Mori Girl: NEW Ofelia Ljuv SS2012 pieces!

New Ofelia Ljuv Collection SS 2012 pieces!

One of the things I always like to ask my stockists (boutiques I sell at) is for feedback. If you strive to improve upon product, services, and yourself - feedback is essential unless you want to be stuck in a habit of simply doing everything the same. I do not care if it’s hurtful, blunt, or even minor. Anything helps because if I am going to change AND succeed I will take the hits early and get over my ego. 

One of my stockists, Nathalie, had told me months ago certain things I should look into for my Ofelia Ljuv Collection. My Ofelia Ljuv Collection is all about Mori Girl aesthetics - bringing in the natural world, upcycling scrap fabrics and laces, and using bits and pieces of found objects. She had told me that I should consider silk and linens for backings of my pendant necklaces and brooches because some people are allergic to wool. That, wool was also a material limited to seasonality. She said that I should explore other color options since my palette was limited to beiges, creams, and browns. There was also positive feedback received on the versatility of certain pieces - combinations where a headpiece could be a brooch and necklace.  At the same time she said my aesthetic was very romantic and feminine which means I should attempt to test the bridal market. 

Some travel and a new headpiece

I couldn’t resist buying a toadstool decoration and a Yellow Owl Workshop Ink Pad (which I recommend highly because it sets pretty fast and doesn’t smudge under the fingertips).

I recently had a chance to visit the Wellington County which covers Kitchener, Waterloo, Elora, and St. Jacobs of Ontario - the province I lived it. It was quite a dreary day but it was well worth the trip to see a scenery that makes a City Girl with a Wild Heart like myself feel so wholesome. I would like to thank my friend, D. for taking me. I love learning about the countryside outside of my Metropolitan city of Toronto. There were such quaint little stores in Elora and St. Jacobs that were so pretty. So many unique things I wanted to buy! Including this 3D leather acorn coin holder-pouch which was well beyond my budget but I found it online at a much more affordable price.

New Headpiece

Detailing

Lately, I have been inspired to make some new pieces. I’m really loving patterned feathers and flowers. Evident in my latest work I’m striving to meld bohemian with romance as themes. Texture and softness. Airy to earthy. 

What do you guys think? Would you wear it?

New Stockist: HELLS BELLES and Late Summer ~ Early Autumn Items

As of August 9th I have added a new Stockist for my items. You can now find my items at Hells Belles at Queen Street West and Spadina. They are one of the longest running Goth stores in Toronto and it is an honor to work and sell with them!

They will specifically carry my Men's Accessory line, Dandy Boy. So far, this includes black and white bird skull cuff links, corded necklaces, and lapel pins. I have juuuuust found adjustable Men's ring bases so expect those to be stocked in a few more weeks. They also carry my Women's taxidermy line with white and black bird skull necklaces and adjustable rings.

Please, check them out if you are are passing by Toronto! You will not be disappointed! :)

These are some new hair slides I made. Some will most likely be available online but I'm not too sure as of yet. They'll be making their debut appearance at my first ever craft show (The Creative Heart Collective) at The Gladstone Hotel - September 18th. If they sell well, I'll be making more in the coming months but as of now they are test products. I think they are unbelievably adorable.

These are the Dandy Boy bird skull necklaces for Men. I thought that fine chain would be too delicate and opted for some waxed cotton cord instead. I could see a guy wearing this quite nicely!

Here's what the packaged goods of what I dropped off to Hells Belles look like. 13 items in total and notice how the Men's items have pure white tags and Women's items have vintage colored tags.

Here's some Mori Girl items I made. Lace bow barrettes in three color ways: Tea-stained, Ecru, and Cream. Gorgeous and they come with not pictured pearl and charm dangles! Perfect for keeping hair out of your face when the autumn winds blow.

Lastly, here's a sneak peek at my new Autumn line under, Ofelia Ljuv. Very foresty and Mori Girl. The charms are motifs in nature that I hold dear to my heart: mushrooms, squirrels, acorns, and leaves. I will be selling them in sets at a promotional price and loose pieces. They'll be on my ETSY this coming week as will so many of my other items!

Don't forget to LIKE my QUAINTRELLA Facebook Page (tab on side) for a chance to win a surprise item in my GIVEAWAY when I reach 100 Fans! :)

Pictures and Purchases!

It's actually my Birthday today! But, I have had a stomach bug for the past few days. It's been a little too long to be food poisoning. I had big plans to go to Centre Island and fulfill my childhood dream of riding 4 person bike and canoeing. But, it's raining as I type! :( I also wanted to go out for a massive sushi dinner - but, it's ruined by my stomach problem. So sad! :/

But, I managed to finish all the sample products for my Men's accessory line called, Dandy! :) I have a meeting with a popular Goth store on Queen Street West this Tuesday with the Owner and Buyer. My only concern is that I will desperately need to break my supply binge for the month of August because I need more black bird skulls. I need enough for more cuff links and necklaces. I also ran out of silver chains prematurely. I really under estimated just how much coverage I would need to cover two consignments and a craft show in September.

