the peaceful peacock

I was inspired to write the information about the Symbolism of Peacocks while I was working on a headband for The Shop. Initially, I had planned on a simple floral design painted with wool but when I crocheted the border onto the headband everything changed.

The felted design was lost next to the magnificence of the Himalayan recycled silk yarn, dropping so far into the background that the piece no longer looked harmonious. I set it aside for a day to incubate and my thoughts turned to peacocks.

I wonder what process the Creators were going through when the peacock was brought into fruition? Was it a combination of beautiful parts or was it an idea that was clearly planned? What if this most stunning of creatures was simply a few odds and ends that were incredible on their own but when joined together suddenly didn’t mesh? Maybe it started out as a rather large bird with a rather large tail that just needed…a little something more. “Should we make it blue?”

Out came the beads. I find that there is rarely a problem in my work that can’t be solved with some serious yet tasteful embellishment. Was it the same for the creation of peacocks? “Well, now the tail looks a bit off. Let’s put some things that look like eyes on the tips.”

Almost there. The flowers still drooped into the background. I’ve broken my habit of running to the store whenever an issue like this arises, so I dug into my inventory of trims and decided that a hint of embroidery in gold just might do the trick. I think I must have been a crow in a former life…I have a real affection for shiny things.

“Let’s make it shimmer in the light. Keep going. A little more. Now that’s a bird.”

And that’s a headband, which is of course much more stunning in person.

Though the process was a bit of a reach for me, I instinctively followed the inspiration that was leading me to this point. This little beauty has already been claimed but you can count on more designs featuring my new path of wild abandon. It’s the difference between a peacock and a bird that slightly resembles a turkey.

Follow your bliss. ~Joseph Campbell

I was pretty sure these wouldn’t last very long in The Shop. I don’t even think they were up for twelve hours before finding their loving new home.

Here’s the other one:

Don’t worry, there will be more. Remember the eye popping pink and yellow plaid wool from the Apron Tutorial? It’s making its way into a funky pair of warm and wooly legwarmers lined with a one of a kind vintage floral print as we speak. There’s also a lambswool set featuring some kind of applique or wool painting in the incubation tank…those might be for me though.

And the time has come to begin the work of an actual real live website for The Peaceful Peacock!! This day has been long in the works but I would really like to feature a gallery of work and a clearly defined listing for custom options.

And yes, you can get custom legwarmers. Of course you can. And headbands. And hats. And ornaments. And just about anything else I come up with. And there will be plenty to come as the snow flies and the belly grows, that’s for sure.

I’ll be updating The Shop later today with a couple of items and I’m hoping that the project that this little baby is a part of will be ready as well.

Oh, I am having fun these days. A ruthless purge is indeed good for the soul.

I just updated The Store with a couple of items, one of which is another wool headband.  This one is called “Solstice Sunrise” because it reminded me of a photo that Papa J took on his first visit to Montucky. 

Here is the headband:

And here is its inspiration:

It’s fun making things that remind me of some of our most magical moments.  I’ll definitely be doing more of that!!  There are also a couple of needle felted ornaments listed as of today, but here is a little preview of one in the works:

Of course it’s a peacock.  He still needs some eyes and a couple of finishing touches but he’ll be ready to check into his new abode pretty soon.  Have a wonderful day!!

So I’ve been doing a lot of thinking as I’ve been making all of these baby carriers this month and I’ve come to a few realizations:

• Each one requires a pretty serious commitment of my time–cutting, serging, sewing, topstitching, pressing–and I just can’t compete in an already over-saturated market;
• I’m not having a whole lot of fun making the same thing over and over again;
• And sadly, they’re just not generating much interest.

It’s taken a lot of soul searching to finally come to terms with the fact that I’m going to give up on the idea of making baby carriers.  It’s an idea that I’ve devoted so much of my attention to that it’s difficult to let it go.  In the interest of simplifying our lives a bit however it’s time to accept the fact that my initial idea has failed.

And I’m ok with that.

As the boy grows, I realize that soon he’s going to be just fine walking around on his own, thank you, and I’d like to keep my mind open to the fresh ideas and new opportunities that are sure to be inspired.  I also have one of those personality types where I like the challenge of new things that require a lot of problem solving–once the initial task has been tackled I find myself bored and unable to focus.  I’ve learned through years of experience that it does little good for me to fight this tendency, especially when it comes to my creative abilities.

The purpose of creating a home based business has been for me to have fun while contributing to our family financially–the last thing that I would ever want to burn out on is my sewing.  Sewing has always been my sanctuary, my outlet, my means of communicating what happens in my mind in a tangible way.

And I’m not willing to compromise that energy.

As the Farmers Market winds down, I’ve been doing a lot of research about my plans for my Etsy store.  It has been sorely neglected for the last few months and all I can say right now is that I have plans.  Ok, I’ll spill it.  The plans involve two stores:  one store devoted to my sewing patterns (and items created from the patterns) and one store devoted to well, other stuff.  Other stuff that I’m experimenting with and developing right now.  Eventually I will combine all of my creative efforts into a website where all of the items will be available, but for now Etsy fits the bill just fine.

We’re working to make life a little more simple around here and this will allow me to create some more space in my studio.  I’ve always been so busy trying to find a spot for everything that suddenly the idea of just creating space fascinates me.  Maybe it’s because it’s finally time to babyproof our house?  At the ripe old age of eleven months Nico has finally mastered the art of rolling over.

Crawling is sure to come.  Soon.  And we need to make some room for our little explorer and some extra time for his mama to take him on proper adventures.

Thank you all for the support that you’ve given so generously–there will be more to come!!

The flowers from AnnieDesign are all here!  Cute little buggers, aren’t they?  Finishing this project is at the top of the list for this week.

Since there is no Farmers Market this week (the fair is coming, silly) I am taking this opportunity to catch up on a few ideas and further develop some products in the works already.  Here’s is what you can expect over the next couple of weeks:

• Some information on babywearing as well as a tutorial for how to use an onbuhimo.
• Further development of another aspect of The Peaceful Peacock:  recipes.
• I am diligently working to de-mystify the process of gluten-free cooking for our 10 month old (we have a history of allergies, asthma, and eczema in the family so we are taking all the possible precautions).  This week I’m researching flour substitutes.
• A tutorial on how to make a simple apron from a repurposed skirt.
• Hooking up with SuperJennyLove to get some ideas in motion for The B Team…your Bozeman Etsy Street Team.
• And of course further development on some products:  a pattern for the Slim and Trim Cloth Diapers, the hand-dyed baby wraps, cute and funky aprons, and sweet little clothespin bags.  I’m not promising that all of these things will make it to the next market, but I will certainly try.

In addition, I’d like to say thank you to all of the wonderful folks who stopped by to chat this weekend in the booth–it’s great to connect with so many of you in the community!  Feel free to drop me a line with any questions about the baby carriers, the rick rack tutorial, or whatever else might be on your mind.  For now my family and I are heading out to the hills for a couple of days for some much needed rest and relaxation.