5 Reasons You Need a YazBerry Purse

I'm having a 30% off sale through August 11, 2014 on all of my one-of-a-kind handmade purses and vintage purses. There are some one-of-a-kind handmade clothes in the sale too!

Flash summer sale through August 11. 30% off store wide!! Use SUMMER30OFF code at checkout.

shop --> yazberryfashion.etsy.com

I want you to own at least one of my creations. Here's why:

1. Wearable art: each purse/clothing/jewelry piece I design is a piece of wearable art. It's like walking around with a priceless sculpture or painting on your person. It is my creative vision, translated through my hands into something tangible you can use.

2. One-of-a-kind: YazBerry purses are one-of-a-kind. Because of how I source my materials, I typically have limited amounts of fabric to use, which allows me to make singular pieces. This ensures that you won't show up to your next big event and your best friend's sister has the same bag. It just won't happen!

3. Sustainable fashion: I use a lot of recycled/repurposed and found materials in my creations. I consider it sustainable fashion. I am keeping useful materials out of the landfill, breathing new, beautiful life into them.

4. Solid construction: I make sure my straps are securely attached and reinforce them inside about 1 billion times. I chose fabrics that are durable yet lovely and feminine. My zippers, buttons and snaps are all carefully applied too with the goal of long lasting durability.

5. Utility: I hate purses that are big, dark and empty inside. By this I mean no pockets, no way to organize your stuff and impossible to find your keys when you are in a rush to get out the door. All YazBerry bags feature bright, surprising liners and multiple organizational pockets for small treasures like phones, lipsticks, pens and keys. Each bag is a little different. Find the one that's right for you!

Fashion as Art

I think so. I consider myself an artist. Fashion is the medium in which I choose to express myself artistically.

art1    /ɑrt/[ahrt]
noun
1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
2. the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art; an art collection.
3. a field, genre, or category of art: Dance is an art.

Today I came across a couple interesting articles addressing fashion as art. Both raise the question does fashion have a place in an art museum? "Does Fashion Deserve To Be In a Museum?" in Bust Magazine, and a New York Times article, the Bust article references: "Gone Global: Fashion as Art?" I argue that yes it does. The articles arrive at a similar conclusion while addressing some interesting issues such as what criteria is used to select designers, how some design houses are funding their own exhibits as sort of a brand marketing cum art statement, which has a number of interesting arguments along with it. I highly suggest you read these articles, excellent food for thought.

My art background is wide spanning. I have taken art classes since I was a child and have been schooled in mediums such as painting and clay. I've learned about perspective, the play of positive and negative space, the way primary, secondary and tertiary colors work. How to mix colors, how to make colors play certain tricks on your eye. I've also had the privilege of slowly meandering through some of the world's greatest art museums in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis. I move slow, I stare hard and my cerebral sponge soaks in as many details of the Masters as I can. I treat a clothing store and a fashion magazine the same way as I do the Louvre. I even treat people watching in this way.

My fashion design is derived from an accumulation of art education and observation. I consider each piece a wearable sculpture. A three dimensional painting. A study of positive and negative space. A play of color, texture and volume. This makes me slow, deliberate, obsessed with detail and extremely particular about the end result. Flaws? I think not, these are what gives character to my work. Enjoy!

YazBerry Handmade Fashion August Class Schedule

Since I have my act together in planning classes for August ahead of schedule, I will post it now so you can start thinking about which classes you might want to take and to plan your own schedule.

All classes will be held in the courtyard outside of YazBerry Handmade Fashion, Artists' Row, 24 New Derby St., Unit #5, Salem, MA 01970 (across from Walgreens).

AUGUST CLASSES & DEMONSTRATIONS
Please e-mail berry@yazberry.com to register or stop in the store. Class size is limited due to space. May be some room for drop-ins day of class.

Instrucción disponible en español.
Instrução disponível no português.

