How To Become Spring and Where to Find It

Trapped in the annual Spring/Summer purgatory?

Teetering on the edge of the seasonal diving board?

Let me help you with that.

Dive into Rosie's fresh picks for the upcoming anticipated seasons and satiate that need for sun-churned freckles, bare legs and the cool perfume of the neighborhood's fresh cut grass at dusk.

Let us kick off the season with MOTHER'S DAY!

1. "You Are Loved" Necklace $38 2. Glass Floral Earrings $38 3. Oval Heart In Hand Necklace $48

All handmade by Mamas Little Babies

Deeeeeelightful coin purses to encourage cuteness!

 1. Strawberry Coin Purse $20 2. Matryoshka Russian Doll Coin Purse $30 3. Red Fox Coin Purse $30

All handmade by Misala.

Supayana brings her minty fresh mojito style once again!

1. Cotton Polka Dot Petal Dress $125 2. Cotton Polka Dot High Waist Skirt $65

All handmade by Supayana

Ahhhh, the festivals are calling you! Keep your stuff safe and your hands free with these incredible leather utility belts!

           

1. Grey Suede Utility Belt $95 2. Black Leather Utility Belt $80 3. Large Brown Suede Utility Belt $90 4. Beige Suede Utility Belt $85

It's been too long...

Yes it has.

I've been SO meaning to update my blog. Sigh. I'm a busy girl. 

ANYWAY! 

HERE'S WHAT'S GOIN' DOWN AT ROSIE'S HANDMADE REVOLUTION!

SO super excited for my sale next week!

All of my winter 2011 and summer 2012 inventory is 20-50% off.

August 24th through the 26th, stop in and pick up something nice for yourself, eh?

Such as....

The FancyPack!

That's right folks, this cute bow is actually a Fannypack! I have these in green, pink, red, and yellow and they are all 50% off!

Maximum Fringe Necklace

Amazing isn't it?

I have 3 of these left from last winter at 40% off.

And like Angie says, "Go ahead, wear this necklace out dancing! You may get fringe stuck all over your sweaty neck, but damn, you'll look amazing!"

Nadinoo Summer Styles!

Fleur's Petal Dress, Lula's Petal Blouse, Pixie's Mini Dress, and Pixie's High-Waisted Button Shorts all  beautifully made with Liberty fabrics and all 50% off!

20% off the Classic Ballet Tulle Skirt by Ouma

Enjoy a night of twirling in this whimsical skirt designed with comfort and versatility in mind.

I also have one left in white! 

 

Hand Painted T's and tunics 40% off!

So much more too! I'm getting ready to start fresh for the fall so come help me out!

Valentine's Day for the Original

So... It has been quite a few weeks since my last blog post. 

As many of you know I gave birth to my newest baby boy at the end of October!

This little bugger is the cutest and gassiest guy, gaining weight exponentially and smiling and laughing nonstop. The love in this house is overwhelming so I decided to get back on track and post a new blog just in time for that fun-loving, chocolate-guzzling, super-sexy holiday, Valentine's Day! 

Rosie's has some pretty awesome goods to gift to your gals! 

Lets start with the super-chic MerCurios delights!

1) Gold Valentine's Chunky Heart Locket - this bad girl comes with two keys,

 one for you and one for...?

2) Pink Crackle Quarts Skull Necklace - I have this amazing stone in a ring too! Fem badass!

3) Tangerine Quartz and Rose Gold Two-Finger Ring - Mercurios specializes in these awesome multi-finger rings. I love the copper tone throughout this beauty.

Is your girl all tatted up?

Is your lady preggers?

Did she steal your (anatomical) heart?

We've got a whole slew of these down at the shop. This chic prints these images on a plastic, enamel composite and adorns them with keys and pretty little jewels. 

Very different jewelry for your very special lady love!

And now for some Norwegian love!

Yes, oh yes, the Fringe Necklace by Norwegian Wood! Could you find a cooler necklace? I think not!

Also by Angie of Norwegian Wood, the Battle Necklace! If she hasn't fallen in love yet then this should seal the deal!

Not all your Valentine's are date-able. Don't forget about the sisters/daughters/mothers out there who have their own uniquely awesome style. 

These cuties are from a new designer to Rosie's, Misala. Michelle of Misala brings us bright, cheerful handbags and coin purses in all shapes and sizes. So sweet!

