Brazen Design at the National Women's Show this weekend

I'll be doing my first big show this weekend - I have a booth in the Place Des Artisans section of the National Women's Show at the Palais des Congres. From what I hear, there'll be a ton of free swag, free makeovers and runway shows.

For my part, I will have the entire Brazen Design collection along with some new pieces, and the much sought-after recycled leather fringe earrings - and if all goes well, my booth will be a custom-built-beauty-of-wood-and-bamboo to behold. I must remember to take pics to post!

So the show is 12$... but I have free tickets to give away!

Email me at info [at] brazen-design.com with the subject line "Tickets" and the first five people will receive two!

And look! I have this 2-for-1 coupon for you to download and print! So you and a ladyfriend can go for 6$ each! Woot!

Oh snap! Moi sur Clin D'oeil!

I forgot that I stumbed across this during the holidays - I got snapped at the Billie Boutique blogger's night but thought nothing of it until this came up in my google alerts.
Check it out - I'm on the Clin D'oeil Street Stylin' blog!


The entry doesn't tell you about all the made-in-Canada goodness I'm wearing so allow me:

Fringe Top by Pretty Raccoon Clothing
Simone Cardigan by Valerie Dumaine
Amour skirt by Simone's Rose
Yoga jeans by Second
Recycled leather Evelyn bag by Deborah Adams
Leather belt made in Canada for Bedo
And the bling, of course, is mine.

All Hail The Sale: STYLIST'S OWN!

I squealed like a kid in a candy store at the STYLIST'S OWN v.i.p. launch last night. The space, MW Salon on McGill in the old port, was a perfect and gorgeous backdrop to the racks of one-of-a-kind and limited edition items made by our local design talent. Delectable canapes enhanced the experience normally associated with xmas-time fights between parents at department stores over the last hot toy.

I was going to treat myself to one special piece and between the gorgeous belts, cuffs, vintage shoes, bags, coats, artwork and objects for the home I had my work cut out for me. I was secretly nursing a fantasy of me leaving the launch with a beautifully packaged designer dress made of random lengths of fabric draped about it.

I loved this gorgeous wool sweater:

And this buttery cropped leather jacket by Twenty8Twelve.


But last night my fantasy came true and I left carrying a beautiful black STYLIST'S OWN bag containing this maze-of-a-dress by Denis Gagnon, in grey. You can't see the back but there is a hood-type sheath of fabric that hangs from the shoulders revealing a triangular peek of the wearer's upper back.


Ok. Stop reading! Go to STYLIST'S OWN, starting today (Friday) and going until Sunday!

Sneak Peeks for STYLIST'S OWN

As promised, here are some sneak peeks of (a few of) the Brazen Design limited edition collection on sale this weekend at STYLIST'S OWN. All the pieces are made with recycled leather and sterling silver chain.

The September Issue: Passion for Fashion at Montreal Geek Girl Dinners this Wednesday!

The second half of Montreal Girl Geek Dinner's "September Issue" (focus on fashion) is taking place this Wednesday at 7pm at Station C.

Aleece Germano of S.W.A.P. will be joining me to talk about conscious consumerism, buying local and helpful fashion tips and faux-pas for fashion newbies. It'll be fun and we'll head to the Sparrow for drinks afterwards!

You can read more about the event here at Montreal Girl Geek Dinner's blog.

When: 7 pm on September 16th, 2009
Where: Station C, 5369 Saint-Laurent #430 [map]

RSVP using the Facebook event page here .

Street Stylin': Gorgeous Jillian

I saw my gorgeous friend Jillian for coffee at Olympico on Sunday. As usual, Jill was decked out in head-to-toe made-in-montreal digs.

Her fantastic high-waisted pencil skirt is from HomeBaked, purchased from General 54.

Her adorable lace top with billowing cap sleeves is from none other than Lustre, purchased from Lustre Boutique.



Her earrings are none other than Brazen Design - the One Off collection. Purchased from Spring Puces Pop. The ring was picked up at the St Laurent Street Fair for 5$. The Oyster shell necklace is from Hilary Thomson.



Jillian's bright cuff is from Pupina, purchased at Katrin Leblond. The bra is Marlie Dekkers, purchased at the blow-out sale I blogged about in May.

Happy St Jean Baptiste!

The Etsy blog "Storque" asked Angie (of iheartnorwegianwood and Headquarters Boutique) to write an article about Quebec artists in honour of St Jean Baptiste which was published today on Etsy.com.

