Bespoke Silk Ikat Jacket is a Treat

Long time, no see. Almost a year since I last posted.

There have been many news and adventures, and I would not know where to start, but today I just want to share photos of a new silk ikat jacket that my mother made for a customer. All our clothing is made fully bespoke and so it fits perfectly.

It is a fully lined jacket, boxy cut, with a polo collar. We love how it turned out and so does the customer.

If you like it, you can order a similar one in our Etsy shop.

Russian Scarf Seen Anew: A Puffer Scarf in Russian Patterns

I have been thinking much about scarves recently. We love making scarves from Uzbek silk or Russian shawls, but we were mostly making infinity or circle type. We love infinity - we adore infinity - but certainly there should be other options?

I was thinking of a practical scarf, easy to wear, not prone to wrinkling, sturdy and long lasting and warm. I hate scarves that can be ruined easily; graze them with your nail and there is a snug, touch them with your ring and there is a hole. Oh, no. I am for spending money in a reasonable way, at least this is what I try to do with mine. I also needed to take the latest fashion trends into consideration. Iceberg, Balenciaga and Chanel displayed puffer scarves in their Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collections.

(source: Pinterest) 

All these arguments combined, I came to a perfect decision (we'll see!) - a puffer scarf! These have been seen on runways lately, and they are just the perfect combination of practicality and beauty.

So... we came up with these!

Frankly, I think it is insanely beautiful.

This is a fantastic patchwork scarf made from various vintage shawls. My mother did her best to arrange a striking array of colors and patterns. I cannot even decide which side I prefer.



These flowers are so lovely.

The opening for the tail of the scarf is large and sturdy.

And this is the general view. I can tell my mother enjoyed making this scarf!

I think it is a unisex scarf; I can easily see it worn by a man or woman.

The scarf can be bought in our Etsy shop. I will list more scarves very soon. In the meantime, the sneak preview!

Ivan Argunov. Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Peasant Dress

Just something I stumbled upon today and decided to share: a portrait that I love from the first sight, when I was a child. This is a "Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Peasant Dress" by Ivan Argunov dating back to 1784. It belongs to the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

I never thought her to be very beautiful, but always liked her mild Slavic features and open and friendly gaze. Her costume is very correct, fully in accordance with that time: a sarafan dress and a fine shirt, fit for a special occasion. Her headpiece is a beautiful kokoshnik with gold embroidery, and her necklace is made from large coral beads. I guess she was from a rich family.

There is not much else to say about the portrait, save for the fact that I find it lovely and the woman feels almost like an elder relative to me. I hope that you like the portrait as well. 

Russian Scarf For a Picky Girl

My daughter is very picky about her clothing, so when she asked for a Russian scarf I knew I had a problem. I told her that I needed some time to think and choose. As she is just nine, I did not want a very classic looking scarf, and certainly not a black or red one. I was looking for something more subtle, to go well with grey and beige shades that she loves. Finally, I found this: Amber Evening ("Янтарный вечер"), a smaller sized scarf (34 inches or 89 cm), which seems to fill the bill. Its soft grey background and orangey-creamy roses look good with Madina's own subtle colours.

What I especially love about Russian shawls is their versatility. It suddenly became cold? Cover your head with it!

..And when it becomes warm again, you can just drape it around your shoulders. Or fold it and put into your purse. My daughter is an expert now, and she is the only girl in her class who has a scarf like this - not something synthetic.

I do not have a scarf like this for sale, but I have many others in my Etsy shop.

Inside a Treasure Cave: Visiting a Handicraft Shop in Samarkand

Besides its gorgeous architecture, Samarkand is famous for arts and crafts. Whenever I come there for a business trip, I also go shopping with my colleagues. During our last visit in April, we have visited a very special shop. It is located in the most central place - in Ulugbek Madrasa at Registan Square.

The shop is quite large, mysteriously dark and full of amazing things. You discover new rooms and corners, as you walk around. It is stuffed with suzani, rugs and silks. This place is like a treasure cave.



