Slow Southern News

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• Love perfume? The New Orleans Museum of Art is exhibiting "Scents and Sensibility". Opening night is tonight from 6-8pm. 

"Join NOMA members and guests as they celebrate the opening of "Scents and Sensibility," an exhibition showcasing 125 objects covering the history of the scent bottle from its ancient origins to the present day.

From 6-8 p.m., Hove Parfumeurs will demonstrate how their luxury French Quarter boutique produces unique scents using indigenous Creole materials. 

A full cash bar featuring frozen "Chanel cosmos" will be available in honor of Chanel, Givency, Ballenciaga, Dior, and other couturiers highlighted within the exhibit. Brennan's Courtyard Cafe will remain open as well, offering a selection of pastries, soups and coffee. 

Remember that Wednesdays are FREE for all at the New Orleans Museum of Art, thanks to the Helis Foundation."

• Can't get enough Louisiana vampires?  HBO just released some True Blood gear inspired by the character Lafayette  including jewelry, tees, and accessories.

• Saks Fifth Avenue will be having some makeup help with Bobbi Brown's Sumar Dawson and Tia Hebron. From July 2nd-4th they will help assist customers explore the latest makeup trends with DJ Wasabi on hand to liven things up. Call 504-524-2200 ext. 5363 for more information.

Saks is also offering 33% off their already reduced women's sale merchandise now through July 7th.


Looking for a great bargain? Check out The Gambit's Best Buys & Bargains pull out this week. There are more savings than you'll know what to do with!

Cupcakes and crystals

Jill Zabel is a quirky little line of "handmade fancies with a vintage vibe". Owner Kara Jill Young takes interesting pieces and reworks them into cool, funky pieces that really stand out and are anything but boring baubles. She also makes gift tags and handmade invitations, perfect for giving her pieces away as presents that everyone is sure to love.


Tell us a little about your shop and how you got started making jewelry.

Jillzabel is a much needed outlet for me. I am a restless soul and simply unable to sit idle for any amount of time. At a very young age I began creating any and everything that came to mind, from Barbie doll clothes to fancy mud pies. Over the years I’ve dabbled in everything fro mosaics, painting, quilting to cake-decorating, photography, etc... Due to my love of all things sparkly, it was only natural that I would eventually gravitate toward jewelry. I learned the basics from how-to books, websites, and one very helpful and talented friend.

 

Calling this a statement necklace would be an understatement! 



You seem to use a lot of vintage and found items in your work. What comes first, the idea or the object?

Usually the object. I love to take a single crystal drop or old bead and design around it, with no clear direction in mind. The end result always surprises me! If I’m not pleased with how it turns out, I dismantle it and put it away for a while. A different day and mood will yield an entirely different result.

 

Enameled chains and green beads


What inspires you when creating your jewelry and other items?

Everything! Vintage movies (oh, the glamour!), the places I visit, the people I see, the night sky, the changing of seasons, love, betrayal, the ocean, the color of my husband’s eyes (the purest blue I’ve ever seen), an old abandoned building with lovely potential, the fairy tales I read as a child, the taste of a cupcake (what would vanilla with sprinkles on top look like as a necklace?), a song on the radio, vampires, the mermaid I dreamed about last night, cemeteries (aren’t they beautiful?)...literally everything!

Brown bee and Parisian pink gift tags

And there's nothing wrong with cupcakes and mermaids! When you aren't designing what are your other hobbies?

My favorite activity is simply spending time with my beautiful husband and sweet little dogs. I also like to cook when the mood strikes me, drink wine with friends, watch movies, and gossip on the phone. Unfortunately, I love shopping way more than I should. I even buy jewelry occasionally!

 

Black embossed chandelier notecards

Define southern style.

I think southern style is as diverse as the women who live here; romantic, bohemian, elegant, dark, glamorous, casual, decadent…I could go on and on. There’s no way to define southern style in only a few words. Individuality is the only unifying element here.

Pick up any of these pieces via Kara's Etsy store.

Mannequin Mondays

With the fourth of July next week I thought I'd set the mood with these red,white, and blue mannequin displays from Buffalo Exchange.

Whether y'all are celebrating our nation's independence or just enjoying an extra day off there are ways to revel without looking like Betsy Ross picked out your outfit. Buffalo employees Alanna Zaritz and Elijah Bradshaw demonstrate that celebration and chic can go hand in hand with these festive displays.

