ohvotrecoeur - creating, etc.

Three Things

2010-08-27T21:38:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies.

Here are some beautiful things I love. I would like to share some happiness.

The First:

Laura Marling's "Rambling Man" is one of my favourite songs, ever. And covering it over and over in my living room also brings me great joy.

The Second:

Devicfotos. Jessica is a wonder woman of photography. See more at her website.

The Third:

Scott Pilgrim vs The World. A love letter to my beloved city. See it or else.

It's nearly autumn. Soon, leaves changing and cooler nights. Such a beautiful time of year.

Stay well, dears.

xo
h

High ATE Us.

2010-02-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

I have been quite absent from the world of my etsy shop and my blog as of late. I've also been quiet on the etsy teams front, and from interacting with many of you.

Sometimes, one has to take a second to stop and figure it all out.

I find myself needing to do just that.

Health problems are so common these days, and I am not immune. I have been struggling with one for a long time, and I have decided to take another turn at tasting recovery.

It's a difficult step, as is saying anything about it, when so much of the illness is based on secrets, on hiding, on keeping quiet. But here's to fighting.
Much love to you all.

xox

h

NEDIC's Cast Responsibly, Retouch Minimally Campaign

On the Ground.

2010-01-15T13:07:00.001-05:00

No, not your pants.

Photo by Jessica Devic / Devicfotos.

Ever feel like your feet are not quite on the ground?
The end of / start of year has been a bit (a lot) crazy! But fear not, as I am back with a new ginger hairdo and an ambition for boutonniere-making.

Coming soon to the blog are pictures of my new creations, an interview with Jen of Simply Inviting Cards, and much more!

See you soon (with my feet on the ground).

xo

Haley

Giveaway Winner Video Post o'Joy

2009-12-21T15:18:00.003-05:00

Ok guys. This is a big deal, the first giveaway winner! Hoohah!

So to refresh yer memory, the prize was a vinyl record bowl from Elizabeth Normand's etsy shop.

You must watch this video to find out who won.

And go.

Here are photos of the drawing:

Excitement...

Sweeeet, congrats to Ilana Jacqueline / IlanaWrites! Hooray!
Yay! Thanks to all who entered, and to Elizabeth for letting me interview her!

xo
h

Call for Submissions!

2009-12-14T23:58:00.001-05:00

HEY

Photo by Ryan Macdonald

Ohvotrecoeur.blogspot.com is holding an open call for submissions!
If you think your etsy shop/craft project/band/personal style is something to write home about, write me about it instead at
ohvotrecoeur [at!] gmail dot com

And tell me what your deal is!
Maybe we'll really hit it off and we can be interwebs best friends, and maybe I think your things are really awesome too and I can feature you in a future blog post.

I can't wait to meet you, so e-mail away.

xo

h

The Lovely Elizabeth Normand - OVC's first ever blog giveaway!

2009-12-12T13:20:00.009-05:00

It is my pleasure and privilege to interview Elizabeth Normand this week about her etsy shop, her life, her dreams, her desires, her ETC! She is fascinating. I know you'll enjoy meeting her as much as I have, so let's get into it!

OVC: Please introduce yourself - tell us a bit about you!
EN: Well, my name is Elizabeth. I'm 21, a 4th year fashion design student at the University of Cincinnati (which is a 5 year program). I'm the middle child of 3 girls... been creative my whole life, thanks to my parents allowing me to get messy as a kid! I have craft A.D.D... I'm constantly trying out new ideas, which is why you'll find everything from garments to unique jewelry to pin cushions and bowls in my shop. I love to travel, but hardly ever have time for it because of my school schedule. My grandmother and mother were generous enough to pass on their sweet tooth to me, so having dessert for breakfast is one of my favorite things to do. I love dogs, and having a miniature golden retriever puppy is my goal in life. Even though I love to travel (rarely have time/money for it), I'm a total Cincinnati girl. It would be impossible for me to leave and never come back... what would I do without my Skyline Chili, Larosas, and Graeters Ice Cream?! [OVC: Okay I obviously need to visit Cincinnati.]

OVC: How did you get involved with crafting and Etsy?
EN: Like I said, I've been crafting my whole life. A friend passed along info about Etsy years ago, and I became a buyer whenever I could afford to. About a year and a half ago, I was working a summer internship. In the evenings, I would need a creative outlet other than sewing (since that's what I did all day for work) and I began making jewelry and bowls out of vinyl records. When I got those ready, I signed up as a seller on Etsy, and the rest is history!

