l o v e m e

our brain (named brian) 2012

bosch of course

carl cheng

coc

fingal

gmc

jim sanborn

mike mandel and larry sultan

how did that one get in there?!

(of course our muse skully...)

where our heads are at/the start of 2012...

xoxox

mctega

updates and treats!

Goodness gracious it has been such a long time... and I do apologize for that.

but I have some great news: collection 6 is up on the website and the photography is beautifully done by Susanna Kindt and styled by Krissie Torgerson.

view the rest here:

http://mctega.com/index.php?/collection-6/

Also we are offering some treats specially for the holidays, starting today December 1st and ending december 15th: cyber thrusday?!

available here:

http://mctega.com/index.php?/info/friends-only/

xx

mctega

stuff you get when you are awesome!

we created a kickstarter to help pay for some of our experimentation for next season (were on a tight budget you know!)

following are some of the prizes, that way not only do you do a great deed- you get to wear awesome stuff afterwards!

Mctega kickstarter :because you care

if you cannot donate we totally understand: please help us get the word out:

REPOST ! REPOST! REPOST!!!!!!!!

thanks so much

xxoxoxo

sarah and kristina

Of a Kind+Mctega video

Of A Kind week for us at mctega:

Today starts our first article on http://www.ofakind.com/

This is how Of A Kind works: "Each week, we select one designer whose work we love to feature on the site.

We share a series of stories about that designer—inspirations, personal life, taste, training, you name it—along with a limited-edition piece designed exclusively for Of a Kind. Editions range in size from five to 50 pieces, and each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity that’s signed and numbered by the designer. You can display it proudly wherever you wish."

we had so much fun working with claire and erica, worked on a few samples and came up with this sweet little limited edition bracelet that will be available for purchase on wednesday! check out the website: http://www.ofakind.com/

we have been threatening this for months, but the video is finally debuting today!!!!!!!

yay!!!!!!!yayayayay! soo excited!!!!!

We had so much help making this video, The guys at Co-dependencey film did a beautiful job. Styled by Krissie Torgerson. Hair and make up by Jose Monzon. Music by Small Black! Model: Rachael Finley

xoxo

sarah and kristina

birthday gooodie bags all around

hi everybody!

its kristina and yesterday was my birthday, oh how did we celebrate you may be askin:

soda store

beer chips

plastin pieces

homemade pretzels

skully

hi life burgers for lo life(s)

cocktails

venacavaXtenoversix

sephora giftcard (is worth its weight in GOLDDDD)

all in all a good year.....

how are you going to celebrate?

duhhhh

MCTEGA XTINA EDITION BIRTHDAY GOODIE BAG:

get yours here:

OHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHAHAHAHHA

xxoxxoxo

kristina and sarah

mctega

mctega girls are running out of time

happy something too youuuuu......

hey guys this is kristina here,

birthday next week, so instead of pouting about it this year we are celebrating it!!!!

burger N' movie duhhh.....

best time of year: time to get out the punch fountain and techno:

this video was actually taken from my party last year...

because you might not be able to make it to the techno punch bowl party: to celebrate it with you guys we are making a....

limited edition xtina bday piece !!!!

it is a super cute all purpose little bag with our new gem print! the print is cool: it is hand drawn gems that have been watercolored. The best part being the zipper pull that is a mctega cast resin space creature, they will be sent at random: 4 types :

1)spaceman (shown)

2)small and large star

3)small star and planet

4)large saturn

they are going to be 15$ each (shipping included?!?!? waaaaaaahhhh? how do we do it?!?! )

best part, all hand made by us!!!

more info coming next week!

xx

x

x

x

mctega

Mctega made in USA

Lots going on at Mctega this week. Starting with the fact that the mold we made from last week came out perfectly! Well not perfectly, as the base is kind of uneven, but the parts that count formed quite nicely. Our little experiment paid off. And then we used the remnant to form the other half of the 2 part mold, and that came out well too. Stretching the dollar indeed.



Next, we picked out fabrics for an upcoming project we have. I am really excited about the color palette and variety of textures. I always like the fabric selection process, because the fabrics kind of edit themselves into the right combination. It’s always interesting to compare what we go in thinking, and what we come out with. More on this later as things progress.

