Meet The Edens

Meet Deanna and Jon Eden of Eden Gallery!  This husband and wife team create amazing Steampunk wedding accessories, vintage styled head wear, and Surrealist original artwork.  

Steampunk Gear Boutonniere

If Steampunk is not your thing these sweet and romantic Art Deco/1930s style head pieces surely are.

Beaded Headband

Not in the market for wearable awesomeness?  Buy your wall something to show off.

Surrealistic Oil Painting - The Philosopher

Confessions of a Seam Ripper

Bustle

Consider this a very brief primer on upcycling /recycling dispelling a common misconception..

Recycled items should cost less.

This is probably one of the most common. You can go the DIY route then and yes it will be smaller cash outlay.Upcycling ,however, is a labor intensive process and as we’ve all heard ‘time is money’.

If you are working with textiles the amount of ‘woman hours’ that go into finding what you need is staggering .I go to my local thrift stores sometimes several times a week because good stuff gets purchased right away.(okay I like going too!) Usually I have a mental list of what I am looking for but keeping an open mind if I see something worthwhile. For me this tends to be any silk garment with an interesting color and sometimes pattern, though I usually go for the solids. For someone else it might be lace, or broken jewelry but you get the idea.

ecoblingcouture

Once purchased and after cleaning you sit down with the most important tools in your arsenal-the very high tech seam ripper. And a good pair of scissors. If you have ever had to take out stitching then you know how tedious it can be. It is a time suck to be sure but there is no way around it. Again-time is money.

It is easier to buy yard goods and cut your pieces from a nice flat consistent width fabric but they just don’t make fabrics like they used to or if they do they are prohibitively expensive, possibly milled in sweatshop conditions and spewing chemicals in to our environment.(Moment of gently preaching here)

So you see how much time and care goes in to preparation for an upcycled garment. I haven’t even gotten into the design process and the making process so you see that this is a large amount of labor. A labor of love.

LondonParticulars

Man-cessorize Your Wedding!

Accessorizing for the men in your wedding can be a challenge, but there are a lot of options out there, if you know where to look!

Cravats are available in almost any fabric, in any color. They take the place of the traditional bow tie, or neck tie, and look fantastic with a white shirt! These silk cravats by ElegantAscot are an excellent alternative to a tie, and are easily customizable to your colors!

Cufflinks add a flair of the formal to your event, and men's shirts with french cuffs are not difficult to find. Cufflinks of nearly every style can be found on Etsy, and most artists are willing to make matching sets for the groomsmen, like these from NorthwykeCreations.

And how about avoiding the traditional flower boutonniere, and try something new? Many options are available to allow you to spread your wedding theme a little further.

What better choice than the summery pinwheels made by Rule42?

We at Offbeat Etsy Weddings are here to help you make your day everything you hoped it would be. Let us know if you're looking for something, and we will be thrilled to help you find it!

EJPcreations - A Truly Unique Shop

I was so inspired the first time I saw EJPcreations Etsy shop. I had never seen anything like her creations before and I found myself reading every word of her descriptions and dreaming of a collaboration between her shop and mine.

EJPcreations' pieces are the perfect way to add a hint of steampunk to an otherwise "mother approved" wedding. The Artist calls her work "distressed imperial elegance" and "apocalyptic chic" but it could also be described as feminine yet industrial...or just beautiful.

"EJPcreations specializes in tiaras, chokers, earrings, necklaces, fascinators, and hair combs with a noir, and gothic flair." - EJPcreations Profile

Truly offbeat ideas

Part of being an offbeat wedding blog is accepting all kinds of ideas and lifestyles that don't fit the mainstream ideas of "normal".  We not only accept these wonderful differences we celebrate them.  Here are a few cool wedding products that do not fit into Barbie and Ken's white wedding.

Groom and Groom Gay Wedding 8x10 print  http://www.etsy.com/listing/38320241/groom-and-groom-gay-wedding-8-x-10

Rosydesignsonline has super cute prints available in a his/his and hers/hers wedding options.  I think this would be a great gift.  I bet Rosydesignsonline would even create these into wedding invitations. 



Same Sex Wedding Cake Topper  http://www.etsy.com/listing/55181281/same-sex-wedding-cake-topper-signature

Theenchantedcupboard creates all kinds of wedding cake toppers but these are my favorite.  I especially like that the couple is multi raced.  Completely custom varieties are also available.  

Gothic Tiara http://www.etsy.com/listing/54234798/gothic-tiara-a-stitch-in-time-of-neo



EJPcreations allows Gothic flare to come to life with this Neo Victorian tiara.  Handcrafted out of clock hands this piece would work for the Steampunk bride in the very best way.  Individuality is celebrated at this wonderful Etsy shop.

 



Classic 50s 4Tier Tulle Crinoline http://www.etsy.com/listing/53336696/classic-50s-4-tier-tulle-crinoline-22

Swankunderpinnings has amazing style.  1950's retro with today's modern colors.  Any bride wearing this will feel special and unique.  I love the variety of color coordinating crinolines available.  Add a matching hair fascinator or sash from Swankunderpinnings.  Can you imagine how a vintage dress would look with this under it?  WOW!