BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY

Tomorrow is the fourth Thursday of November which means it is Thanksgiving Day in the US. But what a lot of people are waiting for is Friday, or as it is called Black Friday, which  traditionally marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. To make shoppers even more excited  since 2005 on-line sellers have got their own version of brick-and-mortar Black Friday which is called Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the following Monday after Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving in the United States, created by companies to persuade people to shop on-line.
Etsy is running a huge campaign for both, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, supporting sellers’ site-wide promotions throughout the 11/23 – 11/26 weekend.
I am pleased to offer a 15% discount on a ready-to ship range of accessories at my ETSY SHOP , not including the items which are currently on sale. To get your 15% discount use  BLACKNCYBER15 coupon code  at the checkout between 22 and 27 November 2012.
It is a very good chance to purchase something you have liked and always wanted to get ☺

This headband is on promotion and can be purchased here

1 year later: how to measure my progress?

I made my first ever flower about a year ago. In fact it was not even a pure silk flower as I started with a so-called "soft technique" which presupposes the use of polyester fabrics with a completely different set of qualities. That first rose seemed to be so beautiful and wonderful at the time and I was very proud of it. But now I would like to talk about poppies, by far my best-seller and a very popular flower here and back in Russia. So let's compare my first poppy made of stretch satin (polyester) and my last poppy made of pure silk and cotton velvet to see how much progress can be made in a year.
Here is my first attempt, which again looked perfect at the time and  I wore it with pride:

And this is my last one, hand painted silk and velvet + a bit of fairy dust ☺:

So which one do you like most? Or maybe you like both? They are very different after all...

Preparing for Christmas. Not long to go

Now only lazy can ignore all the preparations for the coming Christmas: decorated shops, Chrtistmas cards everywhere, butchers taking order for Christmas turkeys etc.
Despite Remembrance poppies,a couple of craft fairs and some orders I need to work on Christmas designs have not been forgotten. So far I have tried two iconic Christmas plants which are holly and poinsettia. And yes there is a way of making fur trees out of velvet but I am not just sure I will have time to try it ☺ It looks a very time-consuming adventure!
I created poinsettia out of pure silk satin which I hand painted in rich reds and hot pinks. The flower is rather big (about 15 cm across) and is finished with a brooch base.

For the holly corsage I used cotton poplin in dark green and some hand painted pure silk satin for the little berries. The brooch looks very sweet and immediately reminds you of Christmas!

I am thinking about making other fantasy flowers which can decorate festive outfits at parties and corporate celebrations. Should stock on beads and feathers then! :-)

Remembrance poppies

Welcome to November :-)

And as we all know in 10 days, on 11th November, Britain and other countries of Europe and Commonwealth are observing Remembrance Day, which is also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day. 

Remembrance Day is observed to remember those who died as a result of World War I.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day. Red poppies are worn on blazers, shirts, jumpers and other items of clothing on Remembrance Day. Poppies were among the first plants that came from the battlefields of northern France and Belgium during World War I. Some people believed the popular myth that poppies were rich in their redness because they blossomed from grounds that were saturated with soldiers’ blood. 

Red poppy flowers are mentioned in one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the World War  I, "In Flanders Fields", written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Both the poem and poppy have remained prominent Remembrance Day symbols.

Here are some of the pictures of red poppies I have created for Remembrance Day. For every poppy I sell I will donate £1 to British Legion 

Remembrance Day poppy pin

These two poppies have been made of synthetic rich red satin and can be purchased in my shop on Etsy.

But if you wish you can always order the iconic hand painted silk poppy  like this one:

With my best wishes,

Your Svetlana

Silk rose buds

At a recent class we created pretty tight rose buds of silk satin. Apparently this bud is the essence of most of rose flowers so in order to practice it a bit more I decided to make another one as a birthday gift for one of my friends. The rose bud is surrounded with leaves and is finished with a brooch base.
I am sure that if I make 15 rose buds and put them in a nice vase they will look so fresh and beautiful. These delicate closed roses are also perfect in bridal accessories.

