Meet the Artist ~ Angela of Windy City Knits

Meet the Artist ~ Angela of Windy City Knits

Interviewed by JeannieRichard

Think soothing color palettes, think simple classic form, think Windy City Knits.
We love Angela's knitted accessories for its enduring styles, quality yarn and meticulous handmade touch – that is what you get from Angela!
Know the knotter behind the knits, and know that every time you wear a knit of Angela's, its imbued with much relaxed and wholesome vibes ;D

❤

ISG: Describe yourself as a person on the whole in under 70 words.

Angela: I am a city and beach loving girl, yet I have to drive a bit to get to both, I love espresso way too much, I would eat pasta everyday if I could, I love watching old 1980’s movies, my favorite time of year is Summer.

~ Perfect for spring! Beautiful intense citrus dandelion skinny scarf ~

ISG: What is it about knitting that got you hooked for the past 10 years?

Angela: A good friend showed me how to make a knit stitch and I made a scarf. It was so imperfect and it took me forever but I loved it. I find knitting to be so relaxing and comforting. I love watching a piece take shape in my hands.

~ Stylishly classic for the gentlemen ~

ISG: From where/who/what do you draw your inspiration for your designs? Describe to us your creative process.

Angela: I search for yarns that are high quality and super soft. I work from the yarn itself, looking at the thickness, the drape, the color and then I design a piece from there. I love to work with colorful yarns and classic stitch patterns.

~ Am in love with this ROMANTIC piece and color is just so lush for early spring! ~

ISG: Apart from knitting, what other endeavors keep your creative cells churning?

Angela: I love to sew. Two of my favorite things to sew are bags and skirts.

~ Très chic!! Love the form and VERSATILE slate color, goes with any daily styling! ~

ISG: How would a perfect day be for you?

Angela: A perfect day for me would start with an early morning run, a leisurely breakfast with my family, including espresso of course, an afternoon walking around the city, and ending with a home cooked meal and curling up on the couch with my knitting basket and husband and a movie.

~ This is just so darn CUTE and the color is a delicious hue of autumn! ~

ISG: Selling hand knits on Etsy is highly competitive, what advice would you give to aspiring/struggling fellow knotters?

Angela: I would say to them to use their own style and not be a copy. Find a way to make yourself and your love for your knits show through in your shop.

~ OH! LOVE LOVE LOVE this! What more is there to say?! ~

ISG: If you were given one gold wish a boon from God, what would it be?

Angela: It would be the opportunity to own a successful café. My husband is an amazing cook and I love to bake. We have always talked about owning a little place that serves all the stuff we like to cook, homemade pastas, organic vegetable filled dishes, and my baked cookies and cakes.

~ Gorgeous! Love the striking lemongrass color, the texture, the form, EVERYTHING! ~

❤

v i s i t   & f o l l o w

> Etsy Shop <

> Twitter <

> Facebook <

> Blog < 

 ❤

g i v e a w a y ! 

Windy City Knits will be having a giveaway from
April 4th to April 17th, come back again tomorrow :D 

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Meet the Artist ~ Pia of Pia Barile Accessories

Interviewed by JeannieRichard

Who is Pia Barile?
She is the gregarious lady behind the eco-friendly, colorful, fun, OOAK fingerless mittens and neck tubes that are made from repurposed materials, be it knitted, crocheted, lace, brocades, buttons YOU NAME IT! ;D
And guess what? All designed and handmade while being oh-so-chic!
Let's find out more about Pia – what makes her world tick to give all of us lovely accessories...

~ ❤ ~

ISG: In under 50 words, describe yourself as a creative woman in your own right.

Pia: I am Pia. designing and making accessories is what I do all day long.

ISG: How did you end up specializing in arm cuff and fingerless mittens?

Pia: Necessity. I used to sell jewelry on craft and biological markets here in Amsterdam, twice a week, all year long. it can be pretty cold and rough in winter, so I knitted some arm warmers for myself. They were ideal, as I needed to have my fingers free while keeping my hands warm. once, they were laying on my stall and I had a hard time with a lady that wouldn't accept they were not for sale.

