Sue Rock Originals

Sue Rock Originals FALL FABRICS PREVIEW

2011-09-02T10:51:00.002-04:00

After extensive trending (and a whole lot of gut reaction) we have pulled our fabrics for Fall 2011. As you know, SRO creates to the season, so here is the fresh look at what is going to be designed in the coming weeks.
Pre Orders are NOW available for our Tunic Dresses, Faux Fur Bolero Jackets, Jersey Tops and Maxi Skirts! Delicious Fabrics and remember only one or two of each style will be available! Get yours Today!
OUR Fall will revolve around the FUR/FAKE FUR trend with beautiful bright Fake Furs and delicious bright colored jerseys. Sue Rock Originals upcycles all of their materials from fabric donations from costumers, designers and interior design houses....which is why we can find yardage of of super soft royal blue fake fur (think muppets) and Teal tone Plaid!

the look for Fall? Think short Faux Fur jackets, midi and maxi length skirts, strong tones of plum, teal and brown throughout our entire line. Our slim skirts and easy to wear circle skirts remain a part of our style team and Sue Rock Originals Tunic dresses in velvets and jersey are a must have.

With the generous assortment of laces, we have been experimenting with lace insets, lace sleeves and lace skirts this season! You can expect everything to be super cute, easy to wear and definitely on trend!

CLICK HERE for the full Fall Fabrics Preview on Facebook!

Check out these Fall 2011 trend notes from the top stylists in the nation:

NORDSTROMS

1. CAPES & PONCHOS
2. BOLD COLOR MIXES
4. MIDI LENGTHS
5. CHOCOLATE METALS
10. FAUX FUR

Glamour Magazine

Rust-Color

Polka Dots

Maxiskirts

A Touch of Lace

Granny Plaid

Jade Green/Teal

Brights

Harpers Bazaar

Liquid Assets – iridescent ivory/white/gold accents

Bold Graphic Prints

Bright Coats

LACE

Maxi Skirts

Florals

Polka Dots

WHITE

Windows Windows Windows - the Importance of a Great Display

2011-07-06T17:14:00.002-04:00

As we have developed our retail space, we learned about the importance of a good display window. Ms. Gia McCarthy is a volunteer who helped us to pull our concepts together and bring customers in successfully! This is a quick review of our Spring Season!

This was our first window with Gia - it is a sewing/crafting theme in a monocolor setting. The dress forms were all styled in blue and white with the sewing machine and spools as the focal points.

April brought so much rain we wanted to bring some brightness to the neighborhood. This window featured water themed interior design luminescent plastic in the back and an umbrella. This window brought us so many customers!

Father's Day brought out the men with this seductive nod to Father's Day Gifts!

In tribute to our graduates, we created a graduation theme with the graduate and the attendees all present in celebration. We chose to place this within a black and white groove and propped our graduate's caps and tassels behind.

The inspiration of great volunteers is just one of the reasons Sue Rock Originals is successful in accomplishing our mission of creating a safe and empowering space for survivors of domestic violence!

International Vocalist and Musician Toli Nameless takes us to PARIS!

2011-05-23T17:54:00.013-04:00

Spring brought the opportunity to work with vocalist and force of nature herself TOLI NAMELESS. Leader of La Femme Nameless , Toli is an international artist of dancehall, afrobeat and jazz methods that kicks it!

Here Toli is wearing our Sue Rock Originals summer dress
in silk with hand shirred detailing -

$125

Available at our studio
Sue Rock Originals Design Studio
1069 Bergen Street
Between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues
Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 - 6:00pm

Our convertible dress is featured on Toli in Teal with a decorative flower motif and Grecian draping. Her beautiful pink fascinator is by New York stylist Gia McCarthy (her company is Crown and Halo)and her earring is by photographer and jeweler Theo Dora. Her company is Yannaode.

Why not listen to a little Toli........

Elegant and flowing, Toli is shown here in our Sue Rock Originals Convertible Dress, worn as a flowing draped skirt! These skirts are currently available by order - $125

The feel of the clothing was so phenomenal, she immediately ordered clothing for her tour in Paris. We are proud to be held in such high esteem by this fabulous artist!

Circle Skirts for Spring

2011-05-15T21:08:00.005-04:00

SUPER CUTE - circle skirts are easy to wear and easy to pack for summer travel plans

At Sue Rock Originals we have dived into our favorite cotton jersey fabrics to create beautiful fashion forward jersey circle skirts -

We have decided to launch our Etsy Boutique with these fabulous circle skirts. With a focus on providing all sizes, we have individual designs which are flattering to every figure. Take a look at these styling choices:

Jersey Circle Skirt - Large in Eggplant
$45

Available at Etsy

You can buy these skirts at Etsy - Just $45!

SPRING IS HERE - SRO Circle Skirts on Etsy

2011-05-09T09:02:00.006-04:00

This season we were inspired by the beautiful EMAMI dress created in the Netherlands. Using our upcycled cotton jersey, we have a wide selection of circle skirts with adjustable wide waistbands. Convertible dresses with sensational fit!

We are working on a prototype of this convertible for Plus Sizes so make sure to stay tuned!

SRO Boutique on Etsy
$45

Working with New York stylist Gia McCarthy, she reinvented our circle skirt to create this delicious top with top and cinched bodice.

The stretch jersey we have acquired comes from a now defunct sample house which generously donated the remains of their design studio for a number of years before they closed! Juana and the ladies of this studio were a treasure and had the keen insight to find our organization and bring these fabrics to our attention.

SUE ROCK SPRING MAXI DRESS - PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE

2011-03-15T20:55:00.004-04:00

We love to create styles that are fabulous for every size and we have done it. With custom hand shirring and vintage Italian Polyesters and Silks, you can not go wrong with this sexy summer dress! Shown above in production, we are pulling fabrics now for creating these items to have on hand for hot summer days and fun evenings out with friends.

I remember these easy to wear pieces back in the day - with a pair of flip flops and some shades it was out the house and off on the days adventures!

But the Indian cotton numbers of the '70's are nothing compared to the ones about to come out of Sue Rock Originals!

This season brings gorgeous bright floral silk and polyester from an 80's fabric collection. Bold and vibrant the images do not do the colors justice. We are creating pieces that can be dressed up and UP!

And WE WORK WITH ALL SIZES. Come by our studio

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.

1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, New York

Tuesday Through Saturday

12:00pm - 6:00pm

And you know that every Sue Rock design

.....is an Original!

Sue Rock Originals Presents Quilts to Center Against Domestic Violence Thursday, March 24 2011

2011-03-14T07:59:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Email: suerockoriginals@yahoo.com
Web Site: www.suerockoriginals.blogspot.com

Textile Based Non Profit Presents Handcrafted Quilts To The Center Against Domestic Violence at Brooklyn Borough Hall Women’s Herstory Commemoration
Brooklyn, New York

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

12:00 PM

In conjunction with Borough Hall’s Women’s Herstory Month commemoration – two FIRSTS come together in the spirit of women’s survival. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc., the first textile based domestic violence organization, will present 50 volunteer crafted quilts to the Center Against Domestic Violence – the first organization to rally for domestic violence shelters in 1976. This historic presentation is being held on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Borough Hall, Brooklyn, New York 12:00pm

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, February 21, 2011 over 200 people came together at the design studio of Sue Rock Originals Everyone to create quilts using fabrics donated by the Van Heusen corporation. Volunteers of every age and nationality tirelessly worked together to create beautiful quilt tops for the residences run by the Center Against Domestic Violence.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/17/936999/-On-MLK-Day,-Community-and-Service#c21

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwanticandy/sets/72157626123738750/

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc is the internationally acclaimed textile charity committed to supporting the lives of survivors of domestic violence. With such a small percentage of women leaving domestic violence situations nationwide, we felt it was important to provide direct support to these women who have made the courageous first steps towards change. Each year our volunteers create NEW clothing and accessories women need as they live in temporary housing. Women leaving the cycle of violence only have the clothes on their back to start anew. Volunteers create handknit and hand crocheted apparel, accessories and so much more!

For seven years we have had the encouragement of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office in supporting the lives of women and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has coined our work "Handcrafted Healing". Using discarded fabrics from companies such as Liz Claiborne, Jones NY , Marc Jacobs and Van Heusen - as well as interior design companies like Kravet and Sina Pearson, we train our communities in all aspects of the textiles arts.

For More Information

Sue Rock 718 781 4142

Bearing Out the Winds of Change in Crown Heights!

2011-03-07T19:56:00.005-05:00

So the economy is picking up - Yes? What to create for the new season.

We made the hard decision to focus on accessories for spring. Beautiful floral silk and polyester scarves with chunky gold button scrunchy bracelets are our start! (Photos to come~)

However our studio has the retail space that needs some uplift. Gotta have new styles for new customer. The Crown Heights area is a location of change - "hipsters" leaving the Williamsburg and Bushwick scene for cheaper rents are reclaiming their original vision, releasing their "hipster" embodiment - longing for neighborhoods with trees and elders! Crown Heights homeowners are finally able to rediscover their communities after being shut in from the ravages of the crack filled 80's and 90's. As stores and business close (The Starlight Lounge, The Slave Theatre) new businesses bring light and diversity to the area. Dingy corner stores invest in new ceilings and front lighting - finally understanding that the key to receiving respect is providing a respectful environment.

Have a business in the predominantly Black community of Crown Heights has been a real challenge - more internally than externally. We have had to really understand the buying habits of the community and adapt to that reality (Unfortunately it took Chris Rock's Good Hair for me to realize sisters were NOT going to buy wool hats - hand crocheted or otherwise to put on a $250 hairstyle - my bad!)

We also have had to take a hard look at our customers. The customer of Park Slope is not the customer of Crown Heights - in shape, size or style. How do you bring your vision to a customer who new to your whole scope.

You listen

The word CUTE is key to listening......

As customer comes in.......after the tingling "scloosh scloosh scloosh" of the hangers moving on the rack you wait............ for the tell tale squeal and the sound

"oooooooo that's CUTE!"

