Hey!
I haven’t written a newsletter since January (!!). I started teaching and it took over my life up until the very last day of school, which was last week. I also graduated with my Masters in Education yesterday :) It’s been a big week of endings and beginnings and lots of celebration.
My hope was to do monthly-ish updates and to make a zine and to keep folks in the loop with little life going ons, but none of that happened when I started teaching. It just took up the majority of my time and energy. It was challenging and beautiful, and I came out of it feeling more confident in myself, my practice, and embracing a beginner’s mindset as I start this profession. Mostly you take it day by day, try to do better whenever you can, and acknowledge the wins when they come (and they do!). Really, I am just going to miss my students a whole lot.
Here’s a poem I wrote for my Methods class last month about my teaching experience:
Becoming an educator feels like:
Flailing and failing
Sometimes like dancing
Being sang happy birthday to by an entire class
Witnessing unfolding, and holding stories
Notes and letters that make my year
Reaching and reaching, often meeting somewhere in the middle
Flexing the uneasy muscle that is pivoting and improvising
Ridding myself of a lifelong struggle of indecision
Remembering that we should never put someone in a box
And that when you are young, and maybe always,
You get to define who you want to be everyday
Remembering connection, reflection, and curiosity
Remembering that all of us are just constantly becoming
Emerging into ourselves together
I did not plan on sharing that on the internet, but I am feeling extra sappy this week and here we are! Thanks for reading.
I am also now on the job hunt. Surprisingly enough, I got into teaching during a hiring rough patch here in Portland. There have basically been no HS English positions open in the districts I am hoping for. I have been told a lot of jobs open up in the fall, so I am remaining hopeful, keeping an eye out, and trying to enjoy summer in the meantime.
With all of that said, I’ve got some time on my hands this summer while I am in between jobs and in search of work. I may pick up some summer school sub shifts, but I have also decided to pick Frond back up for the month of July and take on some orders :) I thought I would share this news with newsletter followers first. I am now accepting a limited amount of made to order top orders!!
Here are the details:
Styles: I’ll be offering all of the classic Frond top styles that have been in rotation the past few years - the deep v, double v, easy tee, slit neck, square neck, and scoop top (in that order below).
Sizing (laid flat):
XS: 19” wide by 17.5” long with 8” armpits
S/M: 21” wide by 18” long with 8” armpits
M/L: 23” wide by 19” long with 9” armpits
XL: 25” wide by 20” long with 10” armpits
2XL: 27” wide by 21” long with 10.5” armpits
3X: 30” wide by 22” long with 11” armpits
OR custom with your given measurements (I can always adjust any measurements).
Fabric: I’ve got a handful of vintage floral (and some gingham + mushroom print) cottons left on my fabric shelf. I can send photos of any of those via email if you’re interested, and we can also chat about vintage fabric availability. Otherwise, I’ll be offering oatmeal, chartreuse, and black - all linen blends. I’ll be ordering only the amount I need after taking orders, so there will be a slight delay as I finalize folks orders over the next week or so and wait for fabric. After that, the made to order production time will be about 2-3 weeks for your order to ship (aiming to be done with all orders by the end of July).
All tops are $95 + $5 US shipping (open to Canada shipping at cost).
If you are interested in a top: Please email me at shopfrond@gmail.com with the style, size, and fabric you would like and we can get the conversation and order going. I do not have any other plans to take on orders, so utilize this time if you’ve wanted something :)
Thank you so much! I hope you’re all have a lovely start to your summers.
With love,
Krysta
Currently reading:
All Fours by Miranda July. This one is excellent so far. If you know, you know with July’s work. I have been a huge fan of her work (art, writing, film) since I was a teenager. Her voice, humor, and curiosity are unparalleled. I love this book so far! I also got to see her talk about it in person last month which was amazing :)
I finished Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler last month! It’s been on my list for a long time, and it was great. Post-apocalyptic fiction, very relevant and engaging from the start. Butler is quickly becoming one of my favorite sci-fi writers.
I did read my first Emily Henry book (Funny Story) recently too and yes I thoroughly enjoyed it :) Cute and light and romantic, I’m here for it.
Currently listening: Normal Gossip is back! This was a fun episode a friend showed me that is all too relatable here in the PNW: