Introducing....The Frock Closet by Melissa Mason

Today I would like to introduce to all of you a wonderful brand from New Zealand! It's all about hand made vintage dresses now! 

Behind the Frock Closet is Melissa Mason! She creates wonderful vintage dresses! 

I was inspired by her creations and illustrated a card inspired by her classic chic black 1950s day dress! 

                                                                             

I had a wonderful time to illustrate one of the designs in a  greeting card format! You can find the dress in the shop of course! 


http://www.etsy.com/listing/94102934/dress-up-in-a-classical-black-day-dress?ref=pr_shop
Trust Melissa when it comes to Vintage dresses and wear a classic stylish always trendy design from the Frock Closet!

Please introduce yourself.....


Who am I... wife, mum to mischievous twin boys, research nurse, chief cook and bottle washer at home! and passionate lover of those gorgeous vintage dresses from the 1950s and 60s! From beautiful Christchurch, New Zealand.

What is the inspiration for vintage and what is the story behind the Frock Closet?

Inspiration comes from a desire to own a pretty dress! There is something about the 1950s and 60s style... beautiful, feminine, alluring, flattering............. that I fell in love with .... and then it got me to thinking that if I was wanting a pretty frock in my closet, then other women probably did to! So The Frock Closet came about, I have been sewing for 30 years ( that makes me sound old! since I was a young teenager!) and thought I'd deviate from my normal style of sewing and branch out into a different era, and somehow seemed to find my heaven in this style! 

Do you have a favorite material to work with?

Favorite material.... Silk, cotton sateen, lawn cotton, anything beautiful and of high quality! Vintage! 

How do you stay on top of the game promoting your brand?

Because this is a new venture for me and somewhat different from the nursing I have been used to the past 20years!! (again, that makes me sound old! ) I am new to the promoting/advertising side of things. So to launch The Frock Closet, here in Christchurch, I had an evening held in my home and hosted by myself and with the help of two gorgeous friends, one of whom was a model.... with 27 in attendance the word in now being spread... it starts with one person telling one person who tells one more! Or at least is what I am hoping. I am still to grips with linking facebook with etsy, as a start in promoting my label....

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

My brand in 5 years: Being the ambitious person that I am... I would like to hope that most girls in town have one of my "Frocks" in their closet!.... I would like my business to go down the track of custom made dresses, where  customers come and choose a style from my authentic vintage pattern ( of which I have over 50) and choose a fabric and then walk out with the dress of their dreams! that they had a part in it's creation and won;t see anyone else wearing the same dress....

Please visit the Facebook page and give her a big LIKE! I did:) 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheFrockCloset/293350527362340

If you would like to have your product illustrated, feel free to contact me here on the blog, or in my shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

And if you want to feel like a stylish woman, feminine and elegant, please visit this wonderful Etsy shop and dress up!

Stay Vogue! You can never go wrong with a classic dress! 

Introducing.... Kitty Kat Glass Designs by Libby Lipscomb Boyer

Today I want to introduce to you a wonderful shop on Etsy and a great artist! Her name is Libby Lipscomb Boyer and her jewelry are colorful, fun and unique!




Let's talk fused glass, beads and jewelry....

Please introduce yourself...

I am Libby Lipscomb Boyer. My husband and I live in a small fishing community on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia ( USA). It is so small we don't have a single stoplight in the entire county. My husband calls it "The Land That Time Forgot". After 20+ years in a hectic career in Washington DC, we love the peace and quite we have found here. I retired 9 years ago after struggling with Multiple Sclerosis for 15 years. At one point I was in the wheelchair. After years of trying various treatments, I am now on a regimen that has given to me the energy to try my hand on things I enjoy doing. My neurologist says my jewelry business is the best therapy I could ever have found. It gives me a reason to get up each day, a sense of worth as an individual that I had lost to this disease.

Why fused glass and how does it work?


In 2011 a friend who does stained glass introduced me to fused glass. I bought a tiny microwave kiln and in two weeks I blew our microwave! I bought a small counter -top kiln, which I quickly outgrew. Today my studio has taken over most of the top floor of our house and I have two kilns.

I fill the kiln at night and can't wait to see what result from the overnight firing. It isn't until I see the finished glass that ideas start building. Especially with dichroic glass, you never know how it will turn out until it is fired. I design each kumihimo cord specially for the pendant it will display. And I can spend hours sifting thought lampwork beads to find just the perfect combination for a design I want to develop. Each of my pieces is truly one of a kind. I love the process of combining various components into beautiful jewelry. I use my fused glass, handmade lampwork beads and top quality jewelry findings. I make hand-beaded kumihimo necklaces for many of my pendants.


Where can we find your creations?

My fused glass designs sell at local galleries and gift shops and online on Etsy as KittyKat Glass Designs http://www.etsy.com/shop/KittyKatGlassDesigns I recently even opened a second shop on Etsy called LadyB Gems to showcase the jewelry I  create with the gorgeous lampwork beads from other talented glass artists. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyBGems  I give the bead artist credit in each listing, something most jewelry designers seem unwilling to do. They created the inspiration and deserve the credit!

 What can we find in the near future in your shops?

My designs are varied and eclectic- I get bored doing the same thing all the time. This week I may work with frit, murrini and gold decals designing one of my Under the Sea pendants. ( see above)
Next week I might be stringing crystals into lovely kumihimo cords or designed a pendant with lampwork beads,such in as the blue and green fish necklace in the photo (right)
And then I will turn to my own fused glass- perhaps even making some business card holders or coasters as a break from jewelry design. So check back often to see what is new in my Etsy shop!

Visit the website! http://www.kittykatglassdesigns.com/
Check the Facebook and go give her a like! I did :)
http://www.facebook.com/libby.boyer


http://www.facebook.com/KittyKatDesigns
http://www.facebook.com/LadyBGems

My illustration for Kit Kat Glass Designs  were some one of a kind rhinestone embellished cat shaped gift tags!

If you need so spicy up your shop with some funky illustrations feel free to contact me! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

Introducing....Poison Pudding Faire by Collen Sosa

Today I want to introduce to all of you a wonderful shop called Poisson Pudding Faire that is run by the beautiful Collen Sosa from Austin Texas!

Please visit her unique etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoisonPuddingFaire

You find original Levis 501, great bags, jewelry, belts, shades ets....

This time I had the pleasure to illustrate a wonderful clutch that Collen has in her shop!

Check it out it might be perfect for your style! I transformed it into a gift tag!


http://www.etsy.com/listing/95899913/mod-oversize-alligator-clutch-purse

Let's talk Poisson Pudding Faire...

Please introduce yourself....

My name is Collen Sosa.

Why did you open an Etsy shop?

I opened the Poison Pudding Faire to keep these great bags and Clothing from fading away. These bags have great character and are still very fashionable.

How do you try to promote your products?

We do advertise here on Etsy. We will soon have a blog running and hope to launch a website within the next 6 months.


Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

We hope to keeping growing in size and keep these great vintage bags being carried to work school and play!

So if you need a pair of original Levis 501 you know now where to shop!
Shop vintage and discover the world of Poison Pudding Faire!

You can stay tuned to see when the new blog is running and the website is ready by Twitter!

Follow https://twitter.com/#!/Therustychicken

Thanks for taking part!

If you want to be introduced and want your products illustrated feel free to contact me! http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

How about some cool original American Aviators and this Outback hat?

It's all possible right in the shop! 

Enjoy and go shopping! Vintage is waiting for you! 

Introducing....AmongTheAtmosphere by Stephanie Garza

Today I would like to introduce to all of you a one of a kind shop- AmongTheAtmosphere by Stephanie Garza.

This time I illustrated a feather necklace that was catching my eyes as soon as I went on her shop! 

Let's talk AmongTheAtmosphere...

Please introduce yourself....

Hello my name is Stephanie Garza. I am 24 years old. I live in Jacksonville Florida, working out of my small studio( my living room). I graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2009 with a BFA in General Sculpture Studies. Visual Arts has been my passion since I can remember. I am happiest when I am creating something.

What made you open an Etsy shop and what is your inspiration?


I've always admired Etsy shop owners and wanted to open a shop of my own. It's amazing to have handmade, unique items available to purchase from artists just like me. The thought of supporting someone else's dream is really special to me.
I finally got the opportunity to open my own etsy shop this past December, since then I have poured everything I have into constantly working on expanding and making it better.

Inspiration for a lot of my pieces relate to childhood, and hanging on to that kidlike spirit. I try to bring in themes and objects I loved and admired as a kid ( paper, airplanes, feathers, leaves, animals....) into my work.Nature is also a huge source of inspiration to me. Outside of creating pieces, another interest of mine are plants. My goal is to try to make pieces I would want to have on my own.