OVC: Describe your creative process.
EN: I have self-prescribed Craft A.D.D. ...so my creative process mimics that. I can be working on a dress, suddenly remember that I have a really great purse fabric in the closet, and project-hop until eventually all my ideas are finished. My problem is that I am so passionate about what I do, I just can't wait to get started! In school, we're trained to make mood boards, sketches, and have critiques before settling on a final design, but for my personal designs, I go where my creative spirit takes me. [OVC: I'm all over the place too, so hooray for creative chaos!]

OVC: What is a typical day of yours like?
EN: My "typical day" changes each day, quarter, and year because of school. My fashion design program is 5 years long because I do internships every other quarter. So I go to school during the Fall and Spring quarters, and I go on internships in the Winter and Summer quarters. While I'm in school, I have to be extremely focused on my class projects. Typically, we have class from 8-5 every day... that being just 2-3 classes that are many hours long. On top of that 9 hours, we have very intensive projects all quarter, so I really don't have much time to create new items for Etsy. While I'm on internship quarters, I get so much more done! I still work 8-9 hours a day, but my evenings are free of homework, so I get to do what I love :) [OVC: Whoa. Busy girl!]

OVC: Tell us what inspires you.
EN: I'm inspired by so much... especially learning about the world. I love to watch the National Geographic Channel and Discovery to learn about crazy cultures, animals, or geography. I also love fashion history, and mimic a lot of vintage styles in my designs.

OVC: What's something quirky and original about you that people don't know?
EN: I like to make cross-eyes at my teachers when I'm in a big lecture class... just to see if they're paying as much attention as I am.. haha. [OVC: Hah! I love it!]

OVC: Do you have any advice to offer other crafters / creators / etsians?
EN: Keep at it! It took me a month to get my first sale on Etsy, and another month for the second. Don't expect sales to pour in right from the start. It takes time to get your name out there. Frankly, in retrospect, I'm glad it took me so long to start getting sales, because it gave me time to work on my craft and the professionalism of my products. It will always be a work in progress, so don't give up!

And now to admire her incredible work!
Here is a coat Elizabeth made for her tailoring class. It's stunning! She's assured me that she is willing to take custom requests for this coat in other colours - so contact her.

Gorgeous!

I have a weakness for capes. I'm passing out right now. Look:

Ivory wool with vintage buttons. Mmmm. Love.

This jacket is adorable:

Such rich colour and texture. And ladies, she takes custom sizes for this item, plus sizes welcomed! YES!

And now the vinyl bowls:

These are so darling. And a wonderful way to save unused vinyl from the landfill. Applause, Elizabeth.

Here are a few more that she's altered:

Spellbound Record Bowl

Beethoven Record Bowl

Barbara Streisand Record Bowl

Burnished Brass Record Bowl

All vinyl bowls are safe for food and are easy to wipe clean. Genius. I want about 400.
As well, since she is incredible, Elizabeth loves custom orders. She is working on 2 wedding dress orders in the next year - so exciting! She works in all sizes, from kids to womens, plus size, anything really. So if you have that perfect idea in mind, Elizabeth is ready to tackle it and make something just for you!

Find Elizabeth
- on Facebook to see more photos of her other projects and get news about her shop, as well as special discounts!
- follow her on twitter if you're the tweeting-type
- and follow Elizabeth's blog too!

Her record bowls are all one of a kind and would be such great conversation pieces. Now here's the truly amazing part: Elizabeth is giving one of these bowls away to one fortunate Ohvotrecoeur reader! WHAT? Yes! It's true!

Here's the deal: The winner picks their favourite of the individually listed record bowls for their very own!
What you need to do to win:
1) Be awesome (you did that already! Good job!)
2) Follow the ohvotrecoeur blog.
3) Go to Elizabeth Normand's etsy shop and find your favourite item - post a comment here with what that is, and what awesome things you would put in the record bowl if you won it.
4) Tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry (just leave a comment + link letting me know you tweeted it).
and
5) Make sure we know how to contact you if you win!

That's it!
Contest closes December 17 @ 2:00 pm EST - that's exactly 5 days from now.
Aaaand go!

BONUS: Ohvotrecoeur readers get 10% off their purchases from Elizabeth's Etsy shop for the next 7 days if they enter discount code "Ohvotrecoeur" in the message to seller! Sweeeeet!

Thanks so much to Elizabeth Normand for being featured on Ohvotrecoeur! You rock, lady!

xox

h

Keep Warm.

2009-12-09T15:02:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

Today I bring you a treasury I've waited ages to post... because I kept missing the treasury opening. So, since I am home coughing again, I sat and waited, and waited. To my delight, success! I bring you the Keep Warm treasury:

Some of my favourites include:

Bird Scarf on Butter Yellow by NewDuds:

It looks so cozy and cheerful. I love what they do at New Duds. I have one of their shirts, the Feather Sweatshirt, and it is the most comfortable thing ever... my husband and I steal it from each other. I'm actually wearing it right now. !

