Opulent Oddities

long awaited

2012-02-09T07:08:00.001-08:00

I'm working on some new things for opulent oddities.

its always good to bring some new stuff in. things people would more consider art than crafts. interesting, lets do it. I've thought about bringing some of my linocuts and prints onto my shop. I'm working with several right now--perfecting them, making them just right for consumption.

Also, I'm etching glass by hand. Not by laser.

Its all very exciting for me, doing new things. I will still be making jewelry, including that on the site. Its just an expansion for opulent oddities.

Love you all,
Jordan

PS: there is still a sale going on in the shop! check it out here>>>.

Havinnnngg

2012-02-02T19:32:00.001-08:00

Having a 30% off spring cleaning//clearance sale at Opulent Oddities.

new blog.

2012-01-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

follow me here:

http://jordanstultzmade.blogspot.com/

2011-11-23T00:08:00.000-08:00

50% off sale is going on now for Black Friday//Cyber Monday. at opulent oddities!

See shop announcement for coupon code :thanks50: and other details!

(sale over)

STOCKING STUFFER DEALS

2011-11-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

21$ now, will be 10.50$

16$ now. will be 8$. whoop!

27$. Will be 13.50. DEAL!

This season I'm offering your lots of deals under 30$, even under 20# for stocking stuffers and inexpensive gifts. PLUS, with the MEGA sale I'm going to have starting Wednesday, prices will be cut in half! You can really start stocking up this year on jewelry, great looks for yourself, your friends, coworkers and family. Everyone on your list! I have plenty in stock!

Love you,
Jordan

black friday/cyber monday sale coming up YOUVE BEEN WARNED

2011-11-17T23:53:00.000-08:00

Prepare yourself for next week. There is going to be a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale in tha shop. Send me an email at the address (opulentoddities@gmail.com), or just check back WED night/afternoon. I'm gonna try to get it up asap so you'll have all holiday weekend until the Monday at 11:59pm following to cash in on some goodies for holiday gifts or spoiling yourself <3. I'm also working on adding new merch--including some less expensive items for stocking stuffers! Stay tuned!

new friend

2011-11-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

i have a new friend. he especially likes to bug me when I'm working!

his name is jamjam. Like marmalade, only jam. jam. jamjam. He's just a baby!

new things in the shop.

2011-11-06T22:16:00.001-08:00

hex bracelet black onyx beads

trail of tears mini breast plate necklace

bone feather necklace.

2011-10-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

hope everyone had a happy halloween. :)

50% off sale VTG ANTQ

2011-10-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sale HERE
50% off that is so much deal.

NOES!

2011-10-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

UGH, so I deliver my postal goodies to my local post office (actually I drive to the post office where there is no line and nice employees in Deleon Springs, FL). Anyways, I've been getting A LOT of complaints that my packages are arriving later than usual. And I know the holiday rush is yet to begin.

My postal worker lady who I love tells me that they've added an extra stop to my route. So unless its going local, it has to take an hour-hour and half journey south to another city to get further sorted. This apparently takes an extra two days.

And there is nothing I can do about. (going to the closer post office, or any other PO in the area still fills into the central location)

Please understand that this AS WELL as the upcoming holiday rush will slow your packages. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE order in time. I ship all TUESDAYs and FRIDAYs, (except in case of emergency). Always have. Shipping upgrades, insurance information is available HERE.

Anything else, just convo me!

Jordan

this is so cute!

2011-10-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't been creating much, because of school, but I've got new supplies coming.

on the hunt.

2011-09-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

on the hunt for more vintage treasures.

FIFTH ETSYVERSARY two awesome sales!

2011-09-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

My fifth ETSYversary. Isn't that awesome!? I'm having sales in BOTH my shops. Two incredible sales. Also I can combine shipping by refunding you after purchases. Just convo me!

Opulent Oddities-- 30% off-- Use code opulent30. Unless you are a newsletter member and you've received your special code.

Decadence and Decay-- 20% off-- Use code opulent5.

It's my fifth anniversary Sept 26th, as a way to say thank you I'm offering amazing deals! Thank you SO MUCH to EVERYONE who has ever purchased from me, shared my links and photos on your blog, or favorited my items and added them in your treasury. I hear all the time so many compliments from you guys, but really YOU are the amazing ones! Thank you and so much love to all of you!

Please use these codes and take advantage of the deals. I try my hardest to offer you guys great deals when I can, so please use type in the codes and celebrate with me!

Love!
Jordan

HUGE SALE

2011-09-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't bought new supplies in a while (thanks college courses for emptying my bank account!).

Anyways, I'm making a lot of new different pieces from things I didn't even know that I had! I've listed nine new pieces in my shop, and I've made 9 new pieces tonight that I'll get photo'd and listed this weekend.

MONDAY is my FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. There will be a HUGE sale! If you sign up to my newsletter (send an email to opulentoddities@gmail.com OR use the form in the left hand side of this blog and enter your email in). If you don't join the newsletter, you won't get the max sale. There will be a general sale for everyone, though.

no bread pizzas

2011-09-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is a post from my Weight Watchers blog. I loved this recipe so much, I HAD to share!
------------------------------

I ate so much good food today. For lunch, I made portabello mushroom pizzas. I found these extra large portabellos at the farmer's market, they were 1.25 each. The smell was so musky and overwhelmingly YUM. They were bigger than my hand.

Things you'll need:
tomatoes
2% mozzarella cheese (use full fat if you have the points)
pepperonis
red onion
minced garlic
italian spices

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 350. Wash your veggies, even the mushrooms. People say your not supposed to wash mushrooms, but I always do. They were grown in sh!t, plus at the market they are so handled, grosses me out. Wash them and pat them dry. Cut the stems off as close to the cap as you can, to make a nice flat surface. I chopped up the stems and put them over a Caesar salad for dinner. Dice your tomatoes into small sections, I diced a plum tomato into slices, then the slices into fourths. Small bites. Slice and peel the rd onion. (At the point you could add and really beef up with any veggies you like). Spray cooking spray (or use olive oil) on a cooking sheet. Spoon minced garlic underneath where you will assemble the pizzas.

Assemble:

Lay the mushroom so the cut stem is facing you. Spoon in a tablespoon of garlic (or enough to your taste--I like ALOT). Add a few tomatoes. Add onions and other veggies. Then add six pepperonis. Then add an ounce of 2% mozzarella.

Cook:

Bake in the oven for about 8-12 minutes. The cheese won't get a good golden color until you broil it for 1 minute. People new to broiling, be careful, don't let it burn the broiler is fast!

The picture is before I cooked 'em. The one in front is kinda messy, but messy=tasty. These were DELICIOUS. Everyone in the family loved them, my mom who eats gluten free, me, my sister who eats terribly (lol), and my 6 year old nephew.

Enjoy,
Jordan

two gorgeous lockets

2011-09-04T17:10:00.001-07:00

Two new lockets from Decadence and Decay. Victorian. Special. Old.

"In Memory of" mourning locket. Light blue enamel symbolizes it was probably for a child. Open locket, glass on the back.

Aesthetic period bird locket. With little bit of watch chain. Victorian!

Harvey

2011-08-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is one of my sweetest happinesses, Harvey. aka Prince Harvey Doodles aka a thousand other dumb names I come up with on a whim. I'm one of those people that can't pass a dog without petting them and talking to their owners about the dog, I really love dogs, so I definitely spoil the family dogs, Harvey and Tilly (sounds like an old married couple from the 50s). Tilly won't sit still long enough for a picture, but I promise you, she is a princess.

ultimate ephemera new find

2011-08-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

so i went to the market today and i found a little bit of jewelry, but my prize for today was this six foot anatomy poster. its copyrighted 1918! its paper on canvas-like material, and has a dowel at the top for hanging, rolling. It's badly stained from being stored, but i love it. this is LIFE SIZE. It's gigantic on my wall. I had to remove shelves to put it up, but its wonderful. great antique musky smell, too.

favorites!

