20% Discount at New Look

So New Look are having another 20% off promotion in their magazines that they were handing out. I thought I'd put the code up this time because I actually managed to get 30% off because I used my NUS card as well! They don't allow this in store but for some reason they did last time on line. Don't know whether it will work again but it's worth a go! It's exclusively from 27th May till the 29th May 2011. The code is:

NLMAGS11

So go crazy and buy lots of fab things for the summer, and I want a link left in a comment to some stuff you brought! Happy shopping!

Vintage & a Competition!/Give Away!

So I've now got my Uni places, and sorted my finance, and my accomodation, and I'm getting good grades. Time for a new project! So I've always had some form of failing little business going on online somewhere, whether it was on Bebo (which was replaced by Myspace), then to Facebook(which replaced Myspace), then to Etsy (which replaced Facebook) (seeing the link to social networking sites and how they lose popularity?) Anyway,so I've always had one somewhere hidden in the depths of the internet.So I've decided to buy up a bunch of Vintage Jewellery and to sell it on my Etsy site, or I may get a new one, I'm not doing anything till I have done some proper research for a change! But I was trying to think of a name?

So I've come up with a plan!

On the 31st March (providing I get any entries) I am going to run a competition to come up with the name for a shop that sells Vintage jewellery and clothing, whoever I like will get one of my pieces before it goes on sale! and a 10% discount voucher for them to use!

So just post in a comment below any name that you see fit and leave an e-mail address for me to get in contact with you! 

GOOD LUCK! xoxo!

Jeffrey Campbell

To be honest, I'm a pain for shoes.I love them. With all my heart. However, I'm just overly picky, a bit like with men. I have now found the perfect designer for shoes! I've been following Fashion Toast (http://www.fashiontoast.com/) and I'm always in love with her shoes, and I keep reading that the designer is Jeffrey Campbell (http://www.solestruck.com/jeffrey-campbell-womens-shoes/) and I love them! They actually look beautiful! 

I'm always a bit aware that some shoes meanwhile are beautiful... are kind of impractical. Since I have more impractical shoes than practical, I've changed my new years resolution to only buying practical shoes...It's a pain! however his are! They're expensive, but so beautiful AND attractive! 

Great with tights, and brilliant for summer! See! Practical! The only thing that worries me is the height. But his all seem to have quite a built in part at the front. I've completely forgotten the proper word for that, but nevermind. Does anyone have any opinions on his shoes, or own any?! I am so tired of wearing uncomfortable shoes! Are his comfortable?! 

xoxo!

New Collection & an update!

Getting quite excited now, the dress is going well, and the shirt has yet to be done but the basic plan is there, bits and pieces for my portfolio for samples are on the way and pages have been designed to be printed at school, a very good start to the year so far despite the fact I think I'm getting Tonsillitis....

However, my Etsy store was always going to have a new range of shirts, I just never got round to it, but now that my interview work is well under way, I'm starting to think a little bit more about it, and I'm getting so excited for it! I'm currently planning a T-shirt that I want to design to perhaps wear to one of my interviews, but it all depends how it does, but I'm very excited for it atm, Black little beads on the shoulders a little bit in the military style, but mainly as an embellishment and to hide wear some chains start, and also a big Chanel logo but done in 1 line of 8mm antique gold studs.

Their is also another project that's on hold that I was inspired by Gok Wan for, on the 4OD beauty site he has some small video's on embellishments, and this one has inspired me on embellishment, Gok Wan's How To Customise: Embellishment, there are 3 other video's but this one I adore! I also have an old lace top, that i brought but turns out to be useless, and I'm wondering about using that for a top and doing one similair to his but a little bit more contrasting!

I'll keep you up-to date on the Etsy shop and the tops, I think I plan to make 10 so far, and then I'll launch the range or it may go down to 7 depending on how I go for time and such, but I wouldn't mind depending on the work load, having them done ready to launch on my birthday (7th April)!

xoxo!

