Petit Plume at ShopRuche.com!

These items are currently for sale on ShopRuche.com - a modern boutique with a vintage touch!

It has been so fun to see how my designs have worked out so beautifully with Ruche's Summer 2010 collections.

The items listed are exclusive designs for Ruche by Petit Plume- So get them while you can!

Thanks so much and Enjoy the exquisite photography by Stephanie Williams Photography.

JULIET headband in Tan/Olive:

JULIET headband in coral:

Both Juliet headbands have adorable dangling felt leaves

The many ways to wear JULIET:

KAITLYN vintage headband: So easy to wear and so pretty!

AVERY hair clip and brooch:
CADENCE mustard/lavender headband: So Cute and earthy with its burlap leaves!

Patchwork-How did I get here and where am I going?

patch·work

–noun

1.

something made up of an incongruous variety of pieces or parts; hodgepodge: a patchwork of verse forms.

2.

work made of pieces of cloth or leather of various colors or shapes sewed together, used esp. for covering quilts, cushions, etc.

On Sunday, June 6th from 11-5pm, I will be at the Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival in Santa Ana (2203 north main st @ buffalo) selling a variety of my accessories at discount prices.

Visit www.patchworkshow.com

I can't believe it has been almost two years since I first found out about this show when I began volunteering at Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center in Santa Ana. I had been given a flyer to be a volunteer at this show because this show supports the Art Center. At that time, I had no idea that I would actually be a part of this show or any handmade or indie craft scene.
I was pursuing a career in art therapy and I had my mind set on attending Loyola Marymount University for their Marriage and Family Therapy degree with a specialization in Art Therapy. I was taking prerequisites and doing everything I needed to do to be a good candidate for acceptance.
Volunteering was great and I got to experience working with high functioning special needs children. I wanted to use my background in the arts to influence or help people and I felt that art therapy was the perfect combination of my desire to create and to influence.
Last year during March, I found out that I was not accepted to LMU's program and I was so devastated. It felt like a dream was crushed. As I thought about it more, I began to realize that this may not have been the dream that was made for me, but that I trying to create my own future that I ultimately had no control over. This was a learning process.
I made my first hair accessory to the interview at LMU for my self and I had made it to set my self apart.
I did not know that I would actually keep making more and more of these things, but as I was trying to figure out my next steps, I just ended up making accessories as a hobby and to accessorize my basic outfits. It was then that other people were noticing my pieces and through the people already in my life, I was connected to other opportunities. My first opportunity was to let Tulle use my accessories in their look book photoshoots. Through this, I was encouraged by a friend and business owner, Dan Kam, to think about starting up a business.
The entire idea made me very nervous. First, I had no money to do anything and second, I had no business experience and no special training in making accessories. So many terms were foreign to me and I needed detailed checklists to help to launch, but I ended up just going for it and thinking that I had nothing to lose during this time.
I has been almost a year since I made "Petit Plume" an official business. Most of all, it has been a huge learning experience. Many times, I have felt like a crazy person for starting this, but through encouragements and support, I have been able to endure and believe in what I do.
I do not know the future and I did not create a concrete plan. Besides, who knows what the next big trend is or how long I can keep making handmade accessories. I do not know much, but I do know that I love making people feel special and beautiful and to create and craft new experiences and perspectives for people through my art.
I must always remain thankful for what I have been given and to utilize my gifts.
Through creating accessories, I have met many vendors and some people who work in the salon industry. I had no idea that all these areas could connect and I may sound crazy again attempting to tackle another field, but cosmetology is an area that I would like to tap into for a variety of reasons, but mainly to serve people and be a positive influence.
Could these be my next steps? I am not sure and I will have to wait and see if the doors will open for me. I will take it one "patch" at a time to ultimately create a beautiful "patchwork" that could be a life that can cover a broken soul or to provide some loving care. This is what I mean when I say that Petit Plume is merely a stepping stone towards greater dreams. I hope to continue to keep growing and looking up.

Thank you so much for reading this loooong post and Thank you for your support!!!

Antique Magic!

I finally got a chance to finish some custom orders and also play around with my new materials. :D

I got a Darkener for Gold and Silver and I used it on a gold plated crystal headband to give it that antiqued look and to tone down the brightness of the gold.


