05.05.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, clothing at 7:36 pm by KellyM
Please meet Angela, Owner of www.joliehandmade.com, Eleventeen Aparel.
Where are you located? Winslow, Maine…About 15 minutes from Augusta.
What do you design? I design clothing. I used to make a lot of children’s clothing (I have 2 little girls), but recently changed gears and started sewing for young women. I was always intimidated by sewing darts, adjusting ease, and getting things fitted just right around all the “girlie parts”. Last fall I took a night course in alterations and that changed everything! It is so rewarding to be able to design a garment, have it fit, and have someone comment on it.
Where/How did you learn this? I was exposed to sewing at a very young age. My mother has sewn ever since I can remember. I have two younger sisters. She made so many outfits for us…everything from pajama bottoms to my high school graduation dress.
Favortie Artist who inspires you? I’d have to say that anyone who has ever made anything by hand inspires me. I can relate to them. I understand the time, love, and often tears that go into getting their craft “just right”. I’m inspired by the artists who have the courage to realize their life dreams and follow them. Those who love what they do never work a day in their life!
Where does your inspiration come from? Inspiration for my clothing line comes from a lot of different places. Sometimes I see fabric and know exactly what I’m going to make from it. Other times it’s lack of something in my own closet that sparks interest in making a particular garment. I’m not real big on “trends” and what is “in” for the season, but I do take note, and if I like something I may work it into a few of my pieces.
What do you do to combat creative block? Usually I will go through old patterns and see if anything jumps out at me like a certain neckline or skirt style. Most of the time I’ll find something that “clicks” and I can go from there. Flipping through the latest issues of fashion magazines helps too! Again, I’m not a big “trend” follower, but I’ll often find something I can put my own take on.
Where do you design your creations? Hahahaha! I wish I had a room totally dedicated to sewing! Right now, my sewing area is on one side of my office/sewing/play area for the girls. Because of lack of space I don’t have room for a cutting table which unfortunately means cutting on my kitchen table or on the floor. Believe it or not, the setup is pretty good. The girls can play at the kiddie table or read books while I sew or use the computer. It’s nice that we can all be in the same room and not in each other’s way….too much. 
What does your work space look like right now? Well…as I turn around in my computer chair, I am facing my sewing workstation. It’s pretty piled up with fabric right now. I have some pink jersey with brown polka dots over there and some light green jersey. I have a finished halter top and a white dress folded off to one side. (Those will be going in the shop soon.) On my dress form I have a seagreen one-sholder dress with a chiffon ruffle at the bottom and at the neckline. I’ll include a picture of that one. You’ll see it first! It’s not up on the website yet!
How does your family feel about what you do? My 3 year old LOVES that mommy makes dresses! She is always saying “Oooooh I LOVE your dress mama!” She also loves the fact that I make a lot of things for her as well. My 9 month old could really care less at the moment, but I know she’ll love her one-of-a-kind handmade dresses someday too! My husband likes that I have a “hobby”. He’s supportive of my venture as long as I don’t quit my “real job” yet! He’s been at me to make him a big pimpin’ terry cloth robe for months now….I really need to get that done! Really though, he’s put up with a lot…trips to the fabric store, random piles of fabric in the house, little threads all over the rug, scissors that he can’t touch….he’s great!
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Have faith in yourself and in your craft. We are our own worst critics. People buy handmade because they know that there is attention to detail and there is love that goes into every item we make.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Deciding what to make, when to make it, how to make it, and loving what I do!
Least favorite? The start-up phase! This is the phase I’m in. It’s very hard getting your name out there, making yourself stand out from everyone else, and having people buy your products with very little “feedback” from other buyers. I’ve always sewn for just myself and my girls. A few months ago, I purchased Jolie Handmade and decided to start listing my clothing. It’s been a slow start, but I’m confident in my clothing label. I know there are people out there who will enjoy wearing my pieces as much as I enjoy creating them!
How do you relax? Well… I don’t think I do relax….hahaha! I’d say “in my free time…” but I really don’t have any! With a job that pays the bills, my two girls and husband, my growing clothing business, and household duties, I have very little time to do anything else! In the evenings after the girls are in bed, my husband and I like to have a drink and play Scrabble or Cribbage (does that make me sound old?). I also enjoy scrapbooking, though it has taken a backseat recently.
