the front of the finished colette patterns crepe wrap dress

once a month, i leave my urban concrete digs in downtown la and trek up to the tree-lined streets and winery dotted roads of sonoma county. the purpose of my trip: spend a little time with random nicole and her beau. but, let’s be honest here, the real reason i go is for the food. trip musts include: five star culinary experiences at casa de random nicole courtesy of her beau, walks to the farmers market for the best fish tacos north of ensenada and leisurely drives to the coast for tomales bay oysters at marshall store.

by now, i should know better and just buy a one way ticket. i always end up extending my stay and having to change my flight. this trip was no exception. by week two i’d pretty much eaten my way through the county–nicole’s beau began to feel like he was caught in a never ending episode of hell’s kitchen, desperate for a night off and no oyster was left unshucked.

i looked for a craft to keep me busy while nicole prepared for her upcoming patchwork indie art & craft festival. i settled on learning how to sew from a pattern. the last time i used a sewing pattern was in 7th grade home ec. I remembered how perfectly my poodle skirt came out and thought…yeah, i can make a dress. the fact that i made the poodle skirt 25 years ago and that the pattern only had two pieces, didn’t faze me.

the back of the colette patterns crepe wrap dress

lucky me, stitchcraft the fabric shop/class space in petaluma, owned and operated by nicole vasbinder of queen puff puff fame was a mere 20 minutes away. i fell in love with a sweet little red fabric printed with black and white forks and spoons. nicole v. steered me towards the colette patterns. the one i chose was a wrap dress called crepe, skill level…beginner.

i spent the next few days pinning the wafer thin tissue pattern paper onto my fabric and steadying my hand as i nervously sliced through my precious forks and knives. the pattern proved to be easier than i expected. for the most part, the instructions were incredibly detailed and the diagrams and drawings were helpful. once or twice i popped on  colette’s website to peek at their community forum to troubleshoot my only tricky spot, the shoulders. i love that this forum is available.

i couldn’t believe how awesome my dress turned out. that evening we headed out for a celebratory margarita and a total stranger complemented my new frock.

all the pieces of my colette pattern cut and pinned to my forks and spoons fabric

it was a world away from my 7th grade poodle skirt triumph. with my new-found self-confidence in my sewing and pattern reading skills, i’m excited to graduate into colette’s intermediate patterns. i have my eye on this button down skirt. before i let my head get too big, i think i’ll try just one more beginning pattern.

diy needle felting tool from a wine cork

i’m not a huge believer in astrology, although i love devouring  rob breszny’s horoscopes in the weekly paper. reading rob’s predictions is more like reading a very short and very fascinating story that just happens to have a bit of advice or insight sprinkled in. i’m a libra, which i’ve been told means i can be a little indecisive at times. this holds true for many things in my life, including this mornings trip to the farmer’s market as i attempted to pick something out for dinner tomorrow night and spent 20 minutes weighing my options…french cut lamb or BBQ oysters and finally, i got both. another area of my life where i’m a bit non-committal is in my crafty world. i’ve never been able to stick to one craft. my crafting room is full of supplies for a variety of mediums…screenprinting, sewing, jewelry making, soap and candle making, painting, collage, mixed media diorama supplies and now i’ve taken on a new craft…felting. so, yesterday i headed down to my lovely local yarn shop, cast away yarn shop in santa rosa and stocked up on

all the tools you need to make your own needle felting tool

using the diy needle felting tool

some wool, felt, felting needles and a pad to felt on. always looking for a way to do things on a budget, i tried my hand at making my own needle felting tool instead of buying one. i have to say that it doesn’t work quite as well as a professional tool. i think for my next tool i need to put the needles closer together. but it still does the job. stay tuned for some tutorials on how to use you new tool to needle felt.
what to get:
hammer
wine cork
3-6 felting needles (i used size 36)
what to do:
1. working on a table with slats in it or using the end of the table, rest the cork on an edge and hammer in the first felting needle
2. this is where it got a little tricky, the second needle i hammered in went in sideways and i had to pull it out with some pliers. so, when you hammer in the other needles try to keep them very straight.
3. hammer in the remaining needles and felt your little heart out.

