I'm going through a bit of a cleansing phase... or one might say a mid-biz crisis. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but I'm in the process of finding my direction, as I'm feeling a little lost at the moment. I do know that I want a fresh perspective, new ideas, refinement and changes. And what better time of the year for this than in the lovely weather of spring?
I've listed several new garments in my Etsy shop. Here are a couple of my favourites:
I'm not sure if it's worth it, taking photos inside. On the one hand, I don't have neighbours peering at what I'm doing so I don't need to rush back in or wait for non-cold temperatures. On the other hand, I don't think the photo quality is as good. What do you think?
Secondly, I've decided to clear out a lot of older stock to make room for the new, so there's 25% off a big range of goodies in the shop. These are my favourites:
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
If only I could have you
I just found an awesome bag on Etsy! It's unique and gorgeous, versatile, made from reclaimed materials and has the right length strap. Though I'd prefer a zip rather than a flap for functionality. And maybe a bit smaller so I don't fill it with too much junk.
I would be willing to overlook these issues, but for $344... not just now. Waaay out of my price range. Pout.
But if any of you readers want to show this seller some lovin', they haven't made any sales yet, so it's a good cause!
I would be willing to overlook these issues, but for $344... not just now. Waaay out of my price range. Pout.
But if any of you readers want to show this seller some lovin', they haven't made any sales yet, so it's a good cause!
Monday, October 6, 2008
New bag?
I know I haven't listed anything new on Etsy for a couple weeks, but it's not because I haven't been creating. The weather has been working against me, I tell you. When I've had time to take product photos it's been freezing or stormy outside. But the weather forecast looks good for the end of the week, so I'll have some shiny new things up after then. I would love to set up somewhere inside where I could do product shots but we hardly have a spare wall, space is that tight. And the lighting isn't so great. I'll see if I can come up with something.
In the meantime, this is one of the first tops I ever made from scratch, four or five years ago. I gave it to a friend for her birthday. The bow is removable.
In other news, I had a discussion with Tim yesterday about my desire for a new handbag. My current one makes me angry. I bought it expensively new, and after 9 months of daily wear the thing is falling apart. The long strap (the main feature I look for in a bag) has fallen off, so I'm stuck with the short handles. Plus, the lining is amassing holes as we speak, losing my oddments within it forever. Forever! I'm not entirely sure what's in there, but I do know that the bag should not be as heavy as it is, given that there are only a few items in the main pocket.
Tim wants me to repair it and continue to use it in my fight against global warming! In true girl style, I said "No, I want a new one." 'New' for me usually means second-hand, though I have checked out some new handbags. Nothing has appealed yet.
This whole issue got me thinking. What's the real global warming cost of buying second-hand? Is it okay if I buy new things only every-once-in-a-while? Am I doomed to never ever buy new non-essentials because of my interest in ethics? And how much emotional value can objects really carry?
I feel I am justified in getting myself another bag because:
In the meantime, this is one of the first tops I ever made from scratch, four or five years ago. I gave it to a friend for her birthday. The bow is removable.
In other news, I had a discussion with Tim yesterday about my desire for a new handbag. My current one makes me angry. I bought it expensively new, and after 9 months of daily wear the thing is falling apart. The long strap (the main feature I look for in a bag) has fallen off, so I'm stuck with the short handles. Plus, the lining is amassing holes as we speak, losing my oddments within it forever. Forever! I'm not entirely sure what's in there, but I do know that the bag should not be as heavy as it is, given that there are only a few items in the main pocket.
Tim wants me to repair it and continue to use it in my fight against global warming! In true girl style, I said "No, I want a new one." 'New' for me usually means second-hand, though I have checked out some new handbags. Nothing has appealed yet.
This whole issue got me thinking. What's the real global warming cost of buying second-hand? Is it okay if I buy new things only every-once-in-a-while? Am I doomed to never ever buy new non-essentials because of my interest in ethics? And how much emotional value can objects really carry?
I feel I am justified in getting myself another bag because:
- My non-essential purchases are extremely few and far between. My last one was my Steve Madden boots, which was about 4 months ago (and they, at least, WILL last me years), and before that was this crap bag.
- How am I meant to be happy to wear something that actually makes me angry? Fashion should make you feel good, and if it doesn't you're doing it wrong.
- My impulse buying days are long gone, and whatever I end up choosing, I will have thought good and hard about it.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Interview with Kelly Sheenan
Kelley Sheenan, the talented and inspiring lady behind responsible fashion magazine Peppermint was interviewed over at Greenloop. She talks about sustainability in Australia, garment certification, local ethical fashion labels (with a lovely heidi and seek mention to boot. Thanks Kelley!), eco hot spots and the relationship between fashion and politics. Her opinion on positive ethical fashion change for the future is refreshing and exciting. Read the interview here.
Another interesting point the interviewer brought up was the contradiction in a eco-friendly print magazine (as opposed to electronic, which does not use paper). The mag is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, but it is still material consumption there when there is an alternative. Kelley brought up good points. Firstly, that it's more effective to be printed in order to compete with other print fashion magazines for consumers' attention. Secondly, to own and hold a magazine is special. I sometimes think along similar lines in my own work. Should I forfeit the design features that require me to buy new things (elastic and labels, for example?)
This issue reminds me of an interview I read with Wendell Berry, a pro-environment author from the States. In it, the interviewer asked him about the contradiction in travelling and relying on corporate machinery while advocating for local economies. His response: "There are contradictions in it, no doubt about that... But you have to live in the world the way it is. You can’t declare yourself too good for it and move away."
I read this a while ago and I still think about it. There's a lot of wisdom in those words. I now accept that there are going to be ethical sacrifices in most things we do. And there are contradictions in all eco-friendly movements. But it's not something to be ashamed of. It's realistic. One thing I do think is important is to try to save those sacrifices for things that are special. If we don't have the special, the unique, then what world are we fighting for?
Another interesting point the interviewer brought up was the contradiction in a eco-friendly print magazine (as opposed to electronic, which does not use paper). The mag is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, but it is still material consumption there when there is an alternative. Kelley brought up good points. Firstly, that it's more effective to be printed in order to compete with other print fashion magazines for consumers' attention. Secondly, to own and hold a magazine is special. I sometimes think along similar lines in my own work. Should I forfeit the design features that require me to buy new things (elastic and labels, for example?)
This issue reminds me of an interview I read with Wendell Berry, a pro-environment author from the States. In it, the interviewer asked him about the contradiction in travelling and relying on corporate machinery while advocating for local economies. His response: "There are contradictions in it, no doubt about that... But you have to live in the world the way it is. You can’t declare yourself too good for it and move away."
I read this a while ago and I still think about it. There's a lot of wisdom in those words. I now accept that there are going to be ethical sacrifices in most things we do. And there are contradictions in all eco-friendly movements. But it's not something to be ashamed of. It's realistic. One thing I do think is important is to try to save those sacrifices for things that are special. If we don't have the special, the unique, then what world are we fighting for?
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