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Posts Tagged ‘handcrafted’

Fashionable Quote of the Week by Michelle Obama

Posted in Arts, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , on April 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »

That’s the biggest joy that I get out of knitting. You can go from a ball of yarn to a beautiful hat, or scarf, or vest, or anything you want.

Michelle Obama – America’s former First Lady.

This quote is from a conversation with Ms. Obama and Shayna Rose in Vogue Knitting Magazine, Winter 2021/22.

Ms. Obama picked up the needles at the start of the Pandemic in 2020 and taught herself how to knit looking at YouTube videos. Since then, she’s mastered hats and gloves and she even knit a sweater for her husband. I’d love to see him wearing it!

Ms. Rose is a fifteen-year-old knitter/crafter who started her own newspaper, The Rose Reporter, when she was eight, soon thereafter becoming known for her celebrity interviews with personalities such as Julie Andrews and Gene Simmons.

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Fashionable Quote of the Week by Kristen Bateman

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on May 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »

The tactile feeling of a lush, hand-knit sweater or an embroidered top provides a bit of comfort in an increasingly unpredictable and progressively digital world, where even socializing takes place onscreen. Sitting down with a pair of knitting needles and fluffy merino yarn sparks a deeper connection than mindless scrolling ever could.

Kristen Bateman – Contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar.

Knitting, sewing, quilting, you name it we’re doing it. Even before Pandemic 2020, crafting was on the rise as interest in commercially manufactured goods declined. People are realizing that creating their own clothing and accessories is much more fun and easier on the environment.

On weekends I stay away from my laptop and spend time working on sewing projects, knitting, embroidery or whatever inspires me. It’s a treat to create with my hands and shift my mind from working words to working yarn or fabric. (And much more satisfying than scrolling social media looking at what other people are doing.)

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Picture of the Day from The Summer of Love Experience: Handcrafted Inspiration

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , on April 14, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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This quintessential hippie look is not usually my style but I was immediately drawn to it, particularly the denim skirt. I think perhaps because of my recent adventure into sewing, I see clothing a little differently.

IMG_20170406_184212208I’m inspired by the idea of reuse and patching denim pieces to create something new. But even more exciting to me is the exposed hand stitching in various bright colors. There is something very charming about that.

In our modern era of massed produced fast fashion it’s exciting to see handcrafted clothing that people took time with and cared about.

Find some Summer of Love favorites for yourself at The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll on now through August 20, 2017 at the de Young Museum, San Francisco.

Be there or be square!

 

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American Craft Council Show Comes to San Francisco

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, tagged , , , on July 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Knitwear accessories by Elyse Allen. Photo courtesy of ACC.

Knitwear accessories by Elyse Allen. Photo courtesy of ACC.

When August arrives thoughts turn towards autumn. Not long off is back to school, back to work, and a new season of fashions. Oh, and did someone say Christmas in July? How about The Holidays in August?

To get a head start on it all, my favorite outing is the American Craft Council Show at Fort Mason Center, July 31 – August 2, 2015. This is our chance to check out high-end handmade items such furniture, home décor, fashions, and jewelry. Think new for fall, think gifts, think one-of-a-kind.

The American Craft Council Show is the largest juried show west of the Rockies and one of a handful of shows across the country that highlights the best of the best in handcrafted works of art. Over 220 American artists gather at Fort Mason to show and sell their unique wares.

This year includes many a fashion-forward designer:   

Also this year there’s something called Hip Pop, which is a section of the show that features new and rising artists. Let’s Make is all about inviting attendees to watch artists at their craft and maybe even give it a whirl themselves.

It’s all fun and a wonderful opportunity. I say this season skip the big box stores and corporate brand names. Instead, get your unique on at the American Craft Council Show.

Here’s all the info:

Friday, July 31: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m

The Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina Boulevard at Buchanan Street, San Francisco. $14 one-day pass
$29 Become a member of the American Craft Council and receive entry to ALL THREE days of the American Craft Council Show in San Francisco & a one-year subscription to American Craft magazine.
FREE for American Craft Council members and children 12 and under.

Be there, or be square.

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American Craft Council Show in San Francisco

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, tagged , , on July 30, 2014| 2 Comments »

Molly-Grant-Shoes

Handcrafted shoes by Molly Grant, booth #134. Image courtesy of the ACC.

If it’s summer it must be time for the Annual American Craft Council Show, the largest juried show in the west coming up August 8-10 at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Marking their 39th year, the ACC gathers 220 top craftspeople from around the country (25 are from the Bay Area) to exhibit and sell their wares, which includes one-of a kind jewelry, clothing, gifts, and home décor. I’ve been attending the ACC show for years and I really enjoy the uniqueness and quality of everything I see. Some of my most treasured fashions have come from the ACC show, including a lovely felted cloche hat by Wendy Allen of Miss Fitt.

How about a custom-made pair of shoes or a hand- painted silk tie? Think fall fashions and early holiday shopping.

The American Craft Council Show coming up August 8th – 10th, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Visit the ACC website for more information: http://craftcouncil.org/event/american-craft-council-san-francisco-show.

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American Craft Council Show Comes to San Francisco

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, tagged , , , , on August 2, 2011| 5 Comments »

Original outfit by Kiss of the Wolf. Photo by James Young.

As a working girl, I don’t have much of a chance to shop. But I always make time for the annual American Craft Council show coming up August 12-14 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason.

I have to admit one of the reasons I enjoy the ACC Show is because my sister-in-law, Lori Bacigalupi, is one of the 230 artists showing her wares.  

Lori’s business is called Kiss of the Wolf  and using hand painted batik and shibori fabrics she creates chic women’s jackets, dresses, blouses, skirts, vests, and scarves. Each piece is custom-made and designed to work together, allowing customers year after year to build an entire wardrobe of Kiss of the Wolf. Lori’s designs successfully blend ease with elegance.

Kiss of the Wolf is a  family business started by Lori and my brother, Marshall, in the 1970s. It was way cool for me as a teenager to be able to say, “Yes, that’s right, my brother is a fashion designer.” It was even better each Christmas and birthday when I opened large boxes containing another Kiss of the Wolf original. When I was in college, I would occasionally go on the road to help with the shows. I have fond memories of hanging out with Marshall in the studio while he painted fabric and recently it was an honor for me to model some of the new designs.

It’s now a tradition every August for my mother and me, and sometimes friends, to make our way over to the ACC Show and see Kiss of the Wolf in action. But don’t think we stop there.

Handcrafted wood handbag by Denise DeRose. Photo courtesy of The American Craft Council.

As I mentioned there are 230 artists from around the country showing  the best in handcrafted jewelry, clothing, accessories, fine art, and home decor. We spend the day and shop thinking ahead to holiday gifts. I allow myself one treat and this year I have my eye on Denise DeRose’s wood handbags.

One-of-kind, handcrafted and made in the USA. The American Craft Council Show has it all. This year is extra special as the ACC is celebrating 70 years. Check it out and make sure to stop by and see Lori at Kiss of The Wolf (booth # 319). Tell her Over Dressed for Life sent you.

The American Craft Council Show, August 12-14, San Francisco, Fort Mason. Click here for more information.

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