Behind the Brand: Argaman&Defiance

We first spotted Argaman&Defiance in our favorite local shop and instantly became enamored with the naturally dyed garments. From crop tops to wine bottle covers, creator of A&D Lydia Crespo constructs stunning pieces that are hand dyed, making each piece uniquely beautiful. Recently Lydia invited us to visit her private studio and we jumped at the opportunity. We always learn so much when visiting makers in their creative spaces and this certainly was no exception. Her knowledge of natural dyes and love for the craft made our visit with Lydia both inspiring and extremely informative. This rad lady sure is killing it!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand.
My name, Lydia, means “The maker of Purple Dye”. No joke. That color was described as Argaman, which translates from Hebrew as crimson. My grandparents lived in Defiance, Missouri. They lived in the middle of a forest at the top of a bluff in the most beautiful house you have ever seen. Windows stretched from the ground to the second floor of the house. Sun drenched the atrium that housed trees stretching as high as the windows. My grandparents showed us how to live respectfully with nature. To love it, care for it, and make sure others have the opportunity to continue to enjoy it.

When I began sourcing my natural dyes extracts it was an easy choice to go with Earthues. Earthues cares for their natural dye plants by making sure they are never over harvested.

Everything in the Argaman&Defiance collection is cut, sewn, naturally dyed, and/or printed by hand in Chicago, IL. We use natural dye extracts that are collected from tree bark, roots, and leaves. The handcrafted process is an artfully crafted skill making each piece unique.

I started my business after receiving the James Nelson Raymond Fellowship after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). I focused in the fiber and material studies department at SAIC, and I used the fellowship to continue my natural dye training, buy supplies, and a domain name after I graduated.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I am an early riser. I like to enter my studio when it is still quiet outside, with a plan of action for the day. I am working with the natural dyes almost everyday. If I am not doing that, I am working on my website, editing photos (a favorite task), marketing, customer service, designing new products… etc. I just recently hired a studio assistant and an intern. Up until then I have been a one woman show!

If it is a Sunday morning you will find me at my local grocery stores collecting red onion skins to create my green dye. Another favorite task!

What is inspiring you right now? 
This is so cheesy… but I am so inspired by the weather right now. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year.

How do you spend your free time?
I love riding my bike. I live near the newly opened 606 Trail. If I have an hour to spare you will find me biking or walking there.

I am also a Netflix and podcast junkie and will gladly spend an entire day watching or listening.

What is your advice for artists and designers that are thinking of starting their own business?
Your voice, brand, identity will be strengthened with practice. Perfection is not the goal when you are first starting out. Becoming comfortable with constant growing pain is. In time it will become less of a pain and seen as a challenge.

What is your favorite nook/corner/room of your home/studio and why?
I have a desk for the first time EVER in my studio. I could sit there forever.

Always on you…
My phone.

Always in the fridge…
Sparkling water

Least favorite chore?
Laundry.

Thanks Lydia for giving us a glimpse into Argaman&Defiance and sharing a bit about yourself.

Don't forget to stay connected! Like Argaman&Defiance on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

BEHIND THE BRAND: Rhine Hall

Rhine Hall is a Chicago distillery that specializes in fruit brandies (schnapps). Their beautifully crafted bottles, impeccable branding, and delicious spirits have been popping up all over town and catching our eye...and our taste buds! With flavors like apple, plum, and mango (which is only made in one other location around the world), Rhine Hall is not only making a name for themselves as the hippest distillery in Chicago, but they're bringing fruit brandy back in style! We met up with owner, Jenny Solberg, and her adorable pup, Atlas, at Rhine Hall to learn more about distilling fruit brandy and how her family has played a vital role in making her business come to life.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Jennifer Solberg. Originally from the Chicago area, I moved away for about 8 years, living everywhere from Vermont to Denver to San Francisco. I was working in tech in San Francisco but eventually made my way back to Chicago to open Rhine Hall Distillery with my Dad. I live in Wicker Park now with my fiancé and dog, Atlas.  

So…why brandy? 
Rhine Hall is the product of a family hobby turned business. In the 70's my Dad, Charlie, played professional hockey in Austria. Rhine Hall (Rhinehalle) is the name of the rink where he played! When he wasn’t playing hockey, he spent time with the locals, and they taught him how to make this liquor native to that region. They called it schnapps. Some call it eau de vie. But in America it's known as fruit brandy. Whatever name it goes by, the definition is the same: 100% distilled from fruit. My Dad eventually moved back to Chicago, quit hockey, and started a business (unrelated to alcohol), but he never lost his love for making fruit brandy. Years later when he was launching European operations for his business, we moved to Germany as a family. That is when the whole family (I'm the youngest of 5 kids!) was introduced to making brandy. It became this hobby we all shared. When we moved back to Chicago, we continued to make brandy, mashing and distilling fruit in the backyard (my Dad tricked out an old stationary exercise bike in to a fruit chopping machine and us kids would take turns on it!). A lot of passion and love went in to making our backyard product, it was just a matter of time before someone in the family took it to the next level. That person, was me! I decided to take the leap of faith and make a business of it.

What's your favorite Rhine Hall brandy/cocktail and why? 
My favorite is our classic Rhine Hall Old Fashioned. It's not too sweet or too strong - just a spirit-forward cocktail that let's the Rhine Hall Apple Brandy shine through. All of our apples are sourced locally in the Mid West and that makes our Apple Brandy cocktails even more special.

Rhine Hall just celebrated it's one year anniversary. What's in store for the coming months/years? Yes! Phew! Multiple state distribution, new product releases, more parties. :)

What's your best piece of advice for others thinking of starting their own business?

Go for it! What do you have to loose? The happiness and motivation you get from running your own business on a daily basis outweighs any unknown if you don’t give it a shot. It is definitely a lot of hard work, time, and resilience but you can channel your energy and effort where YOU want to!

What do you love to do when you're not busy at the Distillery?
I like to go on walks with Atlas, check out beer gardens around the city, spend time in nature, and TRAVEL.

What is inspiring you right now?
Other butt-kicking women entrepreneurs! Also, visiting other cities to learn different ways of running successful small distilleries.

Has living in Chicago influenced any aspects of Rhine Hall?

Chicago has made Rhine Hall want to capitalize on the strong and rich cultural influences the city has. For example, it has been fun to reach out to as many Eastern Europeans as possible for our Plum Brandy aka Slivovitz. :) The physical location of Rhine Hall just seemed natural, all of our neighbors are entrepreneurs and manufacturing based. We love being in a neighborhood where things are constantly being made!

Thanks Jenny (and Atlas!) for giving us a tour of Rhine Hall's beautiful tasting room and distillery. Don't just look at our fancy photos, visit yourself and take a tour! Pop in on Thursdays (6:00 PM) or Saturdays (3:00 and 4:30 PM) to enjoy a drink and learn a little bit more about Rhine Hall. Maybe you'll even get a turn on the bike! Reservations are recommended.

Stay connected! Like Rhine Hall on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

BEHIND THE BRAND: Camille Carnevale Fine Jewelry + A Giveaway! - CLOSED

We're so very pleased to introduce you to the next maker in our BEHIND THE BRAND series. Meet the darling Camille of Camille Carnevale Fine Jewelry. Based in New York, Camille creates delicate and simple pieces for ladies who are light of heart and heavy in to a dreamy aesthetic. We met Camille over the invisible airwaves of the internet but she exudes the kind of warmness and laid back familiarity that make one feel like she's been your friend forever. We're dying to visit her gorgeous live/work space in Albany and are super excited she's sharing a glimpse of her studio life with us today!

Camille is such a rad lady, that she is gifting a piece from her new Spring collection to one very lucky Foxtail + Moss reader. Check out our interview with her below and enter the giveaway!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand.
I am a jewelry designer, born and raised in Albany, NY. My brand is called Camille Carnevale Fine Jewelry. A lot of people ask me if that’s my real name, which it is! The family story is that my distant grandfather was left on the steps of a Cathedral as an orphan during the Carnevale in Italy which is a celebration of lent similar to Mardi Gras. The leaders at the church named him appropriately after the annual festival. I definitely embrace the mystery of that story in the way I display my designs and market my brand. To achieve the ultimate mystique, and to fulfill the definition of my name, I intentionally direct my jewelry towards women with festive and adventurous spirits.

How did you become a jewelry maker?
At the beginning of my senior year of high school I sat down with my guidance counselor to write my school schedule and she suggested that I take a jewelry class first period which I had absolutely no interest in at the time. I was always looking for a way to skip school in the morning and I thought this would be a really good place for me to sleep first period away but when I showed up to my first class they put a torch in my hand and began teaching me how to use a lapidary wheel. I picked up enameling and basic metal smithing techniques very quickly and pretty soon I realized it was meant to be.

