RobinCharlotte ~ Nature Fashion Art

travels + adventures ~ salem

2011-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

{day no.3 - witches & man ray}

travels + adventures ~ wachusett state park

2011-10-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

{day no.2 - mountains & vineyards}

A collection of taxidermy birds on display @ Wachusett Mountain State Park's information center...

After a hike it was off to Nashoba Winery to pick some apples. Though 99.9% of the apples were done for the season & already on the ground, I made sure to hunt down one apple that I could pluck off a tree.

travels + adventures ~ newburyport, ma.

2011-10-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

{day no.1 - beach combing & treasure hunting}

After a good thorough beach combing on the shores of Plum Island in Newburyport, Ma., treasure hunting at Oldies Marketplace was on the plate - There I scored a Audubon white hooded falcon print, a hand-colored butterfly engraving from the 1800s, a Georgia O'Keeffe book & a old beef section printing press block.

rc studio ~ the patina adventure edition

2011-09-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up early and ventured over to North Hollywood to scope out patinas at a industrial metal supply warehouse. My partner in crime for the day, the talented Cyndi & I were escorted to a patina filled backroom, both our minds were instantly blown to say the least. To my delight they happened to have a kit of every shade of patina in existence. Um, score, let the colored metal games begin......

I also came across this odd shape tubing at the metal warehouse, not one to pass up a good oddity, I had to have them. For what though, well that is to be determined.

The day morning was concluded after a quick trip to the bead store, of course. I love Saturdays.

inspiration: {treasure hunting}

2011-09-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

{scored: antique photo negative, collection of old postcards w/ old fashioned handwriting, perfume/poison necklace}

{pasadena 9.3.11}

rc studio ~ swamp friends

2011-09-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

The best part of metal casting studio is seeing other people's work & inspiring each other....

I have inspired my friend Mark to take up the art of casting dead things. Check out his alligator head munching on my turtle below. I am so very much in love with his alligator head, best part is the jaw was cast in 2 separate parts! Munch on fantastic sterling alligator head....

While I have taken up the art of patinas via Mark.....

bonus pic: Turtle #1 watches as Turtle #2 is packed into a mold. I personally love the expression of Turtle #1, like his friend is drowning slowly in the tar pits & he is doing everything his slow little self can do to save him ....

Don't worry Turtle #1 soon there will be LOTS of Turtle #2's!

{ frog & alligator via the hands of Mark Moore}

things of another time ~ antique warship drawing

2011-07-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

An original sketch of a warship with ink description on a period envelope dated 1855. Writing details an engagement in the Crimean War written by an observer who witnessed the first use of ironclads in warfare.

{here}

inspiration: {treasure hunting}

2011-07-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Bounty from a day spent treasure hunting in Pasadena.......

A Victorian mourning card, a snake carved from an ox bone & a hologram eagle

A collection of tiny antique photographs, a snake & camel craved from wood

It was nice playing hooky from real life for a while & finding new inspiration in old treasures....

rc studio ~ iridescent wings & things....

2011-05-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

Glass horn shaped vials filled with all my iridescent favorites: butterfly wings, beetle wings & parrot feathers....

{in the etsy shop here}

And new parrot feather treasure rings! So many more I have only listed this one with: zebra striped seashells, sterling mesh & turquoise pebbles...

{in the etsy shop here}

rc studio ~ bird skull no. 3501 {pt.2}

2011-04-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

Bird skull #3501 - centrifugal cast in sterling silver.

fauna ~ hummingbirds!

2011-04-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Check out these little beauties nesting in a wire sculpture at casa Humphrey.

in the {etsy shop}

secert obession ~ parrot feathers

2011-04-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

So I have a confession - I have a full blown out of control parrot feather addition. I can't stop, I think parrot feathers + butterfly wings might just be 2 of the most beautiful natural creations in the world. Now this might not be so bad if they were not so expensive (if you want naturally molted colorful ones, that is...) Quite frankly I could sit here all day trading off staring at parrot feathers and butterfly wings, I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life doing so one bit, but alas I need fuel for the fire- so I have started crafting items from my rapidly expanding collection of parrot feathers. I like letting the materials dictate what they want to be. And so far they have requested a garland, photography collage and a ring, with lots more to come!

If being an enabler is your cup of tea you can support my addiction {here, here & here}

rc studio ~ bird skull no. 3501

2011-03-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

So this is the first bird skull up from the box, #3501! Ready to be cast in sterling silver next Tuesday.

travels + adventures ~ bakersfield

2011-03-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

I took a drive up to Bakersfield this weekend to meet an etsy friend and check out her specimens. I have never stopped in Bakersfield - so it was exciting to stop at a place I have passed by so often on other journeys in my life. Let me tell you - specimens galore she did have! I have been looking for bird bones forever to cast - (I have been dreaming about this day for years...charm bracelets anyone?) She and her husband stumbled upon a gold mine of skulls & bones, this is just tiny portion of what they had! I could have looked at each one for hours...... The most amazing part was they got them from a elder woman who had personally collected them and categorized them herself in a little notebook throughout her life! I love obsessive people & personal histories - so these bones couldn't have come to me in a better way. I am so glad I took the trek up there enjoying the blossoms on the almond trees along the way. I will make sure to post often what I do with these bad boys in the metal studio .....

rc studio ~ sea relic garland

2011-01-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

New! Sea relic garland made from: sparkling blue parrot feathers, iridescent mallard duck feathers, copper wire, crystal beads, smoky quartz, lemon citrine, green + gold fibers, and a found abalone seashell (which has a beautiful natural cluster of barnacles on it's backside) I found the abalone shell beach combing in Santa Barbara, Ca. Inside the shell using resin I embedded a real seahorse and a real sand dollar. I wire wrapped the shell and strung a faceted lemon citrine gemstone, a gorgeous rutilated quartz & a small sea snail shell (the snail I found beach combing in martha's vineyard, ma.)

happy holidays!

