It has been my privilege to help people from all walks of life publish their memoirs. Years ago my late husband and I tackled a book for a man from Braymer, MO who had been a financial officer for the City of Kansas City. While I would not want to attempt publishing a book today like “A Farm Boy’s Journey Through Life: Life Story of A. G. Hays” (he gave us hand-written pages on yellow legal paper), it ultimately served as a testament to a life well-lived and full of accomplishments and accolades.
Some of us may think we haven’t done much with our lives career-wise to merit such a focused book, but perhaps we just need an outsider’s perspective.
Consider the example of Shirley Mickelson. I became acquainted with this wonderful woman through her sister, Karen McEwen. Unfortunately, I’ve never met her in person but only talked to her on the phone and exchanged emails and texts. But it has been a distinct pleasure to deal with Shirley on a business level. She is an accomplished seamstress and has been making tote bags and aprons for an upcoming trade show where Personal Chapters will have a booth. That show will be during the 150th anniversary of the Missouri Press Association annual convention.
Shirley ‘s love of design and sewing came from her mother, who was a great seamstress and designer. Her mother made hundreds of wedding dresses, formals, suits and beautiful dresses for adults and young girls.
From a young age Shirley watched her mother fit dresses for customers, and she was able to help her by making buttons and hemming the creations. But it was not until many years later that Shirley’s actual career in sewing and design began. When she moved to a small town that did not have a fabric store, she opened “Muggins,” a fabric and craft shop. Shirley taught sewing classes and then began designing and sewing costumes for drill teams, cheerleaders, drama clubs, etc.
That early work led to Shirley’s hiring by a major manufacturer as a designer and sales manager. She was able to reinvent a line of old west lingerie for the western wear manufacturer and traveled to markets all over the U. S., working with buyers from small stores and national chains.
When Shirley moved again, she went to work for an interior design firm as a designer and trainer, designing draperies and helping clients select paint colors, furniture, flooring and accessories.
“I now love doing independent designing and sewing for special events, weddings and home décor,” says Shirley. She has planned, designed and set up many events and she never forgets to make aprons for all the helpers.
Now she’s making aprons, totes and tablecloths for Personal Chapters and continues to share her talents with others. And in our book, that’s a perfect subject for a detailed memoir.
