Halloween 2021

Happy November to you. I hope you all had a very nice Halloween. We had a fun Halloween season. (That I started decorating for in August.)

I unfortunately, didn’t have time to release all of the products I wanted to on our Darkness Drive collection. We’re still adjusting to just one of us being a full time maker. I still plan on releasing those items in the coming months.

I documented my Halloween Week wardrobe. Many of the items you might recognize from previous posts, others were just some casual wear for sitting on my buns for the AdobeMAX conference.

I shared our annual laser engraved pumpkin video on YouTube. It’s just a fun thing that we’ve done every years since the inception of our business.

Trick or Treating was still a little weird this year. We saw a lot of neighbors asking questions and saw suggestions of how to do it safely. I came up with a little self service display pictured above. We always do something away from out front door due our beloved rescue dog who isn’t fond of little children. We had more trick or treaters than we did in 2019 and our little display (which looked much cooler in the dark with the battery operated candles glowing) seemed to work out really well.

Now onto fall projects. I have a stack of thrifted wool that will be skirts and jackets soon. I also have to clean up my Christmas ornament designs. We’ve already sold quite a few over the weekend.

xo-Thea

Vlog: Pumpkin Patch Trip and Small Business Setbacks

Over the weekend my eldest daughter rallied us up to make an annual pumpkin patch trip. It was rainy, muddy and loud. (The patch that we went to has an apple cannon.) Despite all of that, we had a great time. Check out the video below to see what it was like. Tune back in the last week of October for our annual pumpkin carving session.

In this vlog, I also talk about a couple set backs. With life adjustments and not being full time makers any more, we’re simply just not creating/releasing products as fast as we used to. To me, it’s a 100% frustrating and I hope to magically find extra hours in the week. I’ve been sleeping less and doing more - but I still can’t get to things I want to. However, we are creating a bigger network of vendors for our established products which is great. We’re just trying to streamline a balance of everything and the creative in me just wants to create more. Ugh.

I am sad to not be able to release the two clothing items i wanted to. That particular issue came down to cost of materials. I intend to use dead-stock fabrics for my limited releases. I also intend on offering inclusive sizing. The math and materials just haven’t worked out in my favor so far. I am hoping for spring and summer 2022 to do that.

Despite my personal frustration about work, I’m really enjoying my favorite season. We’ve had cozy fires, soups and set plans for family time. Fall is my favorite.

I hope all of you are well and I appreciate you all! - Thea

Adding To My Halloween Wardrobe

While I have been mainly busy with 6 by 6 Arts recently, I have managed to sneak in some quality sewing time.

I follow a few reproduction clothing brands and I love all of their Halloween (holidays in general) designs. Unfortunately despite my daily manifestations attempts, I am not a money rich lady and I have to just admire some great pieces.

Side note - Many of these women owned companies like Pinup Girl Clothing for example, are extremely small companies. Many pieces are small batch made in the USA. Fabric and labor is expensive and when I make purchases from there I consider them investment pieces and understand the work, time and money that goes into them. I know I’m actually getting a deal on some pieces just in fabric alone.

My zipper front princess dress made from Alexander Henry Fabrics 2006 Pumpkin Party Print

With all of that said, this year since I’ve taken a deep dive back into sewing I decided to add Halloween themed pieces to my wardrobe. DIY style.

I show off a few pieces that I’ve made in the linked video below.

In the video, I do touch on the expense of fabric. I thrifted all of the fabric shown in the video. The striped full circle skirt dress, I thrifted 7 yards of that fabric for $4.99. Up close pictured are available on my Instagram. I didn’t thrift them in a short amount of time and I sat on some of these fabric pieces for a long while. But it can be done. We all can have lucky days at the thrift. Or an online fabric shop on a discount day.

I hope you’ll check out my video and welcome to October! I love spooky season!

xo-Thea

Using My Vintage Sewing Patterns

As mentioned a few days ago, i basically went on a sewing rampage. Aside from the Garden Dress I mentioned, I kicked out three bedsheet dresses. All made from vintage patterns and vintage bedsheets.

Technically, the Simplicity Pattern shown here isn’t quite vintage.

I share the information about them in this video.

As with every sewing project, I learn something new. Let me know which one you liked the best!

-Thea

Some favorite thrift finds and my first button down blouse.

John and I had a vintage hard to find Legoland Castle set(s) to share this week on my channel. So, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of our favorite thrift finds too.

In other news, I made my first successful button down blouse. I’ll be dedicating a post to this in the future as I am currently making more. I am genuinely surprised that I got the fit right in the bust, but boy howdy - I am stoked about it.

In other sewing news, a neighbor in my local Buy Nothing Group offered up a big box of vintage sewing patterns. I was on it and was lucky to be selected.

