The Art of Shoe-Making: Louis Vuitton

This video is a great explanation of the cost of luxury shoes. There is a huge difference between artisan-made and assembly-line-made products, as we all know, and this video beautifully illustrates the expertise that goes into crafting a shoe from beginning to end.

This takes me back to my days at FIT where I learned to make shoes from scratch.
Find a pair of beauties for your totally worthy feet at Neiman Marcus.

Dope Brand Alert! Taila.Made Artisan Soaps

I was nothing but thrilled when fellow blogger, Taila O'Neal of Haute Hemisphere, launched a line of luxury, handcrafted soap. I had to know what was her inspiration to do so...

Q: Taila, you have been known as the maven behind the successful blog, Haute Hemisphere. What made you decide to launch a line of luxe soaps?

A. Taila.Made was manifested when eczema declared war on my hands. I grew up with sensitive skin and eczema. As I got older, my case started to dissipate. During my junior year of college my hands began to develop super dry patches that would flake, peel and sometimes bleed. It was so painful! Doctors suggested radiation, and I wasn't for it. I wanted a natural alternative, so I made one.
Alas, I birthed Taila.Made - Earth Inspired Luxuries. 

My brand is a fusion of high quality natural ingredients known for their hydrating and healing properties merged with  the concept of treating your skin as the ancient (Egyptians,Persians,Arabians and Native Americans ) royals did. Cleopatra used Castor, Frankincense and Myrrh oils to keep her skin radiate.
Taila.Made believes we are all royal spirits and should treat our skin as such.

Taila.Made Shea Butter Soap Stone

I don't know about you all but I totally consider myself royal and worthy of the same treatments Cleopatra used.Treat yourself to Taila.Made by shopping the collection at TailaMade.com.
Follow Taila O'Neal on Twitter:@HauteHemisphere

Make Something 2015 Challenge: Week 1

Yesterday, I was in the hospital for a same-day surgery. Being "put under" provided me with a ton of much needed rest! Luckily for me, sleep doesn't feel like time wasted because many of my designs come while I'm dreaming. I keep a sketch book on the platform ledge of my platform bed to sketch my concepts while they are fresh. I woke up and made these this morning.

The Leather Feather Anklet is my latest dreamy design. :)

I couldn't decide if I wanted them with or without studs so they're available both ways at TerinaNicole.com.

What about you? What have you made this week? Post it on the fan page for a chance to WIN! 

Design Crush: Product Designer Stephen Burks

This NYC-based brother designs it all, and everything that I covet: furniture, lighting fixtures, vessels... all combining modern aesthetics with artisan handicrafts like weaving and crocheting. For someone like me, who has evolved from fashion design to handbag/shoe making to furniture and home goods design, while staying true to my craft as a leather artisan, I am simply in LOVE with his work. His collaborations with international luxury
brands Missoni, Roche Boboi, and Calligaris have made his work sought-after worldwide.

 

Keep up with this creative genius at his website: http://readymadeprojects.com/

DIY Leather Pouch made with Nail Polish

How cute and easy!

Nyah Beauty

Last Thursday, I had he surprise pleasure of dropping into the work studio of La Shonda Tyree's of Nyah Beauty, located in Paterson, New Jersey. La Shonda and I have been online friends for almost a decade but had never met in person. it was so wonderful to finally do so. She was such a warm, generous presence. Plus, my senses got their fill thanks to the scents and visual power of her natural, skin-loving cleasing bars of goodness! What I already knew about Nyah Beauty is that it is a luxurious, artisan soap brand that's been going strong for almost 15 years following the tradition of soapmaking in La Shonda's family. Nyah Beauty has goodies for men, women, children, and pets. Owner, La Shonda Tyree, also offers soapmaking classes.


What I learned since meeting her, is that she is dedicates 10% of her sales to ending the industry of child brides and has done more than talk the talk, she helped with the purchase of equipment needed for the organization to create their own soaps to sell in area hotels so that it could provide the finances needed to save young girls from a dreadful fate, some as young as 7 years of age.

