HandMade Blog Feature: Kindred Dream Heart Part 1

Hand Made Blog Feature: Kindred DreamHeart "Sewing Dreams and Touching Hearts" Katrina Denise Pierce.

Today I want to share with you the inspirational story of Designer Katrina Pierce the owner and Founder of fashion label Kindred Dreamheart. She is literally a fighter, no really she was a soldier who has seen action in the Middle East and still fostered her creativity through opening a tailoring shop while on a tour of duty in Germany. I introduce to you the beautiful designs ,Philosophy and story of Kindred Dream Heart.

How did the inspiration to go from prom wear which you created whilst growing up in high school evolve years later into the label Kindred Dreamheart?

I made my first dress my sophomore year of high school shortly after I pledged to the junior sorority, Lady Diamonds.
One of the due requirements was to wear at least one dress per week.Being the only girl among four brothers, I didn't own any.Rather than take me on a shopping spree,my mother bought me a sewing machine.(An overdue gift requested in middle school long since forgotten and replaced with more material desires.)
None the less I accepted the gift and began sewing patternless on a budget,while recycling our "yard sale" labelled attic dwelling cast-aways.The other children immediately questioned the origins of my clothes mockingly.I endured this for about a month, before decided that summer I was going to do nothing but sew.Sew until my skill level rose and sew until I had a complete wardrobe for the next school year.
The next time a class mate saw my attire order requests followed.I got featured in 2002 in a city wide high school newspaper, Teen appeal,I gained so much confidence thereafter that I was determined I,d one day launch my own clothing label.


Design: Kindred Dreamheart
Model: Shaneice Birgs
Photography: Arekah Dunlap (Arekah the goddess photography)



In your website bio, it says while you set up your own little tailoring company while stationed in barracks in Germany, when you served in the army.How did that happen?

We affectionaltely called McCully barracks the "1 post straBe" there weren't many facilities and the one that was in the highest demand was the alterations shop which was NEVER open!The civilian that worked there observed all the German and American holidays.
I mentioned to a battle buddy that I could sew on his patch onto his Class A's to avoid the inconvenience of a negative counselling statement due to a uncontrollable situation. I initially worked for free but had to charge due to very high demand.

Model: Skye Cooper
Designer: Kindred Dreamheart
Photographer: Arekah Dunlap (Arekah the goddess photography)

Where did the name for your label come from?

When I started sewing back in high school my label was called K.D Hunter.I,ve since gotten married and felt obligated to change the name, yet I didn't want to use my name.
I wanted to use a name that defined me as a person.....something more symbolic.
I,ve always been ambitious with BIG goals and dreams.I wanted to be everything when I grew up.I,ve done alot so far but i,m not there yet and I,m not giving up.
Thats my defination of a "dreamheart" .Kindred means just that,akin or similar in quality or character.So my female line is dedicated to women like me..."a Kindred DreamHeart".
Maintaining my maiden initials wasn't a prerequisite during the deliberations but was a bonus in the end.

What are your Design Inspirations?

After high school I joined the U.S Army.During my first tour I was stationed in Wackernheim Germany. I was only a few hours from every other major european country of which I visited every chance I was granted a weekend pass.
I was inspired by the fashions overseas especially during the Fasching mainly because the youth there wore whatever they wanted without fear of social unacceptance. It was bold,beautiful and enlightening.From these accounts I began developing favorite styles.It wasn't until I took a fashion history course 3 years later that I began to recognise and name the styles I had witnessed.Edwardian,Victorian,Steampunk,Rockabilly,Rococo,Lolita Gothic and Cosplay.

Model: Jennifer Pearse
Fashion and Jewellery Designer: Kindred Dreamheart
Mua: Naomi Whitted
Photographer: Eric Hiltner

Come back next week for the rest of Katrina's inspiring story starting with what the process is behind her beautifully intricate creations and her plans for Kindred Dreamheart.

Handmade Blog Feature: Rowan300 by Lori

I love steampunk! the gears,the shades of copper,rust.The idea of sky pirates in air ships powered with steam. The movies such as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, The Hellboy franchise particularly Hellboy2 is very steampunk influenced.It's a whole alternative lifestyle and fashion gaining momentum every day. Take a look at TotusMel's blog devoted to the subject http://www.totusmelwunderkammer.blogspot.com/ .

