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Blog By MB

Denim Drive

5/5/2016

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​Made By MB is collecting your old jeans! Too big or small, torn or worn, holey or ripped... Clean out that closet and bring your denim to have a new life in fashion!
 
BONUS: Drop off by Saturday May 14 & Receive 10% your next purchase - rock those jeans again as a new dress, top, or shorts for summer!

Drop Off Location:
Everything Education
3828 Cleveland Ave NW
​Canton, OH 44709

​Thank you!
xo MB
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Purple Purse Fashion Show:

11/10/2015

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On October 16th, Made By MB showcased the Fall 2015 Collection at the first annual Purple Purse Fashion Show, benefitting the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties.

The Collection included 15 handmade garments ranging from t-shirts and leggings to a beaded knit gown. The looks were styled with handbags and accessories from Conversations & Co, a gift boutique, located at Tallmadge Circle in Akron. The boutique is also a donation drop off location for the Battered Women's Shelter. 

​Mary Beth designs and creates each piece by hand from her home studio in Akron, Ohio. All garments are available for custom order. Please contact MB before December 1st to receive orders by Christmas:) 
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Inspiration... or Interference

8/14/2015

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As an artist, I struggle to balance finding inspiration from within and from outside sources. There is so much beauty in the world, and so so many talented designers. With so many other influences, it can be a struggle to both identify and stay true to my own aesthetic. 

For example, I'm a huge fan of Pinterest because its easy to find and save beautiful ideas.(Imagine if our mental bulletin boards had such capacity!!) I find myself wanting to recreate a jacket or dress just as it is, to capture the style and wear right away! While I'm very greatful for my natural and learned skillset to be able to make the clothing I see... it is a slippery slope to knock-off-ville. 

Identifying with someone else's work is a great compliment to their power as an artist. It can also help me define my personal style. By saving this vast catalogue of inspiration, I've determined that my aesthetic is modern, soft, clean, and feminine with moto (motorcycle), structured, and geometric influences. Knowing these characteristics helps me stay true to my style when I'm designing clothes, bags, or home decor for myself, or other people!

Most of all, I have to follow my gut. I'm most proud of my work when it portrays the mixing pot of ideas in my brain as one cohesive concept that's clean, polished, and a strong representation of my own exuberance.

Follow me on Pinterest!
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Shopping Local

8/11/2015

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They say 'put your money where your mouth is'.
I say spend your dollars like votes! 

Whenever possible, I try to support small local businesses. As a small business owner myself, I understand the impact each customer can make to help grow my business. I'd like to spend my money the same way and get products and services that help other local artist and entrepreneurs. 

This doesn't require extra spending or even a lot of research! The money I'm already spending on necessities can go towards businesses that support the community, like a local grocery or farm stand instead of a big super-market. I don't google every shop and store before I spend there... usually these unique local vendors present themselves naturally. They are the places that stand out, offering specific goods and services, or an artistic approach to a common purchases.

I had a great local shopping experience at the Akron Arts Expo. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but ended up finding a mouse pad to replace my well loved and worn one at home. The artist passion for his colorful abstract pieces was evedient in his work and his brief interaction with me. Now I can enjoy his colorful piece everyday. It is a bright and exhuberant reminder that my dollars are supporting other local artists. 

The power of local purchases:
1. Enjoying memorable experiences and personal interactions.
2. Keeping and cultivating an attractive community with diversity.
3. Recognising the efforts of hardworking business owners.
4. Finding unique products and services unavailable elsewhere!

5. Improving the community through local schools, police and fire departments!

Big business isn't bad. It's nice to buy things cheaper! I love Amazon Prime as much as the next gal;) But I feel even better
 spending money where it will trickle back into my local economy and the pockets of my neighbors. 

Thanks for reading!!
Blog by MB

For further reading, here's more statistic based information about shopping local: 
USA Today
Small Business Saturday is November 28th:
Shop Small

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    Author

    Mary Beth is a maker & artisan, a one woman studio, creating unique art and fashion for the modern, thoughtful lifestyle.
    MB believes handmade goods have the potential to connect us to our past through traditional techniques,
     to our present through our personal style, and to our future through sustainable choices.

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