Born in NYC, Rachele moved up the East Coast, living in CT and Boston until returning to Brooklyn, NY in 2008. Her work is inspired by nature, literature, and the awesome power of rock and roll.
"It was always my dream to be a weirdo artist living in New York City selling my wares. I have always been making things with my hands, whether that was building things with my father, sewing with my mother, cooking with my grandparents, making perler bead creations in Neighborcare, trying makeup looks with friends, there was never a time in life where I wasn't interested in creating. I am always making things because I simply must!
How it became "business" is slightly more tangible but still a ramble...
In the early 2000s, I was managing an amazing little non-profit vintage clothing store in Boston. Under my direction, my small staff and I began upcycling damaged (or hideous) clothing and housewares and selling that alongside our vintage items. We expanded that idea and began selling our own original designs as well. Inspired by the response to our upcycled items, I started taking my personal clothing and tee shirt designs to local vintage shops and flea markets and successfully selling things there. Since then, I’ve continued creating and selling things on my own. When I moved back to New York City I transitioned to working with paper, digital design, and cross stitch. I found a new freedom to experiment and find my own style without the pressure of having tee shirts taking up space in my teeny tiny studio space.
My favorite materials are embroidery floss and paper. They are extremely accessible materials but you can achieve so much with them. The vast array of color and texture and application possible is amazing. I love being able to take very humble materials and make something totally silly, or deeply spiritual. You can make kitschy home decor or fine art using the same materials with different techniques.
All my work is designed and created in my apartment in Crown Heights, BK in a glorified closet lined floor to ceiling with embroidery floss, paper, pens, fabric, seashells, beads, and other findings.
Since returning to NYC, I have sold my work here on Etsy and IRL at The Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, The Makers Show, Artists & Fleas, Hester St Fair, and many more!"