Looking for a new approach to gift giving? With the holidays literally right around the corner we wanted to catch up with our craftacular friend, Erica

Domesek for a little inspiration. Her book, P.S. – I Made This… will help give the gift of style at an affordable price. We even gave one of her DIY’s a try last week. So, whether you want to jazz up your own goods or gift others, her crafty concepts add a touch of uniqueness to everyday looks.

1. What has been your favorite DIY project so far?
I have to say I don’t have a favorite project because they’re all kind of like my children. Of course I love all the ones from my book and the ones on my site, but I don’t have a favorite, there are too many.

2. How do you decide on your DIY projects? What triggers you to create/alter something?
Well, the way I live my life is “I see it, I like, I make it”. I see things all over the place whether they be from fashion magazines…they could be from the runway, they could from nature. Sometimes I’m shopping in a hardware store and I see something that is bright and shiny and think that it should be incorporated or I can make something cool of that. I truly find inspiration all over the place from in stores to the storefronts. Sometimes a store window catches my eye.

3. In both your blog and your book, there are mood boards for each project, how is this an important step when crafting?
For me this the one of the most important because besides showing people what you are making, it’s really important for me to explain “why”. Because where this comes from- it’s all about inspiration. So for example, it might be making a camel cape but, it’s not copying a camel cape, it’s seeing camel everywhere, it’s seeing capes everywhere, it’s like looking at the actual camel itself – the animal. If you look closely, these collages are not just images and pictures, they are things that have truly inspired this project. In the book, you’ll see that each project we give contains a little history, there’s copy about why you are making this and where it was inspired from. For example if it’s about cocktail rings, you see the picture of Elizabeth Taylor with her cocktail ring but you also learn something – that cocktail rings became popular in the 1920′s during the Prohibition years. I think it’s about giving people an education and a little bit of a background bringing everything full circle.

4. Why do you think it’s important for people to create items instead of purchasing them?
I think it’s okay to purchase things, I love going shopping. Who doesn’t love to shop? But, it’s like pick your purchases; invest in certain things because certain trends come and go. You don’t need to put money down on things you wear a couple [of] times. You realize ‘Hey I can make this’ and it’s less expensive, it’s fun to do by yourself or with your friends and it’s just gratifying when someone stops you and says ‘Hey I like your necklace’ and you can say

‘Thanks, P.S. I made this!‘

 

5. What advice do you have for those out there who say they’re not crafty and struggle with DIY ideas?
I totally can relate because I have so many friends who always say to me “I can’t make this” or “That’s hard“. There are a lot of people like that, but start with an easy project. Don’t attack something that’s crazy in the beginning, don’t do something that requires many tools. Secondly, do it with people, a group of friends or someone who is a little craftier. Take stuff and learn how to do it together. I started my blog from an extension of my craft club with my friends. It was real life and became an extension of my personal professional life. So if you’re not crafty, go to the site, look at a project, but make it your own. Use colors you like, the jeans you like. It’s like a cookbook in a sense, you know what sounds good to you, you know what you like, you have a taste for certain items. Follow the recipe but make it your own.

 

6. If you could collaborate DIY-style with one celebrity or designer, who would it be and why?

I can’t pick one designer because I have so many design crushes, it’s through the roof. But I don’t take fashion seriously. I am not on the street all about designers’ design highs and lows and I don’t take take things seriously. Like I love to laugh so I feel like it would be fun to do something with someone who makes me laugh. I am a huge Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig fan or Ellen Degeneres, people who are funny and fun to craft with. I could totally see blinging out a pair of sneakers with Ellen Degeneres.

7. Can you tell us three universal tools everyone should have to DIY?

Well if we’re just going to do three…A trusty pair of scissors and a glue gun, those are my two automatics. Probably a pair of pliers because pliers can serve as wire cutters and cut through chain.

8. What are some of your favorite fashion blogs/websites?

WhoWhatWear, Fashionista, Refinery29, Because I’m Addicted, Weheartit.com, Karen Walker, NotCot, John Jannuzzi [Textbook], Danny Roberts [Igor + Andre]

9. Please sum up your PS-I Made This brand in five words or less.

Well it might be more than five words: I see, I like it, I make it.

10. Lastly, what advice do you have for the aspiring fashion industry hopefuls?

Well first of all I have been working in fashion for ten years, so this really was an extension of my professional life mixed with my personal life. My advice is lay out what you don’t want to do and get passionate about things you love to do in your everyday life. Don’t look at it as a job, but get involved in the community. Volunteer and assist as many people as you can. I can’t tell you how many sets I have assisted on, how many shoots I did, how many fashion shows I’ve worked on. So many of these things were creative and cool and it just never ended; I got so much knowledge in so many different areas. Surround yourself with smart people that you look up to.  I remember going to [prop stylist] Janine Trott‘s site and seeing her stuff and just thinking ‘Wow that is somebody whose work I love’. Try to reach out to these people, be aggressive, and bold, put yourself out there for things you are passionate about. Immerse yourself.

A huge thank you to Erica Domesek for taking the time to talk to MyFDB about her crafty aspirations.

PS – We’re Having A Contest:

Are you craving more craft? Well, you’re in luck because we’re giving away three copies of Erica’s book, “P.S. – I Made This…” to our readers.

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling MyFDB about a memorable or humorous past crafting experience.

Rules:

Contest is open to US residents only and will close on November 29 at 1:00 PM (PST). A winner will be notified via email and chosen based upon his or her response. For more information on Erica Domesek, visit her official site.