Statement Pins

For Fall 2013, it's all about rich colors, ornate artistic arrangements, and mixed textures. A statement pin is a great way to stay on-trend without breaking the bank.  Add the pin on a blazer, sweater, or on a purse to create a different look.

Shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ricerafferty?section_id=6579570

Bohemian Bliss

I've been so busy.  I'm sorry I haven't been able to blog much.  In the past two months I celebrated my one year anniversary with my husband and have been working nonstop on orders for our shop.  This has been our busiest wedding season yet!  It brings me such joy to bring happiness to others.  I LOVE my job!  Check out our shop in the link below!

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

 

 

 

Our bohemian inspired designs can be enjoyed on your wedding day or to make any day special.  Each design is handmade in our studio.   Bohemian headbands are such a simple and elegant accessory.  Perfect for the bride who adores all things vintage!  www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Made For You With Love

Special delivery to Val ♥ We put as much thought and care into our packaging as we do our accessory designs. This is one of our hand painted gold boxes with our Green Gold Copper Earrings.

Each of our accessories/art pieces is designed with conceptual meaning in our materials and aesthetic. Inspired by copper's healing properties - healing the mind and body based on the metal's energy conducting properties.

While research into the antioxidant properties of copper is quite recent, healing properties have long been attributed to copper in folk medicine and holistic studies. Copper is absorbed through the skin, so it might help those deficient in copper. Jewelry is a way of taking in the small amount of the mineral needed. The healing properties of copper, in the form of bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings, can allow a minimal amount of the mineral into the body without overwhelming it. Some wearers of copper jewelry find it relieves the symptoms of arthritis and circulation problems.

Visit our shop Rice Rafferty Couture Accessories!

DIY Devore Burnout Velvet

Have you been curious how to make that beautiful velvet burnout called devore? Now you can! Easy to read velvet burnout instructions, as taught in college fiber program.

Make your very own Devore Burnout Velvet NOW with rice rafferty e Instructions - very detailed. Complete with photos of finished product and photos of the process

This purchase includes your own step by step guide of how to make your own devore burnout velvet.

Velvet devore can be made into scarves, shawls, wraps, wearable art and art objects, etc. Great for aged costume designs.

www.ricerafferty.com

Handmade Bouquet and Boutineer

Handmade fabric bouquets and boutineers are a fun eco-friendly alternative that can be enjoyed again and again!  They cost about the same as real flowers, but you don't have to throw them away after the wedding!  The bouquet is a really great centerpiece after your wedding day.  We can make any colors or size you wish.  Check out Rice Rafferty Couture Accessories!

Fun Wedding Veil Idea

This year is flying already!  I hope everyone is having a good winter.  I wanted to share with you a fun idea for how to wear switch up your veil from ceremony to reception.

We LOVE when our brides teach us fun wedding tricks.  For our bride here we designed a custom veil for her - white russian netting bandeau veil with a bleached peacock feather and rhinestones.  For the ceremony she wore the birdcage blusher and at the reception she simply took the veil off, wrapped it around to make a circle, and pinned it on the left side of her head with extra bobby pins.

How cute is that?  It's a great idea for wearing your wedding veil again and again!

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Buffalo, NY - Downtown Wedding - Hotel at the Lafayette

Double Your Fun with Accessories

Double your fun with the White Iris Hair Comb that can also be worn as a corsage.  I love accessories with options.  We make our accessories so they can be worn and enjoyed numerous ways.  Wear it on your wedding day, then for an evening out on the town.  The accessory above is made of tulle, white iris flower, pleated silk, pearls, and beads. 

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Vintage Lace

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

We've been making new necklaces in the studio outside.  We're loving this weather! 

Choose from white or hand dyed purple bib statement necklace.  Each necklace is made from up cycled lace, bead pearls, and sequins. 

It's such an quick way to quickly dress up a tank top or t-shirt.

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Watercolor Tutu

We've been working on some new tutu designs.  Above are pics of our Watercolor Tutu - multi colored layers of hand dyed bridal veil illusion. 

Monet inspired, watercolor petals
Layers of hand dyed rainbow colored tulle make this tutu extra special. Each piece is hand cut into a petal shape.

Dress it up different ways!

DANCER LOOK
Wear the tutu with black leotard or leggings and a tank top if you plan on dancing.

TRENDY LOOK
If you're a tad more daring with fashion, like Carrie Bradshaw, pair the tutu with a short skirt and blouse/tank (maybe a blazer if it's chilly) with a few strands of pearls and stiletto heals.

