Collaboration.

Chelsea Ross is a photographer who I have been wanting to shoot with for months. We wanted to shoot back in May..but like most artists, time just flew away from us. The time finally came last weekend to have everyone schedule line up and we had our models, Jen Levi, who always shows up with hair and make up that is super versatile to flatter our models, and a location.

I guess it wasn't until the day I was packing up all the leather jackets that I'm thinking to myself...Huh! I guess it didn't occur to me that I'm asking my models to wear leather jackets..in August. It's actually a nice breezy day as I am walking to my car so no big deal...right?

Hair and make up is coming along nicely and we all set out for the journey to the south side of Chicago for our warehouse space Chelsea has found. Upon arrival..its locked. After a lot of detective thinking, we finally find a man who lets us in.

When we finally get to the 4th floor, we find there is little air circulation and the sun is streaming in making everything hotter. Its stuffy, and really...really hot.

Not wanting to lose the light in the space, we decide to just put the jackets on and go. Jen and myself, who are doing more styling work and not running around, are not sweating as much as Chelsea who is crouching in circles, capturing the most beautiful angles and lighting. And even Chelsea is not sweating as much as Teanna and Ryan, our models who are covered in leather.

We are shooting for hours, we use chairs, the pillars, the setting sun streaming in the glass blocks, and the depth of space that surrounds us. Its positively gorgeous.

Before the last of the golden sunlight was gone from outside, we decided to circle the building and see what we could find for the last shots. A pile of tires. A pile of tires?! Am I in heaven? Next to it, a huge trash heap. All under an overhang that is completely rusted. Yep, I am in heaven.

Near the end of the shoot we are running faster and faster to capture everything before we lose the light. It was like trying to remember all the details of your lover's face before they have to leave in mere minutes, for fear of never seeing them again. The beauty of this shoot was a lot like that.

After we left, feet aching, sweating, muscles exhausted and hungry...it was a wrap. There was not much we could do but just shake our heads and smile in disbelief of how amazing we all felt from what had just happened among us. The high of a collaboration, each person invested so deeply in creating something so beautiful...that's a lot of special energy.

I recently watched a talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote Eat, Pray, Love. It was called Nurturing Your Creativity. She talks about this African dancing that was performed hundreds of years ago, and when the dancer was dancing, sometimes he or she would clearly be out of body, and other worldly. When this happens the people around would start saying "Allah, Allah, Allah"..and call it what they see it. A glimpse of God. When they traveled into Spain and over time it translated to Olé, Olé, Olé" which is still heard in bull fighting or Flamenco dancing when someone has done something so beautiful, so incomprehensible.

That inspirational video I watched was something to aspire to when I saw it. But what she described was what I felt at this collaboration of artists.

Olé!


Thanks to all who were involved getting us in the space, Chelsea Ross, Jen Levi, Teanna Zarro, Ryan Jones, and as always...Louie Mendicino my love.

The California Honeydrops.

Nothing like good ole fashion inspiration to get your choo choo to the motivation station. With the first order of jackets on its way and mostly spoken for, movement is in sight. It feels good to have the to-do list in hand and feet on the pavement. I can always tell when we are gettin' closer..and I'm really feelin it now.

Last week we took flight to San Fransisco and made our way down the coast. Walking the streets of hilly San Fransisco, I was wearing my trusty leather jacket and I have to say, it was the perfect weather for it. Shop after shop, talk of trunk show and festivals I started thinking that Mended Mosaic would be in a great flow with that city. It was indeed the first time in a long time I have looked at the sky, eyes closed, and nodding my head like I was answering a question. But I not only felt a surge of excitement, but inspiration for my sweet home of Chicago, like suddenly I am going to take it by the horns and just take the risks, no matter how hard I appear to be pushing on the dashboard to slow down.

When we finally made it to Lightning in a Bottle, I was so excited to see such amazing designers everywhere. For once, Louie and myself weren't behind the booth and could take some time to run around and talk with our designer friends and catch up with the wonderful people we've met along our own path. All in all, it was so lovely, my face hurt from smiling. Its so cool to see people who are living their dream. We also got to finally meet the lovely Jillian Ann who is an extremely talented musician and gorgeous model..With a collaboration on the horizen, my mind just started reeling at the team we're going to put together for that photoshoot in July.

Finally back in LA, I got to spend some sweet time with an always inspiring designer and friend, Sequoia from S&G Clothing. We got to bounce so much off one another..not only does she absolutely melt my heart with how sweet she is, but she is literally leaking with talent and has such an eye for rich, decadent beauty. I ended my last leg of the trip from her cozy home to her luscious boutique on Melrose! I walked so slowly through the store, great music, and so much eye candy you could burst.

