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.

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!

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.

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 from Etsy shop Puppycatmeow

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

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

Wolf Twins

Medium Vase Purses in my Faux Fur Shop

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

When these wolves get cold, they like to snuggle.

The inside of their pockets match their fur.

These lucky little wolves have purses too.

Have a happy new year!

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...

Too Late for Love Rockabilly Clutch in my Gypsy Girl Fashions Etsy Shop

Sparkly Leopard with Chain handbag in my Bridal Evening Bags Shop

New Clutch I just designed in my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop

Ho Ho Ho!!!

New Years Eve Won't be the Same With These Spikes

I am so pleased at how this purse came out--I wanted a purse style that looked different and then I just picked up this cool fur.  I can so see this will a black leather skirt, dress...spiked heels, patterned hose.  Plus, the fur is high quality, super soft.

Look for more of this style from me in my faux fur, build a bag shop!

What color combinations do you like?

Monkey Loves the Purse too

I always love to see clients with the purses I make.  Thanks for letting me post this, K!

Findings for my Build a Fur Bag Shop

I'm so excited about these findings for my fur shop, these will go on the purses that have flaps.  I can't wait to take pictures of the bags with these!  Take a look at the dragon and snake, my faves!

Which are your favorites?

It's Good to Be The Boss

I think the best thing about being the "boss" is sampling your wares...in my case, when I make a new product line, guess who always gets first dibs?

I really love the feel of this cute bag--I used tons of interfacing to cushion and give shape to this bag.  Plus, I personalized it--I hand embroidered my initial on the front.  At first, I did an inventory of the most popular girl's names in the last 10 years so I could get an idea of the initial I should put on the front of this first bag.  And then I thought, who am I kidding, the first bag is mine!

To the left of the bag is a clip on 'rat tail'--I just designed it, it's a 'tail' made from really soft brown yarn and I sewed tons of embellishments on it.  It looks cute with this bag.

I'll be posting this purse to my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop in the next few days.  One question though--do you ever look for personalized items at Christmas?

Metallics Rule

Metallic fabrics seem to be all over the place in Las Vegas.  I love the textured metallics, like this quilted one.

I can easily see this fabric used in several projects (all purse related, of course):  Like the body of an owl, or coupled with a flat fabric to give it more umph this is cross fabric example.

Plus, there's an added consideration with this cross fabric.  It's white, which means dirt.  So if I were to use this, I'd use it sparingly, and make sure it was in the part of the purse that would generate the least traffic.  Here's the two fabrics side by side and I love the contrast!

Here's a fabric I love that looks like it has an impressionistic painting. See the burnished metallic gold to the left of the brunette?  It's not loud, mind you, but it takes the fabric from okay to cool!

This above is an example of a fabric that's so rich, it needs to have another fabric to tone it down, to bring out its beauty.  And because this fabric has metallic gold in it already, I think the following spotted metallic would look really cool as a border.

We're getting there---but now I think we need a solid.  hmmmm.

Of course!  Look how cool it is to sew all three fabrics together (I love Powerpoint).  What a great way to bring out the beauty of this painting fabric!

What are your ideas for this painting fabric?

So, What Have I Been Doing?

I've been sewing, sewing, sewing, sewing! I'm getting ready for a least two shows and have been steadily developing new purse and accessories lines. These are some small fur clutches that I just added to my Faux Fur Frenzy Etsy Shop.  By the way, free shipping on these pouches until the January 1, 2014 on USA orders.

I just love browns!

And they hold a lot of stuff!

I Love Rockabilly

I was at the Home Depot Store today and I admired the store clerk's bright orange hair.  It was florescent orange, and she had thick black mascara, applied like Marilyn Monroe. This isn't a photo of her, but this gives you an idea.  I just love this style!

My Crossbody Rockabilly Purse

 
Look at this link of an older woman, by the way,  I think she looks fabulous with her tattoos and dyed hair!

I wouldn't get permanent tattoos myself, but it would be fun to get temporary ones put on.

Doesn't she look great?

I love the retro styles now too, especially the 40's.  Here's some of my favorite rockabilly items on Etsy:

smarmyclothes Etsy Shop

The below circle skirt has a Mexican flavor. 

wearitagain Etsy Shop

 

This hair bandana reminds me of what Lucy would wear on "I Love Lucy" Show.  Notice the model's tats.

OhHoneyHush Etsy Shop

 Cherries seems to be a big thing with Rockabilly.

JuicyLucys Etsy Shop

 I made this pouch and realized that it had Rockabilly in it too.  Plus, red, black and white seem to be a common theme with Rockabilly.

gypsygirlfashions Etsy Shop

Who knows?  It would be so cool to do a craft show at a Rockabilly show.  There's one in Las Vegas every Easter weekend:

. What do you think of the Rockabilly style?

Minnesota Farm Vacation: Presents to Myself

On my recent Minnesota farm vacation I bought this jewelry set in Rochester at a store that sells everything, including farm equipment.  Yes, that's what I said.  They had a little bit of everything, including jewelry. Plus, it was on sale.

The beads are on a wire so at a distance, it looks like the beads are floating on your neck.  Of course, that large tiger theme rose is to die for.  I love animal prints and coupled with rhinestones, I'm over the moon.

I love dark brown so I've worn this jewelry set about 9-10 times already with my brown print dresses, blouses, skirts...I've worn it for dress up and casual.

I also bought this necklace watch at that same farm store.  Also on sale.

Isn't it cute?  Little rhinestones are in the middle, my favorite.

The piece facing the watch is a mirror, so it's come in handy when I have broccoli in my teeth.  I've also worn this number about 5-6 times, dress up, casual.

 I've bought some of my nicest jewelry on my trips to Minnesota.  What gifts to yourself do you buy when you're on vacation?