Another lovely is the Vintage Cowichan oversized Zip Sweater by MidnightFlight:

Look at this. So warm and cute and perfect, and would fit many sizes too. Hot. Just hot.

And maybe someday when I am a super cool and popular internet personality, someone will buy me a pair of
Skeleton Key Ladies Button-Up Spats from LaJolieFemmeDeMarron's shop? A girl can dream...

I mean honestly, who can handle the cuteness? Also, 'Nother French Shop Name PROPS.

Lastly (if I don't stop now I'll just post everything individually and that would be really long) I'll give you a close-up of
The Hawthorne Hat (Chartreuse & Taupe) by halpal28.

SO CUTE, how can you not die from just looking at it? My head is cold. Someone? Anyone? AND this shop is offering free shipping on this item right now! SWEET.

Sooo there's the roundup. Go give these sellers some love. Look how amazing they are!

Love always.

h

P.S. Stay tuned for my first blog giveaway, since it will be truly AWESOME.! <3

E Seller Ads

2009-12-04T23:09:00.001-05:00

Hey guys!

Have you seen this sweeeeet new feature for Etsy sellers? It's called ESellerAds and it's pretty amazing! It's completely free, and you can make an ad that changes to show the viewer more of your Etsy shop. I've added a link to my blog sidebar. Another example is something like this:

HOW SWEET IS THAT. You can post it anywhere, for free, and help people notice your Etsy shop. So go look. And get one. FOR ZERO DOLLARS.

WIN.

xo

h

Oh Your Web Presence!

2009-11-23T17:01:00.005-05:00

What're you doin tonight?

Watching Ohvotre on the etsy virtual labs trunk show? Oh YES!

Deets -

When: TODAY! November 23!
Where: Etsy Virtual Labs - Gallery (in black)
Time: 7 pm EST
What: Super trunk sale put on by Etsy Lab Rats team! Squeak!

IT IS THIS UNBELIEVABLE:

I will be offering super deals! LIKE:

- free shipping on every order
- random drawings for prizes
- one super gift worth $50 for a random buyer

YES! Come to this and have fun with us! Watch me fumble through Item Cards on a webcam, won't you?

See you soon.

xo

h

Treasury'd!

2009-11-20T12:30:00.003-05:00

Hello lovelies, just a brief post today to thank Kimmydukes on etsy for featuring my Lady Envy Earrings in her latest treasury. It's gorgeous:

Great job, Kimmydukes! I love Nancy Drew. How'd she know?

She has an awesome shop. Look at some of her items.

Vintage Mushroom Salt & Pepper Shakers:

I love these. So adorable.

Vintage Set of 4 Navy Blue Floral Printed Linen Napkins:

These bring me joy. I want them for my table. IF we used our table.. maybe we should start.

And these. Oh man.

Vintage Brass Feather Dangly Earrings:

These are to die for. And she's offering FREE shipping on them! Awesome?

So go see the rest of her shop, right now! Thanks again so much, Kimmydukes! You are amazing.

Today is 1/2 off at the thrift store I pass on the way to work. Stop me. Stop me. Ahhh. I'm waiting for a little more light so I can perfect some photos. Then work.
Have an excellent day.
Til next time!

h

Squeak!

2009-11-18T21:35:00.003-05:00

Hi lovelies.

Just a little promo for my fellow Etsy Lab Rats... I made a treasury:

Click on it to see the actual treasury on Etsy. Leave a comment for these awesome etsians!

xox

h

GiveaWON - A Thought Is the Blossom

2009-11-16T11:20:00.006-05:00

Hello dears. Today I greet you from my living room. I am normally so content to be all by myself in the quiet, but today it feels so odd. We just spent the weekend with my family a little ways from here, and I guess I've grown used to the cooing of a 4-month-old baby, the squeals of their adorable 3-year-old girl, and the ever-eager pleadings of their 6-year-old for someone to colour with her (Seann happily obliged pretty much every time - they get along so well, those two). I absolutely adore my little cousins. They are too sweet. But now everything seems so quiet. Seann's at the office and I'm here... in my house...

Finding out that I won another giveaway?! WHAT!

Look at these beauties.

Vintage Gloves

Vintage Hat & Veil

and a paperback edition of A Little Princess.

Ahh so exciting!

Thank you Starr. You're incredible.
I love the looks she comes up with:

The layered socks are a dream. Love!

Such a sweet little dress. And the necklace is so darling.

The belt. WANT.

All this has just been a taste. So go have a look to see what other lovely things she's got. She makes me want to wear knee socks. In fact, I may start.

