It is getting there.. Moving to Area C

It started about a year ago with a kind of restlessness. My son left home to study at the University, so it became very quiet. Even for me. I was busy enough, that was not the problem. I live in a nice place, more or less in a forest so I can always go outside with my dog Toto. That was not the problem either. Then what was? I realised after a few years of being locked up that the world was not going to come to me. A few years ago (because that's how fast time goes) I went out into the world myself. With my stuff to LondonEdge, to fairs and markets. When my mother fell ill, that became a lot harder. Pretty soon after she passed away, I became ill myself. Very ill. Within a few months, I went from 'very tired, it must be mourning' to 'You have a tumor and we don't know until after surgery '. A serious operation and slow recovery kept me busy for at least a year.
And then I wanted to pick up where I left off, go back to work, see people again, but I hadn't even thought about it or the universe decided otherwise. And suddenly three years have passed. Or four? No idea really. Time is a wonderful thing...

So when we finally all started to wake up and get out of our vacuum, I knew I had to do something. Move? Well, that's not so easy... And suddenly, Section C appeared on my path. More or less by chance. I had often considered renting a studio, but there was always something wrong. Too small, only a shop, too expensive, the combination of working and selling was what I was looking for. Quite often, people ask if they can come and try on some clothes. That is really not possible in my house. First you stumble over a Golden Retriever, then stuff, because a business in your living room means a lot of stuff, then two cats and dishes in the kitchen sink, that's not really a good business card... (Don't worry, my stock was kept safe in a room with the door closed) And then suddenly there was this opportunity. A large hall at Section C was converted into studios. Yes please! But then it starts... Good thing I had no idea what I was getting into.

So this was it; three walls, a yellow floor and a fence. The nice thing about Area-C is that you can fill it in however you like. Maybe it is also a kind of initiation, show what you can do, you have to earn your place. So I went ahead and did it, without a real budget, but with creative thinking and the help of a handful of good friends.

A lot of thinking and searching later, I found double-walled glass panels at a scrap yard, with exactly the right height. I went and got them myself, and with the help of a boy who worked there, I lifted them into my father's van. but then... You're not allowed to drill into the walls, so we had to come up with a construction that was sturdy enough and therefore safe. With a pile of beams from an old barn and some slats, we just started. After all, there is a solution for every problem.

Uhm.. So I said yes. To this.. it has a roof? And a floor and three walls..

A lot of doodling and drawing. Tweed Revolution is the new name for my studio. On the Sunny Side is still my brand.

Meanwhile, I had to arrange everything on paper. I live in Belgium, and Eindhoven is the Netherlands. You would think that since the EU, it has all become easier. uhmpff... unfortunately. It turned out to be a bit of a hassle, but in the end I managed to get my registration with the Chamber of Commerce done. I needed a new name, a new logo and a new website. But those are the fun things. Fortunately, I have a diploma from the higher crafts school, so I have learned everything you need to know as a DIY designer.

Piece by piece we built a wall in it. For the top I used polycarbonate sheets. It weighs nothing, but lets the light through. Then there had to be a floor, part of it could be done with re-using ugly but easy carpet tiles, the shop part I put in vinyl myself. Practical and not even ugly. With old cabinets and some doors I made a little shop window. The only thing missing is atmosphere. But I will find a solution for that.

Now I have moved the stock, next up is moving the sewing machines and I can finally do some work, haha. I am quite proud of what I have managed to do with a little help from others. I have come a long way from an old sewing machine of my mother's and a few pieces of cloth to where I am now. It didn't happen by itself, I often lay awake, and still do, because it's not the easiest path. It is easier not to leave your village and to rent something in Belgium. But as a Dutchwoman, it remains difficult to find and be found. I am home again, in 'Eindje', even if it is only my studio. The coming year will show whether it has been worth it. It would also be nice to have some luck, that would help for a change.

From 14 July you are welcome at Tweed revolution. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 12.00 and 17.00 to start with. Follow me on social media to stay informed of opening hours and other news