Morocco:: Lemon Fashion Shoot

I posted a sneak peek on my facebook page earlier today from Claire Eliza's "Lemon" fashion shoot with Miss Layne. I just wanted to share with you yet another glimpse here on my blog. This shoot featured one of my favorite necklaces (Morocco 3- Necklace) from my diseño collection.

I love how this piece gives a glimpse into a shape that is typically seen throughout Moroccan architecture. This simple scalloped shape can be seen used over doorways, on windows, adorning arches, and throughout the ornate tile work. I just can't imagine when I have the chance to travel to Morrocco, how truly engulfed I will be in the stunning architecture. Not many people know, but at one point in my university career I wanted to study architecture thus now you can better understand my slight love affair with architectural details. But for now I dream of traveling to Morocco through my architecture books.

Claire has put together another absolutely lovely fashion film that actually features the necklace pictured above. Thank you Miss Claire! Go ahead and take a look below:

To see more pictures from this shoot and other fashion shoots, please head on over here.

Swan Lake.

The inspiration for this photo shoot was ballerinas----think a beautiful mix of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Black Swan. Lace, ruffles, layers, and pearls. As I got to designing the pieces for the photo shoot with Claire and the ladies, I decided to incorporate this vintage fabric I had hidden away.



When I bought the fabric I didn't really have an idea in mind, but rather just loved the look and feel of it. I loved the delicate embroidery, scalloped edges, and those sweet little eyelets. I wanted the piece to incorporate all of the inspirational elements as well as to have this feminine feel that also evoked a sense of innocence.



Thus this ruffled half-Peter Pan collar came about. There are several items that distinguish a Peter Pan collar from other types of shirt collars, however, the most characteristic is the rounded edges.



As I got to researching more about Peter Pan collars and how they came about. The name of the collar is actually a reference to Peter Pan (yes, that lovely fictional character that lived in Neverland in the novel of the same name, which was written by J.M. Barrie in the early 1900s). As many of you know the story is a fairytale about a mischievous little boy who can fly that refuses to grow up, and the Peter Pan collar is intended to evoke the same fairytale sense of eternal youthfulness.



The shape and name of the Peter Pan collar seems to have originated in the mid-twentieth century. This design was very popular for school uniforms, but also started to spill over into popular culture. Despite the collar being named after a masculine character, the Peter Pan collar has been mostly associated with feminine fashion and rarely does it appear in men's fashion.



Peter Pan collars are typically quite modest, since the collar itself hugs the neck thus not leaving much room for display of décolletage or cleavage. Instead of creating a full traditional Peter Pan collar I opted to make half of one.



I love the way it looks worn on the body. The necklace gently hugs around the neck mimicking a Peter Pan collar with the rounded edge in front, however, it starts to take on a new look with the focus being on the center adornment. The middle portion where typically the collar edges would meet is layered with various white freshwater pearls that have been hand stitched and mixed in with pieces of vibrant amethyst and layers of sterling silver chain.



This has definitely become one of my favorite pieces. I can't wait to share with you next week some of the other images from the Swan Lake shoot as well as a wedding-esq inspired collar plus more custom/personalized work. Have a wonderful weekend!


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Fashion Shoot :: Swan Lake.
Model Photos by Claire Eliza
Hair and Makeup: Melissa and Ashley at Che'mel Salon
Outfits: Vanity Boutique. Tacoma, Washington


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Wedding Reception: Lela + Taylor

I hope everyone has been enjoying the new year thus far. I would like to start of this year by sharing a few photos from Lela and Taylor's enchanting wedding reception. Claire Eliza photographed this couple's small reception party in the gorgeous forest of Flagstaff, Arizona. The couple invited some of their closest friends that weren't able to make it to their family ceremony.





Lela the lovely bride wore my Morocco 4- Necklace at their reception party. However, Lela wanted more of a vintage feel, so her necklace was finished with a liver of sulfur patina (black/grey finish). Below is a photo of the original Morocco 4- Necklace without the patina.

The couple had a such an unique and fun approach to their reception, instead of the traditional toast followed with cake these two had colorful sprinkle donuts with milk. What a sweet little surprise! ;)

Thank you Lela for letting me a part of your wonderful and truly special day. Also, thank you to Claire for sharing these delightful photos. If you would like to see more photos from the reception, please head on over to Claire's website: www.claireeliza.com





Here are a few teasers of what you can expect next week on my blog: holiday recap (filled with pierogi pictures), a truly one-of-a-kind wedding band, an introduction to some new jewels and a few more surprises. One thing this year that I am hoping to do more of is...... BLOG.

Until Monday.... Ciao!

All That Sparkles.

With the new year just around the corner and the beginning to a new decade, I would like to wish everyone a truly wonderful New Year---- to great adventures and many happy memories!

As we say goodbye to this year, I would like to leave you all with this quote from T.S. Eliot: "For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."

Happy new beginnings!

(Fashion Shoot :: All That Sparkles. Photo by Claire Eliza/ Hair & Makeup: Kelsey Knutson)

Argentina Destination Weddings.

First off, I wanted to congratulation Miss Claire of Claire Eliza Photography for being featured in the latest issue of the International Photography and Design Magazine CarneMagazine®. I truly love flipping through this online magazine and seeing the range of work from around the world. I always can't wait to see what is on the next page. I was so excited to hear that Claire's stunning work would be featured in CarneMag® Issue#6, which you can download for free onlne at: CARNE MAG



In honor of her feature in CarneMagazine®, Claire has extended her European Destinations deal of the century to Argentina! She will be offering destination wedding packages to weddings in Argentina minus the costly travel charges. Such a great opportunity!



Plus I will be offering custom bridal pieces along with some of Claire's packages.



Please email Claire for further details: claireeliza@live.com

Claire's Deal of the Century!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Before we head into the weekend, I wanted to share with everyone an amazing deal that Claire is offering this summer. It truly is the deal of the century! Claire Eliza Photography will be offering wedding packages to European weddings with OUT the costly travel charges. You will get a truly amazing destination wedding photographer with out the destination price. Make sure to share this with your family and friends!

Here is a little sneek peak of Claire's work:



Head on over to Claire's website to read more about her as well as to take a look at her stunning photos: www.claireeliza.com

Here is to a great weekend and for those of you that can make it to the Ballard Art Walk... I look forward to seeing you at VAIN Ballard! :)

VAIN: España collection

I am excited to share a special photo/jewelry collaboration that I have been working on with the wonderfully talented photographer Miss Claire. This past summer, Claire studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and had the opportunity to travel throughout the country. Before Claire left for Spain, we had had talked about her inspiration for the images--- pictures that would best represent and give a glimpse of the beautiful country.

I really couldn't wait to see and hear about Claire's travels. In this collaboration, I created a new collection of work based off of images that Claire and I had selected from her travels in Spain. It was such a fun experience to look through the photos and to automatically see things that inspired me. Here is a sneak peek of some of the pieces:

Claire's photos turned unique, handmade postcards and my new collection of jewelry will be featured this month in VAIN Ballard. Please come by VAIN for the Ballard Art Walk this Saturday (October 9th). I will be posting more images from the Art Walk as well as introducing pieces from the España collection.

side note: i am trying a new format for the images on my blog. what do you think of the size of the images?