An Indie Biz: Catching Up

August 13, 2012August 11, 2012Leave a comment

There’s nothing quite like living each summer day to the fullest. The trouble comes when sunshine, lazy days and the heat interrupt our daily disciplines. Between weekend events, visiting with friends and cuddling with cute bugs like Peanut (photographed above) it seems that July slipped away without warning. So now Renegade is less than 30 days away and I have lots and lots of work to be done!

So this coming week I am setting aside the pleasures of the season to dedicate my time to sewing and planning and some more sewing! I hope to keep you updated on my progress via the Pierogi Picnic Facebook page. My goal is to make 15-20 pieces a day while finishing up my new sign, clothing racks and maybe sneaking in a couple fabric experiments.

Here’s to drowning myself in fabric for the next five days! Wish me luck!!!

Item of the Week: Flirty Flounce

July 25, 2012July 22, 2012Leave a comment

I’m really looking to infuse more prints and patterns into my handmade garments. Not only does it require me to develop this portion of my skills as a designer, it’s also a real challenge as it stretches the aesthetic combinations of my pieces. By adding these re-occurring elements I’m hoping to bring more of a folksy look to my otherwise retro and urban inspired style. The Flirty Flounce is my first in many upcoming ventures to combine a feminine shape, casual cotton and whimsical pattern into one piece.

What I love about this design in particular is the soft peplum flare along the bottom and how it combines with the look of the assymetrical print. The image along the top is hand-stenciled using two different shapes – one which I created myself. I alternated the colors to enhance the ‘textural’ appeal of the garment.

The clothing sample in the photograph above also brings together some of my favorite colors for the upcoming season: teal, silver and grey. Seeing that this piece hits on all my interests and goals for upcoming looks – how could I not have chosen it as the “Item of the Week?”

An Indie Biz: Clothing Racks by Dad

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012Leave a comment

My dad is not only “the most interesting pastor at Harvest,” he’s also an incredible man with an even more incredible life story. Whether it was beating the odds as an orphan growing up in communist Poland, gracing hundreds of stages across Europe as a seventies musical icon, becoming an ex-patriot after moving to the U.S. or surviving his many brushes with death (we’re talking stepping on a bear, navigating a sailboat through a storm in the Bermuda triangle, sleeping through a twister, etc., etc. ), my ‘tata’ has amassed quite the encyclopedia of adventures through his sixty-six years on Earth. Continue reading →

Trends: Color Report Fall 2012

July 18, 2012July 12, 2012Leave a comment

Every few months Pantone puts together a color report to summarize hue trends for the upcoming season. In a surprising twist – the palette for fall has a unique smattering of shades – many that would normally be found in a spring collection. I picked my four favorites hues and compiled a series of eye-catching looks from Etsy to get you thinking about Autumn.

Vernon blouse by Kimmy Kuo

Oval N5 brooch by Verónica de Arriba

Sunrise Anonymous bear leggings by Qoo Qoo Fashions

Girl with Dotty Scarf by 10antemeridian

Point of Light tunic dress by Pierogi Picnic

Danae lace collar necklace by White Owl

Meet the Models: Caitlin

July 16, 2012July 12, 2012Leave a comment

Whether it’s posting incredible finds on her blog, Wanderlustings, or creating effortlessly elegant and retro-inspired jewelry for her Etsy shop, Caitlin’s a force to be reckoned with! So how could I not invite her to pose for me in a Pierogi Picnic photo shoot?!

To get into her lovely brain further, I asked her what inspired her. Here’s Caitlin’s response:

“Possibly anything. But constants seem to be: being different, creative and driven people, cinematography, music designed to tell a story, architecture, anything experimental, Paul Pope, comic books in general, decades past, Klaus Nomi, playing pretend, Ray and Charles Eames, self-awareness and letting your imagination run wild.”

Beautiful inside and out – isn’t she?!

Press: Etsy Finds – Bold & Beautiful

July 13, 2012July 13, 2012Leave a comment

I am honored to be featured in another round of Etsy Finds. Today’s email blast ran with the theme of “Bold & Beautiful” and highlighted a number of trends. What was one of them? Color blocking! And I’m proud to report that my eco-chic ‘Night Shift” dress was included in the spread.

Item of the Week: Point Out The Way

July 11, 2012July 11, 2012Leave a comment

I first reported on the emerging trend of mullet hems last year. Since then it seems the style of high-low hems has exploded as dresses, tops, and skirts all don the assymetrical dip. I have always been a fan of the style and am happy to see it hitting the mainstream. So when choosing my “Item of the Week,” it seemed natural to feature my new “Point Out the Way” tunic.

Handmade from a pre-loved men’s t-shirt, this edgy design features a lengthier back hem that’s cut to a point and a front that’s raised in a ‘v.’ The back also has a lovely geometric cut that brings a touch of grace to an otherwise sporty look. And with the tie at the neck it makes adjusting the fit super easy. Keep an eye out in my Etsy shop for more of these tops in various hues.