Happy Solstice and Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and my heartfelt wishes to everyone for a warm and cozy winter indoors, (when we aren't outside playing in the snow!).

I would like to give a Big Thank You to my supportive family and friends, fellow artists, and all my wonderful customers for making 2009 such a great year for Mountain Ash Design. I am feeling very encouraged and have big plans for sustainable expansion in 2010 (don't want to grow too fast now and loose my family and playing-in-the-snow time). My plans involve some new venues for getting out into the world many, many lovely/fun skirts, aprons to increase your domestic bliss, belts for men (new!) and women, HotHolders featuring Tommy, Oscar, Lars, Steve, and Chad, and maybe even some new designs for women's tops made from reconstructed clothing. Early 2010 will see me re-writing my business plan, timing my construction process, and re figuring my costs so I can offer more goods to stores and add shows in Waitsfield, Northampton and New York City (gulp).

I think I'll include an image of the inside of the mysterious and initially baffling serger in an upcoming post. Now that I think of it, I'd also like to thank the serger for making it possible to restock enough aprons between shows this holiday season and not have to pull grueling all-nighters. "Sustainably Handmade" means many things to me.

Happy New Year everyone!

(felt and sequin xmas stocking above made in the early 1970s by my "Grandma," Marion Curtis)

last show - Holiday Artist Market

I am working on a sweet batch of aprons on Colee's miraculous White serger and looking forward to my last show of the season, BCA's Holiday Artist Market. That will be in City Hall, Burlington, VT this Friday, Dec. 18th from noon - 8, and Saturday the 19th from 10 - 6.

The Norwich Holiday Market was totally worth holding the date for. I'm working hard to restock the 17 aprons I sold there (in 5 hours!!). I guess they make great gifts. Skirts are still selling well, as gifts and self-treats for shoppers. All one of a kind, like you.

I'll try to get some pictures up in the next few days. I'm very excited about what I've been making. I'm dipping deeper than usual into my vintage fabric collection for girly apron trims and big Gardening Apron pockets. The colors and prints are lovely and so inspiring for me. And I'm also thrilled to report I've had another breakthrough regarding the serger as I figured out the other day that I can piece together bits left over when I cut out skirts - enough to make, what else? - aprons!

I won the lottery

...to sell my wares at the Norwich Holiday Market!

I've developed some nice relationships in the Hanover/Norwich area by having a stall at the Spring/Summer/Fall outdoor Farmers Market, but the Holiday Market is hard to get into unless someone cancels.

Well, someone did, and straws were drawn to determine who on the waiting list would get the spot. It's me!

Here are some new aprons I'll be bringing, plus apron-inspired wrap skirts, HotHolders, belts and more. (Did you know that if you click on a picture on my blog you will get a blown up version of it? Go ahead - try it!)

Hope to see you in Tracy Hall, Norwich, VT on Saturday the 12th of December from 10 to 3.
And if not, my last show will be the Burlington City Arts Holiday Market at City Hall on Friday, Dec 18, noon to 8pm and Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 to 6.

Happy Winter!

one of a kind

Here are some pictures of some of my newest work for you to enjoy. I'm taking them all to the Lake Champlain Waldorf School Holiday Fair right now: Friday, Dec 4 6:30-9pm, Saturday, Dec 5 10-3

New aprons patiently waiting for the photo shoot to take place in front of the barn.