Door Number 9

12/02/2025

I’m making a bunch of these soft cloth icon diptychs today. Traditionally this pair of icons is painted on wood and either hung side by side or joined by a hinge so they can stand up on their own. But several years ago a woman contacted me asking if I was able to make a version of these icons that could be sterilized. Her child (or grandchild, I can’t remember) was going to have surgery and was not permitted to have anything that couldn’t be properly sanitized, but this child loved these icons and wanted to have them after surgery. That is how these cloth diptychs were conceived. After sewing them I apply a snap so they can snap closed.
If you have a moment, please pray for that child. I don’t remember their name, but God does.

11/17/2025

Here is the story behind the replica Joan of Arc ring I have in my shop!

To let the relic return to France was, for many in England, unthinkable.

11/07/2025

You guys and Saint Joan have come through for me! There has been a hugely positive response to the higher price of these rings. Because of that and because the price of silver has not gone above $50/oz, I WILL be able to keep making these replicas of Joan of Arc’s ring!
Not only that, but this ring is reaching people it never has before. One woman wore it to a conference with a cardinal in Poland - please pray for the success of her project (more on that later.) I’ve also received inquiries from LiturgicalStyle.com, a blog and shop I can’t wait to learn more about. And finally please pray for the safety of S. in Wales who is leaving for the front in Ukraine soon and wants to take this ring with him.

10/09/2025

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that for those of you who have purchased the Joan of Arc ring from me in the past, it’s probably doubled in value because it’s made of solid sterling silver.
The bad news is that silver prices are through the roof, so I need to raise the prices on these rings because they use a LOT of silver. I might not even be able to continue to make them if silver gets much higher. I have 24 I’m about to list and it’s possible that might be all I have for the rest of the year. https://www.etsy.com/listing/528284131/joan-of-arc-ring-replica-reproduction?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1&logging_key=f7e46b5d10555032bef972ba2d1de9f4529bdf4d%3A528284131

09/22/2025

Do you know the story of how Joan’s ring was rediscovered and returned to France? This story is what inspired me to make the replicas in the Door Number 9 Etsy shop!

https://www.ncregister.com/news/joan-of-arc-ring-relic-france?fbclid=IwZnRzaAM9peNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjOJplmedRY8r81v4EuzKj34KauN5H01Jb0eMTfAHkhEVFNQlVNxai9IYFf7_aem_I2Ou1cukc0_SjubgOhK5Tg

To let the relic return to France was, for many in England, unthinkable.

08/27/2025

I can’t remember if I ever showed yall the final result of the Assassins Creed costume, so here you go! I’m starting on a new commission today, to remake this extremely worn traditional Tuna costume from Salamanca. (Tuna is a Spanish amusical ensemble traditionally made up of students who play music to fund their studies.)
My first step is to build out my dress form to the client’s measurements. I’ve found that curved cardboard works best to extend the shoulders, pieces of fleece are good for padding out the torso in specific places, and then I wrap the whole thing in plastic film to keep it in place. I’m going to put a fitted t-shirt over it to allow me to pin fabric to the form.

08/20/2025

When I order the fabric for the altar cloths I make, it’s usually over $1,000 because of the amount I have to order to get good prices. (Thank you for your continued interest in these cloths too, to make sure I can recoup my investment!) I’m hoping the 4th bolt of white arrives before the tariffs take effect. Since I order this from India, it would cost me a LOT more once that happens and I’m really hoping to not have to pass the cost on to you guys.

08/06/2025

I did not plan this, but here I am in Spain listening to Spanish music, measuring for a Spanish Tuno suit while wearing a shirt that says Salamanca. Follow my page for updates as I conquer my most challenging project yet - copying a suit with no pattern, only photos and measurements, and no fittings, because the client is an ocean away.

08/06/2025

I’m back from Spain, and the Etsy shop is now open! Reopening was pushed back a day because we found this sweet baby squirrel in our back yard, tossed from its nest in the previous night’s thunderstorm and I spent an afternoon bringing it to a wildlife rescue where she will be taken care of. Today I’m cutting and sewing more icon diptychs that should be listed next week.

07/23/2025

Well, I definitely feel like I’m in Europe now that I’ve missed a train, paid €1 to use the bathroom, and failed to locate a water fountain. Let’s hope the Iryo bullet train lives up to the hype!

07/23/2025

I made it to Spain! Currently in Barcelona, waiting for my train to Madrid. Here are some pleasant surprises about being here:
1. Their coffee is loads better. I haven’t any artificial creamer and the hotel I stayed at had nespresso pods which I had not tried before.
2. The city, at least in this area, is so walkable. I see people of all ages walking including parents with children and people pushing elderly in wheelchairs. There are also a lot of dogs with their owners.
3. The hotel room requires your room key to activate power to the room. Not only is it impossible to leave the lights on, but it’s also very difficult to forget your key when you leave.
4. Orange juice is made fresh here, like in italy. American orange juice does not compare
5. A ham and cheese sandwich at the train station ended up being basically prosciutto and brie on ciabatta. Delish

There were some unexpected surprises too.
1. In Barcelona, the primary language on signage is Catalan, which I do not speak. Everyone also speaks Spanish, though, so I’ve gotten along fine. And most people speak English, so if my Spanish really isn’t cutting it, I can switch to English. Such as when I missed my train and needed to change my ticket.
2. I had forgotten how brutal jet lag is. The first 24-36 hours were a complete blur. Today is my third day here and is the first time I feel like I’m not in a fog.

07/19/2025

I know I said I would reopen my Etsy store this week after a wonderful family trip to Colorado, but it turns out I’m going* to Spain on Monday! So the shop will stay closed a little longer. Here are some photos from Colorado. Mostly wildflowers I saw there as well as photos of the Paint Mines park, Garden of the Gods, and Meow Wolf Denver which gave me some super exciting ideas of what I can do with fabric!
Tell me your recommendations for what I should see in Madrid, Salamanca, and Barcelona and what you want photos of.
*I’ll be flying standby thanks to my brother who is a pilot for United, so in his words, “you know for sure you are going when the plane takes off with you on it.”