(A quick self portrait taken yesterday in the middle of running errands.)
Author: Gina @ Oaxacaborn
Gina Munsey is a Mexico-born, Eastern Europe-raised missionary kid who ended up being a Californian by way of Florida outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She lives her days full of coffee and adventures while her 12-year-old learns Mandarin Chinese and Greek, her 3-year-old uses all the markers, and her artist-husband creates worlds from pixels and light. A blogger since the turn of the century (ouch!) she's an editor, co-op teacher, and writer who has only completed four chapters of her languishing manuscript. You can find Gina right here at oaxacaborn.com, or in the middle of [home]school surrounded by stacks and stacks of books.
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT :: Anna Allen Clothing
I’ve admired Anna McClurg‘s talent as a seamstress for a long time. So when she agree to chat with me about her creative process and her new Fall/Winter 2012 line for Anna Allen Clothing, well, I just couldn’t wait to share our conversation with you!
What prompted you to start Anna Allen Clothing?
I’ve always been sewing something since I was a little girl and it seemed to be something I had a knack for. When I was a teenager I was obsessed with history and especially the 19th century. I became really good at making historical garments and started an online business in 2003 selling clothing to living historians and reenactors. After doing that for several years, I became more interested in sewing my own apparel and discovered a whole new world of people who were interested in fashion and sewing. Often people would tell me that I should make modern clothing or wedding dresses. So I finally decided to get serious about it and teach myself to draft patterns. Soon after, I designed a small collection and took the plunge with my new clothing line!
Walk me through your creative process — I guess you could call this the “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” question. Do you have a finished product in mind from the start, and then execute a series of steps to achieve this? Or do the ideas evolve and take life as you go through the creative process?
Recently, I have found that it’s better when I have a finished product in mind and sketched out on paper first before I scout for fabric. I’ll usually start by drafting a pattern and later decide that my original sketch doesn’t look right. So I tweak it a bit and the design usually evolves during the drafting process. And other times I’ll see some fabric that I love and design a garment with that particular fabric in mind.
Everyone likes a peek into designers’ studios. Can you describe where you do the majority of your work?
I have had three different studios since I started my clothing line back in 2010. The first one is about the same size as the one I am in now. The second one was huuuuge! Way too much space actually! My current workroom is a bit tight, but I like it! It isn’t fancy and it’s filled with old hand-me-downs from my mom (e.g. an old ironing board and sewing cabinet). Someday I want to re-vamp my sewing room and get a new cutting table, shelves to store fabric, and a better place to put my sewing machine and serger. At the moment I have to swap table space between my sewing machine and serger every time I need to use the other one. But I simply don’t have room for another table! My workroom may not be as pretty as other sewing spaces I’ve seen, but it works for me and it’s cozy!
Do you do all the sewing yourself? What does collaboration look like for Anna Allen Clothing?
Yes, everything is hand-made by me! I am probably a bit of a control freak and it’s hard for me to think that I could give this work to someone else to do. But eventually I will probably need to get help. I think a collaboration would be so fun and inspiring! I haven’t done one yet, but I am open to it!
At one time or another, all creatives experience that “hitting a brick wall” feeling, where the ideas just stop. How do you deal with creative slumps and roadblocks?
I absolutely know that feeling much too well! I feel like I just went through one recently. I think what really helped me get out of it was thinking hard and searching within myself about the reasons why I am doing what I do and what I love about it. I think it is so easy to forget what I love when there are so many beautiful images surrounding me on Pinterest, blogs, Instagram, Twitter, etc. It’s very inspiring in many ways, which is why I am addicted! However, it can also get distracting when you are trying to be true to yourself. That may sound corny, but sometimes I think I’m not good enough because my clothes are not like some of the others I’ve seen out there. I have to tell myself that my clothes don’t need to look like other designers’ clothes! They are my unique designs, and I’m proud of them. Another thing I’ve found that really helps when I hit a brick wall is to learn a new skill, especially if it is slightly out of my comfort zone. It can be very rewarding and inspiring when I accomplish something that I’m afraid of!
