January 2012
60 posts
housekeeping.
It was not my intention to eat a couple hours rearranging my studio… but it was entirely worth it. I don’t know what I was thinking before. Lilleputt is starting to feel more like a room and less like a hallway, so much more usable workspace! It’s looking like I’ll be using the dining room table much less. Now all I need is a spinny chair to use all the new work space more easily. But until then, feeling inspired and rejuvenated to be in the studio!
daily reading.
Trying to do so many things at once! Have my online shop up and running, and now working on building an inventory to sell in a local shop… in a week and a half! Eek. Lot’s of sewing in the days ahead. I also have a bookmark in each of these books on my nightstand, as I read them simultaneously. (No bookmark needed in my Sunday Crosswords… it’s pretty easy to find my place in that one). But soaking up all the small business advice I can.
apron survey
What’s your preferred option? Making some aprons, and personally I prefer the loop, but I like kind of a tight neck. Probably best to do one of the second options though. I appreciate the feedback! Also, pocket or no pocket?
food production.
It’s sometimes hard to pull myself away from my work to make a good hearty meal, especially when something like a snack of almonds works as a quick fix… but somehow I never learn or remember that in the end it’s always worth it. Been working a chicken soup for the last three hours, and excited to sit down and enjoy it… But first.
The quality and availability of local food here in Maine is really spoiling me. I was reminded of this by a newsletter I received this afternoon from BK Farmyards about a new project called Shout Out to Fresh Veggies!. The project, run by the Go Green! class at the High School for Public Service in Crown Heights, Brooklyn seeks to counter the marketing of junk food by running their own marketing campaign advocating for veggie consumption. BK Farmyards, who began a 1 acre youth farm at the high school, is an urban farming group I worked with in Brooklyn. Engaging teens and communities, and reclaiming unused spaces to create highly productive urban farms, BK Farmyards strives to promote food justice and tie people closer to their food sources and production. And from the lush growth in each backyard farm, it’s hard to imagine the farms were ever anything but.
This was my favorite ad from Shout Out to Fresh Veggies! below.
studio opening!
I have some very skilled, artistic friends taking some very exciting steps in their own fields in pursuit of their dreams. This weekend I was able to join my childhood best friend (since age 6!) and her father in opening their new joint photography studio in Boston. Combining her portraiture and event photography, JClements Photography, and his years of experience in art and product photography, Clements Photography and Design, I am excited to see what this father/daughter team comes up with together.
And after all the work they’ve put into renovating the space over the last couple months, while keeping up their photography all the while, it looks fantastic. I would also love to find a printer like this (but for fabric printing) for myself…
unconventional patching.
I found this beautiful old sweater at my mom’s, and snagged it for wearing around the studio… which apparently is the draftiest room in our apartment. Unfortunately the sweater had several large holes, at both elbows and a couple other spots on the arms, and frayed at the cuffs. The color is one my mormor (grandma) always wore, so I have a certain emotional attachment to it… but I avoided using it for fear it would unravel more. Until I had an idea. Needle felting! And somehow I just happened to have the perfect color match in wool roving. By no means is it suitable for wearing out, but it’s subtle enough and prevents further damage. And now I have another cozy house sweater.
