Anna Invaded My Dreams

Happy Memorial Day TO ME.  I stepped inside Anna today and instantly fell in love with this top.  It's made out of the coolest fabric that looks like some kind of netting, and comes in black and green.  I bought the green.  I swear I am certain that it existed in the recesses of my brain as some sort of 80s fantasy - it is reminisent of old school Betsey Johnson or Norma Kamali but with modern styling and improved materials.  And I also bought this atomic dog necklace.  RRHAAHRR!

Report from the Front: Wendy Mink Sample Sale

Nancy Brenner brings GS back to life, post-vacay:

Confession: Rarely do I pay retail, but Wendy Mink is a purveyor of such delicately individualized pieces - bracelets, earrings and necklaces, that I even drop by the comfortable artsy boutique in between official sample sales succombing to irresistible retail wares.

I spied pieces starting at $15 and a gold cuff bracelet I coveted earlier in the season slashed to $50. Shoppers called all day in anticipation of the sample sale that started at noon.

Head there for first section of designs in striking shades of red or turquoise, bringing out the color of your eyes or the hue of your dress at prices that won't pop your purse.

Worst side effect: strangers will ask you where you bought your jewelry.  You can decide if you want to share the intel, keep it to yourself, or tell them you bagged it at Bergdorf.

72 Orchard Street
Friday March 19 12-8, Saturday 12-7, Sunday 12-6

Today Starting at 2 p.m., ideeli Giveaway: Gemma Redux Blue Agate Chain Necklace

Today at ideeli from 2-9 p.m. EST you can enter to win the pictured necklace.  And if you aren't a member you can click the link on the right side of my blog under "check these out" where it says "Ideeli personal invite link" to sign up.

The Gemma Redux Blue Agate Chain Necklace is crafted with deep blue agate entwined in varied chains.  Maybe you love it, maybe you hate it, but either way it's free to try and win it!

The Necklace Quest Endeth at...Versani

I was in dire need of a multi-layered sterling silver chain necklace of above-average quality.  I scoured the web, I looked in every jewelry case I walked by.  And in the end I went back to a place that has delivered for me in the past: Versani (the one on Mercer St.).  I am glad I went to inspect it in person, because when I spied it on the Versani website, I was not an automatic convert.

They did have to remove the top, inside chain, as it was literally choking the life out of me, but once that was quickly and effectively completed, I became the necklace's proud new owner (see photos taken on a mousepad).  In fact I am wearing it now.

And no I didn't buy it for myself.  It is Xmas present #5 of seven.  I love presents, and especially seven of them.

Gold Skull Lariat from Howell

I went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Williamsburg on June 6 & 7.
It was a swell time, I ran into people, tried to win the giant stuffed moustache (and didn't). And I didn't buy a thing. However, one item stuck in my head...and this is it: skulls-on-chain.

From Laura of Howell, the piece is made of vermeil (either 14k rose gold, 14k gold, and/or gunmetal), which means sterling silver electroplated with those precious metals. It measures 38 inches.

She is selling the pieces at Charlotte Ronson, and although she does not have e-commerce on her site, people can always buy by emailing her at info@howelljewelry.com.

Her site should be up within the next week or two and will include images of about 20 different pieces that you can order from her directly via email.

The pictured item costs $130, and is available now.

Skull & Bead Necklace: Purchasing Update

I went to the Cherry Tavern on E. 6th St. the other night for my friend's birthday. I almost immediately noticed and photographed her new Skull 'n' Bead necklace that a guy at MAC just gave to her when she admired it! And then I admired it...and now you can admire it! We are working on getting the "maker's" contact info so you can go out and get one yourself.

UPDATE NOTE: If you want one, contact Gabriel aka "Gabe" at gcruz_27@hotmail.com They cost $18/each.

Casket Jewelry by Mariam Aryai-Rivera

The other night, my friend's friend was wearing a necklace with a giant gold clasp in the shape of an octopus. I was charmed, moved and...I found out the name of the designer. It's Mariam Aryai-Rivera.

Not only sea creatures, she also makes bracelets out of metal tags taken off of caskets...yes, caskets. Here's a bit about those: http://thehandoffatima.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-not-morbidreally.html

Here's what else I found out about her: "I am a jewelry designer from New York City, specializing in reconstruction of antique and vintage parts into one-of-a-kind pieces. I sell my work on http://www.thehandoffatima.etsy.com/. My work has been featured in BUST magazine, and newsday.com, along with several reputable blogs." (oooo, now she can include Guerilla Shopper too!)

website: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=104420
blog: http://thehandoffatima.blogspot.com/
portfolio: http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=104420
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/6/406/6b4

Ike Designs Jewelry: I just can't get enough

So sue me. OK, please don't. But seriously I cannot get enough of Ike Designs Jewelry by Dori O'Dea. I went to a private showing on Sunday and flipped over the pieces you see pictured here. I have ordered earrings, which I will unveil once I receive them. But in the meantime, I debate over whether or not I should get the necklace with the 2 silver discs -- and what design I should get. She was showing the "D for Dori" sample. AH HA! Perhaps I should get a "G" on top and an "S" on the bottom.

