“Hands on” Art as Jewelry workshop lead by Nicky Ruxton with Ruxton Designs.

 Art as Jewelry workshop

February 2^nd the Haute Couture Societe of Stockton, a wearable arts community (www.hautecoutureca.org) hosted instructor Nicky Ruxton,  creator of Mixed-Media Industrial Artwear Jewelry for an afternoon workshop.  She brought many of her designs to show and share (some for sale too). 

Her things are very well made from fabric and felt with top stitching and added ribbon, embellishments.  We looked her line over closely and after lunch had some individual time to ask the artist questions and discuss projects.

Instructor Nicky Ruxton’s formal education came from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD.  Her degree is in Graphic Design. She has also studied calligraphy, sculpture, painting, and 2 &3D design. Later she attended the California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA where she studied book making, typography, print making and photography.

Nicky’s jewelry really is her passion, thus “Ruxton Designs” was birthed to support this endeavor.  Her one-of-a-kind limited edition pieces integrate her interest in architecture and the arts, with an industrial aesthetic that uniquely brands her work.

She shared shared with us that morning how her work lies in the intersection of where her graphic design background and passion for mixed-media collage converge. Nicky’s work employs clean lines, simple designs, restrained colors and texture in layering. (see part one Mixed-Media Industrial Artwear - Nicky Ruxton with Ruxton Designs) http://jotraveler.blogspot.com/#!/2013/02/mixed-media-industrial-artwear-nicky.html

 

I learned more about Nicky’s art from her Bio:

“Using new and re-purposed materials combined in a fresh new ways, Nicky creates bold, edgy and strong designs with an undercurrent of thoughtful, contemporary wear-ability  Nicky’s work is Wearable Art for those with a discerning eye. It’s designed for drawing attention and making a statement without question. When she isn’t out scavenging metal findings she resides in Mountain View, CA and an ever growing collection of used treasures.”

 

 

Nicky Ruxton’s Contact information can be found: http://www.RuxtonDesigns.com

 

Nicky spoke to our class sharing her use of fabric & found objects to make jewelry. This was the focus of the four hour workshop. Nicky supplied the fabrics from FabMo

 

Check it out

 

 

Website

http://www.fabmo.org

https://www.facebook.com/FabMo

2423 Middlefield Way, Suite C, Mountain View, CA 94042

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My mom Marlene Heinz and I started working on the fabric embellished bracelets enjoying the process of mixing trims, ribbon, buttons and more.  Some of the wearable art bracelets that were started in class and finished at home are to the left:

 

 

 

 This piece started out with this wonderful ceramic leaf, and the covered buttons were added to bring out the colors in the leaf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Here it is up close:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This design  Marlene is doing a series of statement bracelets using laminated photos,  This is the first in the series, stayed turned and I'll add more photos later.

 

 UP close you can see the special trim used and the extra large snap to hold the bracelet in place on your arm.

 This piece is fun and shows off one's special interests.  In this case it highlights shoes!

 

For this fun design Marlene is doing a series of "statement" bracelets using laminated photos of shoes and words. This is the first in what will be a series so stayed turned and I'll add more photos as she completes them.

 

We have more bracelets in the works, so I will post some more photos next week.  And after Marlene made the bracelets, she decided a few rings were in order.  What do you think?  I like them!

^  Here are some rings Marlene made from buttons in her antique button collection. They are very comfortable to wear,  I already "borrowed" the navy and gold one that is second from the right.  I love it!!  Here it is on my hand to the right. --->  I'm going to see if I can get my model'esque daughter to put these on when she visits next and I'll try photographing everything again.

Nicky sold kits with unusual objects suitable for the workshop and brought many of her fabulous one of a kind designs to show.  Each attendee brought basic sewing kit items and a few of our own “found objects” and interesting fabrics to use.

 

Included in the basic sewing kit:

pins,needles, scissors, thread, ribbon, fabric, glue gun, etc.

She left us with the inspiring words: “It is a necessity to get to your creative side, embrace it.”