If you need more reason to fall in love with the Nyah Beauty brand, just try any bar. While at her studio, I was chatting with a fashion photographer who has a studio down the hall fromLaShonda's and that brother made it plain. "It changed my life," Stefan said (www.kingboyett.tumblr.com) refering to the Wake Up Call bar.  http://nyahbeauty.com/shop/wake-up-call-natural-soap/

 I grabbed one of those for my own man. Gotta love a serious testimonial! Also, I got the Oatmeal facial bar to switch up my facial cleansing routine. I never, ever, ever use bar soap on my body, let alone my precious ;) face. But,  when I say its super gentle and nourishing, it really is. My face is pleased. Find out for yourself by shopping the Nyah Beauty website or find a retail location near you.

Inside the Nyah Beauty studio

Inside the Nyah Beauty studio

Nyah Beauty signage

http://nyahbeauty.com/

What's NEW in the Jypsea Design Studio

Jypsea Leathergoods is no longer just about handcrafted, one-of-a-kind handbags. Leather & exotic skin home decor and small furnishings are now on the menu. Check out some of my latest projects:

Leather "Goddess" Belt upcycled from leather jeans.

Reupholstered leather and balsam wood chair

Reversible leather tote upcycled from a jacket

Reversible leather tote upcycled from a couch

Pin-striped and leather floor pillow

Re-upholstered cherry wood chair with storage

Lambskin and kidskin tasseled floor polliw

Double-sided leather coaster gift set

Animal leather throw pillow

Double-sided leather coaster gift sets

Leather covered wooden jewelry boxes

View my portfolio here: http://www.custommade.com/by/jypsealeathergoods/

Mother's Day Sale: 20% Off All Tableware!

Show Mom how much you care. Get her something that will make her BEAM with PRIDE every time she sets the table! 20% Off All Tableware at www.Jypsea.com

Jypsea HOME Launches in Brooklyn this Saturday

Join me, NJ-based Designer/Leather Artisan Meca McKinney of Jypsea.com, as I reveal my debut collection of leather & exotic skin handcrafted HOME GOODS in Brooklyn, NY on 4/20/13. RSVP: http://jypseahomelaunch.eventbrite.com

Free admission with RSVP & dessert platter and VIP Swag Bags for Press & Shoppers.

Win this Jypsea Distressed Leather Clutch!

Distressed grey leather clutch with silver studded strap. Grasp this bag by sliding your four fingers under the studded strap to show off a fresh manicure! The leather is super soft and the pyramid studs give it a bit of attitude. Hand whipped suede details and recycled denim lining are very special touches. Features a zippered interior pocket. Big enough to carry as a day bag. 7" high, 11" wide, 3" deep. $90 retail.

Click for details.
http://sankofaschild.blogspot.com/2011/08/week-3-jypsea-clutch-giveaway.html

Fly DIY: Make This Net Handbag

Instructions at Honestly...WTF

This Bag is SO Funky, It has a Theme Song!

Think “Bag Lady” by the illustrious Erykah Badu as you peep this bag. Inspired by her eclectic soulful style, the hobo can hold all the “baggage” she speaks of in her 2000 hit song plus the kitchen sink. Great bag to use fabulously consolidate your goods from the market.

I gathered skins of earth tones and  contrasting textures like shiny metallic, scaly snakeskin, soft lambskin and suede then played with the composition until I liked what I saw. Made strictly of recycled leathers & exotic skins from coats, skirts, jackets, and other discarded garments, the multitude of layers creates two patchwork collage compositions. You decide which side is the front and back. Features an exterior pocket trimmed on braided denim and a zippered pocket in the graffiti inspired cotton lining and hand-carved mahogany wood handles.

Side A

Side B layout prior to stitching

Off to the market

Interior zippered pocket

 Available NOW at my Etsy store.

Designer To Watch: Stay by Stacey Angela

Designer and stylist, Stacey Angela has combined the fashion world and traditional hand-knit crochet to exotic tropic Caribbean luxe style.

Stacey Angela is the daughter of Jamaican immigrant parents. At age nine, her mother introduced her to the longtime family tradition of crocheting as an alternative to keeping her hands busy and thumb out of her mouth. She joined her mother, aunts, grandmothers, and family friends crocheting dollies for the tables, rugs for the house and various other items for the home.

