A sleek way to dress up walls for storage - Urbio

So I am a regular follower of the Shark Tank, the wonderfully exhilarating show on ABC where start up entrepreneurs come with a great idea, product or service in hopes of seeking investment and support from a bunch of rich "shark" millionaires. Couple of weeks back, I happened to love one of the products that was featured in the show, called URBIO.

I was totally blown away by this uber cool vertical garden that seems super easy to mount on the walls of an apartment, loft or home. You can even attach it through its magnetic backs onto the refrigerator, use these are table top or wall storage units. That walls can serve as stylish storage areas in a tiny living space is not much explored, with URBIO, one can store magazines, that ever disappearing TV remote or phone on the wall..and these are not just restricted to plants. I fell in love with this sleek design right away - kind of like how I fell in love with my first ever iphone!
 

URBIO

Sleek, effortlessly simple and clean designs blow me away. Let's face it - simple designs are the hardest to create. Which is why I think URBIO is a winner all the way - these vertical storage pots provide sleek industrial design with versatile functionality that is hard to resist - I am getting one of these very soon for my studio. URBIO is a a SF based company , that excites me even more. I hope they make these little pots in more colors and shapes - i can only imagine the possibilities..

Think of the possibilities of storage with this neat platform!

Monochromatic Black n White

My latest color addiction is anything black and white..to that effect, here is my latest Etsy treasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Mjc3NjMxNDR8MjcyMTQxMTQwNw/black-n-white?ref=pr_treasury

Crystal Wrapped Hoop Earrings Tutorial

Learn to make these gorgeous handmade hoops!

Do you like to add some dazzle to the wire earrings we learned to make in the last tutorial? If yes, learn this easy to learn wire wrapping to embellish your choice of beads, pearls or crystals onto a hoop frame. You can wire wrap just about any hoop earring using this technique. I guarantee, once you get going, its going to get addictive and you may not stop at just one pair. Note that, this tutorial starts from where I left off in the Part 1: making the hoop frame. 

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

• The pair of hoop earrings (that you made using Steps outlined in my earlier Tutorial)
• Jewelry Wire - 26 gauge ( use the same colored metal wire as the hoop earrings you made earlier). You will need about 23 inches of wire per hoop (total of 46 inches for two hoops of a pair)
• Bead of your choice (Here, I used 40 red fire polished crystal rondelles 5mm in size – 20 beads wrapped per hoop).
• Chain nose pliers, Flush Cutters/Nipper Tool

Tools and Supplies For this Project

 METHOD

Step 1: Make a pair of wire hoop earrings using the Steps Outlined in my Wire Hoops Tutorial. The hoops shown here are approximately 1.1 inches in diameter.

The wire hoop frames from Part 1

 All the remaining steps below are for one earring, repeat for the other to complete the pair.

Step 2: Measure and flush cut about 23 inches of the 26 gauge jewelry wire using flush cutters. (Use the same color wire as the hoop earring to give a professional look – here I used copper wire for both hoop earrings and wire for wrapping). Straighten the wire of any kinks either by running them through a nylon jaw pliers.

Step 3: Make four tight coils of the 26 gauge wire around the hoop starting at the top (close to the ear wire), leaving a long end and a short tail about 1.2 inches long. Tug lightly at the long and short wires to make sure your coils are tight and even on the hoop.

 Step 4: Now slide one crystal bead on the long end of the wire and position it with your fingers to stay on the top of the hoop frame.

 
Step 5: Keeping the bead clasped with your fingers, use your other hand to wrap around the hoop three times, firmly and tightly. You can always reposition the bead if it has moved slightly.

Step 6: At the third wrap, slide another crystal bead on the 26 gauge wire, and repeat the wrapping three times around the hoop frame.

Step 7: Repeat the process, tightening each wrap after adding a bead by tugging lightly at the long wire.
Every now and then, run your fingers along the free wire to remove any bends or kinks that may have formed during the wrapping process.
(Tip: Always count wraps before adding beads to ensure you have wrapped three times each time. Move the wrapped beads gently using your fingers to space them evenly on the hoop.

Step 8: You may find the short wire tail sticking out at the beginning of the wire wrap getting in the way of continuing your wrapping process. At this time, you can snip off the short tail using flush cutters and tuck the ends into the coil (see the images below).

 

 Step 9: Continue the wrapping process adding one bead at a time, then three wraps and so on till you have covered the entire hoop frame and reached beginning of the hoop at the other side.  Now, make four final wraps to complete the bead wrapping, snip off excess wire using flush cutters and tuck in any sticking out wire ends.

Your wire wrapped earring is ready! Now make the other earring following the same steps to complete the pair. Make these in different colored beads and wires and try doing different sizes.

One completed wrapped hoop earring.

 I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Let me know if you have any questions!

Tale of the Lariat Necklaces

A brushed drop pendant adds shine to this leaf lariat..

Two little hearts connected by a dainty chain..

A royal pair up to a little black dress..

Silver Leaf Lariat

A touch of boho red with royal gold..

Apple green and silver makes for a wonderful spring necklace

Spring-summer fun lariat

I love designing and wearing lariat necklaces to a party or event - the modern dangling chain style with pendant really pulls off a chic and trendy look and makes your neck look even prettier. Lariats are great for accessorizing with a summer dress or wedding wear. Even a simple top with a V neck or a tube top can set off the lariat style so gracefully...which design is your favorite among these?

Pretty Red Dresses

What fun to celebrate the day of love with a classic and trendy red dress! I browsed my fave online boutiques and found these scene stealers - which one is your favorite?

Red Dresses for Valentines Day - Images Courtesy: JCP, Free People, Anthropologie, Francesca's

Dresses Image/Shop Links:

A. American Living Empire-Waist Sheath Dress, $50 at JCPenney
B. FP ONE Catalina Maxi Dress, $198, at Free People
C. Angie Collared Dress, $158, at Anthropologie
D. Gather Round Hi-Lo Dress, $44, at Francesca's

Going out on Valentines Day - Picks from Shop Ruche

I love Ruche. This Vintage Inspired Boutique has elegant affordable fashion for all occasions and events. Lace, Collars, Pastels, romantic, tribal and bohemian prints abound. I put together a look from Shop Ruche for going out wear this Valentines Day - its not all red and pink, but prints with some tribal thrown in. All images courtesy ShopRuche.com

Individual Item Description & Images: ShopRuche.com

A Graceful Sensibility Lace Clutch $44.99
B Vintage Rubies Bangle Set $12.99
C Albuquerque Belted Dress, $52.99
D Daisy Chain Earrings $12.99
E Cherie Floral Peep toe Heels $36.99

Strawberries, Champagne and Chocolates..

This February 14, I am planning to grab some yummy belgian chocolates, juicy strawberries and some frothy champagne to celebrate eight years of marriage with my wonderful husband..we might go to the SF city for a date night and then head home to watch a movie..and spend some wonderful time with my family of two - my husband and our pug.

Kulfi, our 4 yr old pug

I put together a Pinterest board (my recent addiction) with some great Valentine To-Dos and Must Haves that will make the day extra special! Let me know what you think..

Splurge this Valentines Day!

Did you know that candies, chocolates, discount gifts and diamonds are still hot and trending among shoppers this year? Interestingly, men are continuing to spend more than women which makes sense..most women expect something from their partners than vice versa.