Come to a Noonday Trunk Show!

What is Noonday Collection?

• Noonday Collection is a company that buys and sells fair trade products from women in third world countries. The products are sold through their website as well as TRUNK SHOWS! Some of the profits go towards these women who make the products as well as adoption families of children from these countries.

What is a Trunk Show?

• A trunk show is a party at a person's house or store. In this case, an Ambassador from Noonday Collection comes to the host's home, sets up the merchandise and takes orders while the guests mingle and shop. 

Why come?

• Come find some fantastic accessories while supporting a fantastic cause! Your purchase supports these women to continue their businesses and continue to support themselves and their families. 

Where and when is it?

• 1263 Stratford Dr.
  Kent, OH 44240
• January 12, 2013 at 3pm

Cute Bag!

Some of the Many Artisans

Experience a Trunk Show

Cute Dressing

I do not really do much online shopping, but I am almost temped with Minx. This company showcases its specific style in depth throughout their website.

Everything from the logo, to the font, to the simplicity of the images hints at the style trying to be achieved by this company as a whole. This is a very interesting use of web design in relation to the product on the website.

Felt Life

I have become interested in the textile arts, and felting is a very interesting segment of this field. Unlike most fiber materials, it does not produce a woven material. Many shapes and sculptural elements can be produced  from felt work, so unlike many other fabrics.
Andrea Graham, a fiber artist from Ontario creates  nature looking objects and other fun things from felt.

The website is fairly simple, which is actually pretty refreshing. It seems oftentimes it is easy to want to make a flashy website, especially for an artist. However, this is a very stark, simple website that really shows off the artwork.

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing

I love sewing, and I learned about so many new techniques and tools in my sewing classes. There are many industrial tools used in fashion design classes that, obviously, are not used very often in everyday sewing. Little did I know there was a place to buy such tools and supplies on the internet.

The website is pretty simple and easy to navigate. They have many products, divided into many categories. Even though There seems to be an exorbitant number of categories of products, it is surprisingly not overwhelming. 

Boden

This is fantastic clothing. Colorful, patterned, fresh, and exciting!

Not only is the clothing sleek, modern, yet fun and casual, but so is the website. It is easy to navigate and tries to bring the customer into the company through blogs and updates. My favorite is a food page compiled by some employees of the company. 

It is interesting how personal this company has made their web page through the involvement of their employees in a variety of ways.

Sometimes Simple

Real Simple covers all the bases when it comes to the home, fashion, cooking, and any other number of things. Ironically, their website is not so simple:

The website is a little overwhelming as there are a countless number of things to look at and learn about.

Nevertheless, there are many goodies on this site. They have projects on how to do just about anything around the house.

Sewaholic

I think I can relate with this woman. She maintains a website and blog to keep up with her sewing hobby. Her site has a sewing dictionary as well as "sew-alongs." Her site is very user friendly and helpful for anyone searching to learn more about how to sew clothing.
She has also come up with a line of sewing patterns.

"Minoru Jacket"

"Cambie Dress"

Pattern of "Cambie Dress"

That's Fab!

I decided to check out Fab since I have heard so much about the awesomeness of it. Fab is a shopping website that holds short term sales and has new products popping up just about everyday. The website is all about good design, and making it easily accessible. Scrolling though the many products for sale, this caught my eye:

Radiolaria Bracelet Black

This was just one of many intriguing products. I think this website is interesting int that it is able to make odd products available to people who may not have access to them through a store or catalog, much like those weird cupcakes.

Time for Something Sweet...

...Like cupcakes!! As I have mentioned before, I love baking and cooking. This website has many recipes not only for cupcakes, but also cookies, brownies, custards, and savory dishes. Some of the cupcakes are a little bizarre, but some are quite decadent looking.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hi-Hat Cupcake

I am still amazed at what is accessible over the web. Sites like these allow a lot of originality to be revealed to a mass of people that may not have been revealed in a traditional medium, such as a book. 

Savory Potato Rosemary Cupcakes with Irish Cheddar Frosting

I don't think a cupcake like this would ever be very popular outside of a select few who are able to access such a website...

The Sewing Hub

...That is BurdaStyle. Sites like Vogue or Simplicity are more traditional in the patterns for the home, BrdaStyle has thrown a new spin on these older, more traditional sewing pattern companies. Users can create an account on the website, then add patterns as well as print patterns off. 

BurdaStyle Homepage

Like Vogue or Simplicity patterns, there are different kinds of patterns from clothing to home decor. Unlike these pattern companies, however, the patterns are put up and shared by the people that use the site instead of an actual pattern company. There is much in the way of a transfer of ideas between people with how users interact with this site. Along with an actual website, there is a blog for recent additions. 

Some Ideas From The Blog

Same?

At first glance I thought this and this were the same thing. The headings on these sites is very similar and look the same at first glance.

And...

 However, on a second, closer look they do not look nearly a similar as they did when I first saw them. Maybe it was the stark black and white script with an ellipsis. Or the similarity in the navigation bars. 

Anyways, upon further investigation, I found that these sites are very interesting in their own respects. Aside from the somewhat similar headings and navigation bars, these sites both offer inspiration for do-it-yourselfers and just for something interesting to look at.

Vintage Dressing Today

Vintage patterns are always fun to look at and experiment with. This person has had a lot of fun with vintage patterns. The blog is almost set up like she is having a conversation through these patterns. They are the source of stories and projects. 

 "pattern story"

There "Pattern Stories" where the author of the blog makes up quick, cheeky stories about the models on the covers of old patterns. 

The author also makes many dresses from old patterns, and somehow adds a modern twist to them.

The author has chosen several ways to relate with her readers through her blog. She illustrates how vintage clothing can look modern, and just has fun with those old patterns that so many have seen in their grandma's things.

Secret Sewing

Well...not so much.
It is, after all, out there on the web.
Anyways, there are some cool tips form Coats & Clark Newsletter.

The purpose of this blog is interesting in that it seems to try to make the viewer (who is probably a Coats & Clark customer) comfortable. Many larger companies have blogs, but this one seems more personal. I think it has to do with the simplicity of the blog as well as the number of people represented on the blog. This company is one of the bigger thread companies, so most people who sew at home more likely than not have their thread. 

There are videos, images, and directions that show how to make any number of things with a spool of thread and pile of fabric that everyone seems to have. And...of sewing secrets tend to be revealed.

Image Only

A picture says a thousand words.

How many times have you heard this phrase?

Well, sometimes pictures do come in handy for describing things about one's life. Interviews are especially interesting when approached in this way. I have not seen to many of these "image only" interviews but This Gal does just that with various artists.

There are several different areas of interest on this site, but I thought these image interviews were especially unique. There are many different "how to," and "inspirational blogs, each one offering something different. 

Just one of many questions answered with an image.

Patterning...

I learned to sew from sewing patterns like Vogue, Simplicity, and McCall pattern companies. These pattern companies make home sewing patterns for everything from prom dresses, to T-shirts, to handbags, to pillows The Vogue website is by far the best. It has always had sleek and classic clothing styles and it is always a treat looking to see what new patterns are for sale. 
The Vogue Patterns website is very user friendly. It has clear images and clear navigation on the page.

Vogue Website

Although I used Simplicity patterns, the website is slow and much more detailed which makes it more confusing. Simplicity does have some interesting patterns, but in general, their clothing is more clutter, kind of like their website...

Simplicity Website

Chartreuse!

Very Striking Color

Color! I love bright color, but I have always had a special fondness for chartreuse. And looking through pictures on the internet, many other people have the same fondness. This color sticks out. It is inspiring and refreshing. This seems like a color common in some design companies. Here are some things I came across...

Just a Cool Dress

Fantastic Door
From This Interior Design Firm

Drawing and Cooking

We have all seen numerous paintings and drawings of food from history through art. This brother and sister duo has  modernized this idea while making it useful. They have created a cookbook with awesome illustrations from all kinds of artists around the world. The blog is where this idea came to fruition, providing a place for these artists to submit a recipe to be compiled into cookbook. 

 

Just a few of many recipes to check out! The website is very easy to navigate, and many if not all of their recipes are posted. 

Enjoy some good eats and pretty pictures!

Creating Some More Things

I fell in love with yet another website that shows you how to make things. Cute things. More and more cute things. I think that is what people are searching for. Not necessarily trying to prove they can do something, but rather the need for color and aesthetically pleasing objects for the home and for people.

Enough of talking about cute things. The website itself has a very interesting set up which is very user friendly.

This website is very well crafted and easy to navigate. There are so many different categories to explore and experiment with. Simply seeing the endless images of each of the projects is enough to peak my interest in a number of experiments.

There are tutorials of a number of projects with videos to see how they are created. This seems like a helpful move away from illustrations or photographs that often are hard to decipher.

I particularly enjoyed seeing how this crochet edged scarf is made. 

There are different segments in the video that show how to do each step, which is very helpful.

I hope to try some of these projects soon!!

I Want to Go There…And Wear That

I Want to Go There…And Wear That

There is a certain element to fashion I like. Mostly in how clothing is constructed. However, when I saw the pictures posted on TheSartorialist, I wasn’t sure if it was the clothing I liked, or just the places where the models were being photographed. Either way, this is a fascinating fashion journalism site that’s worth checking out.

Some images from a series done in New York entitled “One the Street…”

This site has a very simple journalistic quality to it. It is easy to read, to sort through, and to dream about all those places.

Throw on Something Unique

Etsy seems to have seen quite some success with so many people in our day in age who want to create their own businesses. Etsy allows crafters, artists and such the opportunity to set up an online store. This can be very overwhelming when searching around on the website, but any visitor is bound to stumble upon a unique product that they simply must have.

You can throw something unique anywhere from your latest travel to today’s outfit to your home.

