Marc Jacobs again...

Blah blah blah, everyone knows I have a love hate sick haggy queen crush on Marc Jacobs (btw, I just watched the Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton documentary made for French TV and, if you haven't, you must see it.) So of course I wanted to share this video posted on Jezebel today where a young, fresh faced, 90s Marc talks about how nervous he is to be taking over as creative director at LV. It's cute to see him being all anxious and kind of spilling his guts on tv, and also kind of cute that he kind of looks like Stephen Malkmus, my other sick, grunge, 90s crush. It's unfortunate, however, that it has to be with Charlie Rose, because that guy is a douche (see: My Kid Could Paint That.)
Watch it HERE.

I forgot

Oops, I forgot to tell y'all that I started writing for another blog in addition to this one and 1+1=400. It is called robotoid and it's my good pal Louie's blog about tv, movies, video games...nerdy stuff, y'know? So, you should check it out. I'll be putting a link up there on the right so you'll always be able to find it.
mel

Kombucha

For the last couple days I've been drinking Kombucha, which is basically a fermented tea. I first tried it last year because I'd read about it so much and heard so many people raving about it. I was surprised and put of by the vinegary taste of it then, but the other day the little organic juice and lunch counter I go to near my office was all out of juice and the friendly counter girl suggested Kombucha. I thought, why not? and got a bottle of the multi green (which has spirulina and blue algae and all that kind of good stuff) and took it upstairs. I was prepared for the sourness this time, and decided to just take a big gulp. It was still a little offputting, but I perservered taking swig after swig until it started to taste pretty good. Kombucha is naturally carbonated so it is reminiscent of beer or even champagne, which isn't too bad. And once you have a few slugs down, you start to notice a very nice flowery and fruity aftertaste. By the last of my first bottle, I was hooked. What is unfortunate is that Kombucha must contain gold or diamond dust or something because it is ridiculously expensive. The little bottle at the counter downstairs costs four bucks! So as I was sipping my Kombucha today, I remembered this article from the Craftzine blog about making your own Kombucha. Then I thought, "hmm, if they are talking about Kombucha on Craft.com...I wonder if anyone has Kombucha paraphenalia on Etsy?
The answer? Yes, of course! Two sellers, PippiGreenHeart and matthewnmolly are selling Kombucha starter kits or culture and PippiGreenHeart is selling her own Kombucha. Those etsy folks. They just do it all. So, I am super excited and am going to go now and do some research about brewing your own Kombucha, and I expect you all to go out and research by buying some Kombucha and drinking it all up. Then we can let each other know how everything goes. Ready, set, go!
mel

Fur Parade

It's Thursday and that means it's time for another interview with one of my favorite Etsy sellers! This week I'm super excited to introduce you to Shanna from Fur Parade. I am so in love with the work she is doing I couldn't just keep it to myself!wolf vs. fireworks

Please introduce yourself.

Hello. I’m Shanna Fiorucci co-founder of the collective fur parade.

How did you get started drawing and sewing?

Everyone has something that makes them happy, something that takes up their lazy days and for me that’s making art. I’ve been creating since I was born and I never took anything more serious than the exploration of my own creativity. Art was my major and only concern in school. Pottery, painting and illustration were some of my favorites. I taught myself how to sew when I was in 4th grade (with a little help from the mom) but not for any reasons but practical. I made skirts, stitched holes and hemmed where needed. I didn’t start using the sewing machine for a main art medium until I went to Cleveland Institute of Art. It wasn’t quite what inspired me, in fact I hated it and dropped out after only a semester. Art school made me realize how pretentious and fake the art world is and how I’d much rather be DIY. So I started teaching myself as many methods and things as I could, from acetone transfers to photography to screen printing. Yet it always came back to good ol sewing. It can be used as an adhesive, its non toxic, expressive, reusable, accessible, and fun to do.

Please tell us a bit about the fur parade collective; how it came into being, what it's all about.

