A new kind of trade!

I LOVE trading things. Anything really. Services, sewing, baking, food... it's so much more satisfying than using money. My favorite trades in the past have been a homemage lasagne I made for getting my computer fixed and hemming pants for home-brewed beer. I've got to trade a lot of great stuff at craft markets over the years which is always wonderful. There have been many others, but today I have a new one!Jen - the creative writer and blogger behind a popular blog called Haute Whimsy approached me with a trade offer; 1 month of advertising on her site for a T-shirt of mine. I'm very excited to be a part of what she does to support small, artistic businesses like my own. Thank you Jen! Check out her blog at http://www.hautewhimsy.com/

In other news I'm getting my tattoo colored today!!! I'm really excited for this! The photo is of what it looks like now, without color, but I'll be sure to post the after shot soon.

Festive Wallets!

I've been neglecting the blog, since I've taken a teaching position at Olds College in their Fashion Design Program. It's truley been a rewarding and interesting experience. I love my students and it's so exciting to help them prepare themselves to be on the way to exciting career choices. Most of all, I love seeing their creativity flourish and being able to help them bring their creations to life.

I have got back into the studio and am working on some little winter themed wallets.

These are just in time for Christmas if you're looking for a little gift to put in someone's stocking or maybe just to tell a co-worker or friend that you think they're special. They're padded and great for ipods (which is waht I use mine for)! I've have fun making little miniature screenprints on each one.

I'm planning on working on a lot of new prints this weekend, so watch for more soon!

Front Page of Etsy!

It's been a little while since I've written. I've been a busy little bee - working full-time, yet still making time to do artistic things every day. Oh the news, the news!

First off, my Sailor Skirt just made the front page of etsy today!

Secondly, I am off to Calgary today to put a bunch of shirts I've printed in to The Art Gallery of Calgary's SHOP. This is a big step for me and I feel honored to have my designs amoung other amazingly talented artists and craftspeople in the retail space. Check it out here: http://www.artgallerycalgary.org/galleryshop/index.htm

I hope everyone is enjoying spring (now we just need the nice weather back in Alberta)!

ART SHOW: LIVE!

Here is a link to a little video interview about my current show at Gallery IS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XurVditAOYY

Those of you who are far away can still check out my show (I don't know how good I am at answering questions towards the end...hehe).

First Art Show

Here is the little poster for the art exhibit I'm having in March. I am frantically finishing up all of my pieces this week. I can't wait to see it up and together in the space when it's all done! Find out more at http://isgallery.blogspot.com/. Hope you'll come check it out!

Taking Action

My friend Bobbie and I have been working on putting together a craft show fundraiser in conjuction with the Red Cross to raise money for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort. I wanted to do this because I feel so lucky to be living in a safe, first world country right now. The stories and struggles I see and hear (mostly hearing on CBC radio) are so heartbreaking. People there need the help of more fortunate communities... SUCH AS CENTRAL ALBERTA!

I find it hard to be a social activist in this place I'm currently living. People move here to make money and work oilfield jobs. Why I'm here is still remaining in question. Let's just say I travel A LOT. I'm glad the show has come together to link a local and global perspective, and we can only hope for success! Each vendor will be donating a portion of sales to the relief effort and hopefully I can drum up some good door prizes from local businesses! All in all, I'm looking forward to working with some amazing people and organizations.

This may just be MY year so far...

I know, I know. 2010 has just begun.

I've definitely had my share of the bad years in my life. Folks, I have tested the fates many a time in ways one maybe shouldn't. This year, however, feels like it's going to be an exciting and positive one.

First off, I have just confirmed a month long art exhibit during the month of March at a great gallery here called Gallery IS. I'm planning on doing some major screen printed art and showing some of my printed clothing designs. Title of the show: "Fashion Becomes Art : Screen Prints and Clothing by Valerie Turbak". The gears are definitely turning inside my brain and now it's just time to get cracking.

Secondly, I have partnered up with an awesome person and friend to do some touring over the summer to various events, shows and music festivals to "hawk our wares" as someone I know might say. This has been a dream of mine for a long time and I have finally found someone to go on this adventure with. I can't wait to collaborate, travel and meet new people this summer. In case you didn't know, I own a green 1975 VW campervan that will hit the road in style.

