Miss Prissy's Blog

Summer Collection: Dolly Chic

2011-04-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

It's BARBIE B*TCH!

More excited about this collection than ever before! I truly hope that everyone loves it. I am young at heart and will always have a soft spot for Barb. She's fly, she's timeless and best of all she's multicultural. As a kid, I had tons and tons of Barbies. Black barbie has always been my personal favorite, so I had to include her in this collection.

Natural Hair Barbie Cameo Ring $8

Retro Barbie Cameo Ring $8

Fairytale Barbie Cameo Ring $8

About the Dolly Chic Collection: The Dolly Chic collection features barbie doll in all of her pomp and circumstance. Our Barbies are diverse and full of flavor. Here, you're likely to see barbie wearing natural hair such as an afro or even long golden hair like Rapunzel. We hope you love our Dolly Chic collection just as much as we do.

There are tons more products including barbie inspired compact mirrors. Visit our website MissPrissJewels.com or Etsy to see more!

I will certainly be wearing these for summer! Get yours NOW!

The Naked Dress

2011-04-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

I was so honored and surprised when Ayana, of The Naked Dress, contacted me via Twitter for an interview. The Naked Dress conducted a really fascinating interview on Miss Priss Jewels and I am excited to share it with you all. Be certain to check it out here.

Snippet from the interview: "Tell us a little bit about Kari: I’m married to my best friend, my husband. We can’t wait to celebrate our second wedding anniversary in August. I’m a total nerd and love learning. I have a Bachelors of Arts in English and African American studies and I have a Masters in Education. I’m also contemplating furthering my education to a doctorate or a second Masters degree. I have a passion for fashion! I appreciate all things unique. Whether it is jewelry, fashion, makeup, writing, art or whatever, really it is all the same to me. It allows me to express my creative liberties and break away from the norm. As a result, I admire genuine diversity. "

I love springtime. We had a long winter this year and I couldn't be any happier to wave goodbye to the snow. I've been head over heels for the China Glaze Crackle polishes. Pictured above I paired China Glaze Crackle with Broken Hearted and Sally Hansen Yellow Insta-Dry polish. I loved this combo.

I'm getting all excited for summertime too! I can't wait to get to a beach somewhere warm and break out my new bathing suit. Until that time comes, I'll just express myself through bright polish. About two nights ago I tried a nail tutorial I saw a Youtuber create. She did such an amazing job that I had to try it for myself. She said it reminded the of Lisa Frank from back in the day and I agree! What do you think?

(Polishes: O.P.I. Black Shatter, Abolish Orange, Sally Girl Neon Pink, Sally Hansen Insta-dry Yellow)

Housekeeping!
I'm purposely try to keep costs down on Miss Priss Jewels so that our products are affordable for everyone. Recently, the USPS has increased their shipping and they are raising it once again at the end of the month. As a result our shipping will undoubtedly increase also. I will be adjusting shipping separately on our Etsy site to become flat rate and the prices on the website will be slightly higher to include shipping.

::Warning:: (rant) As Miss Priss Jewels grows, we get more attention. More often than not people reach out to Miss Priss Jewels seeking free products for reviews, conferences, giveaways and many other reasons. I am very generous and usually try to send people who inquire about our items jewelry for review. Unfortunately, I can no longer accommodate everyone who asks for jewelry. The requests are growing and simply do not fit in our budget. From now on items will be sent for review solely at our discretion. Otherwise people will need to purchase.

Happy Birthday to Us!

2011-04-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

We are blessed and very excited to celebrate one year of business. Miss Priss Jewels has had great customers, friends and business affiliates over the past year. We are celebrating by offering a HUGE SALE on our Etsy site. The Etsy community has been enormously supportive and since it is the birthplace of Miss Priss Jewels, we figured there is no better place to have a sale. Be sure to check out our Etsy here if you haven't yet.

An Accident?

