More Shop News.

Hello!

I'm just making some quick announcements for my shop:

• I will no longer be calling my eco clothing line shop 'Bend Down Boutique'. I have fallen out of love with that name, and I feel that I would love to grow it further with an alternative. I have also decided to close Kaye Homewares as well.
• Handmade by Ify will be the new name on etsy, starting from Tuesday October 18th (my birthday). It will still sell the recycled and handmade clothing, jewellery and accessories, but it will also have the handpicked homeware pieces in there as well.
• Because of this, I have changed my Facebook group and Twitter username, just so that it's easier to find me and it's more memorable. I cant believe it took me this long to realise it, but I feel that it's one of the reasons why it's been holding my shop back a bit.
• I don't yet know if I can change the name of my blogger website, but if it does change, it will also be to Handmade by Ify.

So here are some new links to my websites:

Twitter

Facebook

Other links will be updated next week, so keep your eyes peeled, my lovelies.

Katherine xo

P.S Take advantage of my discount that is still in my clothing shop. Type in BIRTHDAYSALE to get 22% off ALL items. Expires on 18/10. 

New garments in the shop and some excellent news.

I have new pieces for my shop at long last!

I have missed sewing for my shop for a long long time... I was so occupied with making some new merchandise for Style Outside The Box that I didn't have time to make anything for my shop!

I believe that my items for that website should be up and running... I know you will love it! 

Anyway, I have some excellent news... I have reached 100 sales in my shop! Yay! It has taken 2 years and 3 months to get here, but I'm so happy that I worked diligently to get this far! I have learnt a lot about my business this year, and now I'm determined to get another 100 sales in the next year :).

so stop by and get some wicked pieces.

Taking it easy//Outfit post.

These past couple of days I have been taking a break from everything... just really being lazy. I haven't had the time this summer to rest and this is one of my last few days to do so before the seriousness of my final year of uni begins!

I have a few custom orders I have to do for my new menswear collection as well, so excited! i'm glad to have gotten such positive feedback with it, it's my motivation at the moment.... I plan to create more pieces as the season goes on.

Hoodie- Bend Down Boutique

Bag- Bend Down Boutique

3/4 sleeve top- Charity shop

Jeans- East Street Market

Pumps- Primark

I was wearing this outfit just to go to the post office, and I played games all day with my brother and his friends, it was great to get away from the stresses of life, but I did feel guilty for not doing any work, does anyone else feel like this sometimes?

Anyway, now I'm waiting for my new phone, but I doubt it's gonna show up because it's so late in the day, T-Mobile has simply gotten my hopes up and dashed them out of the window! I am also doing the weekly shop for the family... It is going to be a mad one! 

Katherine xo

My new venture.

Here are some of my fabulous new pieces that I have been working on this past week! I was so stoked when Kate at Style Outside the Box wanted me to stock my exclusive collection on her team's website, because I was looking for a boutique (both on and offline) and then I thought... "THIS is the opportunity that I have been waiting for!" 

I created a collection in 7 days, and boy am I tired!? Running an business by myself is hard work, but creating for such an awesome company is so worth the lack of sleep! This collection is all about keeping the originality, having some staple pieces that you can wear with almost anything, and still having the bohemian edge, which is hard to translate in the winter months! 

Style Outside the Box was founded by Laura, after working with a mix of different designers, and this wicked shopping website handpicks clothing of the greatest quality, and is still one of a kind, because let's face it, I'm sure we are all bored of the same boring mainstream fashion, and want something a little bit different in the wardrobe that is sure to get some wanted attention, and its all handmade by the designers direct, no sweatshop involved! What could be better?

I'm so excited to work with Style Outside the Box, and I know this ride is going to be a fun one...

Katherine xo

Before my Label was created...

Good morning everyone,

I'm currently on my desktop computer and I was going through some pictures of the things I upcycled whilst I was at my art foundation 3 years ago! I had to do an upcycling exercise on my fashion tailoring course and I enjoyed it so much that I carried on with it... and 3 years later I have my clothing label that I'm slowly building up :)

Looking back at these, I would say my tailoring./designing skills have really improved over the years, before it was about going against everything the designers at my college wanted me to do, but now, I'm keeping it current and more unified without losing my identity! 

I believe I did make a lot more things from scratch back then, and I would like to create a few pieces that aren't recycled, but created straight from a pattern... so from next summer, I will be creating yet another etsy store, where clothes are made from a pattern, but with a twist, and made to order too, so everyone could have a one of a kind piece made to suit them!

Watch this space for developments! :)

Katherine xo

Styling with Bend Down Boutique.

Hi guys,

I just wanted to do a quick blog post, selecting all the pieces in the shop that everyone should consider wearing together. I have always designed and made clothes in a stylists perspective, and for a bit of aspiration! know that my clothes in my shop have an mixture of styles, and its hard to know what pieces would actually go together, so I hope you will see things differently after I show them all to you!

