#etxemade and 100 days of making

For the past few weeks I've been using the hashtag #etxemade to share things I've been making around the house and then used it for all projects like meals, artwork, progress in weaving class. My sister has also been using it and so far we've created some really cool things: 

The other day, my friend Wole shared a post about the 100-day project. The #100dayproject is organized by Elle Luna & The Great Discontent and was originally inspired by a grad-school project run by Michael Bierut at the Yale School of Art. See more examples from his class at The Design Observer. 

Illustration by Elle Luna via The Great Discontent

The idea is that you do something everyday, no matter what. I'm, naturally, terrified of this kind of commitment, but I want to try and see what happens. We've all heard of the 10,000 hour rule, and at the very least by doing something every day you are focusing time on one thing. I'm super impressed by people that can stick to a regiment so we'll see how I do!

#100daysofdresses: april 6 - july 14th

I'll be participating in the 100 days project by sketching one dress everyday for 100 days. I had a really hard time deciding on just one thing and figuring out how I want to constrain myself. Since I know I'll be traveling and am generally busy, I decided to let myself be a bit free as long as it is a dress drawn somewhere -- I can use pen, pencil, marker or watercolor and the surface can be paper, coffeecups, newspaper. I'm sure I'll learn a lot during this challenge! #1 thing I hope to learn - discipline.

Follow me on instagram @etxeco to see daily updates! And go to The Great Discontent for details on how you can participate.  

And that's all I got! I have to go on a run and buy some Easter egg dye so we can make cascarones for our House Warming/Easter Brunch tomorrow--look out for photos. 

xx, 

Stephanie

Inspiring Studio Spaces for Fashion & Design

I just moved into my new apartment and am doing a lot of research as to how to design my home studio space. I have a much bigger room than before, but it is still small! I need to get set up soon to get back to the collection I'm working on, but it's really important I get set up in an organized manner that also inspires me. 

What do you think of these spaces? Do you have a home studio? Share a link in the comments! 

Images: (Top Left) Fashion Designer Jemima French's home studio via The Independent , (Top Right) Johanna Schneider's home studio via Freunde von Freunde, (Upper Middle Left) via Style at Home, (Upper Middle Right) Mandy Pellegerin's home studio via Fabric Paper Glue, (Lower Middle Left) Rebecca Atwood's home studio via Apartment 34, (Lower Middle Right) Lindsay Stetson's home studio via Eva Black Design, (Bottom Left) via Vosgesparis, (Bottom Right) via Homedit

Love-themed Desktop Backgrounds

Yup, Valentine's Day is next week. Good advice from my cousin - if you are dating someone and actually want something for Valentine's Day at some point in your relationship, don't make a big deal about how Valentine's Day isn't a big deal, because then you probably won't get anything. And yeah, chocolates can be cheesy now, but in three years you might want to take a romantic trip somewhere and not have him be like 'but I thought you don't care about Valentine's day?'.

If you aren't dating anyone, here are two desktop backgrounds to remind you how awesome it is to be single. 

LOVE YOURSELF

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While Valentine's Day is totally a commercial holiday, it is a good reminder to love - yourself. And being without a partner means no lines, no fuss and no (relationship) commitments. Use your time doing whatever you want! By yourself or with a friend! There are many ways to practice self love. Usually people talk about the pamper-kind, but I think creating is just as soothing. Here are some ideas:

• paint your nails
• read a book
• wash your hair and then style it your favorite way
• take a bath
• write 
• make something (I'll probably be in the studio making patterns)
• call your mom, she probably wants to hear from you
• take yourself out to brunch
• practice the language you've been wanting to learn

WE NEED TO TALK 

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This photograph is from my trip to Copenhagen. I love this sculpture because it looks like the woman is having one of those conversations with her partner (or friend, who knows). It's a good reminder of the part of being in a relationship that isn't always fun. So, while those hard talks are a great way to grow and learn about yourself--ain't it great you don't have to have one today? Yeah!

My friend at K.Mala Studio inspired this post - she made some amazing watercolor desktop backgrounds for February!  Check them out here: Fun February Desktop Art.

xoxo, 

Stephanie

TO DOWNLOAD BACKGROUNDS: click the button, then right click and choose 'Save As'

in the studio: bay area edition

I arrived on a Thursday night to my old home, San Francisco. The 7x7 miles by the bay that everyone has an opinion about. Few are from San Francisco and those that are aren't always able to stay. Many pass through and ride the waves that go in and out, like the freezing tide at Ocean Beach. 