Buffalo Exchange

3312 Magazine St.

New Orleans, LA 70115

(504)615-8693

Show & Tell

The biggest reason I like buying handmade items is that I like unique, well made pieces that are one of a kind, or rather close to it.

Craft Mafia's 5th anniversary party was held at The Factory this past Thursday. The massive space is a new studio of the owners of Skip & Whistle that will offer screen printing classes in the near future.

Mallory of Miss Malaprop was hawking these great ceramic and glass pieces from Lean Dog Pottery. Ironically I'm adopting a retired racing greyhound next week so I guess it was meant to be for me to own this piece. Everything from Lean Dog is fairly fantastic and I had a hard time picking out which piece to get. I ended up settling on this green and yellow long square pendant.

It's even better in person! The glass shimmers in the light.


If you are kicking yourself for not going to this event fear not! All of the craft mafia has their wares for sale through their website. 

Frock Friday

Okay so I lied. This week's Frock Friday is actually a skirt. I've been living in tanks and skirts since I got burnt out on dresses last summer so I'm afraid I don't have many frocks to share. This outfit gets a lot of action because it is so easy to throw on and look coordinated. Even better I can actually bike in it.  I also featured the skirt here and here for Go Nola.

I made a rare trip to Target on Wednesday and happened upon this gold pyramid stud headband. Perfect! What's equally perfect is my bra strap poking out. Can't get too classy on y'all. Also check out that awesome shower curtain rod! I have a big stained glass window in the upstairs bathroom that lets in some great light. Oh the things we'll do for good lighting.

Y'all probably recognize the necklace from my post on Etsy artists helping the oil spill cleanup. I liked it so much I bought it and my money went to helping out sea turtles which makes me feel good.

I scored these black leather sandals from the Metairie Plato's Closet for a measly $5. Normally I wouldn't ooh and ahh over this style but I'm digging them. Excuse the cat hair, my cats love laying on top of my shoes. They also love putting their two front paws in my husband's shoes for some reason. 

Tank: H&M

Necklace: Enchanted Lockets

Belt: Gap

Skirt: Fossil

Shoes: American Eagle Outfitters

Headband: Target

Museum Quality

The Historic New Orleans Collection is a "museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region". 


They also happen to stock some very southern inspired jewelry and accessories in their shop.


Personally my favorite jewelry pays homage to nature and the things I adore. Leaves make for great bijoux and both these pieces from local artist India Stewart  are texturally interesting.

 Elephant ear leaf pin by India Stewart


 Banana Leaf earrings 
The leaves remind me of my Mignon Faget banana leaf earrings.

These handbags are literally wearable art. Reproductions of Edgar Degas and John James Audubon prints make for a unique accessory.


                





The museum also stocks Pelican Coast neckware. The ties and bowties are made of 100% silk and 20% of the proceeds from their Coastal Collection is donated to the America's Wetland Foundation. These funds help raise awareness of supporting and saving coastal Louisiana, which is more important than ever. 


 Mint julep tie  Shrimp bow tie


All of these items are available for purchase online or better yet make the trip to the French Quarter and tour the museum and its historic buildings. 

Slow Southern News

Isabella's is offering 25% off Vera Bradley merchandise as an incentive to start back to school shopping early.

Jolie & Elizabeth will have a trunk show at 1912 St. Charles Ave. from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, June 24th. Refreshments such as champagne and strawberries will be served.

Imagine Boutique in Hammond is offering buy one, get one free on all denim until June 26th.

Ballin's summer sale is going on now through Saturday, July 10th. Enjoy 75% off select merchandise.

Feet First is extending their "buy one get one 1/2 off" sale now through June 27th. If you prefer shopping online use code BOGO1/2 to receive the discount.

Mannequin Mondays

I haven't done a Mannequin Monday in a loooong time so I figured I'd resurrect it. 

Funky Monkey is a local vintage clothing store that has these great big windows and always uses them to their advantage. I remember when this store was just a solitary room but they expanded some time ago into a men's and women's section with separate entrances for each.

Women's side- I love the green sequin anchor dress thrown in with the summer appropriate accessories

Men's side- The vintage Honda tee is amazing and check out that mullet wig. 

Funky Monkey 

Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 12pm-5pm

3127 Magazine St

New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 899-5587
Add them as a friend on Facebook!

pssst! Don't forget to sign up for my new newsletter! Just add your e-mail on the right side bar.

