Photo Shoot - Day 1

Today's shoot ... successful and completed!

My deepest gratitude goes out to La Bottega in Vancouver, WA, Barbara Hill Photography, and Beigeblond for the incredibly awesome work they put in to pull this off. It's not every Sunday that folks are willing to roll out of bed at 6am to help create something amazing! And let's certainly not forget Crystal and Deanna ... my two beautiful models ... without them ... well ... the clothes would still be hanging on the rack.

Additional thanks to my amazing husband ... he managed to help keep it all together so we could do this.

And finally ... to Harmony Art Organic Design for the incredible fabrics, Hourglass Footwear for the omigod pumps, Wasataylor & Steamed Circus for the accessories, and Neema Bags for the spot-on handbags.

While I cannot release shots of the actual garments until they have been released at Fashion Week San Diego, I can release this test shot that we did ...

Cheers!

In the News ...

Our interview today with The Columbian, a local newspaper, went exceedingly well!  We are excited about having had the opportunity to share with them our story.  We expect the featured story to be released within the next week [or two] and will post an update here once we have the link.

Thank you for your support of this project!

xoxoxo

Facing Fears

This coming week marks a milestone of sorts.  On Monday, I will be participating in a Press Conference in Hollywood ... designed to promote me and my art form ... my participation in 2013 Fashion Week San Diego.  This Press Conference serves to introduce Who I Am and What I Do to the rest of the world.

I am excited ... and scared ... all at the same time.

So many "what ifs..." are coming to the surface.

What if ... I am late for the conference?

What if ... I say the wrong thing?

What if ... I drop my drink/food/purse/etc.?

What if ... not one person likes what I make?

What if ... no one likes me?

The last one is kinda a biggie to me.  I spent many of my formative years fighting against a parent telling me that I would never be "good enough".  Impressionable teen years railing against classmates that bullied or ridiculed me because I was too smart or too pretty or too quiet or too whatever happened to be their particular pet peeve at that moment.

Over the last 10 years, I've worked tirelessly to face and remove those fears.  I've brought those concerns to the forefront of my life ... letting those who participated in my growth know that the words spoken in the past  no longer have an affect on my present or on my future.

I love me ... who I've become ... and the path that I am creating for my future.

I love my life, the profession that I've chosen to invest my heart and soul into, and all of the decisions that I've made along the way to get me to where I am right now.

And I suppose ... in the bigger picture ... it doesn't really matter what other people think ... so long as I have put my best foot forward and put everything that I Am into the Dream that I have chosen to pursue.

I am reminded of words spoken by Darryl Anka:

            "circumstances do not matter ... state of be-ing, matters".

I know this ... to my very core.  But sometimes ... I forget.

Guess it's time to dig it out, dust it off, and put it into practice.

Will let y'all know how it turns out.

xoxoxo

An Artist's Statement

I create clothing … beautiful architecture for the human body.

I cannot not create … it is in my blood, my genetic code, to take ordinary materials and turn them into something extraordinarily pleasing to the eye and the touch.

I look at a piece of fabric as though it is a blank canvas … the flow and feel of the fabric dictates the garment design, rather than the other way around.

Trims should accent, rather than take away from, a garment’s overall design.  There can be a point where there is too much … and a true artist will know exactly when to stop before the accents and trims take away from the overall feel of a good design.  Much like perfume, a little bit can go a long way.

Regardless of the type of design, clothing should be an exquisite pleasure to wear.  Fabrics used in a design should feel amazing next to the skin.  And whether you have donned a raw silk ball gown or simply grabbed a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, the clothing that you wear should never feel as though it were separate from you.

I believe in maintaining the integrity of our environment with every action I do, every garment I create, every belief that I hold close to my heart.  I create with intention.  I believe that whatever you get back from The Universe is directly proportional to what you put into it.  Having this belief is the reason why Love is the main component of everything I have ever created … no bad product has ever been made where Love has been present in its creation.

I aspire to limitlessness.  I believe that imagination and openness to potential are the two most important tools any artist can have in their possession.  I explore and break through the perceived boundaries of my creativity at every available opportunity.

And finally, I firmly believe that everyone should discover and pursue that which is their Greatest Excitement in Life.  For it within this pursuit that a person’s truest potential is discovered and miracles are created … creating a beautiful world filled with amazing inspiration for others to follow.

