Images of Work

JEWELRY - all of the pictured jewelry is available for purchase at this time. Please contact me to place an order. 

 Necklace: antique glass beads, Swarovski crystals, vintage brass finding, leather cord. $97

 Necklace, hand cut leather lace, recycled garment leather, $75

Bracelet, multi-strand leather with wire wrapped semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystals, $65

 Cuff bracelet, hand cut leather lace butterfly, $59

Necklace, sterling silver chain, fresh water pearls, antique key, hand sculpted kite made from antique Japanese obi fabric and leather, antique key, $79

Earrings, Labradorite stones and garnets, sterling silver, $45 each

BABY SHOES - All of these baby shoes have sold. I am currently taking custom orders for baby shoes. You choose the size, style and materials. Please contact me to discuss your order.

 Casual baby shoes, antique Japanese obi fabric paired with neon green leather soles, $35

 Kimono baby shoes, antique Japanese obi fabric paired with non-skid rubberized cotton soles, $30 each

Kimono baby shoes, antique Chinese silk fabric paired with non-skid rubberized cotton soles, $30

 Baby booties, leather with pierced toes, $40

 Baby booties, vegan vinyl with plain toes, $25


PURSES - All of these purses have sold. I am currently designing and making bespoke purses only at this time. Please contact me to discuss your order.
Polka Dot Clutch, $72, Photo by Yassine Belhaldi

Beaded Chain Purse, $102, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Silk Embroidered Messenger Bag, $167, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Kimono Clutch, $72, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

CLOTHING - All of these clothing items have sold. I am currently only offering bespoke clothing design and sewing at this time. Please contact me to discuss your order.
Copper Leather Corset, $125, Photo by Yassine Belhaldi, Model: Virginia E. Berry

Obi Belt, $63, Photo by Virginia E. Berry, Model: Naomi Hernandez

Cropped denim jacket, $67. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry


TABLE LINENS & QUILTS - These items have sold or were custom orders and are not available for purchase. Please contact me to discuss custom quilting and home decor items. 
Table Runner, $67, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Table Runner, $73, Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

Custom quilt. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

Custom quilt. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

LOGO

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DESIGNER

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

TO VIEW MY PRESS KIT CLICK HERE.

Busy in the Studio

After leaving my studio to its own devices for 8 months, I finally have dug it out, organized it and have it at a point where it is functional. Hallelujah!!

That said, I've been busy. Here's some proof for you:

Working on putting some new designs on YazBerry cards. Many varieties of simple semi-precious stones, some glass drops and some bamboo coral. Prices to be determined. Message me if you would like to purchase anything. Thank you.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 8, 2015 at 9:23am PDT

Putting earrings on cards. Lots of sea glass post earrings $14 each. Message me if you'd like some. Loving this vintage card table I found the other day.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 7, 2015 at 6:34pm PDT

Attempting to organize my always chaotic studio. I found some heavy stemmed glasses at a thrift shop and am using them to sort tools. This is an ongoing challenge for me...organized chaos; I'm not messy I'm creative.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 7, 2015 at 4:09pm PDT

Finished wrapping a large custom order. Now I just need to purchase some more supplies to finish.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 6, 2015 at 3:42am PDT

Work in progress. By the end of the day I will finally have a price for these beauties.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 1, 2015 at 11:53am PDT

Finished my prototype for my Benjamin Franklin Kite necklace. I am very happy with this and will be making a series of these where each is a one of a kind. Price to be determined.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Sep 23, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

Just finished some custom order leather Men's / unisex bracelets.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Oct 1, 2015 at 7:48am PDT

Want more content like this? I have been really enjoying using Instagram recently and post a couple images a day most days. I had no idea this was a good website fit for me interest-wise but have really been inspired by seeing great photos of life all over the world, every day. Follow me on Instagram yazberryfashion.

YazBerry Open Studio in St. John's, NL

You are now invited to visit my studio in St. John's, NL near the Village Mall.

