Crystalyn Kae Blog

 

Meet the Vendor: Crystalyn Kae Accessories - Urban Craft Uprising

Who are you and what do you do? I make hobos, totes, and cross-body bags with a unique blend of sustainable materials. The main core of my designs are made with glazed fabric – which is a coated canvas that looks and feels like leather – but is vegan and machine washable. From there …
urbancraftuprising.com

Can barely carry this stack of orders! The new cross body pouch all beautiful wrapped- will ship out today!! #veganhandbag #madeinusa #entrepreneur (at New York, New York)

One of the last most recent hurdles of moving my production process to NYC is finding vendors with specialized equipment- so that I can keep my designs consistent.  For the most part, I’ve been absolutely blown away by the quality of expert help in NYC 

 

The story of  journey of a designer who rebuilt their business in NYC to achieve the ultimate dream: showcasing at New York Fashion Week for the first time. Learn the importance of hustle, dedication, and late-night inspiration to turn your fashion dreams into reality.

No rest for the wicked/weary/entrepreneur.  Holiday deadlines are approaching and our workshop is a flurry of activity! So many snaps to set!

A behind-the-scenes look at Manufacture New York’s shared fashion studio in the Garment District, where independent designers worked side by side building their brands. These photos from the 2013 opening weekend capture the collaborative energy that helped many small fashion businesses take root in New York.

 

When I ran out of fabric while finishing a batch of handbags in my tiny NYC studio, the solution was hiding in plain sight. This is the story of how a beloved pair of curtains became purse linings—and a reminder that reclaimed materials often lead to the most meaningful designs.

 

 

Considering that my handbag workshop is also my tiny 200 sq foot East Village apartment, and my cutting 'table' is actually my kitchen floor (there's not room for a table!) - you'd understand why I'd jump at the chance to use a tiny corner of a colleagues workshop on an early Saturday monring.

I'm so grateful for the helpful folks I"m meeting along the way to help re-boot my NYC business. Monique and Catherine at Boss Studio. . you're my heros!

 

Have you ever done something out of sheer desperation that actually is kinda genius? Use your hardwood floor as a grid for marker-making. #makeitwork #madeinnyc #handbag #patternmaking (at Alphabet City)

The closest word I can think of is 'hygge,' a Danish word that encompasses the feeling of coziness, contentment, and well-being.  And that's exactly how it feels: sewing on a rainy day. It evokes a sense of comfort and relaxation, while...

tools of the trade on Flickr.

I have introduced these new styles as a way to offer low-impact accessories that are gentler on the planet and made in the USA. You can shop all my limited-edition bags here

 

  Via Seattle Magazine "There are 10 million cool things to do in Seattle this weekend (Queen Anne sidewalk sale, Ballard SeafoodFest, Sub Pop’s Jubilee, West Seattle Summer Fest), including Urban Craft Uprising, an artisan-tastic event at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall....

For the past 11 years, it’s been my Valentine tradition to make one of a kind fabric flower pin accessories. And since I’ve been in New York, I enlisted the help of some experts on the custom flower making business. … Continue reading →

 

On Sunday at Renegade, Sara (the genius behind the Chicago School of Shoemaking) stopped by my booth and introduced herself.   Elated at the concept of an actual shoe-making school, I figured she would be just the person to  ask