Romper suit and other things...

So I've actually realised that I have my interview for college soon, the 8th and 9th and that that means I have to miss lessons again... people will be pleased.

On the upside I tried to make a play suit from a dress today, and it went well except my bum is too fat and so I'm having a small issue, however if I lost a bit more weight then it might fit, it really was going to be a lovely play suit, so it's quite a shame. Though I am looking to buy another cheap dress to turn into a romper suit since I feel I only just missed the mark! However my boyfriend is begging me to stop buying clothes, and it is a fair plea I must admit. So I might quit for now, since I don't get paid for a while and I'm fast running out of money, oopsey!

However I have put some jewellery up on my Etsy site :  http://www.etsy.com/shop/thefaithboutique, in case anyone is looking for gifts for anyone or some quirky jewellery.

Also if you want the Tutorial on how I made the play suit then it's here : http://victoryistheonlyoption.blogspot.com/

xoxo

So Sorry!

So sorry I haven't posted again! I got back, and had a 2 day art exam, and then I've been trying super hard to catch up on all my coursework! finally gotten there! So I've been watching all the paris fashion shows, I LOVE LANVIN! just an official warning there. I loved his show! The way he talks about it as well! I think it was absolutely inspiring, and it's really inspired me, to try to make another dress, using bright colours and such!

And these are the wonderful lights that my boyfriend got me agess ago. Isn't he a star!

 I also found this on my camera, it's a jumper dress that I got last year from Topshop, and actually looked really nice on so I was really impressed and thought I'd take a picture! and the ring that I got from my best friend for Christmas which I loveee.

Here are also the promised pictures of my 2 final pieces, my dress and the shirt I made, I'm so sorry for the late viewing, they weren't finished until the night I went away, and I was so tired I just went straight to bed! Falmouth sadly rejected me, but Coventry has given me a place! Yayyy! and I'm really excited to be going there, not heard anything from London or Southhampton yet though, so you never know! The boyfriend wants me in london, so we'll just have to see, but it's still a case of getting the grades and getting offers from where ever I can! The shirt was based on a Cherry blossom branch, and I did on a Mans shirt just because I somewhat prefered how loose it is, though I still have yet to wear it, but I do love it to pieces, as I do with my dress, which has tiny little beading detail on the front, and I might wear tomorrow if I don't have an art lesson!

I hope you loved everything and thanks for all the support with interviews and stuff, and I hope you've all been okay. Anything really good happened for you recently? 

Interview with.... Minna from Vietto.

This is another interview for handmade clothing! with Minna from Vietto at Etsy!

How long have you handmade things?

I have made things with my hands almost all my life, my great grandma, grandma and my mum taught me the very basic skills when I was little. 

How did you get into hand making stuff?

I think it's kind of family thing, my great grandma, my granny and my mum have all been crafting as long as I can remember, so I got interested in it too! I have also been really keen on fashion for a long time, so my very first handmade creations were fashion orientated. I used to make clothes for my Barbie dolls,but quite soon I started make clothes also for myself.

What when you were little were you're favorite things to make?

It must have been knitted dresses for my dolls or crocheted jewelry pouches.

Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside?
I have my little studio at my home; it’s really nice to work at home. Only problem is that my projects start to invade to every room we have...

Do you mind you're projects invading into other rooms, or does spreading it out a little help?
Not really, such a waste of time bothering something you can't help... ;)

How do you get you’re inspiration for new products?
Its continuous process, I get new ideas almost all the time. I draw/write them down in my sketch book (or any paper if I don't have my sketch book with me), so I can come back for them later. I use my sketch book as a catalogue, some of the ideas I'll keep working with, some of the ideas need still more thinking. 

What is your most favorite item of clothing you've ever made?
It could be one nice fitting coat made of old black and white graphic curtain fabric I made for myself few years ago, the convertible cape shirt of my latest collection or the craziest neckwarmer of this season, the pom pom cowl. 

Do you remember the first person you ever made something else for? and what was it?
I think I made something like a beanie or a knitted scarf for my mum when I was little, but the first real piece of clothing probably was loose hip-hop style jeans for my little sister.. ;)

Have you got a project in you're head that you've always wanted to do but is maybe a little impractical or something so you've never made it?
I have planned to make a dress of silk and upcycled leather, I have so strong vision of it! It may not be the most practical dress ever but surely gorgeous! :D And I will make it, sooner or later!

Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts?
I wasn't brilliant in a start, but my dolls didn't complain, haha! Of course it took a very long to get to the level, I dared to make anything for anyone else than myself...

What led you to creating your own business?
It must be the fact that I just have to make things with my hands, I can't help it! A voice in my head forced me to! Seriously, I have a day job with computers, so I have to use my creative energy in something.

Do you think it’s been worth it?
Yeah, absolutely! Of course I still have much work to do for marketing my label, I'm not really good at it at all...

Is there anything you would change?
I would like to have more hours in days... Sometimes I'm just too busy because having two jobs. That's probably one reason for lousy marketing...

Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?
I haven't had any difficult customers, and if I had I think I wouldn't yell at them because I'm just too kind person.

Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it?
I have few retailers for my stuff here in Finland, but I thought that it would be a good idea to sell them online; Finland is such a small country! 

What country would you sell in, if you could sell in any country?
UK!

What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business?
Creative work! To see my idea turning into a piece of clothing, I always keep my mind open for incidents in my designing process, sometimes garments change from my original idea, they may turn out to be even better!

An Interview with... Alexandra from Makemeadress

Today, from the wonderful world of Handmade and Vintage! I've interviewed for your pleasure Alexandra from the online Etsy store Makemeadress. She was wonderful to interview so thank you for letting me!

Makemeadress Shop!

How long have you handmade things?
Since I was a little girl playing with my mum’s fabric box and my grandmother’s huge array of clothes, shoes and just about anything else you could wear.

Black Lace Cocktail Dress - $210.00

Did your grandmother and mother ever encourage you as such or was it more self-driven the need to create?
I wasn't actively encouraged to create but was actively taken to dance classes nearly every day. My grandmother was a dance hostess in the 50's and thought I should be taught properly. I was more interested in the costumes and was eventually told I would be better off designing the costumes than dancing in them! My mother is very creative and is a wonderful support.

Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside?
I'm lucky enough to have a studio where I live.

Do your surroundings reflect how you design?
Not so much, I'm sure if I lived in the city my designs could be a little different but out here in the country I'm able to run away with my imagination. 

Do you sell in the countryside, or go into London etc. for ideas occasionally?
We always take holidays in cities which are great for ideas and to be around a buzz. Our nearest city Bristol is only a short drive away and is an amazing hub of creativity. 

Little Black Organic Cotton Dress - $190.00

How do you get you’re inspiration for new products? I am constantly watching old movies, pouring through books on the golden age of design and have an unhealthy addiction to vintage clothing and fabrics. I find inspiration in just about everything and live and breathe dresses all day long.

Is there anything special you do when stuck for an idea or on an item? i.e. walk?
I usually get to a point with each dress where need to step away and not look at it for a few hours. When you have been staring at the same dress for sometimes twelve hours a day, you need to get some perspective. 
I take trips out, we'll go to exhibitions, and there is an excellent fashion museum only an hour away. I watch a lot of films and visit flea markets and vintage shops as much as I can. I love people watching and seeing how people style themselves which is always inspiring.

How did you get into hand making stuff?
I started with textiles at school and went on to study fashion design at university.

Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts? It’s taken 27years to be good at what I do; making dresses is a very long and endless process of learning. Every dress is different and there is always a new way to cut a dress. I hope to be brilliant when I'm 90!

Black Lace Peter Pan Dress Collar -$35.00

What led you to creating your own business?
Since graduating I had the option to move to London to work or stay living in the countryside; I chose to stay and as there aren’t many fashion jobs in the countryside I decided to set up my own business.

Do you think it’s been worth it?
Yes! Its hard work but I love every day that I get to work on new commissions and am happiest creating dresses all day long.

Is there anything you would change?
Being more confident to make contacts and network - but I'm working on this.

Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?
There is no such thing as a difficult customer just a great challenge!
Of course there have been times but they generally just need some reassurance and everything is fine.

Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it?
Selling on-line has been the best way to reach lots of customers interested in the same vintage look as me. My perfect customers are rarely found walking down the dirt track to our house in the middle of nowhere.

Blue Red Cosmic Print rockabilly Dress Sample -$80.00

If you didn't make dresses what else would you of done?
I would have been a terrible dancer, singer or a very mediocre actress maybe?! I nearly went into fine art but was still sculpting dresses. I like the idea of teaching one day. 

What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business? 
I get to work with wonderful customers on their ideas and get to work on dresses every day.

What is your next step for your business or is selling online it?
I'm working on a new collection of bridal gowns which will launch early next year and I will be working with local boutiques selling one of a kind dresses.

Thank you for reading the interview, and be sure to pop along and have a look at what other items they have, there are also the most wonderful clutch bags as well! 

xoxo

Interview: Dianescloset

Andy T - lookbook.nu
Showing us how to mix Vintage with new styles and other items.

So I had a snoop around on Etsy.com and here is an interview with Claire from Dianescloset on Etsy.com

She discovered Etsy while searching for jewlery and accessories for her wedding.(Hand made items and blissful weddings do go hand in hand for unique Jewellery for you're once in a life time day!) She was very impressed by the skill and talent of the vendors and bought several pieces that She  wore on her wedding day including a necklace, shrug and clutch. Her wedding dress was her mother's, though altered to fit her specifications and season (her mother got married in the fall, she got married outdoors in the summer). Shortly after her wedding in July, she quit her job to go back to school full time. She was in the process of searching for a part-time job when she saw a vintage suit in a shop window that reminded her so much of the clothes her mother had worn and passed down to her and her sisters. This inspired her to start her own vintage shop on etsy, selling mostly 1960s and 70s clothing like her mother's. She has always been facinated with fashion and if she hadn't chosen to study an academic field, she likes to think she would have gone into the business. She started her shop mid-September and has been working hard collecting, listing and promoting her vintage pieces ever since and she has an amazing collection with currently 49 listed items. she chooses unique items that can be worked into outfits today, giving a good mix of Vintage and new. It's inspiring that she just quit her job and was inspired by something she saw and has done so well at it! 

