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Handmade Summer Fashion!
It’s been a hot and muggy summer here in Kentucky, USA, and I’m at war with my yard. It’s a large property with a lot of grass and if people stopped mowing here, we would become a tropical forest in no time… So, many of my days have meant t-shirts and shorts, sweating so much that I can barely see. No need for anything fashionable………………. unless…………… unless there is an evening event, an ice cream down by the river, a visit with a friend with cicadas singing loudly and a gentle breeze that makes the warmth so sweet….
Several of our Artizan Made members make wonderful garments and accessories using natural or upcycled materials. Check out these beauties! Click on the image to go the listing on their sites.
suitevirginia
California artist and fashion designer, Gini Homes, has made several of these bib necklaces, each one different from the other. They are magnificent! Change any top or dress by adding this piece and hang it on the wall when not in use. Fun!
Gini is also a printer and dyer and often changes found fabrics into something more interesting or contemporary.
gone rustic
Based in Tasmania, Australia, Rita Summers is another dyer who saves garments from landfills. Her specialty lies in foraging her property and marking cloth with leaves and other organic materials she finds. She even uses rusty metals to add to the interest! Rita shares her techniques and process on her social media sites, encouraging others to learn how to make their own markings.
allthingspretty – debra dorgan
www.etsy.com/shop/AllThingsPretty
Still in Australia, we head over to Brisbane where Debra Dorgan brings together textiles and remnants into new pieces. She makes garments, jewelry, accessories and home décor. This is a lovely top that could be worn with a skirt or shorts.
I also really love this dress! Debra calls it a jacket, but it just looks like a dress in my eyes.
hoonarts
How about Central Asia? Do you like ikats, silk, and nuno felting? Rikki Quintana works with wonderful artisan groups and represents them on her website. She has also led two tours to meet them, so get in touch with her for more info on future ones.
marta porada
How about supporting a designer in Ukraine? Marta lives in Lviv and has many different textile skills. She makes a lot of home décor products and accessories. This apron is an example of the traditional ones they wear with their dresses and Marta has several designs. It’s a nice talking point if you are out protesting or have solidarity with Ukraine.
jane porter fashion
We head back to the United States and grab a scarf from Jane! Another dyer, Jane works with a fair trade weaving group in India who make her scarves according to spec and then she dyes them using botanical dyes. I especially love these silk ones with the little cotton balls woven in… She has lots of colors and styles, so go explore!
something else studio
somethingelsestudio.bigcartel.com
We finish our tour with another American designer, Jannelle Olmstead of Something Else Studio. Jannelle’s specialty focuses on creating wonderful bags of all sizes and shapes. She worked at a Renaissance Festival for many years and used to make garments and period pieces that were really fun. I love this little red bag! I’ve had a couple of her bags and always get comments when I wear them!
I have worked with the handmade community for almost 40 years now and I never lose interest in how people use their materials and skills to come up with new ideas. It’s really so fascinating to me!
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