So I knitted up some more and they sold so quick I realized I couldn't knit fast enough. Then I came up with the idea of using recycled wool and made a small line of products.

The arm cuffs/fingerless mittens have been my best seller ever since. And they still are now, online.

ISG: What or who inspires your designs?

Pia: Can be anything I see out there. After a while, for the mittens, is the material itself that inspires me. I have turned a huge amount of ugly sweaters in funky arm warmers!

Etsy is a great inspiring place in itself. And, about people... my grandma. She used to be a tiny woman, always making something with her hands. It was nice to be around her when I was a kid. And she had all kind of fascinating hidden stuff in boxes, like old buttons, yarn, scraps of fabric, broken jewelry...

ISG: What is your artistic beliefs in your creative endeavors?

Pia: I believe making things with passion (that's what we do ultimately) makes a difference. It's not so obvious, but it does set an example. I do what I do also because of my admiration for others that started before me, and I know as a fact a few people have been inspired by me in following their own passion.

ISG: What is your opinion with regards to Talent versus Hard Work?

Pia: lol. I've never worked that hard as since I use my talent. Seriously. I never stop working, but the whole concept of "work" changed its meaning, since I do what I do. Everything I do is work: going shopping for materials, surfing on the web, thinking, making...I work while I watch TV or listen to Music or drink a glass of wine. I am working right now while answering to this questions. I just love it.

ISG: I understand you also get creative with jewelry - how would you describe your jewelry style? :D

Pia: ..mumble...Playful?

I am just too childish to stick to a style!!!! 

Fact is, jewelry is my 1st love. I have been in state to make jewelry using any creative skill I acquired later. Started experimenting with ceramic, made beads out of clay. Same about felt, and fabric...I like to mix things and colors. I love ethnic inspired and tribal, bold statement jewelry. I love to make it, but I am too tiny to wear it myself. I used to do beadwork, but my eyes are getting too easily tired nowadays... And I love as well minimal, modern jewelry (that I can wear myself!), I love to make ceramic pieces. And since I sell on Etsy I've been influenced by all the victorian, vintage inspired jewelry and made a bit of that as well.

ISG: Mittens can be quite a thick category on Etsy, how would you define yours differently from the rest?

Pia: Search on Etsy for "fingerless mittens" and see what you find. Mine are just very recognizable. I'm not saying nicer or better. But definitely different.

We had to work hard (me and my beloved husband) with improving the photos to represent them and that stays work in progress. For the rest...I don't know. I can tell you what customers tell me about them. Not only the obvious. Of course they're warm, that's their main purpose. But they're truly a compliment for any outfit. You can use them to dress as up or as down as you would like. Modestly, they're a great fashion accessory. Can't believe I have had that idea myself lol.

ISG: If you were given a million dollars now with no strings attached, how would you use it?

Pia: I would use those money to move from here to a warmer, lighter, friendlier place. I guess i would come back home, to my beloved North of Italy, and set up a little, totally self sustained, ecological place for me and my family there. 

And I would keep making and selling stuff.

Actually, that's our future plan anyhow. One million would just speed up things!

ISG: What positive life motto your practice that you love to share with the world?

Pia: I have a few.... This one will do: - Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.

~ ❤ ~

Visit Pia's shops!
Pia Barile Accessories
Pia Barile Jewelry


Follow Pia on...
Twitter
Tumblr
Pinterest

Giveaway!!!
Pia is giving away her infamous recycled wool fingerless gloves!
Enter yourselves now from 8th to 21st Feb, GO! ;D