2011-08-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

You know I've been on etsy for almost FIVE years. And you'd think I'd be bored of looking at that little orange square! But Etsy artists keep things interesting. I'm pretty hard to impress on some things--II like things I've never seen before, things done in new ways. And Etsy artists deliver, always impressing me and always INSPIRING me with new and curious handmade and vintage items. I came up with a list of how and why I favorite things on etsy.

my reactions are usually one of four things:

1- you are so smart to sell it like that, in that way, or at that price. Some people are so business savvy and know how to market to a T! And I think those people should be given an immense amount of credit.

2- omg i must have it this is so perfectly me in every way. We all do this really, things we like and must have. things I usually intend to buy never make it to the favorites-- they go straight to the cart. these are things like necessities for my business, supplies and whatnot. also, things that are an awesome deal I think I'm going to buy straight away, go to the cart first, obviously before being demoted to favorites.

3- how the @$@ did you do that? you are so awesome lets be friends i want to compliment you a million times here's a heart. usually when i'm knocked over by something I have to send a convo. this usually happens when I have time to browse etsy, and its always other jewelry artists that I compliment (I mean I know most about it, and I guess it means a lot coming from another jewelry designer--I always think so anyways!).

4- i don't particularly want it, but its so awesome, it just must be favorited, i want more people to see and buy it. I guess this is the community "duty" and responsibility I feel toward everyone. either I want someone else to see something for an awesome deal (vintage) or I want people to see some really amazing handmade item.

WHY do you fave things on etsy?

my fifth anniversary is coming up SO

2011-08-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

I want all you to either be a member of my facebook page or a part of my newsletter.

Because the sale for my fifth anniversary is going to be big. 50% off. What I give to my wholesale discount. And the code is only going to be shown on the newsletter and my facebook page.

Sure, there will be a smaller discount available to everyone, but if you aren't a member of the newsletter/my FB page, you're not gonna be able to load up on jewels.

Send an email to opulentoddities@gmail.com with your email address.
OR
Like my FB page.

as for now there is still a 30% off sale going on. use code opulent30 to get the discount at checkout.

thanks,
jordan.

2011-08-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Giveaway going on HERE . Big sale over at the shop too. 30% off using code opulent30.

2011-08-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Dr. Lakra. Untitled (Murcielago y Demonio), 2006. Ink on vintage magazine.

salesalesalesalesale

2011-08-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

shop opulent oddities to get 30%off your order. code opulent30.

hair.

2011-08-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

I dyed my hair light blonde. I feel like an overweight barbie, like I should be wearing tons of pink. and cheetah print, cause I feel a little like Sid Vicious's girlfriend.

bags want want want

2011-07-31T11:01:00.001-07:00

so i want a new purse, but i want one with a different silhouette than what i've had before and i'm thinking about one like this:these are from Jenny N Design's shop on Etsy and she makes pretty fabulous bags. each of these bags are 48$ which is incredibly reasonable for a handmade bag. She's sold over 1000 bags so that means, they must be damn good bags. They are perfectly presented and she offers many styles. I like this slender envelope style.

This purse is ridiculously cheap (20$ and they often run sales 20-30% off) from Old Navy. I love to shop at Old Navy because I'm chubby and they have an awesome inexpensive plus size line filled with classic pieces. Some pieces are a little trendy and sometimes sporty (gross), but I can always find a cart full for under a 100$.

With my purses I'm so needing a dump-all where I can carry everything I need:
-large wallet
-hand sanitizer
-jewelry tools (could stop carrying this around)
-keys
-phone
-planner
-empty notebook
-cosmetics/toiletries
-glasses case
-sunglasses (since I got glasses I could take this out)
-business card case

Also I need something for the market when I find something--I need to stash it in my bag. the most perfect bag I ever bought was from etsy.
I had this purse in mustard yellow, and I tell you it was PERFECT for me. I carried it for about a year and toted HEAVY stuff and a LOT of stuff, so I had to hand stitch the strap once, but other then that, it held out perfect. It has two versions of straps. Short and long expandable. Perfect for everything.

I think I might buy this purple bag. Her shop is bayanhippo and she offers TONS of selections in custom made you pick the colors. She's in the middle east, so expect a wait on the time you get the bag, but once you get it, you'll be so pleased.

Oh did I mention how easy they are to clean?

Love them.

Cheers!
Jordan

yard saling

2011-07-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

today i went yard saling. yard sales really aren't my cup of tea--the stop and go get in and out just makes me agitated, I'm much more of a market person, but my mom and sister love them. my sister is looking to furnish an apartment, so we are looking at yard sales for stuff, and I tagged along to get the steals!

I pick up religious medals whenever I see them because they are always inspiring. these aren't super old, 50s ish. the blue and red one looks art deco inspired. raw amethyst pendant, always good to have amethyst around. rhinestone pendant from the 60s. will show up on by destash shop

I think these earrings are Kuchi inspired, but I'm not sure. I think they're beautiful. I'm going to switch out the hooks (the original ones are TINY! and I have large lobes) and keep em for myself!

yummy yummy moonstone with rhinestone spacers. I may destash this, the color is just so edible--space peas?

I also bought this DIVINE. I mean DIVINE. mirror from the 1910s for 30$. It's about 36 inches long and its for the wall. Decorative wood moulding around the edges, artnouveau etching of delicate looks like morning glories, but not too gaudy. Some of the moulding is missing (probably why I loved it--its falling half ass apart for that half decadent half decayed look) I couldn't pass it up. I could have it refinished at a later date, but for now, I'm not touching it. It's beautiful--and since I'm redoing my room, I can't wait to put it up.

Shopping at yard sales you meet people and their stuff face to face, and its very difficult because people are in shitty situations right now. People deciding between food and electricity--food and gas money for work. People having to downsize their already small houses, getting rid of antique pieces that have been in their family for as long as they can remember. People getting rid of stuff they love, stuff they need for dirt cheap. You feel that by taking something off their hands you are at least going to help them with their next grocery bill--but then what? People are out of work and I NEVER see help wanted signs, ads in the paper anymore (I myself am looking for a job) for something for someone with limited skills. Hell, even people with skills/education.

I just wanted to say that I appreciate so much every single sale I make and that people believe in me and that people still allow me to do this. whether its buying something from my shop, retweeting my links, posting articles about me and spreading me name. It means so much to me. I know not everyone has a lot right now, and everyday I check my computer and make a sale I am so grateful to God and to my customers/followers for that. that someone would choose me.

things will get better. keep up hope.

jordan

painting my room/studio

2011-07-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

(John Dyer Baizley.)

so a lot of new changes are coming up for me, i broke up with my boyfriend, im starting school--and next im moving into a new room in the same house and I'm going to change it up. right now, my room someone resembles a studio mixed with an antique store with a bed in it. most everything in my room is dedicated to my business except my bed, clothes, and thousand of little junky trinkets and antiques tucked into every empty space in my room. shelves from yard sales and flea markets are gold to me. more room to put my goddamn trinkets. bones, dolls, tea cups, dentures, old toys. tonsofshit.

anyway, the idea now is to paint the room im moving into. so I've got to decide on what colors to choose. now, i'm post-gothic, meaning, i used to wear big slashed fishnets and torn up skirts and all black and the like, but now I just love color. and there are so many beautiful colors in the world. brown gray purple yellow aqua are some of my favorites, gray probably being my favorite.

another chance to win!

2011-07-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

Click the image below to go to the entry and follow these directions to get a chance to win! It's over at my friend Hollie's shop, who makes sweet, earthy accessories at blueberryshoes
I met her at Stitch Rock down in Del Ray Beach and she is the sweetest thing ever! I'd love it if you'd visit her shop and her blog, Mermaid's Closet. She offers healthy eating advice, crafting/diy lifestyle advice and morooreee!

