fashion is life: interview with atelier grand

  
Tell us about yourselves.

Our original names are Santoria Renae Williams and Jacqueline Shelby Netti. Shelby is 21, Sandy is 20, and we were born and raised in Baltimore. We met working at Target in 2011 and instantly clicked and became great friends.

When did you learn to design clothing? 

(Sandy) I learned how to sew in an after school class in middle school. As far as designing, I have my own sense of style when it comes to fashion, and I use that to design our clothes.

(Shelby) Designing clothing started for me in middle school, as well. Back then I was never into sewing or learning how to sew. Designing was all I did in school on my free time. It was like a hobby.

Describe your process.

Usually when doing a line, we design separately and then come together with our pieces. When we pick out fabric we search for the fabric that is best for us, and the line. Sometimes we already know what we looking for in a material like sequins, colors or a pattern.
 
Where do you find inspiration for your designs? 

Inspiration for our designs comes from everywhere. It can be clothing in a magazine, thrift shop, the television for Shelby (movies for Sandy). Or, people we meet… inspiration can come from anything. Fashion is our everyday life.

Share something about you that most people don't know.

(Shelby) I love clothes, but shoes are a strong interest of mine. I’ll pick out a pair of shoes before even thinking about my outfit. I live for shoes.

(Sandy) Okay I am very clumsy, and fall over the place. Falling is part of my everyday life, so if I have a day without me falling, tripping or any type of embarrassment… I always expect something horrible to happen!

To see more work by Atelier Grand, visit them on Etsy.

All images courtesy of Atelier Grand.

L to the O to the L

Oh thank you, Glen Hibline, for a good laugh on this dreary Tuesday morning. Each of these Mitt Romney poops greeting cards are "embellished with shiny copper pennies right out of Mitt Romney's ass." Yes indeed. Check out more of Glen's hilarious cards (many of which are Baltimore-inspired) here.

Image courtesy of Glen Hibline.

the beauty is in the details

Latina Gilyard of SoleStitch uses recycled/repurposed materials to make these unique statement pieces. No two items are alike.

All images courtesy of Latina Gilyard.

chaos is bliss (and well-organized)

Browsing through the selection of goods at Organized Chaos is like taking a blissful dip in a pool of torn and studded denim. Seriously, these threads are rockin'. And don't be fooled into assuming that tearing, studding or tie-dyeing are easy tasks. Each piece was obviously crafted with care and a discerning eye for the sexy. American Apparel can go to h-e-double hockey sticks. These shorts (and bow ties) will turn heads AND break necks!

Images courtesy of Organized Chaos.

a few of my favorite things: photo art

These exquisitely crafted pieces by Lauren Beacham of jerseymaids might be described as dreams within a dream. Each object is made using analog film, which is what gives them their ethereal quality. What a precious way to capture a memory.

Lauren, who was once the director of McGuire Fine Arts Gallery in Frederick, is now a full-time, self-employed Etsy seller. Read more about her in Quit Your Day Job.

All images courtesy of Lauren Beacham.

think spring with red prairie press

Celebrate the bit of chill that's still in the air with these comfy pieces from Red Prairie Press. Made by Rachel Bone and her husband Phil Davis, each design is created and printed by hand in the couple's basement studio in Baltimore. Sweatshop free, baby!

Images courtesy of Red Prairie Press.

rescue a book

Caitlin Phillips of Rebound Designs rescues old books “from library discards, yard sales, thrift shops, grandmothers’ attics, and the occasional dumpster”, and transforms them into one-of-a-kind Kindle, Nook, and iPad covers. Each cover is lined with foam and fabric to keep your precious devices protected in the prettiest of ways.

All images courtesy of Caitlin Phillips.

Featured Crafter: Kathryn Myers {Year of the Milliner}

Why did you choose to pursue hat making?

I have always been fascinated and a little in love with hats. "Hat" was one of my first words. Appropriately, "I'll do it myself was my first sentence." I have always spurned the current trend of ultra-casualness. Why are people wearing their PAJAMAS outside? Up until as late as the 1950's MOST people who were outside of their homes were wearing hats on their heads. I want to see this trend return. I believe that a large part of the unravelling of social interactions is that we don't try to look as though we are making an effort when we meet one another.

What materials do you prefer and why?

Well, my first hats were based around the idea of military garrison caps (AKA "cunt caps"). They are a beautiful and universal form. I would trick these out with all kinds of feathers and trinkets that I had been collecting since I was a teenager. Feathers and Vintage buttons. Veiling and chains.

