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In honor of Mother’s Day, we are bringing you a week’s worth of interviews about businesses that are either started by moms, mom & daughters or work that has been inspired by motherhood.
Our last interview comes from our very own founder, Heather Lipner and her mom, Joyce Lipner. They share memories, a love for shoes, and a passion for creativity.
Does Heather get her passion for design from you?
Joyce: I am not sure about the origin of Heather’s passion for design, but I will tell you that she had her own style from very early on. I always made sure that she could pick out her own clothing even as early on as 2 years old. She always had her own sense of style that others copied.
How has your mother influenced you in your creative choices?
Heather: I think creativity comes from a strong sense of confidence. My mom has taught me to be anything I want, to express myself however it emotes, to strive to be the best person I can be and never wait for anyone to do things for me. My creative choices are powered by that freedom, expression, hunger, and the confidence that wills it.
Have you ever collaborated on any projects?
Joyce: Perhaps we have. I love to sew, knit and crochet. We have worked on building a padded headboard as well as other projects like drapery, and/or custom pillows. It’s always great to hear an idea and then make it happen in its own unique way.
Heather: My momma is the ultimate supporter and collaborator. Whenever I wanted to do a creative project, she not only would get sincerely excited, but she’d also run to store with me, and pick out the materials. Then she’d not only teach me, but get in on the mix as well; staple gun, hang, nail, sew, whatever it took. We’ve done so many projects together - headboards, pillows, duvets, upholstery, the list goes on. While our styles are quite different, I like to think that I’ve inspired her home remodeling choices as well.
What’s one of your favorite memories from Heather’s childhood?
Joyce: There are so many! I guess my very favorite is a birthday party she held. She decided that her party would have a theme—a tea party in which all her friends had to “dress up” in stylish clothing and hats and bring some “gossip” to share. I am not sure who had a better time, her little friends or the moms!
What’s one of your favorite childhood memories with your mother?
Heather: My mom had summers off so I’d wait until I heard my dad leave for work, then jump into her bed and we’d watch soaps all morning. It was like that every single summer. All my acting skills comes from Days of Our Lives.
Is there anything from Heather’s closet you’ve got your eye on?
Joyce: I love shoes and boy does she have some wonderful shoes!
Do you take style inspiration from your mother’s closet?
Heather: Oh gosh. I remember she had amazing high heel boots. I wanted them so badly but was too ‘young’ to wear them. By the time I was old enough my feet were bigger than a size 6.5. Still pissed. We lived in Chicago and it was the ’80s and I adored her fur coats and would literally just hang out in the closet with them. She had great accessories - jewelry & belts & hats.
Photos courtesy of Heather Lipner.
To view other interviews, check out our Mother’s Day tag.
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Gramercy Eight designer and creator of the Fuck Love Rings, Rebecca Lewis chats with us about being inspired from her hospital room.
Your story began on February 27th, 2012 when you fell 30 ft—shattering three vertebra and severing your spine in half. How did this event lead you to start designing jewelry from the hospital?
I actually don’t remember how I fell. My mind blocked out that part. I remember my bones breaking and being alone out there for awhile. It was ten minutes before someone found me. Eventually the EMTs came. They thought I had jumped on purpose. That was not the case. Gramercy is the street I landed on. Eight is the floor my hospital room was on. While bed-ridden, I was bored and started reading DIY blogs. My first attempts were with friendship bracelets but I quickly got bored. I started researching how to make jewelry and eventually got to Michael’s and mogged pogged things together. Initially everything I made was just a diversion from boredom and insomnia. My biggest push forward came from my friends who urged me to make an etsy and instagram to feature my work. If I had never fallen, none of this would ever have happened.
What was the first piece you designed on your road to recovery?
The gold/brass knot ring. I just went out and got wire with giant pliers and sheet metal and started creating.
Which piece are you the most proud of?
Truthfully, I love all of my pieces and am proud of myself—being able to make things that people have positive responses to. With each new piece, I continue to grow and mature as a designer. If I had to pick one, it probably would be a close call between the infinity bracelet and the secret bracelet. The infinity bracelet was made for my sisters—who never left my side during my recovery. The secret message one is just fun! I’ve always wanted to be a spy!
Gramercy Eight is a jewelry designer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She creates beauty from tragedy. She is known best for her beautiful necklaces and body pieces.
