" One man's trash is another man's treasure

" One man's trash is another man's treasure

As one woman's junk gives others pleasure."   Tom Zart poem Garage Sale

The inspiration to make the "Trashions" from the shopping bags came while I listened to NPR radio as I worked long hours in my studio.  I was applying for a work positions during the summer of 2009.


People called into the radio interviews with horror stories about how the economic recession, stock market crash 2008  was ruining their plans to retire, downsizing, layoffs, growing unemployment of people my age no matter how much education, experience or skills they possessed.

I began thinking people were in such economic distress that we would be have to make our garments from the throw away bags.


Playing in my studio I taught myself a way to melt layers of bags together creating my own "material."




Land and Sea # 1

Using plastic shopping bags that I has collected from recycling bins I cut, melted or sewed the seams together to create a unique garment that is the result of a near-total transformation of the material.



Land and Sea # 2

The color of the plastic bags influences the design of the dresses.  

 For example, "Land and Sea #2," the blue and neutral hues reminded me of sand and sea during the many hours I spent alone on Tybee Island in Savannah, Ga.



This dress is inspired by a 'Mandarin Wind,' a tropical hibiscus plant I bought for myself in Savannah to make me feel happy.  The bright, red orange hues provided me with a joyful feeling while I explored making small samples for graduate classes I was taking at Savannah College of Art and Design. 



Mandarin Wind



Hula



               Hula inspired by grass skirts and leis begs to be put into a dancing motion.

Gaga

This dress was made by my daughter, Kara, inspired by the Lady Gaga's meat dress at the Video Music Awards September 2010.
                                       Meat Dress  was designed by Franc Fernandez's

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/13/lady-gagas-meat-dress-photos_n_714117.html#144466

Using clothing as a metaphor for shared as well as personal concerns,

"I am creating beauty from ashes, seeing positive in negative, using throwaways to create something of value."

            Come see Hula and Gaga dancing on live models at the VIP evening party. Mandarin Wind and both Land and Sea Dresses will be part of a display in VIP lounge along with work from Fiber Design students.
             I am looking forward to the show and talking with you about my collection.

 

Buffalo State College

 Runway 4.0 Diversity Mash Fashion Show

April 16, 2011     http://bscrunway.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/runway-4-0/

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you"- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you"- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kara took this image of me in my studio surrounded by our
" Trashions " .

 Land and Sea #2 was shown in Pittsburgh 2009 as part of the Paper or Plastic ? @ the Luke & Eloy Gallery. 
" Artists don't hold anything back in Luke & Eloy Gallery exhibit - That was certainly the case for Carol Ann Rafferty of Clarence, N.Y. Her dress, "Land and Sea #2," is part of a series she is working on using plastic shopping bags, of all things, that she has collected from recycling bins.

Using clothing as a metaphor for shared as well as personal concerns, Rafferty says, "I am creating beauty from ashes, seeing positive in negative, using throwaways to create something of value."

Rafferty says the color of the plastic bags she uses influences the dresses. "The blue and neutral hues reminded me of sand and sea during the many hours spent alone on Tybee Island last year in Savannah," Rafferty says."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/museums/s_652704.html#ixzz1Hib3lqz9

Live models dressed in  rice rafferty  " Trashions "  will mingle among the patrons in VIP Party Lounge .
 More " Trashions " will be on view in a static display along with works from current students of the Buffalo State College Fiber Program.


 

Gift Basket of inspirational sewing supplies will be awarded from rice rafferty to a student from the Fiber Program after Runway 4.0


Short video of me delivering  Ultra Feminine Denim Collection  to the panel of jurors at Buffalo State College Fashion Department. taped March 24th 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x185rQ9IGe4&feature=player_embedded#at=12

 Save the date, buy your tickets early and plan to be seen at this festive celebration where art meets fashion.

 Fashion Diversity Mash - Buffalo State College-Runway 4.0 presented by Fashion Textile Technology Program.  There will be a presentation of Buffalo State College’s Fashion Department senior designers, fiber design students, alumni, and local designers. All proceeds go to the Fashion Technology Scholarship Fund.Date: Saturday, April 16 at  4:00 and  8:30 PM  



Address: The Pierce Arrow Building
               1685 Elmwood Avenue
               Buffalo, NY 14207
Cost: General Admission: $30.00


Purchase tickets at Wegmans That's T.H.E. Ticket locations. Check your store for availability.
for more information or to purchase VIP tickets follow this link  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-State-College-Runway-40/116359321710369#!/event.php?eid=118139591596019

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. "

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. " 

Coco Chanel

Kara and I have been working on a collection of rice rafferty hair adornments and accessories.  Kara did a photo shoot of our new bridal veils, head pieces with and without bird cage veils, feather fascinators, head bands and communion veils.
http://kararice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rice-rafferty-white-birdcage-veils.html

Hats were a normal accessory when I was a young girl as it was mandatory to wear a hat before entering into a Catholic Church.  I had seen the nuns drop a dirty dust cloth on my peers who neglected to bring a hat to wear to the weekday school mass.   No dirty cloths for me.

