I don't really "do" holidays. But I have a soft spot for little love mementos, so I consider some of my pieces tiny Valentines. Here are a couple.

This tiny weaving is made with embroidery thread -- reds, pinks, fuchsias, golds. I made it a year or two ago and suppose it was ahead of its time. It's right on track for 2023's color of the year, Viva Magenta. It lives on Rob's bedside table. 

My hand-painted Double Coin Knot is one of my favorites. Its form is so pleasing. The knot is beautifully woven and sturdy, but not overly complicated. One late night, I was playing with watercolors and had a pile of knots within reach. In that harebrained moment, I grabbed this knot and started painting it, section by section. The colors were wet and vibrant. As it dried, the pinks, reds, and fuchsias melted together. I enjoyed this so much, I decided to further experiment with painting with dyes. "Heart in a Box" is available for sale, but I may just decide to keep it as a love note to myself. 

I'm so grateful Sarah at Makers United contacted me about applying for the Makers United Workshop because I really wouldn't have applied otherwise. It took that nudge of encouragement. 

I applied, a process that involved submitting photos of my work, information about my website and social media account(s), and information about my business. A few days later, I received an invitation to join the workshop, a 2-day immersive experience that promised to help me build a strong brand identity and provide me with guidance around product photography, along with some sample photos.

Now, I'm still working on all the things I learned. In fact, so much of what I got out of the experience isn't actionable. It's emotional. While I've done little things we were instructed to do, like organizing my Instagram "highlights," the most meaningful and powerful result of participating in this small workshop was making connections and becoming empowered. 

In mid-May, I received an email from Sarah, a community engagement associate at Makers United, a Nest initiative targeted at developing and supporting artisans in several communities in the United States. I'd participated in several Nest workshops in previous years and have gained so much insight and motivation from them.

Not too long ago, they partnered with the French luxury brand Hermès, which has invested an incredible amount of time into the Makers United programs. Last year, Hermès branding and communications executives lent their time on Zoom workshops to coach artisans in Detroit about website branding, brand storytelling and so much more. They talked a lot about how Hermès does things, but knowing that we -- Detroit-area artists and craftspeople -- likely don't have the same types of resources, they also offered real, attainable solutions and suggestions. (I still have my scribbled list and am working on implementation!)

I recall feeling so full after that Zoom workshop, and lucky that the Hermès team would take so much time out of their important schedules to spend that time not only talking, but listening, to us. When I spoke about my weaving work, Peter (a VP of Hermès who has led this initiative), mentioned having met Sheila Hicks, a sort of 'godmother' of fiber arts. In a flick, he was able to pick up my interests and we shared a moment of awe of Hicks' work. 

I guess they found value in that call, too. This year, the Makers United and Hermès teams got more ambitious and decided they wanted to bring people together in an intimate workshop in person. 

Before I get much further, you may be wondering, why would Hermès spend its energy doing something like this? Here's my take and understanding. As a brand, it has a long-held commitment to the highest quality of hand-craftsmanship. No, the artisans in the Detroit workshop are not going to become Hermès saddle makers one day. Essentially, the more Hermès can do to cultivate interest and value at all levels in quality, hand-crafted work, the better we can all do. We all rise. 

So, I got an email inviting me to apply to participate. It would be free. It would be a small group. It would be two full days at College for Creative Studies. It would include renowned designer Tracy Reese (omg) and a handful of workshop leaders. It would even include a product photo shoot session.

And I hesitated. I really, really did. I was committed to participate in the Leon & Lulu Michigan Made Market the day immediately following the workshop and it felt like too much of a commitment. (I know, I used to work full time and travel often - and suddenly three days away from home felt like too much of a commitment?)
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The workshop sounded like it would be an awful lot about more branding. Plus, a product photo shoot? I started to question my work. I don't produce products. Do I? And I recalled from one of the Zoom sessions with Hermès -- we had breakout sessions in which we had to deliver that 60-second "pitch" to describe our business/mission/brand. Would we have more breakout sessions? Would we have to work in groups? Would I have to speak? My anxiety set in before I even applied. 

