My custom embroidery state hoops are the most popular items in my shop. They have been featured in Etsy Finds at least three times, but first gained notoriety when I was featured on the totally awesome DIY blog Young House Love in April after being a vendor at the Richmond Craft Mafia's Spring Ba-Da-Bing.
Being featured on Young House Love was a total game-changer. The funny thing is that I had never heard of the blog before I was on it (which is shocking given that it's the most popular DIY blog in existence...) Read it. You'll become addicted. It's a daily read for me now. (news? who reads the news anymore?)
Anywho, at the show there were several people walking around taking pics with really nice cameras (ya know, the kind that aren't attached to a phone), but one brunette woman in particular was taking a LOT of photos... she would take some shots, look up from her camera and smile, and then take more.
Jason (who had
Months later, I still have a lot of fun with the fabric and felt combinations. The New York and Texas hoops pictured above were my attempt at appealing to a more masculine sensibility by giving a nod to the Yankees and the Longhorns... can embroidery hoops be masculine??
The Rock says, "Real men love embroidery." No, really, he said that.
I've been fascinated with color theory ever since I started painting, and I take special care in choosing fabrics. Some of the custom combinations chosen by customers are really lovely, too. My favorite custom combination is the ice blue felt on the yellow floral ticking fabric, which was also featured on the charming blog Going Home to Roost. The contrast of the pale blue against the strong golden yellow pops without being jarring (oh, hey, split-complementary), and the coolness of all the colors keeps the overall feel very retro.
A few of my most prized fabrics are vintage flour sacks that I found at my favorite antique shop in Charleston, West Virginia. The fabrics are one-of-a-kind and the color combinations are so interesting and fun. Not only do I like that I'm reusing vintage items into something brand new, but I'm also creating something that cannot be replicated, which makes them extra special.
psst... Orders for custom state hoops must be placed by December 15 for arrival to domestic US addresses by Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment