moth and squirrel

busman's holiday

2012-01-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Day I had the rare pleasure of crafting with my dad and brother. My dad wanted to remake the hobby horse that was well loved and then forgotten for a few decades in a northwest basement. He and my brother engineered the stuffing and stick part while I made the face and mane. It was great to give my dad, the retired doctor, professional advice,"use the end of a wooden spoon to really shove the stuffing into the sock..."And everyone was really impressed by my new take on the horse's mane. The original was a blue sort of pompom toupee.

Franklin and his cousin Martin were ready to gallup around the house on it, but unfortunately for them,Baba and PapaPrice's house was not ready for toddler's wielding heavy sticks twice their height.

So we just took some awkward family photos and called it a successful holiday.

If it's any indication of the year to come,I think moth and squirrel is going to have it's best year ever!

piece of craft

2011-12-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

So proud to have a little shout out in The Stranger this week. It is especially awesome because one of the most frequent comments I receive is that my animals are like Ugly Dolls. And although I appreciate what people mean by this,I like to think that my individually crafted critters made from recycled fibers are a little bit more special than the now mass produced Uglies.
The only two places to buy my whales and other recycled goodies this season are The Holiday Handmade Bazaar at THe Mill in downtown Bellingham and the Lucky Dumpster in Edison.
Thanks Seattle for a fantastic weekend at the Urban Craft Uprising. And thanks Stranger for continuing to support and promote all that is freaky fabulous fresh and local

Urban Craft Uprising this Weekend!

2011-11-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

super huggable animals sewn from reclaimed luxury knits, stuffed with renewable corn fiber.

I've finished a handfull of kid's vests and hats hats hats.
new patchwork and silk bound scarves. classic hats for folks.

2011-11-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

After finishing the Farmer's Market for the season I took an adventure (is it truly a vacation if you travel with a toddler?)to Albuquerque.Soaking up the sun,love and culture, I do feel refreshed and inspired.We spent time at the zoo, botanical gardens, the marigold (day of the dead)parade and the International Folk Art Museum. All great places to think about stuffed animals and hats, craft and community.I am home and ready for the holiday push. Including this lovely afternoon we have planned for next saturday at the temple bar...

behind the scenes (chicken vest preview)

2011-09-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

here are a few outtakes from last week's photo session. I am so thankful we had Mira visiting to help out when the moment was just right(post nap, well fed, not too hot outside.)I can't imagine scheduling this sort of thing with professional photographers and stylists,only to have that be a grumpy no nap morning or a shy afternoon or a declaring independence tearful fit kind of week for the child. Getting Franklin to wear the outfit took a little encouraging:"See baby, just like mama's hat! no no no don't pull it down over your eyes...If you wear this vest, I'll blow bubbles for you!" But once he was dressed, his miniature male model just made that back deck his catwalk. Mira took photos, I blew the promised bubbles, he forgot he was wearing a ridiculous chicken vest and just ran around like he always does with cars and watering cans and hula hoops and lawnmowers. Then at one point he just stopped playing with his usual objects, stood with his back against the white door to the laundry room and waited for me to take a photo. Uncanny. It turned out to be the best photo from the session for the UCU application.

Friday Art Walk=$5 sale bin magic waiting for you

2011-09-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

these very mittens will be in my amazing $5 bin!

To prepare for a winter craft show application I quickly made these mittens. But in my haste to have things to photograph,I didn't properly space out the thumbs. They are very narrow and have a spot I had to mend by hand.

Just a sample of how things end up in the $5 bin and the sorts of fall products that are in the works. Hope to see you Friday night. 1318 Bay St, studio #201. 6-10pm.

(county)fairly inspired

2011-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

In the week since we went to the county fair I have made a plush pig and a really outrageous chicken vest. I sized the vest for Franklin to model, and although he smiled and said "bok-bok" when I showed it to him, he cried and said "no no no" when I tried to put it on him.
So I'll just show you the source and not the outcome of the inspiration. Which reminds me that it is really important to go to source inspiration and not just see what other people are doing on design blogs or posting on etsy. I've got to refill my own unique well of creative juices or else everything feels played out and I wonder if I am stealing other people's ideas or if there are any original ideas left to steal. Also, It's just weird to eat corndogs in front of the computer.

Craig didn't even get any curly fry grease on his pastel moth and squirrel harlow cap.

oh, chickens.

milk!

Family portrait in plaid with straw.

animal of the week

2011-07-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

photo by the amazing cynthia st.clair. throne fixed by her equally generous husband phil.

Animal of the week is one of the great traditions born of the farmer's market. I generally choose the newest critter as the recipient of the honor. It is my own rule that no animal can wear the banner two weeks.I have regular market goers who stop by every week just to see who is on the tiny throne, so I have a bit of pressure to make stuffed animals regularly. Interestingly, the animal of the week rarely sells the week that it holds the title. Maybe people think it is too special to possibly buy.

sheep pins are baaack.

2011-07-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

find a small flock grazing at the farmers market this week.

I wanted to say something about Portlandia, and how this sketch forever altered the face of indie craft markets and my own tiny production line of bird pins in particular. But the babysitter will be back any minute with Franklin and you probably have your own opinions about this show by now anyway. And I know you still want to buy a bird pin for your grandma or a whale for your child's preschool teacher or a sheep for your co-worker who knits...so I'll just say, after a sketch inspired break, I'm crafting some felt cuteness again. enjoy.

headed to the lake (No market 7/16)

2011-07-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

These blog posts only seem to go up when I'm not going to be at market.But this time I will at least show you some hats. We are going out to the peninsula for a quick visit with franklin's cousins who have never met him. Naturally, it's supposed to be rainy all weekend. My mom keeps saying, "you can always go for a walk in the rainforest in the rain." sigh.

franklin is still wearing this cotton johnny cap that fit him last year at toad lake. Although this year he doesn't keep it on his head long enough for photos to be taken. Since handcrafted hats can feel like a ridiculous luxury for rapidly growing heads,I am pleased to see if you buy a little big,you can get more than one season out of a moth and squirrel lid.

this may be more accurately how we will be dressed this weekend with layers or wool and hoods and my prototype cotton feather cloche. Look for these in the fall with reverse applique and two layers of cotton. I think it will be the perfect fall(Or northwest summer)lady hat.

I have been trying to recreate and update my all time favorite,scuzzy from so much wear,comfort hat. Favorite Hat is basically a long stocking cap that calms crazy hair,keeps off the rain and makes me feel invincible. It is one of the very first hats I made from a reclaimed sweater, before I was officially moth and squirrel.I have years of photos of me in this hat, all seasons, including just moments after franklin was born. No matter how many new hats I make, I keep digging out the old favorite one. It is surprisingly difficult to get just the right roominess and hug with perfect slouch.I think this feather cloche is pretty close to my ideal with the bonus of being machine washable. Favorite Hat is white wool, which needs to be hand washed, and therefore is always slightly grungy.But perhaps that grunge and mojo is part of it's charm...

Not at Market this Week.

2011-06-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

I will be going on my first adventure to Lopez Island with Franklin to celebrate Emmett's high school graduation. I lived with Emmett when he was five. [cue wedding song from fiddler on the roof]I don't remember growing older, when did they?...

uh.uh. guitar.

2011-05-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

It is almost impossible for me to sew with this guy around. But I try to get my scrappy craft fix in anyway, especially on a rainy afternoon stuck in the house.
I'm pleased with the results, but honestly, it was a screaming tear filled battle to get this cardboard masterpiece made.He wanted the scissors. And the cardboard. And the tape. And not the pieces I teared off for him. Either those other bloggin' crafty mamas aren't telling the whole story of the things they whip up,they secretly have nannies,or their children are nothing like this busy curious dude.

I intended to cover the whole guitar with paper mache for strength and these would be the in process photos. But living with this guy I am learning to let go of even my scrappy ideas of completion. The masking tape has held up fairly well to his teething. The neck is now bent but in a very rock and roll bend the notes kind of way from playing so hard. And that's exactly the way it should be.

i like bellingham

2011-05-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

I finally remembered to bring a camera to market yesterday and as luck would have it the Voorees family was looking fantastic and willing to show off.
Olle tried on an ewok keneivel hat before hunting down some honey sticks.

Carrie borrowed Ian's harlow hat so much she had to buy her own. So he can borrow hers. Then they threw a tiny ewok keneivel on tiny baby Elsa who was sport enough to sleep through the whole thing.

After a fun but,well,only mildly successful Crafty Wonderland I was super pleased to be back in bellingham at the farmers market. At the market I work to build relationships and connections in my community. And that community returns the friendliness and support week after week. Not only were my sales about the same as in portland, but I was also offered quilt batting,a vintage sewing machine and wooden blocks for the boy from three different people doing some spring cleaning. And I did a sweet trade with my delightful booth neighbor Sandra of Vermilio. I got a sexy silk scarf and she got a stuffed animal to give as a gift. It's good to go out and see the world, but it's oh so sweet to come back home.

Crafty Wonderland this Saturday in Portland!