{To Be Continued.}

Leon & Lulu's Michigan Made Market was such a great experience. First, it's not every day that I get to set up my work in a 'living room' environment. It was just the right cozy vibe and setting. And they have the best, most helpful team. That place runs like a very, very well-oiled machine. It was impressive to watch them work before the store opened.

When I was ready to hang some pieces on the wall, a few of their staff came to take some hanging objects off the wall, found a drill and screws for me, and gave me permission to climb on the couch in my bare feet and get to work. The video above shows a little bit of that. 

I haven't participated in many markets, so this was a good opportunity to get more feedback from potential customers. Just watching to see if they looked at my work, what they looked at, and listening to them as they passed by can be useful information. Yes, even if two ladies walked by and one said to the other, "You can totally make that," it's useful in some way. (Especially when the other lady responded, "No, I can't. I don't know how to weave." Thank you, second lady, for appreciating that some degree of skill has gone into this.)

On the home page of my website, it says "please touch." And I do mean that. My work is intentionally tactile. The sensory quality of it is part of its value, almost therapeutic. That said, it still fascinates me when people touch everything, without hesitation. I suppose there is some tacit permission given we are in a retail environment. Customers can pick up, try on, and carry around whatever they may be interested in. Still, it's just interesting to watch people reach out and dig their fingers right into a fluffy weaving. 

As usual, the most curious pieces were the "Squishy Vases," a series of big crocheted vessels made with thick hand-felted wool yarn. People understand the wall hangings - they hang on the wall. But the sculptural pieces, even though they are sitting on a table, seem to present a mystery. What are they and what do you do with them? Oftentimes, my answer is not sufficient. Oh, well.

I'm grateful to the wonderful setting and day at Leon & Lulu, and thankful to the owners and team for making it an easy and worthwhile experience.

Sunday, June 12, I’ll be on hand with my latest woven and knotted work at Leon & Lulu in Clawson, Michigan. 

I’ll have new hand-woven wall hangings in a range of sizes - from itsy bitsy to statement pieces. And I’ll have new pieces in shadow boxes you can hang on the wall or place on a shelf. (A few in-progress sneak peeks are below.) 

There will be dozens of makers in the always fun atmosphere of Leon & Lulu - if you’re local or in town, bring a friend! 
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Sunday June 12 - 11AM-5PM
Leon & Lulu
96 West 14 Mile Road
Clawson, MI 48017

P.S. All new items will go live on my website shortly after the market. It’s been a while since it’s been updated so I’ll let you know when they’re up! (I think the kids call that a “drop”?) 
I’ll be previewing more pieces on social media, so if you see something you’re interested in but aren’t able to make it to the market, give me a shout!

“Heart Wrapped in Fur” was selected to be part of "Surface: A National Juried Exhibition Highlighting the Use of Textures & Patterns in Artwork" at d'Art Center in Norfolk, VA. The show is now open and runs through June 25, 2022.

218 artists submitted work for a total of 781 submissions and only 64 pieces from 60 artists were selected. (Holy cats!) This is my first national juried exhibit and I could not be more thrilled. Creating abundanttexture is often my goal in weaving, and I’m so pleased the jurors saw that in my piece.

If you happen to be near the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, stop by to visit the show. It’s also available to view online.

...What You Really, Really Want!
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Did you know I take commissions and special orders? I do! 

Pictured above is one half of a recently completed commissioned work. Two pieces loosely comprise a diptych and are composed of textural abstract florals, boldly colorful in rich jewel tones to work with the client’s interior color scheme. 

I also completed a smaller version of my Peony weaving for a local floral designer and love the way it turned out. I’m happy to work with you on custom pieces. Let me know if something tickles your fancy.