What you will see in Columbus, OH

It's here, it's here, it's finally here! This is the big week: the Country Living Fair in Columbus!

bel monili has been deep in production, and this week we are packing up the Subaru and heading west...well, west of Pittsburgh, that is.

Upcycled vintage component necklaces, $25-$35 each

Look for the vintage jewelry box display, and there you'll find bel monili!

This event is the one I've been looking forward to all year. It's the brass ring in the merry-go-round of shows, the big kahuna of them all. For the Country Living Fair, I am thrilled to be pulling out all the stops and bringing the unique fruits of all of my artistic labors.

Enameled French number tags! Perfect to tie on little baskets for sorting, add to a miniature flower pot for an adorable place setting, or simply choose your favorite number and turn it into a necklace.

Hand-stamped vintage metal trays make just the right accessory to display your new bel monili baubles

Who doesn't need a little bit of magic?

For all of the lovely ladies (and gents!) who are shopping, I will be bringing affordable one of a kind items that you will only find here. Upcycled vintage necklaces, bracelets, and brooches sparkle and dance in my booth, ready to go home with a new love.

Flower pins and hairclips feature vintage button details

Full baskets of flower pins are eager to be sorted through and vintage miner's tag necklaces wait anxiously to be loved.

Earrings, the perfect little finishing touch

bel monili also specializes in bridal accessories; stop by and see what we can offer!

There's just so much to look at...and it's all one of a kind

You can find all of this (and SO much more) at the bel monili booth this weekend in Columbus, OH! bel monili is located at booth C-354; mark your maps and come see us for the early bird special! Happy travels!

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 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!

Countdown to Columbus

Oh, the excitement. The panic. The exhilaration. The sheer JOY of being a vendor at the Country Living Fair! With only a few short weeks to go, the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio is sure to be the highlight of the year.

bel monili by l.marlane is absolutely thrilled to be a vendor at this prestigious show for the first time! I am working hard to craft, create, and prepare for my visits to Columbus and Atlanta.

So, since bel monili is brand new to the Country Living scene, I thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself and show you a little bit of what I do!

My name is Lucy, and I am the brains (ha!) behind bel monili by l.marlane. By trade, I am a speech-language pathologist at a suburban elementary school. By rite of passage, I am an artist. My real love is creating unique, one of a kind pieces using vintage components.

My home is small, but my passion for creating is huge. I love finding the perfect vintage piece and transforming it into something "new" to be loved. Here's a little peek at some of my favorite things:

vintage earrings...one of my favorites

 I hand-craft jewelry and accessories using vintage materials, fun finds, and previously loved pieces.

some pretty display items...

 My display is a mash of function and beauty, vintage and re-purposed.

feathers, seashells, and industrial bits and goodies

bel monili signature flower pins and hairclips

 My flower pins are definitely one of the main attractions; they were included in the giveaway bags for the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards!

meet Francine!

 Despite my small space, I like to keep inspiration and beauty in plain sight.

a preview of our finished goods

fun fun fun flowers

we'll have a LOT of beautiful things for brides, bridesmaids, and the like

 So, friends, the countdown is on. Make sure to follow bel monili on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to snag some previews of what you will find at the Country Living Fairs!