Young or old, Bed Stuy or Bushwick - all girls are the same -

They wanna look CUTE!

February is Fashion Week in New York!

2011-01-30T11:37:00.004-05:00

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week descends on New York this February. All retailers are supposedly passionately planning for their Fall 2011 season and not trying to figure out where to put their Fall 2010 season orders :))

Our 2010 Fall season was successful as we featured in Eidolon and Flirt Brooklyn with our Maxi Scarves and Fabric chain belts (this time in blacks and browns!) We kept our motto of "Back to Basics" with the Tunic Dress but this year featured velours and velvets which sold well.

Sue Rock Originals - the clothing line and funding engine for our non profit Sue Rock Originals Everyone - really makes a combined effort to look at both seasons. All of our manufacturing is done in house, so we often are making sales while in season and preparing for the next.

This week we completed a fantastic reversable asymetrical wrap skirt for the Fall. Closed simply with a Kilt pin, we feel this is going to be our best seller for all sizes for Fall 2011. Pictures to come!

Sweet Skirts from Sue Rock Originals!

2011-01-07T06:17:00.004-05:00

Sue Rock Originals Winter Sales

Get ready for the coming spring with beautiful timeless sweet skirts!

Sue Rock Originals A-Line Skirt in Beautiful Brocades

Sizes 6, 8 and 10

Sales Price - $35!

Only Available at

Sue Rock Originals Design Studio

1069 Bergen Street

between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, NY

Tuesday through Saturday

11:00am - 6:00pm

suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

Images available of current stock, shipping and Payment via Paypal available!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-12-31T11:29:00.003-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

THANK YOU FOR SPURRING US ON TO GREATER SUCCESS FOR 2011

FELTING FELTING FELTING FELTING FELTING FELTING.....

2010-11-27T20:38:00.002-05:00

We have developed a wonderful collection of felted hats - with Jay rock's knitting machine magic and my crochet wizardry, we have created hats, hats and more hats!

Sue Rock Originals - Fall Sales in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

2010-11-13T20:30:00.003-05:00

Got the courage to go out and vend on Lafayette and Vanderbilt Avenues and it went great!
Wonderful people and wonderful interactions!

You can see the images here :))

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=158744&id=1189192068

Steam Punk Victorian Images on the Horizon for SRO

2010-11-04T20:54:00.003-04:00

First images of some brooch samples - improvising on the concepts of Victorian embroidery techniques, fabric samples and historical imagery - riding this Steampunk wave!

This whole Steampunk vibe has got the creative juices flowing - looking at venues for the holidays!

FABULOUS Fall Scarves at SUE ROCK Originals

2010-10-20T06:42:00.003-04:00

Did you know that we have our Fall Accessories ready - if you can't get to Brooklyn, no worries, we DO mail order -

Limited Edition Gorgeous Hand Knit MAXI Scarves -

These scarves are 100 inches of handknit goodness - using the beautiful reclaimed blended yarns from knitwear designer Harriet Moss, we have created these full scarves that are an essential to your Fall wardrobe!

Currently selling at some of the hottest boutiques in Brooklyn - if you come to our design studio you can purchase these scarves with a 50% discount at $30

Colorways : Denim, Pastel, Soho, Ivory, Plum and Autumn!

Sue Rock Originals - So much Beautiful Fabric

2010-09-26T13:59:00.003-04:00

When we begin each season, it is the most delicious process to begin pulling fabrics. From our storage to the shop, we start by looking at the upcoming trends months before! Lots of time your gut reaction can get to the right space, but trend charts are helpful.

Once we see some of the trends for the season, we begin to plan out our line. Sue Rock Originals works primarily in women's separates and on season with accessories and outerwear.

This season finds us adapting to the trend of Mega Scarves shown on Fall's 2010 runways this spring! Beautiful yarns from one of fashion's high end knitwear designers has us developing a line of Maxi Scarves that are light and expansive.

You can buy these scarves at Flirt's Brooklyn boutique or Eidolon - Both conveniently located on Fifth Avenue -

Or of course at our design studio - 1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues.

TEN MORE DAYS FOR FASHION'S NIGHT OUT!!!

2010-08-31T21:46:00.002-04:00

We have the sublime pleasure of being the only store in Crown Heights North holding court on Fashion's Night Out. In case you have been enjoying the last few deliciously scalding days of summer outside - Fashion's Night Out is the fun fabulous shopping event held by boutiques and clothing stores throughout New York just before Fashion Week -

Fashion's Night Out is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Sue Rock Originals
1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues
Brooklyn, New York
6:00pm - 10:00pm
A, C, Franklin Ave Shuttle
B65, B49, B44

In store fittings for our Fall 2010 line
Appetizers and Drinks
Machine Knitting Exhibition
Deep discounts on our summer collection
All purchases over $100 include your choice of Fall accessory!

All proceeds go to supporting our work with survivors of Domestic Violence.

Come out and make a difference this FASHION NIGHT OUT!

Forward to fall

2010-08-18T21:39:00.003-04:00

Here at Sue Rock, we have our designs for fall. Rich browns, bold reds, glamorous gold, and tantalizing teal are our color palette for this season. Boot cut skirts, A line skirts, tunic dresses, maxi scarves, and faux fur vests are all on the drawing board.

We are thinking of producing sheer skirts for the various holidays. Could you see yourself trick or treating or decking the halls in sheer skirts? Do tell.

Sue Rock @ Fashion's Night Out

2010-08-18T21:24:00.005-04:00

Look for Sue Rock at Fashion's Night Out.

September 10, 2010
7 - 10 pm

We'll be there with pieces from our Green fashion line. See our new colors and designs for fall. We will gladly accept custom orders for fall.

Features will include:

Food
Drinks
Music
Machine Knitting Presentation
Treats from Babycakes Wheatfree Bakery

Find out more about our sewing and knitting classes and our anti-domestic violence advocacy.
Make a date!
We look forward to seeing you there!

FALL 2010 - Already? but its August......

2010-08-02T18:06:00.003-04:00

Scarves Scarves everywhere - When we began thinking about pieces for Fall, the Fall runways served us well. Though the colors, styles and hemlines were all over the map -
One thing was for sure - SCARVE larger than large and bigger than big were the rule for EVERYONE from Chanel to Miyaki!
We have some amazing colors and styles for the new season using the yarns from Harriet Moss. Harriet Moss is an amazing knitwear designer who heard about Sue Rock Originals and sought us out - we love her line and value her contribution to ours -

And as you know all proceed from our sales go directly to Sue Rock Originals Everyone - our domestic violence support nonprofit!

Some Colors for Fall to think about!

Sue Rock Originals grows with your help!

2010-07-29T20:54:00.003-04:00

YOU CAN HELP BY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR PROGRAM

Help us to raise the funds needed to continue our

Domestic Violence Survivors Empowerment Program

for the FALL!

Help us to raise $20,000 - TEN Dollars at a time!!

Contributing could not be more simple - simply post your payment to our Paypal account at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com. And each and every donation is tax deductible.

$5.00 Donation- You will be acknowledged by name in our Sue Rock Originals 2011 color calendar. Our calendars include beautiful color images of our volunteers, activities and clothing line, all holidays, moon cycles, season changes and plenty of room for important dates.

$10 Donation - A personal acknowledgment in our calendar and a PDF of the Sue Rock Originals Everyone 2011 calendar.

$20 Donation - You will receive the two previous gifts in addition to a signed hard copy of our color 2011 Calendar delivered to your home!

$25 Donation - All of the previous gifts AND our Sue Rock Originals EcoFabulous Maxi Handknit Scarf from the 2010 Fall Collection

$50 Donation - All of the previous gifts AND your choice of a Ted Baker Tie or Sue Rock Originals Tote Bag.

$100 Donation - For your gift of $100 we will not only provide you with the gifts listed above but we will present a handcrafted Sue Rock Originals Tote in your name to a domestic violence survivor during our October Domestic Violence Awareness month donation drive.

$150 Donation - You will receive the gifts listed above and the Sue Rock Originals Tote with Calendar and Maxi Scarf will be presented to a domestic violence survivor in your name.

$250 Donation - For this generous donation, you will receive the items listed above and a Sue Rock Originals Tote, Calendar, Maxi Scarf and Heirloom Quilt presented to a domestic violence survivor in your name.

=======================================================

So - Just what is the

Sue Rock Originals Everyone

Domestic Violence Survivors Empowerment Program

Its an amazing four month program of textile empowerment for survivors awaiting permanent housing.

Women will be trained to create items which will replace the textile items they left behind (Apparel or Home Decor). We have created a tight core wardrobe or home decor collection which can be completed by a beginner, training an individual in all the textile arts within four months. When the woman is ready to start her new life, whe has everything she needs from her own hands.

Outreach for this program will include the three major domestic violence organizations in New York and the Family Justice Center.

Our beautiful 1200 square foot studio contains the sewing machines, knitting machines, looms and tools to teach and nurture the textile arts skills in women who have made the exciting first steps towards a new life. Our 20 x 20 storage facility is filled to the brim with fabric, trim and notions to provide women with an exhaustive selection to choose from.

We love teaching and working with teachers in the needlearts. We have developed a four month twice a week training program which ensures that these people have the self sufficiency skills all our grandparents had , but in a way that is contemporary and by using the multitude of textile resources that are discarded weekly from individuals, the garment and interior design industries.

It's Green Manufacturing in the Finest Way - by uplifting others!

Sue Rock Originals - Available on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn

2010-07-17T09:52:00.004-04:00

We are at FLIRT BROOKLYN and EIDOLON Boutique

Flirt Brooklyn is located on Fifth Avenue and Baltic Street in Brooklyn New York. Eidolon is located on Fifth Avenue and Carroll Street in Brooklyn.

These two signature boutiques have over 20 years collectively in the Brooklyn boutique scene and show it. With a beautiful ever changing stock, they have developed a customer base that has can stand the test of our economic ups and downs. Where their customers started coming in their young twenties, now they shop with their kids to pick up selections that are contemporary and well edited.

