marta locklear { boutique »

hiatus…

September 7, 2008 – 3:43 am

I am taking a brief Hiatus from the Cocoon and Wrap biz. It has been a very hard decision to make, but something just has to give. With my new studio patiently waiting for me and my photography biz growing faster than I know how to keep you with it, I just need to re-evaluate where I need to focus my time and energy. Once I get settled into my studio and get things organized and my help helping, I will jump back in. But for now I need to call it quits!

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding. I have an overwhelming following for my product. I know my CS has been struggling a bit. It is not for a lack of care, knowledge or desire, just plain for the lack of time. And I hate that. I love my boutique biz, and I have HUGE ideas for it and big custom projects going for other photographers, etc. But I just need to cut back so I can get everything in order.

Much love,

Marta

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | no comments |

Tip #1 - Reverse

July 30, 2008 – 8:38 pm

Since I have so many wonderful clients that keep coming back to me. I thought I would start offering tips, tricks and ideas. Your {cocoon} is not limited to just one way of using it. Some of us are creative and some need a little boost in the right direction. So keep checking in for the tips, tricks and ideas.

Tip #1 - Reverse.

If you own an original marta locklear { boutique {cocoon} it was designed to be seamless. Why? So no matter what angle you shot it at, you would not have an unsightly seam or line distracting the viewers eye. The {cocoon} is hand knit in a special way to avoid any seams or obvious decrease or increase. And since there is no seam, decrease or increase line, your cocoon is 100% reversible. Why, reverse your cocoon? Again, since it is knit, seamless, and not loomed you have two fabulous textures to choose from. It can give your cocoon/image a completely different look. I am posting 4 images of a simple yarn and one of my art yarns so you can see the difference from one side to the next.

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized, tips | no comments |

New Blog

July 24, 2008 – 5:04 pm

Welcome to the new marta locklear { boutique blog. I am also working on a website that will house everything and have the sales directly through that site, so we can lose the third party sites all together!

I have new yarns coming in weekly and more items will be listed soon. New ideas and designs will be coming out late summer/fall.

The original idea for the boutique (besides the wrap and cocoon) was to be a place to find unique things to use along side your photography. Whether it be props, gear (cool boutiquey stuff of course), gifts, and templates. My goal is to start pushing other artists/vendors as well. But hand selecting everything. If you know anyone that has a great product that would work within the boutique theme of this site, and the other products represented, let me know, or send them my way!

I also want to thank all of my customers for their patronage and patience during the growth of this business. My goal is to provide only the best materials and products out there, and if you ever have a problem with something you have received or with the service, please let me know. I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken.

Here are a couple of new Fiber Art Yarns recently listed

By admin | Posted in news | no comments |

Samples of new yarns

June 25, 2008 – 2:03 pm

I wanted to take a moment to post all the different yarns I have been purchasing, listing and selling. They are going so fast that I just don’t think everyone has had the chance to see them before they sell.

These are examples of the Fiber Art yarns, hand spun and hand dyed yarns. These are a part of the Luxury line of cocoons.

I purchase new yarns every week, and once I get the yarns I photograph them and list them for sale. They are made to order and each one will have a different look. Each yarn has its own characteristics, size, colors, textures, stretch, etc.

I have also started doing the Custom Cocoons…these yarns are examples of the types of yarns you will be sifting through (in any color you want of course), or I will have something hand spun for you.

Some of these are already sold…some are currently for sale in my Etsy store. As soon as I get a spare moment…I plan to put together a new site just for the Boutique…but I am super busy right now,and it is just going to have to wait.

Enjoy

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized, news, {cocoon} | 1 comments |

New Custom Cocoons

June 23, 2008 – 2:14 am

Tired of waiting for the perfect {cocoon} to pop up? Do you have colors in your creative photographers brain that you want a {cocoon} made out of? Certain textures? A special size?

Now is your chance to order a Completely Custom Cocoon. These are in the league of my OOAK and Limited Edition Cocoons. If price is an issue this is not the product for you. But trust me, this will be all you. First we will find out what you want. I will hunt all of my handspun and hand dyed yarn sources for the perfect yarn for you. If we do not find something that works, then I will have something spun specially for you. Then we will make it just for you out of your custom colors and yarns.

This is not a quick process. If we can find a yarn ready to ship, then you can have it shipped in 1-2 weeks. If we have to have a yarn made for you, then it can be up to 4 weeks. But you will have Fiber Art made especially for you.

See more about this in my Etsy Store.

Other news. My knitters are finally in production. We had to work out a few more kinks than I expected but they are well on their way. I hope to finally be able to put plenty more up for sale soon!

Here is one of my latest. There are some new yarns listed in the Etsy store.

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized, news, {cocoon} | 2 comments |

Lots of News!!

