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Life lessons from an Afghan
Making an afghan is not a sprint. IT IS a MARATHON!!!
I’ve been working on this pretty little beast for about two months. And I’ve just hit the halfway point. I started out crazy fast, and am mentally slowing. I keep thinking to myself, I want to just GET IT DONE. And then I instantly reprimand myself for not enjoying the process. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!
{Above is my super special organizational motif chart. I cannot describe the delicious pleasure I take in maniacally crossing out a block in the, “to do” chart.}
TIPS AND TRICKS TO “GET THROUGH” making an afghan….
• Don’t do it alone. Get a group of knitters/crochetters together and be in the company of others. Support is important.
• Watch a ridiculous tv show if knit groups or friends aren’t available.
• Section the project into small increments, and give yourself a sticker when you complete an increment. (with a granny square blanket, i’ve marked how many squares I’ll need to complete. I cross off when I’ve completed an entire color combo motif with a DARK BLACK PEN. if feels really good to have a visual of your progress.
• Change colors! Immediately this makes me feel better to have a different color to look at.
• Stop when your tired. Pick it up a little bit at a time. (this way your not dreading it, it’s always a pleasure).
• Do not give yourself a crazy time line. (This will just add to pressure, and you may push yourself to keep going when your tired or getting bored. Then you run the risk of never picking it up again).
• Keep it out. Have a basket or bag you keep next to the couch or where ever you like to work, so it’s easy to get at.
• Do it for fun. (why else would you do it?)
• Hire friends to help you finish 
I share all this with you, hoping i’m not the only person to feel this way? When I hear stories of grandmas and great grandmas that made 100′s of afghans in their lives, I wonder HOW THE HELL DID THEY DO IT– Speed and mental strength? Gosh, I want to time travel and ask them to be my fiber guru.
Junk to funk needs money
After 6 amazing years of making amazing trash garments on the cheap, junk to funk is in major risk of closing it’s doors. We need some community support to help make some future projects. Installations, guerilla flash mobs fashion shows, trashion classes, etc. We can’t do it anymore with just love. We need money to help spread the message and save the planet. What better way to make an impact. Please help if you can. Even 10 bucks is a giant help!
We will be creating 3 new garments for earth day out of coffee cups, plastic water bottles, and plastic bags. This installation will be in a window front in Downtown portland. Location to be disclosed later
Desperately begging tell your friends and help us help you and our sweet sweet planet!
The perfect baby gift
All my friends are making babies! Baby making time means; baby making crafts! My good friend Korie, was delighted to learn that she was pregnant.
Korie, starting to show the "baby bump"
I desperately wanted to make something for her newest family member. I wanted something sweet and practical…. A blanket! I modeled “project baby blanket” after my dearest love; my baby blanket.
Me 1983 holding my sweetest friend, my blanket!
2011
I choose a super soft acrylic weight yarn by red heart, sweet baby yarn. And I choose lighter soft hues than a traditional pink or yellow. In my blanket, there used to be cartoon drawings all along the satin (which I rubbed off or washed away). And still, under careful inspection in the corner folds of the satin trim, you can see the pale yellow, light mint green, and soft pink sketches of warm friendly characters. This was my inspiration for the color.
Next was choosing the pattern. Since I was obsessed with crocheting and learning a mess load of different techniques, I was hell bent on making a delicate granny square baby blanket!
Goal: complete 42 squares and sew them together.
Added the satin trim
Its important to block the blanket before sewing on the satin. The satin that I choose was actually a very thin rayon coat liner. The “prepacked satin trim” at the fabric store was like steel wool. I wanted it to feel like butter.
While making this sweet blanket, I had no idea how sentimental I was going to be. I kept reminiscing about the deep love and comfort I found in snuggling my blanket, and stubborn insistence to drag it everywhere. With every loop and pull of yarn I kept imagining, “who will this unborn person be in this world?” What countless ways will she touch and warm peoples hearts? I can’t wait to find out, and I hope I transferred good wishes and luck into the soft warm fibers of yarn. Welcome to earth little Lily!
Crack Picks
I recently started a weekly craft group. It is the most amazing idea I’ve had for several reasons: One to connect to the crafting community, and Two because it’s sad to knit/crochet for hours and hours by yourself with the droning of the television in the background. Getting a group of craft buddies together is the perfect winter activity. During this event, I learned about “CRACK PICKS” (this is the nickname to …. knitpicks. Have you heard of this? I was afraid I was the last to know. Knit picks is a website for affordable and beautiful yarn. Knit picks is like half.com or ebay… look here before spending an arm and a leg.
Now this isn’t to say that I don’t love to support local businesses, but shit- they’re breaking my piggy bank with my obsessive yarn fetish. I will certainly continue to go as they do have an incredible selection of beautiful yarn….! but…. I just ordered about 36 skeins of worsted weight wool, and I am going to make my first afghan for 130 bucks– verses 300+ This is an expensive project if you want to use fancy pants fiber. (knit picks also happens to be across the bridge in Vancouver WA– a 15 min drive from my house verses a 15 min walk up the street to yarn store)-still local and small business!
Now I understand why it’s nicknamed, “Crack Picks.” Happy Crocheting!
Kids Love Amigurumi
It seems I’m at that age in life, when everyone is getting married and having babies. This is great for me. I get to test run the critters vicariously through my tired friends. My friend Carissa has a three year old who is adorable beyond words. Smart. Quick. Insightful. And always smiling. She is the most well balance human being I know. Anyway, she is the older sister to newborn Jedd. As soon as Carissa had given birth to Jedd, I realized– I must send some kind of loving congratulations for caring and birthing and new creature into this world. But what? AMIGURUMI!!!! I wrote a blog about my first attempts, in: http://jenlamastra.com/amigurumi/
But what I didn’t anticipate was that Jedd’s precious older sister, Alaire, would fall desperately in love with Disgruntled Dino, becoming one of her 6 other “babies.” Sorry Jedd! And another precious thing to note is in, Alaire’s darling 3 year old speak, “disgruntled” has been renamed to GRUNCHEL. Grunchel has been sent to take naps, and attend tea parties, while Jedd gets to hopelessly watch : ) Guess I should get to work making Jedd something of his own, but maybe I’ll wait till he’s a little older and can fight off his maternal crazed sister.
Little Jed is letting his big sister Alaire take care of Grunchel
Grunchel taking a nap
Picnic for Grunchel
Teaching Trashion Fashion to Teens
This summer I had the privilege of teaching a week long summer camp at Multnomah Arts Center. I spent 5 lovely fun filled days with 7 teeny boppers. What a cool age. These kids were extremely bright– a little shy and timid, but one week with me and they were fearless crafters. Teaching is so rewarding. It feels like an opportunity to go back in time and tell these budding artists the things that I needed or would have loved to have heard as a child. It is so important to create a safe and encouraging environment. I know that I could have benefited from a warm and supportive space.
We started the week out by doing an inspiration collage of who they are and what they like. This helps me identify visually what they’re aesthetic is. I can see clearly the shapes and colors and patterns they’re drawn to.
Once they complete this. I like them to make a list of adjectives and write out what they see. What are the similarities, who is this person? Who isn’t this person. Invent. Dream. And then make a doodle. Drawing doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just an anchor. Or a contract of what you want to make this week. I find this helpful to refer to as a reference point. This is true with adults or children. A little sketch helps keep you on track. (I’m totally a list maker– can you tell?)
And here is our sassy 11yr old fashion goddess. She learned how to hand sew, sew buttons, make earrings, reimagine a thrift store dress, identify different fabrics, use a sewing machine, and get techie with pliers. Pretty impressive!
I’ll be teaching a Halloween centered one. Every Wednesday in October. There are still some open slots if anyone wants to sign up. It’s gonna be a hoot!
same idea
stripy multicolor sock, paired with hippos and orange converse all stars.
When you live in a town thats catch phrase is, “Keep Portland Weird.” The chances of finding someone else sporting the same crazy mismatched socks is high. Still I was quite surprised at my shocking unoriginality. The checkered suspenders also swelled my heart. Thumbs up!
Purple Unicorn sock, Teal Black Bird Sock, with lime green Kangaroo shoes
Mary Anne Radmacher
I admit it. I am a self help junkie. I constantly have an inspirational- how to change your life; book/magazine/audio book/or card. I could probably start my own library. I’m learning not to judge this hungry quest for feel good, inspiration, and truth. I recognize now that all the teasing, I’ve received isn’t about me- it’s about other people’s uncomfortableness with knowing and seeing themselves. Why else would you make fun of someone looking to be their brightest, healthiest, and happiest self?
Here is the latest card that I got for myself on a Jen date. I love it. I cheer myself on in my head as I read this like, “yah- totally. Okay no, problem.” and then when I get to the end, I am nearly in tears. It’s like an arrow through all the many distractions that smoke screen my life. Each minute. Each second is passing. What a great reminder to be present. ”to live with intention….”
Yarn Bomb Stairs (how-to’s)
Here are the tutorials on how to do my favorite crochet techniques. They are all surprisingly simple. Knowing the basics are helpful, but following along with the video is how I learned the basics. If I can do it, you can do it. You tube is a great resource for finding demonstrations on “how to do” stuff. Where you tube fails, your local yarn store will gladly fill in the blanks. I have found fiber enthusiasts very welcoming to helping solve your yarn problems.
The Broom stick technique
How to Crochet Broom stick technique
Rose bud technique
(Multiple of 2 chs)
Row 1: Sc in second chain from hook and in each chain across.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first sc, *skip next sc, sc in next sc, work around sc just made, sc in skipped sc; repeat from * across.
Keep repeating Row 2 for the pattern.
Basket Weave crochet technique
Birthday Yarn bomb
It has taken me all summer to complete these panels. And what better momentous day to install– than my birthday. This yarn bomb is to signify the bountiful joy and giddiness that this new age will bring me. Cheers to mostly being an adult!!! Please note, I am wearing a cape.
Yarn Bomb Stairs (in process)
Magda Sayeg Crochet Stairs
Currently working on a large Yarn Bomb in my studio space. I’ve been really inspired by Knit bombing- yarn grafettiest Magda Sayeg. Her industrial defiance ignited the fiber whore in me. Everything I see that is bland and tasteless I immediately think, this would be much more pleasing if it was covered in delicious patterns of yarn.
Stairs of Gloom
These are the lifeless stairs I have to ascend in order to enter my creative lair. Believe me it is a treacherous journey to avoid the poisoning sadness of the depressive gray. It’s a new thing for me to be conscious of the industrial malady, and to put action to this awareness. I am refusing to be oppressed by the black hole of mundane. *Here’s where Magda Sayeg comes in.* I am going to yarn bomb these stairs of gloom and transform them into domestic delight. After I’m done with these stairs, no longer will you look at these stairs and be greeted by the ordinary, instead you will be perfumed by color and texture that instigates the creative playmate. I will not allow those stairs to suck me or anyone else into its black hole of mundane.
