Keep calm!

Everynow and again I have a nosey look on Etsy and I have noticed that you always find some specific items or "ideas" repeated all over again. One of these things I keep seeing is the famous "Keep calm, carry on" slogan.
For all those american/foreign followers who don't know this, this slogan was one of three commissioned by the British State to be distributed all over the country during the Second World War. It is sooo british!, lol.
Despite being the most famous nowadays, this one was never distributed.
Here is the link, if you'd like to know more about it: http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/kc_history.php

Today, I came across a variation of this slogan which I found HILARIOUS! And!, it is sooooooo american!, lol.
It is from the etsy shop Land of Rapture. It is not for sale at the minute, but I assume the artist will be able to reproduce it again.
I don't know which one I like the most. Which one do you prefer?

Insect jewellery by Robin Charlotte

RobinCharlotte jewellery is about decay and preservation of natural creatures including birds' skeletons, insects and sea creatures. All set in resin, beautifully decorated with vintage findings, stones and metals.

The artist is an L.A. based designer called Robin Humphrey, whose beautifully dark work is been featured in several magazine including Vogue.

Following my previous post about insects, I thought it would appropiate to post a couple of pics of her work. I really liked it as soon as I saw it.

I love the idea of insects trapped in a beautiful golden bubble of amber or captured in the depths of a romantic faceted clear stone. And, as I said in the previous post, some insects are beautiful enough to be preserved in a unique piece of jewellery and be admired for a while...

Here is the link to her website, she also has an etsy shop.
http://www.robincharlotte.com

Gothic dark pin-ups

Happy new year to everyone! Specially to all of us who are here in the UK (and probably Ireland too) where the weather is being......crap. Beautiful wonderland themed landscapes but a nightmare to walk, drive or cycle on. Anyway, now is the best moment to do some online shopping and discover new artists and places! without risking of falling victim of a very slow and painful death, due to hypothermia.
As usual, one of my favourite places is the online community ETSY (www.etsy.com).

Here is my last descovery: gothic dark pin-ups. Yes! You heard well, anything that is vintage, dark or even better (and it applies to this case) vintage+dark related, if it is noticed, will have its mention on The Black Wardrobe's blog.
The artist in question is called Andrea, she is irish but living in Manchester, UK (basically next door from me!)
Although I found out about her on Etsy, she has her own website: www.andreakett.co.uk
She is an illustrator that specializes in pin-up themed illustrations, but all of them have a slightly dark twist to them. They are very colorful, elegant, sexy and gothic themed. Very burtonian style.

She states on her website that..."Her inspiration comes from many different sources:1920s-1950s.the music of The Cramps,the Tigerlillies ,eighties glam rock, vintage pin-up girls,burlesque,cake decorating books,horror films,fairy tales,afternoon tea,Fellini films,Jan Svankmajer,Beatrix Potter, Naughty Victoriana,Agatha Christie and lashings of Enid Blyon".
You can buy her art from her etsy site. Happy shopping! but don't forget to check out my site...:)