Easel Clothing Mini Launch

I am happy to announce that I have started to launch the boutique clothing. The four tops pictured are now online and can be found on eBay, Poshmark and my Shopify store at C'est La Brie's in the Boutique Clothing collection. This is the first time I have tried to sell products with variations as most everything I usually sell is one of a kind. In the case of the clothing the variation is Size (Small, Medium or Large.) It took most all of my Sunday but I eventually figured out how to accomplish this on eBay. Poshmark and the Shopify store were much easier and the other sites I sell on either do not have this capability (Facebook, Whatnot) or the clothing does not qualify to be sold on their site (Etsy, which is only for vintage or handmade items.)

I was happy to see a Boutique feature on Poshmark, where I can separate these boutique items from the rest of my closet. When I get the chance I will put the new Native American jewelry collection in my Poshmark boutique too.

It took time to figure out how I wanted the listings to look as well but I am happy with the way they turned out and future items will go more quickly. I had hoped to post all of the Easel clothing this week but I will make it a goal to post the rest next week.

Tuesday was the long-awaited grand opening of Raising Cane's in Mount Prospect. It is just a hop, skip and a jump away from us near where Rand Rd, Central Rd and Mount Prospect Rd all meet. Melinda introduced me to Raising Cane's during my first trip to Arizona (and my first trip to the Gem Show) as we drove down to Tucson. There is a Raising Cane's location in Casa Grande which is between Phoenix and Tucson. This is before there were any in the Chicago area so I had not heard of it. I was amazed at how tender and delicious the chicken fingers were. I am not a sauce person at all but I like the sauce as well as the fries and Texas toast. Kuochun and I found we can split the 6-piece meal, he takes the coleslaw and I take the toast.

Kuochun had his annual doctor's appointment on Tuesday to make sure all is well with his prostate procedure and he passed with flying colors so he decided to pick the meal up for lunch on Raising Cane's opening day. It says a lot for how good the chicken fingers taste because Kuochun does not normally like white meat chicken, he always says it tastes like fabric. He really enjoys Raising Cane's and asked me how often can we go! We both avoid fried food but I said once or twice a month as a treat should be OK. It is awfully convenient now! They did a great job designing a restaurant which not only looks great but does not put a further strain on an already overloaded corner. The closest location to us in AZ is in Phoenix and there is continually a long line that spills out onto the busy street. Here in Mount Prospect, there is a berm around the drive-thru area so the cars in line are not really visible when driving past the area on Central. Kuochun said the drive-thru was not busy at all. What an improvement over the eyesore Century Tile building. Especially as a business owner, I am always happy to see vacant storefronts and buildings filled and thriving. Mount Prospect sure has changed since I moved here 23 years ago!

By Thursday, I finally finished posting all of the remaining Native American pieces from the 2024 jewelry purges. The total was 18 for the week, that is a lot for me! I have my outstanding draft pile down under 300. I was focusing on getting these pieces out there first because I already had photos and basic descriptions. Over time though, I have used different jewelry cards on earrings so I reshot some of these photos so they will all be displayed on the same card. It looks a lot more appealing when looking at the collection page by page. I also needed to create "try-on" photos for most of the pieces.

I found this pendant which I posted this past week. It is a very special piece by Zuni artist Desiree Mayes. I tried to do some research because the hallmarking is very similar to Zuni JoBeth Mayes, possibly Desiree is her daughter? JoBeth's work is very distinctive, instantly recognizable and just about the most collectible Native American jewelry I have seen. It must be very rare because the prices on her work are $$$$. However without my books which are in Scottsdale I was not able to establish the exact family connection and cannot find any other pieces by Desiree Mayes online. Hopefully through the power of the internet I can connect this piece to someone who finds it very meaningful.

Another piece I was able to post online this past week after a long wait is this amazing vintage belt buckle by Navajo artist Raymond Platero. The workmanship is so charming! Also included is a vintage leather belt from Mexico.

I was very excited to sell this gorgeous necklace by Navajo artist Eddie Secatero on Poshmark. This is Blackjack turquoise from Lander County, Nevada and my favorite turquoise right now. I just love the color combination which is so striking! I originally purchased this for myself at the last Tucson Gem Show but never wore it because found another one at the Heard Museum show a month later I liked even more. As a reminder, the photo of my set is below. It is a more casual which will be better for everyday wear.

Unfortunately it was such a mad dash to leave Scottsdale this spring I did not have time to take any jewelry with me. I look forward to reuniting with this set and all my other jewelry in the fall!

I also sold and sent a piece I have had for a very long time to England - this Navajo wrap style snake cuff bracelet. When I first got it, I thought it would sell right away but I am glad it has found a home.

There is a little less paperwork to do next week so my plans are to get the rest of the Easel clothing collection posted and keep plugging away on the vintage Native American pieces. I was down to one shoebox left to post but this past week I received some gorgeous jewelry after not purchasing any for months. I am still going to wait until after Labor Day to resume the jewelry purges though.

Until next time!