Hi Friends!
I hope everyone is staying hydrated, sleeping, moving their bodies, and stabbing the shit out of things. I’ve got three out of four going for me. Sleep seems to be an elusive temptress.
I have a boatload to share with you so let me get right to it…
What’s Below:
Upcoming Events
Craftivism Grant Update
Shout outs (there are many)
Free Pattern
Life Updates
#YearOfStitch
UPCOMING EVENTS
ONLINE
Intro to Embroidery - 9/24 via Zoom
How to Support Survivors of Abuse with Rebecca Donley - 10/2 via Zoom
IN PERSON
Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery - 9/11 - Nashua, NH
Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery - 10/16 - Lincoln, MA
I am so happy to be getting back to community events post accident. I had two absolutely delightful workshops in the past few weeks. The first at an incredible volunteer-run maker space in Lowell, Massachusetts. I cannot wait to go back for more! Check them out.
The second was at the Reading Library in Reading, Massachusetts. This one was extra magical because there were several community members (one was actually named Karen) who spent a great deal of time and energy trying to prevent me from doing the workshop. This included showing up to a city meeting to complain. Imagine what the world would be like if we could channel that energy into something productive? I’m going to work on that. In the meantime, enjoy this delightful picture of everyone learning the Shannon Downey tah-dah method for separating strands ;)
Also, yay for libraries and librarians!!! Punk AF.
CRAFTIVISM GRANT UPDATE
In January I gave a micro grant to the School of Needlework for Disobedient Women. This is a two-week summer camp for teens in Kentucky. The grant was for $500 and 10 hours of my time + expertise. It has been an absolute pleasure working with this two-woman crew. We set up calendars, curriculum plans, and so much infrastructure. The camp ran in July and NPR covered it. It is totally worth the three-minute listen!
The gals will be providing a summary of the camp, their experience, and their next steps in an upcoming newsletter so stay tuned.
Additionally, because this was such a positive experience, I will be offering the grant again in 2023. The details and application will be released in late October.
SHOUT OUTS!
Black Women Stitch on NPR
I’m a big fan of Lisa Woolfork. Listen to this short piece as she recounts how white supremacy and racism in the quilting community inspired/required her to start Black Women Stitch.
https://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=1117128445
Lunch with my favorite YA author, EE Holmes
If you love YA fiction, I have your next 14 reads. I met Emily on Twitter and dove into her books. OMG. I am in deep y’all. Naturally, I had to meet her once I learned we were both in Massachusetts. Good news: she is absolutely delightful and I have definitely convinced her to come learn how to stitch.
Women-owned Business
If you are looking for ethically sourced (and I mean deeply researched) embroidery supplies, look no further than Maydel. The owner, Lauren Venell, has been showing up for me for years and I am a big fan. She has inspired me to create a resource page for my website with all of the businesses and shops across the country that I adore. I’ll be working on that this fall.
New England Area Folks
Two events you need to know about (and come hang out with me because I’ll be at both):
New Moon Inner Alchemy Collage Circle with Mindy Tsonas Choi at Circle of Stitches - Salem, MA - 8/28
Community Craft Nite at gather here - Cambridge, MA - 9/8
Random TV + Proud Friend Brags
First the random TV suggestion…I HIGHLY recommend the new series, A League of Their Own on Amazon. I remember watching the original film and both loving it and feeling sad that all queerness was erased from the story. I mean…come on. Any lesbian knows that at least half of that league was gay. The new series is as gay as I imagine the league was. It felt like I was being given back a part of my history. It is so good.
Now to brag on my friends…
If you haven’t yet watched the brilliantly quirky show, Our Flag Means Death, I give it two thumbs up not JUST because my amazing friend Zayre Ferrer writes on it, but because it is the queer pirate monty python vibe you didn’t know you needed in your life. The writing, the wit, the premise, the cast, the guest stars! Oh this one is going to rock your funny bone.
My girl Greta Johnsen is co-host of THE OFFICIAL HBO House of Dragons podcast. The show premiered last night and while my TV failed me and I wasn’t able to watch it, best believe I’ll be watching it today and then heading immediately to the podcast to process with Greta and Jason Concepcion.
FREE PATTERN
Remember to jump through every hoop in order to ensure your vote is counted. Also remember to take action to end voter suppression.
LIFE UPDATES
First off, holy shit thank you to everyone who donated to the GoFundMe that my amazing community set up for me! It was a miracle to go from - omg I just lost everything to - omg my community has my back and values my work.
It has been a long and stressful two months (with lots of joy and support mixed in). I decided that I could not make any major life decisions given the state I was in. I also knew I needed a place to feel safe, reorient, and be able to keep doing my work. I rented a small studio on the ocean in Hull, Massachusetts for a bit.
I am getting my space set up and can already feel myself moving from resentment and sadness to peace and gratitude. I’ve been planning all sorts of fun stuff for us and look forward to bringing that to life and getting you involved. More on that soon.
The ocean really is a salve for the soul.
#YEAROFSTITCH
I have a Patreon community (a pay-what-you-can digital community that enables me to continue to do my work and rewards community members with loads of just-for-you content). This year, I have been teaching one new embroidery stitch each week. Additionally, every six weeks I provide a new sampler so that everyone can try their new stitches out. It has been pure joy!
Things you should know:
The videos live on the Patreon site forever so you can join at any time and jump in from where we are at OR start at the beginning OR start wherever you like.
The next sampler drops on September 10th which makes it a great time to join us.
I’m already planning the 2023 Patreon adventure and it’s going to be awwwwwesome.
Two Sunday’s a month we get together on Zoom to hang out and stitch. Everyone who is a part of the community is welcome.
Here’s how you join in the fun: https://www.patreon.com/BadassCrossStitch
Be sure to follow the hashtag #YearOfStitch to see everyone’s progress and connect with other amazing artists, stitchers, and craftivists.
That’s what I have you for you today. I hope to stitch with you soon my friends!
xo
Shannon