backstage

his & hers

you'd think after 30 years of performing, stage fright might become more bearable. alas, it hasn't; but it has led me down a path of getting to experience the stage from behind the curtain.  in only 3 years, i have gotten to know some of athens' great bow-ers. i say bow-ers because in addition to stringed instruments, some folks use them on saw, banjo, guitar, cymbal and even vibraphone,  giving their instruments an entirely new voice.  it has always been important to me to offer a space where a musician feels comfortable asking for a service without feeling judgment of any kind. yes, it's out there...and i've been made to feel like "less" of a musician for wanting colored horsehair or using a student level bow. 

i've had the unbelievable honor of getting to open for some of my musical heroes: aimee mann, jeff tweedy, and jay clifford. my nerves kicked into overdrive when i played several REM songs AFTER they hit the 40 watt stage on one incredible eve.  

this past fall, i got to open for kishi bashi at the 40 watt.  he recently relocated to athens, and is a wonderful addition to our ever evolving musical community.  it was fun to see his approach (we both use looping to create our sonic backdrop) and how well his bandmates enhanced his music. he is currently supporting his newest release, lighght, and i highly encourage you to treat yourself to a show if he's in your town! my kids enjoy watching his video for bright whites, partly because they get to see a friend of theirs!

recently, he and his wife popped into the studio to have their violin bows rehaired, and they chose some really fun colors! my work comes with a lot more confidence these days, and it's a nice feeling when folks you hold in high regard musically come to you for your work...or the colored horsehair...

as i pack up my tools today in preparation for more education in bow repair, i am grateful for the musicians who have trusted me with their instruments. i love my work behind the scenes,   making the bow its best... no matter which instrument it accompanies.

honorary shout outs to clients who keep the old timey tunes alive and to those who push the boundaries of bowed instruments! i'm looking at you, barrel sniffer, claire campbell, and jeremy wheatley!

a new winding is in order

bow rehair and repair

over the last few years, i have been able to learn the craft of rehairing and repairing bows for string instruments. there is such a need in our very musical community, and whether you are pursuing a degree in performance at UGA, enjoying playing in one of athens' many diverse bands, or just want to bring one down from the attic and have it in playing condition again, i hope to provide athens' string musicians with a dependable and local option for when this work is needed. please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment, receive quotes, and ask questions regarding your bow.

horsehair keychains

when i learned how to rehair bows, our teacher had us throw the old hair into a big pile, which we then tossed outside of our building, coincidentally by horse stables. when we looked in the trees, we could see that many of the birds' nests had the horsehair woven into them! it was such a beautiful way to see something discarded still have so much purpose.

as i steadily grow my bow business, i do occasionally donate to the birds' nests here in athens. but, the artist in me wants more! i began by creating paint brushes, but since i had no knowledge regarding brush construction, i quickly made a tassel to sell at a holiday market. a friend there had some sweet vintage key rings, and since then, i've been creating unique keychains with the leftover horsehair. the hair is cleaned (rosin removed), and each winding consists of cotton, silk, or nylon thread.  each pattern is unique and no two keychains are alike. because of the nature of my work, i only make them as hair is available. 

sewing & textiles

my mother taught me to sew at a very young age. i remember making outfits for summer camp, dresses for junior high school dances, and more recently apron dresses for adults and little things for younger ones! i absolutely love sewing clothing...and i am drawn to simple silhouettes with unique detail, whether it's contrasting thread or a hidden pocket. 

i love making garments for my children, and now myself with my own spin on a children's classic...think pipi longstocking...

i enjoy using natural fibers, particularly linen and cotton, but when a print is so amazing, i'm not afraid of the occasional synthetic fiber. it's just a personal choice of what i like to wear.

lately, i've been making dolls from scrap fabric:

as i continue to create sewn and knit goods, i think constantly about the quality of my work, the meaning and impact of 'sustainable fashion', and how my choices of materials are so important. if you've ever knit with a quality natural fiber and then made a switch to acrylic, you'll understand...

the 'apron dress' (sometimes reversible) came about from people's requests to create my children's garments in 'their size'! it was fun to make the pattern and add essentials like deep inset pockets. i've made them in different lengths and they are great as a dress or as a coverup. they usually sell before i can list them on my etsy site!

homemade cleaning products

there is a chemist living in me. 

give me some natural cleaning agents and some essential oils, and i'm bound to whip up something that will smell nice and get the job done. after making surface cleaners and room sprays for my own home, i began selling them at holiday markets and in several local shops and they are doing well! i spent a long time finding the right glass bottles, the right sprayers, and the right blend of oils...

all purpose cleaners in "lavender/clary sage"  or  "rose/geranium/vetiver" and room spray in a unique blend of oils.

i'm someone who really dislikes the super perfume-y odors that are in so many cleaners, detergents, and air freshening products...even the "natural" ones! so, i set out to create my own, and am so pleased with the response i get from folks around town.  my cleaners and room sprays are currently available at community (downtown athens) and at my studio.

because of their weight, i don't offer them online, but feel free to contact me if the shipping doesn't intimidate you!