The Process

Every piece starts with an idea and is made completely by hand. From drawing and carving the stamps to finding the right garment and choosing the colors, there’s a lot that goes into each piece before it’s ready to wear.

Original Artwork

Every design starts with a drawing. I create all of the artwork myself and then carve each design by hand into a stamp. Depending on the detail, a single stamp can take several hours to finish.

Finding the Right Pieces

Thrifting has always been something I love, and finding the clothing is one of my favorite parts of the process. I look for quality pieces that still have plenty of life left in them and that I can picture working with one of my designs.

Putting It All Together

Once I have the clothing and stamps, I decide which designs work best with each piece. I play around with the placement, mix the colors, and then stamp everything by hand.

There’s no exact formula, and that’s part of what I love about it. Every piece comes together a little differently.

The Waiting Game

Once a piece is finished, it has to cure for about 10 days before it can be worn. It’s definitely not a fast process, but that waiting time is an important part of making sure the finished piece is ready for its next adventure.

Why It Takes Time

Nothing at Ruthie & Jay Mini Co. is mass-produced. From drawing and carving to thrifting, planning, stamping, and curing, every step takes time.

That’s also what makes each piece special. You’re getting something that was found, imagined, and made by hand. There won’t be another one exactly like it.