Planning my urban defiance
The first part of my plan is to take measurements. I need to make 15 panels that are 5 1/2 inches high by 47 1/4 long. Then I have decided, since I’m obsessed with learning how to crochet, I will make each rise of the stair a different crochet pattern. So I have to learn 15 new techniques.
Popcorn Stitch. Honey Dew Red Heart Yarn. Size J hook
So far I’ve learned 13 new stitches. Popcorn, Basket Weave, Waffle, Tunisian afghan, Pineapple, Granule, Shell, Shells and Cords, DC Diamonds, HDC puffs, Leaf, Crunch, and Lattice.
- 3 more to go. Looking like a rainbow of happiness to me
When I finish with the last two (which hopefully will be by the end of the week), I will arrive with 15 rainbow crochet panels, and a staple gun to install. :) It’s gonna be SOOOOO good I will of course post the final piece and give the patterns and videos that i found to help me create the barrage of texture!
Granny Square Purse
Here is a simple fun project that you can use!
I fell in love with this simple scarf pattern from “Grannies On the Go”, and instead of sewing the granny squares into a long rectangle, I sewed them into a checkerboard. 3X3. I used a raw wool yarn, that I got at Yarn Garden. And choose 5 different colors.
Instructions on how to make this granny square
sewing the squares into a checkerboard
I lined the purse with an old sweater. Added a zipper on the top for closure . And I got the leather handles off this girls ETSY shop. Link to purchase the leather handles.
When I went to the yarn store to look at handles, I was horrified to see that some handles can cost as much as $60 retail. Getting supplies from ETSY feels good because you’re supporting independent artists. However, I did have to wait. Which is sometimes hard to do when you’ve got the crafting bug and just want to finish a project. You could also harvest straps off a bag at the goodwill, unless you have a specific image in mind. Anyway, Happy crocheting!
Totally Cute Granny Square Purse
Stressing The Dress Part Four
The final installment of the Vitamin Water webisodes created by the producers of Project Runway. What an totally crazy and surreal experience. At the end of it all I started dreaming that there was a film crew following me around taping everything I did and said.
I want to make a special shout out to all the people and friends that helped support me through this insanity! Of course, Brian Adrian, you were instrumental in keeping my mind mush cohesive, supporting me, and documenting me. Virginia- well, I couldn’t have done this without you. Lindsey Newkirk master mind of Junk to FUNK. You’re a amazing. Thank you for being you! Mark Keppinger, thank you for your brilliance with electronics and circuitry, and of course your wiliness and enthusiasm to entertain my insanity. I’m so glad to have met you, and gotten to share crafting hours at OMSI and PNCA. Thank you thank you. Thank you to all the little worker bees that showed up at my studio to help me craft: Jessica, Lindsey, Traci, Erin, Sylvia, Betsy. Allison Fordham of MODO boutique. Thank you for dressing me, and making me look presentable. (all my clothing came from Allisons swanky second hand store). Elizabeth Robinson of Twilight and filigree, your sweet leather adornments made me feel so pretty, thank you! Thank you to Betsy Cross of Betsy and Iya for your infamous large and confident earrings, they dangled success! And MOST importantly, Thank you sooo much for your unbelievably arresting beauty, and talent Natalie Morris. You made the dress look extraordinary! It could not have been any more stunning! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Stressing The dress Part 3
Here is the third installment of the webisodes created by the producers of Project Runway.
Stressing the dress part 2
Here is the second installment (I think out of 4) of me making the Vitamin Water dress for the Mercury Fashion show. I was followed around for three days by the camera crew of project runway.
Click here to watch the webisode.
Gift Giving
I have a long time childhood obsession with Pandas. I blame it on my grandparents for getting it started. Every present I received from 0-5 had a panda on it. Stuffed animals, sweaters, book marks, ceramic sculptures. Pandas littered my landscape.
So it’s no wonder that when flipping through “Amigurumi” by Lan-Anh Bui & Joshephine Wan, I took pause and pleasure at the “Pandora Panda” pattern. I rushed to my bin of yarn, to see if I had the necessary essentials to begin this creature. It didn’t take me very long to make. And it was a real pleasure reminiscing and letting the waves of childhood innocence delight each loop and scoop of yarn. I was so proud of this piece I posted it on facebook to share.
There was an onslaught of comments cooing at the cuteness of it. (Panda heart pangs are not isolated to me).
“That is super cute!!!” ”I LOVE IT!” ”Omg my son would flip out for a bear like that!”
And it was that last one that I knew who this little guy belonged to.
I quickly and resolutely wrote to the author, “Sarah what is your address? The panda is yours.”
A little later in the day, I received this comment, “OMG Jen you are so sweet but you don’t have to do that. I wish I was half as creative as you, you are an AMAZING woman! Next time I’m in Portland we have to hang out.”
I instantly retorted, “Sarah! I’m not just being nice. I want to give him a good home. I didn’t make him for anyone in mind so it’s really perfect that you posted!! Promise! Please let me give him to you. It would make me feel really good to know some little person is enjoying it!”
With some resistance, I managed to convince her, I really wanted to give this to her son, and that it wasn’t inconvenient, and I didn’t want to be reimbursed. It was really hard for her to believe I wanted to do this. This gives me great pause and wonder. [Why are people so bad at receiving gifts? Is this a cultural formality of showing how polite and appreciative we are?
Step one: feel bad.
Step two: Recoil in horror.
Step three: Back pedal.
Step four: Claim accidental-sudden insanity for asking for what you want. (if giver is obnoxiously insistent, and doesn't concede to your insistant gift deprevation- see step five)
Step five: Grovel and be overly apologetic].
Why are gifts and complements so hard to receive? How many times has someone given you a complement and instead of saying, “thank you, ” you go on and on about what is actually wrong with said, thing they like about you??? You know your guilty. Just take a breath. And hear what they’re saying. Quiet those self deprecating or apologetic voices, and just say, “THANK YOU.” Stop getting in your way of receiving niceties. Anyway, once I had been tentatively given the green light. I took great pleasure in packaging and planning the unveiling.
Off to the postoffice I went. And a few days later I receive this comment: “Jen you are awesome! Dylan was sooo excited that he got something in the mail today. When I opened it up for him all he ket yelling was “Bear, bear, bear” and he hasn’t put it down since I gave it to him. That was so sweet of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! He loves it
I can’t describe how elated this whole exchange makes me. My heart feels all warm and tight, like it’s about to burst rainbows. What a feeling! Who would know to make a toy (or anything really), that has such a strong connection to your own childhood sweetness, could make one feel so full of life? I’m not sure exactly where this emotion is coming from or why? I’m getting all crazy sentimental. This project makes me feel so thankful to be alive, and unbelievably humbled by the enormousness of love. I am overwhelmed with gushy sentiments, that I got to share a rather small sweet detail of my life with another person, and that it could be so well received. (“Bear, Bear, Bear!!!!”) My Grandmother who started this whole panda obsession, has recently passed. Maybe this whole exchange has been a tribute to her– a way of keeping the connection beyond the grave? Maybe it’s been my unconscious way of paying it forward, and sharing the good things that have been given to me?! I’m not sure I can pin it on any one thing, but an entire collection of good experiences that have shaped me. With her passing I can feel more and more what she did give me. She was such treasure. I think she would be proud, that i’m sending care packages with pandas across the country– carrying on the obsession.
stressing the dress part one
Check it!! The first part of my interview by the producers of Project Runway on the making of the Vitamin water dress
Click here to watch
Last Knit Bomb as “Jen LaMastra”
Shhhhh, I’m creating an alias. I must protect my civilian name.
Oh the rush!! It’s hard to descirbe the absolute deliciousness of decorating the gray icky mundaneness of the industrial landscape. My genetic makeup has been transformed by my midnight fiber fetish.
I am obsessed.
I am driven by an unbelievable force that pulses through my blood.
I ask you, HOW CAN I TURN BACK NOW????
It was the rush of my life.
Think of me as the Clark Kent to Superman. The Bruce Wayne to Batman. The Jerrica Benton to JEM. The Diana Prince to Super Woman. The Princess Adora to She-Ra princess of power….. you understand the theme here.
I am the midnight fiber artist, tickling the cold and frozen steel with bright warm fuzzyness. I am delighting the industrial, and making people smile. I’m pretty sure this is saving the world, but just incase, some evil duer doesn’t see the do- gooddiness- or the cops get crabby, I must lay low….
Fret not. I will return, but probably dressed in a sexy yarn-splosion super suit with knitted cape. :)
Not because I want to. No, no. Because I HAVE TO!
Check out my last delicious tag.
The Color Palette: Magenta, Hot Pink, Coral, Light Coral, Pumpkin. Thank you Red Heart
Crocheting by the lamp light
Sewing up the Hexagons... measuring 7 ft long!!!
The line of cars about to witness the yarn bomb on Vancouver overpass near NE Broadway
can you see it on the left near the parking pole? It's small and unsuspecting, but it really is 7ft long. Kinda puts into perspective how much icky grayness there is around!?
Here she is in all her glory!
I did it!!!
This week I’m practicing eliminating media and reading from my life. It’s been an intense detox. I am surprised to find how much energy I have, and how quickly I want to run to a book, or to hulu, or my computer to consume consume consume…. So this week is about paying attention to what I put in. I can’t describe the overwhelming euphoria I feel. I’ve gotten more accomplished in the last 2 days than I have in 3 weeks. No exaggeration. So, one night in my mania. I got this insane itchiness to go outside. So I went outside, with my tape measure and started measuring the stop sign on the corner of my street. I was gonna do my own yarn graffiti!!!! I crazily took measurements, and then went to my studio to grab some of the granny squares I’ve been working on, and blamo! Installed my first renegade public art.
My heart was pounding. About six cars drove by, and three people walked by. No one stopped or yelled at me. This was incredibly exhilarating. It’s on SE 6th and Belmont right in front of my studio space. Come and check it out. It’s amazing now how my perception of the urban landscape has COMPLETELY changed. I can’t stop looking at all the icky undecorated polls, stop signs, parking meters, mailboxes, and bridges, that are dying for a little fabric ornamentation!!! I have some future dreams of creating more. But I felt kinda silly doing this by myself. I feel like I need an innocent bunch of budding anarchists to join me in turning this town into a Nick Cave Installation? Anyone want in??? Yarn circle. My studio. I’ll provide tea and popcorn!
Yarn bombing. Knit Graffiti, Urban Knitting
Sometimes I get so sad and gloomy living in gray rainy Portland Oregon. Especially, after hearing some crazy statistic that we get only 32 days of sun. Thats so brutal. The grayness can really beat you down. It’s a slow numbing too. I’m not sure what the recent stretch of grayness had been, but I was walking the other day to get lunch, and I came across this surprise burst of color. I was filled with hope and joy and 8 year old silliness. The bike rack on Se Hawthorne and 42ish in Portland Oregon had been Yarn Bombed. What a harmless way to decorate the mundane! I love love love this. It is truly an inspiration- and a proposal for how I want to live and see the world. Thank you knit graffiti artist! You seriously made my day!
Reality TV Debut
Here is the teaser clip of behind the scenes at the Mercury Fashion show where I premiered the Vitamin Water Glow Dress
There will be a series of these mini webisodes…. I’m secretly terrified how this is going to all be laid out before me. I have not seen any of the footage, and was a complete maniac the week when they were taping. If nothing else this will be hilarious to see how well I do under stress. They have 30 hours of footage on me. They can pretty much make me look like however they want….. please enjoy
Process to Prototype
I will have on display the Chastity Blinds Dress as well as the Vitamin Water dress. See the process of making the dress as I reveal, journals, sketches, inspirations, photos, patterns, and texture samples. There will be over 20 designers/makers there. This promises to be a great insightful event.
Amigurumi
My New Obsession
Amigurumi the art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals or anthropomorphic creatures. The word derives from the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll.
Again I have found myself unable to resist the tempting cute cover of yet another craft book. And find myself juggling two new obsessions in my life. Granny squares and crocheted little toys. I have to laugh because it sounds so ridiculous, and feels so absurd to find my thoughts anxiously counting the minutes until I have a free second to pick up my crochet hook and scoop and pull yarn through holes. It’s literally all I want to do.
the new obsession
The disgruntled dino page 76
my disgruntled dino- almost complete
This is going to be a sweet little gift for my friends baby boy. Win win. He gets a sweet cuddly new toy, and I get a fun project to work on. The yarn is organic merino wool by Sublime, and lamb’s pride worsted wool/mohair. I’ll post the finished product soon!
Presenting: The Vitamin Water Bottle Dress
After Months of planning and negotiating, the dress is finally complete. Natalie Morris, the gorgeous model walked beautifully down the runway at Friday nights Mercury Fashion show. My nerves were shot- are shot, from last minute sewing and attaching wires and charging batteries. I’ve somehow managed to create an even more obscure 911 sewing kit. Because of this dress I had to pack, fishing wire, pliers, batteries, battery chargers, packing tape, hot glue gun, and a dremel to the show. Not your traditional needle, thread and scissors. I did have to break into the emergency repair bag, but I was elated at show time to receive the gasp and awe when the dress turned on. The 90 seconds she walked the runway almost was worth the months of ridiculous work. Luckily this dress will get to appear at some other grand events: Portland Fashion Week, Vogue Fashion show, And a downtown installation on 12th and Alder. Whew! Check out the images below of after shots and process/inspiration shots.
I was inspired by the plant bottle. I thought what better way to promote eco consumer awareness than teaming up with Vitamin Water. This particular company is ahead of the game. They have creatively thought about how to reuse the beverage waste. And take on the responsibility of it’s disposal. This is an ambiguous situation. Vitamin Water will be making a textile out of their used plastic bottles. And have also created the Plant Bottle. Plastic is not a renewable resource. Vitamin water is pioneering the way to inspire alternatives to their waste. The bottle design is made up of 30% plants and 70% plastic. The goal of this project for me, is to create an outrageous outfit, that will inspire other huge companies to move toward more sustainable practices. So this dress is inspired by Plant anatomy and the new Vitamin water zero flavor GLOW.
At first I was thinking I wanted to use actual sticks in the garment. I had my neighbor Milo save the prunings from the fig tree outside my window, but as I worked with the bottles, the more I realized it would be just too many ideas. It’s interesting to go back because these sticks stayed in my brain and got translated into the vertical lines of the bodice. Funny how that works.
Collecting the wrappers.
Starting to piece the wrappers together in alternating colors. Separating the panels is piping made from the “white parts” of the labels. This was kind of murder to cut and sew. Tedious! I used packing tape to hold the similar labels together. and later lined the back with teal duct tape. This is not a traditional bodice. Using actual fabric was disastrous. The tape acted as strong reinforcement, and helped keep the seams busted.
Water droplets are also part of the inspiration. This image I had in my research at the very beginning. Again it’s funny to look back, because I was completely unconscious how much this played into the final design. I love how that works. In the beginning I was collecting images of plants and water, and different themes of what I thought of when thinking about Vitamin Water Zero. This image became the “flower/water bubbles” in the skirt.
These are the cut tops off the bottles. I used a bandsaw that I borrowed from my amazing neighbor Milo. He thinks I’m totally crazy, smiles at me and seems to encourage my ridiculousness.
Notice the plastic rings underneath the caps? What is that the safety seal? Well I, and some friends picked those punks off the 200+ bottles and I cut and glued them into her collar. I was refered to them as “roots,” since this was all plant themed in my mind.
And to balance out her glowing lower half, I clipped in some sweet fiber optics. And here you have it.
In total about 200 bottles were used, about 16 led lights, 3 fiber optic barretts, 1 rechargeable 12 volt battery, 1/4 of a spool of fishing wire, 1 spool of green thread, 12 yards of cotton piping, 1 roll of packing tape, 1 1/2 rolls of teal duct tape, 4 2oz acrylic containers of glow in the dark paint, 1 1/2 large sticks of hot glue, 1 green zipper, 4 inches of pre-made hooks and eyes, and 1 yard of clear vinyl. All totaled about 80-100 hours spent.