The other brilliant aspect of these two particular boutiques is their welcome of Sue Rock Originals items in their stores. With a standard of photoshopped images and styled models - These two store owners actually reviewed our line IN PERSON and chose from our current selections!

You can pick up our latest offerings

Toile A-line skirts
Beautiful convertible skirts in Italian Polyester
Wrap Palazzo Pants (Eidolon)
and our newest item
a quilt style picnic blanket - perfect to roll-up and go to the beach!!

See you at Flirt Brooklyn and Eidolon!

Sue Rock Originals Trunk Show and Rent Party

2010-05-22T16:04:00.001-04:00

Get first dibs on our spring collection
Pick up hot spring tees and jeans from TBA
and enjoy delicious food, beverages and great music
at Sue Rock Originals

YOUR DONATIONS SUPPORT OUR WORK
HEALING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SPRING TRUNK SHOW AND RENT PARTY

Donation - $10

Saturday, May 22 8:00pm - 1:00 am

Sue Rock Originals Everyone
Design Studio
1069 Bergen Street
Between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Sue Rock Originals Spring 2010 Collection
Urbanwear by William Fleet's TBA
Jackets and Skirts from Takeyah Jerome
By Kids For Kids Ceramics
Designer Men's Shirts (BCBG, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John and more)
Crystal Chip Necklaces
and MORE!

SUE ROCK CREATES FOR HAITIAN SURVIVORS

2010-01-14T07:15:00.003-05:00

WE ARE CALLING FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DIRECT SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN SURVIVORS TO COME:

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2010

11:00AM - 6:00PM

SUE ROCK ORIGINALS DESIGN STUDIO

1069 BERGEN STREET

Between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, New York, 11216

VOLUNTEERS WILL LEARN TO SEW TO CREATE WRAP SKIRTS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE EARTHQUAKE.

COME AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN SEW, CUT, FOLD FABRIC, PACK BOXES AND ENJOY WORKING TOGETHER SHOULD COME TO OUR STUDIO!

THE STUDIO WILL BE OPEN AFTER THE JANUARY 18 DATE FROM TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 11:00AM - 6:00PM AND WE WILL BE KEEP SEWING MACHINES UP FOR CONTINUAL SEWING OF CLOTHING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE SURVIVED THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI.

THANK YOU

SUE ROCK
V

Exploring the boundaries......

2009-11-16T08:13:00.005-05:00

Sue Rock Originals

Design Studio

1069 Bergen Street

between Nostrand & Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, NY 11216

Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday

11:00am - 6:00pm

Free Sewing Classes in Studio

First and Third Saturdays of Every Month

Donations Accepted

This is becoming an interesting process. When my husband and I first explored this indie fashion scene, it was with the naive approach thought that with a few chance meetings on Craigslist, we could pick up enough fabric to maybe make a few skirts or tops, selling them at flea markets and events throughout the city.

Our first pick up of 15 50 pound bags of vintage fabrics changed that tune. I look back on that time, going through the seventh bag of fabric thinking "this is out social security!" However that was 2005.

I was working at a law firm and picking up evening shifts when I needed them. The money was flowing in that sporadic check to check way and mindlessly, I planned for the future. As the economy became worse, I was fired from one and then shortly after - TWO law firms. The bottom had fallen out the first experience due to management change with ensuring hiring preferences, and the second firm had been responsible for CREATING the sub prime mortgage documents that were circulated nationally. (They're now dissolved after 150 years in business - go figure!)

For the past year, I have taken on the experiment of being fully vested in this company from top to bottom. Sue Rock Originals now has a location from which to showcase its work and manufacture new items. But the mindbending scope of it takes its toll......

With the collapse of our national economy and unlimited supply of resources, how does a person make a living? What do you sell to people who have for all intent and purposes have stopped shopping? When Macy's commercials seem to beg for the Walmart customer, what chance does an independent designer of high quality items have in an ever declining market?

==============================================================

Sue Rock Originals is a creative design house that uses beautiful fabrics, notions and yarns that would have otherwise been discarded, to make apparel and accessories. As we have grown, so has our focus. In the beginning of our process, we were mainly a house of handcrocheted women's apparel - cute supersoft boleros and ponchos, one of a kind vintage styled crochet skirts crafted from merino wool and cuddly pullovers. We began to bring in Tailored items in the form of the A-line skirt and Wrap pants for the Summer of 2006 and developed relationships online through Etsy and on the street with Flirt Brooklyn!

When the bottom fell out of the economy we had to change gears and quick! When I spoke to women at Flirt this spring, I stressed that our focus was to keep the business relationship strong, but also to ensure that their customer could still buy a quality item from Flirt without being forced to go to the sale rack! We had come into a case of vintage belts and began to work with these at a great price point for all involved. These sustained us throughout the summer and ironically enough, were the only item NOT already in the store!

We also began classes. These classes in sewing and crocheting brought revenues into the organization that we had not expected. Teach a person to fish and all that! Although we were eager to enter into manufacture and create with these beautiful materials - our limitations were greater than our ability to create! Loans and Grants unavailable, AND moneys for festivals/events out of the question - we continued to clean and organize the studio and restrategize.

As the co-director began to take in alteration work, and the classes continued, what we had not realized was we were developing a community base. People were becoming accustomed to stopping by to see what we were up to - or to help by volunteering a few hours to sweep or fold fabric. Each extra person gave their contact information and encouraged us to let them know what we were up to!

================================================================

Today we have a fully furnished retail space in the front of the studio, with holiday themed window dressing. In addition to selling from our stock of handcrocheted hats and sewn scarves, we have taken orders for custom work for the holidays! And at our first Fall fundraiser we raised just under $400!!

=============================================================

Growing a business takes a great deal of determination and hard work, yes, but most of all it takes consummate patience. What we are learning is that Sue Rock Originals, as a design house, has a life of its own. Once thought of as the lead it is now the funding engine for our non profit. Once thought of as an autonomous line, it is being sought after in partnerships internationally for unique high end lines to support the organization.

House Party

2009-11-14T08:51:00.004-05:00

Let's PARTY, PARTY, PARTY, 8.00 pm I'll see you there

Sue Rock is having a house party come on out, help pay the rent $10 at the door. Good food and good times!

CATWALK GENIUS provides Sue Rock Originals with First Funder!!!

2009-11-05T06:31:00.003-05:00

Its amazing! Its Astounding! Just woke up to see this amazing email:

Congratulations! A supporter has agreed to pay for 1 shares in your funding.

In case you don't know, Catwalk Genius is a unique fashion website where as they put it YOU can "Own Fashion". I found out about Catwalk Fashion maybe a year ago, while valiantly seeking other options for posting the line. When you can't dig deep for a marketing and sales budget the internet quickly becomes your new BFF!

Catwalk Genius provides designers with a format to cleanly post their work and get sales. But most importantly, they offer the shopper an opportunity to (within their budget) BUY SHARES of the company! How do they do this you say. Simply!

Back a Designer

Find your new favourite designer on Catwalk Genius

Browse the shop to check out the collections of our designers.

Read about them on their profile pages and choose your favourite.

Buy a share in their collection

Pay £10 (plus £1 processing fee) to secure 1 of 5000 shares in that designer's next collection. You can buy multiple shares in any number of designers.

Once all 5000 shares have sold, your designer will hit their fund target of £50000.

Within 6 months of that point, they'll create a new collection with the costs covered by the fund.

That's right - REAL Funding by the PUBLIC online!!

So - if you have enjoyed watching the progress of Sue Rock Originals and love our unique eco-fashions and way of giving back come to our site at

Sue Rock Originals on Catwalk Genius! Become a funder for a total of $18.18!!

Thank you :))

2009-11-02T20:21:00.001-05:00

SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 14, 2009 RENT PARTY

2009-10-29T08:44:00.001-04:00

SAVE THE DATE
RENT PARTY
Sue Rock Originals Everyone
SATURDAY 11/14/09
Goodie Bags for first 75 people
$10
1069 Bergen Street bet Nostrand and Rogers Brooklyn

Sue Rock Originals Fabric Link Belts - $25

2009-10-09T12:13:00.003-04:00

Sue Rock Originals features beautiful HAND WOVEN Fabric belts. Combining the best of vintage luxe fabrics with the clean metal rings, these belts are attractive on every figure. Belts currently selling for $25 at Sue Rock Originals Design Studio - 1069 Bergen Street, between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues - Hours of Operation 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday

Come on By!

Events planning Volunteers needed - OCTOBER EVENTS

2009-09-27T18:59:00.001-04:00

Non profit planning numerous events during the month of October needs volunteers in varying capacities for the creation of some fabulous events.

Volunteer opportunities include

Volunteer captain
Cleaners
Event Set up and Design
Creation of Party favors
Invitation designers (assist in email listings)
Meet and Greet Staff
Servers
Flyer Distribution
Sewers

Timing is crucial - if you are interested - PLEASE contact us ASAP at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com!

Event planners who are interested in contributing their services are greatly appreciated :))

Thank you

Sue Rock
Executive Director
Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
www.suerock.blogspot.com
www.suerockoriginals.blogspot.com

Sue Rock Originals SAMPLE SALE

2009-09-18T22:58:00.004-04:00

Feeling the love from the past year from everyone in the media and on all the social networks. You all have got me going from the beginning.

With the passing of my father, we have been working nonstop to make sure that the building that came into our possession is functioning and up and running. It is amazing what you find out after the mourning is over and you begin going through the books. Opening our Design Studio was a crucial step to making sure this building would sustain our current economic condition.

We have a beautiful design studio now and took the entire Labor Day weekend to put in our window (see www.suerockoriginals.blogspot.com) and now the designs are being developed by Project Manager Jerome Rock!

We have the following items in our sample sale as well as pre sale orders that can be made in a snap!