2011-05-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

(gorgeous photo in the tulip fields courtesy of mira woodson)

I am super busy being a crafty mama to this little fellow, having an awesome time at the farmers market and getting set for the weekend in Portland at Crafty Wonderland. I don't have much of an online presence right now, so I hope to see you in person to share some remarkable recycled goodies with you!

resounding positivity

2011-03-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Last night was the annual meeting for the farmer's market.I was dreading it. But I wanted to go to be a voice of the younger generation or just smile and clap for the hard working farmers and crafters who have been under attack by the dissatisfied few. Mediators were brought in to facilitate. Everyone was braced for something spectacular and awful. And those mediators did help keep things focussed and fair and respectful. There were naturally complaints and grievances and suggestions.But what I heard was person after person,farmer and crafter and food processor stand up and say I love this market.
Our farmer's market is a model in the state. Our community supports us with two years of phenomenal growth in a time of economic turmoil. Our board members are working ceaselessly to keep our market strong and dream us into a future where we are all successful together. Our director communicates with the membership more than any other market manager. We are a motley crew of some 150 independent businesses and We Love Our Market.
And so with just over a week before opening day, I can say I am truly excited to go back to market. I feel more warmth and enthusiasm for my fellow vendors, more connected to this positive vision(most of us) share.I feel inspired to make moth and squirrel a leader of friendliness,customer service, creativity and innovation.
So, in a way, I guess we owe thanks to the noisy bunch of nay sayers for helping bring us together, for helping us clarify our mission and intent.For giving us a reason to say to each other "we are awesome." I've been sewing to Jay Z this month and his ambition and pride push me. His words keep playing in my head:"I love all my haters."

support

2011-03-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

The farmers market is a big part of moth and squirrel's success. It is not a perfect organization. It doesn't cater to all of my needs. However, it is generally a pleasure and an honor to set up my tables every saturday from april through october. To get feedback from my community and exposure to tourists is priceless for a young business. The farmers market is not as cool as the indie craft fairs, but it gives me exposure to people who would never go to a craft fair or hip boutique, people who are just hungry for carrots or tomatoes or something to do with their in-laws. This past year of focussed studio work and parenting, the market has served as an unexpectedly delightful social outlet for me. In short, it is a dynamic and profitable part of my business. Despite the unpredictable weather and economy, I am making it work.
Every spring there is a rumbling from the membership right before we open for the season.I think of bears awakening from their hibernation.Bears who have forgotten the sweetness of honey and berries and salmon.Bears that feel winter's poverty in their bones.This year the rumbling is quite loud. A discussion board has gotten heated, as many a discussion board will. Even though I wasn't participating in the "dialog,"I removed myself from the Google group this morning. I still feel agitated. And I don't want to give it any more of my time.
So in an attempt to turn that negative energy into a positive resource, I am going to devote more time on this blog to sharing things that support me in my business and creativity. My hope is that I can in some way support you in your creative dreams.
Two websites that I have just recently been reading are Hello Craft and Crafting an MBA.
HelloCraft is a great all around resource for indie crafters. I've gotten links to craft fairs, photo tips and an indie trend report. They were at Crafty Wonderland last spring and held the Summit of Awesome, which I wish I could have attended. I mean Summit of Awesome, that's exactly the kind of positive support that feels lacking in my market community right now.

Crafting an MBA is specifically business tips for independent artists and designers. I really believe the best way to make it though the economic hard times is by strengthening our business skills while improving our craft. Better customer service, getting over shyness about selling ourselves, seeing a bigger picture, understanding financial realities, marketing and networking, these things don't have to cost money, but they do take practice and study. And they don't have to be slick or fake or pushy. I think we can be successful and authentic to ourselves and our visions.

storytelling

2011-02-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

three little pigs and the big bad wolf puppet set.
I made two sets and they have special huff & puff action for extra storytelling drama.

my,what a big skirt you have...
little red & wolf doll

here are sneak previews of some of the dolls I created for the 3rd annual winter commission. I don't feel like I'm spoiling too much, because each of these has a special feature not shown in the picture...
For those of you unable to make it to the Radio Museum this Saturday from 7pm-past my bedtime, I will post more photos after the event.

Ladies and Gentlemen

2011-01-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

Introducing a new collection of circus inspired pieces on display at the old town cafe.

This has been such a refreshing way to spend my studio hours in January. After the rush and push and hustle of christmas sales, it was a pleasure to dork around, sniffing through old books for captivating characters and interesting photographs. Sewing the figures with my machine became a meditation in line. Even limiting my palate to ochre and grey, I got lost in the process of making gestures with color, pushing paint around the backgrounds.Without market pressures I had time to make mistakes and experiment and actually work from a place of inspiration.

Some mornings it still felt like work. I wonder, what is that resistance to our own passions once they have deadlines and self imposed expectations? But that flat feeling may have as much to do with waking up before 5am with a teething, almost walking, very curious baby boy as with any actual response to what was happening in the studio. And generally, even if I was dragging myself to my desk, I wasn't ready to leave when it was time to get back to the family.

The show will be on display through the end of March.

Last weekend for Holiday Shopping

2010-12-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

My goods will be at the Pacific Arts Holiday Market one last weekend fri-sun,10am-6pm.
And then I get to have a week to do my own holiday gift making like a crafty mama should.
I am also working to finish all overdue special orders before the new year. Funny how I said I wasn't going to do any special orders this year with the baby,but here I am mid december finishing off a half dozen hats that have been hanging over my head (like anvils ready to drop, not like hats which should, in a sense, hang over your head.) Once I finally sat down to do them, they were each a little bit fun with their specific fabrics and odd sizes bringing out my creativity. (Unfortunately I am in such a rush to finally get them to their owners that I haven't taken any photos.)

Thank you for a fantastic Urban Craft Uprising.

2010-12-06T16:53:00.001-08:00

merry christmas craft season!

2010-12-03T13:58:00.001-08:00

I made a few very green wreaths this week in an attempt to both use every last little bit of fabric I have collected and make something that I could work on while Franklin was awake. He helped me mix up all the scraps of felted wool with a big orange rubber spatula on the floor. This insured a truly random and organic placement of colors and sizes. Then he was a champ for this photo session (in his just finished birthday sweater I have been knitting since I was pregnant.) You can buy this very very green wreath at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle this Saturday and Sunday. Looks like Steeb may have some competition this year for winning moth and squirrel's unpaid employee of the month award...

radical gratitude

2010-11-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

I am tempted to feel sorry for myself today.Franklin's play date (solo sewing time) was canceled due to illness (get well soon ryan!) as was one with jasper last week.It's still nasty icy out. Deadlines are looming.The heater at the studios keeps going out and it is my duty to try to do something about it. Holidays can feel lonely and disappointing even without the pressure to earn a living at Christmas. Juggling my crafty business and parenting can be isolating with all the focus it takes. You get the idea. Winter blahs plus baby blues times work anxiety equals self pity while the boy throws cheerios around the living room.So, in an attempt to change my attitude here is a thanksgiving inspired list:
I am thankful for...
a healthy curious almost one year old baby named franklin
a kind and capable father/husband/friend/number one unpaid employee named steeb
a studio in which to make big felty messes
a home that is cozy despite the weather outside
big pots of pumpkin soup and beef stew
strong coffee in favorite mugs made by cary lane
more ideas than time to execute them
making money from scraps and creativity
staying cuddled up under blankets sewn by loved ones
knit hats and mittens created with spincycle yarns

crunch time

2010-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. When I thought I was doing well and then I realized I was terribly behind schedule.When unexpected health problems(this year just a nasty stomach flu)throw off my plan for efficiently using every last minute before the big shows. When my family celebrations take the backseat to potential family income. When I fall into bed exhausted then can't sleep with to-do lists and guilt taking turns running around my mind.
Also when I am most inspired and think of new items I want to make. When I want to sew gifts for friends and all the expected babies. When curling up with a steaming mug of something and a knitting project seems the perfect way to weather the storm.
Oh november. will you always be this way?
Here's what helps:
small doses of my favorite christmas music while sewing. This year the top albums are James Brown, Charlie Brown and a mix I made with contemporary classics like Do they know its christmas, simply having a wonderful christmas time and christmas in hollis.

the moment franklin falls asleep for a nap I take out my hand sewing.

networking with all the awesome crafty mamas I know to trade kid care.

a horoscope I received telling me that there was freedom in the unknown.

remembering I chose this lifestyle.

art walk tonight 7-10pm.

