Urban Fiber Studio

I’m an eternal optimist. A glass half full kinda gal. A believer of Joyfulness. Always have been. Always hope to be. Yes, I know, hope is not a strategy. It is a state of mind. Optimism, joyfulness and hope that is. So what do they have to do with the serious radio silence?

A. lot.

Let’s just say my eternal optimism took a brief sabbatical. We parted company around December. ‘Bout the time I had to help a client place its U.S. operations on hold and wind down the office, which included myself and others. I’ve been on a personal journey of rediscovering all of them since that completed in January. I’m happy to report. The are back! Optimism, Joy and Hope. They were helped along by friends (near and far!), T, family and an amazing eBook by local Portland artist, Kelly Rae Roberts, Flying Lessons: Tips + Tricks to Help Your Creative Business Soar.

While I will continue to look for work and do consulting work with amazing people, I had an epiphany that its essential for me to begin to really honor my love and passion for my creative textiles endeavors. And no, Nihon Vogue doesn’t count these days. That’s work. Love it. But its work!

I realized in the last months I’ve missed the creative flow that designing knitting and Art Quilts evoke for and in me. The process of dreaming, sketching and creating actually informs all parts of my life, including my love of creating with words. Would it be kitschy to say, that when it all comes together, I feel absolute Joy! (OK, maybe a bit. Kitschy.). But it’s true. It does.

Welcome. Back. Joy.

The last several weeks of evenings and weekends have been filled walking down the professional crafter side of me: I’ve been swatching, creating, and designing something fierce. I’m also working on a new brand identity for The Studio. One that’s a bit more hip, modern, free flowing and fun. I don’t think I’ll pursue this passion full-time in the near fun, but I can do it at a pace that suits me, in the time that works for me.

Below are some sneak peaks of what’s been inspiring me in Portland and The Studio.

Studio Happenings

Possible S/S 2013 Inspiration Board

Black & White Art Quilt Experiment

Ideas and Projects in Progress

I’ve been pretty silent on the blog front this year. I’ve been reflecting on a lot of things and felt that quiet was better than too much. I’m a bit of an introvert and sensitive to the power of the internet and words. I firmly believe some things in life are meant to bubble inside vs. full on public. At least for me.

All in all, it’s been a big year since last Thanksgiving. I sold my home, moved in with T. Then we moved again in the Spring to a larger rental. Began Nihon Vogue Level II. Moved my home office into a offsite studio/office as the marketing and sales side of the business grew. And started to sell my designs as kits and patterns as well as started teaching again.

As we head into the New Year, T and I our tackling our spring-cleaning this fall. We’ve been ruthlessly selling furniture that’s been sitting in the basement for six months. We’ve agreed that we’re never going to use much of it, so why not pass it on to someone that will. We’ve each parted with some things near and dear to our hearts as we’ve combined households. I’ve sold the drafting table and chair to a Graduate Architecture student for less than a tank of gas, but the look on his face was worth it!

PS: I kept the light. PPS: Old home office.

T has sold his beloved couch so that I can actually sit on a couch and enjoy the living room with him. My dining table set is on Craigslist as is my box spring for the bed. It’s all good.

I’m also ruthlessly purging my book collection to be taken to Powell’s resale. I’ve been noting what I really use as reference material or go back to time-after-time for design inspiration and perspective. I think I’m almost on the last load.

I’ve also been rethinking my work space at home. It’s in its second phase after this weekend. One more phase to go. No major changes at this stage, just some small additions. I’m really enjoying a minimalist feel and want to keep it that way.

We moved the couch that was against this wall out to the Living Room. I then moved these two bookshelves from the opposite wall so that I can walk into my studio and be inspired the minute I set foot into it. This photo was taken before the most recent book purge. I’ve opened up several new cubicles and brought my fabric and yarns I’m swathcing with out in the open. Very Feng Shui.

Moving the two book shelves opened up a 12-foot wall. I’ve ordered a Linen Pinboard system to hang on the open space next to the door. I miss having a space to pin swatches and work in progress to see what is what. I’ll move the retro original cigarette ad print above my desk when it arrives. Yes, we have a lot of books. Many I inherited or have collected over the last two decades. Some are also T’s. We truly use them all.

We moved this four foot butcher block table up from downstairs to serve as an office desk/sewing table until the six foot birch butcher block table as soon as it’s in stock at IKEA. Given our space issues, I’ll swap out the sewing machine for the laptop as needed. I placed the table next to the window for lots of light. I’m thinking to keep the space above the desk clean, with just the print above it. Any big projects for cutting will be done on the floor or moved out to our 12 foot long dining room table.

I’ve also been going through closets for clothes for Goodwill and yarn (I don’t have much) to be gifted to friends. The left over will go to several shelters that supply the homeless with yarn to knit and crotchet with.

Work wise, we’re gearing up for 2012 planning and setting goals and finalizing contracts. Always a good feeling. I anticipate it will be another tough year.

I also feel incredibly fortunate that T continues to support this journey and starting a business during such difficult times. The fact that I’ve completely taken over the second bedroom for a home creative/work space with his help is priceless..

I’m also actively taking time to thoughtfully work on Nihon Vogue; exploring my own design process (and recording it) and work on new knitting patterns and ideas with fabric for 2012. I’ll be launching some new designs here at Urban Fiber, The Studio in 2012 that I’m really excited about. I’ll also be getting back into actively tracking and sharing my Nihon Vogue and teaching and design experience with words in 2012.. Something I’ve not honored for a good couple of years now. It’s time to get back on that wagon.

That’s all for now. I need to get back to finishing up the closet purge and organizing.