Shaving, Mexico, and Other Defining Moments

Recently (like every Wednesday for the past two months) I've been catching this online talk radio show. It's called NY Brand Lab Radio and its hosted by Mary van de Wiel. This week's episode was about tapping into your creative beast by recognizing your defining moments in life. Listening to this show was great. Not only was it inspirational, but it made sense. Recognizing the events in your life that helped shape you (for good or bad) will help you have a better understanding of who you are and what you're capable of. And in my case, can help me understand this small business (of sewing scarves and being creative) that I am trying to grow and maintain. I enjoyed it so much I decided to give myself the challenge. My results are summarized below. (I'm sorry, but I spent so much time working it out, that I had to put it somewhere for at least one other person to read.) I encourage you to have a listen to the show and try it yourself. You'll be surprised by what you come up with.

Once I actually sat down and put the pen to the paper the writing wouldn't quit. Memories just began pouring out of my pen. Places... events... people... I couldn't stop. Once I had over twenty I forced myself to stop because the tripping down memory lane was causing me to use decreasing amounts intelligence in my selection of moments. Life gets long when you start to recount it. As much as I was enjoying the process, the purpose was getting clouded. (Be wary of this if you attempt the project.)

So I discarded 75% of the list and here are the first five I thought of:

  

Yearly trips to Mexico with my mom and sister.

This began when I was eleven and continued until I was 17. These trips were in lieu of any Christmas presents. My sister and I always had the option, and we always chose Mexico. Who wouldn't? If I wrote out all the parts of my life influenced by these vacations we'd be here through next Friday. So If I can't say it all, I won't say anything. (except that I love Spanish music, beer, tequila, tile floors, sail boats, hammocks, swimming with fish....sorry I said I wasn't going to do that)

I learned how to celebrate life and appreciate culture.

Thrill seeking with Uncle Dan.

Most memories I have of time spent with my uncle are fun and ridiculous. It is with him that I rode my first roller coaster. He took me skiing for the first time, and all the times that followed. He taught me how to jump and clear the railing at my grandparent's house. Oh, and he always used to force me to watch Saturday morning wrestling. We would wrestle during the commercials until my grandpa got mad and yelled because we were shaking everything on the living room shelves.

I developed a love for sports and activity, but in a non competitive way.

I wasn't allowed to shave my legs until I was 16.

Growing up this was really devastating, as any female could imagine. Now that I am thirty I can appreciate why my mom did that. Incidentally, I also had to wait until I was 16 to die my hair.

The same time I was granted this ability to explore my femininity through soft, smooth legs, I was also given permission to chop all my hair off and dye it bleach blond. Doing both was a bit of a contradiction of actions. This is definitely a theme I carried my entire life. I can spend a long time doing my hair and make up to then let it go to waste by putting on baggy shorts and a t-shirt.

I love anything that is an opposite, contradiction, or contrast. Nothing too aggressive, of course.

My grandmother.

I'm sorry because this is a person and not an event. But so many things that I am, are because of her. We lived with my grandparents for the greater part of my childhood. I didn't play with any kids in the neighborhood. So a lot of my early childhood memories are just of kickin' it with Gram. Again, I could go on forever here. I consider myself quite fortunate for having the opportunity to build such a great relationship with her, and my grand pop. Such things are a rarity in modern America.

Be thrifty. Sacrifice yourself for those you love. Never leave the house without looking your best.

Getting Married.

This is the absolute last thing in the world I ever thought I was going to do. My mom's never been married. Why bother? I've never really liked (or trusted) anyone else that much. It was my husband's idea. For some reason, when he asked it struck me as a great idea. I'll never know why. He thought for sure I was going to say no. I said yes and we've both been incredibly happy ever since. Obviously marriage has ups and downs. (like life) But there isn't any other place I would have rather been these last six years than with Phil. He's the man.

P.S. our six year anniversary is this Saturday.

Through marriage I've learned to think about someone else other than myself. It has taught me consideration, confidence, and responsibility.

It would be such a perfect world if all the traits I've written here are expressed through my art. This year that Phil and I have spent in Alabama is the first year I haven't had a "real job" since I was 15. It is an uncomfortable, and exciting, thought. Our time here has afforded me the ability to learn about myself and what I want. I have also had time to work on my skills and get better at my crafts. The next chapter in our lives will soon be unfolding. It will definitely be a huge career jump for Phil. I hope it turns out the same for me.

Thanks for reading through this whole post. (Even if you only read the highlighted words. That's what they were there for.) It was my intent that it be informative, slightly entertaining, and motivating for you, to in turn, focus on yourself. Sometime soon :) 

It's All Color Theory

EAT CAKE by S.C. Geraci

With devotion to my scarf business is how I spend most of my year. However, in these early months I spend more time painting than sewing. Painting allows me to think. It is no coincidence that I have also been reading a book on color theory. Many philosophies are discussed in the book. In order to understand and remember their meaning I relate them to my life. This book has taught me that color and business have some commonalities. I wanted to share my new revelation.

Creative entrepreneurship is like painting based on color theory. It is something dynamic we are trying to do based on static facts. You have a talent you would like to put to work. You do research and make a plan according to books and blog advice. You follow this plan, and heed advice, to the best of your ability. You struggle. It has been my experience that what ends up in triumph is not always what is supposed to work according to facts, statistics, and graphs.

