Editor Spotlight: The Art of Alteration by Cynthia Levens
~Photograph by Johanna Love
With summer just around the corner, this is a time when people often find themselves reflecting on the types of changes they want to make in their lives, both physical as well as mental. Managing Editor of Altered Couture, Cynthia Levens has an interesting perspective when it comes to making adjustments and she’s kind enough to share it with us here at Somerset Place.
~*~
Dear Friends,
While many things in our lives are beautiful as is, there are others that could use a few adjustments. And even though some are completely out of our control, there are a handful of things we have the power to change. It’s incredible what can be accomplished with a few quick fixes, an addition or removal, or some sort of modification.
This past year I’ve made several “alterations” to my habits that led to changes — changes I’ve always wanted but never really worked for. And by making these alterations and sticking to them, I’ve improved my health, relationships, mood and happiness, and appreciation for, well … everything! I still have a lot of things to work on, but, again, I’m going to continue to repair my snags to ultimately be the best possible version of myself. And I know that while fixing one snag something else may unravel, but that’s all part of the process! With the right set of tools and a positive attitude, I know I can overcome anything, and so can you.
(Artist credits, from left to right and top to bottom: Shelly West, Shannon Dorsey, Diane Utley-Aguilar, Abby Potash, Jessica Rives, Elena Ulyanova — all articles can be found in Altered Couture Summer 2014)
This is why I love this magazine so much. I’m amazed by this concept and find it so rewarding to see both simple and drastic changes completely transform a garment or accessory. These pages clearly show the results of hard work and a commitment to improvement. Whether an alteration you would like to make takes place on your sewing table or elsewhere in life, and no matter if the change will be grand or small, you can do it if you stick with it. There can be so much beauty and bliss in alteration.
Cheers,
Cynthia Levens
Managing Editor
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Thanks so much for allowing us a quick glimpse into your mind and heart, Cynthia. Alteration, in any form, can be just as difficult as it is rewarding. We want to know: Has there ever been an instance when you felt that a change was necessary — either in an artistic endeavor or in your personal life?
Use code BLOG0514 to get $5 off Altered Couture
Make sure you get all the beauty and bliss of alteration in this issue of Altered Couture. If you’re a loyal blog subscribe take advantage of our special promotion code and get $5 off this or any other summer issue by using the code BLOG0514 when prompted at the checkout. (Discount code can be used only one time per customer).
Posted: Thursday, May 8th, 2014 @ 12:30 pm
Categories: Textile Arts, Uncategorized.
Tags: Alterations, altered couture, Cynthia Levens, Exclusive Offer, Inspiration, Magazine.
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Thank you Cynthia for sharing a glimpse into your world~ We are always altering our lives-from the every day to the profound. I love what you shared~
Right now-I am in a spiral of change. Another child will fly from the nest later this year. I will have my own creative space-a real room, not a nook or a suitcase. It will be bittersweet-but life is like this. We have to find the light in the dark, see the beauty through the pain and realize their are gifts along our paths-sometimes we do not see-right away. Threads of change define us~ I look forward to this issue~
Thank you @>————-
The magazine is always beautiful. Unfortunately Altered Couture lost 2 of my one of a kind dresses.
Hi Delight, I just wanted to let you know that we are looking into this. I’ll email you to try and get some more details and hopefully we can get it all figured out as soon as possible. I am very sorry for the inconvenience.
I would like to make a submission, but cannot find the email in any of the submission guidelines.
Hi Anna, if you would like to submit work please email: submissions@stampington.com. Good luck!
It is a full month since this exchange and here is an update.I have not received any info,in fact my email with the information you requested was never answered!
It is so very shameful to treat an artist this way.I am out several hundred dollars and my emails go unanswered.
Hi Delight – I am very sorry that there has been so much miscommunication. I assure you that we got your emails, and as we understood it, someone had reached out to you to explain the situation. Unfortunately, the mail services have been atrocious lately and the dresses may have been lost. I understand that you feel like this situation has not been resolved and I will pass this along to our Art Management Department again so that we can figure something out. I will touch base with you later this week to ensure that someone has reached out to you. Again, I apologize for the situation and that you were made to feel ignored and unimportant. I promise you that’s not the case.