Hey Friends,
I’ve got much to share with you. I’ve been in Salt Lake City this month but Sunday is when I hit the road again. I’m definitely feeling anxious about it since it will be my first significant travel alone without my Maggie. Alas, I can’t stay here forever. I sure hope that we get to hang or stitch together if we are in proximity to each other this leg.
Here’s what is coming up below…
Upcoming Events
New Good Human Workshops
Free Pattern
#YearOfStitch Update
TikTok
April Summary + pics
UPCOMING EVENTS
(red is done. blue is coming up.)
COLORADO
Boulder, CO May 5th Craftivism at Lula Faye Fiber
Longmont, CO May 7th Craftivism at Firehouse Art Center
KANSAS CITY, MO
May 20th Gay Craft Night at Yarn Social
May 21st Craftivism stitch-up at the WWI Museum
COLUMBUS, OH
June 10th Intro to Embroidery at Sew to Speak
June 11th Intro to Craftivism at Sew to Speak
June 12th Street Craftivism at Sew to Speak
ONLINE
May 12th and 14th Meet the Maker (It’s me. I’m the maker.) - Algonquin Area Public Library District Event
GOOD HUMAN WORKSHOPS
This is a radical skill share series for folks who want to do more in service to a just world, but feel unsure where to start. All workshops are pay-what-you-can and 100% of the money goes to the expert facilitator.
Activism 101 for Introverts and Highly Sensitive People with Omkari Williams
Saturday, May 7th
How to Prepare for a Disaster with Morgan Davis
Sunday, June 5th
Thursday, August 11th
PATTERN
I had the pleasure of working on a little something with arc southeast. This organization provides funding and logistical support to ensure Southerners receive safe and compassionate reproductive care including abortion services. Through education and leadership development, they build power in communities of color to abolish stigma and restore dignity and justice.
I always recommend a donation if you can do it. You can also give them a follow on Instagram to show your support @arc_southeast.
Additionally, you can use these two patterns below to help broaden the conversation around abortion justice while you call your legislators and show up to actions. ;)
You can download the files here.
#YearOfStitch UPDATE
If you don’t know, since January I have been teaching a new embroidery stitch every week in Patreon Community. It’s been ahhhhhhmazing. Every six weeks, I release a new sampler so that folks can apply the next 6-weeks of stitches to a design once they get the hang of them. I am releasing the next pattern on May 7th so now is a great time to join us!
This also gets you access to Zoom gatherings twice a month with other amazing makers from around the world. Doesn’t matter what amount you support at, every level gets access to everything because I try as hard as I can to keep money from being a barrier (while also trying to figure out ways to pay my student loans ;)
Sneak peek at what I’m cooking up for the next sampler
TIKTOK
I came up with a fun idea for TikTok and it felt meaningful enough to move forward with it. So, yes, I now have a TikTok. I have caved. BUT, I am excited about it which is always a good sign. Now that I am doing more in person things, I’m meeting so many amazing humans and I want you to know them too. I will now interview some of the folks I meet and ask them one question. I’ve got a handful out already and I’m really enjoying the experience.
I’m sure I’ll figure out how to make a better URL but in the meantime: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdVsey4o/
#IHaveAQuestion
APRIL SUMMARY
Salt Lake City has been a total joy. I have been staying with my dear friends from college and they are just so fun. I spent a weekend in Ely, Nevada rockhounding and have an amazing collection of amethysts and wonder stones along with some garnet, fossils, and sunstone! Here’s my archeology degree paying off for the first time since college:
I’ve taught several classes at the University of Utah about Street Art and Craftivism. I was invited to hear George Takei speak about his activism. An amazing student at the University, Anna, curated a beautiful mini-exhibit at the library on campus and I am excited to say that I debut a new piece and it will be on display through July there.
I learned about the most AMAZING queer community space and bookstore in Salt Lake City called Under the Umbrella. I led two workshops there and I cannot say enough about this space. They sell online and you should purchase all of your queer and feminist books from them. Especially this Saturday as we celebrate Indie Bookstore Day!
I led a stitch workshop at UMOCA which is always a joy and I met some lovely people. Two of them happened to work at the Utah Museum of Fine Art and invited me over to see their quilt exhibit - which was baller! Highly recommend.
Another highlight was the time I spent working with a high school class that is focused on queer history and activism. I taught them about street art and wheatpasting. We made posters and paste and postered the outside of their school (with permission) in anti-HB11 and pro-trans and queer messages.
The coolest part was that the students organized a school walkout in opposition to HB11 and it was incredibly well done and powerful. These moments leave me feeling so hopeful.
I am having a hard time thinking about leaving here on Sunday because it’s been so full of queer joy! As always, I’m excited to see what happens next. It’s a constant adventure.
I hope to see you soon!
xo
Shannon