–noun
1.
something made up of an incongruous variety of pieces or parts; hodgepodge: a patchwork of verse forms.
2.
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.com
I 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!!!
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.com
I 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!!!