Luggage for sale

All sorts of women's fashion

Jewelry

Dishes

Time to Eat!

I love food, and I am sure you do too. I have recently begun cooking and baking much more which has led me to a plethora of recipe websites. Like many hobbies and other projects and such I have posted about, I am amazing at the information you can get about cooking just from the net!One of my new favorite spots to look up some good eat is  Foodily.
The design of the site makes it easy to search for a particular dish and see all the versions of it in an easy-to-scroll fashion. There is a “quick look” view which allows you to see the ingredients and the amount of time it takes to prepare the dish. Clicking on the title of the dish then leads to the link for the actual recipe.I do still love cookbooks, but it is amazing how accessible recipes and learning about cooking are via the net.
I think this is another way people can “transfer” inspiring things to each other through the internet. This site is basically a conglomeration of many different web sites that the visitor can view and be inspired to cook!

Noonday!

This company is just another way the internet has been an influential tool in the spread of creativity, and in this case, a very worthwhile cause.

This woman began this company as a way to help families to fund adoptions of orphans in Rwanda.

The products of Noonday Collection are from the villages of Rwanda, as well as other places the company has expanded, such as Peru, Madagascar, India, and others. The products are sold in the States and a certain amount of money from “trunk shows” goes towards adoptions.

Some purses from a trunk show

This blog and site show an amazing story through images, experiences, and a plea to contribute to the cause it supports. The visuals and stories alone make me want to be a part of this project!

It is amazing how easy this company, through its website and blog, have made it to contribute. The site is navigable and makes its mission clear through the “stories.” The blog gives consistent updates of what is going on with the company and the progress its making, so that you stay involved and removed from the goal of the company once they receive your money.

Overall, this is a compelling company, made possible I’m sure, through their presence in the online world. Not to mention their products are fantastic!

Making Things

This place is just one of may that shows you only some of many things to make.

Just fun, colorful, creative additions to the many things you probably already own. However, this site is definitely worth checking out. It has many tutorials and images to show you how to make so many of these things. Of course, these tutorials allow you to add your own twist and style.

Example:PIIGS 

This particular project  has a political slant to it, but like many other things to do, it can be a fun little craft as well.

I thought it was interesting how this blog does have ads along the sidebar, but they are hardly noticeable as they advertise things related to the site so they just blend in. one of few times ads are not annoying and make you want to turn away from the page.

Learning to Knit…On the Net

This past summer I decided to learn how to knit. Little did I know how easy this would be with the Internet. People always say there is endless information out there, yet all we do is watch comical YouTube videos of random acts. However, I decided to stray away from the YouTube videos and learn something new.

I found a few websites that not only show really cool patterns, but step by step instructions on how to create said patterns. 
After seeing all the jargon used for knitters, I was scared initially. But hey, this website that explained all that to me as well. 
I wonder if learning skills like this will take the place of traditions passed through families. So many family tradition-type skills are now posted on the web. It seems like they may have skipped a generation or two, but now some of us want to get back to learning those skills our grandmothers or great- grandmothers had. I think the “craft” movement of the last few years may have helped contribute to that.

Just one of several different patterns I learned to do 

Color! Pattern! Fabric!

This is what fabric designer Anna Maria Horner is all about. I mentioned her in my last post, but her blog is one of favorites. It is always refreshing to see the designs she is coming up with. An interesting feature to her blog is that she has Flickr pages where people can put up images of their creations with her fabrics. Each page is from a certain collection or set of patterns or book of hers. This is just another way of bouncing around ideas between crafters, sewers, artists and the such in the online world.

Anna Maria Horner’s voice on her blog is very personal. It is evident from looking through her blog that she is a mother and works from her home. However, this is not a typical “mom” blog, because her posts, at least for the most part, relate to her work and how she gets inspired for her work. 

Living Room

Garden

In-progress project

Just seeing what this woman does with everyday life type things is colorful and  inspirational. It is interesting how she shares her private life of day to day things on a blog that is obviously meant to be seen by many. This is just another way of how we see people communicating over the web and using that means of communication as a way to inspire others and share ideas.

Inspiration Online!

I am amazed at the sources of inspiration one can find in the online world. I’m sure many of you have seen or at least heard of Pinterest and all the amazing things that come from it. However, it is a very interesting site. I personally love to see pictures of projects and events that people create. It is an interesting way of communicating ideas. I am sure you have heard of "pins" and "boards," but for those of you who haven't, it's simply a way for people in the Pinterest community to share images of their own projects or simply things that inspire them.

Just seeing images like these are inspiring and at least look like an attractive project to take on...

This is fabric from Anna Maria Horner, a textiles designer. Her site is always inspirational!

It is so exciting to see what people come up with and are willing so share with the rest of the world.

This project is from "Apartment Therapy." Seeing as I live in an apartment that could use some help, I will have to check out what they have to offer. 

I will definitely continue to explore other ways people show how they are inspired and what they share on the web.