Vintage Indie

ART STORIES: Charlotte Lyons

We're talking with the artist, designer & creator themselves about their chosen medium. Get to know the artist behind the items featured and find inspiration in their personal stories of creativity. Today I would like to welcome Charlotte Lyons  to Vintage Indie.

What is your preferred medium?

 

Magpie artist that I am, it's sometimes hard to say, but I always love to work with felt made from old clothing. That started when I was a rug hooker in the 80's, buying old wool clothes and deconstructing them to cut into strips. After awhile (and way too many rugs), I had to use the wool for other things too. Now I use felted wools for applique, clothing, collage, illustration. I try to use all the other things I scavenge too- mixing them into projects I design for classes or licensing.

Felt Cottage

How did you get started?

 

My first craft book was about mother-daughter crafting (Mothers and Daughters at Home). My mom is very artistic with a fabulous personal style and as a child I was encouraged to pursue the arts. She had a home-based art business making custom purses and I got to cut out the felt flowers to decorate the wicker purses. We lived way out of town so I learned that art and craft made me happy when no one else was around. At the same time, I learned to use what was readily available- in the house and the yard and the shed- the beginnings of my recycling, make-do approach to art. I made things with my mom, carried that tradition on in my developing work, then with my 3 daughters too. Now here I am still rummaging in the ragbag. The green cabinet in my studio that I painted and reworked with potato stamps is my mother's sewing cabinet. It was the place I scoured for materials when I was a kid.

Sewing Cabinet

Who or what inspires you?

 

I get inspiration from a different place every day. My studio world is stuffed full of things that inspire me to begin. Folk art, ethnic costumes, an old sewing basket, a jar of buttons, a transferware dish, something handmade or sentimental. I make a lot of designs in the form of a house (especially pink ones), a flower, a primitive silhouette, often inspired by functional vintage pieces or textiles. Old knitting bags, pillows, home accessories.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into this medium?

 

Word to the wise- be careful not to import too much. It's easy to get carried away. After collecting a few pieces of wool clothing, cut them up, throw them in the hot wash, then the dryer. And then experiment. Each piece will behave in its own way, have unique qualities. That's a good thing. It's so gratifying to repurpose old clothes into something new. There is a ton of information on felting for art and craft now.

Wool Stack

Does vintage play a role in your art or life? If so, how?

 

I've been thrifting for over 35 years and our life, home and craft is solidly vintage. I almost never buy anything new and feel most at home among old things. What I love now is seeing how that fondness has translated into my daughters' aesthetics. They each have a finely tuned eye for their own vintage style. When I go to one of their homes and see some treasure I passed along- and how fresh and hip it looks in its new digs, I am so proud of that. What a great tradition that appreciation is and how exciting to see vintage move on to a new generation of art and use. Each of my girls also has an eye for Restraint- something I struggle to achieve. These days, vintage anything is too easily found and more than a little addictive. It's way too much fun to find and score.

Embroidery

What is important for your customer to know about your work?

 

I have to be invested in a piece with an affection for the materials, technique or design. Many times the challenge from a commission or a series will create that inspired jump-off and it's hard to see exactly where it will go. So much depends upon the character of the materials which usually means something old, deconstructed and repurposed as part of something new. Something beautiful. Something that reflects my point of view.

Button House

Charlotte has influenced the art world with her books Mothers and Daughters At Home
Between Friends: Craft Projects to Share as well as media appearances on  HGTV Sew Much More
DIY Scrapbooking and the CBS Early Show. If you were lucky enough to snag a spot at Silver Bella, you'll see Charlotte there at her Wonderland Mobile workshop. 

Wool Mice

Find out more about Charlotte visit her self titled website Charlotte Lyons
You can also catch up with her daily at her blog House Wren Studio.





A special thank you to Charlotte for sharing her beautiful work with us.

***

Have a great day everyone, we'll see you back here tomorrow!

ART STORIES: Denyse Schmidt

We're talking with the artist, designer & creator themselves about their chosen medium. Get to know the artist behind the items featured and find inspiration in their personal stories of creativity. Today I would like to welcome Denyse Schmidt of Denyse Schmidt Quilts to Vintage Indie.

Hi Denyse, thank you for sharing a little more about you and your work with us. Can you tell us what your preferred medium is?

Fabric, in the form of quilts.


How did you get started?

I learned to sew from my mom when I was little. Though she worked full time in education, she was an accomplished seamstress, and made most of the clothes for four kids as well as herself. Both my parents were skilled craftspeople, but they did not pursue it as a hobby or  "art"  – they were both children of the depression and had that deeply instilled idea that you can make what you need. And why buy it if you can make it? They just happened to be really good at whatever they did (furniture, clothing, upholstery. They also made flies for fly-fishing in their newlywed days. My mother's wedding gift to my dad was a fly rod she made). My siblings and I were pretty arty growing up, and I spent some time at art school with my older sister when I was about 8. I started the quilt business in my 30's – I was frustrated with my graphic design career and wanted to be able to spend my time making something that was my "own".


 
Who or what inspires you?
I'm inspired by so many different things. It could be a song, a painting, a life. I love the history of quilt making and textiles in this country, there is a wealth of really great design there.