I am honoured that Brazen Design was featured! Check out all the other amazing talent and remember: shop local!

I feel like a celebrity...

I am honored to say that I am the first "creatrice" to be interviewed for Creacamp.org's new "3 Questions for..." feature!


The questions are in French but my answers are in English. I can't decide if I sound like a dork or frighteningly anal retentive and boring... You tell me!

You can ready the interview here: www.creacamp.org/content/3-questions-rachel-dhawan

Puces Pop!

So. Tired. Must. Prepare. More. Things. For. Puces. Pop...

So y'all better come see me and the other 99 talented montrill designers who are bustin' our butts to provide you with hot-to-trot bleeding edge fashions and findings.

For those who've been coveting the cast spruce and pinecones, I got a fresh new batch! They're only $45, which is a crazy good deal cause they are retailing for $70!


And for those yearning for more silver-covered truffles, there's a batch of those on the way as well - if I don't fall asleep while melting chocolate.

The Deets:
Saturday My 16th - Sunday May 17th
11am - 6pm
Ukranian Federation (yo - don't show up at the St Michel Church - it's not there this time!)
Corner of Hutchison and Fairmount (map)

That's a wrap!

Brazen Design at Fresh Off The Press this weekend

Brazen Design will be launching two new pieces - the blossoming branches, pictured here - this coming weekend at Fresh Off The Press. Also, for those who haven't tasted them yet, Edible Bling (dark chocolate truffles coated in edible silver leaf) will also be available for purchase!

Fresh Off The Press brings 15 emerging Montreal designers together at Salon Snap, in the heart of the plateau on St Laurent Boulevard.
They will be offering their latest creations at discounted prices!

And don't forget that this Sunday is Mother's Day!

:: Fresh Off The Press Deets ::

The fair will take place at Salon Snap ( 2nd floor)
4064 St Laurent (map)

Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=67670239534&ref=ts


:: Participating Designers::

Amarille (www.amarille.ca)
Black Sheep Betty (www.blacksheepbetty.com)
Brazen (www.brazen-design.com)
Bread (bread.etsy.com)
Deborah Adams Design
Haramaki Love (www.haramakilove.com)
La Raffinerie (laraffinerie.wordpress.com)
Little Houses (www.littlehousesclothing.com)
Lorianne Hawdur Design
Mir Handbags (www.mir-handbags.com)
Miss Fragola (MissFragola.etsy.com)
Sheena Jewellery (sheenajewellery.etsy.com)
Shannylea (www.shannylea.com)
Urban pigeon (www.urbanpigeon.ca)

Derby Madness

Whew! I have just barely recovered from Beast of the East, the Roller Derby Tournament that was held here in Montreal this past weekend. And I was a vendor - I can't imagine how the players are feeling! I had front row seats from my vendor's table and couldn't peel my eyes away from the action - I am officially a derby fanatic. I took a ton of photos and I am posting my favourites here.



Before I go on and on about how much I love Roller Derby, I am going to reveal the mysterious Edible Bling:

Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles coated in Edible Silver Leaf!



We sold them in the bleachers at the game and they were a big hit. The next batch will be featured at Fresh Off The Press.

I also launched the Brazen Design Roller Skate Pendant, modelled here by a hot La Racaille player:



Montreal's three teams La Racaille, Les Filles du Roi and Les Contrabanditas kicked ass at the tournament, all ending up in the top four spots - La Racaille took 1st, after coming in second last year.



Though you couldn't pay me to play (spectacular spills and massive thigh bruises are a common sight in roller derby) I still want a Roller Derby name and number. Some of my favourites names were Lunchbox, and Splat Benatar. Favourite numbers were Pi, Dirty 30 and 24/7.



I am debating between Bootylicious and Heatlamp. For a number, I think I'll go with 925 cause that is the number for sterling silver. Send me your ideas!

Edible Bling

I don't have much time today as I have to begin assembling all of the pieces that will be featured this weekend at the Roller Derby (See previous post!) but I thought I'd leave you with this mysterious hint about the latest Brazen Design creation. Send me your guesses and you'll win one if you're right! I'll post winner and photos next week.

It's silver. And edible.

Can you guess what it is?

Brazen Design: Beast of The East and Fresh Off The Press

Brazen Design has been itching to launch the brand-new pieces created in the last lagging days of winter. I will be at two fairs in Montreal in the next few weeks. New pieces will be available online as of May 1st. I will post images to the blog then as well!

