Spotlight Feature: RACHEL BURKE, Tinsel Maven + Pom Pom Princess
The first time I came across Australian artist and fashion designer Rachel Burke I think my head literally exploded like something out of a cartoon. She’s like putting on a pair of rose colored glasses or stepping into a Lisa Frank trapper keeper. I followed her account @imakestagram obsessively on Instagram, ogling her work with my mouth hanging open, drooling slightly, and my brain trying to understand why or how I’d never seen anything like this before.
She is the most fun, bold, irreverent, fantastical and over-the-top, over-stimulating, punch-packing artist I’ve ever seen; and without even knowing her personally, I adore her and her whole outlook on life. (HI RACHEL, I LOVE YOU!) She seems just downright fun, and like a brilliant and amazingly wacky chick that you just want to be around! When she posts a video of herself walking down the grocery store aisle in a flowing tinsel coat, or taking out the trash bin every week- I can’t help but smile and giggle and want one of her pieces even more. She inspires all to live more loudly and freely. And simply put. . . she just sparks joy.
Check out her portfolio here and explore more favorites that she’s concocted below!
Featuring: The Fabulous Rachel Burke
The cutest pixie: Rachel Burke
Her work is so special and unique, it’s no surprise she’s been sought out by big names like My Little Pony and Disney to help them celebrate some of their milestone anniversaries in major style.
FLOUNDER! This is too perfect! Created by Rachel to help Disney celebrate The Little Mermaid’s 30th anniversary. Source
Sebastian The Crab. Created by Rachel to help Disney celebrate The Little Mermaid’s 30th anniversary. Source
I love her looks for Ariel too. Especially her rendition of the pink dress.
Where’s my dinglehopper?!
Ariel’s pink dress! Created by Rachel to help Disney celebrate The Little Mermaid’s 30th anniversary! Source
How amazing is this piece? Created for the 30th anniversary of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Kudos, Rachel! Source
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Her work and portfolio covers the spectrum, from tinsel fashion and creations that are wearable, interactive, and artistic, to pom pom public art installations. She has also written a few fun books and is active in the Australian art scene, hosting workshops, craft nights, and events that get peoples’ hands into creating things. (I’d be all over her “Bad Art Night” workshop!)
And if you’re looking for Inspo and direction she has an awesomely thorough YouTube channel with lots of tutorials and inside peeks to her dreamy world.
But her tinsel…
Good god her tinsel…
Her metallic, flashy, fringy, punchy, tinsel dresses, coats, and frocks are probably my favorite. They’re like a piece of artwork.
To wear one would be an amazingly surreal and magic moment!
More Wearable Art: Tinsel, Ruffles, + POM POM PIECES
Source: Rachel Burke
The girl knows how to work some RUFFLES, Y’all!
Source: @imakestagram, Rachel Burke
Source: @imakestagram, Rachel Burke
Source: Rachel Burke
…And Poms on Poms on Poms on Poms
Starting to believe me that she’s a real live unicorn? Watch her daydreamy little videos and you’ll need no further proof.
While I should disclaim that I’m the biggest sappy sucker and I cry at all things sweet, tender, poignant, sad, etc etc. These videos by Rachel were no exception. I didn’t expect it and I didn’t really know what to place it on, but by the end of her video here “Starry Starry Days” I was so misty I needed a tissue. They’re just sweet and innocent and a little bit magical, and I have to imagine when her lil babe looks back on these videos one day when he’s an old man he’ll be misty too. (Okay, just writing that last part made me misty again.)
Back to more crafts . . .
Poms + Crafty Shenanigans
It’s like something out of a dream. A vision of poms. Source.
I’ve literally never made a pom pom before in my life. . . but after having followed Rachel for about a year now I’ll admit I really want to try- but I know I’ll probably become addicted and my living room floor will look like the photo above. But look at how fun and different and colorful they all are!
She’s also been a part of an ongoing public art installation in Australia for several years called “Apomogy” (seen on the left), where people can write anonymous apologies and say sorry with a pom pom.
She has a few fun videos on her YouTube page as well that cover some easy crafts that would be great for a girl’s night or with a group of craft-loving kiddos. Check out this fun time-lapse video below of Rachel making this GINORMOUS pom pom!
GIANT POM nestled in the dreamiest color-bomb explosion of a work space! Source
Rachel’s Instagram is the most colorful eye candy account I know.
Bedazzled Boots FTW. Source
This fabulous purse was made by upcycling an old cereal box! Source
The fun pom poms above and the super fabulous accessories shown here are similar to what she does in her workshops, where attendees are encouraged to let loose, not overthink, and just have fun in the process of creating and making things. When all else fails, bedazzle away!
Her work is so generally carefree, bold, over the top, and even silly, it’s a reminder to not take life too seriously, to not be afraid to be whimsical and fun, and just make things that make you HAPPY.
The world needs more creators like Rachel Burke.
The Tinsel Bar
In Brisbane Australia in The Queensland area you can also see her work at The Tinsel Bar, where thousands of strands of gloriously sparkly tinsel have been lovingly sewn together and installed to create probably the most fun and funky cocktail + eatery spot we’ve ever seen! (It’s also considered the most “Instagrammable” spot in the area — so if you’re a gram addict and a magpie like we are, you should definitely go scope it out.)
THE TINSEL BAR in Brisbane, Australia, is considered one of the most “Instagrammable” spots in the area. Source
Tinsel Bar in Brisbane
Tinstallations + Furniture
You can also commission a custom piece of furniture (like Miley Cyrus did) or a one of a kind hanging Tinstallation. She’s been sought out by big companies like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Alaska Airlines, Real Living Magazine, and more for her hanging Tinstallations— and we can see why.
I think if you’re lucky to stand close enough to one you might be transported to another -more fabulous- dimension and reality altogether.
A look at some of the big Tinstallation hangings and creations by Rachel Burke. Source
Our favorite of her Tinstallations is this one she did for West Elm x Pottery Barn. Source
Miley Cyrus knows how fabulous Rachel’s work is and had this amazing chair commissioned. Source
Rachel also collaborated with LEGO this year! They just released their new DOTS design which looks amazing for doing free-form play and design and taking LEGO to the more artsy side! (We just watched the TV show LEGOmasters, too - so we’ve fallen back down the glory days of our LEGO building time as kids). She has some great YouTube tutorials on her channel for some easier and smaller scale projects. Or, if you want to double-down and GO FOR IT, you can try and recreate your own LEGO DOT chair like this one! (She said it took 10,000 LEGO Dots!!!)
Source: Rachel Burke
Source: Rachel Burke
A Trailblazing Unicorn
I love you Rachel. Keep doing exactly what you do. Keep making these goodies for us all to ogle and inspire, and I’ll keep waiting with bated breath for your next online sale. Fingers are crossed now (and staying crossed) that one day I’ll be one-of-the-lucky scooper-uppers of your fabulous works of wearable art.
check out more from the tinsel queen:
shoprachelburke.com
+
rachelburkeportfolio.com
+
@imakestagram
+
Tinsel Town
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See ya on the gram!
Originally posted Feb. 17 2020. Updated July 5 2020.