![š²šš²šš²
Decemberās āFriday Catchupā video is now up in my stories if youād like to check it out š.
Just a little update on what Iām up to and whatās happening next with blufruit!
Have a lovely Friday, everybody!
XxCharlotte-Mary.
(Image description: A screenshot from the video with me mid sentence talking to the viewer. There is a caption next to me and green wall and green painting behind. Iām wearing my hair up in a pink knitted headband and a pink jumper).
#hello #hi #meetthemaker #friday #fridaymood #tgif #catchup #behindthescenes #bts #maker #studiolife #pinkeverything #pinkloverš #cosy #blufruit #smallbusiness #creative #selfie #supportsmallbusiness #madewithlove #handmadewithlove #december #christmas #christmasshopping #thinkbigshopsmall #shoplocal #etsy #btnetsy #etsyshop #etsysellersofinstagram]()
š²šš²šš² Decemberās āFriday Catchupā video is now up in my stories if youād like to check it out š. Just a little update on what Iām up to and whatās happening next with blufruit! Have a lovely Friday, everybody! XxCharlotte-Mary. (Image description: A screenshot from the video with me mid sentence talking to the viewer. There is a caption next to me and green wall and green painting behind. Iām wearing my hair up in a pink knitted headband and a pink jumper). #hello #hi #meetthemaker #friday #fridaymood #tgif #catchup #behindthescenes #bts #maker #studiolife #pinkeverything #pinkloverš #cosy #blufruit #smallbusiness #creative #selfie #supportsmallbusiness #madewithlove #handmadewithlove #december #christmas #christmasshopping #thinkbigshopsmall #shoplocal #etsy #btnetsy #etsyshop #etsysellersofinstagram ![Hello Wednesday šāļøšš
Feeling a little more chilled in the studio this week as I finish a couple more accessories (including this one which is currently in progress!) and complete my next plus size items to be photographed next week! š
Iām hoping to start having my Christmas break after the 19th/20th and spend some time with my family and other personal creative projects!
Plus Iām already thinking about what Iām making for Spring! And getting a little excited š
..Howās your hump day going? Xx
(Image description: Pieces of fabric turned inside out and pinned together with loads of pins because theyāre stretchy! One is patterned and the other is a delicious striped rainbow coloured fabric).
#rainbows #rainbow #rainbowcoloured #rainbowcolored #sew #sewing #pins #sewistsofinstagram #maker #studiolife #bts #behindthescenes #creative #mycreativelife #handmade #slowfashion #upcycled #upcycledfashion #recycled #recycledfashion #smallbiz #smallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall #shopsmall #shoplocal #shophandmade #shopsmallthischristmas]()
Hello Wednesday šāļøšš Feeling a little more chilled in the studio this week as I finish a couple more accessories (including this one which is currently in progress!) and complete my next plus size items to be photographed next week! š Iām hoping to start having my Christmas break after the 19th/20th and spend some time with my family and other personal creative projects! Plus Iām already thinking about what Iām making for Spring! And getting a little excited š ..Howās your hump day going? Xx (Image description: Pieces of fabric turned inside out and pinned together with loads of pins because theyāre stretchy! One is patterned and the other is a delicious striped rainbow coloured fabric). #rainbows #rainbow #rainbowcoloured #rainbowcolored #sew #sewing #pins #sewistsofinstagram #maker #studiolife #bts #behindthescenes #creative #mycreativelife #handmade #slowfashion #upcycled #upcycledfashion #recycled #recycledfashion #smallbiz #smallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall #shopsmall #shoplocal #shophandmade #shopsmallthischristmas ![Hello Monday šā»ļøš
I hope everybodyās weekend went well and you managed to have some fun!
I just thought Iād share this weekās āFeatured Itemsā on Etsy on the grid (instead of my stories) to give you a flavour of some of the pieces in the shop right now!
If thereās something you like the look of, but would prefer it a little different- just let me know and Iāll see if I can customise it for you!
Xx
(Image description: A screenshot of the featured items on the Etsy shop page. There is a purple tartan cotton gift bag, a floral bow headband, a green vintage dress and a deep blue sparkly vest top).