Also, I'm offering for her readers, and thus my readers, a 20% off discount. But ya got to go to her blog to check it out!

Thanks!
Jordan

win 40$ worth of merch//couponcode

2011-07-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Shop Dixi is hosting my giveaway on their blog. I mentioned this on an earlier post. Anyway, all you need to do is say your favorite item of mine on THEIR blog and follow them for a chance to win. Here is the link.

Also there is a discount code you can use for 20% off: DIXI20! Which of course, anyone can use to get a deal.

2011-07-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

my sale is over. don't worry, i need tuition money--so there will be another sale in august if you missed out on this one. you know i like to help ya all get the pretty jewels. thank you to everyone who participated.

so ive been trying and trying to work out designs with feathers and it just isnt working. my camera keeps picking out little specs of dust on the feathers that I've bought. here are some awesome hoop feather earrings:

rusty colored feathers, copper hammered hoops, hand oxidized brass triangles and gunmetal chain. I love these, but on the close up you see little specs of dust. I'm going to try to wash them literally with water and air dry them and see how it works out.

in other news. i'm doing a giveaway for 40$ shopping spree in my shop on the Shop Dixi Dixi Blog I would love if one of you guys won it! It is gonna be aired on Sunday so be sure to drop by, follow the instructions and see if you are picked for the merchandise! show lots of support and make me proud! EDIT: Not to mention-- there will be a 20% off code listed on the shop dixi blog you can use in my shop. SUNDAY.

love you!
jordan

Going Back To School

2011-07-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

I'm going back to school. I found out I'm only five classes away from getting my AA, so I'm so super pumped.

I love being an artist, and its more than everything I've ever wanted. I love going antiqueing and finding found pieces and giving them new life. but my new dream is to own a home/condo/apartment/place that is my own. and you can't do that with unstable income.

I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS continue my art. Its apart of me I can't get rid of. Right now the function of my art is to help me pay for my school. Because I'm a dependent on my parents for insurance purposes, I can't get financial aid, so I'm going to have to pay out of pocket. Shit.

I'm excited I'm excited for my future.

newsletter #2 announcing 30% off sale

2011-07-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

so I'm going to school next semester to finish off my last five classes for my AA, then moving on to whoknowswhat. anyway, I have to pay out of pocket for these classes since I live with my parents and I don't qualify for financial aid and I'm trying not to get any loans for the next two semesters.

Anyways, I need to make some cash, which is a great opportunity for you to get awesome deals on jewelry!

I'm having a 30% off sale (which is the biggest sale I can afford to throw) to entice you! You need code school30 at checkout.

love you dumplings!

strange girls

2011-07-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

best graphic ever found on the internet.

jordan

2011-07-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna be listing this tomorrow as well as some other stuff I haven't photo'd yet. stay tuned.

also, check out my destash shop. always adding new vintage junk for inspiration.

new stuff.

2011-07-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

i am illuminated-- rock crystal and bullet casings statement necklace

field notes from the heart of darkness-- antique calligraphy nib tips tribal fringe statement necklace

shaman-- hand antiqued triangle necklace

everyday like rain-- kyanite trapeze earrings

corazon-- milagros and veggie leather and chain mixed media earrings

a few new listings. there is more to come.

jordan

medium

2011-06-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

my new favorite necklace. made from antique Victorian oddfellows belt components and my favorite spikes. check it out in the shop here.

jordan

glasssseeessssss

2011-06-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

predator earrings
cataclysm earrings

photo/styling by strawberryfreckleface.

Guess what? I need glasses! Turns out I have an astigmatism in my right eye that damages my distance-vision. So now I know my vision hasn't been messed up because of my allergies, but because they are damaged. Dammit. But I did get two cute pairs of glasses. One is reddish thick rims and the others are black horn thin rimmed and don't have bottom rims. I think they are super secretary sexy, hahaha, uhh. I'm picking up one pair tomorrow, the rest have to be shipped out to be worked on (I live in a small town).

Is anyone else watching the Casey Anthony trial? I'm obsessed! The trial is happening literally 45 minutes away from me and it's so enthralling.

jordan

jordan

bug eaten dolls

2011-06-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

this is a composition doll i bought in a group of about 15 dolls for 30$, three of them composition, two of them like this. they've been eaten by bugs from the inside out. creeps me the hell out and i can't keep them. my sister is taking them for the purpose of art, I kind of want to take the head off and plant plants inside of it and let them grow and take over it. that would be so amazing.

jordan

Dead Man by Jarmusch

2011-06-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

I love movies. films. movies. I will watch any cheesy silly movie or serious art house films. I will watch anything. I always put on movies on Netflix on my computer while I'm making jewelry, because it gets kinda lonely working alone for that long, the noise is nice--and I have a huge list of movies to get through. I love movies with difficult subject matter--things that are hard to watch, things that you really have to pay close attention to--I like to get sucked up in a different world of new images and different characters. Today I watched an excellent movie.

I just watched Dead Man by Jarmusch featuring everyone’s favorite (not mine) Johnny Depp. It’s a Western, with lots of focus on Native American culture. Beautiful movie. Iggy Pop cross dresses in it (fun for the whole family). It’s on Netflix instant right now, and its also in segments on the youtube!

2000th Sale Giveaway

2011-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Not only am I offering a birthday sale this week in celebration of me turning 23 (yay!)

I'm also giving away a Victorian Mason's locket necklace to whoever hits number 2000! "Honor, Our Country, and Liberty." Its a Masonic order because it has a compass on it with an open book (the Bible) and a shield on it. It's quite old, in brass. A lovely, hard to find little trinket.

(also, if this doesn't fit your fancy we can find you something else you like better in the shop!)

birthday sale 20% off!

2011-06-21T21:55:00.001-07:00

this year for my birthday, my boyfriend, my family nor my friends will be with me, so I'm throwing a big sale so all my folks online who love me. 20% off with discount code "birthday2011"
with my sadface//happyface kitty. Made by Lefton, on one side he is happy and the other he is saddddd. :( So sweet. Lefton sticker still intact on the bottom, nabbed at 'tique mall off of 75 after Lake City called Webbs. The largest mall I've ever searched (and I only look in the cases). It's the size of a Walmart before-they-turned-supersize. Full of junk.

i smile like a chipmink (i also laugh like a chipmunk when I'm not cackling). these are two lead action figures, one from a train set, the other from a farm. I also have a little bo peep that I bought from the fabulous ohmymilky. Come to think of it, I think I got the lady from OMM, too.

Tomorrow I'm heading out to the market. In summer, the markets here are DRYYY because its so damn hot, no one wants to vend. I sold some of my excess wares last week and the humidity of oncoming storms and the smoke from the 12 wildfires in the county. Sweat was just pouring down my body. Now I'm thinking about going out there again? Must be crazy.

Email opulentoddities [!at] gmail.com to be added to the newsletter. (SECRET SALES!)
Blog: opulentodditiesblog.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Opulent-Oddities/204791366209625
Twitter: twitter.com/opulentoddities

2011-06-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

so I'm starting out a newsletter where I'm going to be posting awesome deals and only bugging you a little bit. There's a small form on the side of my blog that you can fill out, or you can send an email to opulentoddities@gmail.com to get linked up.

best,
Jordan

hexed

2011-06-07T21:16:00.001-07:00

i hex you jonathon eames!

i hex you... is a group of tin type necklaces, small gem tin types, the smallest form a tin type comes in 1.5inches. On copper chain. The tin type has been altered as if someone has put a hex on it, crossed out a persons face and is wearing as an amulet. Voodoo cool.

Come check out the others at Opulent Oddities on Etsy.

