Eco-Style Life Beau Monde: From Seed To Scarf: The Story Of An Organic Printed Fashion Scarf from Beau Monde Organics

Joy Silk commends Los Angeles designer Stephanie Gale for her attention to detail from start to finish. Read the fascinating story of the creation of Beau Monde Organics organic cotton scarves, from seed to stylish finished product!


Eco-Style Life Beau Monde: From Seed To Scarf: The Story Of An Organic Printed Fashion Scarf from Beau Monde Organics

Wedding Shawl Commission - Passionate Peacock

Custom orders are good and sometimes they take a little extra time and consideration. This shawl is for a September bride. The bride-to-be specified the peacock feather motif and the colors to include the color of her gown and red to symbolize passion on a white background and left the design up to me. 

The shawl is 100% silk, chiffon edged with satin trim all the way around. It's versatile, lightweight and airy and may be tied and draped many ways as shown below.

Detail of hand painted peacock feather on silk

 Custom orders for bespoke and designer fashion accessories are welcomed via my boutique on Etsy or via my website! For wedding attire inquiries, please allow adequate time for design and production. 

Good things take time!

Summer Fresh Rolls and Nori-maki

When the weather is hot like it is right now in Southern Oregon, I like to have a light dinner that is healthy and delicious. Last night we had spring rolls and nori rolls. Once the ingredients are prepped, its fun and easy to make these delicious rolls at home!

Spring roll ingredients, wraps, noodles, shredded veggies

Start by assembling the ingredients, there are a few special ingredients that you can get at an Asian grocery store or natural foods store.  For the spring rolls we use rice flour wraps and for the nori rolls we use nori laver. variety of fillings including cooked rice noodles, shredded vegetables: cabbage, carrots and daikon and/or bean sprouts and avocado, and mint or basil leaves, add cooked shrimp if you wish. The rice paper rolls are sheer so I layered the ingredients starting with avocado against the rice paper wrap, then shredded carrot & daikon, cabbage & noodles. It helps to have everything organized before you start wrapping.

For the nori-maki, I use sushi rice seasoned with rice vinegar and mirin. You may like to try this great recipe from the New York Times. We used a prepared sweet ginger chili dipping sauce from Ginger People, but there are many recipes for tasty dipping sauces you can easily make from scratch.

Spring rolls in rice paper wraps and nori rolls

Nori-maki is delicious and fun to make. I make jumbo rolls for our family because it is easier for me to wrap a full sheet of nori rather than a half sheet. You'll need a sushi mat, this one from World Market is great because it has two mats, chopsticks and rice paddles for under $10.

World Market Sushi Mat Set

Having two mats is ideal, I roll one up and let it sit in the mat while I roll up the next one -- letting it rest in the rolled up sushi mat helps the seaweed stick to itself so when you slice up the rolls they stay together. Garnish your plate with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and dipping sauce of soy sauce and wasabi, serve a simple miso broth as a first course if you wish!

Seaweed salad with vegetarian Nori-maki

This healthy light supper makes for satisfied members of the "Clean Plate Club" 

Clean Plate Club

Comment or message me if you have questions on how to prepare this delicious summer supper! 

Sunflower Season on Planet Joy

Summer has been good so far, I've been staying close to my home planet, nurturing my garden and getting the studio back up to speed. I am filled with gratitude as I say "thank you" with all my heart to those who shopped our emergency liquidation sale, thanks to all of you it was a tremendous success! Meanwhile, I've been getting the studio back in working order and it was spare and inviting whilst I was producing custom ruanas for Kohenet ordination.

Creating for Kohenet 2013

It is now it is set up for production again with a new larger sewing station for the new "vintage" Baby Lock serger and my trusty Bernina.

Low visibility on Planet Joy

The garden is flourishing even though we are experiencing a terrible wildfire season in the PNW.

If I had my way, I'd rather be at the beach!

Despite the less than optimal atmospheric conditions, the gardens on Planet Joy are very welcoming and colorful this year, the eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, basil, squash, sunflowers and more are thriving and ripening!

First tomato!