**Parents, please use your best judgment if you feel your child is the right age to participate in the various workshops. You are welcome and encouraged to come along to help them out as you see fit. I encourage interest in the arts as early as possible.**

FREE Demonstration: Fashion Design Process
Participation unlimited, Space Permitting
Open to all ages.
Wednesday, August 11, 6 PM
I will demonstrate how I go about designing a purse. From the inspiration, to drafting the pattern, selecting the fabric and beginning the assembly. I won’t finish the purse as it takes several hours, but will begin some assembly.

Workshop: Recycled Junk Fashion Project (2 Sessions) $15 (both sessions included)
Limit 5-15 Participants
Open to all ages.
Wednesday, August 18, 6 PM
Younger children should be supervised as use of sewing machines & hot iron may be required.
Session I: Participants will be presented with a varied selection of items not typically associated with clothing. They are encouraged to bring ‘junk’ from home. I will provide a large selection of items. Then, using imagination and tools typically found in a sewing studio, participants will create wearable clothing items and accessories from the junk.

Date TBD-Session II Student Performance: Participants will put on a fashion show showing off their creations. They will be encouraged to invite family and friends to view the fashion show.

FREE Workshop: Basic Sewing Skills/Make a Rag Doll
Limit 5-10 Participants
Open to all ages.
Friday, August 27, 6 PM
Younger children should be supervised as use of sewing machines & hot iron may be required.
Participants will learn how to use a sewing pattern, follow instructions on a pattern and assemble a 3-D rag doll. The Rag Doll Pattern is supplied by Rag Dolls 2 Love, Inc., an organization that donates handmade dolls to children in war torn and disaster stricken areas. Students will be encouraged to donate their dolls, but can also take the dolls and patterns home and share the project with friends.

GRAND OPENING Memorial Day Weekend!

Things I love include exclamation points. As very obviously expressed in almost all of my blog posts. Disclaimer: if you abhor exclamation points, then get ready to be annoyed.

You are cordially invited to the GRAND OPENING of my YazBerry Handmade Fashion store Memorial Day Weekend, Thursday May 27 - Sunday May 30!!! For the official invite and more details please visit my Facebook event page.

Don't worry if you can't make it Memorial Day weekend, I will be open Thursday - Sunday all tourist season, through Halloween. Stop in anytime.

Located in the heart of Salem, MA, on Artists' Row, 24 New Derby St., #5, Salem, MA 01970 This link will take you to Mapquest, and the star takes you to the metered parking lot directly behind my store. YazBerry Handmade Fashion is located on the corner directly across from Walgreens.

Store hours:
Thursday 11 AM - 7 PM (Farmer's Market, right next to me, is open too)
Friday 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM
And anytime the door is open!

I will have studio space within the store and will be working on new designs Monday - Wednesday and while the store is open so please, if you see me there, come on in, look around, buy some YazBerry and go home happy!

Also on the Artists' Row are Impart Art, a ceramicist with whom I am sharing the building, The Salem Arts Association, GAS Works - a collection of artists ranging from leather to reworked vintage furniture, Mamadou African Drummer and A Quest Actor's Studio. The ever tasty Lobster Shanty restaurant is also on Artist's Row (try the crab cakes...LOVE).

Artist's Row is nestled between The Tavern on the Square and Delande Lighting (who are awesome, they helped me find the right components to wire up some vintage candle holders I found).

There is metered parking (meters go off at 6 PM Mon-Sat & free Sun) right behind my store as well as the free municipal lot in front of the Post Office which is 1.5 blocks away.

Remember, YazBerry will leave people asking you where you got it!

Iris Apfel: A Wise Fashionista

“I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun." -Iris Apfel

This weekend I finally went to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. I moved to Salem in October of 09 and have been wanting to check out this museum, walking distance from my home, and never did. I was lured in by the "Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel" exhibit. A name and icon vaguely familiar to me, but not someone I knew too much about.

Upon entering, your are greeted by flashing cameras and a scene laid out as if you were an early arrive guest to a high end fashion show!

