To My Girls...and My California Girls

Hey sweethearts, its been awhile and I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer. :)
I surely did...and a BIG THANK YOU to you guys for your part in making it happen. :)
Thank you to all the sweethearts old and new who helped me make my way down the shore this summer with my family.  It meant the world to us and especially my little girl, who finally this year got on the rides on the boardwalk down the Jersey Shore in Wildwood.   I think I was more happier than her. Ha ha.  I finally got to go on the Carousel, YAY!!!

We celebrated her 5th Birthday for the weekend there and it was super sweet candy fun!

I made her a Candy Tiara and gave her a Barbie that I love btw.....

She had a great day and I am soo gracious and glad that we could do that for her.  She tells me the other day..."Mommy I want it to be summer all the time."  I said "Nina that means we would have to move to a place where its hot all year long" and I tell her like California, Florida, or Hawaii.  She chose Florida. :)

So it was a great summer for me this year, I got to work on a lot of custom pieces for a bunch of sweeties both old and new to the shop, and even had one of my pieces worn in a music video.  Thanks to connecting with sweetheart Amber of Poparazzi Earrings who does lots of celebrity work with her ear candy sparkling jewels.   

I have made a little over a year now selling my sweet candy and cake inspired jewels and its been truly a wonderful joy.  I can honestly say I love what I do.  It gives me the freedom to express myself creatively and it has given me the opportunity to connect and share with others in a way I never had before.

I always felt the need to dim my light, for fear others wouldn't like me for being different....but now I am happier shining it for others to see. I have opened up myself to more opportunities and experiences, and found its better to share.  We bask in it together .  :) <3 We are candy friends, kindred spirits, and sweethearts riding on the same happy wavelength of time.  I am glad to have crossed paths with you all from all over the world. :)  Love you girls and guys.   xoxo

I cannot but help from noticing that over the last year ALOT of the sweethearts that visit and that have blessed the shop are from the golden coast of California.  I have always wanted to move over there at some point in my life...I hope to visit soon.  When I heard the song and saw this video...I couldn't help but think of you guys. <3  This is for you and all the other sweeties out there who like what I do and just want to have fun. :)  Thank you! More goodies coming your way, Yay! :) xoxo


Katy perry - california girls music video
Uploaded by tevochannel. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

She sells seashells by the seashore...The Jersey Shore :)

Schools out...the sun is blazing and the waves are rolling in and I am ready to go down the shore.  My favorite thing to do.  Hop on the Garden State Parkway and drive through the forest of trees and go over the bridge.  If you are from Jersey you know what I am talking about...that bridge where you know you can start stretching your arms and legs, open up the windows and start to smell the sea in the air.  It soo exciting!!! I can't wait to go...I think I am going to have to break the piggie bank this year to go though.  By whatever means I will be going!!!! I must!!!

With all this inspiration of sea and sun, I made a some pieces with a play on mermaids and the sea.  Trinkets and treasures to wear throughout the day....

Mermaid Treasure Charm Bracelet

Fishy, Fishy Goldie Sparkles Chandelier Earrings....

I love the gold fish earrings!!!  It has always been my dream to live by the sea and make jewelry.  I want this to manifest itself soon.  Living by the sea I can imagine would be sooo inspiring. Enjoy your summer friends!!! oxoxox

Candy Glam...

Hello sweethearts!!! New pieces inspired by a candy classic Ring Pop.  Lots of fun colors and sparkly jewels for sweet fashion fun on the scene.  These baubles look soo yummy and are the same size of the actual real candy.  Which one is your fave?  Mine is the pink, the red, and blue.  I love em' all but we always have our favorite one, two, or three.  Summer is almost here and I probably will not be cranking them out as much as winter...but who knows? I am a beach bum and indulge in outdoor activities during this time of year. I may still get the urge to lock myself in my craft room and make a bunch here and there, but nothing beats the feeling of the sun and surf and the joy of quality family time.  :)

I made some super fun necklaces back in April called Luxe Lolli's, which are another fun candy classic with the twist and added glam of Swarovski Crystal encrusted stick.  Love those as well.  So take look around and enjoy.  Candy and fashion together=Soooo much fun!!!!

Hope you love em' as much as I do soo fun to wear and puts a smile on the face. :)

The Dynamic Duo...You can do it!

With layoffs running rampant throughout the country and economy in it's current state.  There are alot of people lost in the sea of faces feeling worried and anxious about what will be the next step, where their next pay check will come from, or looking for that next job.  Sometimes these events can be a blessing in disguise, and an opportunity to do something you wish you had the time to dedicate to when you were on that 9 to 5 race.  

