Mink Schmink

The 80s Are Back!

2010-02-18T13:51:00.000+11:00

I'm pretty excited to hear that the Powerhouse museum has an exhibition about the 80s - a decade where I spent a lot of time with my Cabbage Patch Doll and Punky Brewster Doll, a decade where perms where HUGE and so were shoulder pads and belts, a decade where waistlines were high and neon colours were cool...

Come to think of it, a lot of my fondest childhood memories are soaked in 80s events and paraphernalia (Lego Sets...Scott and Charlene's wedding on Neighbours...Dresses with puffy sleeves ala Princess Diana... Cassettes...Rollerskates...Getting a Culture Club showbag from the Easter Show...)

*Karma karma karma karma karma chameleeeee-onnn*... ahem.. where was I?..Oh yeah, the exhibition.

For those of you old enough to have lived through and experienced the 80s I highly recommend visiting the Powerhouse Museum to see 'The 80s Are Back'. They've painstakingly put together 'relics' of the 80s. From Music (who can forget Madonna's 'Like a virgin'?), Fashion and Design, to Video Games, Partying and the AIDS Crisis.

For those of you young enough to be discovering ther joy of the 80s now during what's been called the 'Neo-80s', you'll love this exhibition too. I bet there'll be lots of "That's so nasty!" but even if you go for the gawkfest, you'll have fun too. You'll see where a lot of the 80s fashion came from and what inspired it.

And for the Michael Jackson fans, his sequinned jacket and glove will also be on display!

Children of the 80s rejoice!

Images via Powerhouse Museum

Why Did I Wait So Long?

2010-02-16T09:04:00.003+11:00

Over the last year I have been working hard at designing and making my own line of acrylic jewellery. It's been truly rewarding and I love every minute of it. Even more rewarding is the positive feedback I've been getting from the customers in the store. But what if you can't get to the store to see it?

Yep, I know... I need to put some photos of it up on the web. So last week I bought a photo tent set up with lights. Boy, I've gotta say, it was well worth the investment (why did I wait so long?!).

I'm happy to share these photos with you all - mind you, these are my first attempt at this kind of photography myself so if you are photographically minded and have any tips for me I welcome them.

I've only done a few with a black background (and I can't wait to do more with other colours) I hope you like them - tell me what you think!

Geometry Bangles with Line Engraving in Clear and White Acrylic

Geometry Necklace with Sterling Silver Chain

Tea for Six Necklace

Double Teapot Necklace

Horsey Necklaces

Lace Heart Reversable Necklaces in Clear and White

Arcade Necklace in Frosty Ice

70+ New Sale Items To Make You Smile

2010-02-11T16:14:00.000+11:00

There's a lot of jewellery in our store. And now there's even more in our online store! Yippee!

I've just uploaded more than 70 jewellery pieces that are on sale - so if you can't visit us in person you can at least see a bit more of what's on sale (and hopefully snap up a bargain before someone else beats you to it!).

I've added lots of necklaces, earrings, rings and some brooches and bracelets too ^_^ I think if you have any birthdays or special occasions coming up, there could be some great present ideas to be had.

I have limited quantities of each, but there are literally more than a thousand designs in the store, so if you can pop into our Newtown Store, you'll find so much more! In the meantime, be sure to check our online specials!!

Here's a taste:

Romance Necklace ~~$29.00~~

Save 20%

Now $23.20

Romance Ring ~~$27.00~~

Save 20%

Now $21.60

Heart Earrings in Antique Gold Finish ~~$15.00~~

Save 20%

Now $12.00

How you can save 30% on Tatty Devine

2010-02-05T13:00:00.000+11:00

We're having a sale and now you can save 30% on Tatty Devine's AW09 Collection! Wuhoo! Purchase online at our online store or visit us in person (457 King St, Newtown NSW 2042)! We'd love to see you so drop by and say hi!

Design Spotlight: Ivy Design Picture Table

2010-01-04T23:20:00.001+11:00

Now here's a clever piece of furniture that makes good use of space. Verena Lang's design company Ivy Design is producing these clever tables that fold up and become a picture frame for your favourite large prints. They're a little pricey at EUR1440 (made in Italy and this price is before shipping), but worth the kudos for the design....Now we just need IKEA to come up with their own flat pack version :P

Bridge Design in Holland

2010-01-04T20:58:00.000+11:00

Yes, this is a real bridge in Holland. This certainly brings a new perspective to draw bridges. You wouldn't want to get stuck on the bridge with this design. I'd like to see what Hollywood could do with a car chase scene with a bridge like this!

