Bethany Éowyn Kelman

‘Love Jacket’ Sewing Workshop with Momolita

Bethany — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:13:04 +0000

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a sewing workshop in London run by the fabulous Japanese doll artist Momolita. I have been a fan of her work for many years and I learned a lot about garment construction by using her Licca pattern books. It was fantastic to get some sewing tips from her in person!

During the workshop we learned how to make Momolita’s miniature version of Vivienne Westwood’s iconic Love Jacket. Tailoring this tiny is challenging to say the least! It was a fantastic learning experience.

Everybody working hard!

Tiny silk pins!

Momoko & Linda

Sushi break

I enjoyed using Momolita’s Japanese JUKI sewing maching. It was so gentle and quiet! Perfect for sewing tiny garments.

The jacket was quite challenging and none of us quite managed to finish it that day! We all took them home to do the finishing touches. I had a really great day, it was lovely to see doll friends old & new. I really feel I learned a lot!

My finished Love Jacket. ♥ It’s a bit uneven to say the least but I had fun making it! ^_^

Dolly Mixure Spring Dresses

Bethany — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:04:39 +0000

This week I made some Dolly Mixture Spring Dresses for Blythe Dolls and Middie Blythe Dolls. I love sewing in Middie size, they’re so dinky!! I used some gorgeous Liberty fabrics, Japanese lace, Jenean Morrisson fabric and my absolute favourite, London Underground Map fabric! Still a few dresses left in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollymixtureshop

Look Street Spring Summer Collection 2012

Bethany — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:09:29 +0000

Since my trip to Japan in July last year my brother Aleister & I have been working on our new clothing label, Look Street. My designs are inspired by Japanese fabrics which we sourced in Tokyo last summer. The name ‘Look Street’ comes from a street in Koenji, a district of Tokyo, which is full of gorgeous vintage clothes shops! After a lot of hard work our site is finally online, where you can browse and buy our designs for your very own. I’m so excited to finally be able to share my designs! ♥

This dress is possibly my favourite piece from our Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It is made from stunning cotton fabric from Japanese designer Kayo Horaguchi. The fabric features a delicate design with roses, birds, vintage sewing machines, mannequins, pocket watches, castles and ballerinas in teal on a black background. The dress is trimmed with beautiful Japanese cotton lace. It is also available in two other gorgeous Kayo Horaguchi prints, featuring carousel horses & rainbows, and tiny angel fish and sea foam flowers! It’s like stepping in to a grown up fairytale.

Of course the collection also includes some vintage inspired dresses! I fell in love with this Japanese playing card fabric and knew it would make awesome rockabilly style dresses. This design is also decorated with three black heart shaped vintage Lucite buttons on the front of the bodice. I found a precious untouched card of these vintage buttons at Judy’s Vintage Fair last year, I was saving them for something very special! ♥ This design is also available in two fabulous nautical prints, in red and navy. Ahoi Sailor! These are perfect for summer.

When we were in Tokyo in July, lots of summer matsuri (fire work festivals) were happening, and it was not uncommon to see couples walking the streets dressed in traditional summer Yukata. A Yukata is a spring or summer Kimono, traditionally worn to spring cherry blossom viewing festivals. The fabric is light and breathable and features beautiful blossom prints. I thought they would be perfect for spring and summer dresses. We picked out this beautiful teal & gold fabric, as well as cherry blossom fabric in pink & white and pink & black.

I was so inspired by the beautiful traditional kimono silks I saw in Japan. The quality of the silk is so luxurious and the prints are absolutely beautiful. This violet evening gown features a vibrant flowers and red guzei bridges on a striking background of purple, violet and indigo clouds. Silk evening gowns are also available in orange and peach.

I am very excited to finally be able to share my designs & I hope you like them! You can see the full collection at lookstreet.net and you can also follow us on Twitter @heylookstreet and Like us on Facebook. I have some exciting designs planned for Autumn/Winter already. ^-^

February Sewing Projects

Bethany — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:48:04 +0000

We’ve settled in to our new place now and mostly unpacked. This month I’ve been preparing for the launch of my new clothing line. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to share some photos! Until then, here are some sewing projects I’ve been working on this month.

My friend Rob commissioned me to make a dress for his daughter Chloe, from a 1990-1991 New Model Army tour T-shirt! Taking a pair of scissors to this precious shirt was quite nerve wracking!