“My so-called “collection” is my wardrobe. It’s a series of pieces I’ve accumulated over these many years. I love a timeless look, and I think if you develop your own style it’s not a problem – at least it hasn’t been for me. I can mix something I bought last week with something I’ve hoarded for 30 years. I don’t follow trends or the hottest fashion. I buy what I like and my tastes are quite catholic – haute couture to street fashion. Pieces that are Zen-simple or madly baroque. I love ethnic as well as contemporary. I’m fond of serious and adore amusing. I try to make all these things work together.” - Iris Apfel

Then, you turn the corner and the security guard scolds you for taking pictures as unlike the rest of the museum, it is prohibited in this exhibit?!?!?! So, the next two shots were 'smuggled' as I wandered through the rooms of gorgeous textures, colors, fabrics, accessories and ideas.

“In the right tonalities I never met a color I didn’t like.” -Iris Apfel

I love and live for color. Look in my closet or my store and you will see this is true. But tone is crucial; know your skin color and which tones make your skin look vibrant and which make it look dull. If you have a hard time figuring this out there are two things you can try: 1) Think about which outfits you get compliments on. Start with these and take a good look at the colors and how they look against your skin. When I'm questioning a color in a store, I hold it to the back of my hand for a quick check (so I don't need to try it on if it is awful). 2) Find two items that are the same color (pink, yellow, blue) but different tones / hues of that color. Hold each to your face in the mirror. See which compliments your skin better.



My absolute favorite, must spend a good amount of time in room is the Souq. A room displaying elaborate jewelry acquired in exotic eastern markets. It really does give you a feel of a souq...took me back to one of my most favorite destinations ever...Marrakesh, Morocco! The color comibinations, textures, shapes and ideas give you the feeling of the richness and elaborateness of vendors booths packed into the souq (I prefer the Spanish word: el zocco).

Also, I highly recommend you take the time to stop and watch the film they have playing which features Mrs. Apfel speaking about what inspires her style, how she dresses, her creativity in dressing, expressing and being herself.

“I’m a hopeless romantic. I buy things because I fall in love with them. I never buy anything just because it’s valuable. My husband used to say I look at a piece of fabric and listen to the threads. It tells me a story. It sings me a song. I have to get a physical reaction when I buy something. A coup de foudre – a bolt of lightning. It’s fun to get knocked out that way!” -Iris Apfel

I identify with this mindset, and find it behind my personal style. My wardrobe is not valuable, but I love every piece in it. I too buy items I fall in love with. Thrifted items, mid priced items from the mall and the occasional splurge on to die for designer shoes.



This exhibit is worth the cost of admission (Salem residents get in free!). Also be sure to check out the trash menagerie exhibit while you're there. The Peabody Essex Museum is just 35 min by commuter train from North Station in Boston! Catch it before it is gone February 7, 2010!

Also, I should mention to you an awesome after hours event they are holding at this exhibit on the closing weekend: "Iris After Dark!

› After Hours Event
Peabody Essex Museum stays open late with music, film, signature cocktails and shopping!
Friday, February 5, 2010 from 6pm - 9:30pm

Admission $10, Free to Salem residents and Museum Members

The Peabody Essex Museum celebrates the closing weekend of Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel in style with extended hours, music, film, outrageous shopping and suitably elegant refreshments. One of PEM’s most successful exhibitions ever — nearly 50,000 visitors since mid-October­­­ ­— Rare Bird of Fashion closes to the public on Sunday, February 7 after an exceptional run at the Museum."

An Early Fashionista?

Treasure hunting this Sunday in Salem with a couple of good friends, Kate & Michael, I found this delightfully quirky antique photo in my favorite local shop, Witch City Consignment (the old Jerry's Department Store...I like to call it Jerry's as that's what the sign says but I think my non-localness shows with that misnomer).

I've always been intrigued by old photos and have secretly wanted to collect them, but never have. So, upon this discovery, my antique photograph collecting niche will be quirky and particularly unique fashions. She, as viewed above, now graces the walls of my studio!

