One of the Babes: Ellen Bruxvoort of @ellenbeezy
This crafty babe has weaved her way onto the vendor list for our August meet at Cheer Up's, and we're excited to see some of her wares in real life soon!
Pictured: Ellen Bruxvoort. All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Meet Ellen Bruxvoort of @ellenbeezy. This crafty babe has weaved her way onto the vendor list for our August meet at Cheer Up's, and we're excited to see some of her wares in real life soon! Get to know her in our #bossbabesATX Q&A below:
Q: What inspired you to start your business? Did you have any role models or learn from someone, in particular?
A: I noticed last year that weaving was beginning to really resurface as an art form, and it caught me in a time of my life where I was really thirsty for a new creative outlet. It had been giving these soft, little timid knocks on my door for a few months, and finally one day I woke up and was like, "Okay today is the day! I built a loom, bought yarn, watched YouTube videos, pored through hashtags (power of social media, am I right?) and went at it. My boyfriend Chris (of @chrislongceramics) was so extremely supportive throughout the whole process. I owe a lot to him for encouraging me to keep creating and introducing me to the market community, as he's been at it for the better part of a decade. Much of what I've learned is thanks to him, even though our mediums are entirely different, much of the process is similar. I feel fortunate to have someone this close to me who has stuck with his art form long enough to support himself, because that alone is some powerful encouragement.
Pictured: Ellen Bruxvoort. All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passions, in general?
A: Just try it! Whatever the hell it is. You literally have nothing to lose. Money will always come back around. You have a life full of time to try anything. And if you ever find something that excites you enough to keep finding new ways to do it again... That's when you've got a zinger. Don't stop! Everyone wants to stop at least once, but keep at it as long as you truly feel that way. And even if you never find "that thing," well who cares? Now you've acquired a rainbow of skills because at least you tried.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?
A: I think one of my favorite moments was when I finished weaving my first clutch. I knew I wanted to do it and I started and stopped weaving probably dozens of times in a fit of frustration or exhaustion or just feeling like it would never end. It took me so. long. to finish. Tiny, tiny linen fibers just stacked on top of each other one by one, over and over. But, oh man, when I cut that guy off the loom, I was freaking out. It was like giving birth or something. I had been nursing this thing for months, and then suddenly I was holding it in my hands, and I couldn't have felt more proud. It was the best thing I had ever made at the time, and I still haven't had the heart to sell it (may never will).
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Q: What have been your most challenging moments in your career, thus far?
The biggest hiccups are when I set up to vend at a market and don't sell anything or sell barely enough to pay the booth fee. I love making the work that I do, and it's not that I'm really "in it for the money." It's just that I have to be conscious of those times when it's easy to slip and feel down on myself. Those are the days when I am reminded to keep going, be thankful for the exposure, the conversation, and ultimately the community that makes it all possible.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Q: What's your day job (if this business isn't your day job)?
I work at Thunderbird Coffee on Manor and on Koenig! Pop in and say hi! Most mornings I'm buzzed on coffee and slingin' breakfast tacos like, well, you know, ALL OF AUSTIN on any given morning.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Your favorite band: Modest Mouse will always be the easy answer to this question, and I know the answer is always expected to change, but it never does. I also feel obligated to shoutout to Hikes (Chris' band) and Chipper Jones, as together, they will begin their ascent from Austin to Canada on tour this fall. Cheers to those boys for makin' it happen!
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
Your favorite book: "Share Your Work" by Austin Kleon (following his other bestseller, "Steal Like an Artist").
Your local Austin gem: Shout out to the Raw Paw community! Those folks have been endlessly encouraging to me and many of our friends as artists of all breeds. They are doing truly tremendous work in this city, and I'm stoked to have people like them in my life to keep the good juices flowin'.
Your social media handles: @ellenbeezy on Instagram
You can purchase this babe's goods online here.
All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
A model in Ellen Bruxvoort's jewelry. All photos via Ellen Bruxvoort.
#bossbabesATX Float Fest Ticket Winner: Meet @larisam13's Girl Gang!
We LOVED @larisam13's submission! Congratulations on winning the tickets, babe.
