First Shipment Out of Germany

Congratulations to Ms. Jane "First Order Shipping From Germany" Doe. (I didn't get the customer's permission to use her name) I'm really excited for my first sale since the big move across the pond. I kinda thought it would never happen. I don't normally do an individual post about a single sale, but this one is special.

Going to the Post Office tomorrow is going to be another first for me. I hope it goes well. I'm fearing an impatient clerk at the counter who is perterbed by my horrible German skills and ignorance to the working of the German postal system. Although, I am doing my self a disservice by fretting already. So I'll stop. Luckily I am having lunch with a group of Germans and Americans from Post. Hopefully one of them can give me a run-down on how it works. Then I will be able to enter that new environment (where their color is yellow instead of blue) armed with knoweledge! I can't wait for the whole thing to work itself out perfectly.

Afterwards I may celebrate my browsing a local furniture store. It's an odd celebration, I know. But it is very neccessary. My sewing table is currently substituting as a computer desk. And since they are both of equal importance I can't have one. I need two. Go, Go Gadget Amex! 

Placemats and Scarves

The holidays are still upon us. Mine are still as crazy as ever. (in a good way) I hope yours are too. It's been about a week since my last post. I'm glad to be checking in.
This is a shot of the last thing I have created.

Can you believe it? This was on 11/27, that's almost a month. I haven't painted, sewn, drawn, or anything. Cooking has been my only creative outlet, and I've only done that once or twice. Moving is hard work. I can't wait to be settled back in a place I can call my own.

Anyway, these are some placemats I made for my grandma. Each placemat is a different composition of the same fabrics. I just gave them to her yesterday. They look great around the table, and it's fun to choose who-gets-what.

Being back home is pretty fun. I've been checking out my old artwork that I left here. If you guys are lucky I'll post some archives in the near future. It makes me long to paint again, so much. It'll be a couple of months before that happens though. I'll have to start focusing on photography maybe.

Here's a few shots of some scarves I've been carrying with me. I never had enough time to get them on the Etsy Shop. There are about 30 pieces that happened with. Oh well. There is always the next Bazaar. It'll be in Germany!

Enjoy your New Year. I'll be in touch soon.

New Tricks from Old Friends

Those were the good old days, when people used to get together and sew. Now sewing is an individualized sport. I spend most of my days solo in my sewing studio, longing for the stimulation of other like minds. That is one of the reasons I decided to ask some crafty friends of mine to sew scarves for me. It has been really fun for me to show them how I do what I do. They each took my instruction and then went their own way with it. You can see all of the results on my etsy site. Each one of us five girls has a style all our own.

During this project I kept very open to how other people might do things and I picked up a few new tricks. I'm so glad I did it because it has helped me to keep my own style fresh and ever-evolving. When you are on your own and in your routine, sometimes you don't realize what you are doing is becoming very "routine." 

One day Lauren and I were comparing scarves. I noticed that she sewed on her four-hole buttons in two straight lines. I sew mine in an "x." We both laughed at ourselves because neither of us had thought to do it the other way, but it was such a simple concept. Likewise when I saw the scarves from Cassandra I noticed they had a soft, fuzzy texture. I really liked the chunky grain on this light fabric she used. I asked her where she got it. She said that she had taken sweatshirt fabric and turned it inside out. I smiled as I thought, "no kidding, sweatshirt in reverse." You know I'm going to take that idea and go places with it.

I'm beginning to realize how important it is to have friends, and share ideas. The more tips I learn, the more I'm working and thinking, "What can I turn upside-down or inside-out? What material haven't I used yet?"

I often have to remind myself that it is OK not to innovate all the time. Being open-minded can make you so much better at being you. I mainly apply this thought to my sewing, but it works for life too. I don't do anything any better than anyone else, just different.

Sharing is the Point

Florida Scarf went camping for the holiday. Boy, was it envigorating. It's been a while since I've been outdoors for 72 hours straight. Camping affords you the opportunity to really take it slow, stop and reflect on what your doing and what it means to you. While away this weekend I was reading a book to inspire reflection. I picked up a few ideas I couldn't put down. The author's intent is to make you realize that you are connected to everything that exists. The whole universe is played out inside you. Contemplation brought me to relate these large concepts to my small existance in society. I have these scarves that my creativity forces me to make. I am inspired by people that I meet, situations I am in, and materials I pick up along my travels. I take all of that information and turn it into something wearable. This piece of clothing is fashioned from new and old materials; blending history and the present tense to be enjoyed by someone in the near future. I will make a connection with a total stranger (most likely) through this art I produce. Imagining all of the life that goes in to just one piece is so exciting to me. This is why I want to make things for people, so we can all share the experience together.