loving my wine barrel bench

it’s official… summer is here! lucky me, my awesome landlord decided to pour a patio in my previously unusable backyard. goodbye to renegade rose thistles, brambles of blackberry bushes and lots of mud and hello to morning coffee on the patio table and lots of bbq dinners. i pulled it off on a shoestring…patio table and bbq from a friend who upgraded her own, pink flamingos only $2.50 in the target dollar bins, pots were found with a free sign on a neighbors lawn and with a little spray paint i transformed the mauveness into bright bursts of color and the art is paintings i did that have been sitting in my garage for five years. i’m so excited to spend way more time in the backyard and am even entertaining thoughts of a kiddie pool.

before my backyard makeover

after the backyard makeover

pink flamingos make me happy

spray paint turns boring pots into color bursts

random things that were just sitting in my garage get a new life on the patio

our big little trailer on the dunes

one of my favorite movies that i can watch over and over again is national lampoons vacation. i love the scene when clark w. griswold is wandering the desert searching for help after crashing the family truckster in the middle of nowhere. chevy chase rocks that scene. i, however am NOT chevy chase. in my own lost in the middle of nowhere scene while on a camping trip last week i was not nearly as cool as chevy. after three hours of trying to find my way back from the beach to our camp site in bodega dunes with the sun at it’s hottest and highest point of the day and no water, i too tied shirt around my head. exasperated and with my hair tied back in a makeshift twig ‘rubber band’ i suggested to my beau that we should just call the police or park ranger to send out a helicopter or at least some horses to rescue us.

of course, we weren’t in any real danger. we could see the beach and knew what direction the road that would lead us back to camp was but we just couldn’t get there. all trails seemed to take us in a circuitous route back to the beach. finally we decided to abandon the useless trails and make our way towards the road, stomping through patches of ice plant with vibrant pink flowers while the tall sea grass poked our legs

could not put this book down: blood, bones and butter by gabrielle hamilton

through our pants.

this was day one of our camping trip. we made it back to camp, rewarded ourselves with a margarita and spent the next three days sticking pretty close to the luxurious trailer complete with queen size bed, stove, fridge, heater, bathroom and tv (which we didn’t watch). we ate really well…lemon, parsley and olive oil seabass cooked on the bbq in a foil parcel, brussel sprouts with pancetta, balsamic glazed turkey kilbasa, eggs with jalapeno and cilantro, pancakes, brisket that my beau smoked slowly over the firepit for six hours and of course lots of smores while sitting around the campfire nightly. we spent the morning laying in bed reading (i’m nearly done with bones, blood and butter by gabrielle hamilton, a can’t put it down read about her life and being a chef) with the wind coming in every so often and jostling the blinds. we went into town and i had a perfect salty dog at a seafood bar and restaurant right on the water. we had long talks about life and traveling and the future with his sister who joined us. i wrote a lot. i’m working on a collection of stories about my life as a maker.

lovely fishing boats on bodega bay

now i’m safe in my little studio, back to sewing and writing and spending long days working on the computer. but, today, when i sat down to sew some make-up bags for a customer who’s gifting them to her bridesmaids, i couldn’t help but pop vacation into the dvd player so i could relive last weeks adventure of getting lost and watch chevy make his way through the desert and eventually back to his family and a much needed glass of water.