What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into this medium?
Know what you want in terms of your lifestyle above all else. Do you want to grow a business you'll later sell? Or would you be content getting by and being a maker? Talk to as many people out there who are doing similar things, be realistic, and persevere.



Does vintage play a role in your art or life? If so, how?
Yes, most of my furniture and accessories are vintage,  mostly industrial stuff. Also, I design fabric collections that are inspired by vintage prints from the 30's. Vintage with a modern sensibility.

What is important for your customer to know about your work?
We are a small company and every thing we make is pretty "slow" and special. While we do offer more affordable versions of the DS aesthetic through our licensing partnerships, it is not typical in any way.


Denyse is also the author of the how-two book Denyse Schmidt Quilts, 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects.

You can also attend one of the many workshops offered at Denyse's studio including:

Sewing 101 with Richard Killeaney


and Improvisational Patchwork with Denyse.

Find out more about Denyse Schmidt and the various workshops, classes and items that she offers at her website DS Quilts

A special thank you to Denyse for sharing her beautiful work with us.

***

Have a great day everyone, we'll see you back here tomorrow!

Designer Profile - Shawn Pigott of LaVictorianRose Millinery

 I met Shawn Pigott designer of LaVictorianRose  quite some time ago. Just before hurricane Gustave.  Shawn has been trying to rebuild and is still displaced today due to the damage of hurricane Gustave. I was immediately intrigued by her story, and her attention to detail in all of her beautiful hats. I hope you enjoy my interview with her. I know she is very excited to begin filling spring orders for 2009.

For those of you who may not know what a milliner does, it is defined as  as one who makes, trims, designs, and/or sells women's hats.

(Pictured, Josephine)

How did you get started in Millinery?

 

It was quite accidental that I became a milliner. Although I do have a degree in fashion and design, that did not lead me to millinery.

 My dear friend and mentor, the late Cynthia White of Lady Cynthia Millinery, called one afternoon and told me she was dying. Cindy asked me to promise her one thing: to open my own millinery studio and to begin making hats as soon as possible. When I told her I'd never made a hat in my life, she replied "I don't know another person who loves hats as much as YOU and I know you will be fantastic! You have the knowledge inside....just tap into it." That was our last conversation as she died one month later. I have kept my promise. I opened LaVictorianRose Millinery in 2005 in Cynthia's honor. Unfortunately, we never met in this lifetime.

 
(Pictured, Victoria)

What drives your passion for this style craft?

 

I've loved hats for as long as I can remember!! I think I was born loving them. Custom, hand-blocked millinery is truly a form of art. I derive great pleasure from the designs I create for my clients.  Also, custom millinery, in my opinion, is becoming a lost art and one that I feel should be preserved. I absolutely love what I do and that shows in each hat and veil. I specialize in romantic styles from the Victorian Era, Edwardian Era, and the Roaring 20's.

 

(Pictured, Jacqueline)

What's in a hat?

 

Mostly a lot of love. Each design I make is done only after consultations and getting a feel for that client's personality. Hats should always enhance the wearer and bring out her special qualities. The straw I use is hand woven in the Orient and it takes that weaver 5 days to create the straw for a small hat like a cloche. It takes that same weaver 15 days to weave the straw for a wide-brimmed one. I also use the finest quality felt velour for cold weather wear.

 

(Pictured, Veronica)

Can you give us any history on Millinery?

 

Of course, people have been wearing a head covering of some type since the beginning of time.

 

The word "milliner", a maker of women's hats, was 1st recorded in 1529 when the term referred to the products for which Milan and the northern Italian Providences were well known such as ribbons, gloves, and straws. The haberdashers who imported these highly popular straws were called "Millaners" from which the word eventually derived.

.

The earliest documentation of a millinery shop in the United States was the Margaret Hunter shop in Colonial Williamsburg established in 1767. I know of one historical literary reference to millinery. Shakespeare mentioned "millinery" in a Winter's Tale published in 1603.

A special thanks to Shawn for giving us this wonderful interview. Derby Day will be here before you know it Kentucky gals, start planning for your hat purchase! Please visit Shawn's website for more of her beautiful hats including wedding and bridal, travel hats and more.

Designer Profile - Author & Artist Lisa Kettell of Hackettstown, NJ. Interview by contributing editor Gina Smith

 

Vintage and fairy might not often get used in the same sentence. Nor FBI agent and glitter, mortgage banking and making dolls, rejection and book deal. But pretty much anything about the lovely Lisa Kettell of Hackettstown, NJ is a study in contrasts. 

   

With the publication of her Altered Art Circus (128 pages, Quarry Books, ISBN-    10-1592534872 ISBN-13: 978-1592534876) looming in early 2009, Lisa has achieved a dream that many of her art friends can only fantasize about.

   

 

But before that dream came to fruition, Lisa was busy orchestrating many of her other art dreams, instead of waiting for some fairy godmother to arrive. She’s organized; she’s driven, and like many of us here, she sees the beauty in something old, something cast off, making something new out of something from a childhood memory. (Lisa and the Mushroom, The Faerie Festival, Glenn Rock, PA May 2007)

    

Lisa did get support early on from her mother and continues to do so. Creating since she could hold a pencil, she says, earned her more praise than scolding, even when she drew big moon faces on the wall in crayon. She painted dolls and made doll clothes, even from young-child kits whose needles were plastic. She threw herself into Girl Scout crafts. She even admits now with a laugh that what she thought were the greatest handmade gifts she could ever present to friends in grade school were possibly actually “horrible.”

