Threadless is once again having their amazing $10 sale. You can scoop up some really great designs for yourself and for christmas presents! Below are a few of my favorite tees.

The best thing is that they now carry hoodies and long sleeves too. Finally something for the cold weather!

Site: www.threadless.com

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

This week our interview is with Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. Since 2001, Sublime Stitching has been turning unsuspecting non-needleworkers into embroidery fanatics. Jenny Hart’s cheeky designs and fun instructions have helped fuel the DIY revolution and given veteran needleworkers something new to stitch about.

How did you get your start?

My dad loaned me $1,000. with the promise to pay back half once I turned a profit. Getting the money from him was harder than from a bank! I had to account for every dime needed, and how it would be spent. And, I paid him back in six months. My first real ‘break’ I owe to BUST magazine, who published a full-page embroidered illustration I did for them. Instead of running a credit in my name, I asked if they’d publish the link to my new design company. They ran both, and the exposure gave me a great kick-start.

What was the first item you ever made?

My first line of embroidery patterns: Cat-a-Rama, Tiki Freak, Viva Las Vegas and Country Cool. Then, I offered the first embroidery starter kits! The idea of putting a hoop in a kit along with tools, patterns and complete beginner instructions teaching the basics of embroidery was apparently shocking to the major manufacturers of the needlework industry, who really have disconnected with the next generation of crafters that make up the DIY movement. They offered only single-project kits (that dictated exactly what the project would look like) and assumed you already knew how to embroider- so there was no information on how to put fabric on a hoop, thread your needle, etc. Plus the instructions were dry, overly-difficult and really uninspiring. I made the decision early on that I wouldn’t make handmade items, even though I offered them for a time. My intent was to offer well-designed patterns, tools and resources for others to do their own handwork.

Do you have any formal training?

My formal training is in drawing. I started taking classes when I was five (thanks mom!) and have practiced and studied formally and informally all my life. Officially, I’m an art-school dropout. I took private lessons for oil painting when I was young, my father was a photographer who taught me a lot about that….my parents always made the resources for exploring creative disciplines available. I was raised in a very small farming town in Illinois, so that was a true blessing.

When and why did you create your business?

Sublime Stitching was officially launched in 2001, about a year after I learned to embroider. I started it with the mission of turning others on to embroidery who might not have ever considered trying it as a hobby or creative outlet. Which, most people weren’t since the designs, instructions and resources that were completely outdated and uninspiring. Only if you were a die-hard needleworker, taught by your mother or grandmother, were you embroidering. The education and inspiration for non-needleworkers was completely unavailable. No one was saying “Yay! Let’s learn to embroider!” It was unheard of. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed embroidering once I learned, that I wanted to share my experience with those who weren’t considering it as a relaxing, creative outlet.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people I meet because of it.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

What happens when I close my eyes. It’s there.

Who is your favourite designer?

Cat Chow or Rebecca Turbow.

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

Creative independence.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

Two words: link swap. Although, I’ve been so overwhelmed with link requests, I haven’t stayed on top of that as well as I should lately. Do as I say, not as I do!

Where do you hope your business will be in 5 years?

It’s funny, you start out thinking that you ‘work for yourself’ but really, you are working for the company you’ve created. Sublime Stitching is its own entity now, and I have to meet the growing demands! It’s wonderfully overwhelming, but I hope that in five year’s time I will be able to enjoy more independence from the business operations so that I can play a more focused role in its creative vision.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Know your flow (as in cash).

Site: www.sublimestitching.com

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

Kailo Chic started in early 2005 as the Austin based handbag company of designer Kara Whitten. With a passion for bright colors and bold prints, Kara created her handbag line to offer a vast array of shades and shapes.

After getting a taste of creative design, she soon began branching out into other areas of fashion. Kailo Chic now offers a wide range of designer pieces, including skirts, handbags, jewelry, belts, and headbands.

 
Every item is still made by hand in the USA and are made in limited quantities,  so the customer is sure to have a standout look. With designs that are practical as well as pretty, Kara Whitten helps customers add flair to their wardrobe.

Give a little kick to your wardrobe or someone elses now and save 20% off your enitre purchase with coupon code SAVE20 only at Kailo Chic.

I first fell in love with b-kao when I saw the gorgeous Green Patch Hobo at Cut x Paste. Although it has been sold out for quite awhile I just can’t stop looking at it!

Now at b-kao’s website you can get your hobo in different patterns. You can also choose from small, medium or large. Being that they are custom in size you must email your order. My favorite is the plaid design but they come in two other fabrics as well.

Site: www.b-kao.com

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

My Favorite Mirror is a small company specializing in pocket mirrors. MFM is owned and operated by the recently wed Kellee & Matthew Milner. Kellee started her business making one-of-a-kind mirrors made from recycled storybooks and magazines. MFM has expanded since then and now offers pocket mirrors for wedding favors, fundraisers, and just for fun!

I am loving the Illustrators Series Pocket Mirrors! These mirrors feature the work of Boy Girl Party, Jill Bliss, Meomi, My Paper Crane and many more. The images are officially licensed and each mirror comes in its own velveteen pouch all for just $6.50!

Site: www.myfavoritemirror.com

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

As the last of the leaves have fallen and a chill settles across the countryside, have your dreams shifted to far-flung exotic places?

If your passport has its own layer of dust, and the last time you had any sort of passbook updated was at the bank, Ananda Khalsa’s breathtaking line of Asian-inspired art jewelry is your ticket to a magical world of life captured in watercolor.

