Ladies and gentlemen, creatures of all shapes and sizes, persuasions and intentions, allow me to introduce to you A Swankety Swank Fairy Tale!
Narrator STORM tells the tale
Once upon a time in a deep dark forest, there lived a princess who created original handmade faerie fashions. She and her friends loved to dress up in the clothes they made, dancing and storytelling until the early morning. Continue reading
San Francisco summer is in full effect…. just barely warm days, brisk, chilly nights and lots of fog. Every San Franciscan knows that layering is the way to get through this season gracefully. If you don’t know them already, we’d like to introduce you to our answer to the San Francisco summers: the arm warmer. The arm warmer is the perfect thing to slip into your bag in the morning to wear later when the fog rolls in. We have a diverse selection of materials: knitwear, lace, cotton, velvet, some stripped and so much more. It is a good way to add some style to your ensemble, and add some coverage to bare arms when it gets chilly. We also recommend the arm cuff. These pretty little things keep the wrist and upper hand warm, all while making the wearer look super cute. Swankety Swank carries arm warmers and cuffs for ladies and the fashion forward lad.
Modeling a selection of arm warmers and other items available at Swankety Swank are STORM and Anna, our summer love birds. At least for this story…….
I met a boy, cute as can be. Anna in Zunique black lace arm warmers ($46) and Darina Drapkin lace shirt ($160)
I met a girl, crazy for me. STORM in Novy t-shirt ($24), Project Transaction belt and leather cuffs ($42-$56), Palas Key Necklace ($70) & Anna in Zunique ($46)
Summer lovin, happened so fast. STORM in Novy t-shirt ($24), Project Transaction belt and leather cuffs ($42-$56), Palas Key Necklace ($70) & Anna in Zunique black lace arm warmers ($46) and Darina Drapkin lace shirt ($160)
Summer lovin, let's use our flasks. DAS leather corset flasks ($48). Anna is gibbous hat ($60), Wysterium Wear cuffs ($22) and STORM in Novy shirt ($24), Zero Necklace ($80), and DAS top hat ($400)
Summer lovin, he's making a pass. DAS leather corset flasks ($48). Anna is gibbous hat ($60), Wysterium Wear cuffs ($22) and STORM in Novy t-shirt ($24), Zero Necklace ($80), and DAS top hat ($400)
Anna with DAS corset flask ($48) and Wysterium Wear cuffs ($22)
He got friendly, holding my hand. STORM in Novy t-shirt ($24), gibbous button arm warmers ($40), Hannah Ruskin Key necklace ($22) and Anna in Wayward Shiftys striped arm warmers and Eileen hairpin ($30)
Summer fling, don't mean a thing. Anna in Wysterium Wear cuffs ($22), Eileen hair pin ($50) and STORM in DAS top hat ($400) and Zunique arm warmers ($50)
I told her, when the summer ends, we'd still be friends. STORM in DAS top hat ($400), Novy t-shirt ($24), and DAS cuffs ($56) and Anna in Eileen hair clip ($50), Wysterium Wear cuffs, ($22)
Then we made, our true love vow.. STORM in DAS top hat ($400), Novy t-shirt ($24), and DAS cuffs ($56) and Anna in Eileen hair clip ($50), Wysterium Wear cuffs, ($22)
Oh, those summer nights. STORM in DAS top hat ($400), Novy t-shirt ($24), and DAS cuffs ($56) and Anna in Eileen hair clip ($50), Wysterium Wear cuffs, ($22)
And here’s a few solo shots with Anna solo showing more varieties of our selection of arm warmers.
Anna is Wysterium Wear cuffs, ($22)
Anna is Wysterium Wear cuffs, ($22)
Anna wears Zunique black lace gloves ($46) and Darina Drapkin lace top ($160)
Photographs and writing by Aurelie Sandrine
At Swankety Swank, we are bustlin’ with excitement about the vendors we have participating in this Saturday’s Indie Artist Trunk Sale! Here are a few items by their respective creators so you can get a sampling of some of the amazing one of a kind handcrafted work that will be available to you!
Kim of Krafty Kitten has been sewing since she was 8 years old and is inspired by rockabilly, cholabilly, psychobilly, pin up, punk and mexican culture. Above, Krafty Kitten showcases a blue and white polka dot halter dress.
Sayuri Designs creates handcrafted feather accessories for hat and hair!
Salvaged and Stitched produces unique hand made home decor!
Ryan Humphries creates etchings, woodcuts, screenprints, monoprints, drawings, ceramic sculpture and oil paintings. His work combines disciplined, delicate draughtsmanship with unihibited imagination.
Satin Corset creates jewelry that evokes vintage, antique and Victorian nostalgia. They describe their work as “Sweet, vintage chic. Victorian opulence. Charmingly antique, rustic redux. Flowers, pearls, glass, antique brass, little details, sparks of color & whimsy.”
