ABC facts.

I thought I would do this super-cool quiz so you all could get to know me a little better. I think I will do this on a regular basis, because its fun and you get to beat the boredom a little bit haha!

A. Age: 21
B. Bed size: Double
C. Chore that you hate: Ironing
D. Dogs: loves them.
E. Essential start to your day: breakfast.
F. Favorite color: green and pink
G. Gold or Silver: silver
H. Height: 5'4"
I. Instruments you play: None. I wish I could play one though.
J. Job title: student/designer
K. Kids: none
L. Live: London, UK
M. Mother's name: Sylvia (although technically her real name is Angela, but shhh!)
N. Nicknames: Kit Kat, Iffy, Kaye, Kat

O. Overnight hospital stays: only the one.

P. Pet peeve: unnecessary hostility.

Q. Quote from a movie: "that is sooo fetch!" - Mean Girls
R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: brother (18) and sister (25)

T. Time you wake up: 8am on average.

U. Underwear: I love ladies boxers. They are the cutest, most comfy undies ever. :)

V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel Sprouts

W. What makes you run late: last minute changes to my outfit.

X. X-Rays you've had: one when i sprained my ankle when i was 9

Y. Yummy food that you make: currys, stragonoff, pizzas
Z. Zoo animal: Zebras or Snakes. I find them enticing.

Vegetarian Wraps.

I tried these at my work experience and they were so yummy that I had to make some for myself :)

If you wanna make it for yourself its so cheap and pleases the good ol’ tastebuds:

Fajita Wraps

Homous (or mayo if you’re not a fan of homous)

Mixed Peppers

Lettuce/Salad

Grated Mozzerella Cheese

So you chop up the peppers, spread the homous or mayo, add the rest of the ingredients and wrap it up. Its yum. I’m usually really picky and would never eat any of this by themselves (apart from the cheese), but you gotta try it :)

If I tried this before I woulda stayed veggie. (or at least attempted to) haha

Kat xo

Guess who's back?

Hello, Hello, Hello!!!

I have officially finished my work experience, and I have now got a ton of amazing Tatty Devine Jewellery. Although I am absolutely sad to have left, especially since I made some wicked friends and I loved working there, I am happy to have finally gotten the chance to have a rest, as I have been all over the place for the past couple of months and I was really getting exhausted.


I have some new jewellery that I shall be unleashing later on! I just have to catch up with a custom order, and then I got a lot of sewing to do! :) I cannot wait to get back onto my sewing machine, it is wicked great! :) I am also planning to set up a casual stall in Camden Town, Greenwich and Brick Lane, so hopefully any London fans can come down and say hello!

Must get back to creating now, I seem to have gotten sidetracked and forgotten what I wanted to say!

See ya later

Kat xo

My first sale on Kaye Homewares.

Lovelies, I have gotten my first sale on my website- yayy! that is an indication that I am going in the right direction with the stuff I make. I intend to make a LOT of things for that shop, so a lot of goodness to come.

Sorry for my absence lately, my work experience has taken a lot of time, but I have loads of DIYs I'd like to do over the summer. Hopefully you will learn new things that you may not have thought of before! :) I will dedicate a page on my blog especially for these so you can go back to reference. Woop!

I just need to be a little more organised. I have written out like a MILLION to-do lists so I'm trying to spread them out in my calendar, so that life will be a lot less manic.

Anyway, I must dash.

Kat xo

I heart this Artist #03: and what knot

I love this designer, she is awesome. I spotted her through her tumblr page and she creates the most awesome things. I hope you check out her super-reasonably-priced stuff and buy some nice things from her shop! :)

1- Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Melissa, and I'm a senior in college, studying American Studies. Knitting and crocheting are my forte, but I love all things craft. Other than crafting, I enjoy good books, good food, and good conversation.

2- How did you first get involved in designing/making?

I've known how to knit since I was in high school, but I didn't become and avid knitter until a year ago after being in a small knitting circle at school. Once I had more advance skills I started making patterns for little things like necklaces and pouches. Now, I'm constantly trying to think of ideas for pieces.

3- How would someone describe your style?

Some of my friends have said my style is classy. I would say I come off as mature with a little whimsy.

4- What do you do when you aren't creating?

I love blogs and I have a long list of them that I like to keep up with on a daily basis. I also work in retail. Since school is out I've been trying to fill my time with reading and spending time outside. You can usually find me hanging out with my boyfriend :)

5- How and why did you get into creating?

