Heres our clip from the recent Sew Magazine coverage – September Issue. I’ve said it before its a fantastic magazine and urge you to buy or subscribe to it if you are interested in sewing, crafting, fashion and design!
Posts Tagged ‘handmade’
Sew Magazine Sept’11
Friday, September 16th, 2011
Golden Souk – New Guest Designer!
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Its wonderful when you find out about people doing such great creative stuff! I was so happy when Alex from Golden Souk contacted me bringing with her enchanting finds from far away places…
Its clear her passion for artistry and good design as well as her heart for providing the makers of Jaisalmer also known as the Golden City a living from them would be an ideal Guest Designer at Extinct.
Here is a little more about her journey…
“A few years ago with a summer spent in India, I journeyed to a historic walled town in Rajasthan called Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is also known as the Golden City because the sandstone ridge on which it stands gives a golden-yellowish tinge to the town and the surrounding area.
Despite the poverty present in the Golden City – as in the majority of India – the area is renowned for its exquisite embroidery, leather goods and Rajasthani mirror work. Techniques and traditions which have been handed down through centuries from family to family are used to create what can only be described as works of art.
To meet the artists who produce these beautiful pieces was a humbling experience. They are wonderful, warm people who work so hard just to survive. We wanted to help in someway but we knew that giving them money would only be a short-term benefit. But an ongoing business relationship with them could enhance their quality of life and go someway to ensuring that the family-run businesses would survive in this fast-developing country.
So we set up Golden Souk. We felt that if we could create demand for their products this would enable them to gain a measure of financial security. Extensive research and careful business planning has meant we have built up a strong working relationship with the families and helped ensure the fair treatment of the craftsmen.”
The stunning range of leather goods, handmade quilts can be found under the Guest Designers page – Golden Souk
Leather bags ranging from £15 – £60 – are genuine leather, dyed on site and not mass produced in a large factory, they are handmade in their family shop.
Welcome Golden Souk!
Extinct Design
i heart handmade – May’10
Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Introducing The Manbulb…
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
I love designing costumes, theatrical pieces and OTT outfits. Whether for someone I have known for years or someone I’ve just barely met. It’s like working with a blank canvas and with no fashion limitations! Simply splendid!
I jumped at the opportunity to custom-make a 10+ piece costume for a client who was looking for something dressy, wearable, unique, without being too feminine to wear to the London Burlesque Festival. It had to include some frills, a bit of class yet totally commanding…
So I designed just that! A straight corseted torso with low bulbous shaped skirt, formed by the netted frill underskirt ~ The Manbulb. Made to measure to ensure an excellent fit and shape.
I wanted to create a new sort of outfit that wasn’t gender specific. Also I’ve always loved the idea of reversible clothing, or items of clothing that can be used in a variety of ways, not only does it give life to different looks but it’s fun to reuse them with other existing items in your wardrobe. The individual pieces work equally well as separates, such as teaming the frilly shirt and cuffs with some worn denims, wear an existing vintage tee with the over-sized bow or neck frill, or the net skirt with something more flouncy! The costume and the separate pieces could easily keep re-inventing themselves.
To see more photos and read more about The Manbulb
If you are interested in having an original, just made for you costume or piece just get in touch – we’ll have a chat heather@extinctdesign.co.uk
So now that the costume was ready it was off to the shows! We were only allowed to take a few inconspicuous snaps really as the night was a sort of “Turn of Phones, Forgot your Cares and Take in the Sights!”
So we did just that! First port of call was The Vauxhall Tavern for a night of Twisted Cabaret. Arriving fashionably late to an nicely packed out space, we all had to huddle in which was not too unpleasant. We even managed to cop a squat (not sure that’s Burlesque speak but ho hum…) near the front. I like that I always manage to find the perfect spot. Ha.
I was wearing a blue and silver vintage crochet dress that was quite heavy and my new smelly Vivenne Westwood shoes which were also blue and silver.
Each act was very different from the other, ranging from Japanese computer cartoon character like performances to flaming nipple tassels. My favourite performance of the night was a beautifully costumed and regal courtship dance of the “male” and “female” set to a backdrop Renaissance harpsichord music!
Above: Pic of peacock blue fan dance just before a spot of walking on broken glass… Twisted Cabaret indeed.
The second night had us setting off for the beautiful Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush and a night at the Sexy Sideshow Circus in store- lots more traditional burlesque acts, cheeky, fun and very amusing all made for a great night at the Circus with Armitage Shanks compering.
Some pretty in pink pictures of performers performances with Beeby Rose (who concluded proceedings with a spine tingling pink feather shimmy!) & Chaz Royal (the producer and founder of London Burlesque Fest)
If you’re thinking of going next year…. do.
Heres some more photos and review from the Guardian.
Suzywan ~ Classy Dancefloor Jewellry
Monday, May 3rd, 2010
From the fabulous world of Suzywan – these necklaces are the future! With a great sense of colour and fun her work is distinct, original – I just feel happy looking at it.
