How Did This Start?

 

My talent as a designer comes from my grandmother.  I've never taken formal training. When I was still in my 20's I borrowed my Aunt's sewing machine and started cosplaying. I went down to the basement of my University's Science Building and surrounded by quite, music and a wall of mirrors I studied how clothing was put together. My first patterns were newspaper because it was big enough for me to sketch on. I'd get scraps of fabric or clothes and look at drawings and do whatever I had to get to that image. I was a perfectionist with very little talent.

 

Do I use Patterns?

They confuse me and limit my thinking but I can use them. My Japanese Inspiration line is a simplified design of traditional Japanese clothing that I don't use patterns for. However over the years I've expanded and taken on volunteers and employees so I had to create instructions and patterns. That was challenging for me. For my other lines of design I've been known to cut up a pattern or use multiple patterns together so that i get the design i want.  I've been asked for teaching which pattern to use to make such and such and I often have to apologize because I've altered the original so much and written nothing down in such a way I can only create it one time because the steps are too many, too cFoomplex, and manipulate... to recall. Not to mention I write none of it down. I have many times even in my own designs where I go... How did I do that last time. ^//^.

 

I am like "your grandmother's cooking" but I'm surrounded by thread and scissors instead of salt and thyme.  

 

How do I grow?

 

I simply observe, listen to my elder's conversations and teach myself from desire and imagination.  I actually, get intimidated by looking at others work with in the same category as my own.  I'm working on that character flaw. Trial and error really on a very small budget. You also have to listen to your audience which it took me most of my years selling to not only listen but understand what they were telling me. It's tricky. Because you have to grow in several areas. Originally I grew from cosplaying and my desire to be photographed. I was inspired by the talent of others to push my own envelope. But my business was actually inspired by two ladies who saw all of us at a Maryland Convention and their words. They were amazed. I thought can I bring this to everyday people, everyday fashion. 

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How long have I done this?

 

I started as a seller in 2010 and began featuring my own work at Art Shows in 2011. However. I started sewing as a young child, I was horrible at it. 

 

My Grandmother gave me a counting cross stitch. She was an amazing sewer. she could see a piece and duplicate it just with a few sketches. When she  gave me the cross stitch she couldn't see to sew anymore. Couldn't teach me but our next door neighbor and friend did.  I was still horrible at it thought. Sewing, knitting, Cross Stitch. Then I went to college...

 

​How did I get my name:

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It's always been with me but I didn't know it.

 

 The year of my grandmother's passing I was trying to sew a quilt. It was purple butterfly fabric. I didn't finish in time and in my grief,  I let the fabric go.  Many more years passed I stopped sewing, I started sewing again. It was journey. l uncovered my affinity to the butterfly. A move back to Georgia, my mother's encouragement and a search for a name. The name was obvious once I realized it but it  was a journey to find that discovery just like the migration of these beautiful creatures. I just had to morph.   

 

 

 

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In the end 

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I create to share with the world and so thank you for letting me share with you.