Love and gratitude....

Well, as some of you may know, I broke my arm rollerskating on Friday with my kiddos.  I ended up spending 3 days in a splint, went to the specialist on Monday and found out I didn't need to be in a cast.  The kind of break I have, where the radius meets the elbow, is best left out of a cast, free to move and stretch.  I was so relieved, I cried.  I am in the middle of bridal season, and the thought of not being able to sew with both hands broke my heart.  Not just because I have brides with timelines, but because I LOVE what I do.  I sat there for 3 days, prior to the visit to the specialist, in a splint, dreaming about all the things I would sew once I could use both arms.... every time I blinked, I saw a new dress I wanted to make.  I was so sad... I was like a caged animal.

I am glad this happened... and I will tell you why.  Before I had this.... what shall I call it...'incident', I was starting to feel overwhelmed and I started feeling like my creativity was being sapped by stress.  I was starting to lose my gratitude and my 'spunk'.  Well, I guess you can say, this 'incident' absolutely put life into perspective.  I have so much to be grateful for... one of which (and a BIG one, I might add) is the use of both arms.  The ability to whiz through any sewing project I decide I want to do.  The ability to bring into fruition all of the beauties that pass through my subconscious as I sleep.... and then dance across my vision as I daydream....

I am slowly gaining the use of my arm again.  Every time I sit at my sewing machine and start another dress for someone, I am filled to the brim with gratitude....  I relish the feel of lace running through my fingertips, the sound of my old sewing machine purring away... and every single stitch makes me want to sing.  I am back to the old me, but better.  Nothing is too difficult... the creativity is flowing... and the results are amazing....

In gratitude always... AR xoxoxoxoxo

The Eco-Bridal Fashion Show in Washington DC

So... although I didn't get to actually attend the fashion show, I did still send a few items.... here are the photos in case you missed them on FB... 

Ok... back to the studio..... xo-AR

Life is good... and BUSY!!

So... I have been working like a mad woman in my studio.  I have a photo shoot in Chicago to prepare for along with other various photo shoots in other cities.  I also have the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase's Eco-Fashion Show & Lounge in DC in February.

www.greenweddingshowcase.com


Yes... I am a busy girl.  And YES, I am grateful!!

One of my lovely brides... enjoying her winter wonderland wedding!! Congratulations,  Emily!!!!

xo-AR

You complete me.... :)

Aaaaaah... I love it when a bride from the past pops up with photos of her lovely wedding and tells me, 'your dresses MADE my wedding!'  This makes me very giddy.......and makes me keep going with a smile on my face.

xo-AR

There is no 'i' in TEAM....

I was invited to be a part of what turned out to be a really cool, really active team on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/6082/offbeat-etsy-weddings

I received the invitation, filled out a little introduction to the team and waited for the vote of yes or no to be a part of the team.  I have not been a part of any teams on Etsy, so I never realized what it is, exactly.  This particular team is amazingly active and there's always some conversing going on about advertising as a group, suggestions to each other, etc.  I enjoy the back and forth of figuring out new ideas, the collaborations, etc. When there is a show going on that someone is doing, they invite the team members to send advertising material for their own shops to pass out at the show.  Or if you happen to be in driving distance of a particular show, you are invited to join the booth with your own items. The support is great... the suggestions are golden. It's pretty darn magical...

Now that I am in the group, I also see the process of voting that happens for new members.  The group is all about 'Offbeat Weddings'... which totally rocks.  So when voting, everyone takes into consideration things like-
-Are the items represented in the shop 'offbeat' enough?
-Do you have a wedding section or are you primarily wedding oriented?
-Basically, how cool are your handmade creations?
-What kind of feedback have you received on your handmade items?


We have alllll kinds of vendors on this team... almost anything you can think of for your 'Offbeat Wedding' can be found there... Mini top hats, corsets, Marie Antoinette inspired dresses, bridal gowns that are way too cool for words, bridesmaid dresses that you will actually want to wear again and again.... cake toppers that are way more than just your complacent looking bride and groom....the list goes on and on.  It's just too good for words, really. Here are some of the shops in our team that are totally 'cyber-stalk' worthy...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KRISSY167?ref=pr_shop_more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/10eisha?ref=pr_shop_more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ManoBello?ref=pr_shop_more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lacocorouge?ref=pr_shop_more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/isadoraclothing?ref=pr_shop_more

(Just a few... but you should really go to the team page and check all of the team members out!)


I feel really honored to be a part of this team.  As silly as it seems, it feels like another really incredible validation that I have not sunken into the world of the mundane.  I try to keep it fresh, and being a part of this team really reminds me that I am knocking it out of the park.... and I plan to keep doing it for a long, long time.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amandarosebridal
xoxo-AR

Treasuries and blog mentions of the week!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d22ac81cbf88eef0a8c52b6/sweet-mama

http://imaginemdd.blogspot.com/2011/01/wedding-planning-unique-designer.html

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d20b012912f6d91232b3665/our-beach-cottage

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d1b849daa446d91a6ce443f/resolutions

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d1b53f0538d8eef89008bf6/time-for-a-tea-party?ref=pr_treasury

http://besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com/wedding-inspiration/naughty-or-nice-wedding-day-lingerie

My 'work'place....

My studio...lots of windows... great natural lighting.....

A portion of my collection of pincushions.....  and, of course, handpainted vintage boots lying around waiting to find their new home...

My Consew Industrial Machine from 1927... runs like a dream.....

Little Betty Sue watches me as I work....

And Betty Sue's grumpy cousin provides 'constructive criticism' on the daily....

vintage purses, jewelry, feathers, fur, beads and bobbles of all kinds...

Antique Indian Saris add color to the room... and hang there waiting to be cut to pieces and added to a lovely dancing dress...

Roses and peacock feathers....

And more piles and piles of gorgeous vintage pieces just waiting their turn...

Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.
-- David McCullough

xoxo-AR

What's happening in 2011?

Just wanted to post a little sneak peek of what's to come this year here at Amanda Rose Studios:
(Look at this as a wish list for you and me....)

-Men's wear- AR Style- picture what Marie Antoinette's date, (who also happened to be the lead singer of Velvet Revolver), would have worn to a Sundance Film Festival after-party at Studio 54.... you get the drift.....

-Lots of little girl wear- picture fairy princess, powdered wig, mirror, mirror on the wall...

-Amanda Rose Rubenesque- AR style in more of a wide range of sizes and styles.... still Amanda Rose, but more accessible to the woman in everyone.

-More one-of-a-kind wedding dresses- picture so awesome, there's no way it can ever be duplicated...and who would want to?? All of the fabulousness of each piece will be spent on each piece. :)

-More one-of-a-kind party dresses- Picture everyone turning green with envy when you walk into the room.  And no one else shall have what you have. Ever.

Many more things to come than I can even list.  Looking forward to a wonderful, creative 2011! Happy New Year!!!
xo-AR

Amanda Rose 2010 in pictures...just a taste.

Blogging about the creative process.....

I have had quite a few blogs over the years and, recently, I have had a few requests to really start blogging about what I 'do' in my 'work' world. I tried this once before and I didn't stick to it.  I was too busy really creating things to blog about it.  But this year, I aim to do this as much as possible.  I think it will add to the suspense and excitement as you get to watch my creative process unfold.  So, sit back with your favorite cup-o-joe, and enjoy.

xo-AR