I really don't understand what is going on with her hat, but that is how she caught my eye. It is a bit like tissues coming out of a box. I almost wonder if it is better appreciated from the side; it seems like it might have a looping fan shape to the ribbon. I do however like the asymmetrical flare on her otherwise conservative dress. It also has great lines in the tailoring of the bodice. I almost missed the asymmetry and if it weren't for Kate pointing it out, may not have considered bringing this picture home. Thanks Kate :)

As a side note, but mostly related, there is another old stuffs shop in Salem, The Antiques Gallery on Pickering Wharf, which sports a clever sign with their stash of antique photos "Instant Ancestors!" I love it!

Tutorial: Homemade Braided Rag Rug

I've just moved into an awesome new apartment and want to do my kitchen in Plum and Lime. I have some lovely dishtowels in this color palate that I based my window treatment choice on (vintage curtains!) and signature antique bottles filled with colored water to match the room they are in.

These bottles are one of my favorite decorating items as each has a story as to where I salvaged them...the river bed in the town I grew up, an abandoned house outside of Rome...They make great decorative items with colored water and unique vases to break up a bouquet of fresh flowers.

To my dismay, I'm the only one into plum and lime today as I was not able to find any decorative stuffs in pretty much every kitchen decor store I looked in. I desperately wanted a little rug for in front of the sink. So, reflecting on what my mom had in her kitchen while growing up, a large, circular wool braided rug, it occurred to me that I could make a rug! To my further disappointment, google yielded very few to no useful braided rug tutorials.

Yes, they tell you to braid a long continuous 3+ strand braid. That to me is a given. No one really seemed to be able to suggest how to assemble said rug. I tried the hack job way (which I thought would be quickest) of zigzag stitching it on a machine; to find that this resulted in a bowl!

As a result...I present you...a step by step, photographic tutorial!

Materials:
-Several yards of cloth (colors to your choice, yardage will vary depending on size. My rug is about 2'x 3' and I used about 3-4 yards. This is a great way to recycle old clothing...hence rag rug)
-Flexible feet, heavy object or helpful friend
-Strong darning needle
-Heavy thread
-Thimble
-Scissors
-Iron (optional)
-Large flat surface
-Time


1. Cut fabric into 2" minimum width strips. I cut mine on the bias (diagonal) because this ensures minimum (often none) fraying.


2. Stitch the ends of minimum 3 strands together. I read that it is common to make 4-6 strand braided rugs as well. Three strands are plenty :)

3. Begin braiding! You'll want a place to anchor the braid; if you are flexible, use your feet, if not, place it under something heavy, have a friend hold it etc.

If you are unsure how to braid, the best suggestion is start with all three strands laid out next to each other. Grab the left most strand, cross it over the center strand (it now becomes the center). Then grab the right most strand, cross it over the new center strand (it now becomes the center). Repeat until desired length.

Note: if you don't like raw edges, you may want to iron under the edges before braiding, also, I would cut your strips a bit wider if you intend to iron. Otherwise, you can do as I did and simply tuck under the edges as you go. The back will show some raw edges...but to me, it is simply the back :)


4. Once you have a couple feet of braid, begin laying it out flat in the desired shape (circle, oval and square are the easiest). I selected oval, as my mom thought it would fit best against the cabinets.


5. You will need a large darning needle, heavy thread and a thimble to start assembly. Start at the center and use a basic stitch to catch one side than the other. I suggest you stitch from the back side so you won't see the stitches from the top. (As the stitches are small, click on the picture to view it larger).


6. Alternate between braiding more length and assembly the rug. I find it is helpful to assemble as you go because you have less length to negotiate and you can control your color placement better should you wish to make it stripped etc. Be sure to always stitch on a flat surface, otherwise your rug will become bowled or lumpy. (Pardon the project cat, she felt this was the best place for her to be).


7. To finish, simply tuck in and under the loose ends and stitch to the rug.

8. Enjoy!

Here's mine so far.