Jordan

obsessed with spikes

2011-06-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

spike

stalactite

raze the earth

cataclysm

obsessed with spikes. Come see whats new at Opulent Oddities.

Warmest,
Jordan

Send Me Your Photo!

2011-06-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

from blueflowervintage

Send me your photo wearing some of the jewelry you've gotten at Opulent Oddities! I want to see how fabulous you look all decked out in OO wares. Do you wear it with skinny jeans or cocktail attire? Or maybe you have it displayed somewhere fancy/funky/grungy or somewhere I would have never imagined it. I wanna see what you are doing with Opulent Oddities jewelry, something new, something interesting, something you.

You can convo me on Etsy and send me the pic or upload it to the Facebook fan page. You can even email me at damephantasm@yahoo.com.

Some photos will be posted on my blog and Facebook (please make sure you are okay with that, credit will be given--any blogs/shops you want me to mention just say so--this is good advertising). If you don't want to have your face posted you can still participate and I won't post the pictures you can still receive the discount.

Yes a discount! You will want to participate because I'm offering 20% off to every participant! Whether your images wind up on the blog or not, you can still get a discount! YAY! Everyone loves discounted jewelry from Opulent Oddities!

I got this idea from the talented Leila Marvel at redheart13!
Jordan

Cassadega

2011-05-31T19:37:00.001-07:00

Near my town is a place called Cassadega which is a Spiritualist Camp. Its a 116 year old community filled with mediums who offer you communication with the spirit world through seance or individual readings. At their church service, which I attended with my beau, there is a room of people--smaller than a regular church as to be expected. The purest most peaceful music plays that harmonizes with the rhythms of your body--it has an extreme calming effect. It was near Easter and their were tons of Easter lilies in potted plants, each plant dotted with a dozen blossoms. Huge caribbean blue curtains hung with a picture on the back wall of a tilted sunflower open and honest. After everyone is settled, a few words of prayer are spoken and then a guided meditation. Then the medium came into everyone's vibration and gave them a 2-3 minute reading. They asked for a 5$ donation at the door.

For my reading, it was very personal. He talked to me about my grandmother who has been gone for 14 years. He said she had her hands on my shoulders, telling me it was okay and that she was at peace in the after life. Ever since she had past I was worried about her in the after life. In her final days she had her legs amputated. After she passed the movie the Sixth Sense came out to which the idea came to mind that ghosts aren't hideous, scary creatures, but people who were looking for help in the afterlife, help crossing over. I was only nine years old, and I thought that if people saw my granny, with no legs, in the misery of her final days, they wouldn't help her, they would turn her away. This is an idea and a thought I have kept with me since I was nine years old (and I'm now almost 23). The medium told me that she was telling me everything was alright and that there was no pain, and that she was okay where she was at.

Its strange to be told these things. I don't know if I know the validity in it, but it feels right and it felt good to be told these things. I cried (I'm a terribly emotional person so of course I cried) during the reading, it was emotional. But I'm skeptical, of course.

I wanted to share this because it really is inspiring a lot of my work. I want to use a lot of natural stones, because of the energy they hold. A lot of my inspirations are now esoteric, mystical, mysterious things.

Thanks for reading,
Jordan

No Shows

2011-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

I've made a very difficult decision. And I tell you it's hard to make this decision because I'm walking away from a lot of love and a lot of money when doing this. But I've decided for this year, that I'm going to focus on working on my online business, rather than going to shows for this winter/fall's season.

I've had so much fun working on shows and meeting fantastic people, talented crafters and enthusiastic shoppers who keep DIY alive and have done nothing but given me love and support. It's hard to not continue to go to shows, but at this juncture, while I'm trying to change up my style a bit, its best that I focus on my online clientele.

I'm not walking away from it forever, I plan to stay in contact with everyone that I've met and continue to support the South Florida handmade community, but for now, it isn't right for me. Maybe next year I will be ready for the winter season of shows and show you what all I have been working on.

Thank you to everyone who reads this,
Jordan

BijouxOdalisque

2011-05-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

BijouxOdalisque has long been an artist I admire. Her work, her photographs, her presentation is FLAWLESS. Her work inspires other artists in her niche, as well as artists like me who only dream of playing with the fine gem-candies that you find in her work. In the past year she has made statement necklace using fine gems and perfect antique pieces which are simply to die for heirloom quality pieces of art. When talking about jewelry on Etsy, she is essential!

The artist behind the jewelry is originally an Italian trained painter, a style in which it takes years to create a single piece. This has not only given her the patience to take time with wire wrapped details and those beautiful pieces that must have a billion stones on them, but also has given her a playful eye for color. She always has interesting and new color palettes for her pieces, ranging from traditional style to a very contemporary way of putting colors together.

Shop Makeover SALE

2011-05-11T01:05:00.001-07:00

So I'm making over my shop. Basically making pictures look a lot like this one above, with NATURAL light (and as I make this move, we are to have thunderstorms for the next few days--figures!) with natural elements, as well as vintage ones. Note the vintage mannequin arm in some of my pics and the Ball mason jar in that perfect haint blue.

ANYWAYSSSSSS,

I'm having a 30% off sale to get rid of old background having pieces. (But the sale applies to ALL pieces in my shop). Just use the code CUSTOMERS30 (use caps!) at checkout.

ALSO!

I'm doing a major destash at Decadence and Decay of rhinestones! Check that out too.

Best!
Jordan

Treasury Time

2011-04-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

A Home Away From Home

Odd Duck Recover

2011-04-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Recovering from a recent craft show that was tons of fun. The only bad thing--the air conditioning went out! UGH. Got to see tons of creative ladies doing what they do best--looking good with all their pretty stuff! Everyone is so friendly and kind. If you have a DIY arts/crafts fair in your area I really urge you to go. Such wonderful people, wonderful stuff!

Anyways, I'm back to work listing stuff, so stop by the shop to come see me!

Warmest,
Jordan

Dollies

2011-03-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

I made some dolls with polymer clay, acrylic paint and old paper. Check out these cuties:

Just playing around :)

Jordan

Odd Duck

2011-03-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

I'll be here! Come check all of us awesome Florida crafters out!

Break Shit

2011-03-06T22:54:00.000-08:00

It's come to my mind, that I need to start breaking rules.

Breaking rules that I've set in my mind that I said, "Oh, I'm not going to do this with my jewelry." For whatever neurotic reason I have or have had.

Like gluing things. I hate glue personally, sure it does its job, but ugh, it really messes up an antique if you mess it up. Screw it, I make fabulous things--its gonna look great.

Also the weird rule about no old new stock components. They are still vintage, yes, but I never wanted to use them because I didn't want to have such a repetitious look as so many sellers do, ya know, bouncing from shop to shop. But hey--I think as long as you are in moderation, I think we are all good. Also, I found some kick ass ONS stuff I can't wait to use.

And other weird rules that are just ridiculous.

So my shop has been in kind of a lull for a while, I don't know what thats all about. But I'm ready to kick ass again. I've got some killer designs coming out. Good stuff thats gonna make you scream. Or squeal!

Also, to all the people who've been mouthing off about my writing, you can eat my feet, because its coming back. And its going to be delightful.

My name is Jordan, I run a shop called Opulent Oddities, and you better beware.

My Life with Alexander

2011-03-06T21:28:00.001-08:00

This is my FAVORITE mask on etsy. So sweet.

Customer Appreciation Sale

2011-02-14T18:01:00.000-08:00

30% off with code customers30 at checkout.

Check it out here.

Caryn Drexl Print Giveaway

2011-01-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

I love Caryn Drexl. She is so amazing. AND, she is having a print giveaway, your favorite print, a 10x15. Check it out, here.

