Special Needs Super Mom Spotlight: Designs by Tiffany

Tiffany and her son, adorable!

For me, creativity, self-expression, fashion, the arts, all of these help me enjoy life more fully, connect with others, and de-stress, especially since I parent two special needs children. For a long time, I have been wanting to start a series where I interview other creative moms of special needs children in an attempt to learn from them, create community and awareness, and bring attention to other fabulous designers doing it all.

I am so happy to present to you Tiffany Jones of Designs by Tiffany as the first designer in this series!

Designs by Tiffany offers "handmade accessories that can add the extra touch to your outfit at a low cost". She makes earrings, scarves, hats, and even blankets.


I ran into Tiffany's shop while searching etsy.com for some cool BIG earrings. I don't normally wear BIG earrings but felt that with my hair straight and pulled back, it would add a certain pop to my outfit. Voila, I found these on Tiffany's website. They are large, silver fabric tear drop earrings.

Silver tear drop earrings, $12.00

 I love them! They are so much fun and really jazz up an outfit.

Then I discovered she was a mom to a special needs child and wanted to find out more:

I know you say in your profile that you started crafting to relax after your son's diagnosis but did you craft before?

I learned how to craft in the April before my son got sick. I learned from my sister in law when my father in law had a major stroke and passed. When my son got sick I started learning more and doing more projects because I noticed it helped me relax.

Specifically, what kind of crafting do you do and what materials do you use?

I crochet scarves, hats, earrings and blankets. I also make earrings from fabric and ribbons.

Large, unique DREAM earrings, $12.00

Large plaid fabric earrings, $12.00

What is your schedule like? How and when do you find the time to work? Do you craft full time or do you have another job?

I teach second grade language arts in Houston TX. During the school year, I'm up at 5:30 am but I get home around 3:00pm so I take a few hours to myself before I get my son from daycare. During that time I also look up projects or try a new project. I tend to work on more projects during the summer, winter, and spring breaks since I don't have to teach. I craft part-time but if I had more business I would love to do it more.

Blue crochet ruffle scarf, $20.00 

Besides crafting, what else do you do to relax or unwind?

Beside crafting I enjoy shoe shopping. I'm very petite and a lot if times it's easier to find shoes than clothes.

What is your son's diagnosis and how does it affect him?

My son has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. With his condition it causes his joints to swell which cause pain and fevers. The type that he has can also cause his liver and spleen to swell as well and we had an issue with that this summer. When he has a flare up it hurts for him to walk and he tends to have high fevers. If left untreated it can cause permanent joint damage and disabilities. We have to make frequent visits to Texas Children for IV medicines and test when he has a flare up. When he doesn't have a flare up he is like a normal three year old.

What tip(s) would you give moms caring for special needs children

Advice I would give is to always take some time for yourself to unwind. Sometimes the hard part is finding what helps you unwind.

Kids/adult owl hat, $22.00

Where can we connect with you besides your shop? 


Facebook fan page: designsbytiffanyj

Twitter: @misstiff02

Thank you Tiffany!

Sweatshirt Reconstruction #2: Color block

So serious, but I'm really giggling inside, lol

Hello all! So here's another sweatshirt reconstruction. Could it be it's a little out there because I made it during the Star Wars marathon Thanksgiving weekend?

It didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to but it sure is interesting.

For this reconstruction, I used two x-large sweatshirts (a grey and a black) and made it from a pattern I drafted myself. I definitely wanted it to be a color block and wanted a corset-type feel but the neckline came out too low causing the grey upper panels to flop on my shoulders. That's when I decided to add the crew neck to hold them in place and now it looks a little warrior princess.

It's actually growing on me, I love the hi-lo hem and the grey-colored back. I might wear it somewhere. I just don't know where yet.

What do you think?

Deep Pressure Vests: The New Fashion Trend?

Is it me or do these fashion photos scream DEEP PRESSURE VEST! Do these models have sensory issues? My worlds collided as I looked through the fashion magazines I had bought this month. I like when that happens.

December/January 2013 issue of Harpers Bazaar, p. 289

December 2012 issue of Marie Claire, p. 185

These two tops are both by Balenciaga. The first is a leather top and costs $2,150. The second is a cheaper version, a navy top for $1,535.  I guess with the way the world is going, we could all use a little pressure, good pressure, that is, to keep us together! But not for this much money!

