Peace Couture

Thank you to The Spring of Tampa Bay for putting on a gorgeous event on Monday, November 7. I had a booth set up for LEONE and met tons of great artists and creative minds. I enjoyed seeing friends out to support the music, fashion and my booth.

Peace Couture is an event held at The Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida. It is a multi-level event with art installations, vendor booths, live music from Guiltmaker and a fabulous fashion show.

For a free download of Guiltmaker's newest EP, The Emerald Coast click here, take a listen to their music and share it with your friends!


I hope to do more event like this one and Thank everyone involved.

The Cuban Club :

this is a photo of me and my booth neighbor, Niki Varona. She designs shoes and they are made directly from Italy. It was a pleasure meeting her and her wonderful family and friends.

Bandeau Scarves

I am trying to cut down my fabric supply and lately have been using scrap material from former projects to make scarfs and ties. There are many ways to wear these. There are small scarves and medium/large scarves. Small measure 60in (150cm), and the medium/large size averages 84in (210cm). Small scarves can wrapped around your neck twice, while the others can wrap around three times. These scarves are loops, so they connect instead of have ends. They all can also be worn as headbands, necklaces or over tank-tops as an addition to a layered look. They can be braided, form many types of loops shown in the video below, as well as tied with one knot or two. This video helps give you the many ideas for how to wear a scarf.

Pretty Peacock

HAPPY OCTOBER!!

I am so excited because it gets very busy around my studio this time of year! Last night was a swell time assembling this guy- a Full Three Piece Peacock Suit; Corset, Bra and Belt (tail).

The feathered bra looks one with the corset. Total feather inventory was about 25 small "eyes", 20 "swords", 25 large "eyes" and a pack of those beautiful iridescent blue breast feathers that worked very well in the same area-breasts!

This was a ball to create. Can't wait for my next costume..

Book Faced

facebook.com/LeoneHandmade

NOW YOU CAN LIKE MY PAGE ON FACEBOOK! YAY!

I love the connections today! Stay even closer by "liking" my facebook page and keeping track of all the updates.

Lights! Camera! Etsy!

Change is constructive! Thank you to all the loyal fans of REDUDS for following since 2008. Thank you also for the support in the beginning 'idea' stages of this creative process year prior to opening the REDUDS store. The future is now; onward! I am so happy to announce I have posted a new Store on Etsy for all to support!

LEONE


I can't wait for more fabulous photos of my products to be posted for all of you to purchase. If you have etsy, make sure to add my new store to your circles and favorites!

Here is a great shot of the setup for the shoot last night. Hope you enjoy!

Don't forget to check out the new SHOP!

Mmm Stuffed Chicken.

I went to my first baby shower of my lifetime. I suppose I am at that age where baby showers start to rain on me. I had the pleasure of celebrating new life with a long-time friend. I purchased some gifts from her registry, of course. It was so much fun to do that for the first time, and imagine how exciting it would be to have a registry of my own! I thought mainly of all the fun in holding a price gun and roaming around wedding sections or baby sections like an overjoyed maniac.

I wanted to make sure that this would be special and in doing so remembered baby gifts I adored through the ages. My favorite, a handmade quilt from my Aunt. Now, Multiple Sclerosis has masked her natural talents and created inhibitors to everyday life, but I still have this 23 year old quilt in not too ragged a condition.

My idea to try and sew my first stuffed animal was much more achievable than trying to complete my first quilt. I discovered how much fun voluminousness can be. The retro terry cloth is original and 100% washable. I even made sure to sign the little guy's heiny.

The mother-to-be had a fantastic reaction. It was more than I could ask for. I have priceless memories from the wonderful day of celebration, and I'm thrilled to see this baby boy grow!

My interest is in trying to find ways to use three dimensional shapes in sewing. Ideas come from everywhere!

Surprise Set-Up

Daniel surprised me by rearranging our studio. Not only does it allow for more space for both of us to work in, but it lets more light into the room! Several months ago Daniel built a very large work table out of some wood panels he painted. It looks fabulous and is efficient. The table is tiered so it allows more storage! As it was arranged before it blocked the majority of the window. He moved the smaller table in front of the window and it is much brighter all around. Now we spend even more time together making beautiful art in our newly arranged studio. Here are some views of my side of the room.

To Everyone: Find the love(s) in your life. It is a glorious blessing.