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Fashion designer and creator of the Fassbinder Bustier Top, Lauren Kemp chats with us about how she stays ahead of the trends.
You seem to always be first in trend, from the embroidered tops we featured on Extra to your bralettes we have up on our site now. How do you decide what to design?
I start by thinking about what colors or shapes are missing from my wardrobe. I’m also constantly inspired by cinema. The bralettes started because I needed a crop top to wear with all of my high-waist pants and skirts. Then I was inspired to make it a bustier-style crop top when I remembered the films of German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, which always feature these gorgeous, aloof women. When you think about the pieces that you’ve been on the look out for and then mix it with a source of inspiration that you’re passionate about, then people will respond to it.
What was your AHA moment? When you realized you needed to start your own line?
I always had these really specific items in mind that I couldn’t find in my wardrobe that I would end up re-purposing from vintage pieces or constructing from scratch. Then I began selling my re-purposed clothing online. As people were approaching me about about making multiples of these one-of-a-kind pieces, I realized that I should make the leap to creating original pieces that have a one-of-a-kind feeling.
What was the best style tip you’ve ever received?
There’s a famous quote by the designer/artist William Morris “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” I find that that is true for your wardrobe as well. I try to only wear or design things that I find to be truly beautiful.
Lauren Kemp is a fashion designer based in Portland Oregon. She constructs original garments using vintage fabrics.
Don’t forget to check out our recent post for inspiration on how to wear your bustier. Get the look here.
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Jewelry designer Stefanie Sheehan chats with us about her emotional ties to her work.
What’s the story behind your monster inspired collection?
“Monsters Within,” developed from my interest in human emotions. I have always felt very in touch with my own emotions and am empathetic to the people around me. It amazes me how intense human emotion can be, especially feelings that are undesirable. Most of the time happiness is taken for granted, but when we are faced with difficult times, these unwanted feelings are all we can think about. It’s as if we turn into monsters. In “Monsters Within,” I am creating works that symbolically represent these unwelcome human emotions such as nervousness, anger, jealousy and sadness.
What’s your first memory where you fell in love with jewelry?
That’s is a good question. As long as I can remember I was always a bit obsessed with accessories, jewelry included. I remember going through my mom’s jewelry box and picking out pieces and asking her about them. I found a couple I really liked and asked her about them and she told me she had made them herself in High School. Holding them in my hands and trying to fathom how she could even possibly go about making something so precious as a piece of jewelry just amazed me. I think this really made me appreciate jewelry and the way it could make someone feel.
Which piece means the most to you and why?This is another good question, as hard as it is for me to pick, I think I would have to say my Two Finger Monster Ring. I feel like it’s really what started it all. Making that ring junior year of college may have been the first time I was really satisfied with what I had done. It made me realize I could really do this. I really could make jewelry for a living making great, unique things. It also helped me choose my thesis “Monster’s Within” from senior year that we previously talked about. That monster just opened the bag to all my other little monsters I have now!
Stefanie Sheehan is a New York based jewelry designer. She creates evocative pieces which challenge people to face the “monster within.” -
This is Ground creator Mike Macadaan chats with us about his Make a Rad Stamp DIY kit and how he named his brand.
How did you name “This is Ground?”
The name “This is Ground” comes from three places (1) Lyrics from Bowie’s “Major Tom” (2) A long time ago I landed blimps at an airport and I would always start my communication with the pilot through a VHF radio by saying “560 alpha-bravo, this is ground..” (3) When I started creating physical products it was the first time I could physically feel something I created since the rest of my work was all digital - it was a grounding experience and that’s what sealed it.
Our site features your DIY Stamp Kit. What’s the raddest stamp you’ve made?The raddest stamp I’ve made was the great white shark profile a la Jaws — it was raw, fierce and a big contrast from the fluffy unicorn stamps I remember as a child. I used this stamp to make wrapping paper and even splattered some red paint on for an extra punch. It was fun and festive in a much different way for sure.
This is Ground is based in Los Angeles and is a designer of leather goods to compliment your cool life. Be sure to check out his stamp kit and the awesome cord tacos. Check out the stamp video below.
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Noble Town Vintage creator Sarah Pace chats with us about her designs, her style and how she got back to where she belongs.
