We're thrilled to introduce you to the amazing Mandi, a Seattle-based creative force and longtime Lucky Sweater community member! With an adventurous spirit and an eye for sustainable fashion, Mandi is a true advocate for eco-conscious living.
From metalsmithing to sewing, she's got her hands in all sorts of crafty jars, making the world a better place one stitch and one metal loop at a time.
Read on to get the lowdown on her journey into making, her inspirations, and her cherished trades on Lucky Sweater.
I’m Mandi! I live in Seattle with my partner and our 5-year-old pug/beagle mix. I have been part of the LS community for almost 2 years now and I love how it’s evolved into a marketplace for me made, slow fashion, and soon-to-be vintage/thrift! I’m passionate about the environment and love being involved in making sustainable fashion more accessible. In my free time, you can find me making things (sewing/metalsmithing), traveling, hiking, or spending time with friends.
I have always loved making things! In 2014 I started metalsmithing; making jewelry through the lost wax casting process. I was gifted a sewing machine right before the pandemic and since I couldn’t get into the metalsmithing studio, I started sewing a bunch and found a new favorite hobby!
Everything! Some of my favorites have been button-down shirts, flowy linen dresses, dungarees, and a couple of Halloween costumes.
Honestly, probably instagram. It’s fun to browse and see how handmade clothes look on other people, what modifications/adjustments they made, etc. For jewelry, I tend to be inspired by nature (the human body, branches, and bugs) and pizza :-)
A shorts/cropped tank set and a hexie quilt.
There are so many amazing tutorials online and wonderful people in the community who will help you out if you get stuck. Don’t be afraid to add questions, especially on the LS me-made community board.
Well, the trading part obviously! Being able to trade me mades with slow fashion items makes this really fun too. I also love seeing all the me-made looks in the community posts!
There are so many creative and inspiring people in this group! I’m excited to see how this community grows :-)
My favorite trade so far is a close tie between a pair of agolde denim jeans from @traylons that I wear all the time and a handmade spaceship sweater from @laurencolpean that is just so unique and cozy. <3
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, Mandi! Your passion for crafting and sustainable fashion truly enriches our Me Made community. We can't wait to see what you'll create (and trade) next!
Come for the clothes, stay for the community. Never have to buy again.