Christine DeMaio-Rice's Blog, page 3

Handmade in USA

The other day, I was minding my own business, walking up Vermont when I came upon a new store.

Very cool. Like hipster central. Check out this little owl.

It's 28 dollars.

 

Now, when you read that it was 28 dollars did you have a mental flipout? Did you say something like "What does it do for 28 dollars? Cook me eggs? Slice and dice? Provide nourishment? Give me a hug? Make my life easier?"

Well, no. Of course not.

How about this little piggy puppet. Not as nice, surely, but it's six bucks. You can get two and put on a puppet show. Now that's a worthwhile expenditure. Right?

buy this six dollar pig

Hand-Made Puppets – Golden Pigs

 

Well, your mind is screwed up (as is mine). It's been screwed up by Henry Ford.

What did Ford do? He invented the automobile assembly line. And this affects puppets…how?

The little Chinese piggy was made by, my guess, at least twenty people. Starting with designers and salespeople and ending with a number of people on a sewing line. One sews piece A to piece B, over and over, then the Sifu (the guy running the sample room) takes all those pieces and moves them to the next operator, who sews A/B to C. Then the next person embroiders. Same thing, over and over. Then someone stuffs. And someone closes. There are plenty of steps in there that I'm missing, but you get the idea.

Then, the result is shipped, by truck to a consolidator on the coast, put in a shipping container and sent off for a six week journey to (probably) Long Beach, California, where another consolidator sends the box to a warehouse in wherever. Or, of the item is shipped directly from China, insert UPS, FedEx, whatever.

And in the end? Six dollars.

I emailed Mary at Happy Felties about how her owl was produced, and here's what she said.

Yes, Mr. Daytime Napper Owl is made in the USA – right in Newport News VA in my lovely studio (i.e. the living room sofa). I'm a self taught sewer – I got this little book for Christmas several years ago about embroidery stitches and when I started teaching myself, I fell in LOVE with sewing. My work still has its flaws because I'm not a professional, but I think that lends more character to each little hoot I make.

The entire sewing process is extremely organic for me. I've never been the one to follow patterns or specifics – it's a very free-form experience each time. I basically get some sort of idea and then run with it. My intuition heavily influences the designs. I let whichever colors or patterns speak to me the most be my inspiration for each piece I make. Once I've nailed that down, I go right to work. I don't have any fancy tools of the trade – no rotary cutters or templates or measuring apparatuses. Just a pair of scissors and some embroidery and tapestry needles.

It takes approximately 3 hours to make each hoot. Once I have all of the pieces cut, I begin sewing the base of the design onto the body of the owl. After that, I sew on all the other pieces (eyeballs, feathers, beak) with various types of stitches – running, whip, straight, scallop, detached chain, french knot, and back-stitch. The embroidery is what takes the most time because it is very detailed.

After the pieces are sewn on, I put the halves together, and sew it closed with a blanket stitch. I stuff my owl with supreme polyester filling. The filling process is not as straight-forward as it would appear. You can't just take a giant glob of poly-fil and jam it in there. It's best to work in small bunches because it produces a more even uniform result. Each tuft of filling is "hand-pulled"  before being stuffed into the owl.

I do have another job which takes up a ginormous amount of time. I'm a mother to three little boys. I get up super super early and I work for 4 hours. Then when they go down for a nap, I sew some more. After they go to bed, I sew some more. Basically, my life is my kids and my sewing. 

To figure out the pricing of my items, I "pay" myself about $8 an hour – not even minimum wage. It is definitely far more than what I was charging for things a few years ago, though. When I first started on Etsy, I was charging $5 for a brooch with FREE shipping. (edited for length)

Okay wait a minute, Mary. You pay yourself 8 bucks an hour and it takes three hours to make a hoot? That's 24 dollars, and it doesn't include shipping the item to Los Angeles, or that fact that Co-op 28 is taking a chunk of money because they need to keep their lights on. Nor does it include the cost of materials or paying your taxes.

Our dear Mary is running at a loss. Go buy something from her site.

