I'M DREAMING OF A "GREEN" CHRISTMAS!!

I'M DREAMING OF A "GREEN" CHRISTMAS

AS THIS IS THE FIRST CHRISTMAS THAT I'VE BEEN SELLING ON ETSY, WHERE I ACTUALLY FEEL AS THOUGH I'M GETTING THE HANG OF SELLING ONLINE, I THOUGHT I'D SHARE A FEW INSIGHTS THAT I'VE LEARNED IN THIS FIST YEAR!

RULE #1:

TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS LIKE GOLD, AND LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR SALE.

RULE#2:

RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU ARE NOTFIIED OF A SALE! DON'T LET DAYS GO BY WITHOUT CHECKING YOUR ETSY SALE EMAIL NOTICES! SEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU NOTE IMMEDIATELY, WITH A PROJECTED DELIVERY DATE.

RULE#3:

CONFIRM THE DELIVERY DATE THE DAY YOU SHIP. YOUR SHIPPING COMPANY, OR USPS ARE PRETTY ACCURATE IN THEIR PROJECTED DELIVERY DATES.

RULE#4:

REMEMBER TO INCLUDE AN APARTMENT NUMBER IF THERE IS ONE, OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE THE PACKAGE RETURNED TO YOU FOR INSUFFICIENT ADDRESS, AND THAT CAN REALLY DISAPPOINT YOUR CUSTOMER!! (IT HAPPENED TO ME!!)

RULE #5

ALWAYS INCLUDE AN ATTRACTIVE THANK YOU CARD, AND A BRIEF NOTE IN YOUR PACKAGING BEFORE YOU SEAL UP THE BOX! ALSO INCLUDE A FEW BUSINESS CARDS AND ENCOURAGE THE CUSTOMER TO SHARE THEM! WORD OF MOUTH IS THE BEST ADVERTISING!

RULE#6

NEVER PROMISE A CUSTOMER SOMETHING YOU AREN'T SURE YOU CAN PRODUCE!!

BETTER TO GIVE A LATER PROJECTED DELIVERY DATE, THAN TO HAVE THEM WAITING, AND WAITING!!

RULE#7

NEVER RELIST A SOLD ITEM UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOU CAN REPRODUCE IT WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME, AND CAN DO IT IN THE SAME MATERIALS!! IF THERE WILL BE SLIGHT VARIATIONS IN A REPRODUCED PIECE, MAKE THAT CLEAR IN YOUR DESCRIPTION.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ADD A BIT OF PRAISE TO YOUR CUSTOMER FOR BUYING HANDMADE. REMIND THEM THAT BUYING HANDMADE ITEMS IS THE "GREEN" THING TO DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!! SMALL COTTAGE INDUSTRY MADE GOODS, AND INDIVIDUALLY HANDMADE ITEMS, LEAVE LITTLE OR NO CARBON FOOTPRINT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, AS MASS PRODUCTION DOES!

WHILE BUYING HANDMADE DOESN'T PROVIDE LOTS OF JOBS, IT LEAVES JOBS FOR THOSE WHO WANT AND NEED THEM.

SO, I HOPE YOU WILL THINK "GREEN" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND TAKE A PEEK AT SOME OF THE NEW AND BEAUTIFUL GIFT IDEAS I'M OFFERING IN MY ETSY SHOP, THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO. TO GET THERE, WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT YOU'LL SEE!!

RULE#8

ENCOURAGE AND REMIND YOUR CUSTOMER TO LEAVE YOU FEEDBACK ON YOUR ETSY SITE. LET THEM KNOW THAT IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ONLINE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, BOTH FOR YOU, THE SELLER, FUTURE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR SHOP, AND FOR ETSY AS A SAFE PLACE TO SHOP.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND HATS OFF TO YOU!!

THE SCOTLAND COLLECTION OF CLOCHES AND MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

THE SCOTLAND COLLECTION AND MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

AFTER A TRIP TO THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND IN 1995, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN EVEN THE MOST FLEETING IMPRESSION THAT THIS GORGEOUS COUNTRY HAS LEFT ON ME.

