Creating Art from Darkness-Making a Difference

     It has been a very busy few weeks here at the studio. I have been finishing up client projects and new ones are waiting on the worktable. My customers are a very eclectic group, bringing me all kinds of challenges. I love it. They range from the wedding party alterations, to draperies for a whole house, to doll bedding and clothing, to Star Wars attire for conventions. Add to that my own Simply Rebecca products, and I can be quite a busy gal. Though it can get chaotic at times, I love the variety. It never gets mundane and many times challenges me to step beyond my comfort zone. I truly love my job.
     I want to chat a little today on an story I just read. It touched my spirit. We all talk about where the world is going, the fear, the hunger, the disasters, the losses. Some of what we see and hear tears the heart right out of your chest. Most of us feel a stirring inside of wanting to do something to make it better, but have no idea how. It is so overwhelming. What can we possibly do to make a difference? I know because I have said those same words. I was always active in my community, joining women's organizations, raising monies to go help in some way. It gave me a feeling of belonging to those around me. But, over the years life took me away from that a bit. Helping others is incredibly soul healing. It fills you with energy you never thought you had.
     Well Jessica Mindich feels the same way. But, she has taken it one step further. "I grew up in a family that embodied the spirit that you had a responsibility to repair the world. And so I jumped, I walked, I ran to every 5K, everything, and that was how we grew up. And Jewelry for a Cause is an extension of that." Jewelry for a Cause creates jewelry for fundraising tools for not-for-profit organizations. She started the company five years ago out of her home in Connecticut, because she saw communities doing the same old fundraisers and people getting bored with them. We have all been there. How many magazines can we buy and how many chocolate bars can we eat, and how many candles can we burn. She creates beautiful jewelry for different causes, with a portion of the proceeds going to charities around the world to help promote awareness for issues such as breast cancer, Alzheimer's, and drinking water. "There isn't anything that we do that doesn't give back to a cause," Mindich says of her creations. "People were excited to wear what they believe, what they support on them. And these were inexpensive, they were eye-popping, and they had meaning behind them." Jewelry for a Cause also works with artisans from all over the world helping them to create sustainable lives for their families through their craft.

     Her latest project is incredibly inspiring. She is turning violence into beauty. It took her to the streets of Newark, New Jersey. Made from illegal guns and shell casings found at crime scenes, the Caliber Collection features 'bracelets that sparkle with hope'. While meeting with Mayor Cory Booker the idea came to her. She stood there looking at boxes of empty shell casings, realizing that those were bullets that had been fired in anger. The table piled with guns used in crimes were meant to do harm. They didn't want the bracelets to carry images of anger, just a simple piece of jewelry that was a symbol. The result is a series of pieces that "embody the gun’s transformation from a destructive weapon to a powerful symbol of renewal". They are pounded gold and silver hoop bracelets with serial numbers from the weapons. The sale of each bracelet is to help the Newark Police Department fund a gun buyback program. The mayor says, "I want them to go to the most profound purpose, which is peace. I wanted them to go to something that would help to reduce violence. Something that would help inspire peace and security."
     In April her efforts paid off with the first gun buyback in Newark since 2009. "I entirely funded a gun buyback in one of the top six most dangerous cities in America. We bought back 210 guns, eight of them were assault rifles, half of them were handguns. These are guns that are really out there doing the damage.”
     Mindich says, "It's my dream, my absolute dream to bring Caliber to cities across America. My desire that those cities are cities with the highest homicide rates because that's where you're going to have the highest number of illegal guns and make the biggest impact. I don't need chic bracelets from fancy cities. I want the bracelets inside to read cities like Flint, Michigan, and Oakland and New Orleans and places where guns are destroying their communities and as a result they can't rebuild their economy. That would be incredible."
    Reading this article brought goose bumps to my skin. It fueled the flame inside me. We all have talents that we can turn into something meaningful, something with purpose, something that will make a difference. No more sitting back talking about what is wrong. It doesn't matter how small the project is, or how much money it raises. Every little bit becomes a piece of a bigger picture. With each piece the puzzle become more complete. It is time to physically do something. Otherwise our words only become part of the breeze blowing past us.
     I applaud Jessica and those like her. It is time more of us create a caring society as we wish it would be, one neighborhood at a time. I know I will.
     Please take some time to visit Jessica's website and read the many articles written about her and her business. I hope that it will inspire you.

