Inspiration {Main Bocher}

Over my very dear friend Sabrina’s birthday, I had the opportunity to spend a few delightful hours at the Chicago History Museum. Admitting that I've never been there feels like sacrilege, but it's the truth.  Of the many beautiful and interesting exhibits, one (very predictable) display caught my interest: the work and life of America’s first couturier, Main Boucher.

Sidebar: After typing that sentence, I find it imperative to note that I have never written the word “couturier” in my life, and generally do not give a hoot about "couture fashion".  Main Boucher, however, has proven to be an exception (forcing me to, yet again, face the anti-conformist hypocrisies that I sometimes am guilty of believing) .  Truly an artist of many media, what I found most striking about Boucher, were actually his drawings and paintings.  As a struggling, multi-faceted artist myself, I often feel the burden of focus-- how does one choose a favorite child, or give enough time to only one creative outlet? Seeing the variety of Boucher’s work was so encouraging, in reminding me that a successful creative is one that focuses on expression regardless of medium, and is at peace with fluidity.

On a more practical note, it was quite fun to see that some of Boucher’s beautiful gowns actually resemble ones that I have in the shop! It's a bittersweet realization, as I imagine many people swoon and idealize these museum dresses, but fail to see the value and identical quality of vintage specimens that they could purchase from any number of sources-- people are peculiar, but such is life.  I must say, one of my favorite details of the exhibit (that I didn't capture well in the photos) was the way the curators stylistically taped the feet of the manikins to symbolize shoes!  Very clever, indeed! 

Something that I and both of the ladies I went with, mused over, was what amazing fun it would be to work on some of the exhibits we saw!  The artistry involved was undeniable. All in all, I definitely left the museum a bit starry eyed, brimming over with renewed enthusiasm for my own creative pursuits. Isn't it amazing how God can use such unassuming things to refresh our hearts?  Over and over, I hear him whispering freedom to me-- that that is his main desire for me, and for all people. That fear (whatever of) would not cripple or hold us back, because he can make good even out of failure-- so how can we justify fear of failure?  We cannot.  I cannot.  And so, all that we can do is to choose freedom. Freedom in our individual forms of expression, to use them from a place of joy and pure wholehearted-ness. Freedom to disregard what others might think of us, and to let things happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lately {8.10.15}

It's been a while since I just sat down and wrote.

Over the past week, I posted a project that I've been working on for awhile-- and I am so happy with it! It's interview/photo based, but actually more than a little mixed media in presentation. Check it out if you'd like! :)

Wednesday, I spent quality time among flowers with a good, good friend.  

Thursday and Friday were spent with random + lovely individuals, serving some of the world's greatest leaders (beautiful accents and all), during which: I was perceived to be 17 (repeatedly), realized I'm not all that bad at interacting with people, and I learned a lot about leadership that I still need to process.  

Oh, and I spotted a guy with a Boba Fett tattoo on his leg (I wish I had a picture of that).

Clearly my head is really, really full at the moment (to have stuff like that^ leaking out). It's always strange coming back to Earth after wonderfully-unusual happenings. My reality is awesome, but it is hard. There are so many new, growing things happening, but even with good, good change, comes a long to do list.

At the end of July, I found a studio work space to rent, and by that, I mean that God dropped it squarely into my lap.  It could not be more perfect for me, or for the little business I am trying to grow. :)  I haven't posted much about it here, but I've been making handmade canvas bags and backpacks that will become an added element to my vintage stock. I'm still tweaking, but will probably start listing them for sale sometime in the next month.

So many good things, and so many thoughts. The real challenge of this season so far, is that it's required almost constant action from me-- uh, remember, I suck at that?  Well, apparently yours truly is being grown, and I can't say that I hate it.  

Action is, strangely, becoming my friend. :)

Road Trip: Part II Exploring Charleston

All and all, Charleston is a pretty sweet town. I love that it's a city, but it feels more like a town (complete with adorable vintage architecture).  The people are as sweet as the tea, and the weather is beautiful (says the girl who loves humid balmy weather).  Here are some of my favorite moments from the week!

This was the best panini I've had-- I hesitate to say ever (that's a long time), but certainly for a great, long while.  It was zucchini, mozzarella and I think pistachios.  They also had an awesome array of teas and coffee, yum.  If in Charleston, you must go to the Persimmon Cafe!

My first touch of the sea on the east coast, oh the constant strong, salty breeze-- probably my favorite part. What can I say, my Mom is adorable. Literally everyone's first description of her is "cute".  It's true. :)

The dearest boy there is. :)

The Charleston Museum (which apparently was the first museum in these here United States) was very cool, covering military, social, natural, medical and many other facets of the history of Charleston (and in many ways, of our country).  This was even more interesting and reflective for me, because my Irish ancestors immigrated to Charleston in 1641-- so much of what I saw at the museum made my imagining of their lives more real.

Like always though, my favorite section was natural history-- they actually had a ton on prehistoric remains found in South Carolina (including the largest Pterodactyl, which they had on display!) which made yours truly giddy. I have always loved dinosaurs. :)

Charleston, farewell for now, but I'll be back.

Here, There and Ahead

Since it's been few and far between (much more accurate than "a long time"), an update here is badly needed.  So badly really, that I've struggled to put so much in one post.  Let's start with the present.  I just returned on Saturday afternoon from here:

Where I did plenty of this:

This with a dear friend, who made the long drive to Florida with me.

