It's completely late at night after an intensive 3 day push...I can not believe I have accomplished what I set out to do BUT I HAVE!!! I am SO thrilled that by being diligent and in my own rhythm (which included late nights and multiple naps...including a morning AND afternoon nap today alone)..well I have accomplished what I set out to do.
I have my wholesale line COMPLETED WITH LINE SHEET days before the event (Friday morning)...this means I am clear to enjoy the next two days at the hat shop learning from Barbara, coming home and chilling out and the night before the event...I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING but watch Project Runway...no work till dawn moments....I am packed and prepared.
Hoping the sleeping pills I took go into effect soon...but then again I am well rested from today's nap time.
What is this event??? Darlings it's Open See time yet again at Henri Bendel's 5th Ave. NYC!!! (some of you may remember when I did this 2 years ago...many of you sponsored my trek....bless you!)
So with that said...I present the following...
My Fall/Winter 2011-2012 and Spring 2012 Preview Wholesale Line:
FALL/WINTER 2011/2012 The Felts:
Felt Flower Cocktail
Felt Rose With Bow
Felt Flower With Pearl Buttons
The Carey Cloche
The Wools:
Wool Boucle Flower
Wool Rose With Netting
Spring Preview 2012
Cellophane Straw Boater
Cellophane Straw Cloche
Spring Twine Red
OKAY!!! I can feel my over the counter sleep aid kicking in!!! I laugh as I think about a recent documentary I watched on designer Tom Ford who mentioned that he takes several baths a day (I can SO relate as Once Upon A Time in a chateau in Haiku..I DID TOO!)...I guess now I nap!!!
I was blessed with an opportunity to write a chapter for a book about really going for one's dreams and (well... title on route). Anyhow, I thought this was a great challenge and it has indeed proved to be one. But today it poured out of my heart and I thought I would share this, my story (which most of you know). When the actual e-book is completed I will definitely let you know where to get it.
For now...if you'd like, have a read (but first click the link to see a video intro - my first ever). I am open for feed back. This is the first draft. Keep in mind it is an entire chapter somewhere along the 2000 word world. A first for Moi!!!
And I...I am having a well deserved glass of wine!
READY? SET? JUMP ANYWAYS!
I certainly could not be the only one who has felt at least the first two parts of this title.
I have a dream in my heart. There it sits brewing and then stewing for what seems like endless amounts of time. I attempt to ignore it and go on about my regular living but The Dream does not like being ignored. It surfaces again and again.
I make a list. You know, the Pro's and the Con's...research I call it. The more I list the stronger my desire is to LIVE THIS DREAM...but alas I must get ready for my “job”.
While at work The Dream surfaces almost confusing me with what the task at hand is. Jotting down notes, I stuff into my pockets, I make it through the shift...what seems like barely. Once back at home I dive deep into the zone. The Dream Zone.
Now the passion is even stronger, the ideas are getting clearer, the con's are getting solved and I think...when I am all ready and set then I will be able to jump joyfully into my bliss, My Dream.
So I start the process, look into this, sort out that, how long till I can afford to do such, make yet another budget, and then another re-vised budget. My life turns into a non stop meeting of my mind, my sense, and my passion. I have less time for friends or social gatherings...I am busy planning my bliss.
Off I go, yet again to my “real” job and now My Dream has affected me to the point of feeling rather...depressed. My job is not My Dream and I feel like I am stuck. I pull myself back up by saying, ”You are getting yourself ready and set so that you can jump!” Oh yes! I remember! I pull through another week of shifts.
I start to save for this dream. Save so I can catapult. This feels like I am doing something valuable towards My Dream and my spirit feels like it is getting closer to launching. Then life steps in. Something inevitably comes up and drains the savings...you know, an emergency of some sort.
Sigh. I feel stuck yet again. If I could only have what I need so that I could indeed be ready...set...and then I would jump!
Does any of this sound familiar? Well, dear one, this was absolutely my world. I have not only been there but swam in this pool of hope for most of my adult life. I literally saw in the recent past that I was sitting on the edge of my own possibility for going on three years of serious planning (that after about ten years of dream drifting).
One day I realized that if I continued to wait until everything “looked” proper so I could “back” myself up for taking a chance (in my own and others eyes), well the realization was I'd still be sitting in that room drawing lists and expressing hope instead of sitting here now, writing about how I jumped and have never looked back!
