Everyday Leland

The afternoons in Florida are a classic. Since Dora episode ends at 1.30 pm we go for a bicycle ride and stop at the tree with the shape of a big Y. There is a small sit right there that only my boy can fit. (Not me for sure) And he loves me to take pictures of him (my little Narciso).

Then Arts and Crafts, music and ready on the Bible,and taking care of " el bebe"...what an exciting day.

Featured at THE EXPRESSIONIST magazine

Here I copy the interview.Thanks so much Jason for this opportunity.
http://www.theexpressionist.com/category/fashion_design/clothing_designers/

Nora Gonzalez - Customized Clothing
September 4, 2008
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Have you ever worked in the clothing design industry before setting out on your own?
Yes, I did work for a fashion designer from Dominican Republic. She had a brand new Fashion company in Boca Raton, Florida and I was in charge of sketching and designing her whole fall collection for the Montreal Runway, Canada in 2001.
What gave you the idea to make clothing like you do?While working for the above mentioned brand, I was hired to design a commemorative items for the events of September 11th. We discussed the possibility of translating those images to jeans, that is when I started hand painting on denim. After this event I fell in love with denim and the hand painting technique, and right away focused on clothing in this new area of expertise. How long have you been doing this art?
I have been a designer/painter/graphic designer since 1990 but I gave impulse to hand painting after 2001 Has it been a rewarding journey thus far? If so what’s one of your fondest memories on the journey?
It has been a very rewarding experience in terms of creation and new techniques; and also it was very exciting having the chance to meet artists and designers from all over the world. My fondest memory and more recent, has been a trip that I made with my pregnant sister to a show hosted in Tampa. We drove for four hours at night, crossing Florida from east to west, sharing all kinds of experiences, and enjoying the landscape, fauna, birds and wildlife so attractive and typical of our state. I had one of the best weekends ever full of fun, sun and new people, with a touch of support given by my sister that made it a perfect weekend. What kind of clothes do you do the art on? Is it just for women?In the beginning I worked only on women’s clothes, mostly youth and teen styles; jeans and jackets are my first chosen products. After a while I incorporated graphic tees for woman and men. I then turned to baby clothing, printed and painted onesies, toddlers shirts; today I’m featuring my new line of bigger and plus sizes. I also work on accesories such as purses, wrist-lets and canvas tote bags, I also paint denim earrings with paisley adornments. I have a small art gallery using the same technique on fabric for canvas. What is your take on art today, how has it impacted your life.Art is in my daily routine. Sometimes we categorize art as an expression of the artist translated on paper, canvas or clothes, but I believe art is in all we do and there are times when managing certain situations requires a lot of art. How do you keep up with the trends to keep your art fresh and stylish for those who love your work.I spend hours getting feedback and information of todays fashion trends from online websites, magazines, shows and conventions. I keep my eyes open on other designers who inspire me and I learn everyday a little bit more. Knowing where you are now, and how you got here, would you change anything or do anything different?I have more than I expected, I learned more than I expected, and I suffered more too; but I say it with a lot of enthusiasm and thankful for all that I received and done. I wish I had chosen to study fashion design first, before graphic design, because it took me longer to do what I love doing now. Honestly though, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do for sometime after graduating. What is the most satisfying thing for you when you finish a piece of clothing?When I look at my creations after finishing my pieces I feel proud; mostly I love what I see, and I dream of the person wearing it. Another feeling that blows my mind is knowing that the new owner of my piece could be in any other part of the globe. I felt that with the first t-shirt I sold to a customer in Greece and still gives me the chills! Another interesting story, when I designed a peacock dress for a girl who intended to wear it at her Bridal Shower. She bought a skirt too with the same motif because she loved the design; to me this was a wonderful feeling, knowing that my dress was going to be in that very important day of her life. What has been your biggest challenge to date?My biggest challenge has two sides: Budgeting and re-investing money in one side and the distribution of time in the other side. Advertising and marketing, how important are they to your line of work?Very important topic. Since January 2008 I spent many hours and resources getting my name out there and I mean through cyber-space. I advertise in at least 10 websites, forums, fashion pages, shows and events. What’s your view on the appreciation people have with art today, as opposed to when you were younger?