Yes! Well not quite, really it all began by chance. In March 2010, I turned 25 years old. For my birthday, my mom surprised me with an enormous (like one of those super giant sized) gift bags full of jewelry-making supplies, beads, tools, books and really anything that a girl could want. I seriously couldn't have asked for a better gift and little did I know that it was the gift that kept on giving. Just as soon as I got the goody birthday bag, I decided to begin making jewelry and within two weeks I had tons and tons of jewelry made. I'd somehow managed to create three completely different lines of jewelry. I loved all of the jewelry, but had more than I knew how to handle. I decided to upload it on Etsy and the rest is history!

It was quite rocky a year ago. I had amazing drive and focus with my hobby, but when I see some of the jewelry I created back then I cringe in embarrassment sometimes. I wonder if other jewelry artisans and artists in general feel that way? Needless to say, I have grown so much and matured creatively. I love making jewelry no less than I did one year ago and am so grateful to have the opportunity to make a living doing something that I love so much.

To the Future & Beyond...

I can only hope that our customers will continue to support and appreciate our handcrafted items. With each effort and each day I try to put forth a quality and uniqueness unparalleled to the mainstream. I realize that supporting handmade is not as common as going to ones local mall, but I am a firm believer that handmade items have a certain love and energy that can't quite be explained - it can only be experienced! Besides, what girl doesn't like receiving great jewelry in the mail?

A Message of Inspiration...

Throughout the past year, I have had doubts, sometimes regrets and even lacked faith. There are a billion and one handmade jewelry-makers online. Inspiring right? No! Okay so the truth is that there's competition and it has never been easy to generate business or to make sales. Lucky for me I make jewelry for fun and myself ! Had I not recieved the gift from my mom, I would have never revisited the art of jewelry making.

I'm human and I sometimes self-doubt. That doesn't mean that I am not confident in my decisions, rather - that I sometimes consider what other people think about me and my life decisions and doubts come from those considerations. Though I think of other's opinions, it has not caused me to stop doing what I've wanted to do for one moment. As a result, I am creating my own life and living my own dreams and you should too! Who knows where you will be in a year? You never know! I serve as an example that anything is possible for anyone.

Thanks to you all. We celebrate this anniversary together.

Ms Chanda & Miss Priss Jewels

2011-03-17T22:22:00.000-07:00

The lovely and talented MsChanda of Youtube has showcased lovely Miss Priss Jewels Accessories. I have been a huge fan of hers on my personal youtube account for quite some time. She does amazing reviews, DIYs, Hairstyles, Haircuts, Fashion and sooooo much more. Her talents are endless and best of all she truly is a sweetheart and one of the very best Youtube Guru's that I have had the pleasure to work with. Be sure to check out her amazing video and also subscribe to her YouTube channel.

She also posted a blog on Miss Priss Jewels with really great pictures.

MPJ Spring Collection 2011 Youtube Video

2011-03-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

Check out our Spring 2011 video on Youtube! While you're there be certain to subscribe.

Spring is Line Here

2011-03-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

My head is spinning from all the updates! Where do I begin? I think professional bloggers ordinarily would wait and post each topic separately over a span of time, but I'm no professional blogger. If I don't post it now, it may never be posted!

Our spring collection has arrived! We have tons of great compact mirrors in stock and we are adding more each month. They range between $15-$25 depending on the mirror. Truly the photographs don't do them full justice. They are magnificent in person.

(Candyland Compact Mirror $25)

We have also added a new line of hoops that we affectionately call "Luscious Loops." They are really fun and great for the warmer months. I personally have a pair of the "Blue Oyster" ones and they are really really vibrant and adorable.

(Hot Genius Luscious Loops, $12)

Be sure to check out the website for more great jewelry and accessories. We will be adding more over the next few months!

The newest jewelry has officially hit Youtube! Check out YT guru Glittereyes82. She did an amazing jewelry review on two of our ever popular jewelry pieces. Be sure to subscribe to her channel.

Another fellow Youtuber, TheShells23, briefly mentioned our jewelry in her video (Click Here). She posted a more extensive review on her blog with pictures.

Thanks so much for reading as always. I truly appreciate each of you for supporting Miss Priss Jewels. It means the world to me!

Nails, Twitter Family and More!!!

2011-02-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

Twitter Love Is In The Air

The acclaimed writer, @bossladywriter (bka. H. Spivey) of You've Come To The Write Place and of On The Rize Magazine has extended a helping hand to your girl! She gave me some really compelling questions. Even some stuff you all would be surprised to know about me and the start of Miss Priss Jewels.