Also this week, Kristina and I went to Run with Us in Pasadena to get new running shoes (highly recommended if you are in the market to get the right running shoe for you). The people that work there are hardcore runners, liiiike the guy that was helping us averages 70 miles a week (I know this because I asked him) and they help you pick out the perfect shoe for you based on your foot and how you walk. We also got new socks oh yeaaaah. Kristina’s on the left, mine on the right. Although the shoe color ways aren’t very exciting, these shoes get the job done. We are both very satisfied with our selections.



We also dyed fabric for an upcoming project we are working on. We went from white to navy. It was quite successful and surprisingly un-messy. We managed to clean up in record time. Here are some action shots:


stir it gurrrrrrrl

steam

And then here is the finished product!

ghost

boro comparo

Annnd our leather stamp came in! Here it is with some practice stamps. Hahah Kristina did the one on the left, and I did the faint one on the right. Liiiitle nervous about hitting myself with the hammer.



Lastly, here are some pretty jewels we are working on hanging out to dry.

Dropping the Bomb, Stretching the Dollar

Whoa whoa. Lots going on at Mctega so far this week. Earring edits, fabric arrivals, mctega tutorial videos, list goes on. Ok sooo for starters, Kristina and I got ourselves some nail treatz at this most excellent nail supply place (thanks Leah!). Floor to ceiling polishes, nail decals, spangles for the nails, you name it they had it. Kristina and I walked away with these neon colors, clear to seal, and stars and rhinestones (which are just the right amount of tacky). Of course we had to try them out right away. Haha we kind of rushed into it, so no pictures were taken as the results were not our best work. But once we properly spangle the nails, we will post pictures.



But onto official Mctega business. Ok so the earrings of last week have been edited. Shortened. We really like the change and think it looks much better on. These earrings are perfect for summer. And we have a longer pair with more colors coming up soon. Neon green may or may not be involved…and by that I mean it is. They are really cool and we will post pictures next week!





Our gem fabric has arrived!! We posted pictures of the sample of this a while ago on the facebook page. We decided to go forward and order it, but decided to enlarge the print. Imagine a panel of this on your skirt!



Haha I like this picture as you can see Kristina’s hands at the top.



Now, for the most exciting part of our day, the bomb drop. We are currently working on a project that requires silicone mold making. We later pour resin into these molds to create the Mctega piece. Today we prepped the parts, prepared their mold boxes, mixed the silicone, and “dropped the bomb”. Dropping the bomb is a mold making technique where you pour the silicone from a height of 3 feet into the mold. This ensures smooth coverage and bubble elimination, resulting in a well made mold that can be reused time and time again.

Here are the parts inside their mold boxes.



Here is all the gear you need: mold release (sprayed onto the parts so that the silicone is easily removed once it has hardened), silicone, silicone catalyst, mixing cups, and stirring sticks.



You’ve gotta mix the catalyst and silicone really, really well to ensure proper mold formation.





Here is a Mctega video of us dropping the bomb! Usually the silicone pours out quickly in thin strands, not very bomb like. But today we used old silicone and catalyst in efforts to stretch the dollar, and it poured out in a big thick wad and quite slowly as well. This basically means the silicone might not properly form into a mold, but we weighed the pros and cons and it is totally worth the risk-- gotta hustle over here at Mctega!




Here are the poured molds. They will be cured within 24 hours.



Scratch the pup. Skully just got a hair cut and he looks like a little girl.



Ok we will keep you posted on earrings and as to whether or not the molds properly formed!!

Turts, Cowboy, and Earrings

Well shoots, we have really been slacking on the old blog posting. Not for lack of wanting to write though. We had been working on a project that was supposed to be under wraps for a bit, and in turn, our other projects had to be put on hold. But then that first project ended up not going through, and we have since caught up with our other projects and can finally discuss the goings on at Mctega!

So Kristina and I have started designing our next jewelry and clothing collection. I am really excited ---exploring new territory and techniques, which is always good for us—keeps the brain sharp.

We have been creating our own fabric prints, using drawings, watercolors, and photos. Some of the photos of those prints have been uploaded on facebook. I am so excited about the fabric we have created, and even more excited with how we are going to use it.

We had lots of things go on at Mctega today, lots of animal visitors and makings of earrings.