Secondhand Style

I'm no stranger to second hand stores and I prefer them to shopping at the mall. It sure beats circling for a parking spot, dealing with large crowds, not to mention the prices are much, much cheaper and buying used is easier on the environment.  The trick is to purchase items that don't scream "thrift store". Look for pieces that are well made, free of stains, holes, and aren't overly faded. It's also good to look for classic pieces or items that aren't hideously out of style.

 My entire outfit here was purchased second hand minus the shoes.

I decided there's a reason big hair is so well, big in the south. When the humidity is this high my hair is a frizzy, massive mess. Pardon half my head missing. I was making a ridiculous "hot and bright outside" face. Check out those awesome mosquito bites on my legs while you're at it. Sexy!

I don't wear t-shirts that often but this one has some cute details. No idea what the "12" is for but I like it. Oh yea, it could mean 12 more days 'till I bring my adopted bundle of joy home. And by bundle of joy I mean a greyhound named Nadia. Y'all have no idea how excited I am!

I acquired these two onyx and silver rings when I lived in Arizona. The one on the right is a poison ring. I once tried filling it with glitter and it leaked glitter onto everything. 

I decided I needed a little somethin' somethin' to tie the gold stitching on the tee and the sparkly gold shoes together. Then I remembered this gold sequin headband I purchased. I think I have a large head because this thing slides off my head, even with the assistance of bobby pins.

All purchased at Buffalo Exchange

T-shirt:  J. Crew

Skirt:  Gap

Shoes:  Melissa Campana via Nordstrom Rack

Rings:  vintage

Headband: new, no brand

Show & Tell

Years ago I was a HUGE thrift store addict. At least once a month I'd comb the racks at several stores looking for name brand or interesting pieces. Nowadays I prefer shopping at secondhand or consignment stores vs. thrift since someone has sorted through the stained, out of fashion pieces for me.

However last Saturday I decided to grab a quick, cheap lunch at Freret Po'boy and donut shop which happens to be next to Bloomin'Deals thrift store. After stuffing myself with fried shrimp and complimentary donuts I decided I was in a good enough mood to dig.

I found this sweet Ann Taylor Loft blouse, brand new with tags for $8. The original price was $39 so this was a great deal.

The jeans I wore it with are Furst Premium I bought at LF several months ago.

I also found a Gorillapod for $8. I've been meaning to buy one of these forever and I jumped on it when I saw it. Gotta love getting it w/o shipping.  Hubby got a Gap button down for $4 and I picked up two magazines for $0.50.

It's true you never know what you'll find thrifting and usually it's worth a bit of time to get a great deal! 

P.S. Bloomin'deals is cash or check only and there aren't any ATM machines nearby, at least to my knowledge.

If you've got a fashionable find that you'd love to show off e-mail me at nolagurl{at}gmail{dot}com.

The lazy *ahem* easy way

I think about all the things I forget to do in a day and the result is sheer fright. Between watering the plants, feeding four cats twice a day, tending to three reptiles, writing here and for Go Nola plus holding down a full time job things sure get hectic.

Fortunately for y'all I just made it even easier to keep up by subscribing to my shiny new e-newsletter. You'll get weekly e-mails featuring fashionable news, events, sales, and everything in between. Hey, it's one less thing you'll forget.




Don't forget to follow Slow Southern Style on Twitter and Facebook.

Ensign me up

Magazine St., Oak St. and Maple St.   These names conjure up great restaurants and great shopping. Freret St.? Pffft! There is nary a mention of this once bustling area.  I've always loved rooting for the underdog and with news of a new restaurant and retail space slated to open spring 2011 this area is sure to be not an underdog but a top contender in the near future.

There are a handful of businesses and bars that are surviving (and thriving) on this once famed corridor. One retail establishment that is doing it right is Ensign. This boutique touts itself as an art/skate/clothing store and it seems to be popular with the neighbors. While they primarily carry mostly men's clothing there is a small selection of women's clothing and accessories as well.

Since it is a skate shop their brands reflect that. Diamond Supply Co., Nikita, The Hundreds,Brixton, and Mishka are just a few brands that you'll find here.

Keep up to date with their stock via Twitter or Facebook. Scott Simon of I Heart NOLA has some great pictures on his blog as well. Or better yet, stop by the store and show some support.

Thanks to owner Caleb Pulver for supplying me with the pictures!

Slow Southern News

• Take your BFF shopping at Tomato and both of you can get 25% off your entire purchase now thru this Saturday. To receive the discount both people must make purchases. The offer is good at their New Orleans and Baton Rouge locations. 

• The Occasional Wife is hosting a "Cocktails & Closet Therapy" event on Tuesday, June 15th from 5:30-8:00pm. The fete benefits Dress for Success New Orleans with 10% of all sales going to the organization.

• The Encore Shop, which benefits the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, is having a "Cool Clothes for Hot Days" sale featuring summer dresses and casual clothes. The event takes place this Thursday thru Saturday from 11am-5pm.

• Help celebrate the New Orleans Craft Mafia's 5th anniversary at their "Cinco de Craft Mafioso" party on June 24th. There will be free craft workshops, such as re-purposing old tees, as well as beer, snacks, and music. It all takes place at The Factory, a new craft workspace.  For more information visit theirevent on Facebook.

Show & Tell

I'd love to wear heels more but since I'm not a desk job type of girl comfort is my main priority when purchasing shoes to wear on a daily basis. I've been wanting a pair of Minnetonka moccasins for a while and I finally broke down and bought a pair via www.zappos.com. I've actually never bought shoes from the site but my husband frequently does. Free and fast shipping=awesome.

I wanted something a little less traditional so I opted for the studded versions in black although I dig 'em in lavender and gray as well. If I buy another pair I'll buy 1/2 size down as these suckers get pretty wide even after one wear.

I'm going to wear the hell out of these this summer with shorts and then when fall rolls around in like four months I'll pair them with jeans. Oh yea I swear my feet aren't as disproportionate as the picture below makes them look. 

Got an item you'd love to show off? E-mail me pictures and a story at nolagurl{at}gmail{dot}com.

Guest Post: Look cool even when it's hot

I'm a bad, bad southern belle. I rarely, if ever, wear makeup. I'm not very good at applying it and I hate the way it feels on my skin. I've employed the help of a friend who knows a lot about beauty products to help y'all look your best when the humidity and heat are at their peak.. Lorraine recently started her own blog where she shares her makeup secrets and goth fashion tips.





Trying to wear a full face of makeup in the southern summer sun can end up feeling like an exercise in futility. Luckily we live in an age of beauty breakthroughs that help us get more mileage from our makeup even in the most hot and humid of climates.


You’ll need to begin with your skincare routine. Choose an oil-free cleanser. Try to limit exfoliation in the summer to once a week at this time of year.  Doing it too much can over-stimulate oil-production and you’ll end up looking quite shiny. 
 Follow cleansing with a gentle toner and a light oil-free moisturizer. Let the moisturizer absorb for a few minutes, then blot with a tissue. One way to deal with the “Melt-Factor” in the summer is to substitute regular moisturizer with a good tinted variety (try Urban Decay Urban Defense tinted moisture) and skip foundation. This is nice if you don’t require heavy coverage but if you need to even out skin tone further or cover blemishes, read on!







A step worthy of adding to your summer makeup routine is facial primer. It not only fills in lines and pores but it creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup which helps it adhere and last longer. There are even tinted versions which help minimize redness or brighten up a dull complexion. (Try Make Up For Ever HD primer) If your eye makeup tends to smear and slide in the heat you will want to apply an eye primer as well. Eye primers prolong the staying power of liners and shadows as well as making the colors appear much truer and brighter. My eye lids tend to be oily so I don’t go a day in summer without my Urban Decay Primer Potion. A little goes a long way with these products and trial sizes are available.



Summer foundation should be oil-free and contain SPF. Liquid in a long-wear formula is a good choice for summer as is mineral powder foundation. Mineral powders give you coverage without looking made up and they come in such a variety, it’s very easy to find a color- match. Indie mineral companies offer samples of all their products so you can find your perfect match without breaking the bank. (Try Meow Minerals, or Aromaleigh for the most quality & variety of foundation) Try spot applying a cream concealer to blemishes before dusting on your face makeup.


Be sure to choose mascara in a waterproof version and try using a lip-liner to keep lipstick from migrating or feathering. Top it off with a setting spray from Urban Decay for extra lasting power and you can use blotting papers and a translucent blotting powder for touchups. (Try Hard Candy Welcome Matte blot powder)


Now that your face is guaranteed to withstand August in New Orleans, you want to make sure your hair isn’t a hot mess! My biggest tip would be to not fight your natural texture. You’re bound to struggle when trying to get curly hair to look sleek or keep curls from drooping in straight hair. The humidity here is so high that heat styling won’t be enough. If you must fight it, use an entire line of products made for the texture you want. If you want to go straight, use shampoo & conditioner for straight locks, a smoothing cream, ceramic ionic flat-iron and setting spray.  The best styling tools I’ve found are from a company called Herstyler. 