our shoes (my favorite famolares) on the beach

my feet on the peopleless beach

collecting the smoothest most colorful pebbles

i collaged this cover of my new journal while drinking yummy coffee in the morning

really lovely tiny yellow flowers in the dunes

this was pretty much how i looked when i was lost except i kept my pants on and was just as happy as clark when we found the road

cassandra marie oh leander

post by varci : we’re on a run of rainy spring weather in southern california.   today’s maker is just in time— meet cassie of oh leander.  she knows her way around a set of crochet hooks- and you’ll be thanking your lucky stars for her cowls and scarves when the sun is otherwise occupied.  for those not scarf-inclined, she also makes cold-weather accoutrements like mugs for warm drinks and (any weather) wine cozies. and, if you’re poking around for other sorts of rainy day entertainment– feel free to drool over the photographic loveliness that is her blog…

introductions please.

hello sunshine mug cassandra marie oh leander

my name is cassandra marie, and i was born and raised in santa barbara. several years ago, i moved to los angeles where i thought up and created my online shop oh leander…and i have been keeping my little hands busy ever since!

scarf cassandra marie oh leander

what do you make or do?

i have always been so inspired by people who have the ability to create beautiful things with their hands. i wanted to be one of them. so i taught myself how to crochet, and now make crocheted and other handmade goods.

where can we find your creations?

my products are available in my online shop. and also, in my etsy shop.

wine cozies cassandra marie oh leander

how long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?
i officially opened oh leander in march of 2011, but had been trying to perfect my technique and accumulate inventory for months before that point. i would love to eventually have it be my full time job and am currently trying to build up to that.

when you’re not making things- what do you do?

when i’m not making, i’m either eating, taking photos, spending time with the hubby or traveling (i prefer if all of the above are happening simultaneously, though!).

favor bags cassandra marie oh leander

did someone in your family, a friend or teacher introduce you to your creative side or have they helped you along the way?

both of my parents are artistic people, a trait i think they passed down to me. i developed a great love for all forms of art at a very young age, and from that, grew up with a deep desire to create.

what’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

the future looks bright! i hope to continue to expand my shop, successfully market my brand, increase my fan base, and possibly gain more stockists who supply my products in their stores around the world.

what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives?

"little bow" brooches cassandra marie oh leander

the best advice i can give fellow creatives is actually one of my favorite quotes by anthony burrill: “work hard and be nice to people.” …it’s an adopted personal mantra that i try to live by each day.

those who know me know about my obsession with camping. when i was nine i begged my mom to buy me a tent for christmas in hopes that once she bought the tent we proceed to the next logical step…a camping trip. my elementary school heart sank when i found out that camping was something that would never be on my mom’s agenda. to call my mom a neat freak is a gross understatement and there isn’t enough lysol in the world to comfort her in the woods. i’ve actually only been camping once, last year for my birthday. you can check out my first and only camping trip here. the trip only fueled my obsession and i’m happy to say that this week i’ll be embarking on my second camping trip. this time we’re going tent-free as we’ll be camping out in the bodega dunes in my beau’s family’s huge trailer, complete with a queen size bed, oven, stove, bathroom and all the amenities we’d miss. i’m looking forward to starry nights, reading, writing, making some art in my sketchbook, coming home with clothes drenched in campfire smoke and making smores! trying to perfect the perfect smore i decided to try my hand at making homemade marshmallows. with a little (okay a lot) of help from my new favorite DIY kitchen book jam it, pickle it, cure it and other kitchen projects by karen solomon i got to work and made my very first homemade marshmallows. you can too!
what to get:
2/3 cup water
3 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of light corn syrup
a bit of sea salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 cup of powered sugar

what to do:
1. use vegetable oil to oil and 8 x 8 inch pan and coat with powered sugar
2. pour 1/3 cup of water in a bowl, add gelatin and let stand 10 minutes
3. put 1/3 cup of water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan. cook without stirring until it reaches 240 degrees (use a candy thermometer)
4. use a mixer on low while adding the hot syrup to the gelatin. add vanilla and then beat on high for 10 or so minutes (mixture will be thick and sticky)
5. spread the mixture in the 8 x 8 inch pan and use a spatula to flatten and get it into corners
6. set aside until firm (about an hour)
7. remove the huge marshmallow from the pan (use a wet knife to help wedge it out)
8. cut the big marshmallow into squares and roll them in either plain powered sugar or for chocolate dusted ones, roll them in a mixture of cocoa power and powered sugar.
9. store in a cool dry place in a plastic bag

francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

post by varci :  francesca iannaccone is our maker for monday. check out the artist/designer/vintage tea cup collector/gin rummy champion who makes prints, cards, wooden books and brooches (with love) from london!

