DIME FEATURED MAKER: MADELINE WOOD

Every so often, we like to check in with the ladies over at The DIME Store and highlight one of the makers whose work they sell in-store. This month we hear from Rachel Nichelson from the handmade clothing outfit, Madeline Wood. Nichelson has been making handmade clothing for both adults and children for years now and has her work sold all over the place. We think she's pretty cool and that her clothes are, too. Read on to find out what drew her to fashion, how she manages to appeal to all age groups and find out about her brand new collection!

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DIME: So first of all, what's the skinny behind the name "Madeline Wood"? Because the word on the street is that your name isn't Madeline. ;-)

Rachel Nichelson: Yes, I know it might be a little confusing and I have occasionally been called Madeline at shows. But Madeline Wood is actually just a simple recognition to my grandmother.  And now it is also my daughter’s name. You might say Madeline Wood embraces the past and present.

What first drew you to fashion?

I can always remember loving fashion and creating with my hands, even as a little girl.  But in my early teen years I got the opportunity to work in a small womens boutique. I loved unpacking the inventory and seeing all the new styles. Dressing up the mannequins and setting up the window displays was amazing.  I fell in love with fashion.

We love that your dresses and accessories for little girls are just as tasteful and timeless as your line for adults. What do you love most about designing for youngsters and adults alike?  

I have always loved how little girl clothes embraces more of a whimsical feeling. A few years ago I had a strong desire to start adapting my women’s designs for little girls. But recently some of my little girls designs I have been adapting for my women’s collection. Its so fun how they can be interchangeable.  But what brings me the most joy is when my daughter asks for one of my dresses in her size!

At the DIME Store, we see everyone age 20 to 80 drawn to your adorable shirts and blouses. What do you think makes your work so appealing to basically everyone?   

I hope its because they are drawn to my colorful fabric and simple vintage inspired silhouettes. I love color and patterns both in modern and vintage fabrics. I am also fascinated with vintage fashion and use it for inspiration when designing. Blending these all  together you get colorful timeless fashion, and I think that is what draws women and girls of all ages into Madeline Wood.

We love your material choices! How do you go about finding your eclectic fabrics? 

I have been collecting fabric for years, you might say I am bit of a fabric hoarder. I buy surplus fabric, which is designer and manufacture leftovers and misprints. And I will scour the internet and estate sales for vintage fabric.  I also have found some great pieces at Scrap here in Denton.

“My dream is for Madeline Wood to be in boutiques across the country and world wide.”

— Rachel Nichelson

What are you most excited about with your new collection?  

I am so excited about the fabric I found last spring and the new styles I have added to my own wardrobe.  Although every piece is my favorite, I was ecstatic about the hound hunting fabric I found and for the last year would daydream about it as a mini skirt! I am delighted to finally introduce the Marie skirt to my Etsy shop.

Where are you hoping to see Madeline Wood go in the future?

My dream is for Madeline Wood to be in boutiques across the country and world wide. I would love to see the wholesale side of Madeline Wood grow.  But for now I am focusing on my Etsy shop and I hope to see it flourish.

How did you get involved with the DIME Store?

Well I met Rachel and Shelly when I participated in one of the Etsy Denton Handmade shows a couple years ago. I was invited to bring in my garments when DIME opened a year ago, but it wasn’t until February this year that I finally brought Madeline Wood to the DIME Store.

Aside from the DIME Store, where can we shop your work?

You can find Madeline Wood on Etsy or in my studio by appointment.

Any advice for aspiring makers?

Do what you love, work hard at it and develop your skills. Don’t compare yourself to others or worry about mistakes, just learn from them. Trust your instincts and love what you make!

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Madeline Wood on Etsy | Facebook | Website

DIME FEATURED MAKER: SAVANNAH TEEL

Interview by The DIME Store, Photos by Savannah Teel 

Savvie Designs may be new to the DIME Store, but the amazing lady behind the brand, Savannah Teel, has been on the Denton creative scene for quite a while. She runs two Etsy shops, works part time at SCRAP, and serves on the DIME leadership board, all while hammering out the last few classes of her UNT visual arts degree. This busy gal took some time out of her busy schedule to sit down with us and talk about her love of making, lasers, and most importantly, tacos. Unfortunately, we didn't get to discuss laser tacos, the taco of the future. 

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Have you always been involved in creative things and making?

Yes! I often joke that I was born with glitter in one hand and a glue gun in the other. I grew up in a very creative family. Both my dad and brother were engineers and builders, my mom was the craftiest lady in town, and my grandmother was a DIY queen. It was impossible to just sit around when I was constantly surrounded by creativity.

What first inspired you to get into laser cutting and material fabrication?

I needed an extra studio credit and UNT was offering an online Digital Fabrication course over the summer. I enrolled because it sounded like an easy elective but after the first day, I realized that it was so much more. I was amazed by the possibilities that laser cutting provides and it was something that just clicked for me. Out of pure curiosity, I started searching for actual Digital Fabrication jobs and found a part-time summer gig working with laser cutters and 3D printers. I landed the job and had an incredible opportunity to pick up the trade. It fell together so quickly that I just knew it was what I needed to be doing right then. 

What’s it like to finally have your own laser cutter?

So amazing! I’m not going to lie, it was the most terrifying purchase that I’ve ever made. Not only because it was a huge investment but because I had so much to learn. But now I feel so empowered by the potential!

What struggles have you faced in growing your business while still in school and still in a student apartment?

For one, there is no “I was late to class because I stayed up all night filling a rush order of 150 custom boxes” option on the syllabus. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to balance but it can be done. I’ve learned that time management and self-discipline are my best friends. 

