I am Update

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:06:37 -0700

Etsy had their birthday party at Coney Island Friday, and us Burda Bunnies were invited. I rode bike there with Mr. Etsy himself.

pulling in

It was kinda hot and far, but one hundred zillion times more fun and exciting than taking the Q.

Amanda, it is a Cort guitar, 'Earth 900' model. I took her to Evan of New York Guitar Repair for a little work... the action was really tight because: the neck was bent, someone put a splint under the nut (lingo? I may not quite have it down yet), and the strings were heavy. So basically I had to press really really hard on the strings to get them to the board. No fun. Evan was super-friendly and fast; he has a rep as the best guitar repair guy in New York. He knows Camila from back when she was a little baby waitressing in the East Village. My guitar is now nice and easy and pleasant to play, and I'm ready to get back to it. As Rob said, "No excuses now." Of course, I laughed and told him he doesn't know me very well.

My guitar

I made a gorgeous shirt this week. I cut it like one of my regular ruffle tops, but when it came time to sew I had to do something new. This is what happened:

Medieval Spacemaster Silk Ruffle Top

In the first day it was up, it got treasuried twice, one of which got on the Etsy front page, almost 1000 views, and 42 hearts. Not bad. Which is great, because this is my favorite piece so far. AND I get to keep it. I'll make them to order as people buy. Because I was figuring out something new, there are a few rough spots that I find quite endearing personally, but wouldn't expect a customer to.

Why is it always raining here?

Matilda (my trusty stallioness of a van) went to the car doctor this week, for a slightly overdue oil change, a check-up, and to see what was going on with the ignition/starter. I got to hang out on the 'beach' in Billyburg and read my book (What is the What), until it started raining and then I had to find higher ground. I found some good materials at the Salvation Army and a couple pairs of (cheap and good!) shoes at Beacon's Closet. Anyway, my pocketbook is significantly lighter but Miss Matilda is ready for summer road adventures. Yay!

Watery Fire Hydrant

By the way, it seems to ALWAYS be raining. But only when I'm not at work in BurdaStyle. It's like monsoon season in Arizona, only, um, much much wetter. And more lighteningy and thundery. Above and below are views from my studio window after yesterday's crazy downpour.

Wet Pigeon

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I went to the Bandshell and the Pet Hospital

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:34:35 -0700

I met Ehren and Camila at the Prospect Park Bandshell last Thursday. The first and last groups were somewhat forgettable, I thought, but Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog was interesting. Heavy electric guitar, sort of experimental avant-garde noise at times. Yum. And I got this picture:

Prospect Park Bandshell

I rode my bike there. Riding my bike is my new favorite thing to do.

I took poor Miss Daisy to the dog hospital this morning. She hurt her paw last night, but I couldn't see anything wrong even though she was licking and licking, and at 6 am she woke me crying. She was in such distress I had to take her. All is well, though: painkillers and bedrest. Doc thinks it's just a soft tissue injury. Here she is during happier times, at Devil's Tower in South Dakota, after she chased a baby deer over hill and dale:

Daisy at Devil's Tower

Right now I am working on a lovely ruffle top, custom, for an Etsian. It's coming along quite nicely.

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Featured at BurdaStyle

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:02:17 -0700

Layla w Charlie for BurdaStyle

I'm this weeks featured member at BurdaStyle! Yay!

What else? I have a zillion ruffle tops to make this week. I missed the Mermaid Parade today, but I did get one of Steve's Key Lime Pies. That was pretty much all I ate today, besides pineapple and Terra chips. I am a bad girl, I know. The pie, well, I gave the last third to Daisy. It was curdling in my mouth. Bleck.

I made FOUR, yes, count them, FOUR new shift dresses today. I figured out a really pretty and quick way to do the edging. One if for me, one is for Camila in trade for guitar lessons, and two are for Etsy. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow and list.

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Good Times

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:21:05 -0700

Ah, yes, so it's been a while since my last update.

A lot has happened. I got my guitar. She's a beauty. My dear friend Kyp sold her to me from his mysteriously massive guitar collection. Acoustic, lovely mother-of-pearl inlay work. I had my first lesson with Camila, and she said she was impressed and that I show great promise. Granted, she also didn't expect much from me. She thought I was going to be spacey and unfocused.... until now, she's only known me when I'm fun, not when I'm working.

We had a photoshoot for BurdaStyle at my mama's house in NJ recently. That was fun. I'm developing a reputation as damn good caterer.

BurdaStyle photoshoot at Burk Residence

I've been working on really cool stuff. I did a couple of men's t-shirts (totally from scratch, thanks to a pattern I MADE for BurdaStyle) and got included in an Etsy Storque article.

Flowers Watts Towers and Boys Oh My

I've had a bit of a run on my Etsy store and have spent all day working on stuff to restock with.

I also got a bunch of fresh ink on my arm. There's a lot of work left to do, but I'm really happy with the way it's going. If you keep an eye on my Etsy photos, you can catch some nice glimpses of it.