Anyway, "deep pressure vest" is all that has been on my brain lately so I am sure that I am the only one that read "sensory needs" when I saw these photos. My little Dan has deep sensory issues which come with his autism. For some children with autism, feeling where their bodies are in their physical space, is difficult. Thus, a weighted or deep pressure vest helps kids like Dan feel grounded.

In particular, deep pressure vests deliver a hug sensation which helps calm hyper-active kids like mine. Studies claim that deep pressure releases naturally calming chemicals in the brain, along with endorphins which stimulate happiness. We could all use a hug, right?

Dan's ABA therapist used a deep pressure vest with him last year during her sessions and I saw that it really helped. Alas, no ABA therapists this year, and hence no sensory pressure vest unless I decide to make one. And make one I will because, like the Balenciaga tops, they are expensive, although not as expensive. 

I did find this affordable one that might work if I decide not to go the DIY route:

Available at www.sensorygoods.com. Not so bad at $39.99-$69.99

 



Available at www.squeezewear.com for  £245 (around US$380)

This one is super high tech with a zip and velcro fastenings and has air pockets. There is also an attached hand pump that allows the wearer to apply and regulate soothing pressure by pumping or releasing air to deliver a hug sensation.

Available at www.lifeskills4kids.com.au for  $199.00. This looks like something I can make. A band and straps, I think that could be pretty easy.

I consulted with Dan's OT and he told me it would be a good idea to make one if I wanted to. I made him a weighted vest 2 1/2 years ago with help from his Early Intervention OT and it yielded good results. I'll show a picture of it on another post. Anyway, it got too small for him and I was going to make him a bigger one but when I consulted with his current OT, he felt that what Dan was craving more was the pressure, not the weight.
There is one home made deep pressure vest that I found on the internet by

http://somethingsewspecial.blogspot.com/

It looks very cool and possibly easy to make. She is also a mom of two kids with special needs. Check out her site, it has other great tutorials too.
Well, I 'll keep you posted on my progress. I'm not sure what Balenciaga had in mind with these tops but for a little while sensory issues and glamour went hand in hand and that's okay by me. Maybe photoshoots like these will make little girls feel comfortable and confident wearing their deep pressure vests when they need it. Especially since there are less girls on the spectrum and therefore, less role models for them. Now I need to find a nice photo of a male model wearing one for the sensory seeking boys out there! Wish me luck!

Tutorial: Underneath Sleeve Shrug, Add Sleeves to Your Summer Clothes

Necessity is definitely the mother of invention! This tutorial is based on my need to convert some of my summer pieces into fall/winter wear. It's a shrug you wear inside your clothes! More and more, I am trying not to have this dichotomy between summer and fall and have my wardrobe reflect a smooth transition rather than a break. Too philosophical?

Anyway, here's the pattern I made from a New York Times paper page. I buy the paper all the time, read it, and then  save it to cut it up for patterns. Am I the only one who does this? 

Well, here it is, it's a very simple pattern:

Cut and paste this pattern and enlarge based on your measurements

My shoulder circumference is 15 inches so with stretchy material, 14 1/2 is good, with a little seam allowance. My arm length is 21 inches but I like my sleeves long and semi ruched at the end so 27 inches worked for me. Now use your measurements to make the pattern.  

Place on fold of fabric. Use pins or weights to hold down pattern in place. These are ankle weights that I should be exercising with, lol.

This is what it looks like after cutting.

Open it up and this is what you'll have

Unite top and botom points on each side

Pin

Stitch

Now we're going to make a binding for the opening

Cut a 36 in. long and 2 1/2 in. wide strip. Add the two ends of the strip and stitch

Now fold width-wise uniting seam allowance



This is how it will look from the outside

Iron, imprinting the fold on fabric

Pin to opening of shrug, raw edge to raw edge. I always pin top, bottom, left, and right and then ease and stretch the binding to fit the opening.

I like to serge all the seams but if you do not have a serger, you can zig zag stitch or just do a regular double stitch for durability.

Now I will show you how I use my "underneath clothes" sleeve shrug.

This is a summer top I made a while ago that I absolutely love and would love to wear in the winter showing off the color block, without covering it with a sweater.