On the plane ride home, I seriously felt like my whole being was buzzing with inspiration and excitement for this next part of Mended Mosaic. Looking at so much success, I am ready to watch us grow.

Its simply time to grow.

I am going to end this entry with some links to people and companies who I got to spend sometime with this past week and are a part of this incredible feeling:

Maya Organic - www.mayaorganicjewelry.com

S&G Clothing by Sequoia and Gita - www.sandgclothing.com

Charles Shaw - http://www.realitysandwich.com/exile_nation_drugs_prisons_politics_spirituality

The California Honeydrops - www.cahoneydrops.com/tour

Jillian Ann - http://jillianann.com/

Elana Bee - http://fiercefragile.wordpress.com

Steamtrunk - www.steamtrunk.com

Jan Hilmer - http://www.janhilmer.com

Skin Graft Designs - www.skingraftdesigns.com

Braindrops - www.braindrops.com

The Revolution Cafe - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/XmJvy41_tJLOS8WCAVQB5g?select=T8qrJEBMG8vULERF3wnwGQ

Liquid Fire Mantra - http://www.liquidfiremantra.com

Its a good time.

Time seems to be flying by way faster than I even know, and we have still to receive our order. The list of people securing sizes and colors and styles is getting longer and longer so by the time it actually gets to us..its already 60% accounted for. This is so exciting, to watch the pieces that I am passionate about be so coveted. I am excited that our trip to San Francisco and L.A. will be coming up soon, we'll be toting along with us a small collection of sizes to see what boutiques will be interested in having the new 2010 line.

Nothing to big to report until the order actually arrives into my hands...but I can't wait to surprise the list of people I have with their new jacket.

Self - Reliance.

When we started our company, I realized there was a lot of stuff I couldn't do. I don't do photography, graphic design, I am not handy with websites, or even basic stuff like receipts or invoices. It takes a lot of people and a lot of time, that most people don't realize, behind one image. So much goes into keeping a business steady and fully working, and all the while creating words, fliers, and images for eye candy.

I have been blessed to know people who are incredibly talented and also willing to help. There are a lot of people who are willing to help for a price. Often, however, I have ideas brewing in my mind that I just want to execute without relying on anybody else. And so it began, I sat down in front of Photoshop and my father busted out the basics for me. I am able to do some simple, basic arranging of each style and name them. I actually think they came out rather nicely.

All the photography comes next...with models...photographers..make up artists....

You gotta bet, if you're going to win.

We have been home for about 2 weeks now,and we are organizing and planning like we never have before. Already, the energy we have surrounding the 2010 collection is bigger and more exciting than anything we have felt so far. There is this confidence that is almost causing hesitation on my end. It's almost as if I am scared to succeed.

I have never been afraid to take chances or take on change. In fact, all my life change and risk have been some of my best qualities. So what is it that is holding me back? I am making all my lists, down to the last detail to make sure we have all the right pieces. I want to be prepared in all ways.

So I have started facing my fears. I opened excel to figure out an order sheet. I finished the wholesale order sheet. I have made a list of our first order for samples for reps, and the little touches I want to add for internet ordering.

If you asked me 5 years ago if I would be a business woman, a woman excited about business...I would have laughed. I never thought I would be so excited and fueled by the possibilities at my fingertips...not only the creativity but the logic behind it all...

I have included our a picture of our clutch...'cuz weren't you wondering about how it ended up?

Our Collection.

Don't I just feel like a proud mom.

In the works of posting the 2010 collection. We cant' wait to hear what you think!

Stateside.

So now we are on the Step 2. I love the creation process...all the behind-the-scenes of everything..the running around the sketches and work that goes behind the final product. You finally reach the point of that satisfaction when the piece is finished. And then what?

And then its time to bring it to everyone else. I want people to reach out to our creations because they feel connected to it. I want people to pick up the jacket or bag and when they put it on - feel so good, they have to have it. Over the years, I have moved away from novelty and leaned more towards having something I reach for every time. Fashion that is functional. Fashion that resides at the intersection between function and desire. That sense of security I have when I wear my favorite thing is a home, a connection to something that makes me: me.

So now we are coming back to Chicago to represent the voice of our vision.
Its time.

Rubix Cube.

I have never completed a Rubix Cube. I find that when I pick it up I think of the next move, and then the move after that. The key, I think, is to think 2 or 3 steps in front of your obvious choice, where your immediate colors line up. I have seen some people playing with one and it looks like mush until one more move and BAM! It all starts to make sense, and then it is completed.

Much like a Rubix Cube, I dedicated every last bit of my patience into the last week. It was worth it - its all coming up roses.

When I got my pilot jacket sample back today, I did that weird girly squeal thing. I was so delighted with the results it seemed the last week of stress and racking my brain with every possible analyzation was entirely rewarded. The physical manifestation of a piece was met with vision.

Its a race between patience and the clock. So much work but sometimes just as much waiting…doing all you can, and letting it happen the way it will. Plan for as much as you can, allow for what you didn't plan for. 2 weeks ago I didn't think that I would have what I wanted in my hands by the time we left.

This is truly my voice and I have so much more to say.

Mondays.

Monday on Bali really means Tuesday, apparently.

I have organized paperwork, cleaned the house, and am currently rocking back and forth.

Serenity.

The monkey forest never gets old. Wandering the sanctuary, about 400 monkeys roam uncaged to do as they like. It might be the bananas they want in your hand that you bought at the door, your dangly earrings, your camera, your hanging scarf, anything that catches their attention. As they walk by it might be a very intentional retrieval, or it might be as mindless as running your hand along a table as you walk by. Watch out for tails, and don't try to take anything back after they have taken from your hands. We had some more good laughs this time, and I even managed to catch umm, a few intimate moments on camera. I think it might be a little inappropriate to post on a business blog, but here is what else I caught.

After we left the monkey forest we visited a water temple in Tampaksiring. We had visited this temple several times before but never on a holiday, particularly this busy…such a beautiful experience.

Time crunch.

The decision has been made on the clutch. I was just informed that the piece I bought, and broke, is actually out of stock. No more worrying about whether or not it will work, just acceptance that is not even available to try. I have chosen the stronger piece and am working the design with it, and it will be beautiful just the same.

Still waiting for Monday to come so we can get our custom zipper pulls!!! On Monday I will also be getting back 2 more jackets and the finished clutch. Just 2 more days of waiting. Because there is nothing we can do, we are getting out of the house for a few days, away from work, and heading up to Ubud for some relaxation time. We will go to the water temple,go to the monkey forest, visit with our lovely friends up there and come back ready to pound out the last 2 weeks of focus.

It so funny that even though I have everything submitted, shy of 2 last designs, inspiration is still flowing out of me. I feel like a mad scientist sometimes, and even if I am doing something else, I still have my designs laid out like they will magically appear in physical form. I never stop thinking about it.I love what I do, clearly. This part of it, as stressed out as I am, is such an amazing use of brain power, problem solving, raw creativity, shared vision, and the grand finale when you are finally proud of all the accomplishments. Sometimes it feels like its a long road to get to where you're going, but when you finally arrive, man - you have arrived.

I have no choice but to accept that we will end up exactly as we should the night we leave the island. We will have all the pieces that we set out to make, and they will all be wonderful expressions of us.

Speed Bumps.

I have arrived to the point where I have done all I can possibly do and now everything is in a magical limbo where I have nothing left to work on, and I have nothing solid in my hands. The we- don't- have- enough- time- for- this- waiting game. This feeling follows me everywhere. When we first ventured into Mended Mosaic, I wanted everything I had ever looked for in fashion to become a reality. We walked in blind and walked out with a product that got an enthusiastic response. The next year we came back and refined what we started with and again, came back and were even more pleased with the results. After learning everything we did the first round, we were able to take that education and melt it together with vision. At this point in my business, I have reached a new level of critique. Centimeter by centimeter; stitch by stitch. Custom zippers, custom buttons, an upgrade with our labels…. all the little things are suddenly becoming speed bumps for time, because we really really really want to make it just right. I know that its all a part of the process, but its like sending back a meal over and over again until its absolutely perfect. When is the point where you have to just eat your food, and accept it for what it is?

I can't.

I found this beautiful ornate piece of hardware I want to use for a clutch. After my sample came back, the design was so close to what I wanted. It was a great rough draft, anyway. However, the piece broke. I went back to the store to see if there was an alternative to this certain piece but there wasn't. I am hanging out with Denial and he is such poor company. I stare at the sample thinking that if I just adjust how it was made, then maybe? Of course, there is also the possibility that I am refusing to admit I have to change my vision.

It doesn't help that our time is ticking past us and I am at the point where I think I am finally starting to panic. It all just takes so much time. I just keep waiting for Tuesday when I will finally get back 4 jackets and a bag. I doubt I will be able to relax until then because I know I will be thinking that there has to be something else I can be doing.