Brazen Design has been invited to sell its wares this coming weekend at Beast Of The East.What's that, you say? Oh, only the second annual, two-day long, double-elimination Roller Derby tournament, and the grandest Eastern Canadian Roller Derby tournament. There will be 16 teams from Canada and the United States vying for the singular title of “Beast of the East 2009”! Tickets start at $15.

:: In honour of this awesome girls-kicking-ass event, Brazen Design has created a sterling silver winged rollerskate pendant ::

:: Beast of The East Deets ::

The tournament takes place at Arena St.Louis (y'know, the one btw Bernard and St Viateur, on St Dom)
April 25th, 9am - 10:30pm
April 26th, noon - 6pm
5633 Saint-Dominique
To purchase tickets: http://ca.brownpapertickets.com/event/60352
facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=72421694481&ref=ts

For those unable to checkout the finest in roller derby and apparel, Brazen Design will be at Fresh Off The Press throughout Mother's Day weekend.
Fresh Off The Press is a designer fair featuring 15 up-and-coming Montreal designers, conveniently located in the heart of the plateau.

:: In honour of Mother's Day and Mammas everywhere, Brazen Design has created two sterling silver blossoming branch necklaces ::

:: Fresh Off The Press Deets ::

The fair will take place at Salon Snap ( 2nd floor)
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:00pm
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 5:00pm
4064 St Laurent
facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=67670239534&ref=ts

Craft Fair this weekend: Reine de Coeur!

This weekend, Feb 7 & 8, there will be at a craft fair in the Mile End. There hasn't been a craft fair at this time of year for quite a while so it's very exciting. The creator of the newly resurrected Rusty Plum Holiday Craft Fair brings us Crafty Bazaar Affair! Le Carnaval Artisanal de La Reine de Coeur!


Friend's birthday? Check out the wares of many talented Montreal creators!

Gift for your loved one? I will have a few of the new Loved Necklaces on display.

Single Lady? Celebrate your fierce self with one of the latest Brazen Design One Offs!


Here are the deets:

Crafty Bazaar Affair | Le Carnaval Artisanal de La Reine de Coeur
Saturday February 7th and Sunday Feb 8th
11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
St. Michel's Church ( corner of St.Urbain and St. Viateur)

Brazen Blowout: The Great Global Recession Sale!

When in doubt, shop local and handmade. It's good for the economy, good for the environment and good for your gift-giving/fashion reputation. You'll probably save money, too.

In that light, Brazen Design is having a blowout Global Recession Sale!

YES, The dark cloud of financial crisis gloom has a sterling silver lining!

Brazen Design will be at two Holiday Fairs in Montreal and all sterling silver pieces will be PRICED TO SELL!

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THESE LOW LOW PRICES!

Get a sterling silver Brazen Design at my special Friends&Family rate! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

In stock:

4 small branch necklace
5 medium branch necklaces
5 hanging branch necklaces
2 hanging branch earrings
3 leaf vein necklaces
1 leaf vein (medium) earrings
3 caribou antler necklace
2 tiger lily necklaces
1 crown necklace
1 brass crown necklace
1 magnolia necklace
1 lightning bolt earrings
1 large leaf cutout earrings

Brazen Design and other talented local artists will be at:

Puces Pop: Breakfast for Dinner
Saturday, December 6, 2008 11:00am - 6:00pm
St. Michel Church Hall,
Corner of St. Viateur & St. Urbain
Montreal, QC

Hot Cakes
Friday, December 12, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, December 13, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:00pm - 7:00pm
In the basement of the Saint-Enfant-Jésus Church
5035 rue St. Dominique
Montreal, QC

In times of economic despair, support local artisans while keeping your carbon footprint to a bare minimum!

Dry Clean Only : from Process to Product

I am auctioning off a one-of-a-kind leaf necklace at this event in Montreal on Saturday, November 15th. You can see the complete start-to-finish photo essay here.
Dry Clean Only is the first of a yearly event in which Moniker has juried and selected 20 established artists, organizations and small businesses, or those new comers on the brink of explosion, to bring their creations together under one roof to celebrate and highlight the creativity that is flourishing in Montreal today. This is a chance for artists to exhibit one unique item that represents their line of products or services offered that is distinctive to their venture.

