Unique LA Spring Show

Last Mother's Day weekend was the Unique LA Spring Show held in the penthouse of the California Market Center in downtown LA.  This show is so special in that it embraces the creativity and hard work of independent designers and there is so much comaraderie amongst the participants because we all are supporting eachother's passions.  My friend Charlotte helped me for the weekend show which made such a huge difference and we have so much fun together which is always a necessity.  Here's a few photos from the weekend...

My favorite shot of the weekend is this one with my niece Phoebe and her impeccable style and confidence...if I only had half her moves. She is wearing one of my dresses upcycled from a men's shirt and I'm wearing a dress upcycled from an organic cotton duvet cover and a Book of the Garden necklace.

Yes, Charlotte and I even have fun in elevators.

We had such a good dinner at Industriel after setting up the booth.

Friends from home came to the show...always a surprise and morale booster!

The talented women of Funky Gavroche

My friend and assistant Charlotte wearing my products so well.

I'm with Aisha, one of the Unique LA staff.  They really know how to put together such an incredible show and play a huge role in supporting 'Made in America' products.

Jackie Sepulveda and Lauren Sepulveda of Voz Collective, who introduced me to Unique LA and also happen to be my cousins who are so much fun to be around.

My niece Maya trying on some of the fabulous bangles in the Voz Collective booth.

I really loved meeting this woman and sharing my story with her. She bought a Paper Moon dress for her friend's daughter and gave me great feedback on my products.

Devon's Drawer- beautiful organic designs for children.

 My friendly and talented neighbors with their designs- Double Hearts and Wesley

My parents, always by my side in everything that I do.

A Mother's Day breakfast with my family before the second day of the show.

My niece Phoebe and daughter Elle showing me their 'serious, we mean business' faces

Hair bows and clips made from dictionary pages and upcycled remnants

Lots of mothers-to-be shopping on Mother's Day.  This is my favorite shot that my sister Jen captured.

These two girls are going to rule the world! 

...And make it a better place.

Standing next to my newest designs...the Urban Garden summer dress and the Vintage Book & Wine necklace

Green Dream Pet Bed

One of my new upcycled products to debut at the Unique LA Spring Show on May 11-12 is the...

These pet beds are 95% upcycled, made from pallets with a water-based stain finish (the metal locking casters that make it easy to move are new).  They will be available in Small, Medium, and Large.  Pillows will also be available to fit each bed.

I held a contest on my Facebook page to come up with a name for the new bed and it was a lot of fun reading everyone's take on the bed.  There are two winners!  Jennifer McIntosh came up with "Green Dream" and Caitlin Saracco came up with "Reduce, Reuse, Relax".  They will get a gift of choice from my online store.  Thank you to everyone who brainstormed with me.  It's much more fun than thinking of a name alone in my studio.

Here are some of the choices I had to pick from; it was a tough one...

https://www.facebook.com/lesliekellyshockley/posts/10201019549111513?comment_id=6203643&notif_t=like  

and

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151538218743211&set=a.370387793210.156763.350714093210&type=1&theater

The pet beds will be available online starting May 15.

Unique LA Spring Show

I found out this week that I was accepted into the Unique LA Spring Show in the penthouse of the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles.  Unique LA is an independent design show that showcases all things made in America.  I'm excited to show some of my newest upcycled and organic designs at the show.

Please join my Facebook event to help spread the word...
Join Tea With Iris at the Unique LA Spring Show

Composting 101

As the weather is getting warmer, our compost bins are working non-stop.  Here is a great tutorial on what you can and can't compost...

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/composting-101-infographic

Wildflower Festival 2013

This Saturday, March 2 will be my 4th show at the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival presented by Friends of the Desert Mountains, located at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center.

I always look forward to this show because it celebrates the natural beauty of the Coachella Valley, steps aways from where I grew up.

I will have a few new items for children and women, including new  desert plant prints on dresses, tops and accessories.

Smoketree dress

Paper Moon dress

As well as my new jewelry line made entirely out of upcycled and organic materials.  As always a portion of all sales go towards protecting the native habitat of the Coachella Valley. 

Book of the Garden necklace

 Vintage Book & Wine earrings

My sister, Meghan Kelly will also be joining me this year with her incredible photography from her expeditions around the world.  

I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Please share with your friends my FACEBOOK event page...
Join Tea With Iris at Wildflower Festival 2013

Here are some of my favorite shots from previous years...

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center***

51-500 Hwy 74Palm Desert, CA 92260
***shuttles run from St. Margaret's Church: 47-535 Hwy. 74, Palm Desert
FREE admission and parkingTelephone: (760) 862-9084

Spend the day with your family and friends in support of the National Monument and Friends of the Desert Mountains. Join us in search of wildflowers with guided hikes and nature walks, and enjoy kids’ activities, plein-air painting, various workshops, raffles, and vendors. Free entry to event. Food and merchandise will be available for purchase.

Festival attendees browsed and shopped at over 40 vendor and exhibitor booths, attended one or more of the seven specialty workshops involving photography, wildflower identification and landscaping, got messy in the Kids’ Zone with face painting, arts & crafts and live entertainment, enjoyed a selection of beer and wine while listening to The Bill Saitta Group provide great jazz music, and participated in an interpretive hike or walk in search of wildflowers. Overall, more than 1300 guests enjoyed a picture-perfect day at the National Monument Visitor Center on Saturday, March 3, 2012 while attending the Annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival in Palm Desert.