3D Lasers & Leather?

I have been thinking about learning how to use and incorporate laser printing and cutting in my leather design process. While I love hand cutting leather, and will likely continue to as a sort of "originals vs. prints" concept, I have been wanting to automate the process by making my hand drawn ideas CAD designs and then learning how to program a laser printer or cutter to cut these designs.

There is a new product out there Glowforge which could make this possible at home! You can cut wood, leather, etch glass, cut felt...so many interesting applications. If you get a chance flip through their galleries because there are already so many amazing things this printer has made...

I want a Glowforge so bad! Meanwhile, I think last year I read about a makers group in St. John's that has a laser in their collection of tools. I may need to further investigate...

If you want one too, you can sign up for their mailing list to get this awesome tool 1/2 off.

"The 3D laser printer that makes beautiful things, quickly.

Our first Glowforges will be half price.
We don't want you to miss out."

Screen Capture from the Glowforge website available 9.18.15

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Leather Lace

The Leather Lace Collection features hand cut leather lace necklace, bracelets and earrings. I might even try a new ring concept soon! My leather lace collection is one of my most detailed and highest skilled techniques. I have written some background on my technique and inspiration before, and recently produced a short "making of" film which is available on youtube.

Bold and eye catching. Delicate like lace but with the strength of leather. Sometimes imitating metal, sometimes paper. Always distinct and free hand cut by me. Some producers use lasers to mass produce leather filigree jewelry. I do not. I pride myself in a steady hand and the ability to visually transfer a drawn design to leather by simply using small knives and piercing tools. I am good, really good. My free hand cut leather jewelry rivals and surpasses designs cut by lasers time and time again!

Most of these designs I can make in any color of leather or reproduce in similar look to what is featured. Many are currently available on my Etsy shop and on my facebook page. Inspired? Have a design you'd like to see in leather? Contact me to discuss custom jewelry options.

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: The Key to Your Heart

The Key to Your Heart Collection is fueled by my obsession with collecting antique keys. I have a...*ahem...huge stash of keys yet to be designed with. I am constantly buying them.

The first piece in this collection was a simple vintage key whole plate I had stacked a small glass heart on. From there the ideas bubbled forward. Here is what I have made so far...many more to come, I guarantee it ;) Some have sold quickly. Inspired, but the one you see is not quite right? Let me know what you are thinking. I would be happy to customize a Key to Your Heart piece for you. Available for purchase both on my Etsy store and on  my Facebook.

Needlepoint - A Home Decor Staple Making Appearances on the Runway

Elle magazine cover, July 2012, top by Balmain

Detail of top by Balmain from the Fall/Winter 2012/13 collection. 

Needlepoint is a classic handicraft in the embroidery family which traditionally would use thread to cover a stiff woven canvas; often for framed art and durable furniture accents.

Inspired by the gorgeous (multi-thousand dollar) tunic by Balmain featured on the cover of the July 2012 Elle, I grabbed my camera and tried to capture as many of the eye catching needlepoint pieces I could track down in The Local Joint today.  

The offerings range from throw pillows to framed art, to brooches (a YazBerry Vintage find) and furniture! There are several of us pickers that have an eye for amazing needlepoint. We bring a delicious variety into the store and it sells quickly and changes often. 

YazBerry Vintage has already seen several of my needlepoint finds fly off the shelves into the homes of fashionable people. 

I've assembled this photo essay to share with you some needlepoint options that are more attainable and practical than the gorgeous Balmain tunic I wish would show up in my closet ;)...

Shop on dear friends. Come visit The Local Joint in Northfield, MN to get your hands on some of these amazing needlepoint pieces!

Needlepoint throw pillow bouquet in dark green and oranges. 

Floral spray seat cushion.

Sweet daisies.

Delightful footstool in pale blue and rose.

God Bless our Home in gilded frame.

Sweet children with dog, duck and umbrella. 

Small pin cushion, black background and bright greens.

Pair of dusty pink runners with fruit and flowers.

Framed black background with bright pink roses.

Petit point brooch with tiny roses. 

Unframed needlepoint lilies with needle and thread still attached

*Images from Balmain & Elle magazine are copyright their owners. 

Rescued materials, travel inspired design, functional fashion

(Exerpt originally found on my Etsy.com "About" page)


YazBerry will leave people asking you where you got it!

I was the kid growing up selling dried wild flower bouquets to the neighbors from my wagon. I've always been most content working on creative projects. Sewing, drawing, painting, coloring, building things...One of my favorite games was "business"; I had a wooden box filled with fax cover sheets and blank receipt books.

While in college I had my first run with clothing design. Working in the costume shop at the Skidmore Theatre, my creativity was put to the test creating costumes from thin air based on an idea from the director. I then produced two collections for student fashion shows.

BA in hand and a day job to boot Etsy crossed my path. *light bulb* the perfect outlet for the creative working person. Of course I dream of quitting my day job like most Etsians, but for now the bills must get paid and Etsy is the perfect forum to run my business while I sleep.

I have been transient the last *ahem* nearly a decade; each space I have lived in I have always made room for a studio. My current studio is a dark walk out basement filled with yellow lights and borrowed furniture. My living and creative space are woven into and on top of one another. It works. I thrive in organized chaos.

My favorite materials are discarded clothing found in secondhand shops. Textiles inherited from retired friends and family. Found objects from flea markets and the beach. My absolute favorite thing is to determine the limitations of a discarded item, discover its potential and work it into a functional piece of wearable art.

YazBerry is in essence, a grand recycling experiment; manifested in the form of wearable art. I am a first generation "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" student and have found it is one of my guiding mantras in all that I do in life. Always finding ways to reduce my impact on the ecosystem and preserve the beauty around us for those to come after.

At the moment I am mostly flying solo on the YazBerry frontier. At times my generous fiance will help with the online shop. My number one fan and best sales person. My mom also helps at art fairs.

I always carry a small notepad and pen with me. I never know when something will catch my eye, inspire a design and need to be captured before my short term memory allows it to float on the wind. I am particularly inspired by architecture, eye catching color combinations in ethnic textiles and the artisan craft of peoples around the world.

I rarely make the same item twice. It feels like a chore and I want your YazBerry creation to be singular in this world. I stand by the promise that YazBerry will leave people asking you where you got it!

Enjoy!

Virginia Berry

Designer * Creator * Picker * Maker

Is it a Tunic or a Dress?

TBD. Sometimes a design requires the hunt for the perfect fabric, other times the fabric inspires the design. That is the case this time. I had a piece of leather I had cut one of my leather corset leaf bodices out of that wants to be turned into either a tunic or a dress. My initial thoughts were tunic...but upon playing with some fabric around the house last night and today I am wondering if it might be a dress.

Here are the first peeks of an idea:




The lovely mauve and off white fabric you see is an antique kimono obi. The delicious giant buttons are vintage! I love recycling and repurposing fabric and buttons. To use the kimono obi fabric, I need to take it apart.


When I exposed part of the liner I discovered the makers mark (no not the whiskey), does anyone read Japanese characters? I'd love to know who made this as all kimonos and obis are meticulously and precisely hand sewn and this is the first stamp or label I have come across! This one, like a couple others I've worked with, had a lovely hidden silk lined pocket as well. I love the discovering little treasures like these. As the silk is in pristine condition I think it will find it's home in a purse in the near future.


Here is what it looks like day two. Part of the process is taking apart the first draft, which is simply pinned fabric and actually starting to tailor and assemble the item. Right now I am working on some organic, raised darts along the front waist. The idea is to cinch in the waist a bit, so it looks less sack like when the obi belt is tied around it. More later as the design progresses.