My Hands Still Shake.
Can we all just shiver at how beautiful the following images are about to make you feel? I want to personally thank the amazing photographer, Sabrina Leigh Studios for the gorgeous photos. The chills, the fuzzies, the little hairs on your arms, and the perma-smile as you scroll. Maybe it is just me; I can't help it! Have you ever had a bond with possession? I'm sure with this generation we all have! Those material things we hold so tight and too tightly, almost obsess over - the stuffed animal, a blankie named "Boo," your cell phone that you can't carry over ledges without your heart pounding. Even my soul breaks when someone drops a phone, it's not even my phone, but we both cringe and anticipate the turn over to see whether the screen smashed and life is over, or if it is saved, and we can all breathe again. Our love for our materials is insane.
The depth of love one can have for a single possession is the exact passion I have put into this dress. The love and care I have had in creating this dress. The stress and struggle that the dress and I have faced together. The effort and education that I endured from taking on such a project. This dress has been one of my longest and toughest projects I have ever committed fully too, in my life! Well, maybe my business in general counts as the longest and most difficult project I have endured.
The depth of love one can have for a single possession is the exact passion I have put into this dress. The love and care I have had in creating this dress. The stress and struggle that the dress and I have faced together. The effort and education that I endured from taking on such a project. This dress has been one of my longest and toughest projects I have ever committed fully too, in my life! Well, maybe my business in general counts as the longest and most difficult project I have endured.
Either way, this dress has seen good days and "the struggle." I moved and uprooted my life switching apartments with this dress. I traveled to Mackinaw Island for work with this dress, beading on the boat. I took this dress along to CUSA 2016, beading on the road. I went through a breakup and was able to make a few alterations still and meet with the bride ensuring everything would be okay if even on the inside it wasn't. I ran a jewelry business filling orders, consistently, while making this dress. I taught two courses while making this dress. I worked full-time while making this dress. I worked my A$% off. I followed through when my wellbeing didn't want to move on at times. I finished high and didn't give up. I preserved when sometimes I didn't know what I was doing. I literally "faked it, until I made it." I think that phrase is starting to mean something to me as life throws punches at me. I find myself "faking it" until it's real especially lately. I assumed the position of a fashion designer, and it worked. I was able to complete a masterpiece in 7 months. When you take on a role that hasn't yet been defined or go through an experience that there isn't instruction for or is forced to deal with what life throws your way without a guide or manual - then you make the sh*& up! You keep moving, day by day. When that doesn't work, and I have had to personally do this one, minute by minute because sometimes days seemed too long. Keep going, keep beading, keep swimming.
We move on. We get stronger. We grow. That is why, when someone asks you to create the dress of their dreams, to take visions to paper to fabric to the aisle, it can be a bit intimidating, but you do it. I took it as a joke at first, like a nonchalant "make my wedding dress. Lol. Haha. Hehe". But that is precisely where, Rachel (the bride) and I, meet eye to eye - when it comes to our work, our passions. We are serious as F&*#! Wow uh, I have sworn a lot in this post already. Two reasons: 1. I am strategically choosing the strongest and pain carrying words I know. 2. I am justifying my swearing due to being a Yooper. Meanwhile, two Facebook messages later with Rachel, we were meeting for a consultation and signing of the contract (I made up, "faking it until I make it") for Rachel's Custom Traditionally Beaded dress!
We move on. We get stronger. We grow. That is why, when someone asks you to create the dress of their dreams, to take visions to paper to fabric to the aisle, it can be a bit intimidating, but you do it. I took it as a joke at first, like a nonchalant "make my wedding dress. Lol. Haha. Hehe". But that is precisely where, Rachel (the bride) and I, meet eye to eye - when it comes to our work, our passions. We are serious as F&*#! Wow uh, I have sworn a lot in this post already. Two reasons: 1. I am strategically choosing the strongest and pain carrying words I know. 2. I am justifying my swearing due to being a Yooper. Meanwhile, two Facebook messages later with Rachel, we were meeting for a consultation and signing of the contract (I made up, "faking it until I make it") for Rachel's Custom Traditionally Beaded dress!