IT'S TUMULTOUS HISTORY, POETRY, LITERATURE, INVENTORS, CASTLES, ABBEYS, TAPESTRIES, LANDSCAPES, BAGPIPES, TARTANS, AND AMBIENCE, IS SO INTOXICATING!!

THOSE IMPRESSIONS HAVE BEEN IN CREATIVE GESTATION

FOR 14 YEARS!

FINALLY I HAVE FOUND A WAY TO HONOR THOSE PRECIOUS MEMORIES IN A COLLECTION OF HATS, INDICATIVE OF MY OTHER OBSESSION.

I HAVE CHOSEN THE TIMELESS SHAPE OF THE CLOCHE HAT, ON WHICH TO APPLY THAT AMBIENCE, IN THE FORM OF RICH DETAILS OF THOSE GLORIOUS OLD MEDIEVAL TAPESTRIES, DAMASKS, BROCADES, SUMPTUOUS VELVETS, ANTIQUE LACE, TASSELS, FEATHERS, PEARLS, CORDING, AND ORNAMENTAL BROOCHES.

HERE YOU WILL SEE THE EVOLUTION OF THE COLLECTION AS IT MOVES FROM THE PLAINER SCOTLAND COLLECTION, WITH IT'S HARRIS TWEEDS, HERRINGBONE WOOL, FELTED WOOLS, CLAN TARTANS, HERALDIC BUTTONS AND BROOCHES, AND FEATHERS, TO THE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS COLLECTION.

IN HONOR OF THE WOMAN WHO SHOULD HAVE OCCUPIED THE SCOTTISH THRONE, BUT INSTEAD, LOST HER HEAD TO HER MORE POWERFUL COUSIN,

QUEEN ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND, I HAVE FAITHFULLY RENDERED THIS COLLECTION IN THE FABRICATIONS AND DETAILS THAT WOULD BE FITTING TO HER MEMORY.

AS THE QUEEN MARY COLLECTION EVOLVES, I WILL NO DOUBT INDULGE THE AUTHENTICITY THAT IS THE 1500's, AND REPLICATE THE DESIGNS IN THE HAT STYLES OF THE ERA. THOUGH MY AUDIENCE OF BUYERS MAY BE SMALLER, I CANNOT CONSIDER THE COLLECTION COMPLETE WITHOUT PAYING FULL ATTRIBUTION TO THE COSTUME OF THE DAY. FOR THE REST OF MY AUDIENCE, I WILL BE ALLUDING TO THOSE RICH DETAILS IN THE MORE WEARABLE CLOCHE STYLE.

I HOPE YOU WILL STAY CONNECTED AND WATCH THIS COLLECTION TAKE SHAPE, AND SEE ITS' PROGRESSION.

I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE I WILL END UP WITH IT. IT IS A MYSTERIOUS RIDE, THIS WONDEROUS PROCESS CALLED CREATIVITY. I AM LITERALLY TRANSPORTED OUT OF TIME AND PLACE WHEN I AM WORKING. AND FOR NOW, THAT MEANS THE 1500'S!

THE THIRD HAT IN THE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS COLLECTION IS ALREADY INCUBATING. DUNDRENNAN ABBEY IS IN PROCESS, IN HONOR OF THE LAST PLACE SHE STAYED IN SOLWAY, BEFORE SHE SURRENDERED HERSELF TO HER COUSIN.

QUEEN MARY WAS PROMPTLY IMPRISONED FOR 19 YEARS, UNTIL HER EXECUTION

AT FOTHERINGAY CASTLE ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 1587.

IN MY TRAVELS TO SCOTLAND IN 1995, IN SOLWAY, I WALKED THROUGH THE RUINS OF DUNDRENNAN ABBEY, TOOK SOME STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, AND RUMINATED ON WHAT HER LAST DAYS OF FREEDOM MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE BEFORE SHE CROSSED THE FIRTH OF SOLWAY INTO ENGLAND.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG AND THE COLLECTIONS.

HATS OFF TO YOU!!

ELSIE COLLINS/THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO

WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM

THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE CLASSIC CLOCHE

THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE CLASSIC CLOCHE

AFTER THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, MILLINERY FASHION EVOLVED DRAMATICALLY, AS DID HEMLINES, SILHOUETTES, AND HAIRSTYLES.

TRUE TO THE ADAGE THAT "FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION"

THE DESIGN AND SHAPES OF HATS FOLLOWED THE CUT OF WOMAN'S HAIRSTYLES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE 1700'S A HAIRDO CALLED THE APOLLO'S KNOT, WHICH WAS A 'DO THAT PULLED THE HAIR UP INTO A TIGHT AND QUITE HIGH KNOT THAT SAT ON TOP OF THE HEAD.  RINGLETTES OF CURLS USUALLY FRAMED THE FORHEAD.

THIS HAIRSTYLE NECESSITATED AN ACCOMODATING HAT THAT DID NOT MUSS THE KNOT.  THE POKE BONNET WAS THE ANSWER, WITH A VERY HIGH AND NEARLY VERTICLE CROWN, USUALLY IN ITALIAN LEGHORN STRAW FOR SUMMER, AND WOOL AND SILK FOR WINTER. THE BRIM ALSO STOOD NEARLY VERTICAL SO AS NOT TO BLOCK THE WEARERS VIEW.

LARGE BRIMS STILL RETAINED THEIR POPULARITY THROUGHOUT THE VICTORIAN AND EDWARDIAN ERAS, WHICH PAID HOMAGE TO THE "REMBRANDT" HAT.  THIS GORGEOUS HAT WAS OFTEN HEAVILY LADEN WITH PLUMAGE, AND COULD BE AS WIDE AS 2.5 FEET IN DIAMETER.

BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, AND WITH THE EXCITING TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SILENT MOVIES,  FASHION NOW HAD A NEW SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.  THE "CAVALIER" HAT, WHICH WAS A BI-CORN, AND SOMETIMES A TR-CORN DESIGN, WAS MADE POPULAR BY THE HIT MOVIE OF 1921, "THE THREE MUSKETEERS" STARRING THE DASHING DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS.

BY 1915 THE ROLLED BACK BRIM WAS STILL DE RIGUER, AND MADE IT'S WAY ONTO THE EVOVLING CLOCHE.  AS THE TWENTIES PROGRESSED, AND HAIRSTYLES INCLUDED THE "BOB", AND THE "SHINGLE" CUTS, CLOCHE HATS BEGAN TO STREAMLINE AND RESEMBLE HELMETS.  THE SHORTEST BOBS OCCCURED BY 1927, THE YEAR THAT CHARLES LINDBERG MADE HIS DARING SOLO FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.  THE SUBSEQUENT STREAMLINED, ART-DECO STYLE THAT EVOLVED WAS KNOWN AS THE "LUCKY LINDY" CAP.  THE LUCKY LINDY CAP WENT THROUGH IT'S FAD WITH WINGS, MUCH  LIKE THE HEAD OF THE GREEK GOD OF MESSENGERS, MERCURY.  IT ALSO INCLUDED OUTRAGEOUS DETAILS LIKE FINS AND EVEN PROPELLERS!!  IMAGINE THAT HAT IN SILVER LAMEE'!!!

BY THE 1930'S THE DEPTH OF THE CLOCHE CROWN BEGAN TO GET MORE SHALLOW, ALLOWING FOR THE NEW PERMANANT WAVE HAIRDOS.  THE EARS AND CURLS NOW SHOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE HATS.  EARRINGS GAINED MORE IMPORTANCE AS A FASHION ACCESSORY. 

THE BRIM MADE IT'S WAY BACK FROM THE NEARLY BRIMLESS HELMETS OF THE LATE 20'S.  CLEVER PATTERNS WERE WORKED IN STRIPES AND STRAW WAS BEING "SCULTPED" INTO JAUNTY LITTLE STYLES THAT SAT FORWARD OF THE HAIRLINE. SEE  THE ACCOMPANYING PICTURES THAT ILLUSTRATE THESE, THAT I FOUND IN MY COLLECTION OF OLD HAPER'S BAZAAR MAGAZINES, FROM 1936-1941.

OF THE DESIGNERS MAKING THE MOST OF THE BURGEONING MILLINERY INDUSTRY, COCO CHANEL TOPPED THE LIST.  SHE WAS NOT, HOWEVER, WITHOUT VERY STIFF COMPETITION.  SHE HAD TO CONTEND WITH HER PARISIAN COUNTERPARTS LIKE  THE GREAT COUTURIERE' PAUL POIRET, JEAN PATOU, LUCILLE,  AND NONE OTHER THAN THE GENIOUS OF MADELINE VIONNET.  

IN MY ONGOING EFFORT TO CLARIFY THE MISCONCEPTION, A WORD ABOUT MME. VIONNET.  SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE BIAS CUT IN HER CLOTHING DESIGNS, BUT IT WAS THE GENIOUS AND INNOVATIVE CHARLES FREDERICK WORTH WHO DISCOVERED AND INVENTED THE BIAS CUT IN AROUND THE 1850'S.  MORE ON MSR.'S HOUSE OF WORTH IN ANOTHER BLOG.  

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF "BIAS CUT", IT IS SIMPLY THE DIAGONAL DIRECTION OF FABRIC, WHICH WHEN A GARMENT PATTERN IS PLACED AND CUT IN THAT DIRECTION, CAUSES THE FABRIC TO STRETCH AND DRAPE LIKE NOTHING ELSE.  THINK JEAN HARLOW IN A SLINKY, SECOND SKIN GOWN OF WHITE SILK CHARMEUSE!!

MME. GABRIELLE "COCO" CHANEL GOT HER START AS A MILLINER, AND LEARNED TO SEW LINGERIE IN A FRENCH ORPAHNAGE.  GROWING UP IN MEAN SURROUNDINGS, SHE HAD TO RELY ON HER CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY TO SURVIVE.  MORE ON MME. CHANEL IN A LATER BLOG.

FOR THE LATEST IN CLOCHES, PLEASE STOP BY WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF MY FALL '09 PREVIEW COLLECTION.

  HATS OFF TO YOU!!

    ELSIE COLLINS/THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO

CRAZY FOR HATS SNEAK PEEK FOR FALL '09!!

    

           I WAS GOING TO SAVE THIS NEW BLOG FOR MY BI-WEEKLY ENTRY, BUT JUST GOT SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW CREATION, THAT I'M SENDING IT OUT A BIT EARLY. HERE ON THE EAST COAST IN THE USA, WE ARE CHEERING ON THE SUMMER SOLSTICE TOMORROW! DOESN'T FEEL MUCH LIKE SUMMER WITH ALL THE RAIN WE'VE HAD! BUT, I'M IN FALL '09 MODE, AND REVING UP MY LINE FOR THE SCITUATE ART FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER, AND FOR MY AUSTRALIAN AUDIENCE, WHO ABOUT NOW, ARE PULLING OUT THEIR WINTER CLOTHES. 

I WILL BE DOING A PLANNED ENTRY SHORTLY AFTER THIS ONE ON 

THE "HISTORY OF THE CLOCHE", BUT FOR NOW, WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE PROCESS OF MAKING THIS NEW CREATION.  

THIS HAT IS 100% WOOL, WHICH I HAVE WASHED AND DRYED TO MAKE THE WOOL FELT INTO A THICKER , MORE HAT-LIKE FABRIC.  IT ALSO MAKES THE FABRIC DENSER, THUS MAKING THE HAT WARMER.  I'VE USED A FLANNEL BACKED LINING, WHICH ADDS STILL MORE WARMTH. 

YOU WILL ALSO SEE THE MUSLIN CROWN THAT I MADE FROM THE PATTERN, WHICH IS THE WORKING MODEL USED TO PERFECT THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE HAT. 

AFTER THE HAT IS MADE AND LINED, THE REST OF THE HAT IS ALL HAND-FINISHED.

MY FAVORITE PART OF MILLINERY IS THE FROSTING OF THE HAT.  

THE DECORATION PART OF THE PROCESS IS LIKE EATING CHOCOLATE TO ME!!

THUS, THE TRIMMING FABRIC IS WHAT INSPIRED THIS HAT, AS DOES MOST OF THE HATS I MAKE.  IT'S THE FABRIC THAT SPEAKS TO ME AND IT TELLS ME WHAT IT WANTS TO BECOME.

THE TRIM FABRIC IS A LOVELY, DRAPEY, WOOL BLEND JERSEY IN A GORGEOUS PURPLE, BLACK, AND GRAY ABSTRACT PATTERN, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 

DE RIGUER IN THE 1920's. 

THERE WILL BE MANY MORE CLOCHES TO COME WITH COUNTLESS 

VARIATIONS AND FABRICATIONS.  

TO VIEW OR PURCHASE ANY OF THE BEGINNINGS OF MY FALL '09 LINE, PLEASE STOP

 IN TO MY ETSY SHOP  AT WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM

AND DON'T FORGET TO STOP BACK HERE FOR "THE HISTORY OF THE CLOCHE"

WHEN I'LL BE UPLOADING PHOTOS OF MY OWN COLLECTION, AND SOME  REPRINTS OF PICTURES FROM HARPERS BAZAAR FROM THE 1930's!!!

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THAT!!

HATS OFF TO YOU!!

ELSIE COLLINS/THISTLECOTTAGE

WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM

CRAZY ABOUT HATS!!

I'M CRAZY ABOUT HATS!!!

I CAN'T SEEM TO STOP COLLECTING THEM!!  AT PRESENT, I OWN ABOUT 75 HATS FROM THE 1920'S UP TO 1960.  THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PERIOD REPRODUCTIONS I'VE MADE FOR THE THEATER.  

I JUST AQUIRED ANOTHER LITTLE SWEETIE YESTERDAY AT A CHURCH THRIFT SHOP IN GREENVILLE, RI, FOR $1.00!!  IT'S CA. 1950'S,VERY "I LOVE LUCY", IN YELLOW WITH CREAM STRAW.  A JULIETTE STYLE CAP, WITH UNDULATING WAVEY EDGES, AND A REMNANT OF YELLOW POINT D' ESPIRIT NETTING, IN NEED OF SOME RESTORATION. I USE PERIOD TRIMMINGS FOR AUTHENTICITY WHENEVER POSSIBLE. 

I HAVE BEEN AN AVID COLLECTOR OF ALL THINGS VINTAGE FOR 40 YEARS!  YEAH, THAT MAKES ME REALLY OLDE!

MY FAVORITE HAT IS A CA. 1959 BUBBLE TOQUE WITH THE ORIGINAL LABEL INTACT BY CHRISTIAN DIOR, NEW YORK, PARIS, LONDON.  IT IS WORTH ABOUT $225.00, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS PEANUTS, CONSIDERING THAT WE'LL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN.

I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME RESEARCHING CLOCHES AGAIN, FROM THE 20'S, PAYING CLOSER ATTENTION TO TRIMMINGS, AND FABRICS.  I'VE STARTED PERFECTING A PATTERN FOR MY NEXT COLLECTION FOR FALL, OF CLOCHES USING WOOLS,  VELVETS, VELVETEENS, AND TAPESTRY FABRICS, AND LARGE VINTAGE BUCKLES AND BUTTONS FOR TRIMMING.  ALL WILL BE LINED, AND ONE OF A KIND.  THE PERIOD STYLE LININGS WILL BE CO-ORDINATED WITH THE OUTER FABRIC CHOICES FOR REAL PIZZAZZ!! I WILL BE ACCEPTING CUSTOM COLOR ORDERS, AND SPECIFIC HEAD MEASUREMENTS FOR A PROPER FIT.  I'LL BEGIN UPLOADING A SNEAK PREVIEW OF SOME OF THEM IN MY ETSY SHOP THIS WEEK!! STAY TUNED TO WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM!!!!

DID YOU KNOW THAT HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, THE CLOCHE HAS SURVIVIED THE CHANGES OF FASHION FOR OVER 80 YEARS?!!

THE BASIC SHAPE HAS SEEN COUNTLESS EVOLUTIONS, AND VARIATIONS MORE THAN ANY OTHER STYLE OF HAT!  MAYBE THAT'S WHY I LOVE IT SO.  AND IF YOU'RE NOT A HAT PERSON BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU DON'T LOOK GOOD IN HATS, WELL, MAYBE IT'S TIME TO TRY ON A CLOCHE!!

A CLOCHE FRAMES THE FACE IN A VERY FLATTERING WAY, NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE FACE YOU HAVE.  THEY ARE ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL WITH A SMALL BRIM, MAYBE SOME VIOLETS ON AUBERGINE VELVET, OR A LARGE ART DECO BUCKLE ON MENSWEAR HERRINGBONE WOOL.  JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE WINTER WHITE WOOL, CREWEL EMBROIDERED LITTLE NUMBER I'M WORKING ON AS WE SPEAK!! 

SO, I HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED MY LITTLE MANIA ON "LE HOMAGE DU CHAPEAUX"!!!

DID YOU KNOW THAT COCO CHANEL GOT HER START AS A MILLINER IN PARIS?

MORE ON THAT IN MY NEXT BI-WEEKLY BLOG!

TALK SOON, 

 ELSIE COLLINS/THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO @

WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM

PS--NEXT TIME I'LL SHOW YOU THAT LITTLE "I LOVE LUCY" SWEETIE IT JUST PICKED UP, AND MAYBE A FEW OTHER TASTY TREATS WHILE I'M AT IT!!

UPDATE: JUNE 15th, THE CHARCOAL AND AUBERGINE SCROLL TAPESTRY CLOCHE  SOLD IN MY ETSY SHOP JUST HOURS AFTER I UPLOADED IT TO A LADY IN AUSTRALIA, WHERE IT IS COMING INTO WINTER!!  IT WAS A ONE OF A KIND, BUT AS I SAID, THERE WILL BE MANY MORE CLOCHES TO COME, SO STAY TUNED TO THIS BLOG AND MY ETSY SHOP FOR NEW HAT ALERTS!!

THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO @

WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM:  ALL THINGS ROMANTIC,  INSPIRED BY THE RENAISSANCE, PERIOD FASHION, VINTAGE, SHABBY CHIC, COTTAGE- STYLE, AND A MORE GENTILE WAY OF LIVING LIFE!!

The Joy of Teaching & Creating

I SPEND A LOT OF MY WEEK TEACHING A VARIETY OF THE TEXTILE ARTS TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN AT MY STUDIO, THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO, IN N.PROVIDENCE, RI.

