Today I'm featuring a talented Etsy artist, Melinda, from
LazuliBlueCreations. She makes some very eye-catching, feminine and sexy clothes. I especially love the camisoles! I also like the fact that Melinda recycles cool fabrics that she finds at thrift stores.
Melinda ships internationally and even offers free shipping on some items. So stay a while, read on and take a look at
LazuliBlueCreations!
Give us a little background about yourself.I started making clothes out of recycled fabrics when I discovered thrift shops as a teenager. I found them quite addictive and ended up filling half my mum's garage with fabrics, crochet,lace etc. I have been selling my wares at craft markets on and off for the last 15 years and opened a clothes shop with a friend at one stage.
What do you create?I love to create feminine clothes that are flattering to the female body. I like halter style dresses, fabrics with flowers, and the colours are very important to me. These days I use both recycled and new fabrics. I also love using vintage crochet and trimmings and hand-dying them for vintage pieces.
What type of materials do you like working with?I use both woven and stretch materials, recycled and new, and upcycled vintage slips using crochet and trimmings.
Is this a full time or part time venture?I am fairly new to the Etsy world and have a stall at a craft market twice a month so it is still part time for me, but I would love love love to do this full time one day. I love working from home in my own little bubble. I also teach English to Koreans online.
How to you manage your time?I make a lot of lists! I usually have one day where I do all the cutting, then I make a pile to sew, but I keep the piles small so that it doesn't become a chore and I can enjoy it. And I only sew when in the mood. I have another day to hand-dye vintage pieces.
What is your favorite item in your shop right now and why?I would have to say my cafe au-lait vintage slip skirt. Hand-dying is always a surprise, you can never know exactly how well all the different materials and trimmings are going to take to the dye but I love the way this one turned out.
I have also recently started to make children's reversible dresses and love the process of making these with their cute retro-inspired printed fabrics.
And just for fun...
Favorite colorI love anything that is the colour turquoise
Favorite foodOh there are soo many- chocolate. I am a bit of a chocoholic. Also sushi, anything with seafood, pasta, pizza, ooh and soy lattes.
Favorite musicWhen I'm at home I like listening to chill out music, especially ethnic music. When I go out I like seeing reggae and hip hop bands and dancing to funk music.
Favorite bookI just read a book recently that took me 2 days because I couldn't put it down. It's called Eat, Pray, Love. It's soooooooo good, I'm telling everybody about it.
