words. and tolerance.

The following are quotes that I've heard this weekend. No kidding.

This was said to a friend of mine after she informed a friend of her upcoming bi-lateral mastectomy:

"I hope you're going to have reconstruction- a woman at my gym had a mastectomy without reconstruction and she's always 'in your face' about it."

This was said to my sister today while she was telling a neighbor about my Rhea Belle clothing.

"Oh, your sister didn't have reconstruction? I know a young woman in her thirties that had a mastectomy. She HAD to get reconstruction because she's young and beautiful."

It's a really good thing both of these ideas were not expressed to me. Just an FYI when talking to me... if you can dish it out- you better be able to take it. (And stand beyond arms reach, just in case.) BTW: I live in the supposed liberal, hip/cool, intellectual, cultural, anything-goes New York City... and actually I've learned over the years- sometimes, it's anything but.

wisdom. and fucque.

(sub-title: raven steals the sun.)

We had a weekend visitor and the essence of her coolness is still floating around here... it was such a fabulous visit. Laurie traveled from Canada to meet me and to explore my Rhea Belle clothing and a little bit of New York city. To say I feel honored and charmed that such cool women gather with me is an understatement (Jeanne, another online/blogger friend came to New York in September from Seattle). From the moment Laurie and I met on the sidewalk I was so comfortable with her and I had a feeling that the weekend would bring a creation of long conversations and inspiration. And this feeling proved right.

Laurie came bearing gifts: Canadian mustard with maple syrup, cocoa camino- a bar of the most delicious fair trade dark chocolate imaginable (of which I've eaten three pieces while writing this) and two cds which I have nearly worn out already, Eve Goldberg's A Kinder Season and Joni Mitchell's Shine. When Laurie arrived John wasn't home from work yet so I called him and asked if he'd pick up some good dipping pretzels for the mustard and a bottle of my favorite wine- an Australian Shiraz. When he later pulled the wine from the bag Laurie said it was her favorite! I knew it was going to be a great weekend.

Friday evening, after a visit to the roof to experience a cold clear sky and a glistening view of Manhattan with wine in hand, we looked over the Rhea Belle clothing collection and Laurie unveiled which garments were her fave- we decided that Saturday we'd venture out and procure the necessary materials. Saturday morning we cruised the L train into Union Square for Laurie to experience the Farmers Market and the Holiday Mart and then we were off to gather supplies. With our mission accomplished we hunted down a cup of coffee and a bit of fuel before we went our separate ways: Laurie to brave a few Manhattan sites alone and I back to the loft to begin sewing her selected garments. I absorbed every minute to sit and talk with Laurie and I could've remained in that coffee house, across from her for a long time but we both had some stuff to accomplish. Later in the evening Laurie arrived back at the loft with a pot of home made vegetable soup waiting for her. I did my best to spoil this woman.

Sunday arrived way too fast! It's a real delicious treat to be in the company of a person who is incredibly lovely to be with- no silence being awkward and plenty to talk about. Kindred spirits, indeed. Even my cats, Tina and Freeda, adored her and allowed her to sleep peacefully and gave her some lap time. After a breakfast of freshly baked banana nut bread, coffee and the company of my sister Laurie ventured out to explore a few more bits of the city and I finished up her two garments. That evening Laurie had planned on treating us to dinner so upon her return we took her to a neighborhood place that we tend to take guest and celebrate special occasions. Northeast Kingdom's small simple cozy environment is seductively inviting and the food is comfortingly delicious. Our conversation wove in many directions as it often did- from body politics (of course), far away travels, details of our weddings, to ravens stealing the sun while adorning jewels. I believe a fabulous, warm, memorable time was had by all of us.

Monday we awoke with a plan. Laurie and I wanted to photograph her in the garments that I had created for her to include in my Rhea Belle slideshow. After an unplanned dry-run we eventually captured some beautiful moments of Laurie in front of the lens wearing the perfect cardigan and stitched atop plum goodness. It doesn't get any better than that!!! With a few hours to spare before she needed to head to the airport we found ourselves out in Williamsburg Brooklyn on a crispy chilled day and feasting on some of my favorite pizza! Laurie had mentioned wanting to have a good New York slice while visiting and though it wasn't planned- enjoying this delicacy together topped off what was already a kickass weekend. I just can't believe she's come and gone already.

The conception of Rhea Belle clothing was born out of a necessity to fill a huge social gap and to establish a clear message of defiance. A societal f**kyou one might say. It's not a tough code to crack with a name like Rhea Belle- and that's better than Fucque Clothing, right? The clothing actually has very little to do with fashion- it's "fashionista" (a term I actually dislike being associated with but take no offense when it is attached to me kindly) implications are merely a by-product of a marriage between diabolical aesthetics/design and purpose. But when a woman says that I, my clothing, makes her feel beautiful- then if you want to call it fashion- by all means, call it fashion. Calling it wonderful is cool too.

"I have come home inspired and rejuvenated. You have helped me to go back to feeling good about my body, as it is. You are doing a wonderful thing with Rhea Belle." Laurie

I once confessed... "my life feels thick as pudding
and is as good". this is true, still. in part because of this experience.

the top image is for Laurie.
("Raven Steals the Sun" By Preston Singletary, at the National Museum of the American Indian)

m.i.y.o.d.s.

