Craft Monday: Lace Collar Necklaces, Delicate Sophistication

From EPUU on Etsy

Independent collars remind me of dickies.  Dickies remind me of my mother.  I think she may have made me wear one when I was younger, which was traumatic.  Ok I am not talking about Dickies the clothing brand, but rather the mid century sleeveless and bodiless turtlenecks.

See the dickey thru the sweater? Thanks theNatos blog for the photo.  I watched this movie twice over the holidays. My sister didn't get why I think it is so funny.

But let me move onto something I find very pretty, delicate and a new trend. 
I opened up Etsy one day and saw this beautiful collar made of handwoven lace.  From designer EPUU in Turkey these beautiful vintage inspired collars...how pretty.  Not at all cheesey, in my mind, like dickies.  Of course this is just my opinion, I am sure dickies were quite popular among my mother's generation.  And Randy Quaid's character in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation.

A few years ago when I was designing mens sportswear full time, I received a shirt sample from a factory in Korea.  They were looking for business and factories will send samples to show off their work.  Well this sample was a sweater with a woven shirt collar sewn into it.  It just didn't work.  It's interesting, it seems on mens clothing the dickey or collars alone just don't work.  However for women, like above or below, a single collar can look so unique and Victorian in a very simple and sophisticated way.

Lace Peter Pan Collar from Luminia

The above collar is from Luminia on Etsy. It is handmade lace with a black satin collar.  The floral details will look so pretty on a basic knit or woven top.

On Burdastyle I found this very pretty lace collar.  If you follow the link you will land at Mod Cloth which is another fave website of mine. 

lace collar from Burdastyle

I love the lace collar because it is a simple, different and an economical way to change up a top.

Now, I just need to learn how to crochet lace!

Happy Crafting and Happy Monday!

Tracey

Holiday Market The Handmade Holiday Cavalcade

How cute is this flyer?

I am so excited about this market.  2 days of shopping, tasty food and cocktails!

And everything is handmade by EtsyNY sellers!

100 tote bags are given out each day and people wait in line for these tote bags. I know some of the goodies going into them, can't I have one???? Nope. Only for the shoppers!

So get there early!

I've been busy working on holiday runners and napkins.  As well I will have my usual aprons and everyday napkins to sell. 

It is in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

 Hope to see you!

HOLIDAY MARKET

The 6th annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

Dec 14th and 15th

10 am to 5 pm

The Space

50 N.3rd

Williamsburg

Brooklyn, NY

http://www.handmadecavalcade.com/

New Etsy Finds

Now that I have a baby I am realizing how precious alone time is, or just the time to get something done! Harper is 11 weeks old and now that she takes little naps during the day and sleeps 4 to 5 hours straight at night I am starting to get back to some sort of routine.  Right now she is taking a late morning nap so I had a few moments to check out etsy and some new shops.  Well new to me.

Look at these adorable pouches!  This is from a shop called Netamente in Argentina.  She screen prints all of her products.  I love the modern and simple, clean look of this graphic.

Below is a bunny brooch from knitknit, this shop on etsy is owned by Nguyen Le.  I know Nguyen from my Etsy Team group and also she is a fellow teacher at Purl Soho.  Her classes always sell out!  She makes the most adorable products.  I can never work with such tiny things.  I think I am just too clumsy with my long fingers!

Make a statement with this pink neon statement necklace! This is from Hook and Matter, another fellow Etsy Team member and a neighbor! I just learned Amy the artist and designer lives down the street from me. Last year we worked on Celebrate Brooklyn together, her items are a big seller. I think it is because they are so simple but eye catching.

A minimalist designed jewelry box, but I actually would use it for spices or bobbins. Maybe safety pins! Ok so many uses. This was on the Etsy home page today and what caught my eye was the seafoam green color.  I thought it was ceramic with wood but it is all wood.  The shop is called Paragraphloop.

I love finding all of the new exciting items on Etsy.  It gets my creative juices flowing!

Remember to support your local artist!

Summer White- Finds on Etsy

I hate to admit it but then why should I?  I still stick to the old school rule of white after Memorial Day and before Labor Day.  We have been having quite a heat wave in NYC.  It is our third this summer.  Harper, my new little baby, has been handling it like a champ.  Of course it is difficult to figure out if the ac is bothering her.  She has been wearing with style her sleeveless white onesies.

Why do we wear whites in the summer?  It makes us feel lighter? Refreshed? Thinner? Pure?

Winter whites are nice in the winter but don't have the same feeling.  Whatever the reason is there are many white items to choose from.

Check out these cute beaded earrings on Etsy by Elegance by Elaine

They remind me of vintage chandeliers.

I love this! And being an avid reader and lover of the English authors, this is so unique!