This year the theme of the show is Process to Product. The purpose of this exhibit is to showcase the method through which the final products are fashioned. We aim to create a public understanding of craftsmanship and how the artist relates and interacts with their chosen medium.

The event is to take place at a newly renovated space at 550 Beaumont - Studio 505 - on Saturday the 15th of November 2008 from 5:00 – 11:00pm.

Some of the talented folks that we have invited to exhibit their products are woodworkers, bag/fashion designers, longboard creators, screen printers, photographers, painters, graphic designers, zine creators, home/beauty product designers, jewelry designers, and more.

The items displayed are one of a kind and on sale by silent auction for this one night only. The auction will end at 10:30 sharp. Cash only.

AND THE NIGHT WILL CONTINUE...

AT: Sim Bistro - 550 Beaumont (Downstairs)

BANDS:
Saint Even
M.O. (of FAMN)

$5 - Doors @ 10:30
(Free Food)

Brazen Bling at Puces Pop - Oct 4 & 5

The Puces Pop Marketplace, part of the Pop Montreal Music Festival, is taking place this coming weekend, October 4 & 5, and Brazen Design will be there with bells on. Okay, forget the bells. Accessories? Of course and always.

As it goes with most mile-end-ish craft fairs, it will take place at the St. Michel Church Hall, 105 St. Viateur West, in the basement.

Prepare to be overwhelmed and overheating.

The Brazen Design table will be featuring the 4th installment of the Brazen Design One Offs, as well as the ever popular leaf vein earrings - on SUPERSALE ($15 - in honour of Autumn and the nostalgic imagery that is leaves falling off trees.)



Brazen Design One Offs #4 began as a twinkle in my eye about a year ago and was finally manifested in a real labour of love in time for the annual Puces Pop sale. I am proud to introduce One Offs #4: "The Key to my Heart", to the world.

Inspired by the awesome-ness that is the Lee Valley Hardware Catalogue, "The Key to my Heart" uses real escutcheons (awesome word = learn it = 'ornamentation around a keyhole, handle or switch') combined with stones, charms, pearls and glass to create lovely pieces of poetic bling that you won't wanna evah take off!



Merci et j'espere vous voir ce week-end!

etsy.com

I am SO tired of hearing about Etsy but I'm starting to wonder if I should be jumping on the bandwagon.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Etsy.com is an online marketplace for all things handmade and vintage. Think of it as the hipster Ebay.

If I had a dollar for every time that someone has mentioned Etsy to me since I launched my business just over a year ago, I wouldn't need to be in business. The Montreal Gazette just did a feature, The New York Times had a huge profile about six months ago, and there are over 800 Montreal stores on Etsy alone!

They say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Though I have had an Etsy shop all along, I never invested a lot of time, money or energy in it. Just to keep people off my back (and see whether Etsy is as profitable as people say it is) I have finally revamped www.brazendesign.etsy.com.

Do you have an Etsy store? Have you shopped on Etsy .com?

Design is Yummy

My friend Elana has a great blog about design - and I am honored that she just wrote a blog entry about Brazen Design!

Read it here:
http://designisyummy.blogspot.com/2008/08/brazen-licious-bling.html

Spring Fling Fancy!

Calling all Montreal lovers of Bling 'n Bags!
(and anyone in need of a Mother's Day idea)

Saturday May 10th will see the third installment of...

The Brazen Design.
One-Of-A-Kind.
Exclusive-yet-Affordable.
One-Off's (#3)!

Brazen Design has teamed up with Mir Handbags to bring you the ultimate Mother's Day event, featuring Miriam Fortier's high quality, hand-made handbags, Brazen Design's One-Offs vol.3, and wine, all in a gorgeous Little Italy loft. Prices start at $10.

For those unfamiliar, the Brazen Design One-Off line is my line of one-of-a-kind necklaces and earrings made from vintage/found/reappropriated beads/objects/etc. One-Off #1 and #2 sold out in a matter of hours so if you missed your chance then, don't make the same mistake!

Count it down: you have 1 week. See you and yo mamma there!

Pertinent Info:
Saturday, May 10th
14h - 18h
55 Moliere Suite 203

The nearest intersection is Jean-Talon and St-Laurent... Moliere is two blocks north of Jean-Talon and the building is just east of St-Laurent. Metro De Castelnau on the blue line is a hop, skip 'n a jump away.

google map
www.mir-handbags.com
www.brazen-design.com
info@brazen-design.com