Leather accessories

I love working with leather. I love working with recycled leather scraps even more!! The nice thing about leather is you don't have to worry about the material fringing and losing its shape. So much fun! I plan on making more of these leather leaf necklaces. Little pins and hair accessories.

Indie Mart: Success!!

I am so happy to have had a chance to participate in the Indie Mart! I also want to thank everyone who stopped by my booth. And I really hope all of you new Crooked Sister customers enjoy your new goodies!! I know a lot of you folks enjoyed my fabric bows in the many different forms they came in and wanted to let you know that more of these bowtie goodies will be available in my etsy store soon! Including those bow tie necklaces you all seemed to love. My sister was nice enough to lend a helping hand on Sunday and with my new display. I got plenty of compliments on my new display and felt like it really brought together my new items. Unfortunately I was too busy to go around to take photos of the rest of the event, but I did grab a few shabby photos of my display before my goodies started to disappear.

Wedding goodies

I recently made some flower accessories for my friend Lea's wedding attire. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see them in action since Lea's wedding took a slight turn for the worst. About 20 minutes before the ceremony her fiance and 3 other members of the wedding party got into a serious car accident. Luckily everyone was okay and survived, but the wedding ceremony and reception were sort of in shambles. Lea and her husband John did end up getting married the same night at Highland Hospital. Their officiant was also in the accident and at the hospital so he was able to certify their marriage while on a morphine drip. They had about 30 doctors as witnesses and someone recorded it for them. Video below. Congratulations you too!!

New Goodies . . .

Headbands out of recycled leather, soft floral patterns, fall inspired jewelry, and leaves, leaves, leaves!! Thanks to Alison for modeling!

Suede leaf embroidered earrings

New hair fan design in warm colors.

I'll admit I've always been hesitant about wearing headbands with bangs, but Alison shows us that you can really pull it off! Sort of reminiscent of those flapper headbands, except modernized.

It's so funny how I get sidetracked when creating stuff. I tend to start one thing, but then my brain starts to think of another amazing idea and before I know it I've got fabric and embroidery floss scattered all over my work station. I did finish two bags this weekend and started a new hair design. Still in process but I'm excited about where it is going. I plan on playing around with some bead work with this one.

Crooked Sister at Pretty Penny!!

My Etsy Store has been a little empty lately, but for good reason. Pretty Penny, one of my favorite vintage clothing stores in the Bay Area, is now carrying a variety of Crooked Sister accessories! Yeah! While I was in the store taking photos this lovely girl, Elizabeth, bought one of my fave accessories. So Pretty. More of these will be available on Etsy soon! Pretty Penny is one of the best vintage clothing stores you will ever come by. If you are in Oakland or Bay Area, you must stop by. You are guaranteed to walk away with some unique, one of a kind goodies. Like these amazing dangling goat earrings! You will also find a number of local designer goods here. And the sunglass selection is great!!

Urban Stitch Recap

It's hard to believe that it is almost Thursday! Work has been insanely busy and I haven't really had a chance to recuperate from all the crafting I did last week for Urban Stitch. Here are a few photos (thanks Chris!) of the event on Sunday. I had a good time and was thrilled, as usual, to meet other fantastic local designers. Lisa from Daveylady was stationed across the way from me and she had such great products. My favorite items were her one of a kind handbags. I love carpet bags so the temptation to buy one of her amazing upholstery clutch handbags was overwhelming. They were so soft and so well crafted. Just another item to put on my wish list. You can check out her website here here

Also be sure to check out my Etsy store next Monday. A lot of amazing new items will be available, including some adorable leather headbands!

Etsy Store is Officially Open!

My Etsy Store has officially launched!! Check it out Here I only have a few items posted and but I will be posting new items through out the week. I have finally admitted getting the store packed with goodies is going to be a little slow going. But that's okay! I am also offering free shipping until the end of August to help celebrate the opening of my store.

And I already sold my first item on Saturday night!! This lovely fabric hair shell now belongs to a lady in San Diego. I really hope she enjoys it. I came up with this design last week and am actually planning on making more of them in a variety of colors and sizes. I think they are going to be a big hit (hopefully).

I am also officially participating in Urban Stitch this coming Sunday! It will be my first craft show in SF!

I am a little nervous but I think it is going to turn out to be a great experience. If you are in the area, stop by and say hi. They are charging a $5 admission fee, but I will be giving two complimentary tickets away to the first two people who email me this week!! I am also really digging the fliers they made!

New creations

I finally got my hands on a good camera and a few models! My etsy store is taking more time to launch than I thought. But while you are waiting here are a few images from my photoshoot of some super cute items that I just made!

Special thanks to Luz and Alison for modeling!!

I also found out today that I got accepted into a craft event called Urban Stitch taking place in SF later this month. I am so excited!

Delays and other things

I was really hoping to have my Etsy store up by Monday, but alas I hit a few roadbumps. I'm having a little trouble with my images but since my resources are limited I'm just going to have to use what I got. If I'm lucky, I'll get some professional photos done of my work soon. Right now I just want to get my store started!! I have also been trying to stock up on my merchandise. Lately I have been working on making these hair fans or seashell clips (not sure what to call them yet). Here is a photo of Polly from Pollyannacowgirl wearing the first one I ever made. They take forever to make but they look amazing! I also found out that Handmade Nation is premiering in SF this Friday. This film is on a very limited, limited release and I want to see it sooo bad!! Unfortunately it is being shown way out at the Fort Mason Center in SF which you can only really get to by car. I have yet to decide if I will make the trek out there to see it. Check out the preview for the film below:

Bows and Bags

These little canvas bags are great for storing your receipts, sunglasses, make-up, or other small trinkets. Hand embroidered, sewn together, and always a little crooked :) Making these bows are super fun!! I plan on attaching elastic to a few of them so people can wear them as bow ties.

More eye candy . . .

A small, green brooch that would look great on a gray cardigan. A soft pink flower for the girly, girl in all of us. This orange flower is made out of organic cotton. I love the velvet button. It's so soft and fuzzy! This simple, chic black brooch won't fringe as much as the other flowers. I have been experimenting with accenting my flowers in other ways besides buttons and beads. This flowers has a small leaf accent made from a recycle placemat. I love this flower. I call it the "Carrie Bradshaw." It's big, bold, and light as a feather. You can wear it as a brooch or in your hair. It comes across more as a hat in your hair, which I love. I can't wait to make more of these!!