Please accept my apologies for the extended absence. After Urban Craft Uprising I shut down. That Monday after the sale I gave myself permission to do nothing creative for a whole day, and it stuck. And now it's close to the last day of the year and I can't wait to get back in the game. I have a whole slew of schemes I've been cooking up over the last few weeks, because even though I took a physical break, I have yet to figure out how to shut my mind off. (I so envy people who can meditate. I've tried it, but I usually end up visualizing my kitchen cabinets and making grocery lists. It's just who I am.) In anticipation of 2010, I will list here the things I am most looking forward to in the new year.
1. inspiration...I finally signed up for a workshop with Alabama Chanin! I can hardly wait until April to spend a full day loving my thread, focused on hand sewing. My husband and I will build a road trip around the workshop day in Berkeley, and enjoy some of the beautiful northern California countryside.
2. production...
New year, new logo, new branding! Look for a revamped Etsy shop in the new year. Since summer the shop has been migrating toward vintage only, and I've hardly had the time to keep up the listings of all the treasures I find on my shopping sprees. Goal for 2010: one listing per day!
3. sharing...
One of my personal goals for 2010 is to give back to the community. I am grateful for this creative life I get to lead and for a supportive group of family, friends and fans. First on the list is to sign up for an ongoing volunteer effort through Volunteer Match. It's a great resource for finding a perfect match of time, skills and interest. You just plug in your zip code and find everything available in the area.
Next, I'm hoping to teach a class or two at The Green Chair Project on Lake Union. If you haven't been by there yet, you should make the trip. Scott and Carina have set up a beautiful studio/retail/workspace dedicated to the philosophy and practice of recycling. I would love to share the knowledge I've gained working with recycled fibers and present a little how-to on refashioned pieces from your wardrobe.
4. ambition...I've said it 6 seasons in a row, and now with the 7th season of Project Runway airing January 14th, I'm going to do it! I will take each challenge along with the other contestants - same cost and time parameters, but likely taking place on the following weekend. I will only watch each episode up to the runway show prior to taking the challenge myself. Will I be in or out? You can sit alongside Michael Kors and Nina Garcia and tell it like it is. Stay tuned!
Lastly, I'm signing up for 2 more months of the Wardrobe Refashion challenge. It's a great community of like minded industrious thinkers and crafters boldly refashioning pieces from their existing wardrobes instead of shopping for new clothes. Speaking of which, have you heard about my friend Sally's challenge? The Great American Apparel Diet. Now THAT is hardcore!If I have even a shred of energy left over after that, I will enter the Seattle Magazine Seamless in Seattle local designer contest again. This time, maybe I'll plan ahead rather than submit pieces that are already hanging on the racks. I'm also hoping to attend a few more fashion events this year and report about it. Specifically I'd like to go to Portland's Fashion Week in October... and while I'm dreaming, maybe an out of town sale (Renegade Craft Fair)... A girl can dream, can't she?
Before the ambition category gets too long and ridiculous, I'll stop and just say THANK YOU to all the followers and fans and friends and commenters out there that make this little endeavor a great deal of fun for me. Happy New Year!