Do you have a favorite material you work with?

While in college I became adept in woodworking, ceramics and fibers.Therefore, it's hard for me to choose just one material. I love working with fiber and clay the most.  While working with fiber, I feel calm. Something about the repetition of knitting and crocheting each stitch is  incredibly therapeutic. My attraction to clay, on the other hand is the idea of creating something out of nothing. You start with just a lump of clay and can mold it into anything you can image. There is something kind of magical about that. In my shop I try hard to make my fiber and clay pieces correlate to keep everything cohesive. I balance this by going back and forth between fiber and clay items; when I don't know what I want to make in clay, I knit or crochet and vise versa. This process helps me stay focused and full of ideas.

How do you promote your designs?

Promoting and marketing has been quite a challenge for me. Right now I am trying to figure out which site works best for my shop. I post a lot of works in progress and announce finished pieces on my tumblr:
http://abouttheatmosphere.tumblr.com/

I started using Facebook to show my friends and family my pieces on Etsy with the hope of spreading the work further than the people I know!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Among-The-Atmosphere/248385451898017

So go to her FB and give her a big LIKE! I did :)

Recently I decided to try out Twitter ... but I am still learning that one: https://twitter.com/#!/AmongAtmosphere

Check out the Twitter and follow her! I did :)

And finally it was suggested to me to use pinterest, which is an amazingly addictive new tool, and I am exited about it's possibilities! http://pinterest.com/TheAtmosphere/

And Pinterest?.... Check it out and pin pin pin....

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

In five years I would like to have a larger studio where I can expand my shop products. I am not sure if I can continue to create scarves, jewelry and other accessories, but will see where time takes me. I find myself always evolving and becoming fascinated with other objects that can eventually be sold in my shop. But honestly, as long as I am creating pieces and doing what I love to do for a living, I am happy. I am lucky already to have the passion and talent I have been given. I never want to take that for granted.

So if you want to be introduced and want to have one of your products illustrated feel free to contact me!
Visit my shop and we can have a little chat! http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

Make sure you visit Stephanie's blog! http://abouttheatmosphere.tumblr.com/ and of course the Etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/people/AmongTheAtmosphere

Enjoy... AmongTheAtmosphere!

Introducing....gringrimaceandsqueak by Karen and Richard

Today I would love to introduce to all of you a wonderful brand from the UK! Karen and Richard have a love for masks and they create one of kind designs! So if you love masquerade, the world of mystery, costume designs this is the brand for you! 

I got inspired by these wonderful masks and I illustrated this one of a kind gift tag with this mask in mind!

Please introduce yourself....

We are Karen Ruffles and Richard Porter, best friends and business partners currently living in Cornwall, UK 

Why masks and what is your inspiration?

We were both artists in our own right and as friends wanted to work on something together. A mutual love of costume made masks an obvious choice and we haven't looked back! We started with fairly traditional eye masks but soon wanted to create more elaborate carnivale pieces. We take our inspiration for those mostly from the natural world – plants, animals and birds.

How long does it take to make one mask and what is your favorite material to work with?

Our masks have taken anything from a morning to several weeks, depending on the complexity of construction and the amount of beading needed. So far, the raven has been our biggest project. We love our enamelled wire- it comes in an amazing range of colours and goes perfectly with the glass seed beads.

How do you manage to stay on top creating and promoting your creations?

 We soon realized that we had a unique product and as our understanding of what is possible with these materials grows, we are able to create ever more complex and attention grabbing pieces. We spend a  lot of time improving our product photography- as we sell almost entirely online, visual impact is so important in getting your work noticed.

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

We love custom work and are concentrating our efforts at cornering the gothic/alternative wedding market, we want to be the first designers people think of when looking for something completely different.

Please visit the Etsy shop! 

Admire and purchase pure art! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gringrimaceandsqueak

Check out the blog and leave a comment! 

http://gringrimaceandsqueak.blogspot.co.nz/

Twitter! 

www.twitter.com/ggsetsy

Facebook! Go give and LIKE! 

www.facebook.com/gringrimaceandsqueak

Google Plus: 

plus.google.com/u/0/b/105107876930342012652/

UK Website: 

 http://gringrimaceandsqueak.co.uk


Flickr:      http://www.flickr.com/photos/gringrimaceandsqueak

Introducing....Silly GooseNZ by Tessa

Today I want to introduce to all of you another amazing NZ brand! Say hello to SillyGooseNZ by the lovely Tessa. SillyGooseNZ is based in Hamilton and does wonderful children wear.