Until next time, happy creating to everyone!

More new stuff!

I am really overly obsessed with screen printing. It keeps me up at night. I'll keep this one short and sweet. Here are a few of my new prints!

One with the sewing machine.

Hello!

First off, I'd like to send out a sweet thanks to Amanda at http://kabukikreations.blogspot.com/ for drawing my name for a free gift of hers. I am truly lucky! And I might have to steal her contest idea down the line...

As mentioned in my prior post, I have been sewing myself blind. I mean, WORKING HARD, printing, pattern making, cutting, sewing. My shoulders ache, but seeing the results on my models was so exciting! I'll have all kinds of new stuff on etsy over the next week or so. Lots of stuff that would be perfect for the dreaded V-Day. I even have a few anti-V-Day items for the cynics. I have trouble putting names to my peices and pricing them, so I'll be working on that today.

Have a great weekend!

Major sewing going on...

I'm so excited because I'm doing photoshoot number 3 this Thursday with my lovely girls. So I've been neglecting this blog and my shop because I've been sewing like crazy. Stay tuned for all of the things I've been getting up to though. Photos will be up by the end of the week! Finally, new inventory!

Cherry Bomb!

I'm working on this cute top today, and not to toot my own horn, but it is fantastic! It's sweet, sexy, and totally retro-inspired. I've had this fabric on my shelf for over 4 years now. I bought it in Montreal when I was a student and for some bizarre reason wouldn't touch it, like I was saving it for the best sewing I was ever going to acheive. How ridiculous! Today I made this pattern and snipped two shirts out of it (unfortunately the fabric is all gone now). I love this top. It reminds me of those shapely bathing suits from the 1950's. I really enjoyed making a new pattern too and think I'll use this design in other fabrics.
I can't wait to photograph it on a real person!

Yay!

Yes, what an exciting title for this post. Why YAY!? Today I did my tenth sale on etsy. Double digits! Now that may not seem like a lot to some people who have dozens, hundreds or thousands of etsy sales, but for me that is an achievement. I have only been putting a good solid effort into my site over the past couple of months. I was quite lazy about it prior to that. So it's a good start to a fresh year and I have SO MANY new ideas in the works right now I can hardly even sleep at night! Here is a little taste of what I've been up to.

I've also been sketching lots of new stuff for more screen printing activity, so watch out for some new designs.

Good night!

How to make planning fun.

I've just ordered this fantastic agenda for 2010. I'm frantically checking my mailbox everyday because I'm dying to see it. Plus, I'm a slave to my own schedule and ordered it a week into January. I love that it's from Portland, which is one of my fave cities, features local artists on each page, and part of the sale goes to art in their public schools.

Every day is going to remind me to be creative!

They can be found HERE.

Making a move.

Today I'll be putting my clothing designs in a really neat store in Red Deer, Alberta called The Epic Runway, which is owned by two lovely ladies named Shawna Juba and Melissa Drummond. They have their store in a heritage building downtown called "The Bawthimer" that used to be a machine shop. It's got a lot of character, which I love! They were gracious to let me take alot of my photos in their building.

I also have my designs at another boutique called The Prairie Chick which is pretty new to Red Deer. It's in a basement, so don't be scared to find this little gem of a shop if you're in town.

It's hard to let my designs out of my sight after I've worked so hard to create them, but I have to take the plunge and re-introduce my clothing into the retail world. It's sometimes hard to sell clohting over the internet. I believe it's due to people not being able to try them on in a proper setting.

On that note, go check them out at the above mentioned store for a real life glimpse! Maybe you'll find something special you'll love.

New Year, New Blog

Hello!
I've started this blog for to promote my line of clothing and to get involved in the blogging community.

I've been designing, sewing, and printing clothing and other items since 2003. I've worked with many talented people and embarked on many creative journeys over this time. I've always loved vintage clothing and finding new uses for old garments and materials. I started Lucky Lucy's Clothing in the fall of 2008.

I currently sell on Etsy under LuckyLucyStyle and also have a Facebook Fan Page under "Lucky Lucy's Clothing and Accessories".

I'm looking forward to sharing insights, inspirations and creative processes, and much more in this new blog!