More Sweet Shots from Michelle Black

We were so blessed to work with Michelle Black for a fashion story in the Spring Issue of Babiekins Magazine. And I'm so happy to share a couple new pics from that shoot featuring a couple of my favorite pieces from PetalPetal. Do you love?

The Lovely Petals Top and High Tide Skirt

The Sunday Smile Top and High Tide Skirt

P.S. - Our Summer Is For Love event is happening now! Just enter SUMMERISFORLOVE at checkout in our PetalPetal shop and receive 20% OFF your entire order!

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Screenprint the Kids

Is there any explanation needed? I love screenprinted kids' tees. Forcing your toddler to promote your favorite artist, movie or social movement.... awesome! Making them appear all sciencey before they have even stepped foot in a classroom... double awesome! A peek into my (distant) future as a mum...

The Royal Tenenbaums Pink Screenprint Onsie by SmokinChix 

http://etsy.me/m7A4xO

Mrs. Cow in Brown by StrandReDesign 

http://etsy.me/jRsdXP

Je t' Adore Tee by jenzet

http://etsy.me/iw8xaD

Organs Anatomy Toddler Tee by CritterJitters

http://etsy.me/mDQlrw

The Gnome Onsie by practicalrabbit

http://etsy.me/j0YZM8

Grow Your Own Food Tee by happyfamily

http://etsy.me/lwcNPh

Nina Simone Onsie by customkingdom

http://etsy.me/lluYSy

Chicken Tee by alittlelark

http://etsy.me/kbQJlR

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Quite Unique Pop-Up Now Live!

Our VintageChild:Modern Pop-Up Shop on Quite Unique is now live! I hand-picked some new Bright and Bold fabrics to share on Quite Unique, perfect for summer!

Quite Unique posts daily handmade offerings, as well as new Pop-Up Shops. Our shop will be live through Monday May 30th! Pop over here: http://www.quiteunique.com/deals/1103478/shop/

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Be Fearless: Glow in the Dark Animal Hands

As an adult, I don't know if I would be able to sleep with glow in the dark animal hands reaching out to me in the dark, but as a child, I think I would have loved these. 

I was totally fearless when I was young and am trying to integrate some of that fearlessness back into my life as I build a little design studio from the ground up. If you have a wild child, they will likely adore these glow in the dark, hand painted animals hands from gennebra. My 5 year old self certainly does!

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Summer Is For Love

Here in the PetalPetal studio we're jumping into our first wedding season and we want to celebrate with our amazing brides! Enter SUMMERISFORLOVE for 20% OFF the PetalPetal line of modern, customizable flower girl outfits and accessories...

The Summersong skirt and Jane top

The High Tide skirt and Sunday Smile top

The High Tide skirt and Lovely Petals top

The Sunday Smile top and Forever Flower hair clips

Photography credit: Michelle Black | Studio 77

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Who Is Art: Extase

There are certain shops that have the ability to draw in my attention again and again, that always feel fresh and interesting. Extase is one of those shops…

Goliath Beetle Hand Carved Stamp http://etsy.me/jVmtsF

…and not just because I have a strange fascination with their avatar. 

Steph has put together a collection of items from handspun and hand dyed yarn to original drawings and hand cut stamps.  She also turns her yarn into gorgeous pairs of leg and wrist warmers and sells some amazing art sticker sets.

Read on about Steph and Extase below…

Lavender Bluebell Handspun and Hand-Dyed Yarn http://etsy.me/kKPtWJ

Bright Tomato Striped Wrist Warmers http://etsy.me/jzzwRy

First of all, I love your avatar. I don’t know why exactly, but I do. Is there a story behind it or is it just a random photo?

It's a random photo. I found it while google-searching vintage puppet images. And I just realized that my previous avatar was from the same search - an old owl marionette.
I'm also really fascinated by kids' play and imagination.

Pheasant Original Print http://etsy.me/jy4Dqv

When you first opened your shop, did you envision having such a varied collection of handmade items or did it evolve out a single focus? What was the first item you listed?


I openned the shop initially to sell my prints and original art. I wasn't having the best luck with just selling art so I decided to throw some items in that I had made earlier without the intenion of selling them on Etsy (like knit goods), I eventually made more sales and began thinking in terms of developing the items into 'products'. I think my shop has evolved to show how diverse my interests are. 

 Paper Cloud Bike Miniature Sculpture http://etsy.me/kQdAGl

Heads Art Sticker Set http://etsy.me/iqW9GW

What is the first big project you remember making with your hands?


A papier mache pig I made when I was quite young. I still have it! I've been a paperphile for a long time...

Red Bat Limited Edition Original Print http://etsy.me/kFShHj

I love that your shop seems to have so many different styles it in, from the very natural, like your Pheasant and Flower Print, to the more abstract, like your Crystal Configuration Stamps. Where does your inspiration for your different styles come from?


I find it really unnatural to stick to one medium for a long time. Once I'm finished with say, a painting, I need a bit of a palate cleanse, so I might move on to carving stamps or knitting. It keeps me interested. I'm always interested in patterns so that can translate to a somewhat realistic rendering of the feathers of a linocut bird or a much more simplified focus on triangles in my crystal stamps. 

Exotic Feather Hand Carved Stamp http://etsy.me/jPgKKb

Crystal Configuration 11 Hand Carved Stamp http://etsy.me/j6giUr

How do you keep what you are doing fresh, for yourself as a designer and artists and for your customer base?


Like I said, diversity is key. I love learning new techniques and challenging myself to learn some new craft or other. Most recently it's been yarn spinning, which I have quickly become addicted to! I have a lot to learn and have no problem keeping an open mind, eye and ear.

Tropical Fish Wrist Warmers http://etsy.me/jts6rQ

What have you been doing the longest: knitting, carving or drawing?