SAMPLE SALE -
WRAP SKIRTS (small sizes only) - Our carefully tailored wrap skirts from Summer 2008 are created from Liz Claiborne Men's shirting and are simply effortless in design and wear. All SRO Wraps feature a beautiful grosgrain ribbon closure - $5

JACKETS FROM TAKEYAH JEROME COLLECTION - Fun Pink and Blue Pinstripe jackets with multicolor splatter hand painting - $15

VINTAGE SKINNY BELTS - Vintage Skinny Belts from the 1980's - in Western design, Plain and Multicolor - $3

VINTAGE WIDE BELTS - Sexy Faux Leather Belts with Bow Closure in Beige and Grey - ready for Fall - $5

And beautiful Ceramics you will LUV for only $3 to $5.

AAAAAND For all purchases over $100 you will receive a beautiful SRO SILK SCARF for the Fall!

See you at the studio

1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues
Brooklyn, New York
(347) 365 8747

Crown Heights North Historic Homes Tour featuring Sue Rock Originals Studio

2009-09-17T20:53:00.004-04:00

Its awesome when folks connect in a positive way. When Vernon Martin from the Crown Heights North Association came to our studio this Saturday he simply came down Bergen Street as a change of pace. And on this grey day he walked into an amazing creative experience.

After gaining our Ad and our interest, we were encouraged to not only have an ad in the Crown Heights North Brochure but to become a part of the Tour Schedule. He brought his co-organizer and Board Member Suzanne Spellen to see the wonderful work we have been doing at the studio!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone Design Studio will be a Refreshment Stop and Way Station for the Crown Heights North Association Historic Homes Tour being held on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

Self-guided tours will start at noon and end by 5 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to enter and view some of Brooklyn’s finest residential and sacred architecture. Artists’ and artisans’ homes are among the highlights this year, along with works in progress. They are also highlighting the completely renovated Children’s Museum, designed by world class architect Rafael Vignoly; two remarkable houses of worship; and the entire neighborhood of architecturally significant free standing houses, row houses, apartment buildings and churches that have been praised by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as some of the finest in New York City.

The calendaring this spring of Phase II of the Crown Heights North Historic District, by the LPC means that even more of this historic and culturally significant neighborhood will soon be protected and preserved for future generations. We welcome you on Oct. 3rd.

Widget

2009-09-07T21:58:00.001-04:00

Sue Rock Originals Gets a Window!!!

2009-09-07T19:54:00.007-04:00

Well we did it - we have only been here for a few months but we earned enough to get a beautiful new window for our space. All of the hard work of Spring has paid off! Bill and Russell, two fabulous neighbors came a lent a helping hand and we took Labor Day weekend to put a new front on our place - here are some photos of the great weekend and Sue Rock Originals!

1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues in Brooklyn, NY

COME ON BY!!!!

The Plans for Fall

2009-08-11T22:02:00.004-04:00

We have an amazing studio - Awesome Student Employees and more fabric than you can shake a stick at. So how do you get through all of the fabric to create a cohesive line for one season.

In visuals here 's how you do it.

First you decide on the colors - for us this year it will be black, brown, red and winter white. Then you go through every single piece of fabric you have to get to those particular colors. (Hopefully you have plenty of help!)

After everything is measured and catalogued, then you begin your swatches for your styles!

Enjoy!

SUMMER SEWING CLASSES

2009-07-13T12:20:00.006-04:00

SUE ROCK ORIGINALS EVERYONE, INC.
SUMMER SEWING CLASSES
Sue Rock Originals Design Studios

1069 BERGEN STREET between Nostrand & Rogers Avenues, Brooklyn

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is pleased to announce its upcoming summer sewing schedule
at our new design studios. Located at 1069 Bergen Street in the Crown Heights North section of Brooklyn, the studio houses everything textile based. All classes will be held in our fully equipped studio filled to the brim with notions, fabrics, trim, sewing machines and knit crochet supplies of every type imaginable.

Class Schedule

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7 – 9
Trims for Every Occasion – Lace Trim Finishes

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7 – 9

Open Workshop - What do YOU have the biggest questions about?

Wednesday, July 29 7-9

Take the mystery out of Hemming – Beautiful finishes for your garments

One time registration fee for classes - $15
Class cost - $20
Materials Fee - $10

We will be accepting registration fees for all classes at the open house

COME ON OUT and
BRING YOUR SKILLS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!

For More Information Contact Sue Rock at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

=======================================================

Meet the Instructor - Wendy Williams

2009-06-08T13:39:00.003-04:00

A wonderful opportunity developed when sewing instructor Wendy Williams decided to come by and check out our studio - Wendy is a 15 year sewing instructor and has brought Sue Rock Originals some of the most cutting edge software and sewing techniques to date -

Enjoy hearing more about her here at the BUTTERICK website!

We love ya Wendy!! (pics to be posted soon :))

http://www.butterick.com/bhc/pages/articles/features/sewrealww/sewrealww.htm

Are you ready for Lingerie Fridays?!!!

2009-04-05T18:01:00.003-04:00

Sue Rock Originals began as a creative eco-fashion enterprise and has developed into the funding engine for our not for profit Sue Rock Originals Everyone.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone creates clothing for Survivors of Domestic Violence with volunteers handcrafts. We are holding a bi-monthly fundraiser - LINGERIE FRIDAYS.

Beautiful lace lingerie fabrics can be designed into custom thongs, tangas and much much more here at our design studios. Just think about it, a hot Natori styled something at a FRACTION of the cost - and you made it yourself.

We have put together delicious designs for you to create every other Friday nite. Our permanent location is in Crown Heights North just a minute away from the Brooklyn Museum - 1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues. For $45 you will learn how to make your own lingerie using beautiful materials and machines here on site!

Dates for May and June 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

Friday, June 29, 2009

10 students max - Please RSVP at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com!

NYU Stern Business School Fashion Event - La Vie En Vert

2009-03-13T10:47:00.005-04:00

AMAZING was the event at the Westside Loft on March 6. NYU Stern Business School's two groups - the Luxury and Retail Group and SEA put together a fabulous fashion event featuring ecofabulous designers and local drink manufacturers. Think Social, Drink Local was a standing room only event that featured Sue Rock Originals, Edun, Efabulous and many more designers showcasing their sustainable fashions!

Sue Rock Originals.....feeling like sheers for the Spring

2009-01-30T21:50:00.003-05:00

JR has been sewing his A*$ off!! blowing us away with phenomenal sheers. We received some of the most remarkable Italian sheer fabrics and combining them with tissue thin white and stormy grey fabrics has created a marvelous effect.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presidential Call to Service at SROE

2009-01-20T20:49:00.007-05:00

What an amazing time!! For over three years SROE has received AMAZING fabrics from individuals, the garment and interior design industries. Unfortunately navigating a 10x10 space is nearly impossible for two people raising a sixth grader! The volume of donations have overflowed into our one bedroom apartment transforming it into a storage design studio with a part time bedroom :))

MIT Architecture students Frank Hebbert (a London native!) and Haruka Horiuchi volunteered on this cold January morning...

Well when the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Brooklyn for Obama team called us in on the President's Call to Service we jumped at the opportunity. We see below Jerome "Babafemi" Rock of Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc., Jeanne Heifitz of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Jordan Mitchell Founder of Brooklyn for Obama.

Over 20 volunteers from all walks of life came to support our work and made a real dent in the organizing of our fabrics. Writer Martin Rowe stopped by and fearlessly folded yards of fabric!

From Friday January 17 to Monday January 19th people streamed in from the snowy winter day to fold, organize and marvel at the beautiful donations we received. MIT Archetecture student Haruka Horiuchi was enthralled with the large piece of white faux fur.

Arun Venogopal came from WNYC to interview us and shared the news with NPR Radio that day - Amazing! (and there is Sue Rock herself wearing one of her Sue Rock Originals!)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Sue Rock Originals :))

KTU Interview's Sue Rock pt2

2009-01-18T21:26:00.002-05:00

KTU Interview's Sue Rock part1

2009-01-18T21:20:00.006-05:00

WKTU Cares interview with Sue Rock Sunday, Jan. 18 7:00AM

2009-01-12T08:27:00.002-05:00

Brooklyn based Domestic Violence NonProfit -
Upcoming interview on WKTU with Cindy Vero of KTU CARES

New York, New York, January 11, 2009:

As the only craft charity for survivors of Domestic Violence - Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. will be featured on January 18, 2009 on the Sunday morning show KTU Cares hosted by Cindy Vero.

Drive time radio personality Cindy Vero is the cohost of the WKTU Show Mornings with Cubby and Cindy. WKTU, located at 103.5 is known as the Beat of New York. Regarding Sue Rock, Ms. Vero states “Brace yourselves for somebody spectacular! Sue Rock is a force to be reckoned with!! Sue Rock is electric and full of personality! What an inspiration to women everywhere.”

http://mornings.ktu.com/pages/cindy.html

Airtime is Sunday, January 18th, 2009 7:00AM, on WKTU 103.5FM

About Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.

When the eco-fashion company Sue Rock Originals came into a surplus of donated yarns, their first thought was, “How can we use these materials to give back to our community?” Research made it evident that there were no craft charities for women. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. (SROE) was created to fill this void. The “Everyone” addition to the company name is for women who are survivors of domestic violence living in temporary residences throughout the city. It is also a representation of the volunteers. Everyone who uses the surplus materials to create clothing and accessories for these women, supporting them as they leave the cycle of violence and start a new life. All items are presented twice a year (May – Mother’s Day and October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to residences based in New York. In four short years, over 1,000 items (in addition to ceramics, books and window treatments) have been presented to Safe Horizons, Sanctuary for Families and Fortune Academy.

The organization has developed a unique funding resource – Sue Rock Originals. Sue Rock Originals is the eco-fashion brand of women’s separates. Appealing to every size from 2 to 22, their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. Their line is currently carried at Flirt-Brooklyn and Eidolon both located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.

Contact: Sue Rock 347-365-8747

Sue Rock Originals Accessories for 2009 - BELTS!

