I met Nikola last year at a homeschool conference, and really enjoyed getting to talk with her. She is a very sweet and talented young lady who is using those talents to create adorable costume dresses and fun little pettiskirts for little girls. I have seen her work, and it is beautiful! I love sewing too, but designing patterns like she does is way beyond me! :)
And now let me introduce two very special shops to you. Plume de Nikola and Nonpareils Designs.
How and when did you become interested in your craft?
I have loved sewing since I was about 10 years old. I started with dolls' clothes, then costumes for my sisters and I, clothing for our family, and then moved into my current line of internationally-inspired dresses for little girls.
What inspired you to open your shop?
When I first opened my Etsy shop, it was with my rubber stamps in mind. We had had them made from artwork I did when I was younger, but did not have a good enough camera to get the photos up on Etsy. By the time we did, I also had some dresses to sell, so we put everything up at once. We had shopped on Etsy for unique items and we knew it would be a great spot to sell my designs.
Where did your shop name come from?
When I first opened the Etsy shop, we used my rubber stamp name, PLUME DE NIKOLA. This refers to drawing, and means, "Nikola's Quill Pen." My trademark stamp is a peacock feather.
NONPAREILS, the name of my clothing line, comes from French, and means "one of a kind, unique, without parallel." Since it also is used in English for sprinkle-covered chocolates, and children love colorful sprinkles, it fit with both aspects of my designs --- uniqueness and fun!
What inspires you to create your work?
The initial inspiration comes from my love of International Folk Dance and costumes. My favorite spot in the fabric store is the embroidered trim section. I love the intricate designs found in ethnic clothing. The Duquesne University Tamburitzans' folkwear is incredible and I have spent much time examining and duplicating these works of art. Our family also owns many books of costumes from around the world, which I love to browse through...it is so inspiring! I thought that little girls' clothes based on international designs would be so cute. When one of my little sisters spotted a pettiskirt in a catalog, she fell in love with it! Since all little girls love to twirl, and since we do a lot of folk dancing in our home, I decided to sew one for her birthday. It was a hit! I got excited about making other pettiskirts to sell, and proceeded to add embellishments, such as fancy stitching or trim.
Where/How did you learn your craft?
I have never taken sewing classes, but my mother did give me the fundamentals and was always there to answer any questions. The designer of the Tamburitzans' costumes has also been helpful in giving me many tips via email.
Is there something that you do differently than other people in your craft?
I design and make my own patterns after studying the international costumes, so the clothing is truly "one of a kind!" I also try to set apart the pettiskirts with highlights of trim.
Describe your creative process. What inspires you?
I browse through books of collectors' dolls from around the world and purchase many of these dolls, study the traditional folkwear of many countries, view movies of international folk dance (Tamburitzans and others), and visit the trim section of the fabric store. I also ask one of my little sisters what kinds of things she thinks would be fun to wear. Trim also provides the inspiration for new accents on the pettiskirts and cotton skirts that I create.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you've started?
In the fall of 2010 we attended a Tamburitza Extravaganza in St. Louis where one of the workshops featured a vast array of ancient folkwear from Croatia, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Macedonia. The thrill of walking into the room whose perimeters displayed beautiful, intricate costumes, some hundreds of years old is unforgetable!
Do you take custom orders? If so, how do they work?
I do, but since each creation is unique, I cannot always duplicate the original. People I have met have asked me to do this, and it works best if they are local.
Besides crafting, what else do you do? What are your other interests?
Is there life beyond crafting? Seriously, I love music, and play piano, clarinet, and violin. Reading, writing, history, and fine arts represent some of my other interests. I also love hiking, visiting new places, playing games with my family, and trying new recipes.
Why do you do what you do?
God has given me many talents and I feel that He wants me to use them to benefit my family. It is also satisfying to share my designs with others.
How do you make time to craft?
I have graduated from homeschool highschool and my parents have encouraged me to pursue this endeavor which I so love.
What advice would you give someone new to online selling?
I am just learning myself, but I think being very productive and getting up lots of items with photos is a good tactic. Make sure your work is of high quality and guarantee your buyer's satisfaction. Maintain good communication with your buyer and be sure to send his or her purchase out as quickly as possible.
Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
I love the fact that I can work on my dresses and still participate in the life of our large family. While they do science, history, and vocabulary, for instance, I can be in the same room with them and participate in the learning and the discussions. I can stop to look at a sibling's artwork, help my little sister get dressed, start a meal, or practice hymns on the piano. The variety of company, music playing, and fun happenings would not be accessible to me if I were cooped up somewhere in an office, far from home!
Aren't those International outfits just adorable! What little girl wouldn't love to dress up in one of those. They'd make such special birthday gifts for some little princess and so would those cute fluffy pettiskirts! :) Next time you need a special gift for a special little girl, don't forget to stop by Plume de Nikola and see what beautiful, one-of-a-kind treasure she has for you!
Not only is Nikola a talented seamstress and designer, her original drawings also make beautiful stamps that are perfect for creating all kinds of paper crafts! Check out her whole line of stamps here.
Speaking of pettiskirts and rubber stamps, I have not one but two giveaways for you! Nikola has generously offered to give away two of her creations.
Giveaway #1 is for an adorable 12-18 month red pettiskirt.
Giveaway #2 is for a beautifully drawn horse stamp.