Photo via @larisam13
ICYMI: We hosted a social media giveaway via Instagram for two tickets to Float Fest. We asked participants to 'gram a photo of her girl gang, with a caption explaining the importance of supporting your fellow females.
We LOVED @larisam13's submission! Congratulations on winning the tickets, babe. Get to know her girl gang in the photo below:
"@bossbabesatx, this is my girl gang looking fly on presentation day (you can't even notice the mascara tears) during our study abroad program in South..."
Meet some of our other favorites:
"This is my gang. These are my girls. When we talk about each other we say, "family". Our morning meetings are over breakfast at my house. We share our..."
"My 'babe gang' is a lot smaller these days, (having a baby can do that) but there's no one that inspires me more than my baby girl. I support her because..."
"Women are brilliant, beautiful, and talented individuals, especially the two sitting beside me. Supporting one another leads to more success all around...."
"I'm royally missing my girl crew. Not featured is Clarissa who forever has my witchy heart. Love these #bossbabes for their support and encouragement to..."
"Doing your own thing kicks-ass! But, once and a blue moon another babe comes along to make pure magic. Now that we're working it together, we're making..."
"Girl Gang with balls!🎳. In this lil lady gang we understand each other and support what it's like to be hardworking, fun, creative, passionate, loving,..."
One of the Babes: Trash Vintage
Read up on Julia Dixon, the mother of Trash Vintage.
Photo via Julia Dixon
Today, we feature a Q&A with Julia Dixon, the mother of Trash Vintage. We're stoked to have this babe and her killer wares for your shopping pleasures at our meet tomorrow.
Get to know Julia:
Q: What inspired you to start Trash Vintage?
A: Trash Vintage started from a dream of always doing something in the fashion industry. I moved to Austin two years ago to transfer universities so I could dual major in Fashion Merchandising and Business.
Thrifting had always been one of my favorite hobbies, and one day I realized that in order to maintain such a hobby, as a broke college kid, I had to figure out a way to make some extra cash—all while doing something I loved. I was working at New Bohemia/New Brohemia, at the time, which was a huge source of inspiration. One night, I was just messing around on Craigslist and stumbled upon a studio space for rent at a fairly cheap price off of E. 11th st. I thought to myself, What a sweet space that I could surround myself with other women and their businesses (jewelry, thrift, designer) all while working on my own. I emailed the babe of the space, and she got back to me right away, and before I knew it we all decided to have an open house to showcase our goods, as well as make some money of what we had to offer.
So, although Trash wasn't necessarily what I had dreamt up since a young girl, it became something so much more than an idea that day I vended at the open house for the first time. I fell in love and knew that doing vintage pop-ups was something that I wanted to keep pursuing, in the hopes of one day owning my own brick and mortar.
Photo via Julia Dixon
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passion projects?
A: If I could give any valuable advice for someone with their own passion project, I would say that it's really easy to get caught up in what other people want from your passion, all because it's easy for them to judge. As human beings it is only natural to fear not being accepted or to have a fear of not succeeding, but I assure you that if you stay true to yourself and you really put forth effort into what it is you want to do, it WILL happen. I find the saying "You get what you put into it" to be the most truthful and something that I've lived by for the past year with Trash.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
A: Staying inspired is a pretty hard thing to do sometimes. I find that I'll get in ruts where I want to close myself off, and I want to automatically think that what I'm doing is silly. I feel that that's really just this fear of failure that resides in the back of my head, so I try my best to tune it out and make sure to be as on top as vending as my busy work schedule will allow. Every time I set up my racks at an event, big or small, I remember why I do what I do and then it all becomes worth it. It's an adrenaline rush like no other when someone tells you something they enjoy about an article of clothing I might have or that they appreciate my collection.
Other sources of inspiration I would say are definitely keeping my own fashion blog, listening to music, finding new artists, as well as going to shows. I find that I get a great amount of inspiration from musicians and that being around my boyfriend and friends that are [musicians] somehow becomes a direct correlation to Trash.
Photo via Julia Dixon
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?
A: Some of my favorite moments of creativity were [working] with a photographer, make-up artist, hairstylist and model to style a shoot for Trash. Although it was something that I had never done before, it was something that came so naturally when I did it for the first time.