Now, trying to create a digital fabrication studio environment inside a tiny college apartment is an art within itself. The other day, one of my neighbors approached me and said, “You must be the girl who plays with power tools at 3am and has smoke billowing out of the window from time to time. Can you tell me what you’re doing?” Besides looking like I’m cooking meth in my apartment, I’ve also learned that space is crucial. Thankfully I have a roommate who doesn’t mind me storing piles of salvaged lumber in the living room and a little sawdust in the carpet from time to time. 

In addition to Savvie Designs, you also have a partner Etsy shop with your mom called Regeneration. Is it easy to design and create for both, or is it a difficult balance?

You know, I feel like they sort of balance each other out. Although I love the creative freedom that the digital process provides, I think it is important as a maker to hang onto the skills that come with a more physical, hands on process. If I were doing it alone, I don’t think I could make it happen but my mom is a total rock star and it gives us something really fun to do together.

What are your plans for Savvie Designs once you finish your degree at UNT?

My thoughts are constantly evolving. One thing is that I really want to bring a more tactile sense to my work. I want to incorporate my love of sewing, drawing, and other hands on assets even more. I also have a vision of creating a resource for other makers. I’ve had so much fun finding ways to promote my own brand via laser cutting and I would love to explore the needs of today’s creatives. At the end of the day, there are so many possibilities.  

How did you become involved with DIME?

I went to the DIME Spring Bash during my first year at UNT and was overwhelmed with excitement about what was happening. Later, I met the lovely Shelley Christner while volunteering at SCRAP and I remember thinking “I’m not sure who this chick is but we need to be friends.” When she told me that they were opening an actual store, I was beyond excited. I wasn’t selling at the time but I couldn’t get over the concept of a DIME Show year round. I was so encouraged by the creative community and realized that I had been ignoring my need to make for far too long.

If you’re not hanging out up at the DIME Store, what are your favorite places to be around town?

I would have to say SCRAP is at the top of my list, which is rather convenient since I also work there. When I’m not being inspired from the goodness of creative reuse, I love to scour through the thrift stores of Denton or hang out on the square. I also frequent every single taco shop in town. All of them. That reminds me, I don’t think any interview is complete without noting that I do trade laser cut goods and services for free tacos. I’m looking at you, El Guapos.

Where can we shop your work?

You can find my work online at Savvie Design Co. I also sell at the lovely DIME Store, Fun and a Lil’ Chic Boutique in Irving, and I've made a custom line for Bella Gardens, a cute little flower shop in my hometown.

Do you have any advice for aspiring Etsy sellers?

Don’t play the comparison game. When I began thinking about starting an Etsy, I would go to the front page, look at the featured listings, and then close my laptop and walk away. I didn’t account for the fact that I was comparing myself to trained artisans who had years of practice under their belt. You should never stop learning or growing as a maker and as a person so don’t expect to start at the top. The best thing I ever did was write down all of my self-doubt on a sheet of notebook paper, then rip it to shreds and throw it away. Make what you love and make for the love of making.

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The DIME Store is a shop and artist collective in downtown Denton that features art, craft, and vintage from 40+ local makers. Rachel Aughtry and Shelley Christner act as the "curators and purveyors" of the shop. When they're not at DIME, you'll find them behind their sewing machines or enjoying a margarita at The Greenhouse.

JIVE FIVE: THE DIME SUMMER BAZAAR

Rachel Aughtry and Shelley Christner of The Dime Store have been hosting the Etsy Denton Summer Bazaar for a few years now. This weekend, our favorite handmade market is sure to please. We're excited for some of our favorite local makers and artists to all be under one roof where we can find art for our walls, pillows for our couches, gifts for all of those summer weddings and new hand towels for the kitchen since ours seem to always be stained from chocolate, wine and darker colored alcohols. 

This isn't our first time at the Summer Bazaar. We've gone elbows to elbows with other handcrafted patrons before. Thusly, we took it upon ourselves to assemble some do's and dont's in the form of a Jive Five for you to abide by when you hit up the Bazaar on Saturday. Read 'em below and add your tips in the comments!

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The talented Mandy Cave will have a few Denton-centric watercolors available

TO DO'S:  

Get there early. The first 50 people in line get a 'goody bag' stuffed with fun things, like 'free drink' cards from Jupiter House and stickers from us. 

Come a little hungry. Plenty of food vendors will be around. Make sure to grab a bite at one of the food trucks while you're waiting in line to get in. If you see Shiitake Swerve around, try their original taco!

Smile! We'll be out there taking a few photographs and want to see happy, peppy people buying goodies. 

Encourage your friends from Dallas to take the A Train in and join you at the market. Then, hike across the parking lot to Hoochie's for cold PBRs and a po-boy afterwards. 

Make sure not to miss the Dowdy Studio Wagon - aka the world's smallest handmade shop - setup outside of the Greater Denton Arts Council building. 

Grenade plushie from Fuzzy Muffins

Dino-plushie from Fuzzy Muffins

TO DON'TS:  

Don't complain about the line. Just be friendly and be excited that local artists are drawing such a great crowd. 

Don't overlook Fuzzy Muffins, located behind the plushie octopus. There is likely hiding a stuffed grenade and dinosaur, both of which are way too cute to handle. 

Forgot to grab cash? Don't worry about it too much. Just about all of the vendors use Square now. 

Don't take a snack from the 'honor snack bar' provided by Amitea and the Cupboard without leaving a little cash. That's just rude. 

Father's Day is just around the corner. Don't forget to grab a gift for your pops or grandpops while you're there. We can personally vouch for the beard oil from Austin St. Apothecary for the hairy old men in your life.