Meet Chelsie of Chelsie Belles

Chelsie of Chelsie Belles is from Sioux Falls, SD. She's a professional model and graphic design student. She's extremely talented and makes really cute clothing and accessories from used/vintage items.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Chelsie. I am a graphic design student at SDSU and love anything arty. I love to sew and make unique clothing and jewelry. I am constantly coming up with new ideas and working on unique projects.

When did you first start crafting?

I have always "crafted". I have been sewing and making jewelry since I was a little girl.

Please describe your work in detail. What's your favorite type of crafting/design?

My favorite type of crafting is fashion design. I enjoy making designs from vintage clothing or fabric. I have this deep love for vintage that I have been told results from being born in the wrong decade :). I really enjoy taking things apart and turning them into something else completely.

How has your work evolved from your earlier work?

I always work quite a bit with denim but recently I have been working with other fabrics.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from the fabric that I use and the medium that I am reusing. I see the piece and suddenly I know what it needs to be.

Where are your products sold (online/stores)?

I sell my products online in my Etsy shop. Visitors will be redirected to my shop from the address www.chelsiebelles.com.

What advice can you give other crafters/designers when selling their items?

Don't under-price your items. Your time is valuable so is the time of your fellow crafters! When people buy handmade they get a level of quality and personal touch that can't be purchased at a large chain store. Let's help everyone get what they deserve.

Describe yourself in three words:

Fun, Funky, Weird

Is there is anything else you'd like to share with us?

I take custom orders!

You can find Chelsie of Chelsie Belles online at the following places:

Chelsie Belles on Etsy
Facebook
Twitter
Hyena Cart
Art Fire
Zibbet
Bizrate
Dawanda
Bonanza

This interview was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things

Meet Peta of REforma

Peta of REforma is an artist who lives in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. She makes really cool upcycled/recycled jewelry from plastic.

Tell us a little about yourself.

About myself... I love wind, storms, mist, green tea, red wine, black olives, steam, ping pong, table football, poker, drawing, writing, Jean Paul Belmondo and biting people. I enjoy unusual and extraordinary stuff, so I surround myself with them. I´m quite a collector of everything from sea stones to cheesy gold accessories.

When did you first start crafting?

At age seven, when I equipped my fish aquarium with thoroughly selected rocks. I also created a feeder for hummingbirds and was very sad and disappointed that no one ever came...well they don´t live in Czech Republic, I realized years later.

Please describe your work in detail. What's your favorite type of crafting/art/design?

There is so many kinds of trash around.. that means unlimited possibilities of crafting! When I walk around town, I always meet some irresistible pile of garbage and my imagination starts to persuade me to look in it.

Plastic is the most favourite material for me. I realized there is something like a scale of precious plastics... like green plastic bottle is something usual as a copper but non-transparent pink one is really big hit...it´s a diamond between bottles (no surprise there is always some strange artificial soda with horrible taste in it, so there is almost nobody buying it).

How has your work evolved from your earlier work?

I hope my work is getting more simple and pure. On the other hand, I have an idea of the line “Haute Réforme” :) It would be dramatic, rich and opulent.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Hmm...At the bottom of the coffee/wine/blueberry juice/another wine?

Where are your products sold (online/stores)?

In few shops in Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Hradec Kralove). Online in my Etsy shop, Fler and Yiuco.

What advice can you give other crafters when selling their items?

Be seen and heard. And make nice crafts of course:)

Describe yourself in three words:

Broken-nails, scarred-knees, red-hair.

Is there is anything else you'd like to share with us?

A little bit about ecology. Don´t stop look around and realize that everything is connected with everything. But don´t freak out, keep balance and be happy.

You can find Peta and REforma online at the following places:

REforma on Etsy
Facebook

This interview post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.

Meet Retreauxgirl

Sharon- Repurposed Jade Moonstone Necklace $50


Shop name: Retreauxgirl

Name: Leslie Kibodeaux Venable

Location: Nederland, Texas

Retreauxgirl was created by Leslie Kibodeaux Venable. She's a stay at home mom who recently left retail after 25 years. She currently works on "re purposed" jewelry and also sells vintage items in her Etsy shop.

Bow-Mont Repurposed Bow with Charm Necklace $55


Her Facebook page says, "I make repurposed jewelry from treasures found at Garage Sales, Estate Sales, Flea Markets and Trade Days." Leslie joined the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team in December 2010.

Lisa Repurposed Key Charm Necklace $40


You can find Retreauxgirl at the following places:
Etsy
Facebook
Twitter
Retreauxgirl blog

This blog post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.