Places Tagged Wendolyne On Platial.com

Karizma: Beads, Crystals, & Estate Jewelry

platialUser:wendolyne — 2006-09-02 08:04:19.221616+00:00

Karizma's proprietress, Maopei, has served all of my jewelry repair and design needs for the whole ten years her store has been in the Castro. If I had $1 for every bead she's strung for me...well, I'd spend it all on another necklace! This is the place to get your watch battery changed, your rings sized, and Granny's engagement ring turned into a breastplate. Custom designs are available for any type of item including wedding rings or bridal party gifts and vintage jewelry repair jobs are welcomed. If you're a jewelry or clothing designer, Maopei has the connections to help with manufacturing and she will also help with design. She's designed for the Nature Company and assists local designers in selecting beads and findings. This is a great place for creating your own masterpiece jewelry; even Saks Fifth Avenue designers purchase jewelry components here. I was fascinated by Herkimer diamond crystals during my recent visit; Karizma's ever-changing inventory always holds wonderful surprises and Maopei is always willing to help with a design and will string you up on the spot if she's not too busy. During my recent visit she helped me bring my most recent fantasy choker to reality and over the years many of my signature pieces were built with Maopei's assistance. Here you will discover crystals and carved gemstones for whatever ails you and for whatever doesn't ail you. Many different shapes and sizes are available if you know what I mean (please refer to photos at right). Playing with the revolving jewelry display case, the kind where you push the electric button and the trays go 'round and round, reminds me of mooning over Troutman's Drugstore jewelry case offerings back in my hometown. I would *love* to have one of those babies in my living room someday! Maopei has this one chock full of charms, talismans, and other magical-looking items which could amuse and bewilder even the most peculiar shoppers for hours. As if all that isn't enough to satisfy, Maopei also offers an impressive collection of stonework fetishes, fine vintage and estate jewelry, sterling and gold rings, and loose colored stones. Tibetan art and Japanese woodblocks hang throughout the store waiting for you to discover and purchase them while gentle fountains murmur softly that rose quartz would look great with your complexion. Wile away an afternoon at Karizma soon! ______________________ Tuesday-Sunday 12-7pm Monday 1-7pm karizma1@att.net 415.861.4515
Tags: karizma, beads, crystals, estate jewelry, designer services, maopei, jewelry repair, engagement rings, watch repair, gifts, feng shui consultations, saks fifth avenue, supplies, findings, 14k, sterling silver, lampwork, japanese woodblock prints, san francisco, california, castro, antique, quartz, herkimer diamonds, citrine, colored stones, wedding party gifts, wendolyne, custom design, beadwork, charms, charm, talisman, talismans, watch batteries

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Naughty Customers Expect to be Seated at Empty Tables!

platialUser:wendolyne — 2006-09-13 02:52:33.513948+00:00

We arrived between breakfast and lunch. The stoic host resolutely refused to allow us to be seated until each and every table was emptied from breakfast and set for lunch. He cared not a whit that I was feeling faint, nor did he shed a tear that the opera rehearsal would begin soon. He begrudgingly suggested waiting at the bar where the only possibly available seating was laden with coats of those perched on nearby stools. I guess I could have dealt with all o'dat, but the last straw was when we were finally seated (much to the poor host's chagrin, I imagine) and the waitress asked if we'd like bottled water or if tap water would be sufficient. I really hate how snooty restaurants present this choice by intimating that if you're a cheap bastard who doesn't care about your health, well then, by all means--go with the tap water. Sure, say I'm being too harsh, but when kindly asked if we could just simply have a seat at a table and hold off on ordering until they were ready for lunch, the host maintained that we'd simply have to wait. So we stood and waited like good citizens. Had I not had an opera engagement and been in need of nourishment beforehand, I'd have marched out, but as it was with being rushed, feeling faint, and waiting for a friend I was caught like a rat in a trap. As it is, Citizen Cake is banished from my kingdom. I will admit to enjoying the marshmallow in my mocha, but no more than that. Fancy treats aren't worth putting up with rude hosts, and there are far too many delicacies beckoning from elsewhere for my attentions. Disclaimer: A delightful old comrade of mine once worked here and maybe still does. I know that *she* would never treat a chocolate-loving fellow citizen in this manner...so my apologies to those who don't harsh the mellow who may be Citizen Cake proles. Rosebud!
Tags: citizen cake, rude service, mocha, marshmallow, tap water, brunch, lunch, restaurants, san francisco, opera, wendolyne, kak, desert, cake, rosebud, hall of shame, hayes valley, california