      Although she took drawing in high school and also enjoyed collage even then, she says she lost a lot of her creating time and interest after high school. And although she started out as an art major in college, she quickly gave it up for what she perceived would be a faster or better road to income and moved into political science and government, imaging herself becoming an FBI agent.

      From there, a severe accident and the death of her grandmother with whom she was very close prompted her to take art classes to work through the physical and emotional pain. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she says, not surprisingly.

     

So while she worked in mortgage banking and real estate for 10 years, she also dove back into her art. Seven years ago she self-published a self-illustrated children’s book, Star and the Milky Way Café. (I first met Lisa when I bought a signed copy from her on ebay a couple years ago!)

      The brightly-colored children’s tale, which she is now giving an update and working on getting professionally-published in hardcover, is a tribute of sorts, via color, to the artist with whom she has been enamored since high school, Mary Engelbreit.

      Lisa had the good fortune to meet her mentor several years ago at a book signing in New York and will once again see Mary this month on Lisa’s own birthday at Silver Bella, a gathering of artists in Omaha, NB organized by Teresa McFayden. Lisa will be a vendor and offer a pay and play at her booth, and Mary Engelbreit is the keynote speaker for the sold-out event.

      After her foray into illustration, Lisa says she “wasn’t satisfied, wasn’t complete” and moved into making art cards and altered books. You can see from her project photos here and on Flickr  and on her blog  and Web site that she favors vintage items such as old dolls, jars, circus memorabilia, old ads and labels, but she gives them all her signature embellishments of glitter, crepe paper, a bit of fantasy and mystery (a la pixies, fairies, gnomes and other imagined creatures), bright colors and a smile. (The Pixie Boutique, ATC and Pocket below)

 

Designer Profile - Kathryn Wilson of Junkhouse Dollyard

Welcome to another Designer Profile on Vintage Indie. Please help me in welcoming designer Kathryn Wilson of Junkhouse Dollyard. Kathryn's line of clothing paired with her photography is artwork within itself.

 
Can you tell us a little bit about how you started your business?

In 2004 I became involved with Fasten, a DIY designer collective in Milwaukee, WI. We had a clothing shop, weekend market booth and threw lots of fashion and art events. I was a designer, volunteer and co-owner, and that's when sewing became more than a hobby for me.  In 2007 I moved to Japan to teach English and began selling my designs at a vintage and designer shop called Rainbow. I found Rainbow by asking around at local shops and someone said the owner might be interested. He wasn't selling handmade items at the time, but  was open to new possibilities. Things went really well and I realized I could make a living at this if I worked hard enough. I did that for a year and then moved to Shanghai for three months to assist the photographer Maleonn. I continued sewing and that's when I opened my Etsy shop. I came back to Milwaukee for the summer and now I'm going back to Japan to study Japanese and continue selling with both Rainbow and Etsy.

 



 





What kinds of clothing do you create?

I make mainly reconstructed dresses and tops from vintage clothing. I also do some original designs with new fabrics. I never use patterns, I work straight from my head and use the vintage pieces and fabric as a guide. I like to create things that make you feel good when you wear them, and that includes feeling beautiful, sexy or interesting.

 

What inspires you?

I get a lot of my ideas from film, literature, art and my imagination. I'm also a photographer and I'm continually finding new artists that inspire me. The human mind, strength and weakness, strange beauty...these are never ending sources for ideas. As far as fashion inspiration, I'm interested in a lot of Japanese styles and clothing from different eras. There's no particular time period, but I like to look at fashion as a whole rather than current trends.








 Do you use any vintage materials? If so, why do you like about creating with vintage components?

Yes, I love deconstructing and reconstructing. I like to find something I would never wear, utilize its good qualities, add my own taste and to turn it into something entirely new. I also like the antiquity an old piece of clothing evokes.

Thanks so much Kathryn for sharing an interesting and insightful look behind your passions and clothing. Be sure to visit Kathryn's Etsy shop

Artist Studio Sneak - Ann Denise Anderson of Whim And Fancy Designs

Welcome to another Studio Sneak where we peek into the studio of fabulous designers and creators like today's Ann Denise Anderson of Whim and Fancy Designs.

Hi Ann Denise and welcome to Vintage Indie. We are thrilled to get a sneak peek into your studio.

Can you tell us, what is your primary medium? 
Paper (crepe especially!)

What are your favorite types of materials to work with?  (
I love my sewing machine but also Love decoupage and fancy edged rotary cutters, & fabric~ I love incorporating fabrics and notions into my crepe creations!)














If you could share one thing about your passion as an artist, what would it be?
Incorporating integrity and vision into ones work/art!

The picture of the owl to your left, is a piece I just finished!

As for my work space  well that is under renovation so I have been using my tried and true great room table, my kids hate it but I figured a little glitter and glue never hurt anyone!

This photo to your left is slightly different than the Halloween themed colors above, but I couldn't resist showing you. This is a Crepe Cake Box from Whim and Fancy Designs. It is decorated and hand creped with a glittering bulb that acts as a top pull. I love the colors!

You can find more of Ann-Denise's work at her artist page at Glitter and Grunge including delightful party supplies and more.