You can check her out on etsy at:
lightleaks
and
keepingstill

Her blog is
caryndrexl.typepad.com

Facebook is:
here

All images are property of Caryn Drexl.
www.caryndrexl.com

The Amazing Jill Tracy

2010-12-27T23:33:00.000-08:00

I just received an order from the amazingly talented artist, Jill Tracy. I came across her work a few years ago on a Projekt Records sampler. She's simply divine. If you haven't heard her nightingale voice, take a listen to these super creamy noir songs:

I love this one too.

Check out more from her here at www.jilltracy.com.

Lydia Hudgens Shoot

2010-12-23T19:04:00.001-08:00

this + this

this

jewelry is opulentoddities.etsy.com

photographs are property of Lydia Hudgens lydiahudgens.com
model credit is Vivian De Milo.

Linocut

2010-12-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

I made a linocut today. This is my first ever attempt. It's a gramophone. I hope to put these on cards.

Have a great week!
Jordan

Atomic Holiday Bazaar 2010

2010-12-13T17:14:00.001-08:00

Super sleepy after doing an exhausting three show weekend in Sarasota. Met tons of nice people, artists and customers alike. I finally uploaded some stuff back onto my shop, and I only have 80-something pieces left. Sheesh! Don't worry, I have some pieces to list.

Thanks to everyone for coming out, I really appreciate it!

Best,
Jordan

A Few Antiques I Picked Up

2010-12-07T18:54:00.001-08:00

Here are a few of the antiques I picked up. The baby and the cdvs and tintypes are for keeps. The other bits are for makin's.

I love all the contrast in the picture. You don't see this much line pattern in many tin types. This is close to the turn of the century.

I love the man in the white top hat's eyes!

She's nude beside her jewelry and a sheet around her body. So beautiful, I couldn't not take it home.
Since I am a plus size woman, I think images of big women in the past are so beautiful (and rare!). This woman is extremely elegant and pretty well off.

These are a few of the goodies I purchased to make things with. An art deco lorgnette (those are the folding glasses), the two brooches are Austian, the buckle is Victorian and so is the little sewing bullet!
Next find is my dear sweet baby I find. My favorite thing about her, is her TEETH. Her eyes rock in her head, and there is something in her tummy--a little box, perhaps it was one of the boxes that had her say "Momma!" I don't know much about dolls, if that technology was then in the 30s, 40s. Anyway, she's in a handmade dress, crazed/cracked, but I love her!

Just wanted to share my goodies! I'm preparing for a big weekend in Sarasota--three shows in one weekend, my goodness!

Thanks for lookin'!
Jordan

Getting ready for GLAM!

2010-12-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

and micromosaic and cut steel and tea cups and lockets and mother of pearl and rhinestones and oh so pretties

Things I'm making for my show!

2010-11-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

Some of the treasures buried in my boxes. The moth and the black piece are Victorian!

I went to the flea market and found 22 cracker jack charms. I've made stuff with many of them, but these are the ones left. The pelican with the top hat is awesome. Some look like they need to pack their bags and head off to the land of rejected toys. I'll lot them off on Decedance and Decay. They give me the creepers! Oh and these are celluloooiiiiddd!

I put this little vignette up over my studio table. The doll body is composition, the shoes are rubber and the dress is from a boudoir doll I bought. My walls are dirty, but I swear I just painted.

I changed my personal facebook to an all out Opulent Oddities awesome facebook. You can check it out here. Add me and listen to my ramblings some more!

Also, I'm having an awesome sale! 30% off for the whole rest of the week/weekend until Tuesday noon the 30th. Just enter code blackfriday10 to get the deal.

Alright, take care!
Jordan

Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale

2010-11-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

30% off everything in the store. Using coupon code blackfriday10, you can redeem the discount at checkout! (The discount is available now--start shopping whenever you like!--and ends next Tuesday, Nov 30th, noon).

30%! is a huge chunk of change! I hope you are encouraged to stay home and buy handmade to kick start the holiday season!

If anyone else is having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, I encourage you to post it here!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Best!
Jordan

Upcoming Shows

2010-11-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

I've got three upcoming shows that I'm working my fingers bloodied for! I'm very excited! I'd love to see you lovelies in Florida drop by.

GLAM--Gainesville Local Art Market

Super excited about GLAM, it will be my first year there and I'm so excited to see a craft show in north central Florida, this show is only about two hours from me, which is the closest show to me. There are amazing girls like this lovely lady, who are sacrificing selling their work to put the show together. She's amazing! Any way, details:

Sunday, Dec. 5
1pm - 5pm

Historic Thelma Boltin Ctr.
516 Northeast 2nd Ave
Downtown Gainesville, FL 32601

Check out the facebook page!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar

I'm going to be in Sarasota for two days of debauchery selling my wares. Theres going to be burlesque and music and food and best of all amazing hand crafted goods that you will not be able to resist. This is my third year at Atomic and I know its going to be just as amazing as the rest.

I'll be showing at all three shows:

Saturday, 12.11.10
Day Show
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Evening Show
6:00 PM - MIDNIGHT

Sunday, 12.12.10
Day Show Only
Noon - 5:30 PM

SRQ Municipal Auditoriam
801 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL, 34236

Check out their facebook page!

Retro Indie Market

This one is going to be super cute! Antiques, vintage and handmade! Love love love. I'll have a small table on the bottom floor, so be sure to seek me out!

Retro Indie Market
Feb 12 2011
11am-6pm

The Boynton Beach Woman's Club
1010 S. Federal Hwy.
Boynton Beach Fl 33435

Check their page out on facebook!

Alright this is all thats scheduled so far. Very very excited and very very busy as the madness starts in two weeks!

Hope to see some of you there!
Best!
Jordan

Bayou Salvage

2010-11-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen the amazing shop over at Bayou Salvage on Etsy, then my friends and lovers, you have been missing something! Beautiful delicate clothing reminiscent of early 20th century Americana. Laces, seersucker, pin stripes, crochet, ruffles. Clothing you'd expect to find in a trunk half eaten by moths. But this clothing is perfect. The quality and craftsmanship in her work is beautiful, not just pretty clothing but completely wearable, too.

Best thing of all, she can make it to any size. I'm a big woman and I ordered some pantaloons and they fit amazingly. So not only does she offer to make it to any size, she actually knows how to pattern for women of size, which is so refreshing. We are all different sizes--and she can custom size anything for you. So wonderful!

Her work is featured in a local Louisiana Anthropologie flagship store!
Beautifully assembled cuffs from found textiles and objects!
Gorgeous leggings/pantaloons!

(Previous two photos modeled, styled and taken by Janet Antene, copyright 2010).

I'm SERIOUSLY lusting after these:

Inspired by this lovely lady of Storyville:

Add her to catch up with all of her news:
Etsy
Twitter
Flickr

November News Update

2010-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy here lately I've been forgetting to post! Things are slow in the shop, but I will have new merch by the end of the week. I have some SPECTACULAR pieces! I'm excited about them, I hope you will be too!

Also, I have two shows coming up. GLAM in Gainesville, FL and Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota, FL. Links and more info about them later.

I've been posting BIG time on Decadenceanddecay trying to destash so much stuff I have. I bought out a ladies collection and there was so much. I have one of those large Rubbermaid totes filled, plus three or four cardboard boxes filled with costume jewelry. Glory days!

Here's some of the awesome stuff I've listed on D&D:

All my best!
Jordan

Our Darling Coffin Plaque Harness Necklace

2010-10-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

A beautiful harness necklace for a curious lady. Made from a Victorian coffin plaque that reads, "Our Darling," for a child's coffin.

I hope you like it!
Jordan

Nosferatu Pumpkin

2010-10-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

I really love Halloween. I wanted to show off my awesome Count Orlock (Nosferatu) meets Bat Boy (from the tabloids) inspired pumpkin, carved from a quick sketch.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today I took time out to make eyeball cupcakes. With cream cheese frosting with a dollop of chocolate frosting on top. Red frosting makes the veins. Red velvet cake. Very delicious. Me and my nephew had a ball making these! Halloween is my favorite holiday!