• Shop my collection, in person, on your schedule. 
• Appointments available days, evenings and weekends. 
• Simply contact me to schedule a shopping visit.
• I would be happy to bring a curated collection to you in the St. John's metro area.
• Through a series of questions I can customize a micro collection to your taste and bring it to you to try on and view.
• Do you want to host a YazBerry party at your house with some friends? Contact me, gifts and % of sales credit to the host. 

Currently, I am working to build up my business since I have spent the last few years winding it down in anticipation of my relocation. Leads and contacts in the following areas are sought and highly welcome at this time:

• I am currently seeking vending opportunities at craft and art fairs in the greater St. John's area, now through the Holiday season. 
• I will consider fairs throughout the province on an individual basis.
• I am seeking retail sales opportunities within the province. 
• I also plan to establish retail partnerships throughout Canada in the next year.
• Please contact me with any leads or to discuss my stock lists which I intend to customize to your store's aesthetics.

My current product offering includes the following and will change and expand as I discover the interests and tastes of the local market (links take you to my portfolio on facebook):

• Handmade jewellery
• Handmade baby shoes
• Handmade patchwork infinity scarves
• Vintage jewellery
• Vintage scarves
• Vintage neckties
• Vintage assorted accessories and decorative items

I can be reached by e-mail here. I would be happy to provide my phone number to interested parties or arrange a meeting in person. 

Big Changes at YazBerry

Dear fans and friends, and those that are one in the same,

I regret to announce that after a few years of tragically slow sales on my one-of-a-kind handmade clothing and purses, I am going to take a break from the production of aforementioned products. I cannot compete with the prices of mass produced goods overseas that many are demanding of me.

I am an independent artisan. That means I imagine the item, source the materials (online, out driving from store to store, anywhere I can find goods), design the item, I draft a pattern when appropriate or make the item directly on the dress form, I cut, assemble and sew each item, I photograph each item, sometimes many times since I am an amateur photographer at best, I write copy and descriptions of each item, I measure each item, I upload images to the internet, I make my own advertising materials with my basic paint and Microsoft Publisher software, I write blog entries, I promote my own work on facebook and twitter, I try to convince buyers at craft fairs that my work is worthy of your hard earned money, I build display props (which involves sourcing materials, figuring out how to make my idea functional, trouble shooting, rebuilding, redesigning...repeat), I set up my own booth at fairs...the list goes on. I am a Jane of All Trades....literally. All of this while working full time day jobs!

Needless to say, to keep up with the cost of living I need to earn more than minimum wage for all of this work and am not coming anywhere near that. My purses and clothes have been sold at production cost (materials and some labor (and barely)) for the past 10 years because when I raise the prices to a profitable number I experience no sales. I cannot sustain this business model. I love designing purses and clothing, but without a customer base it is a labor of love in vain.

What does this mean? I am not going out of business. I am shifting gears. I will continue making fabulous jewelry and will also continue with the new baby shoes and accessories line. I will consider custom orders on purses and clothing on a case by case basis. I will also consider custom quilting projects, though be prepared to pay what they are worth ($500 - $1500+).

I have been in the process of relocating to a different country for the last 2 years. Once that process is finalized, I will reevaluate my creative pursuits again and may launch a new line. I've wanted to design high end, fashion forward, performance outerwear for many years and may finally be able to take some design classes to learn about some of the technology out there that may make this process doable, though I will not be sewing these pieces from scratch but intend to source a domestic sewing shop to produce them.

As my personal friends are aware, I have been slowly auctioning off at deep discounts, and now finally am giving away, the rest of my handmade purse and clothing inventory. This decision has been extremely difficult for me (simply facing the loss of potential income...not to mention confessing that I failed). Just today I gave away a hand stitched leather piece for free that I know should sell for $300! This decision and my failing business has caused me too much stress, anxiety and depression. It is time to move forward with new ideas.

I want to thank you for your continued interest in my creative pursuits and support over the last decade (can you believe it, YazBerry will be 10 years old in May!). YazBerry has been an interesting ride and I hope you will continue following me as my creative direction shifts in the next few years.