2010-12-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy, making custom orders for last minute boys in desperate need of brownie points, in between shipping, all the regular holiday orders, throw my day job on top & the days spent after Christmas cleaning the mess the holiday tornado left in my studio....that I haven't really stopped to enjoy the holidays. Until the other day when I looked outside to watch the sunset over downtown LA through my haphazard wreath {part of franken-tree that fell off}. The Holidays have finally set in here 4 days after Christmas...... P.S. Have I mentioned how obsessed & smitten I am with my new canon camera?? ℒℴѵℯ.

studio ~ seahorse relics

2010-12-08T09:03:00.001-08:00

I have been busy as a beaver making new jewelry, ornaments and relics all weekend and all night every night, since I was just accepted back into Unique LA {this weekend!!} as a Holiday vendor. I had started creating for Unique back in August (unique is my favorite show to do!) then sadly found out vendors who had previously vended in the past would be accepted back for the Spring show to debut new vendors in the Holiday show. But, alas I got a sweet call last week letting me know I was in for the Holiday show, with a gigantic booth none the less! I liked when everything works out better than you expect! I really really do. Needless to say its been a frenzy/mad house here preparing to fill up a 10' x 20' booth!

Albino white Christmas tree full of handmade ornaments, check. Yards & yards of gorgeous fabric from downtown LA to cover the tables, check. New banner for my booth, check! New relics I made last night {below}, check!

And for all you fellow artists out there, I had given up on paid manicures long ago, never lasting more than a few hours on my busy fingers. Last weekend I treated myself to a pedicure and after a disapproving look from the nail tech after seeing my chipped turquoise nails, I told them my life long nail debacle, instantly I was talked into a gel nail manicure My nails {above} are still in perfect condition after spilling resin & hot glue on them, a soldering mishap & an unfortunate incident with an x-acto knife! ℒℴѵℯ.

RC studio ~ wrist cuffs ~ in progress

2010-12-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

This morning I got up early to do the first layers on some new wrist cuffs..... I have to wait 24hrs in between each layer, so tomorrow morning I will rotate them and do a side.

Additional layer later....

{here}

starfish ornaments

2010-11-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

New starfish ornaments I am making using real starfish, antique costa rican 5 centimos coins, and other festive findings!

indulgences

2010-11-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

It's good to take some time off and indulge....I haven't in a long time. I got off work early today & went to the bead store to buy some clasps and wire that had been topping my to-do list for weeks. But, once I started started browsing around I decided, I am going to pick out a few other things, that aren't on my list. So I bought beads- green garnets, smoky topaz, skulls, stars & rutilated quartz, not because I needed them, but because I liked them and wanted them with no plan in mind, though not a true indulgence as they will be made into jewelry and sold, but buying things because you want them and not becuase they are on your list of needs feels nice every blue moon. Mind you the beads were all 75% off and I am not one to pass up a good deal.

The above bead indulgence got the juices flowing, so I headed to the store across the way to buy something for me, I haven't bought new clothes, jewelry, makeup or much of anything of the sorts in far too long. I was always was putting every cent I had (and didn't have) back in my business. I have been wanting blue nail polish for months, so I was delighted to see a plethora of shades at the store, I picked out a few that spoke to me & got a top to match.

Then when I came home I had the remainder of the list taunting me detailing the 10 million things I need to do, but instead I gave myslef a manicure with my new turquoise nail polish. It's nice to put pleasure before business, just every once and a while, even if you cannot afford to or don't have the time!

For now it feels nice, though I am sure I will be kicking myself, when I get back to my "list"

studio ~ outside + speciems

2010-11-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

A lovely sunset looking out at downtown LA from the studio...

Plus a sneak peek at a very special tiny guy who is en route to me all the way from Hawaii...I can't wait to see what he inspires!

the festivities ~ halloween

2010-11-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

oopps a little late.....but what dead butterfly specimen is ever one time? The festivities started with me frantically finishing up my dead butterfly wings (I tend to thrive on last minute creations). Next up was carving my customary cat pumpkins, another year with 10 fingers still intact, that's a huge success. And finally night finished itself up with a pair of wet wings.....

the end, see you next year halloween

RC studio ~ new look

2010-11-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

sorry to have been mia, i have been super busy with my job & in my (almost non-existent) spare time I have been busy re-vamping robincharlotte.com...check it out! Let me know what you think......

a butterfly specimen is born.....

2010-10-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

after a full day with the glitter glue gun here's a sneak peak at my now complete halloween costume~ a {butterfly specimen}

it got messy quick as I kept pulling out more and more scraps of trim, sequins, feathers, beads & all the other random things I had been saving like a rodent buried all around the studio....

voila below is the final costume! ....take a look here to see the butterfly wings before the glitter glue gun assault.
Below is my award pinned to my wings so people know what I am from the back. In the front I will be wearing my species tag (corner above) around my neck.

a hallow's eve day of bedazzling....

