June Denver Made Interview: Hot Butter

For June's installment of Denver Made we are excited to introduce you to Hot Butter, a line of handmade bags and accessories based in Lafayette, CO. This line fuses together a passion for sewing and a love of vintage, often rescuing materials that have been cast aside and breathing new life into them. The designer behind this line, Ashley McNeese, recently took the time to answer a few questions for us about her line in preparation for her Denver Made trunk show Friday June 3rd from 7pm-10pm at Fancy Tiger Clothing.  

FT: How did you come up with the name for your line?

HB: It's a long story that started in Amsterdam over a plate of savory pancakes dotted with weird butter.  Someone already claimed the etsy username, so I went with the next logical and more delicious choice, Hot Butter.  Who doesn't love hot butter?

(Ashley McNeese of Hot Butter)

FT: How did you get your start?

HB: My grandma taught me to sew pajama pants when I was in high school.  I sewed pillows as gifts one year for Christmas, but the sewing machines I had access to needed a lot of work.  I'm a little ashamed to admit that fixing a sewing machine wasn't a priority on my limited teenager budget, and I didn't sew anything for years.  I became a stay at home mom when my son was born, and I found myself hand stitching stuffed animals on the couch.  My husband bought me a sewing machine  as an early Christmas present that year, and I taught myself to make tote bags for gifts for my whole family.  There was no stopping me after that!  I opened my etsy shop to support my fabric and thrifting habits after my friends and family were well stocked in Hot Butter.

FT: Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

HB: I'm most inspired by the items I find at thrift stores and estate sales.  I was inspired to make my vintage sheet messenger bags after mass collecting pretty vintage linens that I was afraid to cut.  My stepmom Kris always has an awesome idea or two when I need one.

FT: What music do you listen to when you work on your product?

HB: I invested in a paid Pandora account, and I love it.  My favorite stations are Gogol Bordello, The Doors, Hot Chip, Journey, Johnny Cash, and old school Snoop Dogg.

FT: What would you like people to know about your work/process that isn’t evident when looking at it?

HB: All Hot Butter items are created with love on my kitchen table, which I have taken over to the point that eating on it is a special treat.  Almost everything is created with a mixture of new and vintage/reclaimed materials.  I take my time to ensure all my work is sturdy and well put together.  Everything is made with a smile!

Make sure to stop by Fancy Tiger Clothing Friday June 3rd from 7pm-10pm to check out the work of Ashley McNeese in person. Enjoy a beverage from Great Divide brewery and toast to her new line of messenger bags. 

xoxo

Fancy Tiger Clothing

Valentine's Day Gift Guide - For Him

Here at Fancy Tiger clothing we've got you covered for every gift giving occasion and with Valentine's Day right around the corner it is no exception. This week we are kicking off a two part weekly blog series to prepare you for Valentine's day. For this installment we'll be focusing on the men in your life.

Banoo is a line of handmade wool wallets from Vancouver that hit our store shelfs last week and they are already making a big impression on people. The cotton interior layout allows for excellent organization on the go and a sleek leather snap strap ensures everything will stay in it's place.

Next up is local jewelry designer Swear Jar. This Boulder based designer got his start with silversmithing at the Oregon College of Arts & Crafts in 1992 and since then he has been creating must have accessories for men and women. Check out his belt buckles, they are sure to be a hit with any man in your life and our hand-cut Neves leather belts available in black and brown complement them well. 

Last up is local jewelry designer Pistoli. This line has been a store favorite for years now and with up-cycled accessories on the rise there is no better time to check out her line of type key jewelry. Just in time for Valentine's day we've restocked our cuff link selection with some XO sets. 

Check back next week for Valentine's day gift ideas for her...

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Fancy Tiger Clothing

What's New in Store This Week...

This week we are welcoming Banoo to Fancy Tiger Clothing. Banoo is a Vancouver based line focusing on wool wallets with durable cotton linings. Choose from either an envelope style pouch or the full wallet with a leather band snap closure. Either way you go, you can't go wrong. 

Next up this week is Heavy Rotation. This Milwaukee based line has been providing us with must have screen printed wares for years and this week's shipment is no different. Here's a sneak peek at what's out on our racks now. 

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

fancy tiger clothing

What's New in Store This Week...

Commune is the newest line to hit the men's section. This Los Angeles based line was formed from the idea that there will always be people out there who not only embrace the rawness and imperfections of everyday life but use it to creatively push the boundaries of what’s possible in skateboarding, fashion, art, and music their own way, with complete disregard of the consequences. Here's a few of their looks now available in store and make sure to keep an eye out for new styles in the Spring. 

Our Brixton hat re-stock had arrived along with a new style, the Holligan, pictured below. 

Just in time for the holiday shopping season we've have some old favorites and new designs in from Seattle based designer Ada Rosman. One of our favorites for this holiday season is her 143 necklace, the number represents the number of letters in the words "I Love You." 

New dresses from Tulle have been added to the women's section just in time for the holiday party season. 

Queen Bee is back in store after a brief hiatus. This Portland based line designs bags in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as wallets, check out the pictures below to sneak a peek of what we have in store. 

Our final addition for this post will not be found on the clothing racks but rather at the front counter. We are proud to announce that we are now carrying Wallpaper magazine. This magazine focuses on design, interiors, fashion, art and lifestyle. 

Check back this Friday for the start of our weekly Holiday Gift Guide posts. 


Happy Shopping!


xoxo


fancy tiger clothing

What's New in Store This Week...

Are you ready for the Fall? Don't worry we've got you covered, literally. This week the store is filled with new Fall accessories to update your summer look along with some necessary basics on both the men's and women's side of the store. 

The West is Dead is one of the new Fall additions to the store with their warm 100% wool hats and passion to preserve the wild west. This American based line strives to use the best possible raw materials and they responsibly source and produce everything they possibly can in the U.S. These fall basics are great for both men and women. 

We've also received some new Fall fashions from Farah to help you add a little English style to your everyday look. Stop by and check out the new long sleeve button ups and dress pants. 

Why not complement your style with a one-of-a-kind belt buckle from the Ohio based husband and wife team, Maxine Dear. These buckles are made from vintage book covers sparing them from the dump and breathing new life into old classics. 

Also new in store is the Los Angeles based line Trescis which is a blending of trends and basics. Made with a focus on detail, these basic pieces are constructed with the finest yarns for the moderate market including cotton modal. Make sure to stop in and check them out. Also fitting with the theme of basics we have American Apparel cotton leggings in a variety of colors to get you through the cooler months. 

We've also been hard at work re-stocking local selections in store this week including new recycled leather cuffs from Jared, wallets and bags from Beans & Rice, crocheted neck cowls from becky's buttons & things, handmade clothing from Pearl and jewelry from She's Crafty. Jared is a local designer working in recycled leather to create unique wrist cuffs, his new styles incorporate buckles and pockets. 

Beans and Rice is the newest line of Vegan-friendly bags and wallets from Fancy Tiger Manager Vanessa. These handmade vinyl creations are sure to complement anyone's style with their hand embroidered detailing of fruits, vegetables and insects. 

Moving on to the work of another Fancy Tiger team member, Becky of becky's buttons & things has been busy crocheting some warm neck cowls to shield your neck from the elements. These 100% organic cotton creations are adorned with handmade fabric buttons and are available in six different color combinations. 

Make sure to stop by this week to see what else is new in store. 

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Fancy Tiger Clothing