Discover This: Handustry

Three words sum up today's Discover This featured artist and shop: Wow. Love. Want. The artist is Michel Belisle of Montreal and the shop is Handustry on Etsy. Michel gives such a soulful interview that I'm just going to get on with it. I hope you are just as inspired after reading as I was. Please be sure to visit Michel's Etsy shop when you're done. I'm telling you, you'll be wowed.

Name: Michel Belisle
Location: Montreal, Canada
Description of work: creating handmade objects at the crossroads of fashion, art, and crafts

How long have you been creating? I started about 30 years ago. Back then I studied fashion design and started a business. But life took me in different directions since. About two years ago I started contemplating what I could do when I retire to prevent boredom. It suddenly struck me that I could make good use of my creative self, making things and selling them online. My online adventure started last year. It is still pretty timid but I am slowly putting more and more energy into it. I find it quite rewarding receiving compliments about the work I do. It is a renewed sense of purpose also to create items when I know my followers will appreciate, as they are always wondering what will I come up with next!


Metallic Silver Pencil Pouch

 How did you get started? When I was young I was fascinated by the New Wave fashion movement, but had no money to buy any of the wonderful futuristic garments available. So I thought, well, maybe I can make those? After a few trials and errors I decided it was something I could do for a living and went to fashion school. And there I discovered something extraordinary: the knitting machine. That thing is amazing and can do wonders. Through knitting I developed a passion for fibres. Knitting is giving me the ability to create shapes, patterns and fabrics. I feel totally free when I use this medium. I started exploring crochet techniques and leather last year. I am working on various projects and experiments in order to blend all those materials and techniques together, trying to find my own niche.

Where do you find inspiration? Partly from avant-garde fashion designers like Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe, Issey Miyake and Walter van Beirendonck, and especially from contemporary architecture. Space, volume, perspective, unusual use of materials play a key role in triggering my creativity. I spend a huge amount of time experimenting with fibres, fabrics and, recently, leather. I want my designs to reflect structural properties even though they are made of soft and fluid materials. I also like my creations to have a purpose. I understand, though, that my current offerings do not exactly reflect my abstract creative process but it is also a characteristic of my process to be progressive. I am taking my followers with me on the path to discovery.

Where can we find your items for sale? I currently only sell online. I have two shops, both with the same name, one is www.etsy.com/shop/handustry, the well known handmade and vintage online venue, and the other one is www.cargoh.com/store/handustry. This one is a Canadian curated online marketplace and is where I offer my more experimental creations.



Buffalo Hide and Hemp Experimental Necklace

Formally trained or self-taught? As I said above, I have a background in fashion design but I mostly consider myself as a self-taught artist as I am going in directions and doing experimentations that are closer to fibre art than strictly creating fashionable items. I must thank my tailoring and machine knitting teachers for giving me strong technical backgrounds onto which I can build confidently my own creative language.

Why would someone benefit from purchasing your designs. When someone buys one of my creations, I want that person to make it totally his or hers. I want people to experiment as much with it as possible even find it a different purpose. It would very much please me to find out that my creations are used as catalysts by others in their own creative efforts. It would create a kind of intangible communication, a propagation of creativity and a tool to achieve self-actualization.

Anything else you’d like to share? I’ll take this opportunity to tell everyone who would like to embark on a creative adventure that anyone can. Simply start a project and do it. Even if the result may discourage you. Continue, go on, do another one until you build confidence in your ability and develop your own style. It is almost always possible to reuse a disappointing result and make it into something totally unexpected. Most of my successful realizations come from unsuccessful experiments. Don’t compare yourself with others and create according to what you feel is right.

Wristlet-Leather Pouch
 Soft Grey With Distressed Blue Jeans and Tiger Print Effect

Special thanks to Michel for participating.  Keep up the great work!

Wednesday Wishlist: For the Love of Fabric

The Wednesday Wishlist is back with fabulous fabric finds from Etsy sellers.  I already have a nice size fabric stash at home, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to grow it some more, is there?  Fabric is such a versatile medium to create with...the list of possibilities goes on and on and on:  apparel (of course), pillow covers, curtains and valances, belts, bags, scarves, headwraps, flora and fauna, just to name a few.  So while my sewing machine and I dream up more ways to use the fabric in my current stash, I add these lovelies to my wishlist.

Please show these shops some love by right clicking on their name and select to open link in a new window.

Patricia Bravo Art Gallery - Bubblegum Lollipops

from SoFunFabrics

Amy Butler Martini Fabric in Gray

from TheFabricFarm

Dogwood Bloom/Lake by Joel Dewberry

from fabricpalooza

Robert Kaufman Chopsticks Please, Sushi on Lime

from luckykaerufabric

Peace Group by Michael Miller

from SewMaterialisticShop

Coral Garden Organic Designer Fabric

from dottylogic

Comso Cricket Stripey Squares

from skyerevefabrics

Paris Eiffel Tower Cotton Fabric

from KindSupplier

Henna Garden in Brown

from materialgirlshoppe

Barnyard Sheep Fabric

from fabricfreak43

Wednesday Wishlist: I Wish You Liked My Stuff

OK, I admit it. I was too lazy to actually put together this week's Wishlist, so I decided to take this opportunity to shamelessly promote my own creations. I'm entitled to do that every now and then, right? I mean it is in my and my business's best interest to put forth some effort in the promotion, advertising, and marketing departments, and this blog is part of my business, so what the heck. Just go along with it, will ya? :) Anyway, I've selected five items from each of my Etsy shops for a total of 10. To see a complete product lineup from each shop, right click on these links to open the shop in a new window:

Jean May Originals

Survivor Arts

Thanks for visiting, and I promise to be back next week with a brand new theme!

from Jean May Originals

Give Peace A Chance Crocheted Pin

Crystal Blue Persuasion Earrings

Wild Thing Fabric Tube Scarf

Floral Puff Pin No. 3

Color Splash Pillow

from Survivor Arts

Raspberry Lace Crochet Shawl

Aqua and Lavender Treasure Bowl

S is for Simply Superb Sudsy Scented Soap

Tranquility Knit Shawl

Linen and Lace Aroma Bead Sachet

The "Name That Collection" Giveaway Winner Is....

Darlene Cox! Darlene submitted the name "Sassy Neck Wraps" for my new line of fabric tube scarves. A variation of her submission, Sassy Wraps, will be used to promote this exciting new collection of tube scarves made from gorgeous fabrics in both solids and prints. As the winner of this giveaway, Darlene will receive this piece from the new collection:




Special thanks to everyone who participated in this latest blog giveaway. I appreciate all of your comments and submissions.

Happy Holidays everyone!

~Jean

A 'Name That Collection' Giveaway!

OK, readers, I need your help! I've been working on a new product line and am struggling with a name for the collection. It's a line of scarves made from luscious fabrics. They are sewn as continuous tubes that can be wrapped around your shoulders shawl-style or left hanging loose for a drapey, dramatic effect. Longer scarves can be doubled up around your neck for a stylish cowl. They can be used as the finishing touch for a dressy outfit or to dress up a more casual look. They can be thrown over your head, gathered in the middle, and secured with a favorite pin or brooch for even more versatility.

So here's the deal: submit your entry for the name of this new collection by posting a comment here on the blog. ALL entries will be considered! HURRY--entries must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. Central on Thursday, December 17, 2009. Winner will receive a piece from the collection chosen at my discretion. In the event multiple entries are received for the winning title, those names will be thrown into List Randomizer and the winner will be chosen that way. I will ship the prize on Friday, December 18, 2009, via U.S.P.S. Priority Mail, hopefully just in time for holiday gift giving...at least in the U.S. I'm sorry, but participants outside of the U.S. are unlikely to receive their prize in time for holiday delivery. Of course you can always keep the scarf for yourself; it's totally up to you! PLEASE be sure to include your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you've won. If you're not comfortable leaving your email address, feel free to email it to me at jmm@jmayoriginals.com.

So have a look at the photos and post a comment with your entry. I look forward to your submissions.

Thank you!
~Jean

Contest is open to all persons 18 years or older, regardless of location. Shipping and handling costs, including delivery confirmation, are paid for by Jean May Originals. Jean May Originals is not responsible for lost or stolen packages, or packages damaged en route to their intended destination. Thank you for your understanding.

Discover This: "Beautifully Wrapped" ~ Cecile's Chenilles

The next featured artist in the Discover This series is Cecilia Brown of Cecile's Chenilles. Cecilia spent twenty years making props and working the "Art Department" of the film business. Unable to keep her hands still after retiring, she went back to painting and crafts. Fortunately for us, those busy hands have created some of the most beautiful shawls around!

One of her (and my) favorite products are these silk/cotton/blend shawls which Cecilia makes by hand, and it's apparent she has plenty of fun choosing just the right fabrics and colors. You won't be disappointed with the workmanship, or the prices, either. If you're looking for that really outstanding gift or need a wedding or special occasion wrap, then look no further than Cecile's Chenilles. These 70"-80" long shawls are gorgeous and finely sewn. Each features silky or glass bead fringe.

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This beauty offers deliciously creamy chiffon checks on one side and crisp white cotton on the other. Great for a wedding, formal event, or prom, this shawl would beautifully compliment an outfit of pure white, cream, or pale pastel. Each end has intricate machine made crochet with long fringe. The fabrics are cotton, polyester, silk and cotton crochet.

White and Cream Chiffon with Crochet and Lace Shawl

The olive green paisley side of this 80" shawl is 100% silk. The other is a combination of fine cotton with a rayon leaf print insert. Gorgeous 6" silky trim in black. Cecilia says this shawl is "great for redheads and anybody else who loves those warm earthy greens." Measures about 18" wide.

Olive Green and Black Silk/Rayon Shawl

Last, but by no means least, is this stunning shawl featuring an overall red tiny-flowered pattern on front and back in vintage chiffon. This shawl is quite wide. It can be folded in half lengthwise (as can any of Cecilia's shawls) to make a narrow wrap across the back, then drape and let it open out at the hems. Bright red and silky fringe completes this wrap. Cecilia says this shawl is "more fun than elegant."

Red Millefleur Chiffon Shawl with Red Fringe

For more information, including pricing, on these and all of Cecilia's beautifully handcrafted shawls, please visit her online shop at http://silverstuff182.etsy.com.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Cecilia for allowing me to showcase her luxurious shawls.