After high school I went to a local community college but when I was rejected from the institutions art education department. Devastated, I decided I wanted to do things my own way. I dropped out in the middle of my first semester to open my business and moved to New York City to pursue my long-term dream of becoming a fashion designer which turned into a specific focus on jewelry. I went on to graduate from the leading trade school in the industry with a degree in Gemology and Jewelry Design. I also studied manufacturing and diamond setting while working for a designer in the city. From there I trained with a master jeweler who helped me become very confident with my craftsmanship. Today I live in Albany where I run my business full time and I love every minute of it.

What does your creative process look like?
Although I have a degree in jewelry design, I rarely sketch. I find the creative process much more fulfilling when I simply sit down and make it happen.

I use a lot of my tools as inspiration. Whatever tool I have laying around I use for certain techniques. On some days I like to try out different techniques to see what happens and I usually end up designing based on the outcome. One of my most popular designs is the crescent moon necklace which I created by using different sized circular steel punches and dies. I have a lot of intrinsic motivation when it comes to creating art so, the drive I have when making one of the first models for a collection is unstoppable. I don’t stop until I’m satisfied. My friends make fun of me because I’ll send them pictures of myself working at 5 am.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I love to make breakfast. I have to eat breakfast every morning or I feel like a zombie. Naturally, green smoothies have been a great way for me to start my day. I’ve been keeping a ton of fruit and leafy greens in the fridge lately. It’s really helping me stay happy and energized throughout the day. I’m also pretty active. I have Pilates sessions every week which I could never live without. I also recently picked up figure skating which I absolutely LOVE. We have a public rink at the Empire State Plaza, here in Albany. It’s amazing, plus it’s free! Best winter activity, ever. I also love running. It’s definitely my go to exercise. I try to get outside everyday and enjoy the fresh air, even when it’s cold out.

Between designing and eating and running I try to make time to read the news. I believe that it’s important to have an educated opinion about important issues. I read the New York Times every morning and I try to listen to public radio, when I can.

What is inspiring you right now?
I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed with the internet lately. Pinterest and Instagram can eat you alive as an artist. I try to stick to old books and magazines for inspiration. My creations become a lot more original when I’m not scanning the internet constantly. I really like this illustrator named Julia Rothman. Her books are really cute and great for any coffee table.

My aunt and uncle have owned an estate sale company for the past 20 years so, I’ve collected a lot of old stuff since I was really young. They have acquainted me with a lot of amazing designers and artists over the years. I really love Aubrey Beardsley because his style was so shocking for the Victorian era and Fernando Botero for his political criticism through humor.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of jewelry making?
I love to cook. Both sides of my family come from the grocery business. My grandparents on my moms side owned a market, my grandparents on my dads side owned a different market and my parents owned a gourmet food store which I grew up exploring and learning about food service. We actually have a lot of friends who work at the Food Network so I am always being spoiled with unbelievable food. I try really hard to cook every meal at home. I could never live without a wooden spoon, a cast iron skillet and a really good bottle of olive oil.

I also recently got really into gardening! (I know it’s silly because it’s Winter) But I have a friend who has been showing me a lot about indoor plants. It inspired me so much that I tried to germinate some vegetable seedlings as an experiment and I’ve had 100% success! Right now I have little baby lettuce, beets. basil, parsley and tomatoes! I can’t wait for spring so I can put them in the ground.

Do you have any advice for artists and designers that are thinking of starting their own business?
Hard work pays off. I worked two other jobs while simultaneously running my business for almost 8 years before I could go out on my own. My boss, at a bar that I worked at, once taught me how important it is to work for your employer the way you would want an employee to work for you. It’s the best way to learn about how a business is run even if it’s not the field you want to end up in.

Social media is so important. It’s not who you know or what you know anymore, it’s how you treat other people in this vast world of internet acquaintances. Having proper web etiquette is so critical. Likes and tweets are the currency of the future. You can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch it all happen, you have to get out there, be kind, treat people the way you want to be treated, and ultimately you will rise organically.

Also, never give up on your dreams. If I gave up each time I thought about it I would never be where I am right now.

What do you have in store for Camille Carnevale Fine Jewelry in the coming months and years?
I’m launched my spring/summer collection right before Valentine’s Day and I’m super excited about it. The new collection is heavily inspired by plants and nature. I’m introducing my own version of a rose stem necklace and some staple pieces using rose cut Garnets. Another favorite for the spring collection is a very delicate chain ring that is available in gold and silver.