So, how? Why? If 20 people are making the pig, and one person is making the owl, you'd think the pig-makers must be making one twentieth of the owl makers. Forty cents an hour.

But no it has to be half that, because the owner of the piggy company are taking half that. So it's twenty cents an hour. Oh but wait. Overhead. Mary's paying her utilities with her job money. Piggy inc. is paying with profits. Fifteen cents an hour.

But no.

Designers and salespeople are decently compensated. So, ten cents an hour.

This is possible, however, it is improbable in China right now, with their economy being what it is. So what's the deal.

Volume.

It takes three hours for Mary to make one hoot.

When that Chinese assembly line is broken out, it takes about ten minutes or less to make a pig, and the faster they go, the more money is being made. And the more they make, the better they get. And they can go even faster. Because a huge cost is setting up the assembly line. Once that's done, the cost of making each consecutive pig goes down.

Volume. It's cheaper to make five thousand of something than to make five of something.

If you like cute things that make you happy, visit Mary's store on etsy.

 

What To Wear When You Need to be Street Legal

 

The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland by bloghop featuring a tie neck blouse

 

Barbara Silkstone has done something amazing, and given us the very scene in which this outfit is worn. It's from her mega hit "The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland" which you can read about below….and in this scene, our Alice is forced to represent herself in court. Hijinks ensue.



As I slipped into position at our table my straight skirt rose up my legs. I tugged at the hem catching my bracelet on my pantyhose at mid-thigh. I struggled to free the gold links from the tougher than steel fibers of my run-resistant hose. My every movement succeeded in tangling me with myself. My right wrist felt permanently attached to my right thigh eight inches short of being obscene.

I was sweating. I couldn't stay in my seat. You had to walk up and announce yourself. I edged out of the chair bent over, hobbling, wrist on thigh, and skirt way up where it shouldn't have been. I tried to act as professional as I could under the circumstances. I flashed the judge a self-deprecating smile.

"Alice Harte. I am here today in my own defense, Your Honor. I am pro se." I couldn't reach the microphone on the podium, so I spoke as loudly as I could considering my face was on my stomach.

The courtroom was silent; you could have heard a lawyer drop.

The judge looked flabbergasted. "Are you mocking me?" she snapped.

"Your Honor I have a problem. May I go behind the bench?"

"The correct terminology is 'May I approach the bench?'"

I hunched forward, pigeon stepping toward her. There were twitters of laughter in the courtroom.

The judge banged her gavel. "Silence. Ms. Harte if you are attempting to make a mockery of this court, I will not take it lightly. Now straighten up."

The judge's bench was a good three feet taller than my head. I waddled as close as I could and mouthed the words 'Panty hose are stuck.' She didn't get it.

I figured if I could get behind the judicial platform I could take off my panty hose and roll them up with the bracelet and be done with it.

The bailiff was one step behind me as I slipped around the bench and under the judge's chair. I guessed he'd never seen anyone act that way in court before because he stood there dumbstruck and then broke into gales of laughter. The spectators joined him. The noise was so loud the judge's gavel-banging couldn't be heard. It was twenty minutes before they all got quiet and I felt secure enough to walk out from under the judge's chair. I did so with all the dignity I could muster. I pretended I was Joan of Arc going to the stake.

Alice Harte's life is falling apart. Her boss at the real estate firm where she works is a litigious and murderous man with ties to "The Mob" in Florida. She KNOWS he has literally beheaded someone in the past.

Her whole life she has dreamed of living in England and meeting a man similar to John Cleese. In an attempt to start breaking away from her boss who is threatening her with a lawsuit, she flies to England to meet Nigel Channing, who has been charming her through e-mails and phone calls.

As her life in Miami falls apart, with mobsters and a pending fraud lawsuit, her romantic savior in England looks more and more tarnished by the hour. And then she stumbles across a beheaded mob boss. How will she ever keep her head and win the lawsuit? And what about love?