I had the pleasure to illustrate for Tessa and the SillyGooseNZ brand!

Let's talk merino....

Please introduce yourself...

Hi, my name is Tessa.

What is your inspiration and what is the story behind SillyGooseNZ?
I started making merino goodies fro myself and kids. And after a while for my husband too. I noticed that a lot of companies sold merino but not at prices I could afford. So I wanted to introduce a basic line of merino clothing that was still at a good quality and at a much more reasonable price. I try to keep my prices within reach of most people and always use 100% when I can. In fact I do not buy it now, if it isn't 100%.

Where else can we purchase your designs?

You can find me on Etsy! http://www.etsy.com/people/sillygoosenz

And I have a Facebook page. Plus I occasionally see at local markets. Also this Southern winter I was hoping to have "Merino Parties", like Tupperware, in peoples homes so it can be a bit more of a fun social night out with a few merino purchases.


How do you stay on top of the game promoting your products?


I find promoting tricky as this really is all rather new to me. I try to make the most of free avenues, to try and keep the price down. But this year I am trying a few Expos to get my name a bit more out there. I try and join groups of Etsy, Facebook and blog about my crazy life.

http://www.thecraftycroall.blogspot.co.nz/

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

In 5 years time...now!!! I hope to be still be doing this, with my own web page and enough consistent orders so I can just work on this. I would love to get my clothing into a store, I guess world domination!!!!! I try hard to make a range of items without spreading myself too thin. My leggings seem to be a hit, I am hoping my hoodies and wraps start to take off too. I try to use bright,colorful merino fabrics so people can have something a bit different.

Love it! It's a family business! :) Adorable! 

Please visit the Facebook page and give SillyGooseNZ a big LIKE! I did :) !
http://www.facebook.com/Sillygoosenz

Visit the Etsy shop and pick wonderful Merino clothing, for your family! Feel cozy, warm and natural with the SillyGooseNZ brand!

http://www.etsy.com/people/SillyGooseNZ

Funky hats, soft leggings, hoodies, shirts....
You pick!


If you need your product illustrated you can
contact me!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART


Thank you for taking part and feel free to contact SillyGooseNZ for more details!

Introducing....Miss Pixie Pocket by Charlotte Benfield

Today I want you all to meet Miss Pixie Pocket! Dive with me in the 1950s and enjoy the beautiful dresses made by Charlotte Benfield. 
If you love the 50s this is the shop for you! 

E voila my illustration inspired by the lovely Miss Pixie Pocket aka Charlotte Benfield! 


Perfect for a wonderful unique wedding, don't you think?
I love her feminine and creative designs inspired by the crazy, fun 1950s! 

Please introduce yourself....

Hi, I am Charlotte Benfield, aka Miss Pixie Pocket. I am 29 years old. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand with my boyfriend Ari Freeman in a big old 1950s Villa. 

Pixie Pocket was started about a year ago in Christchurch. We had a really big earthquake and I was off work for a week and a half. I had been wanting to start a new label for a long time, but never had the time. A lot of the city was shut down and people were asked to stay home. As there was not much to do, I decided this would be a great project to keep me busy. By the time I went back to work the following Monday I had my Etsy store up and running. 

What is your inspirations and what is your brand about?

Pixie Pocket is a 1950s, Rockabilly and Pin up Dress Label, bringing together the fun and flare of the 1950s with a modern rocker twist. I get inspired by so many things it's hard o list them all. 

Fabrics: I love fabrics, looking at new pattern, weaves and fibers.I can spend hours at the fabric store. My favorite fabric is cotton, either in a good quality print or a sateen weave. 

Styles: It's important that all my dresses can be mixed and matched, so you can get this bodice to go with a skirt, enabling easy customization. When I am designing a new line, I like to think about the styles just before I fall asleep, as I believe that in dreams you can get interesting ideas. 

How long does it take you to finish one dress?

It really depends on my mood ( productivity wise). If I am going really well I can get a dress done per day, if I am going a bit slow it takes me two days. Custom dresses can take me a bit longer though. Especially some of the trickier ones. I'll hang them on the wall in my sewing room so while I am working on other things I can see them and think how they will look best. 

