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Mothers day didn’t feel so hot. It didn’t bother me too much that Jason had not acknowledged me on Mothers Day morning. Not until I had given change to a homeless man. As I was driving away from the begging man, he shouted, “Happy Mothers Day”. He had said the words that Jason had failed to say. I felt weak and unworthy.

Jason had asked if I wanted anything for Mothers Day about a week ahead. I said no of course and stated that it may be nice if he had Lucas make me something. Jason will never understand that his attitude toward these occasions is hurtful to those on the other end. Those that love him and want him to care. In the past he had told me, “If you don’t tell me you want something, you get nothing.” He can’t relate, he has no sympathy. He. Does. Not. Care. Simple surprises, birthdays, holidays, you name it. They are not his thing.

I spent the day trying to sell my art at the Lilac festival, barely breaking even, daydreaming that Jason would bring Lucas to surprise me. When I arrived home I waited for my handmade gift from Lucas. Finally I asked where it was. Jason said, “It’s in the diaper bin”. An hour later I looked on top of the fridge where we keep a few spare diapers. Stupid me, there was nothing there. Jason had meant the dirty diaper bin. My present was shit.

When will I ever learn. Expectations are useless. People don’t change. People are mostly assholes, including myself.

Her Heart Broken by Her Art

One of the joys of the festivals and art shows around town is the chance to visit with other artists we’ve come to know over time, some going back 40 years. We also love meeting talented emerging artists, many young enough to be our children.

The Lilac Festival is always fun, but in amongst the light-catchers and mustard mixes at this year’s show was a young girl we’ve talked to several times this year. She has a small studio at Hungerford, and makes beautiful hand-fired glass beads. Her trademark perhaps is a series of beads that look like small muffins, complete with frosting.

When we stopped into her booth, her eyes lit up for a second, then she slumped back on her chair looking miserable. As we asked if she was feeling alright, she broke into sobs. “This is breaking me….”

Sure enough, she’s come to that point many artists experience when they realize the investment they’ve made isn’t paying off. We fumbled with some compliments and suggestions, but quickly realized she’s used up her resources.

We did of course buy a string of beautiful turquoise beads, reminding her that we’ve admired her work many times, and weren’t just feeling sorry for her.

It was heart breaking to see her feel so defeated. She’s already paid the entry fee to a number of shows this summer. We hope she can find a way through.

So—if you find some creative work you admire, don’t be shy! Invest, encourage, promote! Musicians, actors, artists are on a brave and lonely road.

Update:
Widgets are still not working, but I had to switch it back. Changing themes is giving me the willies. Maybe this guy will fix it sooner than I’m expecting.

Lucas Playing on Porch

Trying to get grounded. Trying to shake the obsession and focus on what matters most, my Son Lucas. Seriously, I had actually already considered applying to two more shows. Didn’t I just put my promise in words a few days ago? I’ve always had a compulsive personality, sometimes it really messes me up. I miss the days when it was just me and my baby. I had not one thing on my mind but the way his small body felt against mine. It was all so clear to me then, that I needed to embrace him every chance I had. I have become frazzled and exhausted with my work and it’s beat me down. I want nothing more than to get back to the place I was a year ago, in awe of the miracle that is Lucas. Life can pass you by if you let it.

A close-up of my own work, a hand-stitched pillow featuring applique and embroidery overlay.

In which medium(s) do you work? Tell us a little bit about your process.

I love fabric and thread! I focus mainly on sewing, quilting and embroidery to create decorative pieces that also have a practical purpose (quilts, draperies, pillows, totes, slip covers). I like to use the things I make, and for others to use and enjoy them as well. Inspiration comes from everywhere; in the last few years I’ve been especially drawn to vintage 60s and 70s colors and patterns, and these have influenced my recent stitching and fabric designs. I also like to use vintage fabrics and recycled materials as much as possible. I launched my online atelier, The Tailored Nest, in 2009, and that’s where I show my work.

How did you know that this was the best way to express yourself?