#etsy #btnetsy #etsyshop #etsysellersofinstagram #blueandgreen #monday #mondaymood #christmas #christmasgifts #christmasshopping #handmade #slowfashion #smallbusiness #smallbiz #handmadefashion #handmadewithlove #madewithlove #vintagestyle #vintagefashion #madeintheuk #madeinengland #mycreativebiz #mycreativelife #upcycledclothing #upcycledfashion #ecofashion #greenandblue #supportsmallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall]()
Hello Monday šā»ļøš I hope everybodyās weekend went well and you managed to have some fun! I just thought Iād share this weekās āFeatured Itemsā on Etsy on the grid (instead of my stories) to give you a flavour of some of the pieces in the shop right now! If thereās something you like the look of, but would prefer it a little different- just let me know and Iāll see if I can customise it for you! Xx (Image description: A screenshot of the featured items on the Etsy shop page. There is a purple tartan cotton gift bag, a floral bow headband, a green vintage dress and a deep blue sparkly vest top). #etsy #btnetsy #etsyshop #etsysellersofinstagram #blueandgreen #monday #mondaymood #christmas #christmasgifts #christmasshopping #handmade #slowfashion #smallbusiness #smallbiz #handmadefashion #handmadewithlove #madewithlove #vintagestyle #vintagefashion #madeintheuk #madeinengland #mycreativebiz #mycreativelife #upcycledclothing #upcycledfashion #ecofashion #greenandblue #supportsmallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall ![šā»ļøš And so, here it is.. The last day of the #shopethicalinstead challenge with the theme āBlack Fridayā of course!
This is a bit of a funny one for me, because in some ways I can see the appeal of Black Friday deals- if youāre on a small budget and need to make your money stretch on Christmas gifts, it can be helpful when something is heavily discounted.
However, when you look in to itās connotations with Thanksgiving- which is actually pretty bloody awful from the perspective of the Indigenous peoples of America- and the commercial side of this āSell, sell, sell!ā attitude, it certainly doesnāt do the planet any favours.
In the midst of an environmental crisis and a global pandemic on top of that- people are being urged to buy more STUFF made with cheap labour and no thought about its environmental consequences.
Plus, as a small business owner youāre very very pressured to take part and make more sales- but actually in fact with a lot less profit and return for your hard work. When you see something youāve put a lot of love into sell for a lot less- it can sting a little!
And for what? So you can compete with the corporates and multi national companies?
Nahh. Youāre alright.
Iāve actually had a few messages this year asking if Iām doing any offers for Black Friday- so here you go; 10% of any sales today will be donated to @greenpeace -because frankly, I care more about the impact this is having on the planet.
Thanks @shopethicalinstead itās been a good one! Iām now going to give my brain a rest! š. XxC-M.
(Image description: A banner that reads āGreen Friday. 10% donation to greenpeace.org with every purchase!ā against a blue leafy background with a tree branch in the middle).
#blackfriday #greenfriday #smallbusiness #smallbiz #mycreativebiz #handmade #handmadewithlove #ethics #ecofashion #supportsmallbusiness #slowfashion #fuckfastfashion #fashion #ecofriendly #etsy #etsyshop #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram #madeintheuk #madeinengland #thereisnoplanetb #blackfridayboycott #ethicalfashion #thinkbigshopsmall #shoplocal]()
šā»ļøš And so, here it is.. The last day of the #shopethicalinstead challenge with the theme āBlack Fridayā of course! This is a bit of a funny one for me, because in some ways I can see the appeal of Black Friday deals- if youāre on a small budget and need to make your money stretch on Christmas gifts, it can be helpful when something is heavily discounted. However, when you look in to itās connotations with Thanksgiving- which is actually pretty bloody awful from the perspective of the Indigenous peoples of America- and the commercial side of this āSell, sell, sell!ā attitude, it certainly doesnāt do the planet any favours. In the midst of an environmental crisis and a global pandemic on top of that- people are being urged to buy more STUFF made with cheap labour and no thought about its environmental consequences. Plus, as a small business owner youāre very very pressured to take part and make more sales- but actually in fact with a lot less profit and return for your hard work. When you see something youāve put a lot of love into sell for a lot less- it can sting a little! And for what? So you can compete with the corporates and multi national companies? Nahh. Youāre alright. Iāve actually had a few messages this year asking if Iām doing any offers for Black Friday- so here you go; 10% of any sales today will be donated to @greenpeace -because frankly, I care more about the impact this is having on the planet. Thanks @shopethicalinstead itās been a good one! Iām now going to give my brain a rest! š. XxC-M. (Image description: A banner that reads āGreen Friday. 10% donation to greenpeace.org with every purchase!ā against a blue leafy background with a tree branch in the middle). #blackfriday #greenfriday #smallbusiness #smallbiz #mycreativebiz #handmade #handmadewithlove #ethics #ecofashion #supportsmallbusiness #slowfashion #fuckfastfashion #fashion #ecofriendly #etsy #etsyshop #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram #madeintheuk #madeinengland #thereisnoplanetb #blackfridayboycott #ethicalfashion #thinkbigshopsmall #shoplocal ![šā»ļøš The penultimate theme for the #shopethicalinstead challenge is simply āShop Ethical Insteadā!