I also find that I want to be creative while listening to my favorite new album or just being out and about and trend-forecasting. Being the people-watcher that I am, I always love to keep an eye on what people are wearing. For example, I attended Levitation Fest 2015 and brought a little journal to jot down any cool outfit ideas I might have seen or any idea that might've come to mind while walking around. I felt that surrounding myself in an environment where I can see the way people express/individualize themselves is the best environment for creativity to come about—especially because Trash is built on the idea that you can be whoever you want to be and to be that you shouldn't be afraid of what people might think.
I'm a firm believer that everyone should let their freak flag fly!
Q: What have been some of the most challenging moments in your careers thus far?
A: Some of the most challenging moments of my career thus far would probably have to be trying to juggle school, a job, as well as maintain Trash. Balance is key to accomplishing your dreams, so I would say finding that balance is the most difficult part of all.
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: When I'm discouraged I tend to run toward alone time. I feel that having your own time to reflect in the comfort of your own home/room, or even favorite spot is the most important thing for someone to be aware of when pursuing a passion project. I like to go home, put on some music, take a hot bath with candles or even watch a movie to get style inspiration, browse my favorite fashion blogs, or catch up on the book that I've been reading. In the midst of all this, I always find myself being rejuvenated and ready to tackle my next idea for Trash.
Photo via Julia Dixon
Favorite band: Gosh! Picking a favorite artist is pretty hard. Of course I can always jam the Beatles, no matter what mode or what moment. If I'm feeling like partying, I'm always down to jam Ariel Pink's "Four Shadow" and Nico's "These Days" when strolling through my neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon.
Favorite book: I'm reading an autobiography right now called "Brain on Fire" that's about a NYC reporter that goes insane. My favorite genre of books are generally autobiographies whether it be on musicians, artists, fashion designers, etc.
Austin gem: My local Austin gem would definitely be End of an Ear. I always get my fix when I can buy a new CD, tape or vinyl. I'm also addicted to Polvo's. Their margaritas are the bomb.
Social Media: As for social media, I don't have a personal Instagram because I like to put all my efforts into Trash's. My personal Tumblr and constant source of inspiration is juliaardendixon.tumblr.com!
Photo via Julia Dixon
One of the Babes: Sunlit Fire Jewelry
Today, we feature Victoria Rodriguez, the maker behind Sunlit Fire Jewelry. This babe uses rocks and stones to create her pieces, and she's been running her own Etsy store for a few years now.
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
Today, we feature Victoria Rodriguez, the maker behind Sunlit Fire Jewelry. This babe uses rocks and stones to create her pieces, and she's been running her own Etsy store for a few years now. We're happy to say she'll be vending at our July meet.
Get to know this boss:
Q: What inspired you to start Sunlit Fire Jewelry? Was it natural? Did you have any role models?
A: I come from a family full of crafters and seamstresses. My mom, being a woman that can basically do anything, raised my sister and I to be creative. She has always been so crafty. I first took up sewing and crocheting, learning from my mom, grandma and great aunt. This amazing creativity and art passed to me!
Sunlit Fire started off as a hobby about four years ago. I have had many hobbies in the past, but this one stuck, and I fell in love with designing and creating my handcrafted jewelry. Now, for the past three years, I have been able to share my designs and creations with the world!
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passion projects?
A: Work hard and never give up! Let your creative energy flow into your projects, and you won't be disappointed in the end product.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
A: I get inspired by so much! Movies, art, people but my main inspiration comes from the 12 beautiful acres my boyfriend and I live on. I love soaking up all of the wonderful things of nature.
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?
A: My favorite moments of creativity is when I pull out a bunch of random stock—lay it all out side by side, and let what I'm feeling just flow through my materials. I have ended up with some of my favorite designs by doing this.
Q: What have been the most challenging moments in your artistry thus far?
A: Sometimes I am challenged with juggling time. I work a full-time job and have my jewelry business. Often, my regular work day drains me, and I'm not able to put in enough time toward my business as I want, but I'm very passionate and headstrong, so with my crazy schedule I still find the time to get things done!
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: I am hardly discouraged. If someone tells me I can't, I'm the type of person to show them wrong. I have a positive, head-strong attitude about my business and am always thinking and looking for ways to enhance it. I do have my lazy days, though, where I need to reboot on my creativity and inspiration. My boyfriend and sister are my rock. They keep me sane and encouraged always.
Favorite band: One of my favorite artists is ZZ Ward! Her music/voice is so amazing!
Favorite book: "You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero. I recommend that everyone should read this!
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
Photo via Victoria Rodriguez
#bossbabesATX After-party Announcement + July Playlist
Hyped? We are, too! Listen to our July playlist to start vibing for this meet.
We're so excited for our July meet. We can't believe it's sold out, and we're equally shocked that we're three months in to #bossbabesATX.
In honor of all of you supportive babes, we're throwing an entirely free after-party for the meet on July 16 at Spiderhouse Ballroom (starts at 10:30 PM). Aurora Wilde and Taylor and the Wild Now are going to close the night out for us!
Hyped? We are, too! Listen to our July playlist to start vibing for this meet.
"#bossbabesATX Shop Talk: The Basics of Branding" Recap
Here's a recap of our first one, "#bossbabesATX Shop Talk: The Basics of Branding," led by #bossbabesATX founder, J.
Thirty babes gathered for the first #bossbabesATX Shop Talk at Royer's Pie Haven. Photo by Tess Cagle
Last week, we launched our first workshop in our new series of shop talks.
Every month, one ATX bossbabe will take the platform and teach the women of Austin a new skill. These shop talks are small and hands-on; the audience is free to ask questions and participate.
Here's a recap of our first one, "#bossbabesATX Shop Talk: The Basics of Branding," led by #bossbabesATX founder, J.
What do you need to start a brand?
1. Brand vision
To establish your voice and style, you have to determine the philosophical and design parameters for your brand. First, come up with the basics of your brand design: color scheme, fonts and imagery that fit your desired aesthetic. Then, tackle your philosophy. What three words best describe your brand?
- Is it earthy, natural and eco-friendly?
- Do you stand for anti-slut-shaming, New Wave feminism and empowerment?
- What are the qualities—both quantitative, as well as qualitative—that accurately fit your brand and its belief structure?
Use these three words to come up with a sentence you can use to pitch your brand to others, describe your services and drive home your message. This sentence should be short, to-the-point and easy to understand.
Think of it this way: If you had to describe your best friend in one sentence, how would you do it? What would you say? Remember, the way you describe her determines how others feel about her.
Use that framework to guide you.
Then, ask yourself these questions:
- How much of your brand is you?
- If your brand isn’t you yourself, what facets of yourself pertain to the brand?
- What are the tangential topics your brand touches?
- What’s important to your audience?
- What’s relevant to your brand and the community around your brand?
Research your service and your competitors, too! It's important to know the marketing strategies and techniques unique to your business. Knowing your market will help you differentiate your brand from the noise.
2. Online presence
Have a clear and coherent front page on your website that reflects your brand. Buy your domain!
Here's a list of website builders that you can use yourself (if you don't feel like finding a coder):
- Squarespace.com
- Wordpress.com
- Wix.com
- Shopify.com
- Bigcartel.com
Are you a content platform? Your home page should feature highlighted articles, related posts, social media, etc.
- Check these out for reference:
Are you a service provider? Your home page should have a simple and easy-to-digest visual representation of the services you provide or your service statement.
- Check these out for reference:
Are you selling products? Your home page should provide your service statement, as well as links to products in your store.
- Check these out for reference:
The imagery on your website must be high-quality, your website must be responsive (meaning it adjusts for mobile), and you need to have an adequate “About” and “Contact” page for inquiries.
You should also have an email sign-up list, and signing up for this list should be a crystal clear and simple process on your site. We suggest integrating Mailchimp into your website. It’s simple and easy to manage!
Other tips:
- As an online retailer, service, or content brand, your messaging should be clear, concise and without misspellings. Hire a proofreader to go through your site or ask a friend to point out the bugs. You are working even harder than a brick-and-mortar to get customers “through the door.”
- Your social media should be easy to locate and find on your website, as well.
3. Social Media
Determine the platforms that are important to you, and maintain these platforms. To avoid branding issues and copyright issues, we suggest ALWAYS getting Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts set up for your business. The others are up to you.
Come up with a manageable schedule for posting; maintain consistency. Remember all of your communications should be quality interactions with your customers. Make your messages intentional; have something to say.
4. Digital Marketing Maintenance/Strategy/Schedule
- Social Media
- Take time at the beginning of the week, or each month, to plan out a content calendar (or content goals). Remember, your brand strategy should include more than communications about your products and services. You want to communicate an investment in your audience; use your content to reflect that (as long as this content adheres to your brand vision).
- Use scheduling tools, like Buffer and Schedugram, to schedule out posts on your platforms. Managing social media can be overwhelming, but you do want to maintain consistency. These sites can definitely help; just make sure you log in to your accounts and interact with your customers regularly. You don’t want to seem like a robot; your brand needs a personality.
- Use social media platforms, like Facebook, to experiment with advertising. As a starting business, you don’t want to spend your ad dollar messing with Google Ads (although you’re welcome to give it a shot). Facebook and Twitter have Analytics dashboards (analytics.twitter.com and the Insights in your Facebook admin panel) that will allow you to check your audience’s interaction with your content, make informed decisions about their interests, etc. You can then set up ads on these platforms to test this data.
- Emails
- Email marketing is a necessary tool for any growing business! We suggest sending out an email once a week, with an update on products, the interests of your brand, as well as your business’ activities (or possibly even an update on you!).
- Use emails to announce big changes, contests coming up, events you may be involved in, etc.
- Website Maintenance
- Part of your marketing strategy should involve maintaining and adjusting your website based on the way customers interact with it. (If you use Squarespace or Wordpress, you should be able to gauge which pages your audience uses/needs—right from your dashboard.) If your blog is getting a lot of traction, it may be a sign you should post more. If your blog isn’t getting any traction, you might be writing about the wrong content (or you may not need a blog at all). Determine what’s best for you, after looking at ample data and performing multiple tests, and make those changes on your website. Time is money! You don’t want to maintain something no one uses or finds helpful.
- Sign your website up for Google Analytics. You can do this through your Google account. This data will give you a broader perspective on where your customers come from, what devices they use, etc. This is very helpful when you’re looking to start advertising online!
Keep your eyes peeled for the next #bossbabesATX Shop Talk. Want to host one of your own? Email thebabes@bossbabes.org.
Local Gem: ATX Street Style
Today, we're featuring the lovely Shelley Neuman. You might know her as ATX Street Style. We've been following this babe around for a few years now, but never really had the chance to reach out and connect. Now, she's a huge supporter of #bossbabesATX. (Crazy how this whole meets and retreats thing ACTUALLY works, right?)
Photo via Shelley Neuman, Text by Ashlee J. Pryor
Today, we're featuring the lovely Shelley Neuman. You might know her as ATX Street Style.
We've been following this babe around for a few years now, but never really had the chance to reach out and connect. Now, she's a huge supporter of #bossbabesATX. (Crazy how this whole meets and retreats thing ACTUALLY works, right?)
Get to know Shelley:
Q: What inspired you to start ATX Street Style?
A: After I graduated from UT with a photojournalism degree, I started feeling a little creatively stifled and lost as to the direction I wanted my life to take. I had stopped taking photos, and decided I needed to start a new project to get myself back into the groove I was in while in school. I was obsessively looking at street style blogs, like The Sartorialist and Tokyo Fashion, and began to wonder if anyone in Austin was documenting street style in our quirky little city. To my surprise, no one was. A few people had started similar blogs, but had given them up. I had/have a passion for documenting the world around me and a budding interest in fashion, so I decided to give it a go. At its inception, I had no idea the doors that starting ATX Street Style would open for me.
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passion projects?
A: Never ever let doubt in your own abilities stop you, but before you start anything, do your research. Google until your fingers hurt, read until your eyes bleed, and absorb as much as you can about every aspect of what you want to do. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask questions. It's amazing what you can learn from setting up a coffee date with someone whose work you admire.
Photo via ATX Street Style
Q: How do you stay inspired?
A: I stay inspired by binging on beautiful things. I'm constantly scrolling through images that inspire me on Tumblr or stalking what my friends are listening to on Spotify to find new music that resonates with me. Introducing my eyes and ears to new things keeps the creativity flowing.
Perhaps my biggest inspiration though is the people I photograph. My personal style and what inspires my everyday looks evolves with each new brand, new store, or new way of wearing a garment I'm introduced to through those I capture with my camera.
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?
A: When I first got the idea to start my blog, I never expected it to receive much attention or lead to the opportunities it has. It mostly started as a way to get myself back to taking photos again. I've met and gotten to collaborate with tons of amazingly talented people, brands and publications who motivate me to keep working hard. The connections I make from using my camera as an ice breaker continuously build on themselves, and I'm starting to branch more and more into editorial work. I'm beginning to step out of my photojournalistic bubble, and I can't wait to continue along that path and see what happens!
Q: What have been the most challenging moments in your fashion career thus far?
A: Standing out and getting my work recognized has definitely been a challenge. These days, every girl with a good sense of style and a camera is a fashion blogger, and although I do identify myself as being under that umbrella, I also like to look at myself as a historian of sorts. I rarely put myself on my blog and dedicate myself to documenting what Austinites are wearing. I've got years of photographs spanning different trends, and I hope to keep this documentation up as long as possible. Who knows, maybe one day I'll put together a book filled with a timeline of Austin's unique style... I think that would be pretty cool!
Photo via ATX Street Style
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: I'm one of those people who is constantly plugged in, so if I feel discouraged, I usually try to disconnect. I watch old movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's to help get over my "mean reds" and make lists of things I want to do or accomplish. Physically writing down my intentions is sometimes the best way to reaffirm them and get the ball rolling on the next project.
Your favorite band: I'm really into dreamy ethereal stuff right now that also has a good beat. FKA Twigs is a musical goddess, and I'm also digging Galimatias, particularly this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re-YrW3ujGI
Photo via ATX Street Style
Your favorite book: I've been reading the Christian Dior biography by Marie-France Pochna, which is an insightful look into what became a fashion powerhouse that shaped and defined so much of what we see in the fashion world today. I'm also, of course, a huge fan of "#GIRLBOSS" by Sophia Amoruso, which totally reaffirms that babes can do anything they set their mind to.
Your local Austin gem: I've always adored Charm School Vintage for providing me with some of my closet's most memorable one-of-a-kind pieces, but the place I go for cheap thrills is Family Thrift on Oltorf. You have to dig, but I've found some of my favorite everyday items (for under $10) there, and everything is organized by color! It makes all the digging you have to do a little more tolerable.
Photo via ATX Street Style
Your social media handles:
Tumblr: @atxstreetstyle
Facebook: facebook.com/atxstreetstyle
Twitter: @ATXStreet_Style
Instagram: @atxstreetstyle
Snapchat: @shelleyln
Photo via ATX Street Style
One of the Babes: Dope Crochet
Ericka runs a badass jewelry and apparel business, featuring items she has crocheted.
Ericka runs a badass jewelry and apparel business, Dope Crochet, featuring items she has crocheted. We're stoked to have her on as a vendor for our female-fronted band showcase with Glitter Tribe on Saturday.
Get to know more about this babe in her "One of the Babes" Q&A:
Q: What inspired you to start Dope Crochet? Was it natural? Did you have any role models?
A: I've been crocheting since I was a kid. It never occurred to me that I could do something amazing with it until I was in college. Istruggled to find earring and accessories that were just as unique as what I was feeling. I certainly didn't want to rock the same thing everyone else had. So, I set out to create what I was looking for, and hat's how Dope Crochet was born.
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passion projects?
A: Trust your gifts and your instincts. Nobody can stop you from going out there and killing it, but you.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
A: My daughter, music and conversations with strangers inspire me. I'm learning to be open to evolving; that's really a guiding force for me right now.
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?
A: When I stumbled upon this amazing Japanese yarn store. They had some crazy textures (steel-wool blends, linens and even paper yarn), and they were so beautiful. I loaded up with as much yarn as I could that day, went home and free-styled some earrings, bow ties and bracelets. It was a good yarn haul, and some of my faves were birthed out of that session.
Q: What have been the most challenging moments in your career thus far?
A: Knowing my limits! wish I could vend at every show, make everything on my list in a day, but I am a solopreneur with a growing family.
Entrepreneurship is not always pretty. I realize there are times when I'm not doing all I can for the business because I'm with spending time with my daughter. Or I'm not being a good mother because I'm putting orders before that impromptu dance session she wants to have when her favorite song comes on. What I try to focus on and accept is that I am still understanding and learning how to juggle my role. Setting boundaries for all my "jobs" is something I really have to do to be okay, and it's something I'm still working on.
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: I just rediscovered my love for running. It can be my quiet time, my jam session, my time with God. It can be whatever I need it to be. I love it.
Your favorite band: D'Angelo and the Vanguard. Recently saw them in concert and they truly committed to the audience and gave us everything. It was inspirational.
#bossbabesATX Note: D'Angelo and the Vanguard are one of our favorites, too!
Your favorite book: "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi
Your local Austin gem: Ballet Afrique
Your social media handles: @dopecrochet on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Periscope
One of the Babes: Desert Flower Designers
In this post for "One of the Babes," we highlight maker Erica Alcocer. From intricate body armor to beautiful hand chains, her business, Desert Flower Designers, has a piece of jewelry for everyone.
In this post for "One of the Babes," we highlight maker Erica Alcocer. From intricate body armor to beautiful hand chains, her business, Desert Flower Designers, has a piece of jewelry for everyone. We're excited to have her on as a vendor at our co-event with Glitter Tribe this Saturday. See you there!
Get to know Erica:
Q: What inspired you to start Desert Flower Designers? Was it natural? Did you have any role models?
A: At first it was a way to create pieces that accentuate my petite frame and repurpose all the jewelry I had grown out of. Then, I began to give pieces away to friends or family, and with their help I decided to turn my crafts into something more than a hobby.
Naturally, I think having a mechanical mindset and desire to take things apart just to put them back a different way helped my wares be up-cycled and recycled with new pieces binding them together. I'm inspired by all the tiny pieces surrounding me, with their different origins, waiting to be reincarnated into their next life and to be worn by someone who will take them onto their next journey. Some of my favorite makers and role models are Frida, Corinne Loperfido, and Monica Canilao.
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passion projects?
A: One piece of advice that is recurring for me is to keep learning. There is no end to a craft if you keep striving to find another way to do this or that. It's hard at times, creatively speaking, to make something "never made before," but I don't think that should be the point. As long as you're learning and cultivating your craft there will always be more ideas and avenues to channel that energy into.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
A: I think with the current generation's obsession with social everything, it's hard to absorb inspiration when there are constantly a million and one things to look at. To me, staying inspired means to take a moment to stop comparing yourself to other makers and to continuously humble yourself. It's important to take time to be thankful that you're able to pursue your creative endeavors.
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity (possibly a time when a burst of creative energy produced something you could have never expected, etc.)?
A: Honestly, my favorite moments of creativity are when I'm surrounded by other ladies or when a friend tells me that they've started creating jewelry after a jewelry-making hangout. One of my all-time favorite moments was when an Instagram friend, (a stranger that becomes a friend via Instagram) who had supported me at the very beginning, was visiting me this past year and told me that a family member of hers who just went through a loss of a loved one was inspired by one of my pieces and making them had given her some solace. That moment and all the little moments I get when someone loves a piece that I've created fall under "favorite moments."
Q: What have been the most challenging moments in your career thus far?
A: It would be a reach to call this a career for me, but I would say that time is a challenge. When you balance office life, school, yoga and making jewelry, things get stressful. One of those has to give. As a maker who makes for the sake of making and not for a living the most challenging moments are questioning, "what next? Should I quit my job and do this full-time? Should I risk that financially? Should I buy this chain even though that means I won't have gas money to make it to the next show?" I love my office job, going to school, practicing and competing yoga, as well as creating jewelry. None of them trump the other but when it comes down to that question of what next? I try to step back, be thankful, and breathe.
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: When I ever I find myself really down about my wares or their purpose I think about a mantra I've had since I started creating: Life is about showing the world and beyond who you are as an existence and then ceasing to be, in hopes that somehow your spirit remains coursing through the blood of the future. For me, that spirit is so many things, but one of them is definitely jewelry.