Deeply inspired by the symbolism of nature, each piece crafted by Ananda invites you to see the world in her eyes. Both plants and animals are painstakingly painted onto paper, and then showcased behind glass. Stone & bead accents add a layer of bejeweled elegance, and provide a breathe of femininity to the cool, sleek metal settings in which every illustration is set.

This is wearable art in its truest form. From conception to completion; from meticulous design to imaginative ornamentation; you will feel as though you are curator of your own personal art collection when you choose any pendant, ring or pair of earrings from Ananda’s collection.

One can truly travel around the world and back again, simply by immersing themselves in Ananda Khalsa’s vivacious world - a world where fragrant blooms, such as orchid and plum blossom, perfume your senses; where the stately willow lovingly nurtures; and where dragonflies bring love & joy on flickering crystalline wings.

Site: www.anandakhalsa.com

By: Mary Rajotte of www.outstandingink.com

I absolutely love fall and winter, however living in southern California leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the aforementioned seasons. Fortunately (not really, but I’m trying to think positively) I work in an office that is very often winter-like in temperature, which is why you could almost hear brakes screeching to a halt when I came across Casey Dwyer’s Etsy store, The Candy Thief. To be specific, it was the site of Casey’s stunning Funky Felt Collars that stopped me in my tracks. While wearing one, not only would I be the most stylish person in my entire building, let alone my office, but my neck would be kept extra toasty because they are all backed with a cozy flannel or fleece for extra warmth and comfort.

Then again, why waste such style and elegance just on the workplace? For many, in the next few months the forecast not only calls for chilly weather but parties galore and these beautiful collars are just the accessory that you’ll want to keep you warm and set you apart from the crowd. As a matter of fact if you already have your outfits picked out and are looking for the perfect accessories, why not forgo the usual earrings and necklace and instead design your own collar! That’s right, Casey takes the unique factor one step further and let’s you choose up to two colors, from over twenty-four, in order to create a true one of a kind.

Don’t quite have the flair for the dramatic that you think you need to pull an accessory like this off? Fortunately for you, The Candy Thief is host to a variety of other fun and funky accessories from brooches to handbags all crafted with love from Casey’s own two hands!

Site: thecandythief.etsy.com

By: Stephanie Lesky of www.junkinourtrunk.com

This week our interview is with clothing designer Xenia Vorotova of Lime Crime. Xenia bravely stepped into the world of DIY fashion in late 2002 as an independent eBay designer. Three years and several reincarnations later, Lime Crime is back with a hip new line!

How did you get your start as a designer?

I was always a bit on the extravagant side, even as a kid. My mother showed me a couple stitches back when I was 10 and that was it for me. I got hooked on making clothes for my Barbies!

What was the first item you ever made?

A lace ball gown for one of my Barbie dolls (growing up in Russia, I only had two). The first piece of clothing I made for myself were these ugly purple pants that I try not to think about too much these days, haha… But hey, I was only 14 and thought they looked great!

Do you have any formal training?

I went to a fashion school (FIT) here in NY. I was not interested in a degree per se, just learning about fashion. So for 2 years I managed to only take Fashion-related classes, avoided boring stuff like math like the plague, haha. Then one day I found out that Calvin Klein too went to FIT and was a C student. I dropped out of FIT and went to work for Calvin Klein.

When and why did you create Lime Crime Clothing?

Working at CK was where it all happened. I knew I wanted to eventually start my own fashion company. Besides being able to express myself creatively, I also saw it as an opportunity to support myself doing something I love. I started out as an eBay seller in 2003, auctioning my originals to fashionistas all over the world. I think my eBay experience helped me understand how the market works, plus I met so many wonderful people some of whom became my real-life friends!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The fact that I get to be me, 24/7!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Cute and innocent things with a darker twist tend to catch my eye. I love vintage, world street fashion, and Vogue. And sometimes ideas will even come to me in my dreams! I sketch them out as soon as I wake up.

Who is your favourite designer?

I adore Anna Molinari, Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, Irregular Choice shoes designer Danny Sullivan. Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Gucci are also some of the favorite.

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

My persian kitty, Puffalo!

What will you be wearing this autumn/winter?

This might sound cheesy, but I always wear my own stuff! I just made a bunch of totally adorable babydolls with cute puffed sleeves and ruffled collars, so that’s what it’ll be for me! Oh, and tall boots.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

I think success is equal parts great product and great marketing. It usually takes a while to develop a style that resonates with people, to find your customer base. One word of advice I would give is: Listen to your customers and keep them entertained!

Where do you hope Lime Crime will be in 5 years?

I’m hoping to expand a bit. Right now it’s just me and a sewing machine. I’m slowly bringing more people on board. In the end all that matters is that I do what I love and create clothes that make people happy!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Oh, that’s easy. Not to tie my shoes together!

Site: www.limecrime.net

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

MAUstudio is run by Designer Manyi Au who started her business at the end of 2005. She has been able to use her creativity to create her line of greeting cards, stationery and buttons. Manyi also designs jewelry and finds time to be a graphic and web designer as well.

All customers will receive FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING with their orders until 12/31/06. Also be sure to sign up for our newsletter for your chance to win a pair of earrings and a cell phone charm from MAUstudio!

Site: www.maustudio.com

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief

Robin’s Nest Ring by Yankee Girl - $30

Chirps! Notes by 1201am - $14 per set

Chirps! Pillow by 1201am - $42

Horizontal Necklace by Small Things - $105

By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief