Which in actuality has nothing to do with the computer, can't be done on it, can't be facilitated by it- I can sell on it, but, in the end... I really need to be at the drafting desk, on the phone...just elsewhere.
So, I am taking some online classes, I thought they would be something fairly easy where I might learn something- anything!
Boy, was I wrong, these are real, good and hardcore classes and I signed up for two of them. I had no idea. I am thrilled. I hope I can make it through.
Class is on week 5 and I've gotten up to week 3 on both, working on 4 now. So very behind. On top of it, I was expecting a somewhat slow period, as is usual this time of year for me.
I am not getting it. A friend of mine calls these "cadillac problems" which is a perfect name and I think, not "problems" so much as reminder. I love being busy, and a let up can throw you off your game. The trick is to keep a healthy balance and be, ultimately, in control.
I will probably take one or both of these classes again, but one at a time, and not when I am also taking Spanish! (and moving...) way, way too much..
Add to Technorati Favorites
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Swamped Myself Good
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ah Ha! The Mystery is solved...
Which one day I hope to eventually address, along with updating the whole bunch of stuff. My Men's wear area is the orphan of the site, which is a shame as it's really the bulk of what I do these days.
Anyhow, the other day I got a Google Alert with a link to my videos on YouTube, so I go check it out , of course it is some silly, harvester site or whatever they are called, capitalizing on "sexy" and "models".. ho hum. But, wait! There is only Part 1 showing up.
So I go to you tube and look at my account and lo, NO Part 2! Some notice saying I'd been sent an e-mail (when? I never got it. I hear from YouTube like- never. Once I got a Peta Freek cussing me out in Spanish...but that's about it.)
Just a little note, that because some Jesus and Mary Chain was playing in the background (guitar noise and a couple of lytrics for maybe 7-13 seconds) the whole thing was ripped off of YouTube. I would have been perfectly fine if they'd removed the music altogether, even from the rest of the 6 minutes. But no, no option to remove background music, just a stupid (bad) music generator with ADVERTS!
Gimme a break! Live DJ- with a theme, no playlist, a few seconds, and they take the whole thing down?
Today first thing, front of the New York Times Business Section was the answer.
Eventually I will learn how to get that pesky video up in it's entirety, here on this blog somewhere, and WB can bite me. (and I am sure alot of other po'd people)
The only thing I ever watched on You Tube was vintage Music Videos (especially Roxy Music- STYLE- personified, the Best!) Now it sounds like a ton of that sort of stuff is gone. What's the point?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Custom Made Men's Leather Pants, Part 3
I very recently finished these, but have not gotten to post till now, been swamped - (between doing some re-location, taking 3 different classes and work- whew!) Plus , since the final design was surprise I wanted to wait till he got them. These were done via the mail.
I did a combination of inlay work in a grainy black elk-skin and contrast stitching on these.
I am really happy with how they came out and so is my client!
He wrote me the nicest note:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
I've picked up the pants and in a word they are "Magnificent" The
pocket detailing is incredible and exactly what what I was looking for.
The brown colour is beautiful and is perfect. The craftsmanship
exemplary.
Tried getting some pictures but they haven't turned out well. Will try
to get others to you shortly.
I'm just a average guy who is on the downward side of middle age,
looking to "dress it up" Your sense of style, execeptional craftmanship
and dedication will allow me to do that in spades.
When can I a get a black pair!
Thanks again and I can't wait to wear them out.
(Glenn B, Calgary)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Custom Made Men's Leather Pants Two
Wishing everybody the best this day and I wish you all love in your hearts, be it for your family, friends, pets and please don't forget yourself.
I have been quite remiss with posting, I have been doing quite a few things at once lately, not the least of which is trying to learn Spanish!
I am dreaming of one day moving to Argentina or Uruguay. I would love to be able to work from there, I completely fell in love with Buenos Aires and the other parts of Argentina I visited and I cannot wait to go back and spend more time there. I saw leather work out of Uruguay that rivaled anything out of Italy and plan on looking into that next trip. They could definitely handle what I do...
I have been doing more custom-made men’s leather pants via the mail.
Working out the process and perfecting the system, as properly taken measurements are key. Often each tailor/fitter has a specific way of taking measurements that works best for their fit and styling. So you need to be clear on your system.
In a costume shop, it is either the pattern maker themselves or their trained assistant who will take the actors measurements. Years ago when I worked at the NYC Shakespeare Festival Costume Shop, each pattern maker had an assistant, and they were not interchangeable. If an assistant was not available only a comparable level pattern maker or the head of the shop could take the measurements. It sounds anal, but
there was good reason for this.
The pants shown here were done with e-mailed measurements. There was very little on the muslin that had to be adjusted. & So my system gets tweeked & improved each time, to make it clearer and simpler for both my customer and myself.
Here is a pair of custom pants made for a long time customer, who is quite a dashing gentleman with a fabulous sense of style. His style is a modern, elegant cross between Leone’s “the man with no name” & “the man in black”, since over the years I've made him 5 or 6 pairs of black pants!
One day I gotta get him into some nice deep expresso brown pants!!! Just a shade off Black...
I did take photos of the pants on him- they were all way too out of focus to put up- new camera, I forgot to change the settings on…I am kicking myself!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Wedding Gown That Made History
I teared up after reading it, as it resonates on a lot of levels about the preciousness of simple things. Love, Family, Community and so, so much more. How so much of the world has gotten so far removed from these basic things... all the scams and greed, be it housing, wall street, madoff,- take your pick. These all seem to be very visible symptoms/manifestations of a much deeper illness. I think everybody should read this story.
Add to Technorati Favorites
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Vintage Leather
I feel overwhelmed with stuff sometimes, I collect things that are beautiful to me and inspire me.
Beauty, by itself is amazing, it blows me away. Beauty that works, I'm breathless, there are so many beautiful things- but when they become part of function- that inspires me,
These are two pieces that have inspired me for years. The first is an incredible Byron Lars vest from his First Spring collection.
The next is a wonderfully hand-crafted North Beach Leather jacket.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Vote for Health Freedom
It's Super important that the Health Care System in this country gets a complete overhaul.
Been eading about all the massive conflicts of interest and insane lack of oversight by the FDA on drugs and devices in the NYTs this week and sure that is just the tip of the iceburg.
It's as big a scam as the TARP that's been shoved down out throats.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Luxury Shoppers Anonymous
I loved this article in the NYTimes today. They make what I do seem like a sudden new, hot, and super exclusive thing.
Well, it isn't...quite. I have been working one-on-one with my customers for years, and have had events from time to time, though I prefer to keep it lo-key. The big events are a lot of fun, (and stressful and kind of manic making & once in a while, yes, I can get into it.) But really, my whole thing is that I really, really enjoy working directly with my customers.
My customers have known about this for years, and have sought me out for this personal and relaxed experience.
However, people who find me, do have to put some effort into it. Here we are - still one of the best kept secrets in NYC. (but, oddly... not in Europe)
And contradictory to the Times writer's point of view- it's not about what other people will think, it's about what my customers already know.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mom's Pumpkin Pie RecipeHave a healthy and happy one!
Add to Technorati Favorites
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
First Thanksgiving
Being committed to two Thanksgiving dinners this week, I thought I'd try something new. So working off a recipe in the NYTs I managed this...
Apple Pecan TartThe big appeal was that it can be frozen (& my Dad loves pecans). So, I'm hoping this'll make transport easier and it does completely take care of the problem I always have of always leaving the pan behind! Now, what ice cream to serve it with, vanilla or cinnamon caramel ?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Custom Made Men's Leather Pants
I am admittedly very, very bad at asking my customers to pose for photos of their finished pieces on, so I have hardly any photos of most the custom work that I've done, and absolutely none of it on the people it was created for!
On top of that, I have made so many pairs of men's pants, but have no photos of any of them on! So I am making a concerted effort to change that.
