chelsiebrady

Three and a half years.

It hardly seems possible that it’s been that long since I last sat down to write here. This space on the Internet actually started as a school assignment. I thought it would be a good place to share my many creative projects— who remembers the felted newborn photography props?

How about the home decorating/ building phase?

Or maybe you remember the Singing Time Music Leader posts?

So… where have I been?

Life happened.

Over the past three and a half years, my world has changed in ways I never could have predicted. My children have grown (far too quickly!), we have gained a couple of furry family members, our family has stayed wonderfully busy, and somewhere along the way, I found myself saying “yes” to an opportunity that would completely change my creative path.

Today, instead of spending my evenings surrounded by wool roving and felting needles, you’ll usually find me surrounded by fabric, sewing machines, pattern pieces, and racks of costumes.

I became the costumer for a semi-professional theater in Idaho Falls: Center Stage Theatre.

What started as a chance to help has grown into something I absolutely love. 3.5 years ago, two of my kids decided to audition for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at a brand new theater at which their grandma (my mom) was music directing. They got cast in the children’s chorus and had to attend rehearsals. Since I would be driving them anyway, I helped where I could, specifically helping make the life sized camel that they would be using for the show. As it got closer to performance time, I helped paint, clean, and even tile bathrooms in the new space. I also helped the costumer with finishing touches.

After helping so much with that one, the owner asked me to costume the next show, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I had made Halloween costumes and dance costumes before, but I had no idea how to costume an entire musical. Hesitantly, but excitedly, I said yes and I have been involved with every show since, costuming all but one main stage show and one Broadway Academy show (kids program).

There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping bring characters to life. Every production presents new challenges to solve, new techniques to learn, and new opportunities to stretch my creativity. Whether I’m building costumes from scratch, transforming thrift-store finds, or making emergency repairs minutes before curtain, I love being part of the storytelling process.

I won’t pretend that life has slowed down. Between family, theater, and everything else that comes with this season of life, I don’t know how often I’ll be writing here. But I’ve missed having a place to share projects, tell stories, and document this creative journey.

So, I thought it was time to dust off the blog and say hello again.

If you’ve been here since the newborn prop days, thank you for sticking around. And if you’re new because of theater and costuming—welcome! I’m excited to share more behind-the-scenes looks at the costumes, techniques, challenges, and creative adventures that have filled these past few years.

Thanks for being here.

— Chelsie