A special thank you to Ann-Denise for giving us a peek into her studio!

Artist Studio Sneak - Cathy Nash of The Eclectic Company

Please help me in welcoming Cathy Nash of The Eclectic Company to Vintage Indie for another fantastic Studio Sneak!

Hi Cathy and welcome to Vintage Indie. Thank you for sharing your lovely studio with us. Can you tell us a little bit about where you are from and what you do?

  Currently we live on a little farm not too far from Athens, Georgia.  Since we are in the process of renovating our house, my "studio" is my kitchen, but my kids have grown accustomed to the organized clutter, glitter, and papier mache dust along with dinner. It's actually the best room in our house for working because the area is bright, open and surrounded by huge antique windows which we acquired from an old church in our community which was being razed.

Often I work during the morning hours, and if I’m lucky, I can work until time to pick the kids up from school. After my usual coffee jumpstart, I start work in one area of my kitchen counter, and before the day is over, I’ve somehow spread out all over the kitchen. Many days I have more than one project going at a time, due to the nature of papier mache; it takes a long time to dry, so I try to work on one thing while others are drying.
                   
 (above Flapper Chick)

What is your primary medium?

Right now it’s papier mache.  Watercolor is my next favorite.

How did you get started in this field of art?

When my children started coming along, I chose to leave my job as an art director to stay at home and watch them grow. My creative side has always found an outlet and several years ago I discovered a passion for papier mache. It’s such a versatile medium, and I was inspired by vintage children's books and German papier mache Halloween figures. I started making my own paper pulp and also began experimenting with other types of papier mache.

What are some of your favorite materials to work with?

I enjoy trying to use found objects in my work, and often re-purpose items such as pine cones, acorns, and old ribbon spools.  I often use chenille and I also like vintage-style tinsel for the subtle sparkle it adds to a piece.  I use crepe a lot, and usually make my own aged crepe fringe to accent many of my figures.  And I love glitter!!

                                

(above, Silver Star Tree Topper)

What inspires you?

Ideas come from some many sources: memories and experiences from childhood; vintage toys, books, and advertisements; antique postcards; and even from my kids, who offer ideas and suggestions.

                               

(above Summer Cones)

Do you use any vintage materials? If so, why do you like about creating with vintage components?

Sometimes I use vintage crepe, or an old charm, or a vintage label or box, or ribbon, and I'm always on the lookout for something which might be used in my work.  I also have a love for typography and enjoy trying to incorporate vintage-style lettering into my work. I love the connection to the past and also the instant "age"and feeling of nostalgia that a vintage item offers a piece. (And the quality of vintage materials is often unmatched in today's world.)

A special thank you goes out to Cathy Nash for sharing her world with us. If you haven't visited her site, please do so today. She offers an array of beautiful and charming artwork.

Artist Studio Sneak - Erica Aubin of Blujay Studio

Please help me in welcoming artist Erica Aubin of Blujay Studio for another "studio sneak"

 

Hi Erica and welcome to Vintage Indie! We are thrilled for a quick glance behind the scenes at Blujay Studio.

Can you tell us, what is your primary medium? collage~ mixed media~ acrylic painting~ and NEWLY dolls!

What are your favorite types of materials to work with?

OLD things~ old books, old material, FOUND items (leaves, buttons...whatever :)

 

If you could share one thing about your passion as an artist, what would it be?

It's pretty much taken me my whole life to come to the realization, that, for me, ART IS LIFE! ~ when i deprive myself of the time to create~ i rob myself of my life-force, my happiness, my bliss~ I have decided to let the laundry & dishes can wait...for now, PAINTING comes first :) and because of this realization ~ my heart is BURSTING at the seams!

  Visit Erica's Artist Page on Glitter & Grunge for more of her work.

Artist Studio Sneak - with Katie Trott of Katie Jean

Please help me in sending a warm welcome to Katie Trott of Katie Jean for our first Artist Studio Sneak.

Hi Katie and welcome to Vintage Indie. We are excited to learn more about Katie Jean and your studio. Can you tell us a little about what we see in your studio/workspace photo?

Katie :  My studio is actually my living room. I was interested in redecorating this room in my new home.  And I asked myself why can't this be my work room?  After a trip to IKEA I was set!  I use a drop leaf table for cutting fabric and sewing.

Gabreial: This is a great idea Katie! I hope someone else sees this and knows that you don't always have to have a specific room for creating.

Katie : I also bought an open storage unit that has baskets.  It all worked out perfect for me!

Katie : I also use a very large secretary for storage/organization.  My parents bought it in England when my Dad was stationed there with the Air Force.  When I was growing up my sisters and I called it "the monster"  because it was so big and we were so little!

                        

 

What types of products can we find at your website Katie Jean?
At katie jean I love making things for baby and the home.  I always have a few dresses made using handkerchiefs and tablecloths.  I also do gift sets of onesies and burpcloths.  For the home I make fabric coasters, and I love to decoupage vintage images.

                      

How did you get started making clothing?
I grew up sewing with my mom.  She even made my senior ball dress!  OMG!  Much later when I had my own little girl I really started sewing again.  I had an idea in my mind to make something using vintage handkerchiefs.  I wasn't sure what it would be.  So after a lot of day dreaming, I made my first three handkerchief dresses.  A local shop bought them from me.  The shop owner was so encouraging and loved what I had made for her that I knew I was onto something.
                      