 Their Curler is unlike any other, it’s tapered and it’s a wand sans clip. You start the curl from the hair nearest the scalp and hold the end with your fingers. The resulting curl is natural-looking, glossy and it lasts and lasts. Their flat-irons also work well and make your hair look very glossy. They both work so fast you will wonder how you ever made it anyplace on time without them in your routine! All styles can benefit from being topped off with an anti-frizz gloss spray such as tresemme no-frizz shine spray, and you’re truly good to go!








We all know the heat here in the summer is brutal. Depending on the amount of time you’re outside, how active you are and how oily your skin tends to get you may want to add one or two of these steps to your routine or all of them. This will ensure your makeup will be beautiful and budge-proof all summer long!

Indie Superhero

Joanna Koon of indie heroine makes jewelry with a vintage and bohemian feel that has a definite southern charm. Read on to see what inspires her.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?


When I started making jewelry I changed my business name every other month!  But I kept coming back to Indie Heroine.  I came up with the name several years ago because I was really in to independent films at the time.  It was my old user name for a lot of different things online, like Myspace, which is kind of embarrassing but funny to me! I finally decided to use it for my jewelry business and it turned out to be the perfect name. I believe that every day is an adventure and you are the heroine!  One person can change the world, no matter who or where you are.


 Shabby chic fluer de lis skeleton key earrings

You donate 10% of your sales to charity:water. Can you tell us a little bit about that organization?

 I love what mycharity:water is doing for the millions of people who have to drink and bathe in overused, dirty, crowded rivers, streams, and ponds.  In America, we bathe and wash our clothes and dishes in drinkable water - it's a luxury that almost a billion people don't have. Every water project mycharity:water begins includes not only wells but comprehensive hygiene and sanitation programs - latrines, faucets, etc.  The wells they build belong to the community, too!  It's a wonderful cause to become involved with - I feel so lucky to be a part of what they are doing!  Go to http://www.charitywater.org/whywater to learn more about what mycharity:water does for the communities of the world.

 Birds of a feather antiqued mixed metals necklace

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from doing some of my favorite things - watching B&W movies and admiring the old Hollywood glamour, going thrift shopping, spending time with friends who share similar passions like cooking, wine, or the environment. Taking pictures in my beautiful yard with our azalea bushes, towering trees, and my kids having the time of their lives digging in the dirt and crawling to every leaf to inspect it.  Beauty is waiting to be discovered in the details of everything that surrounds me, the secret is allowing myself to pause long enough to see it.  I brainstorm and create either in silence or with my iPod - Regina Spektor and Rufus Wainwright never fail to inspire me.
 Alice In Wonderland necklace





When you're not making jewelry how else do you occupy your time?

I have a 2 1/2 year-old boy and a baby girl who is about to turn one!  I'm a stay at home mom at the moment, so they occupy 99% of my time!  I love cooking, photography, and want to start a million projects all the time!  I have a sewing machine that belonged to my husband's aunt and can't wait to start using it; sewing is not something I've gotten into that much but I really want to learn!  In my downtime at night, watching Netflix with a glass of red wine is my favorite way to unwind and relax.  Juggling jewelry in the mix makes life interesting!  


 Sweetheart antiqued fleur de lis charm necklace

 Define southern style.

Southern style is truly what we make it.  I think we pride ourselves on being indefinable when it comes to having a "look".  We're pretty casual and like to be comfortable, but we love to look fabulous, whatever "fabulous" means to us!  One thing, though, that reigns supreme here are flip flops - love 'em or hate 'em, everyone wears them with everything from prom dresses to cutoffs. 



Pick up her pieces at Fleur Du Jour in Baton Rouge or online at her Etsy shop.

Summer Survival

Let's face it y'all, summer in the south can downright suck. It's hot and the humidity is so high you can cut the air with a knife. Fortunately there are a few simple ways to maintain your cool even if you're burning up. When it feels like a sauna outside comfort is the only thing on my mind. Forget trying to look cute, I'm purely in survival mode June through September. However a well stocked closet equates looking presentable vs. just throwing on the first cotton t-shirt I see.

 Pack up the synthetics and only keep natural, breathable fibers on hand. If I read "rayon" or "polyester" it gets socked away to the back of the closet until the (climate) coast is clear. Keep your accessories light as well. It doesn't make sense to pair a linen dress with a clunky PVC belt. Nothing ruins an outfit quicker than unfortunate sweat marks! Also stick to loose fitting clothing that doesn't inhibit air circulation.