                                                Sending big hugs to all of you,

                                                         Rebecca

Sewing Machines

 

Sewing machine still life

by

Alf Caruana

  

     I am very passionate about sewing. It has been in my soul for over 40 years. It has seen me through happy times and very depressed times. It has taken me on wild adventures and soft wanderings. It has brought me peace and tranquility in very stressful times. I think if I had to give up everything but one, I would keep a sewing machine. (Or at least a needle and thread).

     I love the modern improvements to our present sewing machines. Sewing has become so much easier. The machine will sew buttonholes at a press of a button. They will sew the button on as well. Home sewers now can do their own embroidery by machine, lovely monograms, whole scenes with just a press of a button. The machines even thread their own needles and cut the threads. I could go on and on, it really is amazing. And then there are all the gadgets you can get to make your life as a seamstress easier. I have to keep telling myself to embrace those new gadgets and stop trying to make my life so difficult. There are pleaters, bias makers, bias cutters, gadgets to go over jean seams smoothly, rufflers just to name a very few.

 

Picture via Anjou Clothing

 

 

    But, I also love the antique machines. They were really works of art, beautifully trimmed in gold painted scroll work. Some were adorned with brass fittings and filigree. There were small ones and large ones and they all made items the woman needed in her life.

 

 

Winselmann Titan Saxony sewing machine

 



     The tables these machines sat on were beautiful as well, scrolled iron, heavy and strong. Sure they were slow, but they were methodical. The first being foot powered, a gentle rocking becoming a soft rhythm. Then came motors, still slow and steady, providing a low hum. The woman watching her beautiful fabric become a work of art. And the fabrics then were gorgeous. I had a friend that made her whole square dancing outfit on an antique treadle sewing machine. It was wonderful.

 

 

     Each improvement meant the woman could see results quicker. She could experiment more. And that has continued right up to today. I am amazed at how wonderful old world crafts have been taken into the modern world. Quilting comes to mind. Yes, we can still appreciate a well stitched quilt, all hand done in tiny even stitches. Those are priceless to me. But, I have seen some gorgeous creations at quilt shows done with computers and sewing machines. These are just as much quilts as the hand done ones. I am slow to come into the new world of machinery and gadgets. It isn't because I don't find them wonderful, it is because I haven't taken the time to try them. Perhaps one day, in my spare time (grin). But one thing is for sure, as long as we have a needle and some thread and a piece of material whether new or old rags; we can create. And with that creation we can find pride and solace.

     So whether it is with your hands, or a machine or a computer, or all three; keep creating. I promise to try new gadgets if you will and together we can hold onto our craft, the skill of sewing. And be sure to pass the treasure of sewing on.

Happy Sewing

 

Rebecca



A New Week - A New Start

     Happy Monday to all of you. I hope you had a great weekend and that you are well. I awoke to glorious sunshine and bright blue skies. That always makes me smile and sets me up for a fabulous day. I truly am a solar girl.

     Last week I spent Spring nesting. I had company coming for the weekend and needed a guest room. Sadly the guest room had become a storage room for all my treasures I have collected over many years. I can now say that it is now a wonderful guest room and I am thrilled to check that off my list. It was long over due. Moving boxes and totes and baskets filled with things of course required being organized. It also resulted in moving around other things in other rooms. Which led to transitioning my bedroom from Winter to Spring, making it light and fresh and airy. Now the house is clean and neat and tidy and fresh. It makes me smile, giving me a huge sense of accomplishment.

 

Now it is time to get back to business. I need to make up for those busy cleaning days. I have 5 little bitty naked ceramic dolls waiting to be clothed. Also have a wedding party coming this week for alterations. It will be nice to sit down at the sewing machine without too many interruptions. It is much easier to sew when you can follow the flow.





