What's in a name? Vintage Trifari.

I'm always drawn to vintage pieces signed by Trifari. The pieces are well designed, beautifully made and in excellent condition. I often repurpose them into hair accessories like the one above.  They are extremely popular with my customers. 

As I learn more and more about the history of the brand it's no surprise that I'm so enamored with it. In fact I found it quite ironic that the original brand, founded by Gustavo Trifari and his uncle in 1910, made hair combs and elaborate hair accessories.

In the mid-1920s as hair styles changed and the market for hair accessories declined the company switched to manufacturing costume jewelry. They also brought on board the French jewelry designer Alfred Phillippe. Phillippe believed that costume jewelry should be as much a work of art as expensive jewelry, and brought fine jewelry making techniques to Trifari.

The techniques Phillippe used included using invisible settings, hand-setting rhinestones and using high-quality materials. Phillippe also used design techniques learned in his work for Van Cleef and Arpels, such as filigree work and 23-karat gold triple-plating that mimics the look of solid 14-karat gold.

Mamie Eisenhower in Trifari

From the 1930s the brand flourished. In fact in 1952 Mamie Eisenhower, wife of President Eisenhower, broke with tradition by asking Trifari to create costume jewelry for her to wear to the 1953 presidential inauguration. Trifari produced three triple-strand pearl choker necklace sets. One was worn by Mrs. Eisenhower, one is in the Smithsonian Institution, and the last is kept in the Trifari archives.


Trifari jewelry is highly valued today and in great demand by collectors. I always have vintage pieces in stock so please contact me if you are interested in commissioning jewelry or a hair adornment featuring vintage Trifari.

Picture Perfect. Custom Wedding Dress Hangers.

Vintage Adorned Wedding Dress Hanger

Lately I've had a lot of interest in my vintage adorned wedding dress hangers. I couldn't be more thrilled as I adore them. I think they add that little extra detail to the photos of your gown. My twist on the hanger is elegant, timeless and refined. Lately, I've been in the studio creating even more styles to choose from. (see the sneak peak below) Do you plan to have a special hanger for your wedding photos? I'd love to hear from you!

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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

How she wore it: The Simone Comb.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?