 My mother worked for years as the Head of the Coat and Dress Department for Lerner Dress Shop in downtown Pittsburgh.

" Lerner Shops was founded in 1918 by Samuel A. Lerner and Harold M Lane in NYC. The Company was acquired in the 1960's by Rapid-American, a holding company. In 1985 it was purchased by the Limited, Inc. and when sold in 2002 it was operated as Lerner New York and New York & Company. "

Fashion and style is in my blood. My mother who looked like a composite of Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day had the most wonderful collection of stylish hats.  My eyes danced as I squealed with delight every time she carefully lifted down her hat boxes, untied the ribbons on  the lids, slowly pulled open the tissue like a flower blooming in the garden to reveal another wonderful HAT ;~)

  Wearing a head piece always makes me feel special .

Lovely Chapeau hair adornments can be made with or without bird cage veils because it is important to feel special as often as you wish ;~)

                                             Why should brides have all the fun ?

In the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, women used to express their femininity through waves and curls that represented the perfect “accessory” for the curvy and sexy silhouettes they had and which were considered as being so hot.

Chapeau stylish from all angles with bead adornment.



Retro means classic beauty and ultimate femininity.



Not quiet ready to add the bird cage veil yet don't want to miss out on the fun ;~)



Beautiful Moire, watery silk look, plays with the lights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moire_(fabric)





Remember you're never fully dressed without a smile ;~)



    visit us on http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756

or

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

Feel free to contact us for more information or questions about custom made work.

" In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful ."

 " In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful ."  

 Abram L. Urban

We fill our days with a series of activities designed to help us forget we are going to die one day.

One of my favorite places where I return again and again to find my balance is a garden.

As a young girl I used to walk around the garden of my childhood home talking with my mother.  I learned how to tend a garden by following her as she dead headed the faded blooms of each plant to encourage more blossoms.



February 12, 2011


 A few weeks ago I shared images from the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Winter Show.  We returned to the Gardens in the middle of a cold February weekend to enjoy the http://www.buffalogardens.com/p-136-night-lights-at-the-gardens.aspx

Main Dome at entrance

The gardens look different at night decorated with lights and wired with interactive sound machines



close up of cactus during night time lights in the garden show



Waterfall with interactive drum and light display



Moses- in- the-Cradle





Lady Slipper





      The little girl in me searches for a secret place to enjoy the peace and beauty of the garden

Kara and I found this hidden garden bench just the right place to stop and it a spell.



New friends are all around when you play in a garden.

 


The Most Important Part of a Garden is the One Who Enjoys It ;~)

In the depth of Winter a visit to the Botanical Gardens does wonders to lift your spirit and make your heart sing;~)

As a member of the Botanical Garden I strongly encourage you to visit the gardens soon.



“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

This image of me on Christmas Day 2010 is perfect to show how much I love and insulated myself while preparing for a life changing event.  Out with the Old and In with the New I entered the New Year ready for anything. Throughout my challenge I am happy to say I never questioned, " Why Me" ???   Self piety is not going to be helpful for anyone. Everyone has a cross to carry.

 My focus has been and will remain on having an Attitude of Gratitude.  After all,  I have enjoyed 54 wonderful years of rather good health.  

The only times I have ever stayed overnight in a hospital before this was to deliver two healthy babies natural child birth.  Each time I was out the door and back home by the third day.   My children have been both healthy  aside from strep throat, cold and flu along with a few minor accidents they enjoy good health, which is another thing for which I am THANKFUL.   Health is Wealth !!! 

How does one prepare for a life changing event?  Sometimes it happens in a flash that does not allow us the luxury to prepare.   Thankfully, I had five months to grow as I gathered information, asked the experts then made the best decision for myself.

The first line of defense that often come to mind in times of trouble are Friends and Family. Cell phone companies even have a Friends and Family Plan for the people you talk with the most.  Since my parents died 15 years ago my family of origin pretty much fell apart.  Other women I met along my journey often were accompanied by their mother, sister or close friend.

