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