I started stilt-walking in 2003 in an unlikely place—aboard a ship. I was part of a four-person sketch comedy group with Royal Caribbean. We did 27 different sets a week, and two of them were parades (our only non-sketch sets). We even did one parade as we pressed through a hurricane—yikes. While there, I met my husband, a fellow improv performer and stilt-walker.
Years later, when we no longer had our pick of stilt pants from the dressing room, I looked and looked and –beyond stilts pants being an almost impossible find— when I did find them, prices were prohibitive and I found many preferred you came in to be measured, I didn’t have my pick of fabric or pattern, etc.
I put my costuming education to work (yay for theatre degrees!), spent some time experimenting, and started making stilt pants. I eventually started my Etsy store in hopes that if someone else was looking, they’d find my more affordable option. I love making these pants. The first pair I made were for my husband, and he was elated to finally have a pair he didn’t have to cinch up with suspenders. I love that each pair of pants is custom to the exact performer inhabiting them.
Two years after I opened this shop, I began adding useful printables and other items to make everyday life a little more efficient.
Whichever of these things helped you stumble upon The ZESTY Nest--welcome!