Etsy's Handmade Blog
Process: Vintage Lace Wedding Shrugs with Holly Stalder
Story by hollystalder, objecked
Published on March 18, 2009 in This Handmade Life

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(Music by Eric Beug. Animation by JuliaPott)


stalder.jpgHolly Stalder is a prolific clothing designer working out of a cozy studio in Portland, Oregon. Her delicate and feminine clothing and accessories have gained wide acclaim in the blogosphere and in magazines such as SOMA, ELLE, Lucky, and W. Her intricate creations are also quite appealing to many brides-to-be.

We recently visited Holly's studio to see how she constructs her beautiful shrugs. The piece that we were lucky enough to catch Holly making is similar to the version showcased in Portland Bride & Groom, as seen below.

 

A large part of Holly's creative process comes from sourcing vintage material. Finding just the right lace, pearls or tulle gives each shrug or dress that she creates a unique touch.

Some of Holly's pieces are limited editions that vary slightly piece to piece, while others are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. It's truly amazing to watch her elegant sensibilities shine through as she adapts her materials to her patterns.

From Holly's Blog:

Faded velvet ribbons, Edwardian lace, and the beaded applique of a 1920's dress, aurora borealis rhinestone buttons. Holly's designs begin with her favored raw materials: salvaged antique fabrics and trims. Intrigued by the fragility of fabrics and how they age and wear over time, she incorporates these elements into her modern designs.

Holly's hand sewn accessories and formal wear are made with care and customizable to any formal occasion. They're truly that memorable addition that could make your wedding day.

Image courtesy: Holly Stalder

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Tags Accessories, bridal, capelet, celebrations, Clothing, designer, Elle, engaged, engagement, fashion, formal, Handmade Weddings, hollystalder, Holly Stalder, Lucky, Oregon, Portland, Portland Bride & Groom, Process Video, shopping, shrugs, SOMA, video, W, Weddings
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86 comments     Login to add your own!

March 18, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. BabbidgePatch

Beautiful items!

March 18, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. weirdwolf

Gorgeous work! I love the way she uses vintage lace but makes it her own creation...

March 18, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. TheCottageCheese

Stunning shrugs! I also love all of the dress picks, they are just dreamy!

March 18, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. Mattamorphis

absolutely stunning

March 18, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. theradarmaker

I just bought a dree from Holly. I'm eager to receive. Her work is beeeautiful!!!

March 18, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. Ryanplz

i love these process videos.
thanks for sharing. this one is really neat!

March 18, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. OhFaro

I love her stuff, simply gorgeous!

I have a bunch of pieces that would look Great with her lace shrugs.

March 18, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. LushPunk

oooh I've loved Holly's work for aaagggeeess - so divine!

March 18, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. Lirola

Wonderful piece!
hollystalder is one of my first favorite Etsy sellers.
If only I had her wedding shrug when I got married!

March 18, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ships

I'm getting married in Sept and have been dreaming of wearing something done by Holly - she makes gorgeous shrugs and dresses. Loved this video!

March 18, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. voleurdebijoux

STUNNING! Beautiful with a capital B! lovelove! :)

March 18, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. elizandaxel

This is fantastic, thank you!! :)

March 18, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. somethingshidinghere

these are so beautiful! she is amazing.

March 18, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. amanda1986

i love vintage lace:)

March 18, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. bhangtiez

gorgeous & so creative...

March 18, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. SASessories

i loved this video, so good, so inspiring, made me want to dust off my machine ;)

March 18, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. TheNebulousKingdom

I am truly a fan of her, and I also love bonzie and ktjean. Thanks for this wonderful video!

March 18, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. Holmstp

Really cool!

March 18, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. retrothreadz

Simply breath-takingly beautiful

March 18, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. obi1

Stunning!... when I find "Mr. Right"...

March 18, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. NinaReneeDesigns

Very pretty!! I love everything :-)

March 18, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. michelemaule

I am completely in love with Holly's work.
I can't wait to move back to Portland so I can visit her studio. I would love to wear one of her wedding dresses for my wedding :)

March 18, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. odiliafu

Very beautiful!!! Love Love Love them!!!

March 18, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. EpicBones

oooooh! Holly is awesome!

March 18, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. PenelopeAndAnastasia

I want to get married all over again!!

March 18, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. topsyturvydesign

What a joy to see Holly @ work in her won-derful studio. Process, tools of the trade & workspaces fascinate me..

March 18, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. TwistedCrystals

stunning pieces, thank you for sharing all of this with us. :)

March 18, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. cottonbirddesigns

Gorgeous work!

March 18, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. automaticsweetheart

breathtaking pieces!

March 18, 2009 at 9:52 p.m. lauradeponte

lovely work from a fellow Portlander! amazing :)

March 18, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. kittytrishia

So beautiful...makes me want to get married...or just by the shrug and pretend.

March 18, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. FancifulForm

Such beautiful, inspiring work.

March 18, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. lovinganvil

yey, sweetheart!
oxoxxo
coco

March 18, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. 18ontheAlley

beautiful pieces!!!! <3

March 18, 2009 at 10:43 p.m. ShesFancy

ooooooooooooo!

You've got to stop with the wedding-themed Storque articles. I'm about ready to ditch the husband and find a new one just so I can plan a wedding! ;)

March 18, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. undertheroot

gorgeous!

March 18, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. FlanneryCrane

Beautiful Feature Story! I am completely inspired. Thank you for sharing your work!