I recently made a pair of buffalo skin pants for a new client who was visiting from overseas and who was very generous to allow me to take photos of the finished product on him.
So with his very kind permission (Thank You, J!) here are some photos of custom made men's pants.
This is a start, and I'd love to see photos of any and all of my amazing clients in their custom made leather. So, if any of you are reading this...!
----------------
Now playing: Fun Lovin' Criminals - Swashbucklin' in Brooklyn
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
No need to break the bank...
but I do wish they would stop showing clips of that Godawful Red Eli Tahari Leather jacket that has been burned into my retinas the last week or so. Any price was too much for that....arggghhh!
Add to Technorati Favorites
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Room under the Bathtub...
I am (semi-continually at this point) trying to make more space. It's a sign that when you start dreaming about finding another whole room beneath the floor & under the bathtub, behind the stove or in a closet, stuff has got to go...I am sure it's a archetypal dream in NYC. Unfortunately there's not much to satisfy the craving than to actually get rid of stuff! So, I'll be parting with a bunch of vintage, and other odds and ends I've accumulated over the years. Starting with this amazing late 1960's/early 70's coat that's very reminiscent of Julie Christie to me.
It's amazing, incredibly made, completely underlined for extra warmth. with a thick fox fur collar and cuffs. This coat was knocked off by Anna Sui several years ago, but hers could not compare just on the basis of what it would cost to make a coat anywhere near this quality these days.
I also have this gorgeous, completely handmade 2 piece suede dress, there is no machine stitching on it whatsoever. It could have been made for show, but looks quite a bit more fashionable than your typical western show wear. The fit on the skirt is very,very good. It's one of the most flatteringly cut skirts I've run across.
I've got these and a few other odds and ends listed on e-bay this week and am working on digging out more stuff, including a very, very, early North Beach Leather Jacket back from the period when they were hand laced in Mexico. I've also go some Monkey Fur coats but those ain't going on ebay! Interested? Just contact me.
----------------
Now playing: The Dickies - You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)
via FoxyTunes
Monday, October 20, 2008
Mia's Brand New Bag Deux
Catching up and finally getting around to posting the 2nd new, (and improved!) custom made "Mia" bag I finished recently.
This one is made of a thick, glossy finished Italian hide, so this bag has a much more dressed-up /formal look, while still being completely practical.
It is much more constructed in the body than the original and also has a built-in hard, padded divider constructed for her airbook. The divider also has additional and specific pockets for discs, peripherals, power cords, business cards and plenty of room for other items. Meant to go from the air, as a carry on. Straight into important meetings. The client is thrilled with it as am I.
It's the most constructed bag I've ever done and likely to be the last of this type of construction and detail I'll do for quite some time since it's not exactly what we're set up for. This bag will only be repeated again for the customer it's named for.
On our regular bags, I've now got 2 new one-of-a-kind bags up in the shop. They are the only ones, and will not be repeated. Here they are:
For more info and other bags, check out the shop.
----------------
Now playing: Pig Bag - Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Mia's got a Brand New Bag...part 1
I've been doing bags for a few years now, but it's a pretty new discipline for me. It's started out as a yearly birthday project for myself. I figured a bag was something I could start for myself, and actually finish...I wanted to wear something of my own for a change!
This is the First Bag:
But, it's been evolving, since starting with this straight forward and fairly un-constructed (and unlined) messenger style, which is my all-time favorite style. I've been asked to create some much more constructed bags, a real challenge, especially on a one-of-a-kind basis.
Here is the first bag I recently made for a new client, I call it the "Mia" bag. I got beautifully detailed sketches from the client:
But, more importantly I got a very detailed and specific list of functionality specs. This is what the final design really took shape from. I created a mock up based on the required dimensions, which was then sent back to the client to try. Turns out the bag needed sizing up to accommodate her computer, peripherals and a change of clothing so that this would be the perfect all around carry-on bag.
This is the final result:
She loved this bag so much she ordered a second one, which I will get to shortly...
----------------
Now playing: James Brown - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
via FoxyTunes
