Road trip!

I had the pleasure of taking a mini road trip last week with my friend Jen Kahn last week. I've never visited many of the stores I sell to around the country and it's always
such a fun experience when I get to check one out after having sold there for a while.  Revolution in White River Junction, VT is one of the first shops that carried my line when I moved to Vermont and I finally found time to go visit. Nearby is Jen's old stomping grounds from when she was an apprentice with Celie Fago. So we decided to make a day of it. Jen was kind enough to show me around all of the funky parts of the Upper Valley. I'll be splitting it into two separate trips because the visit to Celie's studio deserves a spotlight post of its own.

Kim Souza and Jen Kahn with my pile of clothes! 

Revolution is a great shopping experience with a lovely combination of vintage clothing and handmade. They have a lovely selection of jewelry as well! I was delighted to bump into Philly artist Heidi Roland's line. I had to buy a pair of those beaded chevron earrings. (pictured above)

So much fun handmade clothing by local artists! I spotted Sarah's skirts from Mountain Ash Design (her skirts pictured all the way to the left), Thimble and Acorn, Salaam and many more!

Cute and colorful upcycled sweater skirts by Where Designs. 

It was so much fun to see all of the talented artists that are spreading their wares all over! 

We also happened to check out a thrift shop where I scored this amazing Kevin Bacon t-shirt for $1. Sweet! 

Later on today or sometime this weekend I'll continue with another post about the inspiring trip to Celie's studio! 

Inspired by this cold...

Holy crow! It is cold out there. I was inspired by my friend Erica and this weather to create some new ear warmer headbands. I made three prototypes that I may list on etsy, but I make keep myself. I think these will be around $28. They are made from vintage & reclaimed sweaters!

designer's block!

I'm having a bad case of designers block for my spring line. It's time to put away the wool and heavy fabrics and get to work on spring clothing. It's just that this time of year I have a hard time believing it will actually be spring and summer again. What do YOU plan on wearing this spring and summer? What kind of designs would you like to see?

I am excited to announce that i'll be taking part in this year's beCAUSE show. It's a show where each artist donates a percentage of their proceeds toward a certain charity or foundation. This year I chose Pete's Greens after their devastating loss in the barn fire. Come support some local artists and tons of great causes!

Also in the works, I am moving. Again. I know, I know. I just moved 6 months ago. While I do love it out here for some reasons and love my roommate(s) but it's just too far. An hour round trip driving to and fro the post office isn't helping me with time management and I just can't deal with this slow satellite internet. It takes 10X as long to get things done and some things I can't get done. I have to wait until we go on our weekly dates to the laundromat to use their awesome high speed internet.

organic cotton is in!

johnson gal dress $120. organic cotton and local wool

One of my new years resolutions was to start a line using organic cotton. Well, it came and I made a few tops(and a skirt!) I have also been using some local wool made down the road at Johnson Woolen Mills right here in Vermont.

You can also find other dresses, skirts and even legwarmers in my etsy shop here.

weather pending!

We're currently being hit with a big snowstorm. This means two things for me today: 1. Way too gloomy to take product photos and 2. Too dangerous to get to the post office. While I have lots and lots to mail out and lots to take photos of, I'll have to postpone.

My second week of sale has continued, this week select handmade clothing is marked down 30%, the week after it will be 20% and then 15%.

I've added another goal to my new years resolution. To make a physical product catalogue. While I like the idea of just being able to e-mail businesses and stores, a lot ask for a catalogue to be mailed. I may be missing out on great opportunities until I am able to mail one of these out.

happy new year

Happy new year ya'll! It feels good to be back in Vermont after being away for a week and a half. The time away has given me time to think of new ideas for the new year. This year is my first year starting out Nicole's Threads as a full-time gig. I had a job waitressing but it was so very part time and I wasn't quite ready to let go of a semi-stable income. It feels great, overwhelming and scary but most of all, exciting! In order to keep things rolling, I have to work long, hard hours between sewing, fulfilling orders, scouting out new places to carry my line and keeping up with the web stuff. Also, here in rural Vermont we got ourselves into a situation of having satellite internet... which totally sucks. I enjoy my big day out to the laundromat to use their high speed internet [note sarcasm]. Living here has been an experience in many ways.

Some of my business goals for 2011 are:

*create a limited edition line using sustainable organic fibers. While I have ordered some organic cotton blends, I will continue using my original fabric sources too. All fabric that I use is sourced from places that either have so much that they are getting rid of extra, there is a little blip every so often that I work around, remnant or vintage. I'm going to expand into a line of organic fibers and will also be using wool blends made by a local company based out of Vermont!

*develop a printed catalogue to send to brick & mortar shops.

*get a website (about time!)

*more craft shows. While I currently vend at a few local Vermont craft shows (Queen City Craft, BCA Holiday Market, and some further away (Art Star Craft Bazaar, Bust Craftacular @ World Maker Faire, Craftland) this year I'll be scouting out & applying to other shows (Renegade Craft, Bazaar Bizarre, SOWA Holiday Market)

*prepare ahead of time & set deadlines! This is something that I don't do every year! In the clothing world, you should be preparing your clothing way in advance. Instead of making clothing for winter, I should be making clothing for Spring & Summer right now.