Not having the typical resources available has made my husband Jim and daughter Kara particularly good at selecting priorities and time management.  Life has an interesting way of unfolding in unpredictable ways.  Please note that I am not complaining as I have been receiving flowers, notes, phone calls, casseroles and thoughts of well wishes thought out my journey.  Maybe not from the people I would have previously thought of as on my Friends and Family Plan but from unexpected sources of LOVE.

Prayer, mediation, exercise, preparing and enjoying eating nutritious foods as well as always returning to an Attitude of Gratitude helps to keep life in perspective. 

One year ago I began attending Al Anon Meetings.
 Although I met many nice people I never found a " Home Group".  I did however find peace in the belief that " All Things work together for good for those who love the Lord. "  Romans 8 : 28    Even if we never would have selected our present cross it is an opportunity to us to grow.  I  was determined not to miss the Wisdom that would be mine from my present challenge.

Everyday as I rode my stationary bike between 5-8 miles as I read from three different Al Anon Meditation books.   No, God does not bring bad things into our lives, sometimes it is a direct result from choices we made.  More often than not it just happened as a way to help us learn to be more loving to ourselves and others.

Through the trials that have entered my life I have come to believe;

• there is an all Powerful Creator of the Universe who is LOVE,
• does not matter what name you choose to call this LOVE...
• we are all One in this great POWER of LOVE 
• this LOVE binds us all together,
• there is no need for envy or hatred,
• what happens good to one of us happens to all of us,
• sadness that happens to one of us affects all of us,
• we are really never alone as LOVE is with us in our darkest hour,
• life as we see it here on earth is a classroom,
• we either join in this LOVE or miss opportunities to LOVE
• one day we will return to this Great Power of LOVE

For anyone who has been following my blog, my pathology is more than I could have prayed for. 
I am humbled to say that I now have the ALL CLEAR ;~)

I am both elated for myself and saddened for the people who have not received this good news.

 I feel stronger everyday...   I can not wait to get back out helping other peoples lives be a little bit brighter again.  Life changing experiences can have a way of making us better not bitter.  

My latest ricerafferty artistic endeavour has been to create a new line for the Alumna portion of the Buffalo State College Runway 4.0 Fashion Show.  When Kara first suggested this project to me last Autumn I sort of looked at her over my bifocals as if she had to be kidding.  Didn't I have enough on my plate back then.   As all Artists know creativity is one way we tap into healing powers.

I was told the theme of this years show was actually inspired by my love and work with Recycled and Up Cycling Materials.   Repurpose, Reinterpret, Regenerate ...

As I said from the beginning of my latest life challenge;
Life threw me a BIG bunch of Lemons,
 I am going to make a enough Lemonade to have a PARTY for the rest of my life ;~)
Hope you come join me in the DANCE !!!

"One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated."

Hero in Me

 "One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated."  Hinduism: 3200 BC, From the Hitopadesa-

http://www.thegoldenrule.net/quotes.htm 

Luke 6:31 Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

What if the relationship brakes down or communication gets lost in translation???

 

  There is also an old adage which says,



"He who owns the gold makes the rules." http://www.womensgroup.org/gold_20000311.html

In both saying we are talking about " GOLDEN RULES "
Have you ever thought about what is your point of view?

Do you see life as an opportunity to bring good into you own life and others or do you see life as an opportunity where the winner takes all ???

• How much time do you spend "grooming" others?
• Do you care about anyone aside from " Numero Uno" ?
• Is everything you do rewarded by monetary gain?
• Do you have the feeling you can never have enough money or goods ?
• Have you learned that it takes a really steady hand to steer a lot of goods ?

I was watching an interesting program about the effects of STRESS on the health of members in relationship to their social pecking order.
 Dr. Robert Sapolsky has dedicated over 30 years watching social standing and the effects of disease on the living body.   He is shown here speaks with an interviewer from  Linked In focus on Stress   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtjU0-dOTLM

He found that members higher up on the pecking order, having power and little to do, can take great delight in picking on the lower members of the group, namely females and subordinate males who will not fight back. 

 While this may be great FUN for the BIG MONKEY it can bring on STRESS followed by DISEASE in the member who are being pushed around.

 To see the entire broadcast about stress
http://www.pbs.org/stress/

Remember your reality is seen from your point of view. 
If you would like to see community pecking order in action go visit you local zoo Monkey House.