Please continue following me on facebook I am too active there and you will have the most up to date news. You can shop my existing inventory right from my photo albums. I accept payment via PayPal invoices (all major credit cards - no need to even have a PayPal account) and I will ship worldwide. 

Thank you,

Virginia

And the Award for Artistic Insomnia Goes to Last Night and the 6:30 AM Bedtime #liberateyourart

I prefer working on creative projects at night. No pretty birds in the yard to distract me. No one to bother me. Not much of interest on TV. That warm, delightful silence that the darkness offers after everyone else is asleep. Best working hours always.

Last night apparently my sketchbook practice turned into a much more elaborate effort than I had anticipated...bedtime ended up being 6:30 AM...just before sunrise so at least it was dark when I shut my eyes.

Here is the painting that true insomnia produced. All images copyright Virginia E. Berry 2015

Again, rough images taken with my cell phone. Better images another day. My laborious, whimsical sketchbook addition:

Close up of raw crystal crown, an idea I've had for a while for a jewelry project.

Pocket pet rat baby on an arrow that reads "Big ideas constantly swarm me"

Rumination text in bird reads: "My mind is swarming with big ideas, they keep me up at night. Like a constant fight, I rarely sleep for fear of losing the good ones. The ones I ruminate on for hours on end, I try to write down, to capture, like wild creatures I hope to cultivate into remarkable contributions. My meager marks on this world. I know we race through this short life, and with that I hope to leave it better than when I entered it. Some nights my thoughts wake me in the middle of my dreams, demanding I record them. I am of simple means, extravagant dreams and humble talent. I read, study and practice constantly, seeking a way to launch my dreams into the universe."

Handmade Purses and Clothing Auction 75% Off Starting Bid, Most Under $20, Auction Ends 11/9/14

To participate in my liquidation auction, simply type your bid in the comments on the photos in this facebook album. 

Dear friends, I am drifting away from designing and making one-of-a-kind purses and clothing. I will be focusing my creative efforts on jewelry and baby shoes, hats and leg warmers.

Now is your chance to own one of my original designs before I donate them to charity. 75% off retail price is the starting bid. Nearly everything is $15 - $20 with the exception of a few larger, more extravagant pieces.

These are my babies. My ideas turned from a floating thought in my head, to a hunt for the right fabric, drafting a pattern, cutting the pieces and stitching the designs together with my own two hands.

I want more than anything for my creative works to find homes out in the world; to brighten peoples' days; to spread beauty and creativity throughout your life.

Love,

Virginia

To participate in my liquidation auction, simply type your bid in the comments on the photos in this facebook album. 

Shopping for YazBerry ONLINE

Click on "Comment" below to view links to all of my albums of items for sale online on Facebook & Etsy.

Post by YazBerry Fashion.

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Ocean Artifacts

The Ocean Artifacts Collection where beach combing is my muse...Addicted to treasure hunting on any beach I can get to. I always leave with pockets full of treasures...I have a rock problem, beach glass, metal bits, bones, driftwood...addicted.

In my personal collection I have many interesting glass bottles, distinct pieces of pottery and glass in interesting hues. I also have perfectly round stones, an ancient tobacco pipe stem, strange metal pieces... In my jewelry collection I often wire wrap sea glass in a simple and fresh spiral motif. I pair pottery chards with semi-precious stones. I mix glass with chain and many other materials.

You can find my ocean artifacts on my Etsy shop and on my facebook page. Most pictured are still available, some have found great homes however. Inspired by something you see? Have a favorite color of glass you would like made into jewelry? Contact me and I can discuss a custom piece with you.

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Urban Vintage

The Urban Vintage Collection is the modern mash-up of my earth loving, recycling fanatic self and my vintage loving, fashionista self. It features found objects, metal components with yummy patina and verdigris, salvaged vintage elements from discarded clothing and jewelry, carefully paired with new findings and elements. Reduce, reuse, recycle, fashion. Raw, modern, edgy, industrial, yet elegant and sophisticated. Urban vintage may sound like it contradicts itself but it's that contradiction that makes its beauty. Many pieces have sold but some are still available on my facebook page and on my Etsy shop. Loving this look but not seeing quite what you desire? Fear not, you can contact me and share your ideas and I can create a custom piece for you.

