Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A brief history of toe rings!

It's Toe Ring Season!

So I thought a blog post about them would be fun!


A little history...

In the United States, as in most countries, toe rings serve mainly as a fashion accessory for the foot.  What most people don't know however, is that toe rings have a very interesting history. 

In India, a toe ring is worn on the second toe of the left foot of a Hindu woman to symbolize marriage.  This would be similar to the traditional wedding ring in Western culture.  

Some women in India wear them on just one foot, both feet, or have a set for all five toes. The rings are usually crafted in a hoop form that's open in the back for easy removal.  Men also sometimes wear them to symbolize strength and masculinity.  

Toe rings are referred to by different names in different cultures; in Hindi a toe ring is called bichiya (pronounced: bee-chee-ya).

Toe rings were introduced to the United States around 1973 by Marjorie Borell.  After returning from India, she started selling and manufacturing them in New York at her own trendy retail outlet called Fiorucci.  She eventually sold her designs to other companies and the idea took off.  

The wearing of toe rings in India is still a commonly practiced custom today, and they remain a sought after fashion accessory in the United States as well.

The Groom placing toe rings on the Bride's toe.

Some more toe ring info...

Getting a toe ring on & off of your toe.
A fitted toe ring needs to feel snug on your toe.
If it is too gig, it will slide around and maybe even slip off.
Odds are, even with a perfectly sized toe ring, you'll need to use a bit of lubricant to slide the
ring on your toe more easily. A bit of hand lotion rubbed on you toe first does the trick nicely.
You'll probably need to apply a little lubricant again when you're ready to take your toe ring off.

What size are your toes?
I dunno.  ; ) But I can tell you that the toe I tend to wear my toe rings on (the toe next to my big toe) is the exact same size as the pinky finger on my hand.

If you don’t have a pinky ring to experiment with, here’s how to determine the size toe ring; you'll need a piece of string or a thin strip of paper.

1. Simply wrap the string (or paper) snugly around the fattest part of your toe — usually the joint.
2. Mark the part of the string/paper where it meets.
3. Measure that length in millimeters and use this guide to determine your size:

size 2.5 = 43 mm
size 3 = 44 mm
size 3.5 = 45 mm
size 4 = 46.5 mm
size 4.5 = 48 mm
size 5 = 49 mm
size 5.5 = 50 mm
size 6 = 51.5 mm 

4. I know, that's pretty tiny measurements, get as close as you can and you should be fine.

if you can't measure in millimeters, use a 16th inch measurement.
You'll have to email me with the measurement and I can use that it to determine your size. 

The most popular toe ring sizes for women are 3 and 4.
The most popular toe ring sizes for men are 5 and 6.
Adjustable toe rings don't need to be sized, unless you need an exceptionally small or large size.



Toe Rings of India




~xoxo deb

Thursday, May 10, 2012

NY Trip - Etsy Success Symposium

DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
Awesome trip. Inspiring Symposium.

Brooklyn Bridge

View across to Manhattan

Just a really cool building!

Carousel under glass overlooking the Hudson

Etsy Labs --You Are Here!

xoxo deb.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

My Martha Stewart Show Experience!

Wow! An amazing day!

Being invited to attend an all Etsy seller show was absolutely amazing and an incredible opportunity. Several of us on my local Etsy seller team managed to score an invitation and none of us really knew what we were in for. They didn't give us much details but they DID ask for our bios and our shop information and requested, no required, that we bring at least one product that we make to the show with us. That was what got us all worked up! Why did they want all of our info? Would some of the audience be called down for an interview? Who knew! But we did know that it could be amazing!!!

The day was hectic! Well, days I should say, since I went up Sunday afternoon and the show was shooting Monday afternoon. Here's some pics of the day!

I was going to go have coffee with the other girls on my team but when I walked by the studio (over an hour early) people were already lining up and I HATE to be last in line and LOVE to be first. So I skipped the coffee date and jumped in line! :) Thanks Kimberly Richard for being anal about being early too and coming to stand in line with me!
Here's the line not too long after I hopped in it. Turns out they had free coffee and food for Martha Stewart people, so I ended up getting my coffee anyway! Yay!!
Jenn Michaels (giving the peace sign) Linda Blackbourn (in red and black) and Starr Ashcraft (in magenta and white) - 3 of my teamies that were invited to Martha Stewart also waiting for the show to start!
Here's the jewelry that I took with me to the show. It's a little jumbled, they were giving demos of a new HP "3D" scanner and I was trying it out... not great for flat jewelry though :(
In the waiting room, being briefed and waiting for the show to start. The guy who does the briefing, Joey Kola, is also the show's MC is VERY high energy, lol. He was a blast, I just don't know how he keeps up that energy all day, every day!
The closest I got to Martha! lol.
Walking into the studio. There's the cooking area in the background.
More of the studio. The kitchen, the craft area, & the atrium. 

All the empty seats.... to fill up quickly
This lady takes one look at you and "sorts" you into your spot in the audience. I'm assuming by the colors we're wearing.
The sorting... They very quickly sort us into our seats.

