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?) 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.}
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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! 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! |
yarns and snippets is a little corner where I'll share some writing, recording my story in a way that's more comfortable for me - long form over social media. so, a bit of a journal and a record of my work, workshops, markets and weaving and knotting journey.
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