At last! Violinist.com T-shirts

December 7, 2006 at 8:26 AM

At last! We have Violinist.com T-shirts!

In celebration of our 10th anniversary on the Web here at Violinist.com, we decided to fashion some T-shirts that reflect what we're all about.

"I want these to be everybody's favorite T-shirts," I told Robert early in the process. "Totally comfortable, a good fit, with an awesome design."

He gave me the thumbs up to do it right, and I immediately searched out a graphic designer. I found LA artist Colleen Tashima, who, fortunately, seemed to be able to read my mind. I told her what we were about: connecting violinists worldwide, perfecting and performing our art, etc., and she gave me two great designs using our little kokopelli logo.

The kokopelli, the little guy you see in the upper lefthand corner of Violinist.com, was drawn by me about eight years ago. The original kokopelli, who plays a flute, is rather ubiquitous here in the U.S. southwest, a Native American symbol for joy and fertility. He's also a prankster.

Robert joked that I ought to put a violin in the kokopelli's hands, so I did. My little drawing made its debut on my business card, and then on Violinist.com. I like to joke that I taught the kokopelli to play the violin!

We have two designs, and incidentally, they both go great with jeans or black pants, possibly even with a tux or black skirt. ;) The first one, "Global," is on a white shirt, and it is meant to reflect our mission to bring people together from all over the world. The second, "Evening," shows our little violinist in the spotlight for a night performance.

This website started out when Robert gave me the "Violinist.com" domain name as a Christmas gift in 1996. Neither of us knew what we'd do with the site, but it has been a labor of love. Thank you for your part in making this site a place where people can share ideas, commiserate, receive enthusiasm, laugh and be inspired.

We hope you like the shirts: Violinist.com T-shirt Store

From Irene Chow
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 12:50 PM

The shirts look FABULOUS!!

From Ben Clapton
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 1:59 PM

I've added one to my Christmas list, but I'm afraid that even if it was ordered today it won't get here for Christmas. It's still on there, and if I don't get one I will be ordering one for after Christmas.

From Sydney M.
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 2:33 PM

The shirts are great! That's neat how you came up with the original kokopelli.

From Sean Gillia
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 2:53 PM

Great shirts! I just placed my order for two.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 5:24 PM

You look great in the shirt!

From Michael Peng
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 6:21 PM

Awsome shirts--especially the evening one!

From Linda Lerskier
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 8:09 PM

"...the hottest shirt to hit the music world since Mozart stopped wearing ruffled blouses and powdered wigs."

From Richard Hellinger
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 8:42 PM

I love them! I added one to my christmas list too. But living in NY I doubt that I would be able to one soon enough. So I added one to my Birthday list instead (in February!) I cant wait!

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 7, 2006 at 11:32 PM

Greetings,
and its such a refreshing change to see photos of Laurie instea d of Mr. Haslop (cool dude that he is) everytime I open v.commie....
Cheers,
Buri

From Karin Lin
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 1:43 AM

Ha ha, Buri. :)

Love, love, love the shirts, Laurie! Just ordered one of each and I can't wait. Thanks for doing such a great job on them! We love you and Robert and this site!

From Elizabeth R
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 4:06 AM

yay for shirts! great idea.. i like the global tee!
they look really comfy too...!
and great pictures in them! :)

From Laurie Niles
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 5:47 AM

I'm so glad you guys like them! It took me six months to get them made, and those poor people at Ellen's Silkscreening (South Pasadena, CA). I don't think everyone who comes into a silkscreening store is obsessed with making the absolute perfect, work-of-art T-shirt, but I was! I came in after they printed one T-shirt of each design to make sure it was right. They had to burn three plates before I was happy with the "Evening" design, and they had to change all the ink for the "Global." But they were really helpful and willing to do it. Above is a picture of me with my daughter, and yes, that's Robert and me in all the ads, plus my son and one of my students for the kids shirts!

We'll be collecting pictures of people wearing the T-shirts for a little slide show in the corner somewhere!

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 9:38 AM

I didn't know he was a prankster, but I might have read somewhere he is a trickster, which is a deity which plays bad tricks on you, not unlike de debbil. Some tricksters can take the form of the opposite sex, but in most of the the original images I've seen of Kokopelli he's all man.

From Emily Jones
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 10:43 AM

Hey,

could someone give us some info on what measurements each size is so I know which one to order???

From Laurie Niles
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 7:43 PM

For women:

Small= size 0-4, chest 31-33
Medium= size 4-8, chest 34-36
Large= size 8-10, chest 37-39
Extra large= size 10-12, chest 39-41

I usually wear a medium shirt, and that's what fits me for these. I've washed it in cold already, and dried it, without the shirt shrinking. :)

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