Tuesday, December 31, 2013

So Long, Kittycat

I wanted to make heart purses for valentines day--so I started looked around my studio at all my stuff and spied this lovely, soft black fur and then I noticed some white fur which was a lot longer, and it reminded me of the white markings of my family's first kitty.


 Boots


My Dad named her Boots and she just showed up at my family's doorstep one day.  I come from a large family of six girls and one boy and all of us kids fell in love with that kitty.  Except, she never went by the name of Boots, we just called her Kittycat or Kitty.

She was a kitty with her own mind, that was for sure.  She wanted to go cattin' around at night, and we'd better not stop her!  I remember trying to make her sleep with me one night but she would have none of it.  She ran onto the piano and pounced on the keys, making the loudest ruckus you can imagine.   Out she went!

She didn't like us kids to pick her up and cuddle with her either.  Petting her was okay, but she needed to be on the ground, thank you very much!



She went out of our lives as quietly as she entered.  My brother said he saw her sauntering into the woods.  We never saw her again.

On this eve of 2014, I'm a little surprised at how emotional I still feel about Kitty.  I love you Kittycat!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Renaissance-Medieval Braids

My inspiration for rattails came to me unexpectedly. It all started when for some reason, I had a picture in my head of a women with ornate, braided hair, decorated with beads and jewels.

 Renaissance Hairstyles For Women

And then I came across extremely soft, fluffy brown and black yarns at the fabric store, I was so impressed with the softness, and the gold threads running through the brown yarn.

Neon Blue Beaded Zipper Pull in my Gypsy Girl Fashions shop

The curliness of the yarn reminded me of when I was a girl and braided my wet hair so that in the morning I had wavy hair to wear to school.  So, I made these braided zipper pulls and I love them!




I think long, wavy hair looks so romantic!


gardensofwhimsy on Etsy



Part of the reason I think actress Andie MacDowell is so wonderful, besides being a great actress and leading lady, is because I love her tresses!  By the way, I couldn't find a photo, but check out the movie Four Weddings and Funeral.  Andie MacDowell is so gorgeous with her flowing, curly hair and large beaded headband!

I love the below more goth looking braided style too.

medieval renaissance hair wedding braided plait headband hairband plaited braid ren faire SCA garb hairpiece reenactment hair band diadem

medieval renaissance hair from Etsy shop 

The below hair style really reminds me of my rattail purse braids.

Beautiful Young Bride With Long Brown Hair In Wedding Dress
youmbo.com Beautiful Young Bride With Long Brown Hair In Wedding Dress
I experimented for a while until I came up with just the right combination of yard threads and length that I wanted.  And then I sewed different colored pearl strands, and beads and charms.  I love how these zipper pulls came out.  I used silver and gold tone swivel clasps--and they can be attached to large zippers or sides of purses with metal hoops.  Or use your imagination!

I mean rattails in the kindest way--I like the messiness and randomness of the beads and "jewels".  I also made some smaller rattails.



 Small Beaded Zipper Pull in my Gypsy Girl Fashions Shop

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Wolf Twins

 Furry Twins

Lucky Wolf and Royal Wolf love to show off their thick, soft fur and oh so pretty bright colors!

Wolf Twins show their bottoms
When these wolves get cold, they like to snuggle.

 inside the wolf twins

The inside of their pockets match their fur.

 Purses with purses


These lucky little wolves have purses too.

Have a happy new year!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Carol Joy Fashions Goes On TV



Thanks so much to Michelle Mortensen of Channel 8, Las Vegas (8 on your side) for displaying some of my purses from my shops.

This is the gift segment on Channel 8 that displays Carol Joy Fashions purses, as well as gift ideas from other Nevada artists.

Here is Michelle Mortensen's gift guide blog.

I'm so excited, thanks Michelle Mortensen!

What's Better than a Nice Hot Cup of Cocoa today?

How about a nice hot cup of Cyber Monday Sale...

 Rock My Billy Purse at my Gypsy Girl Fashions Shop
Too Late for Love Rockabilly Clutch in my Gypsy Girl Fashions Etsy Shop
 Sparkly Leopard with Chain in my Bridal Evening Bag Shop
Sparkly Leopard with Chain handbag in my Bridal Evening Bags Shop


 New Purse Style in my Fur Shop
New Clutch I just designed in my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop

Ho Ho Ho!!!