 

Black strapless body suit: American Apparel

Black cotton skirt: Sanctuary

Black leather belt: Gap

Green linen scarf: Violet Delmar

Hot pink sandals: Seychelles

I also like to stash some smell good in my bag to combat the "locker room with the air turned off" aroma. Fellow blogger Miss Malaprop turned me on to Manor Hall Soap Company's all natural perfume roll ons. I've bought three of their scents and I can't get enough of them. I like throwing one in my handbag so I can arrive at my destination feeling fresh. You can also keep your perfume or body spray in the fridge. Some people keep baby wipes on hand but I always feel bad buying disposable products for obvious environmental reasons.

So what are your summer survival secrets?

Slow Southern News

Ruby in Hammond is having a buy one summer tee or hoodie, get one free. In addition they are having their Denim Buy Back event through this Wednesday. Bring in a pair of old jeans and receive $50 off a new pair priced over $100.

Thursday, June 11th from 5:30pm-9:30pm St Charles Vision is having its annual SALT trunk show at Loa Bar in the International House. Purchase frames at the event and receive 20% off. For more details and to rsvp e-mail rsvp@lrgnola.com


Saks Fifth Avenue is having a champagne luncheon featuring Chanel's Fall 2010 ready to wear accessory and shoe collection on Thursday, June 17th. The luncheon will begin at 11:00am and informal modeling will take place from 11:00-3:00. For more information call (504)524-2200 ext. 5242.


During June 10% of all Anne Sportun jewelry purchased at Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry will be donated to Voice of the Wetlands.

Also in June Kalencom, a New Orleans based bag manufacturer, will donate 10% of this month's proceeds to the Audubon Nature Institute. Funds will go towards rehabilitating sea turtle populations affected by the Deep sea Horizon disaster. The Hadaki line can be purchased at Rapp's Luggage & Gifts.

NOOBOO to You

If you live in the south you probably own at least one antique that was either passed down through the family or acquired at an antique shop. These items are usually packed away with care and once out of sight we forget about them. Kathryn of NOOBOO takes forgotten trinkets of yesteryear and breathes life into them with her jewelry. Be it a lost amusement park token or an optometrist's lens all of her pieces have a story to tell.


You mention in your shop profile that you left your job in the legal field to pursue your art full time, which must have been a big leap! At what point did you decide as an artist to devote yourself full time to your work?


The decision to leave my day job was definitely a huge leap of faith, especially considering today's economic situation.  It actually came down to a turning point of preserving my own physical and mental health, and I honestly believe that finally being true to my authentic self by creating art actually saved my life.

 A wing and a prayer
 How did growing up on the Gulf Coast influence your work?


I have lived on the Gulf Coast for 35 years and it has definitely influenced my work.  I think the Mississippi Coast has a real cosmopolitan yet "laid back" feel to it, which makes its way into my jewelry.


 Honey Drippers

 NOOBOO has a definite victorian feel that you describe as steampunk. Can you tell us how you come up with your pieces?

My designs evolve in several different ways.   I am influenced by most anything and everything I see around me- shapes, colors, or even a line in a movie. I have a natural affinity for certain timeworn objects, of course- keys, tokens, watch parts, etc., and I never tire of incorporating these into my work.


 Do you have in mind a certain piece of jewelry or do you rely on the object to tell you what a piece will become?


 I sometimes wake up with an idea in my head for a complete design and I also do a lot of doodling to create others. Some of my best designs though are merely "happy accidents" due to my incredibly messy work space! I have all these pieces lying around where I can see them and a design will seem to magically appear as I place items together. It's akin to putting together a puzzle; some pieces fit and others don't. You also have to know when to quit!


 Tag You're It

 Define southern style.

  I believe Southerners, and especially Southern women, to be nostalgic collectors of their history, so their "southern style" would be sassy and strong yet extremely feminine--Scarlett O'Hara meets Julia Sugarbaker, or Grandma's pearls meets Grandpa's pocket watch!  This to me defines Southern style, which I believe is reflected in my jewelry.


Kathyrn's work can be purchased at the following boutiques and galleries:


Caboose Art Gallery - Long Beach, Mississippi
The Art House - Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Gallery 782 - Biloxi, Mississippi 
Lysbeth Smith Antiques & Jewelry - Franklin, Tennessee


Or you can pick up a piece online via Etsy. Feeling inspired? She also sells her surplus supplies at noobootoo.