Love. Honor. Upcycle.

Botanical Baubles. Jewelry made from flowers, seeds and pods.

2011-04-01T09:57:00.000-04:00

I recently attended the Philadelphia Flower Show and I just can't get the jewelry I saw there out of my mind. As you will see below it's pretty spectacular given that everything is made out of flowers, seeds, and pods. And a little paint. Talk about inspiration. So very eco-chic. My favorite is the dragonfly necklace. Enjoy.

Blue bracelet with "seed" pearls.

Pearls made of macadamia nuts.

Nature inspired jewelry at its best.

Materials used for the Dragonfly. Incredible!

Nature's cameo.

Truly faux pearls and rhinestones. Vintage inspired.

Pretty in pink.

Pocket watch made from a large nut shell.

How she wore it: Vintage Rhinestone Daisy Comb

2011-03-01T12:17:00.000-05:00

I just received this lovely photo and a note from another Love. Honor. Upcyle. bride named Libby of New South Wales, " This was the PERFECT accessory for my hair on my wedding day! I love it so much - thank you for all your assistance in getting it to me in time for the day - came just in time!"

The vintage rhinestone daisy comb.

This rhinestone comb suited her perfectly and she was a wonderful bride to work with. Her time-frame was tight and we were worlds apart (Philadelphia to New South Wales) but we pulled it off!

Sneak Peak: Garters

2011-02-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

Sheer Elegance. Ivory Organza Garter with Vintage Pearls.

It just seems fitting that garters be added to the vintage lovelies offered by LoveHonorUpcycle. I've been working on some designs since early January and I'm thrilled with the direction they are taking. Sophisticated, sexy and of course vintage adorned. Here is a sneak peak at one of several designs I'm launching this week. Ready to ship and Custom Designs available.

Hey Chicago Brides, It's time for Indie Wed!

2011-01-27T12:12:00.000-05:00

Indie Wed this Saturday in Chicago. Join me!

I'm heading to the Windy City this weekend. If you're in Chicago come see me this Saturday at IndieWed. I have all my vintage lovelies in tow and will have some special show discounts. I'll be showing along side the lovely ladies of Elle Musique. We can't wait to see you!!!

~Tanna

Belle of the Ball!

2011-01-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it. My romantic filigree comb was featured in the Etsy Weddings newsletter yesterday. Thank you Etsy!!!

Etsy Wedding Street Team: Last Minute Gift Ideas from the Etsy Wedding Team!

2010-12-16T18:42:00.000-05:00

Etsy Wedding Street Team: Last Minute Gift Ideas from the Etsy Wedding Team!

How she wore it: The Simone Comb.

2010-11-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

This lovely was one of my favorite creations and I was so thrilled to get a note last week from Amy, the bride who wore it. She sent the photo below along with these kind words, "Loved it. Thank you so much, it really was perfect!"

If the shoe fits.

2010-10-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Head to toe, it's the accessories that make the girl right? Just ask Marie Antoinette. I'm considering her likeness for a Halloween costume. Speaking of Marie, she is the inspiration for these dreamy shoes from Oxford Heaven at Etsy.

Fluttery Pink Butterflies. Ooh La La!

Love the Pearl and Pink Tassel Detail.

Velvet Roses. Pure Romance.

These shoes are ready for a high tea or a bridal shower perhaps. So frilly and full of romantic detail. Even if I'm not Marie Antoinette for Halloween I may order a pair to wear when I design my hair accessories. Who wouldn't be inspired while wearing these lovelies?

How she wore it. The Lisel Comb.

2010-10-12T08:00:00.004-04:00

Here is one of my beautiful brides, Jill, wearing the Lisel comb. Doesn't she look gorgeous? I am so honored that she chose one of my lovely creations.

The Lisel comb.

Fabulous!

Ready for Launch. Craft Show Table Top Display.

2010-10-01T09:17:00.000-04:00

Find me here October 9th!

This weekend I'll be preparing my table top display for a Holiday Artisan Fair in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania on October 9th. I love staging and styling so I'm having a great time pulling it all together. I realized most of my display ideas would be equally well suited to decorative items for a vintage inspired event or wedding as well.

