Vendor Profile: Ashryla Boutique

Using quality materials like leather, silk, cotton and metal hardware, Tammy of Ashryla Boutique designs and sews all of her handbags and clutches with a great attention to detail. Some of her items include hand drawn artwork, feathers, rhinestones, and you will find cute prints inside each bag. Many of her products are one of a kind creations, and all products are Tammy's own unique designs. Matching clutch sets are available, with the option of adding a personal message inside--a very popular choice for bridesmaid gifts! 

Look at some of her designs on her Etsy Shop and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

vendor profile: Natalie Gerber

STATEMENT

As an artist, designer and maker I am inspired to create functional design for everyday living. While craftsmanship is important to my creative process, so too is function. I combine my love for illustration, surface design, clean lines and hand-printed fabrics with conscious material choices and in-studio practices. 



My South African background influences my aesthetic, while inspiration is drawn from styles that include Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern design. From detailed sketches to mark making and loose line drawings, I explore the above within my work and transfer the imagery onto textiles through silkscreen printing. 



While my studio focus is on boutique textile printing I am further motivated by interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations. Creative alliances provide opportunities for knowledge sharing that I believe contribute to rounding out my experience as an artist and designer. 



This ethos has extended into my studio practice through special projects with a social responsibility - most recently collaborating with a group of artists to develop imagery for print in the township of KwaDabeka. Located outside of my hometown of Durban, KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. This fair trade opportunity has inspired me to further explore community initiatives that support sustainable futures.

BIO
NATALIE GERBER began her studies in 1995 at The Natal Technikon, in the Fashion Design program, Durban (South Africa). After immigrating to Canada her interests in textiles and design developed while studying classical tailoring and couture design under Calgary designer Mithè de Fontenay. Enrolling at the Alberta College of Art & Design, Natalie earned a BFA Degree (with Distinction) in Fibre/Textiles in 2003, and later in 2007, a post-graduate Certificate in Creative Pattern Cutting for the Fashion Industry, from the London College of Fashion in London (England).

Natalie currently maintains a full time studio practice in Calgary and is represented in boutiques and galleries across Canada.

WEB: www.nataliegerber.ca
INSTAGRAM: natalie_gerber
TWITTER: natalie_gerber
FACEBOOK: Natalie Gerber

vendor profile: Made By Andi

As a full-time business educator over at The Dream Job Shop, one of my favourite passions is to be able to create jewelry and accessories with my own two hands.

Originally I started my creative journey making handbags full-time from vintage leather jackets. But after sewing over 2,000 bags, my motivation level decided that it might be time to try something new.

At that point, I began to play with jewelry and instantly fell in love. I love the idea of creating pieces that delicately enhance the wearer, versus take all the attention away from them - for that reason my designs focus on simplicity. I'm also really inspired by the colour turquoise and how it compliments brass so nicely - I'm ever exploring new ways that this pairing can help me express my ideas.

I don't think I'll ever fully get away from sewing and textiles. I like to think it's in my blood at this point and makes up the core of who I am. I really love to create simple clutches with bold pattern choices and leather accents. These are easy for women to carry as an accent at parties, or throw in a bigger bag to help organize their stuff.

Having the ability to create jewelry and accessories helps me to explore my passion and balance everything out. And although I now spend my days over at The Dream Job shop helping other creative business owners learn the business side of things, I'll never be able to put away the creative side of my own journey.

:)


www.thedreamjobshop.com