Vintage heart-shaped buttons ❤

I think Chloe approves! ^_^

I did a bit of nautical upholstery! This little pouffe was given to us in a well loved state, having been re-covered numerous times. I covered it in French ticking & anchors!

I took inspiration for the stitching detail from this patchwork pouffe! ❤

Jutt turned 30 this month, & grew a beard to prove it!

I made him this Space Invader quilt. Pixel art makes awesome patchwork!

Serious birthday beer!

Snow Day

Bethany — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:04:07 +0000

We have deep snow here in the UK today which means only one thing… Dolly photo time! ♥ ♥ ♥

I got this beautiful Totoro sweater in a trade with Nan. It’s absolutely amazing, teeny tiny stitches, and it even has miniature real button holes at the back. I love it! I have been holding out for a snow day to take pics. You can see more of her work in her Etsy shop Dressing Blythe. Hitomi is also rocking some Moof boots and a vintage Skipper tutu. ^_^

I thought I’d post some of my favourite Dolly Snow Photos from previous years too…

Awesome skull sweater from Liz/WoollyRockers, vintage Skipper tutu & ice skates.

Elphaba in a super cute Bambina Carabina granny hat, Sugar Mag cape & Dolly Mixture dress.

EuroTrash Doll helmet & Poupée Mécanique dress.

Enjoy the snow! x

Moving House… Interior Inspiration

Bethany — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:13:44 +0000

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has enjoyed the festive season. I have had a pretty hectic start to the year, but I am looking forward to 2012 and the changes it will bring. In just a couple of weeks we will be leaving our tiny loft apartment and moving to our new house. We’ll have a garden, and I will have studio to fill with beautiful fabric and make dresses in. ♥ I feel very lucky. Tomorrow I will start packing (a daunting task for a hoarder & collector, I have *so* much stuff), so tonight I have been looking at some inspiring photos and formulating some ideas which will give me something to look forward to once the packing, sorting, moving and cleaning are done! I thought I’d share some of my favourites here.

A (former) Bookseller’s nightmare… but it’s so pretty. ♥ I have a bit of an obsession with arranging things in rainbow order.

Jenny B‘s epic sewing room. I especially love the dresser and the blue walls.

Love the jars of trim!

I picked up a battered wooden storage box with compartments like this a little while ago. I think I will paint it and fill it with tiny pretty things.

Such a great way to store fabric! I can’t imagine mine ever staying this neat and tidy though. More rainbow coloured organisation. ^_^

Leo‘s wonderful doll shelves

Toys & Teacups ♥

This reminds me of the Alice in Wonderland restaurant in Tokyo. ♥

Vintage phone love ♥

CandyPop‘s vintage glasses. I can’t wait to display mine. I have vintage Babycham glasses and shot glasses handed down from my grandmother and great-grandmother.

How awesome is this kettle?!

That’s it for now… I could go on forever! But I’d better get some packing done first.

Jezebelles Shop Update!

Bethany — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:29:27 +0000

I’ve updated the Jezebelles Boutique Shop with lots of new handmade items this week, just in time for Christmas!

Vintage Style Cherry Apron

Liberty Vintage Roses Apron

Wristband Pincushions made from Japanese silk & cotton

& lots of lovely new hair accessories!

Thanks for looking! x

The Made-It Market Christmas Special November 2011

Bethany — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:48:18 +0000

This weekend I took my big bag of Jezebelles Boutique goodies to The Made-it Market Christmas Special, and I exhibited alongside more than 60 fantastic artists, designers and makers. It was the biggest and best Made-It Market to date, filling two huge halls at the Cambridge Guildhall! There were also groups offering workshops for the first time. A great day was had by all!

My stall ^_^

Vintage Style Aprons

Wrist band pin cushions made from Japanese fabrics <3

Rockabilly head bands ^_^

Hair clips <3

Robot purse!

Purses

Hair flowers & brooches <3

I shared a table with the fabulous Laura/PinkAppleJam and Selina/Bento Smile. I loved both their stalls!

There was so much temptation at the market with so many wonderful stalls, but I managed to resist most things… couldn’t resist purchasing from these two though. ^_^ I got a Bento Smile bunny plushie & PinkAppleJam felt carrot brooch! <3

Bento Smile table!