This is my favorite piece. I will use it to display hair combs.

Perfect display for my vintage lovelies.

Love the floral detail.

I'm going to make a linen covered backing and pin the combs to it. Customers can angle the frame for a better look. This frame would be a beautiful way to display information or signage at a wedding as well. I found it at Mouse Trap Vintage at Etsy.

An antique box with wooden slanted inserts like the one below would be perfect for hair accessories as well. The combs could be placed in the rows for easy viewing. One could even use it for seating cards at a wedding. Can't you just see it sitting on an old farm table outside a rustic barn reception. Found at DefDif at Etsy.

Accordion slanted inserts.


Dovetail ends and library plate. Perfect!

I've also had my eye on some antique sewing boxes like these from Time Passages at Etsy. Stacked or lined up they would add a nice touch for display:

I want to add a small detail to the table for a finishing touch like this recycled romance novel confetti. Voila! Easy, beautiful, vintage display.

If you're in Pennsylvania near Chester Springs on October 9th stop by and see how it all turned out! Otherwise stay tuned for pics later on the blog.

Inside Love. Honor. Upcycle.

2010-09-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

Today I wanted to share a little more about me, Tanna Paradis, and the inspiration behind Love.Honor.Upcycle.


My husband TJ and I at our wedding. May 12, 2007

I’ve always been a bit “wedding” obsessed. Maybe it’s the celebration factor combined with finding true love. And then of course the joy in creating the most amazing day of your life, filled with all your favorite people and all your favorite things.

I first dipped my toe into the wedding biz even before I was married. I started a daily e-mail newsletter and website called Hitch. The site was full of off-beat wedding tips and fabulous wedding finds. It was very Daily Candy-esque. Now of course there is a Daily Candy for weddings but back then (2005) it was just me and Miss Bee. In fact I met Miss Bee in Manhattan at an industry function. She had a little blog, called the Wedding Bee! I remember thinking, “What is a blog anyway?" Perhaps I should have paid a little more attention.

A few years later I married. I wanted to wear some of my grandmother's vintage jewelry. I had always loved the sparkling pieces she kept in the jewel box. I just never found the right place or time to wear them. I wore her brooch and at the suggestion of the designer who made my veil I re-purposed a pair of fleur-de-lis rhinestone earrings into fabulous hair combs to place at the base of my up-do. Stunning and oh so special. These pieces have now become some of my most treasured wedding keepsakes.

My Grandmother's Vintage Brooch.

I suppose these accessories were my "Aha" moment. The rest as they say is history.

At Love. Honor. Upcycle I hope to continue creating beautiful accessories for weddings and everyday celebration. I want to honor the beauty, glamour and artistry of times past while providing modern pieces that exude elegance, sophistication and style.

As much as I want my art to honor yesterday I also want to help preserve tomorrow. This is why I re-purpose, re-fashion and re-style materials whenever possible. I also incorporate recycled packaging that is not only gift ready but perfect for keepsake storage. Proof that beauty can be eco-chic? I think so!

Best Dressed> Joan Shum.

2010-09-20T08:55:00.000-04:00

Swoon! This lovely and amazing wedding dress by Joan Shum was found at Etsy:

The best part, it is made of separates. I would totally wear the corset/off the shoulder bodice top again. This dress has inspired me with a few new ideas for some hair combs and jewelry. In fact, I think it would look great paired with the Caroline comb below:

Something new. Rue.

2010-09-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

When I first got married I was an avid reader of the former Domino Magazine. Its beautiful interiors provided great inspiration to feather our new nest and the entertaining tips were always put to use when setting up for parties. When Domino stopped publishing it was like losing an old friend. What's a girl to do? Enter Rue!

Rue is an online magazine that launches this Thursday. It promises to be a new pathway to stylish living, featuring interiors and entertaining content with a strong fashion and lifestyle sensibility. The premiere issue includes spreads featuring acclaimed interiors experts, fashion designers, and of course, style bloggers, from around the world. Can't wait!

Take a look at the new Rue. I'm sure it will delight!

Fashion Flashback> Vintage Vogue.

