For every girl, a garter

If you follow me on twitter or Pinterest then you already know about the manicure that caught my eye this week.  But for those of you who don't stalk  aren't slaves to those particular forms of media, I give you...

Feather Nails!

They're rather chic, yes? And it just so happens I have the perfect garter for the bold and be-feathered bride.

Swan Lake by Never a Plain Jane

This particular garter is a bit less edgy than the nails, but it rocks just as hard. Of course I now have wild ideas for some of my less angelically-colored plumage. Hmmm.

What do you say, internet? Would you sport down on your tips?

For every girl, a garter

May was an excellent month for design. I had a couple of opportunities to really let my imagination run.

First, I got a request from one of my favorite clients to make a wedding garter set for her soon to be sister-in-law. Then, two magical words were said to describe this wedding:

Burlesque Masquerade

Oh my gosh, sign me up, and can you get me an invitation!

Smoldering temptress

This little vixen was made with upcycled venetian-style lace from a corset given to me by a former cocktail waitress. She was named for an angel, plays with the devil, and lives like a force of nature. I had to use this lace. Had.To.

Temptation for two

The toss garter (because temptation is best when shared) is made primarily from a red silk camisole. Appropriate, right?

This next garter is one I've been splashing all over the web. Okay, just Facebook and twitter, but I can't help myself. I love it!

This was custom order for a bride who is marrying a man with a fondness for skulls. That button came from an amazing shop, Haute Button, on Etsy. I absolutely cannot wait to snatch up more buttons for embellishing garters. I may even find an excuse to make me some cute clothes so I can sport some of those babies, myself!

If I had this much fun in May, I wonder what sort of girls and garters June will bring me! Have you been having some extra design fun lately? Tell me about it!

For every girl, a garter

This week I got the best e-mail ever. Want to know what qualifies as a best e-mail? One with pictures of an NPJ bride. Wearing her original NPJ garter! At her St. Patrick's Day wedding! Seriously, you guys, I might use up my weekly quota of exclamation points in this one post.

I know you understand, though, because you cannot look at this couple and not be excited. Sarah and Chris tied the knot, literally, on St. Patrick's day. Because they are just awesome like that.

Amazing wedding photography by Mozingo Photography.

I know, right?! They exude joy!  And that isn't even the half of it.  Just look at how her sapphire eyes sparkle against that red hair.  When I was a little girl I'd call it monarch butterfly hair and ask my mom every day if I could dye my stupid blonde locks. And that headpiece!

Genius bridal portraits by Mozingo Photography

Sarah contacted me in February about making her wedding garter.  I knew we'd get along just fine because she started her message with my four favorite words; "I love this garter!" She was referring to my Golden Years garter.

I really shouldn't put my own photos in the same post as a professional photographer's.

When I made this garter I knew it was only going to appeal to certain type of girl. Luckily, Sarah came along, and she is the very best type of girl. And she requested a toss garter.

So I made fair Sarah a toss garter and described it thusly. (That's right, I just threw a"thusly" in there.)

I don't actually know Sarah - I mean we've never met - but I think she might be a wood sprite. She asked me to make a toss garter. Something simple, she said, with ivory and amber, brown and olive green. Can you imagine an early spring wedding with golds, browns, and greens? It sounds like a dance of the druids, of dusk in the hollow, of woodland dreams come true!

I happily designed my secret elf bride and creamy, dreamy, band of ivory dupioni. I added lush olive green satin leaves with just a hint of gold, and a vintage beaded earring shimmering with the tawny shades of the earth.

Sarah responded enthusiastically and confessed that yes, she was rather woodland. I just knew she and I were meant to be, but she decided to go ahead and marry that Chris fellow.

I cried for a bit, but my mourning turned to tears of joy when Mr. and Mrs. Chris Pressley sent me these most lovely photos taken by the talented Michael and Meriah Mozingo.
 

 

 Chris and Sarah, you look positively exuberant!  I trust your happy wedding is only a sign of the many joyful years ahead of you. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a small part of that loving and lasting happiness. Best wishes to you both.

Very truly yours,
J-

Studio Snap

I wonder which holiday I am preparing for these days...

For every girl, a garter

Variations on a theme: Pleats in Tulle

What's your variation?

For every girl, a garter

Last week, while the rest of us recovered from our Turkey-induced trances, an NPJ bride hopped a flight to Costa Rica.

via Mareas Villas

She, along with friends and family, checked into the beautiful Mareas Villas Luxury Resort.

And when she said "I do," I was thrilled to think an NPJ original was part of this fanciful, tropical wedding.

Thank you, Maria! And congratulations!

Treasury Tuesday

Look! I was included in a Holiday Bride Gift Guide!

Please click on the image to visit this treasury at its Etsy home

Omigosh, do you see those Rose Garden Wedding Candles!

Keri O'Hara put together this striking red treasury of what she calls "exquisite items from the WedEclectic team." Well thanks, Keri, but if you want to talk exquisite, let's discuss some of your picture perfect, charmers!

Christmas Tree Photo Ornament

Keepsake Necklace with Custom Photo Pendant and Sterling Heart

Custom Christmas Photo Ornament - Just Married

What would be on your winter wedding wishlist?

Communication is Key

Today, I was challenged to write about the thing(s) I do to give my garters that added something.  What is it that makes them so great - even awesome.

The absolute, honest truth is my garters are amazing because of the me part.

ta da!