2010-10-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

my costume is in the work, friends! Can I tell you nothing in this world is more fun than bedazzling things.....hours flew by and it only felt like minutes....it's very calming in a frenzied chaos of sparkles. It was just what I didn't know I needed!

things of another time ~ conjoined twins

2010-10-30T07:21:00.001-07:00

Amazingness, this is a pamphlet from Honduran conjoined twins, Mary & Anna's US circus tour in the early 1900's....Pretty fantastic, there are tons more weird photos in this etsy shop.

halloween...(soon)!

2010-10-28T21:29:00.001-07:00

All I need is a large knitting needle to complete my look as a butterfly specimen....let the festivities begin!

travels + adventures ~ heritage square

2010-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

More pictures from the Victorian Halloween festivities at Heritage Square..... you know those crazy old little houses off the 110 freeway entering South Pasadena. The best part was the staged Victorian funeral/mourning ceremony. I can never get enough hair filled mourning jewelry and post-mortem mourning photographs. These photographs served less as a reminder of mortality than as a keepsake to remember the deceased as photographs were rare and especially with children this might be the only photograph you had of them.

Anyways there are some more good ones here.

the black cloth with the white ribbon covering handle is the Victorian sign of mourning for the loss of a young person & the wheat in the wreath represent the circle of life.

post mortem mourning photo

a victorian halloween party

I really really want old brass victorian door knobs (not to mention all the above architectural details)! They had some stunning door knobs out there I have been eying...

masquerading as the devil

2010-10-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Check out my scores from artwalk last night! The devil burnt on wood I will be giving as a gift (as tempted as I am to keep it!) My booth neighbor julie made it & I think it's fantastic, she has such detailed work. The mask wilson is so kindly modeling is my halloween costume, I made a trade with bedfordfalls headwear, my show buddies who are peacing out to new orleans...they will be missed! Anyways did I mention how much I just love show bounty....

shows ~ artwalk ~ today

2010-10-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

I will be vending at artwalk in downtown los angeles tonight, all you locals stop on by. Booth 15 in the art park off main st.

RC studio ~ supplies

2010-10-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy preparing new creations for the Holidays I almost had forgotten I had ordered starfish and sand dollars to make Holiday ornaments with! The shipment of starfish and sand dollars arrived today. Plus my collection of seahorses is slowly growing...that means more seahorse necklaces!

harlequinn aka "biskits" approves of the box the starfish arrived in..

giveaway ~ winner! ~ laurelle

2010-10-13T09:22:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Laurelle Johnson, winner of our bee earring giveaway!

crazy cat (lady) fun

2010-10-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

For this cat lady fun post we are keeping it all in the family, this is an antique photograph from 1895 of my great grandmother (on my dad's side) & her cat! Proof that there is a long line of crazy cat ladies in my family. Obviously it's a genetic flaw, it's not my fault that I am so obsessed with cats....

It also appears this is where I inherited my famous pensive stare from.

Anyways, I would like to thank Tera for reminding me this weekend I have not chosen a winner for the bee earrings! Oh my will pick asap! Sorry everyone, I have been so busy preparing for the holidays...

RC studio ~ bead sourcing

2010-10-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today was spent sourcing new beads at a show in Santa Monica & then quick trip to Berger Beads downtown. I got a taco downtown that was delicious, a very successful day all in all. Except for the evil Russian lady dressed in gypsy attire who tried to sell me 20 brass jump rings for $40, then attempted to strong arm me when I declared I was no sucker. Yea right I could get sterling silver ones at that price. Luckily things perked right back up when I found my old friend with his dazzling Bi-color citrines. He always has the best quality gems, is honest and priced competitively. I spent my whole month's alloted supply funds on his sparkling beauties in less than 20 minutes, but as you can see below it was worth it~ blue topaz, garnets, citrines, moonstones, turquoise skulls....

RC studio ~ seahorse pendants galore

2010-10-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

The holidays are fast approaching, so I have been up every morning long before the sun gets up to make new jewelry. I love getting up at 5am and creating in silence, it's feels like no one else is on the earth and nothing is important, besides creating of course! Just me and my mind get a chance to hang out and with work, life, stress, etc. that doesn't happen to often. So it's nice to relax + create and being well prepared for the Holiday Season doesn't hurt either. :) Please feel free to leave some feedback on the start of my new seahorse necklaces below.

curious weather here in los angeles

2010-10-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

On the hottest day ever in LA (115 degrees hot to be exact) the startling sound of fire crackers started coming from next door. I peered outside to see a transformer exploding every which way, needless to say the power went out... for many hours into the darkness. Supposedly a squirrel got in there and caused it. As sad as that thought makes me, it really was such an opulent and glorious way out for the little fellow. Anyways the rest of the night was filled with unbearable stale heat & darkness, pictured below....

Then the next day it rained and there was a rainbow...very curious weather.