This trip continued in my head the theme that's been apparent in the past few months: ideas coming to fruition, action, realization.  I so struggle on a regular basis to keep all of my musings compartmentalized enough to see them through-- but I'm learning to just leap.

Lately I have found (more) order, and somehow have been able to occasionally get out of my own way. As a result, my creativity has flown in places-- define that word as you will, it's equally true either way.

Life has been awesome (literally causing of awe) in both both my highs and lows of late.  The feeling and gist of Philippians 4:12 has echoed in my heart repeatedly, with a deep sense of joy.  It's like an inside joke that I realize most people don't get: all is well, whatever happens-- I actually dwell secure in the hands of my maker, and that causes real freedom.

Among other things, in the next month or so I'll be opening a second Etsy shop for some of my artwork-- I'm not certain how much I'll represent my personal work there, but will have a few kinds of customizable paper goods available for purchase (portraits for couples and families, personalized invitations, etc.).  This is step one of...8 million, really.  I actually have a spreadsheet at this point for each area I feel vocationally called to, and action steps to begin moving in those directions (*pat on the back*).

Oh! That reminds me, update on shoemaking: my lovely shoemaker and friend Molly has decided that she just has too much work at the moment to effectively teach, and so my apprenticeship will come to an end with the completion of the pair of shoes I'm currently working on.  I am sad, but so glad for the learning opportunity while it lasted!  And seriously, with the spreadsheet I just mentioned, it's almost a relief to temporarily have the door closed on one column (there are 6)!

I think that's enough of an update for now. :) I hope your 2015 is looking bright!

11,000

Feet above sea level that is.  Here are some memories of recent roaming there.

Wolf Creek Trading Co.

And then I got Bronchitis. :( I finally went to the doctor yesterday and started antibiotics, so hopefully I'm on the mend.  My fever the past few days insured my accomplishment of pretty much nothing, so without further ado: the second Ohio post I promised!

After settling in at the B+B, my Mom and I decided to explore the area a bit-- one of the things I love about my Mother, she tends to always be up for adventure. :)  After driving for no more than a couple minutes, we spotted this place:

And what vintage lover could resist that, right? None.  So we tentatively pulled into the gravel lot and got out to investigate.  The proprietor was on sight and welcomed us to take a look in both the barn full of vintage furniture and housewears, and in another building full of local art and handmade items.  We had arrived at Wolf Creek Trading Co. and began to look around.

As you probably know if you've been reading my blog, neither I or my family of origin are strangers to history and old things-- it's kind of in our blood.  As mine is clothing, one of my Mom's specialties is home furnishings, so we both spent a good amount of time in here. We, unlike many vintage enthusiasts, are actually good at not over buying though, and each walked away with only one small thing-- a stack of small bowls for my Mom and a hat for me!  My favorite feature of this barn (besides everything) is the beautiful stained glass that was put in the front windows.

I didn't take many pictures in the handmade building because it felt rude to photograph people's artwork-- I know, I'm weird and over-think everything.  Everything was beautiful, jewelry, candles and soaps, textiles and fine art were all present.  I did take this one picture because I was so taken with her work and wanted to remember her name (Lisa Merrick)!  Her pressed botanicals and butterflies remind me of a childhood favorite book of mine, A Girl of The Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter.

All-in-all, such a surprising and wonderful weekend!  Boy am I glad I didn't come down with bronchitis until afterwards! :)  If you are ever in the Akron, OH area, Canton is such a sweet spot to check out.

The Whimsical Pig

This past weekend, I went on a family jaunt to a little town outside of Akron, Ohio to visit my sister-in-law's family-- this is the first of two posts I'll do on the subject.  Little did I know when we left Saturday morning, what natural beauty and unique charm the weekend would hold.  I got my first hint a few minutes from the B+B we would be staying at, when we drove through this.

I'm such a sucker for tree-lined roads, but especially ones like this that feel like tree tunnels.  Just around the corner, we arrived at our home-base for the weekend: The Whimsical Pig Bed and Breakfast, aka the sweetest, most awesome lodging ever.  At least for yours truly, that is.

I wish I'd taken better pictures of the full exterior of this restored vintage farmhouse.  The gardens were so beautiful, complete with lounge chairs next to a rocky stream and koi pond.  Three sweet farm cats lazily strolled the paths and prowled through the flowers. My favorite of them was a big tom cat named Thunder who is what I like to call, a John Wayne style cat-- stoic but a sweetheart at the core.

Inside the house were even more surprises, beautifully restored with glistening wood floors and full of vintage details and decor.  I'm pretty sure I did a double take, and definitely wondered what the odds were of finding such a place in the area we were visiting-- not to mention later finding out that this had been a last minute selection on the part of my SIL's family, who had no concept of the affinity for history that my family and I have!  It felt like such a wink from God, and indeed it was.  I was so busy taking everything in that I didn't take pictures of everything that I wish I had, but here are some glimpses. Not to mention, the spectacular breakfasts: the oatmeal cremebrule and baked honey grapefruit were my favorites!

One thing I so wish I'd gotten a picture of more than anything else is the awesome couple who own The Whimsical Pig! Sue and Ron were the most welcoming and genuine hosts who not only made our stay wonderful with their attention to detail, but were such a blessing to talk with and get to know.

I may be back at the Whimsical Pig before too long. :)