June 4, 2008 – 4:00 pm

Thank you all of you that referred knitters to me, or replied yourself. I have a long list and a few I am working with now. If you responded and I am not currently using you, please do not fret. We have a lot in store for the next 6 months, and I may need more of you.

The new knitters are working on their samples for me to check and approve. We hope to be in production VERY soon. In the meantime everyone is getting anxious, and eager for more product and I assure you that it is coming and it blows the old product out of the water!!!

Some new things…
I have started offering new Fiber Art Cocoons. These are going to be hand knit by me, and will contain very high end, hand spun, hand dyed yarns. They will be sold as One of a Kind or Limited Edition. Depending on how many yards and how large or small I make the product. Due to the Limited Edition, OOAK, and expense of the yarns $35+ dollars, these will be more expensive then my others. But rest assured, if you want originality, and a piece of Fiber Art for your Art images, this is what you have been waiting for.

I will be adding listings for Custom Cocoons as well. If you have color visions that you want and do not see, you can have a Custom Yarn made and then Custom knitted for you as well.

The cocoon smaller. I had many complaints of {the wrap} being too small that we were a touch generous on the {cocoon}. I have decided to go back to my original plan and ideas and make them how I envisioned. It is not for everyone, but I really want things to be tighter to show the baby.

The regular cocoons will not contain any Craft Store of Drug store yarns! I am stepping it up several notches! You will only find luxury yarns from me now, and all new colors and textures.

New shapes….YAY! I am very excited about this. I have been brainstorming for a while now about new shapes and ideas. I tackled the colors, and textures, now it is time to design again. Keep checking in for new product over the summer. I will also be collaborating with some well known photographers with some new designs as well…that is all I can tell you for now

New site…I should have a new website or blog in the next month or so. This little blogspot is not cutting it for me. I am just trying to figure out the best way to present them, and be able to sell them without Etsy. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my Etsy, but I want to have more images, and more of “my” look.

Since I can’t post with out images…here is my first One of a Kind (sold), and two others OOAK yarns. One is sold, and the other is available in the Etsy Store

Phew…I think that is all for now!
Much love, Marta

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized, news | 3 comments |

Knitter(s) needed…ASAP

May 16, 2008 – 6:04 pm

I have just been notified of some issues with my last batch of orders. Most of the orders come to me packaged, so things get missed. This is the second problem of the nature, so I have to let my knitter go.

It is not acceptable to me. I pride myself with providing the highest quality items and when that is not the case…I am mortified. If you are a knitter, or know a knitter…I am looking for help. I pay well (hence the reason they cost what they do). The knitter will need the following knowledge to qualify

Non Smoking Enviroment
Pet Free
Knit in round
Garter Stitch
Decrease Stitch
In the US (unless you or they are willing to ship at their own expenses)

If anyone has had any problems with your product that has not contacted me, please do so! I will either refund you or get you a new item as soon as I can. Thank you for bearing with this slight delay! Marta

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 comments |

Captured by Carrie and the {cocoon}

May 16, 2008 – 2:19 am

I was so excited when I found out the Carrie wanted one of my {cocoons}. I just had to be patient and wait for the images. She has a special plan for this particular one (Olive), that hasn’t happened yet, but I will continue to wait until she gets a chance to try out her vision.

Here are a few images from a recent shoot that she did. I know she is known for her BW’s but, that color one is just so yummy!
You can see more of her work here or read more about the book she is putting together with fellow photographer Britt Woodall at the BareBaby Blog.

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized, news, other photographers work, {cocoon} | 2 comments |

Images of Grace and the {cocoon}

April 5, 2008 – 2:23 am

Wow….just wow! I just spent 3 hours in kiddy chaos and I sat down exhausted to take a quick peek at my email. And look what I found!!! Amy of Images of Grace sent me this wonderful email of the most stunning images of the Olive {cocoon}. Just breathtaking and pure.

A quick quote from Amy..”I just loved how easy it is…I ordered 2 already and about to order a 3rd…THANKS!”

Keep sending the images and I will keep posting these amazing inspirations!

By admin | Posted in other photographers work, {cocoon} | 2 comments |

{cocoon} - Organic

April 3, 2008 – 10:50 pm

The new {cocoon} colors are here, and they are in a all new yarn. 100% Organic Cotton in the softest texture and the most natural of colors.

The new Organic {cocoon} will come with the all organic handmade wooden buttons just like the original. The flowers and rafia used in the images do not come with the {coocoon}, but used mainly to show the endless possibilities to make this your own. Due to the weight and texture of the yarn the knit on these is a little looser (just a little). But you will see a little more skin, and have a little more stretch. It does have a great drape to it as well.

Please excuse my use of the baby doll. All of my newborns are coming next month (5). But I just couldn’t wait any longer to release the new yarns. I will have plenty of images next month of my babies in them, and photos of the other colors.

detail of the knit

bark.

grass.

cloud.

petal.

wheat.

linen. image coming soon….(it is the off white in the center of the top image)