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!

Party Dresses! For this party season!

I love! a good party dress! It can make or break a night if you ask my opinion, you want a gorgeous one... that you don't have to keep pulling up, that isn't too tight and show all those little bumps, and you want it to accentuate all you're good bits. Oh! and of course you've gotta be able to get out of it quick if you catch my drift, that's how good I want my dress to be!

So I've had a little shop around, and these are the top 5 dresses that I will be buying, since from experience there is only so many times you can wear 1 dress before you start to think, if I go naked someone won't notice, if I wear this dress everyone will notice I'm wearing it for the umpteenth time...

Miso Crochet Dress- £32.99

This gorgeous crochet dress is perfect with it's simple pattern and flattering style, it just needs some lovely platform shoes and a couple of accessories and you're off for a party! Perfect for if you're in a rush and need a dress to quickly jazz up for a night out on the town!

Green Jacquard Dress - £55.00, Miss Selfridge

This dress is sensational! It is the perfect grown up dress, whether you want to impress that new man at work that everyone's had they're eye on, or whether you're going out for a sophisticated dinner with friends. This dress just keeps working and working! The colors make it look warm and is a pleasant change to black, without being too bright, it will make you stand out and is easy to accessorise. 

Skater Body Dress - £70.00
Urban Outfitters

Short and sweet, this corset dress by Bitching & Junkfood features a velvet skirt and lace corset top featuring underwired cups, metal button front, thick banded waist and adjustable detachable straps. It's perfect for the edge this party season! The lace looks delicate but rock it with an attitude and you'll be turning heads all night! Show them what you're made of girl!

Cream Peter Pan Smock Dress -£45.00
Miss Selfridge

            This dress is perfect! It's cute and delicate and is perfect for anyone who likes to look a little bit glam during the day but wants to not have to change when going out at night sometimes! Perfect for dinners, or any party where the shortest skirt wins, will love this dress! A dress that every girl needs in her wardrobe!

Miso Chiffon Beaded Dress - £32.99  Republic

This midnight blue dress is sure to have you looking sophisticated all night long. Just be sure that you don't get some beautiful vampire come and whisk you away.. on second thoughts, maybe you should do!

Fresh Start...

"The Dog Days are Over" -   http://lookbook.nu/maedchen   

The dog days are indeed over....
So I've decided I need a fresh start. I've the week off since it's half term, and I've decided that I'm going to get on top of all of my school work, that I'm going to start a seperate blog, and keep it up to date for things to do with pattern cutting and dress making. I'm also going to have a little tidy out of my room since I feel that it's too cluttered, and I need to get rid of some of the stuff since I'll have to do it next summer if not when I go to university. 

I'm also on the shop front, starting a new range of T-shirts, for which I will keep you posted, but for now just to keep me going I'm selling all of my jewellery supplies since I'll no longer be doing that, unless it's just a one off. But they'll just be plain motif t-shirts I think for now. I'm going to design 10 and then I'll post them up in my shop and put a link here for anyone who wants a link. I'll also be making custom shirts on as well which will be a nice change I think.

I'm also taking up running every night, and swimming once a week which due to my week off, I should at least be able to do easily this week hopefully. And it's something that I can do everyday and enjoy a little, something nice and relaxing to get rid of all that extra caffeine that I enjoy drinking far too much.

I also passed my theory test! which I was really worried about! But it turns out it wasn't so bad, and now I've just my practical to pass and then I can eventually get my car hopefully! Which I'm really excited for! But sadly I'm still saving, or rather starting! So the more I sell the better!

I'll also hopefully be going shopping this week! So there will be lots of new clothes to show you! Which is always nice! Could still do with some little black boots though since I can't find any nice ones anywhere which is really annoying. Why does no where do nice boots?
So I'll keep you up-to date on that! And I'm now going to go and set up my blog for the night course... and here is the link!    http://victoryistheonlyoption.blogspot.com/
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.