Caryn Stockwell

Color Alchemist

Second Star Designs

365 Days of Creativity - Day 4 & 5 - Shhhh!

On Monday, I was accepted as an Official Designer for Fashion Week San Diego.

YAY!!!

So, life's a little exciting around here at the moment.
And on Day 4, I spent most of the day working on 2 designs for San Diego ...
can't show them to you, 'cuz it's a S.E.C.R.E.T!

For those that know me, you know how much I love sharing on FB the stuff I'm doing in the studio.
Day 4 ... notsomuch ... 'cuz no one's supposed to know about any of it until like, October.
The kids have been sworn to secrecy ... bribed with candies for the next 6 months!

Now ... Day 5 ... that's a completely different story.

I can tell y'all about today ... until the cows come home.

Except, there's not much to tell ... we chopped about a pound of habaneros.  Okay, not "we" ... my husband chopped them for me ... and now they're marinating in the slow cooker for our next project.

which will be shared with you ... tomorrow.

Until then ... hasta la manana!

365 Days of Creativity - Day 1 - Gypsy Skirt

I dug into my endless supply of Thrift Store Treasures to create today's spark of creativity.

A women's pair of size 18, mauve colored silk pants was the first item to be dismantled into usable pieces of fabric ... followed by over-sized t-shirts, a beautiful cotton velour top in a dark camel, and a remnant of lightweight, cotton madras plaid.  Offcuts of pink and white, patchwork stretch lace and a chunk of synthetic suede in a light mauve completed the color array.

All of these pieces of fabric were then lovingly cut up and stitched together to create one of our signature Gypsy Skirts ... in a women's size large.  I figure this will be perfect for the new store that's opening out in Lincoln City the first weekend in March.

365 Days of Creativity

Lately, there are some days when I have ended up being a total "slacker" ... complete days filled with nothing more than lounging around the house in my jammies until noonish, drinking tea, and simply enjoying the world for all that it is.

There's nothing wrong with this, but I have a greater drive than that ... resulting in a mental admonishment that I could have done more with today than I managed to do.

So ... I'm setting myself a goal of sorts ... 365 Days of Creativity.

Starting Now.

And I will be posting these creative accomplishments on my Fan Page. One a day for the next year. If you're interested in seeing my progress, you can head on over to my page this evening and check out the photos. ♥

Eco-Partnership with French Quarter Linens

Saturdays are always good days in which to receive news ... especially news that is exciting in nature.

But this story goes back to its origins on Thursday.

See ... I found myself wandering into this incredibly amazing shop in the Pearl District of Portland.

An exquisitely lovely bedding and bath shop called French Quarter Linens.

I wandered in with the intention of talking to them about certified organic cotton sheets.
'Cuz there's this company that I work with that creates some incredible fabrics that would be to.die.for as a set of sheets ... and ... I know a seamstress.  Personally.

Never even got to mention the subject ... I was sidetracked by the incredible tranquility, the soft music, the vibrant colors, and the luxurious textiles found at every glance ... in every nook and cranny of that glorious store!

I was swept away to Wonderland ... 

And then ... I saw the display cabinets filled with sample fabrics ... swatches of every imaginable textile any one could wish to have created into one form of amazingness or another, for the personal spaces within their homes.  The Creativity Muse made her appearance ... gave me the proverbial push toward the sales counter.

So ... I wandered up to the counter and had the opportunity to speak with a member of their Sales & Design Team.  I asked him what their store did with their textile samples once they were discontinued.

His answer met my surprise head on:  they threw them away.

!!!

In our subsequent conversation, I explained that I am a clothing designer, creating two clothing lines for next year's Baltimore FashionWeek.  Eco-friendly clothing lines.  He explained that his store was very eco-oriented; doing whatever they were able to reduce their overall ecological impact on the environment.

I offered to take their discontinued fabric samples to be used in my clothing creations ... in exchange for advertising that they will be a primary sponsor for Second Star Designs.

An Eco-Partnership.

In today's email, was a response that French Quarter Linens would love to work with us on this project!!!

Yay!!!

