I have been meaning to write something here for a while now, but just like with DeviantART, every time I start, I can never find the right words! I hate it when this happens…
I realize I have disappeared again, and I am very sorry for that. I have not responded to any commission inquiries, nor have I been able to work on anything other than little bits for short periods of time. I am behind on a commission that I have to get done as soon as possible (a blue heartless wa-loli that I just need to make the corset for!) and, of course, the pile of emails.
If you hadn't noticed, too, I had closed up my Etsy store for the time being. I could not manage to keep it up, and ship things out, so it is closed until I am able to regain control of my life.
I am very sorry about this. The root of the matter is mostly personal, although I will say that I have been having some serious emotional problems that my doctor advised me to seek treatment for ASAP, and I have been working through them. All in all, I'm thinking people are more understanding if I take longer to get back to working speed than if I no longer lived on this Earth ^^
So, please bear with me, be patient, and I swear, I will be back to sewing amazing cosplay pieces as soon as I can :3
<3 you all!
Showing posts with label rambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rambling. Show all posts
Friday, March 11
Tuesday, October 12
Utility Skirts!
Long time, no update, I know, but things have been rather crazy here. I've been bouncing from sick to not sick to a different kind of sick, so sewing has really gotten a little lax. Not to mention, we have just about finished remodeling yet another part of our basement for me to expand my sewing studio, so I have been working to keep things sorted in the transitional period until it is all completed.
That said, another angst was that the silk noil I use for my Utility Skirts was on backorder for a very long time. Unfortunately, while silk noil is easy to find online, it is exceptionally expensive, and as it takes approximately 5 yards to make one skirt, if I were to order it anywhere else, I would have to charge even more to create the skirts than I already do. Which is something I would really prefer not to do, if at all possible. I had used up all the silk I had on hand for one custom made piece, which I'll have to ramble about in a moment...
However, a pleasant surprise awaited me last Friday - a box! A rather large box, at that. And, inside, was my last back-order of silk! Enough to make only two skirts, true, but that was what I had on order, so I was really happy and quite giddy. Called them and found out that yes, indeed, they had gotten all of their supply, too, and would be able to keep offering the noil for sale.
I am so happy!
So, I created two more Utility Skirts over the weekend, which will be up on Etsy as soon as I sort out my other problem.
As some of you may remember, I worked on a production at a local High School that my husband teaches at as the costume designer. It was hard work (and I still get a little dizzy thinking about how much work went into those dresses!), but I had loaned my main non-industrial machine to the students who made up the costume crew to use. Well, they broke it, which isn't too big of a deal, since the school agreed to fix it for me.
Now, I am really miffed. I haven't really used that machine much since it was fixed - I rely mostly on my industrial straight, as it is insanely fast - except for a few little things like buttonholes.
I bet you can see where this is going.
I go to use it the other day, and for some reason it feels like a belt is sticking. No big deal, I figure it's a new belt, and needs to just be run through a bit to get it stretched and whatnot. Well, it finally starts working decently... until I try to do a zig-zag (one of those vital stitches for creating buttonholes *sigh*) and nothing is catching. I test it out for about an hour, trying different settings, and the machine starts going slower and slower, and then speeding up again.
I have no idea what actually is wrong, but I know it's not working, and that is causing a huge pain in my ass, as all I have left to do on all of these utility skirts is the damned buttonholes on the ties! And, seeing as each set of ties requires 8 buttonholes, I'm sure you can see how much of a pain this really is.
So, no idea when that machine is going to be fixed, and I'm dreading the bill - since I didn't notice the issue within 30 days of the repair (since I don't use it all that often...) I'm probably going to have to pay for their shoddy work. Unfortunately, it's the only repair place in the area, and, after consulting with a few sewing friends who have had to have work done on their machines, the quality of the work there has just started going down the toilet. Depressing, since they used to be just plain awesome.
