2010 Ducci Designs Season: Where To Find Us!

This winter and spring have proven to be B-U-S-Y! I am not complaining! It's been crazy. A good crazy! And yes, I have had moments of overwhelming angst! A bit of internalyzing, "Can I do this? Of course I can do this!". A bit of venting to my supporters, "Can I do this? Of course I can do this!" (I'd like to take this moment to thank them for listening and reaasuring me that "I can do this!" THANK YOU!! xoxo)

So why all this craziness? Well, Ducci Designs got the amazing opportunity to be part of the Local Collection! A new boutique for emerging local designers. So the season was spent building up the inventory for their grande opening on May 1st! I also got a surge of custom orders for flowered shirts, message headbands, baby gear, bridal headpieces, bridesmaids hair accessories and flat flower clips!

Some night you're on the town in Boston check out the Local Collection at Faneuil Hall Market Place in the South Market Building (diagonally across from Cheers, next to Godiva, and a few doors down from Ann Taylor, Victoria Secrets and Urban Outfitters. Yes, we're in great company! The store hours are Monday - Saturday 10-9 and Sunday 12-7.

I should also add that the Local Collection will be featured on Chronicle tonight, Wednesday, June 16th!

Now phase 2.... Gearing up for the 2010 SoWa Market season. I decided only to do 5 markets this season so I can focus on inventory for LC. BUT it was very important to me to keep up the markets as I get to keep in touch with the clients and the people that are interested in DD! I love interacting and chatting with everyone and it was important for me not to lose that. So now I am busy getting inventory ready for my first date, plus new items and displays! The dates we'll be at SoWa are Sundays 10-4: June 27, July 18, August 15, September 12 & October 17.

And as always any custom pieces are welcome! Call or email me!

Check out pics from the Local Collection private opening party and lots of Ducci Designs pieces on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ducci-Designs/197072036646?v=photos&ref=ts

Moral of the story: This IS the journey. Enjoy it, don't let it overwhelm you and when you do, let yourself and your supporters remind you "You can do this!"

The Precision & Whimsy of Flat Flowers

What goes into the making of Ducci Designs Flat Flower hair accessories & brooches?

Step 1: Finding the right color & textured vinyl. Not an easy task sometimes to find! I like to use recycled vinyls (and sometimes leather and suede) as much as possible. In fact the very first FF ever made was recycled from a silver platinum bag I had, that had seen better days, I used it so much!! But I saved it and tried something new when I had some free time and on a particular day when the creative juices were flowing..... And one year later, we now have a whole line of different types of Flat Flower accessories!

Step 2: Prepping to cut the flowers. Tools needed: Very sharp, fine point scissors (to get through the thick vinyl), scissor sharpeners (the thick material dulls the scissors fast!), a fabric pen (for drawing design), patience and good lighting!

Step 3: Cutting the flowers. I draw the pattern I want for the smallest layer on the reverse side of vinyl. I then cut out the general shape. Then, the painstaking task of perfecting it to the exact shape I want; no sharp or uneven edges! I repeat this process for each layer of the flower, each one getting a bit bigger (depending on the design it could be 3 - 5 layers). And also this is done for the felt backing.

Step 4: Sewing it together. Tools needed: sewing needle (a strong one), thread (color is important), beads (depending on the design I choose the right beading (color, shape and size). At this point I also have to decide what it's going to be: a headband (elastic or hard), a brooch and/or hair clip. Now, I won't get into the boring technicals of the actual sewing process... You just need to know that I thread the needle and hand stitch every layer and ever bead! Yes, there are nights my fingers hurt! And I should add, the technicals of sewing aren't boring to me!

Step 5: Putting it all together: Depending on what the final piece will be, depends on this... But again I won't get into the boring technical steps... But just know, I sew and glue it all together and then voila`! the DD label is in place and it's ready for the showroom floor!