Joy @ Flannery Crane

March 18, 2009 at 11:16 p.m. IceCreamCandy

so many beautiful things:) amazing!!

March 18, 2009 at 11:25 p.m. NovemberRoseAtelier

Yeah for the feature! As usual, your clothing is dreamy! Oh to get married again...

March 18, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. akane

Every item here is so beautiful! I actually had the exact item from Holly posted on my blog at www.akanedesigns.blogspot.com

I looooove her designs!

March 18, 2009 at 11:45 p.m. mandiesuee

It's spring and love love love is in the air.

March 18, 2009 at 11:48 p.m. belleslettres

holly is amazing.

March 19, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. KellesKitchen

My fiancee certainly picked the right time to propose - I love all of these awesome blog posts for those wishing to use as many handmade/vintage items as possible in their wedding!

March 19, 2009 at 3:10 a.m. MonjioCreations

Talk about talent! Wonderful to see the beautiful items she creates!

March 19, 2009 at 3:44 a.m. Iammie

Gorgeous works!

March 19, 2009 at 6:36 a.m. kirstenann

beautiful, if only i was a bride to be

March 19, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. weddingsosweet

Wow, these are some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...

March 19, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. missrubysue

Just Beautiful!

March 19, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. Lolavintage

It's so inspiring to see how creative people are on here, I can't believe it! So happy to be a new part of the Etsy community, I absolutely love it!

March 19, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. VintageinBohemia

I love these features. Seeing creative minds at work. I love a mix of vintage and handmade.. ooh if I could sew I would be DANGEROUS!!... vintage selling is the lot of the frustrated fashion designer ya know

March 19, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. VintageIndie

Amazing! Love this!

March 19, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. MyJunkyTrunk

Such beautiful work. I just love seeing artists creating the things that they have a passion for. Great video!

March 19, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. MyJunkyTrunk

Absolutely stunning! Such beautiful, classic, and romantic pieces. Thanks for sharing!

March 19, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. maidavale

What a beautiful feature! I can't wait to check out all of these designers. =)

March 19, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. JMCdesigns

great video

March 19, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. KalliopeJewelry

wow *swoon* so incredible!

March 19, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. StudioCherie

Thanks for showing us your process, Holly.

March 19, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. EJPcreations

I WANT TO LIVE IN THAT 1950's BALLGOWN!!! NEVER TAKE IT OFF EVER AND BE BURIED IN IT!!!!

March 19, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. mykonos

pretty wedding items!!

March 19, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. lalala08

oh my goodness, such gorgeousness!

March 19, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. CutieDynamite

Absolutely gorgeous! I want!

March 19, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. Waterrose

What romantic creations!

March 19, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ilovehearts

Simply stunning. Love them.

March 19, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. MyArtShoppe

Very Pretty!

March 19, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. Entwife

a-ma-zing. Lace, lace and more lace! I was not a lacy, girly bride. I think I would be now. Time to renew those vows, sweetie!!

March 19, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. Entwife

and...thanks SO MUCH for including our little tiara in such a beautiful article. We totally appreciate it.

March 19, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. Mattamorphis

I love lace.

Lace used in modern ways is fabulous!

March 19, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. HazelHoney

wow such beautiful materials and clothing!

March 20, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. patriciasaabdesigns

Sooooo lovely to see these beautiful designers' creations, and delighted so many are inspired right here in Portland Oregon!

March 20, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. mythunderstood

I love this stuff - gorgeous tiered tulle!!!

March 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. mythunderstood

Holly, your stuff is so BE-A-U!
Have steered lots of B2B's to your site!
Best to you!

March 20, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. betweenthelinez

What a luscious display of bridal-ware, your work is beautiful. And I love that you featured Bonzie's work as she's absolutely my favorite designer!
There is so much incredible talent here on Etsy, and it's great that so many are making their way into the public eye.

March 25, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ChenilleTreasures

It's fascinating to see how you create your dresses. Such personality in each one. LOVE, LOVE your designs.

March 25, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. HevVinDesigns

Oooh, these are so amazing. I love working with antique and vintage fabrics. They have detailing that you can't find anywhere else. Thanks for the eye candy!

March 25, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. ollieandjo

I wish I had one of these shrugs when I got married. Hmmm ... I could still get one to wear for special occassions!

March 26, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. saraaires

What an inpiration! Wow! I wish I was there to see with my fingers, if you know what I mean. ;)
Congrats Holly! Congrats Etsy!

March 30, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. lovelygifts

Gorgeous selections!

April 1, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. paperpyro

very nice

April 1, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. patchworkz

Beautiful!!!

April 1, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. CecilandCo

I Love this selection. Thanks for promoting these great artists.

April 2, 2009 at 1:36 a.m. vivilian

so pertty

April 2, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. Franche

wow............sooooooo pretty......I'm speecheless!! ............................

April 6, 2009 at 8:48 p.m. SarEi

Wonderful work and inspiring.

April 7, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. vantidesigns

Luxurious all the way! Inspired and created with a passion! Etsy! ( in greek it means ''like this!'') :)

April 12, 2009 at 10:11 p.m. BridalBlingJewelry

I just saw one of your little jackets featured on a real wedding on the blog, Style Me Pretty! And I said...I've heard of her...because I'd already read of you here!

Wow, you've become known! Congrats!

June 1, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. lenakanter711

Every one of her gowns is a pure gem of innovation as well as line and workmanship.

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