Trials Travels And Tribulations Of A Silk Tie Designer
Finally I was navigating across the English countryside heading South East to the M3 interchange, then onto the M25 which paved the way off the downs and onto the grassy lowlands of Kent the garden County of England. Back onto the byways I would be able to release the tension of my hands wrapped around the steering wheel, far removed from the madding Lorries to the left, fast cars to the right, caravans ahead, flashing lights behind. And all the time inches away from death, split seconds of space between the vehicles aside, ahead and behind, a sudden burst tyre and a dozen lives are spent.
When I was eleven I pushed and pulled around with me a trolley made mobile with old pram wheels and makeshift axles, peddle power is traded for horse power. My 1983 Fiat Uno, is pushed and pulled around by a hot 1.3 litre petrol east west engine, maximum speed 85 MPH. Unbalanced wheels, but like my trolley knew only too well, I’m in control, with peddles at foot and wheel at hand, quickly shifting through the gears through roundabouts and rousting the trucks and vans just like sheep to the coral. On this subject, it was the lure of earning many dollars by collecting Marino wool from deceased sheep that lead me down a dusty track to outback paddock tinder dry, shimmering heat haze, and hay stacks under tin roofs. It seemed like another life, far removed from the searing heat, bush fires and bush flies, now cruising across English fields of green. But still with a childish hunger for adventure and still motivated by my youthful introduction to business and textiles dead on a sheep’s back.
Business is a road well travelled by me in youth and in grey hair; the paths have been rough and smooth, through dips and dives of profits and losses, from dusty dirt tracks to six lane freeways. Accompanied by a set of principles handed down my Mum and Dad, a road map, some teachings from school, dreams and wishes, and, a dogmatic desire to succeed in all attempts, I’ve made all that seemed difficult, simple, its changing states of mind.
Powered by adrenalin, as a typical adrenalin junkie without the guts for hang gliding, abseiling, sky diving, white water sport, rock climbing, mine is produced by pursuing more passive adventure, but not with out the fuel that fires adrenalin, fear; as singer song writer Michael Nesmith wrote in one of his obscure songs, which is found on music critics A list of all time worst concept album, “prison” Mike, after being dubbed this award, with tongue in cheek followed up with another turkey, “The Garden” Nesmith was merely pursuing idea’s end, he was a great innovator and just did what he wanted to. I align myself with the lyrics in the songs and his philosophy too. Perhaps the critics over looked the inspirational aspect of Mike’s concept. The words of just one song are descriptive enough to understand his motivation; “Confrontation conquers fear, hope arises, truth unfolds, fear has no substance of its own”. What was Mike implying through his thought provoking lyrics, well you have to read closely to deduce; “we are imprisoned by our own minds and hold the key of release, but ironically are too afraid to unlock the door to the unknown” so we choose to live in fear.
Fear of failure is the fuel that ergs me onward in pursuit of elusive successes. Driving down the A roads in county Kent all kinds of wild imaginings going through my mind, philosophising, analysing, planning, pumping adrenalin. On the subject of fear, I imagined what was going through Mohamed Ali’s mind when confronted with the awesome power of Big George Foreman, rated as the hardest punching heavy weight in history. Later Ali admitted that fear motivated and guided him to an unpredictable success over this fearsome opponent. The pain of loosing and the thought of humiliation after many months of talking up his fight predictions, insults, dispersions and taunts kept him upright against the ropes, while George pounded his body with one bomb after another. What makes a man fight 12 rounds after having his jaw broken in the second round? What makes a fighter strike a blow that could kill an ordinary man? “Fear”.
So I was hurtling down the motorways, A road and byways, confronting fear, venturing the unknown, playing a new lead role, acting out a dream, setting the stage, living an adventure and conquering fear, the exhilaration of freedom is greater felt.
Meanwhile in Clifton, Margate, Shane McCoubrey, my first appointment is preparing to exhibit his designs, waiting eagerly to be part of this new adventure. By the end of two and a half days the first of a collection of hand made silk ties and cufflinks would be listed for my proposed online shopping service due to be launched in September 2006. And Shane the designer became an anchor brand online; while we watched his products expand across a broader retail market. And he became inspirational to the eventual creation of our own stylised brand. A relationship still inspired and foundationally sound for more three years there is still a long way to travel.
