The Story of Kathy Drake and Swan Lace Unable to keep my hands still I began crocheting at a young age. My mother taught me all I know about sewing and my grandmother passed down to me her skill of crocheting. I took orders for tams and shawls while working as a legal secretary. During my studies as an art major at the University of Houston I pursued the field of pottery. I enjoyed this art form very much and played with it for several years on my own. Then five talented ladies and myself formed a co-op arts group with a studio/retail shop in downtown Austin, TX and named it "Dreams Into Reality". This name expressed the way we felt about this opportunity. In this space I set up a pottery workshop. We taught crochet classes, developed a retail fiber room, and designed a showplace for our hand made goods. My first craft show experience was a Texas Renaissance Fair in 1978 as a member of the Dream's co-op craft booth. I had developed a pottery item which I called,"The Magical Genie Oil Lamp". It was an Aladdin style kerosene or liquid paraffin lamp which came complete with instructions and a unique guarantee: "Guaranteed 3 Wishes...Just Keep Rubbing!" While producing oil lamps I continued crocheting, designing my first hair nets called Snoods, tams, shawls, and wonderful, custom sized dance slippers. One of the ladies from my dreams group, Beverly Leathers, and I developed our first unique, multi-use garment and called it "The Modern Sarong". Through the years the garment was developed to be used first, 3 ways, then 7, on to 10 ways and finally now 14 different dress and skirt styles with one single garment. All of the first few additions were from design changes, but the most recent styles have been from customers who experimented at home and came back to show off their new ideas. This item is very specifically fitted by bust size and I have developed children's sizes and offer a wide range in the adult sizes all the way from bust size 28 up to bust size 50. In addition to the sarong I offer a large selection of beautiful, exciting garments for the average and also the generous figure. As I added more items in the fiber world I decided to stop producing the wonderful oil lamps. My clothing designs are unique, exciting and designed with comfort in mind. I especially enjoy the challenge of multi-use garments having started with the Sarong Dress and added a figure fitting, convertible jumpsuit. With a great appreciation of hand make imported lace pieces I have specialized in designing many original garments using this lace. Hence the name "Swan Lace". These items include bobbin lace snoods, chignon and bun covers, a comfortable lace halter top with great bust support in 3 sizes and several hand made lace designs, Tuscany lace and crochet vests, cacoon jackets, blouses, skirts and a unique, sized Lace Top Sun Hat. This flat and easy to pack sun hat, offered in 4 head sizes and 2 brim sizes and many colors of bobbin lace, was conceived from an image in a dream. I spent several years researching and developing this delightful, washable, durable sun hat which stays on even in a very gusty wind. I work in all natural fibers using several weights of cotton gauze, cotton knit, rayon, cotton lace, cotton-lycra, wool, mohair and cotton and rayon chenille. With the resurgence of the appreciation of hand-dyed garments, I have added the intricate tie-dye designs to my wide array of solid colors. Since I often find the traditional tie-dye too wild, I have developed a new style of hand painted dye which I call "space dying". Space dying is softer and more subtle style which has proven to be appropriate for many more occasions than tie dye and quite popular with a wide range if men, women and children. I have also dabbled in the field of air brush using the beautiful lace to create a base design to which I hand paint accents in acrylic paints. I still enjoy crocheting and make one-of-a-kind crocheted Mendalla Hats and Wool Berets. |
Studio Address:
Colorado Renaissance Fair
Ohio Renaissance Fair
Texas Renaissance Fair |