brooches (by) jantje fleischhut

(photos via the galerie rob koudijs)

i am completely and totally head-over-heels in love with these brooches by amsterdam-based german jewelry artist jantje fleischhut. the juxtaposition of shapes, materials, and textures she uses are unexpected yet perfectly arranged, and the use of semi-precious jewels and semi-precious and precious metals gives all the pieces an undeniably luxe feel. some of the materials are salvaged, which of course speaks straight to the times we live in and what forms a large part of the arts as time progresses: refuse reused is really right now.
(via dear ada)

threadbanger: patterns, burda syle and compai's book release party

http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/player

i personally don't find patterns or the art of dressmaking hard to decipher (having 20+ years of experience in sewing under my belt at this juncture), but i know MANY folks out there do find it all to be quite the challenge, and i know people are craving instruction or just any help with this craft, period. i hear it all the time.
so, to boot and bolster those begging for help and inspiration, see this: in a recent episode, the ever awesome threadbanger checks in with some creative folks who promise to make that pattern-following process easier: burdastyle, who offers fabulous free patterns (with lots of great instruction to boot), and compai, who just released a new book of explicit ideas on how to rock and reuse a scarf.
(apropos of nothing besides the contents of that video, i'm totally grooving on nora of burdastyle's plaid blouse! check out the opposing plaids in it's yoke! anyone with me? ha.)
right on, rob and corrine! good stuff as always.

(not so) random links

quiet few days for news, apparently! just a few for you for now.

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-a bits and bobbins reader (thank you!) tipped me off to a very cool-model search going on in the UK: the bbc is looking for "eight women with disabilities compete to prove they have what it takes to become a mainstream model". the chosen few will be featured in a television program, called britain's missing top model, and the winner of the competition will get to participate in a high-fashion photo shoot, and will get a magazine spread. it's apparently a subversive take on the "top model" franchise, and really, an idea whose time has come. "imperfection" is beautiful! (see also the suburban queen's call for disabled and "different" models)

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-not couture asks, is millinery back? i say 'duh'!!! see these old posts (one, two, three) of mine about vintage hats and making your own hats in general way back in early 2007. the more hats, the better, i say!

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the quick and oh so dirty:

-make do and mend by gail bryson: a perfect print to suit your savvy sewing space (via design is mine)

-some handmade crochet goodness trend-spotted on etsy by crochet today's brett bara

-an interview with danielle of final fashion by jill of the laboratory, two amazing THINKING fashion bloggers i admire greatly having a conversation.

-how to feel miserable as an artist by keri smith (via design that kills)