I generally start work 8.30am and work until 10-11pm. I sometimes think fashion design and sewing is not a career, it's an addiction. The more beautiful things you create, the more you want to create. 

Where else can we find you? 

I have my own website! http://www.pixiepocket.com/

Facebook! Go visit the page and give her a big LIKE! I did! :) 

http://www.facebook.com/Pixiepocket

Etsy store!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixiePocket?

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

I just hope to be keeping doing what I'm doing. I have thought about this a lot and I want to keep Pixie Pocket a small business, just me, doing everything. I love the personal touch and knowing that everything I send out into the world is made by me to my standards and expectations. I am very lucky and think I must have the most lovely customers in the world. 

So if you want a custom stylish Pixie Pocket dress feel free to contact Miss Pixie Pocket! 

She will be happy to bring the 1950s diva in you! 

It is maybe the perfect style for you for a special day... wedding!

If you need your product illustrated feel free to contact me here on the blog or in my shop! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

You got to love this one! 

Or the cute yellow one?

You pick! 

Introducing....Bones and Glitter by Michelle Bowie

If you love edgy designs with a statement I discovered the right shop for you! Today I want to introduce to all of you a wonderful shop.... Bones and Glitter by Michelle Bowie. The shop is from New Zealand and is located in Christchurch!

This unique Skull and Tartan Choker was the inspiration for my card illustration!

Check the choker out!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84614139/sale-skull-and-tartan-choker

Isn't is unique?

You need to visit her shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/BonesandGlitter

Let's talk Bones and Glitter....


Please introduce yourself....


Hello! My  name is Michelle Bowie of Bones and Glitter. I am a Christchurch based artist and designer and have just finished studying art and creativity at the learning connexion - an art school in Wellington, New Zealand. I've been designing and reconstructing jewelry and clothing since I was a child.  My earliest memory of creating fashion is when I was six, and made Barbie her own Wonder Woman bustier from tinfoil. A year or so later, I was given a tiny green battery operated sewing machine, on which I created more clothes for Barbie.... though the machine was never quite meaty enough for the designs I envisioned! ( Either the batteries went flat or the cotton went crazy!) I also loved accessories from early age -pulling earrings and necklaces apart and creating new designs. I'm not sure where they came from -probably cast offs from my older sister - but I do remember that I didn't have pliers so used my teeth to pries jump rings etc... apart, and my mum saying
 "You'll break your teeth!" ( I never did).
Hours of playing dress ups in 1950's/1960's clothing at Grandmas contributed to my passion for clothes, sense of adventure and style. As a teen I discovered OP Shops, and fell in love with these musty dusty places, dyed my hair pink (way out small town Oamaru in the 80's) and dared to be different.

What is the inspiration for your brand?

Bones and Glitter is a brand born from life experience and a love of things that are unique and unusual. I thought for a long time about what to call my brand - I choose Bones, as I adore skulls, (they have the most amazing and useful structure) and Glitter, as I do like a touch of glam! I take inspiration from Steam Punk, Gothic, 70's and Punk that can be seen in my work. The piece I make are often influenced by experiences I've had that day. The best designs come to me at about 4am or when waking from a dream!
Designers such as Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Lagerfeld, and Alexander McQueen are people I adore.

How long does it take you to design one piece?

Depends on the piece- a hand sewn choker can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours, where as a beaded bracelet may only take 45 minutes.


What is your favorite material to work with?

I really enjoy working with  copper wire for jewelry making, I like its structure and that you can move it to create various forms. I also enjoy  using feathers, ribbons, tartan fabric, bones and skull beads. When sewing I like to use vintage fabrics whenever possible or good quality fabrics.

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

In five years I would like to be able to earn a living full time from Bones and Glitter ( I currently moonlight as a part time librarian), stock a variety of accessories that are designed by moi ( bags, scarves, etc...) and be brand known for original, quality products.


Please visit Michelle's Etsy shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BonesandGlitter

Go give her a big LIKE on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BonesAndGlitter

So if this is the shop for you feel free to contact Michelle and have a special piece custom made!
You will not regret it!

The shop is truly unique and the designs are original and hand made! 

I fell in love with these little bows so I had to illustrate them and transform them into a bookmark! 

If you want your product illustrated feel free to contact me! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART