Have you ever watched a high-end designer's process start to finish? One of Christian Dior's is documented in the video I'm sharing with you below.  Thanks to Brooke of Custom Style for sharing it.

What things strike me the  most about this:
1. Look at just how many people are involved in making this. I'd figure ~ 10 or more people have a hand in this dress.
    - Does that explain the cost? Yes! Absolutely!  
    - As an independent sewer, that is also so freeing. Well jeez! I don't have to feel bad         about taking a while, taking my time, to make a dress or any piece of clothing.             Relief washes over.

2. The use of older, tried & true methods are still alive and used. 
    - This is SO wonderful (cup runneth over feeling for me). The pleating! The            
      embroidery (did you see that rough old frame? Still good dammit!)

3. The design houses have to do the same thing I do when I sew - use pins, cut it all out, rough cut, then trim down, fit and adjust as needed... etc. etc.
    - They wha? They use pins? They have to hand thread before cutting? Oh, I guess we
      all have to go through the same process. Whoa. Duuuuuuuude. And we find common
      ground. I'm shocked that I'm shocked. I guess I figured they had fancy tools or it
      took them less time or ... fewer people?  Did this shock you too?

Now I want to go tour and learn from the embroiderer and the pleating house. I've only ever seen pleated fabric in it's paper, never the process. If I could just get my hands on some.  Wouldn't it be fun to actually do some of the pleating? Does anyone know of a pleating house around Seattle or Portland?

Deep down, you are far from ordinary. You are magical. You are a woman of great power and class. You are the Queen, the Fairy Godmother, the Heroine, the Goddess and you only wear things that make you zing, shine, and stand out above the crowd. None of this ordinary, follow-me look for you. You are artsy, creative and wild. 

Time For Another Hat
a poem by Peg Gyldenege
The time has come
Said the hands to the head
To put away the jewels & tools
And sell your wares instead. 

Needles secure, pliers down
Beads back in tubes
Kiln cycled down
Tumbler at rest

Gleaming finished pieces
Checked polished & priced
Displays packed up
Lists checked twice

Now trading hats
From mole in the workshop
To ringmaster of the selling circus. 
Thanks for your support in my life as an artist!!

Here are a few more of her brilliant earrings and bracelets. She has really outdone herself this year. I'm so proud that she is stepping into her power as an artist. There is more talent in this woman's little finger... And I just love how she connects the botanical world - leaves, flowers, gemstones, with the mythic, mystical, faerie, and magical. It's like Disney's Gardeners come to life!

Please stop in and say hello in Seattle, tomorrow 10/18, Saturday 10/19, and Sunday 10/20. Plenty of fun and delight to be had. Just talking to her makes your day better!