Most suzani are very traditional, but you can recognise some familiar designs - those famous cats by Rosina Wachtmeister! Obviously, Samarkand artists do their best to cater for all tastes. Of course, I prefer the classic suzani with their elegant branches and lavish flowers and paisley, but I also appreciate the creativity and desire to be flexible.

Right in the shop, there is a woman embroidering a suzani. The process is fascinating to watch. She is another tourist attraction, of course, but the suzani she is making is very real and beautiful.



In another part of the shop you can see more suzani - this one is on silk - and a very unusual headpiece.

This looks like a Karakalpak or Turkmen headpiece for a women's festive costume. This might be a refurbished piece; I would think that the elements are antique or vintage, but the whole piece is not that old, or, let us say, it is refurbished. Still, it looks impressive. The stones seem to be smalt (or paste).

And these are two traditional gowns, lavish and beautiful. One is beautiful ikat silk, the second one has suzani style embroidery.

There are several shelves with traditional Uzbek pottery, too. I like these small organic looking jugs. 

These pieces are made in Rishtan, Ferghana valley, or maybe they are made in Samarkand to resemble Rishtan style. In any case, I appreciate their elaborate beauty and the combination of colours which are so close in style to the ancient Uzbek architecture.



Uzbek and Turkoman jewelry is a big separate topic. Silver, turquoise and corals is a favourite combination here, in Central Asia. «Les bijoux doivent être sauvages!» - said Amedeo Modigliani, and these ones are indeed quite savage-like.

A bunch of handwoven bags. I love those in earthy colours.

...and countless scarves. Silk scarves, some are made from khan atlas (heavy silk satin) or shoyi (fine silk)...




...these are made from sheer silk gauze or chiffon, and the shop owner claimed them to be hand block printed. They are weightless...



...these are wool shawls, hand embroidered in crewel stitch. I would not call them typical for our country; I think they were inspired by Indian Cashmere shawls. I must say that they are stunning in real life, and the quality of wool and work is excellent. I was very seduced by one on the right, but restrained myself, as I already have too many shawls and scarves that I do not wear.

This amazing shop even had some very nice cashmere shawls, made in Nepal. I must say that I am a cashmere addict and I own a substantial collection. I can say that these were really nice to the touch, and I loved the soft neutral colours. 

...As a way to thank the lovely shop owners for patiently letting me take a gazillion of pictures, I want to share their contacts. The owner and his wife are very friendly, open and willing to negotiate, and speak several languages, as fits a good Uzbek merchant who meets people from all countries of the world. If you ever visit Samarkand, do not miss their shop!

The shop is owned by Mr Alisher Yakubov; 
tel. +99890 2709933
email: yakubovalishir3@gmail.com

Silk Damask Made into a Casual Top

Silk damask is often seen as only fit for very formal gowns. Something long, narrow and stiff: beautiful, but not to be worn every day. Chinese gowns, in particular. I have been wanting one for years, but I know I would not wear it much. However, it can be used to produce something very easy to wear, too - like this sleeveless shell. My mother used beautiful vintage silk damask to make this little blouse for my sister. Katherine adores it and wears it a lot, to the great dismay of my daughter who hopes to inherit it in good condition. But then, damask is so sturdy - she does not need to be upset. The top still looks new despite extensive wear. It can be dressed up or down.

You can order a similar one here.

These are the pieces of damask fabric that we have in stock right now.

Wine Colored Russian Shawl

This burgundy coloured beauty is now for sale in our Etsy shop, Mulberry Whisper. This is a classic Russian shawl with a traditional design, full of roses and lilies, framed with garlands of smaller flowers. It is vintage from 1970s-1980s. This is a lovely shawl, I have a similar one in black here, also a beauty. Every find like this brings me lots of joy; looking at them, touching and draping them is a pleasure.

