I’ve known Emie Otis, (shown above) owner of Beauty Mark Designs, for several years now and have been following her work with a watchful eye.

Emie who is a gifted and savvy designer is known for her range of talents including photo-styling, hair, make-up and fashion design.

Her recent creation Madame Bottle Fly (shown below) was modeled by the designer at Portland’s Junk to Funk Show where ‘trash is transformed into wearable works of art.’

Madame Bottle Fly was made with over 600 bottle caps attached to a delicate wire frame (made out of over 30 wire hangers) weighing in at 45 pounds, and demanding over nearly 450 hours of work.

I was curious about Emie’s dream, the obstacles she’s faced, and the evolution of her work. Here’s more from Emie:

CJ: What is your dream?

Emie: I want to be independently and artistically successful. That means continuing to have the freedom to create my art, and in return to receive financial support to pay my bills and live sustainably. I call myself a Beauty Dominator and am currently living my dream of photo-styling, designing clothing and working as a hair stylist. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

CJ: When did you first realize that art was your dream?

Emie: Well, I remember being 8 years old and my sister (who is a bit older) knew she was going to be doctor and I knew (without a doubt) that I was going to be an artist. We were joint-custody kids and I remember one day (in particular) when my dad took me for walk in the neighborhood. He lovingly told me that my sister (as a doctor) might have an easier time being respected by society and that I might find more challenges on my path as an artist, but he respected me for being an artist.

Every time I think about that time, it makes me cry. I remember thinking that someone understood what I felt, and it was very comforting. There were times when I felt second-fiddle but never with my dad. There was this sense (as I grew older) that what I felt on the inside was that I was just barely making it on the outside. My dad’s support was everything. For example, at one of my gallery showings, he bought more than half of my work.

I always knew I wanted to communicate myself artistically. For example, in middle school, I’d cut things up and staple and hot glitter them to shoes. I later took classes. There eventually was a  snowball-effect and all the work started to pay off. I often stayed up working until 3am, creating my own clothing line, entering in competitions and doing photo-styling projects.

CJ: What have been your biggest obstacles and how have you worked through them?

Emie: My biggest fear has been rejection. I’ve overcome it by NOT giving up. For example I’d hear things like, “Your finishing work sucks, you’re not professional enough, etc.” I would beat myself up for a week, let that process, and try again. It’s been a process of many life lessons, and mistakes are important. Perseverance is also important. As an artist without a degree in Art I’ve often considered myself an outsider. Yet the voice inside my head tells me things like, “Keep going Emie and don’t give up.”

I do my part and let the Universe decide. For example, if I don’t get chosen for a competition, I believe that wasn’t supposed to get in, and that’s probably giving me an opportunity for something better.

CJ: What advice would you give to others following the creative path?

Emie: Be as organized as possible. That has been a big challenge for me. Organization really helps because you are the only person taking care of yourself. A lot of being an entrepreneur is not creative, but is also very important. If you want to be financial successful, you have to have a business mind. Do a budget and assess everything.

CJ: What’s been your biggest victory?

Emie: I had a really good 2008. At this time in my life I feel very comfortable in my skin and am proud of my accomplishments. I won 4th place in Junk to Funk, I participated in Explode La Mode where 15 local fashion designer were highlighted. I showed 18 of my garments and The Oregonian featured 6 of my pieces. I also became Trillian Recycled Artisan, I set up an Etsy account, and photo-styling projects which all were very encouraging.

Although is has felt overwhelming at times, being accepted, acknowledged and maintaining that level has been exciting and scary.  I am optimistic.

For more info on Emie, visit her website, Beauty Mark Designs, www.beautymarkdesigns.net.

This watch, designed by Rolf Sachs, for Fortis makes me smile. It must be the delightful combination of chalkboard, chalk, hand written numbers and its child-like quality that make me want to go to Fortis’s website and add it to my shopping cart. Maybe it’s about tapping into the creative side of grown-ups.

Either way, I was curious about the inspiration behind the design and discovered that the concept emerged from a shop window the Rolf designed for London department store Selfridges, shown below.

Rolf shares, “I am always in search of the new.” Me too and I’m inspired.

There is the mechanical aspect of the inner workings of numbers mixed with human nature, while tapping into the creative side of a child. A nice recipe. As reported on Fortis’s news page, “Chalk is transitory, waking the childhood memories in everybody - leading from the sterile to the human.” Interesting.

A very cool watch. I’m tempted. There are a limited edition of 999; very auspicious indeed. That would be seriously good for my shui.

For purchase info, go here: www.fortis-watch.de

I was with my client yesterday–international girl’s snowboarding clothing sensation, Betty Rides working on the interior of their chic headquarters here in Portland. The girls that work there left me a cute note on a bright pink post-it note that said, ‘For Feng Shui Chicky’ attached to some furniture tear sheets. CEO, Janet Freeman and I chose a fabulous low voc (earth-friendly) hot pink-Yolo Colorhouse Petal. 04- for accent walls and low voc Divine Twighlight for the bathroom. Coming up next are eco-silk luscious draperies to frame the royal pink and white glow. I’ll post before and after photos here. Thank-you Janet for my eco-chic Betty Rides re-usable shopping tote that says global love vibe in different languages. P.S. Any of you who watch the show, ‘The Bachelorette‘ might be interested in knowing that the latest bachelorette has chosen her man who happens to be from Portland and she’s blowing through Betty Rides this Friday to pick up some of BR’s chic clothing. Check out BR’s blog next week for details.