After downing an English breakfast I said farewell to the bed and breakfast over looking the channel waters and headed back to the West Country. The first leg of my new adventure was almost complete, there would be many such legs as I scoured the English country side meeting and interviewing designers, weavers, textile printers, leather workers, jewellers, tie makers, fashion agents, PR agents, copywriters, web designers.
About the Author
Welcome to the home of finely crafted designer ties handmade from fine Italian and English silks.
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Hooked On Fly Tying, HGR1 Green River Terrestrials – Dennis Breer [VHS] $19.95 … |
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Hooked On Fly Tying, HGR2 Green River Guides Choice – Dennis Breer [VHS] $19.95 Denny Breer of Trout Creek Flies fame and a former commercial fly tyer, combines his skills as a seasoned guide on the Green River and Alaska, and his great story telling to create one of the most interesting fly tying instructional videos ever created on Green River fly patterns. ••• Flashback Scud Larva Lace Blood Midge Hollywood Cricada Crystal Trude WD-40 Ginger Woolley Bugger … |
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Skeeter II Serrated Fly Tying Scissors $14.38 Compact and durable. the Skeeter series of fly-tying scissors are designed to cut through a wide variety of materials with ease. An extra fine point provides for precise trimming. The comfortable finger loops provide precise control during use. Choose serrated. ideal for cutting very coarse fishing line. or non-serrated blades.Overall length: 4 1/4″… |
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Green Highlander Classic Salmon Fly – 24W x 17H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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The Top 10 Trout Nymphs Vol. 1 $24.95 These are all of the very best Nymph patterns tied on The Weekly Fly to date. There is nothing better than having nymph boxes ready for all occasions. Whether its large heavy nymphs for the big boys, or smaller more exacting nymphs for the fussy trout, you will find it on this DVD.Patterns Include:* Corn Fed Prince* Bread Crust Wet Fly* U-con Emerger* March Brown Nymph* Peacock* Rubberleg 20 Inche… |
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Green River Terrestrials $24.95 The guides on the Green River are on the leading edge in fly pattern creation for terrestrials. Denny Breer, who’s been guiding on the Green for more than ten years, teaches you how to tie some of the most effective terrestrial patterns on the Green. Learn to tie: Chernobyl Ant, Cricada Trude, Hopper Style Cricada Trude, Sailor ant, Mormon Cricket, Crystal Beetle, Mormon Crickett & Sailor Ant…. |
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3 packages of Grizzly Feathers 10-15 Inches Long. 4 Real Feathers with Applicator and Clips This Is for 3 Packages Total. You Will Receive 12 Feathers Total Plus Applicators and Beads. Multiple Colored Long Skinny Feathers with Black/white Grizzly Hair Extensions in Each Package. Choose Your Color. $12.99 You will receive the Black or Brown color feathers as this is what we have left. And in each package you purchase will be 2 black and white and two colored long feathers. There will be 4 beads and applicator in package and 3 packages total for each purchase. Please see instructions on this site in how to put them in. Copy and paste it if needed for later. No instructions in the package. … |
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Grizzly Feathers 7-9 Inches Long with 3 PACKAGES TOTAL each package has 5-6 feathers. 15-18 Real Feathers with this order plus Applicators and Beads. Multiple Colored Long Skinny Feathers for Feather Hair Extension. Choose Your Colors. $12.99 You will receive the color of our choosing unless you email us IMMEDIATELY. And in each package you purchase will be 5-6 grizzly feathers there will be 3 packages total. They may vary and have 3 colors in one package. There will be 10 beads and applicator in eacg package. Please see instructions on this site in how to put them in. Copy and paste it if needed for later. No instructions in … |
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Montana Fly Co.: Dumbbell Eyes MFC Brass Dumbbell Sparkle eyes are recessed Brass Dumbbells with clear resin eyes impregnated with glitter on a holographic background with a black pupil. Can you say fish on?… |
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Ostrich Plume Kelly Green $9.44 … |