     Here are the pictures of the last set of dolls I completed for my client. It is funny, I never thought I would be sewing for dolls when I turned my sewing into a business. But it has been a fun and profitable side path. I will admit those little tiny armholes can be frustrating at times, but with a deep breath and patience they always turn out perfect. It is great too, that my client gives me freedom in dressing the dolls. We have worked together enough that she knows I am on the same thought process as she is. That is a good partnership and a big compliment.

 



 



Wishing you all a fabulous day!

 

Rebecca

Feeling Spring Fever

Hello to all of you. I hope things are fabulous with each one of you.

 

     I believe I have caught Spring fever. We haven't had to deal with very much snow here, so we have seen the grass for some time now. Of course it is brown and boring, but it has given me cause to plan and dream of planting and gardening. Naturally my dreams are much bigger than my energy levels and pocketbook, but I haven't let that stop me. I want to know what is in and on my food, so I will be planting a vegetable garden this year. I would love to turn the whole yard into a food source. Somehow that doesn't seem possible all by myself, so I will start small....lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, pole beans, carrots, maybe some green onions ro chives. I also have 3 blueberry bushes that have been paitently waiting to get into the ground. And then perhaps some herbs. Of course it is a natural progression to want to can and freeze for the winter. Mind you, I have never canned before, so this will be an adventure.
     Now onto the flower part of my plan. I have a wooden fence about 5 feet tall at the back of the yard. My plan is to start planting floweing trees and bushes all along that fence area. Because I tend to be a little impatient, I will want to purchase pretty mature plantings. This might take a few years and a lot of sewing clients. Heh! Pinterest and Facebook can be evil habits, as I have found a perfect vision of this fence area. They use gorgeous rose bushes, which isn't a bad idea either. If I use the roses, they won't be tall enough to hide the view behind the fence, which is an excavating business. But we will see.

 

     Then there are two maple trees I would love to surround with ferns and shade loving plants. Perhaps a bench to rest oneself would be nice too. And the biggest project of all is to make some sort of steps from the driveway at the side of the house to the front door. I am thinking of useing railroad ties and very slight graded steps. Now mind you...all of these projects will have to be done by lil ole me. As I said in the beginning, my dreams always outweigh my energies. But, I figure if I take it a little at a time, it can happen. Right?

Shade plantings - Spring Hill Nursery

http://www.springhillnursery.com/jumbo-shade-perennial-grab-bag-75852.html

 

     Now that is the outside dreaming. Inside I am well under way. Company is coming for the weekend. What better motivation to clean up the spare room and turn it into a lovely guest room. The spare room was packed full of boxes and totes of collections, dishware, and stuff. It is almost cleared and ready for the bed, curtains and decorating. It will be so nice to have it all done. Then in a few weeks I will begin work on turning a small room off the driveway into a shop. It will be so exciting to have a physical shop for Simply Rebecca Studios with regular hours. Here I will welcome my custom clients as well as sell my one of a kind items.

     I think I am going to be a busy gal, but it will keep me out of trouble. And busy hands definitely fills the heart with joy. Sewing, digging in the dirt, and making things pretty all stir my soul. They make me happy. It is going to be a fabulous year, I can just feel it. I wish the same for all of you. Find something that calls to you, that sings inside of you. Then just do it. Find the time and the means to answer that call. You will be surprised at the results. It will give you more energy and motivation to do more.

 

Sending you all seeds of inspiration,

Rebecca

What is Your Talent

 

 



Getting Back to Basics

https://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/etsy-and-rockford-team-up-on-craft-entrepreneurship/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PROMO    

      A shout out for Mayor Morrisey from Rockford IL for thinking outside of the box in the employment situation in our country. The statement that stands out the most to me is something that I have always believed..."we need to save ourselves, it's not going to be the state of the federal government, it's going to be what we can do as a community." Creating avenues of entrepreneurship is rebuilding the base once again. It is how we started, small businesses offering custom items to the consumer. Face to face interaction with the manufacturer, the seller, and the buyer.
     There are so many skilled artisans, skilled craftsmen, out there. The span is from clothing to accessories to electronics to furniture to art to food. Just about anything we might need. Etsy and others like Etsy, have given them a chance to believe in what they do and show them they can make a difference in their lives. They can be a cog in the wheel of revitalizing our communities and our economy. They can actually make a decent living doing what they love, what makes them happy. Mothers can stay at home and raise their children and still provide income. Dads can watch their children grow and still provide income. Young people can learn early that they can provide their own destinies.
     So hurray for Mayor Morrisey for recognizing that with a little help, a quiet whisper can become a loud voice. Please click on the link to watch the video.