Anywho, that's what's been going on with me lately! Also, Etsy orders have been rather crazy thanks to Halloween coming up, which is always nice. We're looking at some holiday art shows, but who knows how that will go. Just going to keep on putting one foot in front of the other and see what happens.
That said, another angst was that the silk noil I use for my Utility Skirts was on backorder for a very long time. Unfortunately, while silk noil is easy to find online, it is exceptionally expensive, and as it takes approximately 5 yards to make one skirt, if I were to order it anywhere else, I would have to charge even more to create the skirts than I already do. Which is something I would really prefer not to do, if at all possible. I had used up all the silk I had on hand for one custom made piece, which I'll have to ramble about in a moment...
However, a pleasant surprise awaited me last Friday - a box! A rather large box, at that. And, inside, was my last back-order of silk! Enough to make only two skirts, true, but that was what I had on order, so I was really happy and quite giddy. Called them and found out that yes, indeed, they had gotten all of their supply, too, and would be able to keep offering the noil for sale.
I am so happy!
So, I created two more Utility Skirts over the weekend, which will be up on Etsy as soon as I sort out my other problem.
As some of you may remember, I worked on a production at a local High School that my husband teaches at as the costume designer. It was hard work (and I still get a little dizzy thinking about how much work went into those dresses!), but I had loaned my main non-industrial machine to the students who made up the costume crew to use. Well, they broke it, which isn't too big of a deal, since the school agreed to fix it for me.
Now, I am really miffed. I haven't really used that machine much since it was fixed - I rely mostly on my industrial straight, as it is insanely fast - except for a few little things like buttonholes.
I bet you can see where this is going.
I go to use it the other day, and for some reason it feels like a belt is sticking. No big deal, I figure it's a new belt, and needs to just be run through a bit to get it stretched and whatnot. Well, it finally starts working decently... until I try to do a zig-zag (one of those vital stitches for creating buttonholes *sigh*) and nothing is catching. I test it out for about an hour, trying different settings, and the machine starts going slower and slower, and then speeding up again.
I have no idea what actually is wrong, but I know it's not working, and that is causing a huge pain in my ass, as all I have left to do on all of these utility skirts is the damned buttonholes on the ties! And, seeing as each set of ties requires 8 buttonholes, I'm sure you can see how much of a pain this really is.
So, no idea when that machine is going to be fixed, and I'm dreading the bill - since I didn't notice the issue within 30 days of the repair (since I don't use it all that often...) I'm probably going to have to pay for their shoddy work. Unfortunately, it's the only repair place in the area, and, after consulting with a few sewing friends who have had to have work done on their machines, the quality of the work there has just started going down the toilet. Depressing, since they used to be just plain awesome.
Anywho, that's what's been going on with me lately! Also, Etsy orders have been rather crazy thanks to Halloween coming up, which is always nice. We're looking at some holiday art shows, but who knows how that will go. Just going to keep on putting one foot in front of the other and see what happens.
Monday, August 2
Phew!
Well, a couple of scary weeks there are finally under wraps - my computer (and my only way to access my email, price list, bookmarks, and photos) was acting really wonky... well, "wonky" doesn't even describe it.
Saturday, July 24
Revising Prices
Well, first off, for those who are nosy, the camp went wonderfully. Significantly better than I expected, which was a pleasant surprise! The girls in the class were wonderful, and came up with some utterly amazing ideas - I hope they keep with sewing, they all had such great ideas and designs! I'll post some pictures when I get a free moment, both here and on my DeviantART page, but right now, there is too much going on to spend time doing something like that, unfortunately...
This weekend, I'm setting a goal of having most of my price list revised. The new version of the site that I've been working like crazy on will indeed show an estimated price to have a costume custom made, since I'm always surprised when I look at other commissioners, or Chinese manufacturers of crap cosplay, that my prices are very competitive. I always tend to think that I would be wayyyy more expensive, but that's turning out to not be the case! So, hooray for that!