Stacey Angela studied psychology at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. Slowly, Stacey Angela began to work freelance; working as a stylist for various celebrities, a costume designer on numerous independent films and stage plays. Armed with insider know-how and a degree, Stacey Angela emerged on the scene introducing high fashion luxury crochet swimwear which marked the birth of her brand, Stay by Stacey Angela.

STAY by Stacey Angela is a high end luxury swim/resort wear label that caters to the edgy fashionista who loves to travel and express her individuality. STAY by Stacey Angela was founded in 2001 by designer Stacey Angela Williams. Each piece is a one of a kind tailored, handmade, custom crochet design where every detail is selected with the customer in mind. The intricately-detailed Stay by Stacey Angela line began with a special order star-shaped bikini top and crochet earrings, has expanded to include boy shorts, cover-ups, ponchos, two-tier miniskirts, hats, earrings, gloves, and bowties. STAY by Stacey Angela collection has been recognized for its sophisticated aesthetic, artisan craftsmanship and inviting color palettes.


Next on the agenda is the 'Miami Splash: Dive Into Fashion Swimwear Showcase' happening

Saturday, July 16 · 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Catalina Hotel & Beach Club 1732-56 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL

Stay by Stacey Angela has been sold: in LA at APT 3, Vionnet; in Japan at  Lil’ Limo; in Montclair, NJ at Over the Edge among other boutiques.
Stay by Stacey Angela has been featured: Suede, Complex, Honey, Nylon magazines among many other national publications.

Stay by Stacey Angela can be purchased by request thru
www.staceyangela.com. Follow on Twitter: @Staymedia 

Stacey Angela Williams, Designer/Stylist/Visionary

Sometimes I Make Bags, Sometimes I Paint Bags

RE-USE: This painting is 30"x40" on oil on canvas and an abstract redition of the bag beneath it.
The bag is a recycled suede jacket that I transformed into a perfect summer tote, hence the word "RE-USE" on the front.

How to Get a Custom-Made Leather Bag

Fringe hobo

As much as I enjoy the process of designing a collection of coordinating accessories, my favorite thing to do an a designer is to work directly with a client to construct custom pieces. SUCH JOY! Each custom bag feels like giving birth...well kinda :). It is just a very special process to make something that a client will cherish because she/he is assisting in the design process, choosing the leather, hardware, colors, and deciding on size/compartments etc. And when its done and they are blissful, I am a proud mama! :)

So here are the steps to getting a custom made leather bag from me.
1. Contact me! Via email jypsealeathergoods AT gmail DOT com.
2. Shoot me a pic of a bag that inspires you and tell me how you want yours to be the same and in which ways it should be different than the inspiration photo/sketch.
3. Together we'll determine the color, dimensions, hardware. I will then on a my search to find what you desire. If I have a leather coat/garment in the leather color/texture you want, I can make it from a recycled skin which is better for the environment and will lower your costs. If not, I will contact my leather suppliers and shoot you photos of what I've found for you to choose from.

New skin used to create the bag above

80s style soft leather coat used to construct the bag below

4. I give you the price quote. You pay your 50% deposit. I order the leather/hardware/etc. Your bag will be completed in 10 business days.

5. Taking the dimensions you requested, I construct the pattern pieces for the bag. Front, back, side panels, pockets, straps, etc are all separate pattern pieces that must fit together like a puzzle. Luckily, I'm a certified patternmaker so its a challenging process that I enjoy the most.

6. Cutting and sewing of all pieces and the application of all hardware is done, as well as, the pressing of lining fabrics. I'm all about funky printed colorful lining fabrics! But I can do subtle colors inside, if the client prefers.
7. Bag is done after I've snipped all the strings and whatnot. Take pics and send to client for approval.
8. Remaining balance is paid and bag is gift boxed and sent to its awesome owner to love and to cherish forever more. :)

Large bucket bag upcycled from the jacket above

 Various Jypsea custom or one-of-a-kind bags:

Bags made from new skins

Hobo bag upcycled from a patchwork suede skirt

Upcylced from a suede skirt

Start your custom bag order: via email jypsealeathergoods AT gmail DOT com
Visit TerinaNicole.com to view more of my work.