Dear Super-Creative Friends,
Do you like this cute wee cloud-and-shiny-orange handbag I made this week?? I am quite proud, as it really sits nicely, and I love the details on it... It's a blend of one main body piece from a magical parcel that my great artist friend in Cyprus sent me, and some vintage hand-sewn cushion covers, plus an old curtain, a ribbon from my stepmum's sewing box on Arran, and a bought zip from the big market on Saturday.
The bare body of the bag, which came in the magical parcel from Cyprus this week
Apart from the lengths of the strap, it is all hand sewn. It was too fiddly to get it under the presser foot, either way! It demanded slowing down and very careful stitching around edges, corners, curves...
The finished piece gives me good feeling indeed: like I might be able to actually gain mastery in needleworking - rather than seemingly endlessly cranking out not-quite-how-I-want-them projects!
Moments like this, as in my painting career, are vital; a place to catch breath, and recognise that we are making progress... When I write 'we', it makes me think - not just of us but of me and the fabrics; of us working collaboratively.
I'm serious and grounded in this thought: that story, spirit and character emanate from the threads and materials. I know that modern processes are increasingly removed from this magic, but it is most certainly there for those of us who slow down and use our hands, and who dedicate great swathes of time to our domestic alchemy and creating things from scratch. The fabrics speak to us, and we respond - lovingly teasing out garments and beautiful useful things.
My hands feel better this week, having a Workaway volunteer taking care of the heavier work. This has been an enormous boon on multiple levels, but most particularly I think, in terms of resting my hands - and allowing them to be busy with other, more intricate, activities. Alongside, a couple of rainy days (the first in a month or so) have meant getting the stove roaring, and cosying in with my sewing. Toasty heaven!
The fitted zip was super fiddly to get in there!
My sewing room doesn't have any heating, bar passive solar and my neighbour below's radiating upwards, so cosying in the kitchen has been a treat. I usually like privacy when I'm sewing; silence and no distraction - but was able to coincide this with my guest reading and the cats purring - I only let them inside in the middle of winter, and they are very well behave so far, appreciating the change of scene.
Onwards and upwards I go! My vision is set on the end of this first Year Of Mastery, and then a presentation of some sort - perhaps around April, when a few things seem to be converging... When I was at 'art' school (two different schools, for a BA degree and then a postgraduate) the degree show was always such a point of focus, but then an immense disappointment for many reasons. As much about what I was presenting, as to who, and the pressure of time and tensions, egos and controls, abstract measurements of achievement (relative to patriarchal structures and hierarchies, and the commercial world).
I particularly adore this strap detail for the shoulder comfort!
This time around it is VERY different: quite the opposite! It is far more satiating! And my pride feels healthy and positive - and my judges have been replaced by a loving community: much better!!
So thank you for being my support in this steep learning curve - and for supporting me financially too; my Hive and my Patreon supporters, and my uber-generous Gifting friends who pop up here and there in my Paypal or my Wirex wallets - this has helped me immeasurably to rest into my mission and vision. Such a beautiful, different Way, than applying for a grant then being indebted to the govern-ment for years afterwards. Mmmmmm: Life is always evolving and improving, with our co-creative tweaking and loving!!
LoVe!
www.claregaiasophia.com
