Massive Empire

Dark Chocolate Decadence from Lu Shae

  
I received this beauty in the post last week brand new from Lu Shae. It arrived super fast from OS which was perfect for Friday night plans and Sunday French themed party. Straight out of the box it has a nice weight and the stone does indeed look like a piece of dark chocolate I want to devour. Plenty of other lux pieces at the same online store.

 
I paired it with my Monet Cleopatra Studs Choker (in the shop) and a cheongsam inspired dress. It matched perfectly with the necklace. Yes I have midnight blue nailpolish which was accidental but worked out quite well.

You would know that I mainly wear vintage costume jewelry with a deco or modernist feel. I didn't tell anyone where I got it from and was swamped with compliments.

It got another whirl on Sunday. I was meant to be French themed but couldn't resist wearing it again. Many compliments received here also. Thanks!! Lets try to ignore the fact that I look a little bit like I am enjoying that croissant too much and instead admire the ring.

 
 

http://bit.ly/bi9Q4y SALE TIME FOLKS!!

50% OFF SELECTED ITEMS - Including this gorgeous Bakelite Brooch.

ORIGINAL 80s NORMA KAMALI SNEAKER BOOTS - Claire Inc

Claire has done it again with amazing 80's Norma Kamali Lace up Sneaker Boots. How does she do it? Where does she find this amazing gear? Where does she live?

 

<3 Gocco tutorial

I finally unpacked my Gocco! I bought it from printaddictjapan etsy shop - highly recommended. Gocco is the cutest/coolest way to do screen printing at home. It was a mad fad for many years in Japan and has loyal users worldwide who do MUCH more advanced printing than I.

I wanted some hand printed mini posters to put in with the vintage jewelery I ship. I think Gocco has a really nice feel to it and makes everything look special.

I took some shots while working so you could really get a feel for how easy it is to use!

Steps to perfect Gocco

 
Like most things from Japan - it looks cute and tidy right from the get go.

 
This is the basic setup of Gocco. It comes with the printer, lamp holder, replacement lamps, page holder, screen masters, instructions, basic inks and riso pen. I bought some additional ink colors.

 

First up you draw the design you want to print. I used my shop logo which was designed in photoshop. I traced over it to get a handrawn and organic feel. You need to use the RISO pen or use a photocopier. The process required carbon to work - many home printers do not have any carbon - you need to check.

 
Next up , insert the screen master following the handy arrow markings. Your original design will be burnt on this and once ink is applied it will seep through the burned sections to bleed ink onto fresh paper.

 
This is the lamp head. Once this is loaded with lampbulbs and pressed into the top of the machine the light explosion will be the catalyst for the burning process.

 
Here are the lamp heads - so cute! Sadly they can only be used once per screen master.

 
The lamp heads are very easily inserted into the lamp holder.

 
Its very clear which way the lamp holder gets mounted into the machine.

  

Once it is in - you simply push down until you hear a pop and see a flash. I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of the actual flash.

 
You can see your design burned into the print master after you remove the lamp holder.

 
The lamps are now used and will need to be replaced for burning any future screen masters.

 
After removing the screen master, you lift up the clear plastic and apply ink to the design. The ink has a thick viscosity and doesn't dribble or make a mess at all.

 
Here it is all ready to go loaded back into the machine. A fresh piece of paper awaits printing!

 
It's now just easy to print many copies of your design and leave them to dry in the rack supplied.

 
You will notice that as you continue, some gaps begin to show where the ink is running low. You can take out the master and reapply ink to these areas if you like.

 
It's amazing how many prints you can do! I could have done many many more but had run out of the paper I was using.

When you are finished you just discard the screen master and cover the sticky paper holder. It's not messy at all. I don't particularly like throwing away the screen master but considering how many chemicals are used in regular screen printing and the cleanup required after I think it is a good trade off.

Hope you enjoyed the tute and please ask me any questions in the comments!

xx

Little girls should not steal glosticks

Jaxon and I went down to the Fringe Opening Parade last night. After several frenzied jostling sessions for a decent view we had a great time checking out the random weirdness, coolness and fun that is the Fringe Parade. Here are my highlights. Many deletions due to a cute little boy in front of me who had a BIG and not cute blue balloon that obstructed many shots.

 
Love the Roller Derby Girls! I want to be one but Jaxon has told me I am not a good enough roller skater and he is worried I will hurt myself. However I have found white boot skates for $200 in the city recently AND have a birthday soon ... HINT!

 
I have no other explanation for this except it is a "Super Happy Bus". If you go on this bus you HAVE TO BE SO HAPPY YOUR CHEEKS HURT!!!!  Is this what happens after too much Happy Hardcore?

 
These people were blissfully trailing behind the Super Happy Bus. They look happy right? Nothing wrong with them?

 
  Sometimes there just isn't enough Spanx to hold it all in

 
 A bed that has seen some sort of shenanigans. It reads "there is always Plan B". I'm certain it is promoting a healthy safe sex type message but for now lets assume it provides a resting place for the underage kiddies running around drinking ahem "Powerade" and attack pashing each other.

  

A hardcore looking chick on the back of a giant bug eyed fish. I would need at least two drinks before I say hi to her. She looks happy enough but we were at the start of the parade so I think she might have got her angry on towards the end.

 
 THATS where my charger went. There is also the blue balloon.

 
If you live in South Australia you may be a bit over the Pandas. I had to include this as its pretty much the worst Panda costume ever - LOVE!