There are so many goodies in there, I can’t wait to try a few of them.

Sorry to those of you who follow me for my kanzashi work. I just haven’t had any new projects that are completed to share. I still do make them. Also, I am indulging this sewing bug that I have. I really do appreciate the support and encouragement on my sewing projects.

Tomorrow’s blog post will be a long awaited one and it’s a recipe. So come back tomorrow for that.

xo-Thea

Vintage 1970's Nishijin Pachinko Machine + Mother's Day 2021

1970’s Nishijin Pachinko Machine

I took a hint and a few nudges and very recently started sharing some vintage things I’ve happened upon or acquired. First was my 1940’s Vanity. That was on my wishlist for so long, I felt it warranted a dedicated vlog/blog post.

Just a few days after acquiring my vanity another long wished for item was checked off of my list.

A vintage Pachinko Machine!

After some Mother’s Day shenanigans, John and I share a bit about the machine in my video this week. John did have to do some light repair with more to do in the near future. It is fully functional and super fun. it is everything I hoped it would be. As mentioned in the video, we do intend to mount it on a wall of our family room and do an entire photoshoot around it. Because, it’s us.

Admittedly, the entire reason I’ve wanted one is due to the movie Kamikaze Girls. That movie influenced so many aspects of my life when it came out. I often say that my aesthetic is a cross between Kamikaze Girls and Morticia Addams. At least I aspire it to be that.

My bebes doing pictures right.

My Mother’s Day was a good one. One of my long standing gifts for Mother’s Day is a group photo. As you can see, we get creative with that too. I love my brood, they are a fun bunch. I am extremely lucky.

Not sure where Trevor is for this picture but this is one of my favorite pictures from this weekend.

For those of you who follow me for fabric, you are in luck. This week I am adding some new vintage fabric yardage (That’s right yardage!) to my Etsy shop. I have some incredible mid century deadstock fabric that I plan to take an obscene amount of photos of.

Stay tuned for that.

xo-Thea

I made a dress out of a bedsheet.

If you’ve been with me for awhile, you know i am all about repurposing vintage fabrics. I reuse all that I possibly can reuse from a damaged vintage kimono. A few years ago while thirsting I started to notice some really pretty patterns on some vintage bedsheets. I had the intention to use them to make curtains and decorative hold things with them. But it dawned on me that I could use them to make dresses.

There’s tons of fabric to use! It’s more affordable than heading into JoAnn’s for a some fabric.

In my video this week, I talk a bit about it.

xo-Thea

My 1940's Vanity

In the hub-bub of last week on a supply run to the fabric store I popped in to Goodwill that was on the way. The thrift gods directed me there to present me with a find that has been on my want list for a very long time.

A 1940’s vanity set.

Obviously this warranted a full vlog post about it. I explain why I wanted one so badly as well as some recent failed attempts on getting one.

xo-Thea

My first linen dress and John's birthday. (Vlog)

An Original By Thea Starr - Burnt Orange Linen Dress with pockets and an attached tie belt.

Yesterday was John’s birthday. There’s still not a whole lot one can do to celebrate a birthday. But we made the most of it and had an excellent day. I give a little run down in my vlog below.

No about that dress. You can see me wearing it in the vlog video too.

I got the fabric from a thrift store for $3.99. It was just a smidgen over 2 yards of fabric. It’s a warm burnt orange shade that I don’t think I’d choose for myself. But the thrift store gods provided and the pricing was on my side.

I had never sewn linen before and I learned quickly that you can’t make too many mistakes with it due to the nature of the weave. It’s some squirrelly stuff. But I love my linen store bought clothing so much I’m willing to try to make my own.

Vintage coordinating floral cotton fabric for the pockets.

I didn’t have quite enough fabric that the pattern called for. I made some length adjustments (the pattern was for a midi length dress) and I opted to use a vintage cotton floral fabric for the pockets.

I ran out of vintage buttons! I only needed one more to be able to have enough to make it fully functional (and modest) dress. Until then, I’m wearing it as a tunic with leggings which is pretty awesome in my book.

I’m definitely ready to take on my next linen project now that I know what to expect with it. Being the fabric nerd that I am, I’ve read up on the history of linen. Truly amazing. Even the wikipedia page for linen is an interesting read.

I hope you’ll enjoy the video and I hope your Monday has been a good one. xo-Thea

So what's up with all the sewing?

Today I used my vlog to address that question. While I did film it in a constant blurry vision state today, my sights are clear on my sewing intentions.

Nothing is happening right away, but I am starting to get requests just from the work I’ve already shared and I wanted to say something now.