Existence requires order. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. You know the rest. Existence also requires faith. At what point does it stifle your intuition to only follow rules laid out by others? Conventional approaches can be so dissatisfying. I say this because I really struggle with internet marketing. It was only innovative and creative for a second. We’re already saturated. It gives me gut-rot.

You are told how to match colors. This is like steps to plan a business. Color wheels are correct and business plans are valid. I know their laws and value them. But I also know that their broad application is another matter. A harmony needs to exist between them and what is in my brain and heart.

My book says that there are only about 30 legitimate color names, but in the mixing of shades and tones there are innumerable opportunities. I use this to validate the potential I have for success despite a disinterest in certain formulas to avoid failure. Over emphasis on the color wheel, and its rules, is like being in jail. To be a jailed artist seems an oxymoron. Break out. Don’t plug along according to what’s in the manual. Use what’s in your heart. Reference your imagination. Building a business with this mentality ensures your fulfillment.

In a painting you have stages. The beginning looks nothing like the end. The steps I’ve gone through as an entrepreneur are exactly the same. Allow me this simile.
The white of the blank canvas is a satisfying welcome. I plot the composition and start to block out color. Once the plans are laid they look great. This is when I’m most satisfied with my painting. I want to stop right there because I feel like it is so complete. The middle work of the painting is most aggravating to me. That’s when I have to employ color to build shapes with depth. I need to give the composition quality. I put in overtime getting shades and tone correct. If I don’t succeed it will throw off the entire intention I started with. (In this middle stage I have been known to gesso over the whole thing and start again.) After all this emotional distress the end near. This part is great. I sit back and admire the work. I go back in and tweak little colors here and there. I highlight certain areas I like. I bring balance to the canvas. Once the surface is all covered certain things that were so important in the beginning have disappeared. Adversely, other sections have taken new importance. The completed work is a balance of many things. It is the perfect compliment to my life.
“Color development follows its own laws.”
                                                    -painter Hans Hofman.

Based on COLOR CODES by Charles A. Riley II, 1995, University Press of New England

For an added bonus here is a game based on color theory:
http://www.silvergames.com/game/color-theory/
Be careful, it's addicting.



My First Business Trip

St. Augustine, Florida, is where Florida Scarf was born. An event called “The Café 11 Trunk Show” was where I sold my first items in 2007. On November 16, 2010, I returned to the same people at the same show and had just as much fun as I’d ever had. It is the farthest I've ever traveled to do a show. I was most excited to use the company card for gas and food. Usually it only sees the light for internet purchases. I was in town for a total of 51 hours, and boy, did I make the most of it. In this post I plan to highlight the most awesome parts.

I did a bit (a big bit) of shopping. But isn’t that what one does on a vacation? (Oops. I mean business trip) I would like to highlight for you my most awesome finds. The first piece I found at the end of my trip. But it is by far the best, a real “once in a lifetime.”

There was a thrift store that was closing. Everything was 75% off. You couldn’t beat it! I have to thank my buddy Tara Ferreira for dragging me there and making this purchase possible. In case you are wondering, yes, it’s a sculpted beer-coozie.

This next piece I purchased at the Trunk Show. It is by Paper Root, a local design company. Ever wonder what you get when you cross Willie Nelson with a Leopard?

I have to really thank Paper Root for this gem of a t-shirt.
P.S. this shirt is not one of a kind. You can get your own at http://paperrootclothing.com/
It’s better if you give it as a gift.

I also got an oversized owl ring. This look isn’t for everyone, but it suits me. The manufacturer has taken a symbol of ancient forestall wisdom and made it out of cheap metal and fake diamonds. Does it get anymore ridiculous? For this piece I apologize to anyone who prefers his or her owls made out of patchwork vintage fabric and sewn onto a journal cover.

Available at St. Augustine Art Glass (if anyone has taste like mine)

I also scored some killer pieces at an American Apparel Outlet Store. I’m psyched about them, but I don’t need to show you. We all know you shop at American Apparel when you need clothes to make you look like you just stepped off the set of FAME.

Not only did I get all this great new stuff, but I also got something returned to me. It’s a totally rockin’ purse that isn’t even big enough to fit my wallet, but I love it. I forgot I was missing it until it was returned. That’s like when you put your winter coat on for the first time and find a bunch of goodies in the pockets. $$

Good Old Boxing Glove-Purse. I've missed you and your gold tooth.
The Trunk Show itself was a blast. This year they had it at a much bigger venue and incorporated DJ’s and a fashion show. Florida Scarf closed the show, so the models really let loose. It was great. I feel like I made some new friends. And of course, it was great to see my old friends. (like the one in particular who stayed and helped me pack up in the dark. Amanda, we know ho you are)

I apologize but I do not have any photos. If you are interested you might check a few spots.
http://www.surfthedrift.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/classicblends
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Saint-Augustine-FL/Two-Hundred-Lounge/115325628516378

If I get my hands on any they will be posted in the future. In the mean time you can see/shop my fashion show pieces. I call them, “ Florida Scarf Couture.” 

They will be at http://www.etsy.com/shop/scgeraci

Thank you very much for reading this post. I trust it was more enjoyable than the last.

Until Next Time. Keep Your Holidays Rockin'