My ticket... 5th in line, 5th to be sorted. :D
Prime seat! Just awesome!! 2nd row up aisle seat in the center aisle. Right where the MC stands during filming.
Incredible amounts of equipment and lighting! That huge (boom I think they call it) is the main camera that swings around the whole studion filming.
Martha giving a final recap. We weren't allowed to to take any pictures during the filming but had a few minutes afterward before Martha left.

Just before Martha left, she surprised all of us and her whole staff (it was obviously not in the plan) by saying she's putting all of our pictures with our shop names onto the Martha Stewart website! WOW!!! Incredible, my website listed on The Martha Stewart website, I can't wait to see the traffic that results from that. :D

The experience was beyond what I expected. Thank you Martha!!! :)

xoxo
Deb.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Inside Scoop : Wendy, aka Weeza, McCall

It's time again for the Inside Scoop! Get to know Weeza McCALL of StringingAlong  a little better by reading her responses to my unexpected, but fun, questions.

~some photos Weeza wanted to share~
1) my babies (shh, don't tell them they're adopted!) -- 2 & 3) Bead manufacturing day at my house -- 4) My favorite item to make, footprints!
Shops:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wmweeza
        Http://stringingalong.com

FB: http://www.facebook.com/StringingHope

Tagline: I'm a jewelry designer and small business owner, but really...I play with clay all day
My signature color(s): For me? Brown or tan. For my jewelry?Blue and brown  
3 things in my handbag right now: Advil, cell phone,coupons. I'm not exactly a purse girl
The superpower I would love to have: Instantly know when a crime was occurring and stop it  
I get inspired by: Colors and patterns!  
If you could live anywhere you wanted (money's no object), where would it be? Florence Italy. I've never been there but every image I've ever seen is amazing. Or my hometown of Seattle, I live two states away right now
What I’m reading: 1491, about pre-Columbus America  
Where do you see yourself/business in 5 years? Selling in a boutique, my website expanded
Favorite Reality TV Show: Biggest loser and The Bachelorette 
If you were forced to only have 1 make-up item, what would it be and why? Foundation, it hides a multitude of sins
What's your favorite item you've ever made? I can't pick, really
 
Thanks Weeza! 
I feel like we know you just a little better now! :)
~xo 
   
HEY, let's help this artist out,
share this article by clicking 
the social links below.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Favorite Song: My Moon, My Man by Feist

Kind of a sexy song. I think it's the breathy voice! :)


My Moon, My Man by Feist

My moon, my man
So changeable and
Such a loveable lamb to me

My care, my coat
Leave on a high note
There's nowhere to go but on

Heart on my sleeve
Not where it should be
The song's out of key again

My moon's white face
What day and what phase
It's the calendar page again

Take it slow
Take it easy on me
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please
Take it slow
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please

My moon and me
Not as good as we've been
It's the dirtiest clean I know

My care, my coat
Leave on a high note
There's nowhere to go
There's nowhere to go

Take it slow
Take it easy on me
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please
Take it slow
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please

My moon my moon my man
My moon my moon my man
My moon my moon my man
My moon my moon my man

xoxo deb.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Inside Scoop : debrah block krol

It's time again for the Inside Scoop! Get to know Debrah Block Krol of DBK Design a little better by reading her responses to my unexpected, but fun, questions.

~some photos Debrah wanted to share~
1) picasso -- 2) hydrangea neckpiece -- 3) picasso mesh cuff -- 4) opal ring -- 5) my guys -- 6) me
Shop: www.dbkdesignarts.com
Blog: http://dbkdesign.wordpress.com
FB: www.facebook.com/dbkdesingarts

Tagline: elegant edgy jewelry and accessories
My signature color(s): i love all colors! if i had to pick a favorite, i would pick blue, but i don't think that reflects in my work.  
3 things in my handbag right now: mirror, business cards, almonds
The superpower I would love to have: to cure illness  
I get inspired by: just about everything- color, texture, nature, ballet, music, art, fashion  
If you could live anywhere you wanted (money's no object), where would it be? italy, greece, spain
What I’m reading: just finished clara and mr tiffany, about a woman designer in louis comfort tiffany's glass studio--it was excellent! now i am reading a novel titled, "there but for the...."  
Where do you see yourself/business in 5 years? well of course i would like to still BE in business, having grown over the ensuing time..i would like to have a commercial account with a large retailer, like anthropologie, and have several lines in production.
Favorite Reality TV Show: don't watch reality tv--but i kinda like the judge shows, especially judge alex... 
If you were forced to only have 1 make-up item, what would it be and why? concealer...hides a multitude of sins---
What's your favorite item you've ever made? usually it's the item i am currently working on, but i have grown quite attached to an oval ring i made, and wear it almost every day.
 
Thanks Debrah! 
I feel like we know you just a little better now! :)
~xo 
   
HEY, let's help this artist out,
share this article by clicking 
the social links below.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Official Oscars Gift Lounge Event Guide

Have a look-see at the very official event guide for the Oscars gift lounge! It highlights all of the artisans involved with photos of the display items! --Mine is on page 20. Let me know what you think of it! :)

Wood & Copper! My jewelry display at the Weekend Boutique trunk show.

Display views from the Weekend Boutique! I love designing my display almost as much as I love designing jewelry! What do you think? Do you...