Selina’s plushies & amigurumis are sooooo kawaiiiiii! <3 <3 They almost all sold, but I think she will be adding the ones she has left to the Bento Smile Etsy shop sometime soon!

Laura with her awesome PinkAppleJam stall! I made her dress from cute Pretty Cure fabric she bought back from Japan. ^_^

Laura was selling her fantastic comics & illustrations as well as kawaii handmade goodies!

I love her felt accessories! Laura will also be adding these to her PinkAppleJam Etsy shop soon!

The Cambridge Guildhall is a fantastic venue.

My loot from the day! Sad Bunneh & Angry Carrot! ^_^

Thanks so much to everyone who came to say hello, it was a great day! It’s always good to spend time with awesome creative friends. ^_^ I hope everyone likes the Christmas presents they get from people who shopped at my stall! For those of you who couldn’t make it, I’ll be adding some vintage style aprons, pin cushion wristbands & other accessories to my Jezebelles Boutique Etsy shop very very soon. ^_^ I think the three of us will be sharing a table again at the next Made-It Market in March too. <3

Last Gang in Town Halloween Party 2011

Bethany — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:17:00 +0000

I hope you all had a great Halloween weekend! Mine was exceptional! No one does Halloween quite like Last Gang in Town. We had circus sideshow performances, rockin’ DJs, drinks promotions, Halloween cupcakes, spooky décor, and a fiendish fancy dress competition. I love that everyone put so much effort in to their costumes. The headline band The Rocker Covers played Rockabilly versions of contemporary hits, from Lady Gaga to The Beastie Boys! They were awesome! Here are a few photos from the night.

My Zombie Geisha costume. It was fun doing the make up!

Jutt’s terrifying un-zipped face!

Cuddly bunny rabbit Snix!

Lovely Alexa & Corinne ♥

Double zip-face!

Kelly’s terrifying Chav outfit!! Love it!

Zombie Nurse Laura!

Gemma & Helena ♥

My Levellers inspired Pumpkin

Micro cupcakes by Kat, with tiny bat sprinkles!

Spooky cupcakes by Alexa!

What a lovely couple haha!

The Corpse Bride – she looked wonderful!

The Corpse Bride’s maggot!

Fiona as Lady Gaga!

Patty and Selma Bouvier

Who gave Beccy a hacksaw?!

The Rocker Covers were *amazing*!!

What an epic night! I feel lucky to know so many awesome creative people! Best Halloween party ever!! ♥ xx

BlytheCon UK 2011 London

Bethany — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:09:00 +0000

I had a great time at BlytheCon UK in London this weekend! It was such a great day. ♡♡♡

Setting up my Dolly Mixture stall! Photo by Tibiloo

My Dolly Mixture Table

Fellow Fifth Element fan Leeloominae/Chloé with my dolly Leeloo & her Tangerine!

Yummy macarons ♡

Leo’s wonderful Poupée Mécanique display ♡

Mary’s fabulous M for Monkey table & her well dressed Wataru!

My lovely friend Hen! It’s always so great to catch up! ♡

Polly’s punk rock table!

Lovely Gaia with her Bambina Carabina table ♡

The winner of the fashion contest, a wonderful Salvador Dali inspired design by Cocomichi. The 1st prize included a Tokyo Textiles fat quarter set!

My Dolly Mixture Circus display. Photo by Leonidas

I shared a table with the lovely Freya/Naughty Pixie, and we had matching braids!

Just a few of the many many raffle prizes, including my donation. The raffle raised over £1000 for The Little Princess Trust!

Holly’s fabulous Hey Cavey booth!

Momolita’s beautiful beautiful dresses *sigh* ♡♡

Momo & Leo at lunchtime!

Absolutely stunning miniature tailoring by Leo/Misato.

It was a wonderful day but I was exhausted by the end of it! It was great to sit outside in the sun with some good friends and have a cold beer before we headed to the after party. I also got to admire Hen’s lovely Middie!

I had a great time, it was so good to see old friends and meet new friends from all over the world. Dolly people really are the best! I’m honoured to have so many wonderful creative friends! Thanks so much to every one who visited my stall, I’d love to see photos of your girls in their Dolly Mixture outfits and I want to see what everyone makes with their Tokyo Textiles fabric!

Lots more photos in my Flickr album. ^_^ Roll on Manchester 2012!!