Let’s talk about my homegirl Brenna.
It’s hard to know where to begin telling the tale, there’s so much to say. I’ve been mentoring this chica for about three years, watching her go from hatchling to hungry peep to full-feathered bird. She’s tiny and sprightly, fast and intense, knows what she likes, and goes after it with force.
She’s my hummingbird. Packed with a sidecar of slightly ferocious.
So let’s hit the road.
how do you travel? Light. With a camera. Plan the route, pound it out, then unfold at a slow, particular pace once we get there. And don’t forget to pack the cassettes.
rules of the road? Always bring a miniskirt. And a piece of amber. Amber is, at its soul, a part of a tree and I find that very grounding.
snacks? David’s Sunflower Seeds. Yep. We’re seeders.
mantra behind the wheel? Let’s Do This.
what do you do when you get there? Crack a beer. Meet the neighbors. Proceed.
atlas? Peter Pan.
So the dynamic duo known as Radiant Shade is comprised of Brenna and Mike Burgiel, who are happy and hitched. These two play it up right – they live in the well-kept creative secret known as Huntsville, Alabama with a sixer of High Life in the fridge at all times and a pack of wild dogs in the yard. Their furry companion Pablo–who, as B-girl says, can take down a wild rabbit like a shot of whiskey–is an exceptionally challenging rogue they took in because no one else could handle his mischievous ways. The Burgiels are fast to adapt, no doubt about that. Kinda like real life pirates.
Watching the voice of Radiant Shade develop over the last few years has been an honor and a pleasure. A lot of players throw their flat-brimmed hats into the game of handmade, but very few really go the distance. The amount of dedication and work it takes to orchestrate a full time gig is pretty substantial, to say the least, and here’s the thing about Brenna that captures the utmost of my respect: she is persistent. Team this quality up with talent and humility and drive, roll it sweet with an extra dose of curiosity and playfulness…well, that hits the spot just right.
ya’ll come and get some
You can buy stuff–like these awesome dude shorts–here.
You can read stuff about the creative process here.
And you can watch some pretty cool mentoring type stuff that Brenna and I have in motion unfold itself here.
Radiant Shade is offering an exclusive giveaway this week, just for ya’ll. Twenty five bucks toward the purchase of any of their goods online or in the brick and mortar at the Lowe Mill in Huntsville.
booty call
You can complete one or all of the following to enter. Each task counts as one entry, so the more you do the higher your chances of winning become. You must leave a comment here on the blog, and state which tasks you have completed in order to qualify. Winner will be drawn randomly by a crazy robot tool and announced on Thursday, June 28, 2012. Void where prohibited. Now go!
:: Facebook ::
like Radiant Shade
share the link to this article
suggest Radiant Shade to friends
:: Etsy ::
visit Radiant Shade and tell us what your favorite item is
add Radiant Shade as a favorite
add Radiant Shade to your Etsy Circles
Be sure to leave a comment here on the blog!! Good luck!
To the casual observer, I'm a web based writer who will remind you of who you really are.
To those unsatisfied by the limited scope of quick definition, come on over here and sit next to me. I'm Juliana.
I like to watch things change.
I added shop to my faves, but she was already in my circle!
I am really digging those cordy shorts for guys. My hubby likes his long like that & you just don’t see enough stuff for guys! Keep it up, love for all hippiesew sistas.
Link exchange is nothing else however it is only placing the other person’s weblog link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same for you.
Keep up the good work! You have a beautiful family and make beautiful apparel. I will pass on the link//spread the word so all may enjoy your craft!
My favorite item is the earthy sundress hippie patchwork corset hemp silk ruffle vintage fabrics pockets -phew-! That is mouthful! Sooo beautiful and totally unique like all of Brenna’s goods. Just stunning in every single way!! And it has all of my favorite colors <3
All of the above..
Done!
Love and hugs to ALL ~
testa-roo
Go Brenna! Sharing the love for you ‘lil lady!
I am totally in love with everything that
Brenna creates! I am so lucky to
Have beautiful flowy petticoats, several
One of a kind skirts, an apron top, two
Amazing gorgeous dresses and my
Custom made more beautiful than I
Can describe mermaid skirt!!!!
Brenna’s creations are not just clothes!
when you wear them, you feel the
Happy, fun positive energy!!!!! It is an
Amazing experience for sure!!!!!
I just purchased two of her treasure map
Inspired textiles! So beautiful, one of
A kind!! Like everything else, they make
me happy!!!!! Brenna is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!
I really dig the earthy patchwork sundress on Etsy!
Radiant Shade was already a favorite on Etsy and now they are in my circle. Hooray!
Already liked Radiant Shade on Facebook and shared the love via your article!
I met Brenna when she would come by my office to have papers shredded. She came by every few months to r shred papers, talk to me and love on my greyhound Wilber. Tara brings the papers by now and told me that Brenna had a studio at Lowe Mill. I miss seeing her, but I’m so glad she is doing what she loves. I just think it’s great. I liked her on Facebook and Etsy a while back and share her art on Pinterest and Facebook often. If she keeps her creative outlook strong she will go far!
This article made me tear!!! Brenna you are such an inspiration! I have truly been inspired by you, my mantra’s that you are partly responsible for are, “It is great to be me” ” I love me” and “Be my unique self becuase that is all I know how to be!” Since purchasing my first top from you last year, every time I wear it, I truly fell like me!!!
hank you my dear friend!!!
PS I liked radiant shade on FB, shared with friends and favorited on Etsy and commented on a new purchase.
Always with a smile on my face: Muddy Hands Happy Hearts!!!!
I forgot to say on my comment that I
Have completed all my tasks!!!!!!!
Although they aren’t really tasks since
Anything involving brenna is joy, joy, joy!!!!!!!
I liked the FB page, shared the link, and suggested to friends. Don’t know how I didn’t know about these amazing creations before! I must get out to Lowe Mill and check out all the cool stuff there.
I LOVE Radiant Shade! (thought I already liked them, good lord what an oversight *shame*)
I shared the link to the article on FB
I added RD as a fav on ETSY!
And Etsy again, my fav isn’t there anymore, but it WAS the rainbow dress *sadface*.
How Radiant Shade was not already in my etsy favs is beyond me! fb liked, shared link, and added to my jewelry page’s favs! (i couldn’t figure out the suggest to friends…booo…) and you were in my etsy circle already and i added to my favs, and my current favorite is that new custom star wars dress! Brenna, I’m thinking I need one of those dresses soon! soooo cute!!!!
And I added to my circles
Radiant Shade you are buy far one of most talented when it comes to your clothes!! I can say this i would be proud to wear your clothes and REPRESENT for RADIANT SHADE!!!!!!!!!!!! all i can say is keep your Amber in your pocket and keep your Spirits to the SKY!!!! i would love to get to know the person behind the clothes!! she seems to be ONE in a MILLION!!!!
I did all the facebook things!!!
Also <3 Pablo <3 Brenna <3 Radiant Shade <3!!! 
Liked & shared your fb. favorited & added you to my circle on etsy. I love your earthy sundress, if i had to choose a favorite that would be it. this was hard to do from my phone so i hope i did it all right. thanks for the opportunity to win something, i know how hard it is to have a handmade business. best of luck to you in everything you do!
Hi to your great writer Julianna and to Brenna and fam, love from dhaalliance super support and love girls.
love all your designs the new dress you put on facebook that came up in our group today is georgeous!
We love having you on our team! I think I everything’d your everything here…lol
best to you always, Jen
love the dresses all of it.. i soo cant wait to get something for myself.. i for sure will..