So here are some shots of the purple dungarees I made, that are part of the āAcid Lilacsā collection and available to buy on Etsy!
If there is any way, no matter how big or small, with whatever budget you can afford- that you are able to shop ethically this Christmas and think about the planet too when you do! Please give it a go.
Xx C-M.
(Image description: 3 photos of blufruit midi size model Hannah (a white lady) wearing purple corduroy dungarees and shoulder frills shirt underneath. She is surrounded by leaves on a stone wall behind her and on the grass under her feet. She is looking at the viewer in 2 photos and holding on to vines in 1 of them).
@shopethicalinstead
#dungarees #purple #purpledungarees #autumn #aw20 #blufruitclothing #blufruit #smallbusiness #smallbiz #supportsmallbusiness #handmade #slowfashion #madewithlove #madewell #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #madeinengland #madeintheuk #uniquefashion #purpleandgreen #upcycled #upcyclefashion #recycledfashion #recycledclothing #ethicalclothing #ethicalfashion #blackfriday #fastfashionsucks]()
šā»ļøš The penultimate theme for the #shopethicalinstead challenge is simply āShop Ethical Insteadā! So here are some shots of the purple dungarees I made, that are part of the āAcid Lilacsā collection and available to buy on Etsy! If there is any way, no matter how big or small, with whatever budget you can afford- that you are able to shop ethically this Christmas and think about the planet too when you do! Please give it a go. Xx C-M. (Image description: 3 photos of blufruit midi size model Hannah (a white lady) wearing purple corduroy dungarees and shoulder frills shirt underneath. She is surrounded by leaves on a stone wall behind her and on the grass under her feet. She is looking at the viewer in 2 photos and holding on to vines in 1 of them). @shopethicalinstead #dungarees #purple #purpledungarees #autumn #aw20 #blufruitclothing #blufruit #smallbusiness #smallbiz #supportsmallbusiness #handmade #slowfashion #madewithlove #madewell #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #madeinengland #madeintheuk #uniquefashion #purpleandgreen #upcycled #upcyclefashion #recycledfashion #recycledclothing #ethicalclothing #ethicalfashion #blackfriday #fastfashionsucks ![ššš So with todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme being āFavourite ethical findā I was trying to narrow down my favourite- be it a local ethical supermarket or low waste/refill shop, a local ethical underwear company, a couple of ethical and living wage fashion labels, a few favourite eateries! When I realised all of my favourites have been found in my favourite place to live.. Brighton!
Since living here (officially) for the last 9 years! I have found so many other small businesses that I love and even more so, found a place where many people genuinely care about each other and the environment.
Of course itās far from perfect! And there are always some things that arenāt so great about living in a city- apart from the gaudy, kitsch and tacky Britishness of it (I love that)- but I still enjoy living here anyway š.
It truly feels like home here and whenever Iāve returned from being away I always feel home- which I havenāt in any other place, even where I grew up in a London suburb.
If you arenāt from here and you get the chance to visit in the future, Iād highly recommend it! XxC-M.
(Video description: A beautiful sunny day with a strong breeze and the waves hitting the shoreline. Whatās left of the old west pier is visible in the background).
