For Sale - Vigoss Shorts $18

Check out one of my eBay listings...

• Brand new
• Women's size 30 (or Junior's 9)
• Retail $45
• Style "The Ritz"
• Distressed look
• Extra wide beltloops
• Front patch pockets
• Inseam is 2" (very short)
• Low-rise

Click here to buy!

I Made It - Painted Tennies

 Back from a creative hiatus!  (My absence was caused by the myriad other projects I have.)

Very simple diy:  There was a pair of white tennies hiding in my closet because I had spilled wax on them (don't ask...).  Perhaps you can see the slight discoloration on the toe?  Like many other crafters (and broke former college students) I couldn't just throw away a perfectly wearable pair of shoes.  Finally, I brought them out, dug up some turquoise acrylic paint from my disastrous supply closet, and went to work.  I had to use one of those makeup sponges because I didn't even have a damn paintbrush, but it worked out really well.  For the stripes, I used regular old scotch tape.
This is where I got my inspiration:

TOMS!

And a tutorial I once saw that is very similar to this one:

Stripes + Sequins's SaturDIY Neon Stripe TOMS

What really pushed me to get creative yesterday was this Lifehacker.com article:  How I Feel Satisfied With Every Day.  The author's simple guide to happiness is to do 3 things every day: make money, get fit & make something cool.  I already knew I needed to do those things, but the article reminded me of why--to be happy!

Harem Pants

Not really a fan, but...

You have to admit that's pretty awesome.  Do you think they had Madonna ones?

Lady Gaga should totally design her own sewing patterns!  (You knew it was coming.)

Kawaii Inspiration

Some of these I actually plan to make.  Someday.  ;-)

Not Buying It

Are you tired of how everyone is so obsessed with buying stuff all the time?  Yeah, me too.  Maybe it has to do with the time I've spent volunteering that makes me wonder, What do I actually need?  When I buy something, how long will it take for me to want more?  How many people out there actually do need a new pair of shoes because they are barefoot, and how many pairs of forgotten shoes do I have stuffed in my closet?

And then I think about the people who made the stuff.  Are they happy?  Do they have enough to eat?  Guilt.

I recently read an article in "Wired" magazine about the work compounds in China where the people live in little dorms and do repetitive work on assembly lines for 10 hours a day.  The cover screams...

Powerful imagery.  Yet, isn't it good to give people jobs?  Doesn't it benefit their lives?  I really don't know a lot about this, but I've been thinking about it a lot since I'm taking a class this semester on economic globalization.  New America Media has an article about how Forever 21 pays the garment workers a pittance.

Really, this is not my area of expertise.  I don't really know what to think about it, and I'm definitely not condemning globalization and mass-production as if it's some black-and-white subject.  I'm mostly just thinking out loud...  I'd like to hear what you have to say on this issue.

Inspiration: Kuna Women

The Kuna Indians

Mola blouse

The Kuna Indian women live on a little island near the Yucatan Peninsula and make these beautiful blouses by layer fabric and carefully cutting intricate designs.  Each design tells a story and no two are the same.  I have always loved the idea of clothing being works of art, and I would love to bring that into my own Etsy shop.

For more info:

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/mola_panama.htm

Etsy: Purple Maxi Skirt - Harve Benard - Vintage

I just listed this on Etsy.  I have a lot of vintage right now.

This soft purple skirt is made of a mixture of wool and viscose, made by the designer Benard Holtzman. It is vintage, and the tag says "made in Belarus." I don't know exactly when it was made, but it seems to be 1970's style. The lighter "stripes" that you see are a kind of inside-out seams, which is decorative but also allows the skirt to highlight your feminine curves. When worn at the waist, the hem falls at your calves, known as "tea length." It zips up the back with an invisible zipper and buttons at the top--fully lined, a signature of quality construction. I love the light purple because it is such a wonderful Spring color.

Waist: 29"
Length: 32"
Zipper Length: 7.5"
Full Width at Bottom: 84"

Nico the Fashion Cat

Introducing...my new fashion consultant...Nico the Fashion Cat!  Today is the first day of her new job.  She will help me pick out outfits.  Here's how it works: Since she can't point, I pick an item of clothing and show it to her.  If she runs away, that means no.  If she stays and gazes at it admiringly, that means yes.

Today she picked out some bright pink leggings with a black design on it that looks like a maze, a short black dress, a lace black dress over that, and my denim jacket with a cameo brooch on it.  Pretty good for the first day on the job!

Tiger Toy Mini SkirtNeon Yellow with Black by heartattackcouture

Tiger Toy Mini SkirtNeon Yellow with Black by heartattackcouture

"Out for the kill, stalking her prey/ The fortunate ones never get away/ They say it's all fair in love, but it's not true/ You'll be chasing her tail til the night is through." (Electrocute)

This mini skirt is made from cotton-rayon jersey, very light and soft to the touch. Bold black stripes are painted onto a neon yellow background. Because the fabric is so lightweight, I lined the skirt with the same material to avoid the notorious VPL. The exposed zipper is thick with plastic tracks and nylon/polyester edges. It is sewn on the outside of skirt for an edgy look, and can be worn front or back. Also adding to the edgy look is a raw, unhemmed bottom edge. (This is not sloppiness--the rest of the garment is well-sewn.)

I have plenty of this fabric and can make this skirt in any size at your request. The skirt pictured is about a medium or large, and would fit about a size 7. When worn at the hips, the skirt hits just below your bum and is form-fitting. If you would like a custom size, it would be helpful to convo me the measurements around your hips where you would like the skirt to sit, around your bum, and the length you would like.

Measurements:
hips--36 in (92.5 cm)
length--11 in (28 cm)

I recently put this up on Etsy. I would have to say that this is the one thing up for sale that I would most like to keep. I have a few yards of this fabric and plan on making various things out of it...definitely a tank top tunic, but not sure what else.