When I was younger I lived in South America, more specifically Argentina, where people love art. Besides the timing, location also makes a big difference. Globally speaking, art after the 70s legacy was very strong in our minds and cultures and now I see it more relaxed, like a light culture of art. On the good side, art now is everywhere, thanks to the Internet; but also due to new disciplines, like art painted or printed on clothing. One of my favorite designers, Roberto Cavalli, makes a piece of art in every outfit. That wasn’t seen in my youngest years, not that I can remember. Your clothing can be done 1 time, for 1 person, that’s it…. who would you choose to have it…. can be anyone?This is a good question. In our culture today we have many stereo-types, like you have to be a supermodel to wear this or that. Happily that doesn’t happen with my clothes, you can have any type of body or any measurement as long as you want to wear my pieces. Another good reason is that I work on custom orders too so you will have what you want, no impositions, just the way you like it. Who inspires you do to what you do?God is my inspiration. He is the first and best designer ever.
If you would like to see Nora’s work, please see any of the links listed below, and feel free to contact her with any idea you would like for a custom piece of clothing.
You can check more pictures of my collection atwww.norakaren.etsy.comwww.nora-handpainted.blogspot.comhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/24119923@N04/
Filed Under Clothing Designers, Cover Stories · Leave a Comment

Meet Candice from the Palm Beach County Etsy Team

Who are you ?

My name is Candice Hayden. I live in Jupiter and am the proud momof two awesome teenagers. We spend our summers up in the mountains of northwest North Carolina in Blowing Rock at the periphery of PisgahNational Forest -- so different from Florida in so many ways. Beingsurrounded by nature keeps me balanced and focused on the joys in life-- family, friends, health and wellness. I sit up here in front ofthe fireplace and look out at the mountains and a peace sweeps over methat I try to hold on to once I get back to FL -- though it is hardsometimes!

What do you create?

I create artisan quality, high-scented soy candles in my own handmadepottery.

How long have you been doing your craft?

I have been an artist my whole life. I have been exposed to everypossible medium during my life. In my freshman year of high school, Iwas in an arts program where we learned to throw pottery. I put thataside until a couple of years ago when I took a pottery class at PBCC.I was hooked. I went out and bought my own wheel and kiln and turnedmy guest apartment into a studio. Ha! That took care of the guests!Anyway, I started making teapots and then I found I had all theseteapots and I'm not even a tea drinker! I received a soy candle as agift and I was captivated by the scent and the smooth, almost edible,quality of the wax. That was my - to quote Oprah -- aha! moment. Iresearched how to make soy candles and I love the extension of thecreation. Now my pottery actually has a use!

What do you like about creating?

Up until recently, I worked only in the two dimensional realm, mostlyin oils. But I found I got very anal and caught up in the productinstead of the process. With clay, for a short while, the artist andthe process are one. When you are having a bad day, the clay feelsit. It wobbles, it caves -- it is a direct expression of how you aredealing with the world in that moment. On a good day, the cool claymoving beneath your fingertips is soothing and the product iseffortless. Throwing pots is better than therapy! On thatparticularly good day, it is a spiritual experience.

What do you like about your business?

I was in the corporate world for so long. My world revolved aroundthe meaningless -- paperwork, deadlines, petty disagreements. It was so against my nature. Now, I determine what has meaning. I can dealwith the world on my own terms. Every day is something new. Everytime I take something out of the kiln, every time I try a newfragrance, it is like Christmas! My business is a joy and I welcomeeach day with an eagerness I never felt working in the old businessparadigm.

How did you find out about Etsy?

I literally stumbled on it when I was doing a google search. I don'teven remember what I was searching. It looked interesting and Isigned up on a whim, not knowing much about it. I still am prettyclueless about many of the widgets and I couldn't put together atreasury if my life depended on it!

Do you sell your products anywhere other than Etsy?