Authentic Russian Shawl Giveaway by Mulberry Whisper

As you might be aware, I sell vintage Russian shawls and scarves through my Etsy shop, Mulberry Whisper. Here in Uzbekistan I have a great opportunity to find some rare Russian shawls which have been stored in chests for many years, and I have had some terrific finds. When they are in good condition, we sell them as is, and if they are damaged, we upcycle them. We also offer cotton Russian shawls which are wonderful for a warmer time of the year and perfect for those who do not wear wool. We have been quite successull and we greatly enjoy this part of our activity. All of our shawls are authentic Russian shawls produced at the Pavlovo Posad Manufacture, and in most cases I can tell you about the artist who created them, the years of production, and other details. We know what we sell and will never offer fakes.

Now I want to share a piece of my luck with you by giving away this lovely medium sized Russian scarf worth 30$. This is a fine example of the classic Russian shawl: bright coral flowers (of course there are roses among then) and kelly green leaves, accompanied by bright decorative elements, on soft off-white background. You can see the details here.

By the way, my cousin who is based in Wisconsin, also has some vintage Russian shawls for sale at Mulberry Terrace, so if you are in the US and prefer local shopping, you can buy something from him.

The giveaway works as follows:
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First you leave a comment under this post and then sign in the form below to provide your name and to state that you have commented (please use the same name).  
ф

After you indicate that you have left a comment on this blog post,  you will see options for additional entries such as blogging about the giveaway, sharing at Facebook, etc.
ф

Even if you are not interested in those additional options, you will need to at least register your comment using this form in order to enter, because the winner will be chosen automatically with the help of this software. If you do not do that, you will have no chances to win, sorry.
 ф

You can get 5 more entries if you buy something from us on Etsy. In that case, your chances are growing dramatically - actually the first giveaway was won by my customer! Past customers qualify for these additional entries; just give me your Etsy user name and claim your entries. (By the way, our ikat silk scarves are now on sale!)

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And if you happen to win - we ship all items for free, including your purchase! (If you do buy something this time, please send to us at MulberryWhisper a note to delay shipping until the end of the giveaway). This includes our past customers. If you have already bought from us, you qualify for the additional 5 entries! Claim them and indicate your Etsy user name in the form.

Ends: April 4, 2015. 

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This giveaway is open worldwide and comes with free shipping as long as you have a valid address (no P.O. boxes please). You should be 18 years old and above to qualify. All entries of the drawn winner will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is kindly supported by the International Giveaways Blog, Etsy Giveaways, Giveaway Monkey and Giveaway Promote - thank you!

Thinking of Easter: A Moodboard

Multicolor Birds Mobile - Crochet Pillow Cover - White Silk Blouse - Ruffle Peg Bag 

Even if these pieces were not designed specifically with Easter in mind, they still remind me of this celebration of Love and Peace. That mobile by Cherry Garden Dolls is the cutest thing you can imagine - I would definitely want it for my own baby! The crochet pillow by katrinshine is a very nostalgic thing for me as it reminds me of my great grandmother who was a master of crocheting. The clothespin bag by Duni Studio is full of shabby chic; those roses are irresistible! And, of course, our floral blouse from vintage silk... just a nice blouse, lovely to the touch, that can be dressed up or down. 

Silk Ikat Scarves on Sale at Mulberry Whisper!

All our ikat silk scarves are on sale now! We want to sell the remains of 2014 stock and bring in new colors, sizes and shapes, with new photos. This is an excellent chance to buy an infinity scarf from real Uzbek mulberry silk at a bargain price: cheaper than yardage! You can use them for projects, if you like, as essentially they are huge pieces of lush genuine silk produced in accordance with the old traditions of silk weaving.

We have more colors available at our MulberryWhisper shop on Etsy. Get yours while they last; new arrivals will be more expensive.