So here are the styles:

Style 1:

1. Grey Upcycled Tube Top

2. Grey Upcycled Vintage Top

3. Handmade Gray Brown and Blue Clutch

4. Abhy Pink Recycled Pendent Necklace

Style 2: Incorporating with other designers

1. Brown Upcycled Asymmetric Top

2. Jocelyn Textiles Earrings

3. PPP Coffee in the AM pants

4. Patchwork Tote

I personally prefer style two, what is your preferred one? I like the second one, because it represents my whimsical and slightly hippie way of dressing, and it's with my favorite indepedent designers <3

Katherine

Autumn/Winter Beauties Part 1.

This is my jewellery creations for my shop. I think there is a very whimsical, hippie look to the pieces I have created, and I like that, because it shows off who I really am as a Designer and Artist. I wanted to show how much I could express myself in the things I create, and also just to show that I have talent in other areas than just clothing!

They are for sale on my etsy shop and my main shop, for those who aren't on etsy.

I hope you love these pieces as much as I do!

Katherine xo

Website is up and running!

Hello Lovelies,

I have totally become sidetracked with making things before next week's launch with Style Outside The Box that I didn't think about how I'ma list everything for sale tomorrow!

So, you guys can check out my website now for my clothing, homewares and accessories over at Handmade by Ify!

I have made everything clean and simple, because I'm not really a graphic designer, and I don't have Photoshop or anything on my Netbook, so I wanted it to be absolutely perfect.

You can either buy from that website, or if you're an Etsy member, you can shop here tomorrow morning! 

Have an awesome evening!

Katherine xo

A little frazzled.

Hey everyone,

I have been majorly frazzled lately, I have had so much things to do, with sewing up the Autumn/Winter Collection, doing coursework for uni, as well as now joining NY online boutique, Style Outside the Box. I wasn't going to do any wholesale related orders, because of commitments to uni, but... seeing as I am to do everything before I start uni, and it is such a good opportunity for the company as it's nearly New York Fashion Week, it is such a great opportunity to get my work out there, and they seem to really believe in my designs! 

I have now got 7 days to create a new collection of 18 pieces, which I am determined to complete! I always calculate every single thing and I know that I could do that, with a little motivation and concentration! 

So apologies in advance for my lack of posting, but expect some lovely new pencil cases for Kaye Homewares tonight, and Bend Down Boutique on Thursday!

I think I may do a vlog too, because I never know what to say when I write, and I hope that I could communicate myself better :). 

 Katherine xo

Introducing the A/W 11-12 Collection.

Good Evening everyone!

I have finally constructed my collection for Autumn/Winter 11-12! I was so excited whilst I was creating this, and as stressful as it was, I'm very pleased as to how it came out! I made every single piece on the cheap,  because it was made from mostly scraps and old jewellery that I no longer use!

I created every single piece according to the Aura, as I wanted to link this with my ongoing project of how colours are linked with spirituality and such and how it translates into different textiles. I didn't want to have so many different things going on in my life at the moment, and I wanted things to correspond with each other in some way.

I have created a kind of  'back to basics' approach, with simple pieces, but when you add all the pretty accessories, you have a wicked, funky outfit that you could wear in the day or at night- its just destined to transform your basic everyday wear!

New pieces of jewellery, along with the clothing, are going to be added to my shop on September 1st for grabs! The necklaces and bracelets have all been recycled in some way, to make quirky, eye catching, whimsical pieces, that would be great to wear this season.

I wanted to include guys things in the shop too, so if you got boyfriends, lovers or hubby's, snap up a piece for an anniversary/birthday/special occasion present, or better yet, have them snap up a few pieces!

I hope you like them!

Katherine xo

Accessory Mayhem.

Good Evening!

I have been really busy in the studio, creating a lot of goodies for my shop. I decided to create a few more multiples of the things that I have in my shop, to show more variety and not make everything look so jumbled and random, and just generally more coherent!

I have some news in regards for my shop though:
- From Monday 1st of August, I will be cutting down the hours I am spending in my studio until Mid-May 2012, when I graduate, as I want to focus more on my studies for Uni. I really want to push myself to do well, and I think that I am prioritizing my shop over Uni a bit too much. So rather than every other day like I usually do, I will be spending my Saturdays in the studio, creating new things, and on a Sunday listing new items, blog posts and such.

- Because of this, I will no longer be doing wholesale orders until I graduate, and people who want custom orders should expect to have a 10 day turnaround time, but if you would want it sooner, I would definitely arrange a time with you to send it that would be good for both of us.

And finally, today is the last day of my sale in the shop, so take advantage! enter 'HAPPYANNIVERSARY' upon checkout for a 50% discount.

I hope you can understand where I am coming from, and I hope you enjoy everything that's new in the shop!

Katherine

A Belated Anniversary Post

This is kind of a belated anniversary post on my shop... It has been an emotional two years, but I'm still growing, both as a person and a Designer/Maker, and my style has changed throughout my time of selling online.

I have always been a somewhat creative person, and I had become more expressive within my Art during my year at London College of Fashion, where although I was really happy experimenting with my sketchbook and stuff, the design aspect was really difficult, as there was a sense of restricted freedom. I knew from this point that I disliked fashion, not in the sense that I didn't have any passion for it, but because the pressure to come up with something that was original, yet in trend was too much, and I've never followed trends!

