Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Interview with Stacey Sharman of Peppermint Pinwheels

by 5 Comments

I make handcrafted quilts in a modern, traditional style.

I believe in making things that are beautiful and functional. I am also working on a line of patterns because I know there are a lot of crafty and creative people who love to make things for themselves, but need a place to start.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I am a textile junkie. I started sewing on an antique treadle sewing machine at the age of 8, did needlepoint through-out high school, began collecting vintage textiles while working at an antique/auction house after college and am currently working in antique carpet restoration. I love the gorgeous colors and patterns that surround me day to day and love the history of a handcrafted piece.

I started making quilts to sell after years of making them exclusively for close family and friends. I had always held back from selling the things I loved making because I was afraid that the joy would go out of it. I’m still a bit scared of that happening, but for now, I’m excited about the possibility of doing something I love and making money at the same time. Plus, I have a huge closet overflowing with wonderful fabrics that deserve more than just being stacked on a shelf!

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

In many ways, my “day job” in antique rug restoration is very much how I imagine quilting bees used to be in the past: a bunch of women working with needles and thread and talking about their lives. Because I get so much support from these ladies during the day, I always feel inspired to go home and work all evening on my own pieces.

Making a quilt can be a very long and labor intensive process. It normally takes at least a week for a very basic quilt to be finished. That is what I love about what I do – the process of choosing patterns, color, textures- and I’m always happy to be doing it. I do, however, have a husband, a small child, a dog, a cat, two fish and a job, so my challenge is often finding enough time to fit it all in.

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

I’ve only recently begun this endeavor of making my work public. I do have a website at www.peppermintpinwheels.com as well as an etsy site at www.peppermintpinwheels.etsy.com. I have had a lot of success in selling to people that are able to touch and cuddle with my quilts up close, but I’m still a bit shy about selling in person.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

www.papaververt.com

What inspires and motivates you?

Every day I’m surrounded by beautiful color and pattern, and that’s what inspires me most. It doesn’t hurt that I live in an area that has abundant sewing , quilting, and thrift stores and there are always new and exciting fabrics to be found.

Thanks Stacey! And if you want to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.

Sandmaiden

by 1 Comment

1

Sandmaiden: about 11 years ago I started my career in the fashion industry as a very young single mom in Vancouver, Canada. My work adventures took me from the order desk at a childrens catalog company to assisting high end bridal, flat renderings, print design, global freelance design and producing samples for a European ladies career collection.

A few years in after I had acquired all the boots, suits and shoes a young lady could want (okay, should want) I discovered a hole in my wardrobe. I bought my first pair of real pajamas for about $20.00 on sale, by day i was a working girl on the factory floor, by night a princess. When I should have been shopping for things for my daughter or a boyfriend i was hunting the ideal pair of pajamas, they continued to elude me. Very many pj’s later said princess found her prince and the pj’s haven’t seen the sheets since.

2

Wedding Planning

by 3 Comments

After the initial excitement of being engaged wears off you may find you suddenly feel incredibly daunted at the task ahead, planning your wedding. Few of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford a wedding planner but thankfully there are many websites and magazines that can help.

When planning your wedding day you will have many things to consider, from venue to stationery, from cake to flowers, never mind your dress, hair or shoes! Perhaps you are lucky enough to know the theme or colour scheme you want for that special day but most brides are bombarded with choice and can often choose several ideas before choosing a theme.

Over the coming months you will spend hours leafing through wedding magazines or searching for specific suppliers on the internet. As well as a collection of magazines there may also be brochures or even photos of ideas you have seen when out. Planning a wedding is like being an interior designer putting together a mood board for a particular room, creating a style that reflects the people living there but encompassing current trends.

When I am planning a party I like to collect ideas in a journal or folder so that I can keep thoughts for themes in one place. I may tear out a picture from a magazine, noting the supplier’s website or telephone number. Thankfully due to camera phones I can always take a picture when I am out, if I see something that sparks an idea for a theme or just for reference to help me find or make a similar idea.

By being organised from the start you can plan a truly fantastic day, without employing a wedding planner. Surprisingly you will find that suddenly people around you are wonderful resources, everybody seems to know a great florist, or cake designer, or stationery designer or even a shoemaker…well maybe a shoemaker is a little more difficult to find, but I will try for a future post!

