Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses

April 2004's Diva
Jennifer
of Stepford Encounters

I first discovered these fab fashions when I received a shirt as a gift. I instantly fell in love and knew they had to be part of our Crafty Diva feature. I am amazed by the creativity, quality and the pure fun quotient of their designs. I am not alone. ~Trixie

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The Gallery
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Crafty Bio
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Jennifer was a child of the seventies and adored the chic halter style Maxi dresses and caftans her mother always wore back then when hosting dinner parties. As a kid, when no one was home, she used to spend countless hours inside her mom's giant walk-in closet utterly enthralled. There, she costumed myself in outrageously patterned Maxi dresses and silver heels-- imaging the day that she too would whisk around serving an endless supply of warm Crab Neuberg dip to guests!

Five years ago she began collecting long flowing Maxi dresses with outrageous prints and pairing them with the requisite fantastic make-up. Her collection now includes close to 60 Maxi dresses. She loves the fantasy embodied by this look and as more and more friends and strangers (both women and men) complimented her on her dresses (and asking where she purchased them) she realized that she wasn't the only one who loved Stepford Glamour.

At the time, she was decoupaging cabinets and boxes with vintage beauty images from the 60's - 70's and selling them in boutiques as she’s always been preoccupied with deconstructing Americana Pop Culture. Soon she began narrowing her themes down to focus on just the seventies. Everything slowly morphed and finally distilled into an entire Stepford Culture – a sensibility she considers to be an absurd cross between Playboy Glam and Domestic Chic gone askew! The boxes quickly led to t-shirts, and then jackets, which she started wearing out and about herself. As with the Maxi dresses, she was constantly being stopped by people wanting to know where she got them. Immediately, she started taking orders and offering customized pieces.

Jennifer has always loved “one-of-a-kind” customized clothing pieces that don’t leave you wearing the exact garment as someone else. So, as her pieces became more and more popular she decided the internet was the perfect place to internationally introduce this Technicolor Stepford Culture to shoppers. She created a “Fantasy Menu” where women and girls can choose from a wide variety of sumptuous imaginings to project themselves into.

The Fantasy Patches she creates for her shirts & jackets all feature her original collage designs. Each Fantasy Patch is framed by authentic, seventies vintage fabrics and embellished with subtle hints of Swarvoski crystal and glitter. No two shirts are ever exactly alike and customers can even personalize items with their own names. The Fantasy Patches are like wearing mini film frames or surrealistic cinematic dreams from another era—all in the comfort of unique and sexy tees and jackets for the modern woman.

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The Interview
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Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: For about two and a half years.

Girlposse.com: Beginning a business is a big step. How did this become a "business" vs. just a "hobby""?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: I started to wear my shirts and jackets around los angeles and people and store-owners often stopped me to inquire about where I purchased them. Many friends also suggested that I should sell my stuff so one day I finally believed everyone that I might have something here!

Girlposse.com: Did you have previous business experience - or was the business end new to you?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: I had no business experience – it was totally new.

Girlposse.com: What is your opinion of Arts / Crafts shows as a place to sell? As a place to shop?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: I think they can be excellent venues for sellers because shoppers at arts/crafts shows are generally more open minded about straying from what is safe and typical. They’re often looking for stuff that is imaginative, unique and not mass-produced. I would suggest always keeping business cards out on your table and encourage everyone to sign your mailing/email list.

Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Believing in myself enough to invest money in the necessary materials and equipment.

Girlposse.com: Do you find it difficult coming up with original ideas?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Fortunately, that’s usually not a problem for me. The difficulty lies in the execution.

Girlposse.com: Are there any plans to expand your product line?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Every few months or so I introduce new garment styles so incremental expansion is consistent.

Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Remembering all the generous customer feedback I’ve received about my products and how much joy my t-shirts seem to bring people.

Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: My absolute favorite shopping is at high-end consignment stores where I find incredible deals on designer pieces. I also love shopping at home-based sample sales where I get to buy hand-crafted clothing made by other talented women in los angeles.

Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Why NOT you?

Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Jennifer of Stepford Encounters: Trust your instincts, even when you think your ideas are silly or ‘out there’ and no one will get it.

~April 2004

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Your Chance to Win!
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This month Stepford Encounters is giving you a chance to CHOOSE YOUR PRIZE!

Choose one of their funky tank tops from their FANTASY collection and you could be a winner!

Visit our Contests area for details and to enter. COntest ends April 30, 2004. Good luck!

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Are you a Crafty Diva and Entrepreneurial Empress? Or do you know one that should be featured in a future Girlposse.com issue? If so, visit our Crafty Diva Info Page for the details.
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