Random Fan-dom - The First

In honor of Comfuzzled's fan page surpassing 200 fans, I thought I'd throw some fan love back out to the universe.

At least once a week, I will select one of my fans whose work (or posts) have caught my notice...and a couple random favs thrown in, too. The featured designer will not know they are the subject until I announce the blog post via my fan page. I'll definitely be keeping it random!

My first featured fan is someone who uses the power of Facebook for good...and by doing so, has inspired me to feats of Random Fan-dom. Shall we?

The Sales Faerie

The mythical "Sales Fairy" is frequently invoked on Etsy forum posts or fan page comments and her abscence often lamented. But this is one jewelry designer who has a knack for actually luring that elusive pixie...to other shops. Every time I check Facebook, Aereonyx Designs is supporting, promoting and praising her own fans. Whether drumming up fannage for a fellow Etsian's Fan Page or introducing new artists and artisans, she rarely gets around to promoting her own work. read what she says about her fellow etsians and there is no doubt that the level of customer service offered by Aereonyx Designs is absolutely stellar.

"Faerie Boutique" is the theme for Aereonyx's Etsy collection...each piece is rendered with that in mind. The designs are simple, the color combinations are stunning and each piece has just perfect touch of whimsy! For her beautiful earrings, every set of earwires is handcrafted and only the finest Swarovski crystals, Czech glass and beautiful pearls are used to complete each piece..."Semele's Swarovski Crystal Earrings" (pictured left) are a scrumptious example of this stunning work. I love the Changelings collection, which allows customer to select the

dangles for the earring and seperately order the handcrafted earwires (right) of their choice. Aereonyx Designs also welcomes custom orders.

My personal favorite, The Victorian Filigree Garnet & Czech Glass Necklace (below), features a pendant crafted of faceted lavender glass and set into a found Victorian brass filigree piece, dangling from a string of gorgeous garnets and glass beads...enchanting enough to hold sway over any passing faerie!

Take a few minutes to browse through Aereonyx.etsy.com ...leave a heart or two. Note the reasonable prices. Spend a moment with some of the descriptions, which are lush and a delight to read...the love that goes into her creations is obvious in every word. Most importantly, indulge yourself with whichever breathtaking piece happens to catches your eye.

Want to support the Sales Faerie? it pays to be an Aereonyx fan...Fan up at www.facebook.com/AereonyxDesigns. You can also follow her Blog and Twitter where she is still building her follower base.

Once Upon a Self

I'm always inspired by my fellow Etsians. But tonight, looking through my Favorites, I began to see a pattern...pieces that were strangely reminiscent of my past selves...and that inspired a trip down memory lane.

Once upon a time, my personal style was unique to me. I was never quite goth or hippie, punk or girl next

door, preppy or club kid. I did, however, liberally steal my favorite bits from each of these genres and create a look fo

r myself that was all...Juli.

In the mid-eighties I was probably the first girl in my 4,000 + student high school to have big black glasses, though by the time the glasses caught on, I had graduated to contact lenses. Despite all my exploits and achievements back in the day, I'm 37 and I still hear, "You went to GRHS...you had those black glasses!" Really.

Early 90's Los Angeles saw me working in a blues bar where I ended up being their theme-dressing mascot. I channeled my inner poet with a long, brocade vest over a ruffle-necked, puffed

sleeve blouse, shorts and riding boots. Then there was the "Huck Femme" get-up...straw hat and open-sided overall short

s with just a gingham bra and hotpants underneath and similar spins on Daisy from The Great Gatsby, and a 50's car hop. My look was more "high drama/low comedy" than high fashion, and I really had fun with it.

Even in Iraq I was known for my funky rain boots during mud season, hair worn long and very conspicuous in 110 + degree weather and my

"uniform" of jeans with lightweight, long sleeved shirts buttoned halfway over snug beater tanks. My "signature" piece was a big, floppy hat for long days in the sun at the helo-pad.

But now I'm back in the real world and I really haven't found my fashion niche. I'm pretty sure that shorts, t-shirts and flip flops don't count as a "look"...unless I'm in Margaritaville. So when it was time for my first job interview since getting back in the states, I had a tough time putting an outfit together.

I figure that once I catch my stride again, my fashion sense will catch back up with me. Hopefully. I'm thinking maybe retro-50's housewife-glam? A husband would be a great accessory to that look...hmmm...

Give 'em some LOVE!

My fashion past, reincarnated. From top: "Long Fu--king Hair" - Painted Earrings by JMTolman...full of fun&funky, wearable art...love the shop tagline, too! ; 1980's Silhouette Fuschia & Black Eyeglass Frames by Chigal...better than plain black glasses! This shop has a fabulous selection of retro frames; Golden Drops Crochet Choker by AmiKami...utterly romantic crochete pieces...poet blouse not included!; "Garden Floral" Wide Brim Sun Hat by NadineNewYork...would've loved this in Bagdad...this shop is full of fabulous handmade accessories to crave.