Lori of Rowan300 is a mother,blogger,jeweller,sculptor who mainly creates steampunk jewellery and wire jewellery accented or heavily featuring semi precious stones.She creates using bits of clockfaces,nuts,bolts,rings of metal and more. But her work is not all traditional steampunk. Oh no. Some pieces are brilliant in color to be worn with pretty gowns or a simple outfit.

Welcome to Lori's world of upcycled beauty and her corner of etsy Rowan300 http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Industrial Crystal, Earrings http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Hi Lori and welcome to your blog feature! First question, What inspired you to create your Industrial/Steampunk Jewellery Line?
I had a bunch of old watches and took them apart and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the watch parts were.My son told me about steampunk and I fell in love.

I also noticed you create intricate robots and sculpture.I love Sir Wallace Shufflebottom what was inspiration behind this little character?
I was looking at the parts from my grandmother's old watch and thought the watch movement looked like a face.I,ve always been a fan of robots,sci-fi and fantasy and my imagination took off from there.

Sir Wallace Shufflebottom

Nothing But Heart Robot pendant www.rowan300.etsy.com

 Clock Owl http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

I've never seen Steampunk jewellery with color before!What inspired the use of color in the "Industrial Fantasy Series" and the "Moon series" especially the gorgeous "Honey Moon Necklace"?
I believe that Steampunk and Industrial Jewellery can be worn with anything from jeans and t-shirt to a ball gown.I would to see more people embrace it as a form of self expression rather than wearing the same old boring jewellery all the time and I thought adding color might be a way to get people to look at it differently.

HoneyMoon Necklace from the Moon Series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/



Lightning Moon Bracelet from the Moon series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/



Lightning moon necklace from the moon series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

You also have a range of wire wrapped stone jewellery using rough cut stones.Was that range an extenston of the Industrial style but using more natural materials?
I started off making jewellery by wire wrapping.I have a large collection of stones that I,d been holding onto for years and I thought that would be the perfect way to set alot of it.

Blue Gem wire wrap and brass http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

You have a very informative and honest blog called Madd Dogg Of tomorrow with alot of informative tips and chronicling your journey as a maker could you tell what inspired the name and why you decided to blog?
Madd Dogg is my nickname.It's kind of a joke with my friends and family because i,m  actually a pretty mild mannered person.I decided to do Madd Dogg of Tomorrow since so many of my pieces are derived from watches and clocks.


Cat Pendant http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/


In your blog you mention setting up two businesses, Rowan300 being one.What is the other?
My Son and I want to start up a mobile bakery,We both love to bake and have the basics started.We just need to get the funding together fo the equipment.

What has been the hardest part of your handmade business?
Getting people other than my family and friends to notice my work.

Gears and doughnuts earrings and Bracelet http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

What has been the most rewarding aspect of running your handmade business?
I love making and tinkering.I,ve worked in a office setting for a long time and that kind of work makes me feel kind of numb inside.I would come home and not want to anything for the rest of the day.
Now i,m more energized and happy and want to go for walks with the dogs,play with the dog,hang out with friends and family It's really changed my life for the positive.

Industrial Chain necklace with Brass http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
http://www.windowfog.etsy.com/ and http://www.makkoccino.etsy.com/ both have really awesome shops,are also really nice people and very talented artists.

Handmade Blog Feature: Jools to Drool Over by Sandra Mynard

One day while browsing around the "circles" and "Favorites" section of my Etsy dashboard, I came across a item by Jools to Drool over that someone in my circle had favorited. (Circles are little social groups on Etsy and when you are added to one or you add someone to yours you see all the items they like as they favorite them by clicking on the little heart icon in the corner of the item photograph.) 
Her store  transported me into the jewellery box of Marie Antoinette had she been alive today. Beautiful pastel colours abound, with florals,doves,gilt,sparkly crystals and pretty maidens. I immediately contacted her for a feature. This lovely modest lady was surprised! But i think you'll agree her work is beautiful,delicate and full of details that makes you want to explore her work again and again.....

Sandra has also had a piece featured on Polyvore for her new line Sweetie YumYum and is offering the first 25 followers to her blog http://www.lifeandjewelrymaking.blogspot.com/ a free piece of jewellery just email her on : atouchofvintage1@hotmail.com Now for the feature on Jools to Drool over by sandra Mynard.

Black and white Cameo necklace for sale on www.senseofashion.com/sweetieyumyum and featured on Ployvore.
What inspired you to create Jools to drool over and where did the name come from?
The name Jools to Drool Over just came to me.I thought of using Jools as part of the shop name first and the added to drool over as to my thinking it would be memorable.In hindsight if i were choosing a name now it would be  more sedate and have the word vintage as part of it.I was in a hurry just to open up the shop.

