Score

Today was an extremely busy day preparing for Friday's show, but please take a look at the very best part—the perfect vintage mesh score:

front                                                                                                            back

It's exactly what I look for in one of these bags. Aside from general damage to the frame and mesh, this bag was so well-loved, used so frequently, that the back side's enamel color is almost entirely worn away. This happens as the bag rubs up against the body of the wearer over and over again. Even the front of this one is well-worn...

front                                                                                                            back

Some imperfect bags are considered damaged because they have manufacturing flaws—bubbled or crazed enamel, for example—but were never used very much. This bag's unique finish has been created over many, many years—and many, many years ago... not by some trendy, newly-applied, "distressed-style" finish, but by genuine love and enjoyment.  By being in the world!

What's left, especially when viewed up close, in small sections (as would be seen in an earring, for example...), is a field of glittering gold speckled with an abstract smattering of thrashed color.  A miniature modern masterpiece.

Headed off to clean and prepare this beauty before giving it a new look, new life, and hopefully many, many more years of love and enjoyment to come. Look for new jewelry soon!

xxxxooo

Costuming: Drag Queen Bee

As I'm too busy with jewelry work to even think about costuming this year, I thought I'd share some pics from Halloween past...

TRUNK SHOW: candlelight, cocktails, costumes, and creations - in Hayes Valley

Come see the jewelry at this Hayes Valley - evening - trunk show! One week from Friday, The Blue Muse restaurant/bar in SF will have candlelight, cocktails, costumes(!), and local designers' beautiful creations.

 

All 'Maral Rapp | Modern Vintage Works' will be 20% off.   I hope you can come!

Halloween Trunk Show
Friday, October 28
8:30p - 11:30p (costume contest, with prizes, at 10:00)

The Blue Muse
370 Grove St (@ Gough) Hayes Valley
San Francisco
(415) 701-9888

Illustration via  event's Facebook page

Treasure Island Music Festival

Along with the ferris wheel rides, games, food, creative vendors and happenings, and of course--the music, Kelly Malone of Workshop SF created a huge, interactive, DIY/game/campsite area. People were having a great time building terrariums, sewing, chilling in the outdoor lounge - complete with comfy sofa and coffee table - or lounging in one of several pillow-strewn teepees... She makes a thoroughly welcoming environment, and people really enjoyed it.

But let's talk about the lovely festival-goers who came to my booth! I have such fun meeting people who love this mesh, and it's a special joy when they forgo the box and insist on wearing the jewelry right away. Here are three of several stylish gals who walked away wearing their recent purchases!

two-tier triangle station necklace   -   black and white fringed earrings   -   diamond inset banner earrings

This time the booth was simply a six foot table, so one small display had to rise to the occasion. Note to self: if you triple the display height it will be very difficult to see around it to greet people! Fortunately my neighboring designers were very friendly and let me shift around a bit...

By the end of the weekend quite a few of these pieces had found new homes. Sometimes it can be a little hard to say goodbye, and with several one-(or two)-of-a-kind pieces gone, I look forward to the next vintage bag find, and all the new jewelry it will inspire!

And finally, in case you didn't catch that poster on the far left side of the table... please see the latest jewelry model - so ably demonstrating that the mesh looks great on guys, too!

 

Next event will be an evening trunk show at the Blue Muse in SF. Come have a cocktail and shop the local SF wares! It's Halloween-themed, so we may opt for a costume... more details soon.

Indie Mart was so much fun!!

Kelly Malone has made a real scene with San Francisco's Indie Mart, drawing talented makers and musicians - it's a really good time. The weather was perfect, the music was great, and meeting so many people who love this jewelry as much as I do - well, it's the very best way to spend a day!

The beaming faces of happy customers is my new adrenaline -- makes the late nights and long days worth every one.

The wood displays are definitely an undertaking to transport - but once they're up it's such a nice space...

... and really makes it easy to see and shop all the jewelry.

Huge thanks to everyone who came by the booth - you made my day.  Now off to prepare for the next showing - Treasure Island Music Festival is this weekend!

Open Air Fairs - NEXT TWO WEEKENDS

Come out in the sun and see the latest Maral Rapp | Modern Vintage Works jewelry at two San Francisco fairs -- this weekend and next.

THIS SUNDAY, October 9, 2011 - Indie Mart Street Fair

We'll be at the Indian Summer Indie Mart Street Fair - Art/Design, Music, Food, Drink - THIS SUNDAY, at Thee Parkside in San Francisco.  All Maral Rapp | Modern Vintage Works will be 30% off at this show. I hope to see you there!

artwork from indie-mart.com

Indie-Mart Street Fair

Sunday October 9th, 12-7pm

Thee Parkside- 17th St & all down Wisconsin

ALL AGES  (21 to booze it up)

$3 donation gets you: shopping the wares, free photobooth, drink specials, all the music & metal you can handle.

www.indie-mart.com

Next weekend, October 15-16 - Treasure Island Music Festival

Find us at the Treasure Island Music Festival, both Saturday and Sunday.

artwork via treasure island music festival, on Facebook

Just look for the WORKSHOP booth, which is the biggest booth at the festival
with seating, a camp area, free things to make all day, bands doing sing-a-longs...

Should be a great time!