The only story I have is my own. My reason for telling this is that perhaps it will inspire you to jump off and live your own story. So here goes...
I'll start with My Dream. My Dream is to make fabulous hats and art all while living in New York City where I meet the man of my dreams and we live happily ever after in deep and true love. While in New York City I dreamed of taking classes to learn classic hat making and blocking. I have been designing and making hats for twenty years. I am self taught and I did not know how to block (a hat term) a classic hat.
I have always had a love affair with New York City. I dreamed of walking through Central Park, having a coffee in the village, shopping along Fifth Ave., mixing with the Fashion movers and shakers...truly growing my business in the heart of the fashion business.
As stated above I have been designing hats for two decades. I am an artist. I paint, create, and creatively live. That is just me. I also love business. This is one of the unique parts of me. Business Person and Artist...not always a sure mix. For me, it's who I am. I simply love both.
Now my launching point was the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. I lived on the north shore in a wonderful home, on a great property, three dogs and a cat that belonged to the landlord but adopted me daily, 400 square feet of artist's space that I could paint, re-arrange (and I did over and over) and two and a half acres of lawn and trees. Aaaaaaaaah. Lovely.
My island home
The pups
Mi casa!
Here I created collections of hats, painted paintings, held soiree's and events where I sold my works in this divine space in paradise. I had a circle of wonderful loving friends and supporters. Life was good. Very good.
Besides being creative in my home studio I also held a job. My inner entrepreneur struggled that I was working for someone else – which I now realize is silly, but at the time was very vibrantly in my spirit.
My job was about a five minute drive from my home which I enjoyed as I cruised in my convertible Miata I named Daisy.
Driving Miss Daisy!
I was a manager at a small country grocery/gas store (absolutely nothing fashionable about this). The job had a title, paid just enough to get by, had some benefits and some thought it was the best job this artist/dreamer ever had (I wasn't one of the some).
So I made lists...NYC how to get there, etc. I talked about it, cried about it, did everything I wrote in the first few paragraphs of this chapter...literally.
I also prayed. A lot. I kept asking for a sign. To hear that still, small voice say “now.” I retreated often, just into my space, but went into deep heartfelt sessions where The Dream got clearer and clearer all while still trying to get ready and set so I could/would jump.
Well I can truly say that all of that time spent making lists and inner prep was indeed useful and I highly recommend truly listing your options. It clarified for me what My Dream actually was. Like peeling an onion they say and it was. I peeled and peeled and got down to the heart of it all.
Problem was I was drowning in the real world. I was starting to hate my job because it wasn't My Dream. As I got closer to the heart of My Dream I realized it was indeed me and I honestly had a hard time living life in the regular way I had been living it (which for some was steady, balanced, beautiful). For me it felt stifling, suffocating, unbalanced, and hopeless. I realize it wasn't for many, but for myself, My Dream, had become such a power in my life and it wanted to be actualized as my reality.
It all happened for a reason. For one day what seemed to some as a dreaded horror of horror's happened and for me it was a champagne moment (literally).
I had gotten to a place where I was going to jump...it was time, period. I sat down with my boss at the time and told her that I was ready to give her a two month notice (because in my planning I had budgeted out that two months would be enough to squeak me into my new life). She said to hold on and in two weeks she had an announcement. The universe had other plans and squeaking by was not the plan.
Let me tell you those two weeks were torture. Here I am feeling and knowing I had climbed the mountain of my life and walked through the crossroads, I had stepped to the edge of the cliff, I was on the tips of my toes, one foot off the ground, leaning forward, arms stretched out BUT stuck in this position for two weeks till I heard whatever she had to say to all of the staff.
Sigh. It was painful in the spirit. But something told me to buy champagne that afternoon when I went to work...so I did. The entire staff was stressed out as we waited for “the meeting”. I was full of glee and had to actually contain myself from smiling like the Cheshire Cat through it all. We all sort of knew what was happening and I was very excited.
My boss was leasing her store, a sign of the times. There was a choice: apply to the new lease holders to possibly be re-hired to your position OR apply for unemployment. It was embarrassing how I had to keep myself from squealing with delight.