Thanks again, Starr, for the adorable gifts, and for running this inspiring blog. Everyone go follow her!

And check out her etsy shop! Great vintage!
xox
h

Getting Real Familiar.

2009-11-13T11:31:00.003-05:00

Hi all.
So yesterday I had the pleasure of having an old friend show me some really old pictures of various high school adventures. And I thought, hey. I go through all this trouble blogging about the now, but none of my dear followers know a thing about who I was. Well, now's your chance, as I present:

Only Time I'm Ever Going to Post Really Old Pictures That Are Potentially Embarrassing!

Ahem.
Item one.

Music Banquet, 2002 I believe. I'm in the blue dress, leaning over. This event was an awards banquet for all the band geeks to get together and eat, dance, and get plaques for being Excellent Band Geeks. MAN I knew how to pose back then. Also what is with my hair. Also why that dress. Just why in general.

Item two.

This is probably from winter of 2002 at a thing called Winter MADness (Music/Arts/Drama performances running 2 nights in December). I was usually in pretty much everything. Vocal ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble, etc etc. Ok I wasn't in improv. Anyhow, these are a bunch of jazz/concert band people that I spent many, many hours with. I played the trombone for 7 years! I was not in high school for 7 years though, let's be serious.

Item three.

I actually kinda dig this one. This is me and my friend Stacey at the Music Banquet in 2004, our senior year. My friend Margaret and I were MCs. We did musical announcements to promote the banquet for a good 3 weeks prior to the event. Every morning I brought my guitar to the main office and we spewed out some ear-worm of a jingle. I got so much ridicule for it. Ah, high school!

Item four.

This is Stephanie and I, chillin at graduation (2004). I look really excited. I don't remember being THAT excited, but maybe the supertight updos we were sporting just pulled our faces back like that all night. I can't remember.

Item five.

LOOK OUT I AM ATTACKING YOUR FACEEEEEEE AS A BABY

Yeah so the last one was unexpected. But hey. That's why you love ohvotrecoeur. I'm crazy like that.

So there's some evidence of my former life. Show me some old pictures of you! I wanna see who I'm dealin with. ;)

xo
H

Lady Envy Freakout

2009-11-11T00:04:00.003-05:00

While home and recovering, I've done some updates to the ohvotrecoeur shop!

New photos for this item - Vintage Lady Envy Earrings:

Hopefully they'll help you all get a better look at these beauties.

Aaand, a new item to the shop.

Fuschia Freakout Kitten Heels - Size 8 1/2:

I also finished an upcycle today. I can't wait to post it!
Til then, have a good night all...

h

Mending and the Machine

2009-11-10T12:56:00.002-05:00

I am still on the mend this fine sunny Tuesday. I am looking outside longingly. But I have something to cheer my heart.

My gift from Etsy arrived! See, they were doing this thing where you'd tweet your favourite items, and they chose people to buy them for. And they picked mine, this amazing sweater from NewDuds:

Here I am proudly showing it off, to myself, in my house, because I don't want anyone else to catch whatever this is:

Hoorah! Joy.

Also bringing me joy on this day is the music of Florence and the Machine.
I suggest visiting the website to hear the song "Dog Days Are Over" if you haven't already, off her album Lungs.

Click the cover to visit her myspace page:

Enjoy!
xo

H

hi-illness hi-atus

2009-11-08T12:50:00.004-05:00

Hello friends.
I may be a little out of commission for the next bit as I am pretty ill.
But know that as I fund the ivy league education of the next heirs to the Kleenex fortune, I am thinking of you. Stay alert, stay safe.

Please feel free to use the hand sanitizer provided on the way out.

Love

H

Treasury feature!

2009-11-06T10:32:00.003-05:00

Noblegnome featured me in a treasury based on this original illustration by Dropesdementol on etsy:

She very kindly included my Maiden's Voyage Earrings:

So click here to view her collection and leave a comment!

Thanks, noblegnome!

NaNoWriMo Etsy Style.

2009-10-31T23:55:00.004-04:00

Oh hello, me again!

Just wanted to share my NaNoWriMo treasury on Etsy with you all!

Click here to view it.

Here are a few of my favourites from it - as always, click picture to view listing!

Absinthe Lips (lip balm) by ForStrangeWomen:

Gorrrrgeous, and definitely good for authors.

The Muse Returns print by Couragemylove:

This has been one of my favourites on etsy since... forever.

Striped Earthy Peacock Mug (16 oz) by KarinLorenc:

So colourful and warm. I want to buy this for myself as a first-10-sales gift. Also, coffee is obviously imperative for NaNo!

The Artist Satchel by quejimenez:

It would be so much fun to find the perfect quote for this bag - so personal and inspiring!

