Souvenir Handmade

One of the best things about having a store is being able to choose who you do business with. There’s no nicer and talented girl around than Rikki McDougall,founder and creator of Souvenier. A jewelry line that features,a mix of vintage spoons ,organic material and Rikki’s own nature based illustrations.

What made you start your own business? How did you get started? 

It wasn't ever something I consciously set out to do, it's just something that happened organically. I started making my spoon pendant necklaces for family and friends as gifts. Through word of mouth I started to make sales and it just grew and grew. The next thing I knew I was expanding my line, taking part in local craft sales and soon after that selling in local Winnipeg stores and a few stores in Vancouver as well. 

What’s your favorite piece that you’ve designed?

I love my wheat spoon necklace. Wheat stalks are such a prairie icon, and the necklace goes with pretty much everything!

 

Where does your inspiration come from? 

My girlfriends mostly. I try and design things that I imagine they would want to wear.I also get really inspired by flea markets or antique stores. It's where I head to if I'm ever feeling stuck for ideas. I love being in amongst piles of forgotten objects- things with a history.I feel really connected to items of the past and enjoy thinking of ways to make them relevant today.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

I have two jewelry designers I love. I am a fan of Erica Weiner. She uses a lot of antique trinkets like old love tokens, and tiny pocket knives. Her jewelry has a sense of humour but still remains cool which I really admire. I also like the dark occult vibe of Pamela Love's jewelry. I would love to own one of her crow skull pendants! 

Whats next for you? 

I have been toying with the idea of taking a silversmithing class. I would love to learn another aspect of jewelry making...I think it could only help take my line further and add a whole other layer to my designs.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring designers?

My advice would be to create what you really love, and be true to what comes natural to you, while maintaining an openess to new ideas.Listen to what people are asking for...there might be some good ideas in there! Think about how you can put your twist on the trends and make it your own, or better yet-start your own trends.

3 things on your wish list for the holidays are...

For the holidays, I'm asking santa for a great new pair of vintage brown tall boots, an awesome tweed long blazer like the one I saw in Out of the Blue, and....maybe a new muffler for my car! Its starting to sound pretty loud these days! Haha 

Thanks Rikki,hope santa is good to you!

Brown Paper Bag Photography

Everyday in the shop we chat about things we love or hate ,relive our latest adventures and exchange ideas with staff and customers alike.

The OOTB blog is a place where we get to share that conversation. Whether its our love for fashion-the eclectic vintage inspired kind, our love for people – the creative, quirky, generous and smart as a whip kind or just random musings on things that inspire us like good food and street art.

To get this conversation started and keep us from organizational chaos (ya right...) we thought it would be fun to run some weekly features.

When we're not talking fashion, the OOTB staff loves to enjoy good food together. Whether its going out for tapas and sangria, or having a staff chili night, food is what brings us together. Food for Thought posts will feature tips, tricks, recipes, ideas and all things related to the culture of food.

Brown Paper Bag Photography

It’s one big fashion-fest here  and we love it but where do you all begin? We thought we’d bring it back to the basics and begin quite simply with the letter A. Look for our upcoming feature on A-line skirts to start us off!

There’s a million and one things that go into the running of Out of the Blue – Most of them have to do with the good people we meet.We thought it would be fun to   give you a sneak peek into the lives of some of  the great people who’ve helped us along the way;our indie suppliers,out of the blue staff and our fabulous customers.

One of the best things about being in the Village and well Winnipeg in general is the style and the groove that this city generates.Whether its capturing a street scene or chatting about our favorite new band  ,inspiration is what keeps us going. Look for our upcoming feature on our top picks for Holiday Music we really like to listen to!

Out of the Blue opened in 1991 in Osborne Village and lovingly filled 600 glorious sq feet with an array of vintage clothing and accessories. Those were some great times, pristine never been opened denim bellbottoms, Nehru jackets and baby blue ruffled tuxedo shirts could still be found in the old warehouses of Winnipeg manufacturers. They retailed for about 20-30 bucks! Those were the days. 

These days are great too and we are grateful that 20 years later we are still around and having fun offering up an eclectic mix of fashion and vintage inspired goods and clothing. 

Each week we will take a look at some of our fave pieces in the store. 

We hope you enjoy the blog. Love to hear from you-we really couldn’t do it without you! 

Peace and joy,

The Out of the Blue gang

Close your eyes. You’re in Berlin, a backpack slung over one shoulder and nothing but time and adventure on your mind. You head down Kornerstrasser, stop to chat with the clown, and walk into a vintage store. Inside is a fusion of music, art and fashion. You’ve never seen anything like it-velvet tapestries, mandarin bellbottoms and Mary Quant paper bag dresses swinging to Etta James’ At Last…oh so fitting…It’s like Shangri-La. You are In Love.

Fast forward to Winnipeg. Your job sucks; no velvet, no bellbottoms, and New Kids On The Block ain’t no Etta. You need to escape! Shangri-La beckons, and you decide it’s time to revisit that store. But Berlin isn’t in the budget, so with the help of family, friends and little lady luck you bring the store to Winnipeg. Out of The Blue is born! It enjoys childhood on River Ave, spends adolescence tucked under a stairwell munching on mooshi pancakes and finally, finally blossoms into a big beautiful store –giant windows and sunshine all leading to fab clothes, jewelry and home décor. As it reaches its 20th birthday, you want to lie about its age but you’re just too proud. So … if you have to get dressed, get a friend a special gift or put a little bit of love into your life make sure to come on down… We’d love to meet you!

Peace and joy,Wendy