*keep up new etsy shops. While I haven't been working another job, I've found the time to reopen my other etsy shops.

http://potterylottery.etsy.com - you'll find handmade stoneware & porcelain jewelry

http://grannysthreads.etsy.com - vintage finds (mostly clothing)

*blog more often! I find that most successful bloggers blog EVERY DAY! While I know I can't set a daily blog goal out for myself, I can set a goal of at least one post per week.

Some personal goals for 2011 are to start a garden, learn how to can, paint more, learn to snowshoe and or ski and to find out what it would take of me to buy a house.

What are your goals for 2011?

it's the bee's knees

bees knees. morrisville, vermont

Pictured above are some of my skirts and patchwork scarves (inspired by the women of Gee's Bend). Those scarves took forever to make but are SO MUCH FUN. To the right is some art by local artist Jess Graham. As I've mentioned before, I'm really excited to be gearing up for this weekend's holiday show Queen City Craft Bazaar. Here are some sneak previews of artists that will be there!

the candy thief bathilde band

subsixstudios fabric earrings

robot dinosaur fiddlehead

skateboard heart pendant by cooboriginals

Like what you see? Come by the Queen City Craft Bazaar!

the swing of things

My iron bit the dust today! It was a super cheap one from a big box store that I bought after I started sewing. It's probably a good 5 years old. It was a really heavy one and got super hot. Although I understand WHY irons have automatic shut-offs after 8 minutes, it is very inconvenient for me. Enough about that.

I've been photographing and listing so much on etsy. This satellite internet makes it take twice as long to get anything done on here, but while I'm living five miles up a dirt road I've got plenty of time! Hope you enjoy the recent listings and revamped photographs. Reminder that Queen City is this Saturday and I am very excited about it! I also dropped off some new jewelry at Bella Boutique in Burlington, VT and the Clothing Line in Burlington. Stop in to give them some love!

Also if you'd like to see Nicole's Threads in a store near you, recommend them here!

winter project

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a pack rat when it comes to just about everything. I moved 7 1/2 hours north of where I used to live in June and have somehow managed to make my room/studio look like I've been living here for 10 years. One of my favorite projects is making things with all of my scrap fabrics. This winter I've committed to making a quilt.. I'm usually so busy making things for stores or to sell that I don't have anything to show.. here is the quilt I am working on.. I hung the piece in our kitchen until I make more to add!

Cyber Monday

Free button earrings with the purchase of a top on cyber monday!

camel's hump

i did it! it only took me six months of living in vermont to finally go on a big hike...announcing the winner of the contest tomorrow!

Bobby Pin Giveaway!

Long over-due! I'll be giving away this bobby pin! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with your favorite item from either my Nicole's Threads etsy shop, or my new Pottery Lottery etsy shop and also what you'd like to see more of. I'll be picking a winner out of a hat on November 15h. Good luck!!!

New stores carrying Nicole's Threads!

here are some new stores that are carrying Nicole's Threads accessory line:
Double Dutch Boutique - Baltimore, MD (will be carrying clothing soon!)
Red Envy Boutique - Toledo, OH
Trinket - Burlington, VT
Fancy Tiger - Denver, CO
the Artisan Gallery - Northampton, MA
Anna Grace - Buffalo, NY

Vermonster Beer

I just wanted to put this out there real quick, please please pass it along...

25% off moving sale

I'm having a 25% off moving sale until May 13th. Everything in my etsy store will be on sale until then! I just got back from Vermont, where I played the Skinny Pancake and went to visit Johnson, Vermont. It's an awesome town!! The countdown is on.. 4 weeks until I move! P.S. Since my camera broke I had to resort to a photo where we went blueberry picking in July. I can't wait to go again. I can't believe it's almost July again... where does the time go?! I'm getting all ready for the art star craft show.. I hope to see you all there! Also, I dropped off a bunch of button earrings at the Green Closet in Winooski, VT, along with a new design of stoneware earrings I've been working on.

Back from Vermont...Winter SALE!

Before I get into anything, I just want to say that I'm having an end of season sale.. $15 off any top with sleeves!

I'm back from our little tour in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. I have to say the whole time was a blast but I especially loved Keene, being that I had never been to New Hampshire. I couldn't have asked for a better, more attentive and fun audience... the people who run the Starving Artist are wonderful! The art there was really amazing and colorful. It was all of the colors that I tend to decorate with.. I wanted to bring it all home with me!



On another note, I just updated my etsy store with a top and just got supplies to make more button earrings! I also found out that I'll be sharing a table at Art Star Craft Bazaar with Kate from Flederhaus. I was really excited to receive her e-mail and find out that she was the gal with the awesome peace flags last year. Art Star Craft Bazaar will be held on May 30th and 31st from 11-6 at Penns Landing's Great Plaza. I went last year, despite losing my wallet, after accidently eating coconut ice cream (i'm allergic... to everything), it was AWESOME!

I have been taking a pottery class with my awesome mom, freaky lyn, who is a great potter despite her modest view that half of the things she makes aren't good enough to sell (which decorates where ever I live well). I'm hoping to start selling some of the jewelry soon... Also, I have been working on a 'hipster'. I hope no one has taken that name! I made myself one as a waitress. It's basically a big pouch with a loop on the back to attach it to your belt. I'll hopefully be adding those this weekend to the etsy shop....


Also, look soon for a giveaway/contest!