As if all these goodies weren't enough, Rosie's has some pretty terrific clothing to pick from. Or let me myself and I design a dress for you or someone you love. Handmade custom kids clothes too!

Come visit me at Rosie's Handmade Revolution and pick out the perfect gift!

In the beginning...

I started off sewing like anyone else, using the machine incorrectly, hastily with poor results. My mom taught me how to use the machine but not how to construct clothing. She was into upholstery, I was into patchwork, corduroy, and Phish. So, after mastering the mathematics of drawstring skirts and apron tops, I decided to learn the right way.
 My boyfriend and I moved up to Providence so I could attend URI's Master Seamstress Program. This was great for many reasons. One, all the women in my class were already professional dressmakers, seamstresses, and tailors. So not only did I learn so much from the teacher, but from all the students as well. I was the youngest and least experienced and these women held my hand through every lesson. I graduated a year later with a balanced knowledge in pattern making, draping, and tailoring.
Here is the dress form we created from casting and plaster in my draping class:

I took sketching classes and worked my butt off to get into RISD for Apparel Design. Fashion departments in schools like RISD do not care if you are an awesome sewer, they care that you can put your ideas onto paper creatively. I was, and still am, not a good sketcher but I have a healthy imagination and my design skills are solid. 

But....

As soon as I got accepted into RISD I found out I was pregnant! My husband now, boyfriend then at the time, and I moved back home to New York to be close to our families and to start nesting. I started my some of my first designs while pregnant. Here they are!

I had my bambino in March 2007. 

Needless to say, life got pretty damn busy. I would read a lot about pattern making, draping, and design during my downtime but that was about it. I started to design again when the little bugger started sleeping more regularly and I started feeling more like myself. I created seasonal lines for women and had showcases. Here's me with my Spring 2009 collection:

I took designing and dressmaking on full swing after that. Opened Rosie's Handmade Revolution in Bellport, New York in April 2010. 

This first take on owning and running my own business was a HUGE. Rosie's had a dessert and coffee bar, live music on the weekends and workshops on Thursdays. Not to mention designing and stitching up inventory! Phew! This did not work out in more ways than one, but this location's failure was truly a blessing. I moved the shop to Sayville, New York in April 2011.

Although my new space is about 1000 sq/ft smaller than my last, no dessert bar or live music, I have flourished here. I sew in house every day that I am open. The foot traffic is better and I give sewing lessons during business hours. Plus, it is super close to home. With baby #2 on his way, this new spot is perfect and I have never been happier. 

Pure Expression

I went to grab a quick reading from a psychic a couple years back in Providence. She had me wait in her living room while she tended to her little 3 yr old daughter named Princess. I remember thinking "this is a bad idea" after hearing the toddler's name but I was soon called in to her kitchen and she read my palm. She told me that there was a wall up between me and my creativity. She also told me that I had a question to ask her. Both, the wall and the question, were mysteries to me. I definitely could feel the wall but I could not define it. I still cannot define it. I still do not know what the right question would have been. It was almost like I could ask her anything in the world and she would have given me the most perfect answer, the key to my existence? 

I now know that the question should have been, "what do I need to do to get over the wall?"

Merril Garbus of Tune-yards, the only member of this band, has knocked down this wall and is exactly herself 100%. What a freeing feeling, right?!

Etsy just created a lovely video interviewing Merril and her liberating creative process. I can't love this enough.

 Tune-yards Etsy

Shoppy shop shop...

Shoppy shop shop...

How cute! Supayana and Norwegian Wood paired up for a play on your classic belted button down. Oh yeah, those bubble necklaces on the antique glove mold next to the duo are immensely awesome and clever as well!

Mama's Little Babies has some fantastic printed plastic composite jewelry.

Just a bit off the rack.

Cute to boot! New fall baby hats, pumpkins, and ghosts, and apples.

Just throw a handmade sweater over one of LoverDovers little girl apron dresses, too sweet!

Those hand felted shoes you see are ridiculously adorable and cozy.

Yes, it's true. This is a tie and waistcoat onesie.... I know, I know.

Many different sizes and patterns in stock now.

They look warm, right? Comfy chunky knitted coziness in the palm of your hands. 

And of course, this genius accessory, funkily delightful leather cuff wallets. Stash your money, credit cards, and ID snuggly to your wrist.

Your not cool with a purse.