Now is the time to stop and smell the roses, look within, and try that thing you always wanted to try.  Take that knitting class, beading class, or t-shirt course from the Annex Magazine you saw one day on your bus ride through the city.  I feel a wave of a huge indie movement right now and I personally know alot of friends who have started doing thier own little side projects while holding down their day jobs.  Its exciting and I am soo happy to see people doing what they love and manifesting their dreams.  It makes life sooo much more fullfilling and less mundane.  Now that's living!

We are all creators and have the ability to take our dreams, visions, ideas, and make them a reality.  Even if its doesn't turn out exactly as you planned, you can always know your tried... and not be left with the "what ifs".  

So now is the time people!!! Become a gardener and travel the world like my friends Felipe and Leija are currently doing, become a photographer like long time friend Erik Motta,  a party planner and crafter like my high school Class President Angie Tomala, collaborate with your kids interests and start your own skateboard company like our friends at Bump Skateboards.  The opportunities are there you just have to open your eyes and pursue your dreams.  

I am proud to be collaborating with my husband and friend of 17 years on a new design venture.  We just opened up a new shop by the name of 2sleeves1collar and this will be an on going collaboration of projects and creativity.  After his many pushes for me to do my jewelry, now this is something we can work on together.  Here are some photos of our first t-shirts.

GET A MOVE ON IT!!! :)

OXOXOXO

Pink and Candylicious in Brooklyn...

So I had my first showing in Brooklyn's Artist's and Fleas  on Saturday.  It was cool, but I felt soo out of my element.  I tend to be very timid and quiet, and you would never guess that from my wardrobe and accessories, lol.  So as you can imagine this was a very new experience for me, not just because it was my first showing, but because I put myself out there in a way I have never done before.  I needed my Dysfunctional Party Tshirt ala Twillypop , lol.

I am soo used to doing my thing online via my Etsy Shop, so this was a very interesting experience and have no regrets doing it, although at moments I felt very awkward.   Luckily I had my hubby with me and my new friend CandyBella  showing with me as well.  But still there would be moments when the awkwardness would creep in from time to time.  Like when a person would approach the table, I'd freeze up and be at a loss of words.  I guess this will take some getting used to and don't regret doing this, but wow this was soo different for me.   I will have to do it a few more times and get comfortable with it.

Cool and quiet is what you get from me at first, but I really am sweet and soft.  I am much more open and can communicate myself more freely through my work and writting.  So this was the first time and won't be the last that you will see of AthinaLaBella at a table with her candiliscious treasures.  Be sure to pass by the next, stay tuned. :)  Enjoy the few glispes of Saturday's most beautiful and colorful table ever!!! lol. ;)

Feeling Smitten...

The weather is warming up and the sun is shining brighter and I am super duper happy!!!  Things in my life are getting better and better, and I am looking forward to the good things that are ahead.  I have been working really hard and been busy, busy, busy.  I have been creating pieces for a consignment deal I got with an eclectic art gallery called The Art and Soul Gallery in Washington State.  


Funny how the universe works...just two days before this happened, I was discussing with my friend Candeegurl about her consignment. (Congrat to you girl!)  I was excited for her and expressed to her that I wanted to go the same route, but I was intimidated by the thought of approaching some of the shops in my area.  She had nothing but good things to say to me and some encouraging words. (Thanks <3) Then I thought to myself and realized..."You know what, get over it, just do it!!!" and said "What do I have to lose?...nothing."  


So I then felt and knew deep down in my heart I could do this, and then Bang!!!!  Two days later I get an message from a sweet lady over at Etsy who loves my jewelry and would love to carry my work and here I am today.  I am soo filled with gratitude and joy.  We are soo blessed sometimes and we don't take the time to stop and appreciate all that we have.  I am soo gracious really.  So I am looking forward to good things that will come and enjoying the now.  The universe is definately listening and giving....you just have to feel it, see it, and be it and it will manifest its self somehow.  


I just completed a few sweet treasures for the lovely ladies of "The Cottage" over at Feeling Smitten Cupcake BathBombs.  Their cupcakes are "the bomb!" ha, ha, ha.  The look just like real edible cupcakes, they smell so yummy too. Thanks a bunch to sweet lady Courtney, your a doll!!!  All the cupcakes in the photos below are the Cupcake BathBombs by Feeling Smitten .  Are they sooo darn cute?  I love them!!! <3 
Soo feast your eyes on these yummies.....

I think they turned great!!!!

Snow, Snow, Go Away!!!

As I sit here typing this another snow storm sweeps on through, and I really want nothing but the sun like a lot of you out there as well.  I want sea, sun, and flowers...that's all nothing over the top.  I should move to Florida...oh yeah its cold even there now, lol.   What's a girl to do?  Well in the meantime, I have been creating floral theme jewelry pieces to keep me happy and busy during these deary cold days.

And those who are into sweets...

I did not forget about yous...Never forget about the sweets!!!

I hope I didn't tease you too much with the sweets, lol. :) Yum.