Vintage Key Necklace Giveaway!

Are you ready to win?  

I'm giving away this beautiful vintage Thai key necklace just in time for Valentine's Day!

Here's how to enter: (You must enter by 7:00 pm ET on Sunday, January 24 to be eligible to win!)

1. Comment below on this post.
2. Like my Facebook page AND like the giveaway post.
3. Comment on the giveaway post.
(Optional but appreciated: Suggest my Facebook page to a friend and/or Share the giveaway post.)

This is a random drawing.  Your name will be dropped into a very fine antique top hat.  My sweet, God-fearing mother (who returns shopping carts to their corral in the parking lot and discourages reusing postage stamps that missed the meter) will choose a name from the hat,  and I'll announce the winner on Sunday, January 24 at 8:00 pm ET on my Facebook page.  Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen, no exceptions.

*International winners: Prize will be shipped by First Class International Mail. You must pay any duty fees associated with collecting your shipment. As this is a free gift and not a purchase, delayed or lost shipment cannot be replaced.

Ready...Set...PLAY!

Autumn Dream Mood Board

Credits, clockwise from top left:
Will You Follow Photo by Mike Shaw
Door Knob Photo:  Jim Thorpe, PA
Lace Dress and Boots Photo Source
 Goth leather messenger bag w/antique key: Urban Heirlooms
skeleton keys: superstock.com

Wordless Wednesday

Babyland General Hospital,
Home of Cabbage Patch Kids
Cleveland, GA

Summer Breeze - Cool Inspiration

Summertime, 
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high...

I have to be honest: summer is not my favorite season.  You can blame the bloodthirsty mosquitoes or the sudden parade of insects that show up out of nowhere, or the humidity that leaves the southern air all hot and heavy.  

But when I see a palette of color as fresh and cool as the aqua one above, I am forced to reconsider!  Summer is also crisp linens on the line, ripe, juicy peaches, lemonade and sweet tea, daisies swaying in a rare breeze, and bare feet on warm concrete.  A rush of cold water in the creek and air smoky with the promise of prize-winning barbecue...yes, let me reconsider!

Wordless Wednesday

Early African American Cyclists: History Colorado - Lillybridge Collection

Prone to Wander...Bohemian Style

If I wanted to mosey around a new city in the summertime, this is what I'd want to wear: A cool, gauzy white shirt, an armful of brocade-wrapped charm bangles, funky paisley sunglasses, sublime Moroccan-inspired metallic sandals, and an extra-large leather Boho messenger bag for gathering the day's bounty.

A Fresh New Start: The White Stuff

It's a new year, and I'm totally in the mood for a fresh, new start!  I never get tired of white.  Always fresh, always clean, always smart.

Clockwise, Top Left to Right: 1.  Linen Doily, Southern Salvage  2.  Leather Master Key Cuff, Urban Heirlooms 3.  Hunter for J. Mendel Wellington Boots, J. Mendel   4. Porcelain Lace Bowls, Hideminy - New York  5.  Shabby Vintage Lunchbox,  Katie's Rose Cottage Designs  6.  Jersey Knit Yarn Balls, 79 Ideas  Center: 7.  White Heart Keyhole, Abundance Blog

Just Another Wordless Wednesday

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Teal Appeal

TEAL seems to be the go-to color of the fall season, but I don't know how much of an investment I want to make in that leather.  Seems people either love it or hate it--not much in between.  Maybe just a teeny tiny bit?  I love it in all shades!

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What I Did Today

Sometimes (OK, often!) it takes a special request, a custom order, to get me to do something I've been meaning to do for a very long time.  Case in point:  I made these custom leather snap-on belts today in assorted colors.  If you're a buckle collector, then you're probably already familiar with these gems.

The leather I used is sturdy but soft, for an effect that's a little more feminine than the stiffer belts we're accustomed to.  I finished each one off with meticulous top stitching.  For this photo, I paired them with a horse-themed vintage buckle from my own collection and called it a day.  (And a very good day at that!)

