Dragonfly by Yabette

I cannot help but be influenced by life discoveries when applied to my creative process. I make artful clothing or art furniture because I enjoy the idea of each item being practical and part of the recipient’s everyday life.

The last few years have been a a great experience in finding my true bliss, and I am always striving to express that in what I present. So, in thinking about this amazing year of 2012, I am pursuing connectivity and that relates to the Seven Pillars of the Universe.

 The Seven Pillars of the Universe!

The Law of One. 
It proclaims we are all part of the whole and our actions affect every single creature throughout the universes. For example, when a polar bear sneezes in the Arctic, a grain of sand moves in the Sahara.

Check out these glimpses into our lively afternoon, with images photographed by Laura Parsons. You can continue to help support this local school with the Fog City Auction event. Either donate an item for the auction or bid on one!

The Art of Love

Inspired by high-drama and old Hollywood glamor with a dash of noir-goodness, let Anne and our artists get you in the mood for love.

Bracelet by Compass Rose

Key Lariat  Necklace by Compass Rose

Sensual Feather Earrings by Sexi Seaweed

Jeweled necklace by LuccAmouri

Necklaces by Compass Rose

Adjustable Ring by Sexi Seaweed

Necklace by Taxidermy Couture, Dress by Bayside Boutique

Heartbeat Necklace and earrings by Beasly Blue, Velvet halter by Miranda Caroligne

Some of the best things in life are free….

While we love our sparkly, pretty things, sometimes the nicest gift is made by you.   I read some fresh ideas on this newsletter that go beyond the handmade card or flowers:  a special mix for your sweetie you know they’ll love….your special songs or a collection of rare songs by their favorite artist is a sweet gift, especially secretly added to their ipod.  Sweet and sexy texts, as well as the classic breakfast in bed were other ideas that I liked.  Sometimes it’s just that simple.

Love on, lovers.

XO, Swankety Swank

The vast ocean is so close, like our connected hearts. We love and live for each other and the Earth.

Untitled by Eartha L. Goodwin.

Please join the community and shop local artist wares for you or your Valentine.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 1pm to 4pm 

We are raising funds for New Traditions Creative Arts Elementary School and will be giving 15% of all shopping proceeds to the school.

love intensified by absence by Jacqueline Beckvermit

Ice Cream will be provided by Atomic Ice Cream

while Dean Mermell of Tom Jonesing gives our piano a whirl!

Dean Mermell entertains on piano.

Artists Eartha L Goodwin and Jacqueline Beckvermit will have photography for sale in our shop full of locally produced goods: men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, home decor, art furniture, bath & beauty and more!

windows and doors by Eartha L. Goodwin

Art on view through the end of March.  Stop in and share the love this Valentine’s Season!

There will be no February gloominess around Swankety Swank!  If you need a boost of light and air, stop by the shop and luxuriate in the glow of handmade, artisan goods!  Yabette and many of our other artists have some fabulous new items in the store.

Take a peak!

New Furniture by Yabette

This stylish, comfy chair will brighten up any room with its lovely, new vintage upholstery and classic, chic design.  This chair will work wonders in any room of the house, and it’s light enough to be easily moved where you need it most.

Another ray of sunshine is this pretty and newly re-upholstered and upcycled chair.  I know Spring is several months away, but why not bring a bit of early brightness to your home or office?

New Jewelry

We have a great new selection of jewelry by Compass Rose and Beasley Blue in the shop that will have you dreaming of garden parties and patio cocktails.

Let’s check out what’s new from Compass Rose Designs, who revives historic heirlooms into wearable art.

Victorian Greek Revival Carved Shell Cameo Locket with Pearls has an authentic Victorian-era cameo.   This is such a sweet piece.

This is a truly exquisite piece, a Roman/Etruscan Revival Carved Carnelian Signet Fob with Faceted Carnelian.

This detail is so beautiful.

We also have a refreshed stock of Compass Rose Design’s signature, steampunk line.

Continuing with beautiful jewelry, we also have a refreshed stock of gorgeousness from Beasley Blue!

This multicolored stone necklace screams “party!”

The gemstones are so effervescent.  This necklace glows and will surely become an heirloom piece that gets lots of wear “in the meantime.”

Speaking of effervescent, have you ever seen such a pretty earring? I love the airy, organic quality of Beasley Blue’s designs, what she calls everyday luxury and sparkle.

I love this fierce, turquoise necklace.  What a statement piece!   This will look amazing paired with a cocktail dress or a tank top, making it really versatile.

Cute Clothing For Men and Women

Guys, don’t let the girls have all the fun.  With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, why not get fancy this year with a DAS vest and fancy men’s shirt?  You’ll feel dapper and refined for Valentines!

This sophisticated earthy look for the ladies is perfectly gentile with a necklace by Beasly Blue, vest  by DAS, skirt by gibbous, and shirt by Miranda Caroligne.

I’m also in love with this tank-girl inspired look featuring a hand-knit hat by Zero, necklace by Taxidery Couture (see the detail below), an Oakland-made Field Day dress paired with SF made Miranda Caroligne shrug.  

I adore this shark jaw necklace by Taxidermy Couture; perfect for our dark princesses out there.

Zero has made several super-cute hand-knit hats for all ages.  This version with buttons is my favorite.