Your favorite band: FKA Twigs is my jam right now.
Your favorite book: "Grounding of Modern Feminism" by Nancy F. Cott. It's a scholarly read, but worth the facts; it's taken me months to get through, but the information is worth it.
Your local Austin gem: Resistencia Bookstore is amazing in so many ways. I volunteer there and am completely in love with the acceptance and empowerment I gain just walking in. I could just live there
Your social media handles: @itsonlyerica on Instagram, for shameless selfies and pictures of my pup, @desertflowerdesigners on Instagram for my creations
Austin Gems: Artists We Love
In this iteration of "Austin Gems," we've put together a list of some of our favorite artists. We hope they encourage you to keep creating, the same way they've motivated us to throw two fucks to the wind and hone our crafts with shameless abandon.
Art by Roshi K. via bumperactive.com
When it comes to the skilled #bossbabes in Austin, we've got a long list of women we'd love to collaborate with, women we'd love to feature and women we can't wait to hang with.
Our girl crushes are intense and rightfully so. We're starting a series called "Austin Gems," which is a chance for us to touch on some of the babes we've found inspiring over the last couple of months (don't worry, "One of the Babes," our weekly Q&As, will also continue). Keep in mind that this list is not exclusive; we plan to feature more of our local jewels as time goes on.
In this iteration of "Austin Gems," we've put together a list of some of our favorite artists. We hope they encourage you to keep creating, the same way they've motivated us to throw two cares to the wind and hone our crafts with shameless abandon.
First up, KATY HIRSCHFELD.
Art by Katy Hirschfeld via collage-garage.com
Art by Katy Hirschfeld via collage-garage.com
Art by Katy Hirschfeld via collage-garage.com
Our team first came across this artist because our founder J helps run an art blog for the media collective Raw Paw, called PLOG. Hirschfeld had submitted some of her collages for a feature, and we fell for the harsh femininity of her designs. You can check out more of Hirschfeld's work at collage-garage.com or via her Instagram, @katyilana.
Next, LAURA LEWIS.
Art by Laura Lewis via lorhs.tumblr.com
Art by Laura Lewis via lorhs.tumblr.com
Art by Laura Lewis via lorhs.tumblr.com
Lewis submitted to be featured in our September gallery a couple of weeks back, and we were completely captivated by the playful self-portraits on her Tumblr. If you'd like to see more of her illustrations, visit her website lorhs.tumblr.com, or check her out on Instagram, @lorhsdraws. (Also, spoiler alert, she's taking over @thebabegang for four days tomorrow.)
Next, VIRGINIA BETH BROWN.
Art by Virginia Beth Brown via novusflorae.tumblr.com
Art by Virginia Beth Brown via novusflorae.tumblr.com
Art by Virginia Beth Brown via novusflorae.tumblr.com
Brown submitted her work to us via email, too. We love the vivid colors in her photography, as well as her manipulation of the mundane for composition. You can look at more of Brown's shots at novusflorae.tumblr.com, or peep her Instagram, @novusflorae.
Next, ROSHI K.
Art by Roshi K. via bumperactive.com
Art by Roshi K. via bumperactive.com
Art by Roshi K. via bumperactive.com
Roshi's art stopped us on the street about three years ago, a small slap sticker pasted to the side of Urban Outfitter's entrance on Guadalupe St. Since then, we've seen her art all over the City. Roshi is an illustrator, painter and street artist. Get a feel for her work at colormeroshi.com, or head over to her Instagram, @roshi_k.
Last but not least, FAITH CHONKO.
Art by Faith Chonko
Art by Faith Chonko
Art by Faith Chonko
Chonko is also a collage artist based in Austin, TX. She submitted her work to us via email a few weeks back, too, and we fell hard for the crisp and clean ambiance portrayed in her pieces. Can't wait to get some of these prints for our future office space! For more of Chonko's art, visit her Instagram, @faithchonko.
Keep your eyes peeled for our next round of "Austin Gems." (We're not done with babe artists, either.)
If you'd like to be considered, please email thebabes@bossbabes.org with the subject title "AUSTIN GEM."