What I have learned: Precision is needed to make these, no doubt. But more importantly, you have to let go and have whimsy too! A balance, if you will. I was (and still am sometimes) so crazy to get every edge perfect. But now through making so many, and having my supporters (the ones who see the process of it all) tell me that they don't see "that jagged edge" that is glaring at me.... I have learned that perfection isn't always the best, that jagged edge just adds a little homemade character! So now I have more fun with it. I have whimsy! And I am finding the best pieces come from that and then the precision needed to execute! Good lesson for life too I think!

I would like to give a big thank you to the particular people that helped me through the particular journey of this story: Stacy, my roommate and technical & creative assistant. Thank you for not seeing the jagged edges and cutting the DD labels! Alana, my best friend. Thank you for helping me cut out all the layers of the flowers, you did great! You made me see how much precision I have! And last but not least, thank you to my Mom for constantly encouraging me and telling me to "keep those creative juices flowing!" xoxo

Check out all the Flat Flowers on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ducci-Designs/197072036646?v=photos

These and other Ducci Designs one-of-a-kind creations can be found at The Local Collection

(Faneuil Hall Market Place, South Market Building #2135, Boston, MA), at SoWa Market Sundays, June 27, July 18, August 15, September 12 & October 17 and of course email or call me for orders & custom pieces.

My dear old dancing and modeling friend asked me to whip up a headpiece for one of her students dancing in a competition this weekend!

I was happy to!

This is the info I had to work with...
"The song she is doing is called "Bring on the Men" from Jekyll and Hyde. Her costume is black lace over turquoise. It's a mock turtleneck leotard with half skirt. Kind of a cancan feel to it. I would need it to be on a clip so it's secure. Her light brown hair will be in a side bun, so the headpiece will probably be worn on the side. Also a little bit of depth not to full. One request is the feathers. I know that's your signature thing."

So this is what I created! Hope it brings her a gold!
A fan of turquoise feathers, with a black feather in the center and 3 twisted wired rhinestones. Black beading, recycled from a vintage dress....

Style Me Pretty

Check out this fantastic web article & video on Style Me Pretty.... Ducci Designs provided the headpieces for this mock wedding that took place at The Loft in South Boston. It was a very interesting day with all the vendors that would be used at a "real" wedding! Much slower pace and probably more relaxed than being at a real wedding. It was a great experience to see all that goes into creating a photo/video shoot for this website!

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/01/08/from-inspiration-to-reality-ii/

Ducci Designs' Baby Gear for Your Little Prince

After so many requests for boys' onesies, they are finally here! Check out these new creations for your little prince! Custom designs are welcome so if you don't see what you like let me know and we can come up with a new design just for you!

Baby Gear!

Within one hour of hearing my dear friends had a baby girl, I got inspired to create some baby gear! I immediately started sewing pink flowers, not even knowing what they were going to adorn... After a successful summer of creating and selling adults flowered tanks and Ts, I knew I'd come up with something.... So after doing a little shopping and buying some Carter's onesies and then seeing the adorable little hats and socks... I knew I had a great grouping for a Baby Gear Ensemble! And here it is: a 3-piece set for your little angel; matching flowered onesie, hat and socks.
From making my first baby outfit, thanks to being inspired by Mia's birth, several more have been made... Red flowers and turquoise flowers have been the most popular.

Customize your own colors and sizes. Contact me for details or go to Etsy... http://www.etsy.com/shop/DucciDesigns


*Special thanks to Mia Riley for being my youngest and most precious model!*

Ducci Designs Angels - SoWa Market - End of a Season

Yesterday was the final SoWa Market for the season! And I am happy to report that we went out with a bang! It was a beautiful day. The vibe was hoppin'. The crowds were out....And so were the zombies!

Halloween costumes were required by the vendors. Zombie/bloody style costumes actually. At first I was concerned, how could I get everything done on time, find a costume that was functional, warm and creative? How could I sell to people dressed in costume (without a cocktail in my hand)?
But really? How could I sell feathers with my guts hanging out and fake blood all over my face? So.... we forewent the blood and guts and dressed Ducci Style!
And thankfully our sweet & creative costumes were received with compliments! Welcome the Ducci Designs Angels!