Never Worn vintage beaded

 Glam Cocktail Dress - £50.89

The interview...

Me: How long have you handmade things? 

Diane: I've been collecting and wearing vintage clothing since I was a kid.
Me: Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside? 

Diane: I work out of my apartment.
Me: How did you get into hand making stuff? 

Diane: My mother passed down some of her loud 1970s clothing to my sisters and I. We also often went to thrift stores and I loved the thrill of finding wonderful, unique items. I love history (I majored in it in college) and I think that translates into me being drawn to items with history.
Me: Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts? 

Diane: I've gotten a lot of compliments on my items but sales are still slow since I am new to Etsy.

Me: What led you to creating your own business?

Diane: I recently left my job of three years to pursue a Masters degree full time. I had been searching for part time jobs with no luck when I saw a vintage suit in a shop window that reminded me so much of my mom's vintage clothing. I was inspired to start a shop selling similar items.
Me: Do you think it’s been worth it? 

Diane: So far, it's been awesome!
Me: Is there anything you would change?

 Diane: I would love to have more free time to devote to my shop.
Me: Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?

Diane: Like I said, I'm new, but so far all of my customers have been wonderful!
Me: How do you get you’re inspirations for new products? 

Diane: What ever catches my eye!

Me: Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it? 

Vintage Cream Crocheted Jumper - £22.27

Diane: It's a fun way to do share something I love with an awesome community of like-minded people.
Me: What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business? 

Diane: The flexibility and the sense of accomplishment.

Plaid Jacket - £15.90

To Visit Dianes Closet. CLICK HERE!

Had a day off work today so I went to the Sandringham Flower show with my mum and sister (well she went off with her friends for a bit).

Everyone waiting to see Camilla and Prince Charles, we never got to see them cause being short meant I couldn't see so we gave up in the end.

But it was a very nice day out, apart from the weather that everyone thought would be hot, was actually dark and kinda nippy! But we were English and ignored it, probably cause we're used to it. There were lots of things there, like a fudge stool :D and a frozen yoghurt stool (: and clothing ones with hats, and scarves and things like that, and far too many plant ones, and bags, like rafata ones, i brought one last year, it's hot pink with a black sort of fringing around the top and the handles are black and hot pink. Not that i'm ever going to take it anywhere but it just looks kinda pretty!

This was a stall with lots of really good smelling handmade soap! I was gonna get some cause they all looked so pretty. There's lots of hair things and stuff like that, all arts and crafts.
They also had this stall! which was so cool! I'm not sure how they did it but they had lots of other animals and they were all made out of moss and things like that, I imagine they just had a wired frame and sort of weaved it in and out but either way it was nice to see and a bit different.
They also had displays too! such as aeroplanes and horses, and show dogs and such things, oh and motorcross? not sure how that worked it's way into the whole country flowery scene, but I wasn't complaining. And they had a garden award, where you get a little sort of plot, and you make a garden in it and they judge it and then you get awards etc. the one below was a picture of a garden that was themed on the beach and was done really well! made me want to go to the beach. (:




This one was inspired by colors etc, and I just thought it was really cool and interesting, and was a bit different than the normal gardens do. A very fun twist!


The 2 photo's above were done by the army and was inspired I think if I remember correctly about an urban jungle, so obviously there's the phone box's etc. and I thought it was good how the plantation was done.



This one was inspired by the secret garden, and I thought the idea was a really cute idea.

This one was inspired by culture etc, and I thought it was really effective how the statue was reflected in the mirror.

they also have lots of bands play such as the military ones i.e. army, and they have some of the local school ones play too, so I took some video's for you all but they won't upload at the moment so I'll try a bit later.

So I've had a very good day today! (: Hope everyone else did and I'll be putting pictures up later (now is the later)(:

xoxo

What to do...

Boyfriend is playing poker… so what to do?
I could do some advertising for my online shop – http://www.etsy.com/shop/thefaithboutique
orrr I could do some coursework….
Or I could read the books I got
Or I could watch a film
Or I could find some recipes and stuff so that I can start making a list of the things I’m going to need in order to do the new corner in Etsy
But I simply can’t be bothered, I want a lazy day, I’m just not sure doing what. But the list thing does seem to be the best idea I think, but it’s still bugging me not knowing what to do, and it’s half 9 at night to, which means I shouldn’t start anything noisy or that could take hours to do. So I guess I’ll start the stuff that I listed, but I really can’t be bothered.