I have a BFA in Fashion Design, as well as in Studio Arts from Syracuse University. I used to imagine being on the cover of WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) as a fashion designer. All the headlines that would work. Like TASH SPELLS CASH or if I was designing bathing suits, TASH MAKES A SPLASH. There was TASH IS A SMASH, and, lol, if I put out a bad collection, TASH MAKES TRASH.
Being a fashion designer has never stopped being one of my deepest desires. And now… I am!
www.redbubble.com has added new merchandise to include dresses, skirts, scarves, leggings and chiffon tops! I spent about five hours last night updating my work. I have several watercolor paintings on the site. You can purchase all sorts of items designed with my original paintings’ images on them – phone cases, satchels, stickers, mugs….and now all of these clothes!
The quality of the image on the merchandise is really outstanding. And there is a quick turn-around time. Items are usually shipped within a week! Right now they are offering a 20% off sale on all goods and in addition, the scarves are on a special sale.
I am sooooo excited about this! This is a sample of the abundant choices in the Karen Tashkovski – Visual Artist line. I will link each picture to its page on the site for easy access.
BCBGMaxAzria top, pants and belt, BCBGGeneration sandals
I’ve been in a whirlwind of social activity, including art stuff – like I went to Plowshares, an art show at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, NY over the weekend. I went there to shop for Christmas gifts because I am a firm believer in buying local.
BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
The vendor in particular – Michelle DaRin. Michelle is a jewelry designer and I absolutely love her work! She often does art shows and fairs but you can also find her work here. For Christmas, she is offering different specials every day.
Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Rachel Roy top, Champion yoga pants, Nine West booties
I also stumbled upon a great boot sale at ninewest.com. On Black Friday, they had 50% off boots then an additional 20% off that, so, I bought lots. Not that I needed them, of course, but now that I am fashion blogging, I just desire new things. Curbing spending will be a New Year’s resolution…or not. I say it in my head then go – nah!
JCrew sweater, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties
Most of my waking hours are spent on bcbg.com. They have 60% off stuff! Just bought a top, and pants that I haven’t worn yet. As you can see, my new belt has been in heavy rotation these past two weeks!
JCrew cardigan, Trina Turk dress, BCBGMaxAzria belt, Nine West boots
I see Amanda LaDue at Miracles in Fayetteville, NY every three weeks. She added more highlights to my hair to the point that my blonde sister asked me if I was single-white-femaling her, lol. We are definitely twinning right now!
Trina Turk dress, Steve Madden boots
I took my sister’s yoga class for the first time ever. She is an instructor at O Yoga. It was really pretty amazing! I am a pilates girl but I think Sophie is about to convert me to yogini – nah!, well…maybe….
Lord & Taylor cardigan, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West booties
Trina Turk was doing 30% off stuff. What you need to do is get on the emailing list so that you can receive invitations for all the special sales.
BCBGMaxAzria dress and belt, Ralph Lauren boots
I am not sure what is up next – there are loads of craft fairs going on. A new art gallery in Armory Square and several art exhibitions that I have been invited to attend through my connections on Facebook.
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, Bailey 44 top, BCBGGeneration booties
As for my own work, I will wait for whatever comes my way in the new year. I am planning to revise my Shopify.com store and you can still purchase merchandise with my artwork on it – phone cases, T-shirts and mugs – through http://www.redbubble.com.
Free People cardigan, Lucky Brand top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Nine West boots
I guess that is another New Year’s resolution – to be more the vendor than the customer – nah! well, you know…yes!
BCBGMaxAzria sweater and belt, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGGeneration booties
Let’s face it – back to school is all about the fashion. And it’s not just me. I’ve had plenty of conversations in the last two weeks with my colleagues where we spend time between classes complimenting each other’s outfits and that’s with both men and women. The new principal walked by me twice in a day and said, “Talking about fashion again?” (I was…to two different friends).
I love what the kids are bringing to the table too. The boys wear shorts, socks and sneakers that all match in colors like bold yellow and turquoise. The girls like what I call shimmer-shammer, tops with sequins in heart motifs or positive message text. Of course, my favorite thing is when someone is wearing cammo sandwich (head-to-toe camouflage) and I say, “Whoops, I didn’t see you there.” Yeah, that joke never gets old.
The day I wore the above outfit, I was up on my step ladder finally adding posters to the walls of my classroom once the humidity died down a notch (no aircondish). I literally fell off…and landed perfectly on my four inch heels. Alex, one of my students, is still talking about that. He was like, “How did you DO that?”Answer – cat-like reflexes, if cats wore heels.
BCBGMaxAzria dress, BCBGGeneration sandals
As you know, I’m attempting to save money so that I can start a sentence with “One time, in Greece….” My friend Shelly said I should start by not buying any new clothes. She’s right. No one in Greece has seen me in person in these clothes (except my cousin Michele) so there’s that. But I will literally die if I don’t continue to buy new stuff. I’d rather do that than eat or fix the brakes on my car. I’m honestly not sure how I will manage.
BCBGMaxAzria dress, BCBGGeneration sandals, Honora watch, Coach tag on velvet necklace (homemade/one-of-a-kind – my cat ate the string; pooped it out the next day!)
There is a way I could have both new clothes and the trip, and that is to do with the business of selling art. In a dream scenario, I would sell every painting I have for sale at Natur-Tyme before the witching hour.
BCBGMaxAzria top Banana Republic pants, BCBGGeneration sandals, Fossil bracelets
I take them all home next Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 9:00 am. Right now, aside from the very reasonably priced 18″ x 18″ cat paintings ($75), I am selling unframed watercolors in different sizes for between $75 and $200. I only need to sell ten of the latter for that ticket and some pocket money. And we all know how much better these abstractions look in multiples, right? I know there is someone out there who wants to help me. I can feel it.
Lifeline, 18″ x 24″, watercolor, 2002, $200
Also, I have cards there for only $5. Those cards are an absolute steal at that price since they take me close to three hours each to create.
I am soooo happy. The accolades have been such a gift. So many people telling me they love my artwork. So many people congratulating me on the article in Women of Upstate New York. The summer has been seriously laced with magic. I am so grateful for all the adventures, for the love and the friendships and for the amazing things that happened with regard to my art career. Some of the best times of my life…moments I will cherish, and never, ever forget for as long as I live. I am a very lucky person. I know that.
Trina Turk dress, BCBGGeneration sandals
I wish I could just give the artwork away and if I didn’t need the money for this trip and another romantic notion – to go to Paris, you know I would. Like if travelling was free.
The only way to manifest those dreams is with your help. I will be forever grateful and you will have a Tashkovski original, a piece of my soul, kinda like a horcrux only better because it was made with love.
Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGGeneration sandals, Fossil bracelets
The thirty-two framed paper collage and watercolors will remain at Syracuse Tech Garden until October 9, 2015. Contact Steve Nyland to make a purchase – gallery.ttg@gmail.com.