 introductions please.

i’m francesca iannaccone and i run mrs eliot books from my house in north london. i’ve lived in london all my life and despite loving to travel and falling in love with a few other cities around the world, i can’t see me living anywhere else. it’s got everything.

francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

what do you make or do?

i mainly make prints and cards, although i first started my etsy shop making little wooden books (hence having “books” in my shop title).

i still have a few books in my shop and i’m hoping to do more again when my little one goes to school.

i’m also working on some brooches – something new for me but i think they’re going to fit in with my other work really well.

where can we find your creations?

my etsy shop, i also have a blog (which i love) and my website.

francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

creativity is an absolute necessity for me. i think it’s something you’re born with– so if i wasn’t doing this, i would be making something else. i just wouldn’t be me without it.

i always think of the rosalie gascoigne quote when she was asked how she became an artist, and said, “i didn’t ever become one, i was one. i was that sort of animal.”

francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

when you’re not making things- what do you do?

when i’m not making, i’m looking after my two boys (two and six). gus is at nursery two mornings a week at the moment– which is just enough time to get everything done, although i do find myself working evenings and naptimes too.

if money wasn’t an issue, how would your life change in regards to your art?

if money wasn’t an issue, i’d be able to do more experiments.  i would love to produce more products likes cups and trays, but it’s all pretty expensive with large minimum orders, so you have to make sure you have the market in place first.

fridge magnets francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

if money wasn’t an issue, i probably would have produced wallpaper and all sorts by now and have it piling up around the house– so it’s a good thing i have to be frugal!

what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives?

my advice to anyone starting out would be to just go for it. start a blog alongside your shop, which opens you up to more potential customers and helps you make connections.

[blogging] isn’t just to get noticed—it’s also for the support network. there’s nothing like putting something out there on your blog and getting feedback from other like-minded supportive creatives.

francesca iannaccone mrs eliot books

i’ve found that invaluable and it makes working alone at home feel like you are walking into a shared studio space every day.

post by varci : turn loose two full-time moms (with an eye for design) in the rose bowl flea market –  and you might get a little company called homespun vintage.   the team reworks and recycles vintage threads into insanely adorable apparel for your littlest one.  meet corrie and kathlene— our makers of the week!

introductions please.

corrie sullivan is an irish-born designer who currently lives in la with her husband aaron and two daughters, sienna & scarlett.

kathlene linehan is originally from ohio, but has lived in chicago, boston, nyc and now la for the past nine years.

corrie sullivan & kathlene linehan homespun vintage

what do you make or do?

 we rework and embellish vintage children’s clothing.

where can we find your creations?

you can find us online and in stores.

how long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?

corrie sullivan & kathlene linehan homespun vintage

we started our line two years ago. we are both moms– so that’s our full time job.

what obstacles have you had to overcome to lead a creative life?

changing our perspective that a creative life can be a career—rather than just a “hobby”.

where do you find inspiration?

pinterest! it has changed our lives…seriously.     you can browse for hours upon hours.  check us out here and here.

we also wander around flea markets regularly– the rose bowl flea is our favorite.

what’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

we are producing our own vintage inspired children’s line for fall 2012.

corrie sullivan & kathlene linehan homespun vintage

if money wasn’t an issue, how would your life change in regards to your art?

we would hire a team of people to do our sourcing, pr and sales, so we could concentrate more time on original creations– and hire babysitters more often!