To learn more about Nicky Ruxton with Ruxton Designs – and her Mixed-Media Industrial Artwear  “Like” her on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RuxtonDesigns and sign up for her email newsletter.

She participates in Artists Open Houses and lists shows she will be attending in the newsletter.

See more designs by Nicky Ruxton at http://ruxtondesigns.com/

Ladies Bus trip to Stone Mountain and Daughter

Last weekend I went on a bus trip with the Haute Couture Societe.  It is a wonderful way to spend a slightly rainy day.  Our first stop was at Stone Mountain and Daughter fabric and sewing store in Berkeley.  This store has been in business at this location for many years. They must have the largest selection of quilt fabrics I have ever seen, and they have a huge selection of knits, wools, and specialty evening fabrics.

http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/

 


Up stairs is where you will find the sale bolts, all 50%off.  I found a gray snake skin pattern knit that I will make a top in.  (of course will she you later the final project.)











My personal favorite instructor would be Sandra Betzina  My mom knows Sandra, and from the times I have met her I can tell you she is vivacious and excited about sewing.  She is the host of the Power Sewing WebTV Show and designs a full line of patterns for Vogue under the Today's Fit Tab. She has produced a skill series of 11DVDs and is the author of: More Fabric Savvy, Fast Fit and Power Sewing Step-by-Step. Her new book, The Power Sewing Toolbox: Tips & Techniques.  Sandra is also a popular speaker and hosts several week-long Sewing Retreats in San Francisco throughout the year. For more information about Sandra Betzina and Power Sewing visit www.powersweing.com.  I also loved this Sandra Bitzini Skirt with layered fabric strips in a stripe.  There was a class scheduled to teach these techniques.

  
 


  
 
 
 
 

 Upstairs is the classroom where the very best instructors teach(http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/sewing-classes.htm With over 150 classes in their catalog it was no surprise that a class was busy sewing up skirts and I loved the teachers skirt, a vogue patter that has been discontinued darn it.  She was clearly an accomplished sewer and as I listened to her teaching she was a very good teacher too.  The offer a lot of sewing classes, and bring in top notch teachers to share their expertise too.

They have a full selection of patterns, including independent company patterns.  They had one binder filled with discontinued independent patterns, now that is a find!  (Here I am sharing pattern ideas with fellow member.)











I would say this place is a quilter's paradise.  They have wonderful cotton prints for quilts. 

The cutting tables were filled with ladies grabbing pieces of their favorite fabrics.  The walls to the back of the store were filled with sewing notions.  I like that they always have things on sale.  Check out http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/special-offers.htm for special online offers.



To keep up with the store events and trends in sewing why not read their blog http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/daughters-blog.htm  You can follow along with co-owner and Daughter, Suzan Steinberg as she talkes about the store, Berkley and her favorite things to make.   I'll tell more about our bus trip tomorrow.

Jonelle

Christopher Collins a favorite from Project Runway

Christopher Collins American Fashion Designer

Christopher Collins – After Project Runway

 September is the month we think of fashion.  Nearly every fashion magazine is bulging with inspiration and the latest in color, fabrics and fashions.  This past weekend I had the opportunity to hear from Christopher Collins, California fashion designer and celebrity who participated in Project Runway, Season 8.  He was charming, knowledgable and shared so much with our group.

Christopher Collins, in gray vest and jeans, contestant on Project Runway Season 8

It was a Saturday morning, Christopher Collins was the guest lecture at the Haute Couture Society meeting in Stockton CA.  This nonprofit organization is designed to celebrate the creative arts, design, and fashion. Christopher gave a power point presentation showing his upcoming fall line and his philosophy around design.  He also took us on a look back at his experience with Project Runway Season 8 where he was a contestant.

 

They came the "eye candy"  He showed his power point with pictures from his Fall line of clothering:

 





 

Prior to national recognition as a Season 8 Project Runway contestant, Christopher Collins was already gain­ing recognition as an emerging designer that multiple publications noted as “someone to watch.” As a Gen Art honoree and a "Resident Talent" for Lucky Magazine, Christopher Collins is an unstoppable force in fashion. Made in California his designs are created with European and Japanese textiles, each garment demonstrates quality, luxury, high fashion and femininity with great fit too. He is also a popular instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco (FIDM).
Christopher shared his thoughts on design with our group:
“Look at an object and not what it is literally but what it could be.”