First animal visitor was this turtle. Parked himself right by Kristina’s car. We weren’t sure what to do with him, or if he was someone’s pet. We are currently asking around. He seems pretty hostile.



Second visitor was Cowboy, Megan’s (kristina’s sister) dog. He is so adorable! And quite charming! Skully and Morgan are a little reticent to let him into the gang.



Today’s work included a pair of earrings, lots of experimenting, but they are shaping up quite nicely under the expert handiwork of one Kristina Mctega.







We both tried them on haha – not as heavy as you would think—very wearable! Annnd prehistoric and futuristic at the same time. We aren’t quite sure how we feel about them yet. They are quite weird, and we are into that. We like them, definitely growing on us…not sure how others will feel. We are always interested in what you guys think, feel free to let us know!

Summer Dream Team Part Sarah

ahhhh the dream team. the group of select pieces that if you could just have all together would craft the perfect outfit. i am constantly working in dream teams for my own personal wardrobe, and seldom make the head to toe happen-- which is usually a good thing, monetarily of course, and also because my group tends to be more absurd together than cohesive.

ok so for this particular dream sequence, kristina and i talked about what we really want to wear right this minute/all season long. I really like a uniform-- a blazer for me is key, and then a nice pair of pants or shorts (weather dependent) finished off with platforms. i could wear a variation of that everyday, haha i frequently do. throw in some excellent accessories and you are set.

Blazer



http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/backbypopulardemand/PRDOVR~28233/28233.jsp

You know what, j crew's got my number on this one. this navy schoolboy blazer is something that i really want for spring. It is a very cute fit (tried it on at the store recently) and i love the color. And this guy will be in the wardrobe for a long time, and then can help me out in fall to avoid wearing all black. this feels like a good decision.

Shorties



http://www.ssense.com/women/product/viktor_and_rolf/woven_shorts/35442

gotta have the shorties for spring. we here at mctega love a good pair of shorties. i like this pair, because even though they are climbing the thigh, they still have a put together feel to them because of the rise, the angled leg, and creased front. also i learned something new…they are made of ramie which is an asian shrub and member of the nettle family. strong and durable fibers.

Tank



http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/49759

soo admittedly, this tank is pretty boro. but this is what i would and do wear basically everyday. i have a variety of colors and i have stripes. these are excellent to wear under blazers and are quite comfortable. i looked and looked for another top, but i was like, who am i kidding. this is what i want to wear.

Bag



http://www.proenzaschouler.com/shop/#/shop-online/ps1/medium/?style=PS1-C-1&color=512

i mean come on. this one has been on my list for many moons. gotta get the medium, gotta get the midnight. day to night style. this bag is my ideal because 1) there is utility-- gotta be able to tote about planners, books, and important papers (i usually employ an 8.5"x11" rule to bags to make sure they can hold papers flat....this guy is 12.5"x8" exception made because i have seen this bag in person and it was insane) . 2) ohhh wait, is there a cross body strap annnd handles? options. excellent. and 3) it is such a good looking bag that can be worn all the time. yes, i'll take one please.

Sunglasses



http://www.style.com/fashionshows/detail/slideshow/S2011RTW-PRADA?event=show2182&designer=design_house63&trend=&iphoto=14#slide=14

when i saw these last spring, i was like ummm what? i must get these. haha they are quite funny, and i really enjoy them. recently, i had the opportunity to try these on, and another customer looked over and told me that i looked like a character out of a children's storybook. i take that as a compliment? to me, these glasses are an item so rad, that they put you in a good mood whenever you have them on.

Shoes

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http://www.thecorner.com/item/YOOX/FERRAGAMO%27S+CREATIONS/dept/tcshoesw/tskay/7B4C1203/rr/1/cod10/44298521OK/sts/sr_tcshoesw3

these shoes are in the hall of fame dream teamers. i cannot believe that they made these again and are selling them. this shoe has frequently been a topic of conversation for mctega, and when i saw them for sale on this site, i immediately had to email kristina, and she had to put up with a message basically composed of exclamation marks. they are all a platform should be and more. please zoom in and see the rainbow thread on the gold leather...what? ferragamo, are you serious right now? you have crafted a beautiful pair of shoes that elicits great joy. i cannot imagine wearing these guys...oh no wait, i can, with my dream team outfit. bigga time. everyday.