2010-11-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

last farmers market for 2010

2010-10-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

My li'l punkin is getting too big and curious to keep happy in my tiny booth and I need to take some saturdays to stock up for holiday fairs. So October 30th will be moth and squirrel's last market for the season. The farmers market will be open until christmas, so please continue to support our awesome farmers and crafters in the pavilion. And look for me at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle and the Pacific Arts Holiday Market in Bellingham.

vacation

2010-10-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

I am headed to new york city with my big and little men for a week. moth and squirrel will be back at the farmers market for the last two saturdays in october.

making the cut

2010-09-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

I spent my studio day cutting bibs from the scrap pile left after a summer of tshirt weight johnny caps. These bibs take so long to complete with the reverse applique and the snap and yet they are my least expensive item.I guess they are my gift to all the messy babies and their tired parents. After my morning cutting and cutting and cutting I came home to discover I have made the cut once again for the winter Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle (december 4&5)As the boy sleeps in my lap I've been checking out the other vendors. Everyone is so slick and clever.I am sort of in awe that I am in the show. And as I type this that familiar feeling is already creeping in: I am so behind for this show! Time to Do Work.

2010-09-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

I will not be at the farmer's market this saturday, september 18th because I will be attending a wedding. hooray for love! I will be in my studio that morning trying to catch up on hats and bibs. And then maybe swing by the market just to shop...

return of wool

2010-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

whether you are moaning about the end of summer or secretly pleased to dig out your old sweaters and scarves,there is an undeniable crispness in the air. With Labor Day just hours from being over, I am announcing the return of wool hats to the moth and squirrel booth.And for those of you who might find moth holes or unfortunate stains in those favorite sweaters when you pull them from the back of your closet, think of me before you toss them out in the trash.I offer a $5 coupon as a token of thanks when people donate sweaters. They need to be wool or a high quality wool blend. They can have holes, ink spots, or suffered accidental washing/shrinking. I love crafting hats and critters from well loved garments, things that have already lived a few good stories before I turn them into some new item to cherish.

p.s. thanks to franklin for modeling this set of esther amelia hats with me. This is an outtake from the shots we took for official documentation but it is my favorite. It is already much harder to use him as a model now that he has learned how to pull hats off his own head and is endlessly fascinated by the camera itself.

2010-08-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a Sweet little write-up in the local paper last weekend.

micro mini interview with DanielleLaPorte

2010-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first ever moth and squirrel blog interview, micro mini style!
Danielle LaPorte rocks my world with her blog White Hot Truth. I go to her site for both no bull shit practical business motivation and also for soul nurturing poetic inspiration. This spring Danielle launched a vook: The Fire Starter Sessions, it's a virtual book plus e-course with a dash of multimedia extravaganza. As part of her promotion she invited anyone with a blog to interview her. I humbly submitted one question and she graciously answered. As a mama and power blogger she has chosen to keep her family life fairly private, so I was tickled that she talked about creating with her son in her response.

Libby:I see you as a crafter of ideas and inspiration. Your new vook takes even the art of writing out of the tangible traditional hand held experience. But you are also a sensual woman who very much dances in the material world. Tell us about the last thing you crafted with your hands?

Danielle:This is such a timely question because I just had a conversation recently with a Buddhist Lama and he was talking about the value of craft for wakefulness. His words were, "You want enlightenment? Tile my house!"

In order of sequence, here are the things I've done this summer that merge with art and craft -- all of which comfort my soul, stop time, and make me feel pretty handy and cool:

Yesterday: Drew picture of Captain Underpants with my kid. This is a very special skill.
Last weekend: Did some rock balancing statues by the rapids.
Last week: Brought matching sketch books to the market with my six year old boy and we drew pictures of each other and shop windows. And seagulls. While eating burritos.
Week before that: Collaborating with a jewelery designer to turn some of my old gold (my "past") into some big beautiful gold rings that reflect the power of my present.
Last month: Started sewing a felt ugly pet with the boy. Our own pattern. Our own special depiction of what it means to be so ugly you're cute.

Oh, and a few days ago I pulled some ivy out of the garden and made a head wreath to go on the sun-bleached deer skull with antlers that I just hung in the living room. Does that count? I think it does!

Thanks for the inspiration to look at the craft in my life!
With Love
Danielle

last minute gratitude

2010-07-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

I've been too focussed sewing to take any photos, but let me tell you,good things are happening in the studio.Test Print summer caps will debut tomorrow at the Urban Craft Uprising. These are the t-shirt weight johnny caps made with awesome mishmash images from local silkscreen shop Red Boots Design. Lots of bicycles and birds and unexpected bits of type.
I should really be packing or hand sewing just one more animal,but I wanted to take a moment while the baby is napping to say I couldn't do it without steeb or sparkleface who has been hanging out with franklin so this mama can make it work.I would also like to thank the voice of tim gunn in my head all week encouraging me, designers, to "go, go, go."

2010-06-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

tiny production line

2010-06-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

Tiny production of bunny, anchor, and leaf bibs to get ready for the Urban Craft Uprising in July.

Working with recycled fabrics, it is rare for me to have uniform sets of materials. I spent one session just cutting out fat stacks of the hemp/cotton knit scraps I bought from Intertwined Designs. Although the unique nature of the found materials is what keeps this interesting for me, it actually delights me to feel like a miniature factory once in a while. And by miniature I mean quantities in the dozen. So really, everything is still super special.

mama, is it awesome yet?

2010-05-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

yes yes and yes.

taking dorky photos and babies are both excellent ice breakers when you are feeling nervous about meeting your favorite artists. so borrow a camera or a baby next time you might be meeting yours.

Nikki McClure is not only an amazing artist,but also an inspiration for me as a crafty mama. She cuts images from black paper with an exacto knife that reflect the seasons and values of northwest punk/hippy life:potlucks and dandilions, clothes lines and kale.Reading her board book Awake to Nap with Franklin has been a great encouragement to me lately.The almost alphabet book was created entirely during her sons naps.If she can do it,I can do it. One nap at a time I will sew.

So naturally I was super excited when Nikki came to The Paperdoll for a meet and greet with doughnuts on friday morning. She was signing her gorgeous new book Mama, Is It Summer Yet? I waited in line while she drew a moustache on the august picture of her 2010 calendar. It really did make the image look like erin and eric kissing in the pantry with mason jars. They talked about the intention to preserve fruit and how Nikki made that picture to remind herself to really do it this year.

When it was my turn I got all spazzy "uh,hi,uh,you're so great, can I take a photo?" for a moment and then we just fell in to chatting about Franklin and her being away from her boy for the first time and needing to get a cellphone and not really knowing how to turn it off when it rang and raking your neighbor's leaves and it was just so natural and good. The way you would want it to be when you meet your heroes and they are regular folks who have been doing their thing longer or with more focus and talent but aren't all egotistical or untouchable or reclusive tortured souls. Leaving the store I felt energized and motivated by the brief encounter. Thank you for your gifts, Nikki.

almost crafty

2010-04-28T20:55:00.000-07:00

"There is no last minute anymore," I said to steeb this week as we looked at our schedules in preparation for the big family adventure to Portland for CRAFTY WONDERLAND. The "last minute" is now spoken for by breast feeding,diaper changes and the inevitable milk vomit down the front of the outfit. So I was already slowing down on my production,allowing time to pack and plan tomorrow before we hit the road friday. But even so,I must have been trying to do too much at once, running lists through my head while I tried to do some basic chores and entertain the baby,checking on dinner and thinking about what hand sewing I might do when the boy went to sleep. While washing dishes tonight I sliced my pinkie open on a broken juice glass. Stopped me instantly and brought me to the present. Broken glass always makes me sort of Buddist. What's done is done and now I just have to nurse my wound while finishing up the essentials for travel.Everything else just won't happen. And that's okay. I'm extra glad I got up early today to finish the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hat...

thanks bellingham

2010-04-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has come out to the farmers market even when the weather has been, well, typical northwest spring:rain, drizzle, hail, sprinkle, sunny, showers and even a rainbow. It is not an easy time to be a professional crafter and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love. My biggest stress after this awesome month is how to make MORE for market with the baby in my life. And that my friends, is a very lucky kind of stress to be under right now.

The moth and squirrel family will be in Portland next weekend for

We will be back at the Bellingham Farmers Market the second week in may,just in time for some last minute Mothers Day shopping.

guys

2010-04-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

franklin sparrow in the new reverse applique baby hat and bib

charlie rocket rockin' a mini johnny cap

william raven hugging his easter stegosaurus

olle and ian with some father son hat action

opening day of farmers market was an awesome success and so much fun.thank you everyone for the support.stop by every saturday 10am-3pm inside the pavillion.

our new floor manager

2010-03-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

sneak peak of our new studio with our new floor manager

We've been at the studio almost everyday preparing for the opening of farmers market.Franklin has been hanging out on quilts embroidered by his grandma russell and great grandma corbin. He does work kicking at dangling toys while I do work sewing new hats and bibs.It takes so much longer to complete anything, but with the sun streaming in our windows and a stack of business books by my side,I don't mind the frequent breaks to eat and cuddle. This new floor manager insists we operate by baby union regulations.

