Easter Dresses for the Eastside

Back in 2008, I walked a creative path that I had considered only as a child: to design and make girls clothing. Truly, the last time I even considered this career was when I was 16! Its been a developing effort, and last year my small business--GirlyGirl Productions-- went wholesale!  It was a "go big or go home"  year and after five trade shows I'm still learning the timing and logistics of designing, showing, selling, producing and distributing seasonal collections of girls clothes to wholesale customers.  I'm not going home yet!

Part of GirlyGirl's narrative is that "we dress and adorn girls 2-10 in bright, fun, age-appropriate, retro-inspired clothes." Although my end user has no problem affording one of my dresses, not all moms can--especially in parts of my inner-city neighborhoods. So an idea was inspired....

A couple of years ago I participated in "Little Dress for Africa".  I was supplied with a pattern, made a dress and sent it to an organizer in NC who then sent the dresses to girls in need in Africa.  It was great fun.  But that got me thinking about my neighborhood and my philosophy of keeping life--church, shopping, school, work--local. The thought has been stewing this long! But recently the thought bubbled to the surface as a need as the Easter Holiday approached.

Every little girl needs a pretty little dress for Easter.  What a perfect time to show the girls in my community how much they are loved and how much God and their neighbors truly care for them.  

I presented the idea to my missional community group at church and was amazed with the supportive response I received! Five to 12 ladies on four separate occasions got together at City Church Eastside in March and April and we made 60 dresses!  Not everyone knew how to sew, but everyone contributed--cutting, running ribbon through casing, tagging, etc.  It was so much fun and so rewarding. I felt such a sense of truly being in community.

The dresses were delivered to the Atlanta Dream Center, which serves the needs of  homeless, commercially sexually exploited and at-risk, underprivileged men, women and children. 

We are hoping to receive photos of girls in their dresses soon.  I will share with you when I do.

Happy Easter!

Too Much Inspiration!

I really don't believe one can have too much inspiration.  I feel so energized and focused when another artist's work has struck a chord in me or has inspired me to approach my work in a different way.

Canadian illustrator Helen Dardik does this for me.  Her work is whimsical, colorful, happy, quirky, energizing..... I'll stop drooling now.  Last year she created a fantastic collection for P&B Textiles called Too Muchery (now sold out). I purchased the whole collection and have finally put together pieces that I think do it justice.

The patterns are so "Helen Dardik"  with funny shapes, quirky flowers, butterflies, geometric details--very colorful.  So, the clothing pieces I designed are very simple and almost traditional in shape focusing on skirts.  I wanted the fabric to lead and the shapes of the clothing to follow.

These piece will be available on line soon at GirlyGirlProductions.net and at my Spring Trunk Show on Saturday, March 23 at the Beehive, Atlanta.

What is Love?

What is Love?

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

Karl--Age 5

What is Love?

We are working on home-made Valentine cards this afternoon.  The kids will be distributing them to their class mates next week.  During our discussion of what Love is and how we express our love, they came up with some sweet answers.

My boy wonder said, "Love is when you help me with my projects, mom."  True.

"Love is when you cuddle with me," said my girly girl.  Absolutely.

I found some fantastic, funny and poignant responses by some other kids who were asked the question:  What is Love?

I'll post a quote a day for a week in honor of St. Valentine.

"When you love somebody your eyelashes go up and down and small stars come out of you."
(what an image)
Noelle, Age 7

Inspirations in Technicolor

When I was eight  I watched New York, New York , the 1949 MGM musical starring my "dream boat" Gene Kelley.  I saw American in Paris, Singing in the Rain, and Brigadoon many times over!  I decided then, when I grew up, I would marry him.  I had the very cool fortune of actually meeting Mr. Kelley when he came through Atlanta in the mid-70's, but you probably guessed, I did not marry him.  Sigh.

When I started playing with fabrics for a new collection of girly skirts I wondered if the colors I was gravitating toward were too "technicolor".  But the word made me think of Gene Kelley and the vibrant films he made that took place in magical cities all over the world (mostly Hollywood back lot studios).  But that's beside the point.

