This week: Halter top with black and yellow vintage scarf by tangente


I love her scarf tops, either this kind using the scarf to tie the top, or the full scarf tops! =)


If you think your items or someone elses could fit in this section, please post your pictures in the photo pool. Remember: Handmade / Vintage items only!

I joined Etsy almost 1 year ago, and I started buying things in Christmas. Since then, either as Christmas / birthday presents or as gifts for myself *cough cough* I've gotten a couple fabulous items. Most of them are either jewelry or clothing + bags.
So... since this is a fashion blog, why not review some of the items I got?
I'll start with a top and a bag I got quite a while ago but didn't have the chance of wearing them until Spring.

Yes, I had a pretty bad face that day hahaha and the photos are of very poor quality (very bad color)... I have to fix that for next time.
To the point: the top I'm wearing is from Basho and the bag from pego, and I LOVE THEM!!!

The bag from pego was custom made because I wanted one of her bags but with longer handles. It has 2 great pockets inside and looks very resistant, very good quality. There was some issue with the mail but in the end I got the bag and she was so nice and helpful through all the process.

The shirt from Basho, I ordered a size that was too big but they quickly and very nicely fixed the problem. It has 2 side pockets and it is very comfy and nice. (If you are going to order this model get 1 or 2 sizes smaller than what you usually wear)

So, they are both super great sellers and very professional, and their items are great! The bag is very well finished (better than in most chain shops) and the top is also very well done and the print is super cute :)

These are the original photos of the items I bought:



I do totally recommend buying from both sellers: Basho (great tshirts and tops) and pego (fabulous bags)

I give the top a 5 out of 5 and the bag also a 5/5 in seller's communication, product, finishing touch, and quality.




Hope this review was helpful for you! :) Oh and I promise better photos next time :)

If you would like to review a handmade item you bought online (Etsy or not) please let me know!

In case anyone wants to know, the outfit I'm wearing is: top from basho at etsy, bag from pego at etsy, capri jeans from PullandBear, white sandals from ulanka, and belt I don't remember haha

And the winner of the set of 3 Thank You cards is: windycindy - Congratulations!

Since last summer, I have wanted to have a dress, top or skirt made with my silk designs. However, I can't sew to save my life.

So this week I decided it was time to get a custom item made for my by a seamstress. I didn't really want to find one in my city, because I know how great sellers there are in Etsy and wanted to give them the chance to create something unique for me :)

I made an alchemy request in Etsy. If you don't know what Etsy is, I'll tell you it's an online site where you can find thousands of shops that sell handmade items. And alchemy? Well, it's the way to ask for something custom made, and sellers can bid on your idea.

The only problem is, I really have no clue what kind of dress / top /skirt I want! I just need different ideas from people! :) What I know is that I don't want something formal, because then I will never wear it! lol So probably the key to getting for example a dress I can wear in summer but also maybe as a babydoll with leggings / pants is to make something that is not 100% made of silk, but mixed with other fabrics.

Here are a couple dresses I found in the internet. I like their style and flow, but most of them look too formal to me. I don't want this to go to a wedding or prom.



The thing im not sure about is empire waist. A lot of dresses have that nowadays, but I have this crazy idea that it makes me look like I'm pregnant! hahaha

And now, how do I look? That's important to choose a dress shape! :) I'm about 5.7 feet tall and not very thin lol Not much waist, wide hips and small bust. (yeah, maybe I should just do a top for myself, but I like the idea of a dress!)


Yeah that's me! haha

Ohh I already talked too much. Just wanted your opinion on what kind of dress to get. Or if I should get something different at all. Also if to do all silk or only a piece (I was thinking the bust part in silk and the rest in another fabric would look awesome). And if someone is a seamstress, awesome! Go bid on my alchemy request please! :) Oh, and... does anybody want to make me a nice sketch with his/her ideas??? lol

See my alchemy request at Etsy.

I will be posting a series on my alchemy experiences with this. Right now I got a couple bids and I'm doing the reviewing of their previous work part. Will write about this alchemy again once I find the right seller, and you'll go through the whole process with me if you want!

