Mark your calendars – the Renegade Craft Fair is just a few weeks away!
I will be there in full force hawking my latest and greatest designs. This year is extra special as I will be sharing my booth with the lovely Caitlin Peters of Wanderlustings. More details to come soon – save the date today!
What: Renegade Craft Fair Chicago
When: Saturday, September 10th & Sunday, September 11th from 11am-7pm
Where: Wicker Park off Division
With the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair quickly approaching I have been dedicating every Saturday of this month to making new designs for the fall season and mega craft fest. This adorable dress is one of many new creations that will grace my booth at the fair.
Made of lightweight cotton that was salvaged from a men’s t-shirt – this dress has a feminine lace and embroidery floss embellishment across the front. I especially enjoy the contrast between the softness of the cotton and the elegance of the vintage fabric. Continue reading
I was reading through the Etsy Blog and came across an article about uber entrepreneur Melissa Helmbrecht and was instantly floored.
The post chronicles Melissa’s diverse array of achievements and shares her 3 piece of advice for small indie businesses. Her very first tip has haunted me since I read the article: 1. Do what you don’t feel like doing.
When I read this I had to stop, go back, and read it again. At first I had thought it said “do what you feel like doing” and thought to myself, “yeah!” Boy was I bummed when I processed it again. “What do you mean do what you don’t want to? That’s not what I want to hear!”
The article continues by reviewing the need for a business plan and forward thinking – none of which I’m against – but to be reminded of this on a warm lazy summer day hit a nerve.
I was suddenly overwhelmed – the fall season was just a mere 3 months away and I hadn’t even stopped one moment to dream up my cool weather designs. The business plan is intact – but what about the core of my brand – the clothing!?
So after ordering up some steaming sweet and sour tofu takeout I sat down to plot, draw, and dream my Fall 2011 collection. And if you think I’m stalling (don’t fashion designers figure this out year’s in advance!?) then remember that I’m not your typical clothing designer and that at times spontaneity and procrastination can lead to high pressure thinking and fabulous results!
And in case you’re just itching to see some of my thoughts I’ve included a page from my business journal above. Which leads me to wonder – have you planned out your ideas for the coming season? When did you get started? Share your insights below!
Today is the full-out first official weekend of summer!
My plan for the day? To celebrate in as many ways as possible! I’ve already started by visiting the first Edgewater Farmer’s Market day where I sucked down delicious iced coffee from Kitchen Sink, picked up fingerling potatoes, cremini mushrooms and real strawberries from local vendors. Then David and I migrated to the secret neighborhood garden with Peanut & Butter where we noshed on a fresh piece of moist blueberry coffee cake – a perfect start to the day. As we plan our beach outing and visit to the new custard stand Lickety Split, I’m also plotting which of my newest designs I will be sporting on this beautiful sunny morning.
How will you be celebrating your first summer weekend? What will you be wearing?
Jared migrated to Chicago from a small town in Ohio and now thrives in this new metropolis he calls home. A gifted painter, his ghostly creations infuse viewers with both curiosity and wonder as they gaze through a fog of paint where faces peer out from under the surface. Jared’s stunning art defies his cool and friendly demeanor.
Infinitely approachable with his grizzly beard and soft smirks – Jared spends his hours away from the studio reading, philosophizing, brewing coffee, napping, and canoodling with his dogs Frankenstein and Vera.
What’s better than running an eco-friendly indie business? Getting some love for it from the major league players! Check out the article “Fashions with a Conscience” from the Style Network’s mystyle website featuring none other than Pierogi Picnic front and center. The “In Bloom” tunic dress is one of my favorite designs and it’s great to see that I’m not the only one who thinks so. Love the love.
Shiny Happy*People 