Beach Party

by 2 Comments

We are in the height of Summer here in the UK and I know some of you are lucky enough to have year round sunshine. I am fortunate to live near to the beach and cannot think of a better theme for a party. Think of the fun you could have decorating the venue and choosing beach inspired treasures to incorporate into your day, like the fab cake topper above from Lollipop Workshop.

Choosing a theme for your wedding is probably the most difficult thing about planning your celebration. Perhaps you have a little gem of an idea but are not quite sure how to bring it to fruition or maybe you have chosen the most fantastic colour for your bridesmaids gowns and want to use this as the starting point. Maybe you just love starfish and want to use this as the starting point, like these gorgeous hair accessories from Dreams by the Sea.

Living near the sea or holding your wedding on the beach is the perfect opportunity to have a beach themed party. Maybe you will use bright orchids as the focal point for a tropical beach theme. The gorgeous pink orchid hair clips above from Blue Lovebirds would be a perfect accessory for the bride or bridesmaids hair, made from silk they definitely would not wilt on the day.

Another beach theme is a little more rustic and would be ideal if you are a fan of the shabby chic trend that is currently very popular. Napkins could be sewn in Cath Kidston ‘Boat‘ fabric, boat or fish shape chocolate favors could be made using a chocolate mould and the wooden fishes above, from Giddy Kipper, would make great decorations perhaps tied to the back of a chair or even in place of namecards for place settings.

By choosing a beach theme you are not limited to a particular colour or design, as you can see the beach really does inspire different ideas.

Interview with Patricia Valery

by Leave a Comment

I’m a clothing designer who works from home. I sometimes work 18 hours a day. I have immersed myself in every aspect of apparel design from basic pattern design to CAD to good old fashioned trial and error. In addition to designing and sewing I’ve also started selling my patterns and instructional videos. I’m very proud of my new spring 2010 mini-collection. I’ve used all natural fabrics and earthy colors.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I started sewing fulltime in 2004 and have been supporting myself as a designer ever since. Before this I’d never really worked in anything creative. I worked the typical college jobs like most people do. I was a bar tender and waitress. Once I started sewing I jumped in feet first and just ran with it.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Right now I’m just using my own name, but I started working under another name – a silly name that I’d rather not say. That old name just doesn’t represent me any longer – I’ve outgrown it, and am even a little embarrassed. Just like everyone else, I’ve changed with age. Where I am now is so different from where I was five years ago. I used to think I needed a tough image to make it. I soon found out that the people spending all their time building a tough image spent little time actually working. So I dropped the image and began designing for me. After that it only made sense to start using my own name.

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

I work alone. I’ve tried to bring in friends, but most people let me down. Everyone I’ve brought on board expects to play all day (send text messages, tweet, talk on the phone), but no one wants to really work. When things get really busy I work with a local seamstress. She’s a very intelligent girl with a Master’s degree in design. Her skills as a designer/sewer are amazing.

Getting my work done is no problem. When you really like what you do working uninterrupted is the perfect vacation. I know my idea of ‘having a life’ differs from most. Going out to bars and partying isn’t on my agenda. I like to study music, write, play piano and read. I wake up each morning and get to work right away. I work until I can’t work any more. I then pick up a book or play music.

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

I have a string of walk-in boutiques throughout the Southeast that carry my clothing. I also have a handful of online boutiques that carry my brands. I sell at shows from time to time, but not as much as I’d like. I also sell a little on etsy, but not as much as I’d like.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

Each week I send out my mailing list with a new featured Etsy seller. I’ve found so many cool sellers. I really like the work of ghostess. She’s an illustrator/artist. She doesn’t post much on Etsy, but I know she’s always creating. She actually designed the banner for my etsy shop.

What inspires and motivates you?

Everything inspires me. My eyes are always open and searching for new ideas. This new collection is inspired by a trip I took to Nashville. Right now I’ve got my eye on this cute little French Provincial neighborhood near my parents’ house. This summer I want to build a collection based on those houses.

What do you wish I had asked you?

I like when people ask if I have any advice for someone just starting out. Ironically people are often frustrated by my answer. Work, work, work. Every time I tell someone what I do for a living they reply, “Oh wow, that’s so cool. I wish I could do that.” The truth is anyone can. But you have to be willing to work. I mean, why put in eight hours each day plus driving for someone else? I’d much rather put in 14 hours for myself.

Thanks Patricia – I love the story behind renaming your shop! And if you would like to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.