Getting Ready for Summer 2015

Summer is just three weeks away and after surviving a long, brutally cold winter, it can't come soon enough. Bring on the spring showers, summer sun, lush gardens, backyard BBQs and bonfires. When I'm not busy creating new pieces, you can usually find me out gardening for a few hours each day. My gardens are my sanctuary...it's just so refreshing to be outside digging in the dirt, clearing out the weeds and watching everything come to life.

I find gardening another way to be creative and love decorating my garden with all sorts of things from old garden chairs, broken crockery, birdbaths, arbours, birdcages, fountains and rustic iron sculpture. I love creating little points of interest hidden between the plants. One of my favourite pieces is a broken mirror frame surrounded by a group of not so scary gargoyles.

Summer is also outdoor show and festival season and for all of us artists, time to pack up the tent and hit the road.  Snowy, cold days provided me lots of time to create and I can't wait to get out there and share my newest creations with you. Be sure to check my facebook page for a complete list of events that I'll be attending. 

This past weekend I went to the Christie Antique Show at the Christie Lake Conservation in Dundas, Ontario. It took us a while to make our way in, but well worth the wait. Bus shuttles take you to and from the show field and we only waited a few minutes. With 300 vendors there is something for everyone, vintage and antiques. Found some fantastic deals on deco and vintage pins and pearls-amazing bargains!! I couldn't wait to get home and start making new pieces with my great  finds.

 I'm also thrilled to announce that I've returned to the Stratford Festival Theatre Stores for another fantastic season and if you're planning to attend one of the Festival's outstanding productions be sure to stop in and check out their lovely shops. 

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Colour Trends Spring 2015

I always look forward to the introduction of the spring and fall fashion trends. I love getting the huge editions of  Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle in March and September and pouring over them for inspiration. Hand in hand with the fashion trends are the colour choices for each season. Pantone Inc. is a U.S. colour authority and they released their spring colours several months ago. The Fall 2015 colours were released a few weeks ago just prior to NY Fall Fashion Week. Pantone's colour of the year is called Marsala and we'll see this colour transition from spring/summer into fall/winter.

Pantone offers lots of great information on their website:  http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=spring&year=2015&pid=11 including a video explaining the influences that determine their colour pallette and how to pair up some of these colours.

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This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals take center stage as designers draw from daydreams of simpler times. Remembrances of retro delights, folkloric and floral art, and the magical worlds of tropical landscapes restore a sense of well-being as we head into warmer months.

“Many feel compelled to be connected around the clock because we are afraid we’ll miss something important. There is a growing movement to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology and unwind, giving ourselves time to stop and be still. Color choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated. Soft, cool hues blend with subtle warm tones to create a soothing escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.”

Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute^®

Even though there is nearly a shade from every colour group included in their spring selection, you won't likely rush out to replace your entire wardrobe. But accessories are a great way to introduce some of the newest colours. And for me, jewellery is my favourite accessory and I will definitely be looking to incorporate some of these trendy colours into my designs. Check out these lovely pieces using the 2015 spring colours.

  Absolutely gorgeous....my favourite colours for 2015 are the Classic Blue, Glacier Gray, Tangerine, Custard and Marsala. Can't wait to see all of the lovely colours in stores this spring!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Who Knew My Hats Would Be So Popular?

I think they're adorable, but initially I wasn't sure there would be much interest in a cloche, a 1920's style hat. But, I couldn't resist-I had to make a few and see what happened. I decided to use velveteen and started off with a claret coloured fabric that I finished with a black lace brim and a handmade chiffon rose on the side. When I listed it on Etsy it was quick to get noticed and has become my most popular item.

The cloche hat is one of the most recognizable fashion accessories to come out of the Roaring Twenties. Originally invented in 1908 by French fashion designer Caroline Reboux, it took more than a decade before the cloche became all the rage. Cloche is French for "bell" which the hat borrows it's shape from. It's a snug fitting hat that sits low on the forehead just above the brow, which is not a traditional fit that we are used to today. Because of its popularity, many new hairstyles were also inspired by the hat including the iconic bob. The style was the perfect frame for the the hat.

I'm sure that shows such as Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire, as well as the remake of the Great Gatsby, have increased their popularity.... and my interest in experimenting with lots of new styles. I think I have approximately 20 different styles in a variety of colours, with some lovely spring inspired ones that I plan to debut on Etsy and the Women's Lifestyle show in London, Ontario in March.

I have also decorated some with vintage beaded applique trim salvaged from 1920s dresses, and can't wait to show them off. Its always so much fun to see people's reaction when they first see my collection of hats at shows. Most women can't resist stopping in to take a look and it doesn't take much convincing to get them to try one on, They are always so surprised to see how flattering they are. I especially love when a husband encourages his wife to stop in and try on a hat--so much fun and lots of laughter!

If you ever have the opportunity to try one on-treat yourself....its guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Dressing up is so much fun and for a few minutes you can imagine you're a flapper, or one of the elegant Downton ladies. Who knows, you may not be able to leave it behind!

       

 

     

     

   

Take care.....Marian  xo