Your jewellery's colour palette is very Marie Antoinette! I could see Kirsten Dunst wearing it. What inspired your use of vintage components,florals and your uplifting colour palette?
My first pieces of jewellery were ordinary to say the least.I would fall in love with different gemstones,buy them and them create something.However after a while I realised I needed to find a different direction in style and vintage was where it was at.
I,ve created collage necklaces which include pieces of vintage earrings,brooch, or necklace.Sometimes I take necklaces and broochs apart just to use pieces of them.
My choice of jewellery style came about because of the vintage retro influence that is being used in every area of fashion.I wanted to create something that nobody could copy exactly.Although I guess i,m doing that myself by copying a trend.
The colours I chose are mainly  pastel and girly looking as looking around at styles and fashion, pastel is definately in.The florals too are big and bright right now and there is a lot of choice in the range of vintage jewellery around, expecially floral.

Blue floral  collage necklace from Jools to Drool Over http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/
I especially like the use of birds and maiden series that uses face cabouchons (Leaf Maiden in Flower Garden, Stars in her eyes, Face of Summer Garden.) What inspired those pieces?
Everyone is using birds in jewellery.I,ve used a couple in my designs but i,ve tried to be different in that regard. The idea of using cabouchon faces came to me while trying to do something different.I didn't realise that face broochs were "in" at one time.I don't profess to know anything much about vintage.I,ve learnt alot on Etsy seeing the vintage jewellery brands for sale and what they are worth.I,ve never heard of most of them to be honest!

Bridal necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Golden toned Face necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Stars in her eyes http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Maiden in the summer garden necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

The rosary necklace chains you make are exquisite.They really compliment the focal pieces.Why do you make them say over using plain chain?
The reason I make rosary chains using pearls , crystals ,some gemstones pastel coloured plastic beads etc...is that rather than add bought beaded or metal chain to my jewellery,I wanted an element I make myself just to show I could.

Your now exploring new selling avenues for your jewellery,creating new ranges ( Sweetie YumYum) and looking at craft markets.Could you tell me a little more about that and how it came about?
I am very fortunate that I have a great local craft fair and I,ve started listing on both Madeit a australian homemade everything selling venue as well as starting to list on http://www.senseofashion.com/ The Sweetie YumYum line is more simple than Jools to Drool over and consists mainly of earrings and necklaces using up to date resin and lucite flowers.
I,ve also started a blog  http://www.lifeandmakingjewelry.blogspot.com/    and while I wasn't on facebook or twitter i,m starting to try and figure that out.

Burnt Orange lilly Earrings
What for you has been the most fulfilling part of creating your handmade business?
What for you has been the hardest part of creating your handmade business?
Creating a handmade business is the easy part.Selling is another kettle of fish.Just when you think you've excelled yourself with your latest creation you find that no one has looked at it (on etsy you can see how many times a piece has been viewed), or perhaps 3 people looked in the first couple of days.I remind myself that is probably the case for hundreds of etsians ,after all there are a heck of a lot of items on Etsy and jewellery especially is one of the most prolific items sold on there and everywhere else to.Still there is only one way to find out if your item is saleable and that is to jump in and swim!
As you go along if you didn't already have marketing savvy you will pick up how others photograph their items  effectively and how best to describe your item.

I often wish that Etsy provided stats as to what is selling on Etsy trendwise,how many,where it is selling and how people go about selling it.

As to what lights me up.Well it's always uplifting to know that someone admires my jewellery.I also enjoy friendly and uplifting convo's from other Etsians on anything.

I,ve had my share of downtimes when I wonder if i,m on the right track.But someones likes my jewellery enough more than a few.I,ve read about people becoming successful only to after trying various selling venues. My advive would be to never give up.
What tips do have for anyone else wanting to turn their passion/hobby into a handmade business be it on Etsy or another selling avenue?
I,m not sure I,m the best person to ask for advice, but I would say look at every venue where jewellery is sold,what they are selling and how they are selling it.Come up with a name that will typify your style of jewellery.Come up with a style and colour of photography that will identify your brand.

