Tequila Diamonds

I'm often asked, "Where did you come up with the name Tequila Diamonds?" It's my brand on Spoonflower.com and etsy.com and I'll admit, it's kind of a strange name. Here's the story:

In 2008 I was reading my horoscope (like you do) and they mentioned how scientists in Mexico had been able to create a diamond dust out of tequila. Not actual stones, mind, but a dust that can be used on tools for delicate surgeries. The scope then suggested that I take something and make something else out of it that was totally unexpected.
At the time I had been tossing around the idea of having a business upcycling thrift store items - taking something and making it new and useful again. Tequila Diamonds was "born".

However, I don't just do thrift store make overs. I make all kinds of stuff from old and new materials, but the idea is still there. My goal is to make things that are useful, beautiful and/or create as little waste as possible. When I make a quilt, for example, I try to use up as much of my fabric as I can. I rarely cut size-specific pieces for straight-seam blocks (ie. log cabin), I stitch all my strips together and whatever is left I set aside for the next project in which it might coordinate. This means I also do a fair amount of scrap work. Scrap work is actually my favorite. There are no rules, just sew and trim. They somehow look even better than the ones I plan out.

Another thing I try to do as much as I can is buy American made supplies. This isn't terribly easy, but I do what I can. Not only is it providing jobs for people here, it's also using the least amount of fuel to get the products to me.

I try to recycle as much as I can. Threads and scraps that are too small to sew become fire starters (balls of lint doused in wax to start campfires in the Summer). If I use glitter, I scoop up as much as I can and put it back in the jar. Unless I'm in a mood and decide I need a little pixie dust, in which case I toss it in the air and let it rain on me.

I buy an awful lot of my supplies at thrift stores. Fabric, yarn, thread, tools... all can be found at thrift stores. I bought a gallon baggie of zippers for a dollar. That's probably $50 worth of zippers. Thread can be dicey there, because cotton and silk can become brittle when they get old, but for basting, they're great. You're going to remove those stitches anyway. Then into the fireball jar!

Anyway, that's the story of my business and how it got its name. I'm working on inventory for my etsy shop (it's currently empty) and this Spring I'll be taking pictures of my Summer and Fall items. My Spoonflower shop is always open for business (www.spoonflower.com/tequila_diamonds). I know some people will look at the prices and think "Holy crow, that's expensive!" But they only print when something is ordered, and they only print the amount ordered. It's pretty slick. The fabric designers there range from total beginners to professional designers. I land somewhere on the high side of the middle.

My fabric designs are fairly unusual. Here again I try to take something ordinary (a medical slide, for example) and create an extraordinary design out of it. It's full of surprises. I have a few "normal" designs on there, but to be honest, they aren't the ones that sell. If you're looking for unique and unexpected, that's my style. I have a few new collections coming out this Spring and will, of course, post their release here.

Now I release you, my flowerpots! Go find your ECHT!

Coming Soon - Thrifty Thursdays and Field Trip Fridays!

In my introductory post for Sewnday Morning Musings I promised field trips to local thrift shops and Minneapolis area sewing/crafting Meccas. I've decided to do this on the third Friday of each month, late morning. This may change, depending on my kids' school schedules, but for now, that's how it'll stand. Since the third Friday in January has gone by, February 21st will be our first official Field Trip Friday.

I've yet to decide where they'll be and what topics I'll cover when, but I'll put up the information when I settle on something.

What I hope to achieve with these field trips is to give beginning thrifters, crafters and sewists a better idea of how to shop, what to look for, and what to expect when shopping for supplies. Obviously no one is required to join me, but if you're local and the topic is something that interests you, please send me an email (totallytoots10@gmail.com) at least 24 hours in advance of the field trip so I know to look for you. They will not be filmed (yet) but I may take pix and I'll have something drawn up for you to sign that says you're okay with my using your image on the internet.

I'm also going to treat these as tours. I'm your tour guide, and, while I don't expect anything but the satisfaction of teaching you something unexpected and useful, if you enjoyed the field trip, I'll accept tips. Oh, yes. I will. I'm smart, funny, and, gosh darn it, people like me, so what the heck? It's totally not obligatory, though, so no pressure. The main thing is to learn and have fun. Actually, a nice tip to receive would be a lovely comment on the blog.

Out-of towners, don't fret! I'm sure my advice will work in your neighborhood as well. Also, I do travel, and when I do, I'm going to research in advance any of those cities for field trips. If you happen to be in the area, please join my in-the-field traveling team. Especially if you know of a particular place that's a great resource for artists! This Summer we'll be spending time up near Lake Peavy/Onamia, MN and my husband's class reunion out in the Kittery area of Maine, so please, if you're familiar with those places, let me know! I appreciate any information.

Thrifty Thursdays (not to be confused with Thirsty Thursdays) will be Thursday posts dealing with upcycling stuff from thrift stores. They won't be every Thursday, more of a "Gee, I'm feeling like doing something other than quilt tops today" schedule, but I promise to show you how to use the fun stuff you can find at your local flea markets and thrift stores. I've been known to pick up crafting supplies at thrift stores on the cheap, and I'll cover a little of that as well.

Your assignment: Come up with and email to me a list of places in your area that would make great artist's field trips. Now I'm off to work out a schedule! Can't wait!