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Ms October Mosaic

Ms October Mosaic ~ the end of summer, the beginning of autumn...
Left with just a few days of Ms October, she is beckoning autumn in her own way. She may have arrived early for some and late for the rest... still, she never fails to make a presence unnoticed. A time where the leaves outside your window turn to a glorious orange gold hue, a time for september babies to be born, a time for harvest of pumpkins, a time to gather with family and friends, a time for autumn vows to be made... How will you make autumn's presence noticed in your days ahead? Well, here are just a few marvelous items that we love to share and you may very well find a thing or two that beckons you ;) Click on them to see more photos and details.	$26 ~ fine art photo print by GoldenSection
Let's start with decorating your home sweet home... for they say, everything starts from home!
$14.50 ~ vintage find by RhettDidn'tGiveADamn	$18 ~ vintage find by PillowSophi
$16 ~ vintage find by PillowSophi	$28 ~ handmade suncatcher by GaleazGlass
$16 ~ handmade serving plate by BPRDesigns	$35 ~ handmade serving dish by BPRDesigns
$4.75 ~ dried fruit ornament by HoneyTeaThyme	$68 ~ vintage find by RhettDidntGiveADamn
~~~ Original photo/art prints to add character to your space... ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$28 ~ original art print by BrandyCattoor	$490 ~ original painting by BrandyCattoor
$18.75 ~ photo print by MaddenPhotography	$18.75 ~ photo print by MaddenPhotography
$10 ~ illustration art print by YuliyaArt	$28 ~ linocut print by RetroModernArt
~~~ What is October without pumpkins! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$8 ~ plush pumpkin by BoutiqueVintage72	$14 ~ pumpkin pmc ear studs by JPwithLove
$26 ~ fine art photo print by GoldenSection	$26 ~ fine art photo print by GoldenSection
~~~ Time to sew something lovely :D ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$19 ~ vintage corduroy by TheHouseOfOliver	$32 ~ vintage designer wool by TheHouseOfOliver
$13 ~ vintage cotton by TheHouseOfOliver	$6.50 ~ vintage trimming by TheHouseOfOliver
~~~ A lady's got to carry in style! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$28 ~ vintage leather handbag from TheHouseOfOliver	$45 ~ handmade tote by ArmCandyforYou
$21 ~ vintage mad men handbag from CashmereVintage	$45 ~ handmade clutch from ArmCandyforYou
~~~ Keeping warm in style! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$20 ~ handmade knitted gloves by WindyCityKnits	$25 ~ handmade knitted scarf by WindyCityKnits
$42 ~ vintage sweater from CashmereVintage	$48 ~ handmade arm cuff by PiaBarile
$26 ~ handmade arm cuff by PiaBarile	$35 ~ handmade neck lush by PiaBarile
~~~ Accessorize in style! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$23 ~ handmade pmc earrings by JPwithLove	$12 ~ handmade pmc earrings by JPwithLove
$42 ~ handmade necklace by AbacusBeadCreations	$38 ~ handmade earrings by AbacusBeadCreations
$31 ~ handmade vintage rhinestone bracelet by RewElliot	$26 ~ handmade vintage rhinestone earrings by RewElliot
$10 ~ handmade earrings by BoutiqueVintage72	$18 ~ handmade necklace by BoutiqueVintage72
$15 ~ handmade vintage topaz earrings by ShadowJewels	$64 ~ handmade gemstone earrings by ShadowJewels
$47 ~ handmade beaded bracelet by JeannieRichard	$60 ~ handmade beaded bracelet by JeannieRichard
$243 ~ handmade jewelry box set by GaleazGlass	$10 ~ handmade knitted bracelet by WindyCindyKnits
$33 ~ handmade bracelet wrap by CharmedDesign1012	$33 ~ handmade bracelet wrap by CharmedDesign1012
~~~ Something for your little ones :D ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$5 ~ handmade felt bow hairpin by JPwithLove	$21 ~ handmade pmc fruit hairpins by JPwithLove
~~~ And end your day with a warm cup of honey... ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
$6 ~ apple pure honey by HoneyTeaThyme	$7.50 ~ autumn spice pure honey by HoneyTeaThyme
...................................................................................................................................................... We hope you enjoyed this mosaic as much as we did gathering them for you! See you next week for the first installment of Ms. November Mosiac :D Until then, stay cool, stay chic, stay peace loving... XO J+R ...................................................................................................................................................... This mosaic was brought to you by JeannnieRichard - a husband and wife team making distinct handmade luxe jewelry that makes you say, "It's so me!" and slaves to two cats ;)

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