Happy Halloween My Friends!
I hope you are hanging in there. I find myself riding an endless rollercoaster of joys and depression. The joyful days are those when I find connection, make art, take a walk, discover something new. The sad days are when I think too hard about what I’ve lost this year or try to vision too far into the future. On those days I do what I can to just be. They also usually involve lots of TV-based escapism.
Times are weird and all I can seem to do is appreciate and maximize the good days and allow space for existing in the bad days.
Today is an in-betweener. LOL. I’m slowly getting things done but it’s slow and soon I will stop with the computer and make some art to see if that helps.
What sort of things get you through the blah or straight-up depressing days? I hope you have a list. We all need a toolbox.
This morning I forced myself to workout (I have an online gym crew that I sweat with). It was hard to motivate myself but I rallied. I gave that workout a full 80% - which honestly was better than I thought I might muster. I find it so annoying that exercise immediately helps me feel better. It’s like the hardest thing to make yourself do when you feel like shit and yet it’s almost an immediate salve. SO ANNOYING.
Sometimes my life feels like an endless cycle of waking up and being so cranky that I “have to” workout. Then I spend an hour getting myself psyched up to do the damn thing. Then I do it and I’m cranky that I’m doing it. Within minutes of being done I feel like a goddamn superhero and all is right in the world. I even want to eat better because I feel so good. I tell myself that tomorrow I will remember how good it feels and I will just wake up and do the thing. Then the day goes on and I forget everything until the next morning when I wake up cranky and start the cycle all over again. Anyone feel this?
I’ve got some good stuff for you this month including the 2023 Craftivism Grant Application! Dive in my friends. We have much to cover…
2023 Craftivism Grant
As you know, last year I awarded a grant to the School of Needlework for Disobedient Women, a two-week feminist summer camp for teens in Appalachia. It was such a success, I am offering the grant again for 2023. This year, several folks have stepped forward to sweeten the deal.
The 2023 winner will receive $1,000 in seed funding, 20 hours of my time as a strategic advisor, and a one-hour coaching session with Omkari Williams!
The deadline to apply is 12/16 and all of the details are here: https://www.badasscrossstitch.com/communityprojects/craftivism-micro-grant
Want to hear a fun NPR story on the Kentucky program? Here you go.
Spread the word to all of your US based art activist and craftivist friends!
A Weekend In Belfast, Maine
I spent a weekend in Belfast, Maine at Waterfall Arts and it was joyful. An exhibit comprised of Badass Herstory, Rita’s Quilt, and my work was on display for the month. I traveled up and gave an artist talk to a packed house and then ran workshops all weekend. My favorite part was when the 101 workshop ended and half the class immediately registered for the afternoon 201 workshop! I met many amazing people (and cats) and then came home and slept for two days. 2022 Shannon has far less stamina than 2019 Shannon had. LOL.
Big thanks to Amy Tingle for the invitation!
Weymouth Pride
Last month I told you that I had started volunteering for the Pride Group in the town I grew up in. My goal is to just help make things a little easier for the queer youth and adults in a city that wasn’t very friendly to young queer Shannon. This group has made real magic happen over the last two years. I was able to build them their first website…
https://www.weymouthprideproject.com/
(feel free to click through and donate a few dollars for the youth scholarships!)
Last night, I helped support their second annual Halloween party which was really fun. Special thank you to Fuller Craft Museum for the donation to the raffle.
Thursday evening, I will be hosting our first Queer Craft Night - which is almost filled up. If you are around the area, you are welcome to join us.
Abortion Access Front Fundraiser
For the past few months, I’ve been working on a very special fundraising idea and I hope it inspires some consistent giving. I have partnered up with a badass group of fiber artists and for the next YEAR we will be fundraising for Abortion Access Front.
What will it look like? Good question! Every month starting TOMORROW, a different artist will release an exclusive pattern. Everyone who donates $10 or more to Abortion Access Front will receive a digital download of that month’s pattern. So fun, right?!
The first pattern is mine. It comes with instructions, links to tutorial videos, and my eternal gratitude.
There will be knitting patterns, crochet, quilting, cross stitch, and sewing patterns in the lineup for all of your fiber art passions.
Each month, I will share with you the next artist and pattern with a link to donate. Let’s ensure that our countries abortion funds have everything they need to save lives and care for folks!
You can even start NOW: https://aafront.salsalabs.org/craftivism/index.html
Speak Up Exhibition
BOSTON
I am very excited to debut a new installation at the Speak Up exhibition opening this weekend at the Piano Craft Gallery.
The gallery is open on Fridays from 6-8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm, and by appointment. All events are free and open to the public.
● Opening Receptions: November 5 and November 6, 2022 | 2-5pm
● Closing Reception: November 27, 2022 | 2-5pm
● Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery workshop: November 26, 2022 | 2-4pm
I’ll be at the opening on Saturday and hosting a workshop in the space on the 26th.
I would LOVE to see you!!
Details here: https://www.caseycanhelp.com/speak-up
Upcoming Events Recap
November 3 Queer Craft Night Weymouth, MA
November 5 + 6 Opening Reception - Speak Up Boston, MA
November 20 Zoom Stitch-Up, Online
November 26 Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery Boston, MA
Good News
Anytime I got for a walk, I take a bag with me. If I spot trash, I pick it up. The other morning I did about a 6 mile walk on the beach and for the first time ever, there was NOTHING to pick up! It felt like a little win for humanity and mother nature. Go team!
xo
Shannon