Anime North and the Aftermath (iPad)...

Before I went off to Anime North I had conned my sister into pretending to be me so that she could buy the iPad for my significant other for his Birthday (far far away in October). It worked, we got the iPad and this is me holding the glorious piece of technology:

I look grimy in that picture. But, I had just arrived home with two freaking huge pieces of luggage. Left the rest at my ‘rents condo.

Anime North was…let me keep it short. Beyond stressful. There were times I wanted to break down crying. I was at such a shit location in the Crafters Corner. But, in the end it seemed worthwhile enough to pursue the whole venture again next year. My mom’s amigurumi was really pretty and sold quite well. Competition was furious. And, I AM IN LOVE WITH THE MORI GIRL TABLE BEHIND US. So, in love that I dream of gnome wristlets every night. I want to make one but at the same time I want to support them. BWHA.

I’ll be spending the next few days updating everything from the Marionette Wordpress, my own Noir et Ofelia design Blogspot, the Facebook fan page, and getting together with my counterpart, Aya to get things sorted out. My mom and I will also be working on her Etsy, Mommigurumi and some new designs for Ofelia Ljuv. I’ve decided that purely amigurumi while anything that I specifically request will go to me - acorns, strawberries, and such for fashion are mines.

I’ll make a picture post soon. I didn’t bring my camera from my hotel room to take any pictures. My friend, Emily, has all of them.

Partnerships.

Partnerships are complicated.

Recently, I have been having a lot of trouble with a number of these in my life. Personal and Business. Don’t get me wrong - I see the benefit of having a business partner but at the same time sometimes I think I could just go Solo. I love my Business partner - where I have for at least a year lost touch with a close friend I gained her. But, there are so many issues surrounding her that I have no control over and wish I could help her out with more. We both have agreed that while we are at the same life-stages that our personal lives have interfered with our potential business many times. At the same time, in a business one must always be on an equal footing.

We’ve had a tough year. Not as bad as last year - but, starting up has been difficult. I can tell you right now that doing the Pacific Mall lockerbox was a complete failure. It was a waste of at least $85-$110 dollars and time that I can never get back. The only things I’ve learned is that:

- I have to watch out for product overlap and trends

- Asians paid BELOW minimum wage never try to sell the product or get to know the product at Pmall. They just sit there and surf the internet.

- Never invest in something when someone can’t tell you what sells here best or tell you about clientele.

- I hate FOBS more then ever and I enjoy haggling because I don’t want them to rip me off again.

Also, my partner has enthusiasm, street-smarts, a good eye, and haggles like a fishmonger. But, she has little skill for this kind of DIY business. She can learn - but I cannot stress more then ever that one has to push themselves. I wish she’d do that more often. I can’t really complain about recent times - she’s starting to get right on the ball now. But, there are times when the stress of passing on knowledge just confounds me. She wants to resell. I want to create. Two opposing forces.

It’s complicated. However, I am sure we can find a happy medium one day - soon, I hope. There are times, I wish I had come into this with her more trained in design and sewing. It’s hard to teach someone design. You have to have a knack or know how to uncover a cycle of chaos and make it work. I have this and the skill to break things down in my head. My partner - design needs a lot of work. She knows what can look good but she has to stick to what she feels is her genre and what makes her tick. I cannot stress this more then enough. Sewing, however, is a skill she can learn. But, I can’t teach everything. Both of us are considering night school for it soon.

Also, I really want to take some silkscreen classes at Peach Berserk downtown on Queen. But, I keep getting thoughts of learning Photoshop (now that I have the latest version, thank you - PF!) and hand-painting my own designs then sending them to Spoonflower to be printed on Cotton Sateen. Expensive but less work and waste then me doing Silkscreening at home.

Thoughts?

Sickness, Stress, Strife, and Sewing.

I haven’t updated in a while. I apologize.

But, I have been really really sick. Nothing life threatening - but the sickest I’ve ever been in at least several years. So sick, that I had lost my sense of taste, smell, and some of my hearing for at least a couple of days. Totally freaked me out. Then, my hormones were playing games with me which coupled to a minor disaster of a nervous breakdown. I’ve actually coughed and blown out enough mucous to literally fill a tissue pile the size of those spring water jugs that sit in office watering machines. Gross. And, that was only less then a week. Man, I went down real hard.

That aside, I finally caved after discovering that the horrid feeling (since I could barely taste it but god - THE BURN was similar to downing vodka) Buckley’s I was taking for a couple of days wasn’t really effective - which possibly could have had it’s remediating properties blocked by the litres of tea I was consuming. I gave in and bought $14 Tylenol Cold Plus - Mucous Relief at Shopper’s. God, and fuck it worked. I FINALLY FEEL NORMAL AGAIN.

I don’t think I could go through the hell of being this sick again. NEVER have I ever felt so miserable at losing most of the 3 senses I have enjoyed using. To only taste texture for three days and smell nothing is just…heartbreaking. I always use my sense of smell. It tells me if something is going to rot, if my plants have fungal mould on their roots, if something will sprout from the potatoes I am going to boil, if the dog peed somewhere in the living room, if I had burnt something while cooking… I couldn’t even cook because I couldn’t smell or taste. Devastating! Not that I wanted to cook. But the thought of not being able to do it again. Eek.