We're very excited ... we're helping to change the world ... one pretty, textile at a time  =)

Harmony Art Organics & Second Star Pair up for Baltimore FashionWeek 2013

We're pretty excited around here ... okay, over-the-moon excited!!!

First off ... we've been invited back to participate in 2013 Baltimore FashionWeek.  With two collections.

That's right ... TWO!!!

Riley Blake Designs will be returning as a sponsor for our children's clothing line with their incredibly brilliant cotton fabrics & laminates.

Our second collection will feature an entire line of clothing designs for grown-ups ... created entirely of organic and eco-friendly materials.

Harmony Art Organic Designs has graciously accepted our sponsorship offer ... incredible fabrics from an incredible company that is doing all the right things with regard to making a difference in changing the world.

Only a month home from showcasing on the runway our 2012 collection ... and already, we're gearing up for 2013.

More collections ... and hopefully, more showcases at one or two more FashionWeek events.
It's just the beginning ... the future is the brightest star in the sky!


If you're interested in participating as a sponsor of Second Star Designs for 2013 ... or know of anyone who might be, please send us a message ... we'd love to talk with you!

~C

The Name Game

With the dust from 2012 Baltimore FashionWeek still settling around our machines, we've been trying to come up with a name for next year's collection.  You see ... we've been asked to showcase next year ... and instead of just children's clothing, we'll be adding an entire line of eco-friendly clothing ... for grown-ups.

Two collections.

30+ total "looks".

And with consideration for the grown-up line of clothing, we've selected a name for that collection ...

Eco Art Wear

Sounds pretty cool!

We might just use the same name for both collections and just add "for kids" at the end of the second line.

Because it's cool enough for both ... and with the new name, design ideas are just falling out of my head.

Literally.

Now ... all I need is the fabric to put these clothing lines together.

Can't wait to get started!!!

~ C

Jumping Off the High Board ... and into the Design Pool

In January, we received notification that we were accepted as the only children's clothing designer for Baltimore Fashion Week.

As a small-town, creative person ... the news was exciting and scary
all at the same time
'cuz we've never really looked at ourselves
as anything more than a Small Town Creative Person.


Considering that this is the coolest thing to happen to our biz,
we decided to jump in ... with both feet.


We have been fortunate enough to have a sponsor.

Riley Blake Designs has been generous enough to provide us with an incredible amount of fabric to be used in our clothing & accessory designs for Baltimore Fashion Week.

Cottons and cotton laminates will be paired with organic cotton, bamboo, and soy knits in an incredible combination of style, color & texture.
Personally, I just LOVE their fabrics ... the brightness of the colors, the fun prints, the lovely hand the fabrics have ... it makes the designing and the putting together of the designs fun!


Finally ... we're at a point to begin creating!

Spring Pixie #1 - hooded dress with leggings


I think ric-rac has become my trim of choice ... pockets, too!


Our intent with this blog is to keep you posted on our progress
from start to finish ... through every stage of the design process.


Thank you for being an amazing part of our Greatest Adventure yet!

16 months later ... looking back

In retrospect, quitting my full time job may very well have been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

Mornings are not really the rush they used to be - I can roll out of bed, brush my teeth, and drive the kids in to school.  I have about 7 hours’ of quiet in the house before the girls come home from school - a time for errands, a shower, phone calls, etc.  I do my field trips in the afternoons.  I get a nap every day. I spend more time with the girls in the evenings.  And once they’re in bed, I’m in the studio until 12 or 1.

Much.  Less.  Stressful.

The only problem that I’ve experienced with being a WAHM [which by the way sounds so much cooler than it really is] is that whole income thing.  You see, typically peeps quit their day job to go the SE route with a nest egg or a safety net under them.  Me?  I closed my eyes and jumped. 

No parachute.
No wingman.
No nest egg to fall back upon.
Just a wing … and a prayer.

And while I cannot say that there are any signs of a Money Tree growing out of that dollar bill I planted in the back yard, I can say that I’m watching the fruits of my labors growing from the seeds of determination.  I can also say that since I am following my highest excitement, the Universe is providing me with the greatest of Abundance.  And I am happy to say that I am setting the best example ever for my children to follow.

What could be better than that?

BTW - after a years' time ... I have finally found my wingman.

xoxoxo

[the photo I found on this really cool blog site by Zero Dean ... seems he's an adventurer too]