inSaneity: A Design Dichotomy

The Simplicity Pillow by inSaneity.

Available for sale

on Trina&Friends.

I am often asked, "What is inSaneity? How did you come up with such a name?"

When I was finally convinced to turn my passion into an official business I was hanging out and talking with my husband. He's my best friend. We are quite the goofy pair. Anyway, I was a bit frustrated with creating an identity and finding a fit for what I do. I told him the name had to really mean something. I am not just a textile artist. I am a very spiritual person and live deliberately so I don't make light of decisions. This one stumped me.

"How can I be described in one word? How can I explain the yin and yang that exists within?

The part of me that wants to change the world by being a superior philanthropist and the other part that just wants to sit in the south of France with a handcrafted champagne flute and sip all day."

He said "inSaneity" and laughed.

I said, "That's it!"

I immediately took off, grabbed my laptop and this happened:

inSaneity is a contradiction

a creative entity

that stands in the middle

of indulgent luxury

and wholistic simplicity

inSaneity

is an epiphany

the exact moment you realize

you belong everywhere

yet nowhere at all

it is an obsession with Bergdorfs

and a commitment to green

i am wearing Argyle diamonds

in a recycled white t

I am inSaneity

- dtm 2008

So there you have it. This is me and what I represent. Not mental or anything, just passionate about a lot of stuff. I think this dichotomy comes through in my art. I am honored when others find the beauty in it, but it is really just the way I express myself and "embrace my insaneity".

A Little Sass and A lot of Pink: Classy N Sassy Designs

Well, Trina&Friends continues to search high and low to bring you the most creative and unique crafts, clothing and designs. So, when we found the energetic designer who creates innovative crafts including the"Baby Bling Tags" (available for purchase on Trina&Friends), we knew she'd be a great fit with our community. Classy N Sassy Designs is owned by a woman named Trina (she immediately thought it was interesting we contacted her since we are Trina&Friends) and we caught up with her to see where she finds inspiration for her work....

She states:

"I am sure it won't take a customer very long to pin point what inspires me.

PINK!

Anything and everything pink inspires me.

I live in a boys world: Hubby, Son and two male dogs so there is not a lot of pink in my life. I find that creating pink things offers me an outlet for my feminine side. Pink can be dainty or sassy, vintage or modern. There is something so girly about pink and I am ALL GIRL! I also find inspiration in antiques and most things vintage. I love vintage linens again because there is something so delicate about them. I love the worn out look and get inspired about making the modern look used and broken in. Taking the classic or the classy and adding a bit of sass. I love ribbon, beads and jewels which are a staple in my studio and a trademark of my designs.

I am a paper whore and 90% of my stash has some sort of pink design or vintage look to it.

I get so excited and inspired when I see fresh new paper designs on the shelf at the store. Lastly, I often get inspired by collections. A small collection of frames on a shelf, a small bundle of flowers on the table, or a stack of vintage blankets in a basket. Collections of pretty things spark thoughts and creativity which leads to more pretty things....created by me, Classy N Sassy Designs!"

... well T&F community, we told you she is sassy! We hope you adore all of her works in our store. Welcome Classy N Sassy Designs!

From Amsterdam: Interview with Katie from Morelle Handbags

Pictured here: "The Charlotte", one of the handbag designs from Morelle Handbags. Available for purchase at Trina&Friends.

My name is Katie and I'm the designer of Morelle Handbags. Morelle started as a way to express all those designs and creations I had in my head. Since I was little I was always working on something: knitting or sewing. I just had to use my hands to make something. When I moved to Amsterdam one year ago, I took my obsession a little bit further. I bought a sewing machine and started to sew my own clothes and eventually made my first Morelle bag.

The past few months have been challenging as I've had a full-time job and on the side I've been spending hours and hours in front of the sewing machine creating new items and experimenting with new designs. My goal has been to make functional yet stylish handbags. These months have been valuable as I've learned a lot about the textiles I'm using, how to treat them and how to make a comfy yet sturdy and functional bag. I can spend hours fiddling around with fabric trying to achieve the ideal bag.

I like to keep my designs simple yet I like to add some functionality to them, even if it's just making a bag big enough to fit a laptop. Considering the needs of the modern woman, small purses do not really do it anymore. I believe that handbags serve more than just accessories to compliment an outfit; they carry all that stuff around that we need. Women need a nice, comfy, spacious yet stylish bag to carry all this stuff in. And this is what Morelle Handbags are all about!"

Chatting it up with MixBaby...

Trina&Friends saw the most adorable headbands this month. We immediately had to have these added to the shop for our customers.

The designer behind the headbands, Terri Wagamon Jones, is also known as Mixbaby.




She is a fashion designer of young women's clothing & accessories, and she told us she enjoys every aspect of the production process from drawing, pattern making, sewing, to selling. In her college years, she studied art, fashion merchandising, and business, which has led her to establish a small accessories store.




The"Mixbaby Headband" we love originated from a single color of comfortable & stylish headband that she had casually created for herself. While receiving compliments from family and friends, she decided to share it with others.....and here she is...providing headbands in every color of the spectrum to fashionistas allaround the world.

As a designer, she is inspired by the environment. Art,photography, movies, magazines, books, dreams, vintage styles, culture, and people all provide elements in her design and styles. While creating, she is also very inspired by the fabric and material.

"Sometimes all it takes is a lovely print or texture, and the finished product already takes shape in my mind," she states.




While jumpstarting her fashion career with Mixbaby Headbands, she also designs women's clothing. She is currently in the process of establishing a clothing line, featuring party dresses and separates. The image of her collection is sweet, simple, and sophisticated.


Perhaps you'll see some of her new clothing line on Trina&Friends in the future! Check back often, and please welcome MixBaby to Trina&Friends!

Aguacate & Co.: Worry-Free Skin Care

When Trina&Friends finds a unique, eco-friendly company that produces a quality product, we make it our business to bring them into our uplifting community.

So, when we discovered Aguacate & Co., we did some investigation:

This company receives the nod on quite a few areas:

*They are a member of One Percent For the Planet, an alliance of eco-conscious businesses committed to giving back at least 1% of sales to support environmental research.

*Aguacate & Co.'s worry-free skin care range is made with only organic and natural ingredients like avocado oil, berry extracts, honey, jojoba and rooibos tea.

*Their products do not contain synthetic ingredients linked to health hazards. When you choose to put skin care products on your skin, you also choose to put those products' ingredients into your body.

*They list all product ingredients on their label so you know exactly what you're putting on your skin. Their products are not tested on animals and most of their products are certified vegan.

*We found that they use recycled and reusable materials for packaging and renewable energy in their production processes.

In this day and age of stress and pressure, your skin will be one less thing to worry about.

Aguacate & Co. receives the Trina&Friends stamp of approval.

Rachel's Habit

My name is Rachel and I have been crocheting for about 5 years now. I always remember having afghans around the house when I was little. My mother used to make them. When I got married and had a family of my own, I discovered that afghans aren't easy to come by anymore. You can't buy them in the stores, they're very rare at craft shows and not everyone has a relative that makes them anymore, so I began making my own.

I'll admit my first effort didn't work out so well. It completely unraveled in the wash, haha. I've improved greatly since then, I promise. Soon I was making them for everyone in my family.

Crocheting can become a bit addictive and before long I was making new afghans faster than I could use them. My husband became convinced I was going to bury him in yarn. I decided that other people might have the same problem I initially had and not everyone has the time or inclination to devote to making their own, thus my new business was born.

If you've never used a handmade afghan, you're really missing out. The woven texture and holes in the pattern allow just enough air circulation so that you stay just warm enough without overheating. The softness, texture and heft of the material is unlike anything else and they make beautiful decorative pieces. I always welcome new ideas or color schemes if you have something special in mind. Rest assured, I'm very picky about the texture of the yarns I use. I would never make something I wouldn't be proud to keep myself. You will find no scratchy blankets here. Enjoy!

Wire Tree: Jewelry Inspired by the Pacific Northwest

Beth Goss, the creative force behind Wire Tree, began designing and creating jewelry in 1990. She strives for an organic feel with her designs and is continually inspired by the trees, water, and mountains she's surrounded by in the Pacific Northwest.



Her creations use stones and pearls to accent her copper, sterling, and fine silver pieces.


After taking a long break to raise her family and get her career as an educator on track, Beth once again began creating jewelry. By January 2007 she decided to take the leap from hobby to business and in May 2007 her company, Wire Tree, was born.