2009-01-10T19:24:00.001-05:00

Runway News Features Sue Rock Originals

2008-12-22T08:05:00.006-05:00

Fall, 2007 Sue Rock Originals was featured in the Art of Curves Plus Size Fashion Show.

Runway News did a piece on us and we feature it today - ENJOY!

so why create a Design company in the midst of an economic crisis

2008-11-15T11:57:00.000-05:00

....so people alway ask - why did you create this company, and I thought its time to answer this question. - Why create a company like this one in such a crazy economic time....It's quite simple really......

We created it for you......

You - who have lived through just wanting to pull something up over your hips and over your head that wasn't $250. You - the person who lived through the horrors of an all black '90s and a Riotously Floral new millenia. And the you that deserves a company that realizes that people need new clothing but shouldn't have to deal with the pollution from the ever growing dumps full of unused textile ideas to get it.

This company is a testament to the principle that all things are possible. That no one can block your prosperity because it is Yours and Yours alone to tap into and enjoy. With just a breath of inspiration and hint of creativity, some brash initiative and the belief that "Ask and ye shall receive" doesn't mean "only if you are tall enough, rich enough, light enough, bright enough" but it means you should just ask.

By "Just Asking", we have developed into a fashion brand and not for profit that has resources throughout the East Coast. No longer "dumpster diving" designers, we have extensive contacts throughout the interior design and fashion industries that reach out to us to pick up their unused textiles. Throughout the NY area we have been contacted by families to archive their vintage fabrics and transform their trims and notions. Our supplies, tools and notions have been gifted from the springs of life itself and we are grateful!!

But......that's because we are doing this for You.....

We have wonderful ideas for this company. Ideas that the clothes that people wear can allow them to shine in ways they had never thought possible. That a great fit and vibrant color can increase confidence and allow for truer expression on all levels. Imagine all the colors of the rainbow - available in YOUR size, when YOU want to buy them, regardless of season - Vibrant Greens in Winter, Warm Golds in July, Brown all through the year.

And crochet - Crochet that can be creamy and soft. Crochet masquerading as rich brocade, carrying colors that reverberate strand by strand with the light. and Tailored crochet, with buttons and waistbands - as skirts, coats and jackets. Wonderful stuff , full of character and longevity.

And so I now turn to you - our beautiful customers. We create each of our pieces with you in mind. When we receive our fabrics, we have you in mind. How to make a beautiful colorway shine the brightest. How to accent the line of a stunning men's pinstripe and play off of the concept - straying into women's wear (and playful women's wear at that)

We are doing this all for You -

Come an' get sum!

Always Remember to Give Back

2008-10-23T20:28:00.005-04:00

With the current downturn of the economy - every single one of us has been effected. Working in the fashion industry is no small feat during these tough times. With wonderful boutiques like Eidolon and Flirt Brooklyn we are able to stay afloat.

But as Julia Cameron says in the Artist's Way - always ask WHAT's NEXT! And what's next is TEACHING -

Since August, I have been teaching crochet to the community of Flatbush, requested by the Brooklyn Public Library.

The amazing young people and women of the Flatbush community come with skill of crocheting from Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada and Nevis. Primarily trained in working with crochet thread - their work is marvelous. Many of the women read patterns and worked in simple yarns found in your neighborhood fabric shop.

My students shared their experiences as I shared knowledge of types of yarn and basic stitches. Whey showed me items they had worked on and raised questions about technique and function.

These classes are ongoing and best of all they are FREE.

Come join us at the FLATBUSH BRANCH OF THE BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Located in Brooklyn New York, on Linden Boulevard, right down the block from Flatbush Avenue. Take the Q train to Church Avenue, get off the rear of the train and walk three blocks over - turn right and you are there :))

Brooklyn based ECO-FASHION COMPANY creates CRAFT CHARITY FOR WOMEN IN NEED

2008-09-21T12:42:00.001-04:00

As the only craft charity for survivors of Domestic Violence - Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. needs knit and crochet volunteers for their upcoming donation drive for Domestic Violence Awareness month. This organization is honored to be presenting volunteer created hand-crafted clothing and accessories to Women’s Survival Space, a Brooklyn based Domestic Violence residence.

When the eco-fashion company Sue Rock Originals came into a surplus of donated yarns, their first thought was, “How can we use these materials to give back to our community?” Research made it evident that there were no craft charities for women. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. (SROE) was created to fill this void. The “Everyone” addition to the company name is for women who are survivors of domestic violence living in temporary residences throughout the city. It is also a representation of the volunteers. Everyone who uses the surplus materials to create clothing and accessories for these women, supporting them as they leave the cycle of violence and start a new life. All items are presented twice a year (May – Mother’s Day and October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to residences based in New York. In four short years, over 1,000 items (in addition to ceramics, books and window treatments) have been presented to Safe Horizons, Sanctuary for Families and Fortune Academy.

About Sue Rock Originals

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sue Rock Originals is the eco-fashion brand of women’s separates. Appealing to every size from 2 to 22, their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. Sue Rock Originals uses these fabrics to create skirts, dresses and handbags. No stranger to fair trade and green practices they are the first designers to develop a manufacturing arrangement with Rwanda Knits, a knitting cooperative working with Rwandan refugees and have launched a line of crochet accessories this Fall working with some of New York’s best craftspeople. Their line is currently carried at Flirt-Brooklyn and Eidolon both located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.

For more details on the event or to find out how you can help. Contact: Sue Rock 347-365-8747

Sue Rock

Designer
Sue Rock Originals
www.suerock.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/suerockdesigns
www.iqons.com/sue+rock

Director
Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
www.suerockoriginals.blogspot.com

Sue Rock Originals Hand Crochet Cloche for Fall

2008-09-02T10:49:00.005-04:00

Sue Rock Originals Hand Crocheted Cloche - featuring crocheted flower, fabric flower or button accent. These delicious hats will be featured this fall at Flirt-Brooklyn and Eidolon both located in Brooklyn's Boutique row (Fifth Avenue).

Sue Rock Originals Hand Crocheted Cloche - Extrafine Merino Wool/Nylon Blend

$60.00

Contact suerockoriginals@yahoo.com for retail or wholesale inquiries.

Sue Rock Originals Fall Preview - KNIT AND CROCHET ACCESSORIES

2008-07-28T02:12:00.006-04:00

Sue and Jerome Rock are the designers behind Sue Rock Originals. Based in New York, Sue Rock Originals is the premier design studio for fashion forward hand crochet and hand knits. No stranger to fair trade and green practices she is the first knitwear designer to develop a manufacturing arrangement with Rwanda Knits, a cooperative working with Rwandan refugees. She will be launching a line of organic llama/mill end knit and crochet apparel in Fall of 2008, working with handpicked manufacturing team of some of New York’s best knitters and crocheters.

Their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. The fashion and interior design industries discard tons of fabric per year. Sue Rock Originals uses these fabrics to create beautiful tailored garments for women of all ages.
Sue Rock’s love of textiles and design doesn’t stop there. As Executive Director and Founder of Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE, Inc., she provides volunteers with the donated raw materials to create new clothing and accessories to survivors of domestic violence. Since 2005, their relationship with Safe Horizon has provided over 1,000 custom designed garments, accessories and window treatments to women in need.

Fringe Brim hat - $120

Hand crochet Cloche - $100

Ruffle Scarf - $120

SRO is featured Closet on OURTHREADS.COM

2008-07-21T11:46:00.002-04:00

OurThreads was a fabulous new find for SRO.

OURthreads.com is a social networking site designed specifically for users interested in fashion. Users can buy, sell and trade clothing and accessories right from their own virtual closet.

It is a wonderful site, making fun fashion available in an instant for fashion lovers everywhere. They offer tips, news flashes, a video blog and feature charity closets. Its so simple - post and click and your are there - showing your favorite fashions or maybe offering that hot pink pair of stillettos.

Try it out!! www.ourthreads.com!

Today's Featured Closets

Sue Rock Originals

Sue and Jerome Rock are the designers behind Sue Rock Originals. Their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics.

2008-07-11T08:34:00.001-04:00

The Crochet Liberation Front Blog Ring
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Sue Rock Originals - Selling at the Prospect Park Greenmarket

2008-06-23T08:28:00.006-04:00

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, the first full day of Summer as Sue Rock Originals brought their beautiful garments to Prospect Park for a day of great sales!

We wanted to take our pieces directly to the public and we are doing it! Sue Rock Originals is out on Saturday mornings on the corner of Prospect Park West and Union in Brooklyn, New York, next to the beautiful Greenmarket.

As the Prospect Park and greater New York community travels back and forth, buying flowers and vegetables, they have the opportunity to be introduced to the beautiful fabrics and tailoring of Sue Rock Originals.

We are starting out with wrap skirts manufactured with high end men's cotton shirting. We also have a number of vintage florals and stripes. Our size range is generous, ranging from 26" to 36" waist.

SUE ROCK ORIGINALS AT FLIRT, BROOKLYN, NY

2008-06-22T12:24:00.005-04:00

Sue Rock Originals is excited to be presenting their Global Pants and Halter Tunic at FLIRT in Brooklyn New York. Flirt is a fabulous boutique with two locations and an open teaching studio in Brooklyn New York.

Sue Rock Originals Global Pants and Halter Tunic wil be at the Flirt Fifth Avenue and Baltic Street location.

According to Flirt, they are "...about more than just shopping. It's about your unique way of thinking about clothing, fashion, what you wear, and how you wear it. "

Thanks Seryn!!

