Glamberger Originals

ag s

I'm rebranding and I don't know how to define it because it's me and I don't know how to define myself. I don't fit neatly into a box. If you're into that, stick around because it's going to be a wild ride. I have a million ideas running through my head since I removed the restriction I placed on myself at the start, sustainability. I know I may lose some of you by no longer defining myself as a sustainable brand, but how sustainable is any brand, really? I've spent years obsessing over every little detail from whether upcycling is actually good for the earth, to whether clothing made from any synthetic fibers is sustainable because of micro plastics, to whether natural fibers are sustainable because of the way they're produced. Eventually I realized none of it matters because the things that tiny brands like mine do to be sustainable don't have any real impact and never will because the big guys aren't sustainable and we can't compete with them. And sustainability is en vogue, everyone is throwing the word around so much that it's lost any meaning. So I decided to go a different direction. To get back to what speaks to me. Nature. Color. Sparkles. Etymology. Embellishment. Costuming. Funky fun ridiculous things. I'll still continue sustainable practices that matter to me, like recycling my fabric scraps, but I'm not longer basing my entire brand identity around it. Life is too short to be stressing about everything I do. I need to find the fun in my work again. This is a starting point, butterfly/fairy wings, but I have so much more in mind. I can't wait to show you!

False alarm. I know I said I was going out of business, and this might seem like such a quick 180 it could give me whiplash, but I've had a change of heart. I started going through my studio to clear out and as I was choosing fabric and equipment to try to sell off to recoup some cash, I couldn't help but be inspired by some things I'd forgotten I had. I spent too much time trying to make a cohesive and professional winter collection that if I'm being honest was boring. And the focus has been so much on making money that I lost sight of why I love doing this. It feeds my soul. I'm no stranger to struggle so I'll keep on struggling through, figure out ways to cut my overhead costs, maybe rethink my business structure, but I absolutely cannot imagine myself without this business and creative outlet. I couldn't bring myself to sell my equipment and not be able to sew anymore. I'll find other ways to make money until this business is self sustaining. I'll still have a huge end of the year sale to clear out all the things I made that weren't true to myself and help pay some urgent bills. But I can't go down without a fight. Not when I've just uncovered these feathers I'd forgotten about. There's still so much I haven't done yet!

It's with a heavy heart that I announce the liquidation of Glamberger Originals. I thought this would be my year. I bet on myself for the first time instead of pouring all of my energy into helping someone else's business succeed, and I lost. Big time. I've been doing this since April of 2018 and it's grown and shrunk and morphed many times, but the main principles and purpose were always the same. To make sustainability glamorous and to give myself freedom. But I'm not free, it hasn't been glamorous, and this year has been the worst financially since I began, in spite of all my efforts to produce better products. I vended at 3 markets this week. Woke up at 4am to schlep my merchandise back and forth to Manhattan in the rain and snow for what's usually my busy season hoping for sales to make up for the previous months of none. In total, at 3 markets, at which I spent a combined 24 hours, I made $425 minus fees and commuting costs of about $125. Today I spent my last $50 to get to my last market of the week, and only made a single sale of $30. As painful as that was, the most painful part was being largely ignored by customers, while those who did look at my things looked at the prices and walked away. I understand frugality, it's in my blood. But if you're looking for a bargain, don't look at handmade. I poured my heart and soul into every detail of everything I made, painstakingly measured, cut, measured again, sewed, ripped out any imperfect stitches and stitched them again, creating wearable functional works of art that I felt proud of. Then I packed them up and took them to markets to be rejected over and over for hours at a time in this soul crushing ritual. I'm exhausted by all of it, and yet I would continue to carry on if not pressed by the demands of keeping the lights on. But I've invested countless dollars and hours into a business that isn't supporting me and I've run out of time to keep trying to figure out what the world wants/needs and how to give it to them. Maybe this business will return as some other iteration, but for now, I have to sell my equipment to survive since my work has no value. Please shop small/local when you can. It matters.

We'll be at trying to stay warm all day with some gorgeous gifts for everyone on your list. I promise I'm smiling under my mask! This might be our last Sunday at Grand Bazaar before Christmas so catch us while you can.

We're at .pop.up Lakeside Holiday Market until 6 today with lots of beautiful sustainable gifts, as well as taking custom orders.

❄️

Hey Kingston! I'll be at the at 16 Cedar Street until 5 today if you wanna come see my makes up close and personal. Including my new family of whales 😄 I'm also taking custom orders!

I haven't had time to take proper photos, but here's a preview of a new garment design I've been working on. This one is made from a gorgeous dusty rose cotton corduroy for a very lucky little girl, but it's got me wanting to make myself a grown up version!

It's another beautiful Sunday at and this week's them is upcycled goods! Something I know a little bit about 😉
I've got lots of new wristlets to compliment your fall wardrobe made from ever amazing scraps.