Petal+Handmade=Love from PetalPetal designs: lace

Showing posts with label lace. Show all posts

Friday, July 1, 2011

Who Is Art: Bylina

With a background in the fashion industry and an emphasis on Slovak folk cultural heritage, Katarina of Bylina Studio has crafted a stunningly colorful line of home décor with a focus on vintage embroidery. I instantly fell in love with her embroidery hoop wall hangings and began plotting where I could squeeze another pillow into the house. Read more on Katarina and Bylina Studio below…

You mention you are originally from Slovakia, now living in Barcelona. Is Bylina a way to stay connected with your Slovak heritage?

Yes, it is. It is a great way to keep in touch with my heritage. Slovakia is also where I get all my embroidery from.

http://etsy.me/jOlUhn

http://etsy.me/mC7k5n

Your work begins to give me a sense of the beauty of the Slovak folk culture. Are there any favorite traditions you have or pieces of the culture you would like to share?

Slovakia is a country very rich in folk tradition. There is wood carving, glass painting, weaving and many more. But my favourite is obviously the embroidery, wonderfully rich in colour and diverse in techniques. I am by no means an expert but I have been collecting vintage embroidery for years now and with each piece I learn something new.

http://etsy.me/l66kJ9

I think there is something so beautiful about giving new life to items that seem to have a place in another world and finding a home for them in our lives today. Where did the inspiration for turning these vintage pieces into modern art come from?

I think the inspiration came from necessity. I have collected so many wonderful vintage needle-crafted pieces over the years and I wanted to incorporate them into my own interior …and that is where the idea came from. The largest part of my collection are embroidered tablecloths which I find are not very practical for every day use. So I started to repurpose them into objects that could easily be incorporated into a modern day home. I have started with pillow covers, wall art and there is much more to come.

http://etsy.me/k6QfuS

http://etsy.me/lx1QfF

You mention a background in the fashion industry. Can you elaborate on your experience and how your previous work helped form or influence Bylina?

I have worked in buying and quality assurance but I always craved the creative side. So in terms of experience it is definitely helpful to understand the technical side of textiles.

http://etsy.me/m9Ry6U

Many of your pieces are one of a kind and all of them are hand crafted. Do you ever feel a reluctance to give them up or is Bylina an opportunity to share the Slovak folk cultural heritage with the world?

Well all of my pieces are one of a kind because they are made from vintage textiles. But I think the hard part is selecting the piece for upcycling. Once that is decided it is easy.

http://etsy.me/ipL7Y9

http://etsy.me/mm1bYj

Continue to keep up with Katarina and Bylina Studios at the links below...

www.facebook.com/BylinaStudio
www.flickr.com/photos/bylinaphotos/

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.com

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Who Is Art: Branchbound

There is something so decidedly charming about vintage lace. It's so easy to imagine the life it may have lived and how many hands it may have passed through. Sarah Louise of branchbound must agree as she has created a line of exquisite lace jewelry and accessories. Check out my inspiring interview with Sarah Louise below...

Sephora Ring in Gold

I believe that everyone is artistic in his or her own right, but as we grow up many people lose their drive to create. As an artistic adult, what keeps your creativity fresh?

I work by day as a framer, so I get a lot of art and personal mementos passed my way. I also shop a lot, read a lot of various blogs, so I am surrounded by new and interesting images constantly, and I keep track of which ones stick with me and why. I'm often drawn to color; color will make me change my wardrobe or hair or decor. My favorite colors are ever-shifting.

Fluer Bridal Fascinator Hat

What do you remember as one of your first big creative projects as a child?

When I was 6 I taped my drawings all over the house and when my mom's friends came over I told them it was my gallery. I remember even charging a dime for admission, ha!

Ava Earrings in Ivory

When working with a piece of vintage lace, are you trying to maintain its original integrity or are you trying to transform it into something completely new and unrecognizable? Do you imagine the life it may have lived before it fell into your hands?

I really don't like to take things apart unless they are damaged; I was the same way when I used to collage with pieces from vintage books. Elda, for example. I left as it is but made it easier to transition into a wardrobe as a necklace instead of sewing it onto a dress, for example. Some of the pieces of lace I have found in antique malls, and it's a single piece, I hesitate to work with...one little piece has so many possibilities and I want to do it justice!

Laurelin

What drew you to lace as the foundation for your line of jewelry? Do you see yourself ever expanding into other materials?

What started me was vintage collars. I loved them and wanted to wear them, but I liked the detachment I could get with it being a necklace. I also love big earrings, and lace is perfect for that since they are big but still light.

I actually have been using fewer materials- when I started out I was combining the lace with brass stampings in nearly every piece. Now I like the lace to speak for itself, though I do like the stampings from time to time. The only newer material are the sequined applique headbands in my shop.

Jia Earrings

Kassidy Bracelet in Silver

How do you see your business growing over the next five years? Do you have a picture in your mind of what you would love your company or line to look like in the future?

I would love to do this full time, especially since my plan is to expand the brand into more of a wedding line. Because of my ability to make custom-dyed pieces I've already gotten a few bridal and bridesmaid orders, which makes me so happy! I love knowing my work will be a part of someone's special day. I'm beginning to make more accessories, that could be perfect for bridal parties as well as any woman who likes adding some flair to their wardrobe, which should be in the store in a few weeks. I would also like to have my pieces more accessible, sold in a few boutiques across the world. A lot of my work needs to be seen in person and tried on- part of the whimsy of making things with lace I suppose.

Varda Bridal Fascinator Hat

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your line or your life?

Jewelry has always been a passion for me, and I'm thrilled that I took the leap to make an unconventional and totally wearable line of jewelry and accessories. It's so much fun for me, and the support I've received has made me feel so fantastic.

Ondine Earrings in Gold

Ella

Any links to a blog, twitter, facebook, etc, you would like to share?

My blog: /www.tzipporit.blogspot.com
My twitter: www.twitter.com/slubird
My vintage shop: www.slubird.etsy.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

Friday, April 8, 2011

Dress the Table: Vintage and Cream

http://etsy.me/ecHrMq

http://etsy.me/ho31il

http://etsy.me/haSIz9

http://etsy.me/fPPIvn

http://etsy.me/gaX1yn

http://etsy.me/geaJp1

http://etsy.me/eKj1PW

http://etsy.me/gE87yX

http://etsy.me/eJs7MB

http://etsy.me/fgO0ZZ

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Set the Stage: Easter Bounty

Forget the pastel bunnies and brightly colored eggs. This year, set the stage for your Easter meal with rustic browns and creamy neutrals. Texture is what brings these natural finds to life! Add some bunches and bouquets of daffodils for color and you have the perfect non-traditional setting for your Easter celebration!