"Dearest Jane! Who could have done less for her" this scarf has sections from Pride and Prejudice printed on it.  Find it at storiarts on Etsy and the designer is based in Portland Oregon, my old dwelling place.  So many artists and creativity is coming out of Portland these days.

A vintage linen dress from dustysociety that looks quite modern. 

More dresses! Look at this adorable baby doll dress with a Peter Pan collar!  This is from DressupComeon out of Thailand.

We don't want to forget about the men. I stumbled upon this fantastic retro shirt from a shop called thebazarhome.

Are you a believer of white after Memorial Day and before Labor Day? 

How do you feel about this tradition?

Should I just stop being so traditional or conservative?

Garden Inspiration from Etsy

With the warm weather here, all us gardeners are just itching to get outside.  Now that I live in Brooklyn, I have a back yard!  I love it. I love being outdoors, working in the sun, it's quite quiet where I live which is surprising being so close to the city.  Last year was our first year here so we didn't renovate the back yard.  I planted vegetables and flowers in beds. This year we are having some landscaping help so I am not planting anything quite yet. However I still can window shop for garden inspirations.  Here are some things that I am liking on etsy these days.

Terracotta planters

Modern Ceramic Planters

Watering Can

Garden Stakes

Garden Tortoise

Buddha Dog

Garden Stool

Love the quilt like looking pattern in the above stool.  And the color of the glaze reminds me cool, refreshing water.  Perfect for holding your icy beverage or as an extra seat.


One thing missing is garden markers.  The trend on etsy seems to be using old silverware and embossing them with your veggie and herb names.  I love upcycling but just didn't like this look.  I did find these classic ceramic markers from a shop called From Artisan Hands.

Hopefully you will be inspired by the cool pool blues, the aloe shades of green and the terracotta rust colors and create something today.

Products I've Been Working On. Sewing with Liberty of London

Last night in class a student told me she never heard of Liberty of London until taking my class.  Well I am a fan. Liberty of London is beautiful and cool, well made and obtainable.  Obtainable is key because as a consumer you can't always buy quality fabric by the yard.  Only 3 stores in NYC sell it.  Another student asked, is it difficult to sew with. This is a good question because Liberty feels like silk, also it has a similar weight.  Liberty is 100% cotton and yes it is easy to sew with, just use a size 8 or 9 needle.  The last quality I appreciate much with Liberty, it is made in England. It is difficult these days to buy something not made in Asia.  When you buy Liberty you are buying from a company that is paying fair wages. Check out this cool video of the print facility.

Last summer I launched a new product in my etsy shop and on my website, Liberty Bandanna Scarves. What's a bandanna scarf? You can wear it in your hair or as a scarf. Great for temperamental weather.

This spring I have introduced Pocket Squares (which also can be used as a hankie, ladies).  There are now a few listed in my etsy shop but more are to come!

Emilia
Thanks Andy for modeling for me.

Bourton - a lovely blue paisley

Susanna Pocket Square

Emilia with Capel
Capel is a whimsical floral in a perfect dress shirt lavender.
Not posted on etsy yet. 

Since this is new product I am always looking for feed back. What do you think?  Do you like the prints I have chosen? Would you use this as a pocket square or hankie?

Happy Long Weekend!

Beach bag from DAG Bags

Happy Friday Friends,
It's a long weekend here in the states and it's been raining cats and dogs here in NYC. ugh...tired of it. To cheer things up though I put together this treasury on etsy.  Beautiful blues and spunky orange items for that beach getaway. Here are a few of the treats you will find.

Turkish beach towels

Lanterns from BellaHoneyArt

Beach hat from RocksandSalt

Enjoy this weekend wherever you are!
Tracey

Soiree Floral: Style Me Pretty Feature - Tracey and Andrew

I am so happy to announce that my wedding has been featured on Style Me Pretty Blog. Dawn Kelly, from Soiree Floral, submitted our info and they chose us! Here is a link to Dawn's blog linking to Style Me Pretty.

Soiree Floral: Style Me Pretty Feature - Tracey and Andrew: Good morning everyone, Happy Friday! We are smitten with our feature on Style Me Pretty today. Our fun couple Tracey and Andrew really put lot of thought and attention to detail in their big day. Read more.

5 Under $25 Gift Guide

A little under 2 weeks before Christmas, can you believe it? How time flies. End of another year and the economy still isn't that great. So in this post I decided to do an Under $25 Gift ideas all thru etsy. Buy local. Not only do you support our US local economy, but also you are not supporting sweat shops over seas. And a bonus, most likely you are getting one of a kind and handmade item by talented artisans and crafters.  