This weekend, I'm setting a goal of having most of my price list revised. The new version of the site that I've been working like crazy on will indeed show an estimated price to have a costume custom made, since I'm always surprised when I look at other commissioners, or Chinese manufacturers of crap cosplay, that my prices are very competitive. I always tend to think that I would be wayyyy more expensive, but that's turning out to not be the case! So, hooray for that!
Monday, July 12
And away we go
Last week was fantastic.
The class went wonderfully, thanks to the amazing teaching ability of my wonderful husband, Chris. I swear, people who think that being a teacher is an easy job, or even that it is something anyone can learn... you have a surprise coming! It is hard!
But, it all came together as a success.
Before the camp, however, I had been working on a commission for a Namine outfit that was nearly completed. Finish up the wig, put the trim on the bottom and straps on, and ship it out - that was all I thought I had to do with it.
Until I looked at it again this weekend. And panicked.
Those of you who know me know that I'm really, very anal about the stuffs I send out to customers. I utterly refuse to send something out that isn't the very best I can produce, and this outfit was... bad, to say the least. That's what I get, I guess, for trusting a commercial pattern company to scale patterns up to a size 18 successfully - my bad for thinking that would work.
The commissioner is almost exactly my size (I'm shorter ;P) and this dress would have fit, assuming that I didn't have boobs or hips. Ya know, like a runway model scaled up, or something. So... I trashed it. I just couldn't - I'm sure I could have tweaked it, added a gusset or two and be done with it, but it just feels so wrong to do things like that. I know a lot of people wouldn't even notice if I did, but... but...
Now you see why I get paid on the average of $4 an hour for the work I do ^^;
But, the only reason I do what I do (well, the main reason, at least) is because I love it when people receive something so amazing that they cannot believe that someone made this, and made it specially for them. So, I can't just patch it up (like, honestly, I would do for a theatre job...) and send it on it's merry way.
I throw it out, and start again.
And, I'm so thankful a year or so ago I purchased a dressform in my size. Like, a real dressform, not an adjustable POS. Greatest money ever spent. And saved my butt on this.
So, the exceptionally long story capped, I threw it out, and remade it. And it looks fantastic. But, she wanted it delivered by today. So I'm waiting to hear if it needs to be Express Mailed out, or if there is some leeway in the delivery date, or if I need to refund them entirely...
Lesson learned - do everything to the best of your ability, but expect things to go wrong. Even on simple outfits. And, admit when you've screwed up, and take whatever comes of it.
Tomorrow, I'm taking pictures, and working on Utility Skirts or Kimona, whichever peeks my interest. I have orders for both, so it's more of a matter of feelings. Plus, answering emails... oh gawd, the emails...
I think I need to go to sleep, or I'll keep rambling away at you all...
The class went wonderfully, thanks to the amazing teaching ability of my wonderful husband, Chris. I swear, people who think that being a teacher is an easy job, or even that it is something anyone can learn... you have a surprise coming! It is hard!
But, it all came together as a success.
Before the camp, however, I had been working on a commission for a Namine outfit that was nearly completed. Finish up the wig, put the trim on the bottom and straps on, and ship it out - that was all I thought I had to do with it.
Until I looked at it again this weekend. And panicked.
Those of you who know me know that I'm really, very anal about the stuffs I send out to customers. I utterly refuse to send something out that isn't the very best I can produce, and this outfit was... bad, to say the least. That's what I get, I guess, for trusting a commercial pattern company to scale patterns up to a size 18 successfully - my bad for thinking that would work.
The commissioner is almost exactly my size (I'm shorter ;P) and this dress would have fit, assuming that I didn't have boobs or hips. Ya know, like a runway model scaled up, or something. So... I trashed it. I just couldn't - I'm sure I could have tweaked it, added a gusset or two and be done with it, but it just feels so wrong to do things like that. I know a lot of people wouldn't even notice if I did, but... but...
