About Blood Moon...
Hi, I’m Mars Selfe — the owner and founder of Blood Moon, a small business and brand I started in 2024. I’m a 21-year-old independent artist and seamstress with a passion for alternative fashion and upcycling. What began in a small home studio has since grown into something much bigger, and I now operate out of a studio at Banks Mill in the centre of Derby in Studio 4.11.
Art has been a huge part of my life from a very young age. As a child, I used it as an escape from reality, spending countless hours drawing and designing whatever sparked my interest. Those early days laid the foundation for what would eventually become Blood Moon. I also started sewing as a child, getting my first sewing machine at 14 and quickly taking to it. Around this time, I ran a small but successful Etsy shop where I sold commissioned illustrations, but I chose to close it in 2020 to focus on my college education.
That same year, I moved to Derby to study art and design at Derby College, where I earned a Level 2 diploma before deciding to leave and pursue my business full-time. My time at college was incredibly valuable — I developed new skills, especially in traditional printmaking, and even got commissioned to create T-shirts for a short film. (You might still spot them around Derby!) I also honed my fashion design and sewing skills, learning how to plan and pitch projects and combine various disciplines to create truly unique clothing.
Today, I’m the sole operator behind Blood Moon, and I finally feel settled and passionate about what I do. I combine my love for printmaking and sewing with a drive to be environmentally conscious — upcycling materials and staying as green as possible — to create one-of-a-kind garments that people genuinely love. While clothing is the heart of my business, I still explore other forms of art I’ve picked up along the way, like illustration and poster design.
Even though Blood Moon is still in its early days, it’s already seen great success — from making consistent sales at Banks Mill’s Open Studio days (held on the first Saturday of each month!) to collaborating with theatre designer and artist Maria Terry’s brand Pretty Rubish. Together, we’ve created recycled jewellery that explores femininity through bold, sometimes violent, imagery — a theme I often engage with in my own work.
By supporting Blood Moon, you’re helping to push back against fast fashion — an industry that stifles creativity and harms the environment — and in return, you’re getting something handmade, unique, and full of personality.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Blood Moon. I hope you enjoy what I’ve created, and feel free to reach out with any enquiries!