Alexis Gopal Jewelry Blog: Bethenny Frankel

I must apologize for the delay in the continuation of my TAG series...family illness, hurricanes, and other circumstances beyond my control.
As the holidays approach, I've made a conscious decision to forgo big box, and buy handmade by small business. It may be slightly more expensive, but I will be gifting a bit less this year. I care about quality. Clearly, you get what you pay for, and that is why small, independent artists have to price their pieces the way they do. They are not cheaply made, mass marketed wares. There is also more variety, and originality. I want my loved ones to know that I put some thought into my gift. So, although I may not be purchasing a ton of gifts from the mall, a few, well chosen, quality gifts is the way to go for me this year.
Which brings me to the subjects of today's post! These Fiber Artists from The Artisan Group are incredible...

Rosy Toes Designs: Based in Ohio, Rosy Toes Designs is owned and operated by talented fiber artist Lucy Chapman. It evolved in 2012, from her Etsy shop, Seasons of Wool (established 2009). Lucy writes:

At Rosy Toes Designs, I use natural fibers and up-cycled materials to handcraft bags, pouches, Cuddle-Up sweater blankets, and luxury fashion accessories. I love how I've combined the ancient art form of felting with modern techniques. You'll find felted wool, alpaca, recycled silk, and up-cycled wool and cashmere sweaters in my shop. The materials and process used creates a unique look and story for every piece.

My Seasons Of Wool shop on Etsy focuses on custom made felted wool and alpaca hats and mittens, with a few small home accessories thrown in. Customers have the perfect winter and fall accessories crafted in just the right color and size for them.

Shop links: http://rosytoesdesigns.com
http://etsy.com/shop/seasonsofwool

Recently, Lucy was featured in the December issue of UK Vogue!! Congratulations, Lucy!!

Courtesy The Artisan Group/Emma Maudsley

Courtesy Rosy Toes Designs

Hunky Dori Boutique: Based in Sarasota Springs, NY, Hunky Dori Boutique was founded by the talented Fiber Artist Dori FitzPatrick. Dori writes:

Hunky Dori Boutique was created in 2011 while I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. I wanted fun, hip, chic baby items and was not finding what I wanted out there. So I turned back to my roots and decided to make them! I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC for Textile Design and Apparel Manufacturing. I worked in the fashion industry for 12 yrs for women's and baby fashion designers, as well as the home furnishings industry. I got married in 2007 and became a stay at home mom in 2008. Then the fun began!

I hand crochet infant, toddler, kids, and adult hats. My best sellers are the hats I hand stitch, hand made, felt applique too. Nothing is store bought and put together....I do it all! Photographers have responded well to my infant hats and use them a lot for photo props. The Artisan Group has really opened the door for me and I have gifted Bethenny Frankel, Denise Richards, and Alison Sweeney! So exciting! I crochet with cottons, soft acrylics, and alpaca.

My goal is to make great hat for your little ones, big sense of style!

Courtesy of Hunky Dori Boutique

Beautiful hats, Dori! Where were you when my kids were little??? Lol!

Shore Thing Designs: Traci Judge is the talent behind this Massapequa, New York based business, whose fabulous designs will soon appear on the hit TV series "The Vampire Diaries"!

Traci writes: My shop is primarily scarves right now and I am working on getting the photos up of the Ombre scarves like I created for Denise Richards, Alison Sweeney and Pretty Little Liars. The minute I post them they sell - woo hoo!
I am also working on a line of original wristlets that just need to be photographed and listed as well.
In my past life (that life prior to being a stay at home mom, that is!) I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and studied Textile Design and Development. I worked for 15 years as a Textile Designer designing fabrics ranging from Home Furnishings, Apparel, Swimwear and Intimate Apparel.
I created Shore Thing Designs in 2005 and consulted and freelanced until mommyhood called! I then turned Shore Thing into a creative outlet for all my obsessions - anything fiber, yarn or fabric related is my passion!!

Courtesy of Shore Thing Designs

As you can see with Traci's work, when your work is your passion, you create amazing things!!!

2 Kute Kreations: In 2008, talented crochet artist Rose Kute founded 2 Kute Kreations, based in Jacksonville, Florida. Her shop carries a wide variety of gifts including baby hats, booties, blankets, adult hats, soap savers, facial scrubbers, and more!

Rose writes: I am a stay home wife and mother with health issues that prevent me from working outside the home. In 2008 one of my sons in law told me about Etsy and that I should have a shop for my items.
2Kute specializes in hats and booties/slippers from newborn to adult.

Courtesy 2 Kute Kreations

Courtesy 2 Kute Creations

Those booties look comfy, Rose! You make them for adults??

Anyone who knows me, knows I love my Pixie and Hazel. Although I know they conspire to drive me crazy, like the time they dragged that dinosaur bone into the house. Or rolling around in the manure of some unknown beast, and coming in wagging their tails, as if nothing were wrong. Here they are, Pixie, my Maltese, and Hazel my Yorkie:

Pixie, don't let her cute face fool you...

Hazel, left. the mastermind of the operation, and Pixie, the first lieutenant

Me and Hazel, who is looking at Pixie, giving her the signal to grab the dinosaur bone...

Don't they look all cute and innocent??? Ha! Anyway, I do consider them my babies, and yes, I do dress them up for Halloween and Christmas, and other special occasions, they have winter jackets and sweaters (winters can be brutal in New England). Yes, I'm one of THOSE pet owners...that's right...I said it!

Where does one go to find Haute Couture for ones furry loved ones??? Well, look no further than The Artisan Group's very own Sophisticated Pup, owned by the gorgeous Michelle Cleek O'Halloren. Michelle's designs are sported by the pets of celebrities, and it's no wonder...they are amazing!! Much higher in quality, and unique than other pet clothing, Sophisticated Pup has been getting alot of media attention...

I asked Michelle to tell me a little about herself and her business, and here is what she said:

"Sophisticated Pup was started in January 2006 in Chicago, IL. It was started shortly after getting my little pug, Penny. Penny has always been the muse of my product line. As a sufferer of Canine Liver Disease, she is a really special pup and one that is a constant inspiration and a pretty darn good model too!

Our Mission:

Sophisticated Pup’s mission is to create truly unique, sophisticated, handcrafted pet apparel, furniture and accessories for the most lovable of dogs- which in our eyes is all dogs! The products are not mass-produced, and due to the handcrafted artistry that goes into every piece of clothing, furniture or accessory, only limited amounts are created. Sophisticated Pup uses only the highest quality materials in our designs.

Sophisticated Pup is active in giving back to animal rescue groups and we make it a priority to donate product whenever possible to animal rescue groups in Chicago and the Midwest. I pride myself in having unique products that are high-quality and beautiful. Pet apparel should be both beautiful and functional. We never want a dog wearing anything that will make it uncomfortable. We dress our dogs to make them feel special, never to embarrass!

Through our affiliation with The Artisan Group, we have been fortunate enough to include our products in the celebrity swag bags at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards. We have also gifted our products to celebrities Tori Spelling, Bethenny Frankel and Amy Poehler."