My time in the city was unique--I started out working in nightlife, taught art classes, wrote articles for monayyy, and eventually helped create a startup fashion company. I lived above a wine shop, lived above a vintage boutique, lived above a pop-up French restaurant and had uber cool friends in the clubs, sew shops, coffee shops. Little by little I met the friends that will last forever. (Ironically, when I moved to DC I made friends that then went on to move to SF - funny, huh?)

Some of my friends in the Bay Area have since moved away, like me, and some have stayed. While I was in town I stopped off to visit a few that have since moved into some really amazing studio spaces to continue working on their craft. Bayview, Glen Park, Oakland--I was all over. It was really, really great to catch up with people that continue to inspire me even though they are on the other side of the country. 

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CLINTON PARK

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I've spent countless hours in Clinton Park's old location in the heart of the mission and was beyond thrilled to visit Steven and his team at their new spot at Yosemite Place. Steven is one of those people that sees right to the soul--and if you click you really click. He's a true craftsman that will teach anyone that is willing to learn and he taught me a lot about patternmaking, jeans making (ok, I've only done that once), rivets, flatlock stitching, constructing a garment, and of course, denim denim denim. He makes beautiful things, and helps other people make beautiful things. His new space is filled with natural light and cones of thick thread, with stacks of gorgeous Japanese flannels and twills just waiting to be handled. I was in heaven. 

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INYO

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Next I got to visit Rachel at InYo. We originally met at Clinton Park and bonded over a desire to create something people really want. People really want her InYo leggings! It's been really cool to see her growth over the past year. Despite the headaches that come along with clothing production, Rachel is the most up-beat, optimistic person I know. I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next...

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YOSEMITE PLACE

This is Yosemite Place, it is huge. It houses artists, designers, developers, makers...there's a whole slew of people doing creative things in this place. The building is very industrial and I especially loved the concrete floors and the way the light flooded in through the loading dock. Oh loading docks, have I spent some time with you! (that was at the clothing company). Each floor is like a little maze. Follow the right path and you'll find something really interesting.

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TROUBLE COFFEE

Across the street is a Trouble Coffee. Do not take pictures inside. Do linger and have a three hour conversation with the Barista. 

This is what South San Francisco looks like. 

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DDCC

Photo by DDCC

I also got to catch up with Diana of DDCC, an active wear and lifestyle brand that creates clothes that will actually inspire you to work out. She gave me advice on an application I was working on and we talked about our past, our present and our futures. I really enjoy her outlook on life and it's always a pleasure to hang. 

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PLT

Photo by PLT: O/O/A/K-- Winter 14

The next day I was able to spend some time with another friend, Lirany of Pretty Little Thing. Lirany creates stylish, whimsical jewelry for the artist at heart. She's one of my favorite people because she embodies everything that is great about the West Coast AND the East Coast. We had a deep conversation about life and agreed on a new year's resolution: this is the year of YOU. That means YOU. Go do it - whatever it is you want to do - your way.

This year.

Don't wait. 

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Why all this Bay Area stuff? Because I love NorCal! While DC is where I live and hope to grow with a community of creatives, you can never have too many people in your life that inspire you to keep doing what you do. 

stay golden, 

Stephanie

In a Clinton Park original unisex blazer over layers: long socks, J Shoes boots, The Loft white button-up, American Apparel shiny leggings and... I forget who does the long sheer thing, but it is awesome. I basically wear it everyday. Shot by Rolend Gumanas at Yosemite Place. 

in the studio: wine + watercolor with K.Mala Studio

Friendship is a funny thing--you never really know how it will twist and turn and grow up. I'm lucky to have some amazing friends and really thankful that I get to spend time with them as we all live in different places. I'll be posting more from my recent west coast trip where I got to catch up with a lot of my good friends. 

I met Kim of K.Mala Studio years ago in San Francisco and we've kept in touch ever since then. We bonded over LA love, sun, margaritas and a desire to build a life around the things we love. 

We now live on opposite coasts, but I got to spend a good chunk of time with her in Laguna beach over New Year's. It was absolutely amazing: gorgeous SoCal days, clear skies and the perfect beach for running, reading and dog walking (hi Mr. Bailey).

One of my favorite nights was when she taught her Wine + Watercolor class at Sourced Collective. 

Our class was NYE themed. I'd never really done watercolor before so I was a bit nervous. Other people in the class were also newbies, but Kim helped us sort out our ideas and put pencil to paper. After we had a sketch going she taught us how to add the watercolor and build on our work. 

I loved it so much that I am going to order a set and start painting!

Kim is a really talented artist and a great teacher. She'll be teaching classes the last Wednesday of every month, starting January 28th, at Sourced in Laguna Beach. It's a great way to unwind and enjoy some creative time with friends. If you are interested, you can sign up here for Wine + Watercolor. 

Hope you are having a great New Year so far!

xoxo, 

Stephanie