Here is the corsage I made and a close-up of it

Bridal collection: floral head wreath

Please be kindly informed that we have moved! To read new blog posts, purchase our floral pieces and learn more about how to make flowers you are welcome to visit out new website.

For the last few weeks I have been working on some bridal pieces getting them ready for the coming Wedding fair which is actually happening this Sunday. I have created several pieces including some boutonnieres, flowers for hair, a fascinator, bridal shoe clips and a couple of wreaths. Now I would like to show one of them which was rather time consuming taking into consideration that it consists of 120 little gypsophila flowers, 8 open daisies and 4 daisy buds.  Traditionally the whole piece is made completely from scratch by me.
I am pleased with the result as the floral wreath looks full of flowers and pretty. It is ideal for a countryside or a woodland wedding and will please any romantic bride who is into head wreaths :-) Besides, it is a great keepsake too!

The daisy and gypsophila wreath can be made to order and purchased here at my Etsy shop.
P.S My Mummy had a similar daisy wreath for her own wedding 34 years ago. If I find a picture, I will share it with you! )))

Anna Karenina by Joe Wright

Решила воспользоваться своим положением и немного рассказать вам о новой экранизации романа Льва Николаевича Толстого "Анна Каренина". Положение мое - проживание в Великобритании - делает это возможным, поскольку у нас фильм уже в прокате, а в России это случится в январе 2013.

Хочу сразу оговориться: у меня нет желания обсуждать актеров и их "подходящесть" на ту или иную роль, оставим это кинокритикам. В кино я, собственно, хотела повести своего мужа, чтобы немного ознакомить его с этим классическим произведением. Из этого, скажу сразу, мало что получилось, поскольку от романа осталась только основная сюжетная линия, без растеканий мыслию по древу. Как написано в брошюрке с аннотациями: "Анна Каренина" - история, экранизированная уже не раз, поэтому любая новая версия требует чего-то особенного. "Каренина" Джо Райта не только выглядит красиво, но и имеет поддержку в прекрасном актерском составе, чтобы отдать должное этому классическому произведению".

А к чему я вообще пишу обо всем этом? Ответ прост: меня очень впечатлили костюмы в фильме, а в особенности ШЛЯПЫ! Очень и очень красивые головные уборы и декор причесок. К сожалению, в сети сложно найти качественные фото именно нужных шляп, но то, что мне удалось найти, я хотела бы показать и вам.

Вот одна из моих любимых фотографий, шляпка, в которой Анна едет в Москву, чтоб помирить Стиву и Долли. Тут мне очень нравится вуаль!

Еще одна интересная вуаль!

Дамы на скачках - все в шляпках! Не очень хорошее фото, но лучше найти не смогла. 

И еще раз скачки!

 Декор прически с перьями для бала.

 Здесь Кира Найтли вместе с режиссером Джо Райтом. Но посмотрите какая роскошная таблетка! А ведь Анна всего лишь чашечку кофе пришла выпить в кафе в таком виде

Шелковые цветы "живут" в прическах и на платьях!

Еще одна шляпка.

Ну и напоследок, другой ракурс моей любимой :-) И МЕХА!

Для тех, кто скажет, что костюмы в 80-х годах 19 века были абсолютно не такими, хочу процитировать Жаклин Дюрран, дизайнера по костюмам этой картины: "Это совершенно новая версия Анны Карениной. Передо мной была поставлена задача внедрить в стиль костюмов элементы диоровского «нью-лука» пятидесятых. Мне выпал шанс применить мою страсть к историческим костюмам к коллекции, которая соответствует современной моде". Так что, может, просто посмотреть кино и полюбоваться на красоту без исторического препарирования?

