What does that mean, 'luxury'? On an economic level, of course, the connotation is something that you wouldn't ordinarily treat yourself to.
But it's really much more than that, and since I've been mulling the subject over in my head for a while, it may be the subject of a few future posts.
Although I was trying to avoid them, I just 'happened' to get sucked into some after-Christmas sales. There isn't much that I need except maybe some warm socks, but I figure I can always knit those if necessary. Anything else would just be gravy (or icing, depending on your palate's preference). But I did let myself be tempted to try on a lovely Audrey Hepburn-era-Givenchy-inspired cashmere swing jacket. At -40% off it seemed like a bargain! Until I put it on and the left sleeve half fell off. It had been machine knit and there was a huge hole where the sleeve just hadn't been sewn onto the front. In retrospect I suppose if I'd really wanted it (and who wouldn't want to look like Audrey Hepburn?), I could have negotiated an even greater discount. But in the end I was so disappointed by the workmanship that I lost all compunction to purchase. It was as if whoever was at quality control just didn't care enough to LOOK at the garment. Of course I know you give up a certain amount of quality when you buy something manufactured en masse. But that doesn't change anything. The result was still a bit disappointing. And I left empty-handed.
A few weeks ago I met a craftsperson who patiently taught me how to stitch two pieces of leather together to form a secure closure, the kind found on only the most impeccable riding saddles. I practiced for an hour and even with the tips and tricks of the master, still only managed a short row of perfect stitches before the whole thing went wonky! No matter how effortless it looks, it's never as easy or as quick as an outsider might think. It's backbreaking, sometimes tedious work, but it's all done really out of love. The craftsperson - who by the way is also a knitter - said she works the normal hours at the workshop but could really just sit and do that just about all day every day and be perfectly content. And there's usually a story behind every design or project. I won't tell you what I found out about the craftsperson's life (though it's juicy enough to fill up a novel or two!), but I will share with you another artist's blog that I've recently discovered:
Robert Samsel is a young Polish textile artist living in New York. His hats remind me of the coveted trendy chunky variety that have been spotted on the runways in the past couple of years...
(which I personally love - and wished sorely that I had when I visited some outdoorsy friends here for New Year)
His style is simple, modern, and distinctly unstuffy. And what I love most about his art is that there is always a backstory from a far-off land!
You can find his blog and his creations here:
http://www.robertsamsel.blogspot.com/