The Girl in the World Collection was born!  There will be ten featured cities on adorable, vibrant, fun skirts with an all-important pocket for collecting and keeping treasures! There will also be coordinating reversible Peter Pan collar "necklaces" that can work with any simple top!

The cities featured will include:

New York
London
Paris
Rome
Amsterdam
Barcelona
Moscow
Sydney
Tokyo
Mexico City
There might be others ....

You'll be able to find them on my Etsy shop and at GirlyGirlProductions.net.

You can also see more about the collection as it develops on my Facebook page.

Ready.. Set.. Goals!

Happy Monday!  Happy New Year!

No more excuses now.  The decorations (with the exception of the outdoor lights) are down. The kids are back to school. I'm OFFICIALLY back to work now.  Friday I cleaned my studio space and sat down to make a list of everything I wanted to accomplish--develop new designs, sew, photograph, blog, write press releases, work on my website, do bookkeeping... I was immediately overwhelmed.   Deep breath.  One step at time.  I had to take all the thoughts and ideas in my head and turn them into business goals with a plan of action!

Knowing that the help I sought was out in the bloggosphere, I searched, and voila found a great outline and simple guide to writing  down my business goals for 2013.  Marketing expert Laura McCulloch-Carter has created a simple and straightforward worksheet that can help you write down those goals and then identify the steps required to achieve them with quarterly milestones.

My top three business goals are to develop my website into a viable sales and marketing tool, establish five new wholesale customers and be featured in five blogs and two magazines this year.  Are these goals too lofty?  Not enough?  I don't know.  Its what I feel is part of a successful year for my small hand-made business.

As someone who has been a successful business owner at times, and a not so successful business owner at other times, I do know that establishing goals and identifying the steps to achieve those goals are critical to my vision. Knowing I have a plan calms me.  I don't feel so overwhelmed now.  Breathe in, breathe out.  All is good!

From my blog post for the Beehive.

Crafting New Year's Resolutions

We are about to embark on a fresh new year, and as I sit and watch the fire blazing this morning, I find myself lost in thought of what I want to accomplish personally and professionally in 2013.  I'm making notes.  Designing and printing my own fabric is on top of the list.  Revamping my internet site and sales follows.  Then I think.... my kids should be doing this!  At 8 and 9 they are perfectly capable of  reflecting on their achievements and setting new goals for themselves (not just my goals for them).

Well, of course there is a blog post out there for just this task and I found it! Thank you thirtyhandmadedays. Mique came up with a downloadable sheet that kids can complete and keep to reflect on throughout the year.  It's so to the point, I plan to complete it myself and post it in my studio to look at everyday.  Happy New Year! I wish for you the blessings of health, love and happiness and the fulfillment of all your goals and aspirations.

xoxo
Anna 

Bee In The Know -- Napkins

My absolute most favorite time of the year starts this weekend as we begin to prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year.  Yippee!  I begin to slow down the crafting for my business and begin crafting for my own selfish pleasure!!  I'm starting with holiday napkins.  I chose to do reversible napkins with a muslin on one side and a really fun Boden-inspired cotton on the other.  I also chose not to make them so....Thanksgiving-ish or Christmasy.  I'd like to use them more often.  After I was done, I had leftovers, so I made a runner.  I did not create a tutorial for that yet, but look for it soon.   In the meantime, you can make the napkins by following lots of tutorials compiled by Tipnut.

Go Make!

Anna Hinson
Bee in the Know

From Sew Mama Sew

My Napkins and Runner

By Homestead Revival

Where Am I?

So you've noticed, huh?  I've been very remiss about blogging.  Actually, I have been blogging--three times a week for almost six weeks now!  I am officially the Bee-in-the-Know for the Beehive Atlanta.  I post three times a week.  Every Monday I post Buzz Tips--business tips for indie business owners. Wednesday I feature a Beehive artist and their work in my Meet the Brood post, and, on Saturday I post the Weekend Make--a tutorial for a DIY craft for the home, yourself or your kids!  I am planning also for an Extra! Extra! post when something exciting is coming up at the Beehive.