RC Studio ~ relics & progress

2010-09-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

All week using some of my finds from my recent trip to Martha's Vineyard I have been waking up early and creating new resin pieces and posting my progress. And recently I re-ordered my epoxy supplies, I guess that's good....things are slowly moving along! Anyways, when I ordered I got a real nice fellow on the phone eager to share his tips and tricks, and they have worked like magic. I have been having perfect pours all week, no funny drying issues, no bubbles, no guessing! So I have been excited to experiment more since I don't have to worry about all the little technicalities anymore. I have been wanting for a long time to make little sea relics in found seashells, and I made my first one (below) Also I made my first batch of cabinet drawer pulls (second picture down). I have lots more ideas for next week, things are starting to get funky around here!

crazy cat (Lady) fun

2010-09-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

I love this series of posters from Boya Latumahina of Zippora Lux. They are dedicated to her 2 favorite things~hubble celestial photographs and cats. Mine too! Mine too!

update get them here!

insects ~ loner bee love

2010-09-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

I happen to very much love loners and in the form of a insect, I couldn't have asked for more. But, there is more, I have another obsession insects that build pretty pods. Well, these solitary bees do it all, they are insect loners that can build a fantastic festive pod. No hives for them- good for you bugs, break the cycle. The nests of the Osmia (Ozbekosima) avoseta bee were discovered both in Turkey and all the way over in Iran on the same day! Now that's how to do up a launch party right. The bees can build one nest within 24-48 hrs and make about 10 total all next to each other. To make a nest mama bee bites petals off of flowers and flies back each petal, one by one- even using the nectar as glue to form the nest. How pretty are these little paper-mache-like bundles of joy? A little less ornate that my all time favorite bug pods, but handsome never the less.

things of another time ~ spirit photographs

2010-09-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

These are photographs of spirits taken by medium William Hope, who in 1905 became interested in spirit photography after capturing the supposed image of a ghost while photographing a friend (sorry to bust your bubble this soon in, but turns out it was just a well positioned slip of glass plates) He even incorporated and founded the Crewe Circle – a group of spirit photographers led by Hope, who following World War I provided grieving relatives of those lost to the war a means of contacting their loved ones. Seems a lot like the ghost hunting and other luring paranormal shows I watched the whole plane ride back from Boston.

I want to believe..so very very bad, but this one killed it for me, just as the slow motion playbacks of the ghosts speaking on the TV shows did, either way I can't stop watching, hoping & grasping.

RC Studio ~ early morning creations

2010-09-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

I like waking up early before the rest of the world, it's the most inspiring and productive time of the day for me. I would have been a good farmer. Below are the beginning of new bee earrings.

Here are the last of my porthole belt buckles before I switch to zinc portholes. They will be lighter, I am excited to try and make brooches from the zinc buckles too!

inspiration ~ pitch black and glowing

2010-09-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

When I catch a glimmer of something glowing or sparkling, I am drawn to it impulsively, like a sea turtle to the sea. I rubber neck for bright colors, sparkles and anything glowing. And whats a more magical memory than holding glow worms up to the light, then turning off the lights and then waiting...waiting for the glow to fizzle out, if you didn't fall asleep first. Or spending hours sticking glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling only to have them fall off one by one. Or perhaps the chase of making a certs spark in your mouth with the lights out, the timing for this one I never did quite conquer. Things glowing from pitch black darkness you will never leave me unimpressed no matter how small the feat.

credits unknown- been in the inspiration archives for too many years to remember

giveaway ~ deux ~ bee earrings

2010-09-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's time for another giveaway after the success and fun of the first one, I decided to do it again!

Update: New & improved prize! One lucky person will win these earrings featuring real bees set in resin with sterling silver ear wires

Ways to Enter

I made it super easy for you with lots of ways to win

1. Go to our website or etsy shop and let us know your favorite piece. (or both!)

2. Follow us on Twitter and then tweet this contest

3. Become a Follower of our Blog

4. Become a fan of our fan page on Facebook (already a fan? for an entry- post about our contest on your wall and link back to us -do this by typing @robincharlotte.com in your post)

Bonus Entry: Tell us a story about your favorite possession and why! We love stories about treasured items!

You can enter once OR ALL of the ways above...just make sure to leave a new comment for every entry otherwise they will not be counted as separate entries. You must come back and leave a comment as to how you have entered the contest. ie if you fan us or follow us please let us know via a comment. Technical details: *Contest ends 9/27 winner will be announced that week. Winner chosen by random number generator. * Contest is limited to USA, Canada and Europe ONLY

{GOOD LUCK!}

things of another time ~ racing pigeons

2010-09-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

My latest treasure is from an antique fair we stumbled across at Grange Hall during my recent trip to Martha's Vineyard. It's a very special book all the way back from 1913 called, The Racing Pigeon News Annual. Filled with pictures of pigeons, beautiful fonts, and hand written notes on the successes and fails of pigeon, Priscilla, I couldn't pass it up.

This book has instilled in me a new appreciation for our fine feathered sky rats. I have been doing some research and it has left me intrigued with the plethora of antique and modern possibilities to expand my racing pigeon collection. Trophies, taxidermy, medallions, clocks- all things I love come in the form of racing pigeon! Who knew me and pigeons shared so much, I have often over looked these critters, until now. You are on currently my radar pigeons- watch out.

