Shopaholic

TAKE A PEEK

As I love people who are able to spin work into creative play, I totally enjoyed visiting with Jennifer Dohney of Eco Batik this weekend. Spending the last decade working in Portland Oregon on her successful line of Urban Bird Design cards and art prints, Jennifer moved back to her hometown last April. With a strong sense that now was the time to open a shop/showroom/studio in Bay View, she followed her gut and began creating fabulous custom lighting and window treatments featuring her lush batik designs that use dyes and soy-based wax on recycled craft paper in an environmentally friendly manner. Her gift for putting a contemporary spin on this age-old wax-and-dye-resist process, which is traditionally done on cotton and silk, creates pieces that are simply delightful. And as lighting plays such a huge role in defining a home, it’s little wonder why Jennifer’s luminous work is generating a real buzz with both homeowners and designers.

Inspired by geometry and nature (with a particular affinity for the extraordinary crop circles of the English countryside), her work plays with light in a fashion reminiscent of stained glass. So it is that by turning on a lamp outfitted with one of her shades at dusk or watching sunlight flood a room through her window panels, ordinary spaces are infused with subtle or dramatic patterns of glowing color. Shoppers can pick and choose from pattern and color samples or have Jennifer custom design shades of all sizes, valances and window coverings, including panels of dyed paper rendered as soft as fabric, which can be closed for privacy while still allowing in light and color. They’ll also find a full offering of Jennifer’s clever greeting cards and prints featuring the birds and animals she could happily draw all day. Indeed, Jennifer feels the store’s proximity to St. Frances is yet another sign she’s exactly where she needs to be. I wholeheartedly agree, particularly because shops run by people putting forth something unique benefit the entire city. In other words, Portland’s loss is our gain. Especially as Jennifer plans to eventually expand into textiles and children’s linens. Now that she’s perfected a way to pair her batik process with Lumicor architectural resin panels, she looks forward to applying her designs to all sorts of interior applications. Hmmm, illuminated batik cabinets or countertops anybody? 3385 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414-524-9198, ecobatik.com & urbanbirddesigns.com. Have a peek at Jennifer at work below.

Ecobatik from Nate Sjol on Vimeo.

Waterproofing clothing began with Scottish fisherman making protective outerwear of sailcloth treated with linseed oil. Eventually, cotton impregnated with paraffin wax became a standard fabric for rainwear worn by European farmers, gamekeepers, hunters, horseman and motorcyclists. Today, especially for purists, when it comes to outdoor pursuits, breathable and durable, water- and wind-resistant waxed cotton remains a popular choice but often an expensive one. For instance, a waxed cotton dog coat from Barbour will set you back $59, a man’s jacket almost $400. Luckily, Milwaukeean Spencer Chumbley of Riverwest Trading Co. decided to do something about it. Long a fan of British and American waxed cotton fashions yet hesitant to pay inflated prices, this son and grandson of avid fishermen perfected his own handcrafted, 100 percent natural Clyde-Wax oil finish. Now anyone armed with a hair dryer can effectively and inexpensively waterproof cotton and cotton/poly fabrics themselves. Available at riverwesttradingco.bigcartel.com, the wax is perfect for campers, cyclists, hunters, fishermen, kayakers, boaters, outdoor photographers as well as those who appreciate the character waxing lends to knapsacks, messenger bags, jackets and other items of clothing. His site also offers a limited selection of new and repurposed hand-waxed goods and garments chosen with an eye to quality,

SAVVY STUFF TO DO

DESIGN SOMETHING COOL AND MODERN. But better do it fast because you only have until Sept. 17 to enter your work in the Design Within Reach Modern Milwaukee exhibition, which is set to discover and promote innovative local furniture designers. If a jury of design, architecture and art professionals from around the city selects your work, it will be exhibited for all to fawn over at the store’s next Gallery Night event (Oct. 15). Oh and good news for fans of this cool Historic Third Ward urban shopping studio, it’s now open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. 167 N. Broadway St., 414-224-5353, dwr.com.

TAKE IN THE CITY’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT FASHION SHOW. Sept. 4 (8:30-10 p.m.) Cathedral Square Park is the site of the Made In Milwaukee event. Included in the day’s festivities is a Children’s Fashion Show (3 p.m.) showcasing fashions from Sprout alongside the offerings of locally designed independents lines such as Lalo, Pork Chop kids and Pineapple Eggplant. Later (8:30 p.m.), 90 models will show off lots of terrific autumn, winter and holiday fashions like beautifully knit dresses by Mink (available at Blush), dresses inspired by "Mad Men" and street punk by talented 16-year-old designer Elena Velez, flowing feminine holiday and bridal fashions by Myrica Von Haselberg, the eclectic work of Madame Chino and the vintage, sexy line from Sheena of Boutique Revolution, plus great stuff from Hot Pop, Luci, Moda 3 and White Star with hair accessories and jewelry by Jaxie. For a full list of the day’s activities visit eastown.com.

BUY A DRESS. No matter if you’re a size 0 or 28, shaped like an apple, a pear or a stick, you’re bound to find something that fits and flatters at Miss Ruby Boutique where fresh contemporary styles are arriving all the time, including new bridal fashions by Alyne. Speaking of which, now through October, the shop is holding its annual Siri Sale that shaves $20 off the cost of all Siri dresses. Given that the store offers a 10 percent discount on orders for bridal parties of three to six and a 15 percent discount on the purchase of seven or more bridesmaid dresses, you’ll see a savings of at least $40 a dress. 522 N. Water St., Suite 203, 414-755-2900, missrubyboutique.com.

LEARN TO FLIRT. If you find yourself attracted but fumbling, don’t think twice about registering for the Flirting for Nerds class being held at The Tool Shed on Sept. 10 (8 p.m.). Learn the basics of flirting, how to read body language and cool ways to break the ice when it comes to both sexual and non-sexual flirting. $10 per person. 2427 N. Murray Ave., 414-906-5304, toolshedtoys.com.

CHECK OUT

Now at Boutique Vieux et Nouveau: A new website gives shoppers easy access to pre-ordering fashion, footwear and accessories. Currently, the store is taking orders for coats and dresses available by designers that won’t be found in the boutique. E-mail subscribers can also look forward to monthly giveaways.1217 E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, bvenboutique.com.

Recently seen at Falcon est. 2009: Taylor Momsen of "Gossip Girl" shopping the store wearing a pair of Genevieve Jones Ruby Safety Pin earrings, a Post Vegas cropped ‘pistol’ tank and an up cycled Swirl Skirt from Cheryl Chirchirillo’s Radical Rags collection. With all items available in the boutique, obviously she’s shopped here before. 315 N. Broadway, 414-271-9100, falcon315.com.

Sept. 2-13 at Faye’s (both locations): An MZ Wallace trunk show offers plenty of great durable handbags loaded with sophisticated style and packed with plenty of pockets and storage features to keep you ultra-organized. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-8386; 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.

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Hey shoppers, while you’re out and about and see a new store or hear about an upcoming great sale or store event, don’t hesitate to pass the word along in comments or e-mail me directly at savvystyle@wi.rr.com.