Jane Austen on Etsy

Recently I featured a few other designers/artist in my blog that have used "The Birth of Venus" as their inspiration.

My inspiration for the latest Penelope Red range, "The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection" has made me think about all those other artists and designers on etsy who love Jane Austen. I decided to search for "Jane Austen" using etsy's search engine, and this collection of items is what I picked...



Jane Austen quotes 3.5 inch squares digital collage sheet. Use this for coasters cards or other print projects. By magicpug






Emma by Jane Austen book handbag by bookity




Hartfield Nights by mashalaurence



Art Nouveau Mother's Day Card by newnanc



Captain Wentworth Notebook - Jane Austen Hero by restaure

New Style! The Penelope Red Empire Grey Pleated Blouse

I have only just added this new design to my etsy shop... The Penelope Red Empire Grey Pleated Blouse.



As etsy only allows for five photos, this blog gives me the opportunity to show you more photos of this great top, and also the inside- as I always think that the inside should be neat and beautiful too!



This design is part of my new collection, "The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection". Take a look at the inspiration here. One of the first designs I created for this collection, the Venus Floral Bolero, was featured in the blog here.



The fabric I have used for this top is quite unique. It is steel grey in colour, has a sheen, and a seer-sucker-like texture. It is made from a cotton/polyester blend. Great for spring and summer.



I am really quite fascinated with lace and trims at the moment! I have added a beautiful vintage lace to the under bust seam. This lace has actually been hand crocheted- can you imagine someone has literally created every loop and knot in this intricate lace! I bought it recently, and couldn't wait to use it, so here it is!



A cute little ivory rose button has been attached to the centre back, and at the top of the invisible side zip.







I wanted to complete the contrasting detail a little further, so I have made a top stitching detail in ivory thread, around the neck and hem.



All seams have been over-locked and pressed.



You can take a look at this style, and other styles in the range, on the Penelope Red Website here.



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New Style! The Venus Floral Bolero

I have finally had a chance to update this blog with a new Penelope Red design! Introducing the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero.



I have deliberately used photos that only show you sections of the bolero, as I want to unveil the whole design in a photo shoot, which will be taking place later on in the month- so keep watching this space for more!

This new cropped jacket design was inspired by Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" painting, and Jane Austen. Read more about this here.



The main fabric is a gorgeous vintage screen printed cotton, which was purchased from an antique dealer a few months ago in Sydney. The ruffle is another vintage fabric, which I have previously used on the Victorian Pink Corset as well. I thought the ruffle accents the bold flowers with a more delicate feel- I like the idea that each woman that wears this has a little boldness to them, but also has a little delicate, feminine side to them as well.



The jacket or bolero has been fully lined, and I have added a lovely pink decorative blanket stitch to the edge of the hem.



I am currently working on other styles that will be a part of this mini-range. I can't wait to show you more! I already have a corset and a gathered neck blouse to include.

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Updated on Tuesday 23rd March, 2010: I have added the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero to my etsy shop. Please take a look at this beautiful design here!

Inspirations: "Birth of Venus" and Jane Austen

I have been thinking about creating a new range of designs and I have decided to use two inspirations, to create something a little different...

Whenever I read Jane Austen novels, I think of the flowing dresses and beautiful fabrics. One of my favourite DVD's is "Pride and Prejudice", with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. The Regency period used Empire lines- what most people would call a "baby doll" style; Grecian decoration, Egyptian ornament, Spencer coats, and military influences. I will borrow a little from this period for the silhouette of my designs. Click here to read more about costume's from this period. All costume photos in this posting are from the fashion-era.com website.



The painting above would have to be one of my all-time favourites; Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth Of Venus". I love the colours, the beauty of Venus, the West wind, Zephyrus and Flora, the spring that are blowing her gently to the shore. I want to use the colours from this painting, as well as the beautiful femininity to help inspire my designs.



I will use a lot of pastel colours (coral, pink, aqua, mint, blues, creams, etc), and lots of florals, as well as floaty fabrics, and I have a great pleated pastel pink fabric that I want to use. I recently bought quite a lot of vintage and antique lace, so this might be added to the mix as well!



I can't wait to see what I come up with, and share my creations with you! I probably won't have them on sale for atleast a month or more, as I will want to take photos first, but I am too excited to not share my ideas with you!