Darlings, I had my out!!! I was prepared, I saw opportunity disguised as something else and I took it!
Be assured I was not set. I had no savings and unemployment benefits would certainly not be much and it really wasn't about that...it simply was my sign.
I came home, popped the cork, lifted the glass, smiled, sipped and jumped off into My Dreams. Nothing holding me back, it was time to take a chance.
That's what crossroads are for my friend. The opportunity to try a new direction and this time my direction was/IS My Dream.
Dream ~ January 2011
Reality! ~ May 2011
I booked a ticket, packed my life, sold and gave away the rest, stored very little on Maui, and headed to spend a month with my family in Arizona. I celebrated my birthday and two days later I was aboard the plane on route to New York City. Well, Jersey City, New Jersey actually. I had a friend there and rented a room from them which is just cross the river from my destiny.
It doesn't stop here. This was simply the jumping off point, truly. Check out what happened immediately upon arrival.
I actually have to back it up a bit to the night I purchased my plane ticket while in my Maui home. While waiting till midnight for the fares to change I thought I would peruse Craigslist and see what types of work were available for this hat-making-artist-living-her-dream-gal. I could not believe my eyes. There on the list was a title for: Millinery Production and Sales.
Millinery Production and Sales!?!? I AM a Milliner (that is what hat makers are called!) and I am excellent in sales (that is what I do)!
So I sent an email...it was February and I wasn’t going to be in New York until May but how could I deny that this job was totally me and I just wanted to introduce myself and hope we can meet when I arrive (pretty much what I wrote).
I didn't know if I would get a response. It's New York after all and everyone is so busy,etc. However, later the next day I did get a response...yes, stop by when you get here, you never know. Great!
So fast forward to my first official day troll-oping through New York City and telling my new housemate this story and how I am planning on visiting the store next week when I am settled. Just to introduce myself and see. On my second evening, pretty exhausted from traveling, I went to Craigslist, again just to see what jobs were listed...you know, new life, new job. Low and behold, just posted that day: Millinery Production and Sales.
Really? Really! Four months later posted again! Of course I know whose company this is so I head to my email to say..it's me! When I get to my email there is one waiting for me saying “Did you come to NY?” from the hat company!
Now the amazing part about this is that there are not a lot of hat makers out there, let alone hat companies, let alone hat companies needing hat makers and here I am, a hat maker...well I am certain you understand the brilliance of this.
It's Dream Power or as I refer to it God working gracefully in my life.
So I met the hat maker the next day, was asked to come as an intern unpaid for three weeks but I would be learning, get this, blocking (what I came to NYC to learn)! So while no money would be exchanged I wouldn't be paying for my education...free education! Okay!
I started work two days later. At the end of the first day the store had the highest sales in its recorded history and my new boss insisted on paying me starting that day.
I have now gone from a free education to a paid education working in the East Village in New York City and four months later from that day I received a raise.
My first blocking
Just a quick review. I am now working in my preferred field, in my preferred city, doing what I love, what I am excellent at and being promoted while doing this, as well as, learning new skills each day I am there. All this within three days of arriving to the east coast. All because I did indeed jump.
A place of blessing I have heard it called. Having the simple faith to trust that I will be more than okay to stretch out and take a step into what brings me passion and vibrancy...I am living proof that indeed even if you are not fully ready, nor totally set, you might as well jump anyways...your life just may open up and give you a great big kiss.
Mine most definitely did.
I truly hope that you will take those chances that happen in life and claim them as your own crossroads into your very own absolute bliss. Be the beautiful Dream that you have deep in your heart. You will glow.
This is Me and MY FAVORITE HAT....MY ALL TIME FAVORITE HAT!!!!
In fact this is me today, August 13, 2011 on 7th St. in the East Village, NYC just ready to cross over into my job. I had just walked several blocks and had several strangers smile at me (due to my outfit and, of course, glow)...even had a comment that I was wearing "the best hat!" (from a busboy on the street!) classic NY.
So lets skip 8 hours till it's time to head back to the train that delivered me to NYC today. I tied my hat to my bag while at work and I walked about 4 blocks through the E. Village down St. Marks St. which is a total zoo of people on a Saturday night at 8pm....people out and about EVERYWHERE!!!