Silk Ikat Infinity Scarf Giveaway

Ikat Silk Scarf by MulberryWhisper.Etsy.com

I think this silk ikat infinity scarf is a nice accessory for the coming spring. It was hand made by my mother in her studio at home. She used lush vintage Uzbek silk with luminous ikat prints to make this luxurious long circle scarf. You can take a closer look at the silk ikat infinity scarf here, at our MulberryWisper shop on Etsy. I hope you like it! 

All of our silk eternity scarves are either one of a kind or very limited edition, because we make them individually, from beautiful and rare Uzbek silks. We also sell rug pillows, wool Russian shawls, cotton Russian shawls (those are very rare as their production stopped more than 30 years ago); we upcycle damaged Russian shawls into wonderful scarves, and offer ready to ship clothing. We also take orders for individually designed clothing. We have some vintage silk scarves as well. We have recently started making a very fun accessory - a multi-purpose purse scarf which can also be used as a textile bracelet, hair wrap and many other things.

The giveaway works as follows:
ф

First you leave a comment under this post and then sign in the form below to provide your name and to state that you have commented (please use the same name).  
ф

After you indicate that you have left a comment on this blog post,  you will see options for additional entries such as blogging about the giveaway, sharing at Facebook, etc.
ф

Even if you are not interested in those additional options, you will need to at least register your comment using this form in order to enter, because the winner will be chosen automatically with the help of this software. If you do not do that, you will have no chances to win, sorry.
 ф

You can get 5 more entries if you buy something from us on Etsy. In that case, your chances are growing dramatically - actually the first giveaway was won by my customer! Past customers qualify for these additional entries; just give me your Etsy user name and claim your entries. (By the way, our ikat silk scarves are now on sale!)

 ф

And if you happen to win - we ship all items for free, including your purchase! (If you do buy something this time, please send to us at MulberryWhisper a note to delay shipping until the end of the giveaway). This includes our past customers. If you have already bought from us, you qualify for the additional 5 entries! Claim them and indicate your Etsy user name in the form.

Ends: March 13, 2015. 

 ф

This giveaway is open worldwide and comes with free shipping as long as you have a valid address (no P.O. boxes please). You should be 18 years old and above to qualify. All entries of the drawn winner will be verified.

Another current giveaway is HERE! Welcome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is kindly supported by the International Giveaways Blog, Giveaway Monkey and Giveaway Promote - thank you! Also backlinked to http://www.internationalbloggersassociation.com

Your Purse Might Want a Scarf, Too!

I am not someone obsessed with purses. I do not have a huge collection - I would not have room for it, anyway - and just have several, to go with all my outfits. But, as there are a few of them, I cannot but think that some change would be nice. As I always liked the sight of beautiful scarves tied to stylish purses, I decided to take this route, and my mother made this silk purse scarf: 

This is a slim silk scarf made from real Uzbek silk with a tiger print. Not to be too boastful, I like how it goes with my Coach purse. I do not believe in synthetics, preferring natural materials, and here we have a very nice combination of luxurious silk and the famous pebbled leather by Coach. Both are heavenly to the touch.

If you like smaller scarves, neckerchiefs, neck bows and such, you can wear it that way, too. It has nice volume and comfortable length, to go twice around your neck.

We used to have very good textile designers here back in Soviet time. This fabric is vintage, many years old, but still looks very relevant. Big cat prints are always in fashion, and this is a fine way to show your admiration without actually hurting animals. Even more, when using vintage fabric, you do not impose any pressure on natural resources, such as soil or water, because this fabric is already there. 

So, this is our first purse scarf, which can also be used as a head band, bun cover, ponytail holder cover, wrist scarf or bracelet, belt... (now I am getting tired of writing... I am sure there are countless more uses), and which came out very nice, in our view. You can buy one in our Etsy shop, Mulberry Whisper, and there are more on the way! All of them will be limited editions as we do not have large supplies of those vintage fabrics.

My Etsy Steampunk Finds

I love steampunk style, I must confess. I cannot say that I am a big fan of steampunk style literature and films - I mean, I do not try to see and read everything there is - but I love the style, the atmosphere and accessories. 