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
This lady's style of jewellery is very different and original http://www.staroftheeast.etsy.com/
This lady's amazing creations made from recycled sweaters http://www.katwise.etsy.com/
this lady's felted wool creations http://www.jurgitami.etsy.com/

Find Sandra's ranges Jools to Drool over and SweetieYumYum at the following:
http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/ http://www.sweetieyumyum.madeit.com.au/ and http://www.senseofashion.com/sweetieyumyum
Check out her blog which will also have handmade features on fellow Madeit artisans http://www.lifeandmakingjewelry.blogspot.com/

Handmade Blog Feature: Vibrant Shadows by Jordan Schwartz

Jordan is a young woman who's work I discovered in the etsy forums by being captivated by her striking avatar. It looked moody,imposing and depicted the greek colisseum. So I went to her shop thinking it was filled with equally moody striking photography.
I then got the shock of my life when I saw that her avatar and products were not photographes but beautifully detailed paper cuts that she photgraphes with the sky shining through the openings. I was amazed. And I think you will be to with the beauty and modernity of her work.

So welcome one and all to the work of VibrantShadows by Jordan Schwartz. http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/

Colosseum by http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/

Hi Jordan. First up how did you get into the art of Paper Cutting and how did it evolve into your business http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/ ?
Well I have loved crafting my whole life and I love to learn new arts and techniques. I have done sewing,knitting,candlemaking... you name it and i,ve probably tried it.
I stumbled upon paper cutting online one day and decided to give it a try and I was hooked!
I built up a little stock and decided to give Etsy a whirl.

How do you decide on what the subjects for your artwork will be?
I tend to flow with inspiration....sometimes I just randomly come up with a idea and I write it down so I can try it out later.I keep a small notebook with me at all times now.

Starry Night Paper cut inspired by Vincent Van gogh.www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com

Can you describe a bit about the process and what materials you use?
I use paper especially made for this craft as it is fade resistant to last for years and it is thin enough for me to cut very intricate pieces. As for knives... I use a simple #11 straight  blade xacto knife.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your business?
I LOVE custom orders! There is nothing more rewarding than being able to take someone's precious family photo and turning it into a one of a kind piece of art for them.

Custom Paper cuts http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/

Whats the hardest aspect of your business?
Taking great photo's. I try and come up with ways of taking photos of the cuts so you are able to tell they are cuts and not printed.When a person can't actually see the item before buying,great photos are a necessity.

Ferris wheel Paper cut by http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/

Whats next for Vibrant Shadows?
Larger pieces! I have dreams of making huge intricate cuts 24x36 inches and beyond!

Water Ripple by http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
http://www.fiddlekate.etsy.com/  a small shop but absolutely wonderful to talk to and they make gorgeous handmade cutting boards.
http://www.titaniumknights.etsy.com/ who make titanium rings. I bought my wedding bands from them.Amazing quality,beautiful,durable and great communication from them as well!

For more of Jordans work check out her shop and her Youtube channel:
http://www.vibrantshadows.etsy.com/ and www.youtube.com/vibrantshadowsart

Handmade Blog Feature: Mystic Silks

I love silk scarves.You can wrap them round your head,your neck,thread them through your jeans or just tie them round your waist.Some are so beautiful and artistic you could frame them and hang them as artworks. Our next Artisan falls very much into that catergory.
Klaire from Mystik Silks. http://www.mysticsilks.etsy.com/  Her work stood out beacuse of it's artistry,colour palette and labour intensive love and creation that goes into each scarf.On her blog she chronicles their making and details the often poignant stories behind them as with her Head Candy Series.

Without furthur ado, I introduce to you the inspirational artistry of Mystic Silks.

Hi Klaire and welcome to your blog feature.Firstly how did Mystic Silks come about and where did the name come from?

I was taking watercolour classes at a local college.My art instructor suggested I look into taking 'silk art' classes as a why to help me combat my anxiety that stemmed from a need to be in control.She stated that working with silk and dyes no one can determine what will show up and where the paints will flow.Especially in the steaming process.
As an example take a look at "Fairies in our garden" http://www.etsy.com/listing/6887229/original-painting-fine-artsilk-in  If you zoom in and look closely closely between the rose bush and the fairy stump,you'll see images of people sitting on the ground.I call them Adam and Eve.The steaming process and the angels brought that into focus and because of these happenings I called my business Mystic Silks.

Can you tell me more about the simple and beautiful story behind your Head Candy Series and the special addition you made to the scarves and why?