Still haven’t found the perfect gift for Dad for Father’s Day? Swankety Swank has got you covered! We carry some amazing hand-made art, fashion, and decor pieces that any dad will love and use for years to come. Check out our gallery of great pieces any dad will be happy to receive. And remember, shopping local supports not only artists, but the entire community. The folks at the 3/50 Project have discovered that for every $100 spent in local establishments, $68 of the money stays in the community, versus $43 spent at a national chain. Another great reason to shop for Dad at Swankety Swank!
Photographs and writing by Aurelie Sandrine
The 28 page second issue of SwankSpeak! is a meaty magazine created with sincerity, intelligence and love. This delicious issue #3 (limited print run) features:
Interview with artist, designer & Fleuvog Award Winner Phoenix Zoellick!
Photographic fashion story “Serendipitous Society” by Eartha L. Goodwin featuring a dozen Swankety Swank artists/designers and Jim Siegel. master of the Westerfield Mansion!
Creative Genius, a column about inspiration & art with essays by Tom Napack (Dangerous Muse), Konstantin Pogorelov (Couscous Collective) & Zan Christensen (The Mark of Aeacus)!
Muse of the Month Miranda Caroligne of the Haight St. boutique Trunk!
Galaxy Runway, a two page comic strip by STORM, creator of Princess Witch Boy!
If you love this issue of SwankSpeak! (And we think you will!) consider purchasing a year’s subscription!
Hey fabulous folks! Do you enjoy art, good food and shopping? Would you like to be a part of the exciting evolving renaissance of Divisadero Corridor? Make sure you mark Thursday, June 3rd on your calendar because it’s time once again for the Divisadero Corridor Artwalk and Swankety Swank is the first stop!
DJ Rio will be spinning funkadelic tunes all evening and STORM (SF Weekly’s Best X-Men Tarot Reader) will be reading 3 card spreads for ten dollars from 7pm to 10pm. This a good opportunity to get a taste of the X-Men Tarot X-perience which is an hour long reading for only forty dollars!
Come check out the amazing artwork we have on display! The painting above is titled “Nesting Among Lemons” and was created by the fantastic Kurtis Rykovich! We have two more pieces by Kurtis and you simply have to see them in person to experience their exquisite sweetness! We also have gorgeous oil paintings by Simone Coulars, men and women’s clothing by amazing designers like DAS, gibbous, Wayward Shifties, Zunique, Wysterium, and many more, feather hairpieces by Eileen, leather cuffs and belts by Project TransAction, and SF Weekly’s Best Local Skincare Line By Nieves! There’s much more to see and experience at Swankety Swank, so come on down to the Divisadero Artwalk and see for yourself! Thank you for supporting local handmade goods!
All of us at Swankety Swank simply adore spring time! We love the sights and sounds of the city coming to life, we love to clean out the dusty corners of our closets and under our beds, and we love to present the best handcrafted goods that we can! We do our best to present a different experience every time you step inside 289 Divisadero St. When was the last time you visited Swankety Swank?
Here’s a glimpse of what Swankety Swank is showcasing today! In front, Yabette’s fabulous sideboard dresser is adorned with painted tree blossoms and natural orchids (center) by Laura Parson. Beyond that is more amazing one of a kind chairs, tables and dressers beautifully handpainted with love (and sealed with a top coat)!
The glamourous glittery painting is by Kurtis Rykovich (who has three awesome pieces in our store right now), the handcarved fish are made by J.B. Ward, and the Ode to the Neverwas Haul buffet is by Yabette. The mannequin stands at permanent attention in a hat & bolero by DAS+OWL, bustier by gibbous, skirt by Wysterium, and leggings by Miranda Caroligne. Check out the detail on that skirt! I don’t know if that mannequin appreciates the solid construction she’s wearing, but I certainly do!
Celebrated spray paint artist, Jeremy Novy has envelopes, talismans, socks and shirts (not pictured here) for sale.
Superstar artist Phoenix has miniature paintings for sale. These three celebrate the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Libra and Gemini! You have to see these exquisite pieces in person to truly appreciate them!
The splendid colors of Simone Coulars’ paintings radiate above a rack of original upcycled fashions. Simone has four large paintings in our store right now as well as three tiny paintings. Her glossy finishes and effusive color choices are wonders to behold! Again, you need to see them in person! Art like this was not meant to be viewed online!
A vintage orange rococo upholstered chair lights up the corner! That’s right, the chair and the fabric are vintage, but the upholstering is brand new! This is a beautiful one of a kind piece of work!
The top shelf shows off smart looking cuffs and wallets by Project TransAction (we also have belts!), while the lower shelf displays the wondrous skin care by Nieves. I use the Nieves skincare line and have enjoyed the results! There’s natural anti-bacterial Protection Spray, bath salts and more!
So now you know about a few of the well-crafted goodies awaiting you inside of our store! Remember, Swankety Swank supports local artists who create original work. When you shop here, you support your community and local economy! We look forward to your visits!