Via Frozenly.com

Cassette Tape Furniture

2010-01-04T20:40:00.000+11:00

For those of you old enough to remember cassette tapes, here's a way you can put them to good use (if you have the time and inclination). Patrick Schuur, a Dutch designer, has found a way to use 918 cassette tapes - build a piece of furniture with it!

Cassette Tape Closet | visit www.creativebarn.nl for more info! from Patrick Schuur on Vimeo.

What You See Is Not What You Get

2010-01-04T20:28:00.000+11:00

Sometimes things aren't always as they seem. I stumbled across this wonderful optical illusion - what a cleverly designed illusion this is!!

Parkour Motion Reel Video

2010-01-04T20:24:00.000+11:00

Came across this awesome animation done with ink frame by frame in the old flipbook style. Absolutely amazing.

parkour motion reel from saggyarmpit on Vimeo.

Party Bling

2009-12-29T13:02:00.000+11:00

Here's some inspiration for all the party-goers - My picks for night-time fun have a touch of bling (ok in some cases quite a bit), a dash of abstract, and loads of personality. Perfect for party dresses!

Spiral Ring (adjustable) ($25)

Diamante Dome Ring (adjustable) ($35)

Wire Wrap Loop Earrings ($14.50)

Cartier-Inspired Leopard Necklace ($145) and Earrings ($49) with Swarovski Crystals

Three Strikes Necklace ($29.50)

Swirl Galaxy Necklace ($59)

Flat Cubism Necklace ($59)

Last Day of Twilight Trading

2009-12-24T09:51:00.000+11:00

Today is the last day of the Newtown Business Precinct's Twilight Trading - So if you need any last minute gifts come down to King St and get some pressie shopping down up till 8pm tonight!

We'll be here ready to help you out so drop by and say hi!

p.s. Don't forget we are having a sale on lamps too! 15% off the marked price of the entire range of lamps! Today is the last day of the sale so if you've had your eye on a lamp, you don't want to miss out.

Rock Chic Heaven

2009-12-16T19:23:00.000+11:00

I love the rock chic style jewellery I'm seeing around the place now. There are some fabulous finds to be had at the moment and I'm glad we have a nice fat sampling in the store. Think dirtied-up metallics with a touch of vintage about them. Here are 2 of my picks from the store:

Love Ring (with the bling bling) $45.
It has a stretchy metallic band so one size fits all - and it's comfy despite its chunkiness.
If you look carefully at the pic you can see that there is actually a bevel glass top on this ring!

Fletcher and Grace Vintage Glamour Necklace $175 - Pretty Swarovski Crystals in this one. Ooooh....
Total glamour with a bit of an edge. Perfect as an heirloom of the future - Can't you just see it sitting pretty on your neck with a gorgeous dress!?

Flowers and Lace

2009-12-16T10:28:00.000+11:00

Here's some pretty little things for the girly girls out there. Only one of each available so chop chop if you don't want to miss out.

Miniature flowers in resin - Sterling Silver Ring

Decoupage floral print bracelet

Decoupage lace bangle

Decoupage floral print bangle

Mink Schmink's Holiday Gift Guide

2009-12-11T09:31:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday Everyone!

Who's up for a bit of sedentary window shopping?
I know I mentioned a gift guide a while back and I'm here to deliver. Here's our Holiday Gift Guide!

Plastic Fantastic! Resin Jewellery

2009-12-08T17:17:00.000+11:00

We get a lot of requests for jewellery that is made from plastics, rubbers and non-metal materials. Luckily, there are a lot of fabulous designers out there now using alternative materials and being bold with colour and their use of resin plastics. These 4 are new pieces we got in this week. From top: Licorice allsorts stretch bracelet, allsorts earrings, recycled plastic resin ring, fluoro resin ring.

Tatty Devine - Glitter Bowtie Jewellery

2009-12-08T17:10:00.000+11:00

Just for Christmas... Tatty Devine have released a gorgeous red glitter version of their Bowtie Necklace and Bowtie Ring - We have a limited supply of these in the store so be quick if you want one!

New Earrings!

2009-12-06T21:56:00.000+11:00

Ok - my last post for tonight. Here's a quick peek at some of our new earrings! My favourites are the sequin diamante earrings - they're so girly! hee hee! The pics don't do them justice. They are really really pretty.

