USA Trip: Ocean City, Maryland

 

During a crazy time we had the crazy idea to go to the US 😂 And of all places we flew to Washington D.C. but all is well and we have survived the long journey and jetlag. 

We are now in Ocean City, Maryland, enjoying some beach time and recouping before we will travel through a few states we never have visited before!

Ocean City was the perfect start to our vacation, a beach town but not high season, great weather and lovely streets and beaches.

We'll be going to Richmond, Virginia next, and visit Virginia Beach on our way there.

While we have been to the US quite a few times, we have never been in this area, and we can't wait to visit all these new places!

And I caught a beautiful sunset, I was too tired to catch a sunrise :)

My Weekend Outfit

 

Fluffy Orange and Lime Bag, Hand Knitted Chenille Pink Bag, Soft Bag, Leather Strap, Kiss-lock, Stripes by StarBags

Linen Layering Dress Mori Girl, Bolero Vintage Embroidery Linen Dark Grey size 8 EU size 38 by StarsWear

Suede leather Mary Jane shoes, Gray Mary Jane barefoot shoes woman, flat summer shoes, Handmade shoes, suede leather dress shoes with buckle by TeSHoes

Chunky Rainbow Scarf, Crescent wrap Scarf, Knitted Textured Chunky Scarf, Stripe Textures, Rayon, Wool, Rainbow Colors by StarsWear

Steampunk Sewing Machine Lamp Bookends

 

I made something very unusual last week: a pair of steampunk sewing machine lamps/ bookends.

Altering the sewing machine was a great task, cutting it in the middle and cutting the bottom to remove its feet and part of its mechanism to reduce weight took ages.

I then had to clean all the parts as it was very rusty and dirty.

I then made the wooden bookends from reclaimed wood, added the machine to it, after lots of puzzling drilling etc the base was ready.

I then added wiring and these flexible lights so that this beautiful piece has two functions. Would look great on a table with books.

I kept all the beautiful details of the old machine, the machine itself was beyond rescuing so this was a way to save it and give it a new life. It was also missing its needle plate which I made with some vintage tin.

Here is another fun idea to decorate with old sewing machines; showcasing a collection and creating a cool focal piece in a room.

Using the metal pedal/feet is something you see much more often; my machine did not have that. I do like this example especially as it still has its original wooden top with the drawers.

Important Message tor our US Customers

 

With the quite sudden announcement of Trump announcing the removal of the de minimis exemption, small businesses all over the world are not entirely sure what to do. As we sell on a US based website, alot of our customers are from the US. Unfortunately as the removal of the duty free purchase rule below 800$ has been removed without giving postal services a chance to set up a system, the next 6 months they will charge a flat rate of 80$ for all our packages (this is because we are based in Turkey, other countries are charged for as much as 200$ per package). While this charge is doable for items of above 500$, smaller items just won't make any sense. Some shipping couriers are offering Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) which would mean l would have to pay 15% upfront plus l would have to use a much more expensive shipping company and if packages are declined/ returned l would have to pay a huge charge. So for the next 6 months we most likely won't be shipping any small items to the US unless the customer is okay with paying the tariffs. After January 2026 they will be starting to charge in percentages % which will be more reasonable.

Coincidentally, we had planned a trip to the US before all this went down, so small purchases till September 1 will be shipped through USPS from the US without tariffs, so grab your very last chance while you can!! ~~~~~DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 1ST!!!!~~~~~~

P.s. the earrings are available at StaroftheEast

Newly Listed: Knitted Turquoise Scarf

 

Knitted Turquoise Scarf, Lightweight, Comfy Wrap, Microfiber Yarn, Yellow, Summer Colors by StarsWear

Fairy tale Bag - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Vintage Embroidery, Brown Green, Patchwork and Leather Bag by StarBags

Mint Geode Agate Necklace Soldered Stone Silver plated leaves by StaroftheEast

Blue Wedding Sandals for Bride, Teal Heels Bridal, Bridesmaids Sandals, Teal Velvet Sandals, Light Blue Velvet shoes by ShrivasByArchitaM

Newly Listed: Bohemian Parrot Pouf

 

Bohemian Parrot Pouf, Bohemian Wooden Furniture Vintage Embroidery, Global Textile, Stripes, Mint Green by StarHomeStudio

Vintage Crochet Lamp, Hand Painted Table Lamp, Handmade Lamp, Boho Style Lighting, Rainbow Decor, Vintage 1970's by StarHomeStudio

Geometric Fractal Original Oil Painting Color Explosion Framed and Signed by StarHomeStudio

AI for product photos

 

I'm trying AI out a little for some hard-to-photograph items. While I will keep normal photos mostl, I want to add 1 or 2 photos created by AI to showcase pieces like furniture in houses to give a better idea of how they look in a home.

I'm very happy with the two I started with, created by Chatgpt, and I hope I will get a better hang of it, sometimes it doesn't seem to understand me :))

The photos I took will also remain. I'm not trying to sell an illusion but I'm happy how professional the other photos look, don't you agree?

Both furniture pieces are available at StarHomeStudio

My Weekend Outfit

Sea Urchin Coral Ring, Pink and Red Duo Ring US size 7.5 by StaroftheEast

Revamped Vintage Jacket Embellished with Crochet Flowers and Beads size medium by StarsWear

Moulin Rouge Patchwork Bag, Patched Paris Tote, Burlesque Style Doilies and Fabrics with Leather Straps by StarBags

Women's Mexican Sandals, red leather rose stamped shoe huarache by vvmexico

Newly Listed: Surreal Hands Wall Sconces

Ornate Brass Mirror Frame, Brass Vintage wall Mirror, Mid century Baroque Mirror, 1960's, Colonial Mirror by StarHomeStudio

Surreal Hands Wall Sconces, 2 Hands Lamps, Bronze and Wood Set of Wall Lights, 2 Surreal Sconces, Lighting, Vintage Style Bronze Decor by StarHomeStudio 

Botanical Chair via Pinterest

Newly Listed: Fluffy Pastel Bag

Fluffy Pastel Bag with Leather Strap, Crochet Grey, Yellow, Blue, Lilac, and Pink shades by StarBags

Knitted Jacket Cardigan Knitwear Clothing Large/ Extra Large Size, plus size fashion by StarsWear

Shell and Pearl Rose Earrings - Sea Treasure Collection by StaroftheEast