I Love You As You Are Silk Sculpture Shirt

I went to Renegade yesterday to check it out, because I gotta start learning about that stuff. I bought a beautiful owl mug by Danmade, and some yarn from a vendor whose name I can't remember. I had just dropped off a custom Birthday Party dress near Prospect Park and drove into Williamsburg, noting I was heading into a giant raincloud. I walked up and down the Renegade aisles, scoping, and it started to rain, and I thought 'Ah! I'm going to have to pass the storm with strangers!' but just in the nick of time I spotted my homies Ruffeo Hearts Lil Snotty (check out their Etsy shop too), and ducked into their booth. After all this vicious heat, the rain felt great, and there's nothing quite like passing an epic storm with friends.

Epic Downpour at Renegade

Mackswell of Ruffeo Hearts Lil Snotty

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I'm popular.

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:16:24 -0700

ledthread front page

Holy cow. Delyse's gown was up for less than 24 hours before it got over 2000 views on Etsy. Thanks Ashley, for including me in your Treasury! Also, I know Ryan of Flux who is to the left of me from my days of hawking jewelry on the streets of Soho, when I first got to NYC last fall. I heart serendipity :)

And my obi belts have been selling like crazy. I'm going to have to make some more.

Today, hopefully, I am buying a guitar. I need to learn something new!! I make stuff, I read, I draw, I write, I cook, I do yoga (sometimes, not really right now).... I need something new and difficult to do with myself!!!

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Ah, Weddings.

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:25:42 -0700

I had the honor of attending the lovely Berry/Hanson wedding on Saturday. It was such a lovely time, at Mama Hanson's country house in upstate New York. A calm, peaceful, idyllic wedding... a good time had by all. My favorite part was the afterglow party on Sunday. A perfectly sunny day, we all layed about in the grass and sunshine ALL DAY. I can't think of a better way to start the summer, being surrounded by love and music and the outdoors.

The dress, thank god, was a hit. I got complimented on it all day long. I'm thrilled it came out so well. Really, Delyse looked amazing in it. She was glowing. Without her, it's just a ho-hum collection of fabric, but when she puts it on, my goodness!

As soon as I got to the house, there were 3 sewing emergencies that needed my attention. A girl with a needle.

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In the mood for a white wedding

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:19:59 -0700

Delyse's gown in progress

Oh my I might cry: Delyse's gown is looking so beautiful (the crummy weather might have something to do with it too). I still have to finish the guts (lining) and zipper and hem, but I am quite pleased with how it's progressing. As well I should be, since she needs to be on her way upstate Wednesday evening. I'll probably have to spend 10 hours pressing it... there's some subtle but stubborn waviness in the satin.

Awwwwh this makes me want a handmade wedding!!!

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A walk

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:56:37 -0700

Daisy and I walked to and from BurdaStyle yesterday, and we saw this

lower manhattan

closer to work. And this

on the way home

closer to home. I sang the whole way. I think I might be finding my voice.

Since I've been working on Gold Street I've been obsessively collecting Etsy shwag. I was thinking of putting it in one place and taking a picture, but I realized that might be too weird. And it would take too long. It's pretty spread out.

Anyway, the Etsy Labs moved to the 3rd floor of the Clock Tower and I checked it out for the first time yesterday. I needed some shirts for a virtual teen lab we're doing next month (more on that later). The new Labs are pretty sweet, and they have a WHOLE coffee table full of shwag!! Of course I picked up a few things. I picked this up; I'd seen it before but wasn't able to make it my own.

Etsy shwag

It's cute and clever. I found Phil already took pix, so read the whole booklet here.

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Perfect Sunday

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:33:19 -0700

Got one

I am having a perfect Sunday. I saw my first catch at the pier. And took some pictures. (Tinka is Kristin's new pup.)

Tinka + Me

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grey day for a pretty dress

nobody@vox.com(ledthread) — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:04:26 -0700

grey day

The view from my studio today. Ugh. I feel like I'm wrapped in a blanket. Which I am because it's freezing in here and (hold on) I have 9 pieces of clothing on, plus a blanket wrapped around my waist and legs like a skirt. Sure, I could do jumping jacks or something, or I could just feel sad and blue and cold and wrapped in a blanket.

All is not lost, though. I am making a very pretty dress of silk and Liberty of London cotton. I bought a huge stash of beautiful fabric when I was in LA in February, but just started cutting it the last few days. For some reason I didn't want to waste it or mess it up, and darn it I just love uncut fabric--it's like the beginning of a romantic relationship, when everything is possible and hopeful, before all the issues rear their ugly heads and reality sets in.

Anyway, I first cut into it to make this (MOM DON"T FOLLOW THIS LINK!!!) for BurdaStyle. And after that, I HAD to cut into this fabric. This is my second dress from the LIberty, keep an eye on ledthread.etsy for them.

Today's dress is the prototype for a custom dress for my friend Camila, of Tollywood Allstar fame. I hate making muslins, they are such a waste of time and fabric, so instead I'm using this:

pretty dress for a grey day

Wa-la! More satisfaction than muslin for me, and a lil more stock for ledthread.

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