Locher’s is clothing that looks vintage and sweet, covered in floral embriodery in pastel shades. Then when you get up close and personal with the lady wearing it you realize the girl you thought was cute and sweet really likes it rough.
Sitting beside the flowers and birdies are phrases that would make your Grandma gasp like, Cute Little Fuckers, Insatiable Little Thing and I Don’t Play Nice. I Love You Locher’s!
The designer of La Pistil Apparel says she loves to make dresses that are feminine and comfortable and that is exactly what she has achieved. Dresses that you can wear out at night or during the day with comfy sandals.
Each and every one of the dresses are handmade with love, care and soul. Custom made to accomodate most sizes. If you want a dress head on over to the La Pistil Etsy shop!
How did you get your start?
I always wanted to make jewelry. As a kid I loved arts and crafts - coloring in particular. I always painted and sketched and I wanted a way to share this with as many people as possible. Making jewelry seemed like the best bet. I went through university for my parents but always knew I wanted to go back and learn how to create with my hands. I took a night course in goldsmithing and it all clicked like I thought it would.
What was the first item you ever made?
I guess the first think I ever made was a silly brass 3-D triangle in goldsmithing school. Everything had to be 3-D. Which is funny since most of my work is very 2-D and my favorite design, the fake diamond ring is sort of a play on dimensions.
Do you have any formal training?
I took a three year jewellery arts course in Toronto and loved it. If I could be in school full-time I would. I really love the challenge.
When and why did you create your business?
I was fired. Ha! I was fired from a job I absolutely hated and decided this was my one chance to really put all my energy into my designs. Within 6 months I went from zero customers to selling over 750 pieces and 30 wholesale accounts. I am still shocked.
What is the best part of running your own business?
Getting to plan my own day and have my little dog with me. Oh wait! Not having a boss. That is definitely the best part.
and the worst?
I’ve always worked in retail so I really miss people. Work friends, making fun of the boss, getting to know your customers face to face.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find I get inspiration from other great design I see. A beautifully made chair or dress. My images though, come from all the little things that amazed me as a child.
Who is your favorite indie designer?
SuperMaggie! Not only is she successful and makes lovely lovely work, she has a really cute Southern accent.
What one thing couldn’t you live without?
Chocolate.
What music/books are you into right now?
I’m listening to Rilo Kiley, Tilly and the Wall and Le Tigre. I’m reading a book about sewing.
You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what
advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?
Good photographs (not that mine are the best yet), hand written notes to your customers, being creative about marketing and contacting people. When I first started I sent personalized emails to boutiques, galleries, blogs etc. I wrote each one and made them very specific to the person I was writing to. Surprisingly I received an email back from most of those people and made a lot of contacts. Taking little risks has really paid off.
Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?
I hope I might have my own little shop with a studio in the back. Maybe have more time to make some more labor intensive pieces. Maybe I’ll have a really great wardrobe and cool hair too! Oh and puppies lots of puppies.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Designers should be thinkers.”
Site: www.daniellemaveal.com
Since opening the virtual doors to the online boutique last month, Luxury Lab Linens with its avant-garde approach has made people stand up, or in this case, lie down and take notice.
This online boutique offers what is being called clothing for your home: A unique collection of hand screened bedding. The duvets and pillow shams are styled with rocker, edgy femme fatale graphics that separates the store apart from competition and appeals to both men and women. It’s easy to see why Luxury Lab has quickly become a force to be reckoned with.
Site: www.luxurylablinens.com
Made with Love by Hannah has the perfect skirts to enhance your Spring wardrobe. Each and every skirt is handmade and screen-printed by the lovely owner Hannah Kopacz. She is not only the owner and designer but also the seamstress and so much more! Featured below are the distlefink skirt and matryoshka skirt. Both are $62 and feature delightfully sweet scenes.
Head over to Linda Trent Jewelry and have a look around the site. Linda has marked down 16 items from 25% to 60% off their regular retail price. You will find “Tuesday Temptation” under the pictures of the items that have these great savings. This gorgeous necklace can be dressed up or down and features a single silver, grey pearl. Plus it is 50% off making it only $40!
Each Temptation piece is available in limited quantities and these prices are only valid until tonight at midnight.
How did you get your start?
my mom taught me to sew growing up. in high school i started altering and making my own clothes. i went to art school and majored in fashion and textile design at the massachusetts college of art in boston.
What was the first item you ever made?
hmm, that’s hard to remember. i think one of the first things i used to do in high school was alter my pants, which lead to making my own pants. i’m sure i made things when i was really little, but i just don’t remember.
Do you have any formal training?
yes, like i said i went to school for fashion and textile design. i worked for a textile artist while in school and then for various places when i first moved to new york.
When and why did you create your business?
i really created my business because i had a hard time working for other people. it was always a struggle for me. as soon as i left school i put my website up and started getting orders. i knew i wanted to work for myself, but at the time it was a way to make money.
What is the best part of running your own business?
well, the best part is not working for someone else.
and the worst?
its really really really hard. you work about 20 hours a day and don’t really make any money.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
i have always gotten a lot inspiration from other artists, everything around me really, i get inspired by lots of things. nature of course, colors, people, my own experiences. i love things to do with protective clothing and safety, i am obsessed with the way women dressed in the 50’s and 60’s, the whole perfect house wife thing.
Who is your favorite indie designer?
she’s not necessarily my favorite indie designer, but i think built by wendy is a really good model for young designers. alison kelly, laura dawson, supayana, they’re very talented ladies and some of my best friends.
What one thing couldn’t you live without?
my sewing machine
What music/books are you into right now?
i am really in to famous women biographies, they’re very inspiring, writers actresses, socialites, all of em. i am in love with lily allen right now, she’s so adorable. for anyone that doesn’t know viva radio, there are some really good radio show on there, my friend maxwell has one that is always amazing, http://www.viva-radio.com.
You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what
advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?
if you’re just starting out, i think selling things that are very versatile size wise is a really good idea, less likely to get returns, like things that fit a size small or medium. having new things for sale as often as possible keeps people interested and always coming back to see what you’re doing.
Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?
i really want it to expand a lot, i have so so many things i want to do. i hope i find a business partner and can afford more help. i would love to have a store by that time, maybe two or three.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
i don’t know, i have received a lot of good advice. i guess i’ll just say what i know is one of the most important things, if you’re going to start your own label, unless you are a millionaire and can afford lots of mistakes you absolutely have to work for someone else first.
Site: www.rebeccaturbow.com
All I can say is that I have fallen head over heels for this little jewelry shop. Helpless Romantic is bold, colorful, and just plain fun!
HR isn’t just fabulous jewels they are do gooders too. 100% of the profits from the Diamonds for Sierra Leone Ring go to the Sound Seekers organization. Sound Seekers is working to help cure, prevent and screen for diseases that cause deafness, provide hearing aids, and support those who have un-cureable deafness, in the worlds poorest country, Sierra Leone.
Shop Helpless Romatic at helplessromantic.bigcartel.com and to find out more about Sound Seekers please visit www.sound-seekers.org.uk
We all know and love Sidepony for their fun and saucy greeting cards. Now there is another pony product to fall for. Color By Number Cards! They are available in a few different designs but you can get a whole set that will keep you and your family/friends busy for a little while. The set comes with four color by number cards, corresponding envelopes, and a set of four crayons. Sounds like fun to me!
Site: www.sidepony.com
Summer Sheree is having a 50% off online sale for end of the season clearance. You can view all of the sale items at www.summersheree.com.
