Moved again

Sorry to do this to you yet again, but I’ve moved ye olde blogge.  Please come and visit me over here.  And set your bookmarks to http://terrygraziano.typepad.com/blog/

Thanks!

OXXO

Terry

National Design Week and hat of the day: 9

Did you know that this week is National Design Week?  A project of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum here in NY, there are special events in NYC, online, and in cities all over the country.  You can even cast your vote for your favorite in the competition for the 2008 People’s Design Award.  Voting ends at 6pm EST today, so hurry!  If you are in NYC, the Cooper-Hewitt has free admission all week and some great events.  Tonight I’ll be attending National Design Awards Winners’ Panel discussion.  It’s always a thought provoking evening, with designers from different disciplines, all at the top of their game, weighing in on a variety of topics.  I’m especially excited to hear the winner of the award for fashion, Ralph Rucci.

Since I’ll be going to such a design-y event, I really want to wear something beautiful, something that I made, and something that has become sort of a signature for me: the Sweetheart.

 

Sweetheart in blue wool & cashmere herringbone

 

Sweetheart in blue wool & cashmere herringbone

 

Sweetheart in blue wool & cashmere herringbone

 

Sweetheart in blue wool & cashmere herringbone

 

Sweetheart in blue wool & cashmere herringbone

available here, here and here

Because I want the color to really pop, I’ll stick to mostly black for clothing and other accessories, though everything will have lovely details.  

 

thrifted coat, vintage purse, very old but comfy Charles David boots

And yes, the zippers on the coat are completely functional!

Have a terrific design-y Tuesday!!

 

 

happy monday! and hat of the day: 8

    

roller boogie

I know not everyone likes Mondays, but I actually do!  Especially since hats are now my full-time gig.  One thing that has been getting me up and running faster than usual for the past week or so is having a new and delicious roller boogie number delivered to my email inbox every morning.  It puts the fun in funky and before I know it, I’m dancing around the studio even when accomplishing the most mundane of tasks.  I highly recommend it to jumpstart your day!

Now a little something funky for your head:

 

Cape Hatter in blue & silver cotton/lurex

 

Cape Hatter in blue & silver cotton/lurex

 

Cape Hatter in blue & silver cotton/lurex

 

Cape Hatter in blue & silver cotton/lurex

 

Cape Hatter in blue & silver cotton/lurex

available here, here and here

Pair this with some

bell bottoms,

 

big silver earrings, and

a little silver lurex top,

Now you’re ready for a very funky day!

end of summer, part 2

 

in emily's garden

From Vermont, we drove down through Western Massachusetts.  Bruce was due to teach at Kripalu on the weekend, so we only had a couple of days to explore.  Our first stop was Amherst.  I know several people who recently moved there from NYC, and several others who had suggested it as a destination after having visited there, so we were very curious.  You know what?  There are a lot of ex-New Yorkers there!  Amherst is a pretty town, but wow, the traffic!!  We weren’t expecting that.  We did manage to see Emily Dickinson’s house, though it was so crowded that we didn’t have time to wait for a couple of spaces in a tour.  So we stayed in the garden instead.

light in the garden

mushrooms

social climber

We loved the literary history of Amherst and there are some gorgeous old homes. Well, gorgeous and pricey. A lovely woman we met on the street suggested we take a look at Northampton and Easthampton. All the charm, more reasonably priced, and lots more artists. So off we went. We liked both towns, and I think that woman’s suggestion was spot on. Although again, the traffic! Yikes, there are a lot of people in these parts. And they all drive like New Yorkers!! I guess as soon as we leave NYC we thinks the roads should just open up for us. Or maybe we just need what my friend Mark calls a “sit-and-stare” vacation instead. Unfortunately, I was so busy trying to help Bruce navigate that I didn’t take a single picture from that part of our tour.