Here's a snippet from the article (to read more click HERE):

In your bio, you said you have been inspired by many beautiful women in the world. Who are these influential women?

I am inspired by all things beautiful! The brighter, the bolder, the more beautiful! Color can be seen in every piece of jewelry in the collection.

Firstly, My mom and her two sisters have impeccable taste in jewelry. My Aunt L is the only person I know who has a bigger jewelry collection than me so she truly inspires me to be bold in my jewelry choices no matter what they may be.

Nails!!

Shoutout to @RuralGlamour ! We have chatted it up via twitter occasionally for some time now and she noticed when I recently posted nail art on twitpic. My twitpic inspired her to do some nail art of her own. It was such an amazing surprise and truly made my day today so I wanted to share it with you.

Be sure to follow her amazing blog for all things glamour.

My Nail Art Picture:

(Compact Mirror for sale $20, MissPrissJewels.com, nail art done by me)

More!!

I've been really trying to add little updates to Miss Priss Jewels more often. Although I've always had fun littler twists to my packaging I decided to go all out with customized tags and hot pink ribbon. I'm lovin' it! Earlier tonight I posted a twitpic showing my giftwrapping (pictured above).

Smiletone & Miss Priss Jewels

2011-02-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

I apologize! I have been quite busy with the New Year adjustments, I can't believe it is almost March! I know I've been absent the past couple of months but, I'm always chatting it up via twitter (hope to talk to you there). Now for the goodies...

I am so excited that Miss Priss Jewels is hosting a giveaway with Smiletone from Youtube. There are several fabulous items that he's giving away to his subscribers. I've gotta say that I really love Smiletone and see a very bright future for him! He is the embodiment of a "pocket full of sunshine." I just looove him so be sure to subscribe to his channel and enter his giveaway for a chance to win great jewelry.

Don't wait there is only a day or two left in the giveaway!

Holiday Season Has Arrived!

2010-12-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, so admittedly we are a little late getting up our new items for fall-winter-holiday season, but it finally made it and we couldn't be any happier!

Preparing for holiday is a process that ultimately should have began in the summer, but this year is a learning experience and I'm happy to be sharing this journey with my fateful customers and friends.

Check out our new items on www.MissPrissJewels.com
and on Etsy www.Etsy.com/shop/MissPrissJewels

Dreamcatchers To The Future and Beyond

2010-11-28T20:42:00.001-08:00

I've recently gotten more questions about the dreamcatcher earrings. I thought it would be fun to share with everyone.

When was the first dreamcatcher craft you made? What was the inspiration?

-I can't really remember the first dreamcatcher I made, but I'm pretty sure that I made one in elementary school art class at least once.

What was your inspiration for making and selling dreamcatcher crafts as you do now?

-I was inspired by crochet earrings. I love crochet earrings, but never learned how to crochet. One day it came to me and I decided to buy some yarn and make dreamcatcher inspired earrings with a fun twist to it. I was thoroughly impressed by the design and got so many compliments that I started selling them on Etsy and through my own personal website. Since then, I have sold many pairs of dreamcatchers both online and in person.

What connection do you have to the Native American community?

- I don't really have a direct connection to the Native American community. My great grandmother was half Native American, but I was never really exposed to that part of her culture (atleast not that I know).

Why do you think people appreciate dreamcatchers? What do you feel is appealing about yours?

- I think people appreciate the traditional aspects of the native american dreamcatchers and the cultural symbolism. I think that people find my version of the dreamcatcher appealing because it is an idea revised and infused with fun and trendy materials. Also my dreamcatchers are wearable and can be customized in a wide variety of colors and different beads.

How do you acquire the materials you use?

-I purchase my materials. I occasional re-purpose vintage materials for use in the dreamcatchers also.

What is your process for creating your dreamcatcher crafts? What is your workspace like and how long do the dreamcatchers take to make?

-The process for creating my dreamcatchers is fairly simple. I gather the supplies, yarn, beads and such and begin assembling each. They take between 3 and 4 hours for each pair. I have a small studio in my house for my business.