Come see the new floor for yourself april 2 for the next art walk.
Still 1316 Bay St,6-10pm(ish)

the squirrel part

2010-03-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

Steeb and I are almost finished with our studio move. We have a bright and spacious room facing Bay Street again with lots of room for our family to grow. As I have been unearthing boxes from the corners and closet, I am reminded of why squirrel is one of my business' namesakes.Tucked away and saved for later like acorns in the fall,I am finding trash and treasure too precious to not save for the unknown crafting ahead of me. Everything from a bag of seat belt webbing to a bin of cashmere sweaters with plenty of buttons and zippers in between. There are articles of clothing waiting to be deconstructed and neatly stacked squares of fabric for some yet to be designed quilt and then the boxes and boxes of bits and pieces, some not much bigger than glorified lint balls. I can't wait to combine some of the older finds with the more recent arrivals.

bloomer soakers

2010-02-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Franklin Sparrow models the new bloomer soakers from moth and squirrel. He also serves as our number one product tester, daily inspecting the strength and design of these bum covers. The wool covers are an essential part of cloth diapering and just nice when we have him in the paper ones. The thankless,endless routine of changing diapers improves with a little cuteness.
I started making these for him before he was born and now that we really use them I am improving their shape. Originally I was just sewing them for personal use.It is important to make things that aren't for sale, to just create for love.But in an effort to make a living as a crafter, I decided to add them to the product line. Look for them this spring at the farmer's market.

art walk again

2010-02-04T12:07:00.001-08:00

where did the month go? it's first friday again and we will be up in the studio to show off the goods(including baby franklin, tempers permitting.)I've managed to sew up a new pod of whale pins, thanks to steeb's loving arms,some brief naps and a surprise baby sitting offer from pamela yesterday.
The january walk was really lovely. The weather was terribly northwest wet wet wet cold and dark,so just a handful of friends came out,but really just a handful was about all we could handle.Thanks for your support.and patience.

quiet time

2010-01-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

I almost had the rhythm down,of being self employed, of craft seasons, when to start sewing ornaments or easter bunnies. And now there is this tiny boy with his own rhythm,demanding that I dance in his time. As an independent business woman,this is the greatest challenge. So I am doing all the off season chores: finishing my paperwork,preparing taxes, dreaming of new products, better display, what fairs to try to attend. I am doing this between marathon feeding sessions, countless diaper changes and the necessary time spent gazing adoringly at fingernails and cheeks and that little spot at the wrist that is finally getting chubby. That is, when I have enough sleep and food and water in me that I can even remember there is a world beyond Franklin's needs.
Tonight we will be open for the gallery walk. Our first as this new family.Just one of the steps to figuring out how we do this dance together.

Franklin Sparrow changes everything

2009-12-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

Franklin Sparrow Russell was born dec.2 and I have been in sleepless baby zone ever since.
Chelsea will be representing moth and squirrel at the Crafty Wonderland Holiday Spectacular this sunday dec 13 at the portland convention center.In Bellingham moth and squirrel hats, critters and pins can be found at the Pacific Arts Holiday Market and Handmade Holiday Bazaar (on state street across from the bowling alley).
Thank you for supporting our little family.

UCU this weekend!

2009-11-29T21:09:00.000-08:00

Look for Chelsea in the moth and squirrel booth along with Steeb's coloring books at the Urban Craft Uprising this saturday and sunday dec 5&6 in Seattle.

no more market

2009-11-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

At a very sleepy 37 weeks into this pregnancy,I canceled the rest of my Farmer's Market vending days to prepare for holiday sales. Stay tuned for more details on Pacific Arts Holiday Market and Handmade Holiday Bazaar in Bellingham,Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle and Crafty Wonderland in Portland.

stay at home,stay informed

2009-11-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

I decided to set up a Facebook fan page. Click on the whales to the right to become a fan and stay updated on moth and squirrel news through your Facebook account.
Then while you are keeping up with your highschool boyfriends and co-workers and cousins you will be able to see I am not going to the farmer's market this week.I am going to rest and sew and sew and rest.

Art Walk Friday!

2009-11-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

It's first friday again and we will be open for the art walk a little later than usual. The Kulshan Community Land Trust is having their annual party and we don't want to miss all the celebration.This is the awesome organization that helped us buy our own home five years ago. So we will probably open our studio around 7pm until 10pm.

The farmers' market is still running through Christmas! This week is the first week of the special season where we all squeeze into the pavilion to stay nice and cozy and festive. I am planning to be there through the end of November, but stay tuned for updates as we are getting closer and closer to Junior's due date...

And lastly, manimal update: I did just barely finish Steeb's Jack-a-lope costume in time for his half birthday and halloween festivities. The pattern was really baggy all over, even though the size chart looked like the XL might not fit Steeb. I had to take it in in the arms already and am going to go back to fix the enormous neckline and too-baggy hood. The hood is so roomy that the weight of the antlers made it slip forward all the time. Since I am going to further customize the suit we decided it needed a pocket or two and maybe a flaming heart applique. Here's a quick picture from the day,we'll do a more fanciful photo shoot once the suit is closer to perfection.

holiday fairs

2009-10-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce moth and squirrel will be selling at Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle Dec 5&6 and Crafty Wonderland in Portland Dec 13. These big shows are increasingly competitive (300plus and 400 applicants each)and it feels like an honor to be selected. I have been setting aside product since august in hopes of getting in, but even so I feel there is a lot of work to be done. My UCU stress dreams started this week and resulted in me getting up at 6am to get my day on and sew.

manimals

2009-10-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

Last summer I made this special order bunny suit for James Kraus. He is using it in some photo projects and, I suspect, regularly wearing it around the house.

Steeb was quite jealous of the pale yellow chenille suit and requested some cozy breathable outfit of his own. I said it would be a birthday gift and six months after his birthday the blue flannel jackalope is beginning to take shape. I have completed the hood and now just need to tackle the body which I promised would be ready for Halloween.

For James' suit I just made it all up as I went along, but for Steeb's we decided to reference an actual pattern. We thought it would make it easier to properly fit his larger proportions. But I hate pattern paper. I have spent almost as much time cursing and refolding the tissue as I have sewing. On one hand I loved how all the pieces really fit together perfectly. And by following instructions I did pick up some tips on how to piece it together more smoothly. But the pattern itself was not tailored the way we wanted, so I ended up going back and haphazardly cutting and re-sewing most of the seams. So I seem destined to curse and make up my own rules and find my own solutions no matter how I begin a project. I think that's what gives my work it's charm.

hat season

2009-10-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Steeb, Clancy and I have been wearing our new Harlow Caps around town and I am getting great feed back on them. I wore my wool one in the pouring down rain yesterday and stayed warm and dry. Even my glasses. They are taking me a bit longer to make so I just have a handful.But you should try one on at the gallery walk tonight or the farmers market.

abundance

2009-09-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

There is some magical autumnal house cleaning going on(in other people's houses, not here) that has inspired so many donations recently to moth and squirrel. Plastic bags with sweaters left outside my studio door. Folks dropping off beloved well patched cashmere hoodies at the market booth.And yesterday I went over to a house to pick up random fabric/clothing from a woman who I first met as a customer at the Old Town Cafe. We sat in her living room and she told me about the pieces, artsy things she had worn in her younger days in California.

When I left I had this realization that I do more than sew from recycled materials.I provide a strange and intimate service. I give people a loving place to pass along their stories that are woven into outgrown clothing. No one wants the skirt they were wearing for their first kiss to end up in the anonymous warehouse of a thrift store. They want it to still be loved, even if they are no longer size four, or the moths have nibbled the elbows out or someone accidentally washed the favorite sweater. I take once beloved fabrics and turn them into new objects to love.

Thank you Bellingham for supporting my business with your luxury knits and for sharing your stories with me. I like to give $5 off for donations as a token of appreciation. And due to the lovely donations this week there will be 3 sweet cashmere johnny caps for babies and adults at the market this saturday.

creative community

2009-09-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have received a couple messages on Facebook from someone I have never met and thought I would answer them here. The gist of his inquiry is "I am new to town,how do I join the artist community? Can I be your friend?"

I think that there are two parts to his question. The first being community and the
second being friendship. They are not the same thing. I consider myself deep in the Bellingham arts and crafts community. But there are only a handful of people who I would really call friends. Partially I am just getting older and more committed to my own life. I have less time for new friendship and focus more on my art, business, and maintaining the relationships I already have. Personally I have never made and don't imagine ever making a friend online. I missed that technological boat. I don't text, or chat online. I hardly return phone calls.
So, sorry buddy. For us to become friends I will need to see you around town for another year or two in similar places I like to go. If we have some mutual friends or interests I might chat you up. But even then we might never make it past community into the precious realm of friendship. And that's okay.

So community. Unlike friendship, which is a magical balance of chemistry and timing not unlike falling in love, community is something you can work at and MAKE happen. So how do you join an arts community,or any community for that matter?

You show up and participate.

Go on an art walk, attend a play, concert, open mic for poetry or lecture at the museum. Read the posters around town or the listings in The Weekly. See what's happening on campus. Support arts in disciplines other than your own. You like to draw. Great, but you might be just as inspired hanging out with a dancer,poet or sculptor.

To ensure more contact,conversation and the chance at elusive friendship, take a class. There are figure drawing sessions around town as well as more specific courses on everything from landscape painting to improv theater. If nothing else you will be increasing your skills and perspective. If you can't afford it, see if you can help out the teacher. Which brings us to...