Why settle for only what's offered at the overpriced department stores and boutiques? If finding the right garment is difficult and you'd rather "make it your own damn self" from scratch or by renovating an existing garment then here's the list for you! I'm posting ideas and references to designs that not only embrace the terrane of the post mastectomy, non-reconstructed, no-prosthesis body but these designs thoughtfully celebrate and honor it. I'll post photos of handmade garments and basic "how to" instructions so check back in often if you're interested in the Do It Yourself approach to your wardrobe solutions. We'll start with the obvious... Rhea Belle designs at Rebel1in8.
"The design and marketing of items of wear for one-breasted women is only a question of time, and we who are now designing and wearing our own asymmetrical patterns and New Landscape jewelry are certainly in the vanguard of a new fashion!"
Audre Lorde, "The Cancer Journals", 1980

Rhea Belle designs.

The DIYNOTDIE star reconstructs a sweater.

"Cut up yer shirts!!! sez Pocketina."

Take charge! Go knit somehthing!

Two Dutch warriors rock out a post mastectomy clothing line in the late 90's!!!

HAPPY RHEA!

The program in which I was included is now online!

See "Breast Cancer: New Thinking & New Therapies", WABC TV, Channel 7, NY (American Cancer Society).

And don't forget the CALL TO ARMS!!!.

ricochet number two.

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"chicken..."

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a brush with action.

My friend and artist illustrator activist extroardinaire Nicole Schulman recently participated in the conception and birth of a powerful mural at an intersection in Brooklyn, NY. The mural honors and memorializes fifth-graders Victor Flores and Juan Estrada and 4-year-old James Rice, three young boys who were killed at the busy intersection. It's an incredible and moving tribute and visual message.

Nicole is also the illustrator of "It's only a matter of time" and sells cool jewelry and art at etsy. On top of all that her myspace site is awesome and definitely worth a long visit.

photo:
Celebrate people's history poster, by Nicole.
and
detail of a bodice front.

amazon seamstress.

My friend and crafty rebel spinning knitter gardner apple tree havin' extraordinaire Tina has written a glowing article for etsy's STORQUE about Rebel1in8 and Rhea Belle clothing. I was honored to be a part of such a well written and supportive piece. Because of it I have sold every last Rebel cap necklace in my etsy store so a new batch is in the works!!! Stay tuned because a lot of new jewelry and clothing is coming!

"amazon seamstress". I love that. love. love. love.

photo by gcs.

a break. and stitches.

My favorite poem. And the only poem I can recite...
The Red Wheelbarrow.

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.


by William Carlos Williams, Spring and All, 1923
photo, art: a gift from Tina, paper with pressed buttons and stitches. see detail.

a wooden sky and stars.

"There is no difference between thinking and relative living. Thinking leads to pride, identification, confusion and fear. Work is a function in which we seem to be identified. But in reality work is a part of the process of life in which we cannot perceive the beginning or end of our function. We have no understanding of the process of life, in whole, or in part, and we never will. We cannot therefore identify ourselves with our work. Since the process of life reaches to the furthest star the work of each of us is of no significance in the process. In the great process, in the sum total of the outward being of all living things our work is insignificant, infinitesimal and insignificant. This must be realized."

Artist Agnes Martin, "Writings", page 90

photo: Jeanne at Coney Island, September 2007.

"Rebel Fashion"

This photo was taken in Brooklyn during Jeanne's visit when she came to New York to experience Rhea Belle clothing (and a lil' bit of the big city of course). Jeanne is a friend that I met online through a network of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are navigating their way through it with attitude and integrity. I have fabulous memories of her and her friend Pat who joined her for the New York adventure. While Pat often awoke at the crack of dawn to venture out and explore the wild city Jeanne and I spent a lot of of time drinking some kickass Seattle coffee that she brought with her and talking talking and doing more talking while I made a few custom Rhea Belle garments for her. Our evenings were spent on the roof with the sunset, a glass of wine, laughter that bordered on giggling and the planning of my inevitable visit to Seattle. On their last day Jeanne and Pat took John and I out to dinner to a little restaurant in our neighborhood where Jeanne introduced me to the Gimlet- a vodka, lime and sugar beverage. Well, long story short this is now my drink of choice when I'm in the mood for a real treat. And the best part of this beverage is I think of Jeanne every single time I have it- and mainly I think of her fabulously edgy humor and her giggle- yes Jeanne, you do giggle.

While this was the first time we met Jeanne, Pat and I felt incredibly comfortable around each other and it seems as if we've all been friends for quite some time. I simply can not wait to get to Seattle- of course I'll write about that when it happens!!!

"I don't feel embarrassed to go out in public, and, amazingly, no one seems to notice that I don't have a right breast. If people DO stare, I assume they are looking at the great clothes Jacqueline has made for me. Or they are admiring my smile and my sunny attitude!" Jeanne

In the photographs Jeanne is wearing the comfy summer cowl.