So much thanks to Mark Keppinger, for helping me with lighting the skirt. He built the circuit and stayed late helping me solder, and strip wire. He was instrumental. Also, so much thanks to Lindsey Newkirk of Junk to Funk, for helping make this happen. Virginia! All our magically brainstorming in the salon chair did pay off!!! Thank you to all the crafting helpers: Jessica Kimmet– girlfriend fell in love with the bandsaw!, Traci Price, Erin McGarry, Sylvia, and Emily Alexander. And lastly, Thank you Brian Adrian Koch for your unending support in my outrageous projects! Thank you for dressing up like Tim Gunn at the fashion show, being such a calming force in my mania And for taking these KILLER photos! xo
It’s hard to see the magic in a still image because the dress has a small flicker to the lights. It’s hypnotizing. It’s like watching a camp fire.
Here is the rest of the designs from the Mercury Fashion Show
and here is the link of Me and Seth Aaron Henderson (project runway winner season 7) on Fox news showing off our dresses
and below is a sneak peek of the mockumentary Brian and I are cooking up…. stay tuned !!!
The Granny Square Journey
This is a true story. No people or events have been fictionalized or exaggerated for your enjoyment.
I didn’t mean to study a new craft. I promise! I was content with my incorrect improvised crochet techniques that my fingers resurrected from faded crafting memories with my Grandma. I was innocently perusing the yarn isle at the local fabric store, when against my will this book leaped at me. It shot is dangerous love arrow straight into my unsuspecting heart and brewed a love potion so strong it fogged my brain of all rationality. It’s hard to explain and justify illogical thoughts that happened in a split second. My brain froze as my heart swelled. I mean, I don’t REALLY know how to crochet. And rational- logical Jen knows this to be true. But somehow, staring at the cover of Grannies on the go, I forgot. Time stopped as I lovingly cooed at the 70′s color palette, and the repetitive pattern. I smirked at the cuteness of it’s title, “Grannies.” The book willed me to purchase it. It convinced me not to distract my burning love with worry of learning this age loved craft. Just love me it echoed. ”Buy me,” it whispered. I absolutely had no choice in the matter. My puppet arms moved as though cradled by clouds. They reached for the book and tenderly placed it in the basket. It was our first embrace, and it was meant to demonstrate a reflection of our happy future together. It wasn’t until I got home, anxious to explore our love and create a replica of the covers project, when the spell broke. I glazed at the directions in bewilderment and horror. We had nothing in common. I felt sick. I had been made a fast fool. WHY did I buy this? I don’t even know how to crochet, I remembered. Have you forgotten the long years of self teaching yourself how to knit? Now you want to start all over with crocheting? I was disgusted with myself. I’m so impulsive. The receipt! Did I save the receipt? Maybe I can rewind my error and bury my embarrassing curiosity– ugh, no return or exchange on books. Great! I was beginning to beat myself up, when I remembered the best purchase I ever made. The complete idiots guide to knitting and crocheting. Okay, I declared as I thumbed through the index searching for the crochet instructions. I’ll start off simple. I’ll start off slow. And then I’ll be ready for Grannies on the go.
And that’s sorta how it progressed. My rationing was solid, and unfortunately flawed– but not by my doing. Apparently, the instructions in The Complete Idiots Guide are INCORRECT. I learned this after I had wrestled for weeks on decoding the cryptic words and fragmented drawings, and finally gave up. In my abandonment of self teaching, I came across some affordable classes at Yarnia . I finally had a live person to teach me. And she was fantastic!!! Two hours. That’s it. I don’t even want to discuss the amount of time I spent before the class. Good bye ego. Hello happiness. My first ever Granny Square.
It’s completely addictive and fun. I’ve completed the 22 granny hexagon and rhombi. I just need to whip up the back and then sew these together. And, I’ve got my sights already on the next love of my life.
The photo below I found in my internet vortex searching. How flipping cool is that. This is the studio of my soul. I have a new love. Ache. Ache. Gushhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
One Week Left….
The Vitamin Water Bottle Dress is due in a week. I am slightly freaking out. Everything is patterned, so now it about cutting it, and sewing it perfectly. Things are halfway cut. The dress is solved. As long as it fits the model perfectly. Its make it work time.
I would love extra hands, fingers, and minds that love to zone and craft tedious repetitive assemblage. Hmmm, I’m not making a good case for it huh? Well, this afternoon, I had three glorious helpers and we kept the conversation flowing as Lindsey cut about a dozen wrappers, Jessica washed, cleaned, stripped and glued about a hundred bottles, and Grace was a master with the glow in the dark paint. GLOW IN THE DARK PAINT. What the hell IS she designing…. Just wait till I get the lights all wired… LIGHTS? Oops, I’ve said too much. Stay tuned or come by the studio and help craft.
532 SE Belmont Suite 207 (above the new river city bikes outlet)
shoot me an email to confirm if you’re coming: jen@jenlamastra.com
Monday 4/11 6:00-9:00
Tuesday 4/12 11:00-9:00
Thursday 4/14 11:00-9:00
Sunday 4/17 3:00-6:00
Collaged Poetry
This has been my new meditational craft. Collaged Poetry. All you need is an old magazine, or newspaper, scissors, glue stick, and paper.
Interestingly this all started when i was earnestly trying to create a visual collage, and my eyes kept circling to text rather than images. I responded to the impulse, and found myself with bunches of itty bitty phrases and words.