A lot of the blogs I read are DIY related and when I saw all the things I could make on my own, I started trying out new crafts. Like last summer, I kept seeing those Peruvian thread earrings everywhere. I found a tutorial and bought the materials and made my own even though I probably could have bought a pair at the mall. I create because I love the satisfaction of making something with my own hands. It's therapeutic in a way.

6- Whats a favorite item from &whatknot?

I would have to say the knotted necklace because it sort of happened by accident. I was trying to make something else and it didn't work out but I didn't want to frog the knitting I'd already done, so I fooled around with it a bit and it ended up as a beautiful neck piece.


7- Whats the most challenging part of your label?

Since & what knot is new, it's difficult getting exposure. I'm not the best at blogging, but I try to post as many pictures on Tumblr and Facebook as possible. My plan for & what knot is to use it to raise funds for my trip to West Africa next summer, but I need to come up with ideas to make it more visible.

8- If someone was interested in designing, what would be the few things you'd suggest?

If you have an idea, write it down and then do it! Always look for inspiration and don't be afraid to try something new.

9- Does anyone inspire you in the way you make your work?

There's not one person in particular, but I really admire other handicrafters. People who make things with their hands are amazing to me.

10- Anything else you'd like to share?

Check out & what knot and my tumblr !

What I have been up to... Spring Cleaning

Hey Lovelies,

Just letting you know I am still here, alive and kicking! I have been majorly busy with my work placement, so I havent had the time or energy to update my blog... I have been enjoying it so much, its made me more determined to run my own business when I graduate. I have finally gotten round to reorganising and spring cleaning my room, as it was in a proper state when I first moved back to London. Now it seems a bit more grown up, and more artistic and crafty without being overbearing.

Here are some pics:




Obviously the wallpaper is in need of repair, which will hopefully be done by the time I return to Uni, but I'm happy to be back.

Time to Budget
I realised that I have gone a bit wild with my student loan... honestly my money doesnt even go on clothes like any typical fashionista, it all goes onto food! I need to re-focus on my budget, and be creative with it... especially when I would like to grow my business even more. I am going to sell all the clothes I have cleared out and use that money to pay for my credit cards and give myself a small treat.

I have also been thinking about opening a jewellery collection for my shop... but obviously I would need to start saving my money, instead of impulse buys... Although I am happy that I am no longer in major debt, I still need to make an attempt to pay off my credit cards and just be more cautious with my money. I am going to graduate next summer, and I dont want to leave there with ANY debt, I need to save towards post graduation as well, because with this recession and high un-employment, God knows if I'll get a 'bread and butter' job to fund my business.

Enough blabbering from me though. :)

Kat xo

I heart this Artist #02: Mountain Girl Clothing

Hello everyone :)

As you all would have read this, I will be on my way home from my first day of work experience, with the awesome Jewellery Company Tatty Devine, probably exhausted and hungry after the vegetarian lunch (I'm picky so I dont think I would be satisfied from it).

I absolutely love this designer, I believe in my eyes that she is very much successful with her etsy shop, with her load of sales and a loyal following of customers... I hope to be as great as her when I graduate and run my own eco-clothing line full time.

So, here is Margaret from Mountain Girl Clothing. I hope you find her garments just as enticing as I do.

1- Can you tell us about yourself?

I am a 27 year old New Hampshire native who has built my life around my love of clothing, sewing, upcycling, and turning old into new.

2- How did you first get involved in designing/making?

I learned to sew at 10 years old from my Grandmother who was an award winning quilter and my mother who has an amazing skill with a sewing machine. I've been deconstructing and reconstructing clothing ever since I was 13 and wanted to revamp my clothing without spending any money so I hit the sewing machine and never looked back.

3- How would someone describe your style of clothing?
I would say bohemian indie hippie chic but comfortable and versatile at the same time. Many of my clothing pieces can be dressed up or down and paired with basics or combined with more wild and crazy items to create your own look.

4- What do you do when you aren't designing?
When Im not designing or creating I love to thrift shop, rummage through the nooks and crannies of antique shops, listening to music, walk with my dog around the farm and spend time with my lovely friends and family. I sometimes have trouble not working as strange as that sounds...I just love it so much it's hard for me to turn it off, but Im learning the balance slowly.


