within these pages you will find
DISPATCHES FROM THE HEART
of
WAXING POETIC
We are a pretty crafty bunch here at Waxing Poetic. So for our new Summerland store’s Christmas windows we turned to one of our resident artisans, Jessica Maher, who singlehandedly (ok, maybe she used two hands) constructed recycled paper mache renditions of our Pearl Banner Orb charms.
With all the glitter, glue and homespun, heartfelt sentiment, we are officially ushering in the Season!
My dear friend Jen Lippman has breast cancer.
Jen has breast cancer.
Jen has cancer.
And I can’t sleep, because I am thinking about her. I have a nightmare that I have cancer. A nightmare that disturbs me during waking hours. And then, as snowball-effect scenarios often play out, other assorted worries pile on. Life gets tough.
So I call my friend to comfort her… to check in and see if maybe I can make her feel better, because, after all, she is the one with cancer. She needs me.
“Jen” I said…
I can’t wait to hear her voice on the other end, (this is always the case), but in an unexpected way, she is more vibrant these days, and our conversations are different… and her voice is more reassuring than ever.
“P! What’s up?”
I was going to ask Jen for an update. How has she been dealing with the side effects of chemo? How is her daughter handling all of this? I was going to offer her some encouraging words (or just asking her if she needs anything, or how her week has been). But instead, my own anxiety and fears spoke: How can I be strong, when I don’t want to be? How I care, but can’t do enough. How I am being tested, with greater adversity at the moment than I feel I can possibly bear. Too many decisions, too much responsibility, and the world feels all wrong…
What the hell am I doing, talking about my petty problems to my friend who is dealing with breast cancer? What kind of friend am I?
I think I said all of that out load, and was reminded that we all have problems. I learned over the next forty minutes that I had already overcome so much in my life (she was there) and how my current troubles are so small in comparison. That things will be as they should be and I can handle it even if it isn’t the way I thought it should be. We barely spoke about her cancer. Instead, she encouraged me.
And on the other end of the line, I was grateful, saved, and inspired. I have so much love in my heart for my friend. She makes dealing with her cancer so much easier on all of us who love her (there are many), by loving us back more.
Thank you Jen. You are one incredible friend. I can’t wait to celebrate your recovery.
The most pleasurable task of creating our first candle “story” for Waxing Poetic has recently begun, and our offices are awash with all sorts of intoxicating infusions. Memories of “time and place” smells are surfacing, and we’re approaching this project much the same way we do when we make jewelry…What memory will it hold? What does it conjure?
I’ve known Lizzy Gilligan for years and I’m forever impressed by her style and talent. Lizzy has a fabulous line of unique designer clothes for girls called one girl’s opinion, which I absolutely love. I’m thrilled to introduce Lizzy as our very first guest blogger on Proof!
Lizzy, I have known you since art school, and you have always had an amazing and original sense of fashion. How would you describe your style?
Eclectic-whimsical-bohemian? I’ve always liked to mix up vintage pieces, current trends and classics. Of course being a mom has brought me down to earth. I need to work on that.
Who taught you how to sew?
I basically taught myself. I had a little sewing instruction in middle school home-ec but mostly I followed the directions on commercial patterns and winged it. I still learn new things all the time. The wealth of sewing and crafting blogs and websites can be overwhelming! There is so much information being shared. It’s really amazing.
When did you make your first “outfit” and what was it?
I made a cream-colored linen skirt and blazer when I was in 7th or 8th grade. It was from a Vogue pattern featured in a magazine. My version didn’t look quite the same as the one from the photo.
What or who inspired you to start the “One Girl’s Opinion” line?
It’s a bit of a cliché but my daughters were the inspiration for my current business. I started my collection because I couldn’t find anything just for school age girls in the handmade market place. Now that I’ve been marketing the clothing for about a year I’ve gotten a lot of feedback and I’m trying to develop designs that can work for a broader range of customers.
Can you share a few pictures of recent designs and who they were for?
Here’s an Easter basket of handmade hair accessories that I gave to Veronica.
This one is a t-shirt that I did for Cordelia for Valentine’s Day.
Here’s a skirt that I made to sell.
And here’s a look at a new skirt design I’ve just started offering.
I so admire your craft and your “one of a kind” aesthetic. Can you describe your process a bit?
I have a hard time staying on task so making each piece a little bit different allows me to stay interested. I have some basic designs that I use as a starting point and then I individualize each piece either by using different fabrics or different embellishments.
Where do you find your great fabrics? Is there one particular material that you love working with?
I’m typical of the sewing personality—I love fabric of all kinds and I have way too much stashed away, some left over from projects most of it purchased with great ideas in mind which life never permitted. Currently I’m working in quilting-weight cottons and I’m loving them!
Who is your favorite customer?
I’ve been selling through Etsy for a while and last fall I started selling through craft shows. It’s so great to actually meet the people making purchases. I’m always flattered when another designer buys my work.
These clothes are truly keepsake quality. Do you have some favorite clothing treasures that you will hand down to your daughters?
I have a fashion history of me that I’ve been storing away for years. I have some things I made when I was in high school and on through adulthood as well as some designer pieces that the now frugal mommy me can’t believe I splurged on back in the 1990s. My older daughter just turned 10 so we will soon see if these clothes are heirlooms or destined for charitable donation.
If you could choose a Waxing Poetic gift for any occasion, what would it be and to whom would you give it?
I love the insignia charms but I think I would give my younger daughter Veronica the Wish Tonic – Remedy in a Bottle. It would be perfect for her and to avoid playing favorites I’d give Cordelia, my older girl, the Once Upon a Time Storybook Charm. She is a great writer of stories.
What is the best part of your day?
Early in the morning before anyone else is awake. I’ll walk the dog while the coffee is brewing and then tackle some work in the studio before I need to get the kids going for the day. It’s a reliably productive time for me.
Thanks Lizzy, I appreciate this! You can find Lizzy on facebook, twitter, etsy, and flickr.
This amazing alphabet caught my eye when I was reading my New York Times Sunday Magazine a few weeks back. This surreal A-Z is a limited edition series of t-shirts designed by M/M Paris for Prada. A collector’s edition with exclusive 64p book will available in Prada stores soon. A great fashion treasure (and wouldn’t these make incredible mixed metal pendants?).
Welcome to Nota Bene (both Latin and Italian for “note well,” which we do around here!). At Waxing Poetic, we make things, and get the chance to see them made real (and loved, and changed – by all of you). Here you will find tiny actions, tiny pieces, and tiny particulars of our process – the small (and not so small) things that matter much. Enjoy!
Patti Pagliei, Founder