The mixture of modern and antique, the flair of Victorian style and the endless possibilities for recycling, upcycling and reusing have to appeal to me, as I love vintage things and the idea of re-using instead of wasting. And at times I feel a bit fed up with the glare and glitter of new things which are sold at clean glistening shops. I really long for something old, enigmatic, covered in patina and cobweb, and maybe bearing some unreadable inscriptions - secret scribbles - and where do I find that dark and dusty Old Curiosity Shop? Certainly not in my home city. But now, when we have Internet, we have more possibilities. Etsy Marketplace is one of them, and I love browsing it (yes, I am also a renowned window shopper; I try to buy less, but I enjoy browsing).

Here I have a small collection of steampunk items from Etsy sellers who make things themselves. These are all real people who work from home, and I find their items much more interesting than faceless mass produced goods.

Downloadable steampunk alphabet letters. You might use them for a banner if you are having a steampunk party or wedding, or for some crafting, like for your own packaging. They were drawn by a professional graphic designer. I like their aged appearance. 

Steampunk Alphabet Initials Letters by KarisaGraphics

A mechanical cat brooch. The cat is full of gears and I think it is cute and funny. It would probably drink luboil instead of milk. Yes, I do prefer real animals, but a robo-cat is an interesting concept and looks beautiful. Just think of all tiny elements inside a living cat - all that complex mechanism which makes it alive - any robot will seem crude and clumsy.

Gears Cat brooch - steampunk jewelry by Citrus Cat

The combination of an old rusty skeleton key and smooth prehnite beads with their dreamy  glow is irresistible. A very fine example of steampunk. It makes me think of things which deteriorate - everything made by humans, like this key - and the eternal life and beauty of nature. 

Vintage key necklace with pale green prehnite by Lenamer

A very vintage looking lace cowl with decadent roses and ribbons, a perfect mix of pastel shades and textures. If I needed a steampunk costume, I would certainly want this cowl. In combination with a plunging neckline, it looks very edgy. 

Crochet scarflette cowl by AllMadeWithLove

This is a beautiful piece of jewelry which is actually forever. A timeless piece, it goes equally well with a suit or jeans and t-shirt. I love its wavy structure - an unexpected twist. It must be nice to wear it to the office, as something alive and different to complement that very formal attire. In the most boring meeting, he can look at his bracelet and think of you.  

Men' chainmaille bracelet from oxidized sterling silver by Arctida

A vintage pocket watch is a must for a true steampunk lover. This shabby looking watch is from the Soviet Union which makes it even more interesting. Oh, there is a huge potential for writing post-Apocalyptic stories set up in the post-Soviet environment. Please do not take me wrong, I am fond of our history, but all those huge factories (many of them dead now), and mines (also many dead), and a number of dead towns (I have seen some of them) present a great environment for writing, filming or just walking around and taking pictures in steampunk style... if you are not too afraid. So, vintage Soviet pocket watch is a great steampunk find! 

Vintage Soviet Pocket Watch MOLNIJA by GeorgiVintage

The bathyscaphe vase. This is probably one of my favorite items ever. I adore the contrast of rough surface, looking like rusty welded metal, and smooth glass. The round window provides insight into the depths of unknown, dark and secretive. And above these gloomy secrets, above the rusty metal and cold glass, we have those flowers, so alive and lovely, like a symbol of nature which survives the unreasonable humanity. 

Steampunk urban vase from recycled glass by GrimMe

Ah, the stunning bisque doll twins. They are so pretty and innocent, certainly there must be some mischief in them, and twins are always special, are not they? Sometimes they look quite eerie. These are vintage replicas of much more old mignonette dolls, and they are exquisitely beautiful. No, I do not expect them to turn into blood-sucking monsters, they are just artist hand made dolls, but unusual and with lots of character. The painted stockings do make them look a bit strange, in my view. All for the better. 

Vintage mignonette twin dolls by MulberryTerrace