Featured Artist From Etsy "lou1498"

My name is Louise Nylander, I'm originally from England but moved to California after I met my husband who was born and raised here. My shop is called Coco's Crafting Corner, (named after my 10 month old daughter Chloe, in case you were wondering where the "Coco" came from). I specialize in sewing and started off making baby blankets but have now branched out into other areas too, although blankets and quilts will always be my one true love! I now also do rag quilt bags, dreamcatchers, and I have a little of my pencil artwork in there too. And I love to do custom requests!!!

All the net profits from my shop are donated to the charity Newborns In Need, who help supply babies born into poverty or sickness with blankets and other essential items.

I started out sewing just a little under a year ago when my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas, I don't know if he was trying to hint that I wasn't domesticated enough or what, but that's what he got me. After leaving it in the box for about a month, I finally decided to get it out and have a go. I was almost 8 months pregnant with my daughter at the time so I tried my hand at sewing her a patchwork stroller blanket, and although it wasn't the best work I have ever done, I was pretty impressed with myself. That was it then, I was hooked. I havent stopped sewing since, I just love it.

My creative process, hmmm. Well, firstly I have to wait till my two young children are happy and settled before I can even think about doing anything, my home is a bit of a mad house right now. Sewing is therapeutic to me so as soon as the little guys are in bed, I'll be at my sewing machine. My favorite part is picking out the colors for anything I make. I usually just end up on the floor surrounded by squares of fabric, throwing then around till I like what I see. 

I started selling baby blankets as soon as I started making them on Ebay, and was pleasantly surprised how many I was selling, although to be honest I wasn't asking much for them back then. I just loved the fact that other people liked them too. I found Etsy last September, and now I hardly list anything on Ebay anymore. I love the community on Etsy, everyone is so kind and helpful to one another. It's a great place to sell. 

I guess my favorite item in my store would be my pink and brown rag quilt made from flannel and minky

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39339558

I love the colors in it and also the mixture of fabrics. It's so pretty and girly but also very warm and cozy.

I would love for my blankets to become known worldwide and become a sought after designer, of course, who wouldn't? But realistically, I would just love to sell some blankets here and there, keep myself going and keep bringing in some money for Newborns In Need. I just want to be able to keep buying the fabrics so I can keep sewing.

You can find me here on Etsy, occasionally on Ebay, same user name lou1498. Also I have a facebook page, by the name of Coco's Crafting Corner, and I would always love more fans. I also do giveaways about once a month, randomly picking someone who has hearted my Etsy shop. And I'm always advertising special offers and promos on my facebook page. 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lou1498

How to make a summer dress!

Sewing Projects! making a Dress Form and A Red Carpet Dress

Recycling And making Unique Creations

Being able to use the internet is fascinating to me because I learn something new every day.

 I came from Cuba  4 years ago and using the internet in Cuba is almost impossible.

Some time ago I had the idea of making a dress with large flowers over the shoulder. Not sure how to make the flowers and thanks to the internet I could find several web sites that had tutorial to learn how to make them. 

Here are two of those who have helped me to make fabric flowers to decorate my creations.

How to Sew Ruffled Flowers from Recycled Sweaters

Fabric Flower from Fat Quarter World

Here are some of my creations

Something Unique, Something Special!

A few days ago when I was in the fabric store and I bought a piece of clear vinyl to make some belts. It is no secret that I love peacock feathers and, of course, the first thing I did was a belt with peacock feathers. My idea was to keep the feathers as the center of attention of the belt, leaving them intact and protected from constant use. Here is my creation!

This one is for those who like the color and brightness I made this one. It can be worn  with any color and the belt will make any piece of clothing boring, look better and more fun.  

For this it occurred to me at some times we have many options and many times we forget what we have. So instead of having 4 belts will be better to have only one with 4 big bows of different colors to exchange according to our desire and mood. These 4 colors are not the only ones that can be purchased with the belt, I have many fabrics to choose from, just tell me your favorite colors and I'll make them for you at no extra cost.

 Also  these belts can be a very nice gift for anyone this holiday season. Find them here. 

The person behind Chuletin Designs

Today I want to share an interview that I did for a blog a few days ago.


Tell us about your story:  

I'm from Cuba and came to the USA in 2005, following the love of my life. I consider myself very fortunate because I have a very special husband. Without him today I would not be doing what most excites me in life, to create. He supports me, encourages me and is my No. 1 fan, although, according to him, he knows nothing about fashion. :) 
I've never taken classes on sewing or design. I learn by doing.

-How did you get started creating your work? 

Ever since I can remember, my mom made clothes for me and my two sisters. I loved watching her sew us dresses. When I was a teenager, my mom bought me fabric for a pair of pants, then she went to work. When she came back I had already made the pants and they turned out super. Since that time she did not sew anything for me anymore because she knew I could do it. But she always gave me advice on how to sew and we were a creative team. 

-Please describe your process for your work: How to get ideas, when, materials, etc. 

The way I look at it, my brain is like a creative studio where many ideas circulate all the time. My inspiration comes from everywhere. I've been learning in stages. I've been evolving. Every time I make something, I learn and I try to improve each piece of clothing I make, making my designs increasingly complex and beautiful. Sometimes an idea comes when I see a piece of fabric in the store. At that moment, an idea is born. Other times I'll get ideas when reading the forum in Etsy, or when seeing something in a magazine. My ideas come from everywhere, at any anytime. 

-What is your favorite piece of work? 

For me it is very difficult to pick a favorite piece. The last piece I make often becomes my favorite, but that doesn't last long. I try to improve my techniques all the time. That makes me happier and more satisfied with the final creation. 

-Share your top 5 favorite books, magazines, songs and websites

My Favorites 
Magazines: Fashion magazines 
Book: Sewing Techniques (my current favorite) 
Websites: Etsy and Mylifetime (Project Runway) 
Music: I like listening to music while I working. I plug in my Ipod and listen to a little bit of everything - Cuban music, American, Brazilian, classical and jazz. 

-What advice would you give to new artist?

It is difficult for me to give advice to someone. I also need advise. I believe that following your heart and having a positive attitude in life can help make your dreams come true. At least that's how I try to lead my daily life. 

-What do you think you would be in 10 years? 

In 10 years I hope to be very successful and have my own boutique to sell my creations. 

More info about me
I have 3 Etsy stores
- www.chuletindesigns.etsy.com
- www.muapurses.etsy.com
- www.patternparadise.etsy.com

Have a very creative day!
Maira

Making the Jacket Update

I'm tired, so I'm going to bed. Here are some pictures of my progress

I'll be back tomorrow!

Sewing the jacket!

I'm very happy so far!

It is a beautiful day for a new creation!

Today is the day! I'll be making a girly-punk-rock black coat, ........of course, Chuletin style!. Here are my supplies. I'll be posting pictures of the whole process, please come back and leave your comments.

Have a great and creative day!

A Very Unique Plaid Coat

For me it's hard to go to a fabric store. It is like an addiction and I always ending up buying some fabrics. In this case, when I saw this plaid fabric I got the idea to make a coat. The design of this coat wasn't very clear in my mind.

Only a few thing I was sure, the lining need to be red to contrast with the external printing and I wanted to use the black pipping in my design. I have never taken classes for sewing.

Since I was a little girl I saw my mom making all kind of thing for us. I learned to sew by making mistakes and experimenting a lot.

I almost never use patterns I keep my designs in my mind. In this case as usual I had no pattern and the idea was gradually coming out at the same time I was sewing.

That's how I made this wonderful coat. The flower is an extra that can be used on one side or any other clothes. It is very convenient to use with a pair of jeans or leggings. The fabric is wool / polyester. It is lined in the bodice. Double breasted, buttons are covered with black fabric matching the pipping. Detachable belt.
Price: $95.00
Shipping: $7.50

Super Funky Patchwork Long Skirt

Skirts, Skirts And More Skirts!!!!!!

I had the inspiration to make a skirts. Reviewing my fabrics found just what I needed. This is the result, the first version of my collection. There are one for all tastes, from long to short and hippie chic. Of many colors and simple, too. All of them can be found in my shop Etsy.

Tuve la inspiracion de hacer faldas. Revisando mis telas encontre justo lo que necesitaba. Este es el resultado, la primera version de mi coleccion. Las hay para todos los gustos, desde largas, cortas hasta hippie y elegante. De muchos colores y simples tambien. Todas ellas las puedes encontrar en mi tienda de Etsy.

I love sewing

There is no single day that this not thinking about new things. It is difficult sometimes because I haven't enough time. Sewing has always been my favorite things to be occupied. My first experience was when I was 16 years old, my mom bought a fabric to make me a pair of trousers, she went to work and I without telling anything started to do so. To make it I use as pattern one of my old pants and in couple of hours my first masterpiece was complete. When she arrived she was very surprised that I had made so well like made by her. Since that day I started sewing for me and my friends. Here are some of my creations.

No hay solo dia en que no este pensando en cosas nuevas. Muchas veces se me hace dificil llevarlas a cabo por falta de tiempo. Coser siempre ha sido de mis cosas favoritas para estar ocupada. Mi primera experiencia fue cuando tenia 16 anos, mi mama compro una tela pala hacerme un pantalon, ella se fue para el trabajo y yo sin decirle nada empece a hacerlo. Para hacerlo use como patron uno de mis viejos pantalones y en un par de horas, ya mi primera obra maestra estaba terminada. Cuando ella llego se sorprendio mucho de que me habia quedado tan bien como si lo hubiera hecho ella. Desde ese dia yo empece a coser para mi y para mis amigas.Aqui hay algunas de mis creaciones.

The Dance Of The Dragonflies

There are many people who like dragonflies. Trying to recreate them beauty I have done some handbags with them painted and embroidered by hand. Some of them have been sold on Ebay and Etsy, others have been sold in a shop whose theme is the dragonflies, this store is in the city of Spring in Houston, TX.

Muchas son las personas que les gustan las libelulas. Tratando de recrear su belleza he realizado algunas carteras con ellos bordados y tambien pintados a mano. Algunos de ellos se han vendido en Ebay y en Etsy, otros se han vendido en una tienda cuyo tema son las libelulas, esta tienda esta en la ciudad de Spring en Houston, TX.