I hope I can get over this ASAP. I haven’t been working because of it and I have work to go to in 12 hours time. Also, I have to work really really hard on my last minute sewing with Marionette’s upcoming selling gig at Anime North 2010. To be honest, the crowd isn’t what I like but there is an opportunity not to be missed. So far, I am 95% done all my jewelry sets. I just have to work on a few more dim sum series earrings (at leat 15 pairs of gyoza, 10 pairs of onigiri, and 10 banana brooches). I’ve created a new Blogspot for my own creations under Marionette. Titled Noir et Ofelia which will cover my own creations separate from partner, Aya’s stuff. I feel that I have more control over what I like to do with having a separate Blog. Wordpress is nice but Blogspot seems to have more versatility.

Lately, there have been some ugly truths revealed in my life. Things, that I haven’t known, noticed, or otherwise may have ignored. I am naive at heart and would like to hope that we can all be friends - but why is it that people have to be a certain way to other people and other ways to different people. Why do people have to back-stab? Back-talk? Gossip? Ignore? Favour? It’s just so complicated. But, I know one thing for sure - things like this tell me who my friends truly are. It’s nice to know that someone I’ve had since the beginning of time is still who I can always count on in times of need. I am so grateful for you. For your insight and truth. :) You know who you are.

I am working on skirts and such also. I’ve not finished one completely but this week will be all about pushing my limits and sewing like a madwoman. I won’t be focusing too much on OTT accessories. I’ll do simple ones…but, I know headdresses there is much too big of an overlap with other people. Jewelry, accessories, and some headpieces will be a must. Luckypacks? Those will be last minute. :) Since, I will be technically the only person sewing clothes this time around. But, I have ideas as to a under-garment Luckypack.

Loving this.

So, finally got around to picture whoring my boots and newly bought XXI Chantilly lace skirt. This was totally worth the $130 + tax. While, they still do need some breaking into to get rid of stiffness, wearing them makes me feel so sleek and the fact the tops can fold down is a BONUS. Two looks in one. I am now tempted to get the dusky grey-brown ones because of this all. But, I recently visited Aldo (partially due to their Winter Sale on Boots) and noticed a pair of classic looking Western leather boots for $140 in tan brown that looked like prospective future buys.

I also attended a Lolita Meet-Up recently and this is what I wore. The Baby the Stars Shine Bright Circus Tutu skirt is from one of my bestfriend’s, Aya, who bought it for me for $190 USD as a present. Thanks, doll. I love it SOOOO much!

Recent forays into Fabricland yielded some interesting finds in their Spring fabric selection. The flower print was part of their new Spring selection. A fine, almost see-through sateen-like finished cotton voile. Beautiful, and with my membership $9/meter. Will get some once I get through more of my fabric stash. They for some reason remind me to Otome brand fabrics - I can see them used in a classical manner with a modern touch.

Speaking of otome fashions. I made a recent attempt a few days ago to make a dress that reminded me of Emily Temple Cute style dresses. That pink two, tiered embroidered hem dress is my creation. The pattern however, needs some excessive tweaking:

1. Lengthen bodice.

2. The pattern does not accommodate for lining - thus, I made a lot of mistakes. I need to re-think of how I do the lining (as it was my first time fully lining a dress).

3. The bodice may need more ruffling room - so increase width of bodice.

4. Don’t make a zipper for the dress anymore since I used elastic for the backing.

5. Attempt full-elastic waist (the 3rd dress after).

Then, Claire’s has also started selling their franchised line of Alice in Wonderland items. These are absolutely lovely! Teapot, saucer, and teacup necklaces. Key necklaces… Drink Me bottle necklaces. PURE LOVE. I would buy them if my Visa bill wasn’t edging on the border of real debt. Of this new collection. I bought the socks. They are actually AP-replicas (see above for pictures of the socks). For $9.75/ pair they are pretty good compared to brand socks. The only thing is that they are on the thin side.

Boots boots boots

My willpower for pretty things is close to zero.

I caved yesterday and bought the lovely Steve Madden thigh-hi (or is it over-the-knee?) boots for $130 before taxes. I simply couldn’t wait until Friday - which happens to also be payday. Perhaps, one of the very last paycheques where I will be able to afford something like this. But, in my opinion it was a necessary buy. I needed boots to stomp in especially after my Lovelyshoes.net boots broke on me within a month and a half. Never buying cheap again when it comes to shoes (unless they are flats). They simply don’t last. The older I get the more I realize the value of paying more for quality. Even with clothes…

I am not really a person who shapes my wardrobe around fast fashions. But, there are certain things I will buy without hesitation if I think I will wear it often and I will love it to death. Lately, Forever21 has had some nice items. For example, I bought this Chantilly lace skirt. I love the look of Chantilly lace and I liked the fact that it suited the more feminine side of me emerging from the depths of my…personality. Lately, I have been more drawn towards more classical, feminine, and natural designs.

I will adding these into my designs of the late. Will be finishing my Sew_loli SEAMSTRESS SWAP items today. Wish me luck, I still need to buy those Swarvoski crystals.