Do you use any vintage materials? If so, what do you like about creating with vintage components?
I love using my vintage fabrics.  And I really do use them whenever possible.  The pieces that I buy to use in my creations really do have a history in them.  Whether they were used in daily life, or stored away for that special holiday, they were part of family life.  The embroidered pieces that were just sitting on a shelf are now a pillow or a dress.  Instead of being forgotten, that too small tablecloth is now made into an eyeglass case.

 

 

What inspires your designs?
  My designs are simple.  I like the child to be seen as an innocent.  The clothing does not overpower the wearer. Often the fabric itself is the inspiration for whatever I make.  If I see fabric that I love, I buy it.  Especially the vintage pieces that make my heart just beat faster!

 

For me to keep creating, I need to always be looking for what will inspire me.  Go to thrift shops, antique shops, the library, travel, talking to my sisters and girlfriends.  All these things inspire me and motivate me to grow and do more.

Why is it important to you for your customers to shop handmade?
My intention is to create pieces that will have an emotional response in the recipient.  That they will smile when they see it, and maybe even remind them of some little happy moment from their childhood.  It feels like I am passing something on to my customers, giving them a real gift from me.

To purchase from Katie Jean visit their website under shop and view all the items they offer. Contact Katie for purchasing information.

Designer Profile - Malphi Style

Welcome to another Designer Profile on Vintage Indie. Please help me in welcoming the designer herself Susannah, behind Maplhi Style.

Can you tell us a little about what we see in your studio/workspace photo?
I first learned to sew using vintage hand-crank sewing machines (as seen in image left) but at the beginning of this year with my business growing I invested in a Bernina 950 industrial sewing machine. When I was using the non-electric hand-cranks I could take them into the garden to sew but now I have to sew inside with the new machine. Eventually I hope to have my own studio, perhaps over looking my garden with french windows so I can be close to working outside again!

Can you tell us a little bit about how Malphi was started?

I originally trained as an Actress. My MALPHI business has been developing for the past couple of years.  I spent a lot of time out in India and worked with the local tailors there to develop the designs and then brought them back to England. I started selling on Etsy and now also have my own website www.malphistyle.com.

What kinds of items do you create?

I started with one dress called the "Verity Hope Dress".  It's a wrap dress which is designed to suit curvy figures and wear on its own or simply slung over Jeans or Bloomers.  I started producing the dress and Bloomers as "pre-cut and ready to sew"  dressmaking kits.  They was overwhelmingly popular on Etsy and now I also produce a limited number of dresses as ready made and one-offs.  I also added aprons as kits and ready to wear as I have such a passion for the nostalgia and homliness of aprons

What inspires you?

I get inspired by so many things especially when I'm in India amongst all the colourful fabrics all layed out in front of my eyes...it's heavenly!  I love the rustic country lifestyle and like to picture my designs out in the country as much as possible in the surrounding countryside where I live...I think that's the actress in me! There's a fine line between being inspired and being influenced so I try and focus on getting inspiration from within then I know it's from me.

(Meggie Ellen Apron Pictured Left)

Do you use any vintage materials? If so, why do you like about creating with vintage components?

I love vintage materials!  There's a wonderful charity sale at a hospice near where I live.  It's on every three weeks and sells mountains of fabrics, linens and notions...it's truly a designer's dream!  I love finding an old reel of lace or a hand embroidered linen, there's a uniqueness to vintage items and they carry so much charm.

(Bloomers Pantaloons Pictured Left)

Thanks so much to Susannah for sharing a behind the scenes look at Malphi Style. You can shop for the designs shown at Malphi Style.

Designer Profile - Eco Friendly Fashion by Colorada

I love talking with designers about their creations. It's like getting a sneak peek into their brain, what drives them to create and what they are passionate about. It's not often your clothing designer is someone whom you get to know. Shopping for eco-friendly fashion can be easy if you let it. Look for vintage, handmade with vintage and up-cycled clothing. You'll often find something spectacular that you won't find massed produced and hanging on a rack with all the others like it.

Today I'd like to introduce you to Cynthia Davis the designer behind Colorada.

What does "being green" mean to you?

I think of green as a way to nurture things and people. One of my purposes is to care for and contribute to what I have received. I have been given a beautiful world to enjoy and a wealth of material goods to handle with wisdom and foresight. I want to live gently and love the beauty all around me - in people and the world.

Where I live in the mountains, you can hear the trees whispering
and the winds blowing and everything around me pulses with life. I
want to nurture the life around me and to mirror it's beauty in
what I create. I especially love the trees. The old trees are
irreplaceable. I see deer in my front yard and I have a tiny troupe
of 12 that live on our land that I watch often and worry about
sometimes. I can see the mama racoon taking her babies to the
stream to drink on the way to the grocery store. I deeply love it.


What kind of eco friendly items do you offer?

I make clothes - mostly dresses and skirts out of vintage, re purposedand new fabrics. I am also making a line of young, more simple wedding dresses and 'ballgowns'. My style is a little retro, colorful, casual and fun. I make a few bags, pouches and aprons, too. I love to make things from parts of previous garments that have a unique fabric or print. I especially love recycling vintage bed linens and vintage household fabrics like tablecloths and curtains with openwork lace and handwork such as embroidery and tucks. Many of my vintage fabrics are scouted from a local thrift store that supports an orphanage. I love
feeling like my money is helping the kids and that I am rescuing wonderful fabrics and garments to be used again.

