Today marks the one year anniversary of my life on the road. People keep asking me - so how has it been? I assume if I ask most of you how this past year has been for you it is unlikely you would provide a jaunty summary statement as we have been living through a literal hellscape. So my answer is this…
It’s been encouraging, meaningful, boring, lonely, invigorating, dirty, exhausting, inspiring, exciting, chaotic, quiet, thrilling, special, challenging, hurtful, reassuring, depressing, clarifying, isolating, charming, empowering, scary, fun, uncomfortable, and overall wildly successful by my own metrics.
While this was meant to be a “one year tour” I know that I’m not ready to be done. So ever forward we go!
There’s much to share so let me get to it!
SEATTLE
I’m currently in Washington State and I will holding an IN PERSON stitch-up at queer-owned, Distant Worlds Coffeehouse, in Seattle on July 11th.
You can learn more and register here.
HOW TO BE A GOOD HUMAN TRAININGS
I have partnered up with the National Harm Reduction Coalition to bring you three different trainings.
How to Prevent a Drug Overdose - July 13th or July 26th
Talking to Children About Drugs - July 19th
Harm Reduction on College Campuses - July 22nd
You can reverse an overdose if you know what to do and you act in time. Whether you use drugs, love someone who does, or just care about the people in your community, it’s important to be prepared if you encounter someone who is overdosing.
Fatal overdose is one of the leading causes of death for people in the U.S. today and we’re facing a unique and unprecedented overdose crisis. The U.S. is also the epicenter of the global drug war, which contributes to fatal overdose as individuals are more likely to use alone, to not call 911, or to not have naloxone on hand.
I can’t stress how important these conversations and skill sets are to saving lives and making change. I hope to see you at these!
This piece is a stitched replica of art created by Lisa Kelley. She is an artist and activist in Philadelphia and I am obsessed with her work. You can learn more here.
The In’s and Out’s of Therapy - July 29th
Wondering what therapy is all about? What types of therapy are there? Why you'd do it? How to find a good therapist?
Let's talk about all those things and more. If you have questions about it, then bring them to this space.
This workshop is led by Laura Grimes.
Laura Grimes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Sex Therapist located in Chicago, Illinois. She's the founder of Inclusive Insight Psychotherapy & Consulting, a therapy practice with locations in Chicago, IL and Des Moines, IA.
She is: a social worker, sex therapist, activist, queer, mom, spouse
Activism 101 for Introverts and Highly Sensitive People - September 25th
Omkari Williams was such a hit when she offered this workshop last month, we have decided to offer it again.
One of the challenges of doing activism, if you identify as an introvert or Highly Sensitive Person is just answering the question, "How can I do impactful activism without burning myself out?"
This workshop will give you a structure that you can use to build your personalized plan for consistent, meaningful activism. You'll discover your activist archetype, connect to your origin story (what propelled you to want to make change,) and figure out where you fit on the spectrum of activism.
From there, doing activism your way becomes so much simpler. You aren't trying to do a one size fits all, you'll have a plan that uses your strengths and your talents to help move the world toward justice.
PATREON COMMUNITY
It’s been a fun month with my new and growing Patreon community!
We had a kick-off party and talked about what we want from this space. We held an afternoon stitch-up and made time to create and get to know each other. And today, we started our community spotlight feature - where we feature a community member and their work so we all start getting to know each other!
Much fun will be had (and it’s a great way to support my work so I can keep doing it).
If you sign up at any level today, you are entered into the Pride Month raffle and you could win a custom piece of art by me on this amazing antique textile!
NEW PATTERNS
I have three new tiny leader patterns on Etsy. Stacy Abrams, Kamala Harris, and Tammy Duckworth.
WHERE TO NEXT?
I’m heading east again my friends and I hope to get to see you!
Here’s what I know right now…
Beginning the week of July 12th I’m traveling through: Spokane, Bozeman, Billings, Bizmark (Let me know if you want to hang out or plan something for these stops!
I’m stopping and either have planned events or would love to plan events in:
Minneapolis
Madison - Stitch-Up on August 3rd at 6pm at Garver Feed Mill
Milwaukee
CHICAGO - Stitch-up on August 8th at 1pm at Horner Park
Indianapolis
Charleston, WV
Salem, NC
I will most likely be based in NC for the Fall with exciting jaunts to:
Knoxville to keynote the Maker City Summit
Atlanta for events at the Zuckerman Museum of Art
Philadelphia for frivolity at the National Liberty Museum
You know how it is though…everything is always subject to change, evolve, and pivot. If any of this is in your neck of the woods, please reach out and let’s plan stuff!!
QUILTCON 2022
I am HONORED to announce that I will be on faculty for QuiltCon 2022 in Phoenix, AZ.
I will be leading a 3-hour Craftivism Workshop, a 6-hour Craftivism Intensive, and giving a lecture on Craftivism.
If you are going to be there I sure hope we get to hang out and talk craftivism!
I am grateful for you!
xo
Shannon