Alteration experiment

I found this shirt and a few others like it while thrifting. They were all constructed similarly huge and billowing, in different polyesters, and I'm certain were handmade. The prints were wonderful though the shirts were far too giant. So that's where the alteration project started.

Picture a blouse this ample and billowy...

Altered down to make a little fitted crop top vest thing with cap sleeves, darts, tucks, and pins.

Pair it with silver leggings from LABEL

I like the concept, but still need to work on the execution.

Victory Soya Mills Silos

As seen from the hill in front of the Corus building

Happy birthday Tiffany

A big thanks to Ryan and Tiff for the opportunity to design and learn how to construct this necklace! The pearls from her broken bracelet were repurposed to become the centerpieces of this peyote-based architecture-inspired choker.

I'm not ready for autumn...

...But my wardrobe is! Check out this rich orangey-yellow jac dale vintage blouse. It has large side pocket details at the bust, and tuxedo tails in front and back. Here I've paired it with Toronto-based LABEL silver leggings which I got at the Muttonhead warehouse sale a few weeks ago, a pair of vintage Kaufman heeled rain boots, and a leather triangle necklace from Gigi's Little Art Department.

Incidentally, I've lived in a beautiful loft of the old Kaufman building, so these rainboots have a special place in my heart although they're a tad too small at size 8. Jac dale brand has been cancelled but was a subsidiary of Elanstyl Diffusion Ltee based in Quebec.

Geometry Obsessed

Geometry is no stranger in Gigi's Little Art Department. The latest are earrings of beaded hexagons in gunmetal Miuyki Delica Seed Beads. I owe it to my latest commission that I was able to construct these, because it motivated me to learn a new beading technique. While time-consuming, peyote is beautiful and rewarding to complete. 

You Know You Want It

Check out this new design! I developed it while trying to find a great way to use the coral chips. The necklace is accented with a knit tubular cord of fishing line beaded with coral chips strung on vintage copper chain. I am in love if I may say so myself.

Do You Support Art? IATSE Picket

August 24, 2012 - One perspective of the issue is the transition from film to digital itself reduces the craftmanship and authenticity of the movie. The outsourcing itself is a symptom of a departure from movie production as an art to facsimile. What do you think?

View of IATSE picketers from inside the TIFF Lightbox

First Cupcake

For Laura's one-year-in-Toronto anniversary I attempted to make her some banana pecan browned butter rum cupcakes. The cupcakes turned out del-ici-ous but I was a tougher sell on the icing. Its consistency was like fudge, and very sweet, and kind of grew on me!