{german racing pigeon medallion, antique racing pigeon timing clock, alex randall taxidermy pigeon lamp}

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Jackpot. Checkout the the unheard of quantity of fish and bird bones I scored under an old fishing boat near the pond at our cottage.
and to think I thought my ONE bird beak was a miraculous find earlier in the week.

insects ~ beetle love

2010-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

one for your face some to adorn yourself with

below: sapphire & diamond stag beetle brooch from 1890 & jade brooch by Iradj Moini 1980

above: Live tenebrionid beetle brooches came from Mexico starting in the 1960's- adorned with rhinestones & other luring gems, they are chained to your blouse. Supposedly they don't need feedings, but I assume like the bug filled mexican jumping they will soon expire without treats-everything does. Though gorgeous and appealing to my deep rooted Cleopatra senses, I feel bad for the little bugs, they have less choice in the matter than these gemstone ridden insects. If you ask me, I'd rather tether down some wasps to my shirt and teach some people about proper etiquette in regards to personal space.

& lastly one for your wall, of course.

goodbye, martha's vineyard

2010-09-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hello again real world. I am sad to realize once again I can't beach comb my life away, but also excited to be back in the studio creating. My mind is inspired and overflowing with ideas, my suitcase is bursting at the seams with shells, bones, bugs and everything else I managed to unearth in my week long beach combing, antique stalking, graveyard exploring adventure.

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Came across another old cemetery in Vineyard Haven, I had to stop and make some more gravestone rubbings. I used taped together bakery sheets and crayons since I did not come prepared for the plethora of fantastic graveyards to be discovered in Martha's Vineyard!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

Much success today here on the Vineyard! I rode my bike all the way over to west West Tisbury for some very old grave stone rubbings, in search of a particular grave that I will be posting about soon! It's very special, I promise...well worth the wait! Also happened upon an antique fair at Grange Hall, where I got a book from 1913 about pigeon racing, a few old sketches of a boats + whales and a car made from antique pocket watch parts. I'm pretty please with myself!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Today was spent exploring the island of Chappaquiddick where the first Jaws was filmed. We started off with a stop at the Mytoi Gardens, then were off to peep the bridge Ted Kennedy plunged off in 1969. After that I spent rest of the day relaxing & beach combing at Wasque beach.

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Today I explored the shops in Edgartown and found lots of scrimshaw to drool over and admire. Then we headed out to the lighthouse to see the captain's house & spy my eye on some rooftop widow's walks. I think it's necessary that one day I have a home with one! The day ended with a relaxing pond-side stroll to look for more wampum to make jewelry from. At the pond I met an old man who grew up on the island, we chatted arrowheads & he proudly showed off one he found around his neck and told me he has 1200 more at home! Yes please!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this perfectly preserved cicada while exploring Long Point Beach! Weird thing is, I had almost bought some prints of cicadas the day before, but I after much debate I went for the beetle prints in a wild quick decision in the end. I must have had a premonition this little guy was waiting for me in the future, as I always goes for winged critters when it comes to hanging things on my wall. Now I have both...and a crazy spiky crab head too!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

2010-09-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

The treasures to be found I tell you! Today I found a plethora of gorgeous jellyfish begging me to hold them up to the setting sun while beach combing at Moshup beach in Aquinnah.

travels + adventures ~ gone fishing

2010-09-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

I'm off for a week to do some major exploration of the shores of martha's vineyard! After I stumbled upon this post I am even more excited. I usually try not to over research or look at too many pictures of somewhere I have never been before. I like to keep my mind fresh and open and start deeper exploration upon arrival. I am itching with anticipation of the treasures to be found that await me on the shores! I wonder what creations my future Atlantic beach findings will inspire?

Crazy Cat (Lady) Fun

2010-09-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

today i present you.....victorian kitties, their accessories and modern inspiration- in all their regal glory!

{antique photograph of cat & bird, antique photograph of a man & his undeniably handsome cat, Victorian brass pet collar, cat pillow photo by Eric Weidt for L'Officiel}

obsessive compulsive ~ gypsy life

2010-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

i have been busy pretending I am a gypsy of late.....

{the perfect porch, vintage crystal print, glass bottle rainbow, gypsy woman style, vintage moth & butterfly book, these rings here}

fashion{ably late} ~ valentino + sea nettle

2010-08-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

I am sure you can imagine the pure delight I was overwhelmed with when I stumbled across trend de le creme comparing Valentino's F/W 2010 Collection to jellyfish. I can't get enough of ethereal sea creatures with their delicate dancing tentacles. I have been on a recent tangent stalking and photograph ing sea anemones. I just love seeing what the most magical of sea creatures inspire & who they inspire.

Each semi-transparent, airy design with rippled, vertical frill glided with fluid movement, reminiscent of the expanding and contracting motions of the majestic sea nettle. These graceful phantom-like creatures are ocean vagabonds, drifting weightlessly with the currents and tides. While structurally simple, they are radially symmetrical with ribbon-like tentacles and lacy, pointed oral arms that spiral out.

{there are additional beauties- check them out the rest here}

It wouldn't be a proper jellyfish post without sharing my favorite Dancing Jellyfish video

inspiration ~ celestial butterflies

2010-08-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

{night star lights, paper butterflies, eva ionesco by i rina ionesco }

specimens ~ a work in progress @ the taxidermy motel

2010-08-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

My friends are always sending me surprises in the mail- tiny boxes fulled with delicate dried critters they have come across. Sometimes creepy, sometimes pretty & sometimes just crazy! This in addition to all the dried bugs I find on my adventures through life, makes for quite the collection. I used to keep them all in a jar praying they wouldn't lose a wing or a leg or two as I pulled them them out to embed in resin jewelry.