For all the Alpha Aggressive out there I have no suggestions because from personal experience you take no responsibility for aggressive behavior.   Please know I am praying for you ;~)



Took My Breath Away



For the vast majority of people who have to deal with the self absorbed be sure to find many positive ways to create stress release and make it part of everyday activities not just once a week or month;

take a walk,
pray
read a good book,
take a long, comfortable hot bath
make something creative, doodle, draw or sketch
listen music, why not dance too
call a friend,
go to a support group meeting such as Al Anon,
buy yourself some flowers or better yet plant a garden
cook and enjoy nutritious organic foods
avoid aggressive people where possible
try yoga, Qui gong or Tai Chi exercise
swim, fish, camp, ride your bike,
or wear a






Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi

 Kind in mind God is Good and All Things are passing.
   Life grows better and more interesting with experience.



Better with Experience


     Best advice, we all make mistakes, an apology does wonders to heal a broken relationship.
                     Make a continuous effort to error on the side of kindness.

                                              Don't keep the LOVE, pass it around ;~)

                                                 http://carolannricerafferty.com/

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

Add caption

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

Buddha quotes


With complete understanding that we take are party with us, create our own heaven on earth and peace comes from within sometimes it is nice to find a quiet place to get away from the maddening crowd.   November 21, 2010 the First weekend of Advent was such a time as this.   Instead of attending liturgy at my home parish I decided to drive my husband 45 minutes away to Lewiston, NY.






This was the evening of the http://madmikesamerica.com/2010/11/full-beaver-moon-and-a-blue-moon-on-sunday/

 

Tucked away on Swann Rd. in the middle of Western New York farmlands is the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. http://www.fatimashrine.com/ 

Creche - behind the alter  is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene



there are various chapels for quiet prayer

 



Here you can write out prayers of Thanksgiving or name the burden that is heavy on your heart.

http://ampoleagle.com/josef-slawinski-peace-mural-on-the-move-p2494-124.htm
The Peace Mural, created by Professor Josef Slawinski and installed at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston, was moved Wed., July 15 about 50 feet back from its original home behind the altar of sacrifice in the basilica.



Two flights of stairs, consisting of 63 steps each, lead to the top of the Dome, from where one enjoys a beautiful view of the Shrine grounds and surrounding hills.


The large statue of Our Lady of Fatima is 13 feet high and weighs 10 tons. It was sculptured In Vermont granite. The grayish color of the stone disappears at night under the spotlights, and the statue seems to beam as a star for all people. Four coats of arms decorate the pedestal of the statue. They represent the coat of arms of Pope Paul VI, who bestowed upon the Shrine the title of Basilica; the coat of arms of the Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y.; and the coat of arms of the Barnabite Fathers and Angelic Sisters.



                                                              Festival of Lights -  In all there are over 75 displays to be viewed, the Basilica itself is gorgeously illuminated on the outside; inside warm candlelight glows to reveal a fabulous Nativity Scene behind the Main Altar.


During the Festival the Lights are on from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm every night. The Shrine Gift and Book Shop are open until 9:00 pm and the Cafeteria is open until 8:00 pm. The Festival runs from the Saturday before American Thanksgiving until the Epiphany. http://www.fatimashrine.com/festivaloflights.html 




Giant Rosary. In front of the Basilica, a giant Rosary, believed to be one of the largest outdoor rosaries in the world, consists of 59 lights ending with a beautiful marble Corpus of the Lord Jesus nailed to a cross. The Rosary Pool is shaped In the form of a heart to symbolize Mary's Immaculate Heart and her concern for our salvation. 




The Basilica. The construction of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Basilica was started in 1963. This unique church measures 100 feet In diameter and is 55 feet high. The Dome is covered with two layers of glass and plexiglass depicting a contour of the Northern Hemisphere, upon which rests a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady Is very much in the midst of the world helping humanity to reach the Lord.

This Church was dedicated in 1965 and consecrated on October 5, 1974. On October 7 1975, his Holiness Pope Paul VI, conferred the title of Basilica upon this church. A Basilica is a church associated with the Holy See. One of the privileges accorded to a Basilica is the Plenary Indulgence to all those who gather here for prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.

Our visit to Lady of Fatima Basilica was made even nicer when we stopped in the cafeteria that offered a variety of homemade style entree like; Eggplant Parmesan, Stuffed cabbages, homemade soups and pies.    Shttp://www.fatimashrine.com/facilities.html

As beautiful as the Festival of Lights was I look forward to walking the grounds in during the summer daylight hours to enjoy the gardens.  

While you are in the area take a short drive to visit Niagara Falls, New York.

Peace is within your heart that is true still sometimes it is important to get away from daily stress to a place that calls your spirit to prayer.