Favorite color? Yellow. It’s such a happy color!
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Not lately. I do currently have a yellow v-neck shirt in the shop, but other than that I currently don’t have any yellow pieces out…maybe that will be next on my to-do list.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Taking more walks with my girls, spending more time with my husband, and definitely more sewing!
A sample of Jolie Handmade products. For all products, please visit Angela’s website.
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04.07.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, hand crafted jewelry, shopping, site promotion, interviews, bath and body, clothing, handbags at 4:09 pm by KellyM
Meet Yvette Estime, Owner of www.bellepourlavie.com.
Where are you located? Coral Springs, FL.
What do you design? Handbags, jewelry, shoes, bath products.
Where/How did you learn this? I am a self taught crafter. I mostly read books on the subject.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Dali. All my work has double meanings and very symbolic.
Where does your inspiration come from? I love the ocean so most of my work has an aquatic theme. I also love astrology. My twin sister and creative parnter also inspires me.
What do you do to combat creative block? I read. Also, I am a watercolorist, so I sometimes paint.
Where do you design your creations? In my bedroom, everything is piled in a corner. I really need more space. LOL
What does your work space look like right now? Sewing machine in one corner, 3 containers of fabric, a 3 drawer stand full of beads and another full with essential oils.
How does your family feel about what you do? My mom thinks it’s a fascinating hobby and my sister (also my parnter) wants to turn it into a more successful business.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Try not to be discouraged if no one takes to your work right away. It’s a process.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Well, I think the best advice was stay away from craft shows. Always try to consign or wholesale. If you must sell, try trade shows.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Doing what I love and getting paid for it.
Least favorite? More than 8 hour work periods.
How do you realx? Music.
Favorite color? Purple.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? In the form of Amethyst.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Making more handbags! They take the most time to create.
A sample of Belle Pour la Vie products. For all products, please visit Yvettes website.
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04.03.08
Posted in Uncategorized, jewelry, shopping, site promotion, interviews, paper crafts, clothing at 8:02 pm by KellyM
Please meet Annie Weihrauch, Founder and Designer of www.modern-material.com
Where are you located? Online, based out of Columbus, Ohio.
What do you design? Paper, Apparel and Accessories.
Where/How did you learn this? I landed a job right out of college as a packaging and accessory designer for Bath & Body Works where I learned a lot about retail and fashion accessory design. I have taken my experiences and translated them into my own vision.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Gwen Stefani. She has defined our generation as a style icon.
Where does your inspiration come from? Rock & roll, fashion magazines, and other designers.
What do you do to combat creative block? I’ll give myself a few days to catch up on things I neglect such as cleaning and organizing, and then I can’t wait to get back to what I do best.
Where do you design your creations? Living room, studio, hallway, kitchen, bedroom, basement….every inch of my house is covered with something I’m working on! It drives my husband crazy!
What does your work space look like right now? A disaster.
How does your family feel about what you do? They are very supportive.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Start small and dream big.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Networking. I’ve met so many great people with great connections along the way.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Actually doing something with my designs instead of archiving them in a folder titled “old” becasue they weren’t chosen to move forward.
Least favorite? No free evenings or weekends!
How do you relax? Taking a trip to Hawaii will be the first time I’ve had to relax in months.
Favorite color? Depends on what it is going on. Black or white if it’s on me. Aqua if it’s on my walls or my umbrella.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Absolutely. It’s the foundation of my brand.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Designing more.
A sample of Modern Material products. For all products, please visit Annie’s website.
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03.01.08
Posted in Uncategorized, style, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, clothing at 7:31 am by KellyM
Meet Stacy Wolfenden, Owner of www.tumtumtreedesigns.com.
Where are you located? Kelowna, British Columbia in Canada.
What do you design? Sustainable children’s wear and accessories made from hemp fabric.
Where/How did you learn this? I have been sewing since a very young age, having learned from my Mom and Grammas. I took design studies in college and put the two together to create my line of wares.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? There are so many! One of my all time favorites is Arthur Rackham. I collect illustrated classics, especially children’s books.