So then it was on to Lenox and Kripalu where Bruce worked for three days, and I spent my time taking yoga classes, going for long walks, getting heavenly body treatments, and trying to imagine a new life outside of NYC…

end of an era

roosevelt island, nyc

I’ve been feeling a bit wistful and nostalgic lately. Not sure why, but I’m guessing it’s because I’m on the cusp of another big change in my life. For me change always brings up memories of things that used to be, some I miss and some I was glad to see go. That, and I spend way too much time lost in thought on a regular basis! I was dreamy as a kid and just never grew out of it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about two hat-related endings recently. The first is that Manny’s Millinery Supply in NYC is closing its doors, after 60 years in business. I have been so sad ever since I heard this news. Not that I shopped there much at all – in fact, I think its been years since I stepped through their door. And truth be told, Manny’s customer service left a little to be desired. I have distinct memories of being in the store, requesting an item which was displayed directly behind the clerk’s head, and them looking at me like I was absolutely crazy to think they carried it and no, they were so sure they didn’t have it and they wouldn’t even turn around to look. And this was almost every time I went in there. Sheesh! Part of the New York charm I guess. But every once in a while I’d think, gosh, it would be fun to experiment with ________! And I would know that they were the only place in town to get it. Just last week I wanted some millinery elastic and thought of them. Since I make all of my hats with thread and fabric, I haven’t had much use for Manny’s supplies on a regular basis since I stopped making costumes. What I need I can usually get at a regular old fabric store or sewing supplier. So I guess in a way I’ve contributed to their demise, for which I am sorry. I have such respect for hatters that use traditional techniques – it’s so difficult to really master them, and so essential to have access to quality supplies.

The other hat-related ending I’ve been thinking about, and this one goes under the “I’m always the last to know” category, is the death of Casey Bush, who was the founder of the Headwear Information Bureau. OK, she died in December of 2006, but I just found out, so it feels like it just happened. Casey was from the old school, such an energetic and passionate supporter of milliners and did so much to, as she would often say, “keep hats hot!”. When we lived in Manhattan we were right down the street from her penthouse and base of operations, and I would run into her in the neighborhood and then later at trade shows. She was extremely supportive, down to buying hats from me, and if she stopped by my trade show booth and I wasn’t there, she’d leave sweet little notes to let me know how much she loved wearing my creations. She is and will be sorely missed.

So, the hat landscape is definitely changing. My hope is that there will always be room for the traditional craft of millinery, as well as modern takes by hatters like me.

In the spirit of remembering the past, the photo at the top of this post is from a walk we took a couple of weeks ago to Roosevelt Island, which lies in the East River between Manhattan & Queens. It really is like another world from the rest of NYC – quiet and slower-paced with wide-open spaces. Roosevelt Island was originally used for municipal institutions such as prisons, poor houses, and nursing homes – a dumping ground for all the outcasts of the rest of the city. Now, like the rest of NYC, it is being gentrified, with lots of new condominiums being built and some of the old hospitals being converted to luxury housing. At the southern tip of the island, which was only recently re-opened to the public, is one of the old Victorian-era hospitals, in all its decaying glory. Here are a few more pics:

roosevelt island, with manhattan skyline

roosevelt island, grand entrance

roosevelt island, two windows

roosevelt island, ghostie

I just love the little ghostie graffiti in the last shot – so appropriate.

Hope you’re having a lovely Monday!

Terry

a little off the top

Happy summer!  The spring just seemed to fly right by, but I am glad that summer is here.  I love the longer days, the bevy of fresh fruits and vegetables, and wearing softer, more feminine clothing.

To celebrate the first day of summer last Friday, I got my hair cut super-short!  Since I’m adverse to having my picture taken, even by me, here’s just a little peek:

Previously, my hair was an almost-shoulder length layered bob.  It’s still a bit shocking every time I catch sight of myself in the mirror (who is that girl??), but I really like it.  Incredibly liberating.  And did I mention how easy it is to take care of?  Just wash and go.  I’ve been making a lot of changes lately, to shake myself out of complacency, and this sure was the biggest ticket!  Not only do I look different, I find I am carrying myself differently, I need to dress and accessorize differently (like with these earrings which I was lucky enough to score!), and most importantly, absolutely every hat I have looks completely different on me now.  It’s like having a new model to dress and learning for the first time what shapes and silhouettes compliment her. A very special custom client.  Exciting and so stimulating!  To cut it all off was a decision I made on a whim, but then again, sometimes those turn out to be the decisions ever made!