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: The Peaceful Macabre

The Peaceful Macabre Collection is influenced by my time in Salem, MA. A city filled with witchcraft, fascination with occult and more psychics per capita than any other place I've lived. There is a famous old historic graveyard in the center of town, The Burying Point. It's been their since 1637 and is pretty creeping, not to mention some of the significant historic inhabitants. I am generally not a fan of graveyards but living in New England, there are a lot of neat old graveyards worth a stumble through. I became fascinated with the historic symbols on the headstones: skulls with angel wings. They were very popular back in that day and variations appear on most stones. I continue to be curious about gravestone symbolism. Here in Newfoundland, hands, especially pointing hands feature heavily on old gravestones. Pointing to heaven, shaking hands. Interesting iconography.

I also enjoy bones, finding them on the beach, carved bones (creepy I know). I have a skull, lots of animal teeth I have found, fish bones, insides of seagull beaks...creepy stuff on my curiosity shelf. If I ever get back to NYC I am stopping in the shop featured on Oddities for sure :-D This said The Peaceful Macabre Collection features skulls, bones and sea urchin quills. Dark, menacing components that I have reframed in a peaceful and beautiful setting.

The skulls I use are hand carved Mala beads. Mala beads are used in Buddist prayer and meditation and are used to count passages in meditation. Dark and very peaceful. Growing up landlocked I have thrived on having access to the ocean and beach combing. While North Atlantic sea urchins only produce small green quills, I discovered Asia Pacific sea urchins produce enormous quills varying in color and design. Combining all of the dark beauties into peaceful jewelry is something I love. Here are some members of The Peaceful Macabre Collection. Most are currently available on my Facebook page or on my Etsy store. Do you have a peaceful macabre side you wish to explore? Inspired by something you see but have a cool idea for something you really want? Message me and I would love to design something for you.

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Magpie for Mother Nature

The Magpie for Mother Nature Collection...I can't tell you weather I am naming myself or a design set of jewelry...I gravitate towards semi-precious stones, corals, polished nuts and seeds. In fact I just invested in quite a few more semi-precious stones to design with in the New Year. My semi-precious stone palate now includes Labradorite, Quartz crystal points, Prehnite, Jade, Garnet, Obsidian, Onyx, Serpentine, Peridot and many many more treasures. I finally have found a system I think I like for organizing my jewelry supplies...a little peek; the tiny drawers are filled with semi-precious stones, the larger drawers contain the rest of the loot and the organizer cases mostly house beads and findings:

So far I have focused my efforts on earrings as I enjoy making tiny sculptures to wear. I plan to expand my stone work into necklaces. Here are some of the earrings I have made in the Magpie collection. Some have found happy homes. Many are available on my facebook page or in my Etsy shop. Do you have a favorite semi-precious stone and you are inspired by something I have made and what a custom piece? Let me know, I would be thrilled to work with you to create something special.

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.

Introducing: YazBerry Jewelry Collections - Meet the Twins!

I have been carefully building up a body of work in jewelry design and construction the past 6 months or so. I am continuing to design daily and wanted to present to you some of the collections I am developing. The next few blog posts will highlight one of my collections.

First up: Meet the Twins!

The Twins! Collection features perfectly mismatched earrings, predominantly made from found and rescued materials. I carefully pair these with new components to create mismatched yet balanced pairs. Tiny little sculptures you can wear. Tending towards the fun and playful side, many are bold and colorful. Also, peppered throughout you can find elegant pairings as well. Most of the twins are available for purchase both on my Etsy store and on my facebook page. You choose :) Some have found homes and some are in some of the stores I sell at in Newfoundland. Inspired by a pair of twins but too big/not your colors? Let me know what you would like and I would be happy to design a custom pair of twins for you!