An Indie Biz: Photo Magic

March 19, 2013March 18, 20132 Comments

As I sit at my computer late on a Monday night I realize that I am way way way overdue. Not for returning my library books – but for writing a post on running an indie biz! So here’s my much belated installment – and it’s all about photo editing.

Let’s say you’ve developed a beautiful new line of products and are ready to introduce your creations to the world. You’ve painstakingly planned the shoot, took the time to set up quality lighting and have captured a great set of photos to show the masses.

Now what?

Don’t even think for a second that once your photos are logged and stored on your SD drive that you’re free to frolic about. Your next task as a handmade business owner is to make those pics magical. And I’m not talking pseudo-well-done they get a passing grade magical. I mean stop-em-in-their-tracks, make-heads-turn, kind of attention. Sure – paying a pro to do the dirty digital work can seem promising – but there’s nothing more fulfilling than empowering yourself to take that DIY step to enhance pictures on your own.

So before I sit back to tackle the 300+ photos I snapped of new Pierogi Picnic gear recently, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite tricks and short cuts for photo editing on the fly. Continue reading →

Designs: Take A Bow

March 5, 2013March 27, 2013Leave a comment

I know I know – the end of winter is at hand so what business do I have making more cold weather gear? Well, I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned the layering will continue for at least another couple of months as the current season wanes and spring takes hold. So as I was laying out my design plans for the coming days, I decided to throw caution to the wind and make more cozy layerables that can be stacked over sweaters and raincoats. And so “Take a Bow” was born.

Handcrafted from knitted, itch-free, vintage sweaters, these adorable chunky cowls are both utilitarian and fashion-forward. Creating a warm loop around the neck, these fun accessories have a pinched front to create an over-sized bow shape when worn. Great for wearing indoors or out – I predict that this new design will be a fan favorite in no time!

Bringing the Outdoors In

February 28, 2013January 19, 2016Leave a comment

As a contributor to the Eco Etsy blog – I’ve had the opportunity to write on a wide range of topics. From eco-tutorials to sustainable inspirations – I’ve covered a range of topics on the site. Most recently I gathered up some ideas on how you can bring a hint of Spring indoors with creative curating using plants.

If you’re getting antsy like me to welcome the new season, check out the article for some suggestions on how you can bring the great outdoors in this month.

Item of the Week: Hide N Seek

February 26, 2013February 21, 2013Leave a comment

What do you get when you throw together a soft pre-loved sweatshirt, lace, thread and some major scissor cutting? The adorable and oh so cozy Hide N Seek sweater! One of my personal favorites – this soft and toasty piece has a modern boxy shape with just the right dash of charm. Sporting an over-sized cowl neckline, lace embellishment, raw edges and over-sized fit, this fun piece is great for wearing alone or being layered. Perfect for the shifting season – the Hide N Seek sweater series will have you snuggling up to someone special in no time!

Inspiration: Jayson Home

February 19, 2013March 6, 20134 Comments

It’s winter in Chicago which means I’m starving for visual inspiration. There’s only so much pinning a girl can do! So on a recent Saturday afternoon I embarked with my equally eager hubby to Jayson Home to get my creative juices moving again.

If there’s ever been a place to whisk away the winter-blues it’s this eccentrically elegant home and garden center in the heart of the Lincoln Park shopping district. Filled with a cacophony of furniture odds and design ends this beautiful boutique expertly choreographs each and every display. Moody reupholstered furniture combine with brightly colored accent pieces, one-of-a-kind handmade dishware and fair-trade imports. To bring together such a wide variety of aesthetics and make it seem this fluid is artistry at its finest.

Setting trends in furnishing and design, Jayson home is the perfect place to escape on a dreary gray afternoon. Snapping pictures left and right, I know I took lots of notes and will be playing out some of their ideas in my own place. Whether it be with pops of potted plants or delightfully tacky prints, this is the place to go for a fresh dose of inspiration for the home this season!

Item of the Week: Valentine in Blue

February 12, 2013February 11, 2013Leave a comment

When thinking about what I should feature this week the choice was easy: my hand-stenciled Polish-folk blouse.

Created using a vintage women’s top, the style of the design is reminiscent of the Polish tradition of “wycinanki” which literally translates to “cut-outs”. Looking to bring the unique aesthetic to a Pierogi Picnic design, I hand carved a stencil with which to create the print. Including the silhouettes of hearts and leaves, I made a whimsical scene that I could then transfer with fabric paint onto the front of the blouse.

The captivating back-story to this particular piece is that my first print also became my last, as my plastic template morphed beyond recognition after the first stenciling. I even wrote an article on how we as indie biz owners can accept defeats gracefully – and guess what inspired the post? This design!

So in ode to Valentine’s Day I bring you a bittersweet design that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

Contests: 2013 Everyday Beauty Contest

January 31, 2013January 27, 2013Leave a comment

It’s the day before February – and you know what that means! It’s time to start snapping and sharing your photos for our third annual “Everyday Beauty Contest!!!”

With the premise to look closer at the daily details of life that captivate, inspire and enthuse, the contest invites you to submit your favorite photo onto the Pierogi Picnic Facebook page for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. Just in time for Valentine’s Day – the contest begins February 1st and will run through the 13th – with the winner announced on the holiday.

And how do you win?

Take a picture using this year’s theme and upload it to the Pierogi Picnic Facebook page. The photo can be a quick instagram shot or something you doctor in an editing program. The only rule is that you must have taken the pic yourself. The photo with the most likes at 10pm (CST) on 2/13 will win!

This year’s theme is: RED

So get out there and start snapping. And more importantly – have fun!