2010-09-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

I happened upon some amazing vintage Vogue covers from the 20's and 30's, one of my favorite fashion eras. What beautiful illustrations! Each one better than the next. Though you wouldn't see it today, the variation in typography used for the masthead is fabulous. My favorite of course has Vogue written in pearls. By the looks of this cover it must have been an accessories issue. Be still my heart!

Emmy Do's and Don'ts.

2010-09-01T08:18:00.002-04:00

Most of the Emmy do's were dont's in my book. A few hair do's, however, were stunning and aisle-worthy.

Emily Blunt. Vintage Inspiration.

Style Goddess. Kim Kardashian.

Jenna Fischer. Down do done right.

Kiernan Shipka of Mad Men. Flower girl look perhaps?

Sweet Inspiration.

2010-08-27T08:00:00.004-04:00

Accessories that take the cake. Delish!

Ceramic Cake Stands (Clara French)

Handcrafted Paper Cake Topper (Concarta)

Vintage Layers (Orange and Blossom)

Dogwood Cake Stand (Whitney Smith)

This & That> A Little Romance.

2010-08-25T08:25:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like a few pops of lace to add a touch of vintage romance.

This:

Victoria Comb (Love. Honor. Upcycle.)

With This:

Jessica Garter (JL Weddings)

And That:

Ring Pillow (Grace Art and Antiques)

Fashion Flashback> Thing of Beauty.

2010-08-20T08:00:00.002-04:00

This Friday Fashion Flashback is actually very au courant. Stella Artois has kicked off a new ad campaign with a recreation of a 1960's cover of Vogue. The ad uses the image above by famous photographer Bert Stern and bears the headline, "She is a thing of beauty." I happen to adore the big hair. Not only is it retro-chic and Bardot-esque, it is a fabulous option for a wedding up-do.

This & That> A Peacock Wedding.

2010-08-18T08:00:00.004-04:00

Today I'm aflutter with color, especially the rich blues and greens seen in the peacock wedding themes at Etsy. My peacock inspired creation is this vivid pair of blue and green crystal hair pins re-purposed from vintage signed Laguna baubles. I've paired the pins below with a little "This & That" to make a perfect bridesmaid gift.

This>

Laguna Peacock Hair Pins (Love. Honor. Upcycle.)

And This>

Silk Clutch. (Ellen Vintage)

and That>

Thank You Note. (The Original Pear)

Best Friends Forever.

2010-08-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Love. Honor. Upcycle. is now on Facebook!

Let's be friends!

Fashion Flashback.

2010-08-10T09:53:00.000-04:00

Vogue, August 1956.

Cover girl, Jean (Jeannie) Patchett, was coined the American Goddess of Paris Couture. Pure vintage inspiration!

Timeless. (Norman Parkinson)

Iconic. (Regina Relang)

Fully accessorized for Life magazine.


Modeling with Dovima.

Pinned.

2010-08-06T08:00:00.003-04:00

Martha Stewart Weddings once featured boutonnieres pinned with handmade beaded corsage pins. I loved the idea and wanted something similar for my wedding. Unfortunately time got the best of me and I never ended up making them, until today.

I made these for one of my dear friends who is making her own bouquet as well as her groom's boutonniere. I think these pins adorned with vintage pearls and swarovski crystals will be the perfect touch to her white floral theme. She can use one for the groom and the others to fasten the ribbon around the stems of her lovely white roses. I'm so enamored with the result I may add them to my Etsy store. Do you agree?

Eat. Pray. Love.

2010-08-03T17:42:00.000-04:00

I truly loved the book and though I can't wait to go see the movie I fear it may lose a little of its soul when re-interpreted by Hollywood for the big screen. Kudos to fresh cosmetics however who did a fabulous job with the packaging of these new scents (shown above). It makes me want to try them! I love it when art, literature and consumer goods can coexist in such harmony.

How is the less commercial handmade crowd inspired by this story? Not bad!

Pillow Talk. (Sew English)

Eat. Pray. Love. pin. (My Hearts Content)

Antique Letterpress Wood Type Blocks (Salvage Nation)

With this Ring.