Happy Halloween!
Jordan

Family Situation

2010-10-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Last week, maybe its been two weeks, times been moving fast since it happened, my brother in law past away. I haven't been able to attend to my shops, blogs, twitters like I should and for that I apologize. Things are getting back to normal and I'm back listing again. Thanks for all your support, those of you who know about the situation.

And so this isn't so dreary, here is a cat I met at my sister's estate sale:

We named him Timmy Toodles.

All my best,
Jordan

Lemon Drop Farm Shop

2010-10-11T07:09:00.001-07:00

Recently my sister opened up a shop on Etsy for natural handmade primitive goods, called Lemon Drop Farm. She makes home made bath and body products, candles, and needle, nuno and wet felted items She uses natural and earth friendly techniques and materials to create everything in her shop. Even her packaging is minimal, trying not to use too many unnecessary resources. The beauty of it is, she can make amazing, beautiful, useful items with a lesser impact to the environment.

She makes yummy candles with delicious scents like Apple Cider (my favorite--so warm and makes your house smell so delicious!) Winter Evensong, Sweet Slumber (love this one too!) Autumn Sweetcakes.

Out of her cabinet of bath and body products, her bath salts are by far my personal favorites. The picture is of Pink Grapefruit which is a wonderful fresh citrus scent, but she also has Frankincense and Myrrh and Winter Woodlands (which has clove in it! YUM!) in refreshing salt soaks.

Her scarves are by far the most extraordinary things in her shop--and she will be adding more. This one is nuno felted which is an extensive process using silk, yarn and wool. Extremely textural and tactile. Absolutely beautiful. This one is called "Down in the Bayou."

This one is called "The Path of Thorns" and is made with silk chiffon, eco-friendly wool, fabric roses and silk threads. What a statement piece this would be over a black dress!

You can further get to know the artist through her twitter account or just watch how her amazing shop develops!

Beautiful Things

2010-10-07T20:00:00.001-07:00

I need a little inspiration after the show, so here are some beautiful things I've been looking at. This also reflects how I'm feeling at the moment. The artists or seller is linked when you click through the picture.

White Dress

2010-10-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

The river fills drop by drop and it swells so big it can only burst. And when it bursts, it drags across the landscape, bleeding from an old scar that knows its path of blood, running across your face like a tear and down to your cotton white dress, edged in lace, so perfectly pressed--ruining your perfectly pressed day.

Stitch Rock After Post

2010-10-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm in the back left of this picture, not facing the camera. Hard to see, but I'm there!

This Saturday was Stitch Rock in Delray Beach. I made a 3 1/2 hour drive down south to join in on this wonderful event. Amanda, from With Sugar on Top and House of Sweets put the show on and did an amazing job. Plus she had amazing cupcakes there. I should have taken pictures of their glory. I digress.

Everyone there was AMAZING. Sweet as pie. I think the cupcakes set the tone for the day, because everyone had something nice to say. Just amazing kindness from total strangers. The vendors were just as sweet. I got a few souvenirs from the show including an ADORABLE strawberry hair clip from Polly Peachums and a clever flamingo made from socks from Birgid Howard at The Stuff I Do. My booth was across from her and she not only is super sweet, but she's super gorgeous, too! I wish I could have walked around more to look at everyone's amazing wares.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support me and to support the other artists out there! I really appreciate you coming out! You are all so amazing!

Love!
Jordan

Four Year Anniversary

2010-09-26T16:58:00.001-07:00

Today is my four year anniversary on Etsy! Thank you everyone for all your love and support through out the amazing experience I've had all these years. I adore you all so much!

All my best,
Jordan

Stitch Rock

2010-09-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the light posting. I have a show coming up on the 2nd of October in Del Ray Beach. While I'm getting my display ready, I'm trying to get jewelry for both the show and my online sh op to stay stocked. I'm going to try to have some stuff still online. I've been making jewels like crazy! This is the first year I'm doing this show and I know its going to be a blast. Amanda, the Head Mistress of all this delight is SUCH a sweetheart, one of many amazing people I'm sure to encounter.

Super excited. Two weeks away! Wish me luck!

Jordan

Why I Use Antiques in My Art

2010-09-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

I recently was having a conversation with my sister, a lover of vintage and antiques herself, about why I loved antiques so much. And I don't know if I ever shared it with any of you guys! Antiques over the past few years have surpassed being a hobby for me and have become my passion. My room and studio and home is filled with antiques and vintage goods. I live and breathe them. I may not be an expert yet, but I'm always researching and trying my best to learn more and more about the curious and nostalgic remnants of the past.So many of the old pieces I use in my work are so well made. And you can depend on them lasting for decades longer. Things in the past were just made with better care, made to last longer, not like the throw-away consumer goods of today. Various different materials-- mother of pearl, hair (like in the above picture), coral, rhinestones, golds, silvers, brass, aluminum, all materials imaginable that have aged so beautifully. Their aged state hearkens back to a time that used to be. Which I suppose is so romantic, to me! Nothing really pulls at my heart strings like the smell of brass. And anything that has the creepings of verdigris. Antique goods have a different feel than items of today.
Another great thing about using antiques in my work is that repurposing or "upcycling" is a form of recycling. Take a piece of jewelry, or doll parts, or hardware, or something that has existed, that is broken or is just sitting on a shelf by its lonesome, and reimagining it creates no new need for a new product. No new need for new beads or no new jewelry making supplies. I give a new life to things that otherwise would just be in storage or thrown away. That makes me feel good about what I do.
Lastly, and the most important of all, I use antiques in my art because they have a story within them. Which is what inspires me so much. It's like you can feel what that piece has been through with its previous owner. I know that sounds terribly silly, and I probably just have an overactive imagination, but the stories of the past resonate from antique pieces. You just don't find that in the stuff you can buy that's made today, which is why I love working with antiques.

Alright, there you have it. I hope you don't think I'm crazy!

All my best,
Jordan

Jury Summons--BOO!

2010-08-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love shopping online. Then a few days later I have presents to open addressed to me. And when I open them, they are just want I wanted. Recently I ordered a Rushton rubber faced stuffed skunk for my small, but growing Rushton rubber faced stuffies collection. I have so patiently been waiting for a week for this stinky baby to come to me, he has his tag, albeit, a bit raveled, but in tact. I found him at a killer price.
Now, he's not in perfect condition, but for 12.50, I just had to have him. I really can't afford one in perfect condition right now. HOWEVER, today when I went to the mailbox oh so happy to get something, instead I got a jury summons! Ugh, so now in September, I have to take care of all that. It wouldn't be so bad, I don't have a "real" job, I make jewelry and sell antiques for a living, but I have a show on October 2nd. Margh! Oh well, maybe I'll runaway with a handsome lawyer and have a sizzling affair instead of a boring trial.

In other news, I recently sold something to The Etsy Collection which archives and collects "the amazing variety and quality of all things handmade found in the Etsy community" at the Brooklyn Etsy HQ. Awesome!

I was also featured on Regretsy. If you haven't seen my necklace posted over there, then you can join in on the laughs. And if you aren't familiar with Regretsy, then, boy, you are missing out. On something.
Alrighty, tomorrow is my favorite market, so I will surely be back with lots of lovelies to play with!

Cheers!
Jordan

How to be Alone

2010-08-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Often I get lonely and so my friend sent me this link from youtube:

Pears

2010-08-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

These are the first pears that have bloomed from our pear tree in our back yard. This year the figs bloomed for the first year, too. I've never tried a fig and so I tried one that came from our tree and I have to say, it was just awful. That being said, I haven't been brave enough to try the pears. For I have tried the oranges in our yard (wild citrus really does grow everywhere here in Florida), and it was disgusting too. So I believe the pears, too, will be disgusting. Sound reasoning. They are pretty though! We planted the trees six or seven years ago when we built this house, but the orange was there when we built it.

