So today I wanted to briefly discuss something about the Product Party that happened or was supposed to happen on January 9th. I went live briefly with my daughter and then I had to quit it because my baby needed some medical attention. She's fine but she did bump her head. There was no concussion but the fall to the ground had her adrenaline going. I am not going to reschedule the event but I will Say the next Product Party will be January 23. There will still be a giveaway and I will still be hosting alongside my Anya (for training purposes of course).
Today was an interesting day. After realizing that my other blog post already had a release last week I noticed I had not planned on doing anything with The New Creature Fashion Blog until I made my new website. I was working on some changes and it was because I recognized that my website only had a shop but not enough info about my services. Then I realized I didn't have a way to post that using the site that I had. The other part of the problem was that after selecting the New Host for my website I realized THAT host didn't allow me to have a shop! So to stay within my means I created 2 websites.
The Kana Wear Shop can be found at www.kanawearboutique.com
The Kana Wear Website where you can find information or sign up to recieve any other services please go here! www.kanawear.com Take a browse around while you're there.
I've been dreaming of this for several years. It's not that I was afraid. I was actually looking for one singular site I could use to show my services and sell my jewelry on. Now that this step is out of the way, I can continue to make improvements.
Services I'm now offering include art classes for children ages 6-12 as well as personal art lessons. You can sign up for either on our website.
Bear with me concerning my shop. I'm making some modifications to the website that will help me simplify it for our buyers. It's been since 2017 that I've had my shop but honestly that website is difficult to navigate sometimes. I'll figure it out eventually and soon I'll open the shop back up for my buyers. Right now it should be set to on vacation. I'll update everyone concerning our next moves in 2 weeks when I figure it out.
Last Friday the Jewelry Party was a success! By success I mean I nearly sold out. I need to restock inventory on jewelry pieces and I need to restock on bead supplies because I'm running kind of low! This is exciting because I haven't felt this type of rush since I was a teenager. I'll be doing this a lot more often because I cleaned up! Even my daughter who co-hosted the event made $10 and an additional $5 on the next day from the pieces she created herself! She's been talking about it with all her friends and she keeps on trying to make more jewelry to sell.
Unfortunately we're only doing this 2xs a month or just once a month depending on product development. The next day all I did was fill those orders and I didn't realize how much I already understood how to do already!
We only had 2 customers but those 2 customers meant everything. My 3rd and 4th customers didn't participate in the live events but they might next time because I did some really cool Giveaways. I gave away 1 pair of earrings and a picture I created in Adobe Illustrator. Both of my winners were very happy to be winners!
My objective going in was to show my daughter exactly how to do this although I was learning myself. The bible says "Train up a child in the way they should go even when they are old they will not depart from it". (Proverbs 22:6) I wrote this in a previous article about helping children understand how to have a vision for their lives. If you'd like to read thatClick Hereand learn more about how to use allowance and teach your child how to become an entrepreneur with a plan!
I also learned something myself, and that was to never let fear stand in the way of my progress. Imposter Syndrome got the best of me ever since I recognized that I needed to do a jewelry party to succeed at this, and I feared doing an incentive, I feared investing to create more. I feared for no reason it seems now, and I am sad that I waited so long before taking the leap of faith I did and sold the items that I already had. I should've done this a long time ago because it sure would've helped!
Other customers who couldn't exactly get their hands on a particular design ended up ordering custom colors in the same design! Here are a few of my other creations that I made custom for other orders!
If you would like to place your custom orders with me you can view the video from Friday take down any numbers of the designs you'd like in any other colors, and shoot me a text by downloading my digital business card here๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
It's been a very creative week! You have no idea! I haven't had a surge of creativity like this since I was a teenager, and my urge to sell online is through the roof. I'm on to bigger things though now, and bigger dreams which consists of social media posts, a beautiful website, and lots of ads on Facebook Marketplace. No that is not a pun, but let me tell you where all this inspiration suddenly came from.
It all started about a week ago when I finally got my package from PandaHall! I ordered some new beads from them wholesale and I combined some of those with what I already had! Now I'm just continuing to make more and more things. I'm getting back to this place I used to be in when I was a teenager. I'd literally have visions and dreams of work and I'd say to myself "I wonder if that would look good"-Talk about making your dreams a reality! I'm getting back to creating it being the fun part again. Some of these items are one of a kind and listed on Facebook Marketplace so make sure you check these out as well as other products!Here are just a few photo's of my most recent work
Anyway, I was trying to tell you about how my shipment of beads came that I ordered online. It took 20 days to arrive since it was from overseas. So as soon as it came I burst into a frenzy of creativity! I haven't felt like this in years. And for the past few days it's been like a burden has lifted off my shoulders every time I make something.
It feels great! Now if only I can get back into my morning coffee routine I'd be able to truly focus more! I've grown the attention span of a mom with 3 kids. I have to start and stop my progress all the time.
I remember getting my package in the mail with all the cool new beads inside. Honestly I had forgotten what I had ordered by the time 20 days past and what sucks is that I forgot what beads look like by the millimeter. So some of the beads were so small compared to what I envisioned. It's okay though because that's the risk you take when you buy online. The pictures show the beads up close, and you're trying to envision your hands touching the products. That's really the only reason that people continue to go shopping for the product on a physical location. The tangible experience does something to a designer in a craft store. We have to feel it to be inspired. Taking your word isn't enough.
This situation only sucks because I was in high school I used to have bead sizes memorized and I'd buy beads from Hobby lobby, Michael's, or Joann's all the time. So when I realized that I had only bought 100 beads or so in 8mm beads (and some smaller than this) I was in complete shock. Seeing the size of the package I ordered was rather disappointing, but I instantly remembered bead sizes and counts. All the memories of retail bought beads came flooding back, and I remembered that this maybe why visiting my local craft store was a weekly escapade. I settled the feeling of disappointment with a long sigh saying "ooooooohhh"๐. Then I quickly got over it and started to design some jewelry. Hey!- don't judge me I waited 20 whole days. I needed to take off the edge!
I didn't realize my edge came with a cost.... That package just came last week, and I already designed several bracelets and so 100 assorted caramelized pearl beads is already made into beautiful jewelry. I did order these wholesale so you better believe I'm about to get my money's worth. Usually 100 CT would probably cost me $3.00+ in retail, but I paid about .50 for the same amount. That's how it goes in wholesale. The more you buy the less you pay. So where I usually end up paying about 35.00 in Walmart for a few stands. I paid 18.75 for over 400 beads and that includes the price of shipping. I still need more and I might be willing to wait another 20 days if I make a large profit from what I've already made. The shipping cost is really what got me, so next time I'll remember to buy big (whenever I get that)and start out with a budget of about $300+ (cause that's when shipping is free). It was only an additional $5.00, and having it shipped express was at least $11. I remember thinking Ha! On my budget? They better be glad they're even getting shipping costs right now *clicks standard delivery*. I'll just remember next time to shop more often with them on that $30 budget that I used to take to Walmart and other craft stores. Even 40% off coupons from those retail outlets wouldn't suffice sometimes because it could only be used per person, and for any regular priced item (not on your total purchase). It also doesn't apply to the sewing machines and other gadgets I've had my eye on for the past few years. So don't judge me if you see me an my family including the baby in the car seat with a Hobby Lobby coupon and cash. I'm trying to get my money's worth over here so I can continue making beautiful jewelry.
Well that's all for today. It was fun discussing one of my passions. Here are some more photo's of my work! Go to www.kanawear.com to see more, and even buy from the new collection if you'd like!
In todays post I'll be showing you how to Draw a croqui in 10 STEPS ✍When I was in college I had the privilege of sitting under a professor named Mori Green, and she was an expert in Fashion Illustration. She went to my dream school (The Fashion Institute of Technology in NY), and got her Masters Degree in Fashion. By the time I had met her she had already illustrated for The W, as well as had her own fashion line which was self named. I was wondering why she decided to work at Bauder College and when I asked her answer was just gold, she said, "I made my living in the fashion industry, and now I want to teach young people to do the same and be even better than I was." Now I don't know about being better than Mrs. Green (Because she's awesome), but I know I can show others what she taught me. Unfortunately unlike FIT our Fashion Program didn't have a human anatomy class but I got the gist of it in a one on one session with her. It just so happened one of the other seniors just continued to be a no show and we were the only 2 there at the time who needed the class so we could graduate. Why home girl didn't show so she can get her paper ๏คท♀️I don't know? I'm happy she didn't though because after lots of struggling in Fashion illustration 1 and 2, I finally got somewhere in the 3rd course. I was new to drawing croquis but I was not new to drawing, But I'd like to say that even if you are not the best that you can still make this work using what you know. If you are there type to look at something and draw it, you can use that to your advantage by looking at yourself or a picture of a model in a magazine and try your best to use some of the standard measurements to imitate the pose somewhat.
Here is a list of Materials you'll need:
Pencil✏️
Eraser
Paper
12" Ruler
Now lets get Ready to SKETCH!
Step 1: Draw a 10" Line Down your Paper and mark each inch from 0-10" This is going to be your guideline to draw your 10 inch croqui.
Step 2: Draw the Head. The head is an egg ๏ฅshape, but from the 0 point at the top of your paper to the 1 inch point represents your face. Draw the top of the head above the 0 point so that you can make room for the hair or a hat. If you need a measurement make the top of the head at least a half inch above the 0 point.
Step 3: Draw the Neck. To Draw the neck draw lines that curve out slightly from the sides of the chin. From the chin to the collar bone is about a half inch down.
Step 4: Draw the shoulders and arms. To draw the shoulders first create a guideline at the 1 1/2" point using your ruler. Standard says this line should be at least 1 1/2" wide, but I draw mine at least 2 inches so I can have drawing room. I drew my guideline slanted down at the left because my croqui is walking♀️. With time and practice you will understand how to make the body move with the use of these guidelines. Draw in your shoulders and your arms and don't draw in the hands yet ♀️
Step 5: Draw the Torso and the Waist. To draw the waist make another guideline parallel to the shoulders at the 3rd point. My guideline is raised on the right side because my croqui is walking♀️, and when you walk the position of the hips change. Remember the deeper the slant the more accent you put on your croqui. After drawing your waist line go back to the tips of the shoulders and make lines indicating the ribs, and draw in the bust at the 2 1/2" point.
Step 6: Draw the Hips and the Crotch. Make another guideline at the 4 inch mark also parallel to the waist and shoulders, but this time make it straight. From the waist line draw two lines down to make the hips and stop at the hip line. Standard says your hips should be about 1 1/2" wide but I say bump standard and do whatever the heck you feel is best for you. From the 4 inch guideline where the hips end draw lines towards the 4 1/2" mark to create the crotch. It should look like an upside-down triangle.
Step 7: Draw the hands. Remember when I told you not to draw in the hands? Here's why! Your finger tips should line up with your crotch point (Seriously they do in real life, see for yourself.) So first draw the thumb and then the rest of the hand as illustrated in the picture. It should look like a claw.
Step 8: Legs and Knees. In order to make the thighs you have to understand where the knees are. The knees always end at the 7 inch mark, so draw a circle where the 7 inch mark is. My croqui is walking♀️ so one knee is higher than the other to create the illusion that one leg is behind the other. The other knee is raised to the 6 1/2" mark. Now from the hips draw in the legs making sure that the leg lines end at the sides of your knee circles. Since my croqui is walking you see the full leg on the left side
Step 9: Calves and Ankles. From the sides of the knee circles draw lines outward and going inward to create the ankles at the 9 inch point.
Step 10: The Feet. To draw the feet begin at the 9 inch mark and draw a line down toward to the 10 inch mark. The very end point represents the big toe. Sketch another line from the outer ankles to create the form of the foot. If they don't look like duck feet then you may have done it wrong. I made the foot on the leg that is raised slightly higher because my croqui is walking, and one foot has to be behind the other.
Now you're done! All you have to do now is create your style lines and outline it with a black marker (a dark marker). The purpose of the black marker is to make sure you can see it through another sheet of paper so that when you trace your clothes onto your croquis you will be able to see through the page. We were taught in school to use fine point sketching pens,and even a lightbox to trace our croquis. I use what I can though, and one time that was a desk lamp inside of an empty fish tank and BOOM there was my lightbox!
Here is the video for my tutorial which you can find on YouTube:
Well I hope you enjoyed reading my blog. Please watch the video as it relates to this blog and if you didn't understand exactly what I was saying maybe the video will come in handy for you. Please subscribe, share and comment!
Hey! Are you looking for more professional art supplies follow the links underneath the pictures to purchase!