P.S. What I really love about this type of rug is that it is a frugal choice, can be perfectly tailored to your design colors, is relatively easy to do, allows you to recycle fabric should you wish and thus is a sustainable choice! Love it!

...from Finland with Love,

On display now in Harvard Square, Cambridge MA in the old Design Research building on Brattle St. The contents of this exhibit will be rotated periodically. I highly recommend visiting at night as the lighting is great, as pictured below.
(CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO VIEW IT LARGER)

MARIMEKKO From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marimekko is a Finnish company based in Helsinki that has made important contributions to fashion, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. They are particularly noted for brightly-colored printed fabrics and simple styles.

Marimekko was founded in 1951 by Armi and Viljo Ratia, when Armi asked some artist friends to apply their graphic designs to textiles. In order to show how the fabric could be used, the company then designed and sold a line of simple dresses using their fabric. Viljo had been involved in an unsuccessful oilcloth factory, which they converted into a clothing-fabric factory.

Marimekko was first introduced to the United States by the architect Benjamin C. Thompson, who featured them heavily in his Design Research stores. They were made famous in the United States by Jacqueline Kennedy, who bought eight Marimekko dresses which she wore throughout the 1960 US Presidential campaign.

In the mid 1960's, Crate and Barrel began a relationship with Marimekko, which continues to this day, utilizing their designs on textiles sold in their stores. Crate and Barrel also uses Marimekko patterns as display backdrops in their stores to add color and seasonality.

Never Before Seen Screen Shots from Skidmore Fashion Show 2004!

I just posted 40 never before seen screen shots from the video recording of the 2004 Skidmore Fashion Show! These are shots of Virginia E. Berry designs never before seen except for during the live show.

To view these photos, you will have to find YazBerry's fan page on Facebook. If you have a profile on Facebook, you too can become a fan: simply search for "YazBerry Fashion" in the pages section of Facebook and once you find it click "become a fan".

YazBerry Fashion- Featured Designer on Talentbase.com!

Currently, your favorite independent fashion designer, Virginia E. Berry of YazBerry Fashion, is a featured Designer on www.talentdatabase.com !

What is this TalentDatabase.com you speak of? Well friends it is a snazzy (favorite adjective from 7th grade - 12th grade) networking site for talented folk like, I would imagine, many of you! "The Industry Source for Talent and Creativity. The Global Talent Database provides structure and organization to The World of Talent" It's the MySpace of the creative world!

Do you write, act, paint, take pictures, make movies, dance, sew, etc. etc.? Then you should make a profile on this site too! Why not, maybe your new biggest fans will discover you there! Hey, it could happen! Join now!

And...be sure to bookmark YazBerry Fashion when you join and peruse our profile! And leave us tons of Acknowledgment!

YazBerry Recommends: Oh My Stars: A Novel, By Lorna Landvik

It's funny when you visit your grandparents after not seeing them regularly for several months, how they come off being far more quirky than you remembered. Or maybe it is just that you notice their quirks more.

My grandpa is the only man I know that is easy to buy for: give him a gift certificate to a bookstore and he is as happy as a clam. (Side note: why on earth do we say 'as happy as a clam'? Silly colloquial phrase whose origin has fallen victim to fading time). Grandpa will read anything. He loves to read, so does my father for that matter.

While I was home over Memorial Day (note 100 pounds of fabric episode)my grandfather handed me this book Oh My Stars: A Novel, By Lorna Landvik. "Here, I thought of your YazBerry stuff when I was reading this book. The girl in the book does fashion stuff like you do. You might like it."

This is the first book recommended to me by Grandpa, so I thought, "hmm, well it's worth a try, it's not too thick, I might be able to get through it." I must admit I haven't gotten through many books for pleasure since College temporarily (I hope) killed my love a reading as a pastime. I dove into it on my flight home and couldn't put it down. This book is that good.