And another when-I-get-10-sales gift...

Cable Knit Mug Cozy in Pumpkin Spice by Waysideviolet:

Mmmm. Such a delicious colour!

Hope you all go and enjoy the treasury, and enjoy NaNo this month!

xo

h

Video Intermission / Hardest Button to Button

2009-10-31T22:21:00.004-04:00

Hello lovelies.

This is an intermission. While waiting for treasuries, and prior to the excitement of my friend flying back from Ireland tomorrow, I will offer these beauties, courtesy of my husband.

Offering the First:

Yes, really.

Offering the Second:

Thanks to the White Stripes for their contribution.

Thanks, Seann. Please visit again sometime.

Hope you all enjoyed.

xo

h

Pour moi... ? Pour Blueberryshoes!

2009-10-30T11:22:00.003-04:00

Ah, I need pretty in my life today.
I'm happy to share that I've listed a handmade bouquet on my etsy shop.

Heeere are some pic-a-tures.

I've called it the "Pour moi..." bouquet.
And as always, you can click on the photo to view the listing.

Hope you enjoy...!

While you're at it, check out my girl Blueberryshoes' shop, as she's got some new delights. Such as,

The 80's Aztec Tie by Blueberryshoes:

Black Velvet Madonna Heels - Size 7

Amaaazing stuff as always, Hollie!

Well. To the working world for me. Much love to all.
xox

h

White Owl & Waysideviolet

2009-10-29T11:43:00.007-04:00

HEY GUYS.

This morning I dragged myself out of bed far too late for my own liking. But I just could not wake up. It's been a bit of a trying week. I'm doing that looking up thing, though. That who-cares-if-it's-raining-AGAIN thing. And here I was, checking my e-mail, meditating on the fact that I still get the Victoria's Secret updates despite unsubscribing long ago, when, what's this? E-mail from Jessica of waysideviolet! Hmm!

It turns out that I won her blog giveaway sponsored by Christina and Courtney of White Owl on Etsy!

DEETS:

The lovely sisters at White Owl make gorgeous things. Such as:

Teatime in the Garden Necklace

Ok, how can you not be headoverheelsgonnadie in love with this? Maybe only because you are divided because you are also in love with . . .

Marie Antoinette Earrings in dusky grey by whiteowl

... and you know, that would be ok. To be divided by two amazing things is completely acceptable, in this case.

But oh no. I've come upon a problem. Because their

WHOLE

FLIPPIN

SHOP

IS INCREDIBLE.

So when I found out that I had a choice between TWO of their items, my mind almost exploded. I finally decided on the Grey Garden lace necklace:

and I am super excited to wear it everywhere!

So ladies and gents, the lesson here is clearly to
1) fall in love with as much of their shop as possible
and
2) love waysideviolet as much as I do for her amazing blog and shop and her loveliness in general!

So go show some love to these amaaazin ladies.

xox

h

MBSG'D

2009-10-27T14:08:00.003-04:00

I am so happy and surprised and wow!

Made By Swirly Girl, or @MBSG on twitter, featured me as part of her Tuesday Meet & Greet series!

Click here to read her Meet & Greet this week!

Thanks so much, swirlygirl, you are so sweet!

xox

h

Aww, cupcake.

2009-10-26T22:20:00.003-04:00

Finally...

PAPER CREATION THE FIRST:

So Sweet - Set of 6 Origami Cupcake Toppers by Ohvotrecoeur on Etsy!

YEEEESSS everybody dance!

Wheeee!

OK!

FBFP

2009-10-24T22:34:00.003-04:00

HEY GUYS
now you can be a fan of ohvotrecoeur on facebook!

Click to go to the new facebook fan page!

WORD!

And since I can't go through a single post without posting photos, here's one for you.

One more wedding picture from us hangin out on Queen St W.

Love!

H

1000 things.

2009-10-23T11:10:00.003-04:00

Hello all!

It's been super crazy over here, but I've still been working on my etsy shop.

I added new pictures to this listing, and a new description. Check it out. Click on the picture to view listing.

1000 ways- Vintage Silver Glam Necklace

I've also been working on the paper creations aspect of my shop, including cupcake toppers. Seann snapped a picture of me getting ready for an etsy photo shoot:

And then I got silly...

But I did eventually get the shoot done, and I can't wait to list them.

In other news, we also got our wedding photos back from the photographer, and here are a couple:

I'll post more about that soon. For now, off to work.
Much love.

h

Nerd Time

2009-10-05T20:41:00.009-04:00

Go to the library.
But first, go to my Word Nerd treasury and leave a comment!
Featuring these great items and more...