If you’re in need of a little pampering, try one of Apothekerri’s divine bath products.  I tried one of the bath fizzy melts and it was amazing.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!   I chose Love Potion, and the scent was lovely.  Soft, sweet, and sultry, the smell will keep you relaxed while the rose petals will remind you this is no ordinary bath as the essential oils penetrate your skin.    I can’t wait to try them all!

Karen Ruane's knees

This particular artist, name Karen Ruane, does meticulous contemporary embroidery work.

Unique Embroidered Brooch by Karen Ruane.

She was enamored with the gibbous fashions dress in our window that had outstanding details and an assemblage flair found rarely in clothing. Her website has this homage to women and fabric:

“For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .”

Ann wears gibbous headband and top circa 2012. Photo by Christine Donley.

Read more about Karen and the whole San Francisco travel story here.

Edwardian Ball is near!  Do you have your look together?  If you are looking for something new and swankety,  we’ve got you covered with some of the Bay Area’s sexiest finery. We asked one of our favorite models, Ann, to show off some hot looks to inspire you.  From dangerous beauty to elegant lady, you’ll find everything you need for the Edwardian World’s Faire or the The 12th Annual Edwardian Ball!

Our faire maiden shows her softer side in this dainty Darian Drapkin corset paired with gibbous vest and skirt.  gibbous re-uses a variety of materials, victorian clothes, stained silk slips, buttons, coins, keys, to re-fashion material menageries, sans patterns, into unique items you’ll never find in mass-produced clothing.  Wear something that inspires, not a cheap imitation!

Changing into a tougher corset by Darina Drapkin made of re-purposed fatigues, and a forest-inspired gibbous fancy,  transforms our maiden into the huntress.  Wolf-tooth and charms necklace by Taxidermy Couture.

The huntress becomes the hunted.  This is one of my favorite looks.  Styled by Swankety-maven herself, Yabette, this is a fresh, young interpretation of Edwardian.  All the pieces can be used in your day-to-day wardrobe.  The top is the famous-for-being-fabulous Miranda Caroligne 2-way top, the skirt a super soft, utterly wearable Field Day skirt made from upcycled, vintage bed-sheets.  Of course any Swankety lady knows she can rock that waist-cincher with a skirt or jeans, making it a sound investment piece.   This corset, with red plaid wool side panels, with black/gold/red floral vintage fabric front and back panels is perfect for both couture and street looks, and can go elegant or punk.

(Note:  Check out our Around The Shop magazine for all the ways you can wear the Miranda Caroligne 2-way top)

With this headband by Eileen, adorned with vintage black netting, our prey becomes the sinister black widow.

Like any good hunter, our lady knows when it’s time to sit back and let them come to her lair.  She has beautiful, deep red, stripped Darina Drapkin corset that, like many of her designs, has an easy-in-and-out zip front for simple dressing (and undressing.) An authentic piece, this corset has spiral steel bones, and professionally placed grommets with metal tipped laces.

The bustle skirt is a DAS original that can bustle to the back, front, or side, and is fashioned from period patterns.

There’s nothing I love more than a harem pant, these by Miranda Caroligne.  So sexy on Ann, very modern French boudoir.

Only the fashion-forward need apply!  Paired with a corset, this look is très sexy, très now, très fun.

If you’re looking for something a little more simple, we love this beetle adorned Field Day dress.  Made in Oakland, the body of the jumper is made from 100% organic cotton, it’s garment dyed, and hand printed.  The buttons are vintage brass, the suspenders are recycled and remade and adjust to fit you perfectly.  The Large gathered signature pockets and an open back with v shaped waist let your middle section look wee.   There are lots of fun ways you could personalize this for Edwardian ball, then rock it year round!

With all this attention on clothing the body, we don’t want your head to get jealous!  We have a large selection of spectacular feather head pieces at great prices!  Elaborate pieces  by Sayuri Designs and Eileen starting as low as $30, with plenty of small but stunning pieces as low as $12!  Come and get them before they’re all gone!

Top image, Suyari feather headpiece, bottom two images, feather hairclips with vintage broach embellishments by Eileen.

We had an awesome time shooting in this Steampunk Victorian.  You can see more fun, sexy images from the shoot on our Facebook page!

Want more inspiration?  We have lots of great looks from local designers in our Holiday Inspiration Guide, with plenty of inspiration for Men and Women! ay Area made clothing and accessories for Men and Women.

Start the New Year on a higher vibration! Get the plastic and MDF out of your life and replace it with real materials and artful style.
Support Local Artist work at Swankety Swank.

We want to clear away the special pieces of last year and make way for the new!

This $250 art deco moth table can be yours for $175!

$350 White, Gold & Orange Mid Century designer Chair Set (Pair) is now Sale priced at $245 for the set!

$600 Spider Cabinet (sale priced at $420) with 1 of 2 matching chairs and floor lamp.

So Take advantage of this now! If you want to make sure you get a special piece before someone else, call us with you credit card number. We’ll hold it after you buy it for up to 2 weeks. We also offer delivery. 415 932 6615

We have double the stock photographed! See a sample of our inventory here, but come into the shop and get all the selection!

Accordion Babes 2012 Album & Pin-up Calendar: Apocalypse Edition! ($18)

The cover features Amber Lee who performed at one of our past events. You can catch a bit of that here.

Happy New Year!