A little bit about the woman behind Miss Priss Jewels

2010-11-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

I recently got a few questions from a very popular natural hair blogger who was interested in writing an article about the ever so popular dreamcatcher earrings. She was also curious about me and a little bit about how I got started making jewelry.

How long you've been making jewelry?

Since I was a kid, I'd make beaded bracelets and necklaces and share them with friends and family members.

How did you start?

I've recently revisited the art of jewelry-making. I had a hard time finding unique and one of a kind pieces at reasonable prices. I wanted some jewelry making equipment for quite some time and I received it as a birthday gift. I created four separate jewelry lines within a matter of weeks - I was obsessed and so Miss Priss Jewels was launched merely weeks later.

What was your inspiration for the dreamcatcher earrings?

I have always been a huge fan of crochet earrings. The dreamcatcher line is my hip, fun and unique way of paying tribute to crochet art. I found that I was able to use yarn and beads and create master pieces. I still wear my very first pair of dreamcatchers to this day and continue to get so many compliments with people amazed by the unique technique and craftsmanship.

To the future and beyond...

We are currently looking into developing our products from trendy to more nature inspired pieces for the spring time. We want to cater to natural haired beauties who are excited to wear jewelry that is reflective of their respective styles and cultures around the world. Of course we will still be catering to our inner Miss Prissy trendies, but we are so excited to explore the diversity of all of our customers.

Of course there is much to be revealed about me in the near future. But I thought my responses would to these few questions would be fun to share with customers. Feel free to tell me about you, as I'm interested in getting to know you too.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
www.missprissjewels.com
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

♥ CONTEST TIME Miss Priss Jewels

2010-10-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

It's Contest Time

We are happy to announce our very first contest! We are so thankful for all of our Youtube subscribers that we decided to giveaway a few prizes. At Miss Priss Jewels everyone is a winner because we are happy to be offering free shipping from now through November 29th, 2010.

Huge Contest! We are thankful for our subscribers and customers, so we are giving back to you.

WEBSITE:
http://www.missprissjewels.com/
BLOG:
http://missprissjewels.blogspot.com/
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/MissPrissJewels

RULES:
1. Must be a Subscriber
2. 18 and over only
3. Contest open to U.S. residents only
4. One comment entry per person
5. Video must be new and mention “Miss Priss Jewels”
6. Post video as a response to the contest video
7. Contest ends November 29, 2010 12:00am Eastern Standard Time

VIDEO CONTESTANTS:
1. Choose a favorite piece of jewelry from the miss priss jewels website
2. Explain why you chose that piece
3. Complete a makeup OR hair look inspired by the piece of jewelry you chose

COMMENT CONTESTANTS:
1. Best explanation for what you are most thankful for this holiday season
2. One comment entry per person

Visit our Sister Site: Destiny You Photography

2010-10-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Destiny You PhotographyWe've tweeted about it, now we're blogging about it. The Destiny You Photography website has been relaunched! For a long time photography has been a fun hobby. We are now turning it into a business and would be thrilled to photograph you for your next special event. Destiny You Photography is affordable and fun!

If you're in the Western, New York area contact us through our site. Be sure to visit the website for more great pictures. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Do not copy photographs.
Copyright Destiny You Photography. All rights reserved .

Natural Hair Perspectives of Beauty

2010-10-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

I am among the many divas who are sporting our natural hair.
What does natural hair say about our personalities? I suppose it is different for each person, but for me it is an extension of my self-expression. My hair also represents my cultural pride. Women who wear fros and curly natural hair have always been my ideal icons of beauty. While growing up, I recall looking through photos of my parent's wedding. My mother sported a full Afro and Africa shaped earrings, while my father wore his short 'fro and dashiki. These images inspired my natural beauty and have continued to inform my self-image while shaping my perspectives of beauty.
I have been natural almost ten years, which is terribly scary to admit because it only means that I am getting older. When I embarked on my natural hair journey, it wasn't the trendy thing to do. I didn't see any other girls in high school rocking natural hair styles. Although I was eager to transition from relaxed to natural, for quite awhile I wore braids and twists until I went to college. In college I eagerly explored the realms of my hair. I was excited to learn my natural textures and all the possibilities that my natural hair permitted.