  I AM ABOUT TO LAUNCH MY SUMMER SEWING & CRAFT CAMP FOR KIDS IN JUNE. PLEASE SEE THOSE DETAILS ON CRAIGSLIST.ORG, AND iLIST.COM.   IT IS ALWAYS A HARD BALANCE TO KEEP BETWEEN TEACHING, WHICH I LOVE, AND CREATING NEW WORKS FOR MY ONLINE RETAIL SHOP WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM , WHICH I INTEND ONE DAY, TO MAKE MY FULL TIME INCOME FROM.  AS MUCH AS I LOVE TEACHING, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, I FEEL CREATIVELY OBLIGATED TO BRING AS MANY OF MY ABUNDANT IDEAS TO LIFE AS POSSIBLE.  I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A FLOW OF CREATIVITY THAT RUNS LIKE NIAGRA FALLS!  UNFORTUNATELY, UNTIL I LEARN TO MARKET MY SHOP ONLINE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS IN A STEADY LIVING INCOME, I FIND IT NECESSARY TO REROUTE THAT CREATIVITY INTO SMALLER TRIBUTARIES BY WAY OF TEACHING.  I HOPE THAT DOESN'T SOUND TOO MUCH LIKE THAT CONDESCENDING ADAGE, "THOSE WHO CAN'T DO, TEACH".  IT ISN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL!  AU CONTRARE!!  IF I COULD SPEND 16 HOURS A DAY CREATING NEW DESIGNS IN ALL SECTIONS OF MY SHOP, I'D BE A HAPPY CAMPER!!  THERE IS NOTHING THAT MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN IMERSING MYSELF IN THE PROCESS AND MINUTIAE, OF MAKING THOSE TINY MAGICAL DECISIONS ALONG THE CREATIVE PATH TO A NEW RENAISSANCE MASK, OR A NEW PERIOD HAT REPRODUCTION, OR  SCULPTING A NEW IDEA FOR A PIECE OF HAND KNITWEAR, OR LEARNING TO USE MY NEW KNITTING MACHINE!!  I WILL BE GEARING UP FOR THE SCITUATE ART FESTIVAL AGAIN COMING UP IN OCTOBER. 

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE KIND OF ARTIST WHO REVELS IN HAVING MORE THAN ONE PROJECT GOING AT ANY TIME.  I GET BORED SO QUICKLY, AND THE GEARS IN MY HEAD SPIN SO FAST THAT, THE ADAGE, "SO MANY IDEAS, SO LITTLE TIME" RINGS LOUD AND TRUE FOR ME!

THAT ALL SAID, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT I'LL SPIN OUT NEXT.  I DO HOPE YOU WILL, AND INVITE YOU ALL TO VISIT THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO AT WWW.ORSINIMEDICI1951.ETSY.COM, REGULARLY!  

  HAVE A LOVELY AND CREATIVE DAY!!

ETSY vs. eBay

There's been a lot of discussion about eBay and ETSY, and I'm here to tell you that there is NO comparison! I had an eBay store and closed is last Nov. '08, and cancelled everything there,  It was not my venue! They continued to debit my checking acct. for 6 mos., ignoring my commands, sending me round in circles, wasting my time with tabs and clicks that were dead ends!! It was only when I figured out that they were playing head games that I threatened to and did contact the Atty. Gen. office of CA, informed my attorney, and offered free publicity online.  I was pushed and bullied, ignored and abused by them!  I finally got a refund after an online war with them! I was pushed into using 4 blanking letter words, and am Twittering about it anyway, because people need to know that eBay has no respect for people.  ETSY on the other hand is a community of artists who care about each other, and it shows!  I've found a home and my venue!  I've also found a wonderful ETSY mentor who is devoted to teaching us how to make a living online. Check out Tim Adam DEsigns on ETSY, and Facebook, and his tutorial site, Handmadeology.com! He's phenomenal!! I made three sales on ETSY in April! Thank you to those who made those purchases at www.orsinimedici1951.etsy.com!!  I treat my customers like royalty!!

THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO SUMMER SEWING & CRAFT CAMP FOR KIDS HEATS UP!

THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO WILL BE HOSTING A SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS STARTING JUNE 15TH IN MY N.PROVIDENCE, RI STUDIO.  OPEN TO CHILDREN AGES 9-17 YRS. OLD.

PLEASE LOG ON TO iLIST.COM FOR A FULL COURSE MENU AND PHOTO GALLERY OF THE STUDIO, STUDENTS, CONTACT INFO, AND REFERENCE.  TCS IS THE PROUD SPONSOR OF OUR STUDENT, RACHEL, FOR WINNING THE PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER'S SUMMER ARTS SCHOLARSHIP 2009.  TCS'S OWNER, ELSIE COLLINS IS AN AWARD WINNING DESIGNER, AND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE RI STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES (2002)

Something's Humming in the Trees!!