Harry Potter Magic from Head Candy Series

My Way from Head Candy Series

Mysteries from Head Candy Series

The inspiration for the "Head Candy Series" came from my doc's gal-friday Susan.She wanted to know if I created head scarves that could be worn by patients who had suffered hair loss as a result of the affects of chemotheraphy? I thought what a wonderful inspiration!
So I ordered 10 blank silk scarves and began the long process of creating the series that I call "Head Candy".After dyeing,steaming,washing,rinsing excess dye, I had a inspiring thought while ironing them.
I have a small vile of 'Holy Water' from Lourdes in France.It was almost 20years ago that a friend brought it back for me and it had about 10 drops in the vile originally.
There was still the same amount 20years later! (editors note: after all that time some of the precious contents should have evaporated.) enough for each scarf. So I added a drop of 'Holy Water' to each scarf as I ironed them.It is my intention that the blessings from the holy water touch each person who wears the Head Candy scarves in some way.

On a side note another strange happening while making the Head Candy series.I decided to name one of the scarves "Harry Potter" and had 50 photos i had taken on my computor.When I looked back up at the screen I was aghast.All 50 images had been renamed "Harry Potter" so I had to go back and retype all the original names back in and hoped Harry Potter would cease with the funny stuff!

What inspired "The Wild Ones" and "Summer" series of scarves?
The Wild ones series was again an inspiration.Several years ago I had bought some long silk scarf blanks several months ago but was not sure what I should design.Like a bolt out of the blue something said to me "Do a series on animals that are going extinct if man does not stop destroying them". The Whale,Lion (all wild jungle big cats),Elephants,the entire eco-system of the Amazon jungle, I used the cute and tiny tree frog as a symbol representing that.
Then the Hummingbird was just my fun one.God forbid they start to decline!

The "Summer" series celebrates summer.

Amazon Tree Frog from Wild Ones Series

Lion King of Beasts from Wild Ones series

Your also an accompolished painter of silk and canvas.How did creating original works of art on silk and canvas (acrylic and watercolour paintings) come about?

Full Moon Original Arcylic Painting

Trees FullMoom original arcylic painting

The leap from painting with oils,acrylics on canvas then onto silks and dyes was just a natural evolution into different dimensions of Art.
Does your paintings feed into the scarves and the scarves the paintings?Especialy as many silk painters say that watercolor painting reminds them of silk painting and dyeing because of the translucence of the paint.

Fickle Winds Original Silk Art Pinting

Mountains Majesty Original Silk Art Painting

No not for me.The colours after being steamed are so alive and vibrant!
Your informative and inspirational blog details the process of your creations and features poetry by you and other authours.What inspires you to create and what is the process for making the scarves?

Some of the poetry that I love seems to fit with some of the scarves I,ve created.I can't say I,ve created a scarf because of a particular piece of poetry.
I have to say the 'mystical muses' is what inspire me no matter how I choose to create,whether it's silk scarves,oils,acrylics,poetry or short stories I have written.The reason I attribute the 'muses' is because when they are on vacation I haven't one idea or feel the least bit inspired.
This creative process cannot be forced! If it is whatever you do will turn out lousy because it doesn't come from deep down inside your hearts core. I think thats where all the muses reside.
For the process I how I create the scarves if anyone is interested, have a look on my blog or etsy profile. In short it is a labour of love.

Have you ever lost your muse and if so how do you/did you get it back?
Go out and have fun,Read a good book, the muses will return!
Whats next for Mystic Silks?
I have no idea what is next for "Mystik Silks" as I live in the present moment., the 'Now' of life.

Johnathan L Seagull silk painted art cushion/pillow

Everything happens as it should in a timely manner.I trust in this!
Whats been the hardest aspect of creating your business?
Keeping up with learning all the SEO changes and what pleases the online god.Google.

Whats been the most rewarding part of creating yor business?
When a customer contacts me to tell me how much they love their order or if it's been given as a gift how happy and pleased they were.It's like a flower drinking in cool life giving waters.
Who are your favorite etsians and why?
Favorite folks on Etsy are my team members from Design Style Guide:. http://www.art2carry.etsy.com/   http://www.willowtreepottery.etsy.com/  http://www.tpurcell.etsy.com/  http://www.memoriesmosiacs.etsy.com/  http://www.rssdesigns.etsy.com/ and Togo from the Etsy forums she is so helpful when it comes to explaining technical changes on etsy.
Also http://www.magdaleanknits.etsy.com/ who was my first customer on etsy.