What are your favorite materials?This season I have some beautiful vintage copper chains and beads that have a warm rosy glow. It’s a beautiful color alone but it looks even better mixed with the varying golden hues of brass. Combining the different tones of these metals makes them feel unexpected and fresh but versatile enough to wear with any colors.Do you design for a certain type of woman?I think most designers create what they would like to wear and can’t find all the time, at least that is true for me. I imagine a modern woman that doesn’t have to dress or be overtly girly to feel feminine.What is your favorite piece and why?My favorite piece right now is the Green jasper arced necklace. It has a tough but sweet vibe to it. I love the mottled variation and color of the dark green, they look like tiny pieces of outer space. It sits higher on the chest and is adjustable which is great so you can wear it closer under your collar or a little longer below a scoop neck. It’s a piece I’ve been wearing constantly and always have people commenting on. Last week I wore it with a flannel shirt one day and the next with a little black dress to a cocktail party.Why jewelry?I’ve made jewelry on and off since I was 9 starting with a beading loom, I’d make bracelets over and over with my name spelled out and pile a ton on. Fast forward to adulthood, I’ve been a hairdresser and a color educator and though enjoying many aspects of it I was looking for a more personal avenue of creativity when I realized I could be doing what I loved as a kid.Noble Town Vintage is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and focuses on reviving old vintage findings to create original hand-crafted pieces. -
Introducing Brittany Watson Jepsen of The House That Lars Built. As if you needed to spend any more time on Pinterest, we made it super easy to trend spot by partnering up with one of our favorite design influencers and created a Pinterest board collaboration that feels like a sunny-moon away from the cold clutches of winter. Our trend of choice? Mexican Embroidery + South American too!
Learn more about the trend and Brittany Watson Jepsen’s keen eye below.
Tell us about the Mexican embroidery trend and where you first spotted it.
I’ve noticed Mexican embroidery a couple of years ago at a shop here in Copenhagen. I think I was drawn to the color because so much of Danish design is neutral and black. I’ve now started to see the embroidery elements pop up in the most unusual of ways: bathing suits, blankets, pillows. And they aren’t necessarily embroidered, but have the look of embroidery. They might be printed or ironed on. It’s very exciting stuff.
What’s the best way to implement a trend into your wardrobe or home, in particular, the Mexican embroidery trend?
There are a number of embroidered tunics that would be awesome to wear layered or on its own. Put a belt around it so it doesn’t look so costume-y. For home, I’ve seen some beautiful lamp shades that would make a nice accent and of course, throw pillows are the easiest way to work any trend in.
Have you seen this trend in any unexpected places or reinvented in a particularly cool fashion?
The bathing suit was the nicest surprise to find the trend. I wouldn’t mind seeing it on a cell phone cover or something. That would be cool.
How do you use Pinterest to find trends?
I think Pinterest is a great way to organize trends that are circulating around, but Pinterest doesn’t create content, creators do! So if I were to find trends I’d go to original sources like blogs and magazines.
Follow us here: Uncovet Pinterest & The House That Lars Built PinterestShop the look here: Uncovet / Embroidery -
On KTLA this AM presenting best trends for the holiday season. Here’s the video.
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Missouri is for lovers. Don’t believe us? Ryan & Kelly, the husband wife team behind Cold Creek Brewing hail from Lebanon, Missouri and prove that two is better than one. The couple has been in business together since 2011 with Kelly running the shop and Ryan crafting rustic wood creations.Are you food lovers, wine connoisseurs, beer aficionados?I don’t know that I’d put us in the category of connoisseurs or aficionados, but, I love to cook, and Ryan brews some amazing craft beer! And, of course, who can resist a great wine?There is such a great feeling that comes from getting together with your friends and family and sharing a delicious meal and pairing it with the right drinks!We have a lot of gifts to give, what’s the best item to gift from Cold Creek Brewing?We’ve found that the Beer Caddy and Bomber/Wine Bottle Carrier are both a huge hit with the guys!What’s it like working together, jibing with your spouse in both the professional and personal realm?We’ve actually always worked together in some form from the beginning of our marriage. When Ryan was doing new home construction, I would come help whenever there was a job that I could contribute to. I’ve always done the book work and things of that nature, so it was a really natural transition when we started Cold Creek Brewing. We’re a close family and we love being together and being with our kids, and working together is just another avenue of our marriage and family life.How do you decide what new designs to craft?We actually have based our products on things we have thought we would like to have, but didn’t find readily available on the market, or we weren’t in love with the options. As I mentioned, Ryan is a homebrewer, so many of his designs have been based on his need. When we started selling the beer cartons online, there was really only one other option that we had found and it was a completely different style. The wine barrel for example, was another item that we thought would be fun to have, as Ryan’s family is quite large, so boxed wines are often a good choice for our group! We thought it would be nice to have a more attractive way to serve the wine.