Christmas is coming

2009-12-06T21:50:00.000+11:00

I know there are a lot of organised women out there sitting smugly with all their shopping done for Christmas already - I say good on you ladies! Well done! Hip Hip Hurrah!

Myself, on the other hand - I need to start... I should take a hint from all the ladies that have been in the store lately and get my act together! But I am halfway there in that I know what I need to get/do (obviously I can't say here otherwise the surprise will be out of the bag).

But here's a hint for the guys out there who don't know what to buy their lady - your lady will always love receiving jewellery as a present. ALWAYS.

Perhaps it's something about the sparkly bits. Maybe it's the way it jingles when you wear it. Or it could just be that it makes you feel good when you wear it. But either way, if it comes from someone special, it means even more. But whatever you do, don't leave it till the last minute. I see it happen every year.

Ok ladies, I think you'll like these - awesome girlfriend pressies that won't break the bank and are complete bargains. These charm bracelets have gorgeous lampwork glass beads (there are loads of colours available - I've just pictured the purple and black), metallic charms and are also stretchy so they fit anyone. But get this, we sell them for a bargain price of $9. You'll appreciate how much of a bargain they are when you read the next part.

Now I love my shopping as mych as the next woman, but when I saw these in a big shopping centre (I won't say here online where it was) I just had to see how much they were selling them for. I couldn't believe the price. They were exactly the same... even down to the charms and colours that we have. Their price: $30 (insert coughing spluttering sounds here).

I love a good bracelet. Especially if it's a bargain. You can never have too many.

Swallow Necklaces

2009-12-06T21:27:00.000+11:00

We love birdy themed necklaces at mink schmink, so when we spied these swallows in silver and gold, we had to have them for the store. We've had them in the shop for about a week now and we're already running low on stock. Get in quick if you want one before Xmas - I'm not sure if we'll be able to get them again in the new year. They're only $19.50

Aww how cute...

2009-12-06T21:24:00.000+11:00

I think these are sooo cute. It doesn't matter that I'm not a kid anymore. These glossy diamante bear hair ties are a little bit glam/cutesy/rock chic/lolita/... Well, we are in Newtown. Anyone could wear these really. Anything goes. Great value at $5 each - the elastic on these are really strong.

Maggie Stein - Newtown Calendar

2009-12-06T21:15:00.000+11:00

Here's a great calendar for next year. Maggie Stein has compiled her fabulous lino cut prints into a calendar for 2010. They feature some well known areas of our lovely suburb Newtown. Her artwork is fantastic! Please support her wonderful art by purchasing a calendar - they are only $20 (which is a great price for a calendar that looks this good). I highly recommend you check out her work at her website and then go and buy one from her.

New Additions to Tatty Devine's Best of Collection

2009-11-27T18:27:00.000+11:00

We've just received another shipment of the wonderful art jewellery label Tatty Devine (Black Dinosaur Necklaces are still on the way, but I'll let you all know when they arrive). For those of you that are familiar with the pieces we normally stock, you will be happy to know we have new pieces!! Hurrah!

Limited stock for this delivery. First in, first served. Get in quick ladies!

Quill Necklace

Pen Nib Earrings with Swarovski Crystal 'ink' Drops

2009-11-23T20:54:00.000+11:00

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40 Degree Heat

2009-11-22T15:26:00.001+11:00

Ok.. If you are in Sydney right now, you will be feeling pretty hot. I just had a look on my desktop weather widget and it says 40! - Thankfully we have the fans on in the shop but I think most people are staying away from the street due to the heat. I can't believe it's still Spring!

3:51pm edit.

It is now 43 degrees... What the?

Our New Window Display

2009-11-18T16:00:00.000+11:00

We love dressing up our window - It's so much fun! When it gets towards the end of the year, people start thinking about the people they love and buying them gifts, so we thought we'd help you all out by making our window a little more 'gift idea' friendly.

It took me a little while to make the 'mink schmink' sign, but I'm pretty happy with it!

If only gifts came in boxes that big :P

As you can see, we have our family of Barbies giving us a hand in the display.

And if only those were real candy canes... mmm

Oooh lots of goodies in the window!

Retro Style Clocks, Tatty Devine Art Jewellery, Marzio Fiorini Rubber Jewellery, Mink Schmink Designer Jewellery, Turtle Lamps, Grand Piano Jewellery box, and loads of fabulous costume.fashion jewellery.

New mink schmink acrylic jewellery, rose rings and geometry bangles.

...And of course, the fabulous red lips jewellery box in faux patent leather.