Stitching has been the consistent form of creative expression for most of my life. I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid and learned by watching my mother. Since then I can’t walk past a pile of fabric without touching it, especially vintage fabric. The love of stitching crafts runs in the family: My grandmother was skilled in couture sewing, and also taught tailoring. My mother is the finest embroiderer I have ever met. I have some of their unused laces and fabrics, and also items that they made, all of which I treasure.

A picture from an Intro to Sewing workshop this year.

What have you been currently working on and what has inspired you to do so?

In 2011, I officially launched The Crafting Social, a teaching studio that offers classes in stitching, fiber and paper crafts. The inspiration had been building for about 18 months before that. I had been connecting with friends who love all kinds of crafting. We’d get together for a “crafting social” where each person brought a project: knitting, painting, embroidery, collage — you name it, if it was a portable, it was there. Each person brought a different skill to the gatherings, and conversations were about “I wish I could go someplace to learn that” or “I wish there was a place to meet up for social events like these.” I couldn’t find any place that fit this concept, so from there The Crafting Social as a physical place was born. I found a fabulous light-filled studio at The Hungerford, and in January 2012 taught the first official class.

Are there other artists with whom you collaborate?

There are other instructors who teach here, and each person brings a really great set of skills and projects. We have classes and workshops in sewing, quilting, bookbinding, silk painting, paper sculpture, knitting, and kid-friendly crafts. We’re developing workshops that focus on couture techniques and we’ll soon be listing garment sewing classes. The list is continuously growing.

A view inside The Crafting Social studio. showing the central worktable and lounge area.

Is your studio open for First Friday? If so, what do people enjoy about visiting your space?

Yes, it’s open from 6 – 9 PM on First Fridays, and there is always a crafty project on hand that anyone can participate in. Visitors have sewn paper garlands, made holiday cards, folded origami valentines and cranes, and had fun testing out all the stitches on the sewing machines. For May 4th we have cool sewing and paper “make & take” crafts planned. I love the opportunity to talk with everyone who stops by, and people have shared that they like coming in to sign up for classes and to play with whatever that month’s craft project is. Most often people share how they want to reconnect with hand crafting, but for one reason or another gave it up a long time ago. Being able to “play” during an open studio event allows them to rediscover how fun it can be.

Why did you decide to become a member of The Hungerford Urban Artisans? How has it been beneficial to you?

I wanted the studio to “live” within an active community of artists. It’s really important to be surrounded and supported by creative energy, and at The Hungerford, that kind of energy thrives, and it fills the space. I became a HUA member because I wanted to give my support back to this amazing place.

Web links:

• Website: www.thecraftingsocial.com
• Blog: http://thecraftingsocial.wordpress.com/
• Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheCraftingSocial
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/craftingsocial

Additional contact info:

• Email: info@thecraftingsocial.com

I had a nervous breakdown a few nights ago. No, this isn’t an expression, I really had a nervous breakdown. No dying animal could have made the sounds that came from my quivering body.

I had this fantasy that I would be able to make enough beads/product in between shows. I found that this is not at all possible when booked back to back. I miss my family and I miss working at the torch without the pressure. Most of my time has been spent arranging and lugging my wares from show to show. So I have come to a conclusion. If I don’t want to have another breakdown, I must follow two simple rules:

1. No more applications for the rest of the year, even if the pressure lifts.

I need down time to become inspired, or new work will not materialize. I am not properly prepared for the shows I was excited about because I took on too many shows that I could have cared less about. Businesses don’t grow overnight. Trying to profit well in the first year is not realistic. It will be hard to resist a potential opportunity to make money, but I need time to make things in my studio and start with a better plan for 2013. I want to improve and make finer artwork. This takes time, a lot of time.

2. No more church shows.

Simple shows with small expectations are a thing of the past. I don’t have extra time to spend away from my family while I now have a bigger dream to chase. I should have been preparing for the Lilac Festival today, rather than spending it stuck in the basement of a church with few shoppers.