Then one day a few months back I got this huge shadow box at an estate sale for 75 cents. It was huge and gorgeous, but I had no clue what I was going to do with it. It sat here for a long time taunting me with ideas that never felt quite right. Then this Sunday- that' when the shadow box finally let me in on it's true calling! It demanded I get some pins out right then and there and fill it with my dried specimens in the jar. Now I can pin them in and pluck them out as needed for my artwork. The real plus is I now get to enjoy their beauty as inspiration during their brief stay with me.

travels + adventures ~ beach combing ~ ventura

2010-08-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

So, I finally got around to getting up the photographs from my birthday beach combing adventures. And there was a surprise in store- I had forgotten about this gem! All & all I had fun taking photographs, stalking baby seals & petting gigantic starfish, even though I was not very successful in unearthing any note worthy seashells.

{more here}

etsy envy ~ treasury

2010-08-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

the magical life of the fox & the peacock

RC Studio ~ mink purse

2010-08-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

new mink handle purse

art ~ face/project

2010-08-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here's an oldie, but a goodie- I love the mixture of real & created layered on each other. I can't get enough of how the mixed-media layers create depth without getting lost in a complete fantasy world. I am drawn to fact over fiction any day, but what I just love is fact with twist. As an artist I have always enjoyed staying in touch with reality, it's where I find my inspiration, as opposed to indulging in complete fantasy world. I love seeing it and creating it- It's like seeing life happen through someone else's eyes rather than watching their wildest dreams unfold- it leaves the holes to be filled in by the viewers own imagination & life experiences.

{FACE/project & Vogue Italia 2008 by Michelangelo Di Battista + Tina Berning}

RC Studio ~ Shows ~ LA Craft Experience

2010-08-15T10:03:00.001-07:00

LACE started out with a long crazy day & I ended up tent-less when I arrived, but turned out to be an all around great event! Made some new friends, saw some old ones & lured in some new fans! Hopefully the 28th is just a success as well. See you then! More picture here...

see you in chinatown on the 28th & I will be sure to have my tent for my lights this time!

RobinCharlotte @ LA Craft Experience

2010-08-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

if you are in Los Angeles, come stop on by this Saturday 5pm-midnight......

wilson's giveaway

2010-08-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

check out Wilson's first giveaway

Crazy Cat (Lady) Fun

2010-08-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

My teenage tendencies from a teenager via style rookie
I so wish I had a blog back then.

via dream cats

what would wilson do?

2010-08-09T11:55:00.001-07:00

come and find out

travels + adventures ~ roadside treats

2010-08-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

10 farm fresh avocados for $1 off the 101 freeway? I sure couldn't say no!

{more pictures here}

things of another time ~ types of exchanges

2010-08-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

{vulture print, tokens, letter, bill stamps}

travels + adventures ~ beach combing birthday

2010-08-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

I am on a cleanse so I avoided dinner, cake & a drink by going to bed early on my birthday. Not to worry! Instead of going out I woke up at 4am to go beaching combing and to peep some tidepools. I was in search of some perfectly weather seashells to make new necklaces. Though in the end I was most inspired by all the crab heads I found & barnacle covered muscles. I have plans BIG plans for them!

more pictures to come

fashion{ably late} ~ gucci

2010-07-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

all of my favorite things: hints of gold, leopard print, black lace tights & priests. Peg Bundy meets Elvira = ♡

via W August 2010

obsessive compulsive ~ octopus + squid

2010-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

I have been on a major octopus & squid tangent. My tentacle love has turned into a full blown squid obsession. So I am making today inspirational squid wendesday...are you in?

{squid art, vintage scientific squid prints, squid book carvings}

inspiration ~ the cute, the pretty & the ugly

2010-07-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

which do you love?

{deep sea creatures via cute overload & here}

inspiration ~ get your fruits + veggies (inside out)

2010-07-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

{MRIs of corn, bananas & watermelon}

etsy envy ~ antique elixir bottles

2010-07-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is a catch and conquer episode. Last Sunday I woke up at 4:37 am, not quite late enough to go back to bed & a little too early to function. It's usually during these odd early hours that I get tempted to browse etsy & ebay. That is just how these handsome itsy-bisty antique elixir & bitters bottles came into my possession. I had forgotten I had ordered them until they arrived in the mail today. They are so small I think I am going to make necklaces from them.

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+9+.

2010-07-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

Only 9 days left as a not almost 30 year old. Here I am proposing just the basic necessities for my office. I am sure they will come in super handy reading & opening of all my birthday mail.....

{candle, magnifying glass, letter opener}

things of another time ~ vintage photographs

2010-07-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

vintage babies & bunnies from Los Angeles estate sales....

{I love the beaded butterfly pillow next to little Helen Libby who's just chillin' in her birthday suit! So pretty}

Everyone Loves a Winner!

2010-07-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

I was so excited by the overwhelming response to my give away that I have chosen 3 winners (via random.org)! The first winner selected, Felicia Marcellina, receives the seahorse necklace pictured! 1st & 2nd runner ups, Loreta & Liz will get a surprise from my bag of gems!