It’s important when doing this, to just cut out what your eye falls on. And trust that somehow this is illuminating your unconscious mind. After you feel like you’ve got enough material. Start moving the words around till it pleases you. There really are no rules, except, I like to try and not plan what I’m going to write, and just see what I can make from the words and phrases that resonated with me. Of course, the poetry police will not be over your shoulder tisking if you have to feverishly grab the magazine and search out a “the” or “and.” Really, have fun with it. And please send images of your collaged poetry that you’ve done. Aren’t you curious what your secret self has locked inside? Happy cutting!
Costume Creations Class at M.A.C
There are still some openings for Costume Creations Camp this Spring break.
Monday March 21- Friday March 25 9:30-4:30. Ages 11-15.
Where fashion meets function–take your idea from design to runway and learn techniques for converting thrift store finds into costumes ready for the stage. There will be a fashion show on the last day of class.
To sign up and find out about more fun classes at Multnomah Arts center click this link.
It’s gonna be a hoot. I’ve got some wild new ideas to implement into the class. There will be a fashion show presentation on the last day for all parents, and friends to see. Below is the finale Fashion show. Materials used: Old 80′s dress from Goodwill, Deflated pool toy, Duvey cover, Cardboard, Goodwill bins teeshirts, Caution Tape, plastic bags, magazines. This camp is double the time. So we’re gonna make double the design trouble
The Oregonian Gushes….
…in an interview
about some rad crazy trash diggers in Portland Oregon.
And I happen to be one of them!
Click the link to read the full article.
Lindsey Newkirk in all her Funky Glory
Photo Courtesty of Motoya Nakamura, The Oregonian
The Amazing Taylor Cass Stevenson
Photo Courtesy of Motoya Nakamura, The Oregonian
The Outrageous Jen LaMastra
Crafting Disasters
I’m writing this in hopes that someone will read this and not make the same mistake that I did.
When using silicone caulk. USE GLOVES. Or take desperate preventative measures to protecting your hands.
Two nights ago, I was using silicone caulk to create a mold for a small sculpture that I had done. Later that evening, I was frustrated that I couldn’t get the “stink” out of my hands, but naively blind to the thin sufficating layer of silicone on my hands. The caulk had acted as invisible gloves that I couldn’t take off. It was choking my hands. But, simple unsuspecting me, just figured the awkward tightness and perpetual dryness was from having my hands immersed in water for 3 hours. I mean, that kinda makes sense right? Well when the gobs of DEEP MOISTURIZING lotion didn’t penetrate the growing dry and scratchy skin, and bounced light like a bicycle reflector- that should have been my first clue right?
Well, we’re at two days later. And I have SCRUBBED my hands with a brutal ruff steel wool like sponge and have minimally rubbed off the silicone. UGGGH! Has anyone else made this disasterous mistake? It’s cruel to have your hands be asphyxiated. I love my hands. I miss them. Do you ever feel like when you’re sick or something wrong– it will always be like this? And you dreamily reminise about a time when you took for granted the gentleness and ease of your life before X disease? I know I’m being dramatic. But… but… but, I really have scrubbed and scrubbed. And not shyly. Pretty violently.
I must patiently rub and scrub and scrub some more until I’m reunited with my skin. How frusting to see it through the clear prision bars of silicone. Teasing me, that I in fact do have hands. Don’t be fooled. These scabby, shiny, non sweating hands are not the soft, delicate, silky hands I call mine.
Right now as it’s peeling, the edges of the silicone flakes are acting as little hooks catching on everything making touching anything fiberous disgusting. Just saying.
Learn from my pain.
WEAR FREAKING GLOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interview by Lou Watson
Lou Interviews Jen LaMastra from Lou Watson on Vimeo.
Vitamin Water Dress
vitamin water dress
it’s happening.
I am building an outrageous dress out of vitamin water and water bottles. A dress that tells their sustainability story.
And makes your eyes peel back in awe.
Stay tuned for process shots, and video’s!
It will premiere in Portland’s Mercury Fashion show.
Friday, May 6 at the Bossanova!
This is going to be amazing!
Transformations
Portland’s Favorite Fashion event was held last night at Boothster. Junk To Funk‘s 5th anniversary proved to be just as thrilling as the recycled fashion show contest. The “Transformations” Gallery showcased 15 new spectacular garments, live models wearing Trashion favorites from the last 4 years, as well as sharing the new eco mischief the trashion collective is getting into; teaching trash camps, workshops, residencies in high schools, designing trashion for business, and modeling Lady Gaga-esque clothing for the Willamette Weekly. Junk to Funk may have changed it’s name and the venue style but it’s still is outrageously spreading green consciousness through fashion. Can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for them! Below are some sculptural hilights of the evening.
Bailing Twine Dress
Designed by Taylor Cass Stevenson
Renegade on the Road
Designed by Jen LaMastra
Tea Bag Dress
Designed by Rio Wrenn
Take me out to the Ball Gown
Designed by Ruth Waddy
Junk To Funk’s Fifth Year Anniversary Event
This event promises to be a visually stunning heart attack. Come meet the designers of Junk to funk’s Trashion Collective, and see their designs. I’ll have three of my newest pieces on display: Dress Shirt, Screened Nihilist, and Blind Reformer.
New Years Resolutions
In the spirit of resolutions, I want to share a life changing event, that has inspired a warrior-like mission for the year.