Custom handmade leather snap-on belts

Wordless Wednesday

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Catch Me! I'm Falling For Fall

I COME ALIVE when the air turns snappy and crisp leaves carpet the ground.  I start thinking it's time to replenish my stash of teas, find a favorite pair of warm socks and a new body butter, and I keep promising that this is the fall I will finally attempt to make my Aunt Carolyn's apple cake.

To welcome my favorite season I will lively up my wardrobe with a special piece I love to wear.   Fall accessories are my favorite to shop for, and lately I've been eyeballing the color plum.  Paired with mocha and coppery hues, it's deep, rich and mysterious; a cozy palette worth snuggling up to.

Top Left to Right: 1.  Art Nouveau Tights, Teja Jamilla 2.  Copper & Amethyst Ring, Midwest Alchemy 3.  Super Snuggly Knit Cowl, Happiknits  Bottom: 4. Desert Rose Leather Messenger, Urban Heirlooms  5.  Plum Floral Nails, Weheartit.com

Desert Rose : The Right Bag For Your Journey

So, I thought I'd give the doilies a rest --just for a hot second--and showcase this magnificent brass antique key on my latest messenger bag, "Desert Rose".  I'm really loving the distressed Antique Mocha leather as well.   It has a well-worn, well-loved and lived-in patina that reminds me of desert journeys and dusty breezes.  And I snuck a funky little doily on the inside! ;)

Desert Rose Distressed Leather Messenger

Authentic 18th Century antique key and deluxe pockets; ticking stripe lining

Adjustable buckle strap and bonus back pocket

Speaking of Branding...Skeleton Key Themed Tattoos

If I were ever to get a skeleton key tattoo, that would take my branding to a whole new level!

Although the dainty one in the main frame is about all I could sit still for without screaming bloody murder, the others are also quite amazing.  Hmmmm...maybe when I turn 50?  How about you--are you the branding kind?

a. Tiny key tattoo  b. Ornate key tattoo  c. Fancy escutcheon tattoo  d. Lock and key couple tattoos

That Old Time Feel

If ever a collection whispered my name...

Check out this awesome Treasury curated by Pearle Northrop on Etsy!  I'm glad she chose my black leather antique key messenger to be a part of it!

Girls Gotta Ride

I promised I'd show you the black leather biker chic messenger bag I came up with in the midst of my boho bag bonanza.  It must have struck a chord because it sold within an hour of me posting pictures of it on my Facebook page!

This delicious piece of buttery soft leather with its massive antique French gate key and adjustable strap was claimed by a special customer who has built quite a nice collection of Urban Heirlooms.  I'm convinced she'll rock it like it needs to be rocked!

Wordless Wednesday

Nice Package!

Don't you just love special occasions? I tinkered with some gift wrap ideas while wrapping this order today.  Brown Kraft paper box, antique key stamp, text from an old book page, and paper twine.  ♥

I just ran to check, and (gasp!) yes, I butchered an unbearably old book for that sliver of text!  Next time I'll check first, though in my heart of hearts, it has far more value on this gift box than sitting dusty on my bookshelf, waiting to be used only as a photography prop.

And The Beat Goes On...My Latest Boho Bags

WHAT'S COOKING at Urban Heirlooms? I've been laying low and trying to figure some things out, like how to upgrade my Mac operating system without causing an apocalypse on my computer, and why Firefox has abandoned me once again and no longer offers me its support.  This was why I was unable to comment on other blogs I follow without my comments disappearing.  And now I can't even properly format my own blog posts.  Forced to upgrade! Oy vey! But I digress.

Despite all that, I've been making as many Boho bags as my chubby little fists can muster!  I even made one for my niece's graduation present.  She wears it well, yes?

I'll be back soon with photos of my newest black leather "Biker Chic" messenger bag.  I promise it'll make you want to strap it on and go ride a Vespa!

Wordless Wednesday