Growing up he talked enthusiastically about his mother and how creatively she lived.  He talked about how she sewed children's books, aprons, and child development specialties.   She used scraps to complete many projects.  She collected sewing trims, scraps and buttons into a box throwing in  craft items, she would get this box out and let the kids dig through and “play.”  It was that creative encouragement that sparked Christopher’s own creativity.

 

Christopher smiled as he openly admitted that he was fearless in his 20's. His fashion career really started when he worked as a visual merchandiser for Neiman Marcus where he gained insight into the luxury market. Christopher earned his degree in fashion design at San Francisco State University. Christopher then moved to Los Angeles to design for two well-known evening wear fashion designers—Tadashi and Dina Bar-el.

The mission of the Christopher Collins brand is to empower women through fashion.
The Christopher Collins brand represents quality and creating Beauty - making women look Beautiful.

 

He tried a few of his pieces on an attendee.  They look so nice on.  I looked at them more closly (from the first row) and saw they were very well made.  You can see on the screen the ensomble.

A highlight of his careen was the Project Runway opportunity.  It opened the doors to the possibility of his 2010 collection to be picked up in New York.  His collection was shown during New York fashion week. His customer is the fashion conscious, powerful woman who wants ease and chic.  He wants his customer to feel beautiful and strong when wearing his line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently he was asked to dress actress Andie MacDowell who plays a lead character on the new series: Jane by Design”   In the upcoming ABC Family original series Jane By Design, Andie MacDowell plays a “glamorous fashion executive who travels the world in search of the next big style trend. “  In other words, we can’t wait to see what trends Christopher will be introducing.  I’m defiantly going to DVR this one. http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/jane-by-design Watch ALL NEW episodes Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC Family! Follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/abcfjane

Other high profile projects Christopher Collin’s has designed recently include:  A dress for the “Glamorama” a fashion show and concert sponsored annually by Macy’s and benefitting Children’s Cancer Research

Another design project Christopher Collins talked about was a bottle he designed for Absolute Vodca.  Christopher LOVES San Francisco, so was honored when they alsked him to design the destionations bottle.  If the city of San Francisco were to be bottled, it would taste of grape, dragon fruit and papaya — exotic flavors that capture the unique mix of cultures, ethnicities and culinary heritage of a thriving, colorful city. At least, that’s what one vodka maker thinks. In the latest edition to a city-series ‘sonic ambassador,’ fashion designer Christopher Collins was asked to design the bottle. Now he is branching out into other types of design.

Christopher talked in detail about how one can search for inspiration. He said he is inspired by historical fashion, especially the Elizabethan fashion and Rococo fashions  of the 18th century.   He talked of the silks, taffeta, and needlework. Textures create romance & mood.

He shared his insights on looking at architecture.  If you design something Victorian then stand and get a photo In front of a Victorian home. Look at the Transamerica building then design something modern and streamline. This is why he loves living in San Francisco as there is so much inspiration around him.

He encouraged us to go to creative places.  Nature is another place for inspiration. He loved the outdoors, the harmony, smells, sounds, and freedom it represents.  Deserts are so mysterious; take Sedona’s red rocks, beaches course sand, a roaring river.

He suggested getting out and experiencing other cultures.  Look at crossing different cultures with other backgrounds their authentic costumes of a culture, jewelry, arts, and accessories. You can find color inspiration and quality in their techniques and what they have made.

Take a look at people. We inspire each other, from Opera Winfrey to Lance Armstrong, from the young royal couple, to the Olympic contenders, from Marilyn Monroe to Gandhi.

Literature inspires him; music inspires him.  Music is also a great inspiration for fashion.   From Lady Gaga to the classics of the rat pack - music provokes different feelings.  He suggested you play music while creating.  Try inspirational music that reflects what you have in mind for the style; have it playing in the background while you create.

