Books

There are two new books out that profile my work and focus an eye on contemporary craft. Craft Activism by Joan Tapper includes a introduction by Faythe Levine and  Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery by Leanne Prain. I haven't seen Hoopla yet but my copy of Craft Activism arrived just the other day. There are photos of my space in Austin (I've since moved to Los Angeles) if you want a peek inside my workspace, and there's also a pattern I did just for the book. Last year's Indie Craft anthology deserves a mention here, too! Now, where to fit these on my groaning shelves...

Penguin Books just announced an upcoming series of re-issued classics called "Penguin Threads" with embroidered covers illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. They are breathtaking. Amazon already has all three titles that she did available for pre-order: Emma, Black Beauty and The Secret Garden.

Major kudos to publisher Penguin Books for such a beautifully art-directed and realized series of covers. (They're embossed to mimic the 3-D feel of embroidery.) Tamaki did an astonishing job of needlework. See the bow? Did you notice the gradations of pink where it curves? And, I absolutely love the multi-colored hair. Modern, sweet, beautiful. Inspired. There are more images via TheAtlantic.com

Related: Penguin Books Stitched Cover: Great Expectations

Embroidery As Art: Jillian Tamaki

Thanks, Amanda!

Did you know there is a colonial sampler that is steeped in mystery and legend? It's known as the Patty Polk sampler, and because no one knows of its whereabouts, the existence is often questioned. Why is it so fascinating? Because, the story goes, it was worked by a ten-year old girl circa 1800 who stitched these words:

"Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it. She loves to read much more."

Is it real, or only a good story? The story of the sampler has long been passed around, but always with the caveat of "no one knows where it is or can find images of it". And, it's such an outrageous statement for the time -maybe we just want to believe.

How did I first learn about this sampler? 

I came across a children's book called Abbie in Stitches by Cynthia Cotten. It tells the imagined story of a colonial girl not content with her education (needlework only, no reading allowed). The author's note said the story was inspired by this famous sampler. As a result, I tried researching it, only to learn that its existence was in question. No! I want it to be real! On-and-off searching over the years turned up litte information and zero images. Today, I found the most compelling evidence...

The piece appears to be real! It was inspected in person by Mrs. Frederic Tyson who wrote a catalog entry about it for American Samplers (National Society of the Colonial Dames of America). Her description reads: "Polk, Patty. [Circa 1800. Kent County, Md.] 10 yrs. 16" x 16". Stem-stitch. Large garland of pinks, roses, passion flowers, nasturtiums, and green leaves; in center, a white tomb with 'G W' on it, surrounded by forget-me-nots." And then she enters into the catalog the famous quote above (but no image is included). That's good enough for me! I believe. Do you?

x - x - x - x

Related: I blogged about Schoolgirl Embroidery over on Feeling Stitchy!

Let's see what's on the bookshelf... There's a new book by Aimee Ray of Doodle Stitching called "The Motif Collection" (Lark) of over 400 easy embroidery designs (including a CD of all the patterns). Needlepointer, DJ and friend Kurt B. Reighley has authored "United States Of Americana" (Harper). A witty, fun, and highly informative "field guide to the new American grass roots movement". (Did I tell you that I'm profiled in his book, mom?) And last, but certainly not least: Emily Martin released "The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer" (Potter Craft) last fall. This is the book I can't wait to play with!

Don't forget! Sublime Stitching The Black Apple Embroidery Patterns by Emily Martin

We all know what it's like: you're at home, drinking wine alone, spilling it all over yourself, trying to think up something constructive and conscientiously cool to craft. Well, why not embroider over that stain you just made? Or er...I made. Like so:

I don't remember exactly how Alicia Paulson and I "met" years ago. I say "met" because our paths haven't yet crossed in person. But, I quickly became fond of her, particularly after she sent me this little embroidered button. See? It has a "J" for "Jenny" on it. >sniff<  I've kept it ever since. It was a special gesture at a difficult time and I appreciated it very much. Embroidery and companionship.

Here we are, years later (books later), and Alicia has a new one coming out! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm certain that Embroidery Companion by Alicia Paulson is sweet and lovely to behold, just like her website and work.

I must confess to never having read this book despite knowing about it for many years. I was happy to come across a cover version I hadn't seen before! Isn't it great? Have you ever read it? Gimme the Cliff's Notes version. (Although, I really should read it!)

Link

Penguin Books did a really great collab with the AIDS awareness fund (RED), re-issuing classics with newly dynamic, typographic covers. Of course, I'm partial to the hand-embroidery that turned up on Great Expectations (designed by Stefanie Posavec of the Penguin Press art department).

There are still copies to be had: Link

Oh, Scandanavian design, you old dog! Promise you'll never stop doing your old tricks. In their current music issue, Bust magazine highlights Scandanavian Needlecraft: 35 Step-by-Step Projects to Create the Scandanavian Home from Cico Books by designer Clare Youngs with Sarah Hoggett. I'm looking forward to checking this one out fer shizzles. I love me some minimalist, organic forms. And, I dare say, no decor ever suffers from adding some (or even too much) Scandanavia to it. Or Dutch-style Redwork, for that matter.

This past weekend at the Renegade Craft Fair, a visitor to my booth said how much they enjoyed my business advice in that one book..."You know the one..." (I didn't). "The Boss of You?" I suggested. "No...." "Buying In? Grindhopping?" "No...no....it has illustrations in it by Emily Martin." Oh! She meant The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin! It's out! I didn't know! Now I do! And so do you.

Now, I know from your many emails over the years that you are interested in starting your own business (are you sure about that?). Which is why I penned my column, "Crafting a Business". But there are many more expansive books on the topic, and you just might want to check them out. I contributed my experiences and (hopefully) helpful advice on what I've learned about starting a business from scratch to these various authors. *Indicates books I was not interviewed for (But they're still good! Heh.)

So, if you are bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, check out these guides that include interviews with numerous, independent entrepreneurs:

The Boss of You by Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon 

Buying In by Rob Walker

*Craft Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco

Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush

Grindhopping by Laura Vanderkam 

The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin

*The Savvy Crafter's Guide to Success by Sandy McCall

What did I read when I was starting? Well, the DIY movement didn't really exist as such yet, and I didn't have any business advice available to me that addressed a marketplace that...well, didn't quite exist. No one really knew what I was talking about (except other people in the DIY community trying new things with their own businesses). Remember, this is waaaay back in 2000, before etsy or even the Renegade Craft Fair existed. But, business is business. Innovation and entrepreneurship have models for success that apply no matter what you're attempting to accomplish. So, when I was starting out, the book that I used as my business bible was the no-frills "Small Time Operator by Bernard Kamoroff". There's a soft spot in my heart for it. It's sound advice for anyone starting small and hoping to make it big.

I'll see you all next year at the next shareholders' meeting.