I think the range blends really well with vintage items, its all in the mix!
Handmade from her Swedish studio, (from the top) Classy, Dancefloor & Octopus.
Now available at Extinct Design!!
Number 60.
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
Number 60
This weekend was the exhibition of the 100 t-shirts by JazzCakes, where 100 artists were handed a t-shirt and a number and the freedom to “do what you will”
Above is a picture of my offering.
Number: 60 ~ The flow of life.
I have taken the number 60 as two separate entities as well as the combined number sixty.
6 in numerology is the number of love and harmony, the upside of the all powerful number 9. The yin to the yang. The love of life. The perfection of love.
0 represents the symbol of eternity the ever perfect circle of life.
We experience so many things by our 60th birthday, we will have collected up many stories, situations and beliefs; catching them in the fine mesh of our own understandings, deepening our beliefs and occasionally clogging up our mind creating blockages if not dealt with.
The piece I have created incorporates the original framework of the T-shirt, using the net to indicate with its thousands of holes represent all the many situations and occasions that occur in our lives. A whispering doubt here, a misunderstanding, not taking responsibility for ones action all adds to a foggy state of being. Most of our emotions can be felt in the centre core of our body, in the heart, as depicted. Felt ventricles of the heart form shapes of “6” and “0”
This piece acts as a reminder to me to remain free flowing through life with love at its centre core, to embrace life with passion and excitement – letting nothing hold me back!
What’s clogging you up?
Materials used:
Mix of felt, netting, vintage, recycled & previously discarded.
JazzCakes are artist-led ‘arts collectionors’, currently based in Cardiff, founded by James Harper and Sarah-Jane Broderick.
Since 2008 JazzCakes’ aim has been to bring artists from across the arts together through various projects and events.
JazzCakes have strong roots in T-shirts and Cakes as well as Fine Art, but try to incorporate artists and designers in every area from theatre to graphic design, dance to architecture.
Formed in 2008 as t-shirt designers/street artists taking part in various monthly markets such as Milgi’s Northcote Lane Market and the Amersham Arm’s Jumble. From there we began to sell works by our friends such as T-shirt designs by Dan Cansfield and prints by Charlie Ridler. At the same time beginning to organise Guerilla Tea Parties on the streets of Cardiff. The tea parties became a kind of anti-rave, a civilised approach to socialising on a weekend where people would come, drink tea, eat biscuits and generally just talk.
Now organising and curating projects and exhibitions with specific briefs designed to highlight the vastly different approaches to making from artists working in their respective disciplines.
The JazzCakes website serves as a directory of all the events currently organised and lists profiles of all the artists who we have associated with since its inception.
Make-it Friday – L.O.V.E
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
This is what I worked on this Friday. I’ve been wanting to make up some Alphabet letters for some time now. I LOVE that I can use these Friday Make-it days to really concentrate and get on with some unfinished projects and explore new ideas.
I LOVE the vintage fabrics but would LOVE to have some more (see what I did there)
Its so easy to do too. The bigger and chunkier the letters the better. Using easy to cut materials that don’t fray help too, like this left over pink soft brushed cotton and heavy upholstery material.
1. Either using a template or freehand (don’t be scared!! Just try you’ll be surprised how easy it can be) draw out your letter.
2. Fold your chosen material and cut out 2 of the shape (Sharp scissors are a must always – a good sewsmith knows you can blame your tools) Remember to cut 2 notches* -V shaped cuts in a straight part of the letter to help you line up the 2 pieces when stitching together.
3. Rights sides together pin & stitch leaving a gap between the 2 notches.
4. Turn letter right way round, stuff and sew!
5. Finish off the rest of your letters to make up a word or a name and you are good to go!
*A Notch is another word for a narrow pass between the mountains – s0 you can see where the shape comes from. I love knowing the origin of these words, especially if it gives me a visual as its easier to remember!
*MERRY CHRISTMAS*
Friday, December 25th, 2009
Make-it Friday!
Friday, December 18th, 2009In honour of the 2 Fridays left of this year (one of them being Christmas Yay!) I’ve decided to start my routine for 2010 early… or is it perhaps a very late start to my 2009 regime?!
Each and every Friday I shall be posting my “Make-its” Feel free to comment, add suggestions or post links to your projects!
These items are just for fun but some just might make the cut for the shop… lets see what happens.
We had lots of fun, but looking full of concentration here on the task in hand…
The full project & how to to follow for my Cabbage Christmas Wreath & Gold n Green Bow Twist Wreath!
I’ve been dreaming…
Thursday, June 4th, 2009I need to upholster the Campervan ready for some summer festival festivities and it’s just too hard to choose….
I will be using a mix of my vintage stock and some new fabrics – there are just so many great prints out there…
I’m loving the Designers Guild Fabric