What inspires your up-cycled designs?

Usually a certain style garment or a cool vintage print will inspire me. I love watching old movies for their gorgeous clothing designs. Sometimes a song or a feeling releases an inspiration. I like to listen to music when I design and sew. When I feel empty of ideas, I can take a walk and see the sky and clouds and trees. I will make something in those colors sometime!

What do you like about creating with vintage materials?

I love vintage fashion designs and fabrics. Vintage fabrics and goods have prints that are unique and unlike anything around today. I love their spontaneity and the softness and density of the cottons. My favorite thing is to find a wonderful vintage dress in an amazing print with some spots or tears that make them unusable. I will carefully clean, remove the bad sections and redesign them to give them another chance to go to the ball. I love the innocence and hopefulness of the era around the 40's and 50's. Even an unadorned vintage apron from that era seems to have the air of simplicity and courage. The tablecloths and linens from then are colorful and fresh and are too good to not be seen.

A special thanks to Cynthia Davis for a wonderful interview. You can find more of Cynthia's collection at her shop Colorada. Please visit her soon.

Sustainable Shopping & a Giveaway! Kootsac Re-usable Food Bags

Please welcome Morgen the designer and creator behind Kootsac. The original re-usable bulk food bags.

Why did you decide to start this business?
I was inspired to start making these bags when I realized one day how many plastic bags are used just for bulk food and produce. I did a lot of research to see if anyone was making re-usable bags and all I found were small cotton ones with a drawstring. I am a textile artist and clothing designer and felt that I could come up with some alternative for this problem.  I designed these bags and have been selling them locally since last spring and online since Valentines Day this year.

What exactly is a Kootsac?
A  Kootsac is a re-usable bulk food bag. The larger ones can be used for produce as well. They are made of rip stop nylon and are available in a variety of bright and fun colors. I also have a biodegradable version made of 100% silk. They are lightweight, washable, re-usable and fasten with a twist tie.

Why is it important for consumers to use re-usable bags?
Every day millions of plastic bags enter our landfill or are left to pollute our   waterways, cities and countryside. These bags eventually break down into tiny toxic pieces, which poison our land and water, and threaten the health of wildlife and ourselves. Personally I use somewhere between 4 and 10 bulk and produce bags a week. This amounts to hundreds of bags a year. Imagine how many plastic bags can be avoided if we all used re-usable bags instead.

      

What do you suggest using a Kootsac for?
I designed these bags specifically for bulk food like flour, nuts, dried fruit, lentils, herbs and spices. The idea is to use these instead of the plastic bags provided at the grocery store. They are designed to be fastened with a twist tie. Many stores require that you write the bin number on the tie. They are also great for carrying snack food and they work well for holding food when on a hike or camping adventure.

You could win your own starter set of 3 Kootsacs.

You have TWO chances to enter:

1st You'll need to tell us what color you'd choose from the Kootsac line by following this link to the choices and then tell us how you'd use your bag! Post your color choice and how you'd use it in the comments section of THIS POST.

2nd time by posting about this fabulous giveaway on your blog by linking to it. (You must only post about the giveaway, no information or copy may be taken from Vintage Indie). Be sure to come back here to let me know you've posted about it or your 2nd entry won't be included. 

The RULES:
You must be 18 or older to enter (void where prohibited) no purchase necessary.

You have until Saturaday (August 9th until 11:59pm EST) to enter.

ONE winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email, so check those boxes for the winner announcements!

Would you like to sponsor a Swanky Swag giveaway on Vintage Indie? Contact me for details.

The Farm Chicks Antique Show... is this weekend!

Did you mark your calendar? Are you counting down the days to The Farm Chicks antique show? Well, we have one more vendor to show you before you head to the show this weekend. By the way, if you go to the show we would love to have some photos and guest reporters. Take a couple booth shots, things that you bought and tell us a little about your experience.

We'd like to introduce you to Joy from "Auntie Joy" she's the one in the middle.

How did you get started in the antiques/vintage business?
I started in the antique business almost 10 years ago.  We have a little barn on our property and my husband agreed to turn it into a store for me to sell my vintage treasures.  I set the date and when it was clear he wasn't going to make the deadline, we decide that I would use the front three rooms of our old farm house and the covered porch. I totally enjoyed that but a few years later, after the birth of our "surprise" baby that I had at 45!!, I decided he should get the barn ready so Baby Sam and I could have a place to work. I love having my house back and the commute or daycare is not an issue!! 

I have evolved from having the store open 6 days a week, and doing a few outside shows a year, to having a few sales here and doing several outside shows. This is when I gather my treasures, pack a trailer and go on the road.  I think that is so much fun, meeting lots of different like minded collectors and the fun party atmosphere of an event.

It is difficult to say what my favorite vintage materials to work with are.  I really love it all.  It seems as though I have the most of old fabric, trim, buttons and sewing things. I love quilts, doilies, or for that matter anything made with textiles of any kind. 

