For Strange Women, A Natural Apothecary

Satin Corset solid body fragrance by For Strange Women

Welcome Friends!

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to sit down with Jill McKeever, creator of the natural apothecary line, For Strange Women and have a lovely chat about her creative process. This collection of 100% natural artisan fragrances and unique concoctions of plant extracts are coveted for many reasons.  It's makes perfect "scents" when you see a glimpse into this fascinating world of tradition infused with modern ideas. Jill clearly does her work from a very authentic place, where all aspects of her life are filled with inspiration that is unique to her as a designer. It was a pleasure speaking with her about her life and work. 

Jill McKeever

Me (Brehan Todd)-Hello Jill, it's so nice to meet you. Tell me about your background?

Jill-I am an electronic artist and analogue "craftress" in Kansas City, MO. As an artist my first language was dance, then music, and now perfumery, and although they seem as if they would be very different, these disciplines are truly interconnected. Balance, harmony, acute sensory perception, and creative alchemy will always draw me into their magic. 

I have a "professional" background in video, graphic design, screen-printing, and photography. I refuse to work for "the man" anymore though.

In order to learn the science behind the magic,  did you take chemistry or other classes to educate yourself, or were you born and alchemist?  

  No, I am a self-teacher. I experiment a lot and I go with my instincts, always. 

I began making my own concoctions about 10 years ago because I am sensitive to the harsh chemicals used in commercial cosmetics, fragrances, and soaps, and could not find truly natural products anywhere. I fell in love with herbalism, aromatherapy, and eventually the much broader realm of natural perfumery. Although I make everything from soap to lipstick for myself, I decided to focus my offerings here to the things that are most pleasing to the senses. I am a very tactile-oriented person and love exploring texture. Texture is something that can be appreciated by all of the senses, and I believe there is a comfort to be found in natural ingredients that nothing else compares to. 

Who, if anyone, is your muse? 

The moon and the kitty cats I encounter on my walks around the neighborhood.

How do you know when a scent is complete?

I usually already have the exact scent I am wanting to make in my mind before I begin making it. For this reason, sometimes it takes a really long time to create a perfume. Some have taken as long as a year to get right. 

Absinthe seems to be really popular these days in the form of novelty items. We love your absinthe lips  at Flutter. Could you describe the taste for those of us who have never tried absinthe?  

"Absinthe is a very bright, sharp taste, similar to black licorice but not as harsh or dark. It is often prepared with sugar so when it is sweetened it tastes like a really delicious candy, and almost minty." 

Where do you find inspiration and ideas for new products?

I just make anything that I wish existed (but to my knowledge does not.) I think a lot of people have great original ideas all the time, and the inspiration is not as difficult to harness as the motivation to do it.

Do you have a favorite product currently in your line? Which one and why?

My favorite product is always the new one that is next on the list to make. I have tons of ideas lined up and not enough time to make all of them, and when I am working on something new I can hardly stand it because there has been so much thought and anticipation to get to the point where I am developing it!

Your website is really awesome and fun to travel around, Did you design it yourself and what was the inspiration?  To me it feels very much like I'm entering a sort of virtual boutique, and sort of like i'm being invited into your home.

Yes, I designed it. I have made other websites in the same way, where each page is a "room" in my virtual space. I am a cancer and inviting people to my home is very satisfying to me, as well as working from home. Most of the furnishings are actual photos I took of things around my house and I just arranged them on a lovely vintage wallpaper background. My home does not have lovely vintage wallpaper, though. 

What films, music and fine art do you find inspiring these days? 

I have been listening to Broken Bells a lot lately... I love music that has texture and organic sounds layered throughout a well developed soundscape. I used to do a lot of audio design and music production so I really have an appreciation for well produced albums, which there are not much of anymore! Everything is done so fast and cheap, and so much has been lost in the digital landscape.

I love documentaries, and am going to True/False fest with my boyfriend next week-ish. We are also working on a documentary that will be out next year. My favorite painters of the moment are Colette Calascione and Swanbones. 

Thank you so much to Jill for granting us this interview. Stop in a see, and smell these amazing products at Flutter, or visit our online shop to order. 

Introducing...Handcrafted Jewelry by Opulent Oddities at Flutter



Unfurl Necklace by Opulent Oddities

  Valentine's Day is almost here and we can hardly wait! The store is beautifully decorated and and full of gifts as always. We are so excited to announce the newest line of jewelry that has arrived at Flutter. I've had my eye on this designer for a couple of years and her talent is amazing. Opulent Oddities, is an exclusive line of artisan jewelry. Each piece is one of a kind, and is hand made from vintage and found materials.  The designer has a special eye for whimsical charms and brooches and combines them in such a way that looks like they were always meant to be together.  We have several designs available in the shop and in our online boutique as well. 

This happens to be my favorite. I'm loving these shades of blue this season and the mixed metals. Here is a peek at some of the line. 

In Bloom by Opulent Oddities



Blue Birdie Bracelet



The Lepidopterist Necklace

Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Sweetheart

Valentines : A Collection of Valentine's Day Ephemera by Steven Heller and Jim Heimann

It is hard to believe another Valentine's Day is approaching us!  Since it's one of my most favorite, if not favorite holidays, I'm counting down the final moments until the 14th. After being closed for a few days, the shop is back open with all sorts of new clothing, and vintage curiosities, jewelry and apothecary items. We are so inspired and excited for Spring! This year, for Valentine's Day, we have a lovely selection of gifts for your sweetheart and everyone you love (which includes yourself, of course).

