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About Me and My Work...

My Resume
One of My Jeep Top Design Patents Articles

Most recent work-2007 to present:
*Designer/Engineer, Fabric coverings for Enchanted Mushroom Forest artcar project, Burning Man 2010
*Designer/Faux Fur Engineer for The Seed Heartcar/artcar project,
  Burning Man 2009.
* Wardrobe/Stitcher for the Palm Springs Follies
.
* Costumer for 'Ballerina' episode of MTV Made to be aired in late January 2008.
* On-set tailor on photo shoot for Men's Journal Magazine with the U.S. Men's    Ski Team.
* Costume Mistress for the David Taylor Dance Theatre-design and creation of    costumes for Medusa production, management of Nutcracker costumes on    tour and local production.


    I am a longtime seamstress and designer and have worked as a costumer in the theatre arts since 1993.  Previous to working in theatre, I was a bead artist in Southern California.  I did this work primarily as a freelance artist but spent about a year working for Barbara Grimes clothing designer in Solana Beach that provided stage clothing for Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and many other celebrities under her Gossamer Wings label.  During my time there I realized that I needed to learn how to sew, so that I could take on the work of designing my own garments.

    In 1991, I moved to Denver, Colorado and continued doing beadwork for customers locally.  In 1992, I began a full time Professional Sewing program at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School.  In 1993, about halfway through this two year program I began an apprenticeship at the Colorado Ballet costume shop.  I spent five seasons there and loved every minute of it.  I spent one season working in the theatre costume shop at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, then moved back to California to continue my education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.  While a student there, I continued working in theatre and spent a season at the South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa as well as doing a lot of freelance design, patternmaking and manufacturing for some small dance companies and high school marching bands.  In addition, I had the wonderful opportunity of working as a restoration assistant with Conservators of Fine Fabrics, a textile restoration company in California.  While there, I worked on the restoration of several private collections and museum collections, including a 250 year old Tibetan thangka, a victorian beaded purse collection belonging to the Whittier Historic Society and the historic uniform collection belonging to the Los Angeles Police Historic Society.  Though coincidental that this job came to me, it was especially meaningful because my father and grandfather are retired LAPD police officers.

    Upon returning to Denver, I took a job in the automotive industry using my design and pattern drafting skills to design soft tops for Chrysler to install on their factory issued Jeeps.  I was able to hone my pattern drafting skills in a new environment and learned to use CAD tools for pattern drafting while working there.  However, the creative environment of theatre and dance was calling to me.  Since leaving that position, I have been fortunate enough to work with Opera Colorado for their debut production of Carmen at the brand new Ellie Caulkin's Opera House in the Denver Center for Performing Arts, as well as numerous other local Colorado productions and creative, artistic ventures.

  Please see my services page link for all services I am now offering.