The Creative Graces from 3 Graces Design Studio recently visited the “Kimono Refashioned” exhibit at the Asian Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit inspired us to design a ‘streetwear’ kimono for a new product line. This tunic length kimono is short enough to wear over jeans or slacks.
Cass designs new patterns
A New Streetwear Kimono
Cassandra Carpenter is the pattern designer for 3 Graces Design Studio. When designing a new pattern, Cass uses her extensive costume library to look for elements she wants to incorporate into the design. This phase requires extensive research and sketching out of ideas. It may take several sketches to determine the best combination of design elements before deciding to make a ‘mock-up’ of the final sketch. Once this phase of the design is complete and the mock up is made changes to length, or sleeve cut will be made for a prototype pattern. In our next segment we will show photos of the prototypes and the design sketches. Be sure to subscribe to our blog to get the latest updates!
I come from a family of creative souls. My sisters and I started 3 Graces Design Studio based on the creative calling we share. We inherited our creative natures from out mother but, the evidence is in other family members as well; a heritage of quilters and painters, artists and film makers, actors, tinkers, thinkers and writers.
The old saying: “Jack-of-all-trades, master of none!” reveals
the bias against those who choose a varied work life rather than committing to
a unidirectional path. There was a time, however, when society admired such a
person. In fact, some of our greatest contributors have been talented in a
variety of areas.
Leonardo da Vinci, painter of
masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, also designed and built bicycles, canals,
musical instruments and flying machines. Benjamin Franklin not only helped
draft the Declaration of Independence, he was also an inventor, statesman,
printer, scientist, author, and student of French culture and language. More
recently, Maya Angelou, best known as an author and poet, was also a successful
songwriter, journalist, actress, singer, dancer, civil rights worker and
professor. And she could speak eight languages!
Margaret Lobenstine, author of The Renaissance Soul–Life Design for People
with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One, identifies five signs to help
determine whether you are a “Renaissance Soul”:
• The ability to become excited
by many things at once, often accompanied by difficulty choosing
• A love of new challenges; once
challenges are mastered, you are easily bored
• A fear of being trapped in the
same career or activity for life
• A pattern of quick, sometimes
unsatisfying flings with many hobbies
• A successful career that has
left you bored or restless
There is Nothing Wrong with You
People who recognize themselves
in that description often feel that something is wrong with them, that they’re
not normal. They may be accused of an unwillingness to grow up. They may be
called irresponsible, a dilettante, or told they have Attention Deficit
Disorder.
If you fit the above criteria,
take heart. Support is available to help you embrace your strengths and stop
trying to fit into the mold of someone you are not. In fact, your traits make
you an ideal candidate for work that requires flexibility, adaptability to
change, and a broad skill base. Renaissance Souls are often ideal entrepreneurs
since they typically wear many hats in their own business. Public relations,
marketing, consulting and project management are other good choices. Because of
their multifaceted abilities, they may also adapt better in today’s shifting
financial climate and global economy. What’s more, their passionate nature and
curiosity are truly an asset in any arena!
How to Handle Your Passions
In her book Refuse to Choose: A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything That You
Love, career counselor Barbara Sher provides dozens of tools for dealing
with a multiplicity of passions and also divides what she calls “Scanners” into
nine categories. The “Double Agent” is torn between two interests, while the
“Sybil” is drawn to so many things that she’s often unable to choose anything.
The “Serial Specialist” and “Serial Master” often stick with one career or
project for many years until they’ve gained all they desire from it, and then
move on to master different occupations. Understanding your type can help you
recognize strengths, get support, and choose work that suits you.
Along with clarifying your core
values, Margaret Lobenstine’s “Renaissance
Focal Point Strategy” recommends choosing a “sampler” of four interests and
then rotating them. For example, you might work on a new business venture,
volunteer to teach reading in your local school, take acting lessons and study
Italian. If you want to, in six months you rotate some of those out and choose
others. That way you’re moving out of indecision and into action, honoring your
renaissance soul, and accomplishing goals. A journal and 3-ring binders can
help you track your numerous ideas and keep your projects organized.
Often all it takes is a shift of
attitude to embrace your renaissance nature. Learn to honor its ways and you
may find that your many talents lead you to a fulfilling, passion-filled life.
