Shades of Grey
Spring has come to Seattle, but unless you grew up here you may not realize it. The wind is still blowing, but it’s a playful kind of wind; the sky is grey, but a lighter grey than usual; and the air is chilly, but somehow slightly more humid than what the Ice Queen has been giving us. A Seattle spring doesn’t start with warm rain and sun. It starts with shades of grey.
In my opinion, grey has a lot more depth than people give it credit for, and I think that opinion comes from growing up in the “dreary” Pacific Northwest. So, when the radio DJs started sounding off about how “spring is here,” I was inspired to make another Etsy post, not with pale Easter colors and bright yellow daffodils, but with some of my favorite Etsy items that incorporate that underappreciated shade.
Like I said, spring in Seattle can be windy and cold. I like this scarf (by Circular Accessories, 22$) because it’s extra long, yet sheer, so I get that cozy feeling from wearing a scarf without feeling the usual winter bulk. Also, for those of us up north, the hand-printed bayou scene is about as anti-winter as it gets. (Migration rocks.)
I have been covetting this necklace (and the matching earings, 42$ and 32$ respectively) for what feels like forever. It’s all sterling, hand-sawn, and blackened by a 30-year-old mom that is hooked on jewelry-making. Her style is really flexible, too – even though I am stuck on grey, she’s got lots of other colors in her shop.
This journal is just plain eerie…and I kind of like that. It’s made out of a vintage record cover by My Girl Thursday, who intersperses the pages of each of her journals with color pages from retro children’s books (which I think is totally unique). I like that the cover of this journal looks dark at first, but seems so vulnerable close up.
See? Spring doesn’t have to include color at all. I like the asymmetry of this necklace (silver and glass, 27$), and how it screams color-neutrality even as it puts a big flower as its focal point. All of wiyomu’s work seems to have that same visual interest, whether it’s tiny like the Petit Locket Doux or in-your-face like the Circus necklace (which is my latest “favorite” on Etsy).
Last but not least is Pressureless, who sells these iconic ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ propaganda posters, which were originally commissioned by King George VI during World War II. This one’s 20$, but she currently has a sale on the champagne, kraft and midnight-colored posters.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine…now you show me yours. A couple of weeks ago I asked what reminds you of spring. Now that I’ve discovered my love for all things grey, tell me what unlikely things you’re drawn to when the seasons change. Are you dark during summer? Wearing white all autumn? Let me know I’m not alone here!
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Daffodils always make me “realize” it’s really spring. I mean, I’ll know it’s spring but daffodils just shout it across my face.
But what unexpected thing? Mmm, it’s going to sound funny but.
The rain. And spring storms. That completely mindboggling weather seattle is known for where in the span of an hour we’ll see blue sky, grey sky, fluffy and ominous clouds, a torrential downpour, and a rainbow. With a chance of hail mixed in.
I don’t know why but the spring rain is just different from the others. Maybe it’s because I know it’s trickling down into the soil and telling all the flowers its time to wake up…
But really, I think it just smells and feels different. Don’t ask me why.
My wardrobe has been a compilation of mostly black and grey items since I can remember (not in a goth way though), but my little sister challenged me to add more color this winter. I was surprised at how quickly I fell in love with bright prints and funky colors, they made the winter a lot more cheerful.
Spring is my least favorite season, I absolutely abhor it. I just think of all the wet and the mud, yuck! I do enjoy when the birds start coming back, though! I don’t really have an “odd” thing that signals the season for me, booooo!
Michelle’s last blog post..If you want powder, head North