Handmade Blog Feature: Astella19

Hello all! i,m back with another handmade blog feature.This time on mixed media jeweller Aysha Hollins from Houston Texas of Astella19 http://www.astella19.etsy.com/ a young lady who makes bold colorful handpainted and thread jewellery. She is a lady of few words and prefers her work to do the talking which is way this blog feature is quite short. So here we go, introducing jeweller Astella19.

Hi Astella and welcome to your Blog Feature.Firstly what inspired you to express your creativity through jewellery making?
I first started making jewellery for myself.As the things I felt would fit my style I couldn't find in stores.

You use a wide variety of materials in your jewellery,wood,string,thread.What inspired such a diverse use of materials?
My attention span would be the real cause of why I jump from material to material lol!
I usually get an idea and just run with it.
Thats why I haven't exactly stuck with one material.

Beautiful Black Woman Handpainted Earrings with Flowers on Reverse Copyright Astella19

Lady Gaga Earrings Handpainted by Astella19

I really love your handpainted earrings,especially the Mod Zebra Earrings.What was the process behind them?
Those earrings were actually supposed to be all zebra when I started.Once I actually started painting i thought i,d try some colour blocking and just went with it and the earrings came out better than expected.

Retro Mod Zebra Earrings copyright Astella19

Retro Mod Heart Earrings Copyright Astella19

Zebra Mix Earrings Copyright Astella19

The Rose Printed thread earrings are so intricate,yet simple looking.What was the process behind them?
The technique for those came from a friend who also does arts and crafts and from there the Dreamcatcher earrings were created as well.

Rose Print Thread Earrings by Astella19

Whats next for http://www.astella19.etsy.com/ ?
I plan to create some necklaces and bracelets in the future.

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
As i,m quite new I haven't got any favorites yet!

Find Astella's beautiful bold afrocentric jewellery at http://www.astella19.etsy.com/
Follow her on Twitter @AFR0CENTRIC
Find her on facebook www.facebook.com/home.php#1/Astella19

Inspirations of tattered finery

Here is a taste of some of the things inspiring me for my a/w 2011/12 Collection. It's going to be called
Lost and Found.
Here is a selection of images from designers who use vintage and found objects,recycled clothing,accessories and bits and pieces to make gorgeous garments and accessories.

First up Selene Gibbious of http://www.gibbiousfashions.com/

Selene both models in the photos along with her very creative friends as well as takes the photos and is one of the designers in the collective. Selene uses materials such as vintage silk slips,lace,corsets,girdles and fabric scraps from vintage coats,clothing and tees.Some of these she uses as the base for new coats and skirts.She also adds unusual details such as a glove as in the top image which doubles as a pocket.
Bits of broken jewellery and old keys are also sewn on.

Do check out the site for her blog,stunning photoshoot pictures and her online shop.
Selene also does a alteration,custom and make-over service all for reasonable prices.All her pieces are gorgeous one off originals.


Designs by Bonzie http://www.bonziedesigns.com/ Based in Waterford Ireland this Aunt and Niece duo make corsets,collars.cuffs,coats.fascinators and more in their unique style.Using Irish Linens,Tweeds,Silks, sometimes hand dyed.They embellish the pieces with jewellery,Pearls and handmade flowers made from velvets,tulles and silk.They now have a stunning must visit workshop in Waterford Ireland a image of which is below.Do visit their site,blog and flicker accounts for a slice of Irish Couture.

SparrowSalvage.(Below)

The work of Australian artist Penny. She creates the most beautiful worn,victorian inspired cuff bracelets using vintage fabrics,laces,beads,buttons that she hand dyes and hand sews layering  materials and textures together.The clasps are either antique buttons or antique coat frog clasps she also creates earrings,brooches, as well as sells some of her supplies and diy cuff kits in her destash shop http://www.littlebrownmagpie.etsy.com/ I wrote an article on her in Alt Fashion Magazine which really went into her inspirations.Penny also sells antique findings and materials in her other shop http://www.faginsdaughter.etsy.com/ and beautiful colage mixed media artwork using vintage papers and books at http://www.littlebrownsparrow.etsy.com/  check out more of Pennys work on her blog.  http://www.sparrowsalvage.blogspot.com/

So those are a few of the labels who's look i am aiming to channel in my own collection.I will be using vintage and antique beads,trims and fabrics cutting up secound hand clothing and hand dying and ageing fabrics.As well as layering textures smooth with torn,lace with tulle and jersey yarn with embroidery,pearls and silk.
As usual i,ll be using semi precious stones and old buttons sourced from Portobello market.
Look out for images of the collection in progress from June 2011.