Advocate Magazine , August 2008
CAUGHT IN THE WEB
www.justrealitybelts.com TRACY BELL'S life has been a bit of a collage: First she was a teacher for the deaf, then a stockbroker, then she launched a gourmet food line, and then she ran her own incentive travel business. IT seems somewhat fitting, then, that her mosaic-like life has brought her to a venture in mosaics. "Creating mosaics has been a hobby for a very long time," she says. Nearly a decade ago, this neighborhood mom turned that pastime into a booming business when she opened Smashing Times, a do-it-yourself mosaic studio in the Preston Royal Shopping Center. But about three years ago, Bell branched off and started Just Reality belts, a line of mosaci belt buckles. "The day I was ready to start selling the belts, I went to a bunch of local stores and ended up writing eight orders. Then I came home and cried because I still had a business to run, a baby to take care of, and about 100 buckles to make in less than a month." But Bell managed to pull it off. She eventually sold her portion of Smashing Times so she could devote herself to Just Reality belts. Today, you'll typically find her creating mosaic belt buckles in her home studio. "I really enjoy what I do, and I think people like these so much because everysingle buckle is handmade and unique. When you wear one, you're really wearing a work of art." -MARLENA CHAVIRA-MEDFORD
Burb Living Today - The Ultimate Suburban Living Magazine, February 2007
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here for article
BUCKLE-UP IN THIS beautiful heart buckle by Just Reality™.
Just Reality™ is a line of unique handmade mosaic belt buckles and jewelry designed and created by Tracy Bell of Dallas. These belt buckles are a great way to dress up a pair of jeans; I also like to go elegant and wear the red and white heart buckle with my favorite pink and red wool skirt. The buckles are made of semi-precious stones, broken china and glass, rare beads and assorted vintage fi ndings. Just Reality belts come in a multitude of gypsy-chic designs like smiley faces, dragon fl ies, hearts, crowns, peace signs, fl owers, crosses and multi colored tableaus. I purchased my belt and buckle at Pamela’s Fashion Boutique in Coppell. For more information go to: www.justrealitybelts.com |
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D Magazine,
September 2006
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here for article |
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www.chicagofashionista.com May
2006
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here for article
New York Fashion Spree: Buckle Up for Reality
New York fashionistas know a good thing when they see one.
That's why these jeaniouses are buckling up their hip denims
with belts by Just Reality. Tracey Bell's hand-made mosaic
tile buckles and vintage leather belt straps are selling
just about as fast as the goods at a Barney's sample sale.
And with good reason, they're not only colorful and artistic,
but their vintage design makes them a fabulous adornment
for basic blues.
Bell, co-owner of www.smashingtimes.com ,
a Texas-based mosaic studio and gallery, and author of
Crazy Mosaic, a comprehensive bestseller on the art of
broken tile mosaic, has expanded her art of the tile to
fashion. Thank heavens she did because now we can't imagine
wearing a pair of jeans without one. Mosaic belt buckles
are made up of semi-precious stones, broken china and glass,
rare beads and assorted vintage findings. Then they're
formed into gypsy-chic designs like smiley faces, dragon
flies, hearts, crowns, peace signs, flowers, crosses and
multi-colored tableaus. Each piece is individually hand-crafted
in her Dallas studio and signed by the artist.
Pick your poison: Choose among mosaic-tiled buckles in
an array of color choices for each design, then choose
a vintage or newly tanned leather belt strap in black,
dark brown and light brown. Prices range from $150 to $225. |
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www.girlawhirl.com April
2006
Click
here for article
Buckle up
girlawhirl finds the most beautiful mosaic belt buckles Apr 26, 2006 Girlawhirl,
who has recently become obsessed with belts, stood transfixed in front of a
dazzling display of mosaic belt buckles. Small colorful stone or china squares,
painstakingly arranged into so many gorgeous designs, that she was paralyzed,
completely unable to make a choice…
They were just spectacular. And so right on from a fashion perspective that
she knew she had to have one. Would it be a turquoise oval with an orange dragonfly
centered in it? A shimmering green one with a white flower? Peace sign or heart?