I guess drawing. I went to art school for drawing and painting. I discovered printmaking there which quicky became a focus for me. I've been knitting on and off since I was a kid but I've only begun to think of it as an art in the past few years as I've become more exposed to the medium's possibilities.

Antelope Rays Original Print http://etsy.me/lRpn0Y

Any other information you would like to share about your work, life or yourself?


I'm a pretty shy and reserved person, so no! I simply get a lot of happiness out of making things and honing my craft.
I do have a somewhat old-ish Deviantart account where you can check out more of my work:fuckmahari.deviantart.com/


For the complete Who Is Art series, click here or let us know if your work has a story to tell!

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Oh Happy Day! Branch and Birdie To Carry VintageChild:Modern

What I really want to post here is a picture of my really happy face because Branch and Birdie is now the first boutique in Portland to carry VintageChild:Modern! Squee! 

If you are a Portlander, please drop by this gorgeous shop on SE Stark. Co-owner Anna is the sweetest and so are her handpicked wares. I couldn't be more thrilled with the company my little designs will be keeping until they go home with a mini fashionista. Some of the VintageChild:Modern designs you can see in person at Branch and Birdie are below, including my favorite from the Spring/Summer Collection, The Bubble Romper....

The Bubble Romper http://etsy.me/kJACZb

The A-Line Mini http://etsy.me/kijY6Q

The Peter Pan Collar Blouse and Wide Leg Trouser http://etsy.me/ijKKFF

The A-Line Blouse http://etsy.me/jfiadf

The Bloomer Bubble Shorts http://etsy.me/mtfqad

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Inspiration Board: In No Particular Order

To view or shop the complete collection, click here.

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Inspiration Boards: The Nature of Blue

To view or shop the complete collection, click here.

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Who Is Art: Revisions

Many artists seem to thrive on self-imposed solitude, but Michele Dugree instead formed a team of artists and designers in Marquette, Michigan, known as Revisions Design Studio. 

Michele, Janna Fox and Torrey Dupras each bring unique gifts to the table and have created a varied collection of jewelry, ceramics and domestic décor. Read on below...

Anna Marie Chandelier http://etsy.me/k9amr8

What motivated you to gang up on the design world as a team, instead of trying to tackle it on your own?

There are many great advantages to being part of a dynamic team versus an individual designer.  As a team at Revisions we are able to generate diverse ideas and use each other for critiques and creative problem solving.  It was with this team dynamic idea that Michele founded Revisions and what keeps it fresh and interesting to this day.

Porcelain Egg Shells and Wheat Grass Seeds http://etsy.me/l0Juz2

Translucent Porcelain Egg Candles http://etsy.me/lvVmu3

Do your individual tastes vary and how? How do you work your differences to your advantage?

Every designer is going to have his or her own unique style.  Although we both draw inspiration from many of the same sources, our approaches to design differ.  Michele’s designs are vintage and nature inspired, with a definite sense of timeless elegance.  Janna’s designs gravitate towards geometric patterns and bold, retro colors.  During the initial design stage of any product we both contribute something of our own style to the product and this gives Revisions products a well-balanced blend of both its designers styles.

Rococo Inspired Tabletop Mirror http://etsy.me/k0LcE7

I’m sure there must be times when individuals perhaps feel pulled in new directions. How do you allow creative space and room to explore new ideas while keeping the team on track toward a bigger goal?

It is always a balancing act to be able keep up with all the necessary business related tasks and still make time for design and creative time.  The best approach we have found is to stay organized and prioritize tasks.  Once we established protocols on everything from customer service to menial cleaning chores the business end of the studio ran smoothly, freeing up a lot of time for creativity.

Repurposed Silverware Napkin Rings http://etsy.me/iRffc8

Silver Spoon Rings http://etsy.me/m0E3fJ

Your design studio works with materials from ceramics to acrylic and even wood veneer. What is the unifying factor in your line of products?

While we do enjoy using a variety of materials, all of our products form a cohesive collection because they are all handmade by us in our studio.  We use our inspirations from vintage/retro and nature to keep a consistent look to our products.  It is also important to maintain this consistency through our photographs and presentation of our products.

Phantom Candelabra http://etsy.me/mtPP2t

Art Deco Hand Mirror http://etsy.me/iqyKAF

You just launched a new product that I LOVE! Would you like to introduce it and share your inspiration?

We are also excited about our new product we are launching called the Polyhedron candlesticks.  Sold as a set of 2, these candlesticks are available in Mother of Pearl finish or a wood veneer. The geometric pattern is precision cut, scored and then folded to assemble around a solid interior structure.  The inspiration for this product came about when Torrey was studying tessellations in his college math class and it sparked a geometric frenzy in Michele, resulting in the stunning candlesticks we debuted last week.

Polyhedron Candlesticks in Mother of Pearl http://etsy.me/lsPfxN

Polyhedron Candlesticks in Maple Wood Veneer http://etsy.me/jYkLiS

Anything else you would like to share about your team, work or lives as handmade artists?

We definitely strive to be well rounded, balanced individuals and play just as hard as we work.  All three of us enjoy biking, playing with our dogs and staying active outside.  You can keep up with all of the Revisions team at our Facebook page as we blog about our work and everyday lives.

Porcelain Dove Bobbypin http://etsy.me/il4fAV

Any additional links you would like to share?

We would love to offer your readers a 10% off discount for any product in our Etsy shop.  The coupon code is BLOGREADER10 and the offer expires June 30, 2011.

Become a Facebook Fan and receive exclusive discounts and promotions, preview new products, and keep up with all the daily excitement at Revisions Design Studio!
http://www.facebook.com/RevisionsDesignStudio




Next week, extase shares with us. For the complete Who Is Art series, click here or let us know if your work has a story to tell!

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com