About
I started making embellished handbags some years ago (about in 2001), because could not find a purse suitable to my eveningwear. After that I made a few bags as a gift to my friends, then a few more. .Ideas and materials gathered and since I didn't want to leave them uncreated I began to offer bags for sale at local boutiques.
I' ve never made any bags exactly alike, so every work is always unique and exiting.
As a former jeweller, I could not resist the idea of making jewellery out of those brocade, silk and lace scraps - bag making leftovers. Soon I was looking around to find interesting vintage materials to use them in my fabric jewellery as well. I have been collecting vintage lace, buttons, ribbons and fancy, decorated dresses about 10 years. Many of them are "hunted" from second- hand boutiques, washed, cut into pieces, sorted by color and material and preserved in tagged boxes and closets in my studio.
At textile jewelry making I started from brooch designs- one of my client wanted a couple brooches to suit her bag and jackets.
I use mostly customized ribbon embroidery and millinery techniques at the embellishments of the bags and jewellery, combined with hand embroidery and hand beading. I love to try out and mix different materials and techniques - lately I included needle felting to complement some designs.
All chokers, brooches, cuffs and necklaces I have made are also one-of- a- kind - it keeps creativity and imagination alive to start with new ideas, colors and combinations every time.
How long does it take to finish a bag?
Usually when I start with a new idea it takes 3- 5 days to complete a middle size bag, bigger bags sometimes take about a week or even more.
I prefer to dye and/or hand paint materials for decorations myself, because it is sometimes hard to find right colors for delicate nuances.
What inspires me?
I am inspired from different vintage materials and of course - colors! I love all colors. I am exited about creating different color harmonies.
It usually begins with a new idea or continuing the recent work when I´m in the right mood and feel inspired.
I often start with "playing" with piles of lace and silk- combining them to catch that " Yes! I love it! " feeling.
It is important to me that things I do are made in a playful and happy mood, feeling alive and exited every moment.
I think my designs are more instinctive than intellectual- sometimes when I begin to create a piece I even do not know how the result exactly has to look like. I have a vision of color combinations in my mind and then I just let the feeling carry me on.
Sometimes it is easy to sit and stitch until late night, sometimes a couple of days pass, without a touch to a single thread.
I get lots of ideas from historical costumes- ball gowns and accessories of past centuries, especially Victorian Era (1840-1890) and Art Nouveau (1890-1911) rich decorated dresses. Sometimes I watch movies over and over to see beautiful vintage dresses exposed there :) Flowers- especially roses in all-kind-compositions I never get tired of them. Old mansion interiors, antique costume jewellery and vintage millinery techniques are an endless source of inspiration.
regards,
Krista Raak
krista(at)kristaraak.com
Tallinn 10141
Estonia
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Credits: I am grateful to all my friends, customers and visitors who have inspired me throughout the years! I would like to say special thanks to Ene, Gerta, Triin, Felicity, Michelle, Gina, Pura, Carolina and Anne- Ly for their support and inspiration !
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Inspirational antique costume/textile links:
Antique and Vintage Clothing
www.antiquedress.com
Antique Costumes & Textiles
www.meg-andrews.com/
Antique Lace and Fashion
www.antique-lace.com
Vintage Clothing
and 18th Century Costume
www.vintagetextile.com
Vintage Purses
www.vintage-instyle.com
Antique/Vintage/Couture
www.thefrock.com
www.vintagemartini.com
Vintage clothing, accessories, patterns, fashion ephemera
from the 18th Century thru 1970's.
A Collection of Fine Antique Fashion
www.trousseau.net/
Some of my favorite period dramas:
"Dangerous Liaisons" 1988
"The Golden Bowl" 2000
"Pride and Prejudice" 1996, 2005
"Vatel" 2000
"Gone With The Wind" 1941
"Sense And Sensibility" 1996
"Marie Antoinette" 2006
"Emma"1996
"Jane Eyre" 1996 ,2006
"Vanity Fair"
"Howards End" 1992
"The Forsyte Saga" 2002
"Cousin Bette" 1998
"An Ideal Husband" 2000
"Elizabeth" 1998
"Legends of the Fall" 2000
"The Scarlet Letter" 1995
Fantasy:
"Interview with the Vampire" 1994
"Ever After- A Cinderella Story" 1998
"Bram Stoker's Dracula"
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