But there isn't.

From here, we just wait. We wait until it comes back, make the proper adjustments and do again.

It all works out in the end, right?

The Little Things

The year 2010 for me has been about simplifying the noise. Its about time to weed out what isn't working for me, and nourish the things that are. I can feel myself growing up and seeing things more clearly. I can feel myself really envisioning what I want and then drawing a straight line from me to my goal. I know in the past I could feel myself floundering about, dabbling here and there, whatever felt good at the time. As the years pass, the teeter totter system has gotten less and less and I see very black and white on what I like, and what I don't.

If I look at what I have on paper, it looks damn good. And now I am ready for the next level.

With my personal evolution has also come a make-over in Mended Mosaic. This year I am producing an all new line, and discontinuing everything from before. It is a complete wipe out. My concentration isn't about the bells and whistles; its about everything put together to make the piece whole. The little things. This was all a part of it from the beginning, but its time to really dial it in.

The part most worthy of mentioning, that I am nearly busting with excitement about is: custom zipper pulls!

I can't believe that I am getting this giddy about it, but I am such a sucker for the little things. We are getting part of our logo carved into custom Mended Mosaic zipper pulls. This, my friends, is very cool.

Survival of the Fittest.

Two things I seem to forget when I return to Bali. The extreme humidity, first of all - and the power going out over the entire island. I am thankful that this time around our electric isn't hooked up to the water pump, so when the candles and flashlight are all we have, at least we can flush the toilet. So here I am sitting here in the candlelight, with just enough power to [hopefully] complete a post.

Today we ran around looking for new hardware. In some of these shops there is overwhelming visual stimulation: millions of bags of tiny little studs, grommets, zippers, closures, belt buckles, o-rings, d-rings, lobster clips, and on and on… True to form, today felt like a monopoly board and we were the pawns, following the suit of the dice.

Ending on a good note, rough drafts of 2 samples are back and 2 more to grab tomorrow. The jacket has incredible leather, tiny ruffles and tiny studs. Simple lines, flattering cut, and the sleeves are so nice and tailored. This victorian style jacket needs just a little more edge before its where I want it to be. So, onward I go, sitting with the jacket until I what it needs. I like to think our style has an underlying theme to it…edge and romance locked in the same room with no where to go. I am trying to bring the edge into this one, so it stays more Mended Mosaic, instead of Tea Time.

A little over 3 weeks and I keep telling myself that we are moving at a good pace, but patience has never been my best virtue. Even after we submit our samples, I'm right back in what Louie fondly calls my "office" with splayed out pieces of paper and a measuring tape, working on the next one. Even after my initial design is complete, I still keep trying new ideas like trying new dresses on my paper dolls …survival of the fittest, so to speak.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Our Own Little Slice of Heaven.

After years of spending our time here in one room, we finally decided to splurge a little and find a house to ourselves for this trip. Being post wedding, and we haven't taken a honeymoon yet, we opted for a more lavish stay on our work trip. After hours on the bike, sunburns, and little gangways later, somehow we stumbled on our own little slice of heaven. And I can't wait to have our visitors! Instead of rambling on and on about how wonderful it is, I took pictures to post. What a difference it has been already in having space to get into our creative zone. Welcome home.

Risk/Reward

Finding the hidden gems that you are specifically seeking is one of the toughest games I have ever played. I tend to be the type of person who finds a restaurant I like, the item on the menu that I like, and stick with it. I don't feel that I lack adventure in this way [although many may beg to differ] but why should I spread my wings if I am guaranteed to love my usual?? There are times when Louie and I go out to eat and we branch out into the edible unknown, but more often than not make eye contact and say: "Should've stuck with the usual".

It doesn't just stop with food. I am that way with jeans, shoes, and colors. This is not to say that every once in a while the blue shard of glass in the dirt doesn't catch my attention and I am led slowly at a steady pace towards the shiny thing glimmering in the sun, but would I carry a bag in that same color? Nah. So I stick with what I am passionate about. The most rich, soft chocolate brown I can find. The perfect creme that reminds you of something you would find in an old antique trunk. A light buttery brown that looks like it is melting when you fold it. I know I like something when I catch myself going "ooOOOoOooo" upon discovery. And Louie made me swear I wouldn't say anything..................... but I even caught him "ooOoOo-ing" once.

But isn't it time that I risk ordering something that I might like…even more??