 

inspirations

I was feeling a little bleak earlier today, much like the weather in NYC. But now that I’m in the studio, everything’s alright with me! However, it was too dark to take any hat pictures, so no new ones today. But if all goes well in the studio and it’s bright and sunny, I’ll be posting updates to the shop on Thursday and Friday. In the meantime, I wanted to share a few things that have been inspiring to me, especially today.

designformankind just released the 3rd edition of the inspiration monthly ezine and it is fantastic! So beautiful, peaceful and, well, inspiring! Definitely check it out if you haven’t already.

Through designformankind and her wonderful new roadmaps: breaking free series, I’ve found the lovely creative thursday. Marisa’s blog and shop are great and I listened to a slew of her terrific podcasts last night. Marisa has such a creative, gentle and nurturing spirit – the podcasts were exactly the sort of thing I needed to hear. Isn’t is amazing how that happens? I’ll definitely be back for more.

My husband is a writer and keeps this book by his desk:

I’m having such fun perusing it! There are such fantastic words and I’m making a huge list of my favorites. Undoubtedly many will end up as hat style names before long!

In the studio, when I have to really crank up my energy, and also need my brain to think (i.e. no npr allowed), I’ve been listening to the 1920’s Radio Network. I access their live stream from their website. For some reason that music makes me so happy and just gets me into a great rhythm! I’m a sucker for anything from the 20’s through the 40’s – just an old-fashioned girl I guess. And I think it’s so apropos to make hats to it. One click and I’m the star of my own little millinery movie!

And I was so excited to come home to this:

I had pre-ordered it awhile back so it was a nice surprise when it arrived! I love Lotta Jansdotter’s work (who doesn’t?!) and am hoping to meet her at the Brooklyn Flea this weekend – that is if I don’t lose my nerve and get all starstruck! (Must work on my shyness!!) This is such a beautiful book and I am really eager to try my hand at several of the projects.

Hope you’ve found some inspirations for yourself today too!

inspiration for mankind

I’m loving this new print from design for mankind – so beautiful, so inspirational, and so gosh darn affordable! They’re available in seven beautiful colors right here. I had a difficult time deciding, but went with the carnation. Can’t wait to hang it in my studio for a great reminder as I work!

etsy love and some news

Woke up this morning to two lovely notes. One was from the very kind and talented jade scott, who makes the most beautiful jewelry, and also has a wonderful blog. (I’ve been coveting this bracelet of hers for some time now.) She included me today on her blog in her best of etsy finds. Thanks Jade!

The second note was from Jen over at indiefixx. She also found me on etsy and has included me in her Spring Fashion & Accessories Guide. Thanks Jen!

In other news I have been accepted into the ranks of vendors at the new Brooklyn Flea! I’m really excited about this as they have a fantastic lineup and a great mix of vintage & antique clothing & furniture, new furniture & lighting, music, new clothing & accessories, art, photography, crafts, jewelry, bicycles, lotions & potions, tasty treats and more!! Design*Sponge has created a collective there too, so you know it’ll be great. Opening Day is April 6th – if you’re in the neighborhood, come and say hello!

International Women’s Day

(image found via avant-garde fashion photography)

Happy International Women’s Day! Today is the global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. IWD celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future. And who doesn’t want to do that?

To celebrate, and as a thank you to the many women over the years who have supported me and my creative efforts, I’m offering a 20% discount on all orders in my etsy shop today. Just use the code “International Women’s Day” in the “message to seller section” of the etsy transaction. I’ll then send you a revised paypal invoice which includes the discount. Easy!

And I can’t think about International Women’s Day without mentioning an organization that is near and dear to my heart: Women for Women International. If you aren’t already familiar with this organization, I encourage you to check out their website and learn about the incredible work that they do to educate and empower women in war-torn areas of the world. A small monthly sponsorship can help so much. The have an immediate need for aid to women in DR Congo. I have been sponsoring women in Afghanistan for just over a year now and plan to sponsor women in other areas as soon as my finances allow.

It is incredibly humbling to receive a letter from someone whose life and circumstances are so vastly different from mine. And yet many of our hopes and dreams are the same: to live in a safe environment, to be able to do meaningful work, and to support and feed our families. The strength and grace that these women exhibit in the face of unimaginable horrors is truly inspiring. It is a great reminder of how fortunate I am to have been born in this country, with every freedom and opportunity available to me, things which I take for granted far too often.