Fashion Star Inspiration

I have recently fallen in love with the tv show Fashion Star!

On the show, a number up-and-coming designers create designs every week. Their models show off the clothing on the runway, then 3 department store executives (from Macy's, Saks 5th Avenue, and H&M) bid on their designs. 

Only one department store can purchase each design, if they desire, so the bidding can get pretty high sometimes. 

If none of the stores bid on a design, that designer is up for elimination (one is eliminated each week). If a store purchases a design, the clothing will be available for purchase online/in-store the next day! 

How cool!

Four years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I drew dress designs and even entered the Passion for Fashion scholarship competition at the Art Institute of Indianapolis, for which I designed and made a formal dress. 

I LOVED IT!

I didn't win, and I didn't go to college for Fashion Design. Instead, I attended Grace College and earned a degree in Business.

Since then, I have designed dresses, but I haven't made many. 

And I miss it so much!

Watching Fashion Star inspired me. And my husband.

After watching it the first time, I fell asleep thinking about designs. I woke up thinking about designs. While working the next day, designs swirled in my head. 

My husband wants me to go on Fashion Star. Seriously. He now says it at least once a day. He wants me to realize my dream of being a designer.

Now I'm researching how to sell designs to stores. I'm not sure it is possible, but I'm looking :)

Today, while bouncing ideas off my husband, I realized that my Etsy shop is where I can be a designer.

Etsy has been broadcasting amazing online labs today! One session was about getting found by magazines and blogs. I learned that those publications like to feature designers that can basically mass-produce their products, not just have several one-of-a-kind items.

If I want to promote my new designs (yes!!!! I have new ideas!!!!!), I need to make sure I can make many of the same thing--maybe with different color and size options, but the same design.

So, I think that's what I'm going to do :)

Here's the plan:

1. finalize 2-3 designs (for now)

2. make size charts

3. choose a few fabrics that can be easily purchased again

4. create!

When I finish step#1, I'll let you know :)

Vegan Chocolate Cake

I really should call this "Brownie Cake". Because that is what it tastes like! Yum Yum Yum!!!!

No dairy, no eggs. Can easily be made with gluten-free flours (see note*).

(From "The Joy of Cooking" cookbook, by Irma Rombauer)

Whisk together in a large bowl:

1 & 1/2 cups flour

1 cup & 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/3 cps & 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Add:

1 cup cold water

1/4 cup oil

1 Tbsp. vinegar

2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk until smooth. 

Spread into greased & floured 8" pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Top with powdered sugar or icing.

*Note: I made this with half almond flour, half wheat flour, and it was incredible! I used 3/4 cup almond flour and 1 cup wheat.

For a completely gluten-free cake, I recommend the following (add a few Tablespoons more flour if batter is too runny):

3/4 cup almond flour (and choose one option)

&

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup amaranth/potato/quinoa flour (your choice)

OR

1 cup all-purpose gluten-free four

BESTeam Promo: Valentines Day

As a part of my membership of the BESTeam (Boosting other Etsy Shops Team), I am writing weekly features about shops of members of the team.

This week, I'm revisiting three shops I had featured before (how fun!), and I chose a Valentine's Day theme!!!!
Valentine's Day is my absolute favorite holiday!!!!

I don't know what it is about it--maybe it's that red and pink are my favorite colors, and hearts are my favorite shapes, and February is my birth month :D (My birthday is exactly one week after Valentine's Day!)
Whatever the lovely reason, I'm a huge fan of Valentines Day.

listing

Empty on the Inside

Annie of Empty on the Inside paints gorgeous cards! Each one is (as the name indicates) empty inside--great for those who LOVE writing letters or drawing pictures inside :)

This particular one is 5x7, and I think it would be the perfect card for your Valentine or other loved one :)

*Also check out Facebook, Blog

listing

Redemption Art

Connie of Redemption Art runs her shop from Hawaii. She has lots of vintage items (home decor, jewelry, clothing), and also handmade and upcycled items :)

I would LOVE this dress is great for a Valentine's Day party or special date! (And, guess what? It's my size! Anyone want to buy it for me? lol) It's made of slightly-stretchy satin--comfortable and cute!

*Also check out Facebook, Blog

listing

CKSilver

Anyone else LOVE pearls?! These hand-crafted earrings are strung with freshwater pearls and wrapped with sterling silver. I think these earrings would go great with the red dress for that special date/party!

Cindy of CKSilver says it better than I can: "CKSilver offers handcrafted sterling silver jewelry that is beautiful, timeless, and elegant. Most pieces incorporate sterling silver, freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, and Swarovski crystal." I think her work is just lovely!

*Also check out Facebook, Blog

Thanks for joining me on my little Valentine's Day adventure! :D

BESTeam Promo: Christmas

Apologies to BESTeam members--I completely missed last week! And I'm even late on this one! Sigh.

You see, I have this crazy (but awesome) job in December: I'm a costume assistant for a local theater!!! The winter musical is Miracle on 34th Street. Last week I worked six 12-hour days in a row. Now I just work 6 shows a week, a 4-5 hour time commitment every time. It's crazy, but fun!

This week's Boosting Etsy Shops Team promo has a Christmas theme, of course! This is my first Christmas with my husband (we began dating just after Christmas last year, and were married in May), and I love dreaming about Christmas decorations!

Angels N Everlastings
I met Judy through the CASTeam, and let me tell you: she's wonderful :) She creates lovely angels, wreaths, and other home decor.

angel tree topper listing

No Christmas tree is complete without a topper! If you like angels on your spruces, check out Judy's shop! This 10-inch angel can also be a table centerpiece (good idea!). The fabric is stiffened, so it will hold its shape for years!

I think this is so beautiful! I wish I had a small one for my 4-ft tree!

earrings listing

Beader Bubbe
Agnes, from Brooklyn, NY, makes a wide variety of jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings; as well as key chains and supplies.

Red and green jewelry really puts me in the Christmas mood. These classic red and green beaded earrings with sterling silver posts would add the prefect touch to any Christmas outfit!


Joy Flower
Joy sells lovely hand-painted silk scarves, as well as jewelry. A mother of 3 boys, she lives in Oregon and likes yoga and gardening :)

scarf listing

I just love scarves!!! As soon as it gets moderately cold (in Northern Indiana, that's September), I start wearing scarves every day--because they keep me warm and look so stinkin' cute!

My little house is decorated with gold themes, so this scarf would be perfect for me to wear when hosting a Christmas party!



Our Home to Yours

ornament listing

Debbi and Amanda are a mother-daughter team in North Carolina who sell vintage finds, jewelry, home decor, and knitted items.


Every Christmas tree needs red ornaments, right? I know mine does!
This 4-inch glass ball is painted with red and purple. The perfect addition to your tree!



Thanks for following my BESTeam feature for the week!