What to Wear When You Are a Practical Lady

Amber Fox Mystery Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by bloghop featuring logo sunglasses

 

Sibell Hodge is one of those authors you hear about who got "the big call"  from a hot agent in New York. He sent her a contract, something thousands of writers dream of every day.  And what did she have the nerve to do? Well she read the damned thing. What she found in there will send chills up your spine.
Any writer who is serious about themselves as a professional should read this post right here.



In the meantime, check out Sibell's Amber Fox mystery series and find out why she got that phone call in the first place.

Why Are Models So Angry?

You're more beautiful than I am.

You're taller, skinner, and richer.

You dress better.

Do you have to look so mad about it?

The Problem with Fashion Design – Part 1

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and sweaters were made with a 45/55 ramie cotton blend. Back when working with China meant Hong Kong and not Huagzhou. Back when Bush the first was in office, I entered the fashion industry.

This is what I looked like:

I worked at a bar and was transitioning into fashion. I bought the jacket used from a biker for 100 bucks.

Wasn't I cute? The jacket I'm wearing was a Shott Perfecto, made in the USA. Unbelievably, I just checked and found they're still made here. I expected a completely different answer. And this answer has changed what I'm going to talk about.

Currently, this jacket's running $580. How does this relate to the fact that it's made in the US? It's not a joke. A living wage for a skilled worker who knows how to sew leather is probably around 40K+ per year. Consider also that they're made in New Jersey, which ain't Kansas when the cost of living is calculated. It's great that they keep their manufacturing close. We love it! We love the Made in the USA stickers and we love thinking about how awesome they are, Woo hoo!

[image error]

So.

Are you paying $580 for a leather jacket?

It's gorgeous. Really.

No? Not shelling out that kinda cash are you?

How about this one? Sixty bucks. Much cheaper. I have no idea where it was made but at that price, you don't care right? Why, you can wear the thing twice and not feel like you've wasted a penny. And isn't that what we want? To wear something twice and forget about it so we can buy the next thing?

 

What to Wear To the Party That Will Change Your Life

 

Sinnerman — Cheryl Bradshaw by bloghop featuring black jewelry

Alexon black top

32 - debenhams.com

Etro slim fit jacket

$1,880 - stylebop.com

Jeans

shoptaintedkiss.com

Valentino heel pumps

$745 - valentino.com

RED Valentino leather bag

$695 - saksfifthavenue.com

Black jewelry

bonanza.com

Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield necklace

bingbangnyc.com




PI Sloane Monroe is already having a bad day, but it's about to get far worse.  When she arrives at her birthday party in an ETRO blazer, bootcut jeans and a Valentino handbag and pumps, she's hoping the little soiree will turn everything around.  And it does, until she reaches for that last birthday present.  What it contains will alter the course of her life forever.



Cheryl is one fine author and a super person. She runs Indie Writers Unite, and if you don't know what that is, just search for it on Facebook and join right away.
Check out her latest novel below. Or click here for her Amazon author page.

What To Wear When You're Quite Mannerly and Quite Unemployed

 

The Manners Doctor goes to Sherwood (Limited.) by bloghop featuring a black blazer

Button down shirt

$298 - lagarconne.com

Ralph Lauren Collection suede leather coat

$7,000 - net-a-porter.com

Burberry black blazer

€698 - veryeickhoff.com

Alexander McQueen pencil skirt

$660 - net-a-porter.com

Stella McCartney high heels

$459 - barneys.com

Helen Kaminski rain hat

$98 - simplysoles.com

Jil Sander silk scarve

330 - net-a-porter.com



Camilla Randall is a US manners columnist in a state of rapid downward mobility. She's lost her job and nobody's interested in her book but some outlaw publishers in the wilds of Lincolnshire. She arrives at Robin Hood airport with nothing but the couture on her back. She wore the Lincoln Green trench in honor of the setting, and the Stella McCartney boots, Alexander McQueen skirt and Burberry jacket to honor her host country. The Jil Sander scarve is one of the few accessories she hasn't sold at a resale shop. She thinks her life is about to improve now she's met her new publisher–the charming, self styled Robin Hood who owns the place. But she couldn't be more wrong…



Anne's blog is a must for writers. Do check it out regularly.

Her books can be found on Amazon. Here's her author page which will get you all the goodies, including Camilla's current adventure, Sherwood, Ltd.

What To Wear If You're a Nun On the Run

 

Cold My Heart (Catrin) by bloghop featuring sparkle jewelry

Sparkle jewelry

$75 - maxandchloe.com

3d model Medieval Castle Walls 1 3ds lwo max obj hrc by RyanN

$35 - the3dstudio.com

Belt Dagger: Renaissance Costumes, Medieval Clothing, Madrigal…

$85 - tudorshoppe.com

dornbluth.co.uk – medieval dresses

94 - dornbluth.co.uk

Ladies Medieval Cloak

blogspot.com

Medieval Dress

blogspot.com

Medieval Dress

blogspot.com

On Sale! Early Medieval/ Viking Turn Boots

revivalclothing.com

Talbot's Premium Medieval Turnshoes

revivalclothing.com








Modred's men have burned her convent, forcing Nell to flee in a borrowed dress of plain, brown homespun and a pair of boots.  As a former nun, she had no possessions anyway, but when she hooks up with Myrddin, one of King Arthur's knights, and arrives at King Arthur's castle, she finds herself wearing a gorgeous green confection, with a second dress to spare, along with new leather shoes.  She wears a cloak inside and out (castles being what they are), and when Myrddin asks her to marry him, his cross.
Go get Sarah's book(s) on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or visit her website.



Like that cover? That's correct, my left arm, which runs Flip City Books designed it. If you'd like me to do one for you, I'm here, or email me at xtine@flipcitybooks.com

Dead Is the New Black reviewed by Silversolara!

I want to thank Elizabeth of Silversolara for reviewing Dead Is the New Black. It was submitted through Red Adept Selects.

I know it takes a long time to read a book, and a lot of thought went into this review. So I think it deserves a shout out as well.

Click on the link if you'd like to read it.

http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2012...

If you'd like to buy the book you can get it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-New-Black-...

Or here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-...

I'm positive there's a way to make these posts prettier and have you click on a picture to take you to Amazon or BN, but, god please I don't need another thing to do.

What To Wear To Seduce an Emperor

 

Vestal Virgin–suspense in ancient Rome by suzanne-tyrpak featuring shoulder handbags

Ruffle dress

8.40 - peacocks.co.uk

Belted maxi dress

$20 - stylebymarina.com

Jimmy choo sandals

$495 - saksfifthavenue.com

Rascal strap sandals

18 - debenhams.com

Alexander Wang shoulder strap handbag

$1,049 - mytheresa.com

Versace shoulder handbag

€1.610 - luisaviaroma.com

Pink earrings

$4,200 - maxandchloe.com

Elizabeth Cole antique jewelry

$338 - charmandchain.com



Flavia might be a fourteen-year-old skank, but she's no slouch when it comes to dressing to seduce the emperor, Nero. She wears a stunning, peacock-blue, strapless chiton girded with a golden belt. Crawling through windows and climbing down trees isn't easy, but Flavia escapes her father's domus in style—wearing gold-studded gladiator sandals, bling by Stephanie Owen, and carrying a Versace Baroque Studded Nappa Shoulder Bag.
Of course, in 63 AD, Versace was an unknown, and so was Baroque, but Flavia is a girl ahead of her time. Her sister, Elissa, is a Vestal Virgin, sworn to thirty years of chastity. Bummer. Elissa has sworn-off men, but like her Abhaas Pink Rome Gold and Diamond Earrings, her heat shines through. When Elissa's not tending the sacred fire and wearing the white robes of a priestess, she's frequently found sneaking around the back streets of Rome. For her wanderings, she choses a simple, beige maxi dress, pairing it with metallic Jimmy Choo gladiator sandals and an Alexander Wang Diego Texture Leather Drawstring purse—sure to be brimming with drachmas.
Vestals might be sworn to chastity, but they're never short of cash.



Outstanding!
Suzanne's books can be found at Amazon.com. She has lots of titles and once you read one, you'll want to hit the rest.