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I’m in Boston this weekend for my only craft show of the season (and my last one for a while, as I’ll be back to focusing on my stores and online shop in the new year), and as has become my norm, I’m documenting my trip in rings and coffee.
But I can’t help it! My Silver on Steel stacking ring makes the perfect thumb ring and the perfect compliment to a pretty latte!
1/ printed blouse // 2/ boyfriend jeans // 3/ contra bib necklace // 4/ cross body bag // 5/ mixed metal stacking rings // 6/ leah wedge booties
Last weekend I was in Washington DC for a craft show, and one of my favorite parts about doing a craft show is all the people/style watching I get to do. There’s nothing like watching an endless stream of people shuffle by your booth while you check out what they’re wearing. (Truthfully, I would rather scope people’s style in a city than watch a red carpet any day of the week.)
Of course, you wouldn’t have to wear this outfit to a craft show. It would be perfect for fall festivals, hay rides, brewery tours, or any other fall weekend activity you can think of!
Since I’ve started painting, a number of friends told me they could see my paintings as textiles.
It’s not a stretch. I’ve always been inspired and influenced by textiles, surface design, and fashion. My graduate thesis, despite being made in metal, was all about textiles, and I even designed all the repeat patterns I used in my wire sculpture.
And the truth was, I could see my paintings as textiles as well.
But I resisted. Even though I know a decent amount about textile design, I wasn’t sure I was ready for a line that needed some degree of outsourcing. (In this case, the textile printing.)
And my experiments with hand painting textiles over the summer didn’t go so well.
So when Amber mentioned turning my paintings into textiles a few weeks ago, I resisted again.
And then, last week, I couldn’t resist any longer.
I was sitting in Starbucks, reading about creativity, when it suddenly became clear.
I had to go home and design fabric.
Right now.
And so I did.
And since then, I’ve been digitizing paintings, creating repeats, and ordering fabric, with the goal of getting my first prototypes done before Crafty Bastards.
I received my first fabric samples this week and promptly made my first products:
scarves!
Why scarves? you may wonder. Because a metal necklace can’t keep you warm. (And you know I’m always cold.) Plus, a scarf is really just a big, fabric necklace!
I’m definitely still in the experimental stage when it comes to fabrics and designs, but I’m planning on debuting several scarf designs, plus pillows and maybe even some bags, at Crafty Bastards next Saturday!
If you’re in the DC area, be sure and stop by. I’ll be there Saturday the 28th in booth 71!
Can’t make it to Crafty Bastards? Make sure you sign up for the mailing list (in the sidebar) to know when my new designs launch online!
And a big thank you to Amy Klainer, who shared a booth with me! Thanks for making the day go smoothly! Its nice to not be alone in the booth all day for a change!
Hey everyone – if you’re in the DC area tomorrow, don’t forget to stop by Crafty Bastards. I’ll be in booth #116 with fabulous Towson grad Amy Klainer.
With only about 2 months to go until New York Gift, I’m really thinking hard about what products I’m going to have in my booth. I would really like to bring the ornaments into my wholesale line, but I’ve got a few decisions to make. I think the ornaments will be a good addition because they sell at a lower price point, and since this is an August show, buyers will be looking for holiday items.
