Preview of Holiday Hair Accessories

I have been waiting months to finally use these yummy colors!  So the past few weeks I have been creating some interesting Holiday pieces.  I couldn't wait any longer and wanted to preview two of my favorite new pieces.  I started with red, white and green and then my passion for more color got tossed in and here are two samples of my personal favorites.


The piece below should have been called "The Nutcracker" considering I was competing with some local squirrels for this branch here:))  

"Lydia Joy" (1)

I truly adore these two pieces because they were designed to coordinate with a new Holiday line of dresses coming out very soon by my dear friend and wonderful seamstress Robin over at Red Thread Stitches.

The center rosette is rolled from the finest yellow dupioni silk and is surrounded by emerald green silk, coordinating hackle, ostrich, maribou and guinea feathers, red polka dot tuille and a gorgeous clear rhinestone.  

(the squirrels kept on chirping at me as I was clicking away).

This is one of a kind because the yellow silk is a hard find, so go put your orders in now!

I think this simple version of the Lydia Joy will be a sure seller!  I love the red and green silks in it.  These are very limited because it seems red dupioni is hard to find now, so please put your orders in if you would like one.

"Lydia Joy" (2)

  

"Candy Cane Swirls"

Very cute and similar to the "Mia" in my gallery only smaller with a single red and white dupioni silk rosette topped off with a swirl of green, two faux pearls, black netting, hackle and guinea feathers.  The back is finished with brown felt and an alligator clip.  The over all size is about 2 1/2 inches wide and 2 inches tall and is very light for a child or adult to wear.

I made the above duo for a Mother and her pretty daughter!  I really enjoyed the added touch of the black guinea feathers.  Both pieces were used as a brooch and or hair piece.

Inspiration from Custom Requests

What can be more exciting than to create an item specially ordered by clients? After all consumers know what they want and when the design is finished and the customer is happy, well, I consider that a job well done:))


This past month I have had several requests for different colored silk and Holiday pieces.  And thanks to my sweet friend Robin of Red Thread Stitches all these pieces are various versions of the Lydia piece she posted on her blog a few weeks ago. Robin is about to launch a brand new line of Boutique Children's Dresses for the Holidays using patterns from Izzy and Ivy Designs.  I happen to love everything from Izzy and Ivy!  From the Addie Jo skirt to the Macy Giggles dress. So go peek at those sweet patterns, check out Robin's new line of designer fabrics and get your order in!  I can't wait to get mine.

I have been holding on to gorgeous clear rhinestones and waiting to use them.  The recent customs I made were the perfect opportunity to use them. I have one more piece left of the large piece featured in the second photo and several more of the sweet small rhinestones.  I have already placed a second order for more silks and gorgeous complimenting feathers, so make sure you come back to have a look.

Here's a general list of prices for these pieces.  I realize that the Holidays are expensive for everyone so I'm trying to keep most of the new pieces $15.00 to $25.00 (depending on size, amount of rosettes and embellishements used.

More designs to come.  Thanks always for stopping by.

Ivy

Beauty in Silk

It's barely fall and already I am anticipating the Holidays!  The leaves are starting to change colors here on the East Coast which is also so inspiring to get colorful.

Recently I had a request for some jewel toned pieces and it was the perfect excuse to go shopping! What I love so much about dupioni silk is the fact that there are so many color variations in any given hue along the entire color spectrum.  Just when I think I've found the perfect green, well then, there is always another hue of green, just as shiny and pretty as the original I liked. While my shopping list was getting pretty long I had to narrow it down but I do think I chose some colorful and bright silks.  Here are samples of the dozen or more colors I have coming in this week.

Speaking of a Jewel, I have always admired the designs of another dear friend and talented seamstress who is so driven to help others.  She has three beautiful children and is currently sewing her way on a Mission to help the orphans of Russia.  Many of you already know her, but for those that do not, please go to Lady Peep Boutique and purchase one of her sweet skirts.  I have many of her pieces and her work is impeccable and eye for color and coordinating perfect!

The Lydia brooch has proven to be a nice little seller thanks to Robin and I can not wait to wear one on my jean jacket but can't decide on the color!  Plus customers first, of course. 

Thanks for looking.  Be sure to check out the Gallery page and remember everything is custom, so pick your design and colors and get a great hair piece or brooch for yourself or to give as gifts!

Ivy  

September Surprise

I was delighted to see that one of my favorite pieces is being featured today on Red Thread Stitches!  I am so flattered and thankful to Robin for helping to get the word out about my new shop. 


