New shirts in the shop!

Check out my Etsy shop to see the new items added today! These shibori silk shirts are perfect for sticky summer weather, and the neons work perfectly with this year's summer trends!

Want to see how I styled them? Click the caption links to see more!

Aqua and lime

Midnight blue

Neon yellow

Red and peach

I almost didn't make that last red and peach one, but it turned out to be my favorite!

Inspiration: Elmery

Elmery

Being the owner of a small business can be so daunting whether it's your full-time gig or something on the side. To keep yourself going, it's so important to stay in touch with others doing similar work and learn from their stories. I found Seowyee Loh on Etsy one day and ended up going to her site and finding this really inspiring video about her and her work. I love her aesthetic and focus, and it reminds me that focusing my own line is one of my short-term goals and I need to get on it!

It's also interesting that this video was to promote Levi's Curve ID jeans, because it was thrown in there a little randomly. How does her butt size have to do with her work?

Side note: oh, to be a Slight or Demi curve! I could buy pants at Zara or H&M! At American Eagle! Anywhere! Instead, I am Bold. I shake my fist at you, butt.

Inspire-d!

Thanks so much to Lena for this awesome article and interview in Inspirer Magazine online!

I love the headscarf styling!

I also need to know where her shirt is from so I can get one for myself. :)

You can see more scarves and bracelets in my shop!

Pearl necklaces now in the shop!

Check out my newest jewelry series in my Etsy shop! These pearl spike necklaces are perfect for when you want something simple but a little out of the ordinary. They're made with 14k gold-filled chains and freshwater pearl clusters. Get one for your mom this Mother's Day!

Bust Craftacular!

Yesterday was the Spring 2012 Bust Craftacular, and it was so fun! I shared a table with a friend, and it was great to meet and talk with customers in person vs. the online world of Etsy. I brought a lot of newer items that haven't shown up yet in my shop, including some bright hand-dyed silk shirts and circle scarves, and a lot of fun sporty and geometric jewelry!

Thanks to Raymond, my master iPhone photographer, for these pics of me working! I had a fantastic time and am looking forward to our next summer fair!

Bust Craftacular this weekend!

This Saturday the 14th, I'll be sharing a table at the Bust Magazine Craftacular craft fair! I'll be selling some fun, colorful bracelets; bright leather pouches and clutches; and some super cool hand-dyed scarves and shirts! Come by to say hi! There will be a ton of other independent artists and vendors there, so there will be lots to look at! 

Please forward this on to anyone who might be interested in shopping, supporting small businesses, or getting gifts for the women in their lives!

PS, did I mention this is also a FOOD fair? There's something for everyone!

Saturday April 14th

82 Mercer Street

(between Broome and Spring)
11am - 7pm

Minty fresh

don't look at my face

I finally got my new mint green foldover clutch up in the shop! It goes perfectly with my favorite trend this spring, pastel colorblocking!

I've been wondering how to do it without looking like a big Easter Egg, though. I love the all pastel, all bright looks but I just don't feel like it's me when I wear it. For me the answer is to combine really light, faded colors with some black accents or one punchy dark or neon color to ground the look and make it slightly less dreamy.

Left, Tommy Hilfiger; right, DVF; both via Style.com

Left, Phillip Lim; right, Carolina Herrera; both via Style.com

What colors are you going to be wearing this spring?

New foldover clutch!

Just finished a new item for the store! Thank you to all my friends that filled out my survey; your input was so useful! The results of the survey led me to combine one of my neon zippers with some rich neutral leather for this foldover, magnetic snap clutch.

Thanks to my coworker, who reluctantly modeled it for me at lunch. And look, you can see my dying plant!

Tote-ally awesome, dude

New tote style coming to the store soon! I've been experimenting with dyeing different types/weights of fabric and the canvas came out just as I pictured it!

Yes, I saved my Homer Simpson stamp. Yes, I drew that cute raccoon behind the bag. Yes, that is a feather from a duck in Central Park.

Elves, overnight

I sometimes dream of a world in which I have only "nice" things, with "nice" meaning beautifully crafted, lovingly handmade yet classically stylish items which will last me a lifetime, no matter how my style changes and evolves.

That will never happen, for better or for worse, because as Cliff Kuang pointed out in this Social Media Week panel, "I'm not going to buy my computer on Etsy." It's a good point; I don't care to know the sad backstory of the children who lost their eyesight making my amazing $6 set of Forever21 bangles, nor will I be wearing neons and gold spikes until I retire.

But at any rate, what I really wanted to share was this amazing story of Oak Street Bootmakers, found via A Continuous Lean, via Jay.

I'm amazed by the work that goes into each shoe, and it makes them seem so much more valuable knowing the time and effort that's put in.

New items for spring!

Lots of cool new stuff in the shop!