Coquette

DIY Fashion: Wardrobe Refresh

This month at CRAFT one of the themes is Wardrobe Refresh. We are all budget conscious these days so it's important to stay fashionable without breaking the bank. One of my favorite projects is by Diana Eng's From Maxi Dress to Mini Dress. Here she takes inspiration from the spring runways and shows easily how to turn last season's maxi dress from H&M to this season's mini dress with this tutorial. I figured since I spend most of my time as a crafts editor in my day job, that I would also showcase more DIY fashion here on Coquette from time to time in roundups like these.

Here are more Wardrobe Refresh projects:

Tarina O-Ring Necklace
Crochet this bold necklace by Vickie Howell.

Papier-Mâché Floral Brooches
Inspired by Mrs. Obama, Cathy Callahan shows you how to make an adorable brooch.

Refashioned Crochet Embellished Tank
Take 2 ordinary t-shirts and transform it into this cute summer top by Dolin O'Shea.

DIY Eco-Hip Accessories
Nancy Minsky shows you how to transform plastic bottles in to funky jewelry.

Handmade Nation Premiere in SF on March 11

I'm really excited for the upcoming Bay Area premiere of the indie crafts documentary, Handmade Nation by my friend Faythe Levine. The Handmade Nation event is hosted by the San Francisco Film Society as a part of their montly SF360 Film + Club series taking place on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7pm) at Mezzanine (444 Jessie Street at Mint). Tickets are $8 for SFFS members and $12 for non-members.

Following the screening, I will be a part of a panel along with my fellow crafters: Lisa Congdon of Rare Device; Derek Fagerstrom of The Curiosity Shoppe and DIY Co-editor at design*sponge; and Stephanie Syjuco, fine artist and professor.

There will also be a mini-craft fair component to the night with the following artists and vendors: Dutch Door Press, Diana Fayt, Cara Lyndon, Miss Natalie, Mittenmaker, Nous Savons, Sharon Spain, Woolly Hoodwinks, Zum, The Curiosity Shoppe, Little Otsu, Needles & Pens and Rare Device.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the San Francisco Film Society site.

It will be fun to finally see the movie that I've seen Fathye filming at all the craft fairs throughout 2006 and to see most of my talented and crafty friends on the big screen! See more about the Handmade Nation documentary with this video preview:

CRAFT Magazine

Sorry for not posting much last week. It was a crazy time at work. If you read the CRAFT blog, you've heard the news that CRAFT magazine is shutting down print publication. I'm very sad to see our print magazine go, but excited and optimistic that we are moving everything online to Craftzine.com. So stay tuned for new content and improvements! Thanks for all your support! At least Lulu and I got a chance to grace the cover last spring.

Fingerless Gloves

These Juicy Couture Iconic Pop-Top Mittens ($55 at Juicy Couture) are too cute because you can fold over tops of these and they become utilitarian fingerless gloves.

Here are more fingerless glove picks:

Bop Basics Cashmere Long Fingerless Gloves ($55 at Shopbop)

Fingerless Gloves ($19.50 at the GAP)

Wool-Cashmere Fingerless Gloves ($20 on sale at JCrew)

Merino Fingerless Gloves ($25 at AnnleeDesign's shop on Etsy)

Audrey Hand Warmer ($20 at Crafts2Cherish's shop on Etsy)

Organic Wristlet/Fingerless Gloves ($24.99 at MiaJoie's Shop on Etsy)

If you are crafty, make your own with these free patterns:

Pretty Lace Handwarmers by The Purl Bee

Princess Mitts by Clara Parkes (CRAFT Pattern Podcast)

Refashioned Armwarmers by Stitch Lounge (CRAFT Pattern Podcast)

Felt Club in LA - Sunday November 16th

If I wasn't about to have this baby soon, I'd be off to LA to shop at one of the coolest holiday fairs ever, Felt Club. The Felt Club Holiday 2008 event is happening in just a week! Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 16th where Felt Club is happening from 11am to 7pm at the Shrine Auditorium's Expo Center (700 W. 32nd St).

There will be some amazing indie artists and crafters selling their wares so it's the perfect time to do your holiday shopping early! Check out the vendor list and updates on the Felt Club blog.

Fabric Necklaces by Tinctory

Thanks to my friend Moxie for pointing me to the delicate and beautiful fabric bead necklaces by Tinctory on Etsy. Tinctory is handmade jewelry by Eva, a Czech who's living in the UK. The simple fabric bead necklaces, which come in a variety of colors, are pieces of silk that are carefully gathered into pleats. Pictured above is my favorite, Pearl.

Eva also makes a larger textile pendant, pictured here is Turquoise. Just gorgeous!

The Naughty Secretary Club Book

I love the jewelry line of Jennifer Perkins' Naughty Secretary Club and now she's got her own book showing you how to make your own fabulous jewelry! The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry is now available on Amazon for just $11.55. Filled with lots of fun projects from making charm bracelets, bangles, and necklaces, I also love the retro design style and office theme of the book. Don't forget to catch up with Jen and all her news on the Naughty Secretary Club Blog.

But wait there's more! To celebrate the book launch, shop in the Naughty Secretary Club Store and get 25% off everything. Enter the word BOOK in the coupon/voucher field when you check out all month long!

I'm blown away that Jen was sweet enough to include Coquette among her favorite blogs in her book! Thank you!

DIY Your Own YSL Tribute Bag

You've seen all the latest celebrities like Halle and Ashlee carry around the YSL Tribute Bag ($1,395 at Saks). Did you know you can make your own? WIth the Handbag Heaven Metropolitan Homage Tote pattern from hotpatterns.com and some leather fabric, you'll be able to recreate a timeless fashionable tote for way less! Check out Threadbanger's post on this YSL Tribute bag with links to tips on fabric and how to sew leather.

Source and Source

Little Coquette - Embroidered Vintage Gloves

My friend Julie of Subversive Cross Stitch sent me a little pre-baby gift that I will always treasure. Just look at these vintage gloves with "Little Coquette" embroidered on them! So adorable! This will definitely be a part of the nursery decor. Julie bought them from Etsy seller Doublespeak who takes these vintage beauties and embroiders little subversive sayings on them.

You can find more vintage gloves at Doublespeak and here are a few others that are bound to be classics.

C'mere Loverboy - White Vintage Gloves ($20)

Be Mine Tonight - White Vintage Gloves ($20)

You Bastard - White with Red Embroidery Vintage Gloves ($20)

San Francisco CRAFT: 07 Release Party this Saturday!

The San Francisco CRAFT Release Party is this Saturday June 21st from 3pm - 6pm at Stitch Lounge. CRAFT's Editor in Chief Tina Barseghian and I will be hosting the party along with the lovely ladies at Stitch where we'll be giving away fun door prizes donated by Chronicle Books and CRAFT, offering special subscription deals, and enjoying sweet treats while we make flower shoe clips inspired by the current issue.

CRAFT: 07 Release Party
Saturday, June 21 from 3pm - 6pm
Stitch Lounge
182 Gough Street (@ Oak)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-431-3739
stitchlounge.com
RSVP on Facebook

These cute flower shoe clips are from Cathy Callahan's "Old School" column. We'll have all the supplies on hand for you to make-and-take a pair of your own, all you have to bring is your crafty enthusiasm. See you there!