Now you see why I get paid on the average of $4 an hour for the work I do ^^;
But, the only reason I do what I do (well, the main reason, at least) is because I love it when people receive something so amazing that they cannot believe that someone made this, and made it specially for them. So, I can't just patch it up (like, honestly, I would do for a theatre job...) and send it on it's merry way.
I throw it out, and start again.
And, I'm so thankful a year or so ago I purchased a dressform in my size. Like, a real dressform, not an adjustable POS. Greatest money ever spent. And saved my butt on this.
So, the exceptionally long story capped, I threw it out, and remade it. And it looks fantastic. But, she wanted it delivered by today. So I'm waiting to hear if it needs to be Express Mailed out, or if there is some leeway in the delivery date, or if I need to refund them entirely...
Lesson learned - do everything to the best of your ability, but expect things to go wrong. Even on simple outfits. And, admit when you've screwed up, and take whatever comes of it.
Tomorrow, I'm taking pictures, and working on Utility Skirts or Kimona, whichever peeks my interest. I have orders for both, so it's more of a matter of feelings. Plus, answering emails... oh gawd, the emails...
I think I need to go to sleep, or I'll keep rambling away at you all...
Wednesday, June 9
Of Craft Shows
Well, sort of craft shows.
I'm in the process of getting ready for the very first "non-anime" thing I've vended at. Ever. Which is really frightening.
We'll be vending at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market tomorrow, which is in (aptly enough) South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. {link to more info}
It is such a weird feeling, though. As I've said, we've never vended anywhere but conventions before, and I have next to no idea what to expect. Not to mention, South Milwaukee is indeed my home town, and I know what the people around there are expecting - suffice to say, my stuffs will be "out of the ordinary" to say the least.
And, it may even be that, even if there is interest in my stuff, no one may be willing to pay more than $5 for much of anything. It's that kind of town - I can't quite describe it, but the value on handmade, unique or artisan is very low. It's not like everyone is poor or anything like that, but the city is the epitome of Midwestern blue-collar, and art always seems to take a back seat, as far as I've ever experienced at least.
I guess I'm rambling here to try to boost myself up a bit, and steel myself for the worst reception possible - sometimes, as an artist, you need to do that. Or, at least, I do.
I know that my products are good. I know that they're very well made. I know that my pricing is competitive or lower than even lower-quality products. But, I also know that times are tough all around, and that there may or may not be a good reception (or, any reception) to my pieces because they are not... well, standard craft-show fare.
But, it's good to take chances.
It's good to do something different.
Risk is everything, as my husband would say.
That doesn't just apply to the world of theatre, too, I'm starting to learn - taking risks is what makes successes so much greater, and failures easier to cope with, because you realize that you were willing to take that risk, and that there are others out there who would be scared away by it.
I'm not that easy to frighten, though (or so I'd like to think)
So, long story short, if you're in the Milwaukee area with nothing better to do tomorrow eve, and want to drive out to the southern burbs, come stop by and say "hi!"
I'll have a lot of my kimono jewelry there, all of the new Steampunk lily jewelry, and perhaps some other things such as corsets and cocktail hats, just for the heck of it!
I'm in the process of getting ready for the very first "non-anime" thing I've vended at. Ever. Which is really frightening.
We'll be vending at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market tomorrow, which is in (aptly enough) South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. {link to more info}
It is such a weird feeling, though. As I've said, we've never vended anywhere but conventions before, and I have next to no idea what to expect. Not to mention, South Milwaukee is indeed my home town, and I know what the people around there are expecting - suffice to say, my stuffs will be "out of the ordinary" to say the least.
And, it may even be that, even if there is interest in my stuff, no one may be willing to pay more than $5 for much of anything. It's that kind of town - I can't quite describe it, but the value on handmade, unique or artisan is very low. It's not like everyone is poor or anything like that, but the city is the epitome of Midwestern blue-collar, and art always seems to take a back seat, as far as I've ever experienced at least.
I guess I'm rambling here to try to boost myself up a bit, and steel myself for the worst reception possible - sometimes, as an artist, you need to do that. Or, at least, I do.