I don't have much to blog about, so I'd thought I'd show you some awesome stuff I got in the last week. Every body loves vintage goodies!

These little black nuggets are black tourmaline and they caught my eye. I love faceted beads and I love nugget beads, polar opposites. The Ice Cream tag is just so darling, I couldn't resist. I might just keep that forever. It's so saccharine!

Here we have a moonstone bracelet set in sterling? (I haven't checked it yet, its not marked but it does look like it)--this bracelet is old, a gorgeous rhinestone choker and a long strand of faceted black beads.
Now this isn't anything fancy at all, but it pulled at my heartstrings, it did.
This bobby dazzler has a c clasp. Two stones have verdigris. But its soo fancy.
Fancy, fancy!
And there's so much more!

Cracker Jacks

2010-08-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

So I didn't end up going to the market yesterday, but instead I've been re-examining whats on the huge heap of my studio table. Fancy from fancifuldevices suggested that people may want to see all the junk that I've got stashed up on that old 8 ft table. So I decided I'll take out a few pieces and show you here and there. I certainly would be embarrassed to show you the whole of it. Plastic storage bins, jewelry boxes, plastic bags, tupper ware, pencil cases, shoe boxes--all manner of (dis)organization is going on. I love this manner of organizing things, you'll never know when a forgotten treasure will pop up and surprise you and jog your memory of a great idea to make something new, but its frustrating for my mother, who I share studio/office space with. It seems there is just never enough space for all the beautiful things that we need.

Anyway, today I want to bring you some of my FAVE cracker jack charms. Plastics aren't my biggest passion, but when it comes to anything related to childhood, I really just love it. My bedroom consists mostly of run down (ie creepy) antique toys and dolls. So sweet!

So here are two celluloid charms and the other is a matallicized plastic. The one in the left corner is the RCA dog, I believe and I think he is just so cute!

The other celluloid charm is by far the cutest. It's either a basket of kitties or French bulldogs and the detail is so beautiful. It has metallic and flat paint and like most cracker jacks, is detailed all around. You can see it has faded pretty bad from age, but it is no doubt one of my favorites.

The third one, I've never seen one like it. It's a very plump woman. And if you didn't know, I am a very plump woman, so I love to find antiques that sweetly caricature chubbiness in an endearing way. This fat lady is obviously not just any fat lady, look at her dress!

Alright! Thanks for reading!
Jordan

To Market?

2010-08-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to decide here at 12:30 at night if I should go to the market in the morning. The markets are just awful during the summer, everyone brings back the same junk they had the week before with maybe a few bobbiedazzles and trinkets I can't live with out and I'll take them home. However, if you didn't know, I live in Florida and it is so miserably humid in the mornings. It seems like you can never get their early enough to beat that sticky swelter that swallows you up. Nasty little gnats even join ya out there landing on your legs and the open mosquito bites that you got the night before, sitting outside listening to the crickets and the frogs and the alligators woh-woh-woh.

It is good exercise though, and I do like seeing all the friends I've made ever since doing my jewelry project, Opulent Oddities. I used to be a very shy young girl, but because of the markets I've learned to be a quite chatty young woman, and pleasant and polite. Talking to the older people (many of the vendors at our market are 45+) is so refreshing. They are so genuine and sweet. People my age (I'm 22) get so frustrated with older people, especially seniors, but if they just had the patience to listen to their stories and take time for the simple gestures they do to make the day go by a little sweeter, I think they would be enriched all the better. I certainly have. It's easier for me to talk to little old ladies or sweeten up a grumpy old man than it is to talk to a fellow my own age! Sheesh!

In the top picture is a set of vintage dentures that I think are super fantastic. And In this picture are two early dolls and you can barely see a composition doll body.

Cheers!
Jordan

2010-07-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to update more. I hope its well received. Sometimes I have outlandish ideas, and sometimes I have dark ideas, I just don't want to scare anyone off. So scared to let one slip and ruin what I've worked so hard for. I say things and my own mother looks at me like I've lost my damn mind. Eh, c'est la vie.

New business cards came into today. All this awesome graphic design is from the very talented (mutlti talented!) Leila of redheart13. Definitely check out her prints and jewelry over at Etsy.
Yes, those cards are posed with green lens pince nez sunglasses! Ooh la-la!

I collect those darling pince nez, they are hard to come by, but when I find them on a good deal I grab them up. I have 9 pairs, a few in really nice shape. However, I've come to a decision about my collecting (I collect several things obsessively, and just in general "antiques"), and that is, that there is not one reason to have 9 pair of pince nez, the whole Edward Mobley collection, 21 jeweled bug brooches, and so on. Instead, to collect "antiques" in general, just pieces I like. However, its going to be hard to pass up on pince nez. Or jeweled flies (I love the flies the most).

Psh, I'm silly.

Jordan

Fabrics and Fibers

2010-07-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been experimenting with fabrics and fibers. Mostly with lace, but I've also been playing around with some of my sister's wool (she nuno felts, among other felting techniques). I've been so inspired by the designs of fancifuldevices and sparrowsalvage, two of my favorite Etsians who use found fibers in their work (and they do it so well). Take a bit of time to browse their beautiful and unique shops.

Anyways, I've since been working at some found fiber designs, including these ghostly earrings with antique lace that I tortured.

How the withering wraiths wait. With this we walk their wake.

I'm just experimenting right now, but I really loved how these turned out. And they look even more delicious in person, floating from your ears, dusting your shoulders. Perfect for a ghostly bride or a undead courtesan look.

All my best,
Jordan

Locket Fiend

2010-07-23T08:46:00.001-07:00

I really can't help it. I pick up almost every locket I find and I can't get rid of them. These are a quick handful of the lockets in my possession at the time. If you'd like me to make you something out of one, please let me know, I'd be happy to do so!
Cheers!
Jordan

Tin Type Album

2010-07-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

Since I've been creating some new designs with tin types (again) for example here and here I'd like to share one of my latest antique finds. I stalk all sorts of venues to find what I "need" and I found this perfect Victorian tin type sized album for my favorite tin types. Best of all it had several tin types already in it as well as a few CDVs.

Sisters? In matching costumes. So darling.

This little darling is carrying a purse and has a curl in the middle of her forehead. She kind of looks like my little sister when she was a young'un.
The specs are dust, not damage. The greening however is damage.

Really pretty CDV!

I'll be listing some of the other tin types and CDVs with my tin types on my vintage shop, Decadence and Decay.

Thanks for looking!

Jordan

Dressing Up

2010-06-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

My latest endeavor is called "Dressing Up." It's a mixed media piece featuring acrylic, pages from an old book, the spine and cover from an old book, Spenser's "The Faerie Queene," and a baby doll dress from the 1950s. Note the rick-rack and little buttons! The dress has been delicately bleached to blur the colors and then torn and worn to look ratty, used.

The piece is somewhat personal to me so I don't want to go to much into its meaning as to what it means for me. But I wanted to show how females--girls and women, when they are going out and wanting to prepare and primp and look pretty as a present, we are not always received by people in the mind set that we have. Primping becomes a dangerous ritual to meet and see these "dangerous" people, who are everywhere and will slip under the wire. I used a baby doll dress because I didn't want to let the viewer think that there was any intention for the female to do this to "want" this behaviour--because she is told to look as beautiful as she can by media, friends, family.

Thanks for looking!
Jordan

They Stole My Idea!

2010-06-08T14:48:00.001-07:00

I read this quote in a magazine I read in a book store. Sadly, I can't afford to take home all the artsy periodicals I want!

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to."

-Jim Jarmusch

I know a lot of people are inspired by my work (they tell me and I notice). I've never seen that as "stealing my idea" as so many other people do. In fact, being an inspiration to other people is one of the highest achievements I could ever accomplish. So many other people's work inspires me too. I could go on for pages and pages with the list of Etsy sellers who have helped cultivated my vision for pieces from other jewelry sellers to illustrators to confectioners to altered art/mixed media artists. Every single thing that I look at, I take in and it gives me new ideas for new pieces. From road trips, to sitting waiting for an appointment at the doctor's office, to walking my dog. You have to learn to take inspiration from everything and you can do that by looking at things in a new way. Shapes, colors, textures, patterns, relationships between objects.

So when you get upset that someone "stole your idea" just think of it as motivation to further make this piece even better. Or different. Or more uniquely yours. Add a new feature, make it in new colors/patterns. Or move on to a new thing all together. Look at it as a challenge, as motivation. How do you think I come up with more eccentric designs such as this:

Definitely takes some thinking outside of the box!

Cheers,
Jordan

Photo Travels

2010-06-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

These pictures are taken from Deland, FL on Highway 17 up to Crescent City, hitting Pierson and Seville.

The last few pictures are from an old barn that had collapsed about a month ago. I see this barn every week on my ride home from the flea market, it's last legs had finally folded up beneath it and it had fallen down. I absolutely adore the overgrowth that takes over the old buildings. Look at this shed below:

Now you can see inside that people are still using it in this ramshackle condition. And that's what I love about country folk, always resourceful, never throwing anything away!

This building I've always admired on Highway 17. It sits behind the railroad and I'm not sure what it is, but the agriculture department of Florida has papered claim on it. What I love so much about this picture is the composition and that I was able to get the cows in. Long trips in the country you might grow tired of seeing live stock, but I've always loved seeing these gentle bovines!

A side of the same building.

This home sat on some fern property. Down in our area we grow a huge amount of the nation's ferns, and there's fern farms just about down every road. There were papers not to trespass on this property, but I...well, I ignored them.

This last picture is of a Mason's/Order of the Eastern Star Temple in Crescent City and it was established in 1889. Love the algae on the building!

Thanks for looking at my pictures!
Jordan

The Hole in the Nest

2010-06-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is an assemblage piece I've been working on quite a while. It's called, "The Hole in the Nest."

The text reads, "This place isn't safe. This is my home, but in my home, there is a hole. I slip--no I am pushed and there is no one there to catch me."

Close up of the nest:The nest is made of antique barbed wire. The book is called, "The Anatomy of Trees" which is from the New Art Library and was published in 1925. The ink is artisan walnut ink.

Thanks for looking!
Jordan

Old Photographs

2010-05-25T18:32:00.001-07:00

So to start off, I have a new manual SLR camera (Pentax K1000) which I have been playing with. I took the above photograph of some of my old photographs (just a brief sampling!) in a plastic tub. To celebrate my way into photography, I wanted to write about my FAVORITE old photography shop on Etsy, Obscurio, who has some of the most unique photographs, cabinet cards, cdvs, and tin types from the old days. Here are a few currently in my favorites:

Powdered hair is a must! These girls look like they get into trouble!

Paper moon photography!

A side show mind reader!

Anyway, her shop is full of very strange and very beautiful and very dear photographs. A real treat!

Jordan

Home

2010-05-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

I imagine and hope, that when I move out of my parent's home--and that will be when I find a mate, that I will find a home that I will live in forever. A home that I will nest in. Something modest, I don't need anything fancy for me and my family--in fact I think that living simply with small extravagances is more responsible and teaches you to be grateful for the little things, just as much as the larger things. Living in a small town perhaps, hopefully by the sea. I've grown up not thirty minutes from the ocean my whole life. I'd hate living far from it.

There are people in the more rural parts of Florida that my dad is friends with that have lived in their family's homes their whole life. Their parents have lived there, their parents had lived there. Its the homestead on which they settled when they came to Florida. I would never chain my children to the responsibility of a family home, but a place where I can stay, where I can create and write and work and my husband can go to work. Its so romantic.

I think I probably want a home where my things can stay on the wall until I decide to take them down and I can put tacky wall paper up if I decide to, because when I was younger, my dad's job with the state required him to move if he wanted to advance his career. I've lived in nine houses in 21 years of my life. Now I'm at the point where I have to "leave the nest," which I won't do until I'm with someone who I trust and care about (I'm old fashioned). I feel like I've been constantly in between places. I just want a place to call home.
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In other news, I listed eight new pieces in the shop, seven which are left.

Cheers!
Jordan

What Makes Another Person

2010-05-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

This is a story about another person. This is about another person's memories and hopes and fantasies. Dreams and beliefs and desires. About the things they've wanted, things they've had and things they've held dear. These things belong to another person, these dreams, these desires and these dulcet-dears. But as you dance in their divinations, you will find that what made someone else, makes you too.
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Photograph is copyrighted by Caryn Drexl. You can find prints of this image and more of her work at www.caryndrexl.com or www.lightleaks.etsy.com

The House of 1000 Crosses

2010-05-06T22:04:00.001-07:00

People praying in the house. Rosaries choking their fingers and wrists. They had said a miracle had happened here...but she lived her, she knew that God had never touched this house, otherwise He'd have kept her father's eyes and hands away from her. But God doesn't meddle in those affairs, God makes statues cry.
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Photograph is copyrighted by Caryn Drexl. You can find prints of this image and more of her work at www.caryndrexl.com or www.lightleaks.etsy.com

Please note, I plan not to do anymore religious images, so this piece and this piece are the only two I have left.

Cheers!
Jordan

The Spoils of the South

2010-05-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I traveled up to Tallahassee and it's surrounding areas.

A beautiful picture of St George Island on the Gulf of Mexico. A very grey day, usually this beach is nearly green. I snapped this picture before the oil spill gets here. I don't think its supposed to make it to Florida, and I certainly hope not.

Spanish moss is the most romantic thing about the South. It floats on any tree it can cling to, leaving an eerie, ghostly impression down the canopied country roads. Its on these roads that remind us all of home, because they are so welcoming. The foliage hangs downs and embraces anyone willing to drive down it. The roads are dotted with gorgeous plantation mansions, humble farming homes and shacks that haven't been touched since the early twentieth century. Anyone is welcome to make their way out on these old country roads.

An old storage shed on the property of a country store in Centerville, Florida. They sold their own home made sausages, sauces, jams and preserves, tupelo honey, and they had old timey candies. Inside they had an old ledger from where their country store had done business from the 1870s. An old beehive hangs from the ceiling with some old taxidermied animals.

Scoliosis

2010-04-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Some ideas I'm working on:

My sister and I shared my mother's womb for almost nine months. Because of this, we both have crooked spines from being tightly held in such a tiny space. My scoliosis is worse than that of my twin sister, and for that I feel like I have been marked, scarred. Built up from crooked wires and bones, the flesh that wraps and curls around my endoskeleton has been shifted, misplaced. I feel like I'm made up wrong and this would set up my life crooked, too. The crookedness of our spines shows the sacrifice we have made to one another. A scar inside our bodies to remind us of our shared sisterhood. The spine and the hump created by its curve is an everyday reminder of some of the secrets we dare not speak.

Beach Weather

2010-04-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

I can't wait for beach weather. It's something in the ocean that makes me feel dreamy, pulls at my heart as the waves pull at the sandy shore. I feel at peace here, a peace I feel in no other place. I know of the dangers of the water, the ocean is powerful and without having the peace I carry, it would overwhelm me and drag me to sea, letting it's animals do what animals do with a stranger to their habitat. But I'm no stranger here. I'm welcome to wade, swim and dream.

shadedmemories.etsy.com