Burning Books 1 by oliviamurphy:

HOW great is this picture? I want to do this experiment, but I'm not very skilled with the safe use of a flame. Just ask Seann.

Postcard Sentiment Cuff by PonderandStitch:

Ok. The entire thing blows my mind. In fact, her entire shop does. So, I can't look at it ever. Because I have no dollars, and I want it all, and... this, my friends, is the trouble with treasuries.

Vintage Style Typewriter Necklace by laralewis:

My husband does NaNoWriMo every year, as do all of his siblings, and both his parents. At the end, they do gift exchanges. And I don't know if I can write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. But maybe I'll get this anyway as a gift, for being awesome. I am terrible. Look at this. It's shameful. I'm not even hinting, I'm just giving it right away - selling myself out. Ah well. My heart yearns for this. Lara Lewis is to blame.

And one more, to make you want to see what else is in there.

Meet me in an island Pendant, by cocoachuchu:

Don't even get me started on how amazing the entire idea is. Ahh. The anchor just makes it.

Ok. So go see the whole stinking treasury and leave a nice comment for all those incredible etsians! Ok?

Much love

H

P.S. I added a new item to my etsy shop.

The Cinderella's Stepmother ring by me:

Wooot!

Shop love.

2009-10-02T10:19:00.005-04:00

Thought I'd feature some really darling little etsy items that I can't get enough of.
Check these out. Click any image to view the item listing.

1) Twiggy Owl Pillow from etsy user StudioTree:

Ok how cute is this pillow. It's got so much personality. I want to meet that owl.

2) The Lovebirds illustration from DeadpanAlley:

Of course I fell for this! The drawing is so lovely and simple and colourful, and uh.. the text is in french. So. Enough said. AHH. I want this in my life.

3) Peter Pan original papercut art by tinatarnoff:

I was completely obsessed with Peter Pan as a child, and I love this shadowy play on it. I love the ship, especially. And until October 4 she's having a sale! Yay!

4) Elephant original acrylic painting by lorihutchinson:

I love this little guy. He looks so sweet and playful! I want to take him home.

5) The Naiad illustration, by imfromthewoods:

There's something that brings me back to my northern home in this picture. The pond is such a peaceful, yet dark place in this image. She's almost mermaid-ish. Love it so much.

Hope you enjoyed all of these as much as I do. There's so much talent on etsy! Show some love to these sellers - they do amazing work.

Must get ready for my day job.
Much love,

H

A little more vintage romance.

2009-10-01T22:24:00.002-04:00

One more new item in the shop today:

Vintage Silver Glam Necklace

And I spent some time making something exciting for the shop in the paper creations vein, but you'll have to wait and see. One hint though - does anybody like old maps? If so, you'll love the new things coming to the shop.

Tonight the husband and I are watching a Radiohead performance on AUX and I have to say it's pretty amazing / bringing back memories of when I used to listen to Hail to the Thief over and over and over. Love it so much.

Til later. Hope you all have a happy Friday.

H

Tea on Sunday

2009-10-01T16:20:00.002-04:00

Another new listing today:

Vintage Tea on Sunday earrings.

And I'm making some fun paper things. They're currently drying, but when they're finished I'll be so excited to list them.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

x

Haley

New listing - earrings!

2009-09-29T16:44:00.003-04:00

Just added these bright and funky earrings to etsy!

Keep on reading here at ohvotrecoeur - there's definitely more to come!

xo

h

Packaging fun

2009-09-28T21:25:00.007-04:00

Hello all!

Anyone curious about what ohvotrecoeur packaging looks like?
Today I had fun wrapping up the sweetpea jumper for a customer, so I thought I'd show off what I did with it.

First, I wrapped it securely in wire so that it would ship in its original folded condition. Then I made some paper flowers to decorate the ends.

Voila:

Then, since my husband was around to help, I got him to hold the paper in place for me:

Aww.

I wrote a note to the customer to thank them for their order:

And rolled it up into a scroll.

I sealed up the package with a label I made by hand:

And now it's ready to ship out tomorrow!

I can't wait to have more fun with etsy packaging!
Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine's just ending because Seann was home today. But tomorrow is back to the world...

xo

H

Wed-made

2009-09-24T14:37:00.008-04:00

I thought it was about time that I posted a little bit about some handmade aspects of our wedding. Seann and I were married on July 4, 2009, and we went about it a little differently than some. For starters: no wedding planners, djs, caterers, etc. We wanted it to really reflect us and remain a manageable size. For this reason we kept it small-ish, about 120 people (which was really hard considering we both know a lot of really great people). And I thought, hey. I'm planning a wedding. I may as well learn some new skills, like paper crafts, while I'm at it. I've got nothing else to do. (Ha.)

