Debbie Meredith works magic with beads
Editor's Note: When costumers retire, they don’t really retire…they just find a new way to channel their creativity! Pam Markel, immediate past president of the NCA, contributes a column to NCA Today that highlights the activities of retired members. In this edition she describes the post-retirement creative work of Debbie Meredith.
Debbie Meredith of Akron Design and Costumes served on the NCA Board of Directors and as First Vice President for approximately six years. She has supported the NCA in multiple ways, from teaching diverse classes at the national conventions, Spring Fling, and whenever her amazing creative skills were needed. She and her employee, Rob Lehr, served as webmaster for the NCA for many years, designing the organization’s website and maintaining its online presence.
Debbie Meredith
Debbie ran Akron Design and Costumes for 40 years, supplying theatrical costumes to high schools, colleges and private theatre groups all over the United States. In my opinion, Debbie is probably the fastest seamstress I have ever known. She can create and sew a costume in record time with no pattern. If she can imagine it, she can make it.
Debbie sold her store and retired from costuming, but she is not sitting idle and collecting dust. She has more hobbies than I can think of.
Debbie’s retirement is quite interesting and diverse. I asked her to share some of the creative things she is doing.
“In 1978, when the Fruit of the Loom commercial was popular, the idea of a rental costume shop was born. Of course, my staff and I created all the wardrobe in our inventories, so sewing became a big part of my daily life. Looking back at 40 years in business, I know I hardly ever saw the fall as I was always inside, stocking inventory, sewing last-minute ideas, hiring help, decorating the store, and barely eating dinner. Then theatre season started in January when contracts arrived, I would build a new show, never seeing the spring outside, until maybe the end of May.
Debbie's garden
“I came from a family of gardeners and had decided on the costume business instead of a garden center, plants being my second passion. When March 2020 happened, I got to be outside for days and days and thus my garden expanded and expanded until present day with my 100 different daylilies, 60 differest hostas, and myriad perennials. I joined the Akron Garden Club and have been on the board of directors and served as president for the past three years. I also joined a cactus and succulent club, taking classes at Cleveland Botanical Garden. This year I finally acquired two 10-foot palm trees and a farm dolly to move them into storage for the winter. Luckily before I sold my costume building, I had purchased an old school building and warehouse adjacent to my house, where I have theatre costumes and plants stored away. The building came with tenants, so now I am a landlord and maintenance person also. I sell my left-over retail merchandise and costumes on Ebay, sew a few custom costume orders and occasionally give sewing lessons.
“I kept most of my fabric and machines. Six quilts done and a new long arm sewing machine give me a reason to buy more fabric, just a little bit.
“If I don’t want to leave the house, there is a new project for the cold season: stringing beads. I will slways be a collector, I guess, and this is a new venue for working with color and texture. Thousands of beads later, and probably dollars, but who keeps track, I have created a curtain 25 feet long, individually hung by my garden. Beads like fabric are a whole different world.
“Last but not least of my many interests, Ken Fox (formerly Magic Makers Costumes) and I have been traveling the world. China, Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica, Africa and this March, Egypt and Petra. While shops are busy during holidays and theatre season, I finally have a different, creative life.”
Debbie Meredith, so willing to share her many interests and hobbies. I have personally seen the amazing bead curtain and the beautiful gardens around her house, and they are breathtaking.