I know what it must feel like when musicians hear their music on the radio for the first time. I heard my song playing while she walked down the aisle.
From paper scribbles to sheets of fabric. I designed this dress from scratch, from dreams. I think the hardest part was online shopping for fabric and beads! You think online shopping is hard in general, try finding texture, shades, weight, and size through a screen. Finding the perfect chiffons and silks, plus waiting on shipping handling took about a month or so, was insane. Gathering the materials is the part I now know how to do and will be able to make easier for next time! Shopping for beads was even tougher, I am the type of person who shops for a particular vision, I know what I want in my head. I don't settle for just anything, so finding those grays took a little extra time than expected. I have the process down to an art now; I envision myself doing it again........... someday in the future.
Favorite Fabric and Bead shops:
This dress took two or three drafts, which mean creating the dress in full using cheap fabric and testing the fit. Making sure before chopping into the real fabric, and let me tell you making the first cut into expensive fabric is a heart racer!
People say the journey is just as important as the finished product or something like that. Maybe it's the journey is more important than the ending. Well in this case and in anything I make, the journey and finish product are equally important. I work happily only sharing good vibes in my job. I will never make something sad or angry. I make sure my process isn't tainted with bad energy or negativity. The journey that each piece of jewelry or project goes through before reaching its owner is taken seriously with love and care. I think that's what makes my work unique. I've witness hateful people create, and I've attacked by other designers. I don't get how they do it. I even overly analyze why someone would have even what to build a brand that way. It sounds silly, but I do think it matters. It does to me, and I know my audience would appreciate transparency. I create work I would wear; I would be proud of. What my family would be proud of.
Favorite Fabric and Bead shops:
- Mood Fabrics - best site for quality and fashion fabric's
- Fabric.com - cheap fabrics and great selection
- Joann's Fabric - great for supplies and muslin fabric's
- Fire Mountain Gems - my go to for size 11 Delicas
- Auntie's Beads - great selection of seed beads
This dress took two or three drafts, which mean creating the dress in full using cheap fabric and testing the fit. Making sure before chopping into the real fabric, and let me tell you making the first cut into expensive fabric is a heart racer!
People say the journey is just as important as the finished product or something like that. Maybe it's the journey is more important than the ending. Well in this case and in anything I make, the journey and finish product are equally important. I work happily only sharing good vibes in my job. I will never make something sad or angry. I make sure my process isn't tainted with bad energy or negativity. The journey that each piece of jewelry or project goes through before reaching its owner is taken seriously with love and care. I think that's what makes my work unique. I've witness hateful people create, and I've attacked by other designers. I don't get how they do it. I even overly analyze why someone would have even what to build a brand that way. It sounds silly, but I do think it matters. It does to me, and I know my audience would appreciate transparency. I create work I would wear; I would be proud of. What my family would be proud of.
The back still surprises me! I stared at it so long, I still can't believe it. A gorgeous woman, in a gorgeous dress!
I love even more when artists work together, Rachel for her vision and Sabrina Leigh Studios for her eye. These black and white images are incredible.
Photographer: Sabrina Leigh Studios
Ceremony: "The Brown House"
Reception: Whirl-i-gig
Florist: Cindy Powell
Caterer: The Dog Father
Cake Artist: Cindy's Sweets
Hair: Erin Connor
Makeup - Gisele Ryan
Dress: Tashina Lee Emery Designs
Photographer: Sabrina Leigh Studios
Ceremony: "The Brown House"
Reception: Whirl-i-gig
Florist: Cindy Powell
Caterer: The Dog Father
Cake Artist: Cindy's Sweets
Hair: Erin Connor
Makeup - Gisele Ryan
Dress: Tashina Lee Emery Designs
Thank you again, Rachel for putting your faith in my work and what I do. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about myself and my process. I was able to take away so much from the experience alone. I am so happy for you. Congrats again!! Your fairy tale is just beginning; I am so incredibly happy for the Lamson's.
I will continue in creating unique work -
For serious inquiries email below.
Miiqwetch
For serious inquiries email below.
Miiqwetch