Long before the wedding (well, not that long) Seann chose this ring by Artisan Look on etsy, called "Imagine Life in Peace", for my engagement ring. It's beautiful!

For invitations, we consulted good friend and incredible etsian/designer/person Lori Hutchinson, who came up with a design we loved by taking a small paper crane and photographing it from different angles, then sticking it into photoshop, and voila!

Front:

Back:

Then we sought more help on etsy for our wedding bands, and chose these for one another, both from etsian Silver Garden. They ended up matching really, really well!

His:

Mine:

We really love them, and get compliments constantly!

Next we hired a photographer, our good friend Dzesika Devic, for the day. We went around town for an afternoon looking for great locations, and cannot wait to see how the rest turned out. She did give us digital copies of our polaroids, and I'm even using one of them as my etsy/blog/twitter picture. Here, you can see it a little larger.

Another polaroid:

See those bouquets? They were made after I put in an alchemy request. I accepted the bid made by Ann, who runs Destination Design on Etsy. She did a wonderful job. Again, many compliments!

More handmade at the reception. See all those cranes?

Yep. We had a little help from others, but most of those cranes were folded by my roommate and I. We spent hours and hours watching reruns of House, folding away. We also made tiny, tiny cranes for cupcake toppers!

And I thought while I was at it, I'd have a stab at making boutonnieres. Here are a few of them:

I made enough for our ushers, the speaker, the MC, our parents, and of course the groom and groomsmen. It was fun putting them together. Seann still has his. I'll have to post a photo of it later.

I also made a bouquet to serve as table decoration in a similar style:

Close up:

This bouquet is still on display in our living room and I plan to keep it for a long, long time!

Other handmade / DIY elements to our wedding: the fact that a friend made all the food, and colour co-ordinated it at that! We also slaved over the perfect playlist, which got a lot of good reviews and had us too busy dancing to do much else. The bridesmaids' dresses were also made by a friend, who even modified my dress and corset to make them exactly what I wanted. All of these elements really made it a reflection of us, and it was so, so much fun.
We partied down, and wouldn't have had it any other way.

It may be interesting to learn that the paper creations portion of my etsy shop will include boutonnieres, bouquets, and the like - I can't wait to help make someone else's day as much fun as ours was!

Pumps on sale!

2009-09-24T14:04:00.003-04:00

Looking for an update to a favourite outfit? Try these pumps, now reduced to more than 35% off, also with flat-rate shipping to anywhere!

Hope you're all having a good start to autumn. Mine's been busy, but I have so many new things to add to etsy. Stay tuned!

xo

H

Fan Expo '09

2009-08-31T12:56:00.008-04:00

Well, it's been a few days since an update, and I will have my own photos to contribute when I get to it, but our friend Mikayla is an awesome photographer, and she took portraits of cosplayers all weekend at Fan Expo. On Sunday, Seann and I decided to dress up - kinda steampunk, kinda just... fun.

Click images to go to the Kokoro Photo website, where you will see more of her lovely shots. She will be posting portraits from the expo soon.

Lachlan (Vader) and Jasper (Superman):

Seann:

Seann and I:

Such fun. More to come soon.
As well, I've added etsy minis of both my shop and my favourite items to the blog. Check out my favourites - I'm still drooling.
I have more to add to the etsy shop when I get the chance. Perhaps in the next couple of days.

Til then!

H

My first treasury!

2009-08-27T13:54:00.004-04:00

Click the image to view it, and feel free to leave a comment!

Hooray!

h

It's in the Air.

2009-08-26T12:36:00.006-04:00

I have that burn to create. I want to pick up my guitar and pick up a pen and pick up scissors and scrap paper and create a giant tattoed, guitar-bodied scarecrow man!

Browsing etsy...

This video is just darling! Mimi Kirchner wins. I love her dolls, I want the pincushion, hence:

Must. Create. Things.

Husband isn't home today like he usually is, so maybe I can use it to my advantage and make a big mess and then clean it up before he gets back. Haa.
Our landlords (who live downstairs) are cooking something with corn - I can smell it. It's interesting sharing a house, because your life gets entwined with theirs, just a little.

Possibly more sense later.
Air - Talkie Walkie day. Love.

h

Storm'd.

2009-08-21T11:27:00.003-04:00

Last night we tried to go out, all dressed nice and ready for learning. We equipped ourselves with umbrellas just in case the storm came before the end of our 15-minute walk to our destination. But oh, it did.
We got so wet that we had to turn around and come home and miss it entirely. I was grouchy. I decided to show my friend Jenna, who is in Ireland right now, just what it was like - but there's no way to really show you how it felt to be that defeated by the weather. All that effort finding something to wear, etc. Blah!