Please help me decide on a style!! Thanks! :)

Wow! Almost completed the fashion series by now. But I have to say I am really liking this item hunting in etsy, so I will need an excuse to keep doing it! :)

Today: Puffy sleeves! Oh yeah baby. You never thought this would be back, did you? Well, we have for all tastes here, from super huge ones to regular ones. Seems big designers, as always, are for the extreme ones.



I like better the regular ones. In fact I think a little puffy sleeve looks really good. And you?

As the Fashion Tribes article says, a blouse or jacket with puff sleeves is very feminine, and will work well with a full skirt, high waisted trousers or a pencil skirt.
Because of the shape, making your shoulders look wider, it automatically makes your waist look thinner, so their advice is to use a belt to maximize that effect. They also tell us that earrings and necklaces don't mix very well with this, so if you really like wearing some jewelry, try some big bracelets or bangles. Oh and don't forget the heels! =)

For the handmade version, here is what I found in Etsy:

(click to view full size)

Sellers, from top to bottom, left to right, are (link to the item): zwzzy, JustVic, maybesomeday, VC2o, amoelbarroco, santokivintage, zwzzy, neneee, kahri, PrettyRaccoon, TresChicVintage, boioioing


So what do you think of this trend? For me it works, if the sleeve is not exagerated.

Read the full fashion tribes article here.

Stay tuned for next and last trend: Modern Gladiator - HUH???

Next fashion trend will be the last. So please, if you have any ideas or suggestions about what should I talk about in my next fashion post, please tell me!! =) Leave a comment!

I can now announce that my tops are in my etsy shop! at last!!! :)
I listed the first one yesterday, here it is:


You can find it here: Racer Back Black Women Top size L - with silk accents
I have this kind of shirt in sizes M and L and in colors: blue/green, purple/pink, red/orange
I really hope people start wearing these! hehe

Wow! So I finally finished the summer collection catalog! :)


It took me a looong time, but here it is at least!
http://www.gilbea.com/Files/GilBeaSummer2008.pdf


GilBea's summer collection for 2008:

• Silk skinny scarves
• Silk small bags
• Hobo bags with silk accents
• Tops with silk accents
• Silk Brooches and Necklaces

I hope you like it!!! :) Feedback is welcome!

I made the catalogue for my wholesale customers. Sadly I don't have that many. I would like my business to grow and start selling in other cities and countries, but so far it has been quite difficult.

Let's talk about painting!
I have been making silk paintings for a few years now, but I only sell them at exhibitions. For the last year I totally dropped that line of my work and focused on silk accessories. I plan now on painting again now that I finished the summer collection. For now, I listed yesterday in Etsy this beauty that I saved from last year's work:


Soon more to come!

So I finnaly took photos of the finished tops. Take a look here and tell me what do you think, improvements that could be done, if you would ever wear something similar, etc
There are 3 types:

1. Short sleeves and not tight. White color. 2 silk tulips in the center
   
2. No sleeves, tight and black. 1 big silk flower in the center with 2 leaves.
   
3. X on the back (we call that swimmer back, but I don't know the appropiate name in english) and black. 3 big silk circles
   

Yesterday went to some shops in my town and they bought 12 of these!! I only have 30 (so 10 of each type). I'm afraid I will have to order more if I ever want to list them in etsy! =)

Which one you like better?

These last weeks have been crazy! My computer broke so I could only check internet at work! :S Hence the lack of posts here.
But I'm back and have something totally new to show you! So I finally got the tops I ordered and decided to do something cool with them. Make silk drawings and sew them to the tops, sort of like patchwork :)
Look at my workroom *before*:

and AFTER:

well, not a real after, this is just the idea on how to place the pieces. After that I did really sew them and now I have the finished product! =) Will take photos tomorrow in the sunlight and show you ASAP!

Well, I know it should be finished by now... but I'm a big procrastinator! (is that even a word?)

Anyways, apart from the regular t-shirts with a piece of silk sewn to it, I'm making silk tops! I'm new to sewing, so they are nothing conventional, I'd say quite quite different. Here are some pictures:




I am also making silk bags, for which I'm going to use some of this new designs:

Looks like my drawings are becoming more and more abstract... (thanks to Miro!)

Anyways, let me know what you think about this! :) Would you wear this kind of shirts? I plan on making them a little bit longer so they cover tummy down to the trouser and the sleeves a little shorter.