Putting the Craft in Writing (or, I Think He Needs a Mustache)
This morning I signed up for a class on Narrative Embroidery at the Etsy Labs here in Brooklyn. It’s going to be so fun!
In this class, we will combine the crafts of embroidery and writing to create one-of-a-kind hand-stitched love notes, letters, banners, and/or embellishments for clothing and decorative objects. We will explore the use of text as a graphic element, and as a means of conveying narrative.
We’ll begin with a demonstration of a handful of embroidery stitches, starting with the most basic and graduating to more complex and decorative stitches. Students will practice these stitches until they feel comfortable incorporating them into art, design, and craft projects.
We will then explore the craft of writing. We will talk about artist books, and the instructor will provide examples and ideas for incorporating hand-embroidered text into art and design endeavors. We might participate in a group writing exercise. more on etsy’s class.
Yay!
People ask me about Etsy all the time because I carry a tote bag (that gold squid really catches the eye) from their 2nd anniversary party that I attended with Tina, awesome crafter, and co-coiner of the word “procraftination."
Most of “Etsy” exists an online craft/store community of craft-sellers, but their offices and lab (studio) space is in the nearby Dumbo neighborhood.
Super W00t are their virtual labs and resources which anyone can enjoy from near and far, without having to compete with me for all the good apartments.
Wonder what I’m gonna make. Who knows where my brain will be after a week of school, and what materials I’ll have on hand. Unfortunately there is no chance my camera will be fixed by then, so it’s just these camera phone pics for now. I meant to introduce this little guy ages ago.
This bunneh is the most recent Craft zine inspired “plush monster” I made, with my fried brain and unwearable old clothes, after the end of last semester.
It’s very relaxing and fun to have only a vague plan. This bunny guy turned out all “hon hon hon” laughing all French-like, with his hipster neckerchief and chasing of weeemens. Any project that allows thoughts like, “I think he needs a mustache” are very, very good in my book.
First class is tonight! My internal monologue has been reduced to the urgency of Indigo Montoya “Buttacup is marry Humperdink in leetle less than half an hour! SO! All we need to do ees ...”
Oh my god. That class sounds seriously amazing. I need to move back to New York yesterday.
I did not know that etsy has classes in NYC. This is very good to learn. I do adore your bunny, and agree that projects requiring mustaches rock. All this makes me think about the zillion unfinished cross stitches that I have sitting around, and how long it has been since I’ve crafted anything plush.
Have a great class tonight! I am very happy with my workshop, which began last night.
Oh good, you have Brenda right? Very good.
Love the bunnehs! Have you seen this book binding store?http://paperdragonbooks.com/home.html They have great workshops, too. Mmmm...to have fingertips smelling of fresh print and leather binding…
See you in class!
ymmmm best smells in the world, right up there with paper and latex.
No, I hadn’t known about that place. Thanks for that.
Can’t wait to see you in class!
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