Volunteer. Not only is volunteering a time to talk to other artists but you will actually be contributing to the community. This can mean taking tickets at a show,selling popcorn at the Pickford cinema, hanging posters for an event,cleaning up after something, or attending endless organizational meetings. It might not be glamorous but you will meet people who are active in the scene and they will like you more with a broom in your hand than just standing with a glass of wine expecting to be let in to the secret realms. Volunteering signals that you are serious and committed.

Do what you love and do it in public. No one will be part of your community if you are just drawing at home. (Unless you are looking for online community,in which case I have no advise for you.)Hang out at coffee shops and bars where other creative types congregate. Locally I would suggest bringing your sketchbook to The Black Drop and the Temple Bar. Even better, get a job at a coffee shop or bar, you will have endless interactions with artists as they are your co-workers and customers.

You need to be outgoing without being pushy. Have patience and be willing to put in the time. In a college town like Bellingham there is a cycle of people coming through, getting fired up about community and then leaving town. I was here seven years before some of the old timers started giving me the time of day. Now that I have lived here 14 years I am not much different.

I think it is also important to note that an arts community is made up of more than just artists. There are plenty of creative,open minded folks who don't exactly produce any art. These seemingly regular folks are often the people who are buying art and filling the seats at the theater. Some of the people I consider part of my larger community are involved with affordable housing, teaching, religious organizations, farming and food security, parenting,authentic therapy, environmental stewardship or small business owners. If you really think you can't be friends with anyone but artists because of your temperament, you might actually need to just work on your people skills.

art walk this friday 8pm-10pm

2009-09-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

I will be hanging out with Steeb at his opening at DIGS downtown for the first part of art walk. And will open our studio from 8pm-10pm this friday. Look for the beginning of the september cotton hat sale and new fall hats.

broken needles

2009-09-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

I broke two needles today while sewing especially dense felted wool and got so frustrated I threw the offending bunny at the wall. It made a satisfying thud and I left it where it landed, all inside out and unloved.Working for yourself is not always magical.

a little bit about how animals are made

2009-08-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

this lamb is my favorite critter from the week.

I was back in the studio doing animal production all week. There are three major days to a big run of softies.To make sure I had new buddies for market on Saturday I pushed a half dozen ahead and will go back to finish the second half of day two and day three over the next week. This is a constant juggling act for me, the efficiency of larger production runs and the weekly needs of a market booth.

Day one: I process felted sweaters by cutting them into their future parts. This is actually where the most creativity is used, looking at a v-neck and seeing a rhinocerous and cutting its basic shape. The day ends with bundles of parts rubber banded together in my wall organizer.

Day two:Sewing arms,legs,flippers and wings.This is the mindless sewing day,just sewing around all the pieces. It can be the most enjoyable because what I need to do is very clear. I begin to trim,turn, stuff and assemble the body parts. This process ends with critters who are machine sewn to their completion with stuffed appendages but empty bodies.

Day three: Hand finishing. Bodies get stuffed,side seams are stitched by hand and faces are embroidered and attached.This stage is quiet and a little magical as the floppy fabrics become recognizable creatures. it is a good stage to have visitors or listen to a book on tape since I am not starting and stopping my machine.

results from art camp: a clean kitchen table

2009-08-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

(cake topper from matthew and emily's wedding yesterday. delicious inspiration.)

I'm ready to get back in the studio after my week off. Art Camp turned into clean-the-house-week. Considering the state of affairs around here, it was necessary. And there is something pleasing about clearing the way for new ideas. That Zen emptiness out of which anything can be born. Not that my house or studio ever approaches Zen cleanliness,but you know,having neat piles instead of mountains of stuff. Just having a kitchen table with room at it can inspire an activity. For example, I have been thinking about how to make hat stands out of corrugated cardboard. One day this week after I cleaned the kitchen I pulled out boxes from the recycle pile. There was actually space to lay out the cardboard and trace shapes and mess around. I didn't have success with the project but I made tangible mistakes that I can keep developing. I even cleaned up after myself.

art camp?

2009-08-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I was feeling stuck and bored with moth and squirrel(this is usual in the month or so before a big show when I go into huge production mode and the end is no where in site.)I craved a creative vacation like an artists' retreat or a summer camp for crafty grown-ups. I know these things exist and I have read about them on line with much envy. But they usually cost a lot of money even before the airfair to north carolina or maine. So I looked at my calendar and found a week that could conceivably serve as my own stay at home art camp. A time to refill my creative well without business deadlines. Giving myself the space to dream about the future of my business without having to stop the dreaming to run errands or sew on pin backs.

I woke up this morning and realized this is the week. And I thought,"But I have to sew more baby whales. I can't have that kind of non productive unstructured time this week!"And I was too busy to plan any inspiring activities and I even had to schedule some meetings for the week. sigh.

Then I took a deep breath and a sip of coffee and realized this art camp week is exactly what I need. And maybe not having any planned art dates is exactly what I need. And maybe all I will do is write blog entries and clean my room and bake granola, and maybe that is exactly what I need.

I just saw this (somewhat posed)picture Steeb took of me while we were picking raspberries at Margie's.Usually I am very focussed and efficient in my berry picking with jam quotas in mind.But it was so hot and I was feeling so tired, I ended up sitting in the shade of the canes and picking from the ground and being so delighted by it all. There weren't as many ripe as usual so we just gave the tender berries to friends and ate them all week. I want this photo to be the feeling I carry with me this week.

do more of what you love.
do it slowly.
share it.
fill all your senses.
this is enough.

employee of the quarter

2009-08-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Our long running joke is that Steeb is moth and squirrel's employee of the month. But seriously. He helped out so much with the Urban Craft Uprising,I upgraded the joke to employee of the quarter. He performed all driving duties including awesome parallel parking, carried the heavy tables and bins, went out in search of lunch and coffee and held down the booth for bathroom breaks and general sanity. Most importantly he lives up to his nickname Coach and helps pump me up for production and marathon customer service while keeping it all in perspective. We had the smoothest set up/breakdown ever,just keeping our cool and our humor.

Lately I've overheard him talking about his support role with my crafting and referring to moth and squirrel as the family business. It makes me proud and warms my heart to have a man that is truly invested in my success. I'm a lucky crafter. Whether it is your husband, your mother or a superstar friend, we all need these people to help us do what we do,especially at the big events. So here's to all the supportive friends and family in the craft world. Thank you.

UCU HAS AC!

2009-07-31T09:25:00.001-07:00

THIS JUST IN... the Urban Craft Uprising (sat & sun 11am-5pm) will be happening in the air conditioned Seattle Center. Hooray.

Urban Craft Uprising August 1 & 2 in Seattle

2009-07-29T09:38:00.001-07:00

I have been sewing up a storm despite this unusual northwest heat wave. Mercifully, the air conditioning was turned on in the funky studios which has allowed me to put in 8 hour days. I sold so many baby caps at market this week I need to double my production to be ready for the UCU this saturday.

The heat and the push to produce has me listening to some serious rock.
After a mellow warm up (planning the day, cutting fabric) listening to something like Beruit or the Cave Singers it goes straight to guitars. Most frequently I play The Breeders Last Splash, Liz Phair Exile in Guyville and the Soundtrack to Dogtown and Z boys which ends with the sweetness of Rod Stewart's Maggie Mae and a chance to stretch out and do an air mandolin solo. Also in heavy summer sweaty work rotation is the soundtrack to The Wackness.

I do mix in contemporary music, but there is something invigorating about what you listened to as a teenager that gives you the energy to keep working despite your 30something aches and pains.

clothesline

2009-07-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Spent the morning in the shade on the back deck printing napkins and hankies. The moths are fluttering above my overgrown garden and it pleases me so much.

freshen up

2009-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

It's another rainy wednesday and I'm trying to brighten this little blog. I managed to delete all my links to favorite people and shops and craft fairs and etsy. Hopefully I will have it all back soon.

summer hats, gallery walk

2009-07-02T19:03:00.001-07:00

This past month I've been creating new styles of cotton hats, including kids sizes.

Art walk this Friday July 3rd 6-10pm. 1316 Bay Street, Studio #208. I still recommend entering through the alley due to the construction at the front of the Pickford Dreamspace.