Sue Rock Originals Crochet Bolero

2008-06-02T11:30:00.001-04:00

Sue Rock Originals Handcrocheted Bolero
Materials – Wool Blend
Colors: Red, White, Purple, Teal
Bust sizes – Small (30-32), Medium (34-36), Large(38-40)

Cost - $200

Sue Rock Originals Halter Top and Wrap Pants

2008-06-02T11:29:00.001-04:00

Sue Rock Halter Tunic –
Materials: Cotton Blend, reclaimed Men’s shirting.
Colors Available: Various stripes
Bust sizes 30, 32, 34, 36 (larger sizes to order)
$70

Sue Rock Originals Global Pants –
Materials: Cotton Blends, Polyester Sheers and 100% Cotton
100% reclaimed fabric
Colors Available – Various prints
Sizes Small (26-28 Waist) and Medium (30-34 Waist)
$80

Sue Rock Originals Poncho

2008-06-02T11:26:00.002-04:00

Sue Rock Originals Poncho
Materials: Hand Crocheted Wool
Colors: Red, White, Purple, Lavender, Pink, Rust
One Size Fits Most
$100

SRO for Draco Photography's Janine Addison

2008-05-26T15:20:00.005-04:00

On going "Green" - a Sue Rock take on things....

2008-04-15T21:43:00.008-04:00

When you look in all the magazines, clothing companies are awash with "green" products. Organic cotton tees, silk dresses - an entire Green section of the recent LA Fashion week feature companies using organic products in the production of their products. The changes in our industry continue across the country and around the world.

Sue Rock has taken a multi-faceted approach to the "Green" fashion trend. Being based in New York affords us a unique opportunity to be in the center of production for some of the largest worldwide brands. We have chosen to create our ENTIRE LINE from reclaimed fabrics - both from individuals and companies.

Most people don't realize the extensive selection process design directors go through to come up with their final choices for their lines. All ideas have to be fabricated and reviewed before the final choices are made. This means that boxes and boxes of fabrics are discarded on a regular basis.

The interior design side of the business regularly discards quantities of fabrics as trends go in and out of season. These beautiful fabrics have a myriad of uses and come in a wide variety of colors and blends. With the trend towards organic fabrics increasing, the ability to reclaim fabrics that include coconut fiber, silk fibers and woven combinations becomes effortless.

These photos show just some of the design concepts of Sue Rock Originals. Most recently, we reclaimed discarded cotton fabrics from a top house. The weight and body of these fabrics, saying nothing of their variety made for a brilliant choice for a delightful selection of spring apparel!

Attending my first photo shoot!

2008-04-06T12:19:00.004-04:00

its marvelous working with fine people - normal people - you know, the kind who believe in phone calls, email confirmations and being on time. People like Janine Addison of Draco Photography. Draco Photography is a growing photography studio headed by Janine Addison. Based in Brooklyn, Ms. Addison is one of the growing generation of professionals who has claimed what some might call old school values. Genuine, time-sensitive and with a keen attention to the people she is working with, Janine was my entre into the world of fashion photography.

The shoot started promptly at 10:00am. In a small studio in Williamsburg, I met three models, a stylist and her assistant and the owner of the studio - Tony. Everyone was friendly and talkative and I began to sort through clothes and accessories. There was a rack there and with Janine's steamer I got out some the final wrinkles in the skirts.

Janine moved happily and smoothly from models to stylist to makeup artist - making sure everyone was accommodated and that Tony was up to date on the timing of the shoot.

Soon the models were ready and it was off for a road trip, Tony with keys in hand. as they set outside on a beautiful breezy April morning for some shots by the water.

Femi, my husband and tailor for this wonderful venture, had spent the week working and reworking our wrap skirt patterns for the shoot. Our line had the theme "Back to Basics", using that as an anchor to showcase our one of a kind fabrics. Consistent shapes with variable fabrics was the goal. We worked on an A-Line Skirt, Halter Top, Wrap Pants, Wrap Skirt and I came in with a Crochet Bolero with ruffle accents and Crochet Poncho. We had just come into some delicious cotton blend men's shirting which would work well for both the top and the wrap skirt.

I was able to very comfortably and successfully photograph the majority of items brought, including multiple images of the skirt and pants. A number of key compliments came from those at the shoot about the clothing we brought and I left feeling buoyant and full of hope!

Images from the shoot to come!!

For more info regarding Draco Photography - see www.dracophotograpy.com

The Husband and Wife team of Jerome and Susan Rock launches Spring, 2008

2008-03-20T22:40:00.006-04:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SUE ROCK ORIGINALS

2008-01-02T14:50:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I can' believe it - 2008 is here. After clearing out the old and wanting to bring in the new there is a bright view on the horizon.

SRO is now in negotiations with a Fair Trade knitting manufacturer in Africa for production of their Fall line. The beauty of organic yarns, natural dyes and thick chunky textures will be all the rage for 2008 and beyond. Mohairs and natural wools are in abundance in Africa and will be in high demand with market trends towards organic fibres. These manufacturers have never used chemicals to produce their yarns and all of it is handspun. Fair Trade knitters in this region are an untapped market and have been wonderful to work with.

Closer to the home front, we will be leaning strongly toward organic and alternative fibers for the future. SRO will feature stunning velvety mohairs, llama blends and creamy organic cotton crochet all season. We have handpicked some of the finest New York hand crocheters and hand knitters to work on our production and design team.

See you soon!

Fashion World of GREEN Textile and Merchandising

2007-11-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

On Friday, November 14 I had the opportunity to see just what was going on in the consumer fashion world of GREEN textile and merchandising. Titled Eco-Fashion and held at the Katie Murphy Amphitheatre in the Fashion Institute of Technology, this panel focused on the growing trend of organic and green textile production.

From FIT - "1st floor Sustainable fashion is no longer a niche market concern. Beyond the current trend for organic materials, consumers are becoming more aware of the apparel industry’s impact on the environment as media coverage on global warming increases. From consumer lifestyle shifts to fair trade practices, panelists will define and discuss the complex issues surrounding eco-fashion or green fashion. Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York; Britt Bivens, director of 4.5 Productions; Susan Cianciolo, designer and artist; Johanna Hofring, entrepreneur and owner of Lower East Side boutique Ekovaruhuset; and Sass Brown, professor of Fashion Design at FIT, designer and fair-trade fashion consultant, will explore this timely topic. "

I had the opportunity to meet quiet unassuming Aussie Britt Bivens from her generous contribution of fabric samples to my non-profit Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE, Inc. Her generosity was abounding as she spoke about her work in the industry. As she mentioned her anticipation of an upcoming Green seminar at FIT, I considered attending. Little did I realize that not only was she director for 4.5 productions a cutting edge Trend forecasting agency, but she was also director for Promostyle US - a top Trend forecaster in the US.

The program began with Ms. Bivens discussing green trends in the market and how the public is setting the tone with merchandisers and manufacturers, creating a need for change in the textile market.

The program moved on to Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York. Ms. Gilhart shared the dilemma of high end businesses in finding organic/green products of the quality of their other merchandise. This challenge brought them to rediscovering the organic quality of products they already had and requesting unique design for the Holiday season. They also approached designers Philip Lim and Heather McCartney to create organic items espeically for Barney's. This plan was a unique success. Barneys is looking for energy and dynamism in their designers. Their customers desire the luxurious - want to have things that are handcrafted. The commitment to have a Holiday Season catalog committed to Green Products speaks volumes for the future textile market.

Next was Susan Ciaciolo, internationally reknowned artist and fashion designer. She currently is working on handsewn commissioned pieces for clients. Her focus was on recycled denim and reworked vintage clothing. It was wonderful how she passed pieces of her work to the audience to get a real feel for her work. She stated that when working in Japan, she created an entire collection from organic materials. This process for her was amazing showing that working organically preserved an actual "energy in the fabric."

More about this on our next installment.

Crochet as Fibre Art - Sue Rock Crochet Welcomed at Corporate Art Show

2007-11-09T07:48:00.000-05:00

In October, Sue Rock's crochet work was welcomed at the Thacher Proffit & Wood's Homegrown Art Show. Photography, Oil paint, watercolor and mixed media were also featured.

It is amazing to have my work featured at this unique venue. I am currently working at Thacher Proffit, so to have the opportunity to showcase my work in a different way seemed great. The responses have been wonderful and whenever I am in the 30th floor corridor, I get a chance to see my work.

I think the most interesting part was choosing the pieces and then figuring out how to mat them.

My husband and I worked together using insulation (lightweight and inexpensive!) covered with sheer black as a background .

PLUS SIZE FASHION MAKES WAVES IN NEW YORK

2007-10-11T10:46:00.001-04:00

Art of Curves was an event hosted by HSSAINC, Bigger and Better Thangs and Smooth Z Productions. Their focus was to feature designers whose focus is creating dynamic designs in size 12 and up to an audience interested in creativity and form.

To a full house, models strutted their stuff down the runway to wild applause.

New York City is all about fashion in September. With the industry's top designers showcasing their spring collections on the catwalks in Bryant Park and other choice venues throughout the city, everyone gets fashion fever.

Bigger & Better Thangs (BBT) Entertainment and HSS&A, Inc. are bringing the hype to the "curvier" community with the first annual The Art of Curves plus-size fashion show.

"The Art of Curves, is not just a fashion show, it's a movement," said Blacque Southerland, CEO of HSS&A, Inc. "It's will show the world that plus-size fashion is not just one dimensional."

Scheduled to take place September 21st at New York's Westside Loft, The Art of Curves will be showcasing some of the plus community's top designers including: Svoboda, Trentacosta, House of Sir Charles , Sue Rock Originals, and BGU.

In the wake of the last year's ban of "skinny" models on the runway, this event is garnering a lot of interest. Divabetic, Nova Intell and The Fat Girl Flea Market are some of the sponsors who are throwing their support behind The Art of Curves showing the response to the increased influence the plus-size community is having on the fashion world.

"We are stepping up the game, in fashion and plus size entertainment community, no longer with we be on the back burner," said Michael Belgrave, President of B.B.T, Inc.

And Sue Rock Originals was there!

Susan Hargett-Rock participates in Thacher Proffitt & Wood Art Show - WOW!

2007-10-08T12:54:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Happy Fall and wishing you all my very best - I just wanted to share the good news with you. Thacher Profitt & Wood LLP has an art show in their offices four times a year, of which one is a "Home Grown" Art Show. The show runs in their 30th floor gallery from October through December and I will be in it with a number of other employee artists :)) (see if you can spot the crochet in the flyer! :))

Its wonderful to share this exciting news with you all!!