I am not sorry for staying at home and being there for my kids when they were little. I feel so very lucky and wholeheartedly thankful for that opportunity. Things didn’t start off with like for me, my eldest was 7 years old when I made that change. My life and it’s hurdles pushed me to continue on that path up until last year. Although, I have to say that my kids who are all adults now, seem to need me more than ever. Not for daily basic things, but for adulthood sounding boards and perspectives. What life season to be in.

I am going to take this opportunity and do what I can with it. Whatever keeps me playing with fabrics for the rest of my life. My handmade clothing is coming. I don’t know when or how many things I can offer at once yet. But I know it will be something and I will share all the details here and on YouTube.

Don’t worry, I’m going to keep making my flowers until my hands won’t let anymore. The same goes for all of my 6 by 6 Arts with my husband. This is just some bonus action. Stay tuned!

xo-Thea

Everyone needs a cape.

I made this cape with one yard of wool tartan that I picked up for $1.99 at my local thrift store.

I’ve been sitting on a yard of wool tartan fabric for a bit now. I decided after being influenced by some Youtubers and my rewatching of Outlander - i needed to make a cape. What eccentric’s wardrobe doesn’t have a cape?!?!

I didn’t have a pattern. But it’s a cape, how hard could it be? In my vlog video I describe that I used a round tablecloth as a “pattern”. I also swoosh around in the cape for visuals. Now I have at least 5 more capes to make and have had some great conversations about capes with friends. I wasn’t expecting that, but I’m glad for it.

I am trying by best to have a healthy balance of continuing my kanzashi work, laser cutting work and growing past my intermediate sewing skills. I have hopes to turn my sewing skills into a part of my business. I’ll go more into that soon. I do address a bit of that in my vlog too.

I am feeling the spring vibe, both visually and with allergies and I’m adding some new pretty spring blossoms to my shop. As the vaccines roll out, wedding and other celebratory events are happening again in the not too distant future. I am open to discussing some custom work but my availability will be very select. While I am able to employ my two daughters for administration help, I am the sole creator of my pieces at this time.

As always thank you for following my adventures!

-xo Thea

Vlog video, 1940's dress inspiration and new kanzashi.

As seen in the vlog below, my daughter Jina helped me out with some product photography for some new kanzashi pieces.

Kanzashi and model (Jina Starr) by - Thea Starr

I’m slowly editing the photos as I’ve also been sewing a few experimental things. I’m honing in on some long unused skills to become reacquainted with them again.

If it wasn’t obvious, although the dress turned out well and I succeeded in achieving using some skills. The colors just are not my flavor. Then there’s also the intentional oversizing due to the layout of the fabric. I do plan on altering it, so maybe it might make a trip out of the house this spring.

Made from thrifted fabric and a vintage Butterick pattern. | An Original By Thea Starr

Stay tuned for more shop and sewing adventure updates. xo-Thea

Vlogging, sewing and incoming spring flowers.

I don’t always remember to post my vlog links but this is this week’s episode:

The “Frankensteined” blouse did not turn out how I hoped. However, I did learn a lot and will be more successful the next time around. I quickly kicked out another sewing project to redeem myself. I chose one of my favorite patterns - Butterick Fast & Easy #3674

I made this skirt from vintage fabric, vintage buttons and vintage thread all purchased at the thrift. I love the big exterior pockets. Also, with all of my sewing adventuring recently I’ve discovered I’m quite good at sewing closures. Zippers, bound buttons/buttholes and just plain old buttons/button holes. The button down front on this skirt is great for my current skill set.

Today I am organizing some kanzashi pieces that will be modeled later this week by my eldest daughter. Spring is just around the corner and new spring blooms are coming. As well, as adding touches to new designs for 6 by 6 Arts.

I hope you are all well friends!

End of November - already?

Once again I failed to link my last week’s vlog post.

I’ve fallen off the social media sharing recently. If you’ve followed me for a bit, you know I suck at it anyways.😂 However, I’ve been busy with 6 by 6 Arts’ holiday orders recently. Tis the season for snarky and beautiful ornaments.

While packing one of my orders, I noticed a couple pieces were still hooked onto some display hooks. Most likely from my last in person show from last year. I got a bit of the sads when I saw it. For the past 16 years, this time of the year signifies - very little sleep, packing, packaging, making things into the wee hours and traveling because of shows. It’s surreal to not be in that mode. Surreal just like this entire year.

xo-Thea

Vlog, shop update and other gibberish.

First, my vlog about last week:

Nice thumbnail there eh? Yeah, so last week and my first online show was a bust. Whomp whomp. Of course that makes me nervous for other online shows. I’ve only committed to one with 6 by 6 so far because of the fear. However, instead of getting into Debbie Downer mode, I’m just going to sew a bunch of random things and be weird. Which is what I excel at.