2010-07-30T08:02:00.000-04:00

This weekend I'm heading to New York to help one of my newly engaged friends shop for wedding bands. I'm partial to rings that are either vintage or handmade of course! We'll be stopping at a couple of my favorite shops Doyle and Doyle in the Lower East Side and the The Clay Pot in Brooklyn. Here are a few rings I spotted online at Etsy. I wonder what we will find on our adventures.

Hammered Gold. Studio Metalsmith

Modern Masculine. Minter & Richter Designs

Renaissance Romance. Tinah Dee

To Have and to Hold.

2010-07-26T08:32:00.000-04:00

Clutch love from Etsy.

Winter white for the bride. Tiana Che.

Great gifts for the maids. Oatmeal Lace Design.

Bohemian Rhapsody.

2010-07-21T07:42:00.002-04:00

If you haven't picked up a copy "Boho" magazine do it now! They are eight issues in and each one proves to be better than the next. The features are strong and empowering. Plus the content is beautifully green not to mention stylish and fashionable. Be inspired by Boho. Be a Boho girl. I am!

From BohoMag.com

Intermural.

2010-07-19T08:18:00.000-04:00

Here in Philadelphia we have a wonderful community improvement and arts education program called Mural Arts. It began in 1984 as an anti-graffiti program to clean up the city. Led by a local artist the project encouraged young graffiti artists to create murals instead. Today more than 2,700 murals adorn buildings, bridges, and parks, making Philadelphia the “City of Murals.” I live by several of these murals and I'm amazed and inspired by them every day.

This month Elle Decor featured their own take on Mural Art. I'm swooning over the way they've brought the outdoors in!

Photo credits in order of appearance: Flicker/maplemama; Jack Ramsdale/Mural Arts.org; Flicker/maplemama; Roger Davies; Simon Upton; William Waldron

Feeling Beachy.

2010-07-16T08:51:00.001-04:00

I always loved the thought of finding a message in a bottle filled with something special and secrets from a far away land. Maybe this is how my love of hunting vintage treasure all began!

Photo: Hanson Ellis

Today's Forecast. Rain.

2010-07-14T07:55:00.001-04:00

As the rain comes down on yet another summer day I've decided to not fight it and simply embrace every beautiful drop. I guess these couples did the same.

Photo Credits: Susan Stipling, Life Images, Piero Ribelli, One Love Photo

Luxe or Less?

2010-07-12T07:46:00.002-04:00

Can you tell which accessory is Marc Jacobs and which is from Goody? One collection costs $150.00 each the other only $4.99.

Let’s just say if you purchase the bling on the bottom you'll have 145 extra bills in your handbag. In fact you can buy all the hair clips shown at bottom and still have an extra hundy in your pocket. Proof luxe can be found for less.

Top (Marc Jacobs Gemstone Clips) Bottom (Goody); Photos: Jeff Harris via Marie Claire

Buyer-at-large.

2010-07-06T22:42:00.001-04:00

My new reality TV crush is "Man Shops Globe" on the Sundance Channel. Have you seen it? The series, now in Season 2, follows in the footsteps of Keith Johnson, Anthropologie's buyer-at-large. Ahhh to be paid to travel the world and buy things.

I started to think about the concept of buyer-at-large a bit more. We all travel the world (wide web) and buy things. Perhaps we are not so different. In one episode Keith is in Bangkok hunting for the perfect indigo fabric for a line of best selling quilts. As he treks through the myriad of shops even he is overwhelmed by the vast sea of choices around him. "Where do you start" he asks, "Where do you begin to edit?"

Isn't that what we all say? Especially when shopping for our wedding. We look for one dress, one veil, one bridesmaid gift, and the list goes on. We have this one time to make it special. One time to make it perfect. One time make it ours. Like Anthropologie's buyer-at-large we must edit thoughtfully and carefully. Does an item speak to our style, personality, and budget? If the answer is yes somehow it all falls into place.

I feel the same way when creating a one-of-a-kind accessory. I have one chance to decide how I'm going to use a vintage brooch or how I plan to re-purpose a lot of "one-off" vintage earrings. I travel the same road of being overwhelmed by a literal and figurative web of choice. Where do I start? Where do I begin to edit? So I look to the items to speak to me. I trust in the creative and intuitive process. You can do the same. Trust your gut and your choices will reflect a style that is special, perfect and all yours.