Seriously.

When it comes to the actual garters, I still struggle a lot when it comes to calling a piece finished. Sometimes more details make the garter. But sometimes more is just more and less would have been stunning. For example, I recently messaged one of my brides suggesting a glam sequined fabric as the center piece for her bow-shaped garter.

For some girls, those sequins would be a dynamite addition.  This particular bride very sweetly declined and asked that we let the bow speak for itself just like the garter that originally caught her eye.

Pumpkin Spice Latte garter by Never a Plain Jane

My point is, I talked to my bride and, by doing so, I ma making this garter hers. I probably would have added the sequins if it were up to me, and that finishing touch would not have made this an awesome garter in the eyes of my bride.

Luckily, talking to people is my biggest talent. As a result, I've had a bride hug me on sight because she felt I cared about her wedding as much as she did (hi Michele!).  I've had friends of brides come back again and again to order gift certificates as a shower gift because they know I will take care of their friends (I'm looking at you Tiffany). I also have friends who tell me when I've strayed too far from myself trying to please a mass market (thank you, Amy. And Mom).

Will I be adding sequins to a future garter? Definitely!  Will I do it on a custom garter? Not without checking with my customer.  Because the best detail I can add to each creation starts with a simple "hello."

For every girl a garter

Just over a month ago one of my brides said "I do" and the Love in Bloom garter was with her every step of the way.

Photo by Royal Gor Photography, Los Angeles

Congratulations, Lucine! Thank you for letting me be part of this very special occasion. I wish the very best to you and your husband!

A vintage rustic fall garter

I cannot believe I never shared this garter with you guys!  I'm really slipping.

When Nicole contacted me I instantly knew I wanted to work with her.  She had an idea of what she wanted, but she knew what she didn't want: no lace, no bows, no froo-froo. Then, she sent me this photo for inspiration.

I love everything about this! Those gloves! That china! A RACCOON! After a little back and forth with Nicole, I came up with this.

This custom garter is made of sooty gray linen stitched into overlapping patches. I left the edges unfinished because, honestly, linen is like love - most beautiful when it is raw. The petersham ribbon brings a richness with its deep honey tones and makes for a tailored contrast against the grainy linen. Vintage buttons, and cream-colored baker's twine echo the vintage feel and weave of the bride's sweet wrist-length gloves.

This is, honestly, one of my favorite garters ever. How about you? Are you more vintage and less lace or do you go for something with a more traditional feel?

For every girl, a garter

I'm a sucker for a femme fatale. My friend Jessica says it is because I admire strong women. Whether or not that is a correct diagnosis, one of my forever favorite vixens is Poison Ivy.

As I originally saw her - In cartoon form

I'm also have a thing for red heads. Go figure.

Alas, I don't really see any day soon in which it would be acceptable for me to don red waves and/or green leaves.  So I leave it up to you, my internet darlings. Please someone dress up as Poison Ivy. I mean, I already have your garters ready and waiting for you.

Garter pair: Poison Ivy

usually I'd just stop the "For every girl" feature with a garter photo and go about my merry day.  But I love this character so much couldn't resist doing a little costume recon.

I can appreciate a comic book character's traditional leotard and tights uniform, but I think I prefer the skirted renditions.

via HalloweenCostumes.com

Samantha SamSam as Poison Ivy by Celeste Giuliano

via Nilla on DeviantArt

Amazing interpretation from Megan-Marie.com

Let's take a page from yesterday's post and focus on getting into character all the way to the tips of your fingers.

Even though it's Halloween it's still just a crazy outfit until you put your face on.

I love holidays that let you dress up. And seriously, be Poison Ivy.  She's undeniable.  If you do use the coupon code FemmeFatale at my shop and shipping is free.

For every girl, a garter

Today I'm rubbing elbows with a princess!

via*

That's right, Ben took Emily and me to the Magic Kingdom for a family adventure before he leaves town. Since I hope to be seeing Disney's version of that cinder girl, I thought today would be the perfect day to show my latest garter!

It was actually inspired by my recent discovery of Alice Blue Gown, but don't you think it would suit Cinderella perfectly?

It has everything a princess could hope for -icy blue dupioni silk, vintage lace, gold...

I just can't decide if I should offer it as a keepsake garter with a coordinating toss garter, or if I should make a pair of garters for everyday princess wear.  What do you think?

* "Inspired by her childhood memories of Disneyland and a practical knowledge of period costuming, artist Claire Hummel created a series of illustrations featuring historically accurate versions of Disney’s princess costumes. " ~ My Modern Met See more about this series here and here.

Fall Followup

Well, the season is changing as seasons do which reminds me time is passing.  I thought you guys might want an update on the goals I told you about in May.

Lucky No. 13 Pill Box (click image for more info)

I haven't reached 100 blog followers, but I have hit lucky 13 and I'm pretty happy about that.  Sure, I'd like to have 100 people click that magic "follow me" button at the bottom of the page, but I'd much rather have 100 people checking me out every day. So, thank you for stopping by, my lovelies.  And thanks for coming again. In fact, what is it that keeps you coming back and how can I give you more?

As for my other goal, selling 52 garters in so many weeks. Well...

Rose Red, a unique garter by Never a Plain Jane Designs

...the sale of that beauty marks my 28th sale in 27 weeks!

I'm not counting my goal as completed yet, but I am damn skippy celebrating! But not too much.  I have more garters to make!