Everyone else who entered gets 10% off & free shipping (within the usa) on an item in any of my shops. Just email me the code "i'm a winner too!" before you purchase and I will adjust your order to reflect this.

Etsy Handmade
robincharlotte.com
Etsy Vintage

Please contact me at peacocktaco at gmail dot com to collect your prizes!
*Jewelry winners I will email you this weekend to get your addresses if I dont hear from you first!

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+11+.

2010-07-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

11 days until my birthday! I will be taking tine in the days leading up to showcase what my wants, needs & desires to my friends, family & whoever else will listen. Up today are these spicy little tortugas!

I am absolutely in love with these gold jewel encrusted l'object turtle salt & pepper shakers. Salting my hard boiled egg in the morning with this shimmering turtle would be such a treat!

Giveaway Winner

2010-07-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

will be announced this evening!

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+14+.

2010-07-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

2 weeks until my birthday! eeek! So I would like to take some time to showcase what my needs & desires to my friends & family over the next 14 days {wink*wink}! I am going to start with the fantasy gift of a dreamer, a deteriorated & super creepy Victorian buggy. It would be perfect if I had a mansion with an extra room. A possible gift for the me of the future? So, maybe you can just take some notes for now & file this one away. But, if I ever do end up in a mansion I would dedicate a room to this antique buggy & get it 2 taxidermy miniature ponies. Or maybe the taxidermy ponies could be included in the gift?

{via deteriorated decrepit victorian buggy}

fashion{ably late} ~ turquoise & gold

2010-07-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

just the necessities: victorian lockets, ceramic hoof heels & turquoise + oak rings

{via metal, ceramic, wood}

Last Day to Win!

2010-07-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

{last chance to enter the seahorse necklace giveaway!}

now & then ~ 1995 & 2010

2010-07-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

{marilyn manson on donahue & a autograph}

What a special special treasure this Donahue episode is! I had never seen it before! I don't know how it slipped past my hours & hours of Marilyn Manson youtube watching over the years. As a kid I remember watching Donahue & Geraldo on summer vacations & being so in awe of the club kids. This reminds me of those heart warming episodes, only its even better because it's starring Marilyn Mason! It's all the way back from 1995 when Marilyn Manson was younger than I am now! I didn't fall in love with him until Mechanical Animals as you can see by bedroom wall from 1o years ago. Last year I waited in line for hours to get his signature, so for some reason the love is still going strong. I guess you could say it's me & Brian Hugh Warner's 10 year anniversary, though I don't know if it is love at this point or just a nostalgic routine.

things of another time ~ vintage photographs

2010-07-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

These are some great industrial antique photographs I got at an estate sale about a year ago. They are all so elegant yet, dark & creepy in a lovely way!

things i want ~ buffalo bill & butterflies

2010-07-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

+.{all the things that have been tempting me on my adventures through life}+.

{I want these for my mantel & I need to go here, soon}

RC Studio .+{crazy party seahorse necklace}+.

2010-07-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

come to the crazy seahorse party, everyone's invited!

things of another time ~ humphrey family heirlooms

2010-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

finally! Here are more of my grandfather's & great grandfather's pocket watches back from the repair shop. I love them all. They are all so different! The two gold ones were my great grandfather's that he gave to my grandfather just before he died. The silver Waltham I found in a kitchen drawer when cleaning out my grandfather's house (sadly I will never know the story of it's history). Of course there is still my favorite the radium painted pocket watch that I have blogged about in the past.

There is still one in the repair shop that my brother inherited. It's the oldest. My grandfather would slowly pull it out of the secretary he built (page 13), carefully take it out of it's glass dome & tell me it's story.....every time I visited! So I know it well and will share it when it is repaired!

{view them all on flickr}

Crazy Cat (Lady) Fun

2010-07-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

This special cat lady treasure is a submission I wrote to a photo caption contest in Cat Fancy Magazine, back when stamps were just $29! I found them in the attic of my old doll house (post on that coming soon!). A true Cat Lady starts subscribing to Cat Fancy in elementary school. I wonder why my brilliant submissions never made it to the mail??

.+{Don't forget to enter our contest to win a free Seahorse Necklace!}+.

inspriation ~ .+{tentacles}+.

2010-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

are you inspired by nature's suction cups?

.+{Don't forget to enter our contest to win a free Seahorse Necklace!}+.

Things of Another Time

2010-07-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

This weeks vintage treasure is an old photograph I got at the estate sale of a photographer married to a JPL scientist. This weird drunk (notice the tiny bottle or tequila) taxidermy deer head still-life in the desert is just amazing! This photo is actually quite large in real life. I know you are super jealous. right?

{Don't Forget to Enter our Giveaway for a SEAHORSE NECKLACE}

Giveaway UNO! Seahorse Necklace

2010-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

Yea! Our first blog giveaway...ever! Inspired by all my friends on Etsy I am giving away this one-of-a-kind real seahorse necklace. It features a lavender Swarovksi crystal, blue quartz, a golden spider and a hand-crafted resin pendant, made by me of course!

Ways to Enter

1. Go to our website or etsy shop and let us know your favorite piece. (or both!)

2. Follow us on Twitter and then tweet this contest

3. Become a Follower of our Blog

4. Become a fan of our fan page on Facebook

Bonus Entry: Tell us a story about your favorite Kitty Cat (fictional or true!)

