A behind the scenes look at our travels: shows, setups, packing, and the real nitty-gritty of vintage show life!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Creating is fun...

Oh my, oh my, oh my...the Country Living Fair is almost here! Only 18 short days from today, bel monili will be set up at the gorgeous Ohio Village along with an unbelievable selection of the country's finest artisans, including two of my dearest friends, Jeanne from juNxtaposition and Krystal from Green Bubble Gorgeous.

bel monili's vintage component accessories; each is one of a kind

Of course, many of you are Country Living pros, and this year's Country Living Experience is (in my mind) the equivalent of a shopping boot camp. So, to help you prepare for your three-day shopping extravaganza, here's a little "warmup" of what you will find at the bel monili booth (located at booth #C-354):
Vintage component baubles, prices range from $20-$40 per piece    


bel monili vintage component collage brooches, each one of a kind, $20-$30 each

Each bel monili item you purchase is hand-crafted using vintage and upcycled materials.
Vintage upcycled lime flower necklace, $25

bel monili's prices are shopper-friendly, so you can stock up on unique treats for yourself and still have plenty of spending power left to pick up gifts for your friends and family.
Peaches and cream vintage component necklace, $25
Vintage component jet black necklace with enameled flower detail, $25
violet multi-strand baubles with vintage rhinestone accent, $35

bel monili takes pride in creating items that can comfortably be called "wearable pieces of art". There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting an admiring look or hearing (over and over again), "I LOVE your necklace! Where did you get that?!"
bel monili bobby pins, $3 each or 2 for $5
bel monili vintage miner's tag necklaces, $20 each
So ladies, the countdown has begun and the clock is ticking. Stop by booth C-354 at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio and see what bel monili has in store for you!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sunday Fun-day

Sunday afternoon is a special time for me. Being from Pittsburgh, I am (of course) a die-hard Steelers fan. For me, Sundays (ok, and sometimes Monday and Thursday evenings) are set aside for rest and relaxation. On this special day, I wake up early, head out to my favorite flea market, then come home to a fresh cup of coffee and a home-cooked breakfast. During football season, I craft while I am watching the game, thus making the most of a decidedly short weekend.

On a day like today, when it's in the high 60's, breezy, and slightly cloudy, I find myself dreaming of days when I'm at a weekend show, enjoying the sights and sounds. These are the kinds of days when I find myself torn: do I watch the game, or do I go to a show? Well, in the case of the Country Living Fairs, the decision is obvious. I have been SO excited for the Columbus show, and with September 14 almost 4 weeks away, I am getting ready for my "show season".

This will be my first year at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, and I am hoping that the lovely ladies who make this a weekend trip find bel monili to their liking. I've been working extra hard...here' a little preview of what I have created this weekend:

I am in LOVE with these miner's tag necklaces!

It seems that everyone loves bobby pins
So, friends, this is proof positive that I am working hard to get ready for the Country Living Fair, looking forward to an awesome weekend, and yes, trying to sneak in some shameless Steelers plugs. Hope to see you in Columbus!