Thanks for all the support this spring at the market. I will NOT be at the farmers market the following saturdays this summer:
July 4
August 1 (URBAN CRAFT UPRISING in SEATTLE)
August 15

rainy days

2009-06-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

After an unbelievably gorgeous spring, summer has arrived with a steady rain. We can use our June-uary joke this year after all.I thought I was going to spend my morning at the studio (I must get stocked up for Urban Craft Uprising in august.)But I am at home trying to plan this afternoon's garden class and I am stumped on what to do. Because two of my participants use electric wheelchairs that can be damaged by water, I can't just strap on the mud boots and garden through it all. So I need to have some greenhouse crafts planned and after nine years I feel like all my ideas are used up. All of the participants have been doing this adaptive garden program for at least two years with me. How many variations on refrigerator magnets can I invent? I imagine their refrigerators are completely covered with pressed flowers and glitter and tissue paper butterflies at this point. Being a crafty business woman allows me to use my creativity,but I think planning crafts for this class is truly the biggest stretch of my imagination. They need to be age appropriate,interesting for men and women, adaptable to multiple skill levels, garden related, and inexpensive. Some of the participants can't really use scissors for example, yet most are older than me. We do a lot of recycled crafts and I do have access to an amazing closet of parks and recreation oddities: Googly eyes, baby food jars, wooden popscicle sticks,altoids tins, feathers, glitter, yarn.The trick is just figuring out what to do with it.

congratulations inspirations

2009-06-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Carrie made this amazing dress she was married in last saturday, all windswept and romantic. I honestly can't imagine having the patience to construct a gorgeously well fitted corset, bustle or even the sleeves. If they put even half as much care and attention into the relationship as she did into the dress, she and Ian are bound to have a long and glorious marriage.

Art Walk this Friday June 5

2009-06-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Art Walk this friday, june 5, 6-10pm in downtown bellingham. Rumor has it that the front door to our studio building (1316 Bay St)will finally be available for your conveinience. I never thought the alley was scary,but with this heat it smells like something crawled into a hole and died.
The front door being finished means the remodel is at a new stage including the front studios almost being finished. After some waiting and debating and being at the mercy of another studio occupant's decision, Steeb and I are taking the huge front studio when it is finished. It is twice as wide across the front as our original studio which means double the light and breeze. We are nervous about the leap in rent $$$, but are hopeful that the freshness of the space and the financial crunch will lead to new inspiration. I think it will also lead to a smokin' hot bargain bin this friday as I don't want to move everything down the hall again.

I did in fact make it to the studio and make a bunch of white flower zipper pouch designs after my last post. This is my favorite (already sold) of the solomon's seal long enough for knitting needles.

p.s. I won't be at the farmers' market this saturday (june 6) because I will be at a lovely picnic wedding.

lazy inspiration

2009-05-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes what looks like hedonism is actually research and development. For example,lazing around my yard admiring these poppies and solomon's seal blooming right now, I am inspired to sew some new zipper pouch designs or some really flamboyant hair flowers. The trick is to get to the studio while the pleasure lingers. Keeping a journal and a digital camera around is vital in capturing the moment and then being able to reference it when it is time to buckle down and produce.

the internet cannot compete with the smell of lilacs at dusk

2009-05-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

I want to give a big "thank you" to all the lovely people who have been supporting me on saturdays at the farmers market. It has been going so well with my own little booth that all this computer world is being neglected. I haven't posted new photos for etsy or this blog in too long.

so here is a quick list of spring delights:
lilacs blooming all over town
warm enough to wear a skirt(without jeans under it)
Dr.Sketchy's figure drawing sessions at the Temple Bar
eating dinner on the back porch
the tiniest swollen beginnings of figs on our tree
sharing comics with my class at three rivers
(class favorites: american elf and craig thompson)

oh!and I got into the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle this August.

2009-04-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

This quote has been my companion lately, especially while I was typing that last post:

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination.Devour old films,new films,music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water,light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul.If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother with concealing your thievery-celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said:"It's not where you take things from-it's where you take them to."
--Jim Jarmsch

some thoughts on originality and theft and reverse applique

2009-04-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

The popularity of crafting right now creates an interesting set of dilemmas regarding originality and ethics. The internet is flooded with tutorials and hot crafters are featured in magazines and glossy how-to books. Now that I am back at the farmers market I am asked questions about my process. Sometimes explaining how I work gives added value to the handcrafted nature of my pieces. But sometimes someone just wants some free tips so they can make something similar at home. So as I'm chatting away in my booth I start to wonder,am I making conversation with a curious customer,is this just the friendly tradition of knowledge sharing within the craft community or did I just give away a trade secret to someone about to bite my style?
I am actually not as paranoid about someone stealing my patterns as I am about being accused of stealing from others. I freely admit I take ideas from everything I see,but I have my rules. There are certain books I won't buy for fear of either accidentally stealing an idea or seeing something similar to my existing work and then feeling like I stole it even though I didn't. I was looking through a book on recycled fabric projects and recognized a particularly great Gap striped sweater that I myself have made animals from. And then I saw their little stuffed bird and it was so similar to the chicks I make at Easter time I just had to put the book down. Because at that point I realized even if not consciously stealing, I am making the obvious choices with my craft. The choices that someone else also made and put in a book and is getting paid to tell people how easy it is to make it themselves.step.by.step.So why would anyone who had seen this book then buy a chick from me?
I struggled with this after purchasing the gorgeous alabama stitch book by Natalie Chanin. I was so inspired by both her business ethics and designs. I wanted to incorporate reverse applique into my cotton projects. After I made a headband from the book for personal use people kept asking me if I was making them for moth and squirrel and I awkwardly explained that I used someone's pattern so, no I wouldn't sell it. But then I felt stumped and paralyzed, questioning if I could authentically use the process at all.
Luckily I remembered I had messed around with reverse applique years ago on my original scrappy rascal wings.

Suddenly I gave myself permission to take this skill further and bring it into my current products. Reverse applique is a process of stitching two or more layers of fabric together and then cutting away sections of the top layer to reveal the fabric underneath.Most recently I have been using reverse applique on the esther amelia cotton hats.

yarn ball studies

2009-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am teaching a small art class art a cooperative school out in the county. It is all about keeping an illustrated journal to document and explore your world. This week we explored the ways that different drawing tools change the way we draw.

logo and taxes

2009-04-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

It is surprisingly difficult to photograph my new business cards on an overcast windy day.

You can see the shapes in the original carving a bit more clearly. The new fold cards for my pins and hair clips are really tight, but they are all at the studio and I am at home with the computer finding more ways to avoid my taxes.

oh taxes. This is one of the activities I love and hate about running moth and squirrel. Taking care of the business aspects of crafting usually stimulates the nerdy part of my brain. Something satisfies me about filling in the correct boxes and transferring numbers from one form to another. But I get nervous that I am doing it wrong or cheating myself out of some deduction with my honesty and innocence. I am right in the middle of not making any money (so taxes are simple) and doing really well (where I could justify hiring an accountant.)
My stomach tightened a little just writing about taxes. It probably relates to the fact that I put it off until April every year. Why didn't I do them in february when I was just putzing around in the studio, not in the push of a new market season?
I think it is time to get out of my pajamas (a luxury of an at home business day)and put on my business suit to focus on the task at hand.

end of hibernation

2009-04-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling awkward about the transition from cozy solitary winter into social spring. I've been teaching a few classes where I practice being articulate and charming, but eight year olds are pretty forgiving. Mostly I spent the winter working on new designs in my studio listening to books on tape or doing computer work in my comfy pants and threadbare slippers. All of a sudden there are parties and gallery walks and farmers' market. I have one more day to be a grumpy bear and then it is time to get out of the cave and represent.

As part of the transition into fresh spring representation, I worked with Erin Clancy of sixpence papers to re-imagine my logo and all the cards and tags that go with my product. She designed an amazing set of paper products using a block carving and her magic computer skills. It is the perfect moth and squirrel mix of handmade and modern. Or as I've been thinking of my style lately: modern folk.mofo.

This friday April 3 you have another chance to visit me and steeb in our studio during bellingham's monthly art walk.6-10pm ish. 1316 Bay street Enter through the alley and up the stairs.

Then saturday April 4 come down to the opening day of farmers' market. I will have my own booth this year so please pop by to say hello. I'm not sure where I will be placed this year but I am hoping to be inside again.

yard art or I want to be like the Fridays when I grow up

2009-03-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you have ever heard me talk about my friend Harlow Friday or if I have introduced you to him, I'm sure you have heard me talk about the rhino.He is probably sick of hearing me introduce him as the man who made the enormous rhino off of the Guide Meridian. He made it as a birthday present for his fabulous wife,Anna, and I have seen glorious snapshots of her astride it's wide back. The Friday's entire yard is full of metal art. Anna hates yard work, so they tore out all the grass and gardens save a little patch for their dog. All around their hot pink house sprout exotic grass clumps and rocks and dozens of whimsical sculptures.Harlow trained as a sculptor but then got a desk job (insurance, if I remember correctly) to support his family. Now that he is retired he makes whatever he wants without following market trends or customer requests. As Joseph Campbell suggests, he "follows his bliss." with a welding torch.

