what I've been up to, in question and answer form

Whew! The last 5 months have been quite the whirlwind. As promised, here are the highlights in a simple question and answer form:

What the heck is going on with your active-wear line??

Well, actually I like to call it a life-wear line. And, it's still on my desk. I began designing in September and then, decided to move so all my energy went towards that. So, I'm in mid-design phase.

Are you still planning on doing it??

YES! I still plan on creating the designs, having patterns made, and going through the sampling process. I will then test the market. If it makes sense to go forward, I will!

Where did you move to?

I moved to Asheville, North Carolina.

Do you like it??

No. I adore it.

Name 7 exciting things that have happened to you in the past 5 months:

-- I changed jobs; well, sorta. It's a work in progress.
-- I have formed a strategic partnership with Royal Peasantry Design House in Asheville, NC & begun selling vintage clothing, and making other stuff.
-- I got a boyfriend!
-- I have teamed up with The Laurel and will be writing a weekly article. I will be writing on arts, culture, and community and I look forward to exploring the area's rich culture. I have some sweet ideas; maybe I can even get my editor to go for them!
-- I am really a writer. I am still trying to get my life structured so that I can have dedicated time to write. That's what this whole self-employment thing is about. Even though I have faced the fact that I will probably not be able to have dedicated time within the next 6 months, I have promised myself to never forget that I am a poet -- that all this work is for that. And meanwhile, I get to build something I really enjoy and that I think I'll be pretty good at. My last job taught me the importance of enjoying one's vocation.
-- I learned how to swing + blues dance.
-- Chiropractic treatments. I am actually taller now. And my legs are the same length. For real.

Why did you pick 7 exciting things to share?? Isn't that an awkward number??

Why yes, it is.

What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?

-- Getting myself established financially by growing my business + whatever the heck else it takes
-- Naming my business; how does one pull together costume pieces, kitten-ish vintage, and playful garments like tutus, jazz pants, and corsets anyway?
-- Getting myself to a point where I can have dance, pilates, and silks lessons every week!
-- Writing lots of fun articles
-- Going blues dancing and drinking lots of whisky
-- Going to Mexico with my boyfriend & cajoling him in the event he changes his mind
-- Getting into a writing routine
-- Making pretty stuff that makes people feel good
-- Being in front of a camera
-- Hosting the first annual "Dirty Girlz" Scrabble night at mi casa. A delightful way to warm up a cold January evening.

What are some of the things you're making, or thinking of making, these days?

I am making very sassy tutus for big girls. These tutus are perfect for a sweet night out or Valentines day. I am also learning to make corsets. If all goes well, I can't wait to fuse the corset form with some Japanese elements. I am particularly inspired by traditional Japanese rope bondage, shunga prints, and the unusually bold color palettes. Folding and other elaborate manipulations also intrigue me. My items can be found at Royal Peasantry Boutique on Lexington Ave. in Asheville. And, I will be on ETSY soon (gimmie a minute on that one!). I am also finishing up a headpiece. Well, it only took 6 months.

Do you like making stuff?

Not really. I like designing stuff. Until I can get others to make the stuff I design, then I have to make it.

Do you consider yourself an artist?

No. I consider myself a writer, and in the absense of that, a highly creative person.

What are you reading these days?

I just found a very special magazine called BULLETT. It's amazing. And beautiful. The most beautiful and thoughtfully edited arts and culture magazine I have ever seen.

What are you doing for New Years?

Well, I want to go to the LindyFocus dance but if I decide to go more thrifty, I will go see My Week with Marilyn.

What is your favorite letter?

L.

there's nothing like a deadline

so, today i ran into Danielle Miller, of Royal Peasantry. our conversations included an opportunity for some nude art modelling, my prospective career as a muse, and attending TribeO.

we decided to go in together as vendors at TribeO. seeing as how i had already decided i wanted to vend, this was an amazing opportunity.

Danielle has a strong, local following and her designs are very belly-dancer friendly. she designs much (if not all) of the fabulous costuming for Onca O'Leary, the colorful mistress of so many perfomance art and production projects, they are too various to name here.

though i had already decided to go to TribeO as both an attendee and vendor, this decision was still a bit soft until i realized what a great idea it would be to partner with Danielle for the purpose of debuting my designs.

shall we say i rushed home and got started on the hand beading of my first head piece?

considering the fact that i have not sewn in oh, 6 months, it went quite well.

the beads are from craft stores, and reclaimed/antique jewlery. the flower is a little something i put together last year in Fashionado's Vincent Martinez's class at Penland School of Crafts.

i burnt the edges to achieve some of the texture and hand sculpted the flowers. ahh, that sounds so skillful but honestly, it's quite easy. i wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't. at any rate, i do like the effect of the burnt edging and plan to make more for this piece.

last year, when i took Vincent's class, i gathered bits and pieces of metals finery, mostly out of the garbage or loot bins. i had all kinds of designs in mind, particularly masks and manga-inspired head pieces. however, i could not bring myself to actually make one as i could not place it in a real context.

after all, where the heck would i have worn that post-modern geisha piece made out of pink millenery flowers, bone-white shell falls, and found twigs???

seriously folks, gone are the days of all night and day raves for this lady.

dance, however, gives me a perfect stage for my obsession for glamour, drama, and head adornment.

in other words, i think i am a drag queen, tragically misplaced in a woman's body.

and if you ever scare the shit out of yourself because you suddenly have to create a bunch of handmade stock to sell beside an amazing designer and artist at a well-known event . . . well, i highly recommend this musical score to keep your sweet, anxious fingers moving and your soul soothed.