Green
I get asked about leaf clips often. They are the perfect little detail to add to your ‘do.
I just listed five new sets in the shop for those of you who have been waiting for them.
Have a great weekend friends!
xo-thea
Two Tiered Vintage Cream Kanzashi Hair Clip
New Stock and My Sister In Law's YouTube Channel
I’m continuing to add new casual pieces to my shop. I only have a few more to share here and then it’s on to making new pieces.
I have to admit, with damaging my main lens on vacation earlier this month I am having a little learning curve with my replacement lens. I’m not 100% happy with these photos. But I am an artist, are artists ever 100% happy? (Hahahaha)
Speaking of my vacation and happy - my sister in law Laura is a vintage seller and YouTuber. This is temporary until Survivor chooses her as a contestant or until Rick Steves takes her on as a side kick.
She pops into antique malls and thrift stores and shares what she finds. She is into the bohemian and MCM aesthetic a bit different from my taste, but like how she is in real life she’s fun human and entertaining to watch. Also, she’s my sister in law, so if you have a connection to our beloved Rick Steves let us know if not, give her a follow.
In her latest episode she shared a little bit of our family vacation and some Oregon Coast antique/thrift finds.
During her hunt she came up on some vintage kimono. They were all in good condition, nothing I would use for my work. She mentions my work in the video too.
While I have new items soon to be in the works for my shop here, I am also cranking out new prototypes for 6 by 6. I’m pretty excited about what I am doing over there so I’ll be bouncing back and forth between here and there with posts. Follow me on Instagram for daily updates if you’re interested in following along.
xo-Thea
Shop Update!
Yesterday I shared on my Instagram, that I recently found a cache of vintage kimono fabrics that I hide from myself. Or put in a “safe” place for later. But before I will allow myself to start working on new pieces, I have to share some pieces I never photographed.
I have a handful of casual wear pieces. No formal occasion pieces will be in this update. These pieces were all made last year before I knew that there wouldn’t be any in person craft or wholesale shows.
Purple has long been a favorite with my customers and I already got a couple of messages about these gals.
I still do all of my own photography and photo editing.
I wanted to have everything listed yesterday, but spending most of the day in the photo booth with those lights fried my eyes. So, I’m listing things today. I will send direct links to those who asked about pieces already. But check back this evening (Pacific Time) and I should have things up by then.
Thanks so much for continuing to follow my maker’s journey. If you follow me on YouTube, I took a little break after my boys moved out. I had lots of cleaning (and still have) lots of rearranging to do. Every kid, just leaves massive amounts of stuff in the family home as per tradition and mom gets to figure out where it all goes. But I hope to film later today or tomorrow.
xo-Thea
Vlog video, 1940's dress inspiration and new kanzashi.
As seen in the vlog below, my daughter Jina helped me out with some product photography for some new kanzashi pieces.
Kanzashi and model (Jina Starr) by - Thea Starr
I’m slowly editing the photos as I’ve also been sewing a few experimental things. I’m honing in on some long unused skills to become reacquainted with them again.
If it wasn’t obvious, although the dress turned out well and I succeeded in achieving using some skills. The colors just are not my flavor. Then there’s also the intentional oversizing due to the layout of the fabric. I do plan on altering it, so maybe it might make a trip out of the house this spring.
Made from thrifted fabric and a vintage Butterick pattern. | An Original By Thea Starr
Stay tuned for more shop and sewing adventure updates. xo-Thea
Shop update.
As promised in yesterday’s post, here is the finished product.
Made from vintage kimono silks, reclaimed from the same kimono. These flowers are double tiered with double petals.
There are currently two available. Each one measures approximately 2.5” in diameter.
You have the choice on hardware upon checkout.
For more details please see the listing in the shop.
So, it did decide to snow today. We are staying cozy indoors and I taking more photos of additional updates for the shop. Stay tuned and stay cozy. xo-Thea
Making kanzashi at my dining room table.
Staying Cozy.
While I have good intentions to post here more regularly, I often get side tracked. But as mentioned before, you are welcome to check in on me via my vlogs on YouTube. They’re mostly made for friends and family, but I do share a lot of work projects there too.
I’ve had to learn to adapt to some new changes around here, which has taken a bit more time than I thought it would. However, I am still actively sewing up new projects, working on new 6 by 6 Arts designs and as you can see from the photos above, working on new kanzashi.
Kanzashi work in progress.
The low warm light in this group of photos is no mistake or editing trickery. It is currently chilly here and we’re waiting to see if we will be getting snow or not. I’ve basically been living in this huge cozy sweater while I work the past few days. As we do every cold season, we keep it toasty warm in here with our wood burning fireplace, make warm soups and add soft warm candlelight too. I know many get bummed out during the dark time of the year, but I’m used to it. I’ve lived here 99% of my life and I look forward to the season changes and appreciate them all. Except for summer, I’m not really a heat loving gal. But I enjoy what the heat does for my garden.
Kanzashi WIP - Made from vintage kimono silks.
So, I’m embracing the low warm lights and enjoying my big warm sweaters. Even though I feel like I look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. :)
More pictures to come of the finished kanzashi pieces pictured in this post.
Stay cozy friends - thea
It me.
Out of focus.
Today was me vs. my camera. For the life of me I couldn’t get the lighting right and I couldn’t get anything to focus right. I admire the bloggers and IG peeps who go to great lengths of creating the perfect setting for photos. It’s a lot of work and require a lot of movement for set up. Space in my home is at a premium so I deal with what I have. I usually take photos in my living or dining room where lighting can be meh, at times. Like today.
One minute it’s dark, the next the sun decides to appear. I chose not to set up my lights for this and it shows. But we are doing some rearranging this weekend so I hope to remedy this problem. Work at home problems amirite???
At the very least, I got to wear my new dress from Pinup Girl Clothing. It’s the Luna dress in Witchy Toile Crepe. I love it and it has the deepest pockets. I love me a good 1940’s reproduction dress.
I also listed a single of a kind piece. I’m wearing it in the photos. It’s a very unusual color. I’m slowly but surely getting things listed.
Happy Thursday evening friends, I hope it’s a restful one. xo-Thea
Vlog, shop update and other gibberish.
First, my vlog about last week:
Nice thumbnail there eh? Yeah, so last week and my first online show was a bust. Whomp whomp. Of course that makes me nervous for other online shows. I’ve only committed to one with 6 by 6 so far because of the fear. However, instead of getting into Debbie Downer mode, I’m just going to sew a bunch of random things and be weird. Which is what I excel at.
In all seriousness, I just ride the life rollercoaster and hope for the best.
With the show out of the way, I can focus on other things now. Like listing.
Me in my fancy spiderweb blouse wearing four simply red kanzashi hair clips as you do.
First up is a classic : Simply Red Kanzashi Hair Clips. I usually end up with tons of vintage kimono red silk lining. So I’ve made versions of these clips for the entirety of my business. They are a vibrant red and classic. They are available in ye olde shop.
Then lastly, this is a bit odd for me but the vintage clothing purge has commenced and it’s happening over in my Etsy shop. Why not here you might ask? Well friends, you come here for hair doodads and bouquets and not random vintage clothes. People shop of vintage on Etsy and I’m legit trying to let go of these things. But in the off chance that you’d like to buy something from here and there, just let me know and I can make that happen for you.
That’s all from me for now. I hope you’re all well - as well as we can all be right now. Ride that rollercoaster homies. xo-Thea
Vlog and Spooky Skeleton Kanzashi
First up, yesterday’s vlog:
Admittedly, it was a bit rushed as time kind of got away from me yesterday. I’m also still acclimating to using Premier Pro rather than iMovie. But we wanted to mention the little information that we have about Adobe Max/Marketplace that 6 by 6 will be a part of. Reminder that Max is free this year!!! SIGN UP!!! John and I have attended the past two years and each time we left filled to the brim with inspiration. As well as new insights on how to use Adobe’s products for our creative endeavors. I know that sounds a bit like a sales pitch, but we use a ton of their applications for many aspects for both companies. And who doesn’t like Free?
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you might have caught this little teaser yesterday. I whipped up a few Skeleton Kanzashi clips for spooky season. They are available in my shop. Sadly, there won’t be a cotton alternative for these. Perhaps in the future though. I get random requests for these throughout the year.
I’m glued to my computer, sewing machine and kanzashi table this week. I have some fun videos, projects and photoshoots on my list week. Whatever I can do to power through to election day. :)
xo-Thea
Vlog and Cotton Spooky Kitty Kanzashi Flowers
This week’s vlog was short and sweet. Mostly because I’m learning to edit with Premier Pro. I’m an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, so I figured I’d make the switch. But currently, I barely know what I am doing so I kept things short.
As promised, I have a cotton (cotton-poly blend) Spooky Kitty kanzashi available in the shop now! They are single layer flowers unlike the original silk ones. I had to do some searching in my fabric stash to find the right non silk fabric for these. I hope you like what I came up with.
Again, thank you so much for the support with my new items and keep your eyes peeled for more.
xo-Thea
Spooky Kitty Kanzashi in stock!
Continuing with the Spooky Season festivities, Spooky Kitty kanzashi have hit the shop!
If you’ve been with me for a bit, you’ll probably recognize these spooky black kitties. But this time around they are not made from non recyclable plastic. I laser cut my own version of these spooky kitties out of alder wood and hand painted them. They are the purrrfect Spooky Season flower centerpiece.
I used all black vintage kimono silk for the two tiered flowers. I will have a non silk version available very soon as well. You have the option of a hair clip or a brooch for the hardware.
Currently, I am only doing a limited run on these due to the fabrics I have available.
I hope you’re spooky season has started off well! I began my marathon of spooky/Halloween theme TV show and movie watching yesterday. I’ll be sharing my full watch list here on the blog tomorrow for those who are looking for some spooky movie/show inspiration.
xo-Thea
Little by little.
After a long stretch of talking shit, I’m finally updating my shop.
I guess I just needed a show or a pandemic in this case to finally go through my excess inventory. I have listed a few things already and I will be continue listing daily.
I’ve mostly listed minis so far, but a few two tiered singles hair clips too.
I have a wide array of colors and fabric types. Some vintage cotton kanzashi even!
After I list my current inventory, I will be creating new more elaborate pieces like I did in my early years of my career. I am very excited about that.
I’ve been posting more on my public Instagram. Posts about my garden, current sewing projects and that sort of thing. I hope you’ll connect with me there!
xo-Thea
About an inch around.
Whomever I come into contact with while I am working, they always stop and marvel how tiny the pieces of fabric are.
The standard sizes that I cut my fabrics are either 2"x 2" or 1" x 1". The typical cuts for my regular sized and my mini sized kanzashi.
Small Bamboo Leaves Clips
It can be tedious work with the tiny delicate folds, but I equate it to knitting. I've done the repetitive motions for so long now, it is soothing and familiar. For the tiniest pieces I will often use tweezers to maneuver petals into position. The smaller they are, the harder they are to make. It is totally well worth it though!
Many of my tiny kanzashi sets become bridal gifts, flower girl hair pieces and even Blythe doll accessories. There are a few minis available in the shop right now with more on the way. I had hoped that I would have time to list them this week. But alas, my youngest had all of her wisdom teeth removed and requires a bit more assistance we thought. (Mom life!)
Happy Friday!
xo-Thea
Fresh Kanzashi Mini's at Momo Seattle
A fresh batch of kanzashi minis are at MOMOseattle! Including exclusive to Momo mini brooches. For those of you outside of the Seattle area, I’ll have a handful of minis available in my shop next week.
xo - Thea
In Full Bloom
With a few days of sun, it seems as if everything is in full bloom right now. Even here in my shop!
I'm a true Pacific Northwestener, so I don't mind the long fall/winter gloom. But it is nice to see things come alive outdoors. I took that inspiration and created a few pink items to celebrate!