Now in their 70s,The Fridays serve as an example of how I would like to age, with quirky grace and a sense of humor. They are comfortable in their own skin.They are fantastic supporters of the arts, not just as serious theater patrons, but actually supporting the artistic lifestyle. Whenever I apologize for something like "Oh I didn't know you were coming over, the house is a mess..."they gently remind me I am an adult and I can live how I choose. Then they ask me about art projects we have going on and I relax.

just face it

2009-03-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

So I finally joined Facebook this week. Just a moment before everyone's mom. Actually,just a moment before Lindsay's mom, everyone else's mom was hip to the 'book before me. It has been fascinating. I've done the look up an ex-boyfriend,an old roommate and a friend from high school thing. I'm feeling a little less popular than Steeb who joined the same day as me. And mostly I am wondering how to use it as a tool.Not just for business but, you know, for the revolution.How to not be gossipy or narcissistic or just a silly distraction,but authentic. How to use it to actually network and support each others dreams.Perhaps I am asking too much of the medium.

There was a confluence of events and conversations that led me to finally jumping into the pool. But the tipping point happened last sunday. I was reading Career Renegade about how to use technology(including things like blogs,twitter and facebook) to build the career of your dreams. As I cross referenced the book with the internet, Ned called. He and Virginia listen to npr while they bind amazing journals.They also recently got into facebook and are "friends" with the KUOW show Weekday. The host of Weekday, Steve Sher, started The Hat Initiative promoting the wearing of locally made hats as a way to stimulate the economy. Ned and Virgie wrote in to the show and gave Moth and Squirrel a shout out. If I had been on facebook then I could have gotten some looks at my profile and links to my etsy shop. So as soon as I got off the phone with Ned I put the book down and signed up.

More about The Hat Initiative. I love this kind of grassroots,goofy,joyful movement. It is simple: Wearing a hat promotes conversation and that conversation can naturally be about the local (or independent) business that provided the hat. Instead of talking about layoffs and ridiculous bonuses we can talk about something growing, creative, tangible in our community. A hat on your head can be a show of support for local artisans and the charming shops that carry independent artists. It is silly and hopeful and keeps the rain off your head. It doesn't have to be passed by the senate and actually contributes to the financial health of governments by taxes collected on the sale of the hat and the profit of the business. Last year my largest category of sales (29%) came from hats, so this idea just makes sense to me. When I see someone in a fabulous hat it always makes me smile. And don't we need more smiling amidst all this talk of recession? You can join the movement by seeking out great hats in your town or shopping on etsy or visiting me at the bellingham farmers' market april 4.

p.s. I am trying to collect photos of people in their moth and squirrel hats,so please send me one if you already own one.

preparing to quilt

2009-03-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about quilts lately. As part of being a grownup lady crafter I went to the La Conner quilt museum with Rachel last week. It is in a victorian mansion similar to the "castle" where Lindsay and I gave tours as teenagers. They had a lovely exhibit of textiles from india and pakistan on the second floor. I am forgetting the names of the techniques. I stood in front of these plain sheets of fabric that were transformed by hundreds, thousands, millions of small stitches. Some of it was fancy like needle lace, but most amazing to me were these simple tiny straight stitches. The devotion to the thread just about broke my heart open.

When I was in Quinault last month I got to sleep under my favorite quilt. The very basic square pattern dances with these charming scraps of fabric. I always forget to write down who made it when. It does have my dad's name(or is it his father's?) on a little tag on the back. When Rachel talks about her granny quilting and I feel like I missed out on something big.I didn't get a chance to learn these skills from the grandmother generation. And my own mother is of the progressive generation that turned away from the tyranny of women's work handcrafts.
Every time Rachel and I look at quilts she is adamant about the importance of hand quilting, versus machine stitching through the layers. And so I am preparing to do my first hand quilting project, a little sampler of sorts. I am intimidated by how long it will take, yet seeing these quilts I feel like it will be a great slow communion across generations and around the world.My hope is that I won't get caught up in the tedious idea of perfection. But it is a fine line, a subtle attitude difference between the chore of fine handiwork and the grace of a peaceful precision. we'll see how I do with this practical meditation.

Art Walk this Friday March 6

2009-03-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

Second chance to see this red and pink lady boxer at jinx.

February went so quickly, it is first friday already. The bargain bin still has some screaming deals and just hilariously odd sample hats in it. I have new esther amelia hats(you can see one I just posted on etsy to the left here) Spring animals are being born including baby bunnies and pink sheep. And of coarse Steeb's fantastic art, mini pins sets and coloring books will be up to view and purchase.

1316 Bay Street #208. Enter through the alley. 6-10pm.

also,this is the best ever

2009-02-27T19:50:00.000-08:00

Just a week ago Jason (see moustache below) asked us in the car what one person,living or dead, we would like to have over for dinner and conversation. I said Maira Kalman,forgetting that Abraham Lincoln should also have gotten an invitation. Especially since we just celebrated his 200th birthday by eating hoecakes. Then today, Rachel, knowing me well, sent me this from the new york times. I am in love with Maira Kalman's brain(and her paint brush.) Follow this link (right now!) to see her lovely piece about our mutually admired mr.lincoln.

crow and canary

2009-02-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

I was dropping off new pins at The Paperdoll today and Shultzie told me she had seen Carina's custom name tag the other day. I do not know Carina, her sweet man friend special ordered the pin for her after seeing me at Crafty Wonderland. I knew they lived in Portland but had no idea she was the rep for so many of the fabulous cards at The Paperdoll. I had wanted to post a picture of it but wasn't sure if it was a surprise, so follow the link above and see for yourself.

visiting

2009-02-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

I've been sewing a new style of hat lately, something between a baby bonnet and an aviators helmet with a splash of musical swimming cap glamor. But the photos I have are of all our visiting this week. First, up from California it's Steeb's brother Jason and his fabulous moustache.

Hattie Belle (four months of chub folks) with a stack of Steeb's gluten free oat nettle cakes while celebrating John and Sarah's visit with "breakfast for dinner." John and Sarah were all star Old Town co-workers until they moved back to her family's farm in Indiana. These cakes are a new staple around here with nettles from the herb shop until we can harvest fresh ones.

Me and (Steeb's Grandma) Delores talking about the new curbside compost pickup program in her senior village. She said a lot of her neighbors are confused about what waste should go in each container, even though the info booklet had pictures. Well, not everyone is as on the ball as GrandmaDelores.

I taught a creature craft class last week...

2009-02-20T08:12:00.000-08:00

I really can't take much credit for this chicken as being an amazing teacher. The student showed up late, left early and using spacial relation skills beyond her years, whipped this little chickie up out of the scraps on the table. I did help tie off some nice knots discreetly placed under wings and beak. I did provide the scraps and the place to make animals. But, wow. Too bad there are those child labor laws or I would have asked her to be moth and squirrel's first employee.

The rest of the kids were focussed and fun and creative as well. And their animals and uglies and tater heads had all the charm and lumpiness you would expect. They didn't want to take breaks and just kept sewing for almost six hours straight. The devotion to a non-profit craft reminded me of my own beginnings, hand sewing doll pillows out of a dress my mom let me cut. The way they kept adding details without any thought of cost benefit analysis, it made me see how like a tiny factory, a slow machine I have become in just two years of market production. And although efficiency helps me to make a living sewing stuffed animals, I need to make time to sew the things I will never be paid properly for creating. To be patient adding extra leaves or paws or fancy trim around the necks of chickens.

With the economy still as "failing" as it is, there is an urge to make more things faster and cheaper. I see this with all the businesses around town having sales, racing to the bottom. I myself am making a new batch of smaller critters right now. But I want to fight that urge to get by financially by dealing in shoddy bulk. I think instead I should keep my prices what they are and add value to my product, extra details, finer construction, a good story and a personal touch. The fact that my skills are improving doesn't mean the prices have to go up. And yet I see home based crafters underselling their work all the time. Cruise around etsy.com and you will be amazed. These must be women with lucrative day jobs or lucrative husbands. I am suspicious of anything handmade under $5. I mean, don't you even value the time it took you to take those photos and post the item? So where is the balance between keeping objects affordable as money gets tight and valuing yourself as an artist? Right now it seems to be about $30.

The Rad-ening

2009-02-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

Every year I see my first snow drops of the season the first week in february, right around the cross quarter day of Imbolic, halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Goddess wise it means the crone of winter is dead and the maiden of spring is taking over. The milk begins to flow again as animals in pasture give birth. Adrienne says it's also called The Quickening. Steeb noted that on these early sunny days all the skateboarders come out again. So I called it The Radening. That subtle shift in attitude when you realize it won't be grey and cold forever, that you can survive another year.
This weekend I went out to the Quinault rainforest with my parents. Most everything was moss draped and soggy as usual. The Radening could be seen in the tiny pink buds swelling on green huckleberry bushes. I took about a hundred photos on a little walk and almost none of them came out, the camera just couldn't focus on the slight branches in front of all the other layers of green and brown and red and grey.

Bellingham happenings

2009-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

I really ought to be finishing up for my Old Town show and my new fiber arts class that I will be running on monday. All of a sudden February is upon us and I actually have events to publicize and attend.

Stop by The Old Town Cafe (316 W Holly 6:30am-3pm Sundays 8am-2pm) and see the gardeners show. It evolved into being entirely portraits of gardeners with words. The show will be up February & March.

