work made of pieces of cloth or leather of various colors or shapes sewed together, used esp. for covering quilts, cushions, etc.
On
Sunday, June 6th from 11-5pm, I will be at the Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival in Santa Ana (2203 north main st @ buffalo) selling a variety of my accessories at discount prices.
Visit
www.patchworkshow.comI can't believe it has been almost two years since I first found out about this show when I began volunteering at Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center in Santa Ana. I had been given a flyer to be a volunteer at this show because this show supports the Art Center. At that time, I had no idea that I would actually be a part of this show or any handmade or indie craft scene.
I was pursuing a career in art therapy and I had my mind set on attending Loyola Marymount University for their Marriage and Family Therapy degree with a specialization in Art Therapy. I was taking prerequisites and doing everything I needed to do to be a good candidate for acceptance.
Volunteering was great and I got to experience working with high functioning special needs children. I wanted to use my background in the arts to influence or help people and I felt that art therapy was the perfect combination of my desire to create and to influence.
Last year during March, I found out that I was not accepted to LMU's program and I was so devastated. It felt like a dream was crushed. As I thought about it more, I began to realize that this may not have been the dream that was made for me, but that I trying to create my own future that I ultimately had no control over. This was a learning process.
I made my first hair accessory to the interview at LMU for my self and I had made it to set my self apart.
I did not know that I would actually keep making more and more of these things, but as I was trying to figure out my next steps, I just ended up making accessories as a hobby and to accessorize my basic outfits. It was then that other people were noticing my pieces and through the people already in my life, I was connected to other opportunities. My first opportunity was to let Tulle use my accessories in their look book photoshoots. Through this, I was encouraged by a friend and business owner, Dan Kam, to think about starting up a business.
The entire idea made me very nervous. First, I had no money to do anything and second, I had no business experience and no special training in making accessories. So many terms were foreign to me and I needed detailed checklists to help to launch, but I ended up just going for it and thinking that I had nothing to lose during this time.
I has been almost a year since I made "Petit Plume" an official business. Most of all, it has been a huge learning experience. Many times, I have felt like a crazy person for starting this, but through encouragements and support, I have been able to endure and believe in what I do.
I do not know the future and I did not create a concrete plan. Besides, who knows what the next big trend is or how long I can keep making handmade accessories. I do not know much, but I do know that I love making people feel special and beautiful and to create and craft new experiences and perspectives for people through my art.
I must always remain thankful for what I have been given and to utilize my gifts.
Through creating accessories, I have met many vendors and some people who work in the salon industry. I had no idea that all these areas could connect and I may sound crazy again attempting to tackle another field, but cosmetology is an area that I would like to tap into for a variety of reasons, but mainly to serve people and be a positive influence.
Could these be my next steps? I am not sure and I will have to wait and see if the doors will open for me. I will take it one "patch" at a time to ultimately create a beautiful "patchwork" that could be a life that can cover a broken soul or to provide some loving care. This is what I mean when I say that Petit Plume is merely a stepping stone towards greater dreams. I hope to continue to keep growing and looking up.
Thank you so much for reading this loooong post and Thank you for your support!!!
JULIET headband in coral:
Both Juliet headbands have adorable dangling felt leaves 
AVERY hair clip and brooch:
CADENCE mustard/lavender headband: So Cute and earthy with its burlap leaves!