We’ll see…

Bead Breakout has included me in their Newsletter! Check it out here. There are a few problems with the quotation, so I’ll provide the paragraph that I had sent  below. No big deal, but the mistypes in the newsletter make it a bit confusing to read. Here it is as I had written it:

I was raised in a creative family. When it came to doing anything imaginative I had freedom. It is because of my Mom that I can call myself an artist. I learned to lampwork in 2005, making small vessels with borosilicate glass tubing. Currently soft glass beads are my passion. My studio (Suite 216) is open to the public during Rochester’s First Friday event at 1115 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609. Learn more about me and how to get in touch at francescadecaire.com. I hope you enjoy my glass creations.

Location & Hours:

2314 Monroe Ave
Brighton, NY 14618

Phone: (585) 271-2340
Fax: (585) 271-6131

Store Hours
Monday and Wednesday: 10am until 9pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10am until 6pm

Parking
Please remember that our neighbors are not happy with us parking in their lots (unless they are closed). We have more parking behind the store and, as long as we don’t block the driveway, there is parking along the right side of our building. See you soon!

 

Festival Poster, illustrated by: Lisa Robinson

The Lilac festival is on it’s way, come see me in booth #95.

It’s a community wide celebration! It’s an international springtime party! It’s nearly time for Rochester’s annual Lilac Festival and everyone is invited to enjoy ten full days of entertainment and fun!

The only 10-day free festival of its kind in North America. It is inspired by a magnificent lilac collection at Highland Park that plays host to over 500 varieties of lilacs on more than 1,200 bushes. What was first planted in 1892 by horticulturist John Dunbar has turned into the world’s largest lilac collection that even Martha Stewart has enjoyed when she visited the festival in 2007. This event is perfect for all ages and was even voted as a top 100 event by the American Bus Association for 2010.

Lilac Festival
5/12, Saturday (10:30am – 5pm)
5/13, Sunday (10:30am – 5pm)
5/19, Saturday (10:30am – 5pm)
5/20, Sunday (10:30am – 5pm)
Highland Park
249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620-3025

P.S.

You can never ask too many questions when applying to an event. Don’t ever asume that being indoors means you will be warm. It was 30 – 40 degrees during the opening of Springtime in Canandaigua, all day and night long! We would have been warmer outside. You couldn’t have melted an ice cube if you sat on it for an hour. Visitors had their hands in their pockets and they just wanted to get out fast. We were vending in a hokey rink, literally. Sure, the ice was removed, but the concret was pretty damn cold. I speculated that a few vendors may have been crying, but I quickly realized everyone had chapped cheeks and red eyes from the tense cold day. I dressed for a snowball fight today as I will tomorrow.

Now back to first Friday. Happy, warm & fun First Friday!

First Friday at The Hungerford
1115 E. Main St. Rochester, NY
May 4, 6pm – 9pm

According to the directory open studios in The Hungerford are as follows:

Cody Kroll
Kumagama
Sculpture & Ceramics
Suite 214
codykroll@gmail.com
Etsy

Francesca DeCaire
Glass beads
Suite 216
Etsy
Facebook

Constance Mauro
Constance Mauro Studio
Monoprints &Mixed Media
Suite 236
constance.mauro@gmail.com

Mark Osterling
Mark Osterling Photography
Fine art and commercial photography
Suite 240
mark@markosterling.com
Facebook

Margaret Spevak
Quilting with Margaret
Quilting
Suite 307
qwm@rochester.rr.com
Facebook

Mark Whitney
Mark Whitney Photography
Fine Art Photography
Suite 308
mark@markwhitneyphotography.com

Chris Little
Rituals In Metal & Stone
jewelry design and repair
Suite 344
goldsmyth@gmail.com
Etsy
Facebook

Irving Pudetti
The Group in the Loop
figure drawing and paintings
Suite 354
ipudetti@gmail.com
Facebook

Jeanne Beck
Jeanne Beck Studios
mixed media and paintings
Suite 366
jeanne@jeannebeck.com
Facebook

Suzi Zefting-Kuhn
Suzi Zefting-Kuhn Artworks
Fine art
Suite 458
suzi@suzizefting-kuhn.com

Rochester Art Club
Fine Art
Suite 437-439
rochesterartclub437@gmail.com

Not on this list? Learn how to be included here.