Fur parade really took shape when I met Brandon Opalich in Cleveland. We became partners almost instantly and our visions started to take shape. We’re a collective now of a small number of artists, writers and musicians. We really like the idea of all creative expression supporting the weight of one another. We believe very strongly in the fact that many things in this world are pretty messed up right now (ie. global warming, excessive extinction, poverty, unwarranted war and the basic alienation of ourselves and this planet.). Fur parade represents the idea of all living things coming together to stop this genocidal way in which we live. Educating people (especially the people in our generation) to open their eyes, to inspire change and concern about their well being and the world living around us. We think it is so important to realize we share this earth so we’re responsible for all that we do or take from it. There are a lot of things that hold people down and make people insecure; fur parade is that voice of support and an outlet for change. We’re in the process of building a website to properly link all these things together and we’re also going to be opening a fur parade shop in Bellingham WA.

How do you choose the animals (and other subjects) you use in your pieces?

I’ve been a vintage animal encyclopedia book collector for a while and I usually use them as points of reference. I like to choice animals that have been exploited or wiped off this planet from human hands. Like the red fox for their fur or the dodo for their meat. It’s so odd to me how one species of animal has eradicated so many other species of animal (and plants too). How is it possible and for what point? How does the endangerment of 1/3 of all the frogs in the world not scare anybody? My drawings and paintings are a lot more articulate on how I feel man has infected this world. I like the thought of nature enduring and civilization collapsing. So maybe we can all know what its like to actually live from this land and giving and taking won’t just be one sided. I enjoy creating images that portray a mystical and unexplored earth. One we don’t already think we know everything about.

Guanaco and Sunset

Do you feel like your art is making a difference?

You know, I can only hope it is. But that’s why I really enjoy selling my things directly so I can communicate my purpose with in each piece. I always include little hand made booklets to let people know about the animal they are wearing or buying and ways in which they can help. I’m a huge promoter of self education, self realization, and self acceptance. Change starts with in us and we can only hope we’ve been surrounded by enough positive reinforcement to embrace change when it comes knocking on our door. The tools to a better tomorrow are often misplaced and scattered about, but they’re there. We just have to look for them and have the courage to use them when they are found.

Can we find your art anywhere outside of Etsy?

I often sell at little street fairs and craft fairs. Whenever SCRAP has recycled art fairs I set up a booth. I will be setting up at the sustainability fair on the 2nd Sunday of every month at the Hip Drip Café in the Eco-Motion building at 1625 NE Sandy Blvd. I have some pillow cases and clothes at this really cute shop in Eureka CA called Shipwreck. I currently have some of my pieces at the Together Gallery on Alberta St. and when last Thursdays start again I will be there as well. I also have a myspace which will link you to some of the bands (caves and murn) and more of my art. I will set up or sell my stuff at any place that supports sustainability and/or reusing and recycling craft materials.

Floral Frog

Do you think living in Portland has an influence on your work?

I think people here are more open minded to the subjects of my art but I don’t think it has influenced me personally. Camping, walking to places and getting lost in the woods inspires me. There is a lot of awesome people making a difference in this town, and there are outlets for people who don’t quite know how to yet. Portland is an awesome place to get involved and feel important.

Would you share some of your favorite local spots?

SCRAP on N. Williams!!!! It’s a recycling craft center. I volunteer there and I would live there. Right next door to Scrap is Pix, a French style dessert bar with dessert and drinks that will blow you away. The Together gallery I spoke of earlier is an awesome new little shop with local artists and hand made items. Its adorable and worth a visit. ReRun on 7th and NE. Fremont is a sweet thrift store with cheap furniture and tons of awesome vintage fabrics.

What is your favorite piece in your etsy shop right now?

I’m a huge fan of the Roosevelt elk shirt. He’s a beautiful creature and I actually got to see one while camping in Washington a few months back. They’re almost extinct and very rare so hence my excitement. I think the tall doug firs, the elk with pleather antlers and the ferns is going to look awesome on who ever buys it.

Roosevelt Elk

What else should we know about fur parade?

Fur parade is ever growing and changing. Like I said we plan on opening a sustainability shop and our website we’ll be up with in the next month. Everything I make is from reused or recycled materials. We also hope to link up with some organizations that are working towards the same cause. “Lets Parade Fur Ever!”

mel

Soft Rock

Ooh, I am so excited! One of my books made it into the Etsy Gift Guide!Yep, that one. Made from the cover of the Wings album "At the Speed of Sound." This is, I think, even more exciting for me than making the front page. Well, maybe. Ask me that again if I ever make the front page again.
mel

Lunch

BEFORE:

AFTER:

In a word: delicious.

mel

Fashion Week - Want!!!!/Do Not Want!!!!

