Hobbies Reference Center database. What a valuable resource!

I also borrowed a few craft books.

I am exploring the combination beads and fiber to create mixed media accessories, decor, and jewelry.

Stay tuned for the reopening of my etsy, With Eyes Lifted!

Etsy Love: Fleur de Lis

The Fleur-de-lis (or Fleur-de-lys) is a decorative lily or iris symbol associated with French history and politics.

From classic to industrial, these simple yet elegant fleur-de-lis adornments from Etsy embody the timelessness of the symbol. 
 

Little Fleur de Lis Necklace by Vintage Musings

Rigid Fleur de Lis Pendant by Rigid Design

 Fleur-de-Lis Pin by Carrier Pigeon Jewelry

Simple Fleur de Lis Earrings by Tan Butterfly Jewels

 Fleur de Lis Pet Tag by yabettasupadont

 Très chic!

Etsy Love: Garden Markers

March has come to Michigan like a tame lion. Spring is over a week away, yet I am thinking about my garden. It is my first year in our first house, and I feel like I need to plan each square foot with care.

What better way to keep track of my herbs and vegetable than to label the plants with a set of these lovely garden markers?

White Garden Markers by Just Potters

Herb Garden Labels by Paulova Ceramics 

Herb Garden Stakes by Pigeon Toe Ceramics 

Herb Plant Stakes by Revisions

Herb Garden Markers by Just Potters 

Soon, my dreams of summer gardens will be reality.

Purrfect Lazy Sunday

It has been a while since Misty graced my blog. Matt, Misty and I spent a lazy Sunday together today. It felt good to not feel rushed. I worked on new products for With Eyes Lifted; I hope to reopen my shop soon.

As the sun started setting, Misty found the perfect opportunity to pose. She looks forward to her future features on a Shimmering Star.

Etsy Finds: Modern Bookends

Now that Matt and I are about to close on our house, I am once again thinking about bookshelves. When I curated Etsy Finds: Vintage Bookends it was difficult to choose which ones to feature, so I separated my finds into modern and vintage.

Etsy is a great way to fill a home!

Concrete Bookends by Rough Fusion

Ceramic Cushion Bookends by Djenya

Recycled Circuit Board Bookends by Debbie Arem Designs

Mosaic Bookends by Claudia Gill Designs

Fleur de Lis Bookends by twfaith

Unfortunately, a couple of these bookends are no longer available.

Etsy Finds: Trafalgers Square

The playful illustrations of Trafalgars Square encourage imagination in the nursery.

Husband and wife team Adam and Kit work together to create whimsical art featuring animals, children and stars. With collections such as Balloons, Book Love, Royal Menagerie, and Wishing Star, it is difficult to resist the dreaminess.

Catch a Moon Beam

Catch a Falling Star

Catching Stars

Trot the Star Flyer

What a beautiful way to introduce art in a wee child's life! If you type in the coupon code "WHIMSY" you will receive 30% off (through 16 November, 2011).

Etsy Finds: Vintage in Retrospect

My college friend Amanda of Vintage in Retrospect was featured in the Forbes article Transforming License Plates into Pieces of Art in the Motor City.

Her accessories are made out of recycled license plates. For as long as I have known Amanda she has been into thrifting and Detroit, and her combination of these loves is unique and perfect.

Less Than Three Belt Buckle

Piano Key Belt Buckle

 Lucky Number Seven Key Chain

Cassette Tape Belt Buckle

I am honored that Amanda mentioned that I encouraged her to look into selling on Etsy! I am so excited she is doing well; I love her talent and diy aesthetic.

It is wonderful to see a friend doing well.

Etsy Finds: Good Intent Sleeping Bags

Perhaps it's because of all of the travelling I have done recently, but I am in love with these sleeping bags by Kate of Good Intent.

When Kate went camping she found conventional sleeping bags uncomfortable. After she returned she designed cozy sleeping bags using 400 count Indian cotton. They can be used anywhere you might want to snuggle -- from the guest room to under the stars.

Unbleached Natural Sleeping Bag by Good Intent

Good Intent sleeping bags reminds me of trips to my grandmother's house. I would love to snuggle under one in front of a fireplace.

Etsy Finds: Dyed Muslin Yarn

When I experimented with tea and coffee dying this spring, I found the process of hand dyeing fibers fascinating. 

Bess Hudson of Subtle Arts sells amazing yarn in her etsy, LadyRSanti. Not only does Bess hand dye wool, she also dyes muslin with natural ingredients such as indigo, walnuts and cochineal.

Summer Haze Muslin Yarn

Hot Chocolate Muslin Yarn

Phlox Muslin Yarn

Bess' dyeing takes ordinary rag yarn to a must-have luxury. Each dye lot is unique. The beauty of such yarn comes from the imperfections, the variations of color. I hope to splurge on this lovely yarn one day.

Etsy Finds: Prince Design UK

Elizabeth Prince of Gone To Pot has a background in fine art and interior design. Her etsy, Prince Design UK, features classically inspired modern ceramics.

Lacy Bird Bowl

Poppy Nesting Bowls

Either of these striking bowls would be statement on a side table. 

Lacy Birds Ornaments

I would love to place these whimsical doves on a Christmas tree with my thrifted star tree topper.

Any of Elizabeth's work would be a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member.