Lorain Blanken

Rain Blanken is the Executive Director of a non-profit organization centered around teaching the arts, and has been making her own clothing and accessories for the past fifteen years.

Rain doesn't just write about DIY fashion, she lives it! She began helping with the family screen printing business while still in grade school.

Today, as a seasoned seamstress, she has been making, wearing, and selling her own hand-made clothing for over ten years. Rain's clothing designs have been featured at major music festivals all over the country, the internet, and at retail stores. Rain's jewelry creations have been regularly featured at Soup Stone Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. Rain has created everything from wedding dresses to children's accessories in her career.

Rain has built a reputation of sharing her do-it-yourself knowledge with others. Since 2003, she has been the Founder and Executive Director of Kidz Jam, a non-profit organization that works to teach children about recycling crafts and the importance of art in our lives. Rain also volunteers as a Leader for Western Ohio Girl Scouts.

Rain has earned a degree in Fine Art, working her way through college as a teacher and professional seamstress. She regularly teaches DIY fashion and recycled craft lessons to children and young adults alike.

I believe that DIY fashion contributes to the ethics of recycling, offers a sense of control in the consumer, and produces originality in the fashion industry. DIY fashion is currently blooming in America, as young, crafty individuals are applying their creativity to a new sense of daring style. When you create you own fashion, then you are truly representing yourself.

I would like to share my experience as a seamstress and jewelry maker to offer easy instructions and advice to those new to DIY fashion. I also have plenty of handy tricks for experienced crafters. Here I will be posting my own recipes for DIY fashion that can not be found anywhere else, and have proven the test of time in my own wardrobe.