Bali demands risks of all kinds to find exactly what you're looking for, or even something you didn't know you were looking for. You will be disappointed a thousand times, and sweaty to boot by the end of it…and sometimes you won't find anything at all. Its not like there is an industrial sized JoAnne's around the corner. In fact, before I got here, I had no idea that the materials and hardware would be so spread out. You have to take risks to get rewards so you have to keep trucking on even when it seems like your dream fabric is no where to be found. I was told once that the view from the top of the mountain is so much sweeter when you climb it, rather than drive to it. It takes climbing a mountain to understand that feeling. Let me tell you, that person was right.

Chaos.

Today I woke up way before the sun. Jet lag? The way a child feels on Christmas Eve night? A bit of both, likely, and not to mention that my inner to-do lists are haunting my relaxation time. My anxiety is telling me five weeks is going to be hard-pressed to get everything done. I am committed to my planner to make sure everything is unfolding in a timely fashion so that when crunch time is just around the corner I can flash an award-winning smile and laugh in the face of procrastination.

However, in any business, I am sure this means the same thing: plan for the things you can control, and leave room for disaster on the things you cannot. On our house hunt yesterday we spoke with a man who was curious about our life in Chicago. Louie mentioned that he was excited to leave the chaos of home to which the man replied, "And then you get here and its just a different kind of chaos, no?" and we all laughed followed by that moment of silence and slow nodding.

And that leaves us to today. Preliminary responsibilities in tact-- we dive. I am a fan of Step One which is always accompanied by that distinct sense of fresh satisfaction. We get the keys to our house today!!! We meet with a couple tailors today for the first samples to come back. This all means we have pushed over the first domino. With our sit-bones finally adjusting to the scooter seat, sun on our backs, and a tape measure around my neck like a waving flag, we are off to find that olive green leather I've been dreaming about.




P.S. Louie wants me to say something. In Bali you're not supposed to flush toilet paper in the toilet. So above the toilet there is a sign in our bathroom that reads: "Thank you for not throwing anything into the closet". Maybe this is why I am the one who writes the blog. And so it begins. Random observations, signs, and commentary by Louie. The picture didn't come out, so I will get to that in the next few hours.

Lets do the Time Warp again.

The smell of sawdust always reminds me of my dad and his wood shop. The smell of roses reminds me of when I was a kid and my mom would bring these buckets of roses home from her shop that she couldn't sell anymore so we could take rose petal baths. When I smell these things, moments come back to me as if it were yesterday afternoon - trying desperately to get the sawdust off my socks, or feeling like a tiny regal bath tubber. I love triggers like this, like a time warp..like you could open your eyes to see those damn socks nearly falling off your feet before you run up every other stair to the kitchen.

Not only is flying 13 hours into the future its own time warp, but year after year we return to Bali and just getting into the airport has its own smell of familiarity. That initial walk outside …the air is so thick its like a blanket. So, wrapped by the heat of the tropics, hopping on our brand new scooter, we jump the back streets and gangways like we never left. Inside jokes from the last time we were here are a year old but here we are, laughing again. I have to take a moment to think how incredibly thankful I am to feel that Bali, Indonesia is a home away from home.

Only a few things have changes that i've noticed so far: a new Circle K, a few new stores, and some are gone. Mostly it all seems the same. Our favorite Balinese friends still work in the same restaurants and hang outside the same stores. They all remember our names and are thrilled that we are back again. When we tell them that we have gotten married, the excitement is nearly overwhelming. And of course..the wedding, too, feels like it was just yesterday.

At this point, the only thing left from our time warp is our skin acclimating to the sun. It will only take a few days for the sun to seep back into our bones and allow our skin to glow along with it. In just a few hours, I have a pretty impressive sunburn but Louie's farmer's tan trumps mine by far. Ha. Yep. We are definitely back in Bali. Its our first day back and I am signing off - we have a sunset on the beach to catch.

Preparation. For. Creation.

I never thought about starting a blog. The creative process has always been something that I have shared with only Louie, my family or close friends. With our departure right around the corner, all of a sudden I was having more and more people asking questions about what we do out in Bali, Indonesia when creating our next line. Whats first? Whats second?

I suppose the first step to sharing our process would be creating this blog, practice using proper capital letters and punctuation, and starting from the beginning.

And here we are. 4 days from leaving Chicago's 20 degree weather, 4 days from the constant creative process of finding fabrics, bits and bobs, working on shapes, stitches, buzzing around on the motorbike, and eating sushi on the ocean. 4 days from the zone. 4 days from the start of our 5 weeks in Bali.

So...5 weeks and 4 days until we are back in Chicago with Mended Mosaic's 2010 line.