Where does your inspiration come from? I live in a very beautiful area of the world, surrounded by mountains and a beautiful lake, so nature is a big inspiration. Also, my kids and the materials I use. Hemp is such an amazing fabric, much like linen, it has an inherent beauty to it.
What do you do to combat creative block? Going for a walk definitely helps, spending time outdoors, or reading seems to work for me.
Where do you design your creations? I have a studio/office in my basement, so I am a work at home mom. I draw a lot though, which I do pretty much anywhere.
What does your work space look like right now? Don’t ask! I am an organized chaos production worker. I tend to get very bored with the production end of things (which frankly sucks the fun right out of it), so I’m always starting something new or changing things up and this makes for somewhat of a messy work area. Also, I am challenged with storage in that I don’t have enough shelving for my (ever growing) stash of fabrics.
How does your family feel about what you do? They are very supportive. My mother is an artist and my father is a retired CEO of a large company, so they are both happy that I seem to be combining the best of both worlds, creativity and business. And I still get to stay home with the kids, so everyone wins.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their creations using this method? Keep at it. There are always bumps in the road, but if you stick to your vision, it will pay off eventually.
Best advice you recieved when starting your business venture? Do something for your business and for yourself everyday; there has to be a balance.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Being the boss!
Least favorite? Being the boss!! And the accounting side of it is my most dreaded task.
How do you relax? Watching movies.
Favorite color? Green of course.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Most definitely.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Sewing and drawing.
A sample of Tum Tum Tree Design products. For all products, please visit Stacy’s website.
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02.29.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, clothing at 8:27 am by KellyM
Please meet Brew, Owner of www.couturebrew.etsy.com.
Where are you located? I’m in the middle of NoWhere Indiana.
What do you design? I mainly focus on Younger Girls Fashion, Dresses, Shirt & Pants sets, Shirt and Skirt sets. I’ve just recently started doing some Hair Clips and Barrettes along with very Girls Socks.
Where/How did you learn this? I learned to sew from my mother who, it seemed, was always at her machine. I, of course, did pay as much attention as I should have, and I learned from trial and error as well-lol.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Oh, my goodness, there are so many! I’d have to say Pitti Bimbo is a real source of inspiration though.
Where does your inspiration come from? I’ll have to say that my inspiration came from wanting my own girls to dress their own age without having to purchase clothing for them that looked like a miniature copy of an adult or Junior item. I really enjoy little girls who look like little girls in their own right, not just a shrunken copy of their big sister or mom.
What do you do to combat creative block? Well, since we’re still getting snow, I usually go outside and throw snowballs around with my kiddos ~ you’d be surprised how a good smack with that cold snow wakes you up, LOL!
Where do you design your creations? Oh, my goodness…anywhere and everywhere! When an idea strikes me, I have to write it down or it just drives me nuts until I can go start touching my fabric. Otherwise you can usually find me in the studio, I’m not one to draw out a lot of my ideas. I do best when I just start right in with the design process and let it flow from my minds eye.
What does your work space look like right now? Controlled Chaos! I have a place for everything but, I always seem to need something to trip over or move out of the way to get a jolt of “oh, I could use this for…” as I’m touching it.
How does your family feel about what you do? As a whole, they support it. Individually, it just depends on which of the 7 kiddos wants this or that. And my hubby ~ he’s and Awesome guy! He supports me no matter what I decide to do.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Don’t be totally disappointed if you don’t get exactly what you had in mind and be prepared to absolutely surprise yourself. That’s the best way. You can step back and say, “I knew it was gonna be cute but, this is really SWEET.”
Best advice you received when starting your own business venture? Treat it as a business, not a hobby and enjoy it as a hobby not a job.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Flexibility to change my mind and direction any time the mood strikes.
Least favorite? Ugh, there is no one else to blame when I don’t feel like stepping up to the plate.
How do you relax? Cooking, reading, family time.
Favorite color? Greens, not bright green, but all the muddy, mucky shades of olivey greens.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? I think it depends on the season.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Networking! I need to be better organized with my networking skills.
A sample of Couture Brew products. For all products, please visit Brew’s website.
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