Art Walk. First friday is February 6. Come by our studio (1316 Bay St. 6-10pm)Remember you have to go around the building into the alley and up the back stairs. Be brave. It is fun and well lit inside. I will also have some saucy pieces in the Red &Pink show at Jinx. I stitched two portraits of ladies in bloomers with velvet and buttons and lace.

regarding ferns

2009-01-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a new piece for the Old Town show that hangs next week. I am doing the stitched portraits attached to wood blocks with painted backgrounds. This one is the late poet Stanley Kunitz regarding some ferns. He is ninety something in the photo I used.
We have had a week of cold sun and it has been a challenge to go to the studio to create these images of gardens and gardeners when my own land has been calling to me. With frost decorating the yard each morning it is too early to plant anything, but I feel compelled to move soil around, dig up more lawn and create more space to grow this year. Even just an extra foot around my existing spots seems so important. All the talk of the failing economy and hard times ahead, the call for a return to responsibility and sacrifice, to me it says grow more food, tend herbs for your health, walk the woods and find the wild foods. I am feeling a return to more of my good hippy ways,to follow through with wild notions from my Fairhaven sustainability studies. My problem is that I like to research and start projects more than I have been able to relax into the patience and daily practice of really nurturing a garden at home. To say I want to grow more food is to say I want to produce more than a handful of sungold tomatoes and garlic. I do alright with the herbs because once in, they take care of themselves. This art project of seeds and gardeners is as much an inspiration and lesson for myself as it is a display for others.

save handmade toys and their makers

2009-01-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I am just hearing about this, is this on the news? The Consumer Product Safety Commission passed a great law to protect people from lead and other toxins in children's products. Unfortunately, the law, if not clarified, would turn my little creatures into contraband. The law requires safety testing on all products intended for children 12 and under.This includes books, clothing, and all the sweet handmade natural toys out there. The tests run several hundred dollars per item. As someone who specializes in one of a kind items, that sort of testing would be impossible. Without consideration for scale of business or original materials used, this law will seriously fuck many small business owners. Check out the Handmade Toy Alliance (link to the left)for more info. I just sent e-mails to my representative and senators.

after the rain

2009-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

I am thinking about seeds and bulbs and life returning, of victory gardens neatly planned and wilder spaces where nothing is expected and everything is a delight. I am sewing giant seeds and printing rows of baby lettuce and poring over seed catalogs, trying to remember what I learned from last year. Since the puddles receded from the yard it felt like winter might be fading. But a cruel fog rolled in this morning as I was taking pictures of these love-in-a-mist sprouts. Hope may be in the air but you still need your mittens.

weekly practice

2009-01-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

As some sort of new years resolution I decided to commit to a weekly blog post. I resisted even writing much of anything on this blog for so long, clinging to the notion that I would type out a new zine in some authentic and sustainable future. Believing that no one even looked at this page, I mostly posted photos of stuffed animals and art show updates. Even if it is just for Callie and Ned and Virginia and Angela and Elliot, I will give you a little more of myself in 2009.

I am thinking about my art show at the Old Town Cafe in February (is it still called nepotism if you are your own inside connection?) But other than a special order name tag, I have not made a darn stitch in about month. My pin pricked fingertips healed. Callouses from scissors softened. And I have three whole weeks to pull something together. Steeb wants me to paint again and says my drawing/watercoloring has improved so much this year in my journals. We will see...

happy solstice

2008-12-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you for supporting moth and squirrel this year. Yesterday Kate and I braved the cold to finish farmers' market with my best day ever. Turns out 5degrees is the perfect temperature for selling wool hats. I feel like a lucky grizzly bear who rambled into one last patch of berries before hibernating. I do believe I will make it through the winter.

Speaking of grizzlies, Steeb and I have been snowed in watching a David Attenborough series on mammals. It is inspiring me for a new round of stuffed critters. I'm thinking more horns, marsupials, and really celebrating the creatures who have adapted as well as humans. Nature is awesome. Did you know that raccoons can basically "see" with their hands? The information they receive from their sensitive paws helps them construct a mental map of their surroundings about as accurately as we can with our eyes. whoa.

I will be at the Farmers' Market Dec 20

2008-12-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

We won't ride our bicycles,but we will be set up indoors for the last market 10am-3pm. It should be sunny and sparkly and winter magical. Wool hats, fingerless mits, stuffed animals, ornaments, little gifts galore and of coarse plenty of tasty Spincyle yarn.

baby it's cold outside

2008-12-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth in seattle and portland. Urban Craft Uprising was totally awesome and made me believe the economy is going to be okay. Golden snowflakes go to those rugged stumptowners who braved the wind and snow to see us at Crafty Wonderland. Because it is still storming up here in Bellingham I will probably not be at the farmers market this saturday. You can still shop etsy.com, Bluebottle in Seattle and The Business in Anacortes. In Bellingham I have goodies at One of One on State Street,the farm stand on Railroad Ave, and The Paperdoll.

let's get festive

2008-11-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has passed, I have listened to Charlie Brown Christmas album twice already and Steeb hung random objects on a wreath at the studio. There is no more denying the inevitable holiday, it's on.
We all seem to be a little uncertain financially, and yet giving gifts is a way we battle the darkness of winter. Whether making presents for friends, wrapping up recycled items for an office white elephant exchange or shopping for charities, there are lots of ways to participate and feel alright about the inherent materialism of the season. If you get over the obligation and plastic electronic whir, the gifting can be a delightful distraction on these dark nights and grey days. For those of us who are trying to make our living through craft, this season determines our wealth for the year. It means so much to us small time makers if you choose to spend your holiday cash with us. See the links to the left for more information on all these delightful shows coming up.

In Bellingham: the last art walk of the year is this friday, december 5, 6-10pm Come up to our studio (1316 Bay street, enter through the alley)for extra holiday cheer in the bargain bin. Plus ornaments, plaid hats, fingerless mits and all the classic moth and squirrel goodies.

Urban Craft Uprising December 6 &7 at the Seattle Center. Two days of indie urban shopping.

Crafty Wonderland December 14, Portland convention center. I am so excited to be selling(and shopping) in the indie craft mecca which is portland.

Last Farmers' Market: Decmber 20, 10am-3pm in Bellingham. My selection may be picked over after the holiday shows, but I'm sure I'll be able to hook you up with some last minute deals.

p.s. I can accept credit/debit cards now. it's amazing. I'm not advocating going into debt for christmas, but you know, if you ran out of cash and forgot your checkbook....

Kate &Rachel rocked the beauty bar last night

2008-11-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

Stag Beetle

2008-10-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak at one of my pieces that will be in the BUGS group show at Jinx art space. The opening is Halloween 8pm-midnight, with sexy rock'n'roll by Sugar Sugar Sugar among other bands. 306 Flora Street in Bellingham.

in case you didn't know who i am supporting...

2008-10-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Now you're linkin' Lincoln

2008-10-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Check the links to see the My Mythology opening online. The flicker page starts with photos of our fabulous community followed by close ups on the art. My contributions are the Abraham Lincoln doll and the embroidery on redish hemp fabric.

autumn news

2008-09-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who checked out my etsy site. I didn't win minor fame in the handmade kids challenge, but a proud experience none the less. Incidentally the turtle is still for sale on my etsy site, just click on the photo to the right to buy it.

SATURDAYS. Farmers Market is still full of local lovin' through december. To find room for all the woolies I am making, I am offering $10 OFF COTTON HATS through October. Railroad Ave 10am-3pm

OCTOBER 10. Gallery Walk is now monthly ART Walk. Come around the back alley to see our studios at the Pickford Dream Space. Dig my bargain bin, buy some fine art and see where the magic happens.1316 Bay Street. 6-10pm

NOVEMBER 1. Project B'Ham Beauty Bar.I am putting together some really fun fashion items for the ladies night along with the usual goodies. I haven't been to one myself, but they look fabulous. Wild Buffalo in Bellingham. Late night.

DECEMBER 6&7. Urban Craft Uprising. I just found out I will be vending at this awesome holiday show in Seattle again this year. The UCU is a phenomenal collection of indie crafts. Seattle Center.

etsy handmade kids challenge finalist

2008-08-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

hooray for me! I just realized I am a finalist in this etsy contest for handmade kids items. If you have (or want to create)an etsy account you can vote for me! Click the link below,login and then look for my plush turtle in the eco-friendly category. When you vote you are also entered to win a shopping spree on etsy. It's a win-win situation.

link to etsy handmade kids challenge voting

Thanks for your support.

sweet success

2008-08-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

Liz from Icing on The Cake (eat cupcakes at the farmers' market!) made these adorable treats with needle and thread on top for my opening at The Paperdoll last night. What's not to love about thematically appropriate deliciousness? Thank you to The Paperdoll and everyone who stopped by for your support. If you missed the cupcakes and conversation, you can still see the portraits until Sept 7.

more to tempt you

2008-08-21T22:23:00.001-07:00

Maybe I should wait to post this...Frida is the final portrait pillow that I delivered today to The Paperdoll for my show this saturday. Come check out the other eleven and eat a cupcake.

for more info click here