Enter to win one or both of the prizes by completing the entries on the Rafflecopter forms below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
72 comments:
i really like the sugar plum pettiskirt
lauren51990 at aol dot com
from nonpareils, i like the Wild Dog Rubber Stamp, Wood Mounted
lauren51990 at aol dot com
I adore the Valentines Day Pink and Ivory Prima Ballerina Pettiskirt!
I love the columbia dress from plum de nikola!
jennifer.lleras@gmail.com
my favorite item is the wild dog stamp
jennifer.lleras@gmail.com
My favorite item is the kitten rubber stamp (:
This One!!!!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90020330/pretty-pink-valentines-party-frock-girls
Deluxe PInk Cupcake Valentines Party Pettiskirt
Love the dragon fly stamp
I love the Pansy Puff Skirt Girls Size 5, with matching doll skirt!
Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make Loopy Bows
learnquilling@gmail.com
I love the Oriental Owl Outfit - Owl Top with brown pants, girls size 6!
Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make Loopy Bows
learnquilling@gmail.com
I love the Pink Cupcake Valentines Day PETTISKIRT, Size 1
I like the Oriental Owl Outfit. Thank you
candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com
I like the Valentines Pink Pom Pom Cupcake Dress
I also like the Rmanian Rhapsody outfit from Nonpareils.
I absolutely love the little pettiskirts!! My little cousin would look so adorable in one of them.
Blue and white Panama skirt- girls size 6
Visited PlumedeNikola and like the Pom Pom Cupcake dress.
shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
My favorite item at Nonpareil Designs is actually the horse stamp. My 9 year old daughter is in love with horses. I also like the dragonfly stamp.
shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
I love the Red and White Valentine Pettiskirt!!!! Its sooooo cute!
I would love to have the Peacock feather Rubber Stamp!
The Baby Buttercup Dress and Bloomers is soooo adorable! I love it!
The Romanian Rhapsody outfit is beautiful!
The pink valentines petticote is so sweet.
my daughter would love the horse stamp!
I LOVE her outfits, SO pretty!! We are a homeschooling family too. You remind me of my oldest daughter. She is 14 and teaching herself to sew. I don't sew very well, but I have given her the basics and help as I can. She has strated making really nice things, all on her own.
I wish you well!
I love the Deluxe PInk Cupcake Valentines Party Pettiskirt! So cute!
fave: Sugar Plum Pettiskirt, Orchid Purple and Berry
xoxoxo
other entry fave: ROMANIAN RHAPSODY OUTFIT - Girls size 7 skirt and blouse
xoxoxo
I LOVE the pretty pink valentine dress!
I love this: Oriental Owl Outfit - Owl Top with brown pants
I love the celtic bracelet and the bright blossom skirt!
I love the peacock feather stamp
I love the Blue and white Panama skirt!
I like the Pink Cupcake Valentines Day PETTISKIRT
I adore the Swedish Sundress with cross stitching Size12 to18 months!
Love the Sugar Plum Pettiskirt
I like the Swedish Sundress! wrestlermom2 at yahoo dot com
I'd love to have the Baby Buttercup Sundress and Bloomer Panties Size12 months
I love the Oriental Owl Outfit - Owl Top with brown pants, girls size 6
i would love the baby buttercup sundress sooooo cute!
crazyweirdo33@yahoo.com
Love the scribble dot swaddler.
I love the pink cupcake dress.
I love Blue and white Panama skirt- girls size 6.
Definitely the Pink Cupcake Pettiskirt!
I love the pink valentine dress.
Tutti fruition ruffle skirt
Hannahsong1@yahoo.com
Seminole Style Ruffled Owl Twirl Skirt Girls'
I love the Swedish Sundress
marika200@hotmail.com
I like the Swedish crosstitch dress
marika200@hotmail.com
I commented on Reasonable Ribbon Coupon Code
Mary Dailey
marika200@hotmail.com
The Valentines Prima Ballarina Pettiskirt is gorgeous!
Pansy puff skirt
Love these butterfly cards:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/NonpareilsDesigns/4282012/Set_of_six_5x7_blank_greeting_photo_cards_BUTTERFLIES/Cards/Photo
I would love the picnic peasant skirt for my granddaughter
hrddiana556@gmail.com
I would love to have the Baby Buttercup Sundress and Bloomer Panties...so cute!
I really like the Butterfly Rubber Stamp, wood mounted
ohmy gosh is this cute! Baby Bunting Americana Sundress Size 12 months
stacy h
I loved the Picnic peasant skirt!
jaragabrielle1018@gmail.com
I would love to give my friend's daughter one of these pettiskirts they are adorable!
lovemuffin_em@hotmail.com
I love the wild dog rubber stamp.
Emily Dorigo
I love the Swedish Sundress with cross stitching Size12 to18 months!
So cute!
Connie Gruning
CGruning at aol(dot)com
My favorite has to be the firefly stamp!
I like the Seminole Style Ruffled Owl Twirl Skirt
fastkat at gmail dot com
I like the bear cub rubber stamp.
fastkat at gmail dot com
I love the Pink Cupcake Pettiskirt.
anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com
I like the Butterfly Rubberstamp.
anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com
I would like to have Saint Patrick's Irish Celtic Bracelet, Adult's size
Jadavis42@students.tntech.edu
I think the coral reef sundress is simply precious.
Allibird1 at aol dot com
The bear cub stamp is my favorite.
love the coral sundress!
I like the romanian girls outfit
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