A few short weeks ago a small tribe entered our shop and we could instantly tell they were our kind of folks. Violet, in particular caught our attention. Standing about 5'4", sparkling eyes with a pile of Rasta hair with big bunches of purple in it. They were checking things out at a different level and wandering about really seeing what we had in the shop.
I need to digress for a moment. There is a strange phenomenon at our shop. With some folks it is as if a bunch of bridesmaids walked in expecting to see wedding gowns only to find an auto parts store. With wide eyes they do a big circle staying as far away from anything as possible and head out the door. Usually, with some convulsively smarmy comment they can't control. "hope you make it!?!" "We'll think of you if we are ever in the need of a new Turbo for our MiniVan." Although this comment was not uttered this one was. "ohhh,ummmm, I am sorry, we aren't creative. We are Republicans." This was funny on many levels but probably gives some republican somewhere a bad reputation. Or maybe not.
Back to Violet and crew. After cruising around a while I showed them Nymbol and Nymphaea and they really liked the puppets. What happened next I could not predict. Violet asked if I could make a wig like Nymphaea's hair for her. The collision of thoughts I had where hard to describe. I am sure it showed on my face. I had to imagine the whole process in my mind to completion. After what seemed like about 20 minutes I said "Sure. We could do that for you."
"What would that cost?" Violet asked.
This is one of the hardest questions to answer at the shop. More picturing, instant materials figuring, time spent, arrrrrgggghhhh.
I threw out a figure that was somewhere in reality land for both parties and wasn't greeted by the huge flinch I expected.
Violet went on. "I would really like that. Next Tuesday I go in to start Chemotherapy and I am going to loose my hair."
We talked a little more about her illness, and with the resolve of a champion athlete she was ready to head into the next few months. The whole meaning behind a leather wig just changed. At first request I was caught off guard but now it all made perfect sense. Nymbol's would be honored to do the project and we would find a way to make it work. We brainstormed, talked some more and came up with a plan. After the little tribe left Sam and I talked about how there is some real magic in our shop now. We could feel it.
What happened next I couldn't predict. When talking to Violet I had imagined how I might make the wig and was planning my time around it. What I didn't realize is that Sam really wanted to do this project and started jamming right away. I could see she was meant to do it.
Many hours and a couple days later the wig was complete. It looked great and we took a bunch of photos.
Sitting on a table in the shop the wig was a curiosity. Those with the sight were drawn to it. Others looked at it a though they were staring at a spark plug display.
The day before some meetings south Sam wrapped it up, made up a little "do it yourself" bag of beads and added a card. We loaded it carefully in the truck and I started my trip to Portland.
A couple days later after presenting some of my footwear projects and zipping all around portland I headed north again and stopped at Violet's to present the wig. I was greeted at the door by the same sparkly eyed Violet. This time without even a hint of the mop of Rasta hair she had before. She looked great and I was excited to show her what we had brought. The pictures tell the whole story really. It was a transformative experience. Nymbol was there to witness the whole event and I hope to share a photo of that soon. We had a nice visit and after bragging a bit about Nymbol and the show we are going to do I set off North again. As I looked at my watch I visualized the distance, lack of food, gas and time. The last ferry leaves for the island at 1:00 a.m. and it was going to be close.
for more pictures look at "nymbol's secret garden" facebook page.