5- How and why did you get into creating?
I can't really say how or why because I've been literally creating since I can remember. If I don't make something even for a day, it feels wrong.
I guess for many people, it's my life's work, so without it, my life is not the same or as satisfying.
6- What's a favorite Mountain Girl item?
I think my favorite Mountain Girl item is my backless cowl neck tank tops..they are so fun to create and can be worn with literally anything
.
7- What's the most challenging part of running Mountain Girl?
The most challenging aspect of Mountain Girl is learning to be a headstrong business woman. I know I am, but I just need to sharpen my skills which I am getting better at each day. I am not a numbers and figures person so thats a whole big roller coaster for me. It is also hard for me to not work, so learning when to take a break has been a challenge!

8- Do you have any influences/inspirations from other artists?
Little Doe Is Love, is one of my favorite designers. She makes amazing headdresses and crystal necklaces. Her photography is breath taking and when I am feeling a little flat, I always sift through her photos.
I also love to follow my fellow college alum Danielle Spurge. She is the heart and mind behind MerriweatherCouncil.etsy.com. She is a great inspiration to me because her work is absolutely gorgeous an she is also paving her own way as I am trying to! It is great to work along side someone who is also trying to do what they love, especially since we both started in the same place.
9- If someone was interested in designing, what would be the few suggestions you'd make?
The few suggestions I would make are : never undersell your work. It is an expression of what you love and you should hold it to a very high standard, make your work ethic just as important as it would be if you were working for someone else but even more so..because it is YOU.
Use all your resources: local and on the internet. There are many sites out there to help and guide you and never be afraid to ask for help. Ever.
Believe me, I've had to borrow money, repay debts, struggle and work hard with some help by the amazing friends and family around me.
Getting Mountain Girl up and running and to KEEP it running takes a lot more than just sewing.
I don't think I would ever want to be without it....I don't think I could be.
Everyday is a blessing that I am able to do what I love.


Thank you Margaret, for sharing :)

I hope you liked the article- I love finding new artists that I love and finding more about their shops... They really inspire me to do more with my life, and give me an insight as to how businesses are run.

Have an awesome evening.

Kat xo

Check out what I've dug up...

I went to Oxfam and dug up a few goodies. I think that they are absolutely awful for throwing stuff out that arent sold, so I helped myself to a couple things. They are slowly finding their way into my London bedroom, and its looking rather awesome there.

So here's what I got:








I personally love the jewellery and the frog sketch. I dont make a habit of snapping up stuff that has been thrown away, but it made me more aware that sometimes just because you give stuff to charity shops, it always means they are being eco friendly, which this has made me realise.

I will take pics of these once they have found a place in my room and studio space. :)

Kat xo

News from the Bend Down Boutique Closet.

Hello everyone!

I have some new gorgeous goodies for sale in the shop. These are more items from my new Nostalgia Collection, so come and snap them up. :)




Although I will be adding more to my store, I will be moving back to London on Friday, and starting my work experience on Monday, so I will be a little bit slow (most likely) in adding new things over the next couple of weeks. Any items that are bought from the shop between Friday 13th- Friday 27th May will be dispatched on the Saturday 14th, 21st, and 28th May, when I have the weekend off.

In case you havent checked already, please check out my Interviewee, Louise, who is offering a discount in her shop... Enter KAT 10 upon checkout and receive a 10% discount. woop!

Now I'm off to tackle my never ending to-do list. :)

Kat xo

I heart this Artist #01: Lou Makes

Hello All!

This is going to be my first blog interview ever with some new and upcoming artists/designers that I loved so much! I always enjoy reading off the etsy blog, with the 'quit your day job' and 'featured seller' posts, but I feel that I dont connect with those artists so much, so as they say, if you want something done, do it yourself!

So without further ado, I introduce you to Louise of Jewellery Company, Lou Makes.

1.Can you tell us about yourself?

I’m Louise, I live in Sheffield and I’m the proud owner of Lou Makes.

2. How did you first get first get into Jewellery Making?

Well, one of my close friends has made jewellery for years and years now and I was always jealous of her creativity so when the TV broke at my house I needed something to occupy the few hours between finishing work and going to bed so I thought I’d give jewellery making a go…

3. How would someone describe your style of the items you create?

They’re quite boho, hippie-ish aren’t they really? The decade I could probably most relate them to would be the 1970s, I could imagine them being worn on a beach with cut-offs and a kaftan ( so far removed than my day-to-day life!)

4. What do you do when you aren't creating?

I work full-time so jewellery making is fitted in after work and at weekends and I also blog over at www.loublogs.co.uk so I have a lot to occupy my time with!

5. How and why did you get into creating?

I do like making things and keeping busy, I enjoy sewing and cross-stitch so jewellery making just kind of came from that really. I like making things that you wouldn’t necessarily see in the shops whether that be a necklace or a dress, there’s a great sense of satisfaction when you’ve made something yourself!

