I'm back, bitches!

So... I've been going whirlwind crazy since my last post here (which feels like an eternity ago). I have a job now and I'm moving this weekend. That being said, I'm super excited about being able to set up my work room in the second bedroom at our new place. I've been doing a ton of sketches for stuff I want to make... plus I've pretty much been told that as far as my massive dragon horde of fabric goes I must "use it or lose it."

Because I was poor for so fucking long, I haven't been buying albums or really listening to music (that whole depressed thing). NOW I've been listening to TONS of death & black metal and have become super inspired. I'm going to throw some pictures in here to give you an idea about my thought process and a playlist at the end to get you into my groove. For starters, all the stuff is going to be a one-off. Then, I'll grade the patterns if and when someone else wants to buy something. This will mean a longer lead time when you buy, but will also mean I can pump out more quantity for you all to look at... which has been the main problem in the past. I'll probably be selling on Etsy (a site I'm learning to use) and also advertising the styles on MySpace.


Lately I've been really drawn to the rough and powerful female archetype. The take no shit, couldn't give a fuck attitude and image of people like Angela Gossow, Jillian Michaels, and Josh and I's roommate, Alex. It isn't really their look, but their "walk against the wind with your shoulders back and head high" attitude and self confidence that's inspiring me. I think everyone can use a bit more of that in their lives. Going with the usual feel of my casual collections this one is easy to wear with surprising details... but I'm withholding the sketches just to get you excited (but think stuff like the example to the right).

I'm chomping at the bit to get fist deep in some fabric and thread. I feel like all the creativity that was abounding when I was in college is all coming pouring back into me now that my mood is lifted. Perhaps you'll even see actual updates here again once I'm settled into the new place. So. Fucking. Excited.

P.S. Yes, I still plan to do the line of customizables. They're going to be called D.I.Y.F.S. (Do it your-fucking-self). The first few styles are going to be gauze and will be out before the collection I just designed. Then more styles will come out, probably in poplin, tweed, or denim to go with what I'm working on now.

Updates

Can you believe I'm still alive? Not me. Things have been ridiculous for the past 8 months. First, there was going to be a job, then a freeze, now the freeze is off but no entry level jobs are open. In the mean time, I've applied everywhere and all I have is a (barely) part-time job that is 40 minutes away. That means, I STILL am not making enough money to move, which means all my sewing stuff is STILL packed away. GRAHGH!

Despite these horrific, world destroying melt downs, I've been able to do a couple of highly awesome shit for my business. First off, I sold my very first piece to someone who doesn't know me! (Friends have gotten stuff from me since high school.) I sold a So Fatigued: Angled Hem Dress to a model, so hopefully I'll eventually get to see some awesome pictures of it.

I've got a freelance job in the works that is big money (at least for me) and would mean I can get a new serger. This makes me feel super happy. Hopefully he either accepts my bid or haggles with me some. It's a pretty cool project where I have full creative control. Maybe I can even use the items for pictures before I send them off to him.

For anyone looking for new-new-news, the next two things I'll be working on are "D.I.Y.F.S." skirts in black gauze (to be explained later) and a new H. P. Lovecraft costume based on my female interpretation of the living dead character in "The Hound." I was also just contacted about a cosplay costume, exciting!

Unfortunately, due to the completely packed away studio I haven't even had the gumption to design a new collection. I have some ideas and was going to pattern some western inspired pieces, but I feel like the looks are already available in a more mainstream version at stores right now and don't know if I want to pursue it. If I have a photographer or model that wants to do a western shoot with gothic tones, I might make up a few pieces and then sell them. I'm really sad I didn't get to do anything with my cool ideas. (I might post sketches... who knows.)

I also have an idea I'm tossing around in the noggin' about a steampunk costume. I really like the look of steampunk stuff and was thrilled about a year ago to find out that a subculture exists that loves all these crazy things I've liked since childhood. So, I'm working on research for that dress now. I have a really original idea (at least, I haven't seen it yet) that I want to incorporate. Problem is I'm going to want to keep the dress... and I need to be selling things. So, if a model would like to buy the dress to own before I make it that will force me to give it up. (Hint, hint)