I have recently become motivated to celebrate the positive influence of natural beauty and have tons and tons of ideas for upcoming peices. With that being said, I am hoping to incorporate more elements of natural beauty into my fall/winter collection (don't worry divas I have some super fun glitzy pieces for you to wear during holiday season too). Stay tuned for updates in the near future!

Stay tuned to the site for the Pretty Purple Star earrings I'm wearing. They will be released soon.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
www.missprissjewels.com
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Miss Priss Jewels Co. Launched New Website

2010-10-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED MISS PRISS JEWELS SITE

We couldn't possibly be more excited for the launch of our new website. With weeks of much hard work and dedication we are excited to introduce our new site. Special thanks to the Mr. for his vision and creativity. He worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was perfect and easy for our customers to navigate.

I truly hope that you all enjoy the improvements that have been made.

We want to thank all of our customers by offering FREE SHIPPING from October 29 through November 29 through our site (discount not applicable on purchases made through our Etsy boutique). Free shipping sale ends on Cyber Monday, so get your favorite jewels while supplies last!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

AllThingsPretty.com and Miss Priss Jewels

2010-08-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Since learning of AllThingsPretty.com and its creative founder Krissy, I've been hooked! Her blog is simply amazing! Krissy reports on all things fashion forward. Her posts include nails, hair, makeup and fashion.

Her blog can be visited at www.AllThingsPretty.com

I knew that it would be an honor to have a mention of Miss Priss Jewels on her blog. She kindly reviewed and mentioned our jewelry on her wonderful blog. Check it out here.

MPJ Summer 2010 Collection

2010-07-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Our Summer 2010 Collection Video!

Summer 2010 Collection!!!

2010-07-21T00:02:00.001-07:00

I'm So Excited!

2010-06-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to work on the summer collection. I am inspired by the warmth of the summer months and positive vibes in the air!

I hope to finally work on the summer collection this week and I hope to have pictures posted up as soon as I create the new line.

Stay tuned!

With Love,

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

MissPrissJewels First Review on Youtube

2010-06-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

Miss Priss Jewels has received its first official jewelery review on YouTube. The Miss Priss Jewels favorite guru, MakeupD0ll, has done it once again! She showcased several pieces from the Miss Priss Jewels including the Hot Pink Rose Cocktail ring, Pearl Encrusted Dreamcatchers, Gold Dangle Dreamcatchers and many more. The video was a huge success for Miss Priss Jewels and we'd like to formally thank MakeupD0ll for her video contribution!

MakeupD0ll on YouTube mention of Miss Priss

2010-06-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

Miss Priss Jewels makes their second mention on Youtube with fan favorite MakeupD0ll. MakeupDoll has a huge influence on YouTubers around the globe. She discusses all thinks fashion, hair and makeup related. Check out her latest video for her review on SugarPill Cosmetics and Miss Priss Jewels Pearl Encrusted Dreamcatcher Earrings.

Miss Priss Jewels Mention by MakeupD0ll on YouTube

2010-05-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite YouTube Guru's, MakeupD0ll, has mentioned our jewelry in her latest video! We are pleased to have had the opportunity to send her some of our wonderful pieces for review to share with her over 13,000 subscribers. In her video she, also does a stunning purple and gold eyeshadow tutorial which matches the gold dangle dreamcatcher earrings perfectly.

Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve

2010-04-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sure we all know that wearing your heart on your sleeve has major consequences! But what are the benefits???

Many of us are sensitive creatures and almost anyone or anything can have just cause for an emotional reaction. However by being emotionally vulnerable, people never have to guess what you're thinking or how you feel about something. Chances are you are honest and open about your feelings. Essentially, this makes you more transparent and quite possibly more like-able to others around you.

What are other benefits of wearing your heart on your sleeve? Well when you love it's pure love. When you love, you are certain of it. In fact, you are always certain of your feelings and other people are too.

Even though wearing your heart on your sleeve sometimes has drastic consequences, in the long run you benefit from thee experiences. You learn when to shield it. You can also learn when to take the emotional energy and apply it to whatever task before you. This ability will ultimately make you more successful in all endeavors.