I typed in Under 25 on etsy and one of the first thing I found is this cute french clip pouch. 

change purse by AnOrangeBlossomBag

Little Necessities artwork by TamaraGarvey 

 

 

 

 

City Kitty Tee by BigBridgeStudios 

 

Hippo playing a violin note cards by HansMyHedgehog 

 

 

abbyhorowitzdesigns 

Hello September

So I think September may be my favorite month. The weather is beautiful, warm days, cool nights. Summer is winding down but we still have access to garden veggies. And the birthstone of September is sapphire and astrological sign for most of the month is Virgo.

I am one of the facebook posters for the newnew team in NYC. I check out the daily treasuries and share with the world what I think are the smartest, most unique and simply beautiful treasuries put together. Ok what's a treasury? A treasury is a list put together on www.etsy.com of items on the website. There is a theme that the creator of the list comes up with. Anyone can create a list.  There are many treasuries per day.   Today I chose this treasury to share, http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTEzNzA3Nnw2NTE0NDUxNDQ/dreaming-in-blue

The items themselves are varied and interesting but visually the blues are just breath taking.

I hope you enjoy!

The NewNew NYC

Have you heard of The Newnew?
It is a great, awesome group of crafters. This is not just a group of people but the support of independent business is wonderful! NYC is tough to find the little things like where do I buy bulk shipping bags or what markets should I be in? The Newnew is there to help w all of this stuff.
So all this week  I would like to focus on Newnew NYC crafters. Today's blog is ceramics and housewares. I have spent a good time recently looking for cake stands and birds. Odd combo but there is a reason. While on etsy I found these oh so cool ones from Newnew New Yorkers!

takemehomeware

stephaniemonroe

• shevongantceramics
  brooklyn, NY 
   
   
   
  romiceramics
   
   
  Just click on a picture to go to the artist's shop on etsy. Or just type in newnewteam to see all of the New York Indie Artists part of this creative collective!

New to crafts?

Has all this knitting and crocheting on the subway made you a tad jealous? Hearing about craft parties and friends taking sewing class make you inspired? Why not take up a craft? The one thing I tell my 101 students is not to get frustrated, it's suppose to be fun. March is National Craft Month and you can start a craft without spending the bank.

Go to fabric.com http://www.fabric.com/knitting-crochet.aspx/?cm_re=SL1-_-quilting-_-Craft%20Knitting  15% off knitting and crocheting supplies.  

Classes in NYC? 3rdward has a great crochet workshop 3rdward in Brooklyn or check out Lion Brands intro classses, right in Chelsea.

Scrapbooking? this is a fun and memory keep craft. Check out joann.com for supplies on sale and to get started or http://www.michaels.com/

Ok so you are not a crafter but love crafts? Check out etsy to buy one of a kind and beautiful gifts, crocheted items for sale on etsy.

Look at this cute baby sweater, perfect gift for that spring baby.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/49079124/cotton-cardigan-0-24-month-sizes

OR look how cute this doll is -

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69193540/samie-mars-sock-monkey-with-knit-heart?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=knit&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

So don't be intimated by Craft Month. Check out your local meet up groups, http://www.meetup.com/ or ask at your local yarn or fabric store about classes. Enjoy!

Fabrics for sale

One of the few things I love about being a designer is the fabrics. I get so excited when looking and/or shopping for fabrics. Many designers are asked what is their process. Do we sketch first? Do we shop for inspiration first? Do we get the idea from the fabric? I am definitely one of those designers. Most of the time I do get the idea when I see the fabric. I see it and I think "oh this would make great....." and sometimes it does get made into that and sometimes not.  Many of you know I love Michael Miller fabrics. I have been buying from them for a few years now.  I love that they are in NYC, right down the street from me actually and they are a pleasure to work with.  Just an FYI Michael Miller is not one person, it is the brainchild of a man and a woman. 

It's a new year and I am trying to get organized. My fabric closet is overflowing and I purchased quite a few bolts of Michael Miller. I am starting to sell fabric by the yard on etsy but I thought I would also post here. Email me if you would like to buy some or go thru etsy. The etsy links are below or email me at tracey@traceytoole.com
*all fabrics are 100% cotton    *$8.00 a yard  *cut right off the bolt

"Pet Deer" chocolate back ground

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65783988/michael-miller-fabric-pet-deer

 "Scattered Lanterns"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65785869/michael-miller-fabric-scattered-lantern?ref=v1_other_2

 "Daisy Dot"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68116293/daisy-dot-michael-miller-yard

"Raspberry Blossom"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68264739/raspberry-blossom-fabric-michael-miller

 "Hive"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68158769/hive-fabric-michael-miller-yard

These fabrics will make a great skirt, tablecloth, napkins the uses are endless!