Hey everyone! Just a little update.
(Just in case you wanted to know what I look like today)
Being unemployed has been.... interesting to say the least. This is the longest I have gone without really much to do at all since junior year summer break. Yes, my mom made me go to college starting in July 2004 versus starting in the fall quarter which started in October!
I've been working hard on the PDF pattern and I'm excited to say that it's nearing completion! I give it about another week or two before it gets out to testers. I'm still a little unhappy with how the pieces are nested in some areas, but I should be able to correct it. My hope is that people aren't too harsh on me since I have never done this before! But I would love to make more PDFs in the future.
It's been a real learning curve for me. I'm using Illustrator to do all the grading, importing to computer. I don't think I could have done it at all without the help of my boyfriend, Max. He's got all the best shortcuts and ideas of how to make it all happen. We kind of developed seemingly our own computer grading method of slash and spread. Maybe it's more difficult, but I don't really trust just moving points X and Y. The graded pieces LOOK correct to me, albeit a bit small in between sizes.
I'm using a 1" grade rule, but 1 1/2" between size 8 and 10. I am looking to do larger sizes in the patterns for the next one (and maybe offering this one up to a 14 eventually) but I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew with this one. Grading was already pretty tedious. I miss the days where we threw the pattern into the computer at school, applied the grade rules to the points, and then BAM. Graded. That software is so beyond expensive.
Arguably, I could have this PDF done by now, but since I am unemployed I have been taking a bit of time to look for jobs. I've had a few interviews already - one for a part time sales associate position until something full time comes along.
The kicker on that one is that dude was sooooo close to hiring me because he liked me so much and then oddly, the big reason why I didn't get a call back was because this store was concerned about my nose piercing and their "brand image". I was asked if I would consider taking it out for this job and I firmly stated no. I mean, I get it - it was a luxury brand (that I never would have applied to if I knew which brand it was!) but no job has ever asked me to take it out. I've had it for 7 years now. I forget about it most days!
It's a gold Indian nose pin in the shape of a flower. Hard to see due to exposure, but how often do you notice it in many of my photos anyway?
My friend was funny about it all, "What, did you apply for a job in 1954?! What the hell!?"
I'm definitely not mad about not getting that job.
I guess in a way, it's annoying at times to be a creative person. You have your own ideas about how you should look, how you present yourself, what you want. I have had many people say to me they "wish they were creative", but sometimes it's really a hindrance overall. For instance, when I was employed much of my free time was spent on my art versus going out with friends on days off. And about 90% of my best friends live across the country so that wasn't so bad.
Being creative means you can't really turn it all off - it's more than just a "hobby" or something to do. I don't feel like myself if I am restricted in certain ways for too long. You have neurotic things about you, like a song constantly stuck in your head 24/7 and people just don't "get" it. My brain is always going and it's hard to turn it all off. You feel alienated at times because everyone else likes things that are far more mainstream, and you get berated for "trying to be different" by liking unusual things when really, you're just staying true to yourself. I used to work in Wicker Park and over there? I was actually quite tame, comparatively.
What I have enjoyed about being unemployed is constant freedom of creative expression, time to work on what I considered my "work" all along - Manic Pop. But like anyone else, I do need to pay the bills. So I water myself down a bit to meld to the rest of the world. It doesn't work so well, but hey.
Other than that, I am excited that one of my best friends in the entire world will be driving up from Knoxville, TN in a little over a week. I've known him for about 10 years and he's one of 3 friends who 100% "get" me. I like people quite a bit in general, but only about 3 have I really, really bonded with. Should be fun to get out of the house a bit, play some board games, and just have some friend-time before I get this PDF and hopefully pending new job on the road (whenever that happens). It's been nice to hibernate this winter!
Congrats on the progress you are making on the pattern. It looks like hard work!
ReplyDeleteI agree whole-heartedly about the problems with a strong creative urge. When working full time, I felt so frustrated and exhausted from trying to do my job well and pursue my creative endeavours in my 'free' time. Now, I have creative freedom, but I worry about money.
On the other hand, I have a very mainstream appearance, and blend easily into the crowd. I often wish I had a distinct style the way you do!
Thanks Tanith! Sometimes I wish I was a bit more mainstream!
DeleteYeah, being a creative is a hard balance. But we'll figure it all out!
Also: I just noticed that I made a huge error on the PDF there. I noted cut 1 on fold but it should be cut 2 with a center back zip. Argh!
great work on the pattern so far! it looks like its going well.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for standing up for yourself and refusing to comply! I had never noticed your piercing and to be honest, a gold flower piece is much nicer then a giant diamond chunk which is what i normally see.
I'm always worried about my purplish hair or exposing my tattoos at work - esp the one on my arm because i get lots of silly questions about it. but im really good at my job so people don't tend to question my abilities based on my looks. you could have been the best damn employee they've ever had, but they'll never know cause of a tiny piece of gold on you nose!
I totally understand what you're saying too! my head never seems to stop. im always thinking and scheming what i could be doing next and my hands always want to be busy!
I completely understand what you mean about your brain not being able to switch off when it comes to creativity. Sometimes I can't sleep because my mind is buzzing with new ideas for art works. And it is hard when some people assume that one is trying to be different or distinguish themselves from the crowd when really all they are doing is being who they are.
ReplyDeleteI really can't believe that you were asked to remove your nose piercing and were refused the job because of something like that. You did the right thing by standing your ground. I think it looks really nice.
I also wanted to say that I've nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award. If you want to take part you can just pop over to my blog and answer the questions I've prepared, if not that's all fab, I won't mind :)