Let’s talk trends — or rather, the intentional lack of them. Why do you think classic, timeless simplicity resonates with so many people?
I think it has something to do with feeling safe and comfortable like an old quilt. For me, I’ve found the clothing I am always most comfortable in are classic pieces. They make me feel confident and I know I don’t have to worry whether or not they are in or out of fashion. Clothing has the ability to share with others around you who you are in a nutshell. Although it’s never good to judge a book by its cover, most people do! So when you feel put together and you love what you are wearing, then hopefully you can convey to others a little aspect of who you are.
Can you share your biggest influence as a designer, whether it be human, literary, geographical, or….?
I probably find my biggest influence in old films. I grew up watching old movies and there is something so timeless and effortless about the clothing people wore back then. I know my garments are not replicas or anything, but I am definitely inspired by the way people dressed. They always had a different garment for every occasion. I want to get back to that. I think they really took care of their clothing and the quality was so much better in the past than it is now. I am also a huge fan of Nancy Drew books and my mind is always spinning whenever I think about putting together a collection inspired by them!
What is the most challenging thing you have faced in your creative career?
I would probably have to say the business aspect of things! I hate the business side with taxes and such. They are so confusing and I remember when I first started I used to cry because I was so frustrated! But now, although it’s never exactly easy, it is more manageable. It is one thing you have to learn if you want to share your creativity with others, and I think it’s worth it!
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to fellow creatives?
Just keep doing what you love and keep stretching yourself. Continue to learn and do things that don’t always feel safe to you! The only way to be dead in creativity is to stop learning and growing. Also, take time to become really good at what you do. Sometimes what you love doesn’t come easy, and sometimes it is a pain. But I believe it is really worthwhile in the end.
Anna Allen Clothing | Shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
GIVEAWAY :: Win a Pair of Children’s Rain Boots from Poco Nido!
Ever since these wonderful wellies arrived in the mail from Poco Nido in the UK (did you see me Instagram the awesome packaging?), Aveline has scarcely let them out of her sight. She’s worn her beloved new boots indoors to dance, outdoors to splash, in the car, and has even taken them with her to bed. Yesterday, I spotted her trying her to hang both boots on the Christmas tree.
Why is she so enamored? Well, based on all the loud “meow!” sounds, I know she likes the smiling kitty-cats. But I think her favorite thing is the fact these are the only shoes she’s ever been able to put on and take off all by herself. To a toddler (and to mamas of toddlers!) that’s a really, really big deal.
What’s my favorite thing about Poco Nido boots? They’re 100% rubber, which means no plastic fumes wafting around. And since Poco Nido products aren’t mass-manufactured, they’re all limited edition. (They make cloth baby shoes and children’s clothing, too!)
Now here’s the really fun bit.
YOU can win a pair of Poco Nido wellies for your adorable little!
There are both cat and owl patterns to be had, in infant sizes UK 4-10 / US 4.5-10.5 / EUR 20-28. We picked the more boyish-looking cats, but as you can see Aveline and her green skirt had no trouble turning them into a properly girlish accessory. Which would you choose if you won?
While you ponder that tough choice, let me tell you how to enter. This giveaway is open to anyone, worldwide.
- (Mandatory) Leave a COMMENT on this post.
- (Optional) TWEET about this giveaway. You can use this tweet: “Win cat or owl @PocoNido wellies for your little one on @gmunsey’s blog #giveaway! http://wp.me/pC69I-2re” If you choose to write your own tweet instead, please make sure you tag both @gmunsey and @PocoNido, so I am sure to see it.
- (Optional) PIN one of these photos to Pinterest, then leave a separate comment here telling me you did so, so I can count your entry.
- (Optional) Share this blog post on FACEBOOK — you can tag Poco Nido and Oaxacaborn’s Facebook pages in your post! Leave a separate comment here telling me you did so, so I can count your entry.
You have until Saturday, 8 December to enter — and you can enter every single day!
Poco Nido | Poco Nido on Facebook | Poco Nido on Twitter
This post is sponsored by Poco Nido, who kindly provided these boots.
