November 11, 2009

Pirate Flags


I love flags. I don't remember when I first started to feel this way. I do know we had a tall flagpole in the center of our yard; as a child growing up the American flag was raised every day with honor. This pole was in the center of a circular garden that I tended for many years. I have always loved the American flag. When as an adult I moved to Newport, RI, I was amazed to see all the flags that were flying there. I took my binoculars to the harbor and learned how to construct a decent flag. I've been sewing all of my life so it came naturally to me. It was in Newport where love became passion.

I was blessed with nearly fourteen years of making some of the coolest flags for people all over the world. Right there on Thames Street, across from the toy store, the antique store and the fish market. From the very start I've always had the best customers, I swear. There were so many interesting designs to make, so many interesting people to meet. And the more I learned, the more I wanted to know. On the east coast there's a history that is told through colors of war. And in Newport a history of beautiful yachts, the America's Cup, the US Navy and a pirate of it's own.

I made so many boxing kangaroo flags the year we lost the America's Cup to Australia I lost count and from there business took off. I studied naval flags and made beautiful ship's flags for some of the navy vessels stationed there. I searched local used book stores for flag books and one day came across a book of pirates that pictured so many interesting flags I could hardly believe my eyes.

Fast forward nearly ten years after leaving Newport, I am now in Seattle, WA and once again making custom flags for the best customers on earth and more pirate flags than ever before. Henry Every, Jack Rackam, Thomas Tew, Edward England, you name it. And I love it!

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