Summer = Flowers

While we didn't have the lush vibrant (albeit scalding) summer that we usually enjoy in Austin last year due to major droughts, the recurring motif of floral fashion was still in full bloom whether it was on Mexican house dresses or in the strong resurgence of 80s and 90s unapologetic bold prints. Yours truly even got hit with the fever and made a few flowery pieces (including the one above) for Blues on the Green when Etsy Austin held down a booth for the summer concert series last year.

This summer, the florals are making an even stronger comeback, as if that was possible, with everything from vintage-inspired daisy jewelry to flower print jumpers filling the racks of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and ModCloth.

I was browsing my usual list of bookmarked websites when I came across the new summer collection for Tarina Tarantino. And who says great minds don't think alike? These Daisy Post Earrings are part of their Daisy Cake Collection, and (I'm speculating) they feature replicas of porcelain vintage Japanese daisy cabochons.

Truth be told, I am not in love with everything bloomin on the runways or on the clothing racks this season. I am, however, inspired to incorporate as many bright blossoming beauties into my summer designs as possible (especially since Austin won't be having the same shortage of rain as last year). Here's some pics of what I've gotten started on so far. In the near-ish future, you can probably expect to see lots of nautical pieces and bedazzled feather fascinators from Diamonds and Guns land. What about you? What are you mesmerized and inspired by this season?

Action Jackson out.

Currently Listening: Blind by The Sundays, OK Computer by Radiohead

Feathers, Art Deco, and Crystals. Oh my!

Okay, so admittedly some of this will be old news for some of you. However, almost immediately after I made my last post, a wave of inspiration hit me like a speeding semi. I swear, I fell over and everything. Anyway, a few Etsy supply searches, sketches, and aha moments later/after that, I had a clear idea of what I needed to do. Overall, the aesthetic will be very light/feathery and ethereal mixed with a few strong art deco-y pieces. The color palette will still be whites, off whites, and various pastels. For the art deco pieces, I'll make these! I did a few spiral shapes and descending tier drawings that I think will look stellar as earrings and necklaces, respectively. So, the pieces I'll be focusing on are lace and feather headbands, lightweight yet big earrings with lotsa bling (feathers, nouveau/baroque shapes, and probably one art deco spiral pair), ladylike cuffs (maybe reusing some appliques-may need help on this one), and bold bib necklaces.

This week, I'll be focusing on a mini-overhaul of my Etsy shop as well as trying out a few new things to make my blog and shop more fun and interactive for anyone who keeps up with my jewelry. I've been told people read my blog, but it's one of those things that I'm never really sure of. Anyhow, I think I'll start working on the line and ordering supplies once I see the bad news of this month's credit card bill. I'd hate to spend money that I only think I have. Money aside, I'm happy to say I feel like I really milked that spurt of inspiration I had last week. I'm already thinking about a new mini "line" (I can never get used to calling it that, honestly) to do after I wrap this one up. It will be a little more true to fall fashion in style and colors. The solid ideas definitely aren't there yet, but the gears upstairs are turning.

I'm thinking this new line will consist of bold fuschias, cobalt blues, and chartreuse hues and will be inspired by a very glamorous night life that yours truly definitely doesn't have. Stylistically, it'll be poppy (but in good DGAJ taste) and will include lots of spheres, lucite pendants, and the like. I promise it won't be anything too obnoxious, by my standards at least. I've already got a playlist going to be paired with it- I mean, if you're going to have a night life theme, you've got to have music, right? I am my father's daughter (for anyone who doesn't know my dad, he loves all things super-themey even if it's way too much).

The good fortune Friday, I'm happy to say, also bled over into the music sector of the AJ realm. Definitely always a good thing. I've been editing old songs I wrote, adding on to newer songs, experimenting with sounds a little more, etc, etc. I also twisted Claire's (awesome friend from high school, she was in band with me) arm to lay down some drum tracks for me (Thanks, Claire!). Now if I could just get that process to go a little faster, *says in a Lumberg voice* that would be greeeeat.

Action Jackson out!