"Анна Каренина" вдохновила дизайнеров Banana Republic на создание капсульной коллекции совместно с Жаклин Дюрран. В духе романтики Российской империи предметы одежды коллекции украсят воротники с искусственным мехом и дополнят шляпки. А используемые в них ткани со сложной текстурой были навеяны модой Dior. По словам Дюрран, создание и стилизация капсульной коллекции для Banana Republic были «незабываемым опытом».

Надеюсь, я не очень утомила вас. Хотелось бы верить, что смогла развлечь и вдохновить на создание чего-то красивого и очень женственного. Ээээх, иногда я жалею, что не родилась в 19 веке...

Aqua Treasury on Etsy

Our turquoise and mint butterflies headband has been featured in AquaLove Seafoam September Treasury by Penny Birch-Williams on Etsy!

'AquaLove Seafoam September' by PennyBirchWilliams

A collection of Aqua-Seafoam lovelies from SEOTeam sellers in September.

Lampwork glass bead set teal... AnneLondezGlas... $39.00	Oriental Floral Pattern Imag... PrintablesShop $4.75	Genuine Turquoise Drop Earri... SeventhWillow $32.00	Boho Headband Crochet Knit H... CatalinaInspir... $15.00
Lace butterfly fascinator, t... PresentPerfect... $70.00	Retro Womens Gathered Full S... Eclectasie $50.00	Love Birds Original ACEO Art... LizzesBeautifu... $7.95	Altered Wooden Clothespins o... PaperPilePrinc... $3.95
Crossbody bag blue fabric, l... TsetsiLaMode $30.00	Christmas Gift Card Holder-S... TerrysCards $2.75	Peanut zippered pouch small Coonstuff $12.00	Hanging Jewelry Organizer in... sharonmooradia... $65.00
Mosaic Jar - Salvaged Glass ... happygomiller $30.00	Fresh Water Pearls and Silk ... CatalinaInspir... $32.00	Blue Hair Barrettes, Beaded ... BeadsByDawn $8.00	Modern Enamel Necklace, Art ... OxArtJewelry $39.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Mastering the French veil

I have always found head pieces with veiling very feminine, mysterious and oh-so-romantic. No wonder that for quite some I wanted to try and create one myself. Eventually I got my hands on a piece of birdcage (or French or Russian) veil and a piece of silk satin of ripe aubergine colour and decided to try.
Most of the veils these days are made for weddings which is another area I am going to explore (white and ivory veils have already been ordered). But this first time I wanted to make an evening version of a head piece which can be worn to the theatre or to an appropriate reception. The flower had to be dramatic and big so I opted for a tree peony flower which reached 13 cm in diameter once finished. To add more romance to my head piece I used some lace for the leaves and thin silk organza for lining. As planned the flower and the veil were to be mounted onto a headband, so I wrapped it in black habotai silk. It took me some time to cut and gather the right amount of veiling as I wanted the veil to sit snugly around the forehead and not look like a little cloud above the head.
For this time I did not go for the full face veil option as there might be less occasions to wear that kind of head piece. The one I have created has everything to make it a hair accessory that will not leave the person wearing it unnoticed: a bold dramatic flower in rich colour, a short but impressive birdcage veil in black and a comfortable silk wrapped headband to hold all this together.
The peony head piece with a veil will easily dress up a little black dress.

What about you? Would you wear a head piece with veil?

Simple rose wedding headband

I must post more often I know but it is ever so difficult to balance between posting on all these social network websites, marketing my silk creations , taking part in craft fairs and actually making silk flowers!
But as promised I continue to share pictures of my friend Alevtina Kireycheva wearing my handmade silk flowers. This time let me present a bridal headdress embellished with simple roses (or dog roses) and finished with golden leaves. It has a pure and innocent look to it and as always can be made in different colours to match the theme of  a wedding party. Other ways of using are as a headband for a flower girl or just a ice head piece for a little girl invited to a christening party.
Now here is the picture of the said floral headband ☺