The American Craft Council online show was not a normal show where I packed my suitcases, flew to a new city, set up a booth and showed off my clothes to new friends and old. Instead, I stayed right here in my studio, in front of my computer and set up an online shop. No days packing and flying and setting up a booth, instead I spent time exercising my brain with a new online platform. This is my 3rd online store and each system is completely different. What works in one doesn’t in another. The process of setting each up has always been the same. At first it is beyond frustrating. Nothing works. I can’t remember what I was taught in the zoom meeting. My notes are indecipherable, “I can do it- lots & items/ edit/ status sold.” What does that mean??? I try and try again. I keep thinking, others have done this, I should be able too. Eventually, slowly, it comes together.

After many hours of trials and errors, things start to fall in place. I begin to figure it out. I keep at it and eventually, all my pictures are loaded, the descriptions of each item is in place and my page/ shop/ store looks pretty good. At that point, and this happens every time, I am ecstatic! I am beyond empowered. I dance around and punch the air. I have battled the computer and its cold, inflexible ways and I have won! Or at least I have bent my brain so that it syncs up with its cold, inflexible ways.

One good thing about an online show, I can keep sewing until the very last minute. A day before the show started, I finished this jacket. I sewed on the last button, photographed it and loaded the pictures into my ACC Craft Council shop page. Whew!

It’s pieced with whites and brightly colored squares, all kimono silk.

A detail.

Then, after it’s all is set up and ready to go, I wait. No planes, no hotels, no jet lag. Instead I’m right here, sometimes still in my bathrobe, answering emails, confirming sales and packaging items in the handy USPS priority mail boxes.

Jackets and hitoes found homes and lots of scarves, which are perfect for online shopping. There are zero concerns with fit. One size really and truly fits all. Just drape it around your shoulders and you are good to go.

After the show, I spent some time updating my webshop, removing the sold pieces and adding in new. Including these brand new scarves.

They started with an old, badly stained and unwearable kimono. I cut away the discolored parts and was left with these cool, fractured images, pieces of cranes, pine trees and bamboo branches.

I also added in this hitoe, a pretty blue with a so very cool village design.

At first glance it’s a geometric design, then a closer look and you cans see the houses and buildings.

I also added this Lotus top, an unlined tunic length blouse, in a gorgeous dark, dark chocolate brown silk with painted maple leaves scattered about.

Please check my shop out to see these and more new work, here.

That was how I spent my time during the last few weeks, head bent over the computer, quick trips to the post office and finishing new pieces. Online shows are a pretty good substitute during our covid lockdown. I am not complaining, but I do miss interacting with people, talking to them, getting to know them and helping them find exactly the right thing. I can’t wait until we’re back to in person shows!