As I waited for the light to change I look down and ... MY HAT IS NOT TIED TO MY BAG NOR IS IT ON MY HEAD!!! (sad face here)....(EXTREMELY sad face).
Oh...this hat and I have been through EVERYTHING together... I flashed across my mind ALL the adventures we had shared.... here's just a few:
Me on one of My First Adventures into NYC since moving here!!!!
Driving Miss Daisy to Hana on a trio trip just my Hat, Miss Daisy and Moi
Another driving Adventure with Dear Miss Clifton!!!!
Meeting Betsey Johnson!!!
When hat was first made years ago with Elizabeth as lovely model
Sigh..... The History!!! Or Herstory!!!
Okay...so I immediately turn around and back track "just in case". I see a literal sea of people, sigh a bit..."Why OH Why???!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!"
I make my first attempt at a positive thought..."I guess I have officially launched my hats into The Big Apple!"
Whatever!
I look on the ground...maybe? maybe? I look on people's heads...everyones!!!! I think what if I do find it on someone's head? Would the give it back to me? I mean it's NY!!!
Sigh (I know but LOTS of sighing is happening).
SO...past St. Marks...crud! Not there! Cross the street and down 2nd Ave... Nada! I get across and start to head down 7th (where I work)... it is feeling like a lost cause and I am tired already from long day BEFORE missing Hat!
I vow to walk to the shop...I tell myself if it is not there then I shall go and have a glass of champagne at the Italian Cafe to toast My Hats presence in My Life...to send it off properly. This gives me a little comfort... champagne...mmmmm....sigh...keep going.
About half way down the block...hanging on a gate post....
IS MY HAT!!!
Someone was so gracious to pick it up off the sidewalk (eeep!) and hang it up FOR ME!!!!
Like long lost friends I squealed with pure delight...My Hat squealed too...Hooray! Hooray! I promptly took it off the gate post...shouted a "Hallelujah!!! Thank you Jesus!!!", tied the scarf tightly around my head and pretty much skipped all the way to the train!!!!
“...we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance”
(Psalm 66:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Friend, no matter what your circumstances may look like today, God’s plan is to bring you through to a place of abundance. He wants you to have an abundance of peace, an abundance of joy, an abundance of resources — He wants you to overflow with His blessings so that you can be a blessing to the people around you.
One thing I’ve learned is that if you want to live in the overflow of God’s blessings, you have to have an attitude to receive the overflow. Remember, as a believer in Jesus, you are a child of the Most High God. Royal blood is flowing through your veins. You were not created to be average. You were not created to barely get by and drag through life. You have seeds of greatness on the inside. You are well able to do whatever God has called you to do!
Today, I encourage you to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high and start thinking like a victor. And when you’re a victor, you know that any adversity in your life is not permanent, it’s temporary. Have the attitude to receive the overflow of God’s abundance. Keep believing and keep expecting because it’s just a matter of time until He turns things around in your favor!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I open my mind and heart to You. I choose to believe that You have a good plan for me. By faith today, I receive the blessings You have for me so that I can be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I SO needed this RIGHT NOW and I really love how God knows my needs and speaks directly to me through all sorts of sources. This Dream Warriorhood can be very difficult at times...with all the excitement and joy of literally living My Dream I am still in this world dealing with day to day trials, people who test my spirit and situations that can be very upsetting.
But I plan on holding my head high today because if I started my day out concerned and then found this in my email it is obvious to me that God has me TOTALLY COVERED!!!
Be blessed!!!
Katherine
p.s. you too can receive daily devotions like this one at http://www.joelosteen.com it certainly has been a blessing daily in my life!
I am still doing what I was doing when I last checked in (and I promise not to take so long or abandon you).
I have learned SO much from Barbara Feinman and her Millinery business at 66 East 7th St. NYC. I think this has grabbed most of my attention for it was essential to dive in deeply and soak in all that was necessary to be a solid and valuable part of her team.
I have learned classic straw hat making: blocking and classic trims. Each step and process has felt like a family member I haven't never seen but knew existed showing up and we just are so happy to meet each other. We were meant for each other and we are part of each other.
Basically...I am meeting my bliss.
I am still absolutely amazed as I walk towards the trains that will take me to NYC. I AM HERE!!! After all these years I have made it to my heart's desire. I am daily amazed at what my eyes are seeing. The architecture, the views, the people, the fashion, the parks. I am in love and it seems the feeling is absolutely mutual!
to the train!
