White nylon Marilyn dress and red velvet gown with lacing on both sides of corset top
Polka dot baby doll dress with puff sleeves + Jungle tote with red lining and wood rings (click for detail)
Detail of mint eyelet bustier
Immaculata High School Mascot
Award winning Study Tote convertible student carryall (click for more images)
Collapsible corrugated plastic book holder (click for more images)
Sketches
March 23, 2007 at 5:58 pm |
Hi Cymbria,
I hadn’t seen this aspect of your blog. It’s lovely. What an amazing assortment of things. It’s interesting, when seeing them one at a time, to view them together. It simply glows.
July 31, 2008 at 12:38 pm |
You’ll find that picking up your second instrument will be easier than your first, and guitar is a pretty easy instrument to get started on, once your fingers learn how to switch between chords. And playing open mikes is an excellent learning tool, as it forces you to practise playing songs. Plus, most of the other people won’t be any better than you
(And that’s not a reflection on you, BTW; once you start playing them, you’ll see that the bar is pretty low)
TW
July 31, 2008 at 3:13 pm |
hmmmm, I think that’s encouragement lol. Ya, that switching between chords thing is pretty tricky. And I though the “before” you can play the guitar was the tough part. Less rain though.
August 1, 2008 at 6:29 am |
hmmmm, I think that’s encouragement lol.
Yes, it was meant to be, even if it didn’t sound like it
What I was trying to say is that open-mikes are the lowest-pressure gigs there are, as they’re meant to encourage people to come out and try playing a few songs in public (most open-mikes typically only have each performer do 1-3 songs).
The audiences usually consists of other musicians, their family and friends, and college kids (and maybe an ageing hippie or two
). It usually makes for a mellow, supportive atmosphere; and even if the audience isn’t that into it, the host (for whom this a paying gig) will be, so you can count on at least one person in the room being on your side (but I’m sure you could also put your husband in that column 
)
Plus you’ll find that you’ll usually get a few style points for showing up on a regular basis…
Maybe your next serial could be about playing at an open mike…
TW
p.s. Switching between chords seems really hard at first, and it will probably take some practice to get it right. But once you have a few chords under your belt, try finding songs to play that use those chords, as ultimately that’s what really gets you to master those transitions…
August 1, 2008 at 8:46 am |
Have you played any?
The environment sounds a lot more low key and “chill” than I was expecting. I might actually give it a go. It sure would be a great practice motivator! I used to be petrified playing the flute in solo performances, but it’s a whole lot harder to tell that a person’s nervous playing the guitar than the flute! Vibrato anyone? lol
I need all the “style points” I can get. I assume you’re talking about playing style, and not my kickin’ green tweed hat? Thank you so much for all your encouragement!! And yeppers, my hubby dearest better be front row and center with bells on.
hmmm, maybe that wasn’t the best place to use that expression. Cut the bells and cue the lights!
August 1, 2008 at 9:40 am |
Have you played any?
I still do, actually. I’ve never really gigged on a regular basis, and my writing/recording buddies mostly live in other towns (or states) so open mikes are a good way to keep myself writing new songs, and to keep up my guitar-playing skills, to be honest, since I tend to play only when I’m getting ready for open mikes
Recently, I’ve been playing them a lot, as I’d like to do some recording project shortly, so I’m trying to get the new music in good enough shape…
The environment sounds a lot more low key and “chill” than I was expecting.
It almost always is. I think most people understand what open mikes are for most of the performers: a venue for practising in public. It’s also a great way to meet other musicians that you can play with…
used to be petrified playing the flute in solo performances, but it’s a whole lot harder to tell that a person’s nervous playing the guitar than the flute! Vibrato anyone? lol
I guess the guitar-equivalent might be sticky fingers, which aren’t as cool as the Rolling Stones would have you believe
I need all the “style points” I can get. I assume you’re talking about playing style, and not my kickin’ green tweed hat?
I meant neither, though I’m sure your hat is kicking
What I was trying to say is that the more regularly you attend a particular open mike, the better the audience response tends to be, regardless of your actual talent level. In other words, people usually like the regulars…
And yeppers, my hubby dearest better be front row and center with bells on.
hmmm, maybe that wasn’t the best place to use that expression.
Well, it might be if you recruited your husband to do some handbell accompaniment
TW
August 6, 2008 at 10:48 am |
I’m lovin’ all this inside information! I can just picture my G sitting perched on a stool, concentrating with furrowed brows on playing rhythm section with a cowbell. lol
So I’ve got a question for you… What do you do if there’s a funky musty smell emanating from the guitar’s cavity?? I’m pretty sure the previous owner was a smoker. Any tips?
August 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm |
I can just picture my G sitting perched on a stool,
When you call him G., you make him sound like a gangsta
concentrating with furrowed brows on playing rhythm section with a cowbell. lol
What this open-mike needs is more cowbell…
So I’ve got a question for you… What do you do if there’s a funky musty smell emanating from the guitar’s cavity?? I’m pretty sure the previous owner was a smoker. Any tips?
Can’t say I’ve encountered that problem before, as my guitar’s been raised in a smoke-free environment, and it hasn’t hung out in smoky bars long enough to pick up any odors… I wouldn’t recommend any spraying of it, though…
Perhaps you can find a non-sunny part of your house and leave your guitar to “air out”… If you don’t have a stand for your guitar yet, now might be a good time to get one. The other good thing about leaving your guitar out in a stand is that it might motivate you to play it more often… Good luck…
TW
August 8, 2008 at 8:29 am |
I won’t argue; visually motivated guilt is tough to beat. I’ve got it airing out as we speak, or, well, I guess, type.
lol Don’t mess with my “gansta”! He happens to be an underground rap aficionado (not even kidding).