Sue Rock Originals at ART OF CURVES

2007-09-18T10:13:00.000-04:00

Fall is in the air and if you know anything about the Fashion capital of the world - New York is the home of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. On Friday, September 21, 2007, Sue Rock Originals will be featured with more than seven other designers focusing on bringing fashion to those of us who are larger than a size 2!!!

Art of Curves presents itself as "...not just a fashion show, it's a movement". We are thrilled to be a part of this extravaganza. Scheduled to take place September 21st at New York's Westside Loft, The Art of Curves will be showcasing for a cause, some of the plus community's top designers including: Svoboda, Trentacosta, House of Sir Charles , Sue Rock Originals, and Big Girls United.

We will be focusing on Fall fashions with seven new skirts, Ponchos, coverups and vests!

See you there:

what: THE ART OF CURVES PLUS SIZE FASHION SHOW AND AFTER PARTY
where: 336 WEST 37TH STREET 6TH FLOOR
when: SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 8PM
cost: $40 AND $80 VIP ( open bar, food, preferred seating, gift bags and more)
online ticket sales: http://biggerandbetterthangs.com/fashionshow.htm
contact: info call 866-239-5534 or http://us.f510.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=theartofcurves@gmail.com

It is Extraordinary working on a long project....

2007-06-26T09:52:00.001-04:00

....so I met this amazing woman at the Golden Krust restaurant - medical student working her way through roti and peas and rice behind the counter, mulling over whether to come to New York or stay in California for her residency. Alas my effusive spirit rose to the occasion spreading mirth and sunshine in the form of accolades regarding her choice to go into medicine. On and on I went, disregarding the ever growning line of hungry and irate Caribbean folks waiting for their jerk chicken. We spoke and I shared some of who I was and what I do..... She shyly mentioned how she had always wanted a "Crochet Kimono" -

SURE~!!! - I said - NO problem, in fact you DESERVE a Crochet Kimono - well you get the drift.

Buzzing in a world of my own, I hestitated to think just HOW I was going to create this Crochet Kimono, but in the world of crochet Heck! anything is possible -

Well.......
One fitting
Three payments
Two orders of yarn from Elann
and three months later
(and of course countless emails)

My client came to pick up here Crochet Kimono -

Which I present to you now!

I have to of course thank Janine Addison who came by to take these fabulous shots of the work.....

I have never taken on the challenge of a long project - the entire kimono was made with an F hook. I used a fabulous yarn called Mister Joe Blanket - it is an Italian yarn made up of 50% Wool/ 46% Acrylic/ 3% Nylon/ 1% Elastane. I was hoping that by using this almost fingering weight yarn and an F hook, the drape would work and I think it did great!

Crochet Bathing Suits created for TBA to be featured at Bikinis Under the Bridge!!!

2007-06-25T14:23:00.001-04:00

Internationally renowned swimwear designers from the Caribbean and the U.S. converge at the chic Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo to showcase the latest in sensual and innovative swimwear.

Brooklyn, New York: JRG Entertainment is announcing its second annual Bikini Under the Bridge Swimsuit Fashion Event, a crowning event in its ten year resume of outstanding fashion shows in Brooklyn. The event will be held at the Tobacco Warehouse at Water and Dock Streets in Dumbo on June 24th, 2007. Doors will open at 4pm with the event slated to begin at 7pm. Headlining the event will be the brilliant designer and Creative Director of both Barbados and St. Kitts Fashion weeks, Roger Gary; Michael Awards 2000 Best New Menswear Designer of the Year, Francis Hendy; and Brooklyn's William Fleet's TBA (To Be Afrikan). TBA hired Sue Rock Originals to create these custom designs for his company!

WBLS' vivacious Wendy Williams will open the show, and Sister2Sister magazine's fashion editor Walter Greene will serve as host. The show will also feature a vibrant after-party (included in ticket price) where attendees will be able to rub shoulders with who's who in Caribbean politics, sports, business, and of course, fashion.

In a no-holds-barred media blitz, JRG has partnered with the MTA to plaster the side panels of 100 buses, and the inside of 50 bus stops with the image of a pouty, 6 ft., bathing suit clad model. With the juxtaposition of platinum hair and dark skin she dares you to miss this great show of eye candy. WBLS's Steve Harvey as well as 93.5's Irie Jam will advertise the event with model/designer interviews and ticket give-aways. National television channels such as VH1, BET, E!, and Lifetime, in addition to local Caribbean channel CIN, will feature commercials of the show.

Thanks Hallmark!

2007-05-02T15:00:00.001-04:00

Make your own | Click to play

Sue Rock Originals and Draco Photography!

2007-05-02T12:13:00.000-04:00

In the quest for more BUZZ about my line, it became clear that it was time for some new images. When I went through the studio, I realized that many items that were going through the door without being photographed.

I surfed the pages of Model Mayhem and discovered brilliance in the photography of Janine Addison, photographer of Draco Photography. Her images are clean, innovative and just plain good - no kitsch or stage drama here. Just excellent lines and the desire to feature the clothes. It also doesnt hurt that she is right in the neighborhood.

When we met at her Brooklyn, NY office, she shared her vision of working in the industry and her three year plan - a notable quality in a young woman under 30! Add to that her diligence to her work and sense of detail (hey- she emails back!) and you have a win win situation all the way around.

Janine and I will be working together to pull together common themes in the Sue Rock line and put together the look book - I look forward to sharing these all with you during the summer. If you are fiending for a little more creative flow, however, make sure to log on to IQONS. IQONS is a website featuring fashion professionals, students and devotees from around the world. Its free and available for all of us. They have shown me alot of love and its worth taking a minnit to check them out! I am listed there at http://www.iqons.com/Sue+Rock

ENJOY this Spring!

the music that I LOVE

2007-04-09T21:48:00.001-04:00

Get your own playlist at snapdrive.net!

Rebel Rebel - How could they KNOW!!!

2007-02-11T19:35:00.000-05:00

Sue Rock Originals is happy and proud to be at Rebel Clothing, located on Nostrand Avenue and Bergen Streets in Brooklyn New York.

Rebel Clothing is located in that interesting midway location - You know - its not really Crown Heights and its not really Bed Stuy. Those mysterious blocks between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue from Bedford Avenue to New York that host a wide variety of homemakers, teachers, artists, students, visionaries, jazz musicians, irie cool cats, old heads and is in the current wave of (all together now!) GENTRIFICATION. In between the corner stores, overnight tax centers and 99cent stores lies Rebel Clothing - a beacon of clarity in this Brooklyn fashion haze.

Visit Jah Gee and enjoy the beauty of her tailoring and silk screening savvy!

Happy New Year

2007-01-03T06:14:00.001-05:00

January.......... A time of new beginnings, renewal, planning... During this time we’ll be planning for the spring, 2007 and Fall 2008 seasons. I have finally found a consistent location. I was in 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise for a hot second...... I basically need to learn who my customer is. No one can do that for you, you have to see these people yourself, and spend some time. I think as a crocheter I was intimidated by an audience and shy about meeting people and talking about my work.

If you want to see and purchase the current products for SRO, I am in Brooklyn, Saturday mornings on the west side of Grand Army Plaza, next to the weekly Greenmarket Farmer’s Market. On Sundays, you can find SRO items at PS 321 at the Park Slope Flea Market.

The holidays of ’06 did being some sales, lots of gifts and a fashion show in Irvington N. J. (thanks Valon!)

We will continue into the beginning of the year with our very feminine ruffle scarves and a new addition, knit fabric hats – designed by Ifasina.

From the Spring ’07 collections sheers, ruffles, interesting necklines and bows (or tied fabric) are key to every designer’s look. I don’t know how many “regular” folks are going to rocking black, dark plum or navy this spring but the pink/grey trend will remain consistent, as well as whites, yellow and bright red on the women’s apparel color palette.

4W Circle of Art and Enterprise features Sue Rock

2006-11-11T20:19:00.001-05:00

It is wonderful in New York - the fall air is crisp and warm for November. 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise will be featuring items from sue rock originals for Fall, 2006. Despite many requests, I kept my focus on accessories for this season. Beautiful rich fall fabrics came into my possession last month and I just HAD to try some scarves. Seems like some scarves are just never long enough don'cha know, so working lengthwise and with a ruffle flair, I designed something fabulous and feminine for Fall, 2006. Scarves are running $83 at 4W and are selling fast!

Make sure to stop by and pick one out for yourself or a friend (or both!)

Love

sue rock

Fashion Week brought major contacts!!

2006-09-25T15:43:00.001-04:00

Welcome to "Autumn in New York!" Well fashion week is over and I had to most amazing time - thanks to the magic of Craigslist, I was able to get some advertising production done while make some fantastic new acquaintances. I was introduced by plus size fashion model Teresa Steele to some amazing and positive women. Stylist and buyer, Michele Martinez of Dulce Style has made an art of finding hip, stylish clothing for the curvy and sophisticated. With her encouragement (and Teresa's prodding) we made a bee-line to the penthouse where plus lines SVOBODA and Anna Scholz were camped out. They loved the lush and beautiful fabrics I pulled out and they gave me some serious business tips. It was a marvelous nite! Thanks - you women are fantastic!!

Northern African Tambour gives birth to crochet

2006-07-31T16:22:00.001-04:00

Research suggests that crochet probably developed most directly from Chinese needlework, a very ancient form of embroidery known in Turkey, India, Persia and North Africa, which reached Europe in the 1700s and was referred to as "tambouring," from the French "tambour" or drum.

In this technique, a background fabric is stretched taut on a fra me. The working thread is held underneath the fabric. A needle with a hook is inserted downward and a loop of the working thread drawn up through the fabric. With the loop still on the hook, the hook is then inserted a little farther along and another loop of the working thread is drawn up and worked through the first loop to form a chain stitch. The tambour hooks were as thin as sewing needles, so the work must have been accomplished with very fine thread.

