Lovely World

costume

:: I recently found an old book filled with images of traditional costume from around the world. It is such a pleasure to browse through. I sometimes fear that local and regional style will be lost and everyone will be wearing a t-shirt with a corporate logo emblazoned on it. How sad that would be.

:: My 12-year-old daughter is very interested in the theater. She is involved in a program with Shakespeare and Company. This past weekend she went down to their costume shop to pull outfits for an upcoming fundraiser she and her classmates are performing in. She was so happy in that costume shop. She told me that at one point she was wearing around a large viking hat that had been gifted to Shakespeare and Company from the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.

:: The bottom photo is me holding a doll I made over a year ago. It is still unadorned because I wasn't sure what to do with it. Browsing the costume book is a chance to get inspired. I am doing the hair and face today.

work and worth

:: Dear friends. Thank you again for all the warm comments you have left me as I return to my blog. They are very meaningful.

:: Here you see a collage of many patterns (the lid of a vintage paper box, a small embroidery that an etsy seller from abroad tucked in my package when I ordered from her shop, and a clipping from a recent New York Times Weekend Arts section). I pair this photo with a "Bird in Flight" that I made this month. Hand-dyed wool, vintage silk flowers, and an old factory spool. I bought a handful of these spools at the Brimfiled Market last spring. I hope to get back to the show this year to find more of these. They allow me to portray and support animals in motion.

:: I read an interesting post on Bookhou this morning about the worth of handmade work. I recommend both makers and purchasers of handmade goods read this. Arounna is articulate in her argument. I also have to say that, as an owner of two Bookhou bags, her work is beautiful and worth the investment.

:: Finally, along the lines of work and worth, I read this in Mary Rose O'Rielly's spiritual memoir The Love of Impermanent Things:

"It was so hard for me to learn to value my own vocation - it's still my basic instinct to spill over for anyone who asks - and now, in midlife, I am not going to give up what I know."

Does that sound familiar to you?

new projects

CRAFT WORK

I have been making new animal patterns and sewing on a fairly regular basis. My favorite part of the process is the moment the animal's face is in place. Each has a unique personality, even for those animals made from the same pattern. The quality of the fabric, embellishments, and my own hand lend to the variations and individuality.

WEB PRESENCE

I am building a website for my craft work, Lovely World Handmade. This has been challenging, but I am getting close to finishing. I have actually found satisfaction in making the site myself, learning curve and all. I will announce the link to the website here soon! I will also be adding new work to my etsy shop at the same time.

THANK YOU

Thanks to all of you who have reached out to welcome me back to my blog. I really appreciate hearing from you. I have also enjoyed browsing through your own blogs.

XO Maribeth