VISIT US AT bandjgreene.com
b&j greene is a collaboration between myself, Jess, and my husband, Ben. We create and alter clothing and furniture. All of our screens and stencils were created either from a photo we took or one of Ben’s drawings.
About Us:
It is hard to pinpoint the exact beginning of b&j greene. In its evolution the most important events were never intentional. Jess felt drawn to Ben’s broken skateboards when we started dating. The first skateboard chair was made for Ben for Valentine’s Day. A few years later, after we were married, Ben started creating his own stencils from photographs and drawing creatures that explored the intersection of technology and mankind. One particular stencil of a dying tree branch caught Jess’ attention and Jess latched onto stenciling and silkscreening too. We now spend hours staring at branches and doodling vampire squids in broken TV sets. Both the clothing and the furniture is handmade in our Massachusetts home. Jess also does her own mixed media painting and encaustics, which can be seen here on Flickr.
Process:
The best way to describe how a piece of our furniture starts is to tell you that the used skateboards speak to us. The impossibilities of the bizarre shape of the boards challenge us to design a skeleton that can handle the individuality. Each board bears scars from severe road rash and grinding. Each board is completely unique. Sometimes the markings inspire the rest of the piece. Sometimes a theme reaches out and picks the perfect board from the stash in the basement. It is very unscientific, always trial and error. Once boards are chosen and a design is imagined, the fun of altering begins. We usually feel the urge to hack away at some parts and strengthen others. Colors follow the skateboard’s lead since we allow sections of the original design to peek through. Examining the intersection of nature and urban anarchy usually appears as a theme.
The images for the clothing either come from Ben’s doodles or our photographs. Ben’s photographs and doodles probe the interaction between man-made objects and natural forces. The branch images come from Jess wandering through snowy fields and her mother’s garden isolating the silhouettes against the sky or snow. After images are applied, Jess often alters the women’s clothing by adding other fabrics, vintage lace, or sequins. Custom orders are always a joy to create from a given theme or the imagination.
These photos capture the variety of work we have done.
If you are curious please take a look at our etsy store:
bandjgreene.etsy.com
CUSTOM ORDERING
If you are interested in placing a custom order, here are the instructions for doing that:
Step 1: Select a shirt style.
Options:
Women: Long Sleeve (scoop neck), Short Sleeve (scoop neck), or T-shirt (crew neck)
Men: T-shirt (crew neck)
Step 2: Select shirt color.
Options:
Brown, Black, Redish, Grey, Green, Pinkish, Natural, Blue, Orange, Sand
Step 3: Select size.
Options:
FOR SCOOP NECK WOMENS:
FOR MEN & WOMEN’S CREW T-SHIRTS:
Step 4: Select image.
Options:
Step 5: Select Ink Color
Options: Black, White, Silver, Gunmetal (Black Glitter) [screens only], Lt Blue or Red
Step 6: Add embellishments (optional)
Options: We do many different embellishments. Typical sewed embellishments include back panels of complimentary fabric, appliquéd leaves and shapes, strips of fabric circling the neckline, sequins, buttons and pieces of vintage lace. You can request a specific embellishment or give us creative license to create as we see fit.
These are some examples of embellishments we have done in the past.
CUSTOM SHIRT COSTS:
1 Image; No Embellishments
T-shirts (Men and Women; crew neck) …$30
Scoop neck shirts (Women; SS & LS) …$40
1 Image; Simple Embellishment (sequins, buttons, top-stitching)
T-shirts (Men and Women; crew neck) …$35
Scoop neck shirts (Women; SS & LS) …$45
1 Image; Premium Embellishment (appliqué, beading)
T-shirts (Men and Women; crew neck) …$40
Scoop neck shirts (Women; SS & LS) …$50
1 Image; Premium Embellishment (back panel)
Scoop neck shirts (Women; SS & LS) …$55
If you are interested in a shirt with more than one image, a custom image or intricate embellishments please contact us for a quote! We are also able to do custom styles of shirts, including sweatshirts. Just contact us.
PLACING CUSTOM ORDERS:
You can place a custom order either by using the “Request a Custom Item” function in our etsy store or by emailing us at info[at sign]bandjgreene.com
When you place your request we will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your order. Once we have confirmed your order and given you a date on which it will be shipped you will be required to pay for the item. We cannot start your custom shirts without payment.
Thank you for your interest in our creations. Please let us know if you have any questions.
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