If you are one of the many ladies who wears her heart on her sleeve, be proud and inspire others with these lovely gems!

With Love,

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Youtube Video

2010-04-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post the Youtube videos that I've been making for the youtube community. I'm hoping to integrate jewelry making tutorials in the future to make it a little bit more fun for the subscribers. For right now the videos are only showcasing some of the jewelry that we have on the website and the etsy site.

Here is the first video:

Here is the second video that we made:

Happy viewing!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

April 14th ~ Appreciating the Lives of Family

2010-04-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

April 14th is always a difficult day for me. Year after year, I wake up feeling sad because it was on April 14th that my father died. Today marks the 10 years since he passed away. I was always "daddy's little girl." He taught me so much and to this day is one of my biggest inspirations in my life.

His death was a difficult one for our family. He was diagnosed in September of 2000 with cancer and by April he passed away. We always thought of his death as premature since he was only 53 years young, which made it all the tougher to cope with. When he was diagnosed, I was only fourteen years old and entering the ninth grade. He died about a month after my fifteenth birthday.

Ten years later the loss of my father doesn't hurt any less than it did when we first learned of his passing. I have had to grow up, finish high school, college and even get married without my father's earthly presence. At times it has been unbearable and even the root of a few bouts of depression. Sometimes the only comfort that my heart has felt is knowing that he has been watching me from heaven.

Today at twenty-five years old, I have learned to be grateful for the years that God granted me with my father. Although I only had fifteen years with him, those fifteen years were the best fifteen years of my life. The essence of who I am is largely due to his influence. I've also become wiser as I've grown older and realized that there are many people who have never even had a father. It has taught me to thank God for being blessed with such a wonderful one.

Even though April 14th is always difficult, I have tried to put an emphasis on gratefulness. Although the loss of a loved one is tremendous, it teaches us to be happy for the loved ones who remain in our lives. I am so appreciative to have a supportive and loving family ~ and husband and my mother who are my best-friends and biggest supporters.

Remember to show loved ones how important they are in your lives.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Bridesmaid Jewelry

2010-04-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

We Do Bridal Party Jewelry!

We are excited to say that we completed our first bridal party custom order two days ago. One of our customers on Etsy liked the teal glass bead bracelet sets and order sets for her entire bridal party! We love when customers share their ideas with us. It inspires and challenges us to come up with new, creative, fun ideas for the future.

We are happy to announce that we offer great discounts for orders of five or more and we also custom gift wrap your order to take some of the stress away from you.We placed each set of bracelets in navy blue organza bags. We also matched the a turquoise ribbon to the bracelets to tie each set.
While many of our items are sold in coordinating sets, we realize that you may desire the necklace but not the bracelet or another combination. Just send us an email at missprissjewels@gmail.com or convo us on Etsy. We will be happy to discuss any details with you.

We love making brides happy!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Spring 2010 Watch

2010-04-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

What girl doesn't love, fun, funky, one of a kind pieces? Aside from the economical benefits of shopping at virtual boutiques, many shops offer handmade items. All of the items from Miss Priss jewels are 100% handmade. No two are pieces are exactly alike. I love one of a kind jewelry because it can add a pinch of personality to any outfit!

In my recent shopping ventures, I have fallen head over heels for the Spring 2010 trends. While there are tons and tons of trendy fashions, I've fallen hard for a few which I think represent a variety of styles.

A) Pattern Burst Maxi Dress from Forever 21, $29.80. This would be perfectly accessorized with a pair of peacock earrings for our bohemian girl, $4.50.

B) Au Natural Romper from Forever 21, $19.90. This style is perfect for the fashion forward trendsetting Miss Prissy. It would go perfectly with our colorful yarn wrapped hoops, $5.50.

C) Metallic Bubble Dress from Forever 21, $39.80. This style is for the the ultimate Miss Prissy. It would look perfect with our Pearls Galore necklace for, $15.00.

D) Perfectly plus-sized! This outfit is also from Forever 21's plus-size division, Faith 21. The Jeggings are $17.80. The Pearlescent Adorned Top is $17.80. This outfit would look beautiful with our Almond Feather headband from our Bohemian Chic collection, $5.75.

