Carnival Inspired Jewelry (Miami): Orion's Belt

So at the Caribbean Fashion Show a couple weeks here in Brooklyn, we were blessed with the presence of a lovely costume presentation from Orion's Belt with Natural Freaks for Miami Carnival. I automatically knew that I wanted to create an earring design for this costume.

I added sparkling gem at the top for a celestial effect and a mix of turquoise blue feathers to give a pop of color to the ears.






Like many mas players like myself, I always try to make a piece that still sings "Carnival" even when the head piece is off or you have a major back pack.



Please check out their section @ Carnival Info if you haven't signed up for a band and look out for more Carnival accessory inspirations tomorrow!


Blessings,
Shanti

After the Show comes...

So, after some hard work for a couple of weeks, the fashion show was worth it. Made connections with lots of great Caribbean designers and some lovely clients. Now that I'm playing catch up, I'm organizing some jewelry inspiration ideas for Miami and Trinidad Carnival, some custom designs for OLD/NEW clients, and preparing to work on holiday orders! I'm so excited and thankfully took a week to get my energy back to normal!

Here are a few pieces from the runway:

Oh check out this video link from the Caribbean Fashion Show! My pieces can be found at 7:13 into the video, however, I suggest you look at them all!

Labor Day Weekend: Fashion Show Sneak Peek!!

I'm finally out of the studio but only for a few hours. I've been working so hard in adding the finishing touches to these incredible designs for the Caribbean Fashion Show Extravaganza that's happening in Brooklyn, NY this Saturday! The theme of my segment is all about the beach, the lime, the experience of the Caribbean. Lots of incredible colors, NEW designs, and just awesomeness!! I also, stopped by some mas camps and I'm so impressed with what I'm seeing, especially out the Fatal Angels Camp (I must say Sinfully Sweet is looking GREAT!!)

So here's a sneak peek out of the studio:




For tickets, please contact me at 347-400-8498!! Hope to see you there...

Introducing the "Island Hoppin'" Collection:

Brooklyn, NY, July 22, 2011


Introducing the Island Hoppin’ Collection: representing the islands of Grenada, Barbados, and Trinidad to name a few (but not limited to these islands). This was inspired by the traditional jewelry of our parents who worn the maps in various metals with a sense of pride. Here’s a spin on those designs filled with an urban, funky twist! These are not your typical map jewelry created in metal but a design that’s hand crafted, cut, and painted. Also, to make it even more personal, I’ve added swarvoski crystals to a particular parish(es) you or your family is from. 
I love the idea of also customizing a piece in different colors or styles, so I welcome a conversation on how to make this unique for you.

It’s available for purchase on the Mango+Paper+Scissors Shoppe on Etsy: www.mangopaperscissors.etsy.com where you can find more Aye’ Shanti designs, so take a pass by and check it out! Oh, and I'm still taking Carnival Jewelry Orders for Labor Day, so get them in!


And one other thing, please look out for a FABULOUS giveaway (including some Aye' Shanti Earcandy and other surprises) in collaboration with www.jayblessed.com next week. If you're not on it, organize yuhself, sign up with her website Jay Blessed Media for Caribbean Entertainment and News. Also, sign up with my blogs Aye' Shanti or Mango+Paper+Scissors for more information on current jewelry designs, Caribbean crafts, and more!
And to all my clients heading down to Barbados for Crop Over, Antigua, and Grenada for Carnival, HAVE A SAFE & ENJOYABLE TIME!

Blessings,
Shanti
www.ayeshanti.blogspot.com
www.mangopaperscissors.etsy.com
www.mangopaperscissors.blogspot.com
www.ayeshanti.com
Twitter: AyeShanti
Facebook: AyeShantiPieces

Carnival Inspired Jewelry: Carnival Divaz' "Bacchanalia"

For Day 3 of Carnival Inspired Jewelry, I have the pleasure of creating a piece inspired by the fabulous designs of Carnival Divaz Promotions, section "Bacchanalia" with Sesame Flyers for Labor Day in Brooklyn. It is full of feathers, jewels, and lots of colors... 

I wanted to work with a design like this because of it's large head piece. I've always created long feathery, leather, or crochet w/ crystals earrings and wanted to try something a little different. Recently I've been working with carnival lovers who must play front-line, and with a head piece that is large, in my opinion a smaller design close to the ear like a button earring can be the perfect balance for accessorizing your costume.