At the end of the 18th century, tambour evolved into what the French called "crochet in the air," when the background fabric was discarded and the stitch worked on its own.

(from the Crochet Guild newsletter)

The Spring Line of Ponchos -

2006-05-16T08:17:00.000-04:00

Ode to the Vintage Pattern.....

2006-04-24T10:02:00.000-04:00

Vintage patterns, Vintage patterns
- how I love them
- let me count the ways...

I love thee by the length and breadth of your crocheted pants
and the ways of your structured collars.

I love thy brilliance
in the creation of dresses I had only imagined in my dreams.

I love your insistence
that yarn CAN be fur
Whether as loops, chains or fringe...

Oh how I love thy garish combinations of blue and gold,
lilac and green
and the ever prominent orange and brown with teal.
Thy garish combinations bespeak of a time when color did live!

Oh vintage pattern, how I marvel at your diligence.
The determination to carry a pattern on for pages.
The ease with which you speak of the size 11 crochet needle,
lo barely visible
to be used with floss to create bedpreads and curtains
- as if this were an activity worth carrying on.

Oh dear vintage pattern with your size 2 14 inch needles,
create the full length dress with extensive color changes and cabling.

Show me where the true craft of crocheting and knitting

has come.....

and where it should be.....

Oh vintage pattern, how I love thee......

VERBA LYNETTE PRESENTS SUE ROCK ORIGINALS

2006-04-11T11:39:00.000-04:00

Host Verba Lynette will present Sue Rock of sue rock originals
on her weekly Tuesday evening talk show TONITE at 9:00 pm ON BCAT.
On the show, Verba will discuss with Sue how she got started, how to develop connections to African craft cooperatives and Sue's unique use of fashion in serving the community with her knitting charity which uses volunteers to design and create clothing for survivors of domestic violence. A variety of knit and crocheted items will be featured as you get an in depth look at this 21st century entrepreneur.

You can watch BCAT on Cablevision Channel 68 or Time Warner Channel 35
Or if you are outside the Brooklyn, New York area
Log on here - http://www.brooklynx.org/bcat/ and click where it says
WATCH BCAT LIVE to broadcast on your computer.

ENJOY!!

For the Love of PLAID -

2005-10-18T16:42:00.000-04:00

I have been mentioning to my closest friends and anyone who would listen that I discovered this insanely easy technique to create amazing tweed/plaid. You see I am an advocate of the redemption of crochet from the cornball craft that it has been portrayed in every magazine from 1984 till now to the high end FLY artform that it is portrayed in every magazine before then.

While looking for what I would actually like to make for myself from my over 2,000 plus patterns, I came upon a unique pattern - now granted it was in Olive, Orange and Yellow - the theme colors it seems (with beige, cream and RED) for the early to mid seventies - but it was a unique concept: Create a crocheted mesh, a filet crochet if you will, but create it in Yarn and make a consistent stripe pattern - 2 Olive, 2 Beige, 1 Taupe, 2 Olive 2 Beige, 1 Taupe - you get the picture.

When you have the width and length to your liking, starting from the center of the item - and with three strands of yarn REPEAT THE STRIPE - but VERTICALLY in and out of the holes of the mesh (always remembering to alternate with each vertical row (if one is outin out in, the next should be inout, in out). When I first started out, well, assured of my incompetence I was disheartened at the scary mishmosh that developed....but I plugged along.

when I finished the first side, I almost could not breathe

It was PLAID - and moreover it looked NOTHING like CROCHET!

And LIGHT? - the fabric of these skirts/jackets/scarves - whatever you want is so dense, yet so light - they don't even need to be lined. I found that this is a wonderful technique for unknown yarns or acrylics that disappoint as well as with unknown quantities of yarns - these items create great volume without requiring much yardage - for each of these I barely used two skeins of yarn (grignasco sizes - 132 yards) and they are a size 2-6

Making sure I've got somethin' ta' wear!!

2005-10-18T16:28:00.000-04:00

This is a HOT mini - I combined a slubbed and a rayon yarn together and WOW! (actually looking forward to putting it together with some boots!)

Because I am so crazed for EBAY I spent an ridiculous amount of money on a SLEW of yarn of which there was ice blue, lavender and purple chenille on cones (oh yeah, I can REALLY use that!) - Well I got over with this skirt - you've got to love the fact I found Light Blue Shoes!

Ah but the piece de resistance is this creamy concoction of Grignasco coral yarn with Orange and a Red thread running through to give it umph! I added the white band at the bottom to give it a prep feel (..... if it didn't come off of my shoulders so!)

Finally I had to work on this beautiful wrap dress. Over a white blouse with a tie and a pair of black boots - it fits like a dream and the yarn was exquisite!

Products in process........

2005-07-26T16:47:00.000-04:00

Various Scarves from Spring 2006 Accessories

and Sexy Tube tops (vrrrroooom vrrrroooom!)

and the never ending projects for FALL!

It's 2005 GO International

2005-06-04T19:50:00.000-04:00

When I first considered using knitters from Rwanda to create items in my crochet design line it was like a dream. I thought that I would have to figure out some way of being home all the time to create.

The ease of the process was phenomenal. I mean it was just picking up the phone (typing in the email, as it were) to Cari Clement made the entire experience open up. Ms. Clement was wonderful - open and engaging. To thinks, this is a woman who was vice president of a kintting machine company and made the choice to train others who were less fortunate so that they would have a skill that would be marketable in today's economy.

Next came discussion on the logistics of working with people so far away. Enter Liz Wald of EDImports. She has worked with these women extensively and was easy to talk to. She shared all the details, as they came up, and indulged every question.

Within no time, samples came from overseas and in six months I had the products in my hot little hands - PERFECT and in the colors I selected.

Internationally there are crafts cooperatives located in every region. From Nepal to Rio, there are micro-economic development funds created for women and men working towards uplifting their communities with the skills that they have. Bringing these valued skills to the marketplace is an effort that is created country by country, community by community.

..on making a dollar out of 15 cents.......

2005-05-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

It all started with a conversation with my marketing consultant......pretty inocuous really. We sat in a cafe along the fashion row of Brooklyn's Fulton Street.... As I sipped coffee and sthough aabout whether these eggs really were "Egg's Benedict", we discussed the ways in which a perosn could approacht he fashion market as a profession as oppossed to an ego-boost. She shared strategies and tips and I just drank it all in.

As our conversation drew to a close, I realized that in all of our discussion, she had not suggested print or media advertising..........what about a website (surely EVERYONE has to have a website , right?) - As a veteran of the handmade industry, with a crochet design company under her belt, she encouraged me against print or web presence......"Unless you know how many items you can get out within what amount of time - you are going to be in a world of trouble when interest hits. .......cause when it "hits" you had better be ready for it....."

I thought about all of this when I returned to work that Monday (and they WERE Eggs Benedict - this verified by my Sous Chef husband!)........With the aforementioned 15 cents in my pocket, I began surfing the web, continually looking at website designs, preparing for that fateful day when I TOO would have a website....scanning for what looked right.....seeing what the standard was and noting successful techniques for mounting picture online......and then I found them - Tara Handknits, two women, in California who had an unbelievable 6 Groups of products - I mean they had the hat, the scarves, the gloves, the children's hats, the mittens, the legwarmers, the curtains, the towel sets (with or without monogram!)

I mean really they had it ALL.......

....Wait a minnit
....how the heck did they do this.....
...I know the RULE - I heard it from my marketing consultant - you're not allowed to have a website (see how I hear things?!) unless you KNOW where and how your hand made items are going to be produced....

Riled up and ready to go, I searched their website to find out where the little 7 year old blind girls were that were being contracted to make these items (who were probably making them in the basement of an abandoned building no less!)...

....but found no such girls - blind or otherwise! - I found thatthese two sisters had developed a relationship with ACP - the Association of Craft Producers located in Kathmandu, Nepal. I began to search "knitters cooperatives" and WOW - the rest is history.

Sue Rock Originals - the beginning........

2005-05-19T07:03:00.000-04:00

sue rock originals came out of the need to bring the classic tradition of crochet to the growing handknit and crochet marketplace. We are design company that has produced of a line of hand crocheted seasonal accessories and clothing. We will be launching a travel bag in the fall that has been produced in collaboration with the men and women of Rwanda and Kenya. Their knitting and crochet cooperatives have been key in making this possible.

Without any liquid capital and in an effort to "make a dollar out of 15 cents" I searched the internet for crochet patterns. These wound up being the initial pieces to a now extensive vintage pattern collection spanning the early 1920’s to today. Ebay would be next – as the resource for first purchases of yarn. Its back and forth correspondence style between buyer and seller encouraged a wonderful sense of community. One relationship afforded a remarkable windfall – all of the remaining stock from the yarn store she had closed 3 years ago (at 10 cents on the dollar!). As I surveyed the mounting patterns and now non-stop boxes coming to my door, I marveled – "God must certainly have a plan for this….."

Hats turned to scarves and scarves turned to skirts. As the retail market continued to flood with Mexican made ponchos and imported Chinese scarves, I diligently worked on crochet fedoras, bubble cloches and dense, tailored men’s accessories. A chance meeting with marketing consultant Jada Goodlet turned the direction of the company to a whole new perspective – a line of travel accessories in rich fabrics and wonderful colors for the high end travel market. But how to have these items created easily and affordably? Enter Cari Clement, originator of the Fiber and Craft Entrepreneurial Development Center (FACED), one of the Centers for Social Responsibility located in Kigali, Rwanda and a thriving knitter’s cooperative. With her and Liz Wald of EDImports, sue rock originals has the samples for its travel line and the beginnings of a thriving business relationship.

Through working with people such as Jada Goodlet of Goodlet Consulting, Liz Wald of EDImports, the United Nations Micro Economic Development Group and businesses like 4W Circle of Arts and Enterprise in Brooklyn, sue rock originals will most assuredly be successful.