Barter Month Update

I'm happy to report some new barters for the month! I did a little wheeling and dealing with some fellow crafters on Etsy and we traded some really beautiful handmade wares! Etsy seller calexandra makes gorgeous pins, headbands and hair embellishments and she traded these really beautiful heart brooches

for an obi belt from the Jenny Irene line

I also made a trade with cute-as-a-button Etsy seller Solanah. She sells great vintage clothing along with some beautiful, handmade skirts and embellished tops. I traded with her some leggings
for a really beautiful top.

Thanks so much for helping out with barter month, ladies! I'm looking forward to sporting these gorgeous new lovelies around town while singing the praises of getting back to a non-cash society!

Barter is the New Black

"We're all a little bit obsessed with cutting corners these days. Personally, I've been checking the free ads on Craigslist list like it's a daily itch that needs scratching. You'd be amazed at all the things that I've found that I never knew I needed. But even better than accumulating dilapidated sofas and cords of firewood that I can't burn while its been raining for the last month, I've also been dabbling in some good old fashioned bartering. The other day I found that I simply could not live without a bright and colorful photo from fellow Craftinista member Houry Semerdijan. So I called her up and made a trade for some of the new shirts that we're making for Button Inc. Later that afternoon I also got a call from Craftinista mob boss St. de Ville and I swapped some necklaces for a pair of groovy new tees.

These recent transactions have gotten the old gears turning. I wonder how much I can make and trade, how many non-cash transactions I can substitute for cash ones. I've noticed that the more things I make the more appreciation I have for my possessions. It really brings home the value of non-commercial, non-manufactured things. Anyone else interested in a small social experiment to barter more this month and see what happens? Here's what I've got to trade: some clothing from the Jenny Irene winter collections, a batch of the most delicious scones ever and lots of garlic, chard and onions from the garden. I'd love to hear from you about a barter, or just your comments on the experiment.

Dressy Dress Photoshoot

Josh and I were up at the crack of dawn to take these photos out in the mustard field.  

I love the way they turned out!  You can read a little bit more about the making of the dress in yesterday's post.  I have a whole lot of vintage bustiers lying around, so shoot me a line and I'll make a dress just for you!

Dressy New Dress

So in my other life I do fundraising for the local Symphony and one of my projects was a big gala, the Symphony Ball and Auction. Naturally I decided to try my hand at a dress for the event and this is what happened. It's all black silk with a saffron velvet belt. (I've got a thing for belts lately.) It's actually two pieces and the top is built off of a vintage bustier. Sassy! I felt like the belle of the ball (literally).

Tomorrow me and Josh (special man friend, amazing artist and co-conspirator in our screen-printing line, Button Inc.) are going out to take some photos in the early morning sunlight. Pray that our coffee doesn't fail us--neither of us care much for the morning! I'll be sure to post some photos tomorrow, provided that aren't looking too haggard.

Pictures of the Latest Creations!

reusable coozies for your coffee cup, beer or wine glass



bold red and black tanks



pretty brown tank dresses



cool designer fabrics for belts

These are some fun new creations that will be for sale at the upcoming Craftinista Trunk show on April 9th. All handmade with love!

New Creations for the Craftinista Trunk Show

I've been burning the midnight oil to finish some new goods for the trunk show next month. Here's what I'm working on:

• a ton of new belts with awesome designer fabrics and beautiful dupioni silk
• a bunch of bright and colorful tanks with embellished circles
• some very pretty screened floral tanks

I'm also trying to screen my own fabric for the first time and really like how the ginko leaf pattern is turning out! We'll see what that transforms into--I'm thinking fun summer tops.

Craftinista Trunk Show