I must say, I love it!  Next to designing and sewing, talking is one my other favorite things.  Blogging for the Beehive gives me a structured format to do just that!  And about things I love and know!
I'll continue to blog on GirlyGirl about all the exciting things related to GirlyGirl--new collections and designs, festivals, projects, my tutorials,  etc. So stay tuned!  More good stuff to come. And when you want more of what I have to gab about, come to Bee in the Know.

Thanks for being here!

xoxo
Anna

A Tale of Two Pin Cushions

I took this photo a few months ago during one of my BIG Beach Bag workshops.  This image is a perfect metaphor for how I'd like my life to be.. (left cushion) , but isn't right now..(right cushion).  The pin cushion on the left belongs to a student who took the class. She meticulously made a gorgeous bag and carefully put each pin back in her cushion just the way she wanted.  Yes, she is a bit of an "A" but heck, you have to be when you are sewing.  

The pin cushion on the right, well you guessed it, is mine!  My mom gave it to me;  it was hers. It's looked like this for years.  And I've done nothing to make it look better! Sometimes the pins don't even get back to it.  They end up on the floor and just get swept off the floor on which they fall with a bundle of thread and scraps and then straight into the trash. I am so busy right now getting ready for the fall markets, getting kids off to a new school year, getting all my overdue book keeping done....   Sometimes I just don't have the time or gumption to put the pins back in the cushion. And I call myself a sewist.  Ha!

Happy Trails

That's me on my horse-for-the-week Giego.  That's Ron the wrangler adjusting the watchamacallit. 

The sky looked just like this the whole week!

Just got back from an amazing vacation!  We spent ten wonderful days in Colorado-- seven of which were on a DUDE ranch!  Yesiree....we rode horses, hiked, fished and ate alot! It was an all inclusive set up where someone else (in this case an awesome chef)  actually did the cooking all day long!  All I had to do was show up when that big bell rang 14 times signifying another meal was ready.

I've got to say, cowboys and cowgirls are alive and  kicking in the great American West. Rodeos are darn-tootin' fun, and the Rocky Mountains are magnificent and awe-inspiring.   I was truly inspired by the cowboy lifestyle--cow-wrangling, guitar pickin', chink-wearing true-blue cowboys still exist and I think an essence of authentic American culture.

I see denim in the fall GirlyGirl collection.  Hmmmmm.

As Seen on Babble.com

The Retro Reversible Skirt was just featured on Babble.com, a website for parents looking for sources, articles and everything related to bringing up baby and toddler. We were featured on the blog Toddler Times by Mary Lauren of My3littlebirds. You have to follow her blog--she is a wonderful writer with a keen ability to speak so eloquently and beautifully what all mothers feel. Many thanks to Mary for her support of independent design and for including GirlyGirl Productions in her recent blog!

Go HERE to read Toddler Times and to our Etsy site if you'd like to purchase!

Sewing Camp Love

I  held my first week of summer sewing camp at the Beehive this week.  I had a small group of three lovely girls ages 8-10 who so impressed me with their enthusiasm, creativity and talent!  On the  first day we went through the basics of using a machine and once they were comfortable with making straight stitches, I taught them the basics of all the techniques they needed to complete their project -- a summer top and embellished cut off jeans. They learned how to make a French seam, apply bias tape, how to make a yo-yo, and how to applique.  We spent the week working on their garments, culminating with a mini-fashion show for their parents.  Its was great fun! They love sewing so much, on the second day of camp they surprised me with a sweet and thoughtful note and gifts they made for me: a pillow and a little bag. I am so encouraged for the future of sewing!  Many thanks to Nola, Kelly and Claire for a lovely week!!

The BIG Beach Bag

I'm hosting another Sip & Stitch at the Beehive this Thursday evening. The project:  a fabulous and BIG beach bag for use throughout the summer.  I don't know about yours, but my beach bags have not been big enough.  We carry lots of gear when we head out to the pool or vacation to the beach and we always end up carrying multiple bags.  Annoying.  So, I designed a BIGGER and much more cute bag.  The Sip & Stitch is from 6:30 -9:30.  Sign up quickly-- there are 3 spots left as I write!  The tutorial is available on Craftsy.