I know that my products are good. I know that they're very well made. I know that my pricing is competitive or lower than even lower-quality products. But, I also know that times are tough all around, and that there may or may not be a good reception (or, any reception) to my pieces because they are not... well, standard craft-show fare.
But, it's good to take chances.
It's good to do something different.
Risk is everything, as my husband would say.
That doesn't just apply to the world of theatre, too, I'm starting to learn - taking risks is what makes successes so much greater, and failures easier to cope with, because you realize that you were willing to take that risk, and that there are others out there who would be scared away by it.
I'm not that easy to frighten, though (or so I'd like to think)
So, long story short, if you're in the Milwaukee area with nothing better to do tomorrow eve, and want to drive out to the southern burbs, come stop by and say "hi!"
I'll have a lot of my kimono jewelry there, all of the new Steampunk lily jewelry, and perhaps some other things such as corsets and cocktail hats, just for the heck of it!
Friday, May 14
Inspirations at all hours
Sometimes, I wonder about myself.
See, I have this unconditional need to create. I can't fight it, and I actually think it's getting to the point of being manic... for example, last night around 9:45, getting ready to go to sleep, checking emails and the like, I was hit with an idea that I just had to try, involving jewelry stuffs and leather.
Instead of doing like most people and writing it down and trying it today, I ran down into my work space and dug out all of my leather scraps and jewelry supplies and made the necklace. It's like I cannot fight this urge to do something, and now, since the initial one last night was such a phenominal success, I'm going to go crazy this weekend and make more of them!
See? I just can't control myself. I should be sewing (I just found two wa-loli outfits half completed on a pile, when trying to find my leather for this project last night...) and I should be answering emails (I've let them go way longer than even I like them to go, and it's starting to keep me awake at night...) but I'm not!
I should also be working on my business plan more - I've hit a standstill with financials and the marketing plan, but, of course, I'm not!
I should be taking pictures of all of the stuff I've gone on random tangents to make (such as those obi belts (but Steampunk varieties), all of the miniature cocktail hats I made a few weeks ago on a similar binge, and quite a few bustles/other pieces of clothing I haven't even thought of in a week!) but I just can't bring myself to ... do ... anything but make what's in my head right now.
Is this the bane of being a creative person? Or, is there something about me that just means I cannot sit still and just do what needs to be done? What is it?
Does anyone else out there get like this? What do you do? How do you deal with it? I worry that this may be a manifestation of some underlying problem with myself, but I honestly have no idea.
See, I have this unconditional need to create. I can't fight it, and I actually think it's getting to the point of being manic... for example, last night around 9:45, getting ready to go to sleep, checking emails and the like, I was hit with an idea that I just had to try, involving jewelry stuffs and leather.
Instead of doing like most people and writing it down and trying it today, I ran down into my work space and dug out all of my leather scraps and jewelry supplies and made the necklace. It's like I cannot fight this urge to do something, and now, since the initial one last night was such a phenominal success, I'm going to go crazy this weekend and make more of them!
See? I just can't control myself. I should be sewing (I just found two wa-loli outfits half completed on a pile, when trying to find my leather for this project last night...) and I should be answering emails (I've let them go way longer than even I like them to go, and it's starting to keep me awake at night...) but I'm not!
I should also be working on my business plan more - I've hit a standstill with financials and the marketing plan, but, of course, I'm not!
I should be taking pictures of all of the stuff I've gone on random tangents to make (such as those obi belts (but Steampunk varieties), all of the miniature cocktail hats I made a few weeks ago on a similar binge, and quite a few bustles/other pieces of clothing I haven't even thought of in a week!) but I just can't bring myself to ... do ... anything but make what's in my head right now.
Is this the bane of being a creative person? Or, is there something about me that just means I cannot sit still and just do what needs to be done? What is it?
Does anyone else out there get like this? What do you do? How do you deal with it? I worry that this may be a manifestation of some underlying problem with myself, but I honestly have no idea.
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