Crown or cross? Classic or all out colorful? Designed and made by mosaic artist
Tracy Graivier Bell, these Just Reality ™ belts would be the perfect way to
add a shot of color and sophistication to jeans of any color. Girlawhirl stood
there mentally counting colors in her wardrobe and pairing the belts with her
cropped hipsters, her favorite white jeans and her collection of summertime
denim skirts.
She went for it, and walked out with a beautiful blue
star around her waist and a bit of a swagger in her hips.
Go Get It!
Just Reality belts are available online at Neiman
Marcus. |
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Women's Wear Daily,
August 2005
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here for article |
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D
Magazine, May 2005
MOSAICS
FOR MOM
Flowers again? We hope not. This Mother's Day, get her a Just Reality hand-made
mosaic belt buckle ($100-$140). These unique baubles are made of crushed china,
semi-precious stones, and assorted vintage finds by Dallas gal Tracy Graivier
Bell , co-owner of Smashing Times . Available at YaYa's Boutique, The Shops at
Legacy. 972-473-9995. www.justrealitybelts.com .
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Ft.
Worth Star Telegram, May 15, 2005
In case you hadn't noticed,
belt buckles are works of art stealing attention from the belts
they're buckling.
Since the 17th century, the lowly, practical buckle - made of metal, wood or
plastic
has dutifully fastened shoes, belts and britches. How things have changed in
400 years.
Today's buckles move from stainless steel to bright, bold styles adorned with
brooches, moving LED screens, name plates and initials.
In the Metroplex, mosaic belt buckles by Dallas artist Tracy Bell are whipping
fashionistas into a frenzy. Bell, co-owner of Smashing Times, a mosaic studio/store,
began making her buckles in January. Now, her buckles sell locally and nationally
(for stores, visit www.justrealitybelts.com). The designs - 12 in all - range
from whimsical (dragonflies, flowers) to more sophisticated colors. They're made
of semiprecious stones, broken china and glass, rare beads and other vintage
finds.
Bell says her buckles ($135-$165, including leather belt) can be worn with jeans,
flowing skirts and even suits.
"Women are changing their buckles out like they would change their jewelry
or glasses," she says.
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Dallas
Morning News, Fashion Dallas , April 21, 2005
Buckle Up
Six years ago Tracy Bell and Robin
Oldham opened Smashing Times in Preston Royal Shopping Plaza,
a store (and playground) for all things mosaic. From dog bowls
to a 16-foot office desk, there's hardly anything the women
and their customers haven't made more colorful with of tile,
glass and china and a bit of grout.
Now one item - belt buckles - has turned into a new business for Ms. Bell. After
receiving a flurry of compliments on a dragonfly-motif mosaic buckle she'd made
for herself, plus encouragement from two friends in the fashion biz, Jean Connection
owner Caren Watson and Neiman Marcus president Karen Katz, Ms. Bell took the
leap and launched Just Reality belts.
The initial collection includes about 10 different styles, each available in
three or four color palettes. There's also a Web site, www.justrealitybelts.com,
with photos and where-to-buy info. (In her first week, Ms. Bell made appointments
with eight local boutiques and sold to every one. Now she's expanding to include
New York stores and wholesale representatives at Fashion Center Dallas in the
World Trade Center.)
The business is on track, but Ms. Bell says the bottom line is only part of the
thrill. "I think the moment when it really felt like a success was when
i was delivering a second order to Jean Connection and somebody happened to be
at the cash register right at the same time, buying two of my belts. That was
fun."
Tracy Achor Hayes |
People
Newspapers, March 24, 2005
Cracking Up
Tracy Bell, co-owner of Smashing
Times in Dallas,has a line of handmade mosaic belt buckles
made of semi-precious stones, china and glass, rare beads and
assorted vintage finds that put any easter egg to shame. Each
piece is individually crafted and signed, and the leather belt
straps, sold separately, can be new or vintage. Call 214.336.6781
for information or visit www.justrealitybelts.com to see some
of her wares.
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