A letter of appreciation to my community December 14, 2024
Dear Friends,
I have arrived home into the caring arms of my family, friends and community. The incredible outpouring of love and support I received during this very difficult medical emergency had a huge impact on my recovery. What I experienced was not a stroke, but a hemiparesis which was being caused by a mass in my brain that was infringing on the normal function of my body. But thanks to our capable team at the Martha’s Vineyard hospital, I was quickly diagnosed and flown to Mass General where I was taken care of immediately to remove the mass. After four days recovering in the hospital, I was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation in Charlestown where I improved quickly thanks to the incredible doctors, nurses and professional therapies administered by some of the most caring, capable and compassionate people I have ever witnessed. All of this happening the week before our annual Aquinnah Artisans Holiday Fair of which I am usually in charge of putting together beginning to end. Thank you to my TEAM for doing everything that needed to be done to ensure the fair go on. Endless appreciation and gratitude for everyone, and a special thank you to Kathie Olsen, Jamie Vanderhoop and Ruby Suman. I am so happy to be home and look forward to being out and about soon.
Thank you,
Gabbi
“I believe being comfortable in your skin begins with feeling comfortable in your clothes. My goal is to create designs that are based on the clothes we wear most of the time. I try to turn our favorite t-shirts, sweats, pajamas and workout clothes into form fitting tunics, bamboo leggings and dresses that move. A simple little skirt made to go over leggings, or a bamboo tie top over an organic cotton tee helps create the layered look so many of us go for. I use the softest fabrics made from natural fibers to create outfits that look and feel great.”
About the Artist
Gabriella has always been an island girl. She was born on the Spanish island of Mallorca to artist parents, and grew up in New York where she studied dance, art and music. Gabriella moved to the island of Martha's Vineyard as a teenager and it was there that her creativity blossomed, inspired by the ocean and being surrounded by a creative community. After many years working with glass, teaching art, and raising a family, Gabbi has come back to creating with fabric, a skill she learned very early in her life.
Fabric
Why Bamboo?
Bamboo fabric is a beautiful silky, soft fabric that has a lovely drape. It is also a renewable resource as bamboo grows quickly and naturally without pesticides or chemical fertilizers making it a naturally organic fabric. Bamboo is even more absorbent than cotton, it wicks moisture away from your skin, is antibacterial and odor resistant. It also resists wrinkles. What is not to love!? It is Gabriella’s favorite fabric to work with.
It is a renewable resource.
It is naturally anti-bacterial and odor- resistant.
It is more absorbent than cotton.
Bamboo plant fibers are porous, so fabric made from bamboo wicks moisture away from your skin.
It is durable, strong, and resists wrinkles.
It passes flammability requirements without the addition of formaldehyde.
It is a beautiful fabric, so soft to the touch with a lovely look and delicate drape.