Friday 20 April 2012

by request



firstly this is for Samm cos she asked how the flotsam dress worked [see previous post]
hope the scribbles make sense, adjust sizes of bits to fit own body
[hint - measuring with a piece of string much better than using a tape-measure]


and then in answer to another request which arrived as follows [published with original spelling but name removed] :

...I am about to graduate from college and I was hoping that I could email you a few questions because I am really interesting in your chosen occupation and want to know what to expect...

 to which i initially responded :

To be honest I never had a career plan other than architecture but shall do best to answer queries as long as you don't expect an essay! 
I'm curious about the phrase "what to expect". I have few expectations and so find that I go through life being pleasantly surprised. 

and then came the reply [my answers are in green]
I was just wondering about simple questions like what do you do on a typical day at work. Do you find the work repetitive or is it different every day. it is different every day. thank goodness.  
How long does it take you to die [um i'm hoping you mean "dye"] the material [oh thank goodness, you were referring to cloth. i'm not ready for the other yet] and then begin designing your clothing? i make the object first and then dye it. it could take a couple of days, or six months or a year  
What kind of work can I do beforehand to be successful at finding sustainable plant dyes and making clothing designs? be curious about everything. it helps if you treat it as play rather than work 
Would you recommend any type of classes or something that will make a person ready to start creating dyes besides reading your book? yes, mine. or Tracy Willans'. or Roz Hawker's. or Nalda Searles'. 
Do you plan out your own designs before you begin with the dye or is it purely experimental? depends on the project  
What kind of salary do you make if you are just beginning in your field. wondering if this question is a joke. i have never had a salary in this field. even now after over twenty-five years professional experience i barely end up with a profit. but i have enough and that is all that matters 
Is there anything really good or bad about your job that persuaded you to start besides being really good for the environment? i didn't choose my field of work just for the environment. i do this because i cannot "not" do it. it's called a passion. if you don't have it, don't do it. that goes for anything.  
Do you have any advice for people that want to follow in your footsteps? see previous answer. and it's better to make your own footsteps [people walk at different rhythms. try walking in someone's footprints on the beach sometime. can be tricky.] 
 Is there a lot of demand in what you do or is it very difficult to start? it takes 100% of me and then some. that's what makes it fun.

28 comments:

  1. that flotsam dress design is magic! I'm going to try it (I swear I am - I will overcome my fear of sewing a piece of clothing) thanks samm for asking the question!!!!

    (ps lurve your answers --- I think the biggest thing that is neglected in all education - from preschool to postgrad - is the lesson 'we're all individuals - and that's ok - go forth and be yourself'....)

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  2. oh geez, i am rolling on the ground.

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  3. As one of my 5 year old twins said to me today, "OMG! OMG!" She didn't know what it meant, but you do. Like Jude, I'm rolling on the ground. Sounds more like a high school art student's questionnaire that a college student about to graduate, don't you think?

    And I may just have to try the flotsam dress too. Many thanks to Samm for asking about it.

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  4. poor pathetic lamb. with poor pathetic writing. (ha!)

    on the other hand, what career plan do you have? do i? hmmm

    yes, rolling on the ground. there's a general upheaval and hiccuping going on.

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    1. i wasn't trying to be mean to the lamb, just honest. as to career plan? que? it continues along the lines i recently quoted from John Lennon...life is what happens while you're making other plans.

      but some day
      when i grow up
      i'd like to play sax in a wing band.

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    2. That should read SWING band

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    3. when i grow up i want a pony ...

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  5. and thanks for the pattern. maybe i'll give it a try.

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  6. After over 25 years ...i so understand the salary question. No I do not have one...but i do have a very self directed artist life. Thank you for the design information! You are so kind! peace, Mary helen Fernandez stewart

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  7. boy we could make a very fine felt quilt with all our collective rolling arounds!

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  8. Fascinating schematic for the Flotsam dress - it would need to be in something really drapey, wouldn't it? And you have to cut the original square in half to open the bottom. Given the lovely plain shapes it's from, it would be a good opportunity to use chunks of different fabrics. And I have an old (and scruffy) embroidered tablecloth that might be rather interesting for the square...

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    Replies
    1. there is a note about cutting the folded square open...and yes, drapey is good. i made it in silk broadcloth but a mix could be quite interesting

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  9. yes well

    i see a house with 2 chimneys drawn where a dress pattern is meant to be..no windows tho ...but that 's easily fixed coz I think it is built from locally hewn timber ....and then we just need those scissors again

    is this a Freudian test perchance?

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  10. yes well
    i see a house with 2 chimneys where a dress pattern is meant to be ..there ain't no windows tho ..but I think this is built from locally hewn timbers ...and all we need to fix that are those scissors again ..
    is this a Freudian test perchance?

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  11. and as regards professions and passions
    i received a timely link from "zen habits" today


    http://zenhabits.net/love-it/

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  12. and another one that just rolled in [coincidence? hmm]


    If you want to find your passion, know your life’s purpose, meet your soul mate,
    or feel intensely alive, don’t look toward the fun things that fit logically
    into the flow of an easy life. Ask yourself, “What am I running away from?”
    Whatever that thing is, turn around. Walk toward it.
    Face it and conquer it, or die trying.
    --Martha Beck- Challenge: This Week, Be A Hero

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful, as is your response to the lost lamb.

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  13. Hmmm.....just as I wuz thinkin' 'bout the house/dress.......now I have to chew on this pearl......not sure about walking into the fire at this stage of the game.....OR it's possible I'm doing it.......nursing a brain freeze now......ox

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  14. we are all innocent until we have some experience.

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  15. Love the dress,m the pattern and the commentgs Indiax I was lucky and found my soul mate at 17 and he has enabled me to liove my dream.xx

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  16. Sounds like this young one might have parents wondering about her 'career' path. I give her credit for putting herself out there and taking a risk that you might answer her query. I like what Deanna7trees says. And we all must do what we are compelled to do, else you're in for a life of unfulfilled dreams and desires and a bottle of anti-depressants to mask the pain.

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  17. Yeah I understand the salary question too- it's a common misconception that people who sell high-end pieces have a high-end salary. If only they knew everything we put ourselves through for the money we (don't) get! But at least we can be grateful they even assume we get money. We are artists, after all...

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  18. @ Ronnie ... If you can do it, maybe I'll try!

    As to the lamb, it made me ponder a bit on how I got from high school to here. ... it all started by getting lost at a college career fair, led to the High Arctic and a 22-year non-traditional career, dual shift-working::tag-team parenting and back "down south" to being a Farm-Woman-In-Training for the past, holy crow, 18 years .... wow.

    How many of us had real "plans" that we followed?

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  19. Actually, I think playing sax in a "wing" band sounds like fun!! =) Great advice to the lamb. I didn't think you were THAT hard on her (or him).

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  20. goodness me darling - you did well to even reply ! ''what kind of salary do you make '' - what is that ? , such rudeness. . and the spelling ! . . sending you many kisses. . so good to catch up on your happenings after too long. . .XXX

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