We are thrilled to have many new, handmade jewelry pieces from all of our talented designers, including Paper Treasure, Seaworthy and one of our newest designers, Opulent Oddities. When Kalaisha told me Opulent Oddities was coming to Flutter, I could not wait to see what amazing creations she and Cindy chose. I am so inspired by this line of unique, handmade, vintage inspired jewelry. The designer has such an amazing eye for unique pieces and a way of combining them that is brilliant. Here is one of my personal favorite, one of a kind designs, by Opulent Oddities, now available in the shop and online.

How My Heart Flutters by Opulent Oddities

The Spring line of handcrafted jewelry by Paper Treasure, is my favorite yet, by designer, Jess McCloskey. The same classic designs are represented, with a soft color palette and a bit more "bling". We just so happen to have some wonderful new selections from the line, in the shop and on our web boutique. This designer has such a delicate way of creating very precious pieces, with a uniquely modern interpretation. I can't think of a girl in the world who doesn't love heart shaped lockets. The idea is updated as pair of oh so pretty, locket earrings. Here are a few of my favorite selections,  by Paper Treasure for Flutter, especially for Valentine's Day.

Sweetheart Locket Earrings by Paper Treasure

The Meteor by Paper Treasure

The Silvia by Paper Treasure

We are over the moon about all of the new fragrances and candles in our apothecary. I'm especially drawn to these new ceramic cased Voluspa candles in such unique scents!  I cannot even begin to describe how truly delicious these candles smell, so I won't even attempt. Stop by Flutter, and smell many new products from this amazing line. As always, but especially for Spring, we are brimming with beautiful treasures and there is always something for everyone and more at Flutter!

Voluspa Macaron Ceramic Candle 

Pink Glass Bead & Vintage key Necklace by Seaworthy

Heart Shaped Hot Water Bottle

Shave Set 4pc.

Classic Romantic Novels never go out of style-Great Expectations

Store Wide Sale at Flutter Until Sunday

To make room for all of the new furniture, clothing and other Spring additions arriving in February at  Flutter, we are  having a store-wide sale! This week until the end of this coming Sunday, January 23rd, everything in the store is 20% off! This includes furniture, such as this lovely red velvet lounging sofa and hand painted side table. If you have had your eye on something, now is the time? There are still a few great pieces of furniture and pretty home decor left in the shop, as well as clothing and accessories, so come in and get them before they vanish into other happy homes. 

All of the clothing and jewelry are included in the sale as well. I have been coveting this purple dancing dress for a while now, I think it belongs in my costume collection...

Frocks galore on sale!

I would love to curl up in this velvety chair and read all of the amazing books at Flutter one of these rainy afternoons, with King in my lap. I wonder if that's allowed?

                             

Hurry in before everything flutter's out off the shelves!

{All photographs in this article by David Paglia Photography}

Everything is Coming Up Rainbows for Spring 2011

While the weather outside is getting colder, here in the Pacific Northwest, the ladies of Flutter are hunting and gathering all kinds of amazing vintage clothing and treasures for the Spring season! The new collection will be archived and in the shop by early February. Stay tuned for more info for our blog readers, you heard it here first! To make room for all of the Spring goodies, everything in the shop is 20% off, including all books, toys, vintage clothing, and jewelry by Paper Treasure, SeaWorthy, Urchin and Brehan Todd.

Meanwhile, Iv'e been preparing for my own jewelry collection for Spring, adding bright beads and shells to my inventory, watching films, looking at a lot of images, compiling my inspiration. Now that Spring is solidified, I'm on to Fall 2011, which I'm so excited about!

I would love to share some of my favorite looks from the runway, that I found inspiring this season. Many of the looks seem as though they could have been styled by Flutter! There was an explosion of color and feminine silhouettes on the runway from so many designers. The fabrications were combined in interesting mixes of florals and geometrics. The perfect pants and the long flowy dress seem to be the staples the to have for the season. Here is a look at some ready to wear designs that channel the 60's again, with an extra burst of color, this time around.

Anna Sui Crochet Rainbow and Denim

D & G combined classic, casual sexy with a twist of cuteness, mixing florals, gingham and stripes.

Marc Jacobs was all glam feathers, sparkle, dramatic makeup and bold jewel tones.

One of my favorite designers of all time, Alberta Ferretti makes chiffon look like it's infused with clouds.

Anna Sui, who often references the 1960's fashion styles has a creative interpretation this season.

Come in to Flutter and let one of the stylists help you put your runway look together from our amazing selection of vintage and handmade clothing and accessories.

See you soon!

Honey Kennedy is Like...

...Homemade Honey For the Soul

Happy New Year everyone! I'm back as a guest blogger for those who are new to the Flutter blog or haven't checked in recently. My name is Brehan Todd, I'm a designer and blogger in Portland, guest writing for Flutter. I'm so excited to continue sharing new ideas and inspiration this year.

When you hear the name Honey Kennedy many things could come to mind. A new band from Alberta? An exotic spa experience? A secret vacation island? It is a one stop resource for all of these things and more. Our good friend Jen McCabe has long been inspiring us with her amazing artistic sensibility and blogging skills for years. Most recently she has been focusing on her own blog, which is sweetly named after her Grandmother, who's memory of her growing up is a constant inspiration for the lovely McCabe.

Jen inspires us with her immaculate eye for all things amazing and unique. If I had to categorize the style represented by Honey Kennedy, which is quite difficult to do in a few words, a flood of descriptions come to mind immediately. Words like neo-preppy androgenic , European tweed, modern silhouettes, romantic forest moods, and impeccable taste. Whatever Jen is selecting from thousands of sources in art, architecture, music, fashion, film, decorating, jewelry, and even soap, she has a rare sense for things that are special.

When it comes to any topic Honey Kennedy hits it on the nail time and time again. We at Flutter and I personally would love to thank Jen McCabe and her vivid imagination for sharing a glimpse into your world each day.

Here are a few of my favorite things, pulled from Honey Kennedy in recent months,