My father - giver of gifts........

We finally have a permanent space and it is bittersweet to say the least.  My father, George C. Hargett was a magnificent Aquarian who had the foresight of purchasing a property on Bergen Street back when New York City allowed civilians to purchase "properties for a dollar" for auction and Bergen Street was a business district for one particular imported commodity!  No one but No one was calling it Crow Hill or Crown Heights North back then and for 25 years he maintained a three story store front property with ingenuity and deftness. We finally have a permanent space and it is bittersweet to say the least.  My father, George C. Hargett was a magnificent Aquarian who had the foresight of purchasing a property on Bergen Street back when New York City allowed civilians to purchase "properties for a dollar" for auction and Bergen Street was a business district for one particular imported commodity!  No one but No one was calling it Crow Hill or Crown Heights North back then and for 25 years he maintained a three story store front property with ingenuity and deftness.

I love my father and his dream was to have a fabulous restaurant ("where we can make our own ice cream and pickles even!").  He loved working with people and believed in community.  He also believed in the value of a dollar - often in spite of his dreams.....  During the past few years he knew about and often participated in the work we did with Sue Rock Originals, but had a hard time adding up how it could work financially.  The dollar being the bottom line, he offered his support as best he could.... or so I thought....

When he passed away, he left the building and the running of it to myself and my brother.

The same week the person who had been leasing the storefront as a party place moved out in the middle of the nite.......

We moved in after the services.

Thanks Dad!

Sue Rock Originals - "Keepers of the Craft"

Much of the work of Sue Rock Originals Everyone consists of donations.  Donations donations donations.   I often think that its beyond fortunate that my husband and I are crazy in the same ways - otherwise I can't think of too many people who would allow for a storage as full of fabric and notions as ours is.  Needless to say the early morning runs into Manhattan or to the far reaches of Queens are some of our favorite moments.  Coffee in hand, maps and cell phones on my lap, his driver window open we are off on another adventure to discover what goodies life has to offer.

We have often marvelled at how we meet just the right people in our forays into the world.  The wonderful woman with bookcases up to the ceiling who needed to let go of a freezer to allow for more pet cages for her pet shelter/home..........the operations manager of a sample house in midtown who on my first trip to her home to pick up fabric has made us her favorite charity calling every three months or so for another pickup (I think we have met all the women working with her - they all want to help bring fabric downstairs to meet these people she has spoken about!).  

Then there are the costome companies - old and still in business (thank God) - located in midtown Manhattan and staffed by elder seamstresses who know their way around some sequins and extra heavy foam, I tell you!  These people and so many more have filled our lives for the past five years and though space quickly diminshes, I can't resist going to the next "Come and get it" call!  Once folks hear about our work the open hearted generosity is tremendous. 

More often than not, relationships have been formed and repeat pick ups have happened.  The nicest experiences are with family members.  When you have a loved family member pass on it is difficult enough - but when you finally have the emotional courage to go through the apartment or building it is heartbreaking to have to pull teeth to donate things.  We have received wonderful fabrics from women whose lives were enriched by sewing and crochet.  

These women are the ones that no one knew treasured embroidery.  Or who were working on a red crepe dress with long sleeves and a full lining.  Or were finally mastering the double wedding rings quilt top.  These were civil service workers who loved bright florals and spicy leopard prints.  Women who just never got to putting the zipper in that one dress......

I love being "The Keeper of the Craft" - curious about it most of the time, wondering how folks find us (like the woman who just moved in upstairs from us and came down to see if we would accept some fabric she was giving away!) and endeared to their looks of appreciation and joy that we "get it" and understand the value of these beautiful things.

LINGERIE FRIDAYS - Sexy Sewing and Supporting Charity!!!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. the only textile charity committed to supporting the lives of survivors of domestic violence is hosting a BI-WEEKLY LINGERIE PARTY. 

The First and Third Fridays of the month - our sensational WENDY HAYES will be guiding you into the delights of creating your own custom lingerie. Lace thongs, Tanga Panties and Camisoles like those produced by Natori and La Perla can be yours at a fraction of the cost. 

$45 includes two mixed drinks, appetizers and beautiful materials to create your own beautiful lingerie. 

Date: Friday, May 1, 2009 
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm 
Location: Sue Rock Originals Design Studio 
Street: 1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues 
City/Town: Brooklyn, NY 

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUE ROCK ORIGINALS EVERYONE, INC. AND ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 

Limited to 10 students - RSVP required

A wonderful trend in volunteering

Omega Phi Sorority Sister Cara Quinones and Founder Sue Rock go through the yarns being used by Omega Phi Beta for our upcoming clothing donation drive at Sue Rock Originals Everyone's new design studio!

Director, Babafemi Akinsegun, Omega Phi Sorority Sister Cara Quinones and Ade Akinsegun at the Sue Rock Originals Everyone's new digs!

This year has been phenomenal with volunteers joining as collective. We have had some sensational interest from people at he Brooklyn DA's Family Justice Centers (10 volunteers) Brooklyn's Community Arts and Media High School (20 volunteers) and most recently Sorority Omega Phi Beta's Cara Quinones picked up yarn for six of her sisters!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is still the only game in town supproting the lives of domestic violence survivors with NEW handcrafted clothing. We are currently working with our volunteers to create handknits and hand crocheted clothing and accessories for 2009. Our donations will support women living in Sanctuary for Families residences. Mother's Day is around the corner and our volunteers are busy knitting and crocheting up a storm. We have even received some interst in creating jewelry for these phenomenal women who have chosen a live of change and renewal instead of violence.

Emily LoBlue, Senior Director of Volunteer Services at Sanctuary for Families is delighted to be receiving donations from Sue Rock Originals Everyone again.

To volunteer or donate - Contact Sue Rock at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com