Then I started to get REALLY into the dead animal stuff...I always had a fascination with the hides, bones and skulls of animals. I found a man who had faces and tails from various animals. I found a tooth dealer. This became my second style. I learned more about hat forms. Currently I am very into fox faces and buckram as the form. I love rhinestones and embroidery floss.

What is your process like?

It isn't always real easy. I spent 8 months traveling an epic journey to find a new home (from Oakland, CA) and a lot of my hats were made in the back of my '87 Subaru station wagon or in my gracious friends' living spaces. A lot of my process is in my head, trying to work it out before I actually use my resources. A lot of times I'll go to sleep with a hat obstacle in my mind and dream the answer. Weird, but true.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

Well, originally I was just trying to make some hats to impress a girl. She was impressed and supportive. We don't talk now, but it got me going. Made me realize how passionate I was about all this. I just want to continue to make pieces that blow my mind; that I am proud to wear and see others wear. I want to to become better at my craft. Millinery is like taxidermy... real hard to find heroes, harder to find mentors. It's a lot of figuring your own game out.

What advice (if any) do you have for other aspiring artists/crafters?

Fuck DIY. DIT (do it together). I think we forget that this is how we keep craft alive. Learn from one another.

Do you consider yourself an "indie artist/crafter"? Why/why not?

Eh, i guess. That means "poor," right?

Are you originally from Baltimore?

Nah, but I love it here. It took a long time traveling to figure out this was the next spot that I would call home, and I am real glad I did.

Some little tidbit about you that most people don't know.

I'm a pretty nice, normal lady. You know, the whole bark vs. bite thing. Um, also I can fit my entire fist in my mouth.

Wanna see more? Visit Year of Milliner on Facebook.

here's to love!

So I was reading my horoscope in Elle Magazine, and according to astrologist Susan Miller, Jupiter is in Taurus for the first time in a decade, staying until June and marking 2012 the best year to help find or entirely solidify true love. Whoa! Could this be true? Guess we'll see.

Banner by Purple Peony Culture.

wanderlust: yokoo's world

Handmade Portraits: YOKOO from Etsy on Vimeo.

delicate beauty...

Items by whichgoose.

raw olive+resonates=yum

Local crafters Raw Olive and Resonates have a sweet thing going: they promote each other's work on Etsy. Both sellers have a shop section called "Our Etsy Friends," where they list one another's products. So, while browsing for sugar scrubs and body butter, you might very well stumble across a pretty resin pendant, or vice versa. And, for a limited time, Resonates is offering free shipping AND a free Raw Olive lip balm with any order of 2 necklaces. Yum.

Images courtesy of Raw Olive and Resonates.

would you wear this?

What is it exactly? A Pocket Vulva. Yep. That's what it is. And it's available in any color you want.

Hand knitted by local crafter NYMG, it's officially a brooch and also (less officially but perhaps not) quite the crafty way for you to "show off your fabulous [feminist] side."

Actually I remember purchasing a crocheted vagina change purse years ago at a local craft show here in Baltimore. My mother of all people was so captivated by it that she begged me to make her one for Christmas. So, I figured out how to make a personalized version with extra furry yellow yarn for the lining (my mother is blonde). That's probably TMI, but who cares? I'm in a TMI kind of mood after seeing The Pocket Vulva for the first time.

So, what do you think? Would you wear it? Leave your answer below.

Image courtesy of artist.

A new degree for artists and crafters

While browsing The Storque this morning, I came across an article about MICA's new Master of Professional Studies in the Business of Art and Design (MPSBAD). David Gracyalny, dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies at MICA, talks about the program, which is slated to launch in the summer of 2011. He says, "The curriculum emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed - whether you hope to start, grow, or sustain an art or design related business - by combining online instruction, independent study, and brief residencies at MICA."

MICA is working collaboratively with Etsy to "clarify the goals of the MPSBAD and to create short-term programming focused on business skills for artists and designers..." A short survey was developed in an effort to gather input from folks like you and to ensure that the curriculum is fully realized and comprehensive. Read the full article here.

Image courtesy of buygollymissmolly.

Spruce up your space.

Spring cleaning always leaves me with the impulse to refashion my surroundings. The above collection of images is a salute to fresh colors, vintage details, and handmade goodness - all local and available on Etsy.

Radica pillow, Lana Kole wall decal, Uncommon Eye dessert glasses, Vintage Aimee suncatcher, Bluebell desk lamp.