I love that dress and fabric designer, but it was Robin who put the sweet outfit together with a darling apron front and coordinating pants. She's so talented.  Who ever is the first to purchase her newest creation Miss Lydia, will win the dupioni silk brooch, which is also worn as a hair clip.  


The first person to buy that dress will also get another surprise from me.  So hurry up and go to Red Thread Stitches!


Ivy

Price for this Lydia silk Rosette $15.00
Email me to place an order shaffer_i@comcast.net
Also you can request different colors for the main flower.

Pondering Fall Designs

It seems that my "Anika" design has been one of the favorites so far and I couldn't be more pleased, because each one is totally different. Every time I sit down to make a piece I find myself adding something new for texture or some sequins for bling and just plain having fun with that hair band. My daughter decided she even likes them and so I am definitely flattered by her enthusiasm!


Recently I was walking around the mall and got some good ideas for fall pieces. I think I needed that inspiration because our daily pool side activities in 80 plus degree weather was making it hard for me to imagine what I wanted to do next.


I have fall colored silk, velvet and brocade fabric I'm using now and can't wait to finish them.


If anyone is interested in Holiday pieces please feel free to email me between September and October as I will be closing shop during November through December to bring our second daughter home from China.


In addition I am thrilled that I was asked to work with a dear friend, Robin Magana, the incredible seamstress behind "Red Thread Stitches".  She makes the most delightful dresses and skirts for little girls and asked me to collaborate with her to make coordinating hair accessories for her new line of dresses.  Be sure to check out her website because they are going to be the sweetest dresses any little girl will want in her closet! 

So for now, here are some of my recent designs made with some of the fall silks.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Ivy

Welcome to My Pretty Chapeau!

WELCOME TO MY PRETTY CHAPEAU

I am very excited to announce the opening of My Pretty Chapeau where I will be offering affordable, couture hair accessories for little girls and women.  With a love for fabrics, color, fashion and photography, I decided to combine what I love into custom, one of a kind statement pieces. Any of my pieces can be custom ordered to coordinate with special occasions, birthday parties or to just add as a sweet photography prop for sessions that want to showcase whimsy or elegance.  


One of the unique attributes of some of my pieces will be a "two different look in one" capability. In other words turn them around and you have a completely new look with different colors and embellishments (as you will see in the gallery).  I want customers to be able to find versatility in my pieces as well as use them for more than one occasion.   

The true inspiration behind my work is my precious daughter.  Her personality inspires the whimsical and colorful designs while her  beauty and charisma inspire the elegance in the more formal pieces.

My goal is to provide my clients with unique and affordable pieces.  I use the finest dupioni silk, designer fabrics, millinery supplies and hard to find vintage brooches and rhinestones as embellishments. After months of working on many different designs and prototypes I realized that most of my pieces   are colorful, yet sophisticated and my favorites are those made from the gorgeous colors in the various dupioni silks. I have come up with quite a few designs that consistently make me smile when I  see them or work on them.  So as you peek through the gallery, I hope you will find something that appeals to your taste.  Please keep in mind that I love to do custom work, and if there is something you see that you would like bigger or smaller feel free to contact me.  


After the release of these pieces I will be working on a small collection of newborn and bridal accessories, so if you don't see something you want, no problem, just forward me an email with your request and again, I'll be happy to discuss options.


First I would like to thank a few dear friends who helped me to launch this venture.  A huge thanks to Michelle, of Michelle R. Photography for taking some of the most beautiful photos of her girls wearing my pieces while out east on vacation recently. Her photography is amazing, and her generosity and friendship priceless!  Thank you sweet Michelle.
Second I will be working with another dear friend Robin Magana of Red Thread Stitches, who also enthusiastically encouraged me to pursue this venture.  She is another special lady who has the talent to sew the most adorable clothing for children.  I also love her work. 
And certainly I want to thank Rita of The Coffee Shop Blog who put this blog together knowing we are in a rush to get things moving along.  I love her work and for those of you who don't know her, please check her site out.  She gives so many freebies away, one can virtually learn photoshop alone on her site!


So on to the Gallery! Go up to the top menu bar and click on it.

"We can't take credit for our talents, it's how we use them that counts."
Author: Madeleine L'Engle

A portion of my proceeds will go to Holt International's Special Needs Adoption Fund which is very dear to my heart.  This agency  made us parents with the adoption of our daughter in 2008.  They work tirelessly to find home for special needs children all over the world and in March they matched us with our second daughter, whom we hope to bring home this fall.  Their funds are almost depleted so I can't think of a better way to give back then to help with their project.  


Ivy