All Wrapped Up

So many ideas, so little time. I have managed to come up on some great inspiration lately via conversations with my mother. She is the most amazing woman, and my biggest fan. I am experimenting with wrap-around bracelets. Leather + decorative chain + clasp = wrap-around bracelet. The leather strip is at any craft store, but sometimes it is hard to find the trim. Here is where you can 'Redud' by using any old chain from your past. First you take leather and measure it to wrap as many times as you'd like. Then you choose a great recycled ball-chain, decorative chain, or rhinestone chain. Use a color string, hemp, even another (smaller) leather band to wrap up the glitz with the grit.

Here are a couple finished bracelets.

Happy Birthday. To:Me

I got my new sewing machine today. Heavy Duty Singer. I'm Jamming out because I also got a new job. Celebrate!

MORE CREATIONS TO COME from my new birthday present.

Reduds: Clown Fish

Have you ever noticed the magnificent colors that radiate from saltwater fish? At my doctors office they literally have the entire cast of "Finding Nemo" in the waiting area. I came up with an idea to show that in a jersey dress. I like the bright orange next to the black and the stripes are obvious of the clown fish. The black and orange utility cord can be helpful in outdoor emergencies! More to come.

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Late Night

Last night I was up being bored and having fun. Since I won't get my new heavy duty machine for another couple weeks I have been having fun hand sewing just about everything. The last posts were also hand sewn.

This is boredom at its finest. The white blouse and neon colors all glow under black light.

Then, I cut a few shirts and attempted a figure of some sort. You "figure" it out.

Reduds:rasta!

One Love

Reduds

I've had a little company called Reduds for a long time. I found that creating things out of recycles materials to be a great way to make clothes at a low cost. There will be many posts of new Reduds in the future- so keep checking!

Lightly Modern

One day I found Daniel's old squiggle drawings. I cut the decorative card stock to fit into our tiny coaster-frames to show off every time we remind our guests not to leave watermarks on the new Ikea. After a few months I found the rest of it and thought how great some lightweight earrings would look with the same pattern. I began mixing glitters and gloss, making sure to coat every bit of the design to make it seem a different material. The designs are all entirely different with the same color themes. The look edges on modern and futuristic. Sets of charms are also ready to go into the shop.

Shop Stop

An art revival is happening on the 600 Block on St. Petersburg, Florida. There are galleries and stores that showcase local artists work in all types of mediums. The headbands, hair extensions and earrings I have been working are now lined up on display at 1 of 1 Customs. Every piece is one of a kind and will not be made again. Everything on the board makes a great little gift and is only $5.

Accesorize Your Hair

Fashion trends show that less is more when it comes to accessories. The bundled chunky bangles mixed with flowing strings of beads around your neck may seem bohemian style, but it is actually a bit much. Try instead a great looking hairpiece for your outfit and nothing else is needed!

Great flower and feather headbands make springtime day and night ensembles complete! Jewel tones are very current so the fuchsia and vibrant purples are fabulous colors for every occasion. Pin a long hemp hair extension to show your individual expression.

Bonnaroo X!

I remember the year I was introduced to the Bonnaroo Music Festival at the ripe age of 18. I set out with some friends only equipped with my emergency information, bathing suit, Chuck Taylors and a great book. Ill-prepared for the adventure I was thankfully mystified by the sounds of Radiohead, Beck, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Sonic Youth; the lineup was outrageous. I couldn't imagine I'd enjoy Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, Cat Power and the Avett Brothers on a farm in Manchester, Tennessee. There are tons of vendors so it was a hard time figuring out which shirt to buy, cut & sew. I settled for this tee, turned it into a great tank.

After a Bonnaroo hiatus due to lack of posse down to endure it again and crappy lineups until a year I had no dough to attend anyway, I returned with my other half Daniel Williams. The bands were phenomenal and the company was even better. I found great neighbors to grill, chill, and craft torn tee shirts. I bought an extra large 'mess-up' from a passerby and turned it into a great sundress for this year's show.

Flashy Feathers

Feathers have always been a staple in fashion, whether the classy Audrey Hepburn or the flashy Madonna. Worn by icons and drag queens alike for comedic relief and couture fashion feathers are one of my favorite mediums. After glittering a few I crafted some accessories to add a pop of color to any outfit.

Joonie Jumper.

This adorable jumper is made for a my friend's daughter. The American Apparel tee-shirt goes well with the hounds tooth wrap-around belt. Merchline printed some quality tees and a tiny, extra small one landed in my possession. A few hours of cut & sew, lace, pink bows and a fashion belt complete the Joonie Jumper. The biggest little fan of a great local band Guiltmaker will wear this well.