Gift Guide 2011 – #1 Your Outdoorsy Sister

Hi Folks, This year I am making most of my presents (what can I say, making things comes naturally to a props designer). However, because my friends read my blog I won’t be able to show you the “How to” until after the holidays. In the mean time I have put together a series of gift guides for you too gather ideas from. This is the first, stay tuned for more!

Gifts For Your Sister Who Loves A Good Hike Followed by a

Cup of Hot Coco by The Fire        

                                 

1. Modcloth Morning Scramble Sweater – $55
2. Kate Spade “Let It Snow” Mittens – $65
3. Nordstrom “Snow” Felt Pillow -$58
4. Gargyle Metal Vase Trio – $275
5. Madewell Plaid Gentleman Scarf -$49.50
6. Liberty of London Perdigone Spicy Plum Candle – $39

Check out all my gift guides at Polyvore 

Something Fun for the Holiday Weekend…

Hey Folks, This is a bit fashion-y, but as a costume designer there have been many times when an actress has asked me “How am I supposed to wear this?” so for those of you that are putting actresses in scarfs (or for those who need new ways to wear one) here are some great options! Enjoy!

 

25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 min.

Giving Yourself a Moment To Breathe

This weekend I went to a yoga class for the first time in about six months. As I sat there on my mat breathing deeply with about 30 other yogis I suddenly remembered how much I enjoy having the chance to unwind.

As a designer and a freelancer I find myself rarely stopping or taking a break. In the freelance world every moment that you are not working is a dollar lost. There are no sick days, no paid vacations, and I often find myself trying to do random things that feel like work even when I don’t have work to do (yes sometimes even cleaning) just so I don’t loose momentum.

So last week when I wrapped up the 2nd of my 3 current projects, I kept working on personal projects. Things like going through my Grandparents papers, working on making Christmas gifts, doing volunteer work for my alma mater, and by Friday I was really tired.

Then Saturday as I sat on my mat and reconnected with the feeling of being still, I remembered how important it is to give yourself a break, take a deep breath and let yourself reconnect to the things going on in the world that don’t have to do with work. And it is these moments of stillness that allows us to rejuvenate and get ready for the next design challenge.

Ted Talk on Building a Theater that Shape Shifts

Joshua Prince-Ramus did a ted talk early last year on his new arictectural design for the Wyly Theater in Dallas. The new building allows for the theater to be reconfigured into several different stage types as well as opening up the space to the outdoors. The result is truly the stuff that theater designers dreams are made of. Here is the video, I hope you enjoy!

Joshua Prince- Ramus: Building a theater that remakes itself

 

 

“Stag” Set Design at SUNY New Paltz

Last weekend I opened a new show at SUNY New Paltz. Despite some initial  difficulties with loading into the space the show went relatively smootly and was well received by the audience.

Stagger Lee and Rose at Home

The play was set in two different locations (an apartment and a bar) in a fictional suburb of Baltimore during the late 1980’s. Rose, our leading lady, had to be able to move fluidly between the two spaces while Stag and Billy were confined to just one space at a time. This set design was born out of that need as well as the physical restrictions of the space.

Let me give you something that’s worthy of you. You’re all I got, now.

See - that’s your problem. Can’t let things go.

Was glad to see you for a second. Just for a second. Thought you was comin’ back.

2 In the Head - 4 of A Kind - 3 In the Side - A Flush in Hearts

I should have won.

While there are a few things I would change given a longer run or more time in the space, all in all I feel relatively satisfied with the production. I can’t wait to work with this team again!

Sneak Peek From “Stag” Tech

 

 

 

 

This week I have been up at SUNY New Paltz working on the set and costume designs for Jerome Parker’s new play “Stag”. Here is a sneak peak from last night’s tech. We open tonight so production photos are soon to follow!

 

Inspiration from Steve Jobs

 

 

As I get ready to load in my next show I keep coming back to this quote from the late, great, Steve Jobs. The idea for how my set should look is pretty solid. Now it’s just figuring out how to make set changes run smoothly and whether or not 15 “broken” windows can really fly. Wish me luck.