Aaaaagh
Otherwise known as the messy middle
The stage where my studio looks like a tornado has blown in and emptied all the drawers and boxes and nothing is in the right place and nothing is finished, apart from a handful of tiny things on a tray, some other things on top of frames - not IN the frames - and one thing stretched on a canvas, that remarkably, I’m calling finished. It’s a start, OK?
I could share a photo of the absolute scenes, but I’d have to find my phone and I think it’s under one of the heaps…
Yes folks, we’re galloping up on the dreaded Deadlines
First up is the end of next week, when I deliver three pieces of embroidery and assorted small things here:
Next is the week after, when I hang work (what work) ahead of this exhibition.
And then the week after that, when I set out my stall with all the other little bits that make up an exhibition - cards (what cards), small bits (erm…), price labels (for the invisible work on the wall), portfolio…and we open the doors.
And it’s the small things that are exercising me, pulling me away from doing the bigger, arguably more important things (things for the wall) - because my Small Things (the cards and whatnot, things in browsers, misc. other bits) need to be in TWO places simultaneously - so I need TWICE AS MANY!! Leaving me sort of stuck in dither-mode between the two.
All the places all at the same time
Ramster runs for two weeks and gets excellent footfall and sales - but it’s a little hands-off, I’m not there manning a stall or meeting people in person (unless I happen to bump into you when I manage to get over to take a look for myself). More significantly, it’s an hour or so away, so I can’t just pop in to replenish card supplies. Common Threads, on the other hand, is just the one weekend - yet also gets very good footfall - AND I DO get to meet and chat with people in person - including teaching a workshop!
Different events, equally important, happening simultaneously. Messes with my brain. Trying very hard not to have a go at myself for inability to wrangle ducks 🦆🪿🦆🪿🦆🪿 or be able to work without a pressing deadline.
And don’t forget the workshop!!
My big idea for this year’s workshop with Common Threads is to play with wire. When I was trying to remember what I did all autumn instead of arranging ducks, making the work and all the small things for the exhibitions, I suddenly realised - yes, I was playing with wire, having fun. Unfortunately, I haven’t progressed as far as I’d like with my ‘finished’ samples - but I have some cracking good ‘starts’!
I’m very excited to be teaching this one, because it’s another of those ideas that has legs - it’s less about learning to make a specific thing, but trying something that can grow into whatever you want it to be. Hope that makes sense, probably doesn’t - but trust me, it’s fun, OK?!
If you’re local enough to get to Common Threads and you’d like to spend a happy hour or so with me, making things with wire, fabric, buttons, beads and thread, bookings are open NOW!
I’m not panicking yet…I am finishing things, just slower (about three months slower) than I’d like.
Latest finished thing:
And now I must dash - more buttons to sew onto another thing that’s almost (whisper it) in a frame. Only started it in 2020…
What have you been up to lately? And will I see you in a few weeks?!
Until next time,
Wirework!! That's how I first met you, many, many years ago, at a workshop, rekindling something I had started many years earlier. Something I need to get back to!!
I feel you pain...you don't want to see the state my workroom is in again, and I don't have the excuse of an upcoming exhibition 😱.
We need that coffee once all the mayhem dies down ☕☕☕