Char

BE UNIQUE! BE ONE-OF-A-KIND! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDIE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS!
I: INDIVIDUAL
N: NEWFANGLED
D: DISTINCTIVE
I: INSPIRING
E: EXPRESSIVE
NEW and updated slideshows coming soon!
My name is Charlotte, I am the crazy owner of Char's Chic Unique. A one of a kind shopping store.
As an artist/designer I spend the bulk of my days coming up with crazy and fun ideas. Everything from painted clothing, to hand painted incense bottles. I am almost always working on a new item or idea.
I'M A DO IT YOURSELF GIRL LIVING IN A MANUFACTURED WORLD!
Scroll down and smack the play button on the video and check out some cool slideshows of my fun, unique creations! Maybe check out a photo album or two! Sign my guestbook located at the left hand side of my page near the bottom. You don't need to put in your photo, your name is just fine. I like to know who's stopped by!
All items are one of a kind. If you spot an item you see here and would like to know more about, feel free to drop me a line.
Check out some of my gorgeous designs at Indigo Boutique, located at the Grand MarketPlace, Willingboro, New Jersey. Preview not only my designs but other fabulous designers that Jessica has in her boutique! We are originals, one of a kind and fabulous!
http://www.myspace.com/indigoboutiquenj
Quite a few of my designs are located at, Prima Donna's Designer Consignments in the City of New Orleans and Metairie La. www.primadonnascloset.com
Char's Chic Unique online will be closing. Many of my designs are now consigned. Most of my pics will be moved to myspace. You can although check out some of my creations until the site is taken down. I've had no time to both create and maintain the website.
http://charpaints.tripod.com
A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
Born in South Philadelphia, I moved to southern California at the age of 3, where I grew up in the warm and wonderful sunshine.
I'm a graduate of South Hills High School, West Covina, California. Class of 1979. At the age of 18, my family and I moved back to South Philadelphia, to be closer to our family.
I spent 16 long and wonderful years working for one of the largest grocery chains on the east coast, doing everything from running a cash register to running the store at night. After a failed 15 year marriage, I continued to work while going to school to be a paralegal. When I graduated Magna Cum Laude in accounting and paralegal, I tackled the workforce as a medical malpractice paralegal for a defense firm in the city of Philadelphia. I was laid off after only three years because of lack of work in our office. Which was a hard blow to a person. Finally after being told countless times I did not belong behind a desk with a pen in my hand, but with a paint brush. I finally decided, why not.
As a mom, I have spent most of my life doing some form of craft or another. It started when I didn't like any ornaments in the stores during Christmas. It took over 15 years to create a tree that is now all handmade ornaments. I spent three years as a Girl Scout Leader to my daughter's Brownie troop. Talk about learning crazy crafts. I think the scouts wrote the book on making items from film canisters and beads. Learned to crochet from my wonderful mom, and self taught in knitting (machine and hand.) Learned machine knitting first, it was easier
I needed some form of outlet, so I taught myself to paint, through different tv shows and books. I am a One Stroke Certified Instructor in the Donna Dewberry method of painting. I was also honored to meet her at the certification class in King of Prussia, Pa. several yrs ago. I met her with my mouth wide open sitting on the steps of the hotel. One of the other instructors told Donna it was the first time she saw my mouth open with nothing coming out. Talk about looking stupid! She remembered me the next morning telling me how priceless I looked. Trust me when I say, when you meet Donna Dewberry, you want to hug her right away, she is that sweet! We were quite surprised at her visit since she wasn't going to be teaching the certification, but showed up because she was there for a QVC show. (back when she did QVC)
These days I spend my time coloring in the lines. It can be pretty fun at times. But, as with all jobs it can get pretty crazy too. Some days you have a million thoughts racing through your head, and days/months where you can't come up with a thing. I wouldn't trade it for the world though. Doing my own thing means there are days I don't have to get out of my jammies if I don't want to.
I thank many people for getting me to where I am. My wonderful fiance Michael. He lets me be the nut behind Char's Chic Unique. It's hard though, recent events in our lives, we split our time between New Orleans where Mike lives, and Philly where I live. I love living in Philly but miss being with my Mike. He is my sanity.
My daughter Savannah. So beautiful on the outside, more important, gorgeous on the inside. She loves me for who I am despite my faults and failures. Keeps me real when I need to be. She is not only a daughter, but one of my best friends.
My mom Barb, who taught me to be the packrat that I am. How to use our mind to read and see the story. To be as creative as one can be. I also think she was the original Martha Stewart, my mom knows more crafts than anyone I think.
My stepchildren Mike (deceased), Thomas, Angie, Hope. My little granddaughter's Cameron and Aubrey. They keep me very young!
Char's Philosophy: Bring my customers the best that's inside me through three key elements: Creativity, Fun, Inventive.
Char's Goal: Help my customers be part of the trend, not be swallowed up by them. Establish new trends.