I hope you all have enjoyed the spring renewal a little so far! There's more to come from me and for a limited time I am accepting custom orders for summer and fall weddings/events. Please contact me for more information.
xo-Thea
Sweet Red Wine
I laughed out loud at myself when I was editing photos and noticed my dry skin on my fingers in the above photo. Its not meant to gross anyone out, but I found it funny because I went to great care ensuring that this piece would look it's best in the photos. And I go and wreck it with my hands that created that piece. Life of a handmade artist...
Kanzashi making is definitely a hands on process. After 15 years of making them, my hands have aged a bit. Totally worth it though. Recently, I've revisited a few of my older designs. Some of which, still are making the rounds around Pinterest. It has been fun to appreciate my own work and development of my craft, especially since I am completely self taught. It's inspired me to make some new pieces, especially for my shop here, not just my wholesale accounts.
There are two fresh items in the shop! Check them out, there's more to come!
xo-Thea
P.S. Today is my husband's birthday. He's awesome and I'm glad he was born.
Spring Is About To Bloom
Well, hello. It's seems that I have hibernated for the winter. I've actually just had to take time to focus on 6 by 6 Arts. The majority of this business has always taken place during the spring and summer months, for obvious reasons. Things are about to start blooming again around here since spring is upon us.
I finally have time to sit down and just make. It feels so good.
I still owe you all a blog post about my personal wedding bouquet from my wedding last September. It wasn't my most elaborate piece, but definitely one of my most creative and richly colored bouquets.
Many of the pieces above can be found at Momo Seattle. Many more will soon be popping up in my shop(s).
xo-Thea
Leaf Love
On the daily, I honestly use my Starr flower clips in my hair (more those will appear in the shop very soon). I have crazy natural wavy hair that flies all over the place. When I have somewhere to go, I toss in a flower or two from my personal collection of special pieces that I've hoarded over the years. But some days, it's just all about the leaves.
I typically will dye vintage kimono lining to a vibrant shade of green. As green is a little harder to come by when it comes to vintage kimono fabric.
They are simple, yet striking. I have yet to see the leaves look bad in a shade of hair color. Blonde, red, brown, black, white...it always looks great.
I have two sets readymade and available in my shop right now. They measure approximately 1.5" inches in diameter. They come as a set of two and are securely affixed to alligator clips with teeth that have excellent grip.
I hope my fellow Americans had an excellent holiday weekend. I had my house full with all of my kids home for the weekend. Those days are rare now so I give them my full attention when they happen.
xo-Thea
Thea Starr - Maker
Woodinville, Washington
Where I work
I know makers love to see where other maker's make. Since I've recently reorganized my workspace I thought it would be a good time to share where I make my kanzashi.
I cut and prepare all of my fabrics by hand. They are stored in piles just like this on a long table (not pictured) and await to be folded.
My little corner. This is where I cut and make my smaller pieces. Larger pieces I make need a bigger "mess clean up zone." And trust me, it rarely looks this organized.
Words of inspiration on the wall. (Of course made by my other company - 6 by 6 Arts). Also a small framed booklet of Orcas Island sea life. I thought the hand drawn illustrations where so sweet. It was published in Bellingham, WA and the sea life referenced in the book remind me of the same sea life that is also native to Whidbey Island. Which I am a native of.
One by one. It's how I get the job done. I get a lot of amazed looks when I saw I hand fold every single petal. But after doing it this long I compare it to knitting for myself. I just get into my zone and fold, fold, fold.
I want to be real with you all, my space RARELY looks like this. As most makers we are creative hurricanes with pieces and components of our work everywhere. Hence, really wanting to document this now. In general my area has a clean color palette which works for me because kimono fabric is often bright and bold, it draws my focus onto that.
My work takes up many rooms and corners of my home. Stashes of fabric in the garage, my bedroom, all of my closets, dedicated work areas. It's like my birthday when I happen upon a stash that I had "forgotten" about.
Maybe someday I'll post a realistic workspace picture when I'm in full production mode so you all can see what it's really like. Until then, I leave you with the thought that my floors aren't really covered with tons of scraps. :)
xo - Thea