Uncategorized

Last weekend the American Craft Council put together another fantastic show in Baltimore.

Although there was a little snow on set up day, it was melting and by the next day when we opened, it was gone.

On day one, the booth was up, lights in place and clothes and scarves arranged just so.

A little aside, an appreciation for simple things that make life better.

In the middle of the picture above, you can see a free standing unit I use for display, on the other side, there is a table. For years it was held together with an awkward system of extra long bungee cords wrapped around, in and out, back and forth between the wooden poles and cross pieces. But no matter how tight they’re pulled, bungee cords stretch. Whenever anyone leaned on it, the unit wobbled and leaned to the side and threatened to collapse.

For this year, a new system. Nearly invisible, skinny wire rope, clamps and turnbuckles.

Better looking for sure, but even better, it worked! Now when someone leans in, my table unit stands firm and does not sway!

The table secure, everything else in place, scarves laid out, jackets, coats, tops and skirts all hanging with their best faces forward.

The show opened and the people came in. Just like the best party ever, all my old friends and wonderful new ones came in to visit, say hi and find treats and treasures.

Such fun! It was a wonderful show!

On our last day, the perfect goodby from Baltimore, beautiful sunny skies.

And still, even with such a fantastic show, when everything was good and I couldn’t imagine that it could get any better, one other amazing, wonderful and incredible thing came my way.

On the plane trip home, an empty middle seat.

Thank You American Craft Council, Baltimore and all the amazing people who came to the show.

Finished, photographed and ready for the ACC Baltimore Craft Show.

An orange trench coat, sewn from a beautiful kimono silk, hand painted by a Japanese artisan [you can see the brush strokes!].

And a shawl collared, dark aubergine coat with a grid of appliquéd squares.

Under the shawl collar coat, a jacket pieced from a beautiful old kimono.

The appliqués on the coat collar are leftover pieces from the jacket.

Use and reuse, never throw away. Especially if it’s gorgeous Japanese kimono silk.

Under the orange trench coat, an unlined jacket/blouse. What I call a ‘Hitoe’. Those red fan shapes are pine needles.

In this picture you can see inside the collar, a silk with a scattered rice print.

These and everything else, all my other coats, jackets, hitoes, blouses, skirts, pants and scarves will be heading across the country from Portland, Oregon to Baltimore!

Next weekend, February 22, 23 and 24.
Please come and stop by! I’d love to see you.

Beautiful Tasnim and Ola showing off a couple of the pieces I’ll be bringing to ACC’s Baltimore Craft Show February 22, 23 and 24.

On the white jacket, little red squares, each appliquéd in place. On the meisen trench coat, two sizes of red and white squares from two different kimonos. Underneath, just visible, a meisen blouse.

These pieces and many more, all heading for one of the very best craft shows in the country!

See you there!