what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives?

 every artist was first an amateur.

one of my favorite things to see is a the studio space of a maker. i love pouring over photos of studio tours on blogs. my ‘studio’ aka: guest room/hangout for my pets/coworkers nina and huckleberry/comfy spot where my beau can watch game of thrones in peace and quiet got a makeover last week. i built a table out of steel plumbing pipe and laminate scrap wood and cleaned out every container and even the closet. over the years my studio has been housed in variety of different make-shift spaces in the many apartments, houses and flats i’ve lived in. i’ve worked out of a dining room in hollywood, tiny breakfast nook in orange, a huge three room basement in echo park, an attic in santa rosa, my parents living room and patio, a garage in irvine and countless cars armed with a cordless glue stick and a flashlight. here’s a glimpse at my current workspace…

post by varci: some little girls dream of being barbie- but aileen holmes just wanted to style her.  today’s maker is an illustrator, graphic and textile designer who worked her skills as a mini-maker (she sketched and sewed new doll looks as a kid) into a full-fledged career.   meet the maker who has worked for polly pocket, spongebob and the blonde with a pink corvette…

introductions please.

hello! i am aileen. i was born and raised in orange county and still live here–in costa mesa!

what do you make or do?

 i create many things. i studied fine art and fashion design- and that combination permeates throughout my work.

my illustrated and painted art pieces are shown in galleries all over southern california. i also sell t-shirts, screen prints and prints of my artwork on etsy (and occasionally at indie craft shows).

illustration aileen holmes

i also lend my graphic design and illustration skills to the fashion industry and creative entrepreneurs–designing t-shirt graphics, textile designs, marketing pieces and fashion/accessory design.

where can we find your creations?

on my website, etsy or my facebook page

how long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?

what i created as a little kid has totally turned into a “real” job: i used to sew my own barbie clothes and had a designer job at mattel working for barbie, i created my own ‘zine in high school and later illustrated for the los angeles times and, i doodled party dresses as a kid and i now work in fashion!

i am a full-time creative entrepreneur hired as a consultant or designer for many industries. i worked in-house as a graphic designer for many years, kept up healthy professional relationships and gained a solid reputation which has enabled me to be 100% independent.

paper doll t-shirt aileen holmes

when you’re not making things, what do you do?

sleep? seriously, my days are completely full of making things! or driving to where i make things!

 is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

it is a necessity since it is my livelihood. although, i would love to make more things that i have no intention of selling–perhaps even make something for myself! that would be a luxury!

what obstacles have you had to overcome to lead a creative life?

i have very high standards of quality and sometimes my skills don’t match my vision. when i learn something new like watercolor, jewelry or book binding– i have to remember to play and experiment. happy accidents happen!

flyer aileen holmes

did someone in your family, a friend or teacher introduce you to your creative side or have they helped you along the way?

i was a total nerd who scoured the library for craft books–thank you librarians!

i was encouraged to sew by my mom, and my dad is musical. i was a musician back in the day—(not something i do now) and that experience totally enriched my creative side.

where do you find inspiration?

i love people watching, shopping and generally keeping my eyes open wherever i am.

people say i am incredibly resourceful. i am the person to ask if you ever need to find or know something random. i am always investigating.

what’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

i am currently designing kids accessories like handbags, luggage and backpacks for a big client. so fun!

i just contributed to the knowwhat app, which is a zesty guide to travel and fun things to do. i reviewed dozens of my fave spots in oc– now out in the itunes store!

illustration aileen holmes

if money wasn’t an issue, how would your life change in regards to your art?

i would hire a team of writers and animators to help me develop characters i have created—then, i would license my artwork to manufacturers for apparel, accessories, stationery, home decor and other fun products!

what would be your perfect day off?

disneyland!

what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives?

it’s ok to call yourself an artist (or whatever you want)! make a business card with your job title and your work and give it to everyone. no one knows who you are unless you tell them.