"Fashion is an epic moment."

Christopher suggested that one use a story board to display your ideas, using swatches of fabric and pictures that evoke an image you are trying to achieve.  This will help you to get your arms around the look and feeling of the inspiration.  Take this energy, these images, and you will craft the “look” in no time. 

 

Tomorrow I will talk about the workshop the Haute Couture Society hosted.  Christopher Collins led the workshop, sharing inspiration and ideas with those attending.

A surprise old tin turns out some real treasures.

My Mom and I have been always enjoyed conversing about jewely and fashion. I am walking in her footsteps creating necklaces and re stringing beads in my latest desire to re-mix what I have at home. This past Saturday she handed me a large tin and told me there were necklaces and jewelry that my grandma Elsie Jacobsen owned and others she has collected over the years for her jewely designs.




Inside I found some real treasures!!!

I loved the Monet Classics! A few, one with multi strands, and one I need to re string (I'm salivating now).

Of course the cheap and fun fakes pearls are fabulous. In several different colors of neutrals. I plan on using those not good enough for a necklace on my Victorian Christmas Tree.

I found one short, "High Quality" with fine detail necklace with wonderful white leaves and rhinestone flower by DeMario NY Jewelry Robert De Mario designed jewelry from 1945-1960. He worked with faceted beads, pearls, including baroque pearls, and rhinestones. Much of his work has beads and pearls wired onto an ornate base. Excellent design and craftsmanship was his forte'. DeMario jewelry is very collectible since there was a very limited amount of it originally.

There was one Miriam Haskell piece that was my grandma's. My Aunt Nancy might have bought it for her as a gift. Miriam Haskell was an American designer of costume jewelry. Haskell founded her own company, one that still bears her name. With her creative partner Frank Hess, she invented affordable pieces of stunning originality from 1920 through the 1950's. Vintage examples and samples of Miriam Haskell designs are now much sought, held in both private collections and museums internationally. And to think I now have a piece too. When I find an outfit that rocks this necklace I will take a picture and post.

One necklace with cute daisy like pieces are an exact match to some 1950's style button earrings I received years ago from grandma. So that must be the matching necklace.



All in all it sure has been fun dreaming about the ways I will wear my necklaces and jewelry and feeling satisfied we will once again have many meaningful discussions about fashion and how I will re-mix some of this jewelry and just layer and ware the rest. Thank you MOM!!!

PreLoved - re think the fabrics/clothes/quality you love

http://www.preloved.ca/

Preloved, is a company in Toronto that recycles vintage sweaters, pants and other items and transform them into one-of-a-kind designs. The company has been around since 1995 and sells their products at small stores all over North America. They have three different product lines: Preloved, Handcut and BLoved. Preloved combines used and new fabrics, Handcut is made of 100% used fabrics. I love this concept, and as a sewer myself it makes me wonder what I have in my own wardrobe to remix.

Redesigned vintage clothing is a great idea, because while you might be able to find some decent clothes in your own closet, a trip to Discovery thrift stores, salvation army or goodwill may turn out some real treasures. Remember most of the clothes could use some altering to bring them up to date anyway, so a complete overhaul may just be fun.


The best thing about this concept is that with a little sewing knowledge, you can begin replicating their ideas yourself.

One thing that was key was turning the sweater upside down so that the old "bottom" could be used as a neckline or for the sleeves (you can see this technique being used int the sweater pictured left).

Another idea is to make a scarf using scraps of several cut up sweaters, combining colors and textures.

There are a lot of great articles all over the Internet about how to recycle your used clothing. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977191231 and another great place to find clothing that has been re made is www.etsy.com

My daughter Jenna has been creating wonderful blue jeans quilts with our used jeans. I have seen folks at rummage sales (3.00 a bag last day) fill large grocery bags with the left over jeans for these quilts if you don't have enough jeans lying around.

I Jonelle Tannahill pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months so that I may learn to remix what I have at home. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on my blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings!