Jul 15, 2010

Shop Spotlight: bstudio

Hydrangea Card in Silk Ribbon Embroidery by bstudio

Have you ever had that moment when you find something so unique, and so beautiful, that you just have to have it? That is the effect that the designs of bstudio can have. The variety of pieces featuring gorgeous silk ribbon embroidery can make the princess in you do delighted cartwheels.

The artist, Brenda, has embellished cards, pillows and even jewelry featuring silk flowers, butterflies and hearts. Her classy designs have a lot of feminine appeal - exquisite enough for your most special occasions, and affordable enough for everyday. Oh Canada has put bstudio in the spotlight.

Oh Canada: Of all the things that you sell, which item or style is your favorite?

Brenda: That's a hard question to answer, it's like asking which one of your kids you like the best!

Lavender Sachet with Pink Butterfly by bstudio

The major part of my shop features my silk ribbon embroidery and that is my favourite style. My favourite item would have to be my silk ribbon butterfly pillows. I developed the design and sewing technique to make the butterflies myself. It was prompted by a request for a custom ring pillow, up until then I only had my dragonfly ring pillow in my shop, and my client asked if I could change the dragonfly to a butterfly.

The butterfly design has also brought about a request from the Managing Editor of the publication Somerset Home. Two of my pillows were featured in the annual 2009 edition along with a how-to article that I wrote.

Oh Canada: Where did you learn your skills?

Brenda: The silk ribbon embroidery skills are completely self taught from books, magazines and blogs. My Mum was always making me clothes when I was growing up and I learned to sew from her, I also had some sewing classes in high school and night school.

Yellow Ruffled Silk Ring by bstudio

Oh Canada: Everyone has different motivations for making their unique wares. What drives you to create?

Brenda: I have always had an innate sense to create and have been involved in art and design all my life.

In high school I took a unique arts course where we had three art teachers each specializing in different aspects of design. (We were also the first high school in our area to have nude models! We had to keep the window blinds closed and paper over the window in the classroom door whenever we had that class!)

In college I took a creative arts course where I was able to experiment with various mediums. After I graduated I landed a job in an interior design firm and that became my career.

My husband and I retired when we were both 55 and moved out of Toronto. As much as I loved gardening, it is a seasonal activity and I still needed to be creative. I started to focus more on my silk ribbon embroidery. Luckily I discovered Etsy and was delighted to find an outlet for my work!

Oh Canada: If you could learn to use any new technique or material, what would it be?

Brenda: Lately I've been thinking about smocking and incorporating it into some of my work. It has a really interesting look to it. I think it would look great having just one part of a pillow with some smocking on it or mounting a bit of it in a card.

White Flowers Jewelry Box by bstudio

Oh Canada: Any plans to incorporate a new product into your shop this year?

Brenda: I'm always thinking about what other smaller items I could introduce to my product line while still using my silk ribbon techniques so my shop has a cohesive look to it. I'll probably be introducing some hair combs, headbands and necklaces, all with silk ribbon flowers on them, into the lineup.

I'd also like to experiment with printing designs from my computer onto my silk dupioni fabric and then embellishing that with embroidery.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?

Brenda: I love the fact that I can sell to people from all over the world from the comfort of my home. I'm a relatively shy person and not very good at talking myself up to sell to others, and I really don't like the task of having to go to store owners and ask if they'll carry my work.

Oh Canada: Do you have a number one tip for new sellers?

Brenda: Your photos are the most important aspect of your shop. A potential buyer can't pick up your item and examine it so you have to present your products clearly and in as much detail as possible, including your descriptions. Read everything that Etsy has to offer about how to improve your photos and your shop.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing to buy on Etsy?

Brenda: If I had the room there, are all sorts of neat retro housewares that I'd buy. I have purchased bath and body items, business related items like my business cards, and some of my supplies from Etsy.

Coral Butterflies Pillow by bstudio

Oh Canada: What is the number one best item in your shop right now?

Brenda: My dragonfly ring bearer's pillow - I've sold 18 of them. It's obviously not for every bride since it's geared more towards the nature loving outdoorsy sort, but it is unique. It even made it to the Front Page!

You can see all of Brenda’s fantastic designs in her Etsy shop, bstudio, or on Flickr. To catch up on her latest inspirations, visit the bstudio designs blog or follow her on Facebook. If you're interested in trying out silk ribbon embroidery, you can pick up Brenda's Ribbon Art Book & Kit on Amazon.


Copyright 2010 Oh Canada and bstudio


5 comments:

bstudio said...

Thank you for your wonderful introduction and giving me the opportunity to introduce myself to the team!

Littlebearsmom said...

It's so nice to get to know Brenda a little better....her work is gorgeous!

soapstar said...

thank you for sharing Brenda - your work is SO exquisite, you really shouldn't be shy about it! lovely to hear more about the thought that goes in ♥

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

I love reading these features. Thank-you Mortira and Brenda!

Unknown said...

I adore Brenda's work! I learned to ribbon embroider 8 years ago when my mom was learning so she could do some work on my aunt's wedding dress. It's such a beautiful craft!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Contributors

Topics

accessories alberta all natural animals anterosurbanwood antique apron arly art autumn autumn 2012 awards awareness babies and kids bag banner contest barware bath and beauty beadwork behind the lens billiemonster birthstone blog help blue bracelet bridal british columbia butlerpottery canada canada day canadian landmarks canvas carvelcountrysoaps castillejacotton ceramic charity charm children christmas claraclips clothing collectique colors comments crochet cushion cover custom art cute dolls and miniatures earth day ecco friendly eco-friendly ecofriendly edibles embroidery etsy etsy help etsy tools Etsy. etsyteams fabric Facebook fall fashion featured on etsy felting fiber arts fibre finalists fine arts flag flowers framed art friday finds geography gift exchange gift guide gifts gray green hair accessories Halloween handbags handmade handsewn heirloom history holiday home accessory home decor hostess gift interactions j2studioscraft jewelry knitting kris kringle landscape lapis lazuli leather Link Love maple men minimade misticalacscents mitts mom mothers day natural nature necklace needle felted notecards ocean octchallenge Oh Canada Team ohcanadateam olympics ontario orange organic ornament painting paper goods patriotic pauperhandmade peacockandlime pearl pen Persian rug pet portrait philosophiacreations photography picture pink pinterest postcard poster sketch pottery prankepaintings Prince Edward Island promotions puppets purple quebec quilts rainbow recipe recycled recycledandresewn red rings roses sale sandrascardshop Scavenger Hunt school seatbelt cover secret santa sewing sewinggranny shawl Shop Critiques shop spotlight shopping silver soap souvenir special occasions spring stationery sterling silver stone summer tagging team news team sale team spirit thankyou cards thecottageworkroom theme board theoldbarndoor toxiedesigns toys treasury treasury blitz Treasury Challenge tree decoration tutorial upcycled vegetarian vintage vitrine wall art Weezi wheat white winner winter wood woodworking wool yarn yellow zigzagstitches