In all seriousness, I just ride the life rollercoaster and hope for the best.

With the show out of the way, I can focus on other things now. Like listing.

Me in my fancy spiderweb blouse wearing four simply red kanzashi hair clips as you do.

First up is a classic : Simply Red Kanzashi Hair Clips. I usually end up with tons of vintage kimono red silk lining. So I’ve made versions of these clips for the entirety of my business. They are a vibrant red and classic. They are available in ye olde shop.

Then lastly, this is a bit odd for me but the vintage clothing purge has commenced and it’s happening over in my Etsy shop. Why not here you might ask? Well friends, you come here for hair doodads and bouquets and not random vintage clothes. People shop of vintage on Etsy and I’m legit trying to let go of these things. But in the off chance that you’d like to buy something from here and there, just let me know and I can make that happen for you.

That’s all from me for now. I hope you’re all well - as well as we can all be right now. Ride that rollercoaster homies. xo-Thea

Vlog and Spooky Skeleton Kanzashi

First up, yesterday’s vlog:

Admittedly, it was a bit rushed as time kind of got away from me yesterday. I’m also still acclimating to using Premier Pro rather than iMovie. But we wanted to mention the little information that we have about Adobe Max/Marketplace that 6 by 6 will be a part of. Reminder that Max is free this year!!! SIGN UP!!! John and I have attended the past two years and each time we left filled to the brim with inspiration. As well as new insights on how to use Adobe’s products for our creative endeavors. I know that sounds a bit like a sales pitch, but we use a ton of their applications for many aspects for both companies. And who doesn’t like Free?

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you might have caught this little teaser yesterday. I whipped up a few Skeleton Kanzashi clips for spooky season. They are available in my shop. Sadly, there won’t be a cotton alternative for these. Perhaps in the future though. I get random requests for these throughout the year.

I’m glued to my computer, sewing machine and kanzashi table this week. I have some fun videos, projects and photoshoots on my list week. Whatever I can do to power through to election day. :)

xo-Thea

Vlog and Cotton Spooky Kitty Kanzashi Flowers

This week’s vlog was short and sweet. Mostly because I’m learning to edit with Premier Pro. I’m an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, so I figured I’d make the switch. But currently, I barely know what I am doing so I kept things short.

As promised, I have a cotton (cotton-poly blend) Spooky Kitty kanzashi available in the shop now! They are single layer flowers unlike the original silk ones. I had to do some searching in my fabric stash to find the right non silk fabric for these. I hope you like what I came up with.

Again, thank you so much for the support with my new items and keep your eyes peeled for more.

xo-Thea

Vlog - September 21, 2020

I’m only a day behind this time! This week the most important thing I mention is a farewell to a shop that has supported me since their inception. Momo Seattle is closing their doors after 13 years. If you’ve ever visited Momo, please leave a sweet note on their blog or IG page to say farewell.

I started doing my vlogs for family and friends that I can’t see during this pandemic. I didn’t but a lot of thought into it, I just wanted to utilize a communication avenue that isn’t Facebook. (I’m not a fan.) I’m hoping to change the format of my vlogs very soon. Currently I am just filming everything I do on my iPhone and using iMovie to edit. Super basic stuff. However, with some of the more intricate things I do, I want to have better focus for them. So, in the future I’ll hope to make them a little more polished looking.

From my Instagram page.

With the orange smokey haze gone from the skies, I can return to photographing inventory. I have new pieces and fabrics to share here on my site and my Etsy shop as well. My other company 6 by 6 Arts, has had a little surge of work in the last week. I have to give a bit of attention to that so I’m not sure how fast I’ll have new items listed. As always, feel free to contact me directly if there is something you’re looking for. i most likely have something.

Please take care of yourselves and happy first day of fall! We’re entering my two favorite seasons and I am overjoyed!

xo-Thea

Special Vlog - August 17, 2020

So, I apparently forgot to link last week’s vlog here. If you follow the blog, I hope you’ll consider following my revived YouTube channel. I do have a good excuse for forgetting to link last week’s vlog, my eldest daughter got married.

As you might guess from the photo above, there was a few questions about her beautiful dress (with pockets). So, I did a little interview with Jina to answer the common questions about the dress.

Jina’s wedding bouquet. Made from vintage white kimono silk lining and extra fabric from Jina’s wedding dress.

And you know I made my daughter a wedding bouquet too. I hope you’ll check out the video. There will be one more about the wedding. I interviewed Jina and Grant about the long rollercoaster of a ride that they had in making this wedding happen during the era of COVID.

xo- Thea (Grant’s mother in law)