What are some of your favorite vintage materials to work with?
I enjoy using vintage fabric to make aprons, patio umbrellas and hand bags.  I try to be diverse as I can and thankfully my husband is very willing to help so I also buy furniture that we paint, fix or re purpose completely.  I have 3 adult boys that often make things for me to sale with vintage materials.  They do potting benches, bird houses, shelves and whatever we can think of, they are all very creative.  My oldest son is screen printing my logo on bags and fabric for me to use  on projects I am making for The Farm Chicks Sale. 

I am very attracted to pastel colors, so I try and stay with that palate so that everything kind of blends together and has some cohesiveness. I feel like part of what I do is inspire people to use everyday things in creative ways. I only buy things that I would like to have in my home.  That works for me because I feel like I can be excited about what I really love and I might just be the only one...
I hate waste and I have a habit of hanging on to just about everything, You just never know when it might come in handy!  I find so much pleasure in being able to do a project and not having to make a trip to the store for supplies.

What can we expect to see at your booth this year at The Farm Chicks Show in June...er this weekend?
I am re purposing tool and tackle boxes with vintage wallpaper, lace, buttons and other vintage items, making aprons with vintage fabric and trim and using paint mostly recycled, to paint used furniture.  I also will be bringing old chandeliers, mannequins, a few pretty dishes, some vintage clothes and lots of quilts and linens.

Thanks so much to Joy and all other other fabulous vendors who gave Vintage Indie an inside look into their booth. We hope you have a fabulous show ladies!    

Designer Profile - Worn Again Vintage Fashion with an Art-titude with designer Bari-ann Bogatov

Vintage Indie would like to welcome you to our latest addition to our online magazine, Designer Profiles. We hope to share with you independent designers who specialize in dealing with vintage materials or an age old tradition of crafting. Today we are getting to know Bari-ann Bogatov of Worn Again Vintage.

Skipping the intro (a.k.a. childhood) also, allowing for a condensed version of the year prior to wORNaGAIN vintage fashion re-design jump starting to life (a.k.a the job (a.k.a the opportunity of a lifetime) @ POSHvintage.com).

The year, a lifelong passion for vintage advanced from spark to raging fire and a previous crafty sort of hobby evolved from passé tie-dye to some wonderful modernized artistic version. With supply funding, inspiration and encouragement from POSH Vintage’s owner, Patti Stoecker (a.k.a. a woman far beyond any simple complimentary words I could try to summarize her with) the almost scientific research lab approach was utilized in the search for a modern twist to a vintage method of re-coloring fabrics. With that came the realization that any vintage could be salvaged & that evolving beyond just dyes allowed for endless possibilities.

My Work Space:
I am proud to have a half-ass, thrown together and disorganized system. My husband and I are in the process of moving and who knows what the new residence will be like. So not being too set in my ways works for me. If I could just road trip for a few years, hit vintage stores at every stop and work out of various rented rooms I’d love it. So i keep a ‘system’ flexible enough to alter as dictated by my surroundings.

Pictured - Bari-ann's Studio 

No longer a simple white vintage slip but a fresh canvas ready to be painted redesigned & recycled.Any item destined for trash, is first evaluated for its possible second life as a ‘tool of the trade. Anything with a possibility of making an interesting print gets a chance. This same theory goes for vintage pieces destined for a landfill grave. If not salvageable there’s always some detail (buttons, lace, tacky adornments) worth snipping to reuse for an upcycle on another article of clothing. It’s now about modernizing and upcycling anything vintage, adding an edgier-urban style.Not a ‘fashion designer’ but a vintage fashion re-designer.

The dye process alone is more involved than people realize. The labor of experimenting with an innovative method, tediously prepping the item for re-color and the final result -- it’s indescribable. Somewhat similar to the (now) "old school" technique of shooting an entire roll of film, crossing your fingers and anxiously reviewing the end result. So many disappointments, but one good shot makes the entire procedure worth the effort as well as the heartache. The upside of dyeing is even the disappointments can go back for another round. I’ve gone through the ‘unveiling’ and unfolded a freshly colored vintage treasure expecting a euphoric result and been crushed. A few of those went through a "last chance" reprocess and resulted in a favorite.

Pictured  - details in the dyeing process.
Beyond the dyeing or painting, there’s some magic that happens when allowed the chance to satisfy the urge to run with my weird obsession with collage -- having a brain that loves piecing things together and the result is a sort of vintage fashion version of Frankenstein’s monster.
 
About my favorite pieces:

Oddly, what gets overlooked is the last minute (accidental) detail. The ‘unfolding’ of a repurposed piece is actually an emotional moment. Did the dye take the way intended or hoped? Almost every piece has areas with such intricate elements -- like studying the clouds and spotting one that resembles an object or animal. That’s not a statement meant as a boastful reflection of my work, that’s where the unexpected happens and comes back like a gift. Of course others see mostly the big picture final result  especially utilizing online channels to showcase or sell. Occasionally I do throw in a close up shot, but doubt it translates as well as I wish it should.

Currently I love my first break away from traditional tie-dyes that was done for POSH Vintage. It helps that the vintage slip itself was breathtaking to begin with.

First non-tie-dye dye work: a 40’s ms. New Yorker slip : photos by Karl Stoecker courtesy of POSH Vintage.)

The full piece of my work is le petite americana. The dye was basic, but the add ons stitched by hand were a late night, sudden inspiration. It came out as edgy elegant, but still easy to wear. The subliminal and unexpected details through dyeing are what continue to floor me.

