Phantasmagoria

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Blogger's Block

I've been feeling really uninspired the past couple of weeks to write. A combination of fatigue and offline obligations has kept me from sitting down and really thinking of something to share with you all. I've been told my blog is great because of its photos. By multiple people. Thinks makes me question whether any of my actual writing is being read. Photos are a large part of my blog and the aesthetic of each of my posts, obviously. As a reader of blogs, I know that I LOVE photos. So it's entirely understandable. I guess it's somewhat frustrating not knowing though. Anyways, one of the things thats kept me away has been starting the Phantasmagoria Style instagram. with almost 200 followers in just two weeks, it can get a little addicting adding photo after photo and seeing the likes and adds pile up. It's a lot less personal and a lot quicker than garnering a following here, but I haven't been exactly keeping that in mind. For those of you without instagram, or those who creep on the blog but don't want to prove they enjoy the things I send off into the internet/ are too cool for me/ aren't interested in what I'm saying/ think I have bad taste (Y'all still readin' it though, jokes on you) here's some little inspiration squares I've posted on the instagram. Not cohesive, entirely random, but none the less fun and inspiring to browse.

Instagram: @phantasmagoriastyle

Monday, May 6, 2013

Met Moments

Here's my favorite looks from the red carpet of tonight's Met Gala, which is arguably one of the biggest nights for fashion, considering it honors the opening of the Metropolitan's fashion exhibition at it's Costume Institute. Some celebrities made fools of themselves (*cough* Miley and Nicole), but others really blew me away with their looks tonight. Top 5 were definitely Uma Thurman, Gwen Stefani, Blake Lively, Miranda Kerr, and Kate Beckinsale. Anyone else have any favorites?

Uma Thurman

Gerard "the babe" Butler

Christoph Waltz.. (major old-man crush. It's totes the accent)

Blake Lively. Oh be still, my beating heart... she never fails to knock my socks off. I plan on waking up one day and being her. Just warning you all.

Joan Smalls and Tom Ford... whyyyyy does he have to be gay? By far the most handsome well-known male designer

Anja Rubik. I know a lot of you will disagree with me on this one, but I love this, it's so funky. It honestly reminds me of the Michael Jackson Thriller jacket.

Kate Mara in Delpozo. It's refreshing seeing some short hemlines. I love the burgundy color on her pale skin.

Sienna Miller. That jacket is ridiculous!

Olivia Wilde. She can do not wrong. Cropped stuff is showing up everywhere, I'm kind of getting scared. Is the Spice Girl - age bare midriff coming back?

Emma Watson. I love seeing "sweet" girls go a little naughty.

"Rooney Mara, that dress.... is amazing on you, you look really pretty. And that hairdo must have taken hours." (please.. someone get my mean girls joke)

Nina Dobrev

Miguel.. cheesin'

Gwen Stefani.. I think she looked so amazing tonight, this look is definitely top three for me

Sebastian Stan... ughh I wish I could just dip him in butter and roll him up in a crescent roll and carry him around like a little hot man snack (I crack myself up, obviously)

Miranda looking in-Kerr-edible! hahaha POINTS FOR ME! I MADE A FUNNY! No but seriously, top three for me

Kate Beckinsale. Or should I say BANGIN-sale. She is so gorgeous. I love this look.

And finally Nicki.. I was so surprised when I saw this I almost didn't recognize her. Since her interview in V magazine where she was "dressed down" she really seems to have made a concerted effort to look more polished. And I LOVE it. because she really is a stunning woman.. I mean just look at that face. Her makeup is immaculate. This look, to me, is very reminiscent of Rihanna at the Grammy's last year, no? I hope Miss Minaj sticks with this more sophisticated streak she's on.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Etsy Spotlight: Laminar

I'm so happy to share with you today the work of Melanie Shelor, the creative force behind Albuquerque- based Laminar. She is a talented jeweler (which doesn't even seem to feel like the right title to use considering the amount of work and intensity that her creative process entails) whose work not only blows me away, but her words as well. As you'll read below, she describes the inspiration for her jewelry in such vivid, particular ways. There is so much vision behind her unique pieces, which you'll read & see, but there is also so much intention behind the designs, materials, etc. It's always amazing to see beautiful minds hard at work making beautiful things!

1. Where do you draw inspiration from for your pieces?

Anywhere and everywhere. As a child I always had shapes running through my head, tracing their outlines in my mind, going around and around over and over again.

Of course, I draw from the minimalist artists, Ellsworth Kelly, Donald Judd, etc., but also heavily from the entropy visible in the desiccated, austere, or otherwise ruined landscapes of my youth on the High Plains and in my present space in New Mexico. For example, the tangle necklaces are an evocation of the twisted rebar and rubbled concrete left behind from demolitions that are so often left to sit on lots in cities until the economy swing up again. I specifically use uncoated stainless steel cable because it shimmers os nicely in the light and it kinks in a predictable manner. The use of a material that is frequently associated with high-tech architectural applications in its abject, deformed state offers a kind of poetic allusion to the contemporary global city: shimmering, yet ruined in a way…but beautiful, nonetheless. The glass pieces are simply moments ensured in a tangled matrix.

2. What materials do you prefer working with & why?

I very much enjoy using recycled, or found, materials. At the moment I typically work in glass, stainless steel, aluminum, and silver but I would like to understand better the properties of plastics and perhaps wood in the future. So far I have found glass to be the most rewarding in terms of processing - cutting, drilling, and tumbling. I use silver for earring mainly because it's relatively affordable, is forgiving to work with, and is easily worn by people with different chemistries.

3. Describe the kind of woman you're designing for

I design for the idealized version of myself out in the world. :)

4. What's been your biggest obstacle/difficulty either inspiration wise or just technically in making your pieces?

Time and space, of course! In my recent move back to Albuquerque from Phoenix, I inherited a couple of junky yards in which I can do much of the messy work, such as cutting glass and tumbling. I find that the biggest challenge is setting up the studio - or factory, really - in such a way that facilitates a smooth work flow. It's all about the infrastructure and I'm still struggling with it.

5. How do you set your prices?

Pricing is still somewhat nebulous to me and I continue to work to understand it! That said, the silver pieces are easier to price because of the material cost being a stable factor, for the most part.

6. What are some of your goals/future plans for your work/business?

I'd like to establish a steady following among the design niche in global cities in the coming years.

7. Anything else my readers should know? Anything I missed?

I have a background in architecture; I worked in a variety of offices and even did a bit of studio teaching and architecture research in the past several years. After having my daughter in 2008 I found that I couldn't stomach the extreme stress of the working environment in the profession anymore. Coincidentally, 2008 also marked the burst of the housing bubble and pretty much every architect and designer I knew got laid off in the year and half that followed. It was a watershed moment in every respect, to say the least. So, Inspired by my sister's desire to make resin bangles (which we still haven't accomplished yet!) I just started making jewelry. I knew I was good at crafting things with my hands and people just responded to it.