 
 And finally the gorgeous astronauts! If you are in Adelaide now you might have seen the large inflatable astonauts around the city, standing atop buildings and being awesome. I say they stay for ever.

 
 Here's one on my school building. So Good!

A final word to the little girl we suspect stole Jaxon's glostick. WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!!

Triple Delicious Hottnesss

 

Just added these three kickass choker necklaces to the store. This is what I ADORE about vintage & costume jewelry. These necklaces are really good statement pieces but cost next to nothing. 

 
Cleopatra Stud Choker Necklace

 
Solid Copper Cuban Link Chain

 
Napier 80's Deco Style Choker

 

Massive Empire Store Opening Competition - $50

Massive Empire has a delicious selection of vintage and costume jewelry. We do all the hunting so you don't have to. An edited selection of classic art deco, 80s glamor, 90's glunge, whimsy and ephemera, fashion forward and tough!

To celebrate the Massive Empire store opening a competition will run until next Friday 19th. All you have to do is three things..

1. Become a fan of Massive Empire Shop on Facebook

2. Follow Massive Empire Shop on Twitter

3. Let me know you have done it on (karyn at massiveempire dot me) I will do a check for your name so tell me if you have a different alias.

If you are not on Twitter, Facebook is just fine. If you are not on Facebook , a shout out in your blog is also cool. People who follow on facebook and twitter get two entries...tell me if you were already following on twitter or facebook before the competition because that counts.

I will then choose the winner at random and email them with their super dooper $50 discount code to use in the Massive Empire Etsy shop. If you do not wish to use etsy let me know and I will make an alternative arrangement.

Yours massively,

xx

Pre-Release Items from the Massive Empire

The shop opens officially on February 14th but due to some hassling here are some items offered for pre-release sale. You just need to email me on karyn@massiveempire.me requesting the item you are after and I will send you a paypal invoice - EASY!!

 
Signed JJ 1986 - Tiger Brooch - $35 USD - SOLD

Gorgeous Brooch - my favourite character from Animal Crossing Tangy would say "REOORW!" It measures 6.5cm across. JJ pieces are very collectible.

 
80's Sunnies Brooch - $35 USD

These have to be seen to be believed! Quite big for a brooch measuring 8cm across. They are signed with a little c in a circle (ala the copyright symbol), however in this instance I think it represents the maker Claudette.

 
Signed Carolee - Military Brooch - $35 USD

Lovely quality military inspired brooch. Measures nearly 5.5cm across. Carolee is more recent costume jeweler (as in last 20 years) but is very respected and loved by collectors.

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Please re-follow on bloglovin' as this blog was renamed Massive Empire recently
Become a fan of the Massive Empire Shop on Facebook for Updates & Discount$

Massive Empire Etsy Store - Opens 14th Fenruary

Yours massively,
xx

It co$ts how much?? The etsy top end of town

Have you ever looked at your favorite category in Etsy but ordered it from Price: High to Low?

*forcefully releases breath shrilly between teeth*

  14K Yellow Gold & Diamond Elephant Head Ring - $3749 USD

Once I was done swearing and crying I realized I have to share these gorgeous pieces which frankly I will not be ever be able to afford in the near future or any future for that matter.

I will however be remembering these for inspiration when buying up on the lower end of town.

   
40's 18k Gold Art Deco "Snake in the Garden of Eden" wrap bracelet - $2800 USD

1960's 18k Gold & Tourmaline Ring by H. Fred Skaggs - $3850 USD

   

Lanvin 70's interchangeable 3-in-1 necklace set - 2195 USD

 
Coro Enameled Yellow Asian Man Face Parure - $3000 USD

================================================

Please re-follow on bloglovin' as this blog was renamed Massive Empire recently
Become a fan of the Massive Empire Shop on Facebook for Updates & Discount$

Massive Empire Etsy Store - Opens 14th Fenruary

Yours massively,
xx

F*#% Fast Fashion - Let's Go Vintage

I have to confess I do own some jewelry from chain stores. I have been suckered into a sale at said outlets and have walked out $60 dollars lighter with jewelry that just doesn't look as great once I get it home.

And then......

I discovered truly great vintage & costume jewelry. Please excuse me if you already know and regularly wear Trifari, Coro, Lisner, Haskell, Boucher and Napier. You are probably used to being asked "What IS that you are wearing?" You have already worked out how to add awesomeness to your outfits without even spending a lot of cash.

For everyone else...

 
vintage trifari multi-stranded necklace

Costume Jewelery is possibly the coolest way of enjoying vintage. Don't get me wrong I love vintage clothing but have issues with the way it fits . Tops don't fit boobs and bottoms are too high waisted. Jewelery on the other hand fits every shape!

 
modernist sterling silver ring with oval cut cats eye

The most challenging aspect of wearing vintage jewelery is working out what styles you like and how to incorporate them in with your clothing. I can pass on some styles of vintage jewelry but go crazy for art deco, modernist and big ass pieces featuring animals.

 
signed JJ Lioness Brooch

I also love anything with enamel, go weak at the knees for bakelite and adore anything made by Kunio Matsumoto who I did a post on last month.

 
auguste bonaz earings

As I prepare to open the Massive Empire etsy shop I will be posting what I have learned so far about marks and signing, care of vintage jewelry, great resources for the collector, avoiding imitations and great online shopping.

Please become a facebook fan if you want to be updated on new store items (plus discount codes). My price points are starting out at only $15 - $80 bucks!! I also had to start again with bloglovin when I changed the name of this blog so please follow me for blog updates.

xx