Zinnia, cosmos & rudbeckia

A friend of mine said he could taste tears in the pool water now that summer is waning. I notice the sun setting a little earlier, a hint of crisp morning air alluding at the season ahead. . . Me, I'm ramping up for the last month of summer and hoping for a good Indian Summer too!

Sunflower Season

Also, when you have a moment, visit  OpenSky, our newest internet boutique, where I'm selling my one of a kind JoySilk Jewellery Collection at smashing low prices!

 

Spring Update

I have very good news ~ the studio is ALMOST READY to work in again!!!!! I'm super stoked because I have a dozen special garments to create during June!

The paint on the new floor is curing, There will be new lighting, counter top, perhaps new shelving. . .
It's been nearly 2 months since the flood caused the damage to the studio on April 9th, I am so ready for it to be finished and to get back to work!

I wish it was ready ALREADY!!! 

Meanwhile, in our Etsy Boutique, save 20% on our scarves and one of a kind fashions during June, specify coupon code JOYFLOWER at checkout. All proceeds benefit the fund to refurbish the studio. A heart felt thanks to all who supported our LIQUIDATION SALE! Thus far your purchases have raised half the money required to complete the repairs.

Yellow & White Iris

Prettiest Iris

On another note: the cool weather and rain has made for perfect growing conditions. The iris are glorious! I am harvesting the first of two successive plantings of peas and salad greens in this years garden patch. The raspberry bushes seem to be coming along well. I'm looking forward to warmer temps and more sunshine!

Spring vegetable garden

Purple & White Iris

Happy Spring to you and yours!

LIQUIDATION SALE during STUDIO RENOVATIONS on Planet Joy

Due to current circumstances beyond our control, the Studio at Planet Joy is undergoing a major renovation. In order to meet the costs of removing and replacing the entire studio floor we are having a HUGE sale on ALL in-stock inventory! 

Luckily none of the supplies, materials or equipment in the studio was damaged or ruined, the water overflowed the sink and went UNDER the floor. So the entire floor has to be replaced after it is removed and completely dried out. 

I want to create a WIN-WIN scenario during this phase, so all our ready-to-ship silks and accessories at www.Joyflower.etsy.com are now 50% off with the discount code SUPPORT. The funds will directly help us defray expenses for rebuilding the studio floor. 

Please share the sale with your friends to make this a successful fundraiser!! 

Interview with Joy Hand Painted Silk for aMuse on RVTV

I was recently interviewed by Wendy Temple and filmed by producer David Bruce, for aMuse scheduled to air in May on RVTV.

Who were you before becoming a silk artist; what did you do?

I’ve been a mother most of my life, I had my first son at 18, I have three handsome intelligent sons ranging from 16-32 yrs old. They are the loves of my life, I am so proud of them. I also have a wonderful grandson too! I was formerly employed by Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres at the corporate headquarters. I climbed the corporate ladder from telemarketing to accounts payable administrator and finally became secretary to the VP of marketing. I also have a substantial background in food service as a cook and a server. I worked at Ciao Main in Ashland for many years during the 90’s

My three sons, Sean, Colin & Ryan

What prompted your pursuit of art?

I moved to Southern Oregon in 1989 to get out of the “rat race” My eldest son was a “latch key” kid, I was concerned that the hours between school letting out and mom getting home might put him at risk, so we moved to the Applegate Valley. At that time I was able to be a full-time stay at home mother and pursue my art along with gardening and homesteading.

How did you find your way to silks?

My BFF Rosie Daley was a textile artist (mainly airbrushing on cotton clothing), but one summer she did some hand painted silks. I was mesmerized by the sheen and amazing luminescence of the colors on silk. I practically begged her to visit her studio and observe, and she steadfastly refused my requests. Finally, when I was moving to Oregon, she revealed her supply sources to me and wished me good luck. The rest is history! 

BFF Rosie

What inspires your work?

I am inspired to create beauty as a contribution to the world. Bringing pleasure from the eye to the heart is my mission. Painting silk brings me great pleasure, I believe the texture and color of the silk fashion accessories I create bring joy to the wearer as well as those who see them. I am inspired by nature and the changing seasons as well as both current trends and enduring and classic fashions. Fashion magazines, blogs and to a lesser extent The Pantone Report which is a fixture in many aspects of the design industry. 

