Some may remember back in early 2013, I launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for Sidney Eileen to be properly diagnosed and treated for a 6-year-long anaplasma phagocytophilum infection (what we originally thought was Lyme disease) which left Sidney disabled, unable to walk long distances, unable to continue her artwork due to weakness and tremors in her hands, and suffering from seizures due to inflammation of the brain.
2 years later, in August of 2015, I finally had the opportunity to meet Sidney for the first time and we caught up on how she’s feeling after the treatment and the daily realities of chronic illness – we also talked about her contribution to the corset making community and her hopes for the future.
1:05 How are you feeling now that you’ve completed the antibiotic treatment for your anaplasma infection?
1:40 Are your symptoms expected to completely disappear, or are you looking at some permanent damage from your chronic infection?
2:15 How did you become interested in making corsets in the first place?
4:10 What is the value in being self-taught and having a community of other corsetieres to share different techniques with?
5:10 What about corset making do you specifically enjoy?
5:55 What is your favorite step of the corset making process?
6:10 What is your least favorite step about corset making?
7:30 What drew you towards teaching art and corset making, as opposed to only making corsets or taking commissions?
9:15 What are your future aspirations, now that you have a fresh start?
11:15 For other people who are just getting started with making corsets (or any other type of art), what words of encouragement would you offer to them?
You can find Sidney Eileen’s artwork and free corset tutorials on her website, sidneyeileen.com
