You know what never ceases to amaze me? The small business brands that come alive in and around New Haven. I think the area attracts the best and brightest of Connecticut to come and share their passion. It's pretty fantastic.

The Haven Collective hosted a 3 hour event to welcome just such a brand, Cinder + Salt. Owner / designer Rachel DeCavage creates low impact printed t-shirts, ties and totes with unique graphics and slogans. I was drawn to a tote that had Makin' Moves emblazoned on it in hot pink lettering. I couldn't resist!



Cinder + Salt with Vintanthromodern Vintage create a unique marriage in The Haven Collective. The main focus has been put back on vintage clothing. But Cinder + Salt sprinkle in modern appeal with color and vibrancy. It also lends more men's oriented products to The Haven Collective's inventory. These skinny ties for example are ridiculously cool. Look at the spaceman! Love!




So if you happen to be in the New Haven area or are  looking for some new duds, hit up The Haven Collective! You're bound to find something with such diverse pickings in a trendy boutique setting.

Have you ever just met someone and instantly liked them? Marissa Balletti-Lavoie was that person for me. I met her about a year ago at an event and her personality really made an impression. Her business name, Sassy Mouth Photography was THE most fitting name I've seen in a long time.

So naturally when she contacted me and asked if she could borrow some of my Jillian Lyons Designs angel wings for a Victoria Secret style budoir session, I had to say yes! In return, she gave me my own photo session! I had been wanting to take some promtional and person shots. Marissa's plan, that we had to make me up like the kitty in my JLD logo. She had a little tiara, I snagged some items from my various collections. I literally practiced being a cat in the mirror for a few days.

My boyfriend and partner in Valley Vintage, Matt was game to do some shots together. I always think Matt is the most fun to take pictures of. He makes good faces, and he's a funny guy. I love to point my camera in his direction. I couldn't wait to see what she would do. The result? She made some magic. Here's a little sampling of a few of my favorites.










I also used my awesome powers of graphic design to make this flyer for our upcoming two week long pop up shop! I totally love it. This picture... priceless! I knew I needed some shots to promote with but this was just too good! I giggle every time I look at this flyer. I keep telling Matt he's famous. ;)

As promised a Part 2 of our favorite moments from New York Comic Con. We saw so many awesome costumes I was literally falling all over myself to get some of these shots. All the images below were taken by me on a little point and shoot Nikon.

Well it's been eons since I have posted anything here. But with a New Year comes new goals for myself and for Jillian Lyons Designs. So with 2014 my hope is to be in more shops across the state of Connecticut and maybe even break out into other states. I also want to start doing one in person event a month. I am kicking that off in mere days with LOVE Haven 2014.

This stellar event is brought to you by Haven events. A collaborative group of ladies that includes Melissa Gonzales (Vintanthromodern Vintage, Gathered + Sown) Meg Kazukynas (23rd/1st) Kate Stephen (Kate Stephen Jewelry) Jemma Williams (Jemmanimals) and Sarah Scribe Bratchell (Bella Rev. Jewelry). I hope I didn't miss anyone! But these ladies bring forth an event like no other. Totally hip and taking place in the artful graffiti housed Trolley Square in New Haven. This show will bring you indie vendors, a DiY Craft Table, a fine art exhibit as well local DJ's, rappers, bands and spoken word poets.

Please be sure to stop by and say hello! Besides, after all this snow, you'll be glad you got out of the house!

I met Petra Szilagyi one afternoon inside of the English Building Market in a work related meeting. At the time we both were assisting Melissa Gonzales of Vintanthromodern Vintage. Petra was knee deep in vintage clothing and  accessories while designing a 1920's window display. I instantly liked her when she cheered upon hearing about the drag queen patrons who were buying up some of Vintanthromodern's wares. 

My business and my blog has been associated with RAW Artists for about a year now. Last September I participated in my first RAW show. The director at the time was really enthusiastic and dedicated to what she did and it reflected in the show. As I am seeing in my current research, she kind of went above and beyond her call of duty for RAW. My experience was very positive and it was what kept me coming back and going to events.

These events are typically pay to play. Something that really never bothered me. As a crafter or artisan, I generally pay a fee to do most events I take part in. They can run anywhere from $15 to $400 depending on the length of time it runs and how established it is. And there is never a guarantee that your particular medium or set up will draw a crowd or make you any money.

So when RAW initially told me it would cost $200 for the event, I didn't think much of it, except can I come up with that. When I was informed that I could reduce my cost by selling tickets at $10 each and that money would directly reflect in my fee cost, I thought, ok. Not too bad. I have never done an event that says we'll help you bring the cost down. I will be completely upfront here, I don't make a lot of money. I live paycheck to paycheck and am very much so a "starving artist" by choice. So the less I have to put in, the better. The previous director even went as far as to give me an extention to pay off my fee when I couldn't come up with it all in time. Something that is apparently not so typical from what I have been reading from other artist experiences in and out of Connecticut.