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Sarah Fox of Cursive Design is a city dweller that loves open spaces. Her multi-facted jewelry line is unlike any you’ve seen before. Forget horseshoes, Sarah sources her charms and beads from all over- stashing them away for just the right creation. She digitally prints her own photography and works it into her unique designs that include reversible necklaces and delicate bracelets.
What is your studio like?It’s really bright, lots of white, it gets gorgeous sun because it faces the south. I share with a ceramic artist who runs “Up In The Air Somewhere”. We try to keep a creative energy because it’s so important to keep a workspace inspiring.Tell us a storyWhen I was in high school hemp necklaces were really popular. I started making them and selling them out of my backpack for $5. An entrepreneur at heart, I noticed another girl was doing the same, so to set myself apart, I started hand dying my hemp - forest green, navy blue. That did the trick. -
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We’re spotting baroque & embellished everywhere. We have a couple awesome vintage pieces to grab now.
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Verabel + Leeann Mollnarl
Today on Uncovet, vintage lockets find new life with gorgeous and colorful illustrations. Portland based designer, Leeann Mollnarl tell us how quitting her day job and launching Verabel was a fantastic success.
How is Portland? Tell us about the creative energy up there.
As an independent designer, Portland is an amazing place to live! I find the creative energy absolutely intoxicating. I live and work in an area that is committed to supporting small business making it a viable option to succeed at doing what I love most – creating.
Feathers seem to play a big role in your collection, do they have a significance in your design?
As a native Oregonian, I find that I’m most inspired by nature. I grew up in Southern Oregon surrounded by mountains, trees and water. We once had a family of peacocks take up residence in our yard. I took the greatest delight in collecting the colorful feathers left strewn about the neighborhood. Naturally, these elements of my childhood crept their way into my jewelry line.
Did you really quit your day job? What an inspiration - What’s your secret?
I really did! My life was definitely going down a different path. While it was a much safer path, I just knew I couldn’t be happy unless I followed my passion. My first venture at opening a clothing and accessories boutique eventually morphed into a jewelry line then a jewelry boutique. There’s no secret. Just hard work and recognition of what works and what doesn’t. The results are a lot of trial and error, constant tweaking, and in the end, hopefully a product that people will enjoy as much as you enjoyed creating it.
Shop it here: http://shop.uncovet.com/fortune-cookie-necklace
Shop it here: http://shop.uncovet.com/gold-plated-trio-lockets
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Joanne Ooi of Plukka chats with us about tech, style & skulls
Who are your top style influences?
Artists, because they’re typically unfettered by excessively commercial concerns and because, for the most part, I don’t find that their creativity has been Google-ized, meaning their artworks possess a freshness that can’t be found when consulting the references of everyday commercial life. Travel is my other big inspiration. The flat world, unfortunately, has caused a lot of consumer culture to be stripmalled. Consequently, one has to visit more farflung locales to find genuine, untrammeled inspiration. Finally, I’m a massive information junkie. That’s my tech side coming out to bear its ugly head. You’ll never find me with less than 5 newspapers under my arm, on top of two smartphones.
Explain the design and concept behind the skull rings?
The eternally fashionable and resonant theme of the skull — or memento mori - was reinterpreted in candy-colored sapphires to add a fresh and subversive twist to the darkness usually associated with this motif. That’s what Plukka is about — delighting the customer by turning her expectations upside down.
What type of jewelry do you prefer for everyday, for evening?
For everyday, I wear a slice diamond ring, which was a gift from my husband, and a Plukka ring which looks like the mouth of a knight’s helmet. The form is architectural and industrial but strongly evokes the human physiognomy. It’s difficult to describe without seeing it! In the evening, I might wear a huge bib necklace of gemstones if there happens to be one lying around in the safe. I’m not one for planning outfits. If you have style, you can go out in a towel really ….
Ooi is the CEO of Plukka, the ecommerce site offering creative, original fine designer jewelry at huge savings through a patented online shopping model. Before Plukka, Ooi founded Clean Air Network, a major environmental NGO, and was the Creative Director of luxury brand, Shanghai Tang.