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Clothes Contact: Fashion & Fabrics by the pound

platialUser:wendolyne — 2006-08-30 07:17:19.015457+00:00

I knew I recognized that guy from somewhere! Sean, formerly of Departures from the Past, is now performing irreverent and raunchy stand-up comedy at Clothes Contact in addition to Brainwash (Thursdays) and Canvas Gallery (Tuesdays). He'll make you laugh even while advising you that the leopard print mumu makes your ass look, well, BIG. I popped in here just for a minute and ended up staying long enough to find a terrificly patterned set of 50s pajamas for $18 (this is a stellar set, I'd peg it at $75 or so if it were freshly laundered and pressed and presented in a tonier store) and a $5 red hoodie with a "Sexy" pull tag (in case anyone doesn't notice immediately). Alley, dressed nattily in Clothes Contact finds (photos at right), advised buying lightweight clothes since Clothes Contact charges by the pound, but if things are extra heavy accommodations might be made to adjust the price. My pal bought a plush mauve velvet curtain to fashion into her reconstructed overalls and paid just $10--a good amount less than such a good piece of cloth might usually bring. Sure, she'll need to have it cleaned but the price is a bargain including that cost. If you're not afraid to dig in and have a good eye and feel for quality fabric you can find some remarkable pieces to wear as-is or rework into your reconstructed fantasy wardrobe. This is Clothes Contact's 20th anniversary celebration, so if you get there soon you'll get a 20% discount. Retro City Fashions has six shopping locations in the Bay area: Held Over, Clothes Contact, Sharks, La Rosa, Mission Thrift, and Mars. retrocity@retrocity.com 415.621.3212
Tags: clothes contact, san francisco, california, mission district, vintage, used, secondhand store, velvet, overalls, coats, tshirts, hats, slips, sean, diy, reconstructed, alley, dogs welcome, shoes, wigs, fabrics, handbags, fashio, sharks, by the pound, held over, la rosa, mission thrift, mars, fashion, wendolyne, curtains

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Mary's Exchange in Noe Valley

platialUser:wendolyne — 2006-08-30 07:39:09.026709+00:00

Lilly welcomes us to Mary's Exchange. _________________________ Right on the 24 MUNI line, Mary's is a practical gal's consignment shop with irresistible offerings like brand-new handknit sweaters with pointy hoods and puff-ball zipper pulls for only $65 (see photo to right) and used Coach bags at a fair price (they always seem to have Coach & Kate Spade--on this visit I spied a big old-style black Coach backpack for $125, not a bad price at all). Of course the selection varies but Mary's seems to consistently offer sizable selections of pre-worn designer jeans, not-so-boring office clothes, colorful designer leisure wear, designer handbags, and cashmere sweaters. This time I was smitten with the dazzling array of sparkly brooches and couldn't stop eyeing the impressive cotton skirt selection. Labels you'll bump into here, many of them local, include Citron, CP Shades, Weston Wear, Michael Stars, and Haley Bob. Maybe it's time to purge: Mary's offers a 50/50 consignment deal: you leave items for 50 days, you split the selling price 50/50. Consignment drop-in hours are 12:15-3:30pm Sunday-Friday. You'll also find new goods here. Owner Wendy (Mary's is named for Wendy's daughter) also buys inventory direct from vendors and you can find last season's items here and overstock from vendors like Neesh, Flax, and Solitaire. ________ Monday-Saturday 12-7pm, Sundays 12-6pm 415.282.6955
Tags: consignment, san francisco, california, noe valley, vintage, skirts, dresses, shopping, retail, wendolyne, designers, jewelry, recycled, reconstructed, coach, neesh, sweaters, flax, solitaire, kate spade

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Miranda Caroligne – A Living Construction Boutique

platialUser:wendolyne — 2006-09-01 04:59:07.315283+00:00

Shhhhh! Miranda at work in her boutique. ________________________ Miranda Caroligne is like a fairy's closet. A good fairy, one who would save Cinderella's neck with a last-minute ballgown, but it would be a ballgown that made a unique statement about wearable waste in addition to making a statement about the wearer. Filled with magical goodies, this store compels visitors to choose a talisman for their next journey and maybe a lucky hand-felted hat for a lover's birthday. In addition to representing Miranda C. Burns' work, Miranda Caroligne offers many area designers' one-of-a-kind pieces, original artwork, and jewelry. If one-of-a-kind neo-archaic creations make you shiver with delight you'd better meditate for a few days before entering. Miranda will design a special piece for and with you; if you're trying to figure out how the hell your mother's beloved wedding dress can be reconstructed to fit into your commitment ceremony you should schedule a visit. I found a most delightful curiousity whilst I was visiting with Miranda and urge you to do the same. Seek out the enchanting creatures therein before they amble away. If you ask nicely you might even get to peep at their accompanying storybooks. "...biomechanical forms that arise from her public studio often compel the wearer to dance, play and behave fantastically." _________________ open 1-7pm tuesday - sunday, 415-355-1900
Tags: handmade, shopping, retail, diy, mission, california, san francisco, designer, textiles, reconstructed clothing, recycled materials, wendolyne, miranda caroligne, reconstructed, paintings, stencils, artwork, felting, fashion, hats

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