6. Whats the most favorite item in Lou Makes?

The most viewed item was the Night Owl necklace ( this has now sold out!) but my Berry Rings in all colours are also proving really popular.

Coral Berry Ring

Pink Drizzle Gold Berry Ring

My favourite though has to to be the Gothic Medallion with Turquoise Stone

7. Whats the most challenging part for your label?

I think it’s getting yourself noticed above all the other jewellery shops out there and consistently thinking of new things to make you stand out from your competitors.

8. If someone was interested in making jewellery, what would be the few suggestions you'd make?

Get networking, so twitter mainly but also blogs.

Choose things that you’d wear yourself whilst also paying attention to trends

Don’t just go for the cheap supplies from China, shop around and take bit of care with choosing your stock – this won’t go unnoticed!

9. Anything else you'd like to add?

Yes please – how about a discount code for your readers? Over at my etsy site: use code KAT10 and get 10% off until midnight on 31^st May 2011.

-Awesome! Thanks Louise for being my first interviewee. :)

I have a lot to say, but because I am mega busy, I will save one madness to blog a day, so stay tuned for tomorrow! :)

Kat xo

About the stuff I sell #01

I have decided to give a bit of info about the stuff I have made to sell, as I cant believe a lot of items I thought were beautiful havent sold yet. I will be doing this quite often so that you can tell that my items actually go well together, even if everything in the shop is quite individually vibrant.

The first item I'm going to talk about is...

The Upcycled Babydoll Tube Top

This beautifully handmade top is something that every fashionista needs this season. It makes any outfit worn with this super chic and eccentric. This was made as part of my new Nostalgia Collection, and this represents my love of fashion, and making this is sort of a rebirth, something to remind me of my first love for fashion and not to get so stressed with making sales on my websites or at the boutiques.

It is beautiful with flared jeans and a cardigan during cooler days, or when its hot, it looks great with a denim miniskirt and slippers/sandals. Wear to the beach, any upcoming festivals, or even to picnics.

This is for every flowerchild :).

This top also goes with:



Red Knitted Headband, £6



Patchwork Embellished Tote, £15

I hope you enjoy these items, should you choose to buy them. :)

xo

My week of Randomness.

My week has been pretty unmotivated; I went back to uni and I feel like I wasted a lot of time... Its like I'm still in holiday mode!

This week was spent in the studio catching up with all my friends.... we're hoping to go to Wagamama next friday seeing as its going to be the last time we see each other before we go to work experience and leave each other for the summer.

It was also the week of the anniversary of my cousins passing, so I was on an emotional rollercoaster, I just wanted to take everything easy, and not overwhelm myself. On the anniversary, I went to uni and spent the day with my friends, gave myself a manicure/pedicure, and went to the SU... we also went to the back of Oxfam after hours and found a bunch of cool stuff just thrown away that me and my friends picked up... I was really tired by this point so I was a bit 'all over the place'... but talking to my friend the next day was great. I cant believe that this charity shop threw their stuff away... as a person who loves the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' way of live I didnt appreciate that instead of sending the unsold stuff to another Oxfam store, they just threw it away... There was a lot of stuff that was still useful and in great condition! I'll make a post on the stuff I found when I get back to my Farnham house.


Yesterday was my dad's and my brother's birthday (they share the same date) and it was fun... I got him a record player, and he was actually speechless... I knew he would appreciate it because he used to be a DJ and he collected a lot of records, which was in my house gathering dust, and I wanted him to be happy, and he was cos he was playing all his records all night and my and my sister was dancing so much.

I want a record player now... but this one was expensive enough as it is, so I'll save up before getting another one!

Hope you all had a good week!

xo

News from the Bend Down Boutique Closet.

I have FINALLY released the clothes for my Nostalgia Collection. In case you all dont know, these pieces were created according to my drawings that I first did when I found my love for Fashion Design.

They are all pretty folklore and feminine, which I think represents my inner self.

I'm still a bit busy, but I am adding these beauties today, and then I will add some more either tomorrow or saturday.

xo

Time to get my craft on...

source

I have been so obsessed with making as much things as possible, that I forgot that I could actually enjoy crafting! I have got a HUGE list of DIY projects that I would like to start... and because this month is quite busy, I will have a lot of time to show off my DIY crafting skills that you could proudly display in your home, OR wear it proudly, knowing that you made it yourself, and is extremely affordable.

I look forward to showing you all how creative I can really be!

xo Kat