Here's my little underneath sleeve shrug

Voila! I have a nice seudo winter top

My underneath sleeve shrug is also great for winterizing strapless items


This is what it looks like without anything over it. Here, it is paired with a sleeveless/strapless jumpsuit. It's a little too bare for me but you can wear it like this too.



From the back

With a knitted vest. You have three layers going on; jumpsuit, sleeve shrug, and the vest

I like it this way the best! I love layers.

So grab your stretchy fabric and scissors. This is a super easy project that really goes a long way in "stretching" your wardrobe. If you have questions, please leave a comment or e-mail me.  

Sweatshirt Reconstruction #1: Cut Out

I am really digging cut outs lately. I did this cut out sweatshirt reconstruction a couple of weeks ago. It was inspired by a shirt I made my friend with a sliver of skin showing. I loved it so much that I decided to make myself one. I didn't make my friend's with sweatshirt material so this was quite a bit of an experiment. Sweatshirts and t-shirts are my go to fabrics for experimentation. 

I absolutely  LOVED the way it came out. It really elevates a plane sweatshirt. This one was actually an X-large. I took it all apart and re-sized it and then added the cut out before I re-attached the sleeves. I wore it twice already; once, with jeans,  to play pool, and a second time with a skirt to a parents meeting at my son's school. See how versatile it is?  

What do you think? Leave me a comment letting me know. I always appreciate feedback!

Comite Noviembre Puerto Rican Artisan Fair 2012

I had a wonderful time at the Comite Noviembre Puerto Rican Artisan Fair last Saturday. Thank you all who came out to support me and a special thanks to Luis Cordero Santoni for organizing this event year after year. Luis designed the image of Pedro Albizu Campos that I print on my designs. You can find more of his great designs at www.cafepress.com/galeriacemi

This year I unveiled my new Pelo Bueno t-shirt design inspired by my curly, kinky hair. It was a big hit and I sold many.

My beautiful friend Felicia helped me set up. She is also an amazing hair stylist. I don't let anyone else touch my hair, she manages to get the whole curly/straight dichotomy that is my hair life. I will blog about her and my hair soon.




Felicia, wearing my Pelo Bueno shirt.

  

I met this beautiful lady, Leeanda, and very talented artist, Luis Pagan on Saturday. They had the table next to mine. Leeanda is truly a creative soul, she makes interesting bottle cap earrings, oranments, and these amazing tostone sculptures! I was going to eat them, they look so real! We also share a love for sewing. Luis is a great abstract painter, you can see his work in the picture and you can also "like" his fan page on facebook (Artist Luis Pagan) to see more!

  



Leeandra (Little Red Cart) and Luis Pagan. I bought some of her yummy candles!

This is Nanette. Her table was also near mine. She makes wearable art inspired by Mother Earth. I enjoyed talking to her. We also share a love for sewing! Check her out at www.oldearthcreates.com.  

Nanette makes beautiful leather belts, earrings and Tainoshikis, among other great items!

Halfway through the crafts fair, there was a wonderful Bomba y Plena dance presenatation. Bomba y Plena is a traditional form of Puerto Rican music and dance, featuring the use of the drum, other percussion instruments, and an African-derived call and response vocal style. 

The next two ladies bought Nelesc Designs wear in the past and were a special treat for me. The first is Wilda Gonzalez, a wonderful artist. She came to my table to show me the Pedro Albizu Campos cuff she bought from me last year. As I was leaving, I spotted this beautiful activist woman that I met last year at an event celebrating  Puerto Rican women. Her name is Esperanza Martorell and she was wearing my Julia de Burgos shirt. I would love for part of my legacy to be that I dressed poets, artists and activists!  I am glad I am on my way!

Wilda Gonzalez is a multimedia artist and painter




Esperanza Martorell is an activist, educator, and community organizer born in Bayamon, PR



My friend Sheila (on left) helps me every year but couldn't this time because she had to work. However, she surprised me by showing up at the tail end of the event. What a great show of  love. Thank you Sheila! Nydia (on right) has always encouraged me on this creative cultural journey and came with her cousins. She also drove me home! Thank you Nydia! I am truly blessed with great friends.

Sheila, me, and Nydia

All in all, it was a great night. I always have to give a shout out to my hubby who lets me be me and happily takes care of my kids while I participate in these events. He is such a treasure in my life and I am so grateful for him.

Can't wait for next year!