You know you're in harmony with the seasons when that overwhelming creative surge of energy rises with the tree sap in the spring.  It's a sure sign that ones creative juices are ready to make something wonderful.  Your  ideas have been germinating and incubating, and maybe even hiberating all winter!  There is even a humming in the trees!  It's almost audible if you listen very carefully.  So many ideas, and not enough time in the day.  Oh, how I wish I could invent a magic wand!!  But, then, I'd miss the tangible process of making an idea come to life.  There is NOTHING more satisfying than channeling inspiration, and bringing it into the world like a birth! Any artist involved with the cosmic connective process of creating knows exactly what I'm talking about!  It's as powerful a high as any drug, only better!  It is addictive though.  And you do lose track of time.  It does transport you, and transforms you.  You are somehow different at the completion of each project.  And you always want more.  And finally, you have this uncontrolable 

desire to share it with the world. Somehow art connects us, from the beginning of the process, to the end of it.  And it self perpetuates, and so is infinite, because the universe from which the creative inspirations spring forth, is infinite.  It is a never ending, generous act of giving, and co-creating with God, if you will.  I have had some of the most spiritually enlightening moments when I am creating a new project.  I have been creating art in many mediums for over 40 years, and the energy that drives me, thankfully is still surging!  It's a beautiful thing for which I am eternally grateful to have been given such an incredible gift.  I attribute the magnitude of this creativity to my mother who was extremely talented.  Her ancestral lineage has been historically connected to the Orsini-Medici of Renaissance Italy.  That family dynasty was responsible for the patronization of Michelangelo, DaVinci, Raphael, Veronese, Tintoretto, Titian, Dante, Brunelleschi, and so many more!!  I don't think I will ever be able to fully absorb the contents of my DNA.  A trip to Tuscany is on my bucket list, but can't imagine how I will ever be able to pick myself up off the floor of the Sistine Chapel!!

For now, I will continue to be happy creating new pieces for my ETSY shop.  I do hope you will visit and see my new Spring line a www.orsinimedici1951.etsy.com

                                                         Ciao!!

Wintersession Classes in Fashion Design NOW forming

If you love Fashion, and aspire to learn the skills of the trade, NOW is the time to make your DREAM come true in '09!!  Please check out my new course menu on craigslist.  Here's the link:

        http://providence.craigslist.org.cls/98036120.html

ALSO, check out my store on ETSY.com/orsinimedici1951/shops

ALSO, Facebook.com/thistlecottagestudio

2009 Aspirations

   Well, here we are, another year has flown by and blown us all away scandal by scandal, and more importantly by the frightening and exciting changes and challenges our country and the world face.  Do we dare hope for the best in the nick of time?  Do we have the luxury and blessings of time to make the changes necessary before it's too late?  After all, it is mandatory that it be a global effort, given the fact that the process of global warming is moving at a faster rate than expected.  

   We have seen living proof in America , that despite 8 years of a burgled and bungled Presidency, that our Democratic system is still viable. I can't help but wonder what Lincoln and MLK would say about Obama's historical election win!!  After just having watched the film Amazing Grace, I'm sure Captain John Newton is also rejoicing on the other side!!  

   I don't make New Years resolutions because they often fade into oblivion.  I have come to a decision about it though.  I 'm realizing that I need something much more powerful than a resolution.  What I and maybe all of us need is a revolution, in our way of thinking.  It has everything to do with how I look at the world and my connection to humanity on a personal level, and on a grandiose universal level.  Let's face it, it's so easy to disconnect, isolate, and bury our heads who knows where.  So, my revolution for the new year is to STAY AWAKE!!  PAY ATTENTION, and take the Hypocratic Oath:  Do no harm, either to myself, others, or the planet.  Also, as many anonymous random acts of kindness as I can cram into a day.  I also would like to share two of my favorite wise sayings to live by.  "You ARE the other guy", and "A thought is the same as a deed".  Hope you can use these!

   And lastly, on a personal creative note, I will not waste a day without indulging lavishly the creative gifts I have been given!!  This is the source of my joy, my spirituality, and hopefully, how I will thrive and make an abundant living!  Pace!!