BEFORE & AFTER:



Here is the original (some may still like it bright gold):





















































The finished headband

and a closer look!

Hand-wired, czech crystals on a gold plated trim and headband.

Beautiful!
You can purchase this soon on ETSY!

Tour de SoCal Photo Update!

It has been absolutely insane and I finally have a chance to update, so here goes!! Enjoy!

1.) Unique Los Angeles (April 24-25):


Lisa helped make my display...POP!


Booth Partners!! Lisa makes Vintage Jewelry!



He basically moved Everything up and down stairs for me <3
Fun hanging flowers, mirrors, and crystals with my birdcage (birds on the outside...) ;)

The last day, we had random deals and t-shirt giveaways!! WhooHoo!!


2.)UCSD Vendor Fair (April 28-30):

Basically...it's a LONG story, but let's just say that Steppie and I had quite an adventure...

Here is how it started:


















so packed...used side view mirrors and teamwork to get to SD...



















ate at Sushilicious and got a free meal for Steppie's Birthday!! Yippee!!

Delicious specialty rolls and Green Tea Tempura Ice-Cream!!

(and ask for magic tricks too...)




















a picture of my "Brooklyn" headbands to show that we really did go to SD to sell our goods..

























so I accidentally touched this sock outside of my car thinking it was mine...Ewww...



















Mama Mia Italian Restaurant:

where crazy happens...
I don't know why, but we were pretty delirious and everything was SO Hilarious! This is what happens when you are outside all day and just trying to pull it together...

Special thanks to our friends Andrea and Esther for putting up with our crazy schedules.
and to our stomachs for taking in such delicious cuisine!
Oh and thank you to my mom's Nissan Murano for getting us AND our stuff to and from SD!!

3.) UCI Vendor Fair (May 3-7):

I enjoy coming back to UCI, since it reminds me of my college days...(not that it was so long ago...) but those were great times, especially with friends being so near all the time!


















a different deal each day!

This frame was entertaining...people kept thinking it was a mirror..i don't know how many times I heard that...




































"Juliet" headband would have to be my most popular item!

























Anabel sporting her Petit Plume attire! Thanks for coming out and sharing your creativity!! Whee!!


4.) Graffiti Beach Indie Lux Pop-Up Show (may 8):

















my cousin Peter came all the way from New Jersey with his friend Mike, who took some awesome pics for me! and here is my mom and grandma too!
My grandma thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful view-I would have to say that her being there made this event totally worth it!

On the Runway and Close-ups:







































































































































































she is so thrilled to be wearing Petit Plume!





















New Stuff debuted at these shows:



















Double Rhinestone Tiara Band on 18K gold plated headband





















Velvet leaf headbands -"Eden"-Velvet





















"Peyton" - Another l'art headband: painted canvas, lace and rhinestones on settings





















"Cecilia"-mini velvet covered metal headband with wired rhinestones on settings.

Met lots of cool people and contacts!
It's a Busy Time!!
maybe I need to become a coffee drinker...

Mark Your Calendars!

Hello!

So much to look forward to! AHH!!

April 24-25: Unique LA-California Market Center, Los Angeles

Info for Unique Los Angeles:
http://uniquela.com

April 26-30: UCSD Vendor Fair
May 3-7: UCI Vendor Fair
May 8: Indie Lux Pop-Up Fashion Show-Hotel Maya, Long Beach

BUY TICKETS HERE for Fashion Show:
http://indieluxgraffitibeach-petitplume.eventbrite.com/
(must sell 20 of these tickets under my name: "Petit Plume")


Hope to see you around!!!

Petit Plume at Patina Boutique!

I got a chance to bring some new items to Patina Boutique in Costa Mesa today and thought I would share some lovely pictures of their cottage-converted boutique with you!

My line works perfectly with their store as they sell many vintage and vintage inspired items with a handmade appeal!
I love it! Most of my items in their boutique are one-of-a-kind and vintage along with some unique feather clips.
I think you could probably go there at least 10 times and still find something completely new and different with their wide selection of items within the creative and "shabby chic" displays.
Enjoy!

Drop in to say hello and find yourself something pretty! Super friendly! Tell them Genie from Petit Plume sent you ;)










Ali.