The Creative Process is a Wonderful Thing......

I am so excited to finally be in the production stages for my special line of altered couture clothing "Heart & Soul". Having created a sweater for myself and having such an incredible response to it in customers wanting one what else could I do but start my own line! They are sold under the "Heart & Soul by Jana Holland" label and consist of the most delicious of my antique laces, trims, and buttons. If I had to put them in a category, I would call them Bohemian Victorian. They look divine with long velvet or lacey skirts or with blue jeans. There are no two alike as each is an individual creation depending on what I have available....the problem is deciding which one you like the most. I have several customers that buy a couple as they just can't choose. I personally create and sew each one, so inventory remains low as they seem to sell as soon as they are hung on the rack. I also have a vision for altering denim skirts as shown and they look beautiful with the sweaters as well........I absolutely love the creative process and hope to be full scale within the next month offering them on my website as well.......

The Best Chandelier Lampshades Made Easy!

Want the very latest in gorgeous mini lampshades at a fraction of their designer cost? It's as easy as a pair of chandelier lampshades, a blouse from your local thrift store, and any ribbons, trims, buttons or jewelry you will to use for embellishment.....

Sound too outlandish to work....well, it's actually very simple.

Choose a blouse with long sleeves that is preferably made of a fabric that has some stretch to it. If the ends of the sleeves are frilly, then alot of your work is already done for you. Follow the simple directions below and see how beautiful it can become.

1) Cut the sleeves at a straight angle at the bottom of the armhole.

2) Slide the arm piece down over the shade with the cuff at the bottom of the shade. If there is not enough "give" to the fabric, simply turn it upside down to have more fabric to work with.

3) Glue the edge of the fabric around the bottom of the shade not allowing the fabric to turn to inside of the shade....neatness does count here!

4) At the point, decide if you are going to use the remaining fabric for a "scrunch" effect or if you want a more tailored look. If you are scrunching, work the fabric down onto the shade until you can glue the top edge at the top of the shade....again, neatness counts. If you want a more tailored look, cut the excess fabric and proceed with the gluing process as stated.

5) Decide what embellishment you desire....fringe, lace, flowers, buttons, crochet edges, etc. and the sky is the limit.

Who wouldn't know these shades didn't come from a high end designer's shop.....they are little pieces of art!