I now shop with a skeptical eye, especially when it comes to accessories and jewelry. I find myself often admiring the trends seen in stores like Claires and Icing and wondering how I ever paid so much for those accessories. Today, I saw a pair of peacock earrings, much like the ones seen on the Miss Priss website which were being sold for $8.99 per pair. Sometimes shopping online is much more economical and exciting!

Enjoy your spring shopping!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

My Juices are Flowing

2010-04-06T23:21:00.001-07:00

I am happy to announce I'm back in the game. It was a large transition from creating jewelry for three weeks straight to opening the website, the etsy shop, the twitter page, the youtube account and of course the blog! It took almost a week to really get into the groove of the online presence, which is why I think I had artisan block.

I decided to "go crafting" today, as in craft hunting or hunting for crafts, I was able to really take my time and shop around from store to store. I came in with a few ideas, but left each store feeling as though I had accomplished my goals and even gained some great ideas along the way.

I was really low on funds today, so I was forced to shop only for crafting essentials. I really had to hold back, think and rethink each purchase. It wasn't until I hit up three stores and had only $10.00 dollars left that I realized I needed to buy dinner for myself and my husband, Mr. Prissy. I'd already decided on Taco salads for dinner, prior to entering the market. I gathered the ingredients, taco shells, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and mild salsa. I calculated the price of each item carefully not to spend over my $10.00 limit. As I approached the register, I can't lie, my heart thumped and I began to feel anxious hoping and even praying that I'd not overspent. Luckily, I didn't and my total came to $8.90. Thank God!

After I left the grocery store, I was so broke and feeling a bit discouraged. I'd basically spent my last dollar on funds for the business. I thought to myself, "I really hope that this jewelry business takes off because I could use the extra money." I came to my senses and realized that it is really so much more than the money though. I'd rather spend my last dollar, my last thoughts, my last energy creating something meaningful and precious. It provides me some relief somewhere deep within. It allows my to express myself and my point of view. Making jewelry is so much more than a hobby, (or in my case, an obsession). This entire process has become a learning experience and continues to challenge my creative gene in new ways.

With this second wave of items I am beginning to feel closer to reaching my goal of establishing an aesthetic. I'm starting from square one and creating jewelry that I like - items that I would want to wear. This is a bit difficult because my sense of style is all over the place. The only common denominator is my eccentricity. From day to day I vary between hippie and barbie. I could easily be seen wearing all pink with runway worthy makeup and ballerina flats. The next day I could be sporting an Angela Davis sized afro sporting my favorite "I love Black people" tee. I think that's why my ultimate goal was to create different pieces of jewelry for the different jewelry lines within one boutique. I like to credit my customers as people with a variety of taste and it's my goal to have something for everyone.

The best part of this process is that I am beginning to dream again. Today, while crafting, I came across some hoops and other materials that caught my eye. I did not buy them, but about twenty minutes later I had the perfect idea to create different variations on the dreamcatcher earrings with the materials I'd just seen. I am so excited to share my new creations with the world. I can't wait to show you, so be certain to visit soon.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Artisan Block

2010-04-05T19:49:00.001-07:00

I began working on the second installment of jewelry yesterday. I tried my hand at the ever so popular feather earrings. They looked really cute. I used an assortment of red feathers varying in size and I put one small black feather on top. I loved the way that they looked, with the exception of the top of the feathers which were wire wrapped. Luckily, some creativity kicked in and I turned the feather earrings into hair clips.

I'm so excited to create beautiful jewelery that I don't know which way to turn next. I have several ideas but am uncertain of which direction to turn. I'm also eager to establish a "Miss Priss" aesthetic for the overall boutique. I am remaining hopefully, optimistic that the more that I create jewelry the closer I will get to my goals.

In the meantime, I hope that you all will be patient with my growth as an artist and support me nonetheless. Much love and happiness to you all.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

War, Not Love

2010-04-02T12:01:00.001-07:00

As I was randomly browsing through Etsy today, I came across a political piece of jewelry. As many of you know by now, I love jewelry that sends a message. I found one particular necklace with a Jimi Hendrix quote on it. The quote:

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." -Jimi Hendrix

For some reason this quote made me think about how we have all become so accustomed to war. When we read the news headlines there are almost always articles about war, but I don't remember the last article I read about love or a loving act. War is normalized. War is expected. War is accepted.