WANT!!!!:

Michael Kors

Proenza Schouler

Marc By Marc Jacobs

jovovich-hawk

erin fetherston

Derek Lam

Carolina Herrera

Behnaz Sarafpour

Anna Sui

Adam Lippes

Calvin Klein

3.1 Phillip Lim

DO NOT WANT!!!!!!

Baby Phat

Alice + Olivia

Adam Lippes

Calvin Klein

Marc By Marc Jacobs

Erin Fetherston

Zac Posen

Carolina Herrera

Feather Witch

If you are a loyal reader of this blog, you may remember Feather Witch from this post in which I drooled over a bunch of her earrings. Well, you can imagine how psyched I was when she agreed to be the first interview for this blog! I found her to be as cool as her jewelry, and I think you will too.

Heartache Tonight

Please introduce yourself - My name is Liz Douglass. I'm a Gemini. I have a cat and a husband (weird, huh?). I am a photo stylist by day (I make beds for catalogs). I'm totally inspired by music- both my husband and I are musicians. We just play at home or locally now- you can only be on the road for so many years. I love fashion and I made or altered most of my onstage clothing. I have a background in Art History.. I also make collages which will be going up this month on http://www.paperwitch.etsy.com/ and handmade and vintage children's clothing at http://www.sunshineprincess.etsy.com/ .

How long have you been creating jewelry? Have you always used feathers? - I started making jewelry by accident this summer. My friend wanted to make feather hair clips as a craft project for her birthday (a bunch of us were going out to the Russian River for a few days). Well I got a bunch of stuff to do it and we never got to it- we spent all our time in the hot tub or on hikes. So when we got back, I decided to make them myself. They came out so well- I sold some at the Painted Bird (a vintage store) and then well it went crazy from there...
I've always used feathers- at first because I bought so many but now I just love working with them.

Are your designs inspired by your materials? - Yes. My designs are inspired by my materials. I try to keep everything really earthy and natural, subtle but beautiful. Like feathers.

In your profile you say your designs are inspired by Stevie Nicks. Do you always listen to Fleetwood Mac while you work? If not, what are you listening to? - My husband can attest that I listen to a LOT of Fleetwood Mac. I have been listening to this classic hits radio station lately http://www.kfrc.com/. I'm kinda obsessed with it actually. I am taking a little break from contemporary music. Second Hand News

Do you feel like San Francisco is a factor in your designs? - San Francisco is very much a factor in my designs. It is such a wonderful progressive city with such a huge interest in enviromental issues. And it is the birthplace of the whole hippie movement. I started making my clips on the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love- the city was just awash with this crazy vibe.

While we're on the subject, how about sharing some of your favorite San Francisco haunts? - My favorite haunts- Painted Bird (those girls have the best taste). Thrift Town on Mission- they always have such cute stuff. Bernal Heights- my new neighborhood. Cute shops and cafes- lots of babies and dogs. St Francis Fountain- a breakfast joint in the mission. Legion of Honor- a museum specializing in French art overlooking the bay.

To what do you attribute your success on Etsy? - My success on Etsy? I think I've done well because I make things that I'm proud of. Each item is unique and made with love.

Over the Hills and Far Away

Is there anything else we should know about you or your shop? - I really want to make band merch. You can take the girl out of music but you can't take the music out of the girl.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now? - My favorite item? Either my Brandy necklace ( I debate daily whether I should take offline and wear it myself) and my custom feather headdress- I just made one for a lady in New York and they are beautiful.

Brandy You're A Fine Girl

Crown Of Feathers

Where can we find your work outside of etsy? - You can find me in SF at Painted Bird, Wasteland, RAG, Still Life and in the East Bay in Pretty Penny, Shark's and Down at Lulu's. I also do the SF Indie Mart once a month and will be at the Noise Pop Trunk Show ( I' m pretty sure).

mel