And now for your viewing pleasure……………………………….
The Many ways to wear the changable top
The above link takes you to the video
Wearable Art Video: The Changable Top
May 27th, 2010 by Joanne
Wordless Wednesday Amy in Sexy Steel Pony
May 26th, 2010 by Joanne
Interview with Handmade Philly Member Antoinette
May 24th, 2010 by Joanne
Handmade Philly, a member-run collective, encourages independent artists, crafters and designers to join Greater Philadelphia’s growing network of professional and amateur artists.
Antoinette is thrilled to share her passion for fashion through her designs. House of Antoinette1950 offers a variety of edgy functional styles. You can find her thru the links below.
1. What is your training in Art and Design
My life has always been art oriented. I began drawing and creating as a toddler. I was a big fan of art class and in my spare time I practiced drawing, painting and crafting. I grew up attending extra circular art classes and workshops. Over the years I took interest in fashion. I attended The Art Institute of Philadelphia for my associates majoring in fashion design and fashion marketing. After college I enrolled in a series metal smithing and beading classes. I also participated in croquet circles and taught art classes.
2. How and when did you begin House of Antoinette 1950?
House of Antoinette1950 was created in late January 2010. I’ve been working toward it for nine years. The time came where I was finally able to pursue it. I always favored accessories. Over the years I played with ideas and concepts but now I can execute my vision. House of Antoinette1950 is a one woman operation. I studied the market and trends for years and now seemed like the best time for my designs. 
3. Describe the women you envision as your customer.
envision my customer as a dynamic, versatile, vivacious woman who experiments with style. She knows her style and what she wants.
4. What are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to expanding my clientele and providing more styles! I am also working an upcoming photo shoot.
5. Where can we buy your work?
My work is sold at Square peg Artery, Vix Emporium, Pirahna Betty’s and the Ebeneezer Maxwell Mansion. I also sell on my website www.houseofantoinette1950.com and etsy www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofAntoinette. I look forward to selling at more locations.
Interview by Joanne Litz of SteelPony.com
Wordless Wednesday Wearable Art Fashion at the Piazza an oddity
May 19th, 2010 by Joanne
Wearable Art at the Piazza in Philadelphia. Not the norm in that part of town.
10 good Reasons to buy Locally
May 11th, 2010 by Joanne
1.Significantly more money re-circulates in your community when you
buy from locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More
money stays in the community because locally owned businesses purchase
from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing
locally helps grow other businesses as well as your community’s tax
base.
2.Local businesses provide most new jobs: Small local businesses are
the largest employer nationally, and in most communities provide the
most new jobs to residents.
3.One-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of a community’s
distinctive character: The unique character of any town or region is
what people love about it, and what tourists come to visit. Richard
Moe, president of the National Historic Preservation Trust, says,
“When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that
offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.”
4.Local business owners invest in community: People who own local
businesses live in the community, are less likely to leave, and are
more invested in the community’s future.
5.Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with
more specific product expertise for better customer service.
6.Competition and diversity lead to more choices: A marketplace of
tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure
innovation and low prices over the long term. A multitude of small
businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan
but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers,
guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
7.Local businesses have less environmental impact: Locally owned
businesses can make more local purchases, requiring less
transportation, and generally set up shop in town or city centers as
opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing
less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.
8.Local businesses’ public benefits far outweigh their public costs:
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little
infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public
services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the
community.
9.Local businesses encourages investment in the community: A growing
body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized
world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest in
and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses
and distinctive character.
10.Local businesses give more support to nonprofits: Nonprofit
organizations receive an average 350 percent greater support from
local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
Can you think of anything else? Let us know.
Buy Artwear Buy Local
May 6th, 2010 by Joanne
You might say I have been on this crusade for a while. To be honest, it started as a selfish one for me.
The early years
I decided about 18 years ago that I wanted to start an Art to Wear Clothing line. In the beginning I did everything locally because for one, I was not making massive quantities and two, I liked the control so that I could produce a quality product.
As my business grew, I could have gone overseas to produce my product at lower cost and build a bigger business but something happened to me in my early years.
I found I liked having a face to face relationship with the people doing work for me. I found that we all had a stake in my business growing. Quality stayed high because of this.
Then I started thinking about the energy saved because I was not shipping from far away places and I thought about the way my business supports the economy locally and regionally.
The Later Years
That did it for me. Buy Local when you can- support your economy. Any thoughts?
Wordless Wednesday Steel Pony Fall Sneak Peak
May 5th, 2010 by Joanne
Fall 2010 Coat and don't you love the T-Shirt?
Fair Trade and Wearable Art?
May 4th, 2010 by Joanne
What is Fair Trade? I think for everyone that term means something different.
Fair Trade Certified Rice Producer in Thailand copied from Wikepedia
For those selling “Fair Trade”, many would say they pay a fair wage for the products they are buying. So what is a fair wage?
If someone lives in India and I pay them $15.00 per day is that fair trade? Wiki Answers says that is the average although other websites I found say that 41% of the population make $2.00 per day. What they may not say is that many people in India have no indoor plumbing. It was quite a few years ago but I saw first hand how many live in large cities such as Delhi. I am sure things have improved somewhat but I have a feeling there is still much poverty. So, let me ask you the question. Would you buy that item marked “Fair Trade” knowing that?
I would love to hear thoughts about this subject. Also, I am not saying that all things marked “Fair Trade” fall in this category. We really have no way of knowing for sure.
Our Local Farmeers Market
What I do know for sure is that when I buy from someone making something here it is helping them survive and our economy thrive. So many of your local businesses are struggling that you can make a difference right here right now. What does this have to do with Wearable Art? Everything!
Give me your feedback.
Wearable Art and more in Newtown
Apr 27th, 2010 by Joanne
Zephyr Gallery, A wonderful American Craft Store that has been home to Steel Pony Clothing over the years is once again showing our wears at some special events coming up.
First Saturday in Newtown, PA May 1st. They will have a selection of Steel Pony
Steel Pony Trunk Show at the Tropicana Store in June. More info to come.
Zephyr’s newest home is back in Bucks County once again, in the quaint and historic town of Newtown.
You will find the gallery on North Sycamore Street, across from Goodnoe’s Corner.
Zephyr is proud to represent their “oldies but goodies”: jewelry by Ayala Bar, Holly Yashi, and Sherry Tinsman; art glass by Vitrix
Studios, Karg Art Glass, Mad Art, and Water’s Edge Studios; whimsical sculpture made of recycled tools and
parts by Yardbirds; furniture by Avner Zabari and Delia; wall art by Artistic Alchemy, David Scherer, and local
artist Colleen Attara; and Judaica by Gary Rosenthal, Infinity Art in Metal, and Seeka Designs.
Studios, Karg Art Glass, Mad Art, and Water’s Edge Studios; whimsical sculpture made of recycled tools and
parts by Yardbirds; furniture by Avner Zabari and Delia; wall art by Artistic Alchemy, David Scherer, and local
artist Colleen Attara; and Judaica by Gary Rosenthal, Infinity Art in Metal, and Seeka Designs.
They are celebrating their 2nd birthday Newtown. May 7th will be 2 years. It is kind of the “new” up and coming part of town… with newer restaurants and more retail to come.Purple and green walls. Art that makes you smile the moment you walk in the door. Jewelry to please many different tastes. The most unusual gifts.
I hope you can all make it. If you miss that we will be doing a Trunk Show in their store at the Tropicana in Atlantic City in June. Watch for more info on that.
For more info on the May 1st event contact Melissa at zephyer90@verizon.net.
Behind the scenes at a Wearable Art Photo Shoot
Apr 19th, 2010 by Joanne
Hi all. I thought it might be fun to show you a little of what goes on when we do a photo shoot. I hope you like it and would love to hear your thoughts.
Just click on the picture to get to the video
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