Behind the Design - White Owl

Good morning everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Today we have with us Courtney and Christina, the sister team behind White Owl, a source for beautiful vintage and lace jewelry pieces. 

Where does your inspiration come from?
Courtney: Everywhere - thrift shops, fashion magazines, old movies, you name it.
Christina: I get much of my inspiration from the materials I am working with.

Do you have a spot you like to go that helps you feel creative?
Courtney: I don't go to any one particular place...going on walks or bike rids alone helps me feel creative, weirdly enough.
Christina: I don't have a specific place, but I usually get my inspiration late at night - I'm a night owl for sure.

Where do you do most of your work (i.e. the dining room table, a studio, etc.)?
Courtney: At my house or Christina's - at the table, sitting on the couch, anywhere that has a flat surface, really!
Christina: I do a lot of my work at my work table, but sometimes I'll work in my living room if I have friends hanging out at my house.

 

How did you come up with the name for your business?
Courtney: Well, I really like owls....
Christina: And I love white.

Your favorite thing to make:
Courtney: Necklaces!  Especially with big, chunky chains.
Christina: I love making necklaces too!

What is your all time favorite design from past or current collections?
Courtney: The 'All Tomorrow's Parties' necklace.  It was huge and heavy, but it looked great!
Christina: My favorites are always changing, but I really like the 'New Romantic Vintage Modern Ruff.'

You couldn't run your business without ________?
Courtney: Resale shops!  And Grandma garage sales.
Christina: Flea markets, garage sales, resale shops, and my computer!

What advice do you wish someone had given you when you first started your business?
Courtney and Christina: Save all your receipts!

Coffee or Tea?
Courtney: Coffee!  I am about 90% coffee, I drink so much.
Christina: I love coffee and tea, but I can't drink as much as Courtney!

Favorite magazine/blog/daily read?
Courtney: Nylon magazine and Style Bubble in the print and electronic realms, respectively.
Christina: Decor8, Garance Dore, sfgirlbybay

If you could follow one person around for a day, who would it be?
Courtney: Leslie Hall, I would wear a gem sweater to blend in with her environment.
Christina: I would have liked to follow Kurt Vonnegut around while he was alive.

Do you have any hobbies or creative outlets other than your work?
Courtney: Yes, I also make films and art...and I bake too!
Christina: My creative projects are always changing.  Sometimes I make films or art or photographs and sometimes I just redecorate the whole house!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, money and time being no object, where would you go and why?
Courtney: I would go to London - I went there years ago and had a great time...and everyone has really terrific, individual style.  Maybe 1960's London?
Christina: I would go back to France - I loved everything about it, the food, the clothes, the relaxed attitude.

If you had to spend a year on a deserted island, what 5 things would you take with you?
Courtney: Lipstick, matches, scissors, a reaaaally long book to read (War and Peace?), and a tent!!
Christina: I hope my deserted island comes with a deserted house, because I would bring a years supply of Dr. Pepper, a cell phone, my camera, my cat and my favorite pillow.

Thank you Courtney and Christina for participating!

Photos courtesy of Courtney and Christina, White Owl


Courtney and Christina can be found at:
Etsy shop