Thank you for helping me work through this.

Otherwise, check out the chain on the one necklace with the stone pendant, and the design of the other necklace. She is planning to make earrings out of the series of discs, thus creating a set.

And the earrings pictured on top - especially the ones to the far left? Amazing. I want those too.

Ike Designs Jewelry: COLORS OF SPRING

Relish the preview of Ike Designs' COLORS OF SPRING, which will be posted for sale through May AND June!

Prices for this collection range from $15 to $40 and include teeny-tiny turquoise, blue onyx, kyanite and lapis, fire opal, jade, pink opal, ruby, lavender jade, watermelon quartz, pink jade and more...

To access the sale items visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5559110&section_id=5291373

IRIDESSE First-Ever Sample Sale - Apr. 28-30

This isn't my thing so much, but maybe for Mother's Day?

IRIDESSE First-Ever Sample Sale
Earrings • Necklaces • Strands • Rings • Bracelets

Cultured pearls of all kinds including: Freshwater • Akoya • South Sea • Tahitian

Exclusive Designs by:

IRIDESSE • Anthony Nak • Gabrielle Sanchez

Chrisse Coleman Douglas • Christian Tse

Prices are 50%-60% off retail at this 3 day event

Retail $250 to $9,000, now $100 to $4,500

Monday, April 28th, 11am to 7pm
Tuesday, April 29th, 9am to 7pm
Wednesday, April 30th9am to 6pm

The Warwich Hotel

65 West 54th Street in the Oxford Suite (Corner of 6th Avenue)

Mastercard, Visa and American Express and Cash accepted.

All sales final. No exchanges. No refunds.

Ike Designs: Black Diamond Necklace

Ike Designs: The Black Diamond Necklace

Local Williamsburg jewelry designer, Dori O'Dea (aka Ike Designs Jewelry), is offering a limited supply of sterling silver black diamond necklaces online only for $95.00 + $8.00 S&H.

Did you know that black diamonds originated in dying stars, when shock waves from exploding red giant stars crushed carbon into dense aggregations of black diamond and sent them hurtling into deep space? Eons later, the Sun's gravity lured some of this material into our solar system, where blocks of it slammed into our atmosphere, shattering into the fragments we find strewn over select areas today, perhaps billions of years after they formed! Interested in wearing the ancient solar system around your neck?

Visit http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9066648 and buy it online.

Ladybugs on Sale!

Dori O'Dea, of Ike Designs Jewelry is offering the following....

MARCH SPECIAL OFFERING- $38 until MARCH 7th
This little ladybug is sterling silver laced with garnet, onyx, hematite and a touch of pink sapphire. You can specify all garnet if you don't want any pink and let me know what length chain you would like (from 15 1/2" up to 18"). The ladybug measures 5/8" in body, and about one inch from tip to tip. Each one is handmade, so slightly different, but will look pretty much like this original one.

How did she come up with this idea? "While watching a chick flick (not something I do very often), I took note of a story that one of the characters told. When she was a little girl, she wanted to see ladybugs so much that she sat in the grass, eagerly looking for the ladybugs. Exasperated and frustrated at not seeing any, she fell asleep. When she awoke, she was covered in ladybugs. She reminded me to let go a little bit...to have faith...and to enjoy all the time I have. So I made this little ladybug to remind me of all these things. We all need to let go a little bit and know that all the things we wish for really do come our way when we let them; not always on OUR time, but always at the RIGHT time. Dare to dream of your own ladybugs! And trust in your own ladybugs! It might be hokey, but it works for me...remember that the ladybugs will come if you let them, whatever those ladybugs may be..."

Visit http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9838839 if you would like a little ladybug to hang gently from your neck...

Jill Anderson - I Bought Stuff

I did I did! I still need to take photos and such, but I bought a dress and a choker. The dress is being altered slightly...so hold onto your horses. And get down there (E. 9th St.) yourself before all the goods are gones!

http://www.jillanderson.com/

The Necklace

Since I continue bragging about my excellent new necklace from Dori of Ike Designs, I thought I'd show it to you up close and personal, while it was taking a break from some of its office duties at work today.

As an aside, you may have noticed that I have added a couple of new links today - one to Ike Designs and the other to Konstant Kontact, a blog on DJ Stretch Armstrong in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps this seems like an odd link to include on Guerilla Shopper, but as we know I am rooted in the 80s AND I used to listen to Mr. Armstrong, so it really makes for a nice synergy, doesn't it?

H&M Supports Me

OK, so although I have not been particularly kind to H&M in the past, I found myself at the Fifth Avenue/midtown location with my gift card in hand. Yes it was a total zoo, but I managed to buy a pair of pants, a necklace, a metallic leather belt and - perhaps the most shocking-yet-pleasing purchase - two bras. I would have never thought that H&M would provide me with that kind of support, but I have to say they fit me as good as, if not better than, most any bras I have ever purchased before. And for a mere $16.70 a piece, I intend to return and replenish the bra stock with regularity.

I wish I could provide you with photos of me wearing them, but I am shy.