@shopethicalinstead
#brighton #brightoner #brightonbeach #sunnyday #sunshine #sunskysea #beachlife #britishbeaches #britishbeach #british #sea #waves #home #thesoundofthesea #smallbusiness #brightonbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #blue #water #seaside #sunshine #beachday #beachlover #sealovers]()
ššš So with todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme being āFavourite ethical findā I was trying to narrow down my favourite- be it a local ethical supermarket or low waste/refill shop, a local ethical underwear company, a couple of ethical and living wage fashion labels, a few favourite eateries! When I realised all of my favourites have been found in my favourite place to live.. Brighton! Since living here (officially) for the last 9 years! I have found so many other small businesses that I love and even more so, found a place where many people genuinely care about each other and the environment. Of course itās far from perfect! And there are always some things that arenāt so great about living in a city- apart from the gaudy, kitsch and tacky Britishness of it (I love that)- but I still enjoy living here anyway š. It truly feels like home here and whenever Iāve returned from being away I always feel home- which I havenāt in any other place, even where I grew up in a London suburb. If you arenāt from here and you get the chance to visit in the future, Iād highly recommend it! XxC-M. (Video description: A beautiful sunny day with a strong breeze and the waves hitting the shoreline. Whatās left of the old west pier is visible in the background). @shopethicalinstead #brighton #brightoner #brightonbeach #sunnyday #sunshine #sunskysea #beachlife #britishbeaches #britishbeach #british #sea #waves #home #thesoundofthesea #smallbusiness #brightonbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #blue #water #seaside #sunshine #beachday #beachlover #sealovers ![šššJust a reminder that all small businesses need your support right now, despite whichever algorithms, settings, or bias these online platforms may have!
Every like, comment, save, share and purchase make a huge difference- so if you can see this post, feel free to give it a like!
Iām also currently taking custom orders if thereās anything you fancy on the blufruit Etsy shop/ website š Xx Charlotte-Mary.
(Image description: Black text against a purple floral background with the words āsmall businesses like mine need your support!ā).
#supportsmallbusiness #smallbusiness #indiebiz #mycreativebiz #shopsmall #thinkbigshopsmall #indiemaker #slowfashion #handmade #supportlocal #buylocal #madewithlove #ethicalfashion #creative #mycreativelife #maker #smallbiz #smallbusinesssupport #shopsmallbusiness #shopsmallthischristmas #shoplocaluk #madeinengland #madeintheuk #handmadewithlove #etsy #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram]()
šššJust a reminder that all small businesses need your support right now, despite whichever algorithms, settings, or bias these online platforms may have! Every like, comment, save, share and purchase make a huge difference- so if you can see this post, feel free to give it a like! Iām also currently taking custom orders if thereās anything you fancy on the blufruit Etsy shop/ website š Xx Charlotte-Mary. (Image description: Black text against a purple floral background with the words āsmall businesses like mine need your support!ā). #supportsmallbusiness #smallbusiness #indiebiz #mycreativebiz #shopsmall #thinkbigshopsmall #indiemaker #slowfashion #handmade #supportlocal #buylocal #madewithlove #ethicalfashion #creative #mycreativelife #maker #smallbiz #smallbusinesssupport #shopsmallbusiness #shopsmallthischristmas #shoplocaluk #madeinengland #madeintheuk #handmadewithlove #etsy #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram ![āļøšāļø As todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme is āMake it lastā, I thought I would repost this photo of some wash labels that go into most blufruit items. I always remember the Joan Crawford quote āTreat your clothes like the good friends they are.ā when it comes to making clothes last- whether that means washing them with care, repairing them or even upcycling or customising them!
Fast fashion has made people very complacent about the amount of work (and materials, energy, etc) that has gone into their clothing- making them easily throw these items away, which is why I started re-making in the first place!
To think that people used to cherish their tailored clothing and even hand down important pieces, to the situation weāre in now where everything is disposable.
Maybe if we respected our clothes a little more, the process of making and crucially the people who make them, we can change this throw away, fast fashion culture.
And it can start as simply as washing your existing clothes a little more carefully. Theyāll thank you for it!
XxC-M.
(Image description: A pile of white hand wash labels with the words āHandmade In Englandā on them, on top of some black satin fabric).