It’s been a wild ride so far. I’m really excited about the potential that my business holds and I look forward to unlocking future experiences. Being able to watch my small company mature into a quickly growing brand has been the most fulfilling experience of my life thus far.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Camille!

Here's how to enter to win the Garden Rose Necklace:

Step One // Follow Camille Carnevale Fine Jewelry on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Step Two // Subscribe to the Camille Carneval Blog
Step Three // Check out the Spring/Summer line and leave a comment below telling us about your favorite piece or most loved gemstone.
Step Four // Cross your fingers!

Winner will be contacted on Monday, March 9th. Good luck!

*All photography: Laura Andrea Harris Photography

BEHIND THE BRAND: Ms Matilda Designs - GIVEAWAY CLOSED

The brisk cold air was blowing and the snow was falling - a typical Chicago winter day - when we visited Marianne of Ms Matilda Designs at her in home studio. Greeted by her ever-eager pup Chester, we warmed up inside and spent the afternoon chatting about design, running one's own business, puppy love, and all things apartment living in the windy city. Ms Matilda Designs is a local paper goods and design studio that produces small batch social correspondence, note cards, modern greeting cards and prints that feature a mix of hand lettering and typography. Her simply clever one of a kind designs caught our eye last December at the winter Renegade Craft Fair here in Chicago and we instantly knew we wanted to learn more about this talented lady and invite her to be featured on our Behind the Brand series.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand Ms Matilda Designs.
I am a Chicago-based designer; I love the art of hand-lettering and typography, both of which play a huge part in my designs. I am constantly doodling and writing. I keep a small journal with me at all times (and many throughout the apartment) because you never know when an idea or inspired moment will arrive. The name is a family name, not only is it my middle name but also my grandmothers. I love it because I feel this vintage name represents the charm of handwritten letters. Our products also include small batch social correspondence, note cards, greeting cards and prints. I also worked over the last year on wedding invitations as well as branding and stationary for some local businesses.

What does a typical day look like for you? My days vary depending on the project load. I am always glued to my computer working mostly on web designs and branding projects. I like that not every day is exactly the same. I update the shop and fulfill orders throughout the week and on the weekends.

What is inspiring you right now?
There is so much to be inspired by these days, so many amazing makers out there and the accessibility to discover new artist is incredible. I can get lost on pinterest for hours and then look up and wonder where my day went. My journal is filled with doodles and funny thoughts. I will often thumb through these journals for inspirations for cards or just a good laugh. I like to take cues from real life and turn them into something to share with others and hopefully brighten someone’s day.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of Ms Matilda Designs?I spend so much time in front of a computer that if I’m not working I try to explore and take time to learn new things. I have recently rediscovered weaving, growing up I was surrounded by fabric and yarn, my mom has always been very crafty, you could say it’s in the genes. I love exploring this wonderful city, Chicago has so many great things to offer and it’s amazing to think I’ve lived here for 10 years and still have so much to see and do! Going to shows and music in the park during the summer with my boyfriend are a few of my favorite things. Nature is also very important to me; I have a collection of plant life that I treat as if they were pets. I love my plant babies, and of course then there is my fur baby, Chester, who I could snuggle with all day every day for the rest of my life.

What is your advice for artists and designers that are thinking of starting their own business?
It takes a lot of time and motivation. I have experienced highs and lows and moments of self-doubt, but that’s ok, it’s normal. Don’t be scared to get yourself out there.

What do you have in store for Ms Matilda Designs in the coming months and years?I am working on my new website which will include an e-commerce so that is very exciting. I want to grow Ms Matilda to a full design studio with additional services like branding and wedding invitations. I’m looking forward to summer, and participating in some street fests and shows throughout the city.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and Ms Matilda Designs wants to make sure you're prepared! TWO lucky readers will each win three of Marianne's lovely cards just in time for the holiday. Send one to your bff, one to that special someone, and one to your favorite family member. Or hey, just send them to whoever you want!

Here's how to enter and win:
Step One // Follow Ms Matilda Designs on Instagram and "like" Ms Matilda Designs on Facebook.
Step Two // Visit Ms Matilda Designs shop and have a look around.

Step Three // Leave a comment below (with your name) telling us which card you'd love to send that someone special in your life.
Step Four // Cross your fingers!

The winners will be chosen at random on Sunday, February 1. Good luck and thanks Marianne for showing us around Ms Matilda Designs studio. We had a blast!