The Wow Factor

In my class at QSDS with Michael James, he said this about my work (paraphrasing): all of the elements of design are there and they're all good; the composition is good; but there is no Wow, nothing that made him go breathless. He went through my portfolio and picked out a few things that he really liked. And he wanted me to use other colors besides red. Well, maybe he just doesn't like red. Or maybe he was just trying to challenge me for the rest of the week.

It's too bad there is no formula for getting the Wow; but then I guess it wouldn't be Wow-ish if it were too easy and could be gotten just by following the steps.

Anyhow, in the interest of seeking the Wow factor, I've ordered some silk fabric from Dharma: some heavy crepe de chine, sand washed charmeuse, habotai, and raw silk. I wanted dupion also, but they were out so I may hit the local fabric stores.

I've been doing some research on dyeing silk with Procion MX dyes and that's what I'm going to try first. There is so much different advice out there about this process that it is just plain confusing. But rather than invest in silk dyes and have to steam set, I'm going for what I already have and see how that works.


This little celosia (at least I think that's what it is) is my model for perserverance. It's growing out of the crack between the pavement and the curb. It's a volunteer from some seeds left over from a previous summer, but not last summer because I didn't plant any. So they've bided their time, waiting for just the right conditions, although this location seems less than ideal. I thought about replanting it in the garden, but I couldn't get it out of the crack without ripping it apart. So it is making the best of the situation and working with what's available. Sounds like a good lesson.