 I wasn't kidding when I said its BIG.  

There are 4 beach towels, hat, water bottle, flippers, snorkel, goggles, 

sunscreen, two magazines and my lap-top all in this bag!

A Great Festival Weekend!

I must say that my booth at the Inman Park festival looked fantastic.  I have never been more satisfied with the layout (which is everchanging) and alot of this I owe to my friend and fellow crafter, Marcella, who is doll-maker extraordinaire and owner of Luvaboo.  We shared the 10' x 10' booth this year and our products looked beautiful together.  The colors, content and flow of our space was very boutique-like.  The festival was a huge success for both of us.  Many thanks to my great friends and supporters who came by to say hi and to shop.  A heartfelt thank you to Suzy, Susan, Elizabeth, Kris, Marybeth, Kim, Beth, Joey, Grace, Sarah, Derek and my sweet love Michael. The Kirkwood Spring Fling is my next festival, May 19.

The GirlyGirl/Luvaboo booth.

Marcella (R) and I.

The GirlyGirl accessory table was very popular.

Outfit by GirlyGirl Productions and Garden Girl doll by Luvaboo.

Getting Ready for Inman Park

Undoubtedly the Inman Park Festival (April 28-29) is one of the BEST arts and crafts festivals in Atlanta.  Thousand of people walk through every year.  Hopefully, some will stop by the GirlyGirl booth!  I've been feverishly preparing my inventory.  This year I'm  also making some girly necklaces and purses.  Check them out.

Reversible skirt, ruffled tank, beaded necklace, over the shoulder purse. Cute huh?  

The colorful necklaces I strung are made of wood beads and felted balls.

My daughter has first dibs on the purse.  We'll see....

The Easter Frock

 I love the word "frock".  The British use it to mean a woman's dress, but its a 14th century Germanic word which means a loose outer garment primarily worn by men--like a monk's habit or a smock.  Not very girly, but I still like the word.  It describes well some of the new pieces in my spring and summer line--loose, flowy, smock-like.  The Easter Frock is one of my favorites.

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Kid Independent--Kid Inspiration!

 

Girls With a Message! 

 Art by Linda Tieu.

As a designer and maker of girl's clothing I am always interested in all things made for kids.  I find great inspiration and motivation from many designers from all over the world.   I've discovered a wonderful Australian site called Kid independent ( ahh, those infinitely creative and clever Aussies) that features hand crafted kid designs in art, clothing, toys, room accessories and more! One main requirement for the designers they feature is they must be able to sell their product internationally.

The Placemat Clutch -- FREE TUTORIAL

I just uploaded a FREE tutorial on Craftsy.com that I created for the Beehive. You can make this easy, fun, and stylish clutch in less than one hour!  And the coolest thing is its made from a $2 placemat.  Whodathunk?
Click here to download PDF.

sip & stitch
workshop. wine. food. friends. fun.  
Instructor - ME!
 

What's better than craft, coupled with good drink and eats?  Join me on Thursday evenings each month at the Beehive for this one-night workshop class (6pm-9pm) 

with wine, snacks, friends and fun.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be served for our participants under 21 years of age (yep, we are gonna have to card you all!). 

BUT YOU MUST KNOW BASIC SEWING--I WILL BE TEACHING MY TUTORIALS BUT NOT HOW TO SEW.

GO HERE TO SIGN UP.  SLOTS FILL QUICKLY.

Market Tote Thursday, February 16th - 6-9pm 

The Easter Clutch

Thursday, March 15th - 6pm-9pm

     
 Mod Tablet or Phone Cover

Thursday, April 19th - 6pm-9pm

  

Beach Bag
Thursday, May 17th - 6-9pm 
 

List of supplies:
YOUR SEWING MACHINE

Materials list will be provided to class list a week before the class date.  

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!