@shopethicalinstead
#handmadewithlove #handmade #madewithlove #madewell #makeclotheslast #madetolast #slowfashion #fuckfastfashion #fastfashion #fastfashionsucks #whomadeyourclothes #ethicalfashion #upcycling #upcycledfashion #recycledfashion #madeinengland #madeintheuk #fashion #fashiondesign #shopsmall #smallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall]()
āļøšāļø As todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme is āMake it lastā, I thought I would repost this photo of some wash labels that go into most blufruit items. I always remember the Joan Crawford quote āTreat your clothes like the good friends they are.ā when it comes to making clothes last- whether that means washing them with care, repairing them or even upcycling or customising them! Fast fashion has made people very complacent about the amount of work (and materials, energy, etc) that has gone into their clothing- making them easily throw these items away, which is why I started re-making in the first place! To think that people used to cherish their tailored clothing and even hand down important pieces, to the situation weāre in now where everything is disposable. Maybe if we respected our clothes a little more, the process of making and crucially the people who make them, we can change this throw away, fast fashion culture. And it can start as simply as washing your existing clothes a little more carefully. Theyāll thank you for it! XxC-M. (Image description: A pile of white hand wash labels with the words āHandmade In Englandā on them, on top of some black satin fabric). @shopethicalinstead #handmadewithlove #handmade #madewithlove #madewell #makeclotheslast #madetolast #slowfashion #fuckfastfashion #fastfashion #fastfashionsucks #whomadeyourclothes #ethicalfashion #upcycling #upcycledfashion #recycledfashion #madeinengland #madeintheuk #fashion #fashiondesign #shopsmall #smallbusiness #thinkbigshopsmall ![āBuy less, choose wellā is todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme ššš
Which is a great mantra when buying fashion. Although I tend to make slightly over-the-top and eccentric pieces (rather than simple basics), I like to think that the buyer is choosing something that represents their own taste and style and is getting an upcycled piece that will be loved and worn many many times.
A great place to start also, if you want to inject a little colour and flare into your wardrobe- but are not sure where to start- is with accessories.
Even the smallest elements of colour and pattern can make an outfit, and the great thing about accessories is that they can be worn with so many outfits!
From upcycled scarves like this one, to shoulder bags, collars, hair bows and even face masks, I love to make low waste accessories that are as unique as their wearer and of course good for the planet too! XxC-M.
(Image description: blufruit model Keilah, a slim mixed race woman is standing side on in front of a large pampas grass and looking up. She has an upcycled purple and cranberry scarf on thatās draped over her shoulder and worn with the lilac striped wrap dress. Both are from the current āAcid Lilacsā collection on Etsy).
@shopethicalinstead
#upcycled #upcycledfashion #accessories #recycled #recycledaccessories #upcycledaccessories #purple #lilac #checkscarf #tartanscarf #slowfashion #ethicalfashion #handmade #handmadefashion #madewithlove #etsy #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram #autumn #aw20 #scarfseason #sew #sewing #sewistsofinstagram]()
āBuy less, choose wellā is todayās #shopethicalinstead challenge theme ššš Which is a great mantra when buying fashion. Although I tend to make slightly over-the-top and eccentric pieces (rather than simple basics), I like to think that the buyer is choosing something that represents their own taste and style and is getting an upcycled piece that will be loved and worn many many times. A great place to start also, if you want to inject a little colour and flare into your wardrobe- but are not sure where to start- is with accessories. Even the smallest elements of colour and pattern can make an outfit, and the great thing about accessories is that they can be worn with so many outfits! From upcycled scarves like this one, to shoulder bags, collars, hair bows and even face masks, I love to make low waste accessories that are as unique as their wearer and of course good for the planet too! XxC-M. (Image description: blufruit model Keilah, a slim mixed race woman is standing side on in front of a large pampas grass and looking up. She has an upcycled purple and cranberry scarf on thatās draped over her shoulder and worn with the lilac striped wrap dress. Both are from the current āAcid Lilacsā collection on Etsy). @shopethicalinstead #upcycled #upcycledfashion #accessories #recycled #recycledaccessories #upcycledaccessories #purple #lilac #checkscarf #tartanscarf #slowfashion #ethicalfashion #handmade #handmadefashion #madewithlove #etsy #btnetsy #etsysellersofinstagram #autumn #aw20 #scarfseason #sew #sewing #sewistsofinstagram