INSPIRATION :: Boy Doll via Fox and Owl
Boy Doll via FOX AND OWL
I had to stop and share this handmade little fellow — hasn’t he got the cutest face imaginable?
CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT :: Gigi Rose Gray, the Artist Behind the Illustrations
This past year, I’ve experienced the incredible thrill of having my work illustrated. Since the illustrations are arranged by the publisher, I don’t see the art until long after it is completed — and I often don’t know anything about the artist who transforms my words into images. So I was especially delighted to see this interview with Gigi Rose Gray, whose tremendous illustrations appear alongside my childhood tale “The Egg Man” in the current print issue of Babiekins.
When I first saw the two pieces she drew for my story, I was in awe of how someone else could capture the essence of my childhood so well. How could she know what a little girl would see in another country? How could she know what it looked like through my young eyes?
It all made sense when I read what she said about her own childhood: “In Brittany I have memories of a towering armoire teeming with jars of homemade jams, walking along the ramparts of the medieval city. In Normandy I remember the ‘moules frites’ and fisherman hauling in their catch, witnessing a thief make his escape in Barcelona and galloping on horseback through the wild fields of Provence. My work has been strongly influenced by my childhood, as I remember it to be a time of wonderment and exploration which was no doubt largely thanks to my travels.”
How neat is that? This story was illustrated by someone who really gets it. That’s so awesome.
You can see more of her art on sale for a limited time here — and don’t miss the fantastic illustrations she did for another one of my stories here, here and here
MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Christmas Stars
And the Scandinavian/Nordic Christmas series has officially arrived to the blog! Enjoy these pretty, pretty stars. Which one is your favorite? I love the hanging-cookie Advent calendar.
Paper Star DIY via Design and Form
Star Cookies via liebesbotschaft
Folded Paper Star DIY via mariefriis
Star Cookie Advent Calendar via liebesbotschaft
Wooden Star DIY via Cecilies Lykke
Star via Ann-Magritt Moen
CHRISTMAS : Shutterfly Christmas Card GIVEAWAY! ($50 value)
This post is sponsored by Shutterfly’s Christmas Card Campaign.
It’s that time of year! Thanksgiving is just barely past (I’m still filling up on leftovers) but lots of us are already fully immersed in Christmas preparation. I just spent some time next to our pretty white tree choosing photos for our cards this year. It’s always so fun to look back on the year, don’t you think? These laughter-filled outtakes from our shoot with Deb Schwedhelm back in April didn’t make it onto our cards, but they are just too fun not to share.
Will you be sending out cards this Christmas? Each year it seems like fewer and fewer families are carrying on this tradition — which makes me sad. I like when my mailbox is filled with red and green and holly and glittery snowscapes!
To encourage you to mail some Christmas cheer this year, Shutterfly is generously offering one Oaxacaborn reader an extra $50 off a Shutterfly order of $50 or more! (Excluding tax and shipping, and cannot be combined with any other promos. Expires 12/14/2012 – no extensions.)
Such a fun giveaway!
To enter, just comment on this post telling me what you love most about Christmas cards. You have until December 3 at midnight to enter.
UPDATE: The winner, randomly selected using random.org. is JULIE! Congratulations!
Shutterfly’s Blog | Special Offers | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
LITTLE STYLE :: Neutrals and Pattern Mixing
I love a good, neutral outfit for my girl. With the right shoes — she’d wear sparkly Converse with these — she still looks feminine, but (thankfully!) doesn’t look like a Disney princess exploded in her closet.
I have a similar outfit in my own closet; I pair it with heels in the summer and tall black boots and a black scarf in the winter.
I’ve loved mixing patterns since long before it was a “thing”. Now that it’s in, I have an excuse! I love how the solid green skirt creates a visual break between the two patterns. (Well, actually, the real reason I include the skirt here is because I’m adamant about teaching Aveline leggings are not pants. She might be a member of the under-two set, but the rule still applies. Seriously!)
The Oaxacaborn Blog 