Miss Ruby Sue & a GIVEAWAY

I (Dove) went to high school with Lori and at the time all I knew about her was how beautiful she was. We became better acquainted when we lived in the same apartment complex a few years back. I was amazed when I first went into her apartment because creativity seemed to be oozing from the walls. At the time I was blown away by her super cute hand made window treatments. Those valances have nothing on what she's creating now!


If you happen to see an offbeat botanical babe dressed in a hint of tulle with pom poms or feathers in her cool do or around her neck, she might be wearing a creation of Miss Ruby Sue an independent vintage inspired accessory company founded by Lori Ward from Rexburg, Idaho (might I add a very conservative and difficult place for such original creations to be born).

"Every woman," says Lori, "I don't care how old she, is or whatever her circumstances may be, still loves little girlie things. So many chicks out there use the excuse- "I'm too old" or, "It doesn't look good on me" There is a little girl inside each woman that loves ballerina tutu's, pom pom trim and flowers. I center my work and my heart around this theory."

We sat down with Lori, to get the answers to a few questions everyone's been curious about.

WHAT IS MISS RUBY SUE- AND WHERE DOES THE NAME COME FROM?

Miss Ruby Sue is a brand of accessories that I created for girls of all ages, developed around beautiful rosettes made of vintage fabrics. I add feathers for hairpieces, and I also put them on necklaces for a funky original look. I'm dabbling with rosettes on the wrist for a corsage look all year long- Not just at prom!

My love for old names inspired the name Ruby Sue. In fact, I loved it so much, my little boy Kyler was going to take on the name before I found out he was a boy.

FROM WHAT SOURCE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION AND GOOD KARMA ORIGINATE?

First I'd have to say the little girl inside of me: I was a destructive kid and tore things up for fun. I don't know why! It was just fun. I still enjoy ripping fabric into shreds for my rosettes. Color also inspires me-color from clothing, nature, and magazines. I decided to embrace the fact that I loved bright colors. Blacks and earth tones just don't excite me. I've been scrap booking since I was 12 years old and have gotten pretty good at matching colors from that.

My two daughters, Rilee and Madison, are good karma catchers. More than anything I love to see them wear my work. It makes me feel like a cool mom. I can tell a hit from a dud by their replies, "OH MOMMY-IT'S SOOOOO CUTE-CAN I WEAR IT? " vs "oh, that's cute."

I used to make them ballerina outfits made from oodles of tulle and later made curtains out of fur and pom poms for their bedrooms. Exotic dancing girls in feathers from Vegas always got my attention! I guess I never outgrew those little girlie things that made me so happy. You'll notice most pieces always have a little bit of everything I love.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

Well, I could really go OCD about work, but my little boy keeps me grounded and pretty much working for him during the day. Cleaning up the house so that I can make a mess in my studio and feel good about it is top priority. I get as much done as I can before Kyler wakes up, then pop in the movie CARS after he eats breakfast. I try to beat the movie by finishing all my orders before the movie is over. Then lunch with my toddler, and off to the post office we go to deliver packages. Housework, picking up kids from school and taking them to gymnastics, making dinner, homework, responding to emails, advertising, wow, that can take up a whole day!

ARE YOU EVER EMBARRASSED TO WEAR THIS KIND OF STUFF AT YOUR AGE?

Who me? Are you kidding? I think they make me look hot and sexy!

ARE YOU AFRAID THAT PEOPLE WON'T LIKE YOUR WORK?

I focus on my own work, and not on others. I trust in myself and intuition and do what I want. Odds are, someone will like it!

YOU LIVE IN A VERY CONSERVATIVE TOWN- WHAT DOES THAT DO TO YOUR BUSINESS?

That has been a challenge for me- that's why I'm so in love with the internet- I can reach a worldwide audience and not just locals. My work is a little eccentric for my town, but I have found people who do like that sort of look and they will find me. I had a friend tell me "you'll never sell that here- it's too expensive and eccentric" I just smiled because I know women want to feel and look beautiful no matter what the economy is like.


DO YOU HAVE SUPPORT FROM YOUR FAMILY?

YES! My husband is amazed I am doing so well. I showed him I could make a goal and achieve it, even in retail. My children think it's awesome that I can design and sell. They tend to look at me a little different now. Maybe I look at myself a little differently. I think I surprised myself!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY?

I believe in following your heart! Oh do I ever! You must believe in yourself. Don't let anyone discourage you from accomplishing your dreams - you're never too old. Not ever! And don't forget to Pray,Pray,Pray.

I'd say she's darn hot & darn sexy! I am so inspired by how creative, driven & authentic she is. And she is being featured in the fantastic magazine Small. You can see some more creations here, here, and here (have a click around the pages, she is featured on several).

Okay, to enter the giveaway

THE WINNER GETS TO CHOOSE WHATEVER THEY WANT FROM HER SHOP!!! NO KIDDING!!!

Ok, here are the rules to enter:

1. Visit Miss Ruby Sue and look around. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you are going to choose when you win.

2. To receive another entry, email 4 of your friends about the giveaway or our blog and CC us on the email (wechirp@gmail.com), including our blog address in the message. One email per participant, I mean you can email as many people as you want (and we would love that) but only one entry will be counted. Note, this is different from last week.

3. To receive another entry, blog about his giveaway on your blog and then leave us a comment on this post telling us about it (include your blog address).

4. Another entry? Place our We Chirp button on your sidebar and leave us a comment with your blog address. If you have already done that weeks ago, just tell us again.

Use a separate comment for each entry.

That's right, 4 different ways to enter and win.

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And if you can't wait for something, check out her site. Friday is half off day. One item. One day.

Enter the drawing by Tuesday, March 3rd at midnight MST. We'll announce a winner on Wednesday.