For a little escape tune in to Man Shops Globe each Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST

Crafting with Cats.

2010-07-01T12:14:00.001-04:00

My husband TJ and I have two cats. Tiggy and Pinard. They are brothers and we've had them since they were wee little puffs of fur. Our loft style apartment makes it pretty hard to keep them out of the studio. Hence, I've come to enjoy their creative collaboration. They aren't too interested in rhinestones and pearls but bring out the feathers or ribbon and look out!

Summer Sparkle.

2010-06-27T12:44:00.001-04:00

I didn't make it to the shore this weekend...so instead I'm swooning over some bejeweled accessories for summer. Who needs a beach? Just give me gold, natural stones and a little bling!

Swarovski Sunnies

Bo'em Sandals

Kate Spade Gold Floral Bag

The Creative Age

2010-06-21T19:23:00.001-04:00

I'm always in awe of creative entrepreneurial success especially when that success comes a little later in life. As I get older I'm even more excited to see people in their 40s, 50s and up creating amazing new companies or breaking new ground. I see it as opening doors for all of us to evolve our creativity with each passing decade.

At what age does our creativity peak? Just take a look at these feats of brilliance from A Book of Ages by Eric Hanson. It just may change your mind.

Leonardo da Vinci painted “La Gioconda” (better known as the “Mona Lisa”) when he was 51.
Picasso painted his 12-foot-by-26-foot mural of the bombing of Guernica at age 55.
Rachel Carson published "Silent Spring," the book that created the modern environmental movement, when she was 55.
Miguel de Cervantes published Part I of “Don Quixote” when he was 58. (He’d been working as a tax collector.)
Feodor Dostoevsky finished writing “The Brothers Karamozov” at age 58.
Irving Berlin wrote “Annie Get Your Gun” at age 58.
John Milton, also 58, found a publisher for his new epic poem “Paradise Lost.”
Gertrude Stein published "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" when she was 59.
Grandma Moses was discovered at age 78 when a New York art dealer saw her paintings displayed in a drug store in Hoosick Fall, NY.
Ben Franklin (a fellow Philadelphian) flew his kite in a thunderstorm when he was 46, or so they say. He invented daylight saving time when he was 78; bifocals, at 79.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the home Fallingwater at age 72. He designed the Guggenheim Museum when he was in his 90s.
Galileo invented the clock pendulum at age 77.
Titian painted “The Education of Cupid” at age 88.

At any given moment, we're all creating something whether it's a new piece of jewelry, a business idea or even a family.

One of my personal favorites is Julia Child who spent years perfecting her recipes and cooking talents. In fact she didn't publish her first cookbook until she was well into her 40s. As if that wasn't enough she followed up the cookbook with her famed TV show, "The French Chef" at age 50. Finally, in her 70s she was still contemplating her next creation and adventure.

We all have our own rhythm and time line for creative success. I guess we just have to keep at it, hang on and know that "Good things come to those who wait".

Craftabulous!

2010-06-19T14:56:00.001-04:00

Etsy Craft Night Philly was fantastic. It was set in an amazing and inspiring loft space thanks to our wonderful hosts at The Midwives Collective and Gallery. The open crafting was casual and full of easy going conversation and yummy treats (a.k.a the best chocolate chip cookies). In between meeting wonderful new people I managed to rubber stamp some thank you notes for my Etsy packaging while others others were busy with embroidery, clay, porcelain painting and card making. It was a lively group and I knew I was among kindred spirits when we all cheered over a coveted pair of scissors won as a door prize. All the door prizes were wonderful and included everything from craft supplies to vintage goods. I was the lucky recipient of a darling zipper pouch from a fellow Etsy seller Crispy Creations who lives up to his tag line "Boys Sew Too!". Thank you Chris! The night was such a success it looks like we may make it a recurring event. Cheers, count me in!

Welcome to Love. Honor. Upcycle.

2010-06-17T09:46:00.000-04:00

It's official. The Etsy store is open, the twitter account is live and now the blog shall roll. Thanks for sharing in this fabulous adventure as I embark on creating a line of upcycled vintage jewelry and accessories. I'm so excited to open up this new chapter. Let the creative journey begin!