Children aren't born into the world knowing about war. We teach them war. I tried to think back to my childhood and recall when I first learned about the concept of war. I first learned about war when I was around eight years old. We were learning about the U.S. Civil War. Naturally, we learned about slavery at the same time. It was at that time that I noticed differences in skin color.I remember feeling shocked and wondering how one group of people could effectively enslave another group.

There is a sense of innocence lost when we teach children about the ills of war. Perhaps it's how we teach war. Instead of teaching war as a patriotic privilege, maybe we should teach it as a an unfortunate series of events that occurred in the history of humanity. It could be taught as something that shamefully occurred. It could be taught as it really is - that there are are truly no winners in war. There are only losers because everyone experiences a tremendous loss.

We can glorify love.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

I Smiled on August Wilson Today

2010-04-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Today I smiled.

I smiled when: I realized that art comes naturally to artists because it's like our air and we can't live without our next breath.

I smiled when: I saw an August Wilson play at the theater. It is my favorite August Wilson play to date and it is entitled "Two Trains Running." (I'm starting to see a pattern with this art thing) I attended a brief discussion before the play and the lecturer, who knew August Wilson, said that he was always writing. He would listen to people's conversations and record his thoughts. He grew up to become one of the most famous black playwrights to date.

I smiled when: My niece wore the peacock earrings to school and she received a ton of positive feedback from her peers. That's exciting considering how picky teenage girls can be when it comes to fashion. That contributed to the success of my overall day.

I smiled when: I woke up and got that warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my belly - the type of feeling that lets you know today is going to be a success.

I smiled when: My brother encouraged me to pursue one of my many talents.

I smiled when: I was able to spend time with my hubby, mother and brother. I love my family.

It was a good day today. Thanks for reading some of my personal thoughts ~ ( I know this is very informal, I promise I'll do better tomorrow.) It is presently 2am! I'm listening to "Window Seat" from Erykah Badu's latest CD, check the previous blog for that information.

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Erykah Badu, A Special Flavor

2010-03-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you're probably thinking that I have an obsession with Ms. Badu You're right! I do and I always have. Erykah has always walked to the beat of her own drum. She never fails to inspire those around her with her music, words, and art. Being an independent thinker can be difficult, but Erykah's latest music video for her single, "Window Seat" challenges each of us (click here for the video). There is also a really great article and video interview by Wall Street writer, Billy Johnson, Jr., (click here for that article).

For me, personally, Erykah has been an inspiration for style. She is rarely seen without her Ankh. The Ankh symbol represents eternal life. Her latest album, New Amerykah, Part II: Return Of The Ankh is amazing. Erykah has returned to her roots and I'm feeling the life on her record, "Window Seat."

Though we may not all have Erykah's voice or artstic inspiration, let's make a statement today. Make a statement with your words or your hair. You could even make a statement with your outfit. When all else fails you can always make a statement with your jewelry!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com

Grand Opening!!

2010-03-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be launching my first official business. It's amazing how the stars are all aligned in our lives and one thing leads to the next. I am so grateful for the opportunity to create and share my jewelry with the world. It has been an amazing learning experience to launch MissPrissJewels.com and our Etsy boutique.

I'm still finding my own niche as a jewelry artisan and am eagerly looking forward to getting back to the creative side of this whole experience. Up until now, I have been allowing the beads and various materials to guide me visually. I think that the next step well be sketching my designs and searching for new exciting materials. In the past twenty four hours, since we went live and launched our Etsy boutique we have gotten quite a bit of positive feedback from the Etsy community. We are thrilled and can't wait to see the overall outcome!

Thank you for viewing my blog, please check out our my twitter for the latest updates. Our website will also be updated on a regular bases as our inventory increases, but be sure to check it out today for our huge GRAND OPENING sale!

All that glitters just might be gold.

Love, Peace & Hair Grease,
Miss Priss aka Kari
missprissjewels.blogspot.com