Ooh, you found the secret entrance! Hello and welcome.
This is something I’m not quite ready to share with the big world yet. But I can tell you, because you’re a fellow Fluent Self reader, and you’ll understand.
The Why of it
OK, here goes: a couple of days ago I received a notification that Havi’s free Shiva Nata workshop for Playground donors is on next Friday, 16 July.
And my heart! It leaped! It sank! It turned somersaults! It cha-cha’d! It hurtled into the abyss! It flung itself, spent and wretched, at my feet!
Because, oh, I’m utterly skint. Beyond skint. There’s no slack whatsoever in my household finances at the moment.
And yet – and yet – and yet – when is it likely to be true again that the sum standing between ME and a LIVE IN PERSON WORKSHOP WITH HAVI is so small?
I’m on the right continent, for a start (staying in Mountain View, CA, for two more weeks). Even on the right coast (well, left coast, but you know what I mean). And this is a free workshop. And the blessed conjunction of the event with my being here is just … so … heartbreakingly … uh … heartbreaking.
But how?
I checked flights. It looks like I’d need about $450, plus a bit for a hotel (unless I can find a couch to surf on or similar), and childcare while I’m gone.
I talked to my husband. We agreed that we seriously can’t afford it. He said, “Could you get a loan from anyone?” I said, “Doubt it.”
But then!
But then, I had an idea.
It’s a mad, bad, dangerous idea. It’s a brazen, sassy, downright unmannerly idea.
It’s this: what if I were to launch a little string of products, just for you, right now, and what if you were prepared to pay me in advance for them, and wait until after I got back to Ireland to receive them?
It would be a leap of faith on your part. And I’d completely understand if you’d rather not take it. But if you might – if you’d consider it – read on.
OK. Deep breath. Here are some things that you could buy from me.
[You'll notice I give guide prices. That's because these items are so customisable, and this sale is on at such short notice, I haven't had time to devise a proper pricing scheme. Please don't let that throw you!]
A secret crown
That’s a headscarf, triangular, in two layers. It’s a secret crown because the under-layer features an embroidery that I design and make especially for you, using words or symbols that you choose. (I can also stitch your existing personal emblem, if you have one.) It doesn’t have to be a headscarf – it could be a narrower hairband, if you prefer.
I made one for myself a little while ago, with an emblem featuring a crown and the words “colour, energy, joy, power” (which are some of the gifts my creativity brings me).
I’ll make these from fair-trade organic cotton, if only for an excuse to buy more from the great source I’ve found. (I’ve bought samples – it’s loooooovely.)
Guide price for a secret crown:
$40 if you want just one or two words embroidered; $60+ if you’d like something a bit more special.
A secret cape
That’s a large scarf or wrap, such as you might cast nonchalantly about your shoulders as the evening draws in and the breeze begins to pick up. It would measure about 5 feet by 2 feet (entirely negotiable), be double-layered, and again feature an embroidery of significance to you either in one corner or half way up one of the long sides.
Again, these will be made from fair-trade organic cotton.
Guide price for a secret cape:
$80 if you want just one or two words embroidered; $100+ if you’d like something a bit more special.
An actual crown
Shiny, pointy, jewel-encrusted golden crown, yo. Made of fabric and stiff interfacing, to your personal head measurement. Embroidered, if you like, with a word – “sovereignty” springs to mind, doesn’t it? – either inside (secret!) or outside (sparkly!).
These will not be made from fair-trade organic anything. They will be made from shiny synthetic goldy fabric I have in my stash. Nuff said.
Guide price for an actual crown:
$60 if you want a light touch with the bling and one or two words embroidered; $100+ if you’d like a bit more flash and dazzle. And if you’d really like me to go to town, aim high and find your sunglasses!
An actual cape
Swishy. Thigh-length or longer – as you (s)wish. Double-layered, fully reversible (and if you choose one zingy and one drab fabric, you get a visibility/invisibility cloak!). Long ties in self-fabric to fasten. Can feature embroidery of significant words or symbols, as above. (But it’s mainly about the swish.)
We’re back to the fair-trade organic cotton for these.
Guide price for an actual cape: $60 for a thigh-length cape with no embroidery; $150+ for a full-length cape with embroidered emblem.
If you’re still with me, here’s what I’d like you to do:
-
Click the “Donate” button.
Make a donation.
Tell me what you’d like in return.
[EDIT: I've taken the button down for the moment.]
I will absolutely not reveal what any one person gives. But I may update here with a running total over the next few days.
[EDIT: I went to Portland! It was magic! Thank you so much to everyone who helped.]
When I get back to Ireland, after 24 July, I’ll start sewing, on a first-come-first-served basis. I’ll contact you to sort out the details (fabric, embellishment), and I’ll let you know as soon as possible when you can expect to receive your piece.
Thank you!
PS: This wasn’t a sales page – it existed purely to get me to Portland. I’ve taken the Donate button down for now. Once I’ve made progress on the Portland orders, I’ll see about putting it back up and letting this thing out into the Big World (eep!).
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