The Creative Cookie

Upcycled Aprons, w/ Cookie!

I'm so excited about all the fashion camps and workshops that I'll be leading this summer! Here's the link to the Upcycled Apron class that I'll be teaching on Monday, June 18, and July 2, from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Brooklyn Brainery...unplug and hand sew with your favorite Cookie, xo!

our 1st Place

In August I picked up the keys to The Creative Cookie's new studio located inside of the Gowanus Arts Building! It's amazing to have dedicated space for creating, teaching and learning.

Three cheers for growth!

I'm in the process of decorating the studio and making a page with classes & events. Feel free to send us some snail mail, in the meantime, to:)

Lesley Ware (aka The Creative Cookie) | Gowanus Arts Building, 2nd floor | 295 Douglass Street | Brooklyn NY 11217

let's sew!

bat mitzvah dress I made for a client (hanging in the cutting room)

Look at the totebags we just finished -- DIY rocks!

photos : from iPhone © Lesley Ware 2011

HairDo's & Fun at Etsy's Craft Night

Yesterday when I finished teaching at fashion camp I scooted over to The Etsy  Labs, for their weekly Craft Night. I've been trying to make my way back since the Brooklyn DIYBA Conference.

This week's workshop was drawing with illustrator Carla Sonheim. Slightly intimidated by the subject, I grabbed needed materials: an eyedropper, pots of ink, cardstock, and toilet paper (yes, toilet paper!). Carla explained the technique and I decided to create this series of quirky girls with 70s hairdos.

My hands and fingers are delightfully stained with ink. I'm glad I took time to look, listen, and experiment.

Windblown

Messy "Fro"ey

Full-bang bob

Side Sweep

Pageboy

illustrations: Lesley ware © 2011

Reflections on the 1st Brooklyn DIY Business Association Conference

As you may know, I was a blogger for the Brooklyn DIYBA Conference two weekends ago -- I had a blast, learned lots, and made some good connections!

Since the conference I've been working hard on improving the blog and zine. Here are a few conference takeaways/FIYs for the DIYer out there. Read my full conference report here:).

1. Planning is essential. Even if it’s just a page you must have a business plan that succinctly outlines your idea. As Susan Gregg Koger, co-founder of ModCloth, neatly put it “Be intelligent about your approach.”
2. Put the right price tag on your work. You can’t do more of what you love, if you’re barely scraping by under pricing your services or product. Panelist Lauryn Ballesteros, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for The Domino Project, shared, “Price tells the story about who you are. Charge more; don't be afraid.”
3. There’s power in numbers. Engage the community around you – delegate and enlist others, connect diverse perspectives and find insights.
4. Be excited about what you do. If you’re infectious others will be too, and they may want help you. So, shoo blues (if you have them) and let your passion shine though.

during the Art & Craft of Commerce breakout session at the Etsy Labs

photo: Lesley ware © 2011

"w" wedding, pt. 4

This is the end of the wedding chapter and the start of a new chapter as Lesley Ware -- The Creative Cookie. I'm pleased to present the photo album that tells the story of our special Brooklyn DIY wedding! I totally tangled myself in creative projects from making bow ties for the groomsmen to crafting a tent from tulle...I could say more but I'll let the photos speak for me♥♥.

*NOTE: if you are new to issuu there are three ways you can view:

1) click the arrow to the right to view on this site

2) click anywhere on the image above to enlarge 

3) go directly to the issuu site click here

Brooklyn DIY Business Association Conference 2011

It's official, I've joined the DIYBA team as an official Conference Reporter! This means that I'm happily writing profiles on many of the rad conference attendees. I'll also live blog during the (1st ever) DIYBA Conference (yeah)!

I hope to see you in Dumbo, at the Etsy Labs, on Sunday, June 26th + I'd love to write a profile about YOU;). Be sure to register ASAP for an opportunity to win a $1,000 microgrant from Splashlife.com.

Get the scoop!: at diyba.org  follow us on Twitter: @diybusiness hashtag: #bkdiyba

Gorgeous!

The countdown to the wedding is on -- less than two weeks away. Today I tried on the bodice of my dress and I must say its gorgeous! Epperson, my fiance, and I tucked into an itsy bitsy corner at the Starbucks, on 42nd & 6th Ave, near Bryant Park. As Epperson quickly tied the top over my bulky winter dress an audience of people waiting in line for coffee peered.  Here's the latest sketch! 

kamau & I are designing & assembling our invitations, programs and favors. I'm even sewing bow ties. These are some of the patterns, books and templates guiding us: 

I must say a DIY wedding planned in 30 days is the craziest thing that either of us has ever done but somehow we're staying laidback & relaxed;). Posting more photos soon.

Fashion & the Planet -- Eco-Friendly Blogs

Here's a list of 11 eco-friendly fashion blogs pulled together by Miss Sierra,  Creative Cookie's fashion week assistant! These sites illustrate the power of green fashion as it relates to thrifting & vintage, shopping smart, and DIY. Fabrics typically take 100s of years to break down in landfills so we should all have a "mind over material" attitude about decisions that we make. Take a minute to check out these fantastically fashionable sites for use as a point of reference & a lil' eye candy:). 

Vintage

Sammy Davis Vintage / Sammydvintage.com
16 Stone Vintage / 16stonevintage.com
Vintage Thirty /vintagethirty.blogspot.com
Boho / bohomag.blogspot.com

Shopping Tips

Kaight NYC / kaightnyc.blogspot.com
Green Grechen / greengrechen.com
Evolved Fashion / evolvedfashion.com
Style Will Save Us / stylewillsaveus.com

DIY

Sew retro / sewretro.blogspot.com
ThreadBanger / threadbanger.com
Crafting A Green World / craftingagreenworld.com

Ya Yun's gently used winter hat + thrift store knit dress = fun functional look
photographer : kamau ware    model : ya yun     styling : lesley location: serenity at home

Happy Holidays!

Hello,

Wishing you a Merry Christmas & an uncommonly Creative New Year!!!

With love,

Team Creative Cookie

p.s. I've attached a photo taken after installing this wreath constructed from reused fabrics & materials in K-Dog & Dune Buggy's annual holiday show:).

photos : Lesley Williams © 2010

materials: fabric scraps, recycled packing paper, twisty-ties, wire hanger

Midwest is Best

This time last weekend I was reconnecting with my Midwest roots in the Windy City. Check back for my adventures at Florodora, an enchanting downtown boutique, & at fair featuring thrift, vintage, and handmade goods. More soon; happy Sunday!

photos: Lesley Williams © 2010

collage mode

For the past two weeks I've been collaging like crazy & it feels so good. Making collages has been a great way for me to visualize my intentions for the future. The inspiration for this one is a little unclear but I'm certain that I was in the mood for Mexican food when I made it. Can you tell? 

Lesley Williams © 2010, recycled fashion magazines on craft paper