A couple of weeks ago I spent a glorious weekend up in a beautiful cabin near Mt. Hood. Away from city dwelling and immersed in trees, crickets, and mud. My fellow Junk to Funk trashion family got together for brain jamming on 2011 plans. One of the nights hot events was watching the documentary, “Bag it the movie.”
Has anyone seen this? Whew. You have to see it! It will hurt to know how your casual blindness around plastic (bags, and products in plastic bottles) is suffocating this magnanimous planet. It truly ached my soul to know that my aloofness with purchasing plastic has such a negative effect on animals, fish, our health, our food system, the health of our babies, and genetics. Before this movie, I tended to think of myself as a careful consumer, trying to wisely and powerfully dictate who I support with my hard earned dollars, but I was not feeling so big on myself after I finished the movie. The movie’s intention of course is to encourage more mindfulness of the single use plastic bag, and empower us the human being to make a more altruistic choice. It made me feel like a complete shit for being a consumerist human being. I usually have a hard time watching documentaries, for this very reason. I hate feeling empty and drained and hopeless. I mean, who doesn’t? I’m open to the idea that maybe I’m too sensitive. But the more I thought about my violent reaction, the more I thought about how to create change.
I mean maybe I avoid these documentaries, and others (assuming I’m not the only one feeling this way) because they really ask you to take a stand and not be lazy. Maybe that is why we choose to be uninformed? It’s just too overwhelming to do anything about it!?! If we don’t know, it’s not happening? If we don’t know, our actions aren’t effecting others. If we don’t’ know, we can’t feel bad about ourselves, and what we’re doing?! We deserve to be happy, so lets pretend it’s all hype and not important? Common! Lets stop being such assholes! It is much scarier to ignore it. Lets embrace the knowledge and stand with the uncomfortableness that we can make a difference. Our one choice, our one action, multiplied, can amount to significant change. It’s kinetic. True. Learning hard-to-hear-shit doesn’t have to make you want to crawl into a hole and forget you learned about it. Lets not look back. Lets look forward. Don’t stare at the intimidating unmeasurably large mountain of change that we have to climb. Lets do one thing at a time.
And lets do it together!!
My New Years resolution for 2011 is to be less plastic. *and maybe save the world. I’m going to create and use my own shopping bags. I am going to use reusable cups. And I’m going to teach several classes through out the year on crafting with plastic trash (so stay tuned to dates and times for upcoming workshops).
Lets divert these bags from the ocean and animals, and give them a more productive function. Reducing is the most important part about change. Not that recycling isn’t good… but saying no in the first place stops the growing plastic gyres.
What new years resolution could you make that would better the world?
Betsy and Iya: My Muse.
The Trashion Couture Project begins with my absolute love and admiration of my great friend Betsy Cross of Betsy and Iya.
I met betsy in 2003, at an unusual theatrical training program at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater. We were fast friends. She was goofy, and sensitive, loved to dance, was open to being vulnerable and sharing her unique quirky self with the world. In her bravery of sharing herself, I grew this pining girl love, for this bizarre creature. She made me feel bold. She made me feel beautiful and strong, in dimensions and proportions that were blind to me before her. Maybe it’s true that it’s none of your business why people are friends with you? In confessing this I feel like it exposes my insides that were aching to grow, and be coached into being comfortable with myself. She certainly created a safe space for me to step into who I always wanted to be.
In 2007 when she moved up to Portland to be with her now Husband Will, I was overjoyed at how “my life was coming together.” I knew with her in the same city as me, together we’d change the world. Before Betsy and Iya was born, in 2008, Betsy and I were going to create a business together. We had been tinkering with resins; making belt buckles and pendants. We’d craft and gab as Bjork, Led Zepplin, or Beck played repeatedly on the record player (as these were my only albums). When the studio next to my Hair salon became open for rent, I told her we needed to at least talk to the building manager and see what the space would be like. What a mischievous proposal. Of course we ended up getting the space. But after getting the studio, and moving into it, I realized I wasn’t truly ready to step out and claim being an artist. She was ready to take off, so after a few months of sharing the space, I pulled out. And she took the world by storm.
Her new recycled metal line Old Turns is my absolute favorite of all her designs. There is something magical about transforming found objects into beautiful treasures. Betsy coins her aesthetic as being a Victorian break dancer. I imagine this to mean; Where prim and proper goodness meets bold eccentrics. This bizarre juxtaposition made me anxious to design some trashion pieces for this line. In the style of Betsy And Iya, we decided to do before and after shots of the models. Featured below is the process of, “The Blind Reformer.” I cut hundreds of mini blinds, drilled, sewed, and weaved these blinds into a beautiful party dress.
And here we are in 2010. I feel like I have finally arrived. I am the most myself I have ever dreamed of being. The Trashion Couture Project was born out of my love for betsy. My admiration for a great friend. My desire to work with her on a project, and of course to change the world! And maybe that has happened, but in a smaller microscopic- hard to tell- impossible to track- kind of way. How do you measure and track change in the human spirit? It’s not like stepping on a scale and seeing definitive numbers. What does the human spirit scale look like? Maybe like this? Maybe from working with a great friend who inspires you, to be the best version of yourself? Maybe its about taking time to notice beauty around us, in us, in others, in everything. We could be simpler, and less consumed, and obsessed with self hatred, and sad obsessions. Maybe if we’re gentle to ourselves, we can be gentle and kinder to others. We can inspire the world to be mindful, and more joyful, by ridiculously being our own bizarre glorious self? And wearing a mini blind dress out in public !
Check out the full collection in the gallery.
