Monday, May 31, 2010

Fangtasia - For True Blood Fans

Tah-dah! It turned out SOOOOO cute!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Groovy shoulder bag in the works

This one is in the same style of the one I made for my Mom for Mother's Day. Soooo groovalicious! For more pics, click on the photo and go to Flickr.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

"Alien Seaweed" Glint Home Illustration Featured on Etsy's Home Page!


Those who are familiar with the Etsy world know what an honor it is to have one of your items featured on the front page. There are literally hundreds of thousands of talented artisans on Etsy. I logged onto my Facebook this morning to a great surprise! I had my Facebook Etsy tab options set to automatically post on my wall if one of Glint Gear's items should be featured on the Etsy front page, an lo and behold, my Alien Seaweed illustration was featured!

In case you don't know how you get to the front page, Etsy sellers and staff can curate and share Treasuries, which are lists of their favorite items. I've only done one, but there are quite a few people who have a great eye for designing beautiful lists. Etsy staff troll the lists and pick lists they deem "front page" worthy. 

I am very grateful that Glint Gear has been featured on the front page 3 times and on the Etsy blog once. Thanks to everyone who gives Glint Gear this fabulous support.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Pretty Snazzy

It's done! My friend Kate was coveting my bag with these colors and Glint Gear painted canvas, so out of fear of having mine Glint-napped, I made her one similar. It turned out pretty snazzy, so that's her name!

Honestly, when I made the first one for myself, I thought I'd be the only person in the world to go for this extremely loud, bold color palette, But I've been amazed at how many women compliment it and are drawn to it. But how many of you would DARE to wear this bold color choice besides me and Kate????? :)

Monday, May 17, 2010

Fashion: What's it to YOU?


  Original T-shirt by Sarah's Reef on Etsy

In my profile, it says I never follow fashion fads. Does that mean I'm against any fashion that's hot in the moment? Not at all! If something's "in" and I find it expresses a part of my personal style, I'll go for it. Personal style - those are the key words. What is my personal style? Well, it does change, just like fashion, depending on my inner landscape. But the underlying core of my style is based on what makes ME feel good in the moment and reflects personal themes I want to express now. And if something is in fashion that reflects that, awesome! If a fashion fad calls for something that I have no connection with and find personally distasteful, I'm secure enough in who I am to say, "No thanks!" and pass on it. 

Was I always this confident in my personal tastes and style? Nuh-uh! In my teen years I was insecure and wanting to fit in just like everyone else. I would have died to have the latest name brand of whatever everyone else was wearing. But looking back, I am very grateful that our family didn't have the means to help enslave me to fickle fads. My mother is a brilliant seamstress and worked with us to create clothes that were different. I didn't always appreciate it in some moments. There are times when I would have given my left thumb in trade for the hottest new brand of jeans so I would, at the very least, not be scorned by glares of the popular girls. 

But life has a way of preparing us for things in the future we can't see. Out of that time in my life came learning to distinguish my tastes outside of the manipulation of what's "in" at the moment. I'm ever grateful because it was out of that searching that Glint Gear was born. Rarely do I look "out there" to see what's in style and couldn't tell you one single thing that's "hot" right now. If I stumble upon a fad and it fits with personal themes I'm feeling in the moment, cool. If it's not "me" and "they're" all wearing it, I say good for them! They look fabulous, but no thanks. And I'm still learning what I like with each new day. 
These quotes express a few underlying themes behind Glint Gear: 
"Fashion is what you adopt when you don't know who you are.”  - Quentin Crisp 
“Fashion is an imposition, a reign on freedom.”  - Golda Meir 
“... one of the goals of life is to try and be in touch with one's most personal themes - the values, ideas, styles, colors that are the touchstones of one's own individual life, its real texture and substance.” - Gloria Vanderbilt
Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying here! Am I saying following fashion fads is beneath me or that those who do are "weak" in some way? No, I'm not saying that at all. What I'm getting at is a challenge for you to begin a personal inquiry to see if you are truly expressing who YOU are instead of letting others dictate that for you. I challenge you to ask yourself these questions below and give yourself honest answers. Really and truly take a look. Explore. Get real with yourself. (And these questions can apply to men as well as women.)
"What type of fashions and accessories truly express who I am in the domain of personal style?
"What colors, shapes, textures, lines and themes am I drawn to that express a bit of who I am?"
"What inspires me to walk a little taller and gives me that extra bit of healthy attitude in my step?"
You may not have immediate answers to all of these questions, but great job on starting the inquiry! The more you continually look inward, the more you'll distinguish.
I now challenge you to the next step. Go take a peak in your closet or dresser. Let yourself find that one item you still wear that takes your energy down a notch every time you put it on. Yea, THAT baby blue cotton blouse. In the dressing room, you had your doubts about how the ruffles made you feel. But you bought it anyway because it was on sale and was a "safe" selection because ruffles are in right now. [This is just an example... I have no idea if ruffles are in right now! LOL] But every time you wear it, you just don't feel quite right. Take a good long look at those blue ruffles. Outside of your excitement over what a great bargain it was and how hip you felt when buying it, how do you really feel when you wear it? Put it on and then take a quick inventory of your energy. Be honest. Do you feel a spike of excitement and twinge of joy, or did your vibes fall down a bit? 
I just bet there was another blouse on that same rack in your size that was calling to you, but it was out of your box. Yep, that's it... the hot pink satin one. You never wear that color or fabric and were afraid you would have been too flashy in it. Imagine you brought it home. Close your eyes and visualize putting it on and looking in the mirror. Now, just between you, yourself and you, take a check-in of your energy. How do you feel now? YES! That's it... that tingle of joy and excitement. What was that? It was your individuality informing that you've hit on something that's in integrity with your sense of style.
Are you ready for the next steps? If not, it's ok. But if you are, here's what I want you to do. Take that baby blue blouse with the ruffles, look at it squarely in the buttons and thank it for trying to keep you safe. Tell it you are no longer in need of its services and put it in a bag of clothes to give away. And don't look back at it! The next step is to be on the lookout for a hot pink blouse in a fabric you love. Low on funds? That's ok! I'm not saying you need a ton of money to express your own style. There are a lot of ways to acquire clothes that make you feel good. Have a clothing swap with friends or check out your local thrift shops and store clearance racks. Have a sewing machine? Make it yourself. Attract it with your positive intentions. Close your eyes and visualize yourself draped in hot pink satin and how great that feels. You never know what might show up when you are being true to yourself. You might win a contest for a gift card. Your best friend may come home with a blouse she felt compelled to buy but really thinks it was made for you.
GREAT WORK! And if you need a little help or coaching to take that next step, I'm just an email away. The point of this post is what Shakespeare's Polonius said in Hamlet... "This above all: To thine own self be true."

Friday, May 14, 2010

In the Bag: Messenger bag

Most of you probably have your own reusable bags that you take with you, you ask for paper if available or you recycle the plastic bags in the provided bins at the store. 

But if you are looking for something constructive to do with those plastic shopping bags, check out this DIY project from Readymade.com

(Click on the link below.)

Monday, May 10, 2010

Take a Creative Break!

Who doesn't love Etch A Sketch? Ohio Art Company has their famous beloved toy online! Go on.... take a quick break, loosen up and give it a try. Everyone needs a little creative diversion now and then. Click on the photo below to begin! It's easy... use your keyboard arrows to sketch. And you can even print out your creations. Feel free to post your art on Glint Gear's page on Facebook!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Commit to Begin


Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” - Ambrose Redmoon


A friend sent this to me on Facebook today, "I can't tell you how impressed I am with you. To have the talent, the umph to make it happen and the guts to put yourself into each piece and put it out there. Any of that would be amazing but doing it all, is beyond!"

A lot of people, especially those who worked with me when I was "Fun and Games Engineer," will be surprised to hear me say what I said to her:

"I didn't always have the guts or the umph! I've had to do a lot of inner searching, discovering, and healing. I'm actually petrified of being "seen" and have to continually work on overcoming a pattern of being a master at hiding. My hands were literally shaking as I was trying to sew new bags a week before we brought the stuff to Moxie because I was so scared to put myself out there. It's easier on the internet because you can't see people react. No one sees me quaking in my shoes. But I'm learning to feel the fear and do it anyway. And yes, there will always be critics. I'll deal with that one step at a time! LOL!"

I've learned over years that what works for me when I'm really committed to something is take it one step at a time. Begin with a commitment to keep going no matter what. When I was a graphic designer, there were times when I felt a project was above my talent and I was afraid to fail or to make a mess of it so I would decline and wouldn't even try it for fear of looking bad. But when I knew Glint Gear was something I was committed to creating and saw a possibility of self expression beyond myself, I promised myself I'd take it one step at a time and learn as I go instead of waiting until I had mastered it. I'm so glad I didn't wait, because I've learned so much in this process! I didn't even know how to sew on the painted canvas at first. No one has seen the countless "flops" that I've created as I learned to work within this new space! I'm also learning to rely on a support network of friends and family who believe in me no matter what and help me to keep putting myself out there.

What are you inspired to do but are holding yourself back by patterns of perfectionism, fear of failure or not wanting to look bad? Commit to yourself to just begin, with whatever steps you have the courage to make right now. You want to sing? Make a call to inquire about the cost of singing lessons. Then take another step, then another.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." 
     -W.H. Murray

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Absolem


Absolem, originally uploaded by Glint Gear.
These beautiful leftover pieces of Glint painted canvas and fuzzy blue chenille upholstery fabric were recently transformed into this fun and "quirk-inspiring" clutch/wristlet named Absolem.

When someone said it reminded them of a caterpillar, I knew it must be named after the blue caterpillar from Alice In Wonderland. I didn't know his name, but Google did the trick! I also found out that Absolem means "father of peace." I like that. Absolem is at Moxie now, waiting for adoption. Stop on by to pet him and tell him hi. He's so soft to the touch and will surely bring a smile to your face!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Handmade Mother's Day Gift for My Mom

Don't forget to honor your mother this Sunday! My mom saw this bag I had in progress and asked me to make her one like it for Mother's Day. Mom deserves first choice and doesn't deserve to wait, so I finished it for her.

What are you doing for YOUR mom?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Handmade is everywhere!


Handmade is everywhere!, originally uploaded by Glint Gear.

I snapped this on the drive to the Moxie Grand Opening event yesterday. The knitted pieces placed over the blue metal were a cheerful reminder that I'm on the right path following my love of creating beautiful handmade stuff.

The grand opening event was awesome and Moxie is off to a great start. Check out my Flickr Moxie set for more pics. The owner Kayci has done a fantastic job getting it up and running in a short amount of time.

This is the perfect little shop to stop in and buy a unique gift for a birthday, graduation or other special occasion or as a treat for yourself.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Shoulder Bag in progress


Shoulder Bag in progress, originally uploaded by Glint Gear.

I'm trying out a new shoulder bag pattern that I designed. Let's hope my pattern works! I stitched up a test and it worked fine. It's going to have a 4" bottom tapering up to 2" on the top. the shape should turn out so cute. It will have a zipper across the top and a short shoulder strap of around 22".

I had some trouble with the lining fitting on this "live" version. I may need to tweak the bottom/side piece a little. But I think this is going to be an adorable pattern once the kinks are worked out. Ocean designed the layout of the leaf shapes. Cool, huh?