DIY COSTUME

Last week a lot of people in the South of the Netherlands dressed up in all kinds of creatures; e.g. on Monday morning I came across a gnome on my way to work. Carnival is a big celebration that happens just before spring each year. I think it's kind of nice that people show their costumes in big parades on the streets. And I can imagine that people enjoy the moment of celebrating together in the pubs.

I personally don't like this festival. The city center gets very crowded, people drink a lot and the music has this annoying, plain, continuous beat and superficial lyrics. 

Although, friends of mine convinced me to go to some sort of carnival-party; there wouldn't be carnival-music but you still had to wear a costume. As I had no costume I quickly made something out of stuff I had lying around. 

I used the shape of my favorite hoodie as basis on a piece of brown fabric. Cut a shoulder pad in half - the ears. Stitched light yellow fabric onto the hoodie as base for the face. Used another piece of brown fabric for the eyes and a red button for the nose. An extra piece of woolen brown fabric functioned as a tale:

In the end the party was quite nice, and I think the quick costume worked out fine!

What do you think of carnival? Do you celebrate it?

Liefs

WELCOME GREEN!

My herb plants are growing like crazy these days. Somehow winter has decided to never come, instead it feels like spring has arrived.

PORTFOLIO

Lately I have been working on my portfolio since it really needs an update! Although I actually was planning on creating shirts from the fabric I showed you in my last post, I decided to first finish the portfolio. Somehow this happens every time; I start a new project but then all of a sudden I am reminded by one of the other projects waiting to be finished and decide to switch. Eventually this results in many unfinished projects, sometimes it is overwhelmingly annoying but then again I am happy to never be bored!

While working on the portfolio I listened to these CDs (Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II and Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms) that I bought the other day. It’s a bit old-fashioned, but I still like to buy CDs, it gives a nice feeling to hold the CD in my hands and to browse through the little booklet that comes with it. Moreover I like to have a physical library of the music that I love.

Liefs

GOOD NEWS

Over the past couple of months I’ve been a bit disorganized in placing my adventures and thoughts on this blog. Ever since graduating my Masters in Industrial Design I’ve had a chaotic experience in finding a job whilst continuing the other things in daily life. I worked at a little shop for a couple of weeks during summer after which I got a temporary job at a design agency. This asked some flexibility from me and that resulted in not having my stuff for Etsy, this blog and some other things organized.

But, I can happily say that from now on I will be working for four days a week at the design agency, which is amazing! Moreover this will give me some structure and time to work on the blog and Etsy. So starting from now I will try to weekly post something about my daily life or the shop. And hopefully will be able to add some new products to my shop. Just started on a new project as you can see.

PROJECT CONTINUES | WINTER JACKET

Since winter still didn't commence around here in the Netherlands I got some extra time to finish my winter jacket. I've been working on it in my spare time whilst drinking a good cup of jasmin tea. I added an extra pocket and decided the jacket can be worn inside-out as well. The inside has such a lovely pattern.

It's almost finished now, you can already wear it. But I'm not totally satisfied with the result, so I will tweak it somewhat in the upcoming days before winter really starts.

Liefs

SHOP | FILM SLIDE NECKLACES

New item in shop: Film Slide Necklaces! 

Some time ago I found these old film slides in a second-hand shop in Antwerp, Belgium. I turned them into necklaces. The slides show pictures of day-to-day life, holidays and special occasions of families that I never met. It allows you to imagine what the story behind the picture could be. I like that, creating your own imaginary story.

Liefs

CHRISTO | BIG AIR PACKAGE

This weekend I went to 'Big Air Package' by Christo in the Gasometer in Oberhausen, Germany. Years back in high school I wrote a report in art history class about him.
I am intrigued by his big projects, they invite you to perceive a normal environment from a different perspective: They make me feel little and vulnerable, but this vulnerability is also applicable to the object itself.
I like that Christo and Jeanne-Claude (His wife, unfortunately she passed away in 2009) organise these big projects with a large group of people and continue no matter how many difficulties they come across.