You can enter once OR ALL of the ways above...just make sure to leave a new comment for every entry otherwise they will not be counted as separate entries. You must come back and leave a comment as to how you have entered the contest. ie if you fan us or follow us please let us know via a comment. *Contest ends Friday 7/17 winner will be announced on the Monday after. Winner chosen by random number generator.

{GOOD LUCK!}

inspiration ~ walls of stuff:I love you {continued}

2010-07-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

As we learned from yesterday's post, I really love collections & displaying a hodge-podge of things on walls. So when this photo below came across my little eyes I was delighted-a scattering of shells all over a bathroom wall! It really speaks to the Victorian collecting sensibility that lies deep inside me. I think it's gorgeous, how about you?

{Photo for ELLE DECOR by Dominique Vorillon}

inspiration ~ walls of stuff: I love you

2010-07-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion I will always be tempted to see just how much I can pack on a wall. It's in my blood. Turns out it's ok to do now! These picture provide me with some beautiful inspiration. Note the vintage butterfly collection, my other obsession! I attempted to hang mine on the wall but it got vetoed. I am going to have to try again & submit this photo below as evidence.

{wall 1, wall 2}

.+happy 4th of july+.

2010-07-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

.+*7.4.10*+.

RC Studio: wasp & starfish earrings

2010-07-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

new wasp & starfish sterling silver earrings

Bone Specimens

2010-07-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

Total Etsy impulse by from the other day. Aren't they just the cutest things you have ever seen!? They are even more itsy bitsy than I had imagined! The little jaw bone blows my mind. I put the tiny vertebrae next to my large horse vertebrae to show just how tiny they are. So many fun things to be made with these babies!

I thought the packaging was pretty exquisite too! They came in a little box wrapped in white tulle. You can get your own itsy bitsy bones here.

Things of Another Time {continued}...

2010-07-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

More amazing antique Victorian photographs I unearthed at a recent estate sale. I am now officially obsessed with Victorian parlors, not that I wasn't before, but now its an official obsession! And kitties of any era claw their way into my heart, but this little Victorian fellow is extra handsome in his regal chair, don't you think?

This woman with the camera gives me the impression of being a forward thinker, ahead of her time a little. Do you also start filling in the blanks & create stories when looking at old photographs? I sure do!

Things of Another Time

2010-07-01T19:38:00.001-07:00

I found a treasure trove! I got these vintage Victorian photographs & funeral card at an estate sale a while back. I love the one of the old parlor photograph with the Victorian couple in rocking chairs. I wish that was my living room today!

RobinCharlotte ~ Nature Fashion Art

travels + adventures ~ salem

travels + adventures ~ wachusett state park

travels + adventures ~ newburyport, ma.

rc studio ~ the patina adventure edition

inspiration: {treasure hunting}

rc studio ~ swamp friends

things of another time ~ antique warship drawing

inspiration: {treasure hunting}

rc studio ~ iridescent wings & things....

rc studio ~ bird skull no. 3501 {pt.2}

fauna ~ hummingbirds!

secert obession ~ parrot feathers

rc studio ~ bird skull no. 3501

travels + adventures ~ bakersfield

rc studio ~ sea relic garland

happy holidays!

studio ~ seahorse relics

RC studio ~ wrist cuffs ~ in progress

starfish ornaments

indulgences

studio ~ outside + speciems

the festivities ~ halloween

RC studio ~ new look

a butterfly specimen is born.....

a hallow's eve day of bedazzling....

things of another time ~ conjoined twins

halloween...(soon)!

travels + adventures ~ heritage square

masquerading as the devil

shows ~ artwalk ~ today

RC studio ~ supplies

giveaway ~ winner! ~ laurelle

crazy cat (lady) fun

RC studio ~ bead sourcing

RC studio ~ seahorse pendants galore

curious weather here in los angeles

RC Studio ~ relics & progress

crazy cat (Lady) fun

insects ~ loner bee love

things of another time ~ spirit photographs

RC Studio ~ early morning creations

inspiration ~ pitch black and glowing

giveaway ~ deux ~ bee earrings

things of another time ~ racing pigeons

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

insects ~ beetle love

goodbye, martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

travels + adventures ~ gone fishing

Crazy Cat (Lady) Fun

obsessive compulsive ~ gypsy life

fashion{ably late} ~ valentino + sea nettle

inspiration ~ celestial butterflies

specimens ~ a work in progress @ the taxidermy motel

travels + adventures ~ beach combing ~ ventura

etsy envy ~ treasury

RC Studio ~ mink purse

art ~ face/project

RC Studio ~ Shows ~ LA Craft Experience

RobinCharlotte @ LA Craft Experience

wilson's giveaway

Crazy Cat (Lady) Fun

what would wilson do?

travels + adventures ~ roadside treats

things of another time ~ types of exchanges

travels + adventures ~ beach combing birthday

fashion{ably late} ~ gucci

obsessive compulsive ~ octopus + squid

inspiration ~ the cute, the pretty & the ugly

inspiration ~ get your fruits + veggies (inside out)

etsy envy ~ antique elixir bottles

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+*9*+.

things of another time ~ vintage photographs

Everyone Loves a Winner!

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+9+.

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+11+.

things i want ~ birthday countdown .+14+.

.+happy 4th of july+.