But also here is an opportunity for you all to meet my husband, Seann, and to see more of him than you thought you would on first meeting. That's just how he rolls.

Love!

h

Findings.

2009-08-19T11:17:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I had a lovely brunch with good friends at Java House, one of my favourite places in the city. On the way there I started rooting through a bin of fabric and lace pieces outside a fabric store, and left with two really beautiful ones. One is orange with a little purple/blue mixed in, and the other is purple, blue and white. I can't wait to make something out of these. I've already started wearing pieces of them as headbands, but I've got several metres of each, so we'll see.

Today I must be a wife and clean and cook for guests. It's nice - I enjoy company.
Not sure what type of day it is. Looking for the perfect music. Hmm.

Oh and I'm absolutely loving the new camera! Cannot wait to take some photos with it for the shop.

Fan Expo is coming up really soon. I need to find the perfect thing to wear! Suggestions welcome.
And of course, there'll be pictures of that too.

xo

h

Treasury, more new items

2009-08-14T17:01:00.004-04:00

I got included in a treasury! Click here to view. Many thanks to etsy user courtneymcornett!

A few more items up:

Vintage Lady Envy Earrings

Vintage Northern Lights Earrings

So who else is melting? Seriously!
Husband and I and a friend are going for dinner and pints tonight. So excited.

Ok. I'm waiting for Etsy to let me add tags. It's running pretty slow. But it's worth it, I have one more pair of earrings I want to put up (lots more to go in still but a girl's got to pace herself).

So I will take a minute to talk about the band I am listening to, Noah and the Whale. I love them. I love love love them. Funny enough, Laura Marling (see previous post on her) is a former member. The lead singer of Noah and the Whale actually produced her album, Alas I Cannot Swim. So here's a shout out to NATW.

Here's the video for a fun song by them, Five Years' Time. Laura sings in it and is also in the video:

Oh look at that. My last posting is finished now.

Vintage Maiden's Voyage Earrings

Ok, time for dinner and pints!

muchlove.

h

Quickly, then...

2009-08-14T14:09:00.002-04:00

Another new item, as I run out the door...

Vintage Lovely Lemon Skirt:

I love this one so much!
Hopefully this weekend I'll be putting vintage jewelry up in the etsy store. We'll see!
Off to print, fax, etc, etc.

xo

h

New listing.

2009-08-12T14:51:00.003-04:00

One more new item on Etsy - my friend Amanda helped me out last week. She's such a great model!

Vintage Sweetpea Jumper

Click on the picture to see listing.

More to come, including a gorgeous yellow vintage skirt and lots of jewelry. Soon I'll get to making and listing more cupcake toppers like I did for our wedding, and some pretty paper bouquets.

h

Evenings.

2009-08-11T23:22:00.001-04:00

Tonight, watching Roman Holiday with my husband. Love!!

First two listings!

2009-08-10T22:20:00.006-04:00

Finally, my first two etsy listings!

1) Vintage Via Piaggi handbag

2) Vintage leather pumps

Celebraaaate!

Whee!
h

Edit: My good friend Lori Hutchinson just finished making my banner for me. She is amaaaazing! She's creating my cards, too. Love her!

Muse- ic.

2009-08-10T13:57:00.010-04:00

This afternoon I am in hiding from the heat outside. The weather says it feels like 39C out there.

Laura Marling and I are catching up. It's been a while since I listened to her. Still amazing, haunting, beautiful, inspiring. It makes me want to do more crafting, and change the strings on my guitar and get playing. Currently hearing the song "Tap at My Window" from Alas, I Cannot Swim. She's impressive because of her gorgeous, dusty voice and the fact that she's only 19 only further astounds me. She'd finished her first album at the age of 18, far as I know. Incredible stuff.

Check out this clip from MTV's "Ahead of the Curve."

And one of my favourite of her videos, "Cross Your Fingers/Crawled Out of the Sea":

Love her. She's incredible live, too - we saw her play last October.

As the etsy progress goes, lots of pictures from Friday. Just need to edit them up and the shop should be going really soon. Lori Hutchinson is creating a lovely banner and cards for me. She also did the album art for my CD, Not the Queen. Lori is amazing, and you should check out her etsy shop as well.

Til later,

h

Post the first.

2009-08-06T18:20:00.001-04:00

Things are coming together in H to the etsy land.

I have done the following:

- learned to create pretty paper things

- located excellent vintage

- tried to convince myself to just keep all the vintage because I want it ALL

This preparation also included:

- thrift store-ing

- troubleshooting

- actually doing what I set out to

Hopefully, success.

Cannot wait to share the start of ohvotrecoeur.etsy.com with the world. The next few days will have me hard at work on it. It won't be long now!

Love.