Hello! I hope that your day was lovely and that you didn't have to endure the soggy day that I had here in New Jersey.
This week I'm the featured artist on the Markets of Sunshine Blog and you can read my here.
Saturday, May 4th, 8am-noon - I will be having a Destash Sale at a friend's yard sale in the 200 block of Dayton Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. I will have a table full of items at bargain prices, ready for you to make something beautiful! Please stop by, we'll be right down the street from the Collingswood Farmer's Market - it's opening week - so exciting!!!
Now for some news that I don't think you're expecting...
I'm taking the time to step back a bit from my professional world to spend time with my children. I am feeling the nudge from God that my work has been taking me farther from my family than just the next room and I need to address that in my own way.
I plan to continue creating and fulfilling the creative outlet that I do need and enjoy, but to a lesser scale than I had been striving for in the past several months. I have several items created, awaiting photographing and listing. I will continue to create new items - the second generation Tech Sleeve idea is burning a hole in my creative pocket! There are other items that I have in mind and they will be made as well, but in due time. I also will be accepting custom orders - my absolute favorite part of my job - creating something unique for a particular person.
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading. I appreciate all of your support and I hope that you continue to stop by to read.
Many blessings to you and yours!
Best,
~Nicole
You know that hurt that feels so good because you've been working on something that has been a goal. You know - after you've had a great workout and you're sore for the next two days (like I'll feel after tomorrow morning's yogalaties class)... that kind of hurt.
Well, I'm feeling it in my hands after stitching for days on end and I am cringing as I type because the Advil hasn't really kicked in.
Tech sleeves, boutonnieres, flower pins, adorned headbands... my hands have been busy!
I have created so many new tech sleeves - they fit my title, my motto, perfectly -
eco-friendly ~ beautiful ~ functional
I start by felting my neutrals - sweaters and cardigans I had no idea what to do with because they were beautiful neutral colors, but wouldn't really make vibrant flowers. So I've found a purpose - a function for them. These neutrals are the bases for the tech sleeves.
Once felted (a.k.a. - shrunk very carefully so that I don't ruin my washer), I cut out about 8 sleeve bodies, depending on how much the garment has shrunk.
Then I get to cutting out petals.
The base color will determine what I put onto it - certain colors just don't go - orange and caramel - repel each other! This charcoal with purple is just so beautiful!
The petals, stems, and vintage buttons (or polka dots... oh, yes, the polka dot is FUN!) get handstitched onto the base.
Then I pull out my sewing machine and stitch the whole thing around to create the sleeve and to prevent fraying on the flap edge.
Then the snaps get stitched on and last the leaf/petal (or last polka dot).
Then ta-da! Tech sleeve is done and ready to protect the screen of your camera or smart phone before you go and toss it into your bag!
Multiply that by 20 tech sleeves - plus two flowers, a handful of adorned headbands, and two boutonnieres in about a week and you can see why my hands ache. But it feels so good to create! So good.
Eco-Friendly ~ Beautiful ~ Functional - what more could a girl ask for from an accessory?
I'm photographing this week and they'll be listed here by the weekend!
Thank you so much for your support and stopping by to read!
Have a blessed week!
~Nicole