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”Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple II Advanced Techniques” – Book by Skip Morris – Line/term/acc/boats $24.95 Teaches advanced fly tying techniques Clear and simple, step-by-step instructions Helps you tap into your tying potential Includes a sections on nymphs, steamers, emergers and dry flies Color photos 151 pages The original ”Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple” has been an unqualified hit. Now in its 22nd printing, ”Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple&8221; has remained among the top-selling fly tying books consistently for 18 years. This follow-up volume, &8220;Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple II&8221;, begins where the original ends. Truly as the subtitle proclaims, this book of advance fly tying techniques will teach you the techniques to begin tying beyond your potential–just like a pro. ”Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple II Advanced Techniques” demonstrates how to tie some highly-effective and fascinating flies, such as the lifelike Anatomical Green Drake, the ultra-popular Copper John, and the surreal Chernobyl Ant which has taken its share of big trout. 151 pages. Teaches advanced fly tying techniques Clear and simple, step-by-step instructions Helps you tap into your tying potential Includes a sections on nymphs, steamers, emergers and dry flies Color photos 151 pages The original ”Fly Tying Made Clear |
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Fly Tying $20.35 This book is in Used condition |
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Fly-Tying $16.46 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
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Fly Tying for Beginners $33.93 Any angler who takes up the art of fly tying will discover an added dimension to the wonderful sport of fly fishing. This profusely illustrated instruction book shows beginners how to craft 50 professional-looking flies for trout and salmon fishing. Each fly-tying project consists of step-by-step instructions accompanied by close-up photos of the work in progress and a large photo of the finished fly. Beginners will learn how to make dry flies, wet flies, bugs, nymphs, hairwings, and streamers. They`ll also get advice on which flies are best for catching which variety of fish. Author Peter Gathercole is the ideal fly-tying instructor, offering a thorough grounding in the core techniques required for fly tying, while assuming no previous knowledge on the reader`s part. As he instructs, he also demonstrates that with good guidance and a little practice, every angler can tie a fly that is good enough to fool a fish. More than 500 color photos. |
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The Fly-Tying Bible $33.89 Avid sport fishermen will treasure this book—which is nearly as beautiful as the objects it describes. Fly-tying is a highly prized fisherman’s craft, but it’s also an art form, wonderfully captured in this volume’s hundreds of color photos. Each of 100 fly patterns is presented in a two-page spread: an enlarged photo and textual description on the left-hand page, complemented with a set of step-by-step, clearly captioned photos on the facing page. In addition, fishing enthusiasts will find sections on fly-tying tools and materials plus general instructions for getting started. The author, a well-known fly-tier and sport fisherman gives instructions on making traditional trout and salmon flies—all of them fish catchers of proven effectiveness in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Examples vary in complexity, with patterns to fit every skill level from novice to expert fly-tier. Here are dry flies, nymphs and bugs, wet flies, streamers, and hairwings—a virtually complete selection of traditional and up-to-date examples of the art. The book’s hidden spiral binding keeps its pages opened flat, which makes it ideal for reference at the workbench. More than 600 color photos. |
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Rainland Fly Patterns Tying & Fishing Guide by Edition , 0 $24.99 Rainland Fly Patterns Tying & Fishing Guide. |
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Cortland 9′ Saltwater Fly Outfit $149.95 Cortland 9′ Saltwater Fly Outfit: 4pc fly rod Cordura rod and reel carrier Aluminum reel seat with fighting butt Aluminum frame and graphite spool Mid arbor, adjustable disc drag reel Set up for left hand retrieve Converts easily to right hand retrieve Matte green finish Pre-spooled with a premium saltwater fly line and backing Includes a tapered leader and knot tying tool Weight: 8/9 Length: 9′ |
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Raymond C. Rumpf & Son DVD-43 Fly Fishing Made Easy, Volume I $19.79 Raymond C. Rumpf & Son DVD-43 Fly Fishing Made Easy, Volume I: An unqualified hit Advanced fly-tying techniques are explained and demonstrated in simple steps with concise instructions, along with lots of color photographs and sections offering strategies and suggestions for improving your skills and overcoming problems You will also learn to tie some highly effective and fascinating flies, such as: The lifelike Anatomical Green Drake The ultra-popular Copper John An assortment of deadly emerger-flies The Bitch Creek, with its intriguing woven body A current version of the surreal Chernobyl Ant that has taken so many big trout Everything you need is here |