Times Square...happy accidental detour one eve!!!
Washington Square park...on route to work...SO LOVE IT HERE!!!
Aaaaaahhhhh...The Met!!! xoxoxo
Sundays in NY!!!
Central Park...blissful!
and The Food!!!!
It's a pretty amazing daily ride!!! Yet...here comes my human nature.... to be truthful these past two months I have wondered...wondered about where I am living, where I am working...both are true blessings and yet I know I am meant for so much more. More pay for my efforts and talents, and to actually live in the state I want to live in, in the city I want to live in.
I found this to be a little bit of a struggle. Not a bad struggle...let's call it a stretch. It has done what it was meant to do which is bring me closer to God (exactly what He was hoping for). I dove deeply into His promises.
I so know that God has plans for my future and is guiding me along the best pathways for my life and I see what the possibilities are and... well... it is simply time for me to rest in this promise...patiently.
I don't want to seem ungrateful for I am NOT!!! I am most appreciative of the multitude of daily blessings I see. When I start to slip down my slide of questioning it's time for me choose to focus on these obvious blessings.
It's all about the focus right? What are you choosing to "see"?
When I realized this I saw that YES! I will soar to greater heights, more fabulous residences, a career that I can feel proud of and that not only supplies my needs but allows for me to bless others joyfully...THIS IS IN PROGRESS!!!
And for now...for now I remember a wish I had (about 2 years ago after my trip to NYC). I wished to simply allow myself to be a student. Not having to worry about career... possibly taking a student loan and just learning. Something I never really allowed myself. I know the value of schooling but always felt like it took too much time and I didn't want to give myself the time.
Well... I AM giving myself this gift of time and education. Not only that but it's as if I have a fully paid scholarship to embrace ALL of this learning. In fact, I came to this decision on July 20,2011...just about a week ago. I wroteand signed the following:
I, Katherine Carey, am accepting the gift of Education, SOLELY, for "at least" the next year. Until August of 2012 I will be pursuing the levels of knowledge necessary for my career. This is a Sabbatical. This is A Gift. I will study: .classic hat making .running a hat business - both at Barbara Feinman Millinery (my JOB!) .accounting .excel .powerpoint .marketing - all home self studies and courses at F.I.T. (The Fashion Institute) .art history - the Met, MOMA, Guggenheim, Whitney, etc .US history- Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, and all the amazing historical sites NYC has to offer! As well as any other subjects that spark interest. This is my commitment... Katherine Carey
This basically means that I will soften my quest to push my business and let my business grow naturally AS IT IS. I consider my lovely room in Jersey City to be my dorm room. It's MOST affordable, a couple trains away from the city I love and has everything I need to "afford" to be a student.
As soon as I prayed over and made this commitment, signed it and hung it on my wall
I headed out for 2 of my 3 days of the work week. I had an amazing day working with my favorite teacher Barbara Feinman herself. I could feel my spirit soaking in every detail (and there are many details). I bought myself a fresh new notebook to write in daily what I am learning/doing. The next day after yet another fabulous work/learn session she offered me to showcase a few of MY Fall hats in the shop.
NOW...this is how God works and His sense of humor. Just when I say to myself, ever so mightily... I accept and I will only be a student...with in two days I am offered to be... Myself, Katherine, A Milliner. I simply smiled and said..."Hooray!!!!"
I think what is was is that I simply PASSED the test at hand!!! A test within myself to ACCEPT where I am and more importantly EMBRACE HERE AND NOW!!!
Then...as of yesterday I was upgraded again... 4 fold!!! My Uncle Pat had gifted me a New-To-Me and practically brand-new-completely laptop which I picked up and when I opened the package...I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!!
The screen size is 4x's larger than what I have been using...I CAN SEE!!! As well, this beauty (and it IS such a beauty) is full of memory, useful programs including Microsoft Office which has ALL the programs I want to learn!!! So NOW I really AM SET to be a successful student and even better a SUCCESS in general. I can truly run My Business!!!!
God has blessed me so!
SO this, My Dears, is what I have been up to. A grateful, challenging, creative, beautiful life stretching towards and fulfilling My Dreams.