Do you have a preconceived visual plan, or do you let things flow as you work? 

For the most part, I have to plan my studio time based on a production schedule that is driven by orders from individual clients and retail establishments like boutiques and museum gift stores. I am thrilled to have our work locally in Nimbus and boutique in Jackson, Mississippi, circa. that features only things Made in the USA. The Santa Fe Opera gift store is one of my great accounts. When I get “caught up” on my production schedule I really enjoy being purely creative, trying new color combinations and doing shibori style dyeing. It’s a historic Japanese  resist technique. When I work with kids I am reminded by their lack of guile. How revitalizing it is to just go with the flow. 

showroom at circa. urban artisan living 

What challenges have you faced along the way? 

Sometimes I joke about being a lifetime single mother. Single parenting is a full time job in and of itself. The economic downturn in 2009 coincided with my decision to enter the wholesale trade. The expense of trade show fees, normally over $1000, creating collateral materials such as my catalog and linesheet, and getting my website up to snuff for the shows was very expensive. The fact the economy wasn’t growing posed a tremendous challenge. It took longer for me to get a return on investment. But I have no regrets, it’s a big world out there, and the expansion, in a difficult time has been very worthwhile!

What would you say to struggling artists, those who have the talent but not the marketing mind?

Think outside the box! Last year I designed our Earthsong scarflette for Earth Day. I packaged it in biodegradable packaging that I made from actual corn husks. It was just like a tamale wrapper! Be innovative, whether about the materials you use to create your work, or ways to accomplish it given limitations in your circumstances or in creating a niche and a story about your work. Just keep going and don’t let anyone burst your bubble. I believe we are defined by our dreams as much as we are defined by our critics or public.

Earthsong Scarflette

Which of the charities that you support speaks most to you? Why?

My motto is “We give what we can when we can.” One of my favorite charities is breast cancer research. I contribute via cancer.org with each pink scarf we sell. I support local charities such as Living Opportunities and the Jackson County Childrens Advocacy Center. I help our creative counterparts in Africa via Kiva.org. I have a particular fondness for our local charities that help kids and adults find a better way of life, because everyone deserves a chance to improve their circumstances. I believe that art inspires to do so. 

www.Joysilk.com - Virtual showroom featuring the Natura Collection and our two best selling styles the ruana and the satin trimmed shawl. 

www.joysilk.blogspot.com - Planet Joy, where beauty rules a lifestyle blog featuring everything we love and what we are up to in the studio

www.joyflower.etsy.com - Virtual boutique featuring myriad styles of silk scarves, shawls, our limited edition jewelry collection and more. 

www.facebook.com - Our fan page on our favorite social media platform.

Eco-Style Life Beau Monde: Fav Quote Friday: Moments of Quiet Joy and Serene Beauty

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness" 

-John Keats

Eco-Style Life Beau Monde: Fav Quote Friday: Moments of Quiet Joy and Serene Beauty

Big News - JHS on nationally-syndicated TV show

I've been dreaming big this year, and I'm absolutely tickled pink to announce that our handcrafted hand painted silk scarves will be on the nationally-syndicated television program The Wendy Williams Show!! 

Joy Hand Painted Silk scarves will be part of a special segment of a nationally syndicated television talk show in February! The program is partnering with GBK Productions and The Artisan Group to do a big Oscars Swag Bag Giveaway on the program right before the Oscars. 

Joyflower Daisy Chain Silk Scarf

Fingers crossed that our hand painted silk scarf will be chosen for the tabletop display segment. Stay tuned for details on when the show will air! 

Joyflower Couture Fashion Accessories

JoyStones Jewellery by Joyflower

The Artisan Group, aka TAG, exclusively represents an elite juried community of talented artisans who specialize in a wide array of handcrafted products including fashion accessories, spa and bath products, designer stationery, pet apparel and more!

Englefelt eco-friendly felted organic goat milk soap

Sophisticated Pup rhinestone dog collar & leash set