This was one of my designs that I had designed for a shoot for a class magazine, which didn't get featured. The model that I worked with, had said that she loved my style and I should sell my designs. This was like a light bulb moment in my head, so I had finished my foundation, started job hunting and doing volunteer work at my local charity shop.

I didn't find any jobs, and after randomly searching on Google, I stumbled across Etsy. After looking at people's shops, I was like "I could sell my designs here, the community on here seems so amazing!" So I collected as much clothing as my Manager at my charity shop would let me have for one month, and through a  bit of trial and error, created 6 pieces for my shop. Here are some of them:

   

I have faced many challenges first hand whilst getting the hang of things in the shop, such as customer issues, pricing issues, and photography issues. As a 19 year old, I had no idea about running a business, it really was a scary thing, but I know I would get there eventually. The worst thing that did happen was when I got into a £2,000 debt, due to a flawed plan, and it was hard to get the business to grow when I owed so much money, and living by myself for the first time, it really saddened me to be in so much debt on my 21st birthday. Luckily, thanks to student finance, my parents, and my agency work, as well as my business, I have been able to pay off 2/3 of my debt, and lived kind of comfortably for the year I was away from home.

Now I have so much more passion for handmade, indie businesses, especially my own business, and I know that in a few years, I will be a lot more successful! I also have gained a lot more skill and more creativity since running my shop, and although I'm not the most religious person, I thank God for every sale and opportunities that he has brought me and I hope I get a lot more!

Have a great evening!

Katherine

New Market Totes.

I am introducing a limited addition to my shop; the heart market tote. I created these on a whim after my day on the stall in Camden, because I wanted to now appeal to the mainstream market, but still keep my  quirky edge. They are affordable too, and they make your outfit look really cute! So, get your shop on! 

Don't forget, this is the last week for my 50% off sale! just type in 'HAPPYANNIVERSARY' upon checkout. Offer ends Sunday! :)

Katherine xo

Lots of fresh new stuff in the shop.

I have lots of new summer stuff to sell! I was so excited when I was creating my Minnie bow Jewellery, because it represents everything my shop is about; quirky, cute and makes a statement!

I think they have a somewhat vintage feel to it, or some kind of ultra feminine edge... maybe that's just my imagination running away with me.

I have also made some cute tube tops, which are very versatile! you can wear it on its own, or over a tank top, or wear a skirt over it, or over a bikini during the summer months.

Well, I'm off!

I shall add some more hair slides, headbands, and tote bags tomorrow.

Katherine xo

New Goodiesssss.

I have new pieces in the shop, especially the beautifully and lovingly knitted 'Minnie' bow hair slides. I have been busy making these bad boys, and I have been helping making the BBQ in the garden, and now I stink of  the smoke, which I absolutely hate. I'm actually quite worn out now, so I haven't got much to say. I am going tor read some of the blogs that I love, and then change out of my clothes, and then sleep.

Have a great evening!

Katherine xo

Happy Anniversary!

I'm so excited, its been 2 years since I first opened my shop, and only had like 6 items for sale. Now its two years later, and I've got like 144 items for sale, and consignments with numerous boutiques around the world. It's been an emotional 2 years, but it has given me a new love for creating new things, and I have a more appreciation for a lot of things handmade. 

Please take advantage of my discount, and I hope you can join me in this celebration!

I have been creating some 'cheap as chips' hair slides, which will gradually be added to the shop later on today, along with nearly a dozen new garments. (yes, I have been busy.)

Have a brilliant day!

Katherine. xo

Camden Market Times!

Hello everyone!

Today I am just going to write a quick post on me and my friends adventure in our market stall in Camden. 

It was really great, although it was really quiet, so there wasn't a lot of customers to check out our stuff, but nonetheless, we had such an amazing time, and we swapped some of our creations, which I will be rocking in future outfit posts! We munched on vegan burgers, Chinese food, burgers and had gallons of caffeine (lots of coke and coffees/fraps). It was also a great way to brainstorm some ideas on how we can display our creations properly, and hopefully get a better stall! It seems that the earlier you come, the more likely you are to get a better stall, so next time, I will arrive 30 minutes earlier than before, so that we can get a more attractive stall, and get a lot more sales!

I would say she is one of my greatest friends, I am glad that we are working together on our stall! We are hopefully also going to the Oktoberfest in Germany, seeing as its probably around the time of my birthday. 

Here are some photos:

Amelie's Display

Me proudly holding my clutch on our display.

 Amelie proudly showing off her display!

 Amelie loves my stuff, that's why we work well together! :D

My postcards I ordered from Vistaprint FINALLY came! I love them, I am gonna use them for our next event! :) This was exactly what I needed to promote myself even more. :) I have used a couple of them to display in my studio space, and I hope this will make me want to be true to myself.

Man, am I tired? I've already drawn out a plan for next time we come, so I hope this time it really well!

Good night lovelies!