I'm actually going to be at the Creative Heart Collective Craft Show at The Gladstone Hotel September 18th. If you are in Toronto, please, feel free to drop by and chat! :)

I have also finished a new range of items which include hair slides and teeny brooches. It'll be posted in my next post! I promise. I will also begin updating my Etsy like mad in the coming days. I know I have been posting a lot of products but never listing. Sorry! I promise to get to it soon! I'll post my complete Men's Collection soon. :)

I have always been really bad at styling my hair. Haha. But, now that I am growing it I have decided to try my hand at braiding. Not bad. I added my H&M flower headband for a Mori and Natural-Kei touch. I'll be updating more outfit posts, too!

My mom made me a Toadstool hat one Christmas. I love it to death and it looks great with braids!

My new apartment is close to so many vintage stores. One notable one is, I Miss You which specializes in 1980's-1970's and under high end vintage. I found this gorgeous leather bag for a mere $25 and it fits my iPad 2! :D

Another vintage store I would recommend is called CTS which is a short form for Canadian Thrift Stores. Their tiered pricing system actually makes things more at a thrifty value then a market value. Many vintage stores in Toronto price their items based on trends and market value. CTS defies this - I got this skirt for $12.99. It's a dropped waist with pintucks, clung lace, ruffles, and cream cotton. It's absolutely perfect for Mori Girl.

So, has anyone made any recent VINTAGE purchases? If so, what? I'd love to see your stuff!

Blogged from my iPhone

Death & Sneak peek of New July Product!

It's been a tough week. I just attended my first open casket Wake yesterday. One of my closest friend's mother died a couple days ago. It was all so sudden. :'( I bawled when I heard she had a few months to live and then a couple days later she passed. I cried a lot over it. I didn't breakdown at the Wake which was a slight relief. Nothing worst then being the loud catalyst of grief - when I cry I get pathetically loud and clogged. My heart and prayers go out to my friend's family. Especially my friend who has been nothing less then precious and to this day remains one of my most steadfast buddies. I love you, A.

That aside, been busy working on new designs! I have also expanded into Men's accessories. Lots of Mori Girl + Mori Boy / Dolly Boy items. Dolly Kei headpiece. Natural Kei + Fur Puffs and Tails are back after so many personal requests! Here's a few quick low quality pictures of my items until I get them photographed nicely. :) Enjoy!

As always, comments are welcome and I don't mind constructive criticism at all. :)

- Blogged from my iPhone

Quaintrella Etsy is Updated!

I listed things on my Etsy Shop. 90% of my Ofelia Ljuv May Collection is on there.



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Thank you for your support!

Ofelia Ljuv - May Collection!

Hey everyone! May is just about to end which means I just about finished my May items for Ofelia Ljuv. This month’s items is inspired by Spring, my awesome Mother, and Heirlooms. I ordered a lot of vintage and handmade doilies and enjoyed working with them so much that I used 9 of them in a matter of 1 day or sewing. Which is an accomplishment as I generally hoard supplies for months. I have ordered a lot more doilies now and in different sizes. I also have have used up all my brooch-clip combinations which means I’ll have to order a massive amount in the next week.

Scroll down to see everything!

Busy Busy! New jewelry: Mori Girl Pendant Necklaces and Bird Skull Jewelry

I have been immensely busy. A large quantity of my older Ofelia Ljuv Collection (the Mori Girl line) under Quaintrella is now available at Nathalie-Roze & Co.  boutique in Toronto's Leslieville. It was an exciting experience and Nathalie is really awesome and I found her to be one of the most wonderful boutique shopkeepers I have ever met since starting this whole consignment business after leaving my business partner. She gave me so much advice and support. I will be eternally grateful for that openness and inspirational stuff she told me. :) I wish there were more people like her - or at least I started out with her as my first consignment shop (though, technically - I did wholesale with her). And, I just found out I have known of her back in my high school days through her Frugal Fashionista columns in the newspapers. Small world. 

I have been contacted by another boutique. The funny thing is I actually talked to the boutique owner a few weeks back about my taxidermy jewelry and then she randomly found me on Etsy and was interested in my Mori Girl items. Since, I sold a significant quantity to Nathalie I began working on more. It was sweatshop-mode...I was able to make 9 pieces in one day. See below. That is the greatest input I have done in a day for these things. Usually I average around 3 a day if I can put my mind to it. But, seeing that people like my stuff and continuously tell me they have never seen anything like it - I feel pumped!

See my most recent work below. I began making bird skull rings. I personally HATE costume jewelry ring bases so I will only make them with sterling silver or gold. It ups the price by a lot but at the same time you will never have a green finger. :) I also ordered my brand label tags and more vintage doilies. I just need my business cards and then I should be good. :)

Tell me your thoughts and which pendant necklace is your favourite! I would't mind feedback.

9 Mori Girl Pendant Necklace pieces done in one day.

Began sterling silver base bird skull rings.