I have a small "vignette" in the historic Shoppes at Farmers Hardwarein Boone, NC. It is what once was the epicenter of male life indowntown Boone before Lowes and Walmart moved in. A beautiful threestory brick building with wood floors and wainscoated walls, it ishome for many small businesses selling everything from antiquefurniture to Vera Bradley bags to expensive jewelry.

What do you do when you're not creating products for your shop?

I am the mom-mobile! My daughter is driving now but my son won't bedriving until December so I am still "needed" to cart a bunch oflaughing teenagers around. I am so blessed. They grow so quickly, itseems only yesterday that I was arranging play dates. I am an avidreader and I write as well. I also am a class-a-holic. This fall Iam taking a photography class and a photoshop class. I love to learn new things and will probably go to "school" for the rest of my life.

You can find all her very artistic candle pieces and more of this awesome craftisan at

http://www.madhatterspottery.etsy.com/ and http://www.madhatterspottery.com/

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Chain reaction at Church of all Nations in Boca Raton, my kids pictured and featured here.

Jennifer sees the light!

Jennifer from MaidenShade takes the act of covering bare bulbs just a "shade above" what the rest have to offer. I met her not long ago at the Island Fest Show in Tampa and from the start she iluminated the day. Her personality and the way she handles her business made me feel like I knew her very closely when in reality that was our first encounter.

MaidenShade is artistically handcrafted lights - lamps, nightlights, and lampshades - featuring unique designer fabrics and high-end trims. Choices range from everyday, holiday, religious, and nursery/child themed lamps, nightlights, and lampshades, to special requests including coordinating items like light switch covers, tissue box covers, wastebaskets, pillows, and curtains.

Her web site contains lots of new products made for different ocassions and situations like: Everyday,Nursery,Child,Holiday,Custom orders,Religious and much more!

Check her wonderful creations at http://www.maidenshade.com/

Finally I took the liberty to copy this phrase from her web site that says a lot about her:

“Don’t live with that treasure God deposited in you undiscovered, and don’t die with the treasure still in you. Give birth to the dreams and desires that God has placed in your heart.” --Joel Osteen

I've been featured at the etsyfest team blog!

http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2008/07/meet-nora-karen.html

IslandFest was a success!

I think most of the people measures sucess with money. But not me. I think Island fest in Davis Island this past weekend was a sucess in many ways:
*I had the chance to spend all saturday with my sister Vero in a road trip that we never had before!
*I met wonderful artists like Jennifer Hopkins from etsy, who took the chance to write me an email and keep in touch
*the weather was gorgeous
*the island magnificent
*God took care of us traveling in the mist of a foggy route with wild animals like pigs and deers!
*we came back home kicking and alive
*Our families were waiting for us like we were in Europe for 15 days!
*We had a lot of sunlight and sunburn...I look good!
*We ate for free, some sandwiches and really cold water
*We tasted good ice cream
*We related to costumers
*We had lots of small naps!
*We got there at 5 a.m. very early and I was sure it was the right place, but in the other side of the bay
*We saw the sun coming out in that amazing scenery
*We have pictures of how messy our both looked..hahaahh
*We had lots of coffee!
*We travel alone in my loved pt cruiser
*We talked for hours and had fun hearing a very Loud Fake Elvis
*We met Jen, the wonderful lady organizing and 2 gentleman too( I guess one was called Jim)
*We watched many dogs and puppies around the tent
*We fell in love with hundreds of babies that made us remember our own babies!
*We came back with a ton of ideas!
Do you need more? check my flicker for more pics amd you will see...http://www.flickr.com/photos/24119923@N04/

Friday night Road Trip!

Hey, me and my sister Vero are traveling tonight to Davis Island, Tampa, Florida to set my shop www.norakaren.etsy.com at the Islandfest, tomorrow morning at 7 am. ugh! Long trip but I hope, worthy! It's my first show in a long time,many etsy artisans from the area will show their products and hand made stuff. Next thing you know, I'm in Miami for May 1st at the Mother's day sale, featured by MAG, Miami Artisans Guild, another etsy team. So if you are in the area, take your time to pass and look and enjoy and shop. Why not?

P.S.In the picture Vero and I you our families at Jimmito b-day!