Visit Bari-ann Bogatov and her amazing line at wORNaGAINvintage Boutique - Fashions with an Art-titude
 

Designer Profile - Cynthia Cioffi of Cync00 Gallery for MANO BELLO & GRAFFITI HAND

Vintage Indie would like to welcome you to our latest addition to our online magazine, Designer Profiles. We hope to share with you independent designers who specialize in dealing with vintage materials or an age old tradition of crafting

Today we would like to introduce you to Cynthia Cioffi, creator of and designer for the labels Mano Bello (Italian for Beautiful Hand) and Grafitti Hand wearable art.

I come from a long line of independent, creative and thrifty women. From my great grandmother who was an actress in England and the USA in the 1800’s, to my own mother, who taught me to sew as she refinished antique furniture, hunted down in thrift stores and church bazaars.

My favorite shops even as a child were those very ones. I collected antique clothing and turned then vintage pieces into cutting edge and couture fashion for my own enjoyment.
Back then, you didn’t advertise it too loudly, but, I’ve acquired my mother’s cherishing of old things, especially when it can be turned into wearable art and chic fashion!

My Italian grandmother tatted lace into beautiful bedspreads and tablecloths. Touching old lace or doilies always brings me back there, and I still love their daintiness and feminine aura. This is what led me to my love of hand stitching and embroidery. A lot of my clothes have hand stitching or embroidery and cut out work, including hand stitched labels.

Victorian and Old West styles have always been my favorites, whether it’s furniture or fashion.

I had been raised around horses and loved the smell and feel of leathers well worn and softened with  use and care. In high school, my father helped me purchase my first “lot” of leather from Berman Leather Factory in Boston, MA, supporting my desire to begin sewing with leather, which I still especially love. Now, I try to only use recycled leathers, which usually end up being made into small accessories which are so beautiful, like my sculpted roses made into necklaces, and steampunky wrist cuffs! The softest and biggest pieces I love turning into beautiful totally hand stitched purses, like the peachy satchel shoulder bag in my shop, now.

My workshop was an attic bedroom in our old Victorian house with a tower wrapped with bay windows. I started selling to local boutiques in Cambridge and Harvard Square and later on, Portland and Kennebunkport. Later, it was the 35’ long basement below the Kennebunk Inn. Now it is my dining room table, which my grandfather imported from a museum in England in the early 1900’s. My antique Singer sits proudly displayed and working daily, on one end, my Pfaff and Adler collect dust back in my closet!

Throughout the years, my love of fashion, old textiles and creating has only grown stronger. After taking many years off of selling due to an almost deadly exposure to pesticides and the resulting illnesses it incurred, home schooling my only son, and caring for my elderly mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s, I have been fortunate enough to rediscover my craft with renewed support from the entire world for being eco conscious.

I love the female shape and make fashions that compliment it. Simplicity is expounded with detail. Contradictions are fused, like leather and lace, roses and leather, raw edges with structured fit, old textiles and newer finds. My clients must be confident and not followers, as I desire to create uniqueness and tickle courage for the wearer. Shout quietly. Demurely rule. Set an example chicly, through handmade, through recycled textiles, through unique fashion, through purchasing from hands, not corporations.

Visit Cynthia at her shop Cync00 for her gorgeous line of clothing and accessories.

New Column - Designer Profiles - Julie Baumber of Donkey in the Goatshed

Vintage Indie would like to welcome you to our latest addition to our online magazine, Designer Profiles. We hope to share with you independent designers who specialize in dealing with vintage materials or an age old tradition of crafting.

Today, we would like to introduce you to Julie Baumber of Donkey In The Goatshed.
    

My work involves recycling unwanted textiles ( mainly clothing, curtains, tablecloths ) and making it into something more useful. I tend to make bags, corsages, bunting, purses and more recently mp3 player holders. I source my fabrics mainly through charity shops (which is great as my money goes towards a charity). In the summer I go to car boot sales which is a really fun way of tracking down vintage fabrics.
                      

It can be quite a challenge working with recycled fabric as sometimes I have a piece that might need another colour or pattern to be teamed up with. Quite often a piece of fabric will sit on my shelf for a long time and then I will see a similar colour or pattern in a fashion article which will inspire me to work with that fabric.
                      

I got started with my business whilst studying a degree in textile design at Falmouth College of Arts, Cornwall. I majored in recycling within the scope of textile design. My final piece was 3 6ft high lanterns completely knitted out of plastic bags! I experimented a bit with knitting handbags out of plastic carriers but found it far too time consuming. After I graduated I took a bit of time out and had my wonderful daughter ( who is now 4). Last year I decided to pick up my fascination with recycling and apply my knowledge in pattern making and sewing. I reformed 'Donkey in the Goatshed', made a few bags & accessories ,sold them at fairs, exhibitions and shops and had a successful year. This year saw the launch of my website which is still in its infancy but will hopefully have more stock added to in time.
                      
                        

It is a really hands on business as I design, make, market, photograph work, attend fairs to sell my work. In between I somehow find the time to be a mother and domestic goddess but I can really say I enjoy my work especially designing and meeting all the other wonderful people who are involved in the arts and crafts.

Be sure to visit Donkey In The Goatshed for some amazing handbags.