* elastic waist
* Hand dyed tulle and a few purple rayon fabric strips embedded in tulle
* tutu colors - pink, orange, blue, light blue, white, purple, yellow, green-yellow
* Made in USA

Visit our shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

We hope everyone has a fabulous three day weekend!  Party like it's 1999  ;-)

What to Wear to a Black and White Ball

We had a fashion emergency yesterday.  My mother received a last minute invitation to a Black and White Ball.  We searched the internet for inspiration, then we decided we needed to design a new hair accessory.  We made two new necklaces and a hair adornment (it's amazing what you can create when you have a short deadline).  Our creative juices were flying and it was a beautiful sunny day in Western New York. 

When dressing for a black and white ball - keep it simple and classic.  When in doubt it's best to overdress.

For ladies - wear a solid black or white dress and play it up with fun accessories (necklace, hair comb, gloves, a wrap, hand bag, etc)
- Black and White Hair Adornment (white flowers, tulle)
- Black Tulle Wrap.
For men
- classic tux (think James Bond)  ;-)

Pictured above is the new Rice Rafferty hair accessory.

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Hope you have a happy and relaxing Sunday!

Pay it Forward GIVEAWAY

In honor of Pay it Forward Day we're hosting a Giveaway.  I've seen some lovely giveaways lately, so we felt inspired to join the fun.  We've received some good ripples and we want to send more into the universe.  Positivity and kindness conquers all :)

We're giving away a pair of our Rice Rafferty handmade Dreamsome Golden Copper Paper Mache Earrings ($25 value).

Visualize your dreams coming true with these golden earrings. Painted Gold Paper Mache wrapped in copper wire, dangle as wear them. Light and wearable for your daily routines or for a special evening out. Inspired by spirals and dreamcatchers to invoke positive energy.  Lightweight design makes them easy and fun to wear.

To enter: leave a comment under this blog post with your name, email address, and the city you live in.  NOTE: for this and future giveaways become a blog follower.

One person will be chosen at random.

The Giveaway is now thru May 5, 2011.  All are welcome to participate!

Good luck! 

For our complete collection click below
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Roses and Daisies Bridal Veil

Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet???

Our White Rose and Daisies Bridal Veil is such a fresh and youthful bridal veil alternative.  There are so many options these days for brides.  There's a veil for every bride.  Our veil hangs mid way down the back which gives such a fun and flirty feel.  The veil design can also be a communion veil since it's shorter in length too (as shown above on the little girl - Photo 4).  I wonder what type of veil Kate Middleton will wear on Friday.  What's your guess a long veil, short, bird cage, or a blusher?  Photos by Jessica Elizabeth

For more veil options visit our etsy shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Floral Head Piece with Bird Cage Veil

 

It's hard to believe we're already 6 days into April.  I'm beginning to see ducks swimming in local streams and I'm hearing the sound of birds chirping.  Pictured above is our cream Floral Head Piece with Bird Cage Veil.  I just finished the custom bridal veil order I've been working on.  I can't wait to share the photos with you.  It's totally unique and very elegant.  In the mean time I'm prepping everything for the fashion show - working on hair and makeup ideas, booking models, and getting hair appointments.  Runway makeup can be tricky; it's very different from a photo shoot.  It needs to be dramatic enough to be seen from a distance, but not so over the top it looks like a circus face.  Lighting also plays a huge factor.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Photos by Jessica Elizabeth

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Rice Rafferty Prom Accessories

Our handmade accessories add such a unique and personal touch for anyone's special occasion.  The big trend for bridal accessories and proms - is one of a kind.  Pictured above are some of our prom accessories - feather fascinator headbands, corsages made from hand dyed and handmade clay roses, feather fascinator hair clip (Black Swan inspired), garters, and pearl necklace with handmade clay rose.  With our accessories you will surely be fashionable and stand out from the crowd.

Photographs by Jessica Elizabeth

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Long Romantic Veils

Rice Rafferty Long Veil - Lovely Simplicity

Long veils are back in style.  Our veil pictured above is floor length and can be worn forwards or backwards.  Long veils add a classic and dramatic look.  Pair it with a tiara so you can wear the veil during the wedding ceremony then remove it when it's time to dance.  I also suggest doing something bold - wear the veil with a different color dress (ie: like the blue dress for something blue above).  Add a little personality to your wedding day.

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Ladies Floral Head Piece with/without Bird Cage Veil

A friend of ours said, "Kate Middleton would love this."  We totally agree.  These types of hats are definitely her style; they're ageless and timeless.  This style of hat adds a level of sophistication fit for a queen ;-)
There was a time when people dressed up every day. We're bringing back this trend one hat at a time. 

- Ivory or white
- Choose with our without net blusher veil

for more info visit our sites
www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com