However, things have changed since that show and my RAWard nomination. The previous director resigned. A new one stepped in and the look and feel of the Connecticut shows changed to reflect this new presence. Something I felt was a positive change. Other changes taking place I had mixed emotions about. The $200 fee went up to a $300 fee. Tickets were now $15 or $20 at the door. A big difference to someone like me! I struggled with $200, $300 was a little scary. I still committed to the show based on my previous track record with them. This time around I spared no expense promoting. I made fliers, I posted Facebook ads, paid for a 30 second video advertisement and fellow tweeters to tweet the event as well! I bought supplies, I designed, I hired a make up artist, I booked 5 models. I wrote 2 different press releases - one already sent out to some of my local contacts and a few national ones that were niche for me such as Cancer Today. In June I started making a plan to make this event the centerpiece of my Fall line of Halloween themed pieces and costume accessories. My runway was going to be Halloweeny epic! I did a photo shoot in July to help me promote all of this. I was putting out a lot of dollars and time, but it was a labor of love and I wanted people to walk away saying WOW what a show!

To my surprise, I suddenly receive an email from the regional director of RAW. In a nutshell it says that the current director has made the decision to leave RAW CT. That the organization was shutting down RAW CT until further notice. That IF they start up again it will be in January or February.  My response... what the fuck?

Like I am sure many artists did, I had a billion questions. Mainly why does one person leaving mean the shut down for the rest of the year. Frankly speaking, I work two day jobs. One as an internet sales consultant for 2 car dealerships. I have worked for them for 3 years. The second as an assistant, press contact and Etsy shop manager for a small mobile start up business. And rule one for most business, the show must go on! I have seen people quit on the spot, I have seen managers leave in the middle of a busy day for personal emergencies. These things happen. But you don't just say oh, too bad. We better close for 3 months. You take the next person in line and say ok, this is now your job until we find a suitable replacement and you KEEP GOING. I started to see some of the reactions of other artists and people affiliated with RAW. I saw postings and personal messages like the venue has pulled out of the shows as well and RAW may not come back to Connecticut at all, I started wondering what was up.

While RAW Artists is a national organization and not an LLC, it should have the same need for sustainability and ethics as any other business. Someone in the chain of command is clearly making a profit. Your reputation is a key part of those profits. I think to just up and say no we can't do this is a complete cop out. And BAD BUSINESS. I noticed today when I went to reference some of the posts about this in the RAW Connecticut Facebook group that anything telling more then it should or close to a negative response had been removed.

New Haven has a very active art community and scene. People talk. Word on the street is that a lot of New Haven feels like RAW is nothing more then a creative Ponzi Scheme. I have been receiving private messages all day from fellow artisans saying they felt something was horribly wrong, or participated in a show and felt ripped off or exploited.

So I asked the great and powerful Google what it knew. It told me RAW Artists lost it's not for profit status last year. Not that they decided to start taking a profit of it's own accord, but that it's not for profit title was revoked.This was emailed to me a s a new direction. Leaves me wonder which is spin and which is what really happened. I was eager to be a part of this group that was by artists for artists. They touted that yeah, you spend this money, but we are giving back to the artists. And I did receive a very nice press kit and photos. I did make great connections. Well now it's just nothing more then a pay to play for a 4 hour event. This was something I believed in. Maybe I am being a Negative Nancy or a complainer. but I am mad. I can't recoup what I already put in. The remedy after I sent this complaint to the Regional Director was that they would give me an out of state show to compensate... but I'd still need to pay.  SO, I can pay out the same amount to have a harder time selling tickets, spend even MORE money for new fliers, press releases and add in travel for myself and 6 - 8 other people and just take the loss> NO THANKS.

So, at this point, I am removing myself from RAW. It makes the most sense for me and my business. While I know this post may ruffle some feathers, I am sticking to my guns. No one is offering me any money back. Or even any apologies at this matter. If they had maintained the non-profit thing, I probably would just suck it up for a good cause. But that is not the case. I still maintain that I met amazing people and had an initally positive experience, but this really fucked me and I didn't even get dinner first. My voice is my own and I have to do what's best for my own business, image and sustainability. This treatment after being so devoted is kind of... bullshit.

from LA Weekly - Controversial Promoters RAW Put Bands in Front of Audience - For a FEE
Why I Disagree With RAW
Connecticut RAW Artist Retaliates

<3

The Blackthorn Workshop by leather designer Paul Drennan

The Blackthorn Workshop

Budambe Designs by flame worker Andrew Budlong

Budambe Designs

Gypsy Soul Productions by accessory designer Chandra Lynn

Gypsy Soul Productions

Ok I admit I am biased on my love for this one! I am a serious nerd for the Dark Side. The Goblin Workshop by Paul Windebank

The Goblin Workshop by Paul Windebank

The Goblin Workshop

This one also rocked my socks right off! I love pin up girls and I love  sugar skulls. Classy Sassy n Crafty by Kelli Martin

Classy Sassy n Crafty by Kelli Martin

Classy Sassy n Crafty

My lovely acquaintance from Etsy.com, Ms. Jenn Corriveau of Petite Maus had a gorgeous display!

Petite Maus by Jenn Corriveau

If you would like to do a RAW Connecticut show please contact director Jess Brey! Or Visit any of the RAW Connecticut links for info on upcoming shows!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brought to you by Jillian. You know her, you love her, maybe you should buy from her ;-) just sayin'. Thank you for reading!