So taking some of the colors from "Bacchanalia", I created a jeweled button earring that is the size of a half dollar which allows for crystals to glisten in the sun, yet it doesn't over power the face. Again, I love when you can take off your head piece and if it's the face jewels or accessories, you still portray the mas! 

I also have another design that's currently in my shoppe Mango+Paper+Scissors  called "Rainbow after the Storm" that also mimics the colors and of this costume!

So if you're still deciding who to play mas with for Labor Day in Brooklyn and you want to go Front-line, here's an Ultra-Inclusive Front-line Only Section to checkout! 

Fore more information contact Carnival Diva at 347-791-6499 or masinfo@sesameflyers.org

Carnival Inspired Jewelry: Carnival Hunters "Parrot"

So, I’m working on orders and designs for Carnivals throughout the Caribbean to Toronto, NY, and London this summer, I'm having a great time putting together pieces inspired by costumes. I had the pleasure of going to Carnival Hunters Band Launch this past Saturday, which was my first fete in a loooooonnnnnnnggg time lol and it was a nice come back. Held on the roof of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, as soon as you entered the doors of the event, you were instantaneously brought to a Caribbean vibes filled with colors, music, and of course my favorite IRON! lol

But, back to CARNIVAL! I've been eyein' this costume on Facebook for Kadooment (Barbados) called "Parrot" with the band Fantasy Barbados. For some reason, I have a thing for Mohawk head pieces and just loved the look, so I created a feather/chain design. One thing I notice about jumping up, is that I start off with my head piece on, then in the middle of the jump up, you'll find it either on the truck or in hand, and when it's time to CROSS, I have it back on like the Carnival Queen I was meant to be. So, I created an earring with that in mind. 

First, I wanted to play with a piece that's light weight, and embraced the colors. I love the idea of wearing an earring that allows you to take off your head piece and still look like mas. (Btw, forgive me, this was an early morning shoot and I was trying to play around with the lighting on my iPhone, but trust the feathers has more of the turquoise color that matches the costume.)

 I loved the chain work on the belt, so you'll find a combination of feathers and chains. When it comes to this, I also realize, this would be a great one side earring where you have an intense one side with the feather design and the other side just gold chains... Designed to wear on and off the road!

So, if you're in Barbados for Crop Over I would definitely rock this costume (with these earrings of course) down the road! So don't hesitate, if you're heading down or want to head down last minute, hit them up! 

For more information please contact:

info@mycaribbeanpassion.com

Caribbean Passion

http://mycaribbeanpassion.com

http://Twitter.com/caribeanpassion

http://facebook.com/CaribbeanPassion

Read more about the Carnival Hunters International ban launch here on JayBlessed

And for more photos and information about the section check out:  NYCaribbeanVibes

Photos courtesy of www.nycaribbeanvibes.com

Oh and speaking of Barbados, check out my "Island Hoppin' Line" featuring the map of Barbados! COMING SOON...

Carnival Inspired Jewelry: Fatal Angels "Sinfully Sweet"

When it comes to carnival, I'm always looking at the cut, design, and shape of a costume before creating an earring or accessories for a client. When I stumbled across Fatal Angel's "Sinfully Sweet" section with Ramajay Mas, I was automatically in love with the color and the various options.

 Front-line with large headpiece &  backpack

 Monokini option available in Pink or Brown

Photos by Ryan John

They have a number of designs for you to choose from, and I decided to create a piece for the Backline w/Feather Headpiece in mind.

I love the curve of the head piece, so I put together some various shades of pink feathers, making sure to choose the ones with a slight bend to match the shape of the head piece.

I then added some jewels in a curve for some uniformity. I'm a lover of one side earrings, and with a head piece of this nature, a one side feather would work perfectly. Either a chain earring on the other side or a crystal stud can be paired with it. This is a light weight earring which is great for jumpin' up and forgetting that you have an accessory on. 

For more information please contact: Fatal Angels

or check out Ramajay Mas  to get a taste of  "Sinfully Sweet!"

For your carnival accessories and jewels, you can contact me at ayeshanti@gmail.com!