Violet Mathers is the main character and she has a truly sad childhood. But, she designs and hand makes some incredible clothing, which is her lifeline during her troubles. I don't want to give away too much of the plot as I hate when I know too much. So...at some point after her childhood she hooks up with this awesome band and tours with them. Landvik taps into every single one of your emotions as she takes you on the roller coaster ride that is Violet Mathers life. It honestly brought tears to my eyes and then the next page would bring a huge smile and even a chuckle.

You really should pick it up- it's a page turner and an enjoyable easy read. And, an underlying theme throughout is the fashion piece...intriguing, I know. Also, may I just comment that the texture of the paperback cover is quite appealing: the landscape is matte finish and the guitar is glossy (refer to my confession to understand why I would even notice this). When you do get yourself a copy either check it out from your library or buy it from your favorite Ma and Pa bookstore. Did you know that many used bookstores will order books for you if they don't have them on the shelf and that they are often cheaper than the national chains?

At least in the case of my favorite used bookstore around the corner, Ben Franklin Bookstore they will help you with this. The Dan and I go in there all the time with miscellaneous book search requests. Be sure to frequent them if you live in the area. I love this store by the way...they have two of the most cuddly cutest cats on the planet! Yay catbabies! One which they rescued from the ally this winter...a cute super furry baby!

Landvik, Lorna. Oh My Stars: A Novel. New York: Ballentine Books, 2006.

ISBN-10: 0345468368
ISBN-13: 978-0345468369

YazBerry's Bustin' out all over!

Check out the August/September BUST Magazine Fashion & Music issue! YazBerry Fashion has a phat advertisement on page 115 featuring our oh so hot models Janeen & Nick. (See below; YazBerry is hanging out in the bottom left corner)

You can preview the contents by visiting www.bust.com where there is a page turning virtual sample of this issue! One of our favorite articles is a history lesson on the "Founding MOTHERS of Hip-Hop"! Be sure to edumacate yourself.

Make sure you take a peek at the Girl Wide Web section of their website which features awesome women run websites on any topic relating to women. Our favorite category is of course She-Commerce & Services which features women owned businesses like YazBerry Fashion, which you should really explore in detail!


Stay tuned dear friends in the next week or so YazBerry Fashion will be launching "El ZOCO del Mundo", a world market which will initially feature beautiful hand woven scarves from women in North-East India.

These scarves are made by a women's group associated with the YWCA in North-East India. Virginia met the head of the YWCA there, while both were attending the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women back in February. YazBerry is incredibly excited to begin this important partnership!

Obi-Wan Kimono or 100 pounds of fabric

*Gulp* I just hauled two 50 pound suitcases filled to the brim with fabric all the way from Minnesota to Massachusetts! I almost killed someone in the airport when the precariously stacked suitcases tipped over exiting the airport and I blocked the exit a bit and everyone just walked around me and didn't bother stopping to help me pick it up (kind folk these days hunh). Finally after being totally and completely unable to lift the suitcase I yelled at a man standing at the curb "Could you please help me!?!??!" After he helped me it occurred to me that I had been a bit rude and compensated for this by thanking him excessively, from the bottom of my travel weary heart.

Why on earth was I schlepping two 50 pound suitcases half way across the USA anyway? Simple: I went treasure hunting and discovered a fantastic source for vintage OBIS! (What are obis!?!??! I know you are asking. They are the beautiful embroidered silk or brocade belts the Japanese use with their Kimonos, in the singular, Obi). Stay tuned to www.yazberry.com/fashion.html for exquisite handbags and accessories made from re-purposed Japanese Obis. Also, I expect the Obis to sneak up as table linens and home decor items as well, so make sure you tune in to www.yazberry.com/decor.html in the coming weeks as well.

Next question: what on earth was I doing in Minnesota? First of all, Minnesota is one of my favorite places ever, and I have lived in several states and traveled to several countries. The myths about the unsupportable winters and summers filled with mosquitoes are...true...but I love the winters and I love the summers...drenched in bug repellent. Minneapolis is such a growing arts city; I dare you to check it out!

Anyway, I digress. Why did I go to Minnesota for vacation? Well I grew up there and have lots of family there (my grandparents were very productive, I have eight aunts and uncles on my father's side and they are all married and have 2.5 kids and a dog!) and I have many friends there that know how cool Minneapolis and St. Paul are and are sticking around because it rocks! My friends are very fun, some of them, Ms. Karen Wallin and Ms. Andrea Nelson, have joined a bowling league and invited Ms. Megan Pratola and myself to bowl with them and I found it quite entertaining...maybe I am a closet bowler and never knew it! I have to brag that I bowled my best game ever in the history of Virginia and bowling, 106!


I bowled and dined with a few friends who enjoyed robust steak and other savory dishes and tropical cocktails. Can I please state for the record that Leinenkugel's beer is brewed in Chippewa Falls WI, it is not an import. Anyway, I digress again. Ms. Andrea Nelson is a journalist and has interviewed me on YazBerry. I'll share the interview with you when it is published, don't you worry.

Now, let me explain to you the remaining 75 pounds of fabric. They say that the quilter that dies with the most fabric wins. My grandmother is an excellent quilter, a master of applique and French snots (her rendition of French knots). Grandma always, always, always has had shelves full of fabric. She has fabric in every color imaginable and neatly sorts it and stores it folded in color order (I think I inherited the color order trait; see my sock drawer and crayon box for reference). I thought the day would never come when Grandma allowed me free rein to thumb through her fabric collection.

Not only was I able to thumb through five floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with fabric, but I was requested to take home as much of this fabric as I could! I think my Grandparents wanted me to take home all of it...but even the garbage bag full I did take was nearly over my allowed weight limit for my flight home. I remind you to check back often as some fantastic vintage fabric dating as far back to the 1940's will be appearing in numerous configurations in YazBerry creations. Don't worry, when I write up the fiber content I will be sure to list it as vintage fabric from Grandma's collection, so you are aware of the legacy you are about to buy into!

While I am typically quite light hearted, bordering on humorous on this blog, I do want to take a moment to be serious. My Grandma is nearing her mid 80's, she is still mostly healthy, but the years are sneaking up on her. What does it mean when a quilter, who's goal is to die with the most fabric, begins giving away her treasured collection? I like to think she has no intention of moving on, so by downsizing she is telling the years that "I have no intention of winning the quilters competition, I will be here forever." I love my Grandma so much!

It was 25 Years Ago Today, Virginia Berry Taught the Band to Play!

On May 2, 1982, Designer, Virginia E. Berry was born...

on May 2, 2006, www.yazberry.com came to life!

Happy Birthday to Virginia & YazBerry!!!

So apparently I am now (*in big echoing voice*) a quarter of a century old! My mother so kindly reminded me of this on my Birthday. Actually, I think it's kind of clever...'so how old are you anyway?' 'precisely one quarter of one century old.'

It's amazing how quickly they grow in their first year! (~:o) ) YazBerry has doubled in popularity and size consistently each month. In the business world that is quite desierable. More trendsetters are discovering how great YazBerry goods really are.

In honor of such celebratory occasion, we have added several new items we know people will ask you about:


1970's Disco Bag

Dancing Queen, young and sweet, with her Disco Bag.

Click here to shop for this bag!

Green Cut-Away Placemat

Allow your table to peek through your placemat.

Click here to shop for this placemat!

Cloth Vines

Fabric leaves bloom out of wire stems with semi-precious stone buds. For those Dark Corners of the House that need Brightening Up.

Click here to shop for these cloth vines!

Handmade Purse from India

Can't decide if gold or silver is your favorite? Then this bag is for you; embroidered gold on one side, silver on the other -- for all your metallic moods.

Click here to shop for this purse!

Skidmore College Element Fashion Benefit

Dan and I hopped in our car at noon on Friday the 13th and schleped our butts to Saratoga Springs, NY to visit my Alma Mater, Skidmore College, several good friends of mine, Liz Cobb, Lauren Cognato and Helen Thompson and to rub elbows with Patty Pawliczak whom I worked for in the Costume Shop.

