I’m in love with the 1920′s and the flapper era style. It comes as no surprise that I’m itching to see the new movie ‘Gatsby’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio , Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan. If not for the beloved story of Gatsby, a rich and eligible bachelor who throws extravagant parties in the hopes of impressing his old flame Daisy, then for the intricately crafted, beautiful Art Deco inspired style and accessories of the Jazz Age. The iconic flapper headpieces of the 1920′s are making a comeback! Just look at some of the beautiful jeweled hair pins and fascinators worn by the characters. This really gets the creative juices flowing.

Hurrah! We are pleased to announce that Featherband accessories will be available in yet another store in Ottawa! Located in trendy Westboro, East Wind is store chock full of Asian dinnerware, accessories, books, and healing rocks and crystals, where you can find trinkets to help in your quest to bring harmony to your daily life.

With heavy emphasis on the ancient teaching of Feng Shui, the flow of energy or “qi”, East Wind offers consultations from Feng Shui Master, Maggie, who also instructs and leads seminars about your personal energy and the energy of the space around you, and how to harmony and balance to your life.

Among all the books on Asian philosophy and culture, Asian-inspired clothing, healing crystals and gems, calligraphy supplies and zen gardens, you will find Featherband’s Asian inspired line of Fascinators and accessories. Many of the accessories such as fascinators and hair chopsticks have a peacock feather within the design. Did you know peacocks symbolize glory, royalty, spirituality, immortality, protection and awakening? The peacock can rejuvenate self-esteem levels as well. So if you’re feeling down, what better way to lift your spirits than wearing a peacock feather? It’ll have you strutting around and ruffling your feathers in no time!

East Wind – The Asian Store
361 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON

Adorit, offers a wide collection of Canadian made and fair trade clothing and accessories.  If you’re festival hopping this summer, this is THE place to go for trendy boho chic outfits. Stop by the store and have a look at all the new spring/summer clothing and accessories! With brightly coloured scarves and metallic striped hula hoops in front (classes offered), you won’t miss it!

Good news to all Torontonians! Featherband will be back for a one-day pop up at The Beauty Board, hosted by BlushPretty! This year, The Beauty Board #7 will be co-ed, so remember to get your man a ticket to this fabulous event too! Packed full of the latest beauty products, beauty junkies can be one of the first to  test the best and newest cosmetics and skincare items on the market! In addition to product sampling, what good is a party without tunes and yummy food? DJ Bloo will be spinning the latest hits and Someguys Culinary Co. will be filling your bellies with delectable treats. This is one of my favourite events of the year so you MUST attend!

Here are the details:

When: Sunday May 5, 2013
Time: 2pm-6pm
Where: Downtown Toronto, ON (TBD)

Brands in attendance:
Consonant Body
Pure+Simple
Revolution Organics
Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics (I love the names of these raunchy nail polishes!)
EcoTools
Dot+Lil
(and many more!)

Only 23 tickets left as of now, so get on it! Tickets are $35 each. Buy them here!

Come out and support the vendors and help promote breast cancer awareness!

I received the best gift from my amazing brother last Christmas. As a craft show vendor, sometimes sales are lost by not having a debit or credit card machine. The little white device called Square is probably one of the best solutions to this problem! I used Square at the Urban Craft Show and accepted more than $70 through credit cards. This is truly the best way to accept credit cards without the high cost of merchant debit and credit card machines. The surprising thing was that the customers who gave me their card didn’t even ask about what it was. Seems as though Square has already been widely accepted and recognized by customers.

Compact and cute, this little square plugs into the earphone jack of your smartphone or iPad and allows you to accept Visa or Mastercard with just a swipe! Just type in the amount and swipe the credit card through the slot. Pass your device to the customer and have them sign their name with their finger on the screen and voila! Customers are given the option to receive a receipt via e-mail or text, completely paperless and instant.

To register for Square and receive a free card reader, go here. Once registered and linked to your bank account, transactions only cost 2.75% of the purchase and are deposited directly into your account within 1-2 business days. There are no setup fees or long-term contracts. You can even list your business on the Square online directory, list your items, create a loyalty program and highlight daily specials. There are so many other features that make this little device such a powerful too! I recommend all vendors to register and use Square!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being one of the fabulous vendors at the Urban Craft Show at The Glebe Community Centre. In a brightly lit domed hall, over 40 vendors displayed their wares for the Glebe community. With a new table display and products, I was excited to get this well-advertised show on the road! I had an amazing time getting to know customers and loved all the positive responses about the new Featherband designs I had showcased.

Being new to Ottawa, it’s taken some time to get to know the different areas within Ottawa and the Glebe is definitely one of the trendiest. I saw tons of shoppers wearing unique and funky clothing and accessories which reminded me of the diverse fashions seen from my hometown Toronto. A pair who did stand out to me were bloggers Zara and Michelle from Ottawa Velo Vogue, a website dedicated to cycling and street fashion in Ottawa. What! Only in the nature-oriented and environmentally friendly nation’s capital will you find such a cool combination to blog about. I’m looking forward to meeting more bloggers, designers and fashion loving friends in this beautiful city. Hopefully once the snow thaws we will see more craft shows and cute outfits. Maybe I’ll consider trading in my car keys for my old bike too!

This is a pretty across-the-forehead flapper style headband, or an accent the base of a fancy up-do with this stunner. It took me nearly 10 hours to complete but I love it.

This was my first beaded project. It took me a while to make this lay flat with the chain when worn but the pearl and crystal additions give it a bit more glam.

Here’s a simpler statement necklace. Makes a smaller statement but still screams glam.

This is my first wire twisted tiara. It was fun. I think I’ll make more.

Check out all the new beaded goodness on Etsy!

Black Rose Studded Rhinestone Heart

Red Rhinestone Stud Heart

Black Rhinestone Stud Heart

The rhinestone and feather encrusted wedding shoes I spent 3 days gluing together.

The Featherband headpiece I made for myself to go with my Chinese dress.

The Chinese dress.

The wedding dress.

The handmade feathery pen encrusted with white rhinestones for signing that special piece of paper.

The brooch bouquet my mom made for me. This will last forever.

Didn’t get many good photos of my finale Feather Dress for the reception, but here it is! I spent days pulling feathers off a boa and gluing them to the layers of the high-low skirt. The bodice was also meticulously covered in feathers.

We’re married! Definitely one of the happiest days of my life. Huge thank you to photographer extraordinaire Serena So from Half Frame Photography for her amazing talent in capturing our big day!