Erica Domesek, brightening the East End one DIY project at a time.
For a craft pro who signs everything “P.S.”—from Twitter observations to thank-you notes—Erica Domesek certainly isn’t a postscript. The creator and author of the popular blog and book P.S.—I Made This... has become an Internet celebrity in the past two years, cleverly capitalizing on her formidable do-it-yourself skills. Known for her “Designer DIY” projects, Domesek breaks down on-trend runway pieces from Prada or Proenza Schouler into simple make-it-at-home steps that even the least handy person can comprehend. Building on the buzz, the blogger was tapped to star in TLC’s Craft Wars, a competition series debuting June 26.
For anyone who frequents Montauk, Domesek’s prime-time debut comes as no surprise: Last summer she spontaneously set up shop at haute hangouts on the beach, turning her own spontaneous crafting moments into group activities that let guests, fashion-inclined families, and the errant, curious surfer get in on her motto: “I see it. I like it. I make it.” Indeed, locals and weekend trippers would seek out Domesek to join her impromptu groups; in turn she formalized the gatherings, going above and beyond her website’s usual offerings to partner with brands like Maybelline and Garnier on beauty crafting—think hair wraps, custom makeup cases, and nail art. Other Hamptons-inspired adventures included a “crafternoon” at Elie Tahari, where shoppers could produce eye-popping accessories and jewels.
Domesek fondly reminisces about her first Hamptons DIY event—a huge tie-dye party on the sand at The Surf Lodge—as she discusses how she prepared for her role on Craft Wars. “It’s really part of my DIY roots,” says Domesek of the show, for which she hopes to host viewing parties. “So much of my inspiration and my success comes from my downtime here, whether I’m picking up new ideas at Golden Eagle or gathering driftwood and shells at the beach.”
Domesek labels herself, both on and off the show, as “the young, fun breath of fresh air in this DIY movement; I appeal to the young power mother or the fashion-forward girl in her twenties.” No surprise, then, that her creations can be spotted on everyone from hardcore Ralph Lauren shoppers in East Hampton to PS1-toting DJs crowding the sunbeds at Solé East. Come Memorial Day, expect her new warm-weather offerings to be equally ubiquitous; Domesek is debuting projects that play with nautical themes, including a rope necklace she promises “will be a little bit more fashion-forward—I’m using bright, bright colors, like pink neon.”