Patty was great to touch base with as she suggested some excellent fabric stores in Massachusetts I should frequent...one she raves is "bigger than the garment district in New York". Mmmm YazBerry likes the idea. She also alerted me to a very exciting once per year flea market that is dedicated to purely vintage clothing and textiles...excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin.

Anyway, back to my point. My motivation for going to Saratoga in the first place this weekend was due to the invitation from Lauren to attend the Skidmore College Element Fashion Benefit. (Check out the great poster to the right by Artist and Designer Deb Wenof, '07). All proceeds from the Element Fashion Benefit were donated to Art for Refugees, an organization dedicated "to engage both children and adults in refugee communities in visual, performing and creative arts drawn from their own cultures." Please check out their website as this is an awesome organization!

We loved many of the designs modeled at this show, some of our favorite designers include: Kim Bevan & Ashley McEvoy (co-designers) whose contemporary flares on classic designs and color combinations were superb and crisp(Kim Bevan Modeling their creation at left).

Olivia Janczyk had body hugging dresses in bold color combinations. We absolutely loved her dress composed of large bold blocks of color (pictured below on Model Blair Costello (far right with back to camera. Also pictured are her Models Emily Schor and Shay Roberts, and in jeans is the Designer herself).
We also enjoyed Alison Hunt's designs but were unable to track down photos (btw, all photos are credited to their anonymous authors and can be sourced to facebook.com)


Dan and I ran into Sandi Cun, a suitemate of mine for a year in college, in the Costume Shop before the show putting finishing touches on one of our all time favorite designs in the show! Her sense of color and line are stellar! (Designer Sandi Cun pictured at left with Model Nurys Garcia in one of the best designs in the show. Pictured at right are Sandi's Models Nurys Garcia and Shardae Gonsalves).

Emily Newton was also a favorite of ours; not only did she design but she also played a key role in organizing this event. Her pieces have whimsical and intricate details and her use of fabric is quite impressive. Our favorite piece by Emily is the black and ivory ballerina dress pictured at the far left. (In the picture at left are Emily's models from left to right: Holly Keating, Andrea Marks, Emily Newton - Designer, Michal Adut & Lindsay Thomas).




Deb Wenof, who was also both a Designer and major organizer for this event, had absolutely wonderful designs. She used striking color combinations and delicious textures! (Pictured below are Designer Deb Wenof and her Models Danielle Coccomo and Emily Kaplan (with back to camera)). We really enjoy the colors combination and textures on the piece worn by Emily Kaplan. (Pictured at right is Model Rebecca Horton). The textures on the piece worn by Rebecca Horton are excellent.


In conclusion, a supurbly excellent, fun and fashion filled fling in the fantastic town of Saratoga Springs, NY...

Chchchch Changes...lots of new items for sale!

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR VINTAGE AT YazBerry Vintage Picks

Wow, the arrival of our digital camera has brought on lots of amazing changes to the YazBerry website. We are now offering all sorts of amazing vintage pieces- many of which we found just this weekend. Vintage picks by YazBerry are really special vintage items that we hope you've never seen anything like and can't find anywhere else. We look for unique, classic, trendy, exquisite, special items that will leave people asking you where you got them! We offer everything from 100% Authentic Versace corduroys to hard to come by Mary McFadden Couture from the 1970's. We have beautiful a beautiful Gold Brocade Dress from the 1960's which is very Jackie Kennedy. And this amazing to touch and look at black and white pencil skirt from the 1980's which Virginia did not want to give up but does not fit into...damn my love of cookies and desserts ;)

Dan has mastered 'the pop-up' so you can now click on key images all over our site to see them enlarged...to capture all of the beautiful detail we put into every YazBerry item. We have given you a small taste of the juicy Fashion and Decor items we will begin selling in the next week or so. Be sure to send us your comments for things you would like to see on the site, features you wish were there to make your YazBerry shopping experience divine. WE LOVE FEEDBACK! Thanks everyone!