This is a necklace I will be selling to a boutique - TNK Vintage on Saturday.

New Products: Wood Pins + Necklaces, Taxidermy jewelry, and fiber-ceramic jewelry!

Today, was a bit of an unproductive day. Being a night owl (not by choice) usually means I get the most workta done in the dead hours of the night - I live in downtown Toronto which means that there are no sirens, crazy people yelling, or traffic to interrupt my thoughts at 2 AM - 5 AM in the mornings.

I mentioned in my previous post I worked on a lot of product for consignments. Here, are more pieces which are mostly going into consignments. Ransack the Universe carries most of the wooden pins and a unique wooden necklace! Don't be afraid to check out their rather awesome store!

Wooden pins - waterproofed with an matte acrylic glaze.

Sparrow skulls casted in plastic - these are the pieces I worked on with a taxidermist in the US for months. :)

More recent wooden pins. If I don't drop off the rest of these to Ransack the Universe then they will be going to ETSY by the end of this week. I have more wood-based jewelry on my new ETSY: http://TheQuaintrella.etsy.com

My newest piece to date. Bird skull rings. I have a huuuuge pet peeve regarding costume jewelry rings (necklaces are a-okay in my book). I hate how they always turn my fingers green. So, I decided to only use sterling silver ring bases. Unfortunately, they only come in size 6 and I have yet to find gold bases. :( Also, I used gold chains on all my necklaces which means there'll be a switch over to half of the stock to silver chains.

While these pieces aren't particularly reflective of all my latest fiber-based pendent necklaces. They represent a new foray into using ceramic beads and charms. I'm not sure if I should put these into consignment so I believe they will be on ETSY soon enough!

I'm the biggest supply hoarder - I always think there's a use for everything. You guys, have no ideas how happy I am to find a use for my ceramic bead charms!!! All my Mori Girl and fiber-based pieces are stuffed with the exterior cut-outs and left overs. No waste. I also recycle shoulder pads for forms. Sometimes, I like to think of Mori Girl fashion as earth-loving since there is such a close affinity to nature when I think about it.

Another project I am going to start is the dismantling of all my super-long upcycled and vintage fox tails. I have waited for the listings to expire on my Marionette Atelier ETSY so now the surgery can begin! They will be half in length and price! :) I know many people have asked me for shorter ones. Well, now - there will be shorter ones!

Sent from my iPhone

Blog Giveaway / LJ Community Contests

I’ve been contemplating a Giveaway for a while and since I’ve almost reached 40 readers I might as well act on my urges. However, being somewhat ambitious I also like to multitask – this post will include the Livejournal Polyvore / Coordinate Contests I will be holding at the same time. Feel free to link away and advertise it if you think you’d have friends interested. The more the merrier!

Quaintrella Blog Giveaway

I will be doing ONE Giveaway of my Bowtie Necklace on this Blog. Basically, this is the simplest one where all you have to do is be a Follower of my Blog and comment on the post (be sure to include your email address if possible so I may contact you if you win). Once that’s done on April 8^th, 2011 I will add all the entries into a online randomizer to pick out a winner. J Enter only once, please. Thank you.

Local So_lolita Livejournal Community Polyvore / Coordinate Contest

This one is for the local Lolitas only. You have to be in Ontario and part of the So_Lolita LJ Community. This is for the Gothic Birdcage Dangle Earrings AND/OR Bowtie Birdcage Necklace. Both are new designs for my line http://TheQuaintrella.etsy.com and you can enter for one or both (2 entries each maximum). Basically, use my accessories into a Polyvore Coordinate or Real Life Coordinate. Show me how you would wear it and a vote will be done by the members of the community based on your skills. Feel free to enter my other contests too! I will cover shipping charges for the items if you cannot meet me locally. Deadline: April 15^th, 2011.

International Mori Girl, Dolly Kei, Natural Kei,and Possibly Classic Lolita Polyvore / Coordinate Contest

This one is an International Contest for one of my One-Of-A-Kind textile art necklaces inspired by a very particular Mori Girl brand, Rosey Aphrodina. The Tea Rosette Necklace will never be replicated and has been made with great attention to detail and love. You may only enter this contest ONCE with a coordinates (in the style of your choice). Basically, show how you would wear this piece with your current existing wardrobe or your dream coordinate (with Polyvore) and POST them HERE. There will be two voting sessions which will first accommodate for the communities involved and then the top voted entries will be re-voted on by all communities involved. Make sure to label the genre of style you will be coordinating for. I will pay for shipping charges if the winner isn’t local. NOTE: The base portion of this necklace is made of wool – please be aware of this if you are allergic. Deadline: April 15^th, 2011. (Check the Morigirls and Dolly_Kei LJ Communities for Information in a day or two when I have better pictures up).

Thanks for reading. Happy winning and coordinating! :)

PS - Sorry, for the shit pictures. It’s 4 AM and I’m a vampire who can’t wait for sunshine at the moment. I’ll retake them ASAP when I have the light and energy.