Make a loud noise.

Rebecca

 



Road Blocks, Sharp Curves, Stumbling Blocks

    

     So many times in life we think we have finally found a path to our happiness or our success. Sometimes the path isn't straight and sometimes it branches off. We either take those branches and give them a try or we stay true to the course. Many times taking that side route is a bonus and you are blessed with new adventures or new enlightenments. Sometimes it is the wrong direction and we have to find our way back to the straight path again. Which is just fine. Then there are those times that there is a bump in the road, a rock or maybe even a mountain blocking your way. Those are the times that are the hardest. We have to stop for a moment. This is when we question our way, question ourselves and ask why. That voice inside that told you this was the right path is still there, but tiny now. It won't let go, than goodness, but the bigger voice is doubt and confusion and maybe sadness. We need to acknowledge that bigger voice. Let it be heard. It is really ok, because it will make you take stock in where you have been and where you want to be. The secret is not to let the voice be too loud for too long. If you do, soon it will be the only voice you hear and you will become stagnant. You will loose your drive, your motivation. Your enthusiasm will wane and sadness will take over. Then you have truly lost your way. If you truly believe in what you are doing, what path your are on; then find a way to move that rock or go around that mountain. It might take a lot of work and maybe some creative ingenuity. And you might have to take a side road for a little while. But, stay firm and keep believing that you will continue on and not let the bigger voice lay roots.
     I am on the side road right now. I have happily become the caretaker to my elderly dad. My days are filled with making sure he is happy and comfortable. It just seems right that I had him first, because I was the first born and now I get him in his last days. It is a blessing. It has been an adjustment for both of us, but things are getting into somewhat of a routine.
     This side road isn't without its obstacles. When I doubt and question I am answered quickly with hints and signs that I am still heading in the right direction. I still believe in Simply Rebecca Studios. I know it will be successful and will make me happy thru the rest of my life. I just have to accept that I need to do things a little differently and a little slower maybe. But, I can still sew and I can still create and I can still make my clients happy. And I need to remind myself that this is a temporary fork in the road that will lead me back to the main path once again.
     This morning I was happy to find two of these "signs' waiting for me on my Facebook page. I want to share them with you, because they might just be what one or two of you need this morning as well. Remember, if you truly believe in what you are doing, then keep fighting for it. It is difficult because it is worth it. And keep your eyes open for the signs or hints that you are doing ok, that this is the right path.

  

 

 

 

Wishing you a fabulous day.

Rebecca

 

    

Making Beds

     Hello everyone. I am sorry I have been away. Life got a little busy taking care of my Dad and keeping up with client projects. I hope you all have been well. We are looking forward to Spring here. The winter has been easy on us, giving us more grass than snow. But, it has been a long term tease, wishing we could dig up some dirt to plant some flowers. I have been making lots of plans for vegetable gardens and flower gardens and even some flowering trees. I even made some mental notes on making a stone patio off the cellar door into the back yard, giving us another place to sit in the sunshine. Pinterest is to blame with all those wonderful pictures of cottage gardens. Your wish list tends go grow. We will take it little by little, one step at a time and see what happens.

     I wanted to post pictures of my latest completed project for my doll client. I love to make pillows and bedding, so I get excited when I can make them in miniature. This is an antique Victorian doll bed that has been re stained and gold trimmed. I made the mattress, eyelet trimmed sheet, eyelet trimmed pillowcase and pillow, the flowered coverlet with eyelet trim and the flowered sham. The throw pillow is my favorite piece. It is made from an antique embroidered tea towel. I love the way it came out so much that I am anxious to pull out more of my vintage linens to make full size pillows for the Etsy shop.

 

 

 

Remember, we are all talented. Yes, you too! You just need to find what stirs your soul and makes your heart sing. When you find it, give it all you have and it will fill your days with joy.

 

                                             Lots of Love,

                                                Rebecca